Work Text
Cover artwork by Djpunupipi
2021 update: A lot has changed since I wrote this foreward. It wouldn't be wrong to call this an AU instead of imaginary canon extension these days, especially given how SqEn keeps going back into their old properties and *retconning everything*. I hope you can enjoy this story for what it is, whether it suits canon or not. If you make it through to the end, it's certainly long enough try. ;-)Started in 2006, this truly is my longest (and longest-running) fanfiction ever written. I dropped it after having children, but picked it up again in 2016 to wrap it up. I only worked occassionally with betas up until Chapter 30, so you should notice a marked improvement in grammar / sentence construction from that point on. My deepest thanks to the betas who have helped make this work less of a disaster than it really should be: Fwe (ca 2006-2008) and Ciesste as well as my husband (2016-), and of course to rr1963 who unwittingly birthed the plot bunny for this fic with his own epic work, "Soldier of Spira."On censorship: the only reason this fiction differs from the one posted on a certain other website is because of fair use laws for music and this extended Author's Foreward. That's right, I had to censor this fiction for poetry and song lyrics, due to the technical terms of use on that other website. There is no additional smut or violence to be found. AO3 will always be hosting the most up-to-date edits, however, so look here for the most polished version of the story first.When I started writing this, I originally dedicated it to two friends who passed before me. Since then many other inspirational figures have moved on to greater things, and some of them have had a direct influence on this work. So for Liz, Val, Monty Oum, David Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen, Lemmy Klimster, George Michael and just in general, all of the great artists who were taken from us much too soon - this one's (still) for you; nothing's ever in vain.
The story starts sometime after the events of FFX-2, which would make Rikku 20 years old. I really hate translating fake-language dialogue, so if you suspect something italicized is being said in Al Bhed you're probably right. Finally, I don't speak Latin (no one does, really) but I believe Memento Vivere roughly translates to "Life Reminder," or "remember that you have to live."
Canon Divergence / Game Nerdery Notes
Let it be known that no matter what is written in this story, the author absolutely hates Sphere Break, Blitzball, and every single damn minigame you had to play to unlock those celestial weapons. Damn it, Clasko, you train the chocobos. Let it also be known that the author is a lackadaisical atheist who is not trying to push any sort of religious, political or social agenda onto the readership, no matter what the characters may say or do.In the real world, the record for a human's longest held breath is slightly over sixteen minutes. Of course the real world is not Spira, which regularly defies all laws of physics. I prefer to think that certain races (Al Bhed, Guado, special cases like Tidus and other residents of Dream Zanarkand) have developed an increased lung capacity over the years due to the amount of time they spend diving and swimming.A paternoster (featured in Chapter 34) is a lift consisting of a series of linked compartments moving continuously on an endless belt. If you can't picture what it is, this graphic may help.Most of these notes will follow in the chapters they appear in as footnotes, particularly when they relate to video game battle mechanics as translated into writing. There are a few divergences from the official Spiran timeline as presented by the Final Fantasy Wikia, however, so I'm going to list the major ones here. If you're an astute reader you might be able to extrapolate spoilers from this list; be warned.
TL; DR THERE ARE SPOILERS UNDER HERE, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
Canon Timeline Refresher / Story Divergences
Eien no Daishou (sequel novel after X-2) never happened.
Will (radio play after Eien no Daishou) never happened.
When Rikku joined Yuna's Pilgrimage, she was 15 years old. This is canon. When Yuna defeated Sin, Rikku was 16 years old; Yuna's Pilgrimage took at least a year or longer to complete. This is not canon.
When this story starts, Rikku is a little over 20 years old.
Kelk Ronso becomes a Maester in this story before Jyscal Guado. In the canon universe, they were anointed at the same time, one year after Braska's Pilgrimage. Because of this change, the Ronso race has already begun to be more widely accepted among the humanoid races, but the Guado are still lagging behind.
Braska's wife was named Raenn; this is not canon. She died returning to Bikanel when Yuna was a year old; this is very fuzzily canon, as FFX only states it happened when Yuna was "young."
When Summoners summon, they go into something called Rapture, a sort of trance. This is very much not canon.
Recording Spheres and many other things work on the premise of special magic water called "Memory Water" - this is also not canon.
Jecht / Braska / Auron / Kinoc Sphere dialogue is mostly canon. I've taken some creative liberties with them to make them fit into this story, but the bulk of the conversations are directly from the original game.
The way thieving works in this fiction isn't explicitly canon (but it doesn't contradict canon either).
According to canon, Sin has only been defeated a grand total of five times in 1,000 years, the sixth time and final time being Yuna’s Pilgrimage. I am of the opinion that we would not have any sort of world culture to write about if a big floating war whale had 950 years to run around razing civilization unchecked. In this story, Sin is regularly defeated, usually to the tune of 10-15 years apart at a time. High Summoning is more of a sacrificial trophy than a rare event.
Dream Zanarkand is a real aeon, physically floating over the sea in Spira, summoned by the Wall of Fayth on Mount Gagazet. This is canon.
Sin is basically a suit of pyrefly armor gathered together by gravity magic, grown into a grotesque size because Yu Yevon lost control. This is canon.
The Besaid Aurochs losing Tournament games for 23 years in a row / Wakka joining them at 13 is canon.
Gazna, Zamzi, Irga and Zev Ronso are actual Blitzball players from FFX.
- Zev is a Ronso free agent in FFX. He's also a jack-of-all-trades and the fastest Ronso swimmer you can recruit.
- Gazna really is the captain of the Fangs and a midfielder.
- Irga starts out slow but eventually becomes one of the best defenders you can get at higher Blitzball levels.
- Zamzi starts out strong and remains passable as a goalkeeper throughout the entire Blitzball cycle.
Brother, whose name is really "Brother" - this is not a fond shortening of "Cid Junior" or anything else that would make actual sense - electrocuted Rikku with a Thunder spell (magic) when she was young, causing her astraphobia. She cured herself of this by camping out in the Thunder Plains when she was 17 years old. Brother is three years older than Rikku, and taught himself how to speak the common tongue when he was 20 years old, just before the events of FFX-2. This is all canon.
Cid is 35 years old at the time of Braska's Pilgrimage in this story. According to canon, he's supposed to be 27 years old.
Maechen is a 1,000 year old unsent dead guy who was once friends with Lenne. This is canon. So is everything Maechen says about Alb and the Bedohl race.
Keyakku is Cid's eldest son and Rikku and Brother's brother. This is not canon.
Gippal and Rikku are childhood friends. I don't think this is canon. Gippal and Auron are acquainted. This is canon if you go for 100% completion in FFX-2.
At the time of Braska's Pilgrimage, Braska is 35 years old, Auron is 25 years old, and Jecht is ... let's say 27. Auron and Braska's ages are canon.
The city of Baaj wasn’t yet destroyed and Seymour didn’t seal Anima’s fayth in the ruins until seven years after Braska's Pilgrimage, according to canon. In this story Anima was transplanted into in Baaj Temple when Seymour was only 18, sometime right after Sin completely razed the city. Baaj Temple formerly hosted another Fayth which was lost over 200 years ago. This is not canon.
Dona and Bartello are natives of Kilika. They're both 14 years old at the time of Braska's Pilgrimage. This is canon.
Lady Ginnem was a Summoner Lulu once guarded. This is canon. That she's a native of Besaid is not strictly canon, though it doesn't contradict it.
Cameos? What cameos?
See if you can find them like Pokémon! All cameos will be listed in the Appendix, and are full of spoilers.
As usual, all standard disclaimers for fanworks apply. FFX & X-2 are the property of Square Enix, not myself. I make no profit from this, and none will be sought (with the exception of reader reviews / kudos). This entire work is for entertainment purposes only. Happy reading! And please let me know somehow if you like it, that always makes my day.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku was feeling cheated. She sprawled herself messily over the deck of the gently humming airship and let the wind wash over her face. It was a beautiful day; then again, almost every day in Spira was beautiful since both Sin and Vegnagun had been defeated. People were so wildly happy that Paine would often be heard groaning about how all the good cheer and smiles made her want to break a few teeth. While usually Rikku was content to let herself be a part of Paine's problem, today was different. Sure, it was just as beautiful as any other day in Spira, full of smiles and happiness and song and dance, but something was off. Something besides the fact that Yuna and Paine were no longer travelling on the Celsius with her, nor had they been for almost half a year.With Tidus' return, Yuna was content to settle in Besaid for a much-deserved rest. Paine, on the other hand, left to serve under Nooj once more, as had the rest of the boys from their close-knit Crimson Squad circle. It was in fact their group that was largely responsible for maintaining the peace and stability that Spira currently enjoyed. And that left Rikku with Brother, Buddy and Shinra on the Celsius; they were still the Gullwings and still involved in the never-ending hunt for spheres, even if their numbers had thinned.Rikku knew she should be happy, satisfied with her lot in life. It wasn't everyone who got a chance to save the world, and she actually had done it twice in a row! Still, she felt as though something was missing; adventures were well and fine, but Rikku wanted to do more than just save the world. Or more accurately, she wanted to do less than save the world for once. She wanted to find that little niche of contentment that both Yuna and Paine had managed to carve for themselves; she wanted to belong somewhere, with someone. And while she didn't doubt that Brother would manage to make a complete mess of things if she wasn't around, spending the rest of her life with the Gullwings was not Rikku's idea of a good niche. At that moment it seemed more like an unavoidable pitfall. Closing her eyes, Rikku took a deep breath and examined the little ball of discontent in her stomach closely: Yep, a slight constriction in the chest, a sense of restless boredom and a sudden need to sit up and scream loudly."AAH!""Whoa, everything all right up there?" Buddy's voice spilled out over the intercom, and Rikku shut her mouth and blinked."Oops, I really did that?" she giggled nervously to herself. Then she scowled in the direction of the huge hatch of the airship, waving a vaguely rude gesture towards the speakers. "I'm fine, fine!" she hollered. "I thought I told you that I wanted to be left alone!""Hey, don't chew my head off," Buddy answered almost immediately. "Brother's the one who wanted to check up on you. Blame him!""Uuh," Rikku replied, dropping her head into her knees with a low groan. "Why can't he keep his nose in his own business?" she muttered loudly.The response was almost inevitable: "RIKKU! I HEARD THAT!" Another loud crackle erupted from the speakers, probably Buddy managing to wrest the intercom out of Brother's angry grasp."We're just worried about you. So are you gonna come in anytime soon?""Alright, I'm coming already, don't get so excited!" Rikku shouted, springing to her feet. She gave her tiny skirt a few cursory pats and turned towards the hatch. The Celsius was flying low today and not particularly quickly, but even so the rush of the wind was incredible, whipping her messy blond hair into her face. "Oww," Rikku hissed, pushing away some of the braids and beads that slapped at her cheeks. "Maybe it's time to cut the mop again!" She stomped towards the door, the wind stinging her face. It didn't help improve her sullen mood. The hatch slid open smoothly and the ever-comforting rhythm of machina at work greeted her, and soon she was riding the large steel platform back down into the heart of the airship.The Celsius was Brother's pride and joy; custom rigged and lovingly cared for by both himself and Rikku, it was quite possibly the most advanced airship in all of Spira - and definitely the best looking, in Rikku's personal opinion. After their first Home had been destroyed, it became the closest replacement they had found for the original. If she was honest with herself, Rikku loved the airship just as much as her brother did; just being inside of it usually comforted her. Not on this particular day, however; the normally-pleasant whirr of machinery was grating on her nerves and made her feel jumpier than usual."Where is it, anyway?" she grumbled to herself, crossing her arms and pacing impatiently across the platform as the elevator was lowered. "Where's my happy ending?" She closed her eyes and blew out a loud breath. The jolt of the platform coming to a stop shook her out of her contemplation, and Rikku scowled into the empty corridor. "Happy endings don't just happen, Rikku!" she scolded herself out loud. "You have to make them, right?" And if I'm not finding them here, then maybe…Like with most of her ideas, Rikku grabbed onto the nascent thought and ran with it before it was fully formed. "Besaid?" she mused out loud. "Naw, Yunie and Tidus probably don't want me hanging around and bugging them again so soon." She strode into the elevator quickly and slammed the button for the cabins, mumbling to herself the entire way. "Bevelle? Nu-uh, no way! I still hate that place! I don't see how Paine can stand it there!" She barely gave a wave to the barkeep as she skipped up the steps and over towards her bed. "Maybe Mount Gagazet. I haven't seen Kimahri in a while…" She checked her thought and looked down at her skimpy clothing, wrinkling her nose. "Then again, it's always snowing there. Brrr, I'm getting cold just thinking about it!"Sitting heavily on the bed, Rikku rummaged through the mess in her drawer, humming absently to herself as she picked out a small selection of spheres and shuffled a few garment grids through her hands. Before they had parted ways, the three girls had split the collection of small, stone-like tablets between themselves as mementos of their adventures together. Though she hardly needed them for anything other than basic self-defence against the usual run-of-the-mill fiends on the more perilous excursions, Rikku found herself wearing them often out of habit, almost like jewellery. She had even begun to tool up fanciful belts to match the patterns inscribed on the varying tablets. Quickly sorting through her haphazard collection of spheres and grids, she settled on one and began to ornament it with the spheres she had chosen. "Always gotta remember to accessorize," she announced proudly when she was finished, snapping the belt into place. As soon as she did, she closed her eyes and sucked in her breath sharply at the tingle of electricity that raced up her spine; equipping the magic-imbued grids was always a little bit uncomfortable at first. Lulu had tried her best to school Rikku in the ways of black magic during Yuna's Pilgrimage, but apart from the most basic of the elemental spells, the complexity of higher magic had always eluded Rikku's grasp. Wearing the Conflagration Grid was like slipping a pair of magnifying glasses over her magical nerves, bringing her limited capability into painfully sharp focus and augmenting it with a burst of artificial power. After a few seconds, her fingers stopped tingling and she opened her eyes."Whew, what a rush!" Rikku yelled, forgoing the stairs in favour of leaping down from the balcony. Barkeep eyed her suspiciously from behind the counter; at least, as suspiciously as any hypello could manage to appear."Mish Rikku, are yoo planning another trip?" he asked placidly, slapping his long fingers together.Rikku flashed the little hypello a wide grin. "Yep! There's something I gotta do, and I've been putting it off for long enough. But don't worry, I'll be back lickity-split! I bet you guys won't even notice that I'm gone!"Barkeep nodded and blinked at her; she knew that it was his own hypello-version of a smile. "Maybe yoo should tell the others," he added diplomatically as an afterthought."Of course I will! Somebody has to fly me there after all!""Fly you where?" Buddy walked in and crossed his arms. "Brother sent me to find you, he wanted you up on the bridge five minutes ago."Rikku only rolled her eyes and huffed, stomping out the door. She heard Buddy's footsteps echoing behind her and slouched against the wall of the elevator, waiting for him to follow."So… are you gonna tell me about this new plan of yours, or you just planning to break it to Brother once we're up there?" Buddy sounded vaguely amused, but there was a hint of concern underneath the question. He held off from hitting the panel that would bring them towards the bridge as he waited for her answer."Well…" Rikku began, fidgeting. She hadn't planned much of anything yet, in reality; she was still silently debating where she wanted to go to begin her journey. All she knew was that wherever her happy ending was hiding, it wasn't going to be found on the Celsius in the company of her friends. "I just feel like I need to go off on my own for a while," she finally admitted. "You know, spread my own wings, that sorta thing!""Huh," Buddy replied, scratching the back of his head and sounding unconvinced. "You always do your own thing whether we're around or not anyway," he informed her. Seeing her fidget nervously and remain silent, he shrugged in defeat and smiled at her. "Alright, you don't have to spill if you don't want to. Just tell me this. Are we gonna regret letting you do whatever it is you're planning?""No!" Rikku replied, falling into a sulk. "Why do you guys always assume the worst about my plans, anyway?"Buddy laughed, shaking his head. "Because you're Crazy Cid's kid. Because you're related to Brother. Because you know I'm right. I can list specifics if you want. Oh, like that time you wanted to try introducing Chocobo Racing into Bevelle to 'loosen them up' …" he began, holding out a hand and ticking off a finger. Rikku scowled. "Or how about when you took us snowboarding at Lake Macalania?""Listen! That was a perfectly fine idea until those fiends showed up! How was I supposed to know the ice was so thin?"Buddy only shook his head again and shrugged. "See what I mean?"Rikku rolled her eyes and slammed the button for the bridge with an impatient huff. "I'm NOT going to get you into trouble this time, I swear! I just …" she looked down and rolled on the balls of her feet uncomfortably. "I just need some time for myself, you know? There's some stuff I gotta find, and I don't think you guys can help me with it this time.""Hmm," Buddy said, regarding her thoughtfully. "We've all noticed you've been kind of ornery the past few weeks…""ORNERY?" Rikku squawked, balling her hands into fists. "What's that supposed to mean, huh?""… tense, I mean tense," Buddy corrected immediately. "Maybe you're right, though. I guess we could all use a little vacation every now and then." The elevator pulled to a stop, and as the doors opened they could hear the loud cries of Brother leaking through the heavy metal bulkhead of the cockpit as he argued with Shinra. "… maybe this isn't the best place to do some thinking anyhow." The walked out into the corridor, but he paused once again before they entered the bridge. "But you know, Rikku … we'll always be here for you if you need us. You're a Gullwing, after all. That means you're family."Rikku blinked unexpectedly; Buddy was far more observant than he usually let on. She could see he was concerned for her, and felt a vague stab of guilt that she was planning on leaving them so unexpectedly for an uncertain purpose and with no real goals other than to 'find herself.' "Family," she repeated faintly, giving him a thankful smile. "Don't worry so much, I'll be back as soon as I've figured out what it is that I'm looking for."Buddy gave her a short nod. "We trust you," he said, and then opened the hatch."RIKKU!" Brother's head shot up as she stepped onto the bridge. "There you are! What took you so long? We have sphere waves coming in from –""Well they're gonna have to wait!" Rikku said immediately, holding up a hand and silencing her sputtering brother. "There's somewhere I need to go before I can do any more sphere hunting for the Gullwings!""WHAT?" Brother yelled, throwing his hands up into the air.Buddy only shook his head tiredly, giving Rikku a cursory pat on the shoulder before taking his post at the helm. "I think Rikku wants a little vacation," he said cautiously."We just came back from that vacation in Besaid two weeks ago," Shinra piped up, looking over his shoulder at the others. "Why do we need another?""EXCELLENT QUESTION!" Brother yelled, circling his hands even more wildly above his head. "Though… if you mean to say you want to go back to Besaid to visit Yuna…" he began."Hey!" Rikku yelled, jumping up and down. "I need a vacation! Not you guys! Me! Me only! And I'm not going to Besaid!" she added, causing Brother's face to fall."Me me me," he mimicked, sneering at Rikku. "That is all you ever think about. What about our treasure hunt? What about the Celsius? What about Yuna?" he added, the last question coming out a bit mournfully."Ugh, this is why I don't talk to you," Rikku replied, rolling her eyes. "I'm going on a vacation by myself, and that's final! You guys will just have to learn to live without me. Terrible, I know!" she added with a grin."Hah!" Brother replied, glaring at his sister. "This is just another one of your last minute ideas to get out of sphere hunting, isn't it? I bet you do not even know where you want to go!" He crossed his arms and waited with a knowing smirk."Hey! That is so not true!" Rikku yelled, stomping over to the control panel. She pulled up the spinning hologram of the world map and stared at it blankly for a few moments, feeling Brother's eyes boring into her. Think, Rikku, think! Squinting, she trailed a finger over the continent trying to pick a destination, when inspiration suddenly struck her. "For your information, I'm going to Guadosalam!" she informed them triumphantly.Silence fell as everyone spun around to stare at her then."Why?" Shinra finally asked.Yeah, why? Rikku repeated to herself, feeling their eyes on her. Guadosalam had nothing but bad memories for the Al Bhed; from boasting the location of the Farplane, to being the former home of the people who had destroyed their own, to the simple fact that the Leblanc Syndicate still practically owned the town. "I just do. Don't ask, okay?" she answered with a snap, feeling defensive."You really mean to do this, Rikku?" Brother asked, narrowing his eyes at her. He was annoying, and loud, and he had a tendency to overreact to the slightest provocation, but in the end he was still her brother. Rikku smiled and gave him a small nod, and his expression softened minutely. Then he drew his face into a hard scowl. "Fine. But you will owe me big for this, you understand?""Yeah, yeah, whatever," Rikku replied, sticking her tongue out at his back. "Thanks," she muttered under her breath, but he gave no indication of having heard her.
.x.x.x.
"What am I doing here?" Rikku mumbled, staring at the swirling pool of light that marked the entrance to the Farplane. She thought her adventures with Yuna would have cured her of her reluctance to enter the Farplane, but now those days seemed like a lifetime ago, and all of the old fears were quickly resurfacing.The Al Bhed didn't fear the Farplane; they did scorn it, however, or at least scorn those who considered it to be a gateway to communicate with the dead. "Everything has a simple explanation, and if it can't be explained, it just hasn't been studied enough yet." That motto definitely applied towards pyreflies and the visions they formed when one entered the Farplane. It was the explanation Rikku liked to rely on when trying to explain why she didn't enjoy visiting it. It wasn't the truth, however, at least not her truth.Truth, for Rikku, was that she was scared of the things she thought she might see on the Farplane. She wanted to keep her memories of the people she had lost frozen inside of her head, trapped in happier times; letting the pyreflies project those thoughts for all the world to see felt not only like a violation of her privacy, but also a release; that somehow, they would steal her happy memories away and leave her alone with only the sadness.She paced outside of the gate of light nervously; the last visitors had long since exited, and considering the late hour it was unlikely that any more were going to come through that night. Not that anyone could ever tell what time of day it actually was in Guadosalam; the underground community was perpetually lit with a sleepy evening atmosphere, while the Farplane was bathed in an eternal sunset."Ohh, stop stalling and just do it!" she told herself, grabbing her head and whipping her braids around. Then, biting her lip, she screwed her eyes shut and threw herself through the barrier. A brief, misty sensation of coldness passed over her skin, as though Shiva had blown her a gentle kiss. It faded, though the cool air did not, and cautiously Rikku opened one eye."This is it," she breathed, climbing the stone steps and taking in the endless sky and swirling clouds that surrounded the platform. The Farplane was as breathtaking as she remembered it; beautiful and cold and so very, very empty. The quiet song of the pyreflies filled the air, and Rikku shivered convulsively. "Creepy!" she yelled loudly, mostly in an attempt to instil herself with courage and chase away the gentle sighs of the pyreflies. "This isn't as bad as thunder," she told herself, grinding her fingers into her palm and stepping forward stiffly. "Time to face some old fears." She approached the edge of the stony plateau resolutely and looked into the mists below. Color and light filled the air, along with the dull roar of falling water. There was something achingly beautiful about the Farplane, and yet sad … for all the beauty there, it was still barren. "What good are flowers if nobody sees them bloom?" Rikku asked herself, settling along the edge of the rock and letting her feet dangle over the drop. A few pyreflies gathered around the tips of her boots, and Rikku watched them swirl there with detached fascination. Hard to believe fiends are made out of these little guys, she thought to herself. Not only fiends, she remembered. The pyreflies twirled away from her boots and swirled in front of her, and Rikku swallowed thickly."Mom," she said softly, looking at the figure that faded into view. Unexpected tears stung at her eyes; it was her mother, floating before her in much sharper clarity than her fuzzy memory could recall. "A-are you really here?" she whispered, reaching a hand out towards the image. But the image simply smiled at her, floating there, strangely alive and yet never changing, never acknowledging her presence with anything more than a soft smile. Rikku let her hand drop. "Just a memory after all, huh?" she whispered, wiping at her eyes. "We're right, aren't we, mom? This isn't a gateway to the past, it's just one big fat sphere for broadcasting your own memories." She felt foolish for her brief moment of wild belief, that it might against all odds actually be her real mother standing there before her. When she looked up, the image was already fading from view."Just memories of the dead," she repeated. The pyreflies swirled and twisted again, and Rikku smiled at the man floating before her. "Hey, Keyakku," she said, blinking back another wave of tears. "Long time no see. Father and Brother miss you, ya know. Not like they'd ever say it." He only looked back at her, an almost-smile playing across his face, the same one she had seen on her mother. "Me too, I guess," she added softly. She was glad that he wasn't wearing his goggles this time; she had almost forgotten the green of his eyes. "You always were the responsible one. So be sure and look after mom for us till we get there, will you?" she whispered, giving him a little wave. The pyreflies swirled around him and he disappeared."It's not so bad," Rikku reasoned to herself with a small sigh. "I guess… it is sort of nice to be able to say goodbye." She smiled hesitantly to herself. "I wonder if it really is like a sphere projector …" Closing her eyes, she thought hard. Then she cracked them open and let out a small squeal of delight. The pyreflies had reformed, and she smiled at the figure before her. "Hey, Jecht! I hope Tidus doesn't mind me seeing you here," she said as she waved. Not surprisingly, he didn't reply. "I guess I don't know you all that well, but I was just a little curious to see if I could get you here since we never really met in person. Uh, well, unless you count the time that we helped kill you with Tidus … but you weren't really yourself then so that doesn't count!" she finished with an embarrassed rush. She knew he wasn't really there, but it still felt awkward to be saying it out loud. "Sorry about that anyway," she added with a tiny wince. I don't know why I'm feeling so guilty about this. He wanted to die, after all, he practically asked Tidus to kill him! Besides, if you wanna get technically technical about it, you could say Yunalesca killed him …The pyreflies reformed, and Rikku froze in terror. "HOLY MACHINA!" she screamed, nearly losing her balance on the stone. Yunalesca only smiled back in response, her long hair swaying in the non-existent breeze. After a few seconds, Rikku's heart fell out of her throat and she regarded the bikini-clad woman cautiously. "Geez, you're just as creepy dead as you were alive! Or, uh, undead, or whatever you were. Why don't you just … shoo! Go away!" It wasn't working; the more Rikku tried to NOT think about Yunalesca, the more solid her image seemed to become."Ahh! I have to stop thinking about dead people!" Rikku shouted, grabbing her head and shaking it wildly. "Think of the living Rikku! How about … uhh … Gippal! Yeah, think of Gippal!" She focused on his cocky grin and his wry smile, and sure enough, the pyreflies slowly dissipated. Unfortunately for Rikku, she now had one highly annoying and still living Al Bhed on her mind. Why does he have to be so cute? she thought to herself in annoyance. There was a time when Rikku had feelings of more than friendship for him; she still found herself getting flustered in his presence much too easily, a fact that he obviously delighted exploiting. "I can't believe I still have a crush on that dork Gippal. I mean, he flirted with Yunie the first time he met her! He flirts with everything that moves!" She crossed her arms over her chest and slumped over. "I don't like people who flirt! Well, okay, so I do, but I don't like GUYS who flirt! They never take anything seriously!"Rikku suddenly straightened up as the words left her mouth. "That's it!" she mumbled, staring blankly ahead of her. "That's my niche. I'm looking for someone who'll take me seriously." She furrowed her brows, trying to recall the last time that had happened. "Sheesh … when have I not been the resident comic relief for everyone?" she wondered. Then she doubled over and snickered loudly. "When we were on pilgrimage with Yuna, that's when. Tidus was clueless enough to take the load off of my shoulders sometimes! Hee hee … I kinda miss those days." She refocused on the swirling pyreflies as she spoke, and the smile slowly slid off of her face. "Oh, it's you," she said finally.Auron looked back at her impassively; she noted with a faint sense of amusement that even his pyrefly image didn't have the same half-smile as the others. That's Sir Auron for you. Scowling even in the afterlife, Rikku thought to herself with a grin. It quickly faded as she studied his face; familiar tufts of grey at his temples, the jagged scar running across one eye and the high collar of his cloak obscuring his expressive lips. She almost wished that it wasn't there so she could see his face in its entirety; the pyreflies, however, formed images out of memory, and she couldn't recall a time when he had ever let his guard down enough to show her his entire face."This isn't fair," she told him, pulling her knees up under her chin and wrapping her arms around her legs. "Yunie got Tidus, and Paine got Nooj. Well, I guess that means she got Leblanc, too, so there's some kind of justice in that, huh? But she also got Baralai and Gippal. And what do I have? Brother, and Buddy and Shinra. I guess they're not bad, but … I'm beginning to think I don't have a knight in shining armor waiting for me anywhere, you know?" Rikku rolled her eyes upwards, not that this Auron could actually see the gesture and appreciate it. "That's a real confidence booster."Auron said nothing; in that sense, the image was very much in keeping with the man she remembered."Ugh, I feel stupid, talking to myself like this," she told him conversationally. "It's easier to say it now that you're sorta here, though. That's what I really came for, I guess. To deal with my … issues." She laughed lightly, trying to avoid the inevitable. That, of course, only made his image sharpen and solidify even more.Contrary to popular belief, Rikku wasn't stupid. There was a reason there were no knights in shining armor waiting for her, and she knew perfectly well why as she looked at it. It was the same reason Paine teased her for stubbornly using her samurai dressphere despite the fact that she had no upper arm strength worth speaking of; the one that she was fairly certain Yuna knew of by the red cloth that cloaked her every time she activated it. Yuna had spent her time carrying Tidus' sword, and Rikku … she had chosen to carry Auron's. "No one even comes close," she told him with a wry smile. "I guess it is kind of hard to compete with a dead legend." Her face fell, and she wished more than ever that she could reach out and touch him, that he would be real."Why'd you have to be the first one to really see me? To see I wasn't just some idiot girl and take me seriously? Why'd it have to be someone like you?" she asked him. "And why'd you have to die before I could even tell you how I felt?"The image was silent, unchanging except for the phantom breeze that ruffled his hair. This Auron had no answers for her; she could easily hear what he would say, had he still been there.There never was a chance. I was already dead, long before you came."But you were still real," she protested helplessly. "Now you're just a memory, like mom and Keyakku, too dead to love me back but still alive enough to make me miserable." She sighed bitterly and dropped her forehead into her knees, blocking his image from her sight. "Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all, they say," she choked out. "Not like I'd know, huh, Auron? Seeing as how I'm landing face-first into that never loved at all crowd."Rikku kept her head planted firmly in her knees and thought about crying, but the tears wouldn't come. Five years was a long time to spend weeping over unrequited love, and Rikku wasn't the moping type. Instead, she was filled with a bitter sense of injustice. She wanted to spring to her feet and scream that it wasn't fair, that she deserved another chance, or at least the opportunity to have caught her heart and brought it back safely before Auron could carry it away, dissolving it with his measured steps and his pyreflies and his refusal to look back just one last time, please!When she felt certain that she was finished with not crying, Rikku lifted her head and looked up warily. He was still there, unmoving, unchanging, though at least the image had fuzzed slightly. She could see the bright specks of light shining through his heavy red coat, lazily twisting through his chest, sometimes brighter, sometimes almost completely obscured by his figure. "I guess I have to leave you first this time," she told him apologetically.Tucking her feet in, Rikku pushed off the ground and rolled into a standing position. Afterwards, in the brief moment between her rational realization of gravity's consequences and raw panic, she had time to analyze what caused her to trip. It might have been because she was sitting in the same position for so long that her legs fell asleep. Or it might have been the sudden, unexpected gust of wind that swept across the still plateau as she rose. The way she had situated herself directly on the edge of the rock certainly didn't help at all. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the fleeting feeling of being pushed, ever so gently. Whatever the reasons, she was falling in a bundle of flailing limbs and flying hair, watching the plateau grow smaller with each passing second.Rikku had always imagined she would have something witty to say just before she died. "Banzai!" perhaps, or "So long, nice knowin' ya!" or maybe even "If I'm going down, you're coming with me!" Instead, all she could do was gasp soundlessly and make a futile grasp for the safety of the stone that disappeared into the mists far too quickly for her liking.
This is not my happy ending! I don't want to become a fiend! Wait, can you even become a fiend in the Farplane? Maybe I won't need to get sent because I'm already here, so everything will work out just fine. Well, except for the fact that I DON'T WANNA DIE OH GOD OH GOD OHGOD—
Everything went white. Or perhaps it was always white; the living were cautioned not to spend too much time in the Farplane because things were different there; time and space melded together. The Farplane was the realm of the spirit, and did not follow the rules of logic and flesh; those who tried to stay there would go stark raving mad, or so they claimed. Though she couldn't remember having had the time to fall asleep, when Rikku woke she realized that she was no longer falling. She wasn't standing on solid ground either, however; she was floating weightlessly, surrounded by cool white mists."Am I dead?" she asked herself breathlessly. Is this what it's like to have died? I don't feel any different. Experimentally, she held her hand in front of her face and squinted at it. It looked solid. Impulsively, she brought her fingers to her lips and bit down hard."OWW!" she yelled, drawing her hand away and shaking it out rapidly. Small flecks of blood were welling underneath the bite marks, and it stung painfully. "Feels like I'm alive," Rikku muttered cautiously. Raising her hand again, she tried one last time. Pyrefly-pyrefly-pyrefly! she instructed her fingers sternly. They remained solid no matter how much she tried to convince them to scatter. After a few more attempts punctuated by grunts, Rikku gave up and decided to assume that she was probably not dead."Where am I?" she asked, twisting around and trying to make out anything in the thick mist."You're in the Farplane," a voice answered, and Rikku yelped and spun around to face it."You… don't I know you from somewhere?" Rikku said uncertainly, eyeing the strange boy who was floating before her. His eyes were hidden by the heavy purple hood that was pulled low over his head. A slight smile twisted at his lips and he nodded at her."Yes," he told her. "We've met." He turned his back to her and Rikku's eyes were drawn to the elaborate wheel pattern embroidered on the back of the boy's shirt."You're a Fayth!" Rikku blurted out suddenly, covering her mouth with her hands. "You're—""What do you want?" Bahamut turned and regarded her silently.Rikku balked and gaped at the phantom child. "I dunno, like, maybe not to die?" she yelled in frustration."All living things die. That is how it should be. Anything else would be cruel," Bahamut told her reasonably. "What do you want?" he asked her again.I must be hallucinating, Rikku thought to herself hazily. Maybe I landed in that huge field of flowers on the bottom and hit my head or something. She rubbed her fingers together and winced at the sting of her bite wound. "I think I want to wake up," she said out loud.The boy sighed softly and shook his head at her. "If you don't want to dream, then why did you come here?" he asked.Dream? Rikku thought, confused. "I don't know why I came here in the first place," she said defensively. Liar, she admonished herself guiltily."Liar," Bahamut echoed. "You're just afraid of your dream.""Well he's kind of a scary guy, don't you think!" Rikku blurted out, exasperated. "Even if he is… dead," she added more quietly, feeling her heart constrict in her chest."What do you want?" Bahamut asked her again patiently.Rikku closed her eyes and let herself float in the mists. "I want…" She took a deep breath and tried to chase away all the worries and distractions that were clamouring for attention in her head. Keep it simple, she told herself sternly. Why did I come here?"I want my own story.""Hmm," she heard Bahamut say; it sounded like he was laughing with the light, carefree melody of a child. Yet underneath she heard a low rumble, a growl from the mouth of a dragon. And suddenly his voice seemed too old despite its youthful tone. "I can only open the door. You will still have to find your story by yourself."Rikku craned her neck towards the voice, but her eyelids were too heavy to open; she was still floating, but her body felt like lead. "Why are you helping me?" she struggled to ask. "I'm not Yuna. I'm not even Paine! I'm just Rikku.""Rikku is Rikku. That should be enough," she heard him say.Or wasn't it Kimahri who had told me that? On Yuna's Pilgrimage … Rikku made the effort to pull her lips into a slight frown. "I … don't want … another … adventure …" she murmured, fighting to stay awake against the oppressive heaviness."What do you always say Rikku?" she heard Keyakku tell her teasingly as he handed her a wrench. "Three's a charm.""Not … again … !"Yuna was peering at her anxiously, worried by what she had seen after Rikku first activated the dressphere. "Do you really love him?" she asked her cousin softly."Who?" Rikku whispered, barely conscious."You know who," he answered, and she snapped to attention, struggling to stay awake."Auron?" Rikku asked, but her eyes wouldn't open."Did you mean what you said, about loving and losing?"She could almost feel his breath on her face; breath? Had he even breathed when he was not-alive? "Auron … don't go," she cried. "Don't leave again, at least not without looking back." She let out a small whine of dismay as she felt his presence fading away."You'll have to choose what you love more in the end … Are you sure?""Choose? I just want to see you again," she mumbled. "See you really, not just my own memories. Even just … to say … g'bye." Her words slowed and slurred together as she lost control of her tongue."Remember your words," Rikku heard Bahamut say faintly. And then she felt as though she was being pulled apart, lifted, and she could feel her bones separating, and she didn't think bones could feel and it hurt so very much and it tickled all over and even if she knew she wasn't dead she sure as hell couldn't be alive to feel this and then—"Jump."Suddenly Rikku knew she was falling again, falling through the Farplane like before, the mist rushing past her ears and whistling through her hair, and that this time nothing would stop her. She was going to land in a field of flowers and die a messy, splatty, ugly death without ever having said anything cool before going, and nobody would even take the time to send her because she was already in the home of the dead."Jump! Now!"A tickling in her head, a reminder … Bahamut's childish voice intruded on her thoughts again; he sounded almost urgent.How can I jump? I'm already falling! Rikku mused wildly, flailing her arms out."You must not fear your dreams. Jump."But …"Things are different in the Farplane."That was me, Rikku thought with a start. That was what I told myself earlier! Time is different here. Space is different here. She turned herself into the wind and spread her arms.
And hope… that's also different here.
Rikku jumped.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Singing. Voices were singing to her, Rikku realized groggily. She blinked once, twice, then tried to shut her eyes and fall back asleep. Beautiful voices, men, women and children, all harmonized perfectly into an achingly familiar chorus, forcing her to stay awake. "Why?" she mumbled, feeling her insides curl. She knew the words to the song, just as any Spiran would.
Dream, Fayth. Forever and ever, grant us prosperity.
"No," Rikku murmured, opening her eyes again. The light of the pyreflies dazzled her, spinning lazily in and out of her vision before slowly drifting away into the dark sky. "No, this is a nightmare," she told herself firmly as the never-ending melody began anew. The Hymn of the Fayth was a heart-rending song, beautiful and terrible at the same time. To hear the song was to hear the Fayth. But where there was Fayth, there was also Sin.Rikku shut her eyes again and tried to ignore the black sky and the feel of the cool concrete beneath her cheek. "Let this be a dream, just a dream," Rikku said again, clenching her hands into tight fists. Her fingertip stung sharply, and Rikku's eyes flew open. The wound from her bite was still there, slightly crusted over now and throbbing dully where she had worried the scab. And the Hymn still floated above her, sung as it only could be by the Fayth."This can't be happening…" Rikku mumbled as she sat up and rubbed her head. She took in her surroundings slowly. It was night and she was fairly certain she was outdoors; however, the tall, dark buildings rising all around her obscured her vision of the sky. Cradling her pounding head, Rikku carefully scrambled to her feet and leaned on the wall. She let out a sigh of relief as a quick check revealed that she was still all in one piece. That was where the good news ended; she still had no idea where she was or how she had arrived there.Cautiously, she pressed her back against the building and crept down the alleyway; she could see the dim, artificial light of the street beyond and the shadowy forms of figures as they moved about the road. The Hymn of the Fayth was unusually loud, but no one seemed to notice or pay it any mind. Reaching the end of the alley, Rikku steeled herself and leaned out, looking up into the city.Ornate, brightly-colored buildings rose high into the sky; banners flapped from the roofs of several of the structures. The street was bustling with activity; people mingled together in large crowds as they went about their business, forming a teeming morass of humanity. It was a sight Rikku recognized immediately, and she pulled back into the alley quickly with a quiet gasp."What the heck…" she whispered furiously, her hands automatically reaching for her daggers and pulling them out. "This is Bevelle!"Only it wasn't Bevelle; not the Bevelle Rikku was familiar with, the one that Paine called her new stomping grounds and the seat of the Spiran government coalition. This was the Bevelle of the past - the manipulative, fearsome religious power that gave the Al Bhed nightmares. The flags and banners that flapped in the wind prominently displayed the symbol of Yevon and heavily-armed guards patrolled the streets with stern expressions. Priests and warrior monks could be seen wearing their old uniforms, bowing and saluting to each other as they went their separate ways."I'm in hell!" Rikku squeaked, taking a quick look at herself. She slid deeper into the safety of the alley, her numb fingers methodically feeling around her pockets for any sort of defence she could muster. And she would need it; with her outlandish mode of dress and long yellow hair, Rikku knew her appearance screamed poster girl for the entire Al Bhed race."This must be that aeon's idea of a sick, sick joke," she moaned to herself as she sprinted down the alley towards the opposite end of the street, trying to orient herself. "I knew I should've taken Paine up on that offer to tour through Bevelle before." She grit her teeth and peeked out of the other end of the alley. Then her step faltered and she stopped, mouth dropping open.The Hymn of the Faith swelled to an unbearable level, and Rikku covered her ears and felt the color drain from her face. "That isn't right…" she mumbled in shock. There was a huge crowd gathered on the street; the people were watching a strange religious ceremony taking place in front of the ornate palace of Bevelle. That wasn't what had stopped Rikku cold; it was the participants that had shocked her."From henceforth," the quavering voice cried out, rising over the murmurs of the people gathered there, "… we shall accept the Ronso into Yevon's fold as one of our own, for we are all brothers and sisters of Spira. Go now with the blessing of Bevelle and spread the word unto your people. The mercy of Yevon shall be known to all who open their hearts to the Teachings!"The massive, blue-furred creature straightened and turned, and Rikku felt her insides turn to lead. "Maester Kelk…" she gasped. Only he wasn't dressed as a Maester, and he did not yet wear the long white beard that set him apart from his brethren. Most importantly, however, Kelk was very obviously not dead. Though Rikku couldn't be sure that the same was true of Maester Mika, who stood at the Ronso's side, dwarfed by his huge companion. She even spotted someone who looked very much like Kinoc hovering behind them, though he was sporting much more hair and less paunch than she remembered. Kinoc stepped forward and raised his arms towards the people, a broad smile on his face."Praise be to Yevon!" she heard him yell, and the crowd erupted into wild cheers.No. No, no no NO! Rikku thought wildly, grabbing her head and shaking it. "This isn't right! It's not Spira! It's not my Spira!" She didn't even realize she was shouting as she doubled over and tried to force herself to wake out of her nightmare. "Yevon is dead! Sin is dead! We paid for it already! We paid with blood and lives and hearts and Fayth and this is all a lie!"A small crowd was beginning to form around her, and gasps went up as they recognized her race. Rikku ignored them, stumbling towards the palace that she knew housed the aeon within its depths. "Take me back home!" she yelled at it, as though Bahamut would be able to hear her through the thick stone walls. "I knew you guys were cruel, but how could you do this to me? How could you let Yunie's sacrifice go? How could you bring me back here? It's all wrong here and HOW COULD YOU!"Her last scream was muffled as the first guard tackled her, and Rikku automatically ducked and shrugged him off, sending him flying with an elbow to the chin. She turned and sprinted for the palace, bowling through the surprised guards; the only thing she knew was that she had to get to the Chamber of the Fayth, to see the strange dragon-child and demand to be returned to her own reality."She's going for Mika!" someone shouted and the crowd screamed and parted. She heard the click of a gun and reached into her pouch, throwing a flash bomb behind her. It exploded simultaneously with the retort of the rifle, and people began to run in every direction, panicking. Rikku ignored them all, intent on breaking through into the palace; she stumbled and slowed down but refused to stop as another rifle cracked sharply and pain exploded in her shoulder."Damn! Alright, use some dream powder!" she heard another guard yell. A smoking canister landed at her feet and without pause Rikku picked it up and chucked it back in the direction that it had been thrown from. More cursing erupted behind her, and Rikku covered her mouth and held her breath, charging past the few remaining guards. Almost there, she thought wildly, lunging onto the dais and sweeping towards a very surprised Mika. Her sprint came to a painful halt as Kelk finally flung himself into her path, planting a meaty blue fist into her stomach. And then for the second time that day, the world exploded into white, and Rikku passed out.
.x.x.x.
"Ugh… I think I liked waking up better the first time," Rikku winced. Her entire body ached, and her shoulder was killing her. What the heck did I do? It feels like a chocobo's been having a dance party on my stomach! Did I try wrestling with Paine again or something?"You're finally up," a gruff voice greeted her."No I'm not," Rikku replied immediately, keeping her eyes shut and trying to pinpoint why it felt like her shoulder was on fire. Better heal that first, she thought groggily, reaching for her pouch. Her hand closed over her hip onto empty air, and her eyes shot open. "My stuff! It's gone!" She tried to sit up and flopped back down instantly as her body protested to the motion. With a growing sense of apprehension Rikku felt around her waist and noticed her entire belt missing, including the garment grid. "Oh no!" she groaned."'Course your stuff's gone! You don't think they let you keep your gear in prison, do ya?"Rikku forced her eyes open and glared at the source of the voice. "Shut up!" she yelled. Then her eyes widened and memory returned like a sledge hammer striking her forehead. There was no doubt about it; from the messy brown hair to the twisting tattoo across his chest, it was definitely Jecht who was leaning against the wall in the cell across from her own, giving her an amused smirk. "Juh-juh-juh…" she gawked, staring at him.Jecht smiled and puffed up smugly, tapping his chest with a thumb. "Like what you see, huh?""Jecht! You're Sir Jecht!" Rikku finally managed to gasp out, pain momentarily forgotten as she regarded him with wide eyes. "What are you doing here?"Jecht crossed his arms and looked puzzled. "Now, that's the first time I got a proper reaction ever since I arrived in this crazy town. Figures it would come from a loony," he grumbled to himself."Who're you calling a loony?" Rikku shot back immediately, her shock disappearing momentarily under indignation."That's what them guards called you. Some kinda loony from Al's bed. If this is where sleepin' with Al lands ya, you should probably dump the guy!" He took a moment to laugh at his own joke while Rikku could only stare, then gave her another broad smile. "So you've heard of me, huh? You a Blitzball fan?""No I'm not!" Rikku snapped at him, annoyed by his overbearing self-confidence. "Are you really Sir Jecht?" she repeated, sitting up slowly and dragging herself towards the bars to get a better look at him.Jecht frowned and scratched the back of his head; for a moment he looked so much like Tidus that Rikku thought she would burst out laughing. Then she remembered that he thought she was crazy already and bit down on the impulse."I dunno why the hell you keep calling me that 'sir' junk, but yeah. Jecht's my name, Blitzball's my game." He gave her another practiced smile and posed, and Rikku resisted the urge to roll her eyes."Wow… Tidus wasn't joking about his ego," she muttered under her breath."What was that?" Jecht asked, lowering his eyebrows curiously."A-a-ah," Rikku fudged, fidgeting with her braids. The movement caused her to hiss in pain and she carefully reached back and touched her shoulder. When she drew her hand away, it was covered with flakes of dried blood. "Ouchie," she said miserably, trying to feel around the wound." 'ey, girl, you okay?" Jecht asked, looking at her with a little concern. "You were bleedin' pretty bad when they brought you in. I think they gave you some kinda medicine before they dumped ya. What'd you do anyway?"Rikku scowled and gave up trying to assess the wound in her shoulder. "I was born, that's enough for these Yevonites," she muttered angrily."Yevawhats?" Jecht asked, confused."Yevonites," Rikku repeated, shaking her head. Then, feeling slightly guilty, she cleared her throat. "Listen, maybe you should try to keep your mouth shut about being a famous blitzer and stuff around the other people here. And… maybe you shouldn't go around telling people where you're from, too. The Zanarkand they know isn't exactly the same Zanarkand you come from anyway.""You know I'm from Zanarkand!" Jecht repeated, eyes lighting up. "Man, I thought I was goin' crazy here! So you believe me then?" he asked eagerly.I'm digging a hole, I just know it. What to say, what to say… "I… uh… I've seen you blitz before. On… spheres. Yeah, that's it, spheres! I've seen spheres of you blitzing! So, umm… yeah. I believe you. But I bet no one else will! 'Cause... they haven't seen the, uh, the spheres.""My games were always prime time material! Whadda ya mean nobody's seen 'em?" Jecht sputtered."They broke!" Rikku said with a nervous laugh."What broke?" Jecht asked, looking even more upset."Boy, you really are dense! The spheres of you playing Blitzball," Rikku replied, exasperated."Well, what the hell are spheres?" Jecht threw his hands up in frustration.Rikku sighed and sat back. "You really are from another world," she murmured quietly. Then, brightening, she snapped her fingers. "Here, I'll show you!" She reached into her hair and felt around underneath her bandana."Eh?" Jecht said, watching Rikku as she spilled her braids out of their messy holder and sorted through them. "What're ya doin' now?""Hah, they didn't get them all," Rikku cheered, flashing Jecht a victory sign as she unwound a glowing blue orb from one of her braids. She hadn't even remembered hiding away her precious dresspheres while she was running through the alley; sometimes she was grateful that her thieving fingers could work on autopilot even if her mind was miles away. "Sometimes it's good to have big hair, remember that!" she told Jecht smugly, giving the sphere a cursory examination."Huh. Maybe if you like the bird nest look," Jecht replied with a grin, causing Rikku to scowl and stick her tongue out at him."Like you're one to talk, Mr. I-Need-Grooming-Badly! For your information, this bird's nest is the reason I can show you what a sphere is at all, so you better be thankful!" Rikku huffed. She held her personal thief dressphere; the one she had recorded of filching tools out from under her father's nose. She kept it more as a keepsake than anything else, since she didn't need the augmentation of the sphere to bolster her pick-pocketing abilities; thieving was Rikku's favourite pastime, after all. "This is a sphere. You can use it to record stuff that happens, and play it back later if you want to remember," Rikku explained patiently."Huh, kind of like a camera then?" Jecht asked, eyeing the sphere curiously."Yeah, we can make cameras out of these too, though that doesn't happen much outside of Luca..." Jecht's eyes were glazing over as she babbled, and Rikku bit her lip and reconsidered her generosity. Father's on this. And if Jecht's here, then maybe uncle Braska…"Oi!" Jecht said impatiently, interrupting her. "I thought you were gonna show me this sphere thing!""Ahh," Rikku said, laughing a little too loudly as she discretely deleted the recording on the sphere. "Well… umm, I forgot that this one is blank. So there's nothing to show you here yet!"Jecht only snorted and sat back with a look of disbelief. "Man, you are an airhead. Maybe they were right, you really are crazy," he grunted. "Why use spheres when you could just grab a camera anyway? It's stupid," he grumbled to himself.Rikku scowled at Jecht and held her sphere up defiantly. "Spheres are cameras, you idiot! I'm not lying, and I'll prove it! I'll make a recording of you right now and we'll see who's the stupid one, huh!" She fumbled with the sphere controls, steaming.Jecht only rolled his eyes and leaned back against the wall with a yawn. "Sure, whatever. Crazy bitch," he muttered under his breath."Ooh, you!" Rikku sputtered, holding the sphere up and giving him her best death glare as she started recording. Before she could add a pithy insult, however, the opening door caught their attention. A heavily armoured prison guard stepped in. He strode into the narrow room and stopped in front of her cell, turning sharply and standing at attention.Hmm… somebody important must be visiting, Rikku thought to herself, craning her neck forward and trying to see who it was. And then time itself stopped.He was young, so young it almost hurt to look at him; she hadn't realized how ruthlessly handsome he would be with his dark hair worn long and two whole, burning eyes. Even as a young man he bore the same stern expression, his lips pressed together tightly and his eyebrows lowered in a permanent scowl, as though he was continuously annoyed by his surroundings. The most breathtaking thing of all, however, was his face. For the first time Rikku saw him without the mask of his dark glasses or the high cowl. And he was more beautiful than she had ever dreamed. Unconsciously, her hand reached out through the bars to try and touch him, to see if he was real, but he brushed past her without even acknowledging her presence. He stopped in front of the guard and glowered at him."Is this how you show respect to a Summoner and his Guardian?" Auron said curtly, and Rikku almost dropped the sphere.It's him, it's really him… I'd know that voice anywhere! She gaped soundlessly at Auron, still seated on the floor of her cell, and flushed a deep red as he caught sight of her and met her eyes. Then his gaze flickered to the sphere in her hands and his scowl deepened."And what in Yevon's name is that prisoner doing with a –"Rikku gasped and shook her head wildly at Auron. Please-please-please don't say anything! She panicked, silently pleading with him. If she really was stuck in the past, she had a vague idea of what would happen if the Bevelle guards caught a prisoner with contraband material… particularly an Al Bhed prisoner.Auron's lips twisted slightly, but he turned his attention back up to the smirking guard and crossed his arms. "You will bow when Lord Braska enters.""He's not a Summoner yet, sir. Give me one good reason I should do anything for that Al Bhed lover," the guard said with a sneer.Rikku flinched at the tone of the guard's voice, looking down into her sphere. Ouch… She had almost forgotten what it felt like to be so hated by everyone else; a lance of pain zipped through her chest. Then she pressed her lips together into a tight line. Never let them see you squirm! she told herself strictly. Yeah, that's me… cool as a cucumber, Rikku. Be like Auron. Smooth. Cool. You can set this jerk's pants on fire later, right?Auron's cold voice cut across her musing; she could have sworn the room temperature dropped several degrees from his tone alone. "Conscious or not, you will bow. Do I make myself clear?" He fingered the hilt of his sword and gave the guard a meaningful look.The guard paled and swallowed loudly before nodding. "Y-yes, sir…""Auron, that's enough." Rikku snapped her head towards the door and almost dropped the sphere a second time. The tall man who stepped into the room behind him was unmistakable. He smiled apologetically, shaking out his long robes. "You'll have to excuse him. Guardians can be quite intimidating at times, can't they?""Yes, sir!" the guard replied sharply, pulling his hands together respectfully and giving Braska a low bow. "The prisoner you wanted to see, sir!" he added, clicking his heels and pointing at Jecht.Braska looked over the guard's shoulder and down at Rikku. Startlingly blue eyes regarded her from a gentle face; he looks just like Yunie! Rikku realized with a shock. He lifted his eyebrow as he took in the sphere, and then, to her surprise, gave her a conspiratorial wink. Then Braska turned and faced Jecht, who was watching the entire display with a look of bored amusement."You ladies done prancin' around now?" Jecht sneered, propping an arm up on his leg. "Who are you anyway?"Braska ignored the jibe and stepped closer to Jecht's cell, tilting his head curiously. "You are the one they call Jecht, the man from Zanarkand, are you not?"Jecht eyed Braska suspiciously, drumming his fingers on his knee. He shot a stealthy glance over towards Rikku, and she realized belatedly that her well-meant advice might actually be backfiring. Grinning, she tried to give Jecht an encouraging nod and froze when she noticed Auron's suspicious glare.Jecht sighed loudly and shrugged. "What of it?" he said carelessly.Auron was at Braska's side before he could add in another word. "Watch your tongue, knave!" he ground out harshly, but held back when Braska shot him a warning glance."My apologies. I am Braska, a Summoner." He paused, waiting for Jecht's reaction, but the Blitzball player only yawned. Auron twitched noticeably. Braska let a small half-smile play across his face and dropped his head. "Well… perhaps you'd be more interested in knowing that I've come to take you from this place."That got Jecht's attention; he stood up quickly and approached the bars of the cell, giving Braska a frank appraisal. "Sounds sweet. What's the catch?" He stretched lazily and folded his arms over his head.Braska only laughed in response, shrugging his shoulders. "That easy to see, was it? I soon leave on a Pilgrimage." Braska paused, expecting a response, and when none was forthcoming, he shook his head and tried again. "... to Zanarkand?"Jecht's arms dropped at the same time that his eyes lit up with boyish hope, another trait Tidus had unknowingly inherited. "Seriously?" he asked.Braska nodded at him and smiled. "I would like you to join us. It will be a dangerous trip. Yet, if we do reach Zanarkand..." He paused and closed his eyes, his shoulders bowing forward slightly. "… my prayers will be answered."The sphere trembled in Rikku's hands. How could you pray for that, uncle Braska? Your hope is a lie! But she kept silent."Huh?" Jecht mumbled, staring at Braska through the bars of the cell in confusion."Oh…" The darkness lifted away from Braska as quickly as it had settled, and he gave Jecht an encouraging smile. "And you will be able to go home, we think. What say you?"Jecht shrugged, a wide grin slipping over his face. "Great! Let's go!"Both Auron and Braska did a double take at Jecht's easy acceptance of the task. "So quick?" Braska asked with an air of disbelief. "Even Auron didn't -""Don't compare me with that drunken fool," Auron cut in immediately with disgust."I ain't the one with a jug of hooch tied to my hip," Jecht replied with a smirk, unruffled by Auron's fierce glare.Braska intervened quickly when he saw Auron's jaw clench. "Then it's settled," he said, pushing Auron away from the bars."But I must protest!" Auron sputtered, staring at Braska in consternation. "This drunkard, a Guardian?" The disgust in his voice was evident, and Jecht bristled."You want to step in here and say that?" He cracked his neck and pounded one large fist into the other, meeting Auron's glare steadily."Hmm," Braska said, a small smile forming over his lips. "There aren't many people who can meet Auron's gaze without flinching," he said to Jecht, surprising the large man. "I think you'll make a fine Guardian." Then he turned to Auron and put a calming hand on his shoulder. "What does it matter anyway, Auron? No one truly believes that I, a fallen Summoner wed to an Al Bhed could possibly defeat Sin. This is what they say. No one expects us to succeed.""Braska..." Auron protested immediately, but Braska only shook his head and tightened his grip."Let's show them they're wrong. A fallen Summoner, a man from Zanarkand ... and a warrior monk, doomed to obscurity for refusing the hand of the priest's daughter. What delightful irony it would be if we defeated Sin!"Rikku felt her eyes bug out as she stared at Auron. His face was flushed, probably with embarrassment, but also with anger at Braska's frank appraisal of their reputation. That wasn't what fascinated her, though. Auron had a girlfriend? She could barely process the thought; the Auron she knew and romance were polar opposites. But what if it was true? A sharp prick of jealousy stung her. Which was followed by an even sharper jolt of disappointment. But if what uncle Braska says is true, then he shut her down faster than Gippal could lift a skirt. And then the disappointment slowly changed into humor, and she barely had time to shut down the sphere and tuck it away in her hair before her giggles broke out audibly.Geez … he really was born with a stick up his butt! I wonder what he'd say if he could see me now! She realized that Auron was looking at her, and he could see her right then, only this Auron didn't know her at all. And that was the funniest thing of all. "D-delightful … irony!" she managed to gasp out, the laughter escaping her in painful, sobbing breaths as she doubled over, feeling the scab on her shoulder stretch and break open once again."Silence, you Al Bhed dog!" the guard yelled, turning towards her and kicking the bars of her cage with his heavily booted foot. Rikku only held her stomach and laughed harder.Jecht peered at them from his cell uncertainly, then rattled the bars of his own cage with a grimace. "Stop gabbin' and get me outta here! Her type of crazy might be catchin'," he grumbled.Braska ignored him and walked over to Rikku's cage, kneeling by her side and studying her through the bars. The guard moved to pull him away, but Auron stopped him with a look before he could disturb the would-be Summoner."Now how did an Al Bhed girl end up lost in the heart of Bevelle?" he asked her gently. A frown touched his face as he saw the slow trickle of blood leaking from her shoulder, and a brief flash of anger flitted across his features. "She is injured. Why hasn't the wound been tended to yet?" he asked, standing up and fixing the guard with a stern look."But sir… she's just an Al Bhed!" the guard replied."She's a human being, and she deserves to be treated as one," Braska said curtly. He stared at the guard, who fidgeted slightly, then straightened up."She attacked Maester Mika," he said defensively.Rikku, who had finally managed to quell the rabid laughter that was leaking from her mouth, leapt to her feet and then winced painfully. "I so did not!" she yelled. "That stupid Kelk Ronso is the one who attacked me! I was just trying to get inside the temple, but you guys got in my way!"The guard spun around angrily, hefting his weapon. "Blasphemer! An Al Bhed, in a temple of Yevon! You should be put to death for this insolence!""Silence!" Braska said, his voice rising slightly. He was a quiet, unassuming man, soft spoken and gentle; however, there was something about his bearing that commanded respect from others. Usually it was a quiet something; when he felt strongly enough to raise his voice that power came blazing out, though, cowing others who stood in his presence.His will, Rikku thought. Just like Yunie. That's why he can beat Sin. Braska hadn't moved, but his presence seemed to fill the room. He turned and looked at her with a thoughtful expression. "Why did you want to enter the temple?" he asked her softly. "You are Al Bhed." She knew what he didn't voice; you hate the temples. You hate the Fayth. You hate the Summoners… you hate people like me.Rikku shook her head wildly. "It's not like that! I… I just wanted to see the Fayth," she mumbled, looking down at her boots. What am I supposed to say? she wondered. I wanted to force Bahamut out of his statue and get him to send me back home, so I wouldn't have to watch the three of you die for nothing? Then she looked up with a glint in her eye. "I just wanted to ask them why."Braska studied her for a moment, and then gave her a slow nod. "Unusual," he said finally. "Do I know you? You remind me of someone…" he added, squinting at her."Y-you know this criminal?" the guard piped up, his face paling. He grew quiet very quickly as Auron tapped the hilt of his sword deliberately."N-no! We've never met! Really! I'm nobody special!" Rikku babbled, smiling brightly and wringing her hands. She started to rock on the balls of her feet and then stopped with a wince as the wound at her shoulder pulled even more. "Owwie…" she hissed quietly."Hmm," Braska said thoughtfully, rubbing his chin." 'ey! You should take her too!" Jecht yelled suddenly, leaning against the bars of his cage. "She knows all about my Zanarkand. Said she saw it on a sphere or something!" Then he smiled broadly. " 'Sides, it's never wrong to bring a babe along!""Babe?" Rikku spluttered, flushing red with disgust. Jecht, observant as he was, mistook her reaction for embarrassment."Ah, don't tell me you're shy, not when you're wearin' that getup!" he laughed.Rikku's face nearly turned purple and she exploded in anger. "You're a dirty old man!" she railed, shaking her fist against the bar. "For the last time, I am so not one of your stupid Blitzball fans! And aren't you supposed to be married or something?" she added, planting her hands on her hips. Then she blanched as Jecht grew quiet and stared at her intently."Now how would you know that unless you really have heard of me," he wondered out loud, fixing her under his baleful glare."Oopsie..." Rikku mumbled, feeling the others turn to her with questioning stares."Braska, this is a bad idea," Auron interjected, rubbing at his temples. "First this drunkard, and now an Al Bhed -" he ignored the glare the others shot at him and continued brusquely. "- and it seems they know each other, too. I must strongly protest this, my lord! We don't know what mischief they might be planning."Rikku balled her fists together and glared at Auron, all of her tender thoughts at his breathtaking younger appearance flying out the window. Well, almost all thoughts; he still had killer lips, especially when they were pursed together so angrily. Focus, Rikku! She fixed her gaze somewhat higher on Auron's face."What I'm planning? Hello? What about what you and Braska are planning, huh? You just want him to make this Pilgrimage so he can save the rest of us!" she spat out. "Look me in the eye and tell me how anything I can cook up could be worse than that!"Auron's jaw clenched and he glared back at her but said nothing. Rikku met his stare boldly, refusing to be cowed by his fierce expression. No way, not this time buster! She let out a small 'humpf' of satisfaction as Auron broke off the staring contest first, flushing angrily."Oh," Braska said, turning to Rikku and giving her an appreciative smile. "I hadn't thought anyone else could do that to Auron, and here it's happened twice in the space of a few minutes. I think that's a sign," he said with a small chuckle."Well?" Jecht said impatiently, baffled by the entire exchange. "So is she comin' with us or what?"The smile remained on Braska's face as he regarded Rikku. "Are you interested?" he asked her. "It's better than staying here, I think. But ultimately, it is your choice."Rikku looked at Braska. Is it? I don't want to make another Pilgrimage… I wanted that time to be over forever. She winced and thought of Bahamut; if the only way back to her time was through the Fayth, then she didn't have much of a choice after all."Yeah," she said reluctantly. "I'll go with you, Lord Braska.""Then it's settled," Braska said reasonably. "Welcome to the group."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Unfortunately for Rikku, becoming one of Braska's Guardians wasn't quite as easy as simply accepting his verbal offer. She sat on the floor of her tiny cell and watched with boredom as Braska tried unsuccessfully to negotiate her release with the guard. "Hey, can I at least get a napkin here or something?" she asked, making a disgusted face as she swiped at the blood dribbling down her back. " Icky ." She cleaned her fingers on the hem of her skirt."Silence!" the guard yelled at her."Why?" Rikku replied snottily. "Prisoners should be seen and not heard? Well tough, you guys are the ones who shot me, so deal!""Insolent little…""OWW OWW OWW OWW OWW!" Rikku shouted back at him. Then she gave the guard a fake smile. "I'll shut up if you let me out of here," she added sweetly."Miss, maybe you should stop trying to help," Braska mumbled. "Excuse me," he added, louder, bringing the guard's attention back to their argument. "I don't see what the problem is.""The problem is that you want to make a Summoner's party out of a band of criminals!" the guard sputtered, scowling at Braska. "Can't you be satisfied with just one?" He gestured towards Jecht, who was now freed and standing behind them." ‘ey, who are you callin' a criminal?" Jecht shot back, crossing his arms and glowering at the man."He might not call you a criminal if you would stop acting like one," Auron said sharply."Will you all please calm down?" Braska turned around and glanced at the two men behind him. Sighing, he faced forward and addressed the guard who had planted himself in front of Rikku's cell. "We will vouch for her. You have my word that she will cause no further trouble while she is in Bevelle.""Your word means nothing," the guard said. "Al Bhed lovers can't be trusted!""You ," Auron grunted, narrowing his eyes and reaching for his sword."Threaten me with violence all you want!" the guard replied shrilly, backing several paces away from the fuming Guardian. "I'd rather be beaten for doing my job than executed for allowing the release of an Al Bhed assassin!""Will somebody please tell me who Al is?" Jecht threw his hands into the air. These are the guys who defeated Sin? Rikku gawked at their antics. Boy, you sure wouldn't know it from looking at them. Then the guard's words filtered through and she was struck by a sudden wave of panic. "Wait a minute, wait wait wait!" she screeched, springing to her feet. "What assassin? I'm not an assassin!" Besides, you can't assassinate someone who's already dead , she thought ruefully."The Maesters will determine what happens to your worthless hide!" the guard answered, and Rikku paled."No WAY! Get me out of here!" She grabbed onto the bars and fixed Braska with a desperate stare. "I'm too young and beautiful to die in Bevelle! I'm a free spirit, not a killer! I love sand and sun and peace and freedom and… and… I'm allergic to firing squads! Help !""There's no help for you, girl. You're going to hang," the guard sneered."No one is going to hang!" Braska interrupted, looking upset. "If you would only listen -""I say we pound him and take the keys," Jecht offered helpfully, cracking his knuckles.Rikku shrieked again, rattling the bars of her cage. " This story sucks! If I live through this I'm gonna kill that Fayth myself!""You see! " the guard yelled, swinging his rifle towards Rikku.Auron, who had remained suspiciously silent up to that point, finally reacted. More accurately, Rikku realized, she watched his temper boil over and get the better of him. Rikku knew that look on his face. She'd been the cause of it more than once during Yuna's Pilgrimage. Uh-oh… when Auron's patience breaks something else usually does too. She backed away from the bars cautiously."Whoa," Jecht yelled, leaping out of Auron's path.Auron swiftly strode past him and drew his massive sword. He slammed it down in front of the cowering guard, slicing through the heavy iron barrel of the outstretched rifle as though it was made out of paper. A tense hush descended over the group, punctuated by the clanking of the severed metal barrel as it rolled across the stone floor."Shut up," Auron said tersely, taking a moment to straighten and glare at all of them before hefting the sword over his shoulder. "Look after Jecht," he told Braska. "I'll see to the girl myself. We'll meet you outside.""What? Auron's allowed to give that sissy a poundin’ but I'm not?" Jecht continued to grumble even as Braska hooked a hand around his elbow and dragged him towards the door."I've found that it's best not to question Auron's methods when he gets into one of his moods…" Braska murmured discreetly, exiting the room."Hnn," Auron said, pinning the trembling guard under his stare. He tapped his fingers on the hilt of his sword and frowned expectantly. "Either you can open it up, or I can.""Y-yes, sir!" the guard said, tripping over himself as he fumbled for the key to Rikku's cell. He managed to swing the door open but Rikku held back, fidgeting as Auron's glare fixed on her."Well?" he asked her impatiently. "Are you coming or not?""Sheathe that thing first, then we'll talk," Rikku squeaked, hunching over under his scrutiny and wincing as the motion tore even more at the scabbed wound on her shoulder.Auron narrowed his eyes at her but put the sword away. "Fine. Now come out before you hurt yourself even more," he told her with irritation. While the lack of a wielded weapon did cut down on his intimidation factor slightly, it regrettably had the same effect on the pale-faced guard, who gathered enough courage to protest when Rikku stepped out of her cell."M-my superiors will hear of this!" he whimpered, scrambling to his feet and backing away."Good," Auron said brusquely. "Tell Kinoc we'll meet him in his office shortly."The door slammed shut behind the nervous guard, and Rikku was left alone at Auron's side. She realized with a start that she'd grown taller since the last time she saw him; she no longer had to look up quite as much to see his face. The bigger shock was being able to see his smooth, unmarred features at all, though. "Umm… thanks, I think?" she told him with an uncertain smile.Auron's lips twisted in a grimace, and he grabbed her elbow roughly. "Make no mistake. I do this for Lord Braska, not you.""Oww! What's the big idea? Leggo!" Rikku protested as he began to drag her towards the door. "Hey, hey - oww - stop it! I'll follow you, okay? You don't have to pull me around like a chocobo!"Auron stopped abruptly and twisted towards her, keeping his vice-like grip on her forearm. He leaned down and glared at her, his gaze cold and hard, and when he spoke his tone was clipped. "You are a prisoner of Bevelle and a potential Al Bhed assassin. Against my better judgment, I am about to see to your release and entrust you with the privileged status of a Guardian. Therefore, I am directly responsible for your actions from now on." His grip tightened painfully and Rikku winced. "Don't think for an instant that I condone anything you've said or done. If it were up to me, I wouldn't let you hang." He paused and loosened his grip on her arm. "I'd have cut you down on sight.""Ouch," Rikku said quietly, allowing Auron to pull her out of the room with a small pout. "But -""Conversation isn't necessary," Auron replied without even bothering to look at her, leading them swiftly through the complex maze of hallways in the large building."You don't have to be so rude, you know!" Rikku blurted out. "I'm not an assassin!""Of course," Auron grunted. "Just another innocent prisoner, then?""That's right!" Rikku finally managed to twist her arm out of Auron's grasp. He stopped to look at her but she gave him a shrug. "Lead the way! I'll be good, promise!""Fine," he said after a moment, continuing down the hall. Rikku liked to think he let her go free because he trusted that she wouldn't do anything foolish; she could tell by the way his palm lingered near the hilt of his sword that he was actually considering it a good excuse to smite her if she made one false move, though. Swallowing loudly, she flashed him a flustered smile. Geez, he's such a hard-ass! Maybe age does mellow you out some. "So…" she said nervously. "You're Auron, right? Don'tcha wanna know who I am?""No," he said curtly.Rikku scowled. "C'mon, aren't you even the tiniest little bit curious?" She pouted cutely, trying to catch his attention. The pout disappeared when he stopped and glared at her frostily; it wasn't the kind of attention she’d been hoping for.He regarded her for a moment, and then spoke. "You are Al Bhed." It was all he said, but it was all he had to say.Rikku felt her face grow slack when she heard those words. This is a worse nightmare than I thought. Sir Auron isn't like this! He treats everyone badly, not just the Al Bhed! As she looked at him, however, she realized that he wasn't the Auron she'd come to know during Yuna's Pilgrimage. This Auron was younger, angrier, and still very much a proud Warrior Monk. He's one of them! she thought with a chill. He's a Yevonite! Unconsciously she took a step back from him, suddenly repulsed by his presence; his familiar features masked a stranger who she didn't know and couldn't trust, and it left her feeling cold and angry. That she still could recognize him seemed like the worst joke of all; this Auron was a mockery of the man she thought she loved.He noticed her sudden change of posture and gave her a puzzled look. Of course , Rikku thought bitterly. Al Bhed aren't accepted as people yet in this Spira. I should really know better than to be surprised by his attitude. "Sorry," she told him haughtily, breaking away from his gaze. "I just thought you might be curious. My mistake. Please, go right on calling me whatever you want. In fact, why don't you add in a few more nouns to spice it up a little? Infidel, maybe, or scum if that's too hard. Al Bhed scum. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"Auron blinked in surprise and frowned at her. "I -" He hesitated, and when it became apparent that he wasn't going to apologize Rikku's contempt swelled to fill the uncomfortable pause."Don't hurt yourself trying too hard there," Rikku snipped, crossing her arms and wincing. "Can we at least save the argument until when we're out of this hole?"Auron grunted and turned on his heel, continuing down the hallway. Rikku followed him sullenly, glaring daggers into the back of his red overcoat. He remained silent, but the slant of his shoulders was stiff with tension and Rikku ground her teeth together. "You know, your Lord Braska married an Al Bhed," she finally said, unable to keep herself silent. Auron chose not to respond, and Rikku smirked at his back. "Guess you're gonna have to watch what you say around him, seeing as how you're so concerned with the proper treatment of a Summoner." Auron ignored her needling and Rikku wondered if the black clouds boiling over her head might be visible. " Yevonite ," she spat out venomously.That stopped him abruptly and she almost smashed her nose into his back. She jumped away when he twisted his head around, giving her an angry glare. "I suppose you are proud of your own people's reception of Lord Braska, then. We do have you to thank for driving him to choose the Summoner's path, after all."Rikku's mouth flopped open and then snapped shut, and she dropped her head shamefully. It was true; she vaguely remembered hearing of the controversy that had swirled around her father from Keyakku. Cid had exiled his own sister for marrying a priest of Yevon, and they lost contact directly afterwards. Her aunt died when Sin attacked the ship on her first return trip to Bikanel; it happened before anything could be smoothed over, and a large part of both Cid and Braska had left with her. I guess we Al Bhed weren't any better back then either, she thought guiltily. The sound of Auron's receding footsteps broke through her musing, and she jogged down the hall to catch up with him."Hey," Rikku said as she pulled up alongside him. "Umm… sorry," she mumbled, staring at the floor. Auron's pace didn't slack, and she felt a small tickle of anger. "… since someone has to be the bigger person here," she sniffed insolently."If you were an assassin," Auron said suddenly, looking straight ahead, "… then your strategy was brilliant. If not for the Ronso you might have succeeded."Rikku slid her eyes sideways and looked at him. Was that supposed to be some kind of a compliment? Wait, I'm not an assassin! She scowled at him. "I wasn't trying to kill Maester Mika," she repeated firmly."Then you're an even greater fool than I suspected," he finished. His tone was not as harsh, however, and Rikku still felt confused. Too many mixed signals, she thought, her head spinning as she tried to match up her knowledge of Auron with the surprisingly rude young man walking beside her. Was he apologizing? Was he insulting her? She couldn't tell.I guess it's better if he thinks I'm a clueless idiot rather than a deadly assassin. Hey, wait-a-minute! "Jerk," she mumbled under her breath.Auron grunted, pausing as they reached a floating lift and waiting for her to board first. When the lift ascended, he turned and gave her one of his looks . Rikku squirmed uncomfortably; she knew those looks. He usually used those looks when he was chewing over some issue he didn't want to discuss out loud. Like, 'There is no final aeon,' or 'By the way, I'm dead,' or even 'I am NOT going to spend another night sharing a tent with Wakka.'"What?" Rikku finally blurted out."How did you manage to smuggle a sphere into the cell?" he asked her. He let his eyes drop over her scant bikini in a brief but calculating appraisal, causing her to blush furiously before he lifted them back to her face. "You don't have a lot of places to hide one," he noted wryly.Rikku crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Auron. "I hid them in my hair, alright, so you can stop thinking whatever dirty thoughts I bet you just had! Sheesh, you're as bad as Jecht!"That wiped the smirk off of Auron's face faster than a stampeding chocobo could have. "Your hair," he repeated, his eyes landing on the mop of spikes and braids flopping out from her bandana."Yep," Rikku grinned, reaching up underneath the bandana and feeling around until she found another one of her spheres. "Ouch," she winced as she carefully untangled it and pulled it free. "See? Pretty cool, huh," she boasted."Disgusting," Auron mumbled under his breath. "I don't see how you can stand not grooming yourself."Rikku's mouth dropped open and then she glared at Auron. " Hey ! I comb it... sometimes," she muttered, sulking as she fiddled with the sphere. "Besides, I like the natural look!""Stop playing with that," Auron interrupted her uncomfortably, glaring at the sphere in her hands.Rikku jumped at his harsh tone and looked at the sphere curiously, then back at Auron. She drew her eyebrows together and pursed her lips. "Why? It's just a sphere."Auron stiffened and turned away from her, folding his arms across his chest. The elevator came to a stop and he stepped out quickly and waited for her by the door, ignoring her questioning glance."No really, why?" Rikku piped up when she was at his side once more. "Everybody uses spheres. Even Yevon says they're a-okay!" Ah-ha , she thought as she noticed Auron tense. "Oh, I get it," she sang, bringing the sphere up and poking around the controls, delighting in the discomfort that registered on his face. "You think they're part of that whole forbidden machina deal, don'tcha!""I don't approve of them," Auron grumbled. He turned his head and flinched when he realized Rikku was filming him, then scowled at her darkly. "Get that thing away from me!" he growled, his voice rising."Relax! This is perfectly harmless!" Rikku admonished, holding the sphere even closer and grinning as he jerked backwards. "You really need to lighten up some. It's not gonna suck out your soul or anything. See? You're fine!""Stop that. We're here," Auron grit out, pausing before a huge set of elaborately painted doors."Sure thing, chief!" Rikku agreed, filing away the information for future usage. Note to self – death by Auron can be escaped through clever use of paranoid machina superstitions. The doors swung open, and Rikku closed her palm over most of the sphere, surreptitiously keeping it recording."Auron," a loud voice greeted them, "Bringing in trouble again I see?" Kinoc! Rikku jumped, her mouth falling open. It was definitely him, though she wouldn't have believed it. His chin was covered with a neatly trimmed beard and a fancy metal helmet obscured almost his entire face save for his eyes. Most shockingly, however, was his lack of girth. Wow… he could almost pass for someone good-looking , Rikku thought with amazement, ogling him in shock."I trust you've heard already," Auron responded with a note of amusement. Rikku shot a quick look of surprise at her stoic companion; he seemed to let his guard down around Kinoc, the frown on his face easing slightly. "Braska wants to make this one a Guardian," he said, making an off-handed gesture towards Rikku.Kinoc sighed and shook his head, pacing around the room. "I know we're friends, Auron, but this is going to take more than just a little string-pulling. She tried to assassinate Mika after all.""Hey!" Rikku piped up in annoyance. "I'm right over here!" Maybe he looks better, but he's still the same rotten person on the inside , she thought as Kinoc gave her a depreciatory glance and then continued to ignore her."Well?" he asked Auron expectantly.Auron sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "… she's not an assassin, Wen. Trust me.""Huh, you mean you believe me?" Rikku gaped, her mouth dropping open again."She managed to down one of the guards without a weapon, disabled four others with their own bomb and broke through the inner line, and if it hadn't been for Kelk she might have even reached Mika. Do you know how many years people have been trying to do just that unsuccessfully?" Kinoc retorted. He snorted and shook his head. "And now you expect me to believe that this Al Bhed girl, acting completely on her own of course, just got lucky?""Hey! Luck is my middle name!" Rikku shouted, stomping her foot. She noticed Auron glaring at her and fell quiet. Eh… maybe I shouldn't be trying so hard to convince him that I'm a danger , she thought with a feeble laugh. "I wasn't trying to get to Maester Mika!" Rikku repeated. "I just wanted to see the temple, that's all."Kinoc finally turned and gave her a shrewd look. "An Al Bhed convert? What's next, machina in the temples?"Rikku bit the inside of her cheek hard enough to draw blood. If only you knew… She glared hotly at Kinoc. He seemed to note her anger with amusement and took a step closer."Quite the fighting spirit this one has," he observed; the lewd tone of his voice made Rikku shiver and back away from him. She discreetly tried to position herself behind Auron's broad shoulders, feeling horribly exposed as she noticed Kinoc's eyes lingering over her body. "I have to admit, there is something to be said for that scandalous Al Bhed fashion," he laughed. "I suppose no one was really hurt in the attack. Perhaps we can come to an agreement after all." He took another step towards Rikku, his tone dripping with suggestion. He stopped when Auron shifted his weight subtly, drawing Kinoc's attention."Wen," Auron interrupted curtly. "Business."The other man laughed and shook his head in amusement. "Always the straight arrow, weren't you Auron? You should learn to relax and enjoy the finer things in life.""I'm a Guardian now. I take my vows seriously," Auron told him. The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees."Yes? Well celibacy isn't one of them, my friend," Kinoc replied, letting his eyes drift towards Rikku again."I have no time or interest for Al Bhed women. If you knew what was good for your career, neither would you." Though Auron's tone was insulting, Rikku couldn't have been happier about his timely intervention. Better a hard-ass Auron getting in Kinoc's way than no Auron at all.Kinoc stopped and gave Auron a puzzled glance. "Fine, you win," Kinoc finally sighed, stepping over towards his desk and sorting through a stack of papers. Finding what he was looking for, he grabbed a quill and scribbled across it. "This is the last time I can do this for you, Auron. We may be friends, but as you said…" He signed the paper with a flourish. "I have to start thinking about what's good for my own career." Blotting the parchment, he rolled it up and handed it to Auron. "Full release forms and a formal recognition of Braska's request. And, should you successfully pass through the Cloister of Trials, you'll have two days to leave Bevelle, no longer."Auron gave the other man a curt nod and tucked the papers away inside of his coat. "Thanks for everything, Kinoc."Kinoc smiled wryly and returned the nod. "I know I don't need to tell you this, but guard Lord Braska well."The tension in Auron's frame eased slightly, and he offered a rare smile for his friend. "That I will. And you'll be busy, too." He looked over Kinoc, noting the crest on his helmet, and smirked. "I heard they made you second-in-command."The smile fled from Kinoc's face as he turned away from them and dropped his gaze to the floor. "Auron… you know that promotion was meant for you. You were always the better one, even until the end."Once again, Rikku was caught by surprise, gaping at the man in front of her. Him, passing up a promotion? Our Auron might have ended up as a Maester of Yevon? She squinted and tried to imagine him as an older man, dressed in the finery of a Maester's robes. It wasn't working at all; his fierce scowl always seemed to rip apart the image before it could fully form.Auron's low chuckle brought her back to the present, and Rikku's insides turned to jelly at the sound. He laughed! It's… it's… better than the Hymn! Better than machina! That's it! Mission time Rikku, make Auron laugh more! "You make it sound as if I was going off to die or something," Auron continued, oblivious to the salivating girl behind him. "I will see you again.""Yes," Kinoc replied with a tired smile. For an instant the trappings of his position fell away, and Rikku saw the shadow of a man who was kind and good-humored, patient enough to pierce through Auron's gruff exterior and loyal enough to earn his friendship. He fell so far , Rikku thought with a touch of sadness. The brief exchange sobered her, and she worried her lower lip. Their parting reminded her strongly of the reluctant farewell she had bid to Yuna and Paine when they left the Gullwings. Will that be us one day? The sudden feeling of homesickness blindsided Rikku and she blinked furiously, trying to push away the telltale tears before either of the men could notice them. I think I'd even be happy to see Brother again right now , she thought miserably."Well then..." Auron said, squaring his shoulders.Kinoc gave the other man a genuine smile, even if it was a little strained at the edges. "Going already?" He chuckled. "You will tell me about Zanarkand when you return, won't you?"Auron only smirked. "Farewell," he said as he turned and herded Rikku out of Kinoc's office. He paused when the doors shut behind them and looked at Rikku, noticing the sphere still in her hand. "I thought I told you to shut that off," he grumbled, all traces of good humor leaving his countenance."Oh!" Rikku yelped, jumping and disabling the sphere. She tucked it away into her hair before he could grab it, giggling. "Well, you heard the man! Let's get out of here before they change their minds!"Auron continued to regard her closely, and then shook his head. "We will speak of this later," he promised. "Follow me." And once again he took off, and Rikku had to scurry to keep up with his long strides."You could walk a little slower, you big meanie!" Rikku huffed as she caught up with him. "It's not like I know my way around here!" They stopped in front of another set of elevators and Rikku held her breath. Well, actually, this does look familiar… isn't this the hallway where we fought Baralai? She blinked and turned when she heard Auron clearing his throat, and noticed that he was waiting for her to step onto the lift. "Oh, uh, sorry…" she muttered, flushing. Great, Rikku. I bet he thinks you're a total space case now! "Why do you always wait for me to go first anyway?" Rikku asked. "I already told you I wasn't gonna try to run away!"Auron cocked his head and his brow wrinkled in faint amusement. "The Al Bhed have no manners," he observed as he boarded the platform behind her."Well neither do you," Rikku shot back, sulking."Hnn," Auron replied, though his expression settled into something vaguely less cross than before. Not that that was saying much, Rikku noted. It was like observing that a grenade was slightly less explosive than a bomb. Both could still easily blow up in your face at the slightest provocation."So where are you taking me now?" Rikku asked cautiously, waiting as the lift came to a stop. A few uncomfortable seconds passed, before Auron let out a heavy sigh.“This is our stop. Get off.”Rikku jumped off the lift and waited for him to follow. “You know, this would be a whole lot quicker if you’d just go first.”“ Ladies first clearly does not apply here,” he mumbled to himself as he strode down the hallway. "Kinoc granted you full release forms. First we collect your belongings. Then we leave."Joy flooded through Rikku at his words, and she had to stop herself from leaping forward and hugging him in sheer relief. My gear! My potions, my daggers, my grid! "Holy machina, I thought they were goners!" she exclaimed out loud, twirling a fist in the air as she danced. Then she winced and put her arm down quickly. "Oww! The first thing I'm going to do when I get my stuff back is drink a potion!""Don't count on it," Auron told her as they stopped in front of another set of double doors. He pushed them open and stepped into the large room. Rikku's eyes widened as she took in the sight; it was obviously a storage and supply room of some sort. Countless rows of neatly labelled shelves stretched endlessly into distance, and a tall counter manned by several priests barricaded access to the equipment."Wowzer," Rikku mumbled in awe, her eyes sparkling. It was a thief's personal heaven; O'aka probably would have had a heart attack and died if he could have seen Bevelle's stock. "This is incredible !" she breathed, trying to absorb the gleaming weapons and rows of bottles, gems and pouches lining the shelves. Distantly she noticed that their presence was garnering stares from both the clerks as well as the guards who were lined up behind the counters to collect their rations. Rikku shrugged it off. Even a young Auron was intimidating enough to keep the questions at bay, and she was much too busy soaking in the impressive display of wealth to be bothered by the scrutiny. She stumbled over her own feet when Auron pulled her towards a corner of the room, making his way towards one of the shorter lines behind the counter."You think they might let us borrow some of this stuff?" Rikku whispered to him excitedly. "You know, for helping out on Braska's Pilgrimage?"Auron winced and tightened his grip on her arm, and Rikku realized she had been unconsciously hopping from foot to foot in her eagerness. "Calm down," he growled at her. "You're making a scene. And no," he added as an afterthought."Why not?" Rikku whined, though she did manage to suppress most of her excitement behind a single eagerly tapping foot."Bevelle keeps a detailed record of their supplies," Auron explained to her with an air of strained patience. "If you take something, they will notice." He fixed her with a stern look and Rikku's foot paused. "If you take something, I will notice.""Geez, fine," Rikku huffed, rolling her eyes. At least I have my own supplies, and I bet it's better than any of the junk those Yevonites keep here anyway , she thought with a satisfied smirk. The line moved forward, and she stepped up beside Auron and tried her best to look innocent as the priest behind the counter gave her a withering glare."Order?" he said skeptically, eyeing Rikku over the rim of his heavyset glasses. Auron handed him the rolled sheet of paper and after a brief perusal, he shuffled away from them. The clerk pulled a small box from one of the shelves. "Here you are," he said, sliding the box over the countertop."Gimmie gimmie gimmie!" Rikku cheered, pulling the box over before Auron could stop her and tearing the cover off. She peeked in, and then her face fell. "Hey! What gives? Where's my stuff?" She stared into the depths of the nearly-empty box. Her curved daggers were still there, neatly crossed, and over them her custom crafted belt was folded. Even without picking it up, however, Rikku could see that her pouches were completely empty. "My potions! My gem collection!" she noted with increasing concern, rooting through the rest of the box. She let out a small breath of relief as she noted that the garment grid was still hooked onto the belt; apparently whoever had sorted through her things had assumed it was simply an overwrought buckle of some sort. Everything else of value, however, was gone. "You even took my bracelets, you Yevonite bast-" her rapidly rising howl was silenced as a hand descended over her mouth and clamped it shut."Thank you," Auron told the priest, collecting the box and hauling Rikku away from the counter. He kept his iron grip around her until they were well outside of the room, drawing the stares and snickers of the other priests and guards who observed their awkward exit. Rikku struggled fiercely, too angry to play nice, but he was too strong for her to break free. She even opened her mouth and bit him, but he only grunted and tightened his hold. Finally, when they rounded the corner, he thrust her away from him with a soft curse. "I told you to calm down!" he growled at her."They stole my stuff!" Rikku balled her hands into fists and tried to stomp back towards the room. Auron moved quickly, blocking her path and shoving the now-crumpled box into her arms. "Get out of my way!" she yelled at him, her eyes glinting."Be thankful that you had that much returned to you at all," he told her. "Equip yourself so we can leave this place. Braska is waiting for us.""But -" Rikku sputtered."No buts, no excuses and no more theatrics!" Auron roared, and Rikku shut her mouth. Uh-oh, looks like he's mad again. Then her face dropped into a scowl that probably would have made him proud if it hadn't been aimed in his direction. Well I'm mad too! "That was my stuff! What right do they have to take it? I stole it fair and square!"Rikku didn't think Auron could appear any more displeased than he already was, but somehow he managed to look even more put out than before. "You're a thief," he said with an air of disbelief. Then he laughed, but it wasn't the warm, friendly sound that he shared with Kinoc that made her insides curl and melt. This laugh was jagged and sharp, and it cut into her, making her feel like a messy grease stain on the pristine marble floors of the temple. "I knew you were trouble.""So what if I'm a thief!" Rikku stomped her foot. "I spent a long time collecting all that stuff from fiends for your information! That wasn't exactly easy to do!"Auron only walked past her, the hard smile that was still on his face looking more like a distorted grimace. "I don't believe this," he muttered under his breath."Hey! Hey, I'm not done talking to you yet!" Rikku scrambled after him as she strapped her daggers into the belt in her hand. "Maybe you don't give a crap about how I feel right now, but that was everything I had!" Auron didn't slow down, and in a burst of speed, Rikku scurried in front of him and planted herself in his path defiantly. "We have to go back and get my things!" she shouted."If your equipment is that important to you," Auron told her harshly as he came to a stop, "why don't you just go back upstairs and seduce Kinoc? I suppose he would be happy to help you for the right price."Rikku recoiled. "What?" she gasped, her eyes going wide with shock. Oh, he so didn't just go there , she thought furiously. "Is that what you really think of me?""What else should I think?" Auron countered, gesturing at her dress, or lack thereof. "You come into the heart of Yevon touting your Al Bhed clothing and morals, and wonder that Bevelle is less than accommodating to your needs. Perhaps you can fool Braska, but you can't possibly expect me to believe you're that naïve."Rikku clenched and unclenched her fists, looking at the ground in front of Auron's boots and willing herself to count backwards slowly. He's just being Auron, she hissed to herself. Somewhere in there is a good person, the Auron I know. The one who isn't a total asshole. Oh, screw it! "You're unbelievable!" she exploded, throwing her hands up into his face, though he managed to pull back before her fingers clipped his nose. "It's not just the machina, is it! You people pass judgment on us for every single little thing we do! The way we talk, the way we dress, the way we wear our hair!"Rikku's voice was loud and shrill. With a curse, Auron glanced up and down the empty hallway before grabbing her and dragging her into one of the smaller alcoves. "You will be silent!" he hissed, anger simmering dangerously in his low tone. "We are still inside the palace of Bevelle, the seat of power for all Yevon. Is it your wish to get us both killed?""Stuff it!" Rikku shot back, glaring at him. "The way you Yevonites talk about us we may as well be dead! You sure seem to think it's a lot better than being ourselves!" Auron's grasp on her arms tightened, and she winced."Is that what you call these little displays? Your very own cultural identity? That's a pitiful excuse for Al Bhed depravity.""That's exactly what it is!" Rikku hissed back, angrily shoving his hands off of her arms. "You wanna talk about depravity? Kinoc's the one who came onto me, you ass! Only someone as dense as a Yevonite could think I enjoyed it! And there's something else," she added, cutting him off before he could speak. "You have some nerve saying those things to me. You people are the ones who drove us out of Spira! You forced us to live on the crusty, ugly, forgotten edges of the world where no one else would go. But we didn't die out like you hoped! We survived, we even grew prosperous."Rikku stuck out her finger and slammed it into Auron's armoured chest a few times. It bruised her unprotected digit more than anything else, but she wanted to drive the point home literally. "We learned to live in sun and wind and sand and water and you know what? We're good at it! We don't need your morals or your religion to make it out there! We're doing it on our own, and we can show as much skin as we want while we're at it because yes ! We aren't like you and we're proud of it. So take your crappy assumptions and shove 'em, 'cause you don't know anything about us!" She finished her tirade with a pant, heaving and glaring at Auron.Though he did look surprised by her outburst, his reaction wasn't as great as she had hoped it would be. Ideally, it involved him throwing himself at her ankles and begging for forgiveness. Through back massages. With his lips. She groaned and rubbed her fingers over her throbbing temples. "Forget it, okay, Auron? Let's just find Braska.""I apologize for saying that."Rikku whirled around and stared. "Huh?" she managed to say. He didn't repeat himself, and she flushed and played with the tassels of the belt in her hands. He's such a jerk… and a Yevonite… and an Auron. Shoot. "Okay," she said. Then, shaking herself, she reached into her hair and began the arduous process of untangling the dresspheres that she had hidden beneath her blond locks. It was a task that was loud and required just enough attention to break the uncomfortable silence that she felt descending between them. " Owwie owwie ouch! " she hissed as the spheres tumbled into her hands, one after the other. She felt Auron's stare and parted the curtain of hair that had spilled over her face to look at him. "What?" she asked."… how many of those do you have in there?" he asked her incredulously."Just five!" Rikku huffed, sorting through the glowing blue orbs. She frowned and tucked the two newest recordings safely away; without Shinra to check over them first, she wasn't willing to test what "disasterrific" results they might produce on her garment grid. "Great… if I had known this was gonna happen, I would've brought the Machina Maw," she moaned, carefully slotting the remaining working dresspheres into her grid. Get real… if I had known I would be making another Pilgrimage to fight Sin, I'd have mugged Paine for The End , she thought to herself sourly."You have a belt buckle that holds spheres," she heard Auron observe with even more disbelief."So? This is the latest trend in Al Bhed fashion!" Rikku replied defensively. It was , technically speaking; he didn't need to know that the rest of Spira would have to wait another fifteen years before it picked up."Yevon help us all," Auron mumbled, and Rikku spun around to shake a fist at him with her retort. Then she yelped and fumbled with the belt; in her haste she had almost dropped it onto the floor. The unexpected shock of nearly smashing her spheres and grid made her knees grow weak and her mouth dry out, and brought the reality of her situation back with screaming clarity. Holy machina, I almost broke my only real weapons here! she thought, gingerly checking the grid for damage. Gotta be more careful, Rikku, she told herself as she slipped the belt around her waist. Shinra won't be here to give you a replacement if you break something now. Steeling herself against the usual rush of energy, Rikku snapped the grid into place. Pain. Pain? But why — P A I N ! "Augh ," Rikku managed to choke out, arching against the wall in shock. The magic grids had always produced a slight reaction when being equipped, but the sudden blast of energy that poured into her when the belt clicked into place wasn't like anything she had ever felt before. It raced through her veins, white-hot like fire and needles; too much magic tumbling into her much too quickly, flooding her body like an electric current racing through water. She was sure the energy was going to come tearing out through her pores, ripping off her skin and melting her into the wall she leaned against. " Aah! " she wheezed again, unable to catch enough breath to properly scream out the agony that was rushing through her limbs. Black spots danced before her eyes.Slowly the pain receded, leaving Rikku gasping and sobbing for breath. She noticed her hands had twisted into painful claws and that they were shaking uncontrollably, and she had to make a conscious effort to still them. Then she noticed that she wasn't standing upright; once again Auron had his arms around her, though this time he was holding her steady rather than dragging her away. Another tremor wracked her frame, and Rikku hunched over and shoved him off."Are you all right?" he asked her, surprise clearly splashed over his face."I - I don't know," Rikku stuttered, drawing in deep, slow breaths. "What just happened?""You had a seizure of some kind," he told her, touching her uninjured shoulder briefly. He hesitated for a moment before asking his next question. "Is this a normal occurrence?"Rikku coughed and spat dryly, then straightened up and shot him an angry glare. "No, it's not. I know what you're thinking, and yes, I'm still fit enough to be a Guardian." Part of the reason she was angry was to cover the hurt, however; for a brief moment, when he had touched her shoulder, it had almost seemed as though he was concerned. That was, until he dispelled the illusion by asking his question. That's Auron for you. Always business first, see who you stepped on later. Auron only gave her an appraising stare and nodded curtly. "The exit is that way," he said, gesturing down the hall before setting off by himself.Rikku remained propped against the wall and glared at his back. "Thanks for being a gentleman!" she called out sarcastically, and heard him grunt in response. Great… everything's going just peachy right now. Thanks a lot, Bahamut. There was no time to dwell on the matter; if something was wrong with the garment grid, then she wasn't going to risk paralyzing herself again by taking it off, especially not in front of him. "This is not turning out like I thought it would at all," she sulked, gathering herself together and trailing after him.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
When Rikku emerged from the confines of the palace, the first sight that greeted her was Braska and Jecht arguing. Though Braska was simply standing with his hands folded together, whatever he was saying was having an adverse effect on Jecht, who paced around the Summoner, occasionally punctuating the movement with sweeping gestures. Quickening her pace, Rikku hurried after Auron to greet the other two men."Hey, what's going on?" she asked as both Braska and Jecht turned and noticed their arrival."Oh, there you are. I was starting to wonder if Auron was losing his touch," Braska said with a small smile."I wasn't the cause of the delay," Auron replied. He didn't turn to face Rikku, so the effect of her pout as she stuck her tongue out was lost on him. It wasn't on the other two, however, and Braska hid his smile while Jecht grinned openly. Auron bristled but didn't take the bait. Instead, he nodded at Braska. "We should move. It isn't wise to remain here considering our present company.""Hey!" Rikku and Jecht cried out at the same time, drawing more than a few stares from the people passing by."I see what you mean," Braska said to Auron with a slight nod. "Please, allow me to take you to my apartment so you two can get cleaned up." He eyed Rikku's shoulder and frowned. "And healed," he added."Oh, this is fine," Rikku said, wincing as she brushed at her shoulder, which was still slowly oozing blood. "I've had worse!""Fine for you, maybe," Jecht said, throwing his hands over his head as they strolled down the street. "The rest of us have to look at you bleedin' all over yourself! You should let Auron walk behind you, seems like the type of thing he'd enjoy seein'."Rikku clenched her teeth and balled her fists up. "I'll bet he would," she mumbled under her breath. Noticing Braska's curious stare, she widened the grimace into a bright smile and turned to face him. "Oh, umm… thanks for getting me out of there, by the way!""No gratitude is necessary, miss…" Braska reassured her, pausing to direct them down a smaller alleyway. "... aah. I think you have me at a slight disadvantage here," he noted, giving Rikku a curious smile. "Might I have the pleasure of your name?"A slightly vindictive grin crossed her face. "Oh, well, since Auron knows my name already maybe he should tell you." Hah, stick that in your pipe and smoke it! she thought triumphantly.The Guardian in question narrowed his eyes. "Your injury doesn't seem to have wounded your tongue. Tell him yourself." He ignored the thoughtful look that Braska gave him and directed his attention towards the street. Parried and avoided, Rikku noted with an annoyed sulk. Still, Braska looked at him funny. I think that counts as a score for me. Rikku one, Auron zippo! She hid her smirk as she noticed Braska now staring at her oddly."Miss?" he asked again."Huh? OH!" Rikku flushed."Definitely a natural blonde," she heard Jecht mumble and scowled darkly when Auron chuckled in response."Hey, no double teaming!" Rikku yelled at the Blitzball player.Jecht only rolled his eyes and twirled a finger by his temple in response. "You ain't allowed to talk to me when you're havin' one of your crazy attacks," he replied. "Or don't tell me you forgot your own name now, too."Rikku fumed and stalked away from Jecht with an exaggerated stomp, garnering a few more snickers from her companions. "Ooh! Boys can be so dumb," she growled. "For your information, I remember my own name perfectly well! It's Ri- Ri-" She trailed off and swallowed. What do I tell them? What do I do? What if this isn't just some kind of dream but the real past? Will Auron recognize me? No, wait, of course he wouldn't! But… oh my gosh, what if Braska recognizes me? Does he even know about me? Ooh… what to say, what to say! The silence stretched out uncomfortably, and Rikku noticed Braska was giving her a polite, if a bit strained smile while Jecht was rolling his eyes again and shaking his head. Auron was directing yet another suspicious look towards her; the frequency with which he threw them in her direction was tempting her to give it a name. The Rikku Look, she thought. Yeah, that sounds pretty good. Except that I can't tell him it's called that! "Ri-ri …?" Braska prompted, interrupting Rikku's brief flight of panic. "That's… a curious name for an Al Bhed.""Rikkma! My name's Rikkma!" Rikku blurted out. Then she winced. Geez, that's an awful name. I hope uncle Braska doesn't speak too much Al Bhed… Unfortunately for her, Braska seemed to be well-educated. His steps slowed and he blinked at Rikku; even worse than that, he was in a sharing mood. "While I know that there is something usually lost in translation... your father named you Huggle ?" he repeated in disbelief. That stopped everyone else, who also turned to stare.Rikku's blush grew so large that it crept down from her face and over her neck. She was actually beginning to wish she was wearing more clothing; all cultural pride aside, there was something to be said for not looking like a roasted wendigo in public. "I was a really cute little kid, alright!" Well, that much was true. Silently, she was contemplating whether or not it would be possible to drop-kick her own brain. Definitely not one of my better ideas here, she moaned to herself as the others continued to snigger at her."Well no wonder you were tryin' to keep it quiet," Jecht told her with a smirk. "No worries, Hugglebunny, we won't let you forget it again!"Rikku sputtered and glared daggers at Jecht. "That's Rikkma to you!"Braska, who somehow managed to recover with dignity, gave Rikku an apologetic smile."I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking," he said mildly. "Would you prefer to be called something else, Rikkma?" Yes, please! "No, Rikkma's fine," Rikku managed to say through clenched teeth as her tattered pride died a silent and yet very dramatic death."Aw, you sure I can't call you Huggle?" Jecht asked her playfully."Really, no," Rikku hissed."How 'bout Huggle-Snuggle ?""NO," Rikku repeated."Huggie-Wuggie ?" Jecht tried again.Rikku leapt for his face and he dodged away, laughing at her. Damn those Blitzball reflexes! "You're so dead when I get my hands on you!" she yelled furiously, diving for him again as Braska hastily stepped out of the way."Enough!" Auron suddenly said, bringing the trio's antics to an abrupt halt. "This is neither the time nor the place for such childish behavior," he ground out, giving his Rikku Look to all three of them. "Will you please try to control yourself?" he asked Jecht sourly. "And you, let him go," he added in a warning tone to Rikku.Reluctantly, Rikku released the headlock she had managed to wrest Jecht into and shuffled the toe of her boot into the dirt. "Spoilsport," she muttered under her breath, and Jecht grunted in agreement."Did you say something?" Auron's glare intensified. Rikku Look Mark II, she noted to herself, for personal use only! That so far only she had managed to provoke it gave her a mild sense of accomplishment, and she had to struggle to hide her giggle. "No, sir!" Rikku replied sweetly, doing her best to look innocent.Auron eyed her before turning back down the road. "Fine. Can we continue our journey now, Huggie ?" he added smoothly.Rikku's mouth dropped open; though she could only see the back of his head, she was sure there was a satisfied smirk plastered across his face. Why that little sneak! she fumed."Hah!" Braska said, shaking his head in amusement as he followed after Auron. "Congratulations, Rikkma. I think that's the first time I've heard Auron make a joke.""Oh?" Rikku repeated nonchalantly, her annoyance deflating as quickly as it had come. Hmm… Rikku one, Auron one. I really should be minding this a little bit more, she thought as a silly grin stole across her face. The dominant half of her mind was deciding to ignore her reason in favor of flooding her with tingles of happiness for making Auron smile." ‘ey," Jecht said, cuffing Rikku over her uninjured shoulder and knocking her out of her stupor. "Are you moonin' over a stiff like that?" He gestured at Auron's back as he spoke. "Man, you are a loony." He grinned, noticing her sudden blush.Rikku sighed and trailed after Jecht reluctantly. "I know," she mumbled.The remaining few blocks to Braska's residence passed without incident; this was mostly because Rikku was too preoccupied to pay very much attention to her companions. The further they travelled down the small alley, the shoddier the buildings became; the one they finally stopped before was tall and plain, crumbling from lack of repair and very obviously belonging to one of the lower circles of Bevelle's social rings. The entire district, in fact, appeared less than wealthy; just another one of Yevon's dirty little secrets carefully hidden from the public eye by the city's glorious exterior.It surprised and dismayed her; for some reason Rikku had always imagined that her uncle was well-off and respected even before he began his Pilgrimage. Yuna had never mentioned anything to her about it while they were growing up; then again, in a small village like Besaid the dividing lines of wealth and power were practically non-existent. She let her eyes travel over the dilapidated building and managed to hold back her disappointed sigh."What a dump," she heard Jecht echo behind her much less tactfully, earning him an angry glare from Auron."I know it's not much," Braska began with a touch of embarrassment, "but it does have all the comforts of home."Jecht rubbed the back of his head uneasily and fumbled for a way to draw his foot out of his mouth. "Oh, uh… well, it's a nice dump," he tried. Rikku scowled and smacked him on the arm and he fell silent."What he meant is thanks for taking us in," Rikku clarified, smiling brightly at Braska. "It sure beats the heck out of the inside of a prison cell!""I live here with my daughter Yuna," Braska explained as he let them into the hallway and moved towards a flight of dingy stairs. "She's only seven years old, but I assure you she's very well-behaved.""A daughter, huh?" Jecht repeated. "Can't wait to meet her!" He smiled eagerly, following Braska.Rikku ducked her head and held back behind them, worrying her lower lip. Yunie's still here! I forgot about that… ooh … "Changed your mind?"Rikku spun around and saw Auron waiting for her to climb the steps, his arms folded."Huh?" she asked him."If you wish to leave now, I won't stop you," he said levelly.Rikku frowned at Auron and matched his pose, tapping her foot. "You really think I'd just cut out the first chance I got?" she said incredulously. "For your information, I could've left you guys anytime I wanted to! You're just trying to pick a fight with me now, aren't you?"Auron tipped his head and watched her solemnly. He didn't look upset - at least, not any more than he usually did. Rikku dropped her arms and shifted her weight, waiting for him to speak."Unlike Jecht, you seem to know what becoming a Guardian entails." His stare unnerved her and Rikku dropped her eyes to the ground. "No one would think less of you if you decided to leave right now."Rikku rocked on her feet slowly, an unconscious habit she had picked up whenever she was lost in thought. He's… giving me a chance to cut my losses and run, she thought to herself. Almost like the Auron I know. I should probably go before I mess things up… taking his advice would be the smart thing to do. But he's being so nice ! "Come on, if we hang around here too long they're gonna wonder what happened to us," Rikku finally said, looking up at him with a grin. Then she turned and sprinted up the stairs, too nervous to see his reaction. If he was disappointed with her decision, she knew it would shake her confidence. She was more scared about how she would feel if he wasn't, though.Rikku arrived at the top of the steps in time to see a tiny girl with an unruly mop of brown hair come barrelling out of the apartment and into Braska's outstretched arms. He laughed loudly and scooped the girl up, spinning her around before settling her against his chest."Yunie," Rikku whispered to herself as she caught sight of the girl's mismatched eyes. Then she stepped behind Jecht's bulk and tried to make herself unnoticeable."Ain't she a little angel!" Jecht said, and she heard Yuna giggle in response. "Her mother must be a real looker," he added, giving Braska an appreciative wink."Yes, she's my whole world now," Braska admitted fondly, planting a small kiss on his daughter's forehead. "Everything I do is for her." Noticing Jecht's sudden change of expression, he laughed and shook his head at the corpulent, elderly woman who also emerged from the apartment. "Oh, this is Beatrix, a friend. She looks after Yuna when I'm not home," Braska said. "My wife… can't be here right now," he finished with a pained expression. Shaking his head, he gave a thankful smile to the woman as she left down the stairs. "Please, come inside and make yourselves at home."Jecht followed Braska through the doorway eagerly but Rikku hesitated outside, wavering. She made up her mind and stepped through, however, when she felt Auron's presence behind her. I'll make it through this. Just act cool, "Rikkma!" "Father, who's that?" Yuna's quiet voice made Rikku jump and emit a little squeak of surprise. As she feared, Yuna's eyes were trained on her in rapt fascination. "She looks like mommy!""That's because Rikkma is also Al Bhed, just like your mother," Braska said gently, giving Rikku an amused smile."Her eyes are green!" Yuna said again, a sunny grin breaking over her face as she pointed at Rikku. "Just like mine!" The little girl was obviously very excited; Rikku couldn't blame her, though. It wasn't often that Al Bhed were spotted anywhere near Bevelle, not unless they were criminals awaiting punishment. Still, she breathed a tiny sigh of relief when Yuna's curious gaze shifted over towards Jecht. "Who's that?" the little girl asked, looking over the large man."I'm Jecht, star blitzer of the Zanarkand Abes!" he said proudly, giving Yuna a broad smile. The smile dropped as Yuna ignored him and broke out into a delighted squeal."Auron!" she shouted as the object of her attention entered the room. She rushed towards him and threw her arms around his leg tightly. Rikku had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing out loud as Auron glanced down and furrowed his brow."Yuna," he said, giving the girl an awkward pat on the head. "I need that leg.""Sorry," she mumbled, releasing him reluctantly and stepping back to give him a formal bow before returning to her father's arms."You got a real way with women, Auron," Jecht observed, earning him a glare from both his subject and Rikku. "Quite a place you got yourself here, Braska," Jecht added with a grin."It's not much, but I call it home," Braska said, pulling a giggling Yuna onto his knee and bouncing her playfully.Rikku let her eyes travel over the sparsely decorated room; though small, it was very clean and neat, a sharp contrast to the building's shoddy exterior. What made the place more comfortable than anything, however, was the sight of Braska and Yuna sitting together at the small table, smiling at each other and talking quietly. They created a small circle of domestic comfort that blanketed the entire room more completely than any décor could; even Auron seemed to relax in their presence, his scowl smoothing out into a comfortable half-smile. They're happy together here, that's why it feels like home, Rikku realized with a slight twinge of nostalgia. Making a home for yourself doesn't have anything to do with money or power. It's just the place where you feel like you belong. She closed her eyes and unobtrusively slipped herself into a far corner of the room; it's just because I don't want Yunie to see that much of me, she told herself. The truth was that she couldn't watch them anymore, though; father and daughter, sitting together and smiling, both unaware of the future that would tear them apart. You could almost forget about Sin when you see them like that. Almost … but uncle Braska never forgot about Sin. "We'll be starting the Pilgrimage tomorrow morning," she heard Braska say. "The temple will be open for Summoner parties, and it'd be good to get an early start.""There is a problem," Auron said quietly, catching everyone's attention. He pulled the rolled parchment out from his coat and threw towards Braska, who snatched it out of the air. "Kinoc's given us two days to leave after we complete the Trials." His shifted his gaze to Rikku and she stared at the ground guiltily."Two days?" Braska said faintly, carefully setting the parchment aside without opening it. His eyes were fixed on Yuna, who was playing with the flaps on his robe, oblivious to his concern. "That little?" The sad lilt to his voice made his daughter lift her head and look at him with worry."Father?" she asked in a tiny voice.He bent over and rested his forehead on top of hers, closing his eyes. Then he straightened and gave Yuna a sad smile. "Two days, then," he said firmly, and her eyes widened."No," she protested, and Rikku wondered at how old she sounded; she was only seven, but Sin didn't make exceptions for children in Spira. "No! You promised a week!" she said more loudly, tears beginning to form at the corners of her eyes."I'm sorry, Yuna," Braska said, gently extracting her hands from his chest, which had bunched into tiny fists against the front of his robe. "It's Yevon's will.""Hmm," Auron grunted, the scorn evident in his voice."Hey hey hey," Jecht interrupted, standing up and cracking his neck. "What's with the long faces? Listen up, kid," he said, approaching Braska and kneeling down, staring a surprised Yuna in the eyes. "You know what I do whenever I need to turn a frown upside-down?""… no?" Yuna sniffled, swabbing at her eyes, tears momentarily forgotten by Jecht's insistent demand for her attention."Blitz!" he said with a grin. "Tell you what, find me a blitzball and I'll show you some of my secret moves," he promised with a wink. "You don't wanna miss it, 'cause I'm the best!""That's an excellent idea," Braska said, eyeing Jecht gratefully. "Why don't you go get the ball from your room?" he told Yuna, easing her off of his knee."But…" she mumbled uncertainly, looking between Braska and Jecht." ‘ey! Didn't I tell you I'm the star player of the Zanarkand Abes?" Jecht boasted, thumbing his chest and puffing up with pride."Really?" Yuna repeated, her eyes starting to sparkle with eagerness. "They play Blitzball in Zanarkand?""All day and all night," Jecht reassured her. "You won't get a chance like this again, kid, so hurry up!""Okay!" Yuna yelled, his good cheer catching as she scrambled towards her room. She emerged a few moments later, blitzball in hand, and yelped as Jecht swept her into his arms and lumbered towards the door."I'll bring her back in one piece," Jecht told them as he flipped Yuna upside-down and held her by her legs, causing her to shriek in delight. Braska held the door open for them as they left the small apartment. "Here we go!" Rikku heard him yell theatrically from the hallway, punctuated by another one of Yuna's high laughs."My lord, are you sure you trust him?" Auron asked skeptically.Braska shut the door with an amused expression, shaking his head. "Relax, Auron. He's a Guardian now.""That's another problem," Rikku heard Auron mutter darkly under his breath."You need to learn to be more trusting," Braska scolded the other man. "He has a good heart. Even you must see the way he treated Yuna. Who would've guessed that someone like Jecht had a soft spot for children?" Not me, Rikku thought to herself. Probably not Tidus, either. I wonder why he hated his dad so much? Maybe Jecht was just bad with his own kid. She blinked and looked up when she noticed Braska was standing before her, asking her a question."… Bikanel?" she heard him say."Huh?" she asked, blushing. "Sorry, come again?""He asked if you came from Bikanel Island," Auron called out, clearly irritated by her lack of attention."Hey! What do you know about that?" she said defensively, glaring at Auron. With Yuna gone from the apartment, he had retracted back into the stoic Yevonite shell she was growing increasingly familiar with, and it made her feel uncomfortable and protective of what little privacy her people had.Auron shook his head with a disbelieving grunt and shrugged. "I know more of Braska's life than you can imagine," he said with contempt. "I can assure you that I have no interest in discussing the secrets of the Al Bhed with you or anyone else."Rikku blushed and looked away; so Auron knows where we live already. Oh great… I feel like such an idiot now! Fortunately, Braska came to her rescue with a sympathetic nod."No, you are correct. I understand that it's quite a sensitive topic for you." He turned and gestured towards Auron. "Perhaps you could go check on Yuna for me after all?""But -" Auron said, pushing off from the wall in protest."Auron, please. We will be fine," Braska reassured him. Auron's frown deepened, but after a short pause he stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him."He really needs to work on controlling his temper," Braska observed. Rikku allowed him to lead her to the table and took the seat that he pulled out for her. He left to enter one of the back rooms and emerged shortly afterwards with a small box full of medical supplies."Let's have a look at that shoulder," he told her as he laid out some gauze and tape across the tabletop. Rikku leaned forward and swept her hair away from her back, wincing as she felt him clean off the caked blood that had dried there. "Ah, good," she heard him murmur as he worked. "It's not that bad after all. The potion they gave you must have already dissolved the bullet. The wound just needs to be sealed properly now. Do you mind if I...?""No, go ahead," Rikku said, shutting her eyes. She would never get used to the feeling of being the target of a cast spell; even when they were beneficial, they still brought up memories of Brother's little Thunder fiasco. She heard Braska murmur something under his breath, and the ticklish feeling of magic raced through her spine and settled over her wound, making it itch unbearably. After a moment, the sensation dissipated and she sat up, rolling her shoulder. "All better!" she cheered, turning to give Braska a relieved smile. "Thanks a bunch!"He nodded at her while clearing off the table, and then hesitated with a guilty expression, box in hand. "I'm sorry about what I said, earlier. I shouldn't have brought up your Home in front of Auron.""I'm the one who should apologize," Rikku assured him with a sheepish grin. "After all, you married an Al Bhed, so you're practically one of us now!" Then she bit off her smile and blushed deeply, recalling Auron's brief mention of Braska's exile. Oh… actually that doesn't happen until after you defeat Sin. Oopsie… Braska cleared his throat and looked away, allowing her to recover from her slip gracefully. "That's very kind of you to say," he replied, though the pained expression on his face told her that he knew otherwise. "You know…" he continued absently, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "In many ways, you do remind me of my late wife. She also had a very optimistic outlook on life." Then he squinted at her more directly and his voice became thoughtful. "But it's more than that… in fact, it's uncanny. You do look very similar to -""Oh, heh heh!" Rikku yelped, startling Braska out of his scrutiny. "Well, you know us Al Bhed! We all look the same!" She fell quiet as a fierce, angry frown marred Braska's normally kind features; he looked more upset than when she had inadvertently insulted him just moments earlier."I do not want to hear such things again," he told her sternly. "If you don't have any confidence in yourself, then how can I expect you to be able to protect me as a Guardian?"Rikku bit her lip and hunched over; even without a vast age difference and legendary reputation behind him, she still felt like a small child who was being scolded by her elders. "Geez, it was just a joke," she mumbled, picking at her fingernails.Braska's hand thumped on the table loudly and made her jump. She looked up and saw that his eyes had grown icy and distant. "Your people are not a joke, Rikkma, no matter what Yevon or anyone else may say. You mustn't ever let anyone convince you of that." He leaned over and trapped her under a direct glare so intense that she forgot to fidget and froze in place. "Things in Spira will never change if you simply accept them."Rikku blinked; he was so much like Yuna it hurt. She found herself feeling something for him despite the fact that she knew how his journey would end; he was filled with kindness and resolve, and hope enough to carry the burdens of the world on his narrow shoulders without breaking. But just like Yuna, he kept none for himself. "Then what about Summoners?" she blurted out. "You go on your Pilgrimage, you die, and then Sin comes back! Sin always comes back! How can you just accept that?"Braska leaned back and closed his eyes, shaking his head. "There's always a chance things will be different this time.""But what if they're not?" Rikku clenched her fists."Then at least I will have given Yuna a childhood of peace and happiness," he said firmly."By dying?" Rikku lashed out, feeling tears start to sting at her own eyes. "You really think that's what will make her happy?"Braska stiffened, slamming the cover of the medical kit shut with a loud snap. "You, a stranger, would presume to question me?" he shot back. Then he relaxed, his shoulders drooping, and shook his head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that, Rikkma. But please… do not try to change my mind about this. I'm set on my course."The false name brought Rikku back to her senses and she wiped at her eyes. What am I thinking? If I stop him from going on his Pilgrimage, then Sin will never be defeated! The very thought, however, made her feel tainted; as though she was somehow sacrificing Braska and Yuna's happiness for her own future. For all of Spira, she reminded herself sternly. Still, it didn't change the fact that he was a sacrifice, a lamb they were all leading to slaughter on Yevon's altar. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.Braska cleared his throat, then re-seated himself at the table. "I've seen your Home before, you know," he told her, as though testing the churning waters between them with his words. "Once, I went there as a missionary to spread the word of Yevon to your people. That's how I met Yuna's mother."Rikku smiled despite herself; she was too young to have witnessed the huge fuss that Braska's arrival generated, but Keyakku had often regaled her and Brother with the stories about it, snatched whispers in the desert whenever they could find themselves away from Cid's watchful eyes. "Yeah, I heard about that," she mumbled."Ah, so you weren't there when it happened," Braska added with a short chuckle. "That was probably better for you… I think my presence there was fairly unsettling. Many people didn't appreciate my efforts to convert them." He tilted his head and rubbed his chin. "Tell me, though. How did you come to Bevelle in the first place? This isn't exactly the preferred destination of the Al Bhed.""Actually my coming here was something like an accident," Rikku began. "I did used to live at Home, but that was before... I, uh, started wandering around Spira, looking for adventure." Close enough to the truth, she thought."Well you certainly found it," Braska told her. "I think it would be best if you stayed with our group until we were safely out of Bevelle. I don't mean to impose on you, however. I imagine you'll want to eventually return to Bikanel, and I'm afraid my own journey won't be passing that way.""No, I'm exactly where I want to be!" Rikku said, thinking of the temples.Noticing Braska's surprised observation of her outburst, she laughed brightly and waved her hand through the air. "I mean, I'm not trying to get back Home right now." Since I guess I'm already sort of there. I wonder what would happen if I met myself? I don't remember ever meeting me before… ugh, better not to find out. The universe might implode. She shook herself out of her daydream when she noticed Braska giving her a pitying look. "What?" she asked him in confusion."I see… so you must be an outcast, too," he said sympathetically, planting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Well, I know it must be hard for you, but you're welcome to stay with us for as long as you need," he told her.Rikku managed to clamp her mouth shut and nod before the giggles escaped from her. Outcast? Hah, more like part of the reason you're exiled yourself! That sobered up her humor enough to give Braska a semi-serious nod. "Thanks," she told him again. He smiled in response and inclined his head before stepping away, leaving her alone with her thoughts at the table.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Without Braska's immediate presence to cloud her judgment, Rikku took the opportunity to sit back and consider her options. She planted her chin in her palm, furrowing her brows in thought.
I could really get to like these guys… but I can't interfere with their Pilgrimage. Absolutely positively no, Rikku! Just go along with it until you can talk to Bahamut, that's all.
"I really hope I won't be able to stick around after the first temple," she mumbled to herself under her breath. "Still…" She had to admit it felt nice to finally get to know her own uncle as something more than a legend told through the stone statues in the temples.
I shouldn't feel so guilty about sticking around here. It's the perfect opportunity to sort of make up for what the Al Bhed did to him, right?
Rikku's head shot out of her hand and a huge smile broke across her face.
"Yeah, that's it!" she exclaimed out loud. "Rikku's big chance to clear the family name!" Cheered by her new sense of purpose, she dug through her pouch and drew out one of the spheres she had recorded on earlier. "This mission isn't going down without a record," she said confidently, fiddling with the controls.
Braska emerged from the room just then, stopping in surprise when he saw her with the sphere in hand. He’d removed his formal helmet and lengthy outer robe, revealing long brown hair was bound in a neat braid that hung nearly halfway down his back. He was balancing a bundle of folded linens and pillows in his arms, and carefully set them down on the couch before turning to regard her with an amused grin.
"Well, this is interesting," he noted with humor. "Is there a reason you're making a recording of me, besides to prove that men are capable of doing domestic work? Should I be worried? I wouldn't want the destruction of the male reputation to be added to my list of transgressions."
"Of course there's a reason!" Rikku replied gleefully, leaping out of her chair and dancing in place. "If you're gonna defeat Sin, then we should get every minute of this trip down for the record! You're making history you know!" She paused and thought about how many spheres it would actually take to accomplish that mission. "Well, maybe not every minute," she amended. "Now smile and say shoopuf!"
The door burst open as she held the sphere up, and a very disgruntled-looking Auron stomped in. He came up short, his surprised glance landing directly in the sphere, and then recovered with a shake of his head and gave Rikku an exasperated glare. "I thought I told you to stop playing with those things."
"Aww man, you really need to lighten up!" Jecht called out, strolling in behind Auron. He clapped the other man on the back as he passed by; Yuna was following him, her eyes sparkling with adoration.
"That was fun!" she cried, running in front of Auron and tugging at his red coat. Auron grimaced and looked away while Jecht snickered.
"Is there something I should know about?" Braska asked.
"I saw the…" Yuna's face screwed up in thought. "Sublimely… Mag… Magnificant…"
"Magnificent," Jecht offered helpfully.
"The Sublimely Magnificent Jecht Shot Mark III," Yuna pronounced carefully. "Sir Jecht used it on Sir Auron!"
Braska smiled at his daughter uncertainly, while Rikku covered her mouth and began to snort. Auron simply clenched his teeth and unhooked his sword, slamming it into the corner of the room with more force than necessary.
"That must have hurt," Rikku managed to say, grinning at Auron.
"… and then Sir Auron showed us how to do a Shooting Star!" Yuna continued happily. The memory of the day was one she was going to treasure for years to come, to Jecht's obvious pleasure and Auron's more subtle chagrin.
Braska's other eyebrow joined its companion as he looked at Auron. "I suppose we shall need to buy a new blitzball tomorrow?" he asked, though the grin twitching at his lips softened his hard tone.
"Sorry," Auron ground out, slumping himself next to his sword.
"I ain't," Jecht replied, clasping his hands behind his head with a smug smile.
"Do it again, Sir Jecht!" Yuna said eagerly, clapping her hands together.
"Oh no, I think that's enough excitement for one day, young lady," Braska cut in hastily before Auron could insert a scathing retort to Jecht. "Time for you to go to bed."
"No!" Yuna cried in protest, shaking her head and balling her fists together under her chin. "I don't want go. The day isn't over yet!"
"C'mon, kid," Jecht said with an encouraging smile, standing over her. "You should listen to your old man. Whadda ya say I tuck you in? Will you go peacefully then?"
The pout left Yuna's face reluctantly, but she gave Jecht a slow nod. "Okay," she said, reaching out and grabbing Jecht's hand. "I guess I can show you Mr. Moogle instead," she murmured as she pulled him towards her room.
Rikku giggled and turned the sphere back towards Braska, who was looking after the two with a tender expression. "I think you might have finally found a rival for Yuna's affections, Auron," Braska noted, his lips quirking.
"Hnn," Auron said, the severe expression on his face softening. Then the smirk returned. "Children always prefer the company of one another over adults."
Braska chuckled, then turned towards Rikku and nodded. "Yes… this is a wonderful idea, Rikkma," he told her. "Since you seem to be familiar with spheres already, would you mind if I put you in charge of making the recordings? We can buy a few more for our supplies tomorrow before we visit the temple."
"For real?" Rikku asked, her smile growing wider. "Yeah!" she cheered when Braska nodded at her, holding her sphere up in the air and hopping from one foot to the other. "You can count on me!"
"This is not a good idea!" Auron cut in, scowling at both of them. "My lord, making sphere recordings is a waste of both time and money! We should be concentrating on things that are more important."
Braska gave Auron a level look. "What could be more important than Yuna?" he asked. That silenced the other man effectively, though it also brought Rikku plummeting out of her happy-dance and back into reality with a crash.
"Beautiful girl you got, Braska!" Jecht's loud emergence from Yuna's room broke through the sombre atmosphere; he was wearing a goofy grin on his face which dropped into a scowl when he noticed the tension in the room. "Whoa, somebody die while I wasn't lookin'?" he asked, scratching his head.
Braska smiled and shook his head at Jecht. "Not yet."
"That isn't funny," Rikku said lowly, collapsing back into her chair and fiddling with the sphere in her hands.
"Sheesh, you all need to stop hangin' around Auron so much," Jecht complained, stretching his arms over his head and yawning. "
Ahh
… free at last! You got somethin' to eat around here?" he added, wandering towards the kitchen.
"Braska," Auron said, nodding his head towards Jecht. "He still doesn't understand the nature of our task."
"What's to understand?" Jecht asked cluelessly. "We go to Zanarkand, me 'n Auron keep you from getting pounded by whatever we meet along the way, and Blondie over there cheers us on from the sidelines. Right?"
"What!" Rikku said, depression once again vanishing in a cloud of irritation at Jecht's overbearing male ego. "Listen here, you big lug -"
Braska cleared his throat and faced the other man. "Now, Jecht…" he began diplomatically, cutting Rikku off. "I am a Summoner, and you are my Guardian. As such, I am in your hands until we reach Zanarkand."
"Right, right," Jecht said with boredom, ignoring Braska. "So, what's a Summer-ner, anyway?"
The grinding of Auron's teeth was audible even over Braska's helpless sigh. Rikku barely managed to shut down the sphere before the wild gasps of laughter came bubbling from her throat.
He's more clueless than Tidus! Like father like son, I guess. Tidus is just like Jecht! And Braska is just like Yuna… and Auron is Auron and Rikkma is Rikku! I wonder if Kimahri, Wakka or Lulu are feeling left out.
Rikku dropped her head into her arms at the table and laughed louder, even after the others stopped talking and stared at her.
"We set her off again," Jecht mumbled, and Rikku took a few deep, calming breaths to silence herself. She hiccupped and brushed away the tears that were streaming down her face. Braska murmured a quiet reply that she didn't quite hear, and then Auron grunted loudly in disagreement.
"We know nothing about her," she heard him say. "She shouldn't have been made a Guardian."
" ‘ey, she knows I'm from Zanarkand," Jecht answered him irritably. "That's good enough for me."
"And why shouldn't it be?" Auron responded. "You can't possibly have come from Zanarkand. It's obvious that you two are working together, the only mystery is what you hope to accomplish with your little deception."
"That ain't true!" Jecht said, his voice rising. "I didn't even know that chick's name until an hour ago!"
"But you said she knew yours," Auron replied, his voice cool.
"All the fans know my name," Jecht replied confidently.
Auron only shook his head in disbelief. "Do you even listen to yourself?"
Rikku slammed her hands on the table and stood up, annoyance bubbling over her features. "Hey! Stop talking about me like I can't hear you!" She glared at them. "And for the last time, I'm not one of your fans, Jecht! Honestly, I don't even like Blitzball
that
much!" Well, that was a bit of a stretch, considering that she was a major part of the Gullwing blitzing team. But
Jecht
didn't need to know that.
Jecht crossed his arms and redirected his glare from Auron to Rikku. "What the hell's your problem, anyway?" he growled. "Here I am, stickin' out my own neck for you and this is the thanks I get?"
Rikku planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. "You wanna know what my problem is? My problem is you!"
Because you're being nice. And Yunie likes you. And you're sticking up for me even though you don't know who I am. And I KILLED YOU DAMN IT!
"I don't need your help!" she said shrilly.
Jecht's face registered surprise at her unexpected outburst before it dropped into a cold scowl; it looked almost foreign on his usually relaxed features. "Crazy little ingrate," he spat out, crossing his arms. "I get the message! Fight your own damn battles from now on, kid."
"I'm not a child!" Rikku replied instantly.
"You sure act like a cry baby sometimes," Jecht growled at her. "Shit, I swear you whine even more than my own kid!"
"Maybe Tidus wouldn't cry so much if you hadn't left him behind in Zanarkand!" Rikku yelled back.
Jecht froze, his face growing ashen underneath the dark tan of his skin. "It wasn't my choice to leave my boy!"
Oops,
Rikku thought, cringing. He towered over her, his expression thunderous and his eyes dark with fury. Rikku had never really seen Jecht angry before; now he was, angrier even than Auron, and his wrath was directed completely towards her.
A hand descended on Jecht's shoulder and carefully pulled him away from her; Braska stepped between them and gave the Blitzball player an understanding smile.
"When I saw you with Yuna, I thought you might have a child of your own," he said, his soothing voice cutting through the tension as though he wasn't even aware it was there. "You're very good with children."
A guilty look crossed over Jecht's face, and he turned away from Braska. "Yeah, well… not all of 'em," he muttered under his breath.
There was a raw, aching pain in his tone and Rikku realized how much Jecht actually missed his home and his family. With his gruff, easy-going exterior, it was hard to imagine he could take anything seriously. She’d underestimated him.
I… guess he really does care about Tidus.
Braska gave Jecht another pat on the shoulder and released him before facing Auron. "I think this proves that they are not involved in some grand scheme together," he pointed out.
"Or that they're good actors," Auron replied.
Jecht's anger receded at Auron's words and looked over his shoulder at Rikku. "You ain't from Zanarkand too, are you?" he asked her.
"Huh?" Rikku said weakly, still trying to recover from her near-death experience. "No way!" she added. "I already told you, I know all about it from spheres."
"Spheres, huh…" Jecht’s eyes narrowed. Sweat beaded on Rikku’s forehead as he gave her an unusually calculating glance. Tiny alarm klaxons began to sound in her mind as she realized her mistake.
Tidus! I called his son Tidus!
She held her breath, her fingers and toes going numb with the fear that he would somehow expose her deception and get her booted from Braska's party before their journey even began, before she had the chance to ply the Fayth for answers to her own questions.
"Whatever," Jecht finally said, turning his back on her. Somehow Rikku knew he wasn't going to drop his suspicions quite that easily, but she was thankful that he seemed content to let them remain just that in front of the other two men.
"It has been a long day for all of us," Braska said. "I think it would be best to continue this discussion tomorrow morning." He picked up a pillow and a blanket and pushed them into Rikku's arms. "You can sleep in Yuna's room tonight, Rikkma. I'm sure she won't mind the company."
"Thanks," Rikku muttered with a blush, beating a hasty retreat from the room. Once again, she was grateful for Braska's timely intervention; it seemed he spent most of his time playing the peacemaker between their explosive group dynamics. There was always bound to be tension between herself and Auron even if he wouldn't have been acting like a complete Yevonite; her continuing attraction to him despite his dour nature seemed to ensure that. But she had been surprised by how much she was affected by Jecht's disapproval.
I don't even know the guy that well! So… why do I feel so bad about hurting his feelings like that?
With a sigh, she realized she knew perfectly well why she was feeling guilty. Because he didn't deserve that last dig. "Guess it's going to be Rikku's Big Apology Day tomorrow," she muttered to herself, entering Yuna's bedroom.
Rikku shut the door behind herself quietly, letting her eyes adjust to the sudden darkness. The moon was shining brightly outside, and the silvery light that spilled through the curtains illuminated the room with an ethereal glow. Yuna was already fast asleep, cradled by pillows and moonlight. She looked angelic, her pale skin shining white against the stark darkness of the night; if it hadn't been for the ratty stuffed moogle that was securely tucked underneath her chin, Rikku might have mistaken her cousin for a Fayth.
"Yunie," Rikku whispered, creeping to the young girl's bedside and studying her peaceful face. "You're gonna grow up to do some really great things, you know, greater than you ever dreamed about." Sighing, she leaned over and brushed a stray lock of hair away from Yuna's forehead, and the little girl turned and mumbled softly. "Sorry," Rikku murmured, biting her lip and blinking away another unexpected tear.
Gotta stop doing that, Rikku. The guys are ready to haul you off to the nuthouse as it is already!
"Just think of the now," she told herself, tiptoeing away from Yuna's bed and carefully spreading her own blanket over the floor.
After removing her boots and unhooking her twin daggers, stashed securely away from Yuna's curious reach, Rikku settled herself on the blanket and began to sort through her remaining equipment. "Those priests took my best stuff," she muttered under her breath in disgust. In a way, she was thankful that she had brought only her daggers and Conflagration grid with her on her initial trip to the Farplane; she was sure the temple would have been more than eager to keep a tight grip on her more powerful garment grids had she equipped them.
Much more upsetting to her was the loss of her bracelets, though. She had spent hours tooling them together; the protections she’d woven into the small bangles had been miles better than anything she ever managed to work into her old targes.
Their technicians are probably trying to figure out how I made those right now. Great, way to give Yevon a helping hand there, Rikku!
"Well, not like it matters anyway. I guess I can always make something new. No, not just something new, I'll make something better. So there!"
The sparse contents of her pockets were all too quickly laid out across the blanket, and Rikku let out another heavy sigh. There were the two spheres she had recently recorded, a key chain she’d stolen from Paine's vest, one of Yuna's colorful, hand-woven cloth-and-bead hair ties and a few pieces of lint. Not even a single potion remained from her former supplies.
Looks like I'm starting from scratch again. Well, not entirely…
Brightening, she extracted the three remaining dresspheres from her belt and inspected them carefully. They seemed to have survived the trip no worse for the wear, emitting their usual faint blue glow. Rikku couldn't stop the relieved smile from stretching across her face as she picked up one and gave it a small kiss. Then she studied the other two spheres and her mouth dropped open into a disappointed pout. "Crap, I overwrote my Luck sphere! And I really liked that one too!" She held her breath and fell silent as Yuna mumbled and turned in her bed, then leaned forward and resumed her inspection much more quietly.
Lenne's sphere is okay, at least… and my Alchemist sphere is still good too. Shoot… if only I had more hair!
"Samurai, Songstress and Alchemist," Rikku whispered to herself. It wasn't exactly the ideal setup she would have chosen to have a face-off with Sin; in fact, it wasn't even an ideal setup for her normal sphere-hunting forays. "Better than nothing, I guess."
And it was; it was
a whole lot
better than nothing; the power available through Shinra's grid technology was a step beyond anything Yuna's party had managed to gather or learn on their own during the course of their Pilgrimage. That wasn't to say that garment grids were a magical cure-all that could turn any rube into a powerful warrior, no matter what impression Leblanc might have given. Like almost anything that had to do with sphere technology, they worked by tapping into a person's memories and emotions. Without the strong will necessary to harness full control of the spheres, the grids were simply useless trinkets, amusing but unreliable show-costumes. In that sense, summoning the hidden powers out of a dressphere was slightly similar to summoning an aeon, albeit on a much smaller scale. With the exception of the Songstress dressphere, the costumes usually didn't talk back or exert their own personalities when called out. It was also no wonder that Yuna had been the most skilled at using them in their entire group.
Rikku picked up the first sphere and examined it closely, wondering how grid technology might have affected the journeys of the countless other Summoners before Yuna.
Ultimately not very much, she realized; grids only boosted the capabilities of an individual, and it took more than just one person to beat the terrible power that was Sin. She smiled at the Alchemist sphere and carefully tucked it back into her grid. Like the Thief sphere, it was something Rikku had created herself. She had poured her most precious memories into it - thoughts of Home, of the friends and relatives she had lost there, even of her brother Keyakku; she treasured the result it had produced. It was a living, breathing reminder of her people, one she wore as easily as a second skin, and neither Yuna nor Paine had objected when she opted to keep it for herself.
The Songstress sphere, on the other hand, had belonged without question to Yuna. Or, more accurately, it had belonged to Lenne, and Yuna had inherited its power. After Tidus returned, Yuna willingly gave it up, wanting to leave behind all traces of the hardship and suffering of her previous adventures and create a fresh beginning for herself in Besaid. Paine had threatened Yuna with bodily harm at the mere thought of being offered the outlandish sphere, and so it had happily landed in Rikku's possession. Now, as Rikku stole a glance over her shoulder at the younger, sleeping Yuna, she was glad to have it; it might not have been her memories that powered the sphere, but it was one of the only definite connections to her cousin that she had left with her. She slotted it into the grid and moved on to the last remaining sphere.
The Samurai sphere. The one she had also created by herself, to everyone's surprise. Rikku was no warrior; discretion wasn't only the better part of valor in Rikku's world, but often the preferred first choice. And yet the sphere she had crafted was contrary to every belief she thought she held true. It had created a costume built on honor and strength, filled with memories of whispered promises and binding vows. It was a painful outfit for her to wear, but one she treasured above all others. The few times she had let her teammates try it out, they had complained that it felt too "heavy" to be of any practical use. For Rikku, it was a burden she carried willingly; she knew that the heaviness came from her sorrow, for things that never were and could never be.
Until now,
Rikku reminded herself, thinking of the younger Auron, living and breathing and separated from her only by one thin wall in Braska's tiny apartment. The sphere flickered and glowed in her palm, and Rikku knew it was changing; she knew because her memories of Auron were changing with it. She carefully placed it into the grid, smiling to herself. It was still a painful dressphere; that would never go away, for suffering was what had made them into the people that they were. But she also knew it would not be quite so heavy to wear anymore, not as long as this Auron stood and breathed next to her.
"If I can even wear when he's around," Rikku mumbled.
He'll take one look at me and know something's up for sure…
She shook her head and pushed it aside as a problem to be dealt with for later. "Maybe with all the brawn in this party I won't need to use it at all," she comforted herself, toying with the grid. Even without the dresspheres, the grid would in theory keep her feeling at least mildly useful; it wasn't everyone who could manage to throw around a Flare spell after all. Rikku had tried her best to learn it on her own from Lulu, but after several failed attempts and more than a few painful accidents, both had given up on the cause as hopeless.
Rikku trailed over the gate that would activate the Flare magic with her fingertip and wondered where Lulu was now; it was strange, trying to imagine the sophisticated black mage as a girl even younger than herself. She wondered if Lulu was already journeying with Father Zuke, or even Lady Ginnem - if they might meet on the road to Zanarkand, and what she could say to her mentor and secret idol if they crossed paths. "I could use some of your cool right now, Lulu," Rikku mumbled to herself, tracing over the runic patterns on the stone plate apprehensively.
A chill shook Rikku as she fingered the grid, and gathering her courage together, she snapped it off. It fell into her hands, and her breath left her in a loud whoosh. The supplemental magic boost seeped out of her body, leaving her feeling tired and deflated.
Then she frowned and held the grid up for inspection in the moonlight. "That didn't feel any different than normal," she mused.
What happened earlier, anyway? Why did it hurt so much? It felt like I was being eaten from the inside out! Eaten… like my magic was being eaten!
Panic struck Rikku, and she hastily put away the grid and held her hands in front of her, whispering a few desperate phrases. To her relief, a tiny flicker of flame danced to life in her cupped palms; proof that she could still cast her minor spells even without the grid. She whispered a few more words and tried to strengthen the flame; it grew slightly brighter, but after a few moments Rikku allowed it to flicker and die out.
Nope… I still can't even cast a Firaga, I know it.
She sagged over, mollified; limited as her own magic was, Rikku prided herself on the little she had.
"Well, if it didn't drain me, and it didn't boost me, what the heck happened?" she mumbled, eying the grid. Then, taking a deep breath, she picked it up and strapped it back on around her waist. A thrum of energy, the tingly feeling that ticked all the way through her body from the top of her head to the tips of her toes; it was the usual response she had to equipping any magic grid. Nothing was out of the ordinary; no hint of the strange, phantom pain that had wracked her body the first time even registered. Rikku was relieved that it seemed to be working properly again, though she was still uneasy about her initial reaction to the grid. She snuck another glance at Yuna and decided to keep the plate equipped around her waist; there was no telling if anyone else would have a similar reaction to hers if they wore it, and Rikku didn't want to inadvertently risk causing her cousin unnecessary pain.
Except for the fact that I'm guiding her own father to his death. It's just the little things, right?
Rikku flopped back against the blankets and turned her head to watch Yuna with troubled eyes. Sleep, as tired as she was, didn't come to her for a long time.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The pleasant heat of sunlight warming her cheek half-roused Rikku from her slumber. She sighed and tried to burrow back into her blankets, but the painful crick in her back managed to complete the job of waking her up.
"Oww," Rikku mumbled, rubbing her neck and sitting up slowly. "Either Brother's been hiding rocks in my bed or I've been camping out again…" She opened her eyes and blinked once, then twice, and her good mood evaporated. "Oh poopie," she sighed, taking in her surroundings.
So it wasn't a dream after all.
Yuna's bed was already neatly made, and the little girl was nowhere to be found. The curtains had been drawn back, and the rising sun pooled light on the floor around Rikku's makeshift pile of blankets. She blinked and rubbed her eyes again, and then gasped. "Oh my gosh, it's so late! Auron's gonna kill me!" He had always been a stickler for strict schedules during Yuna's Pilgrimage, and she remembered his early-morning lectures to her and Tidus all too well.
Scrambling out of the bed, she grabbed her daggers and attempted to comb her fingers through her messy hair before giving up. She snatched her shoes off the floor and through a miracle of dexterity managed to open the door while sliding a foot into her boot at the same time. Unfortunately, the miracle was short lived and resulted in Rikku hop-crashing into the wall of the outside hallway before falling gracelessly onto her butt. "Ouchie…" she hissed, peeking into the living room to see if anyone had witnessed her moment of clumsiness.
"I can't believe you're a Guardian." Auron's voice was full of scorn and Rikku winced in dismay. Then she relaxed as she heard Jecht respond, realizing that the comment wasn't directed towards her. In fact, her presence hadn't even been detected yet. Pushing herself to her knees, she crawled forward and spied on the two arguing men.
"Well,
excuse me
," the blitzball player said gruffly. "So we don't have any Summoners in Zanarkand. Big deal!"
Auron was pacing in front of Jecht, looking even grumpier than Lulu before her morning cup of tea. "Zanarkand is the holy city of Summoners. You do realize you're destroying any credibility you have every time you open your mouth."
"I don't see why you're gettin' so worked up over this. So we guard Braska long enough for him to beat down this Sin thing! Seems pretty simple to me. The way you talk, you make it sound like somebody's gonna die!"
Auron's silence was telling, but apparently Jecht wasn't that bright, at least not in the morning. Rikku also noticed that for all his fervor, Auron couldn't be bothered to explain the actual purpose of Braska's Pilgrimage. Or perhaps he simply couldn't bring himself to say it out loud.
"Stop worryin' about it already," Jecht added with a loud laugh. "Now that I'm playin' on your team, this Pilgrimage is gonna be a breeze!"
"How very reassuring," Auron deadpanned. Then he turned and looked at the tuft of yellow hair that was poking over the corner of the wall. "Glad you finally decided to join us," he said to Rikku, who giggled and scrambled to her feet.
"Umm… good morning!" Rikku said, giving the two men a cheerful wave. "Where's Braska and Yunie?"
"Yuna," Auron started, emphasizing her proper name, "is being walked to school by her father. That is the only reason you've been allowed to sleep in today."
"Look out, Auron's a real grouch in the mornin'," Jecht warned her.
"Yeah, I know," Rikku replied, rolling her eyes. Then she coughed delicately. "Uh, I mean, it was pretty obvious, waking up to hear you two argue like that."
"Jecht. We're not finished with this conversation yet. However there are things I must discuss with Rikkma first."
Jecht smirked at Auron and stood up, stretching his arms. "Fine, whatever." He turned to Rikku and tapped her on the shoulder. "Tag, you're it."
"Very funny." Auron strode past them and stood in front of Yuna's bedroom door, waiting for Rikku to join him. "Are you coming?"
"Yeah, yeah, hold your chocobos," Rikku grumbled, grabbing an apple out of the bowl on the table and biting into it. She dragged her feet as she walked towards the room, unwilling to start her day with whatever reprimand she was sure Auron had in store for her.
"Better be good," Jecht called after her. "I don't think Braska would be too happy to come home and find you two doin' the nasty in his kid's room."
Rikku choked on her bite and flushed, then whirled around and sent the half-eaten fruit flying through the air. To her satisfaction, it hit Jecht directly between the eyes with a wet smack and made him double over with a yell of pain. "Screw the apology," she muttered under her breath as she stomped past Auron.
"Hnn," Auron grunted in amusement as he stepped in behind her and shut the door. "So you can make yourself useful sometimes."
"Always nice to see you too, Auron." She felt more than saw Auron's disapproving glare as he looked over the room, and with an annoyed sigh began to gather the wrinkled bed sheets off of the floor and fold them neatly. "So what do you really want, mom?" she asked.
"We need to talk."
"We are talking," Rikku answered smartly, waving the sheet she was holding through the air with a loud snap.
Auron sighed and leaned against the door. "I meant about your reasons for becoming Braska's Guardian."
Rikku slowed down, straightening the creases out of the folded sheet in her hands. "You still don't trust me," she observed, surprised to find that it hurt. The Auron she had known only had to look into her eyes and ask her once.
"You are Al Bhed." He formed the sentence hesitantly, as though he was trying not to be insulting.
But he still said it,
Rikku reminded herself, laying the sheet and pillow on Yuna's bed. "And?" she asked, forcing herself not to face him. If he wanted to be dense, she wasn't planning on making it any easier for him.
Auron sighed, and she could almost hear his patience meter running out of gil. "Surely you don't think your people will turn a blind eye to this Pilgrimage. Already they note it because of Braska's presence alone. You must understand what this will mean for you."
Rikku blinked and stared at the wall of Yuna's room in surprise. "W-what?" she asked, wondering if she heard his question correctly.
"You are Al Bhed!" Auron repeated with a note of frustration.
She turned around this time, not trying to hide the shock on her face. "Well, yeah. So I won't be able to go back to them after this." It was easy for her to say, since Rikku knew she wouldn't have been able to return to her people in this time in any case; Auron, however, didn't know that. The bigger mystery was why he even brought it up. She had been expecting him to lecture her on duty, responsibility and trust; she hadn't been expecting him to ask about the effects making a Pilgrimage would have on her personal life. "Why's that a problem?" she asked, and he looked at her as though she had grown another head.
"… What would you do, once this Pilgrimage is over?"
Rikku let herself fall onto Yuna's bed, slumping over and resting her elbows on her knees. "That's a pretty big assumption, you know." Her tone was light, but she kept her expression serious. "How do you know
any
of us will still be around after Zanarkand?"
Auron frowned and opened his mouth. "Lord Braska -"
"Braska's gonna defeat Sin," Rikku said without hesitation, pinning Auron with a knowing look. "If you didn't believe it too, you wouldn't be his Guardian."
He smiled faintly and looked down, acknowledging her words. "For someone who barely knows him, you place a lot of faith in Braska."
"He has that effect on people," Rikku said, dropping her chin into her hand with a sigh.
Auron shifted, and Rikku's eyebrows raised a millimeter.
Did I just make Auron squirm?
A smile began to tickle at the corner of her mouth; this morning lecture was going better than she could have hoped.
"While I find your dedication to be…" he hesitated, frowning to himself. "… admirable, I still don't see where it’s coming from." Auron studied her. "I don't understand you. Therefore, I can't trust you."
"But you trust Jecht?" Rikku asked.
Auron snorted and shook his head. "I wouldn't go so far as to say I trust him. Jecht, however, is transparent. You are not."
"You have worse vision with two eyes than you do with one," Rikku muttered to herself.
"What?" Auron gave her a strange look, and Rikku shrugged at him.
"Nothing!" she chirped. "Listen, Auron… I can't tell you why I wanna do this. I can't even tell you that I'll stick around for the entire Pilgrimage," she said honestly. "I will promise you that while I'm here, though, I'll do everything I can to keep Braska safe from harm. I know what the code of the Guardian means.
Protect the Summoner even at the cost of one's own life.
I won't mess it up."
Auron fell silent, but Rikku knew he still wasn't convinced. She decided to try an old favorite. "I've decided to be Braska's guardian, and that's all I want." Rikku held her breath.
"Nothing for yourself, then?" Auron asked her. "You're willing to throw your lot in with us and forget the rest of the world while you're at it? A noble sacrifice without any ulterior motivations, I'm sure," he said shrewdly. "That's hardly a convincing reason for us to trust you."
Rikku's face dropped and she kicked at the floor. "But it should be enough," she said. She glanced up; Auron was still leaning against the door, frowning. She realized he was trying to understand her, at least somewhat; had he been completely disinterested in making an effort, he would have simply left the room. Still, he was rigid in his beliefs, and could only bend so far. Destroying his faith in Yevon would have helped immensely, but Rikku didn't want to be the one to break him. This Auron was just as driven as the one she knew, but he was still missing something… the bitter cynicism, but also the tolerant understanding that had grown from it. This young, unblemished Auron was much more brittle; if he was to learn that his faith was built on a lie, she suspected he would shatter.
I'm just as much of a coward as he is,
she realized.
He doesn't want to tell Jecht about Sin, and I can't tell him about Yevon.
For some reason, the knowledge brought her a strange sense of comfort; he wasn't yet The Legendary Guardian, all knowing and unapproachable; he was simply a man trying to protect his friend.
Maybe… I should try trusting him first.
"I… I can't go back," she told him haltingly. Well, it was the truth, in a way. "I can't go back to the Al Bhed right now, and I don't want to, either." She felt Auron looking at her and she picked at her nails. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back," she admitted reluctantly. "So I've been searching for something to believe in - something to live for. I've been looking for my own story." Also the truth. "And then I found Braska, and I'm just sorta thinking… maybe this is it, you know? Maybe this is what I've been looking for." She swallowed and cursed silently for betraying herself not once, but twice.
I don't believe in sacrificing Summoners! But… but…
"… I believe in him. I believe in Braska. That's why."
Auron seemed to consider her words, then shook his head with a quiet sigh. "Fine. I suppose you can stay, but I'll need to know what skills you can bring to the party."
Hey, he's letting me stay. He's really letting me stay!
A huge smile broke over Rikku's face and she leapt off of the bed and began to dance. "You already know I'm a thief!" she said, waving her hand in the air. "If you need some items, then I'm your gal!"
"Hnn," Auron replied, amused by her antics. "I suppose that could be useful. So long as you only steal from fiends," he added strictly, causing Rikku to pout. "Can you actually fight with those?" he asked, inclining his head towards her crossed daggers.
"
Well
," Rikku said, scratching her chin with a nervous smile. In truth, she
could
fight with them, though in a fair battle she still preferred a fighting claw and targe. Then again, since Shinra had invented the garment grid, Rikku had never bothered to fight any of her battles
fairly
. "I can take care of myself," she assured Auron. "You guys won't have to worry about guarding me on top of Braska." Seeing the skeptical expression on his face, Rikku rolled her eyes and shrugged. "I can cast, alright? I'm sorta good with black magic." She bit her lip and smiled;
that
lie was almost as big as Lulu's chest. Auron seemed to buy it, however, looking relieved.
"Good. Dedication is fine, but I still won't allow Braska to bring along dead weight on something as serious as a Pilgrimage." He reached out to open the door and stopped when he heard Rikku titter dangerously. Looking over his shoulder, he scowled at her. "What are you laughing about now?"
"Dead weight!" she snorted, pointing at him. Finally bringing her breath under control, she smirked and brushed past Auron, trying to wipe the smile off of her face. "You wouldn't understand."
He shut the door behind him, and Rikku smirked when she heard him grumbling to himself. "
…is a bad idea…
" he was saying. "Rikkma," he called to her. "Just stay away from any more fighting than absolutely necessary."
"Ohh! That's so sweet, Auron!" Rikku teased, batting her eyelashes at him. "I didn't know you cared so much about me!"
"I don't," Auron answered with a glare. "I just think it's a bad idea to combine magic usage with mental infirmity."
Rikku stuck her tongue out at him and dashed into the living room. She pulled up short as she saw Braska there, fully bedecked in his usual travelling outfit and arguing with Jecht. "Hey, you can start the party now, Rikku… ma's here!" she greeted them, bouncing with excitement.
Braska looked inquiringly at her. "Rikkuma?" he repeated with a faint grin.
"Sowwy. I bwit my wip," Rikku fudged. Then she pulled her lower lip out and widened her eyes. "Wanna swee?"
"No thanks," Braska laughed at her. "I was told Auron pulled you aside for one of his lectures. I did not think it was normal for people to come out of those with smiles on their faces."
Jecht smirked and crossed his arms. "Must've been one helluva lecture," he grinned. "Maybe he's the one who bit your lip, eh?"
"Do you want another apple surprise?" Rikku answered hotly, feeling her face heat up.
"Well, will you look at that," Jecht replied, his smirk growing wider. "Now you two really do match."
Rikku's mouth dropped open as she glanced down at her chest.
I hate your genes, Father,
she thought miserably, noticing just how far the red of her blush carried.
"Jecht." Auron was, thankfully, not looking at her; he seemed to be focusing his
Rikku Look
completely onto Jecht this time. "The Pilgrimage hasn't even begun yet. Would you at least make an effort to be less irritating." The tone that he stated it in was clearly not a request.
"I call 'em like I see 'em," Jecht replied, unruffled by Auron's threat. He gave Rikku a sly grin. "And there sure is plenty to see right now."
"Ohh!" Rikku yelled at him, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring. "You're such a pervert!"
"Actually," Braska interrupted with a nervous cough. "About your choice of attire, Rikkma…"
The blush disappeared under Rikku's injured pride. Uncle or not,
no one
criticized her fashion sense. "What's wrong with it, huh?" she asked, planting her hands on her hips.
"Why, nothing of course!" Braska said too quickly, all smiles. "I personally am a fan of Al Bhed fashion. It's very… unique," he added. Rikku only glared at him, not buying his explanation.
" ‘ey, there ain't nothin' wrong with showin' a little skin," Jecht replied, perfectly serious. Not that he was one to talk, considering that he preferred to travel in nothing but his overalls. Then again, Rikku wasn't thrilled to have someone like Jecht backing up her side of the argument.
"Yes, you're right, we should be free to wear whatever we deem is appropriate," Braska said soothingly. His words didn't stop him from reaching for the bundles that were sitting on the table and offering one to Rikku and the other to Jecht. "However, since we are inside of Bevelle and planning to visit the temple later today, I thought it might be best if we tried to dress a bit more inconspicuously."
Jecht had already torn open his bundle and unrolled it, and was eyeing the heavy priest's cloak with a look of utter disbelief. "No way in hell," he said flatly, glaring at Braska as he threw the offending cloth onto the floor. "How are people supposed to see my muscles when I'm wearin' this potato sack?"
"That would be the point," Auron cut in, snatching the robe off of the ground and throwing it into Jecht's face with a look of disgust. "Lord Braska is loaning you his personal effects for your own safety. Show a little gratitude!"
"Fine," Jecht mumbled under his breath. "I ain't gonna spend the rest of this trip lookin' like an Auron clone, though," he swore as he shrugged the long red robe over his massive shoulders.
Rikku hastily undid her own package and let out a squeal of delight at the outfit that came tumbling out. "This isn't Bevelle fashion!" she said, shaking out the tasselled vest and short miniskirt.
Leather… feathers... buckles… bright dye… work gloves… and lots and lots of pouches!
"This is Al Bhed!" she exclaimed, looking up at Braska in surprise.
"It was my wife's," he said carefully. "I hope you do not mind, but I thought it might be more comfortable for you to have something familiar, and you looked about the same size."
"You let your wife dress in that? It doesn't cover much more than what she's wearin' right now!" Jecht complained.
"Shut up, Jecht," Rikku replied by reflex, stroking her fingers across the costume. She never had the chance to get to know her aunt personally, but it didn't change the fact that she was still family.
"You do not have to wear it if you dislike it," Braska told her, looking embarrassed.
"What? Oh! No! No-no-no!" Rikku said, whipping her head around. "I love it! It's perfect! Thank you so much!" She clutched the outfit to her chest and bowed to Braska awkwardly. "I'll go try it on right now!"
Running back to Yuna's room, Rikku slammed the door behind her and peeled off her skimpy yellow skirt and puffed sleeves. Slipping into her aunt's old travelling outfit - she recognized it as such because of the plethora of pouches and loops that had been sewn into the clothing - took slightly longer due to the amount of buckles and straps she had to secure. When she was done, she twirled around and looked at herself in the mirror with a broad smile. The outfit was still scandalous compared to the ultra-conservative trends of the religious majority in Bevelle. It covered a good deal more than her yellow bikini, however; the thick leather padding around her shoulders and elbows even offered a small measure of protection. It was just practical enough for a Pilgrimage, yet still free enough for her to feel like a true Al Bhed. "Perfect," she sighed, hopping around in a little victory dance as she snapped on her garment grid. She threw open the door and raced into the hallway, eager to thank Braska for his unexpected gift.
When she barrelled into the common room, Jecht turned and smiled, giving her a thumbs-up. "Lookin' good!" he said to her. Braska and Auron, however, both froze.
Rikku glanced down self-consciously before looking back up at her other two companions. "Umm… no good?" she asked uncertainly, feeling uncomfortable with their prolonged silence.
"…Raenn," Braska mumbled, staring at her in shock. Then he closed his eyes and shook his head, a pained smile crossing his face. "Remarkable," he uttered. "You look so very much like her." He opened his eyes and gave Rikku a weak smile. "I'm sorry, how rude of me. It does look wonderful on you… Rikkma."
Rikku fell quiet, embarrassed by her new clothing. She snuck a stealthy glance at Auron, who was studying her with a hard stare. "What?" she asked, leaning on her hip and returning his glare.
"She does look like Raenn," Auron noted. "However she only need open her mouth and you can hear the difference."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rikku asked.
"Raenn had manners," Auron said, looking away. Rikku fumed.
"You are right in a way," Braska agreed as he stood from the table. "I think she sounds more like Cid."
Rikku fell silent with a nervous twitch.
What do I do? Should I say anything at all? Ohh… stupid Auron! Stupid Braska! Stupid costume!
It was taking enough concentration just to keep her hands from flying to her head and shaking it, and she jumped in surprise as she realized Braska was still speaking, and more importantly to her.
"… too distracting for the priests," he was saying. "I think we will be able to find you something suitable once we reach the marketplace, though."
Still nervous about Braska's sharp observation, Rikku felt her stomach flip-flop at the thought of any sort of delay in her attempt to contact the Fayth. "Wait a sec, what? I thought we were going to the temple this morning!" Rikku complained.
"Yes, we are, but we still need to buy those spheres," Braska reminded her. "Also, Jecht needs a weapon."
The man in question rolled his eyes and scowled at Braska. "You've been arguin' with me about that since yesterday. I already told ya – the only thing I need to score is a blitzball!"
Braska shook his head. "No one has ever heard of using a blitzball as a weapon before, Jecht."
"Umm, actually…" Rikku said with a small laugh, not particularly upset when the guys chose to ignore her contribution to their slowly heating argument.
"See, now you obviously never played blitzball before," Jecht said. "You'd think different if you had one comin' at ya. Just ask Auron."
Auron winced. "Lord Braska is correct. Absolutely no blitzballs on this Pilgrimage."
Jecht threw his arms up and groaned. "Aww, c'mon, Auron, you were wearin' armor!"
"No," he repeated, and Braska gave Jecht a tiny smile of triumph.
"Whatever," Jecht said, dropping his arms in defeat. "But I get to choose my own weapon. And you have to pay for it!" he added petulantly.
Braska nodded and ushered them towards the door. "Let's get started," he said. "It's quite a walk to the marketplace from here." He waited until the others filed out before him, then reached out and caught Rikku's arm, beckoning her to walk at his side. "Rikkma, are there going to be any additional supplies that you need?"
"Oh, you're offering?" Rikku asked with the beginning of a smile.
Yes… maybe this won't be a total loss!
"The Yevonites stole all my stuff when I got here, so I really could use a few potions and things…" she began.
"No," Auron cut in. Rikku jumped when he appeared at their side; she hadn't even noticed him slowing down to join them.
"What do you mean,
no
?" she asked. "Excuse me, but I think Braska was asking
me
the question?"
"Auron, it's really quite all right -" Braska tried.
"She's a thief."
Rikku flushed and grit her teeth.
Just when I thought we were starting to get along, too.
The way he said it made it sound like an insult. "I steal from fiends," she hissed.
"Therefore you don't need to be wasting our money," Auron told her. "Gather supplies on your own."
"I wonder if you'd still think that when you're sick with poison after getting stung by a Bite Bug, huh? I'm
sure
you'll say then that we didn't really need that antidote," Rikku sniped.
"Please," Braska cut in. "Auron, leave her alone. This is also a part of my duty as a Summoner, and I do it gladly."
"But my lord -" Auron protested.
"Enough!" Braska commanded, and Auron grimaced and stalked away from them. Braska turned to Rikku with a smile. "I am sorry about that. Auron can be a little overprotective at times, as I am sure you have noticed. Now… what was it again that you said you'd be needing?"
Rikku nibbled on her lip. She realized the reason for Auron's intervention as soon as Braska had mentioned
duty
. In fact, she was kicking herself for not having thought of it before. It was obvious enough from the slum that he lived in that Braska was not well off; he had fallen out of favor with both the Al Bhed and the Church of Yevon. Yet he doggedly chose to remain in Bevelle, raising Yuna on his own. She winced when she realized how thoughtlessly she had been about to take advantage of Braska's kindness.
"Oh, hey… don't worry about it," Rikku told him, smiling brightly. "I really
can
gather my own supplies, so you don't need to buy anything." Braska looked like he was about to protest, so Rikku raised her hand and put on a stern expression. "That big ol' butt monkey challenged me, and I have to prove to him that I can do it on my own! My pride is on the line, so don't interfere!"
"Hmm," Braska said, as though he could see through her thin pretence. "Very well. Pride, then. I will, however, still be paying for your robe, so be sure to choose one when we get there."
Rikku nodded in agreement and then scurried ahead of him, slowing down to fall in step beside Auron. "Thanks," she murmured to him under her breath. "I wasn't thinking."
Auron grunted, not bothering to turn to look at her. "Do you ever?" he asked.
"Gee, I love you too," Rikku replied sarcastically before leaving his side. She caught up with Jecht, who stopped when the street spilled open into the larger square. Bevelle's marketplace was bustling, jam-packed with people. He was looking at the motley collection of merchants and shoppers with a mixture of surprise and awe. "Hey, better close your mouth or everyone'll know you're a tourist and charge us twice as much!" Rikku scolded him.
"Damn," Jecht said, rubbing the back of his head as his eyes travelled over the multi-coloured tents and stalls. "We don't have anything like this in Zanarkand."
Rikku followed his gaze and silently agreed with Jecht; Bevelle's market square was an impressive sight even for Spirans. Before Sin was defeated, Bevelle had been Spira's largest city; it still was, though Luca came in a close second. That cheerful port city had always remained more of a seasonal gathering place for Blitzball enthusiasts, however, than a permanently urban setting like Bevelle. There was still nothing comparable to the sight of so many people gathered together to buy and trade in the open-air market even in Rikku's recent memory. It was without a doubt Spira's largest commercial center. "This is gonna be great," she cheered to herself, hopping eagerly in place.
"Don't lag behind," Auron told them as he passed the two with Braska. "If either of you get lost, we won't come looking for you."
"Gotcha!" Rikku yelled, already dashing towards the first stall to root through the wares offered there. She lost interest in the cheap trinkets quickly and raced to another stall, fingering the brightly-dyed fabric that was hanging in strips before the tent. A wry laugh caught her attention, and she released the cloth and looked over her shoulder to see Jecht smirking at her.
"This must be some kinda universal truth," he grumbled with amusement. "Women and shoppin' - alone they're fine, but combine 'em and you got man's worst nightmare."
"Hey!" Rikku said with a small pout, jogging back to his side so they could catch up with the others. She slowed her pace, remembered why she had originally sought him out and sucked in her breath. "Umm… sorry, by the way."
Jecht gave her a surprised glance and scratched his head. "For what?" he asked.
"You know!" Rikku replied, exasperated. "Yesterday… I mean what I said about abandoning your son. That was wrong of me, okay?" She peered at Jecht from the corner of her eye, trying to gauge his reaction.
Jecht's face tightened, but he sighed and shrugged at Rikku. "No harm, no foul," he told her offhandedly before moving away.
Rikku almost tripped over her own feet.
That easy?
she thought suspiciously.
But I thought he really did love Tidus…
She thought of Auron's appraisal of Jecht and studied him.
Auron said he was transparent… is he, though, really?
He certainly seemed like a simpleton, smiling lazily and heckling Auron to buy him a jug of whiskey when they passed a liquor stall. If Jecht was really upset about being separated from his own family, he certainly hid it well.
But he does care,
Rikku reminded herself, filing his carefree behavior away for closer inspection later on.
I won't be making any more assumptions about Sir Jecht from now on, no-siree!
A flash of silver in one of the stalls caught her eye, and her introspective analysis fled out the window in favor of something much more important.
"Ooh! Pretties!" Rikku squealed, approaching the jewellery stall. "C'mon guys, can't we stop for just a little?"
The other men paused to look at her in dismay. "Universal, I tell ya," Jecht said as they watched Rikku paw through the hapless vendor's inventory with the eagerness of a child in a candy store.
"Perhaps it wasn't the wisest decision to bring her along for the supply trip," Braska noted.
"Women," Auron observed in disgust. "I'll get her." As he strode towards the stall, Braska casually turned to Jecht.
"I was married for two years," he murmured. "You?"
"Nine," Jecht replied, watching as Auron and Rikku began to argue with a knowing look in his eye. "Well, he's the one who was dumb enough to make the approach. I say it's his own fault, so we can make
him
carry the bags."
"Agreed," Braska replied with an amused laugh. "Poor fellow."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku smirked, juggling her purchases in her hands. The argument with Auron had been fierce but in the end, she'd won; he was now sulking and trailing at the back of their little group. To be fair, she hadn't bought all that much; as he heatedly reminded her, she avoided any trouble that might have resulted by stealing from the vendors. It was also painfully clear that Braska had limited funds. Though Auron agreed to the necessity of arming their small party with the proper equipment, difficulties arose when she tried to convince him that her small selection of jewellery was meant for anything other than vanity.Braska finally intervened when their argument grew loud enough to draw notice, paying the confused merchant for Rikku's selections before either could object. And to Rikku's great embarrassment, they'd cost more than expected. She was a thief, after all, and could more or less guess the state of gil in Braska's small pouch of money both before and after her purchases. The size of the purse dwindled significantly after they picked up a few recording spheres, and Rikku was seriously considering breaking her promise not to steal as the morning progressed.She ran a finger over the smooth metal of the bracelet that jangled on her wrist; it was just large enough to work a few protective wards in with the proper equipment. Releasing the bracelet, she studied her next purchase - a heavy silver necklace chosen with Jecht in mind. As of yet it was little more than a chain and a silver disc; she knew that had she bought him a bracelet like her own, he would have deemed it much too girly to wear. Tidus had no trouble with necklaces, so she hoped his father wouldn't object too strongly."I'll just have to be careful when I carve it," she mumbled to herself, slipping the necklace into one of her pockets. For Braska, she picked out a plain circlet; it would be the hardest of the pieces to customize, but she was sure she could attach it to his helmet with a little work. The question was how to tactfully get her hands on said helmet without him noticing. As she tucked away her purchases, she looked over her shoulder at Auron. His head was down and he still looked extremely pissed off. He was the only person she hadn't been able to find something for. He’d already donned his usual armored bracer anyway, and Rikku wasn't certain she could actually convince him to wear anything , especially if it was coming as a gift from her. I'll just have to steal his bracer one of these days and work with it. Oh boy, I bet that'll be loads of fun ."Rikkma?" Braska shook her out of her thoughts. "You need to choose a robe."Looking up, Rikku realized they’d stopped in front of a cloth merchant. Several fine robes were prominently displayed on hooks before the tent, and she frowned as she studied them. "Umm, Braska," she mumbled. It wasn't that she minded shopping for clothes; these robes, however, were richly brocaded and made of fine silks. They were both very beautiful and obviously expensive. "None of these look really…" She stopped herself from saying affordable just in time. "… comfortable, you know."Braska read her easily enough. "Rikkma," he addressed her with a stern look. "You need to dress more appropriately for the temple. I already told you that I would be happy to pay for your robe. Will you not try at least one?"The vendor inside of the tent capitalized on Braska's request, pulling down a deep blue robe and offering it to Rikku. "I assure you, you won't find robes more comfortable than these in the entire district!" he told her.Rikku wrinkled her nose at the cloth that was pushed into her hands, not really wanting to try on any of sort of formal dress but unwilling to hurt her uncle's feelings with a direct refusal. "Well, actually…" she mumbled, kicking her feet into the ground."Please, Rikkma," Braska pressed.Rikku considered the robe. It wasn't all that bad; of course, the garment was patterned in a traditional Bevelle cut, meaning she would have to 'tailor' it to suit her own needs as soon as they were out of town anyway. Still… it was a very pretty shade of blue…"Blue was Raenn's favorite colour," she heard Auron mutter.She stiffened and let the fabric fall from her fingers, pushing it back towards the merchant. Then she looked at Braska. He was staring at Auron, who she just knew was returning the look. The two men seemed to be locked in a silent battle of wills, one she had somehow unwittingly instigated. Finally Braska looked at Rikku, a gentle smile gracing his face; it was an abrupt change from the silent tension that had pulled at his features just moments before."Whatever Rikkma wishes to wear is her own choice, of course."Rikku swallowed and could practically feel Auron's glare shift from Braska onto the back of her neck. She snuck a glance at him and winced; the expression on his face went beyond any simple Rikku Look. This one was accusing and also slightly threatening. It didn't take a genius to figure out why; he was trying to protect Braska, both financially and emotionally. That he saw her as a threat, however, sparked a tiny frown of resentment."I can't help it if I look like her," Rikku mumbled under her breath, glaring at Auron before pushing past him into the tent. She scanned over the racks of clothing, ignoring the fawning vendor as she searched for the cheapest, ugliest-looking not blue robe she could find. Finally, she settled on a plain brown lump of cloth stuffed away behind the other finery. Without even trying it on, she pulled it out and shoved it into the merchant's waiting hands. "This one is perfect," she grumbled."B-but … that one isn't even finished!" he complained."Then I'm sure you'll be able to give us an appropriate discount," Auron interrupted, giving the merchant a stern look.The small man huffed and glared at Auron. "300 gil," he said reluctantly."What!" Rikku yelled, snatching the robe out of the man's hands. She shimmied into it and turned around. "300 gil for this? Look, it doesn't even have sleeves!" she seethed."250 gil," the merchant replied with a wince."Sir," Auron said coldly, "Do you take us for fools? That sackcloth that you claim to be a garment is clearly worth no more than 50 gil."It was about then that Rikku realized that Auron was playing her kind of game. Her anger evaporated and she gave him a mischievous smile, to which he replied with a slightly raised eyebrow."F- fifty - why, you thieves! You charlatans! I'll have you know that my family has tailored for the High Priests of Yevon for over twenty years!" the merchant sputtered.At this point, even Braska had caught on, and folding his arms serenely, he gave the merchant a thoughtful smile. "Ah… for such a reputable tailor, you certainly do protest very loudly," he observed."What's the hold up?" Jecht grumbled from outside of the tent. "If this guy's sellin' duds, let's just go somewhere else!""A reasonable suggestion for once," Auron answered. "As he is the personal tailor to the High Priests of Yevon, I'm sure our business isn't needed here." He turned to walk away."125 gil!" the merchant yelled out with a note of desperation. "But absolutely no less than that!""Hnn," Auron said, pausing."I suppose that sounds reasonable," Braska replied cheerfully, and both Auron and Rikku winced. Eager as he might have been to learn, Braska clearly still needed a few lessons in the fine art of street haggling. "Is this what you want, Rikkma?" he asked her." Well ," Rikku hummed uncertainly, picking at the robe. The deal was still salvageable, she supposed. Besides, no risk, no rewards! "If you ask me, I'd only shell out 100 gil for this thing.""125 is my final -""… and I promise not to dance through the streets telling people where I bought it from," Rikku added. She directed a saccharine smiled towards the merchant. "I'm a really good dancer, you know?""She's also very loud," Auron added. "Believe me.""100 gil. And I don't ever want to see your faces again," the vendor blustered. He snatched the money out of Braska's hands and all but pushed them out of his tent with a dark scowl.When they were a safe distance away, Rikku skipped up to Auron and held up her hand with a triumphant smile. "High five!" she yelled at him, and rolled her eyes in exasperation when he only stared at her outstretched palm."I think I should leave you two in charge of the shopping from now on," Braska noted from behind them with a grin."Thank you my lord," Auron said. "Though this subterfuge wouldn't have been necessary had we allotted our funds more carefully." This was directed at Rikku."How much do we have left?"Braska stopped and reached into the pouch to count his coins, and Rikku winced again. Counting his money in the open in the middle of the market… She leaned in towards Auron."Is he always this bad?" she whispered."Mmm-hmm," Auron answered her. "Lord Braska tends to see only the best in others. That is why he needs protection, not only from fiends." Then he paused and looked at her, really looked, and she squirmed uncomfortably. "Rikkma. He loved his wife very much. Be… careful with him."Rikku turned and looked at Braska, who had finished counting his money. She returned his smile when he looked up and cringed internally. "I'm a Guardian," she said out loud. "I'll keep him safe… even if he doesn't want me to.""As will I," Auron replied smoothly; statement, promise and threat all in one."I'm afraid we have a little problem," Braska said, interrupting their conversation. "There isn't enough left to purchase a proper weapon for you," he told Jecht.Jecht shrugged and didn't appear to be particularly displeased by the news. "Cry me a river," he mumbled."Well, why don't we just go to the temple and get this over with, then?" Rikku suggested. "We're all decked out now, and there shouldn't be any fiends waiting in there for us, right?"Braska sighed and nodded. "Yes… we've spent enough time here. Let us head towards the temple." He turned to lead them through the crowds, but Rikku lingered behind, feeling guilty.She made the suggestion on a whim, but the words had sobered Braska instantly. He almost seemed to be enjoying himself in the marketplace with them up to that point, and she knew she had inadvertently reminded him of his duty. They weren't simply friends who were sharing a vacation together, but a Summoner and his Guardians, preparing for a gruelling trip that would have little chances for respite such as Bevelle's open-air market offered. She looked at the ground, trying to remind herself that she shouldn't be getting involved. A pair of heavy boots entered her vision; they stopped beside her own."Braska chose his own path long ago. All we can do is follow." The boots moved away."I know," Rikku muttered, scurrying after him.
.x.x.x.
"So this is a temple?" Jecht said, his loud voice echoing through the high-domed ceiling. "Where're all the priests? Where's the altar?"They were standing at the top of the huge spiral staircase inside of Bevelle's temple; the steps led down, down, deep into the darkness. Unlike the last time Rikku remembered, the controls for the elevator were also carefully obscured, covered with heavy brocaded cloths and ornamental hangings.“The altar is in the center of the shrine," Braska replied, starting down the winding staircase. "However, only Summoners are allowed to enter the Chamber of the Fayth.""Well, what's a Fayth?" Jecht asked, following him."Do you hear this song in the air? It is the Hymn of the Fayth," Braska explained. "They are the souls of those who dedicated their lives to battling Sin long ago. They sleep eternally, trapped in statues of stone, waking only when called forth by a Summoner. And while they dream, they sing to us."Jecht grew unusually quiet, and the Hymn swelled around them. Auron followed the other two men down the staircase. He turned and regarded Rikku, who was leaning over the railing and looking into the darkness below."It’s such a long way down," she whined, shooting a wistful glance at the control panel."Then stay up here," Auron grumped, turning on his heel and following Braska."Meanie," Rikku muttered to herself, sprinting down the stairs past Auron. She passed Jecht, and even breezed by Braska, who looked on in surprise."Rikkma," he called out after her. "Please be careful. We don't know what's waiting for us at the bottom." Some of us do, Rikku thought to herself. "I'll be fine!" she yelled up, leaning over the staircase and waving at the men above her. She wanted to get through the Trials as quickly as possible; every memory she had of descending into the bowels of the earth underneath Bevelle had ended up unpleasantly, without exception. "The sooner this is over, the better," she observed.Torches flared to life with each step she took, illuminating the staircase with their flickering light. It was a rather impressive, mystical effect, or at least it would have been, had Rikku not been searching for the pressure panels in the floor that activated the mechanisms to light them. As it was, she was keeping herself amused by trying to race down the staircase more quickly than the torches could be lit. That of course meant that she was sprinting blindly into the yawning darkness. And, as she managed to catch her boot on one of the steps and go tumbling forward, she realized that it might not have been one of her better ideas. With a loud yelp, she went tumbling; instinctively rolling into a protective ball, she punctuated each bounce and slap as she hit the hard ground with a loud "OWW!" or "OUCH!" Fortunately, she was already near bottom of the stairs, so her fall was rather short. Unfortunately, her yells were loud enough to carry upwards very clearly."Rikkma! Are you all right?" Braska yelled, picking up his robes and hurrying his descent. Auron also picked up the pace, but it was Jecht who actually beat them both, being the quickest of the men. He was, in fact, fast enough to emulate Rikku's step hopping trip, and as he neared her, another loud yell was heard, followed by a few thumps and muffled cursing."OWW!" Rikku yelled at the top of her lungs, kicking Jecht off of her. "Did you have to land on top of me?""Quit complainin’!" Jecht groused, sitting up and rubbing his head. "I wouldn't have fallen if you hadn't first.""Neither of you would have fallen if you paid any attention to your surroundings," Auron told them both. Seeing that they were uninjured, he redirected his attention to the glowing veil of blue energy that sealed off the entrance to the Cloister. "The Trials are beyond," he said, turning around and facing the others. "Lord Braska… are you ready?"Braska stopped before the entrance and held his hands together, dipping in a respectful bow of prayer which parted the glowing curtain. Rikku and Jecht stood behind him, watching. Jecht leaned over towards Rikku and whispered to her under his breath."Hey, Blondie. What's a trial?"Rikku rolled her eyes. "My name's not Blondie, you know. It's… " She paused and considered the alternative. "… alright if you call me that, though," she finished.Jecht stared at her for a moment and then shrugged. Apparently he was getting used to her lunatic behavior and passing it off as normal, she noted with some embarrassment. "Trials?" he reminded her. "Is this gonna be some kinda test?" He cracked his knuckles."We don't know what awaits us inside," Auron replied, slinging his sword off of his back and hefting it over his shoulder."I hardly think the temples would attempt to kill off their potential Summoners during the Trials, Auron," Braska chided him, stepping forward. He stopped when Auron held out an arm to block him."Let me go first." Without waiting for a reply, Auron turned and strode through the doorway.Rikku, who already knew what was coming, crossed her arms and waited. Auron didn't come out immediately, and she wondered what was keeping him. Braska shifted, his long robes rustling and Jecht stretched and yawned. The seconds ticked by, and Rikku began to tap her foot. Braska cleared his throat. Finally, Jecht, picking at his ear, strolled past Braska."Jecht, do you think it's wise to -" Braska started."Sick of waitin'," he grunted as explanation, walking through the portal carelessly.Rikku was hot on Jecht's heels, and she gave Braska a bright smile, pulling him through after her. "Hey, like you said! I bet it's perfectly safe inside!""But…" Despite Braska’s protests, he allowed himself to be dragged along."Whoa!" Jecht's loud exclamation quickened both of their paces; Rikku and Braska rounded the corner to see Jecht and Auron standing side by side, staring at Bevelle's Cloister of Trials.Auron was motionless, his eyes wide and his face pale."This is awesome!" Jecht said, turning to face them. "I don't think I ever saw anything like this, not even in Zanarkand!" He pointed over his shoulder.Braska, who drew to a stop alongside him, was also speechless. Curious at their silence, Rikku crept up and peered between them.Looming out before them was the vast, seemingly bottomless pit of the Cloister. The moving walkways of light that pulsed and crisscrossed through the air emitted a harsh glow against the encroaching darkness. It was a strange and beautiful symphony of light and electronics, and Rikku took a moment to appreciate the skill it took to construct such a labyrinth. Just like I remember, she thought with satisfaction. Then she turned to Auron and quirked an eyebrow. "What's wrong with you?"Auron said nothing, still staring wide-eyed at the multitude of glowing pathways. Growing a little concerned, she reached over and poked his arm. Since that didn't produce a reaction, she frowned and pinched him. Hard. He hissed and drew away, coming out of his stupor to glare at her. "Welcome back!" Rikku grinned at him, waving. "Where the heck were you?"Auron looked around, spotting Jecht and Braska, who had torn their eyes away from the pit to stare at him. He grimaced and avoided looking at the labyrinth. "Machina…" he muttered in shock. Uh-oh, Rikku thought to herself." ‘ey, it's a good light show, even I'll admit that, but it ain't that great," Jecht told him, scratching his head. "What's machina anyway?""Machina is forbidden by Yevon!" Auron answered, his eyes snapping back to the walkway."Yevon this, Yevon that," Jecht grumbled. "That ain't no answer!""Perhaps… it is only magic?" Braska interjected with a note of hope, squinting at the pulsing lights. Then he turned to Rikku. "The Al Bhed are more familiar with machina than any other people. Perhaps you could tell us?"Jecht turned to her and crossed his arms. "Machina?" he repeated.Rikku laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her head. How to answer this one… She decided to tackle Jecht first. "Machina are old pieces of equipment that we Al Bhed try to salvage and use," she said. "Yevon sorta doesn't like it when we do that, because they're a bunch of stuffy old poops who think we should depend on them for everything instead of working for ourselves!""That is not entirely correct," Braska said. "The forbidden technology housed in machina is what brought about Sin. If we repent and abstain from its use, one day Sin will disappear, and the world will know peace.""That's a lie!" Rikku cried out before she could stop herself. "There are no bad machina, just bad people who use them! Well, okay, maybe there are one or two bad machina out there," she amended, her eyes darting to the pit underneath the glowing labyrinth. Somewhere down there Vegnagun is still sleeping… "But my point is just because Yevon says it's bad, doesn't mean you can blame machina for all of our problems!""Huh," Jecht replied, scratching his chin. "So these Yevon folks go around tellin' people not to use machina, and you Al Bhed type go around usin' them anyway, and that's why they hate ya?""Something like that," Rikku agreed."So you're Al Bhed," Jecht repeated. Seeing Rikku nod, he turned to Auron. "And you're one of these Yevon guys," he added, receiving a glare in response. "I think I like the Al Bhed better," he said."No one asked for your opinion," Auron snapped out."All I'm sayin' is we got this 'machina' comin' outta our ears in Zanarkand and there sure as heck wasn't anything like Sin botherin' us there. Maybe a fiend or two every once a while, but that's all.""But I thought it was Sin that brought you here," Braska said."Yeah, well…" Jecht trailed off uncertainly. Then he gestured at the glowing walkway. "That sure looks like machina to me. You tell me what this forbidden machina is doin' in a temple of Yevon, and maybe I can come up with a reason for Sin bein' in Zanarkand."Rikku's eyes flickered back to Auron's face; once again he was staring at the labyrinth, his mouth drawn into a thin line. She winced and drummed her fingers together. No. They're not ready for this. Then she took a deep breath."It's not machina."Everyone turned towards her, Jecht looking like he was about to protest. Rikku held up her hand and gave him a stern glance. "Listen. I am Al Bhed. And we know machina better than anyone else in all of Spira. I'm telling you, no matter what it looks like, that, " she emphasized, pointing, "is not machina. It's just not possible!""Are you sure?" Braska asked, though he couldn't hide the expression of relief on his face. More importantly, Auron was staring at her now. Strangely, as little as he seemed to enjoy her presence, he was hanging on her every word. In a way, he was depending on her, his so-called enemy, to tilt his world back onto its proper axis. Sometimes I really hate myself. Rikku scowled. But I'll always hate Yevon more. "It's not machina," she repeated. "Maybe it's some kind of summon or something.""Well… I suppose that is that," Braska said, smiling and returning his attention to the labyrinth."… yes," Auron replied, tearing his gaze away from Rikku and back towards the Cloister. "Yet another one of Yevon's tests," he muttered with disgust. His face was still haunted, but some of the stiffness slipped away from his shoulders. Huh , Rikku thought. Maybe he’s not such a big Yevonite after all. She let out a tiny sigh of relief and looked away, only to squawk and jerk back as Jecht's face appeared directly in front of her. He wasn't quite as angry as when she had mentioned Tidus to him, but he definitely looked far from pleased."What're you playin' at?" he mumbled, careful to keep his voice from carrying over to the others."I don't know what you're talking about," Rikku squeaked."You know well as I do that ain't magic," he said, gesturing at the walkway.Rikku narrowed her eyes. "It has to be for now," she whispered to him. Then her expression turned pleading. "Just let it slide, alright? Can't you see they need this?"Jecht glanced over his shoulder at the two men, who were obviously trying to figure out their next move, and then shook his head in disbelief. "And they're callin' me slow," he said under his breath. "This is one messed up place, man." Then he loomed over her."What?" Rikku asked, taking another step back."Well, Blondie. You can bat those eyelashes and tell 'em all the little stories you want." He snorted and looked her over. "But I ain't like them. I don't give a crap who this Raenn person was, and I know a lie when I see one. I'll be watchin' you," he warned her. "You try and double-cross us and I'll personally make sure you regret it."Rikku blinked in surprise. "Wow, you're really getting into this Guardian stuff," she said after a moment.Jecht straightened up and scratched his head, surprised by Rikku's lack of fear. Then again, he couldn't know that he didn't seem very scary to her. After having fought and killed an incarnation of him that was about three times the size of most of the buildings in Bevelle and wielding a sword to boot, there wasn't very much this Jecht could do that she would find intimidating. She was surprised to find that The Lecture she’d been expecting all day was popping out of Jecht's mouth instead of Auron's, though."That's a good thing," she reassured him when his confused look began to drop into a scowl. "I'm a Guardian too, remember? I'm here to guard Braska, not hurt him." Then she gave him a tiny smile. "I'm just doing it my own way. I'm… glad, kinda, to hear you just wanna protect him too."Jecht shrugged. "He's my ticket back to Zanarkand. 'Course I gotta look after him." Then he shot her another sideways glance. "You are one weird chick." He pointed at his massive, tattooed chest. "I don't scare you at all?" He sounded almost disappointed. Rikku snickered, and Jecht sulked. "Damn! I gotta work on my image.""You do that." Rikku jogged over to Braska and Auron, who were hovering around the freestanding pillar on the platform. "Hey," she complained to them in a singsong voice. "Jecht's thinking too hard over there and the smell of burning hair is starting to get to me. You guys figure out anything yet?""Well," Braska said with frown, "the lights appear to be moving pathways, but they will not hold any solid weight. There must be a way to travel on it.""I believe it has something to do with this," Auron added, pushing at the pillar, which slid forward easily.Rikku considered remaining silent and letting the men solve the labyrinth on their own. That would be the fair thing to do, she knew; using her own knowledge would be cheating somehow. And Yevon knows we shouldn't cheat, Rikku thought."What, this old thing?" she said, tripping past Auron and slamming into the pillar. Her not-so-subtle push sent it flying over the edge of the stone platform and into the moving path of light, and both Auron and Braska let out a yell of dismay as it fell through. "Oopsie," she giggled, then put on her best surprised expression as the pillar melted into a large disc which hovered over the path. "Well will you look at that!" she cooed."Truly amazing magic," Braska murmured in awe."Hnn," Auron agreed, sounding distinctly less than amazed. "We still don't know that it's safe.""Well, there's only one way to find out," Rikku cheered, preparing to spring onto the disc."Alright! Surfin'!" Jecht roared as he landed on the disc ahead of her. Double damn those Blitzball reflexes! Rikku growled to herself as the disc took off with a laughing Jecht on it. "Get back here Jecht! He doesn't even know what he's doing!" she groaned in frustration as the disc whizzed out of sight."Touching as your concern for his safety is," Auron noted, still wary of the path, "we have no idea where he -" His sentence ended abruptly as a soft hissing was heard. A sphere pillar faded into view where the old one once stood. No one noticed Rikku discreetly plugging her ears."AHH! " Jecht's materialization over the platform was heralded by his loud yell. He landed on the ground face-first. Standing slowly, he wobbled, his eyes unfocused. "I gotta stop doin' that.""I fear this may be more complicated than I first thought," Braska said. "What happened? What did you see?""Damn thing's fast," Jecht managed to grunt. "Lights… lotsa turns… and the drop-off at the end's a real bitch.""But it did bring you back safely," Braska noted with a determined expression. He leaned over and pushed the pillar back onto the walkway, and the disc reformed."Surely you aren't thinking of using it!" Auron protested. "Look at what it did to Jecht!" The man in question's eyes crossed as he slumped to the ground.Rikku rolled her eyes. "I don't see a difference from normal.”"Perhaps it requires the talent of a Summoner to function properly," Braska said, stepping towards the disc. He paused and bowed before it with a resolute expression."Umm…" Rikku said, scratching her cheek."Have faith, Rikkma," Braska assured her with a warm smile. Then he stepped onto the disc. With a soft whoosh, it disappeared from sight… though Braska's surprised yell at the speed with which it jumped into motion didn't fade quite as quickly.Rikku winced and surreptitiously brought her fingers back towards her ears. To his credit, Braska didn't shout quite as loudly as Jecht had. He crashed to the ground in a tangle of robes in front of them."I think… this will take more… than just faith," Braska mumbled, casting a healing spell over himself. Then he smiled wryly at Auron and Rikku. "So who will be the next victim of this Trial?"Auron paled, but shoved the pillar onto the walkway with a grim expression. "This is not a good idea." He approached the floating disc.Rikku silently agreed; Bevelle's Cloister had been difficult enough for Yuna's large party to unravel, and right now they were only four. Thinking back on it, she realized it might have taken even longer for them to solve had it not been for Auron's subtle assistance. Except now he's not here… I am. Rikku wasn't entirely sure this Auron would have accepted any help from her under normal circumstances; however, he still appeared to be rather shaken by the unexpected presence of the "non-machina" inside the temple. He hesitated in front of the floating disc, displaying his reluctance to board it.Jecht, who had recovered with the help of one of Braska's Cures, let out a hearty laugh. "Well ain't this a first! The great and mighty Auron's actually scared of a little joyride! Rikkma, you should be recordin' this!"Auron's jaw clenched and he stepped onto the disc. It drifted away from the others at the same rapid pace as before."Right!" Rikku yelled, dashing towards the walkway and leaping. She slammed into a very surprised Auron and nearly pushed them both over the edge. The gamble was worth it, however, as Auron's arms reflexively wrapped around her and they fell to their knees, off-balance.Her nose was pushing into his armored chest, but she ignored the awkward position in favor of inhaling deeply. Wow… he smells really good, she noted, enjoying the feel of his arms when they tightened around her. The disc was moving rapidly, creating a pleasant breeze which tugged at her hair. It was barely enough to cool her skin, though, which seemed to be overheating while in such close proximity to him -"Rikkma!" Auron's tense yell, underlined with a note of panic cleaved through her short-lived fantasy, and she realized they were still moving very quickly. It was vertigo, rather than passion, that was causing Auron to cling to her. And, to her own rising dismay, they’d already whisked more than three-fourths of the way down the lit path. The drop-off was approaching too quickly for her liking, and they weren't even on their feet."Get off of me!" Rikku yelled, recognizing the last floating checkpoint that they were about to sail over. Out of sheer desperation, she slammed her palms as hard as she could onto the pad, not caring which direction the glowing arrows pointed. With a sudden lurch, the disc came to a halt, and Rikku let out a sigh of relief. Then her stomach leapt into her throat as the disc shot off into the small, dark alcove she had inadvertently steered them into.Rikku grabbed onto Auron when she felt him sway; besides the fact that he smelled good, she really didn't want him to fall to his death. Her firm grip was broken when the disc spilled them unceremoniously onto solid ground and then shimmered, reforming once more as a solid pillar. She rolled over with a grunt, willing the room to stop spinning. I almost forgot how much I hate this place . Hearing a groan, she cracked her eye open and turned her head in the direction it came from.Auron was sprawled face down on the stone, not looking much better off. Some of his long hair had been knocked free of his impeccable ponytail; two dark strands framed his strong features like jagged spikes over each cheek.Somehow, it underlined his strange youthfulness that still took her by surprise; a good part of the older Auron's allure had been the mystery that was hiding behind his sunglasses and high collar. The young Auron was blatantly more beautiful to look at. Had he shown any interest in Blitzball at all, Rikku was sure he would've become a star player just for his looks alone. Unfortunately, that dream-inducing face was currently flushed an interesting shade of greenish-white, made all the more eerie by the lack of natural light. The neon glow of the walkway was the only illumination available, making him look even more gaunt."Hey, are you okay?" Rikku asked, crawling over to him.Auron pushed himself up to his knees and leaned back on his heels, dropping his eyes closed. "I need… a moment," he managed to say.Rikku scooted away from him and studied their surroundings. She recognized where they’d landed when she spotted the empty socket in the wall. There’s nothing we can do here until we find a Bevelle sphere. Trying to give Auron the privacy he needed to compose himself, she busied herself with the needless task of inspecting the wall socket anyway. Glancing over her shoulder when she heard the soft rustle of cloth, she watched Auron stand."… Thank you for your discretion," he told her, clearly uncomfortable. Then he took in their surroundings. "How did we end up here?""Well, umm… we were going really fast, and there was this flashy light thingy on the ground, so I just hit it as hard as I could," Rikku explained. "I think it throws the disc in the direction the light shines.""Hnn," Auron muttered, pacing the area. "Have you discovered anything else here?"Rikku shook her head. "No… this looks like a dead end. I think we gotta go back and try again." She noticed Auron wince and eyed him uncertainly. "Of course, if you're not up to it…"Auron spun around. "You're remarkably unconcerned by what you've seen here so far," he observed."Well… we Al Bhed see lots of strange things all the time!" Rikku covered with a nervous smile. She knew he didn't believe her, but after a moment he dropped the glare for an exasperated grunt and began to pull at the loose strands of hair that had fallen around his face. "Oh, don't do that!" she protested, and then mentally kicked herself."Don't do what?" Auron asked, still tucking the errant wisps of hair away. His eyes widened in surprise and he nearly flinched when Rikku stepped to his side and reached towards his face. "What do you think you're…" His indignant words trailed off when she batted his fingers away and smoothed the loose hair back down.Rikku fussed with the strands for longer than necessary, feeling her own face growing warm. Auron stood stock still, his eyes dark and hard; she wasn't certain if he was angry or not for touching him without invitation, even if it was just his hair. Still, he hadn't drawn his sword, so she took it as an encouraging sign. "You look better this way," she murmured, finally releasing him and stepping away. "More… human."He continued to stare at her, and she felt the tell-tale blush spreading over her cheeks and upgrading from red to nearly-purple. "Sorry," Rikku managed squeak out in mortification, whirling away from him. She purposefully ignored him and pushed the pillar back onto the walkway to form another travelling disc. "You know, you can wait here if you want. I'm sure I'd be able to find you again, no problem!""No."Rikku jumped when she realized Auron was already standing by her side. She wondered if learning how to sneak around was mandatory for Yevon's Warrior-Monks; it seemed distinctly unfair to her that someone as large as Auron could still make less noise than she moving from place to place. Then again, he didn't wear glass beads in his hair."I will accompany you," he said, grasping her by the elbow as they stepped onto the disc together. It shot forward, and the warmth of his hand dropped away. Rikku swallowed and forced herself not to rub her skin where he had touched her; a small movement at the corner of her eye made her glance upwards at Auron's head.He still looked uncomfortable, though his gaze was now fixed on the shifting light of the pathway, studying its patterns and searching carefully for the directional pad that would alter their course. That he had mostly overcome his vertigo wasn't what made her blink, though. It was the two loose strands of hair twisting in the breeze that brought a smile to her lips.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Auron stood at the edge of the platform, blocking Rikku’s path to the glowing disc. “No. We still haven’t finished exploring this level.”“Well we haven’t explored down that way yet either!” Rikku protested. She tried to edge around Auron’s side; he crossed his arms and widened his stance.“It leads to a completely different segment of the labyrinth,” Auron said stubbornly.“And that’s exactly why we should take it!” Rikku tried to squeeze through on his other side; once again, Auron stepped into her path. “All we've found are dead ends up here anyway!""We are not leaving this level until we've finished…” Auron trailed off as Rikku finally found an opening in his defense and threw herself past him. “Rikkma? What are you -” He cut off into a strangled cry as she grabbed the collar of his robe and hauled him onto the disc behind her."Hah, I got it, so there!” Rikku said, dancing in place. The disc leapt into motion, and she slowed as it approached a dropoff. “Oh… uh, wow, that's a pretty steep -"Auron managed to regain his footing just in time to look down. "AUGH! "
.x.x.x.
To say things went smoothly afterwards was optimistic at best. Auron, still smarting from Rikku’s hijack of his careful plan to map out the maze, bickered constantly with her. Though he did learn to navigate the system, their ride was anything but smooth thanks to their arguments.Rikku wanted to blame the sniping for her own loss of orientation; really, though, Bevelle’s Cloister hadn’t changed at all - it was still dizzying, terrifying and needlessly complex. It was mostly a matter of luck that they managed to avoid a painful spill back into the entrance. Strangely enough, it was Jecht’s loud whoop in the distance that helped her piece together where they were during another runaround; the sound faded all too quickly.“Hold up,” Rikku told Auron, studying the flashing lights of the disc they stood on. “I think I figured something out.” Waiting until she saw a turn that tickled her memory, she hit the directional pad and hung on as the disc swooped down a new avenue.Auron observed the path they took; his brow furrowed. “I think you’re right. We haven’t been here before.”The disc slowed to a stop at a crossing, and Rikku dropped to her knees and looked up. The patterns of light they travelled on crisscrossed over their heads like a spider’s web, and Rikku shivered, feeling very much the trapped insect. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the harsh sound of their breaths in the darkness."We should go further," Auron said after studying their choices. He pointed towards a path sloping downwards. Rikku nearly fell off the disc in surprise."Huh? I thought you said you wanted to explore every single corner of this place before we took on a new level!" She stood up and carefully stepped around the flashing pad, trying not to activate it.Auron grimaced and closed his eyes, unable to watch her balancing act. He was holding up fairly well for someone who had been barely able to stand only half an hour earlier. Some things never changed, and his effort to fill the role of a level-headed Guardian was one of them. If he’d donned the collar his future self wore, she might not have noticed the thin beads of perspiration that shone on his neck."We should establish how many levels there are to explore first, then find our way back to Braska and Jecht. If we don't, we might end up trapped here for hours," he explained."Ohh… well, okay," Rikku said, edging closer to Auron. Even if she could deal with the height better than he, her stomach still protested at the thought of another rapid descent on their flimsy elevator. He gave her a look when she grabbed onto his arm and clutched it in a death grip, but she returned it with a determined scowl. "Don't make that mean face at me! This place is scarier than you!"Auron rolled his eyes and returned his attention to the flashing pad. "Are you ready?"Rikku bobbed her head, and he lifted a boot and stomped. There was a brief, dizzying moment of anticipation as the disc rotated slowly, and then they were falling faster than ever. Auron dropped to one knee to keep his balance. Rikku, still holding onto his arm, lost her own and pitched forward as the disc rounded a sharp turn.For one frozen moment, the sensation of freefall caught up with her; it was the opposite of her experience on the Farplane. This time she was blanketed in darkness instead of light, and Auron was watching her fall with two eyes instead of one. Then with a jolt, she wasn't falling, simply dangling off disc, her wrist locked in the painful grip of his hand as he tried to hold her up."Rikkma!" he grunted, squinting at the pathway as they moved. "Grab my arm, quickly!"Rikku twisted upwards, reaching for him, and caught a glimpse of the fast-approaching platform at the end of the dim tunnel. Her eyes widened; if she didn't move - and fast - the disc would dump Auron off, and she'd either fall if he let go or be smashed against the hard stone if he didn't. Neither option seemed particularly survivable, so with renewed effort she reached up and clutched at his red cloak, trying to haul herself back onto their disc. I'm not fast enough! Rikku realized, and squeezed her eyes shut as they connected with the platform.Instead of feeling pain, she was airborne; rather than falling, however, it felt like she was thrown through the air. Then she crashed into something. Surprisingly, the stone wasn't as painful as she expected. It wasn't actually all that hard. And it was warm. And it groaned underneath her. Cracking open an eye, she found herself face to face with Auron.His eyes were shut, and his hand was still locked around her wrist so tightly that she was sure it would have a black and blue handprint on it the next day. Not that she minded, considering that it was the hand that saved her from a painful death. More distracting, however, was his other arm, which was wrapped around her waist.She tried not to be impressed that Auron had literally thrown her out of danger with one hand; after all, this was the man who spent his days wielding a sword almost as big as she was as though it was a mere toothpick. Then again, Rikku had fallen into the habit of indulging in Barkeep's homemade chocobo-chips in recent years, and she was fairly certain she weighed more than Auron's sword.Her gaze dropped back to the hand at her waist; this was closer she had ever gotten to Auron before, and it felt strangely intimate despite their obvious discomfort. Granted, he was holding her more like someone might haul a sack of potatoes around than a lover, but it didn't change the fact that his arm was around her waist."T-thanks," she mumbled, her face growing warm. Then to her great disappointment, Auron released his hold and pushed her away."Hnn," he grunted in reply, sitting up with a wince. "Are you all right?"Rikku rubbed at her sore wrist, trying to slow the pounding of her heart. "Yeah." She let out a shaky breath, sitting back and avoiding his gaze. "What a rush! That was almost as bad as when Brother pilots the airship!""Airship?" Auron glanced at her sharply.Rikku’s flush deepened and she cast about for a distraction. "Oh look! A Bevelle sphere!" She pointed at the glowing orb that was set into a recess above Auron's head.Auron didn't turn and his eyes narrowed. "I'm not stupid. You have nowhere to run, Rikkma. If that's even your real name.""I never said you were stupid," Rikku countered, scooting away from Auron. Not that it meant she could go very far; the platform the disc had dumped them onto was relatively small."Then why do you continue to lie?" he replied. His stern expression softened as he watched her fidget. "I just saved your life. The least you can do is tell me who you really are." Would that change things? Rikku wondered. Auron wasn't blind; with everything they’d been through by now, surely he would have recognized her when she washed up on the shore of the Moonflow in front of Tidus years ago. Which left the question of why he didn't say anything when they first met. True, she had only been fifteen years old at the time, but five years couldn't change a person that much, could they? So it shouldn't really matter if she told him her name or not, she reasoned. She looked at Auron, who was still studying her with fierce intensity.
But a name has power.
The silence stretched thin between them, and Auron's patience ran out. He stood up and turned around to inspect the glowing sphere. Rikku didn't miss the disgusted look on his face, though, and clasped her hands together tightly. Even now, even as a stranger and a Yevonite at that, she wanted more than anything to have his respect if nothing else."Rikku," she said quietly.Auron stopped and looked at her. "And the airship? Are they more than just thousand-year-old legends too?"Rikku bit her lip. "If you don't like it when I lie, then don't ask me that," she replied, rolling to her feet. "I can't tell you."He studied her for a moment longer before turning back to the sphere with a grunt. "Fair enough. Thank you, Rikku."Auron didn't seem to be too knowledgeable about Cid's family, and Rikku let out a soft sigh of relief. Still, she wasn't quite optimistic enough to assume that Braska was similarly uninformed. "You won't tell the others, will you?" she asked, approaching his side."You've proven trustworthy so far," Auron admitted. "But why hide your name? Are you a wanted criminal among the Al Bhed?" He kept his tone neutral, but once again Rikku sensed that he was asking more on Braska's behalf than hers."It's not what you think," Rikku said. "It'd just be better for everybody if they didn't know." She reached to take the sphere."No!" Auron caught her outstretched hand and Rikku froze and swallowed."Please…" She began to quake with growing fear. It doesn’t matter how I feel about Auron… I can’t let him ruin my chance to get back! "You can blackmail me, or tell me to get lost after this if you don't want me around anymore. You can even turn me in to the temple guards. Just whatever you do, please, please, please don't tell Braska my real name!"Something flickered across Auron's face before his stern mask fell back into place, and his grip on her hand tightened. "We don't know what will happen if you remove that sphere," he said gruffly."Sphere?" She trailed off in confusion. Then she looked at the recess. "Oh!" Rikku pulled her hand away from the sphere and out of his grasp and tried not to die of mortification. Like, duh! Get your head on straight, Rikku! He’s talking about the sphere! "Well, what else are we gonna do with it?" she asked, giving him a cheeky glare which she hoped covered the scope of her embarrassment."We need to return to the others and speak with them about this first," Auron replied, turning back to the transformed pillar and pushing it onto the walkway. Rikku took the opportunity to snatch the sphere despite his warning. When he turned around and saw what she had done, a more familiar look of annoyance crossed his face. She happily ignored it in favor of holding the Bevelle sphere above her head."Nothing bad happened, see?" she chirped. "Now we can go back to the others. We'll have this puzzle solved in no time, promise!""Unbelievable," she heard Auron mutter under his breath, offering her his arm. "Hold on more tightly this time," he instructed when he found her staring in shock. "And you have my word."Rikku looked up from Auron's outstretched arm and into his face. "What word?""I won't inform Lord Braska of your deception. You have your reasons. As long as they don't endanger the Pilgrimage, you may keep them to yourself."As she took his arm, Rikku was sure the smile spreading over her face was bright enough to light up the entire cavern.
.x.x.x.
No time translated into almost two hours for Braska's small party; with some gentle prodding, Auron managed to unlock the secret of the spheres. They faced a slight hitch in their progress when he came across the destruction sphere.When it crystallized out of nothingness before their eyes, even Rikku couldn't deny the aura of evil radiating from the small pink globe. She knew the sphere held only a tiny portion of the desperation and hate that drove the awesome power of Anima. The Cloister itself might have been a miracle of machina construction, but the spheres found within were more bound to the summoned magic of the aeons than any machine. It confirmed her suspicion that Seymour already possessed his mother’s powers.Rikku took it from the socket reluctantly; it felt too cold in her hands, though it burned brightly against the darkness. It was filled with the almost tangible hate of the only permanent aeon capable of surpassing even Bahamut. Justifying to Braska the existence of such an evil tool within the temple would be uncomfortable at best.Rikku was feeling particularly uncharitable; having been on the receiving end of Anima's attacks courtesy of a Maester, she didn't bother with explanations. Instead she wordlessly handed the sphere to Auron and let him deal with it.Auron took the discovery in stride; the shock of seeing machina in a temple either prepared him for each new revelation, or at least numbed his response to them. The worry line creased between his eyebrows was beginning to look permanently engrained, though. He spent a short moment staring at it in dismay, then grunted. “We need to solve this puzzle before Braska and Jecht rejoin us,” he said, gripping the sphere with a look of distaste.“Well, we’ve been at this for long enough,” Rikku told him. “Try sticking it in that socket over there. None of the Bevelle spheres worked, so this might.”“Such an artifact in a place of holiness,” Auron muttered to himself, but he did as she asked. Thankfully, the evil sphere shattered as it unlocked the final, hard-won path to the Chamber of the Fayth.Auron stared at the exit for so long that Rikku grew worried.“Hey, are you -”Turning, he stomped past her, returning to the glowing pad. “Let’s get the others,” he ground out, upset by what he’d seen. “The sooner we leave this Trial, the better.”
.x.x.x.
“You’ve returned!” Braska’s relief was tempered by the surprise that Rikku and Auron’s arrival was sedate, rather than an unceremonious fall from above.“Took ya long enough,” Jecht grumbled. He was sprawled across the ground on his side, picking at his ear with a finger.“Gross,” Rikku said with a wince.“Braska.” Auron nodded at the other man. “I apologize for our delay. We successfully cleared a path to the Chamber of the Fayth.”“Is that so,” Braska said, his eyes lighting thoughtfully. “I was beginning to worry you two had come to blows, but I see I was mistaken. I am glad you were both able to find some common ground during the Trial.”Auron grimaced at Braska’s amused tone. “Adversity is an effective motivator.”“Hah! We could hear you guys shoutin’ at each other all the way up here,” Jecht replied, grunting as he stood up. “I was sure you two were gonna off each other before you got back.”Braska shushed Jecht. “If you’ve found a way through this puzzle, how are we to best reach our goal?” He eyed the glowing disc warily. “I do not believe more than two of us can mount that thing safely at the same time.”“You’re with me,” Auron said immediately to the Summoner, leaving Rikku gaping.“Wait a minute!” She stared at Jecht in dismay. “I’m not going anywhere with that walking disaster!”“Aww, clam down. This’ll be fun !” Jecht said with a grin, throwing an arm around Rikku and trapping her. “Like a joyride, right?”Rikku whimpered. Auron was already guiding Braska onto the disc, his face especially stoic in the face of her accusatory glare. “Join us as soon as you have the chance,” he instructed Rikku. “And resist any urge you may have to lose Jecht.”“ ‘ey! I heard that!” Jecht scowled and released Rikku, frowning as the disc carried the two men away. Then he turned back with a shrug. “Whatever. Bet it’s gonna take ‘em a while to get through this.”“Probably,” Rikku agreed. “Our ride isn’t coming back until they’re through using it. So what’cha wanna do while we’re waiting for them?”Jecht scratched his head. “I dunno. You any good at belchin’ contests?”Rikku sank to the ground and dropped her face into her hands. “Ugh,” she groaned.
.x.x.x.
Oh thank machina, Rikku thought as she and Jecht rode their disc up towards the highest - and last - level of the Cloister of Trials."That was even better than surfin'!" Jecht exclaimed as he stepped off. "Are all them Trials this much fun?"Feeling wobblier than her companion, Rikku landed on her knees and hugged the solid, non-moving stone beneath her. "Thank Ixion they aren't." Pushing herself up, she carefully extracted the Bevelle sphere she had managed to grab on the way out of the maze from her belt pouch."You need to learn to live a little," Jecht complained. "Admit it, it was a fun ride!""Maybe for you," Rikku groaned, lurching towards the wall. "You didn't spend two hours with Grumpy trying to solve this thing! If I never see another electric path again, it'll be too soon."Jecht only laughed at her. "Like you minded all that alone time with the Stiff! I bet you couldn't keep your hands off each other."Rikku turned around and stuck her tongue out at Jecht. "You're such a pervert! Did it ever occur to you that a guy and a girl could be friends without needing to jump all over each other?""Lemmie think about it…" Jecht said, stroking his chin as his eyes narrowed. Then he grinned at Rikku. "Nope! 'Sides, a guy like Auron couldn't make normal friends if his life depended on it. So are you two an item already or what?"Rikku nearly screamed in frustration as she slammed the sphere into the recess hidden in the wall. "Auron doesn't even like me that way, you… you… big tattooed freak!" Not that I would mind if he did… "… clueless…" she heard Jecht muttering under his breath. He watched with interest as the swirling patterns on the floor filled with light from the sphere and a glowing path formed in mid-air. "Neat trick," he commented, looking back to the source of the glow. "You sure this is safe?" He tested the newly formed path with his foot.Rikku smirked and sprinted past him, twirling around on the suspended bridge in delight. "Pretty sure!" she laughed."Rikkma! What are you doing?" Braska's shocked voice brought her out of her dance and she windmilled before regaining her balance. "Where did that come from?" he asked, prodding at the path with his staff.Auron was behind him, not bothering to eye the path, choosing instead to bestow that honor on Rikku herself. "I thought I told you not to waste any more time in the labyrinth.""Well you were wrong and I was right, so there!" Rikku pouted, planting her hands on her hips. "Trust me, I have a nose for treasure!" She turned and skipped down the pathway.Auron began to protest, but Braska held up a hand and stopped him. "She is correct. We are low on funds right now, and a little treasure hunting certainly wouldn't hurt." He followed Rikku down the precarious walk, Auron and Jecht close behind him.When they finally caught up, Rikku knelt in front of the treasure chest in the center of the large platform. She let out a small squeak of triumph as she swung it open. Then she let out louder, though short-lived scream."What's up?" Jecht asked, peering over her shoulder. Frowning, he reached down and grabbed the treasure, pulling it out. "It's just an ugly lookin' sword. Seems like something Auron would get excited about," he mussed, hefting it into the air and turning it around in the dim light."No," Rikku said, her eyes wide as she watched Jecht ram the sword's tip into the ground with a loud thunk. "I think it's more suited for you."The sword in question was oddly beautiful, even if a bit unwieldy; the blackened blade was ornamented with a few swirling patterns and dangling chains; it was even larger than Auron's own heavy sword. Jecht managed to lift it with ease, though he lacked Auron's finesse when handling the massive blade.What struck Rikku speechless was the fact that she knew it was meant to be Jecht's sword. It was a smaller version of the sword he had wielded in their final battle against him; the triangular tip and patterns were all too familiar. There was something else about it that was also unmistakable; though the true nature of the blade was still locked away inside of its depths, Rikku could feel the power thrumming through the metal from the moment she opened the chest. It was a Celestial Weapon, she was sure of it."What luck!" Braska said with a note of relief. "A magic blade, even. Truly, this is a fortunate find. And it looks like I have managed to win this argument after all," he added with a hint of smugness as Jecht scowled at him."I ain't usin' no sword," Jecht protested, trying to hand the blade off to Auron."That looks more like a bat than a sword to me," Auron countered, refusing to take it. "Keep it, Jecht." The beginnings of a smirk twisted at his lips. "A sword as clumsy as that one deserves to be wielded by a fitting patron."Jecht scowled, lifting the sword and slashing through the air a few times. "Laugh it up, asshole," he muttered sourly. Then he paused and gave Auron a cocky grin. "But hey. Mine's bigger than yours!"Rikku dropped her head and groaned. "Oh boy, here we go," she muttered.Braska chuckled under his breath and helped her to her feet as the two men faced off."Size isn't important," Auron replied, drawing his own sword and spinning it around deftly. "You have to know how to wield it properly first.""You callin' me stupid?" Jecht huffed. Auron's telling silence was enough of an answer."Anytime, pal," Jecht grunted, leaning on his sword menacingly. "You and me. I'll show you how good this sword is first-hand.""Is that a challenge?" Auron replied in a bored tone."Rikkma, are you feeling well? You look quite flushed."Braska's worried question broke her attention away from Auron and Jecht's posturing, and Rikku coughed. "Sorry! Just choking on that smell in the air," she explained. Sniffing dramatically, she wrinkled her nose and made an exaggerated wave in front of her face. "Phew, stinks like a couple of bloated male egos. Do you think they’re going to pull out a ruler and start measuring the length of their blades next?"Braska laughed, and Rikku pitched her voice to carry across the room. "If you boys are going to go at it with your great big swords , I definitely want a front row seat!" She gave Auron and Jecht a flirtatious wink; the former put his sword away immediately, while the latter stared at her."Who're you callin' a pervert now, woman?" Jecht said after a moment, slinging the large sword over his shoulder in a clumsy imitation of Auron."What can I say? It's just too easy sometimes." Rikku smirked. "Besides, I think you're rubbing off on me.""Yevon help us all," Auron muttered under his breath as he stomped back towards the Chamber of the Fayth."Jecht. Rikkma. It's time to go," Braska interrupted, his humor falling away.Rikku swallowed and nodded, trailing behind the men slowly. Her spirits sank with each step closer to the shrine; soon, they would reach Bahamut's chamber, and her short-lived adventure with Braska and his Guardians would be coming to an end. A tiny smile flickered across her face; the door Bahamut had opened had spilled her into an adventure that was nothing like she had expected. She found herself falling into the old routines of a Pilgrimage more easily than she liked to admit. It was in large part thanks to the three men she was accompanying.Braska, kind and gentle, inspired friendship and loyalty in almost everyone he met. Jecht's rough-and-tumble exterior hid a good heart, even if it wasn't apparent at first glance. And Auron? He might have been lacking the wisdom that age and death brought with it, but in many ways he was still the same driven, dedicated man that she remembered so fondly. And she was finally starting to earn his trust; though Auron had given it freely when they first met on Yuna's Pilgrimage, it was more precious to her now that she had to fight tooth and nail for every grudging centimeter he granted her.It was unexpectedly difficult to wish each of the men a silent goodbye; they barely knew each other, but she still felt a pang of regret about leaving her newfound friends so soon after meeting them.The Hymn of the Fayth swelled to an almost painful volume as Rikku scaled the steps, and a shiver passed down her spine. It was easy to forget about Sin when surrounded by laughs and cheer; the haunting melody brought it back all too clearly."I don't belong here," she whispered under her breath. Clenching her fists, she sprinted the rest of the way up the steps.Braska was already at the forefront of the antechamber, bowing respectfully before the heavy stone door which shut off the altar. His face was drawn in concentration; only two things could lift the stone seals which protected the statues of the Fayth: the prayers of a petitioning Summoner or brute strength. Braska straightened, and the door to the chamber slid upwards. Rikku knew it would be her only chance to get inside; she was faster than Auron and Braska, and Jecht wouldn't know any better to stop her. The muscles in her legs tensed as she prepared to sprint -The Hymn of the Fayth was loud, now, drowning out all other sounds in the room, though the others didn't seem to notice it. Braska moved towards the open door. Jecht slumped to the floor, his mouth forming words as he asked something. Auron crossed his arms, leaning against the wall, and answered him. It was as if everything was happening in slow motion. Move. MOVE! Rikku strained to push herself forward, but her body was frozen. The air was heavy with a stifling presence that reverberated through the room; the essence of Bahamut, almost tangible and so oppressive that she couldn't bring herself to move, even breathe. Why couldn't anyone else feel it?Her eyes strayed back towards Braska and widened; he could feel it, she realized with a shock. Braska swayed slightly, the only sign that gave him away, before stepping forward into the dark passage. The door began to close behind him, and Rikku struggled and pushed with every bit of energy she had. She managed to take a shaking step forward as a moan of dismay erupted from her throat.Auron was looking at her now, his brows drawn together in concern, and Jecht was clambering to his feet. Rikku ignored them, caught up in the descent of the heavy stone seal. No! she wanted to scream. You can't leave me here! I DON'T BELONG HERE! The door shut with a click, and the heaviness evaporated as suddenly as it had come, sending Rikku onto her hands and knees as it left. She wheezed, sucking air into her lungs, and blinked away the sting of her tears. The first few formed in part because of the physical pain generated by her struggle against Bahamut's power. More leaked out as she realized that returning to her own time wasn't going to be as simple as demanding an audience with the Fayth.There were hands on her arms, Rikku noticed dully; they lifted her to her feet and dragged her to the stairs, where she was turned and seated carefully. She blinked, looking up, and noticed Jecht was staring at her; his lips were moving. With a start she realized he was talking to her. Shaking her head to clear it, she concentrated on him and sound slowly returned to her surroundings."… the hell is wrong with you?" he was asking, waving a hand in front of her face."This has happened once before." Auron's voice now, low and concerned; Rikku turned her head and saw that he was standing by her side with a frown on his face. "There was a similar episode in the palace, when we first met.""Eh?" Jecht said, leaning back on his heels. "You think she's sick?"Rikku dropped her head onto her knees and groaned. "I'm not sick," she mumbled dejectedly."I thought you said these attacks weren't normal," Auron told her, his tone accusing.Rikku didn't bother to lift her head. "They're not. I never got them before. I don't know why it's happening, honest ," she said, weary. I have a good idea, though. It was Bahamut. She was certain of that. The Fayth didn't want to see her, let alone help her return. She shuddered again, coldness washing over her as the knowledge sunk in. For the first time the possibility dawned that maybe, just maybe, there wasn't going to be a chance to return to her Spira. "I'm stuck," she whispered with a small, panicked giggle. "I'm really stuck here.""You say somethin'?" Jecht asked her.Rikku shook her head on her knees, still afraid to look up. "Leave me alone, Jecht," she mumbled. He snorted and moved away, but she heard a soft rustle of cloth; Auron leaned in."Rikku, are you all right?" he asked her.Rikku let out a miserable sniff. She wanted to stand up and beat on the stone door of the Chamber; she wanted to scream that nothing was all right at the top of her lungs, not the least of which was his presence. Auron was right next to her asking how she felt when by all rights he should be dead."I'm fine," she replied out loud, tightening her grip around her knees. "Just fine."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jecht was not a morning person. This became apparent when he shuffled into Braska's kitchen, bleary-eyed and sloppy. His clumsy search of the countertop knocked over more than a few bottles before Rikku decided to try to stop the rampage."The tea's right here," she said helpfully, holding up her own mug."Screw the tea," Jecht grunted. "You got any booze?"Braska carefully placed his own cup down and pinned Jecht under a disapproving glare. "I don't drink," he said. "And I would appreciate it if you refrained from doing so while in my house."Jecht swayed and then grumbled in acquiescence, reaching instead for an empty cup and helping himself to some tea. "Don't see the problem," he grunted. "You let Auron carry that jug around with him wherever he goes.""That," Braska replied, "is different. All high-ranking Warrior Monks learn how to use blessed wine as a part of their combat training."Jecht blinked and took a long gulp from his mug. He belched noisily.Rikku winced. "Eww, morning breath! Keep it to yourself!"Jecht wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and grinned. "So where do I sign up to become one of these monks?"Braska sighed and returned to his own small breakfast of sliced fruit. "I want to spend some time with Yuna," he told them. "Please understand. We will be leaving the city early tomorrow, so you are free until then. But for today I would like to have some time alone with my daughter.""Sure, whatever," Jecht grunted. Then he scrunched his brows and looked around the table. "Where's Auron anyway?" he asked, directing the question at Rikku."How should I know?" Rikku stared at Jecht with narrowed eyes as a smirk began to form. "Don't answer that, it's too early to deal with your perverted jokes right now.""Auron should be outside, training." Braska collected his empty plate and stood up, depositing the dish in the washbasin. "I shall wake Yuna. The city is yours for the day." A small smile crossed his face. "Do try to stay out of trouble," he added."Who, us? Trouble?" Rikku said innocently. She ignored Braska's amused chuckle and returned her attention back to her own breakfast, which was more of an exercise in food sculpture than an attempt to eat. Rikku hadn't had much of an appetite since their return yesterday."You gonna finish that?"Rikku shrugged and pushed her plate over to Jecht. The soothing sound of Braska's voice floated into the room as he spoke to Yuna; Rikku blinked sleepily. She planted her chin into a palm and thought about their trip back from the temple.Braska was successful in obtaining his first aeon, though like his daughter, it had taken the man an extraordinarily long time to do so. He had emerged from the altar looking pale and exhausted, and the small group hadn't managed to do much more than return to his apartment for the night to allow him to recover from the ordeal. Rikku wasn't in any mood to argue with the decision; she was feeling fairly drained herself, though sleep didn't find her as easily as she’d hoped.Instead, Rikku spent the night twisting possibilities and weighing scenarios in her mind, trying to conjure up a way out of her waking nightmare. Not that she had anything against the current company; rather, the omnipresent threat of Sin, the more nebulous danger of Shuyin and Vegnagun, and even the as-of-yet still teenaged Seymour worried continually at the edges of her mind. In the end, she only managed to reach two concrete conclusions: if Bahamut wanted to be kind, he should have taken her memories when he threw her back, and that her next best hope to return would be to find a way into this world's Farplane. If anything, she could always fling herself off into the mists once more and hope for a repeat performance. Or a messy death. But hey, at least it would be in the Farplane, rather than one of the temples. Or worse yet, in the aftermath of one of Sin's random attacks.The only monkey wrench in Rikku's plan was the location of the Farplane. Outsiders were hardly welcome in Guadosalam. It was true that missionaries of the Church had been quite busy proselytizing to the Guado for years; Lord Jyscal’s conversion was considered one of Yevon’s greatest successes. Still, the sheer lack of Guado even on the streets of Bevelle clued Rikku in to the potential difficulty of being granted an audience within the xenophobic city. Being a part of Braska’s summoning party would certainly help; it was enough of an answer to allow her to fall into an uneasy sleep. It didn't keep away the nightmares, though, and Rikku woke early, before either Yuna or Jecht.Not before Braska, however, whom she found sitting alone at the table, plagued by his own demons. And of course not before Auron, who along with his sword was already missing from the tiny apartment. She and Braska hadn't exchanged any words then, just a meeting of eyes and a morbid silence. Unable to take it, Rikku had finally gotten up and puttered around the kitchen, pulling out mugs and jars until she found Braska's stash of tea and applied herself to preparing a pot."You're really going to do this," she stated when she was finished, setting a mug in front of him.He took it from her gratefully and bowed his head. "Perhaps it is not fair to Yuna," he admitted. "But it is all I have left to give her.""No it's not!" Rikku blurted out then. "You're just taking the easy way out, you know that? Yunie doesn't need a Calm, she needs a dad!"Braska had looked at her, laughing without humor, and nodded. "You are partially right. I am a selfish man." And then, his eyes filling with pain, he had reached out and clasped her hand. "More than anything else, I wish to see my wife again. If it was not for Yuna…" he trailed off.Rikku heard it then, in his voice; he wanted to die, and it had nothing to do with Sin or the Pilgrimage at all. His fingers tightened around hers and he was looking at her, but not seeing her. "Raenn," he murmured. "Would that you were real. I would give anything to see you again."Rikku felt a shiver pass through her. Weren't those her thoughts reflected in his face? Her own desires, the unvoiced ones that had formed Auron's image on the Farplane? Scared by the intensity of his words, she extracted her palm from his grip and stared at the floor. The movement woke Braska, and he caught her eyes."I am not selfish enough to take that journey without giving something back as well. You are wrong. Yuna does need a Calm. Every man, woman and child in Spira needs the Calm. I will not have my daughter raised in fear as well as exile.""Even if it means she has to be alone?"Braska closed his eyes. "If I manage to bring the Calm, she will never be alone.""That's not what I meant!" Rikku snapped. "She won't have you. ""She will have to manage." The tense silence that had risen in the wake of Braska's uncompromising reply remained in place until Jecht's bumbling interruption.Bringing herself out of her reflection, Rikku watched the other man eat, oblivious to her troubled silence. Irritated, Rikku stood. In no mood to deal with Jecht’s ignorance, she left him at the table and wandered towards the exit."Say hi to Auron when you see him," Jecht hooted after her."Who said I'm looking for him?" Rikku called over her shoulder, scowling and resisting the urge to slam the door behind her. She stomped down the narrow staircase and skipped out into the empty street, glancing over her surroundings. Auron was nowhere in sight, and Rikku huffed and paced restlessly across the sidewalk in front of the building."I'm so not looking for him," she repeated to herself even as her feet carried her back up the stairwell. She passed Braska's door and continued upward, climbing steadily until she reached the door to the roof. Easing it open, she peered out.Auron was practicing, just as Braska said. He must have been there for some time already; the red coat was neatly folded next to the door, and his ever-present jug was lying on top of it. Shutting the door, Rikku seated herself next to his things and admired the show.He hadn't yet noticed her, continuing to sling his sword through the air in the clean, focused strikes of a kata. Auron's mastery of the blade was a thing of beauty; he moved fluidly through each twist and slash as though the motions were effortless. She admired the finely muscled curve of his arms, which were covered with a thin layer of sweat that glistened in the morning light. They were strong and sharply defined, and in her opinion much too often hidden beneath the folds of his thick red coat. She fleetingly thought of hacking the sleeves of said coat off with her daggers while he wasn't looking, even going so far as to pick up the fabric and rub it beneath her fingers.Auron whirled around, slashing his sword downwards with a grunt. His eyes widened with surprise, but he checked the motion of his swing precisely at the moment he saw her. Rikku was impressed; he managed to hold the blade perfectly still despite its weight and the force of his own strike. Then again, by the time they had finally faced Sin together, Auron was even better with the sword than he was now."Enjoying yourself?" Auron asked dryly."Oh, don't stop just ‘cause of little old me!" Rikku offered, giving him a cheerful wave and tucking his coat back underneath the jug."I don't think so," Auron told her, hitching the sword over his back and approaching. He leaned over and grabbed his coat, inspecting it for damage before donning it, and then to her surprise settled beside her on the ground. Rikku sniffed and made a face; even if perspiration looked good on him, it smelled anything but."Do you do this every morning?" she asked.Auron nodded, wiping away some of the sweat from his forehead.Rikku let out a disappointed sigh. "Then I think I'm really going to miss showers when we start travelling."The low noise that came out of Auron's throat could have been either a grunt of annoyance or an amused chuckle; it died out as he regarded her. "So you've decided to stay with us beyond Bevelle, then?" "I think I don't have much of a choice," Rikku admitted. Then she smiled at him. "Besides, you guys are starting to grow on me. I thought maybe I should stick around and keep you from murdering Jecht."The rumble that came out of Auron's throat next was definitely a laugh. "By providing us with a new target?" he finished for her, uncapping his jug and lifting it to his lips."Whoa!" Rikku yelled, her eyes growing large. "I thought Braska said that was holy combat nog or something!"Auron lowered the jug. "It is," he answered with a straight face.Rikku scowled at him. "Well isn't it a little too soon for that, huh?""I have to find some way to deal with you this early in the morning."She stopped trying to hide her stare. He looked back at her impassively, and that's when it struck her. "You just made a joke!" she told him, sticking her finger into his face. Not that she wasn't delighted to have witnessed it, but the more immediate concern was that she was the butt of it, and that, in Rikku's mind, was clearly unacceptable."So I did," Auron mused. "It must be the wine." This time the amusement in his voice was evident.Gaping, Rikku crossed her arms. "I should've snitched your sleeves while I had the chance," she huffed. "So much for being nice!""Rikku," Auron said, and she quieted down. The amusement in his tone had died out, and he half-turned to look at her. "These… attacks you've been having," he began. "Do you have any idea of what might be causing them?""Maybe," Rikku said uncertainly. "But I don't wanna talk about it, okay?"Auron frowned. "My condition for secrecy is that you do not hinder Braska's Pilgrimage. If these attacks are going to become a liability -"Rikku groaned. "I'm not going to drag you guys down, okay?" She crossed her arms and glared at Auron. "You're not getting rid of me that easily.""You are persistent," Auron admitted.Rikku smiled at him and flipped a braid away from her face. "One of my better qualities, of course!" she bragged. Her smile faltered and dropped when she realized that he wasn't about to give up either."What is it that you really want?" he asked. It was an honest question for once; not one stacked with ulterior motives and double meanings. He was asking for her, not Braska. It made her smile, though the question still left her confused. So she voiced her confusion."What’cha mean?"Auron stared out into the open expanse of sky, or at least what could be seen of it from within the crowded confines of Bevelle. Rikku followed his example and squinted at the small strip of blue, which shone brightly over the dark, gloomy buildings surrounding them. It really did feel like Bevelle existed in a different world from the rest of Spira. For a brief moment Rikku found herself wishing Sin would come and attack the city, tearing down its man-made barriers and forcing its residents to rejoin the rest of the world outside. Then the moment passed and was replaced with a deep-rooted shame for having even thought of it."What are you searching for?" Auron's deep voice swept away the guilty reflection, demanding her attention. "You obviously don't believe in the teachings of Yevon, but you are still here, and a Guardian no less."Rikku slumped. "Once upon a time," she said, "someone told me that the Fayth are the ones who give power to the Summoners. Not the temples and not the Teachings." She couldn’t stop the nostalgic smile that bloomed. "Just because I don't like Yevon doesn't mean I can't be a good Guardian."Auron considered her reply before speaking once more. "That doesn't answer the question."Rikku leaned back onto her elbows and stretched out her legs. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the feel of the air and the warmth of the morning sun. If she pretended, she could almost imagine that she wasn't surrounded by the dingy, dirty slums of Bevelle. She could be lying on the deck of the Celsius, lazing around while waiting for Buddy to report on the next round of sphere waves and complaining to herself about how busy she was doing nothing important."I want a world without Sin," she replied without hesitation. "…I want to go home."Auron, of course, didn't understand. "Then why don't you?""I would if I could but I can't, okay?" Rikku snapped bitterly, breaking the peaceful atmosphere between them.He recoiled, then answered her just as harshly. "So you chose a Guardian's path simply because you have nothing better to do with yourself."Rikku winced. "That's not what I meant! I really do want to see a world without Sin," she told him, her anger deflating with every word. "I know it's possible.""Lord Braska will bring the Calm, whether you are with us or not." Auron’s glare was cold, and she could almost see all the progress she’d made befriending him in the past two days crumbling away. She tried to take comfort from the fact that he was still talking to her, but his tone had turned businesslike, and it made her heart sink. "If you can't even decide on your own goals, then you will fail in your duty as a Guardian. You'll have to make up your mind."Rikku froze, chilled by his words. You'll have to choose what you love more in the end. Is that what you meant? she thought, feeling her insides twist. The whispered question made sense now; she cursed herself for having clung to her memory of Auron so tightly that it had blinded her to his sacrifice. Braska and Yuna's sacrifice. Jecht and Tidus' sacrifice. She had wished for the world to revolve around her, and her wish had been granted. And now here she was, with the power to change everything. She could destroy Spira - all for a foolish, selfish crush on a man long dead.If she had been grateful, she would have been congratulating Yuna and Tidus on their new life together, rather than watching them jealously from the sidelines; flirting with Gippal rather than spurning his advances in favor of moping on the Farplane. She should have spent her time living with what was rather than wishing for what could have been. Now Auron was here, whole and young and alive, and more receptive to her advances than he had ever been before - though that still wasn't saying much. The only price she had to pay for her dream was Spira's happiness.
He knew I could never choose that.
The irony of her "victory" made her laugh out loud. Auron was looking at her strangely, and Rikku smiled at him. "Hey Auron," she said. "Did you know that being in love feels like walking on pins and needles?"“Love?” His eyebrows drew together and he looked away, caught off guard. "I wouldn't know," he answered.Rikku let herself sprawl all the way down onto the ground, staring up into the sky. "Yeah, you do," she corrected him. "You love Braska.""Are you implying that I -" he began indignantly, but Rikku cut him off."You're not Jecht. Stop thinking those weird perverted thoughts!" she snapped.Auron opened his mouth to protest, and then closed it. A shadow crossed his face, followed by a wry smile. "… yes," he said after a moment of silent consideration. "Yes, it does feel that way, doesn't it."He turned to face her, but Rikku avoided his gaze. After her revelation, she couldn't bear to look into his eyes. It was immeasurably worse than wishing for Sin to destroy Bevelle."You're a strange riddle," Auron told her. "You want to help us, but you abhor the Summoner's path. You wish for the Calm, but you disapprove of the Pilgrimage. You want to return to your home, but you remain with us.""I guess I'm just a gal who wants it all," Rikku answered.She heard Auron standing up; from her position on the ground, seeing his face was unavoidable. He was looking at her with a mix of pity and confusion. "I don't know your secrets, but I can tell you this much. You cannot be of two minds, Rikku."Rikku turned her head and stared at him; it was painful, considering how bright the backdrop of the sky was against his darkly shaded face. Separate worlds , she thought."Choose one path, and follow it with all your heart. It will make things…""Easier?" Rikku supplied."… simpler," he answered. He turned to leave, and Rikku tilted her head back to watch him."Hey, where are you going?" she asked.He faced her again and the hint of a smile tugged at his lips. "Apparently I need a shower." Pulling open the door, he stepped into the building. Rikku watched until until the closing door obscured him."You aren't making it any easier, stupid-head."
.x.x.x.
After Auron left, Rikku fell asleep on the rooftop. When she eventually woke and returned to Braska's apartment, not much had changed. Auron was sitting on the couch, idly flipping through a book, while Jecht was lounging in the kitchen. She took one look around the room and decided she needed a distraction; the party was definitely not happening here."I'm bored!" Rikku rolled on the balls of her feet, swaying back and forth in front of Auron while pouting.Auron looked up from the book he was reading and glared at her. "Go bother someone else.""Meanie." Rikku stuck out her tongue and flounced away from the couch, making her way to the kitchen table. Jecht sprawled over a chair there, looking just as bored as she felt. "I'm bored!" she repeated to him.Jecht didn't bother to move, only rolling his eyes in her direction. "So am I!" he complained."Well, what should we do?" she asked, arms akimbo. "Braska still isn't back yet, and it's way long before it'll get dark outside!"Jecht roused himself out of his lazy slump. "Well… how 'bout we explore the city?""No," Auron called out from the couch, not bothering to look up."Hey!" Rikku and Jecht yelled simultaneously."No," Auron repeated with authority. "You both stick out like a sore thumb. The last thing we need is to have either of you getting arrested again. Besides, you have no money," he added, looking pointedly at Rikku. "Stay indoors and keep your heads low. We leave Bevelle tomorrow.""Aw, man!" Jecht groaned, melting back into his seat. "Wish you hadn't busted up the damn blitzball.""Hmph," Auron grunted with a note of malicious satisfaction.Rikku was unwilling to accept defeat as easily as Jecht did. Her eyes roved around the tiny apartment until they settled on the two massive swords propped against the corner of the sitting room. "Hey Jecht." She kicked at the sole of his foot to get his attention, and he twitched in annoyance."Whadda ya want, Blondie?""Lemmie see your sword again!" Rikku told him, pointing at it.Jecht lolled his head back. "You can see fine it from here."Rikku sighed and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, but I can't lift it!" Jecht snorted and made no attempt to move, and Rikku stomped her foot on the ground. "Jecht!""Alright, alright!" he groaned, slouching out of his seat and towards his sword. He grabbed it and hefted it into the air. "Happy now?"Rikku studied the blade. The black metal thrummed with power underneath her fingertips; it was so saturated with magic energy that it almost tingled. Despite that, there was no obvious benefit, magical or otherwise, to using the sword as anything other than just another sharp edge. Neither she nor Braska had managed to figure out how to unlock the secrets hidden within the blade. "You can feel it, can't you?" she asked, stroking the red runes. "This sword is special.""It don't feel all that special to me," Jecht said, pulling it away from her.Rikku pursed her lips together in exasperation. "That's because you don't know how to use it yet, dork!" she replied. "You're not much of a caster, are you.""I know a little white magic!" Jecht protested, and Rikku gawked at him. Auron also set his book aside and looked up in surprise."You know magic," he repeated, his expression clearly indicating his disbelief.Jecht grumbled and rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. Well all I really know is a little Haste spell and how to do some Scannin'. S'good for blitzin' … and scopin' out the ladies."Auron relaxed into his chair with a look of disgust. "I should have guessed," he mumbled, once again disinterested in their conversation."Perv," Rikku said under her breath. "And don't you dare try that on me! I have eyes in the back of my head!""No, you don't," Jecht countered. "I checked already." He laughed loudly as Rikku spent a few moments fuming at him."Well if you know magic, how can you not feel it?" Rikku asked, smacking the blade into the floor. The tip landed in the threadbare carpet, giving it a new tear."Don't do that," Auron droned from the couch, flipping to a new page. "Go outside if you're going to manhandle that thing."Jecht rolled his eyes and Rikku glared at Auron, who ignored both of them. Then she shifted her attention back to the sword. "You really can't feel it? I mean this thing is practically oozing magic!""I can feel it just fine," Jecht replied. "It don't do nothin' special though, besides feel weird when I touch it." He grimaced and tried to stow his sword back into the corner, but Rikku stopped him."Don't you want to learn how to use it at least?" she asked."Nope," Jecht replied, pulling the sword out of her grasp.Rikku pouted. "I thought you said you were bored!""I ain't that bored!" Jecht growled. "Get back to buggin' Auron already!""Fine, I will!" Rikku huffed, stomping over to the couch and stopping in front of Auron. He remained engrossed in his book, but she saw him tense at her approach. "Oh Auron," she called sweetly, swaying back and forth."No."Rikku wilted, then scowled at him. "Sheesh, you have a limited vocabulary, don't you?" Auron glowered but refused to put away his book. "C'mon!" Rikku whined insistently. "You know he needs it!""The hell?" Jecht interrupted, crossing his arms. "I don't need his help!""Stop being so stubborn, both of you!" Rikku jumped in frustration. "Don't you wanna protect Braska?" That seemed to have struck a nerve, at least with Auron. With a long-suffering sigh, he snapped the book shut and placed it aside."Fine." He stood up and brushed past Rikku and Jecht, grabbing his sword. "I'll be on the rooftop.""Don't wait up," Jecht called after Auron as he pulled the front door open.Auron stopped and turned to Rikku, his gaze hard. "Whether or not he decides to come is no concern of mine." Then he slipped out the door, slamming it behind himself. Mission Train Jecht: Part One, accomplished! Rikku cheered to herself. Then she put on a stern expression and faced the second half of the problem. "Jecht!""Uh-uh," Jecht said, backing away from her. "I ain't goin'!"Rikku smiled at him. "You know you're just proving that Auron really is better than you by acting like such a scaredy-cat!"Jecht pouted stubbornly. "I ain't fallin' for that.""Falling for what? The truth?" Rikku threw her hands up. "Once we hit the road, the first fiend we meet is gonna tear you apart unless you figure out how to use that sword.""I'd rather get a few knocks from a fiend than feed the Stiff's ego." He refused to budge."His name is Auron and he's not a stiff!" Rikku glared at Jecht and tried a new tactic. "In case you didn't notice, he's trying to help you out here. Now take this sword…" She grabbed onto the handle of Jecht's sword as she spoke and tried to lift it. Not surprisingly, it wasn't happening. Paine had always told her she had the upper body strength of a hypello, and she wasn't far off the mark. "Uhh!" Rikku grunted, only managing to move the sword a few inches before resting it on the floor, where it made yet another new tear in the carpet. "This thing is heavy!""You look ridiculous." Jecht laughed at her. Rikku was going to scowl at him, but then she realized that a laughing Jecht was more likely to reach the rooftop than a sulking one."I wouldn't have to do this if you'd just take this stupid sword…" She grunted, dragging the sword forward again and splitting the hapless carpet apart as she did so. Auron's so gonna kill me . Then Jecht laughed again, and she twitched. No, he's so gonna kill Jecht when I tell him that this was all his fault. "… and learn how to use it!" she finished, stopping in front of him.Jecht sighed and grabbed the sword out of her hand. "Gimme that before you wreck the rest of Braska's pad," he told her."So you'll go then?" Rikku asked him hopefully, clasping her hands together under her chin."Ugh, yeah, alright. But you're gonna owe me for this one, Rikkma," Jecht strode towards the door, and Rikku skipped behind him with a happy smile."Huh, you're comin' too?" Jecht asked, pausing at the door.Rikku smirked at him and shoved him up the stairs. "Hah, I wouldn't miss this for the world!"Jecht cursed under his breath. He climbed the stairs and burst out onto the rooftop.Rikku spilled out behind him and plopped herself onto the ground with a large smile. "Hey hey, let's get this party started!" she called.Auron turned to face them; he was already waiting. His coat was neatly folded and placed to the side, and he leaned on his sword. "You actually came," he said to Jecht."Thanks to your harpy," Jecht grumbled.Rikku stopped cheering and sent a Rikku Look hurtling towards Jecht. "What was that?" she yelled at him."She's not my harpy," Auron answered.“ Auron! " Rikku screeched, and he glanced at her in surprise."Why are you upset with me?" he asked with a note of annoyance."Duh!" Rikku shook her fist at him. "You're supposed to say 'She's not A harpy!'"His smug look returned. "… Why?"The smile on Jecht's face broadened. "Hah! Maybe you're right, Rikkma, he ain't that much of a Stiff after all!"That dropped the smirk off of Auron's face, though it didn't change Rikku's expression at all."You both suck," she declared. "Go hit each other with your swords or something!"Jecht continued to laugh at her until Auron interrupted him with a quiet command."Now then," he said. "Come at me."Jecht scratched the back of his head. "Huh?"Auron grimaced and lifted his sword, sliding into a guard position. "Attack me!" he repeated.At this Jecht finally picked up his own sword and smiled. "Don't need to ask me twice!" He ran towards Auron, swinging the sword at the other man like a large club.Rikku thought she saw Auron roll his eyes as he gracefully avoided Jecht's blow. She smiled; it was a technique Auron had already mastered, one she had learned herself from Lulu while travelling together. Jecht was fast, almost as fast as she was, and strong to boot. But Auron knew the strengths and limits of his own body, and trained rigorously to hone the skills he had. You didn't have to be fast when defending, you had to be agile . Auron hadn't actually moved from his original spot when Jecht struck, he simply dodged the clumsy strike.Jecht spun quickly, cleaving downwards with the sword in an attempt to catch Auron off guard. Auron, however, was already prepared and blocked the strike, and with a screech of metal whirled the sword around and sent it flying out of Jecht's hands. It landed with a heavy thunk a few paces in front of Rikku's seat."Wow," she yelped, wide-eyed. "That was cool!""Damn," Jecht cursed, rubbing his wrist. "That was just luck!""It was anything but," Auron countered smoothly. "Get your sword.""Aw, shaddup," Jecht growled as he stalked over to his weapon. Pulling it from the ground, he whirled and rushed at Auron again without warning.Rikku winced, Auron sighed, and then with a clang of metal, Jecht's sword was spinning through the air again, this time landing on the opposite side of the roof."You need to learn how to wield your sword properly," Auron stated. "It's not a blitzball."Jecht rubbed his head and stood up slowly from where he’d been knocked to the ground. "Don't matter how I hold the damn thing long as it ends up stuck in your side," he shot back."Idiot," Auron huffed, disgusted. "You'll never manage to break through your opponent's defense until you learn how to handle your own weapon."Jecht's face darkened and he bared his teeth at Auron in an ugly growl. "I don't need this bullshit," he ground out, stalking towards the door.Auron returned the expression with an annoyed grimace of his own, dropping his sword off of his shoulder and slamming it into the ground in frustration. "Humph. I knew this was a waste of time."Rikku shot up from her seat and stopped Jecht before he could reach the door, cringing at the tension that was crackling between the two angry men. "Hold up! Wait a second, Jecht!" She grabbed his arm when he pushed past her. He actually did drag her a few paces towards the exit despite her struggle to slow him down before stopping. "Come on, you need to learn this stuff. Auron knows what he's talking about!"Jecht glared at her, his jaw working tightly. "This ain't what I signed up for," he grunted. "Laugh it up all you want. I ain't gonna sit here and be humiliated by the two of you. Get your kicks some other way."Rikku released his arm with a silent gasp of surprise. She should have guessed; Jecht was a proud, arrogant man, and Auron was giving that pride a very thorough beating. "Sorry…" she mumbled, ashamed. "We didn't mean it like that.""Right," Jecht snorted, crossing his arms and glaring at the door."Jecht."The blitzball player spun around to face Auron, who had hefted his own sword back onto his shoulder. "Eh?" he grunted."Take up your sword," Auron demanded, inclining his head towards the abandoned blade.Jecht narrowed his eyes at Auron. "Why the hell should I?"Auron looked away, tapping his own blade on his shoulder. "Because you show potential," he admitted grudgingly.The frown on Jecht's face was replaced by a look of surprise. Taking advantage of the moment, Rikku moved behind him and pushed him towards his blade. "Go on, Jecht!" she told him, ushering him to the sword. Finally Jecht shook her off and picked up the weapon on his own."Potential, huh?" He flipped the blade in his hands. "Fine. But if I hear either of you laughin' I walk."Rikku held her hands up and backed away. "I promise not to laugh! I can't even lift your sword!" she told him with a bright smile.Auron said nothing, only dipping his head in agreement."So…" Jecht said, gripping his sword with both hands and pointing it at Auron.A faint smile crossed Auron's face. "Let’s look at your stance first."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku shaded her eyes with her hand and looked back at the receding skyline of the city. "Finally," she breathed, letting a small smile of relief stretch over her face. They were leaving Bevelle at last, and the pent-up tension she’d harbored ebbed away with each step."Wow!" Yuna's gasp was accompanied by a pointing finger. "Is that Macalania Forest?" She tugged at one of the long strips of cloth that hung from Braska’s helmet."Yes, it is.” Braska grinned with a knowing look at the hopeful expression that crossed his daughter’s face. “And no, you can't come with me there. The forest is full of dangerous fiends, it wouldn't be safe.""But… !" Yuna said stubbornly.Braska shook his head and bent over, depositing Yuna back onto the ground. "No," he repeated. "You have to leave with Beatrix now. It's time." He reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face."I don't want to go," Yuna whispered, her eyes bright.Braska kneeled and cupped her small chin in his hand, his gaze never leaving her face. "Beatrix," he called out."My lord," the woman replied, pulling the unresisting girl away from her father.Yuna shook herself free, but didn't try to retrace her steps. Instead, she squeezed her eyes shut and lifted her chin. "I'm not sad," she stated proudly. "My father’s going be the hero of Spira, so I won’t cry."Braska smiled. "That's my girl.” Rising to his feet, he turned to Auron. "I'm ready. Look after Jecht, please."Yuna's face lit up at Braska's words, and Beatrix pulled the little girl even further away. Rikku watched Braska hoist his staff, and with a small "Oh!" of realization, scooted away from him as well. Auron approached Jecht, who was the only person not clearing a wide berth around the Summoner."Where's everyone goin'?" Jecht asked, scratching his head. Auron merely turned him around and shoved him towards Rikku. " ‘ey, what's the big idea?""Father's going to summon!" Yuna told him, her eyes wide with anticipation."Summon?" Jecht asked, looking up from the little girl with the obvious question plastered across his face.Rikku pointed at Braska. "You'll see. Just keep quiet and watch!"Braska was poised, motionless but for the breeze which tugged at his clothes. Then, taking a deep breath, he began to dance. Rikku inhaled sharply; the Summoner's dance was impressive no matter who performed it. It was something she never thought she’d see again, the staff twirling and dipping as he spun around, robes flying in the unnatural wind that rose around him."What the hell…" she heard Jecht gasp as the sky darkened; the clouds roiled, pulled into a whirlwind that echoed Braska's movements. A distant roar sounded, and then the heavens lit with energy and color, spinning runes exploding overhead. He burst through the clouds, a blur of black sinew and golden claws, massive wings outstretched.Bahamut the Wise, Lord of Lords, ruler supreme of all summons appeared before them, fully vested with all of his terrible, awe-inspiring glory. The dragon swooped from the sky, landing with a crash and sending clods of earth flying. Slowly he straightened and crossed his arms, his glowing eyes peering down at the Summoner as if to judge him.Braska was frozen, his staff still outstretched. His eyes were distant and unfocused; he’d fallen into a Summoner’s Rapture. It was a personal bond created between a Summoner and his aeon; a sharing of minds and senses that allowed Braska to control Bahamut’s actions with finesse, at the cost of the control over his own body. It was also the primary reason a Summoner required Guardians for protection. Rikku never thought she would see that again in her lifetime, either."Where the hell did that thing come from?" Jecht asked, his eyes still fixed on the huge dragon. Rikku looked away long enough to see the his hands extended, fingers forming a small box through which he was studying the aeon. Then she choked and grabbed his wrists, slapping them out of the form."Are you nuts ?" she hissed, though not quietly enough. Auron shot them both an annoyed glance and then blanched."What's the big deal? I just wanted to see what it was…" Jecht trailed off as the remnants of the Scan spell dissipated into the air."He cast at Lord Braska's aeon?" Auron ground out, turning to face the huge dragon and resting a hand on the hilt of his sword. To Rikku's dismay, Bahamut also noticed them, rumbling ominously."Jecht! If Bahamut doesn't kill us, I'm going to murder you!" Rikku squeaked, reaching for her own daggers. Quailing, she turned to Beatrix and tried to push her away. "Get Yunie out of here, now!" Not that it would help, she thought, considering the scope Bahamut’s Mega-Flare could encompass."No," Yuna said, twisting out of Beatrix's tight grasp and standing her ground. "I'm not scared. That's father’s dragon, he won't hurt us."Bahamut lumbered towards them; the ground shuddered under his clawed feet, and everyone except Yuna stepped backward. He dropped to one knee before them and snorted, sending out blast of warm air that blew Yuna’s bangs away from her face.Then, wide-eyed, Rikku watched as the little girl reached for Bahamut's snout. He bent lower and let her tiny hand scrabble over his muzzle, emitting a noise that sounded suspiciously like a purr. Yuna giggled and redoubled her efforts, unphased by the rows of razor-sharp teeth that were centimeters away from her fingers."He seems to like you, Yunie!" Rikku said, wondering why she was even surprised.“This is why we visit the temples,” Auron told Jecht, recovering some of his composure. “A Summoner prays to the Fayth so he can call on their power in the form of an aeon.""So… every Summoner can do this?" Jecht asked, still eyeing Bahamut's imposing figure with trepidation."The primary duty of a Summoner is to collect aeons during their Pilgrimage," Auron said, relaxing when the huge dragon stepped away from Yuna. "After Lord Braska has visited each temple, we will journey to Zanarkand for the Final Aeon and use it to defeat Sin.""You mean they get even bigger?" Jecht gaped at Bahamut, who barely acknowledged their presence. "When I see that thing, I think you guys might actually have a chance." Then he grinned and cupped his hands over his mouth. "Glad you're on our side, buddy!" Bahamut tilted his head and didn't move. Jecht frowned and dropped his arms, looking annoyed. "Hey ugly, can you even hear me?"Yuna giggled and Auron groaned. "A Summoner controls his aeon, Jecht. Bahamut will only respond if Lord Braska allows it.""Let's hope he doesn't," Rikku piped in, nudging Jecht not-so-gently in the ribs. "I wouldn't go around calling things with that many sharp pointies on it ugly if I were you!""What, you scared?" Jecht laughed at her, and Rikku glowered."Yeah, right!" she shot back. Just to prove her point, she leaned forward, facing the dragon. "Maybe you look mean, but you don't scare me at all!" she shouted. "You're just a big soft mushball inside, aren't you?"To everyone's surprise, Bahamut's head turned and his beady eyes glinted as they focused on Rikku."Oh, heh heh, I didn't mean it like that!" she laughed nervously. And then she fell quiet, meeting the aeon's piercing gaze. The sound and color of the surrounding world dulled and time slowed, though Bahamut remained as vivid and imposing as ever. This wasn't about her joke, she realized. "Why?" she asked. "Why did you bring me here?" she repeated, rancor giving her question strength.Bahamut stared mutely; aeons couldn't speak, and the Fayth only appeared when they chose to. Even so, she could see the answer in his hard, unforgiving gaze. This is what you wanted. Rikku squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them again, the others were looking at her."You gonna have another one of them -" Jecht asked her, and Rikku jumped."No!" she yelled, angrier than she realized. Jecht jerked away from her in surprise. She took a deep breath and glared at Bahamut, suddenly infuriated by his presence. The dragon stood before them, impassive, but she knew better than to think he didn't notice her. No, he was purposefully ignoring her, and that was completely different. "That thing doesn't scare me at all," she ground out, clenching her teeth. "He can stand there and look as mean as he wants for all I care. It's not like he has enough power to defeat Sin anyway!""Rikkma!" Auron said sharply, and Rikku spared Yuna a guilty glance.The little girl stared back at her. "That's why my father needs the Final Aeon," Yuna pronounced, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. They turned their attention back to the aeon as he rumbled.With a rush of wind Bahamut leapt away from them, scattering into a myriad of pyreflies that dissipated into the clouds.Braska straightened, rubbing his forehead. “That… was interesting,” he said, looking surprised. Seeing the others around him, he refocused.Yuna turned and smiled at her father, and Rikku dropped her head in shame. Everyone except Jecht knew what obtaining the Final Aeon really meant, and still Yuna smiled. Then Yuna drew her hands together and performed a perfect bow. "Thank you, father.”Braska’s face contorted, but he smoothed his expression and returned Yuna’s bow just as deeply. "Auron, Jecht, Rikkma. Let us begin our journey."And with that Braska was walking away, Jecht and Auron trailing after him towards the distant crystalline forest. Rikku hesitated before following after them, glancing back one last time at Yuna. She was cradled in the embrace of the older woman, but standing on her own, her unwavering eyes fixed onto her father's back. All traces of the little girl’s smile were gone. She looked older; Rikku clearly saw the Yuna she knew shining through the youthful chubbiness in her young face. It was in her eyes; they were changing with each step Braska took. Unable to watch the transformation complete itself, Rikku whirled around and sprinted after the others as her throat clenched shut.
.x.x.x.
The small crystals which jutted out of the sandy ground with increasing frequency looked beautiful, but made the path leading into the forest a treacherous one to navigate. Though the glittering formations were delicate, they were also pointed and razor-sharp. Rikku wondered how Jecht managed to do it with bare feet; playing all that Blitzball must have given him soles tougher than a behemoth's hide. Braska was picking his way between the delicate, jagged crystals, and Auron, true to his nature, simply crashed through them, crushing the ones that got in his way under the heavy heel of his boots.Rikku followed in the wake of the messy path Auron cleared; she didn't bother to chide him for the destruction he was causing because she knew the forest would regenerate in a few days, more dense than ever before. It made her happy to know that the forest itself was growing - still fed and renewed by Shiva's dreams. While she didn't miss Sin's presence in Spira at all, some of the sacrifices they had made to destroy it still hurt, and the gradual disappearance of Macalania was one of them.The glittering forest was indeed growing thicker as they travelled towards its center; the twisting, reflective tree trunks closed around them, surrounding them with a quiet, chilled beauty."I never saw a tree made outta crystal before," Jecht said, catching her attention. She looked up to see him rapping a knuckle against one of the trunks, filling the air with a melodious ring.Rikku smiled and jogged over to him. "They're not really trees," she explained, flicking a fingernail against the hard trunk. "They just look like them.""Don't get distracted," Auron called out over his shoulder. "The heart of the forest is infested with powerful fiends. We need to get through here as quickly as possible."“I see no problem with a short break.” Braska stopped and made his way back towards Rikku and Jecht, prompting an exasperated sigh from Auron. Silently, Rikku cheered. His greetings were the first words he had spoken since he left Yuna's side; the depressing silence had been almost deafening. "Come now, Auron, it is not every day that we get to see a sight like this.""You mean this ain't normal here either?" Jecht asked, clearing away a small patch of ground before seating himself against the tree."Travellers rarely journey through Macalania Forest," Braska told them, leaning on his staff. "A Summoner’s Pilgrimage is by nature a reflective journey; that is why we must travel the Pilgrimage Road by foot. Most long distance travel in Spira, however, is conducted by sea when possible. It is truly a rare privilege to be able to be here at all."Auron, who had pulled up next to them, shrugged off his sword and leaned it against the tree, his disapproving scowl still obvious. "The reason no one travels through here are the fiends," he reminded them pointedly."Will ya just relax for once?" Jecht groaned. "We ain't seen a single fiend since we started anyway!""Yes," Braska said, staring off into the forest with a troubled look. "That is odd.""You mean lucky," Jecht insisted with a careless smile. Then he looked at Rikku. "Say, whadda ya mean this ain't a real forest?""Huh?" Rikku asked. She’d pulled herself up onto one of the larger trunks and was slouched on a high outcrop, swinging her feet as she enjoyed the sights. "Oh… well, see for yourself," she added, pointing at the trunk. "It's all just some kind of ice formation or something, you can almost see right through it! Of course it's not a plant."Jecht poked at the trunk he was leaning against with surprise. "Ice? But it ain't even cold!""It's a summoned forest," Rikku said, leaning back against the trunk and crossing her hands behind her head. "The Fayth in Macalania Temple made it. I guess when Shiva isn't kicking butt as an aeon, she spends her time gardening." She turned her head when she heard no response, and saw all three men staring and nearly slipped off of the trunk in surprise. "What?""Shiva?" Jecht asked."The Fayth which resides in Macalania Temple," Braska answered absently. "Rikkma, that is an interesting theory you have, but no one really knows how or why Macalania Forest was created. How did you come up with that idea?"Rikku scrunched up her nose. "It's not a theory. The locals told me!""People live here?" Jecht repeated, looking even more surprised. "I thought there were fiends.""There are fiends. That's why no one lives here," Auron agreed, suspicious.Rikku sat up, filled with indignation. She might have learned the truth of the forest well after Sin was gone and the demi-humans were forced to flee from their crumbling homeland, but that didn't change the fact that they had always lived in Macalania Forest. Everyone knew that. No, the problem was that most other races didn't think of the demi-humans as people; that was why they didn't count in Auron's assessment of the forest's population."You know, if you Yevonites would actually listen to your musicians instead of just telling them to shut up and play, maybe you'd figure out this stuff too," she huffed. "They're the ones who told me, for your information. They know this forest better than anyone else!" She noted with satisfaction that Auron fell silent after her sharp rebuttal, looking surprised.Braska, too, had gone quiet. "I had always suspected there was more to those creatures than they led us to believe," he mused. "Strange, though, that they would share this knowledge with a human like yourself. They seem to prefer to keep to themselves.""Yeah, well…" Rikku trailed off; the truth of the matter was the demi-humans probably wouldn't have given her the time of day if not for their disappearing forest and Tobli's constant meddling. "I'm well-travelled!" she explained. "And who can resist this face?" she added with a cute pout."Would you like a list?" Auron replied. Ignoring the face she made, he addressed Braska once more. "We should move on, my lord. This lack of fiends is… worrisome," he said uneasily.Braska nodded once, leaning over and helping Jecht to his feet. "Yes. We can discuss our theories about the forest when we are closer to the safety of the temple," he agreed.Rikku shimmied down the trunk. When she hit the ground, it trembled and shook underneath her, and she flung her arms out in surprise before tumbling."Whoa!" Jecht yelled, also trying to catch his balance. "How much do you weigh anyhow?""It's not me!" Rikku leapt to her feet and pulled out her daggers."Something's coming," Auron said tersely, and that was the only warning they had before the crystalline trees splintered and flew apart. Rikku covered her head and winced; the atmosphere felt heavy and deadened. Most unnervingly of all, everything was quiet except for the crash of the splintering trees. Then she heard it: a low hiss, the sound of something slicing through the air. I know this music, Rikku thought. She lowered her arms and squinted through the rain of splinters that were falling around her. Jecht had thrown Braska to the ground for protection, and Auron stood over them, his sword a blur as he hacked apart the larger chunks of crystal that flew in their direction. Beyond him, behind her, all around them, she saw what caused the explosion, and her stomach churned."We're bein' attacked by fiends?" Jecht asked, fumbling for the handle of his sword."No," Rikku moaned, springing to her feet and spinning her daggers. She rushed at the nearest pod, striking it before it could burst open and send its creation tumbling out. "This is Sinspawn!"The deadly shower thinned out, but as the dust settled the cause of the explosion became visible; a greater Sinspawn, ugly and black, pulsed in a clearing only a few steps away. It spewed pods into the their surroundings over its waving tentacles. While huge, it was thankfully alone; there was no sign of Sin itself in the area. Not that this was very reassuring; the spawn alone was already the size of Bahamut, and it was still belching eggs in every direction."We must destroy it!" Braska twirled his staff around in the summoning dance. It was a harsh first test to flex his fledgling Summoner's muscles on.Rikku didn't bother to reply, rushing another pod and trying to burst it before it could hatch and release the insect-like spawn hibernating inside. She only managed to hack through the hard shell halfway before it burst open on its own, nearly severing her arm in the process. The lesser spawn inside spilled out and snapped at her viciously. She buried her dagger between its shining eyes up to the hilt, and the thing twitched spasmodically before dissolving into pyreflies. To her dismay, she saw the other pods bursting open, releasing dozens more into the forest."You've got to be shittin' me," Jecht groaned, rushing at one of the creatures with his sword and cleaving it in two."This is no joke!" Auron hacked through the hissing creatures; a trail of pyreflies followed his motions, and Rikku realized he was driving towards the larger Sinspawn. "Clear a path to the mother!" he yelled at Jecht, carving his way through several more of the insects.Rikku positioned herself at Braska's side, narrowly managing to kick away one of the creatures as he completed his dance. She heard Bahamut's roar echo, then winced as a burst of light cut through the forest, destroying both the remaining trees and several of the spawn in its path. The dragon landed in the smoking clearing and grappled with the huge Sinspawn, roaring in fury. Rikku half-turned and saw Braska holding his staff out, his expression distant."Oh no," she moaned, skirting around him and flicking her daggers about, trying to keep the smaller creatures away from him. "Auron! Jecht! We're in deep pickles over here!" She batted away another spawn and then sending a Fire spell hurtling behind her with a quick mumble.Rikku knew she was fast, but she wasn't that fast, and there were just too many to take on alone. " Auron! " she yelled again, flying towards another fiend and slashing at it. It was no good; her light hits weren't killing any of them, simply enraging the insects and making them swarm even more densely than before. "Braska's in Rapture! He can't move!" What's keeping them? Rikku thought, panicking as the spawn encroached on the small haven she maintained around Braska. She grimaced and took a deep breath; casting high-level magic beyond her natural means from the grid always felt uncomfortable, but it couldn't be helped. She had to cut down their enemies before they were overwhelmed.Fixing one hand on her grid, she spread her palm out towards the thickest concentration of fiends and closed her eyes. The sibilant words tumbled out of her mouth, spoken in a language she didn't know, with a finesse that she didn't possess. Power flowed through them, forming into a pinpoint in the palm of her hand; she gathered it, feeling the rush of an unnatural breeze as the casting glow surrounded her, then let the magic fly.It wasn't the most powerful of spells; while Rikku could have cast a stronger elemental attack, completely obliterating only one of the insects wouldn't have helped very much. Instead she cast gravity magic, letting the crackle of dark energy descend over the entire writhing mass surrounding them. The Demi spell drained the creatures and sent more than a few of them skittering backwards. There were even a few injured ones which collapsed on themselves, pyreflies leaking out of the wounds her daggers had already inflicted. Rikku smiled grimly; not the best solution, but it had bought them a little time."Will you guys get over here!" She turned to search for the familiar red flash of Auron's coat. Then she froze, her words caught in her lungs. He was there, a few feet before her, fighting desperately. His sword was nothing more than a flash of dark metal surrounded by swirling pyreflies as he eliminated the fiends surrounding him. But he wasn't moving towards her or Braska; he was trapped. Trapped into defending, not attacking - and what he was defending was the motionless lump on the ground."Jecht!" The large man was unconscious, a small trickle of blood leaking from his mouth and a gaping wound oozing from his abdomen. Despite Auron's lessons, he really didn't know how to handle his sword yet. Auron was doing a magnificent job of defending his fallen comrade, but he couldn't stop the steady flow of blood that was leaking from Jecht into the crystalline ground and keep the insects at bay at the same time.Rikku reached for her pouch and cursed when she found nothing; I knew we needed supplies! There was no time to think; she rushed the nearest fiend and gritted her teeth, then drove her hand through it. It shuddered and gave way beneath her probing fingers; she reached in and searched, pulling through its body for anything that might help.Despite being a first-rate thief, Rikku hated stealing from fiends. She hated it more than she hated lightning. The principal was fairly sound; fiends were formed from the malcontent of the dead, and occasionally the dead were kind enough to bundle their hatred into a form solid enough to pull from their bodies. Usually it was a remnant of their former life, a wish, hope or dream they once had while still human. It didn't change the fact that doing it felt disgusting to her. It took a special state of mind to steal from a fiend: telling yourself over and over again that it wasn't real, that it wasn't leather and bone and cartilage you were shoving your fingers through, but pyreflies-pyreflies-pyreflies. Sometimes it didn't work, and the unlucky thief ended up smashing his fingers against the very solid skin, fur or scale of the disgruntled and unforgiving fiend; the lucky ones came away from those failed attempts with all of their limbs intact.Sinspawn was worse; though still pyreflies, there was nothing human at all left in them, unlike the fiends. When she attempted to steal from spawn, more often than not she came away with the oddest things; rusty blades, a razor-toothed comb or odd, unidentifiable gem that flickered in the light. This time was no different; when she sprang back, the object in her hand was a twisted rosette of metal; she had no idea what it was, or what it would do if she attempted to use it. Not good! she thought, panicking as she chopped at another one of the insects that circled Braska. A loud roar made her glance up; Bahamut seemed to be winning against the largest creature, which meant that Braska might be able to come out of his Rapture soon. It was a gamble with Jecht's life, however, and a risky one at that. There was only one way to be certain. It was something she had been hoping to put off until much later, like never, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Rikku only hoped none of her companions were voyeurs. Then she corrected that train of thought and gave a silent whisper of thanks that Jecht was passed out.The fiends backed away from her when she began to glow. Even Auron faltered and turned to look, his eyes widening in shock. And then the sphere took over; it wasn't just a change of outfits, but a change of personality, as Paine had once described it. She was still herself, of course, they all were, but there was something extra that was added: a phrase or two, an attitude, an unconscious gesture of the hand. The personalities recorded in the spheres never completely disappeared, no matter who used them. And while Rikku had created the Alchemist dressphere herself, it was still like adding oil to a lit fire. Pride, self-confidence, and an unbelievable amount of fury filled her as she raised her hands and let the gun form in her arms.
Useless? An embarrassment to all of Spira? How dare they treat us like this!
Rikku's lips curled back into an ugly snarl and she unleashed her anger onto the surrounding fiends, spraying them with a smattering of bullets from her machine gun. "No more Mr. Nice Guy!" she yelled, shoving her way through the insects and blasting those that were too foolish not to move point-blank with her gun. A few of them managed to score her armor, but thankfully her outfit came with much more protective padding than Braska's loaned gift of travel clothes had. Ignoring the small scratches she earned, she reached into her now-bulging pocket and pulled out the potion that conjured itself into her possession. It wasn't enough to save Jecht, but if she gambled right… "Not knowing is the fun part!" she smirked, dumping the potion over the small lump of metal in her hand before lobbing it at Jecht."… Rikku!" she heard Auron yell in confusion, and then the rosette hit Jecht's chest and exploded into a corona of light.It was better than she could have hoped for. Jecht’s wounds curled in on themselves and knit together with unnatural speed. His eyes flew open, full of surprise as the rosette continued to flare and disintegrate. Rapidly whirling discs of color surrounded him and burst outwards; they encompassed Auron, Braska and even herself. She noted with satisfaction that the wounds on her own body were healing at the same time the artificial speed kicked in."Woo-HOO!" she screamed, levelling her gun at a few more fiends and blasting them away. "I'm gonna show you guys how to party like only we can do it!" She charged recklessly into the enemy swarm, firing several bursts from her machine gun.Auron and Jecht doing much the same with their respective weapons; the explosive protective and regenerative properties that her unknown mix granted them swayed the tide of the battle in their favor. Bahamut landed the finishing blow on the source of their troubles, and it wasn't long before they managed to do the same to the few remaining sinscales scattered through the rubble. When it was over, the four of them stood panting amidst a circle of pyreflies and the ruins of smashed trees."Holy shit," Jecht managed to say, propping himself up on his sword. "I thought I was a goner!""Braska?" Auron asked, helping the Summoner as he sunk to the ground."… quite an experience," Braska said, pulling off his helmet. His hair was damp and matted underneath it and his skin was still a few shades paler than normal, even for him. "I'm fine, Auron." He waved the other man off and looked at Rikku. "But what happened to you?"Rikku rolled her eyes and leaned on one hip, hefting her gun onto her shoulder. A tiny voice in the back of her head whispered that she should probably disengage her garment grid and return to her normal attire, but the rest of her told that voice to shut up and stick it. Instead she opted to stare back at the other men in defiance."I made myself comfortable," she answered, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Why, you Yevonites got a problem with that?" She stared Auron down as she spoke, daring him to make a comment.Auron frowned in return, his eyes travelling to her belt, where the garment grid was still shining with energy. The sphere and the path she had manipulated to activate it glowed against the stone plate, and his brows drew together. "That is more than just a belt buckle," he observed."You catch on pretty quick for a fool," Rikku responded acerbically, and the three men stared at her in shock. "What? I just call 'em like I see 'em," she added, letting her eyes drop onto Braska. "This whole Pilgrimage is a sham, and people who believe all that junk that Yevon spews really are the fools." She did drop her head as she spoke, guilt niggling at her conscience. "Sorry, Braska," she muttered almost unwillingly. "But it's the truth!""The truth?" Auron said, his face tight with anger. "You lied to us about who you are and what you can do." His grip on his sword shifted, and he glared at her. "You've changed, and I don't think I like it."Rikku made a rude gesture in Auron's direction and shrugged. "Who cares what you think?" she fired back. "You're just another brainless follower of Yevon, as blind and stupid as the rest. I don't need you or your church's blessings!" She crossed her arms and turned up her nose. "Boy, you jerks sure have a crappy way of thanking me for saving your butts, by the way.""Hey, slow down there, Blondie!" Jecht said, towering over Rikku. "Auron ain't my favourite person in the world either. But he's right, and I’m gonna make ya pay for forcin’ me to say that. What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked."Ooh! Not you too!" Rikku fumed, clenching her fist and stalking away from him. She paced back and forth before them, angry and restless at everything she had been robbed of. Her life, her Home, her respect… everything was gone in the blink of an eye, crushed under Yevon's iron-fisted rule, and she couldn't do anything about it. It made her want to just blow stuff up.Rikku's pacing came to an abrupt halt as an obstacle presented itself in her way; with a start she realized she was face-to-face with two clear blue eyes, both of which had her trapped under their steady gaze. Braska's hands were on her shoulders; when did they get there? Her uncle, the only Summoner that had ever been truly worth saving, with the exception of Yuna, and in the end the only one they couldn't save. He was practically one of them, she thought with a guilty conscience; he was family. "Rikkma," he said. "This isn't you.""But it is me!" she protested. "It's in my eyes and my hair and my beliefs and my blood! This is who I really am!" She made a half-hearted attempt to shrug herself out of his grip.Braska shook his head, refusing to release her. "Let it go, Rikkma."Rikku blinked away the unexpected tears that rose in her eyes. "But I'm Al Bhed," she repeated stubbornly."No," Braska corrected her. "You are more."Rikku reached for her garment grid with shaking fingers and deactivated it, and when the flaring light faded, the vicious, bubbling fury disappeared with it. The bitter pride and the sadness that had brought it about didn't, though, and she let herself crumple against him in exhaustion, sobbing out her loss.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The light of the fire flickered brightly in the center of their makeshift camp. Though it was warm and cheerful, it couldn't completely banish the ponderous silence of the surrounding forest creeping in at the edges of the light.Rikku chose to sit further away from the crackling blaze than the others; the cool night air didn't bother her, and she wanted to enjoy the silent forest for just a little longer. The real beauty of Macalania only came out in the deepest of night, under the light of the cold moon and the pyreflies which drifted aimlessly through the trees. The forest glittered, its crystal and water turned into precious metals by the evening’s darkness, and its pyreflies fallen stars from the heavens.One drifted very close to Rikku's face, and she reached out and wrapped her hand around it. A moment later it passed through her palm and continued floating away into the night. It was hard to believe that the beautiful, tiny point of light was the cause of so much danger in the otherwise peaceful forest."So tell me about the spheres," Jecht said, and she turned to face him.He had followed her out to the low trunk she was leaning against after they made camp; he wanted to thank her for saving his life, but she knew it was also in part because of Auron's behavior. The other man was still furious and hadn't so much as glanced in her direction, much less spoken a word since they'd decided to retire for the evening. She was grateful for Jecht's attempt to smooth things over, but not in the mood for his usual jokes. Thankfully, he seemed to understand that."What do you want to know about them?" she asked, taking a blank recording sphere out of her pouch and throwing it at Jecht. He caught it and turned it around in his hands, inspecting the glowing liquid trapped in its interior."Braska says they're made here," he said, holding it to his ear and shaking it. "So it's filled with water or somethin'?""It's not really water-water," Rikku noted. She pointed at a tiny stream trickling by their feet; one of many winding their way towards the lakes that pooled in the deep forest. "Memories can be trapped here, captured and reflected by the crystal water. That's why people sometimes go into the woods to harvest it and make spheres."Jecht was now squatting by the stream and dipping his fingers into it. He sniffed them and turned back to Rikku. "Don't smell different from normal water," he noted. He licked his fingers and then shrugged. "Don't taste different either.""It's purer than normal water," Rikku corrected him. "Otherwise I'd be really grossed out that you just licked the ground like that. Honestly, I bet your fingers are grubbier than anything in that stream though." She smirked and Jecht made a half-hearted rude gesture at her."Everyone's a comedian," Jecht grumbled. Then he scratched his head. "So… why ain't there more people here if this water is so damn special? Those spheres we bought in Bevelle cost an arm and a leg! In Zanarkand people would be all over this stuff if we could sell it for that much.""Well, besides the fiends, there's another problem," Rikku explained. "It's a risky job. I'd rather go diving for machina than collect sphere water."Jecht stood up and flicked a few droplets of water at her. "What other problem? I don't see why we can't just bottle this stuff up while we're here and sell it at the next town. We'd be rich!"Rikku shook her head. "That isn't the purest water, the one you can make spheres out of. You have to go diving in one of the lakes to get the really good stuff."Jecht thumped his chest. "Divin'? You forget I'm a Blitzball pro already? That's kid stuff!""It's not the diving that's the problem," Rikku answered, rolling her eyes. "The deeper you go, the purer it gets. Really pure water can conduct memories the best. That's why no one ever wants to work as a harvester. You have to face your own memories.""What's so bad about that?" Jecht asked, shrugging his shoulders.Rikku nibbled on her lip. "You'd probably see things. Things that are - important - to you down there. You can't work as a harvester if you have too many regrets. You might drown." She didn't elaborate on the why; Jecht didn't need to know that most water harvesters didn't drown by accident. He also didn't need to know that no one in Spira lived without regret. Sin touched everyone's lives, whether directly or indirectly. Only people who were strong enough to resist the temptation of their own memories and desires could collect water. The job became addicting all too quickly, and a high mortality rate accompanied it. In Macalania Forest, regrets could kill almost as effectively as Sin did."It's just a bad idea, alright?" she finished. "Promise me you won't try it.""Fine," Jecht muttered. "I still say we're passin' up a golden opportunity here.""There'll be others." Rikku curled her legs under herself and rested her chin on her knees. She noticed Jecht's quick glance back towards the campfire and gave him a reassuring smile. "Go on," she told him. "I'll be fine out here.""You sure?" Jecht asked. " 'Cause I can knock some sense into his head if ya want."Rikku shook her head. "I'll take a rain check on that," she told him with a devilish grin. "But it's okay for now. Get back there and have your dinner or something.""Okay. But if you don't come back soon, I ain't savin' you any," he added.Rikku stuck her tongue out at his retreating back, then returned her gaze to the trees. She wasn't hungry anyway; her stomach was still twisted into tense knots. "I'm so out of place here." Relaxing, she rested her head against her arms. She mused over what she had told Jecht, her eyes drifting towards the little stream that ran by her feet. It was a sliver of platinum against the dark ground, radiant and beautiful.Most Al Bhed wouldn't even enter Macalania Forest; it was reviled almost as much as the Farplane. The memory-water was the reason; it was as cruel as the pyreflies in flaying open a person's innermost heart. The strange liquid was achingly pure, free of any sediment to cloud its revelations. Everything in the forest was like that: clean, smooth and polished, even the fiends. It was the opposite of what made the Al Bhed who they were. Her people were gritty, sandy and rough, only comfortable in muddy waters that was as dirty as they were. The water in Macalania was too perfect, just a little too sweet and cold. This was Braska's kind of water, not hers.With a sigh, Rikku pushed off from the trunk and made her way back towards the camp. Hungry or not, free food was never something to be turned down. Auron didn't acknowledge her return, though Braska gave her a quick nod and Jecht threw a spit of something roasted at her. She sat down and nibbled at the food, trying to catch up on the conversation Jecht and Braska were having."So those were just pieces of it?" Jecht asked.Braska nodded. "Yes. Sin always returns for its children. That is why it is our duty to remove them as quickly as possible." He laughed and shook his head. "Though this was not quite how I imagined my first battle with an aeon would occur…""Sin can strike anywhere, at any time," Auron interrupted tersely. "The question is what it was doing in Macalania Forest in the first place. It doesn't seem to be travelling towards Bevelle. It might have been heading for the Thunder Plains or the Calm Lands, but there aren't any large settlements to destroy in either area." His voice was low and smooth, but Rikku could hear the tension underneath his words; he was still angry.Rikku set aside her half-eaten stick of roast, passing it onto Jecht when he gestured. Auron was still miraculously ignoring her despite the fact that she was sitting across from him. He hadn't bothered to look at her since she transformed, and Rikku couldn't really say that she blamed him. She studied him over the firelight, knowing that his stubbornness would prevent her from being caught staring. I was ready to shoot him earlier because of that stupid dressphere, she thought with a pang of guilt. She knew Auron hated being lied to, and being caught in such a huge, noticeable lie made her feel awkward and deeply embarrassed. It was as though she let him down somehow - which was stupid, really, because he was the one who had done all the lying when they first met, with that whole thing about being dead.She scowled at him in annoyance. So maybe he hadn't been lying; they'd never bothered to ask him to clarify that crack Seymour took about his dead-guy smell. And it was no wonder he wanted to keep it a secret - the Unsent were universally despised in Spira as harbingers of discord and destruction, usually for good reason. But a lie by omission was still a lie in Rikku's book, so in her opinion he was just as bad as she was. Auron probably wouldn't have agreed with her logic if he could hear the argument she was having in her head. He wasn’t paying her enough attention to talk at all, though."Sin must have passed here not long ago." Braska was speaking now. Rikku turned her attention onto the Summoner; freed of his heavier outer robe and helmet, he looked younger and frailer than normal. Creases of weariness wrinkled the corners of his eyes, but despite that he appeared to be calm and peaceful. It was as if seeing one of his Guardians pull out a secret Al Bhed weapon and then subsequently being insulted by said Guardian was an ordinary, everyday occurrence. She didn't understand why Braska didn't seem to be as upset with her as Auron was. She had, after all, called him a Yevonite too. And he was, sort of, despite being an outcast from the official church. But Braska was still a Summoner, and in Rikku's mind that was even more clergic than being a Warrior Monk. Wait, is clergic even a real word? she wondered. Well, it was now."… Guadosalam." Braska was still speaking with the others; they were trying to determine Sin's destination."What?" she said in shock, snapping out of her brooding silence. "But it can't! The Farplane is there!" A flutter of panic caused her heart to hammer against her ribcage. She had never heard of Sin attacking the Farplane before, but that was no guarantee that it wasn't possible. The Farplane would always exist in Spira, no matter what havoc Sin might wreck. But that didn't mean that the city built around it couldn't be razed. And if the city was destroyed, her chance to visit the Farplane would be destroyed along with it. "It just can't!" she blurted out.Jecht scratched his head and picked at his teeth with the crystalline spit. Smacking his gums together, he raised an eyebrow. "What's a Farplane?""Something the Al Bhed have no respect for or belief in," Auron answered him, still ignoring Rikku.Rikku winced. "The Farplane is where the souls of the dead go to find peace, if they don't become fiends. It's one of the most important places in the entire world, everybody knows that." She glared at Auron. "Even the Al Bhed!""Hmph," Auron replied.Jecht grimaced and ducked his head as both ends of the clipped argument were fired in his direction. "Keep me outta this," he said, raising his hands in self-defense. "If you two are gonna argue, do it with each other. I ain't your personal blitzball."Rikku rolled her eyes and focused her attention on Braska instead. Some things were more important than fighting with Auron, and getting back home was one of them. "We have to go there! We have to see if they're okay!" Before Braska could reply, Auron interrupted her. Though he felt fit to give her the cold shoulder, he wasn't so receptive to being ignored either."Absolutely not! We're here on Pilgrimage, not to sightsee!" he snarled.Braska sighed and shook his head. "Auron, calm down. I hardly think stopping by a city recently ravaged by Sin could be considered vacationing. It is also a Summoner's duty to perform the Sending when required."Rikku smirked and stuck her tongue out at Auron, who only glowered at the fire."… but Auron is right," Braska continued, and Rikku's grin faded. "Rikkma, Guadosalam is too far out of the path of our Pilgrimage.” He sighed and rubbed a palm over his face. “Even if the city has been attacked, they would only accept our help grudgingly. Yevon’s influence is still weak among the Guado. We can serve them best by continuing forward and defeating what Sinspawn we find left in forest.""But - but -" Rikku stuttered, and this time it was Auron's turn to smirk. She ground her teeth and stared into the bright fire; it looked like an expeditious return to her own time wasn’t going to be happening. "It's just wrong!" she grumbled."The Summoner has made his decision. Accept it or withdraw from this Pilgrimage." Auron's voice was cutting. Leave it to him to kick her while she was down.Rikku blinked and looked up from the fire to meet his eyes, her own hurt and anger mixing with the guilt. Seething, she opened her mouth to try and deliver a blow that would humiliate him as much as he had made her hurt, and the best she could come up with was - "Maybe I will!"The group fell quiet as Rikku and Auron entered yet another staring contest - we seem to do that more than we converse with each other - and then the tension broke as Braska shot to his feet."Stop it, both of you." Braska didn't sound upset, but the usual levity in his tone was absent, and his command fell on them like an executioner's axe. They were both guilty and sentenced, with five simple words.Rikku broke away, flushing; she didn't dare chance a peek at Auron to see what his reaction was, but from his uncomfortable shuffling it seemed he was similarly cowed by Braska's disapproval. Instead, she snuck a glance at Braska. To her surprise, he looked troubled, rather than angered, and his attention was focused on her."Rikkma, I want you to walk with me," he said."My lord, the Sinspawn -" Auron protested, reaching for his sword and springing to his feet.Braska moved to Rikku's side and grasped her arm, helping her stand. "I will be fine, Auron," he replied, his voice brokering no argument. "Stay with Jecht." He pulled her away from the warm ring of firelight and deeper into the forest, and the last Rikku saw of the camp was Auron’s jaw twitching as he slammed his sword back into the ground.She turned to look at Braska, who hadn't released her arm as he picked his way through the crystalline forest. His silence was unnerving, and Rikku licked her lips and tried to come up with a comfortable way to start the conversation. "So…" she began, hoping he would fill the pregnant pause.Braska said nothing and led her deeper into the forest. It was only when he was satisfied that they were far away enough from their camp that he released her arm. The small clearing they had entered was surrounded by a dense crystalline thicket on all sides and housed a wide, shallow lake. Pyreflies drifted over the surface of the water and mingled with the reflection of the stars overhead. Rikku thought it was almost beautiful enough to forget that her Summoner had dragged her out there for the purpose of chastising her."Sit," Braska told her, and though it was a command, he didn't say it unkindly. When she was settled comfortably at the water's edge, he joined her and fell into another brooding silence.Rikku held her breath and didn't even dare fidget; the last thing she wanted to do was upset Braska any more than she already had. The guilt at having thrown a horrible insult his way while under the influence of her dressphere was eating at her, and she was almost looking forward to his punishment as much as she dreaded it. Finally, atmosphere grew so heavy that Rikku cursed to herself and broke the quiet."I'm sorry!" she blurted out. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to call you that, to compare you to one of them -"Braska looked up at her, faint surprise etched on his face, which then melted into a wry half-smile. "Auron is the one you should say that to," he told her. "Though both of your behaviors leave much to be desired, Auron is hard, proud man. He would never apologize to you first. Though in this case, he does not need to," he added sternly. "It is you who initially wronged him, and therefore you who must take action to repair the damage."Rikku dropped her head in shame; this was ten times worse than being yelled at by Cid when she was caught doing something wrong. Sure, the throbbing vein in her father’s forehead and his red-flushed face was enough to inspire terror in almost anyone when he was angry. Somehow Braska's quiet reprimand felt more painful than any tongue-lashing Cid had ever dished out, though. "Yes, sir," she whispered, feeling lower than the non-existent dirt on the forest floor.Braska fell back into his silence. Rikku kept her head ducked low and stared into the water. Catching a reflection of herself against the smooth surface of a rock formation jutting outwards, she shifted her gaze to discreetly to study Braska. He hadn’t noticed she was also watching him, but she wasn’t about to tell. It was a lot easier to be on the receiving end of Braska's scrutiny when he didn't realize she was looking back. She saw rather than heard him sigh, and then braced herself as he opened his mouth once more."I gather that it was quite an interesting transformation you performed back there," he said, attempting a casual tone. "I wish I could have witnessed it for myself."Rikku canted her head in confusion. It didn't sound like he was trying to punish her for insulting Auron. In fact, it sounded like he was trying to lighten the mood. Too bad she was still feeling heavier than Wakka during the second half of a Blitzball game. Which brought back memories of Wakka and Lulu and oh machina she was never going get to see Vidina grow up - Rikku took a deep, shaky breath and forced herself to calm down. "You were a little busy.""Yes… I am very grateful that you managed to save Jecht's life with that tool of yours. We all are." Rikku kept her head lowered, and Braska's encouraging smile faltered. Then it returned, wider and even more determined than before. "Is it the latest Al Bhed invention?" he prodded. Rikku gave a half-hearted nod, and Braska continued doggedly. "Did you create it yourself?"Watching his reflection waiting for her response, patient and hopeful, Rikku had to give him credit. Braska was tenacious, and he seemed determined to pull her out of her depressive funk. Resisting his attempts to draw her into more pleasant conversation was causing her almost as much guilt as starting the argument with Auron, and so she gave up without much struggle."Uh-uh," Rikku said, looking up and meeting his eyes. "Actually, I don't even know how it really works," she admitted. "I got it as a gift from a friend of mine, he's the real genius. I just use it!"Braska laughed, a surprisingly pleasant sound which echoed into the tinkling crystal forest. "Forgive me," he said, still smiling at her. "But I happen to know that this is how most Al Bhed inventions function. It often seems to me that the discoveries made by your people are more a matter of luck than knowledge.""Hey! Our machina is perfectly safe! Most of the time," she mumbled with a pout, which only caused Braska to laugh even louder."You must excuse me once more," he managed to say, "I mean no offense… by all means, please continue with your machina experiments. I would advise you not to reveal your scientific method, however - you’ll whittle away at what little Jecht has left of Auron’s composure.” His good humor was infectious, and Rikku felt her dark mood being chased away as she giggled in agreement.After a moment their laughter died out, and Braska eyed her belt with curiosity. "Tell me, though. Are you quite sure that it is not dangerous?""Not really," Rikku said. "You know what they say. Risk big win big! " Braska didn't look very happy at her declaration, so she grinned and winked at him. “Relax! I’ve been using it for over three years now and nothing bad's ever happened before. I'm pretty sure it's safe." Noticing Braska's curious glance, she decided on a whim to unhook her belt and slid it off of her waist, offering it to him. "It's okay, you can touch it. It's called a garment grid, and it works by sticking spheres into the holes." She pointed as she spoke, displaying the paths and the nodes on the grid. "The grid itself has a little magic in it, but what it can do really depends on the spheres you load into it.""Just ordinary recording spheres?" Braska asked, studying the grid."Yeah," Rikku said. "It summons the memories of the things recorded in the spheres and transforms you into a different person. Sort of. It's kinda hard to explain," she said. "You're still you , you're just… different.""I see," Braska said slowly. "Amazing. So who did it transform you into?"Rikku blushed and bit her lip. "Well, that's the thing. I call that one the Alchemist and I, uh, well, I sorta made that sphere myself.” She winced at Braska's open look of surprise."Then why in Spira did it change your personality so?" he asked, bemused.Rikku sighed and fidgeted nervously. "Well, I filled that sphere with memories of Home. I don't know, I guess it sort of overwhelmed me." She gave Braska a weak smile. "I miss being surrounded by people who understand and accept me. I miss my friends and my family. I miss not being able to go back," she told him. Just another little white lie, cloaked in generous wrapping of truth."I think I understand," Braska replied. Then, fingering the sphere she had touched, he gave her a cautious smile. "Would you mind if I viewed…"Rikku paled immediately and shook her head. "No! " she shouted at him. Then, embarrassed, she tried to salvage something from her outburst. "It's, uh, personal. I like to keep those memories to myself," she explained. Yeah… and you'd totally freak if you saw me working with Father too, she thought.Braska looked mortified - he’d assumed he’d crossed some sort of personal boundary that just didn’t exist, Rikku realized. She instantly felt horrible. He was only trying to help cheer her up; her yell had given him the appearance of a kicked puppy."Ah, well then…" he said, holding the belt out towards her, his tone apologetic.Rikku stared at it, and then snapped her fingers. "I know!" she said. "You can do something better than watching the sphere. Why don't you test it out yourself?"Braska froze and stared at her as if she had gone mad. "What?"Rikku gave him a reassuring smile and pushed the belt back towards him. "Seriously! Try it on! I already told you, it's perfectly safe. It's only fair, since you missed out on watching me use it." Despite her reassurances, Braska still looked uncertain, so Rikku stuck out her lower lip and sulked. "Aww, come on, don't you trust me?"And that was the question. Silence fell as Braska continued to stare at the belt, and Rikku struggled to hold her hand steady. It wasn't so much that the belt was heavy; more that the weight of the challenge she had thrown out to Braska both surprised and scared her. She hadn't been planning on testing him when she made her offer, it just sort of tumbled out as she realized the import of her question too late. She held her breath and prayed; not you too, Braska. It's bad enough with Auron already. To her great relief, Braska smiled at her, trusting and open as he lifted the belt out of her grasp. Rikku nearly cried with relief when she saw that smile; Yuna's little smile that could convince her to do anything, even become a Guardian. It was just as potent coming from the original source. After removing his own thickly embroidered belt, Braska sucked in his breath and clasped her garment grid closed over his robes. He chuckled after ensuring it was secure; Rikku could barely contain her own grin."Auron will never forgive either of us if he finds out," Braska said to her mischievously."Then we just won't tell him!" Rikku laughed, feeling the tension ease out of her muscles. She took another long look at Braska. "Wow! You actually fit into my belt," she snickered. "You look so pudgy underneath all those robes, it's kind of hard to believe you're as skinny as me!""That's because I'm not," Braska admitted with a slight wheeze. "I think I'll be able to manage without passing out, though," he added, settling the belt as best he could around his waist.Rikku helped Braska to his feet with a sullen pout. "Yeah, well it isn't fair. I see how much you eat, and you're still as skinny as a twig! Do you know how many girls would kill to have a body like yours?""Not quite as many who would come after you, I imagine," Braska replied smoothly, and Rikku flushed and realized he was still holding on to her hand. Extracting her palm from his grip, she cleared her throat. "Well, let me explain a few things first," she said. "Did you feel that little tickle when you put it on?"Braska nodded, looking down at the belt. "Yes. Strange, it almost felt like… being hit by a mild thunder spell," he mused. "I can feel it still, inside of me, as though it's waiting to be released.""That's the grid supplying you with black magic," Rikku explained, grinning at Braska's look of surprise. "I can't actually cast much more than the basic elemental spells," she admitted with a bit of shame."But I thought you told Auron that you had high-level abilities. And I could have sworn I saw the remnants of a gravity spell…" Braska prodded."I know what I told Auron," Rikku said, cringing under the open admission of another lie. "But that's where the grid comes in! I can cast almost anything when I'm wearing it. It's just not me doing the casting, see?""No, not really," Braska admitted."Oh… here, it's just easier to show you," Rikku said in exasperation. She spun around the clearing, finally selecting a large tree trunk near the pond and pointing at it. "Just cast a Fire spell at that," she said.Braska shook his head. "I'm a healer, Rikkma, not a warrior mage. I cannot cast elemental spells."Rikku stomped her foot and pointed at the trunk again. "Don't think about it, just point and cast! You just have to feel like you want to do it and grid will take care of the rest."Braska hesitated, looking from her to the target. He stretched his arm out towards it and a small crease appeared in his brow, but nothing happened. Rikku shook her head. "Just believe," she insisted.He opened his mouth, and the words slipped out almost as quickly as the surprise on his face. The familiar-looking casting glow surrounded him, and Rikku smiled in approval. Her smile froze as a massive explosion hit the trunk with so much force it made the ground quake. The blast of the spell broke off many of the larger branches and shattered them, spraying broken shards several feet up into the air. A shocked silence fell between Summoner and Guardian as tiny bits of crystal pattered around them like rain, dusting their heads with silvery powder.Rikku managed to close her mouth before she inhaled too much of it, and then turned to Braska. His own eyes looked as wide as hers felt. "What was that?" she screeched when she could find her voice again. "I told you to cast a Fire spell at it. A Fire spell!"At least Braska had the sense to look apologetic. "I thought I might try a Firaga," he said with a weak grin. "I… ah… wasn't expecting such a violent reaction."Rikku gaped. "That wasn't just a Firaga, that was more like a meteor meltdown!" She thought back to Shinra’s explanation of the magic grids: that a person's innate casting abilities could also have an affect on the grid’s own power. And Braska evidently had an impressive amount of magic power to spare."I think I understand how your grid works now," Braska coughed."You know, maybe you should look into learning some black magic on your own," Rikku muttered, trying to cover her jealousy. "Considering how much of a punch you can pack, you'd kick some serious butt!"Braska's face clouded, and he shook the crystalline powder out of his robes. "I do not think I will have the time," he admitted.The smile faded from Rikku's face. "Don't say that," she murmured, feeling their brief interlude of happiness slipping away."… why don't you tell me how these spheres work?" Braska gave her a hopeful smile; Rikku guessed she wasn't the only one not ready to return to their grim duties as Summoner and Guardian just then."Umm," Rikku hummed in agreement, moving closer. "I'm going to activate the Alchemist dressphere for you, that's the one I was using earlier." She reached for the belt and Braska tensed. "Don't be afraid," she reassured him. "You'll still be yourself. Just… with a little Al Bhed flair!" She waited until he gave her a curt nod, and then ran a finger over the sphere, activating the node and then stepping back.Light filled the clearing, but disappeared in a flash; Braska didn't even have time to grunt in surprise before the change overtook him. It was quite a sight, considering how thick and loose-fitting his normal attire was. Dressphere transformations tended to occur with a flair for drama, and with his many-layered robe whipping and glowing around him Braska's transformation was definitely operatic. For a few brief seconds, he looked like some strange, crystalline spirit conjured by the forest itself. Then the transformation was complete, and Braska was standing before her, only different. And how different! Rikku swallowed. Yes, it was Braska in front of her, but he was no longer standing. He was slouching in a very un-Braska-like way, arrogant, with an uncharacteristic smirk on his face that could have rivalled one of Jecht's. Gone were the loose, flowing robes, and in its place was typical Al Bhed battle gear, form-fitting and covering him from head to toe. There was even a pair of goggles holding back his long brown hair. That and his piercing blue eyes were the only things that gave away the fact that he wasn't Al Bhed. Those eyes were in the process of appraising her with newfound interest. Rikku felt herself staring and tried to remind herself that he was Yuna's dad. Yuna's apparently very hot dad, underneath all those robes. No wonder aunt Raenn ran away with him. "So how do I look?" Braska's voice was calm; despite his shocking physical appearance, his attitude was much more laid-back and relaxed than her own. Still, there was something less reserved about his movements as he sauntered over to pond and took in his own reflection.Rikku managed to tear her eyes away from his finely muscled backside and give herself a huge mental backhand. Braska! It's uncle Braska, she chanted to herself, holding her head and shaking it. She looked up and noticed Braska watching her reaction with a self-conscious frown; that helped ease her mind somewhat. The dressphere might have seemed to change him, but he was still a far cry from being as over-confident as most travelling Al Bhed needed to be."Fantastic," Rikku reassured him. "Better than I thought you'd look," she admitted, joining his side and staring at his reflection in the pool. Then she elbowed him in the ribs with a sly grin. "I mean, wow. This really should be the new fashion trend for all the guys in Spira. Think about it, Jecht might actually stop scaring people away if he tried it out!"Braska grinned and nudged her back with his own elbow. "This, and excommunication from the Church of Yevon," he added.Rikku only rolled her eyes upwards. "It's not as bad as you think, you know. You should try it. It’s freeing .""I think I'll pass," Braska answered, squatting. Rikku had to suppress a giggle at the incongruity of it all; people like Braska didn't squat , they gracefully folded. Though she had to admit he did make squatting look good."You find my appearance that amusing?" Braska asked with an easy smile. "Then you are a liar, even if a kind one."Rikku crouched down next to him. "Sometimes people need a little white lie, you know?" The grin froze when she noticed Braska reaching out for her; he grabbed one of her dangling braids and slipped it through his palms, letting his fingers twirl around a glass bead."You have beautiful hair," he told her, playing with the braid. Silence settled as he waited for her to respond to his advance; it stretched thin when she didn’t. His fingers stilled around the bead, and his face was open as he gazed at her. "I don't even know why I'm telling you this," he stated, almost apologetic. Rikku leaned away from him and he released her hair."I do," she told him. "It's the dressphere. It lets you do things you normally couldn't. Or wouldn’t."Braska sat back on his heels, looking thoughtful. "You're right," he admitted. "I think I understand now. I feel so free... willing to say things I would normally prefer to keep to myself." He gave her a sidelong glance. "However..."Rikku swallowed again and couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes a second time."This... costume ... it doesn't change the way you really feel, does it? It simply makes those feelings stronger.""... yeah." Rikku kept her head down, and Braska continued to look at her. She twitched and felt sweat beading on the back of her neck. "I'm not her," she said, her voice low. "I'm not your wife.""I know," Braska replied. More silence followed. Then he took a deep breath. "You should know that Auron..." He paused, but Rikku's head had already snapped up to watch him at the mention of the other man's name. Braska looked disturbed, as though he was wrestling with himself. Finally, he sighed and continued. "... is many things. Angry, and flawed in his own way. But he is not what you think.""What do you mean?" Rikku asked, watching him closely.Braska smiled, a faint flash of pain marring his features. "He is no more a Yevonite than I am. Auron is angry because he is still lost. This Pilgrimage... it gives him purpose and duty. I fear sometimes that it is all he has. Auron needs something to believe in, now that Yevon has abandoned him."Rikku was surprised by the information Braska provided. She thought back on everything she knew about Auron, and his conversation with Kinoc came to her mind. "... You mean that whole thing about how he got passed up for his promotion?"Braska looked surprised that she knew, but then gave her a slow nod. "He is a still a Warrior Monk in name." Then his gaze grew sharp and knowing. "But a name can hide many things, can't it, Rikk-u-ma."Rikku grew very quiet, unable to answer him. Braska didn't press her; instead, she heard him deactivating the dressphere. A moment later, she turned her head and saw that he was offering her the belt."You should speak with him," Braska told her. "Auron respects you, and the manner in which you hurt him was unfair. He is handling it in the only way he knows how: with anger."Rikku stared at the belt in her hands, not quite seeing it. "I hurt him? I didn't think I could, not like that." Braska didn't reply at first; he stood, hiding his face in the lengthening shadows."We should return to the others," he told her in his usual gentle lilt; calm and peaceful, a voice that gave away nothing of what he might have been feeling or thinking.Tottering to her feet, Rikku re-attached the belt around her waist. When she looked up, he was moving away from her, drifting back towards the general direction of their camp. "Hey, Braska," she called out to him in a small voice. He looked back; though his face was as smooth as the crystalline lake, she knew it would only take the slightest of disturbances to ripple through his calm demeanor. "Why are you helping me like this?" she asked. "With Auron, I mean. When, you know..." She gestured at him.Braska smiled and looked away. "Because you are not Raenn," he replied. Then he hesitated. "Because I would never allow the desire for an impossible dream to interfere with those which I can reach." He paused. "Speak with Auron. He will need your strength for this journey." Then Braska resumed his slow path back towards the camp, and after a moment of thoughtful silence, Rikku followed him.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
When they arrived back at the camp, Rikku noted with surprise that Jecht and Auron were talking to one another, rather than arguing or sniping as they usually did. Even more surprising was seeing Auron’s Jug of Jolly Jiggers in Jecht’s hands.Jecht took an exceptionally long swig from the jug, then belched. He tried to hand it back to Auron, but the other man eyed him with a hint of disgust and refused, pushing it back."Keep it for now," Auron grumbled. "I'll have it disinfected at the next temple.""Prig," Jecht muttered. He lifted his hand in a lazy greeting towards Rikku and Braska and raised his eyebrows. "You two back already?""Yes," Braska said; he smiled as though nothing interesting had occurred in the last half-hour, and Rikku marvelled at his acting skills. Braska noticed Rikku's scrutiny and tilted his head; she could see the message he was delivering beneath his placid expression. Speak with Auron. It wasn't a request. "So, Jecht," he said said, seating himself near the fire. "How much do you know about the Guado?"Auron looked nonplussed at Braska's interruption of his conversation, and Rikku took the opportunity to sit down next to him. She continued to wriggle and scoot herself over until her thigh was touching the edge of his red overcoat. Try and ignore that, buster, she thought with a smirk.Auron glanced down, then pushed himself up and strode to the edge of the firelight. He leaned against one of the thicker trees, crossing his arms. On anyone else it might have looked like a hasty withdrawal; he, however, managed to make the change of position seem like an attempt to better guard their camp. Rikku: two, Auron: two bazillion, she groaned. Then, gathering her courage, she leapt to her feet. Auron met her eyes and frowned. Before she could reach his side and accuse him of avoiding her, he was already moving, disappearing into the shadowy forest.Rikku rolled her eyes and set out after him, quickening her pace to keep up with his long strides. Auron's getaway might have been successful if he bothered to employ the stealth that she knew he was capable of; instead, he stomped through the crystal, creating a path of destruction that even a half-blind bunyip could follow. Considering the violence of his retreat, Rikku thought it best to concern herself with avoiding the splinters rather than trying to stop him. After a while he slowed down, and Rikku took a moment to absorb their surroundings.It wasn't as quiet or peaceful as the small pond Braska had brought her to. There was nothing vaguely romantic about the dark, intimidating forest surrounding them; there was no good place to sit and have a talk, and it wasn't even pleasant to look at considering Auron had ruined half of the scenery just to get there. She resettled her eyes on the back of his red coat and waited."Go away," Auron said, not bothering to face her."I can't." Rikku dipped her head and scuffed at the ground. "And I'm not sure if I want to."She looked up and saw that he had turned and was now gifting her with the full intensity of his glare. "You make more noise than a shoopuf in a glass cage."Rikku's mouth dropped open. "Hello? Excuse me, but did you just forget how we even got here?" She made a flamboyant gesture at the crumbled path behind her."Despite that I still heard you following me." Auron scowled. Rikku guessed his complaint was sparked more by disgust with himself for listening for her rather than any clumsiness on her part."I hope you're a better Guardian than you are a thief," he added with spite."Ouch." That was a cheap shot! It wasn’t any cheaper than the ones she’d fired at him while in her Alchemist dressphere, though. Swallowing her pride, Rikku lowered her eyes. "I guess I deserved that.""Hnn," Auron huffed with an air of superiority, and Rikku decided that her pride didn't taste all that great anyway and needed to be regurgitated."... I know how to be a good Guardian!" she snapped. "I learned from the best."Auron raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You, an Al Bhed, have been on a Pilgrimage before? Let me guess, you even helped defeat Sin once. If you're going to lie to me anyway, why not make it interesting?"Rikku's nervous sway slowed and she tried to ignore what felt like a punch to her gut. "I didn't follow you to talk about being a Guardian!""Then why did you come here?" Auron asked. "That’s all we have in common."Rikku shook her head. "No it's not!"Another humorless smile graced his face. "So then you admit to sharing traits with a Yevonite? " His voice dripped with sarcasm.Rikku winced, but held her ground. "I know you're not a Yevonite." Inhale, you can do this Rikku. It's just an angry Auron. He'll make sure your death is quick and painless. "I - was out of line. I'm sorry for insulting you and Braska like that."The ferocity of Auron's glare was unchanged despite her apology; he didn't trust her. Well, no wonder, but it still hurt."I mean it!"Auron managed to look away, his jaw working as he ground his teeth together. Then, brows furrowing, he nodded at her. "Very well."The wind blew. A dangling shard of crystal hanging off one of the destroyed trees succumbed to gravity and broke off. The tinkle it made as it shattered filled the awkward lull in their conversation."That's it?" Rikku said, flabbergasted. She expected something more dramatic to happen for some reason. Something involving a lot of yelling and perhaps a few pointy edges and most definitely a confrontation. Instead, Auron was accepting her apology too easily. "You mean I just snap my fingers and you forgive me?" she prodded. If there was one thing she had learned, it was that something that seemed too good to be true usually was.Auron shrugged, the annoyed tilt of his eyebrows remaining fixed. "I can't have you disrupting the group. We need to focus on our duties as Guardians if we want Braska's journey to be successful, and I’ll have enough troubles babysitting Jecht as it is. I don’t have the time or patience to deal with you, too."Rikku felt something unpleasant churning in her stomach. It struggled its way up her lungs, growing uglier by the second. Finally it burned her throat, connecting in a sharp, pounding headache between her eyes and spilling out through her lips. Auron thought she and Jecht were problems to be dealt with , not Guardians."I don't need to be babysat and neither does he!"Auron turned away from her. "Hnn," he said again, and Rikku wished she had an Auron primer to translate all of his monosyllabic grunts into a comprehensible language."I get that you're mad!" Rikku told him. "I lied to you, okay? I admit it, I lied, and it was a big fat whopper, too. I can't cast all that much black magic and I don't use my daggers to fight unless it's an emergency. Stealing and tooling armor are the only things I can do well on my own. I just… I didn’t want you to know and judge me, okay? It’s hard enough being Al Bhed in the first place!"Auron recoiled at her outburst, as though she had physically slapped him with that much honesty. The surprise registered on his face proved he wasn’t expecting it from her; that disappointed Rikku more than anything else. Being who he was, of course, Auron recovered from his shock and levelled her with a cool glare."A confession, now?" he observed. "I don't want to be your priest, nor do I want to be your nanny." He shook his head with a look of weary disbelief. "Rikku. You spin so many falsehoods that I sometimes wonder if there's any truth left in you at all.""I'm not lying this time, honest!" She winced at her choice of words and ignored Auron's pointed look. "I really do want to protect Braska. And..." She trailed off, her resolve wavering despite her uncle's unspoken order."And?" he said impatiently."... I didn't mean to hurt you."Auron stiffened and his face closed; whereas he had been at least registering anger before, now he was unreadable. And then, he spoke."Presumptuous, to assume your actions would do anything other than offend me." He paused before continuing with narrowed eyes. "But I warned you to be careful with Braska.""Well I'm not talking about how Braska feels right now! I didn't want to hurt you ," Rikku repeated, trying to catch his eye. She did, and huffed in frustration when he didn't respond, throwing them into yet another staring contest. She was considering blinking rapidly just to add a little variety to it when he answered her."Why?""Why what?" Rikku echoed.Auron's exasperated sigh cut through the air. Well, it wasn't quite the smile she’d been hoping for, but considering his cold shoulder from before, any emotion was progress. "Why didn't you tell me about your weapon?" Auron said, clipping off each word to make sure she understood him.Rikku fingered her garment grid. "It's not a weapon.""Fine, your armor," Auron shot back."It's not armor either! It's... more complicated than that." She didn't want to explain the garment grid in detail; it had already produced an unexpected result in Braska, and she was beginning to worry about the effect Shinra's ingenious invention might be having on the rest of the Pilgrimage."Complicated?" Auron moved towards her and eyed the belt. "I have never in my travels encountered anything like that before. Is it a new secret the Al Bhed are developing to fight Sin?" Rikku didn't answer, and his face pulled into a mild frown. "Is that thing the reason you're an exile?"Rikku grabbed one of her braids and played with it. “Well, you see… it’s complicated.”Auron waited for an explanation that never came. “Isn’t it always with you,” he growled to himself. Her unwillingness to elaborate led him to make what he thought was the obvious conclusion. "You stole it and now you're running."“Bite me!” Rikku yelled before she could stop herself. Her temper flared; if she had any doubts about what he thought of her, that certainly cleared the air. He was close by, and she was taller than before, so if she spun quickly enough, there was a good chance that her elbow might connect with his nose before he could dodge - Bad Rikku! Hitting Auron won't solve any of your problems, it'll just make you feel better... until he hits back! Shaking her head, Rikku focused on less dangerous outlets for her annoyance."I didn't steal it! This was a gift, for your information." Auron didn't look convinced, but Rikku continued anyway. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to use it at all," she admitted. "I know... I already told you all about my fabulous skills, huh. I guess it was pretty stupid of me to think I could get by without it. I just..." She swallowed. To her surprise, Auron was still listening to her. The frown had eased off of his face, and he watched her, waiting."... Well, you know," Rikku mumbled. It was easier to get the words out afterwards, knowing that she hadn't blown all her chances with him. "Using it would be like giving up. Admitting that I can't go back anymore, for real." She held her breath, wondering if the truth would be enough, if he would understand."I see," he said.Rikku fidgeted. "Huh?""This is about Sin." He dropped his piercing gaze, his mouth twisting into a strange half-smile that looked more like a grimace. "You are damaged, just like Braska. You lost someone, too."Rikku stared at his profile, outlined by the light of the surrounding pyreflies. If she squinted, his features blurred and darkened, blending together in the shadows - almost invisible, almost hidden. It would be easy to mistake the shine highlighting his temple for a tuft of grey. She swallowed. "Yeah, you could say that."Auron shifted and Rikku jumped. "No, don't!" she pleaded. He froze at her words. "Stay like that for just a little longer, okay?"Instead of listening, he stood to his full height and moved in front of her. “Hnn. Why?” Light cut across his smooth skin and made his eyes glitter; the hard expression on his face chased away the memory of his older self.“Because you - ! Ugh, nevermind.” Be careful with Braska , he told her. Why can’t he take his own advice? Or perhaps he could ; maybe that was why he shifted when she all she wanted was for him to stay still, his all-too-familiar features tearing at the barely-scabbed wound in her heart.Auron looked at her, puzzled. “Why are you staring at me?”“You looked like someone I knew for a minute there,” Rikku told him.Auron’s curiosity dissolved into mild disapproval. “Get your head out of the clouds and stop pretending I’m someone else.”Rikku flinched. Why can’t you be a little more like your old self? He made no apology for puncturing her illusion. It was unfair, perhaps more than it would have been with anyone else. Not even the man himself could compare with the untouchable legend Rikku had created in her mind."If I could do it," Rikku said, sinking to her heels and wrapping her arms around herself. "I mean, if I had the chance to get back the person I lost, I don't know if I would anymore. I thought that's what I wanted, but now I'm not so sure." She felt a weight settle on her shoulder and realized that it was his hand. She was mesmerized by the feel of his strong fingers; their warmth seeped through her clothing, burning an imprint onto the skin below. She never remembered him being warm before."Happiness is a rare and temporary thing in Spira," he told her. "You shouldn’t feel guilty for opening your heart to your friends, no matter how brief the encounter."Rikku smirked, wondering if Auron could know how incongruous that advice was, coming from him. "Even if I knew I'd just lose that person all over again?" she asked, prodding at her own wound. "It took me five years to get over it. I don't know if I'd survive a second time."“There are no guarantees in life. There’s no such thing as a happy ending for anyone in Spira right now.” The hand on her shoulder tightened. "But you would survive." His tone was firm, rather than patronizing; he said it as though he was stating a simple fact, which left Rikku all the more confused."Auron?" she queried, daring to look at him."You are strong enough," he reassured her, filling her with hope and dread. Then he let his hand fall from her shoulder and looked away. "It's late," he said."Yeah," Rikku agreed. Neither of them moved. She focused on the undamaged portion of the forest before them, letting herself drift off in the peaceful silence. Macalania was a place of memory, not just regret. Dangerous as the waters were here, there was no denying the forest’s beauty.“Braska and Jecht are waiting for us. The longer we delay -”Rikku rolled her eyes and cut him off. “I know, I know. The more stupid jokes we’ll have to put up with from Jecht.”Auron grunted, annoyed, and Rikku giggled.“I want to stay here a little longer,” she said. “I have some thinking to do.” To her surprise, Auron only sighed and settled into a more comfortable stance. “Uhh… you don’t have to wait up for me, you know,” she added.“Hnn. As if I’d let Jecht dictate my actions. Take as long as you need, I’ll wait.”Rikku hid her grin, touched by Auron’s concern for her welfare. Even with the beauty of the surrounding forest half-ruined by his own hand, he still managed to charm her into caring about him.Maybe that was the magic of Macalania. Dangerous as it was, it forced people closer together, if just for a little while. Yuna and Tidus shared their first kiss here, after all. Together they found something to smile about, even when it seemed like there would be nothing but tears left for any of them. Of course, it was all dashed to pieces by the end. But eventually, Yuna smiled again, and more sincerely than ever before. It took awhile, but she survived. Tidus' return to Spira had been the proverbial icing on her cake; Yuna would have been capable of moving on whether he returned or not.Auron stirred, and Rikku glanced at him from the corner of her eye. She felt a bit jealous, wishing she could siphon off her cousin's strength and just forget about the man who stood at her side. Maybe that was why Shiva made this beautiful, artificial forest. To remind us to keep dreaming of better things. Looking at Auron, Rikku wondered how strong she was. "So are we friends again?" she asked him.Auron’s lips twisted into a tiny smirk. "We were friends?" But there was no malice in his voice. And was that - ? Rikku peered, wondering if her eyes were playing tricks on her. It looked almost as though his expression was melting into a genuine smile. Did she even want to hope for that much?"We should return to the camp," Auron told her gruffly. He offered her a hand, and Rikku hesitated. She slipped her palm into his, and his fingers wrapped around her and tightened. Then she was being pulled to her feet and fighting to control the broad grin on her face.
This is gonna hurt like hell.
.x.x.x.
When Rikku woke the next morning, the first sight that greeted her was Jecht, playing with the recording sphere she’d given him. She shot out of her bedroll with a jolt of surprise; the sun hadn’t yet risen. But if Jecht was already up that still meant she was late ."Why didn't you guys wake me up?" she squeaked, bundling together her things in a haphazard rush."Ah, relax, will ya?" Jecht told her, playing with the controls on the sphere, a look of intense concentration on his face. "Braska and Auron are scopin' out the place for fiends. Red told me not to wake ya.""Huh?" Rikku said, gaping. "Are you talking about the same Auron I know?"Jecht only smirked at her. "Yep. Guess he took one look at you and decided you needed all the beauty sleep you could get."" Jecht! " Rikku screeched. Then she groaned and grabbed her head. "It's too early to wake up to you in the morning.""Relax, I'm just foolin' ya," Jecht said, a trifle too contrite to be sincere. "Besides, you can stop actin' so surprised, Blondie. I already said he's got a thing for you.""No, he doesn't!" Rikku yelped, feeling her face turn bright red.Jecht paused to smirk at her. “That so? Then why d’ya look like you just been caught with your hand in the cookie jar, huh?”Rikku slapped her palms to her cheeks and glared at him. “No hands have been in anyone’s cookie jars, Jecht!”“Not even your own?” Jecht gave her a pitying look. “Man, no wonder you’re so bent outta shape.”Rikku’s mouth opened and closed a few times. “I’m… just gonna pretend you didn’t say that for my own sanity.”“I’m just sayin’ -”“ - and my supply of bullets,” she added meaningfully, but Jecht only smirked. "No really! How can you think that? We're always fighting and stuff!""Foreplay," Jecht replied, still fiddling with the sphere. He was interrupted by the tightly bundled sack of bedding that Rikku sent hurling towards his head, knocking him over. "Shit!" he yelled, nearly fumbling the sphere. "What the hell do you think you're doin'? I almost dropped it!""You - you - shaved ogre! I don't know how you managed to convince your wife to marry you, 'cause it sure wasn't for your personality!" Rikku sputtered, wishing she had a spare grenade on hand." ‘Course not! Everybody knows the women love me for my body," Jecht boasted, lifting his arm and kissing his bicep. He grinned as Rikku seethed at him. "Sorry babe, but you're gonna have to settle for the Stiff. This specimen's spoken for.""Augh! You're so full of yourself!" Rikku yelled, searching for another projectile to lob. "I'm gonna wipe that smirk off your face with... this... ahh... this stick! " She grabbed her last-minute weapon and brandished it menacingly. The mission to maim Jecht was waylaid by crunching sounds coming from the direction of the forest; Auron broke back into the camp, with Braska trailing behind him. He shook the excess crystal shards off of his boots and looked at them, not at all surprised to catch Rikku chasing after Jecht with a stick."Good, you're finally awake," he observed. "Do I want to know why you two are getting along so well this morning?"Rikku might have believed in Auron’s ill humor had he not bothered to let her sleep in. As it was, she beamed and tried to figure out how to casually dispose of her stick so she could approach him. She felt giddy and nervous, and wondered if she should act nonchalant, as though nothing had changed, or bubbly and cute to try and catch his eye. So great was her dilemma that she almost missed Jecht's next words.Never one to pass up an opportunity to needle his favorite target, Jecht opened with a promising parlay. "Well, I was just tellin' Blondie here how you got the hots for -"The stick problem relieved itself quite readily when Rikku chucked it at Jecht's head, forcing him to duck before he could finish the sentence. She turned to Auron, sure that her face was flaming red, and fumbled for words as he lifted a bemused eyebrow."Jecht and I were just talking about how hot you are!" she blurted out. Then she winced."What? " Now it was Jecht's turn to yell in chagrin, and that was almost worth her embarrassment.Auron's lips quirked, but it disappeared, only to be replaced by a disturbed expression. "Is that so," he deadpanned, turning to glare at Jecht." ‘ey! I don't swing that way!" Jecht protested."Pity," Auron grunted, and Rikku's jaw dropped. Jecht was even more shocked; he lost a few shades of tan on the spot. Recovering when Braska began to laugh, he stomped over to the smoldering fire pit to fiddle with his sphere in a sullen funk."Auron!" Braska said, joining them. "Did you just make another joke? You had better be careful or it may become a habit."Auron shrugged, his eyes lightening with a mild spark of amusement. "The ability to offend Jecht can make almost any indignity bearable," he replied. "Besides..." Then he turned and looked at Rikku. "It isn't necessary to be honest all of the time."Rikku gave Auron a weak smile, one which didn't go unnoticed by Braska. Then, she heard a familiar hum and a click and spun around to look at Jecht. He was still playing with the sphere’s controls; it was glowing in his hands. "What do you think you're doing with that thing anyway?"Jecht looked up at them. "Well, you said these things were like cameras, didn'tcha?" He pressed another button on the sphere and it began to record."What are you taking?" Auron tensed, scowling at Jecht as the sphere centered on him."Well, you said it was gonna be a long trip. We'll be seeing lotsa of neat things, right? So I thought I'd record it all in this. To show to my wife and kid, you know." He tilted the sphere and gestured at Auron. "Well don't just stand there like a Stiff. Move or talk or somethin'!"Auron snorted. "You nearly died yesterday. This is no pleasure cruise!"Jecht only rolled his eyes in response. "I'm still here. Besides, the fans go crazy for blood!""Impossible," Auron muttered, stalking off towards the forest. "Fetch me when he's done acting like a spoiled child.”After Auron left, Braska frowned at Jecht. "Auron doesn't like being filmed. Perhaps you should acquire a different target next time.""I got one already!" Jecht answered, lifting the sphere to his eye and squinting through it. "Hey, Braska. Ain't this whole Pilgrimage thing supposed to be a grand occasion? Where're the cheering fans? The crying women?"At this Rikku stomped her foot on the ground. "What am I, chopped liver?""You don't count," Jecht answered."Hey! ""Besides, in your case it's more like whinin' than cryin'," he observed."HE-EY BUSTER!" Rikku formed a fist, fully intending to show Jecht just how big of a fan she could be. She stopped at the sound of Braska's quiet voice, low and serious."This is it." Braska folded his hands together. "Too many goodbyes - people think twice about leaving." His face betrayed nothing, but thoughts of Yuna hung in the air between them."Hmm..." Jecht said. "If you say so." Then he frowned at the oppressive silence that drifted around Rikku and Braska. "Well, it better be a lot more colorful when we come back. A parade for Braska, vanquisher of Sin!"Rikku winced; it was easy to forget that Jecht didn't know the truth. She wondered what they would tell him when he discovered it for himself. The enormity of their lie made her own spat with Auron seem inconsequential by comparison. She glanced at Braska; having made the same mistake with Tidus, Rikku believed in breaking bad news to others sooner rather than later.Braska met her eyes and shook his head minutely. So he didn't want it to be known, then. He was just like Yuna, in so many ways it made her ache. He smiled at Jecht, and she marvelled that there wasn't even a hint of bitterness in his tone."We should go. The day grows no younger. Gather your things and follow when you're ready, I will find Auron." He left and Rikku sank to the ground, feeling defeated. She looked up when she heard Jecht shut the sphere off. He was eyeing her."Am I missin' somethin' here?" he asked, glancing after Braska. "Level with me, Blondie. What are those two hidin' anyway?"Rikku was at a complete loss for words, feeling a sick sense of déjà-vu. She didn't have the heart to tell Jecht the truth; she couldn't do it any more than she could to Auron. Jecht was still too new to Spira, too full of piss and vinegar and most importantly hope. "They'll tell you when they're ready."Jecht glowered at her. "I thought you were different from them," he said, the accusation written across his face. "Guess I thought wrong. I'm just another crazy old fool to you too, ain't I. Thanks a lot.""Hey, I trust you!" Rikku protested."Nice way you got of showin' it," Jecht replied, rolling to his feet and grabbing his sword.Rikku kicked at the ground, angry at herself for disappointing him. "Jecht!" She chased after him. "Hey, wait up!""Why? You got somethin' you wanna say to me?"Rikku nodded. "I... I can't tell you because it's Braska's decision. Please... you have to understand that, Jecht. He's the Summoner, he's the one you have to ask.""Sure," Jecht sneered at her as they caught up with the others. He passed Auron and tossed a familiar-looking white jug towards the other man.Auron snatched it out of the air and shook it. Then he looked at Jecht in shock. "This is empty," he noted."So?""It was almost full last night," Auron pointed out.Jecht stopped and looked at him, his face schooled into a careless frown. "Well excuse me for bein' thirsty. Maybe I'll save you some next time."Auron fixed the jug to his belt. "If this is how you normally drink, there won't be a next time." Jecht only shrugged at him and continued his moody tramp through the forest. Auron lingered and waited until Rikku caught up with him. "Is there a reason for Jecht's behavior this morning?" he asked her under his breath.Rikku sighed and nodded. "He wanted to know what will happen after we defeat Sin."Auron narrowed his eyes at Jecht's back. "It is... more difficult that I thought it would be," he mused."Trying not to tell him?" Rikku asked."Trying to tell him," Auron corrected her.Rikku nodded. "Because he's growing on you," she supplied. Auron grunted, a look of distaste splashing across his face, and Rikku giggled. Then she sobered and looked at Jecht again. "Braska doesn't want us to tell him, you know. But Jecht knows something's up. He's gonna totally blow a gasket when he finds out."“Braska's decision is unwise. Problems like these only fester if left unattended." Auron frowned. "But if that is what he wants, then I will speak with Jecht. He should learn how to handle his sword; maybe it will be enough of a distraction." He began to move forward, but Rikku caught his arm and held him back."Lemmie talk with him first. I need to settle something before you beat him up."Auron peered at her, but nodded. She sprinted down the path and slowed by Jecht's side. He gave her a cursory glance and continued walking, not bothering with a greeting. Rikku clasped her hands behind her back. "Hey.""So, are you gonna talk yet or what?" Jecht asked her.Rikku nibbled her lip. Maybe she didn't have to tell him anything. "You know, that sphere you just made," she said, and felt Jecht's eyes on her. "You should leave it behind.""Huh?" Jecht fished the sphere out of his pocket and looked at it. "I thought you said these things were expensive! Now you want me to just throw it away?"Rikku nodded at him. "You made that for Tidus, didn't you? If you want him to find it, you should leave it here." Now she knew she had his full attention."What do you know about my boy?" he asked her suspiciously. "You sure you ain't from Zanarkand? I never saw you around the house..." Then he blanched. "You... you ain't one of them celebrity stalkers, are ya?"Rikku rolled her eyes. "Trust me, if I wanted to stalk celebrities, I would’ve picked one.” She dropped her head. "I am different from them, you know," she whispered, tilting her chin at Auron and Braska. "I know things they don't. Stuff about you... stuff about Sin. And," she added, cutting him off as he opened his mouth. "I can't tell you, either. But it's enough that you at least know. Because I trust you. And I know you're not a joke, Jecht."Jecht shook his head. "Why?" he asked her. "I thought this was supposed to be some damn dangerous trip. Why not just tell 'em what you know? Wouldn't it make things easier?""Sometimes," Rikku said carefully, "keeping things quiet is the only way we have to protect our friends. So... don't get so mad at Braska and Auron, okay? They're just looking out for you."Jecht looked unconvinced. He did relax enough, however, to cross his arms behind his head. "I'm gonna find out, ya know," he assured her. "Sooner or later, I'm gonna figure out Braska's big secret whether you want me to or not."Rikku nodded. "That’s your right. Just don't worry so much about it for now."Jecht slid his eyes over towards her. "I'm gonna find out your secret, too," he added. "How you know about my boy, why no one else believes in my Zanarkand." He tossed the sphere he was carrying into the air. "But for now, just tell me why I gotta ditch this thing.""This is a forest of dreams," Rikku replied. "If you try hard enough, I'm sure your dreams will reach Tidus here. He's your son, so he'll find them one day." She smiled at Jecht and shook her head at his puzzled expression. "You don't have to if you don't want to. But I think the least you could do is trust me back."Jecht fell silent, pacing at her side through the glittering forest. Eventually, Rikku tired of his company and scampered ahead down the path. Auron passed him and mumbled something about training, but Jecht waved him off, preferring instead to study the sphere in hands. Finally, with a sigh, he shook his head. "I must be crazy," he said out loud. Then, drawing his hand back, he threw the sphere as far as he could into the dense forest. A small plip sounded as it landed in one of the many pools of crystalline water, and he imagined it sinking to the bottom."I hope I find you before you ever find that, boy," Jecht muttered, then rejoined Braska’s side.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It wasn't cold, Rikku decided. It was damn cold. Shivering, she pulled the thin brown cloak around her shoulders and squinted against the light that bounced across the snow."I'm freezin’ my balls off!" Jecht muttered, huddling next to her. The wind was much too harsh to risk baring her tender gums to its cutting bite; instead, Rikku settled on scowling at him from under the lip of her collar. Even Braska looked uncomfortable, hugging his arms around himself against the bitter cold. Auron alone seemed comfortable in the chilly weather; it may have been the layers of clothing he deemed necessary to wear, or perhaps it was pride that kept him stiff. Or maybe his face froze into that scowl, Rikku thought, jealous of the thick coat that covered both of Auron's arms. Al Bhed and snow definitely did not mix. She was half-tempted to tap into the power of her garment grid; one of her outfits might afford her more protection than the flimsy miniskirt and thin cloak which she clutched to her throat. The disastrous result of her last experiment with the garment grid was enough motivation to dissuade her, though.The wind howled, and a few crystals of ice fell off of Rikku's braids. Barely, she amended, fingering her belt. Still weighing the disadvantage of irritating her companions against the benefit of not having to amputate frostbitten appendages, Rikku didn't notice when their small procession stopped. She pitched into Jecht and they both nearly fell into the snow.“Oww! Watch it!” Jecht wasn't much better off than she; he had ripped his own cloak apart to cobble together makeshift moccasins for his bare feet, and as a result the remaining fabric was much too short to keep him warm. In a feeble attempt to stretch what little clothing he did wear, Jecht had slung the straps of his overalls over his chest. It made his appearance even more similar to his son than before, and as he swore and stumbled at their collision, Rikku was much too cold and tired to think about the apology that came tumbling out of her mouth."Oh, sorry, Tidus."She didn't notice when Jecht froze and stared at her; she completely missed the dawning look of suspicion and disbelief on his face, which hardened quickly into determination. Nor did she realize her mistake when Auron called them to gather around and pointed out the small travel agency by the side of the path. She was too busy marvelling over the fact that it was Auron who stopped first. By the time her sluggish brain caught up with her mouth, they were ensconced within the warm building and Jecht appeared unaffected by her slip, busy warming his feet at the table nearest to the fireplace. Shrugging to herself, Rikku slipped out of her dampening cloak and joined Auron and Braska at the clerk's desk."We rest here," Auron told them. Braska nodded in agreement, his face pinched and weary from the long hike."That will be 650 gil," the desk clerk said officiously, frowning at Rikku. The Agency had yet to fall into Rin's hands, let alone O'aka's - it was actually more of a Summoner's way station than a shop, at the present time, one that was being run out of the Church of Yevon's own pockets. It showed; as the sneering clerk quoted his price, Rikku realized a moment too late that unmasking her shock of blonde hair and green eyes was not the wisest of manoeuvers. The price was exorbitant, and she opened her mouth to protest.The stern glance Auron shot at her did little to quell her anger, but the weary slump of Braska's shoulders lodged the complaint in her throat. She shut her mouth and backed away from the countertop, realizing that the high price was, in some regard, her fault. A flush deeper than that brought about by the cold stained her cheeks; she wondered what Auron would have to say to her once they were in private. Seating herself by Jecht at the table instead, she tried to warm up."They better sell some goddamn shoes here," Jecht mumbled, inspecting one of his toenails. The instant they had entered an area with something more than sub-freezing temperatures, Jecht's makeshift shoes came off. The skin on the bottom of his feet was scarred and calloused; Rikku wondered if he could feel anything through his soles at all."I don't think we'll have a lot of money left after tonight to buy shoes, let alone anything else," she said in a small voice."Great. Didn't really need those toes anyway," Jecht answered, his humor only mildly improved by the change in environment. He pulled a face as he heard Auron's voice lift enough to reach them. The shopkeeper was gesturing at their table, and Auron's expression was frostier than the weather outside. Her ears burned as she figured out what they were arguing about, and she pulled the hood of her damp cloak up over her braids."Don't worry so much about it," she heard Jecht say gruffly. He pulled the hood away from her. "Big red and ugly won't let 'em turn you out."Rikku felt a rush of appreciation for Jecht's words and snuck another glance at the counter. Braska was speaking now, trying to placate the clerk while Auron stood to his side like a slab of granite. An intimidating, sword-wielding slab of granite. It was comforting to know that the reason for his behavior was her own safety. Well, and Jecht's safety too, if she wanted to be honest; then again, as she watched Jecht contort to pick between his toes, she preferred to think she was the deciding factor in the equation. Auron's always protecting me, Rikku thought with another twinge of warmth. The last time she visited Macalania on a Pilgrimage, it had been just as cold. When Brother attacked, Auron stood between them. The iron in his calm voice had bolstered her, allowing her to find the strength to stand up against her people. Afterwards, his curt demand for assistance with the machina had shielded her against Wakka's heated words.It was then that her crush started, Rikku realized. He had been silent as they rode together towards the temple. She’d wrapped her arms around his waist and cowered behind his bulk to shield herself from the cutting wind. Even with the thick red coat between them, he’d been tense, just as upset with her as he was with Wakka. It was because her family coordinated the attacks on the Summoners and threatened Yuna’s Pilgrimage. The warmth of his strong words against Brother had bled away with the cold breeze; it wasn't until Auron defended her again at the temple, despite his annoyance, that her fascination transformed into something deeper. He wasn't just guarding Yuna. Both she and Tidus fell under his care, rough as it was; with a slight hitch of disappointment she understood now that it wasn't any sort of sign that he returned her own blossoming feelings. Auron was simply Auron - staunch defender of those who needed protection. Though he would be loathe to admit it, his actions always spoke of a code of honor much louder than his rough words.The more Rikku thought about it, the more disenchanted she became. Strange, how revisiting Macalania now of all times was shedding new light on one of her most treasured memories. She’d based her obsession with the Legendary Guardian on her gratitude, when he acted as her knight in shining armor. Now, it seemed more and more like Rikku had, once again, overreacted to a much simpler explanation for his behavior - Auron was being himself."Maybe I came all this way for nothing..." She shivered. Was all she really had just shadows and impossible girlish fantasies? Rikku looked towards the counter and froze. Auron's stance hadn't shifted, but his eyes were now trained on her. He quirked an eyebrow, as if she was broadcasting her thoughts across her face. Do I even like him? Rikku asked herself, meeting his stare without any hostility. Am I in love with him, or a reflection of him that I created? She continued to gawk and Auron's eyebrow rose higher, questioning her scrutiny. Rikku grimaced and stuck her tongue out, and Auron's bordering-on-curious look descended into a scowl of disapproval. Sure, he's hotter now than he ever was when he was... uh, dead, Rikku thought. But he's still the same Auron I remember. He doesn't like me; he protects me. It wasn't enough. Not enough to base her fantasies on, and certainly not enough to justify being trapped in the past, reliving a hell that she had thought was over and done with. She tilted her chin at Auron in dismissal and faced the fire, her mouth pulled into a fierce frown."Trouble in paradise?" Jecht chuckled. "Better look out. He's comin' this way!"Rikku cringed but ignored him, staring stubbornly into the fire even when Auron arrived. Her aloof vigil was harder to keep when he used her own tactics; he leaned closer and the edges of his red overcoat brushed against her arm."You have been irritable ever since we entered Lake Macalania," Auron stated. He waited for her response, but Rikku clenched her teeth together. She heard him sigh before continuing. "Rikkma, what is the matter?"Wondering if he was asking out of concern or duty, Rikku decided she didn't care. This man she was beginning to know would throw himself - in fact already had thrown himself - in front of fiends to save any member of their little entourage, herself included. Now, instead of making her blush with pleasure, the idea of him defending her was annoying - a confirmation that she didn't know Auron as well as she thought she did. Still, it wasn't fair to be taking out her sour temper on this Auron; he couldn’t even know what he had "done" to annoy her besides be himself."Hnn," she heard him grunt before she could formulate a suitable response. "Sulking like a child because you were careless enough to be recognized by Yevon's faithful. In case you haven't noticed, it's not going to get any easier." The last he delivered with disdainful bite. "Stop worrying. Braska has managed to reach an agreement with our host."The contrite words Rikku had been thinking of saying were drowned in a rising wave of indignation. "That’s not it," she said, narrowing her eyes at Auron. "Overeager Yevonites don't scare me at all. Stop trying to protect me like I'm some little kid!"Auron stared at her, his face a mask. The slab of granite was reforming. "Fine. Sleep outside, then." He stepped away and seated himself at the table across from Jecht, who glanced between them."Whoa, Blondie! Auron was just tryin' to help out there. What's eatin' ya now?"Rikku drew her knees up and dropped her chin onto them. "Umm... sorry. I guess the cold makes me snappy," she fibbed. "Thanks for talking to the innkeeper for me," she added, peering in Auron's direction."Thank you for that overflowing expression of gratitude," Auron replied acidly, not bothering to look up from the small menu he grabbed off the center of the table. Rikku stifled a smile; she’d actually affected Auron with her snub. He had, after all, been working the clerk over for her benefit, and she was being less than grateful for his efforts.Her eyes settled on the top of his head, travelling along the skin that was, to her, odd-looking - a little too smooth and free of scars. His face was contorted with the faint traces of a scowl that hinted at his own bad temper. Who is this angry young man sitting here? The telltale traces of annoyance would have been much harder to spot on his older face; the Auron she’d known in the past didn't require acknowledgement of his efforts - he simply acted. His younger self, sullenly perusing the menu, didn't have quite the same measure of self-control or maddening serenity that she was used to seeing. Hah, when he's pouting like this he kinda reminds me of Gippal, Rikku concluded with a smirk. Then she felt a bit of guilt; there’d been no time to spare a thought for her friend and one-time crush since her trip to the Farplane.Curious, she began to compare the two men in her head, studying Auron as he flipped a page. Gippal had the bigger ego, even with young Auron's brazen attitude. And it was an attitude; the status of Legendary Guardian allowed people to assume Auron had the right to carry on the way he did. This Auron, by comparison, had no such reputation yet still displayed the same gruff behavior. That was where the similarity ended. Auron had more eyes and less smiles than Gippal. And Auron didn't flirt with everything that moved, unless you counted being threatened by his massive sword as courtship.Growing aware of her observation, Auron looked up from his menu. He frowned at her and Rikku shrugged. “I’m people watching right now. So it’s you or Jecht.”As if to prove her point, Jecht lifted his foot towards his nose and sniffed. “I think my feet actually got cleaner from walkin’ through that forest,” he told them.Auron twitched. “Find a new target,” he said to Rikku, rising to his feet. “I need to see Braska about our meal.” He returned to the counter, menu still in hand.Rikku watched him go. Well, he’s got a better butt than Gippal too. Her quiet giggle died out. Thinking about Gippal, no matter how amusing it was, also brought back thoughts of her home, and what she had lost in returning to the past. Did I ever give him a real chance? Rikku knew she was uncharitable when it came to Gippal's light-hearted advances; though she had developed a crush on him early on, she knew him well enough to stay away from the risk a playboy would pose to her heart. Now, however, isolated from the possibility of seeing him again, she wondered if that had been wise. The more she understood the flaws in her idealized vision of Auron, the more foolish it seemed to have given up on the could-have-beens. Who was to say Gippal would have hurt her? Rikku stared into the fire, distracted, and let the memory of the sun-washed sands of Bikanel warm her.
.x.x.x.
"Hey, Cid's girl, what're you staring at?" Gippal’s teeth flashed in the sun, a stark white against his bronzed skin. There was a daring twinkle in his eyes - and he had both of them still, back then - that Rikku knew spelled trouble; more so if he realized she’d been mooning over him."It's Rikku!" she shot back, sticking her lower lip out in a pout. In an unusual rush of bravery, Rikku decided to tell him the truth. "And I was staring at you!"Gippal balked, taken by surprise at her bold admission, and Rikku awaited his response. A slow, smug grin spread across his face, and he ran a hand through his hair before opening his arms wide. "The goods are right here, babe. All you gotta do is say if you want some."It was the self-satisfied smirk that killed it, Rikku decided then. "Sorry," she answered back with more confidence than she felt. I won't be another one of your conquests, she wanted to say. But she couldn't, because she could never be honest with Gippal. You never knew when it would come back to haunt you. Gippal was notoriously good at finding ways to embarrass her, and her heart was the one thing she refused to risk for his personal amusement.So instead, she returned his smirk with one of her own and thumbed her nose at him. "I was just thinking you make an awfully convincing sand monkey with your hair spiked up like that. Monkey boy!"Had she only imagined his smirk faltering at that statement? Did his eyes lose some of their twinkle? She couldn't have said, because in the next instant his smile was predatory, and he was stalking after her with one of the dirty rags, splattered with machina grease. "Well, if I'm a sand monkey, then you must be a grease monkey!" he yelled as he tackled her.She screamed in delight, and they wrestled and laughed like the children they were. In a way, she was glad, because the mock-battle that ensued hid the flaming spots that rode high on her cheeks.
.x.x.x.
Rikku shook off the memory as the hairs on the back of her neck rose. Refocusing on her surroundings, she saw Jecht picking at his toes, Braska at the counter, and Auron reseating himself at their table, studying the menu as though it held the secrets of the universe. Rikku's gaze lingered on the latter, her mind still caught up in the hazy dream of desert sands.Could she love Gippal the way she thought she loved Auron? The two men were polar opposites, with the exception of their missing eye. Auron was moody and brooding, in his element surrounded by cold snow rather than warm sunlight. His skin was as pale as his hair was dark; Rikku was sure she had only seen his teeth when he bared them in a grimace, like a wild animal preparing to bite its prey.Compared with him, Gippal's easy smile and carefree attitude seemed boyish and immature. Feeling relieved by her conclusion, Rikku let out a tiny sigh. Maybe I could fall in love with Gippal in about 40 years. That's probably how long it would take him to grow up! The thought of Gippal as an old man, posing crazily on one leg and leering at younger women made her giggle." ‘ey. You've got that weird look on your face again."Rikku noticed Jecht scrutinizing her. "Weird look?""Yeah," Jecht answered. "Y'know, the one that means you can't be thinkin' anything good."Rikku blinked. Her face really was an open book if even an illiterate like Jecht could read it. "Well, uh..." Maybe honesty was the best policy in this case. "... yeah! You're right! If I tell you all about my nefarious plans, Auron's gonna have to kill us both, and he's already in a bad mood."Rather than discouraging Jecht as she had hoped, the spark of curiosity took root and turned into a flame. "Naw, see, now you gotta tell.""Oh, poopie," Rikku muttered under her breath. "Fine. I was thinking about..." She sucked in her breath and stole a glance at Auron, who had looked up from the menu at the sound of his name. The eyebrow was slowly creeping upwards again, but at least he wasn't scowling at her. Yet."... older men. I think I'm attracted to older men." Well, it was the truth. She could say it with a straight face and Auron wouldn't be able to accuse her of lying. Technically, she wasn't. And, it conveniently explained why she couldn't convince herself to take her attraction to Gippal seriously. That was a comforting thought. "Yeah, that must be it! I like older men. That's why I can't get along with Gippal." A movement caught her eye; Auron had dropped his menu onto the table. A quick glance to the side showed that Jecht was also staring."You like older men?" Jecht said gleefully, his eyes wide as saucers."Gippal?" Auron asked.Rikku felt the blush that had been lurking near the surface explode to her cheeks. I said that out loud? Holy machina, who needs to read my face when I have this motor mouth? "Nevermind! Forget I said anything!" Rikku squeaked, making a spectacle of fussing with her braids.The damage was done, and the smile creeping across Jecht's face could have rivalled one of Gippal's any day. "How much older?" he asked. " 'Cause the way you were starin' at Auron back there makes me think you're lyin'..."If it was possible to rupture blood vessels with a blush, Rikku was sure she would be dying of internal bleeding. "How do you know I wasn't staring at Braska, huh?" she asked, crossing her arms and deliberately looking away from Auron.“Were you?" Auron's voice was serious, and despite Jecht's snigger Rikku couldn't keep her eyes from flying to Auron’s face. Was he - no, he couldn't be - Auron didn't get jealous. Not in any universe. But he did look like he was ready to murder something. Most likely her, if she didn't answer him soon."Ewww, no way!" Rikku blurted out. "That's gross, we're practically family!"Deadly silence settled over the table. At least, Rikku wished it was deadly. Because then, she would actually die, and not have to live through the storm that she knew was about to break."What? " Auron bellowed, all pretences of the menu forgotten. Rikku's eyes widened and she tried to shush him, glancing over to the counter where both Braska and the clerk were now looking at them. The only person who remained calm and collected was Jecht; he was staring at her from half-closed eyes. For a fleeting moment, Rikku wondering what was going through the burly man's head. It was almost as though he was trying to make her drop her guard and slip up…"Explain yourself!" Auron hissed at her, his eyes boring angry holes into her head. He was incensed at the unearthing of yet another one of her secrets. Rikku felt her skin go clammy as Braska approached their table. Would he say anything? Would Jecht say anything?"Well," Braska said as he seated himself, oblivious to the tense conversation. "It took some convincing, but he agreed to take us in and serve us dinner for a reasonable price." His eyes drifted over them, lingering on Rikku's suddenly-pale face. "Is something wrong?"Rikku opened her mouth, her mind still turning like a chocobo in a wheel as she tried to come up with a viable excuse. Her relief when Jecht interrupted was short lived."Rikkma was just sayin' somethin' real interesting here," Jecht offered, smirking at her.Rikku stared at Jecht with silent horror, pleading with her eyes to keep his big mouth shut. Or at least hypnotise him into silence; these swirls have to be good for something! "Oh really?" Braska paused to relieve the clerk of the tankards of ale and plates of steaming soup brought to their table, handing them out to the others. "What was it?"Rikku looked down into her bowl of clear broth, watching the blobs of grease float across its surface. She swallowed back her nausea and attempted to answer. "I - I... um, well, I -""She likes older men," Jecht supplied, picking up his spoon and scooping some soup into his mouth.Rikku thought she would collapse with relief. It was temporary as she wrestled with the new dilemma that arose: why did Jecht make that save? Was it because of that slip-up I made calling him Tidus earlier? Is he angling for something? She looked at Jecht and narrowed her eyes. What’s his game? He swallowed, then gave Rikku a wink. "Auron ain't takin' it too well." And now you owe me, his mean grin seemed to say to her."Oh," Braska said, sparing a careful glance at Auron. A brief twist of amusement crossed his face. "Even if we are all friends here, it may be for the best if you refrain from telling us all of your preferences, Rikkma." He gave her a weary smile and picked up his spoon, and Rikku felt another wave of guilt for adding once again to Braska's problems. Strong-willed he might be, but Braska was far from accustomed to the hard travel which the Pilgrimage demanded. His face was pale and she tried not to notice how his hand shook as he ate.Humbled into silence, Rikku dedicated herself to the task of eating the thin, greasy soup. It was too much to hope the dinner would continue that way; after a few moments, Auron dropped his spoon with a clatter.“Rikkma,” he said. “Why did you say that?”“Hmm?” Braska paused, spoon halfway to his mouth.Rikku laughed nervously. “Oh, you know,” she fumbled, giving Auron a tight grin. “I was just pointing out how all Al Bhed are kinda related. You know us gear-heads - same hair, same eyes… we might as well all be a part of the same big family, right?”Auron narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Braska, however, lowered his spoon and gave Rikku a hard look.“I thought we had finished this discussion in Bevelle,” he said, his voice a little too calm for Rikku’s liking.“Huh? Oh…” Shoot. She’d forgotten about Braska’s stern warning the last time she’d tried to lump the Al Bhed together under one ill-fitting umbrella. “... sorry about that. I was just joking!”Braska’s hand clenched around his spoon. “I will not have you, or anyone else making such jokes in poor taste. If you cannot respect yourself, then the least you might do is show a little for my daughter and my late wife.”“Yes, my lord,” Rikku said lowly, and the tense meal resumed in silence, punctuated only by the clack of spoons against the clay bowls. She hunched over her soup, masking her scowl. What a mess, she fumed, sneaking a glare at Jecht. Owe him? Yeah, right! She turned her gaze to Auron and choked on her soup.He’d already finished eating and was resting his elbows on their table, hands folded in front of his face. He observed her closely, willing to delay pressing her on the latest revelation for Braska’s sake. But, from the look on his face, not for long.Finishing his meal, Braska pushed away from the table. “My apologies, but I am exhausted. I think I shall call it a day.”Auron stood to assist him, pausing only to lean towards Rikku. The warm rush of his breath, soured by the soup, blew into her ear. "A word before you retire," was all he said.Rikku gulped. She swirled the remains of her meal, trying to draw it out until they were gone. Jecht cleared his throat, and Rikku started. If she stayed at the table, she would be alone with him instead - and Jecht already looked like he was planning on grilling her. Interrogation by sword or blitzball, she thought with a frustrated sigh. Groaning in defeat, Rikku excused herself and trailed after Auron."That one is yours, Rikkma," Braska said, pointing at one of the doors further down the hallway. "If you'll excuse me...""Oh! Yeah, thanks," Rikku said, distracted by Auron’s scrutiny. Their silent staring contest was broken by Jecht's cough as he ambled into the room after Braska."We won't wait up for you," he smirked.Auron turned his mouth down into a disapproving frown, but not even Jecht's humor could throw him off his target. Rikku squirmed."You're really giving him the wrong idea," she said when they were alone in the hall. Her attempt to distract Auron failed miserably. He grabbed her by the elbow and escorted her to her door."You are related to Braska?" he asked. His gaze was probing, but no longer angry. It was, however, stern. There would be no wriggling out of answers this evening. Not that she wouldn't try, though."I'm not! Not really," she said. "Not like that.""Then why did you say it?" Auron pressed. Rikku remained silent, and she wondered if he was going to explode at her. To her surprise, he only leaned in closer. He was massive; Auron had just as much muscle as Jecht, he simply kept it hidden under his heavy robes and thick armor. "Tell me the truth, Rikku," he demanded. Her name rolled off of his lips like velvet brushing across her skin.Rikku closed her eyes, trying to understand herself and the swell of emotions that rose when he said her name. It was a crime; it was her name. No one should have the right to say it like that; didn't he know he was stripping her of ownership just by pronouncing it in that voice of his?"Rikku," he said again, this time with a touch of impatience. He caught her chin as she tried to twist away from him. Warm, she thought of his unexpected touch. "I'm not related to Braska," she said, not daring to open her eyes. She tried to will away the fluttering in her belly.Gippal never said her name like that; he spoke with sunlight and laughter. Auron murmured it like a dark secret that was threatening to swallow her whole. If I'm not in love with him, her thoughts whispered, then why do I tremble when he says my name? She would blame it on the cold, if his fingers weren’t burning her so. To her relief, Auron's hand dropped away from her face, but even with her eyes closed she could feel his gaze. She knew he was waiting for the other shoe to drop."I'm related to Raenn," she said, so softly that it could have been mistaken for a breath, had he not been leaning in. Air brushed across her face, and then the warmth of his presence was gone. Daring to open her eyes a crack, she sighed in relief - or was it dismay - at what she saw.“So that is who you lost…” Auron trailed off, his face distant as he processed the new information.Rikku winced. Well… she supposed his assumption that she was broken up over Raenn’s death was better than admitting she was torn because he looked uncannily like her dead non-boyfriend. She watched Auron struggle to come to terms with her latest surprise; his face looked much the same way it had when he’d discovered her connection to Brother. He’s the same person, in many ways. Scarred or not, the man before her still held an undeniable power over her heart. It was certainly hammering loud enough in her ears to be in agreement with that conclusion. Maybe, she thought to herself with a brief glimmer of hope, it doesn't matter who I thought he was, just who he is now. True to form, Auron turned on her with a fierce scowl. "Don't think I will let this affect the Pilgrimage," were his first words to her, and she smiled at his predictability. The smile faltered as he continued to look at her; he wasn't mad. Well okay, he was mad, but not I'm-kicking-you-out-of-the-party mad, just Rikku's-gone-and-done-it-again mad. There was a hint of something beneath the surface, a struggle boiling within him. He didn’t ask how I’m related to Raenn. Even after his disgrace from Yevon, Auron still couldn't put down the animosity he felt for Cid, leader of the Al Bhed people. But it was looking more and more like it had to do with Braska’s exile, rather than Yevon's doctrines. He didn't want to know how she was related to Raenn, she understood; he didn't want to hate her the way she was sure he hated Cid, the source of all Braska’s hardships.Rikku flushed; equal parts of shame and pride mixed within her. Auron was disengaging her, making the decision to keep her secrets easier, she knew, but part of her swelled in anger. Coward, she wanted to rail at him, even though she wasn’t any braver. Hadn't she run from Gippal, his arms outstretched? But that was different, Rikku told herself stubbornly, ignoring the small voice in the back of her head that kept asking how? Instead she focused on Auron, who was about to leave."Auron..." she whispered, and he paused. Don't run away from this. Don't run away from who I am! No words came out, however, and he filled the silence for her."Get some rest, Rikkma." He turned and walked away.The name left her feeling cold and alone, bereft of the warmth she felt earlier. It wasn't her name; it was the name of a stranger. Rikku guessed the Auron she remembered would never have ended the conversation where he did; the Auron she knew didn't shirk any truth, no matter how unpleasant.The door shut behind him, leaving Rikku alone in the hallway with her own muddled feelings. She wasn't in love with the legend anymore, she was fairly sure. But no matter how she tried, she couldn't ignore the complicated man who would die protecting any of them, but still ran from himself.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Morning dawned over Lake Macalania with a clarity that could only be the result of breath-takingly cold weather. No one in the Summoner's entourage was happy to greet it; Braska was still exhausted from the journey through the forest, Jecht hadn't managed to find himself any more clothing, and Auron was avoiding Rikku.Rikku herself wasn't feeling very energetic, although that was because she spent the first half of the night tossing and turning, replaying the previous evening's conversation over and over again. After giving up on sleep as a lost cause, she dedicated the rest of her night to pilfering a few 'rightly earned' supplies from the agency storerooms - she was certain Braska's bartering skills weren't up to snuff. The remaining long hours of the morning were spent sewing Jecht a better pair of moccasins with her newfound supplies. At least something productive came out of last night, Rikku thought blearily, tucking her cloak under her chin. Jecht seemed less than thankful for her efforts."Did you have to make ‘em pink?" he asked, annoyed as he pulled the slippers on."Nobody's gonna see them in all that snow anyway, so stop complaining!" She was quite proud of the large pink moogle pom-poms she’d worked into the design. Revenge was a dish best served as fuzzy and emasculating as possible."Rikkma, Jecht," Braska called from the door. "It is time."With sighs, they both exited into the bitter cold. A quick look around showed Auron far ahead, clearing a path through the snow. They made their way to the crest of a hill; Rikku paused at the apex, gaping at the snow-encrusted canyon they would have to pass.The path stretched endlessly before them; she didn't remember the hike to the temple being that long. Then again, the last time she had travelled to Macalania Temple, they’d arrived by machina and left under Guado duress. Now, with no distractions to interrupt the journey, there was nothing but snow, snow, and more snow. Rikku let out a loud sigh which crystallized into the frozen air before setting out.A few hours later, she had a runny nose, numb fingers and a healthy respect for Wakka, who had chosen to walk the entire way in nothing more than his sandals. On the plus side, Jecht stopped complaining about his custom footwear fifteen minutes into the journey, and now even appeared to be thankful for the fuzzy pink poufs that covered his ankles. Poorly dressed as he was, he was holding up better than Braska, whose pace gradually slowed until he was walking alongside of her, bringing up the rear of their small party.Rikku tried to study Braska unnoticed, slowing her pace to match his. His shoulders were hunched underneath his long robes, and though his breathing was labored his cheeks were white as marble. She snuck a glance forward, considering whether or not Auron would listen if she requested a short stop. As she sucked in her breath to shout, however, Braska addressed her."Rikkma," he said, "please don't call out to the others."Rikku shut her mouth and faced Braska. "Don't you wanna stop?" she asked. "You don't look too good, you know. I mean, you're starting to blend in with the snow there."Braska shook his head, a smile flitting across his face. "No... I can’t rest. This is not even the most difficult leg of our travels. If I do not have the strength to overcome a challenge this simple, then what of the rest of our journey?""Hey, it's not like we're in a hurry or anything!" Rikku answered. "Who says you have to make it to the temple all in one go?" Their eyes flickered to the front of the group, landing on the back of Auron's red coat. "Umm, besides him," she amended. "Auron doesn't count, he's, like, made for pain!"Braska chuckled, though it died out in a series of dry coughs. When he could speak again, he regarded her solemnly. "Pain is a part of life in Spira. I find it wondrous that Jecht is free of that burden." His eyes grew unfocused. "I wish to spread that freedom to all people. I can’t allow myself to rest for anything until I've accomplished that goal - especially not for my own weaknesses."Rikku fingered the edges of her cloak. "About that, Braska... don't you think you should say something to Jecht?" She cleared her throat, trying to swallow the lump that had risen in it. "He deserves to know the truth."They trudged together through the snow for a few moments in silence, before Braska spoke again. "I... know it’s selfish," he began. "But I want to enjoy Jecht's happiness. He is different from anyone else I have met. He doesn’t expect things of me. He does not expect me to -""Don't say it!" Rikku cut him off. "You don't have to say it out loud. It's bad enough knowing it's gonna happen anyway."Braska regarded her with a smile. "Thank you for believing in me," he told her. "Your words give me more strength than you know."Rikku bit down on the urge to yell at Braska for his gratitude. Why are you thanking me for telling you I know you're gonna die? It wasn't so much belief as a slowly-building sense of dread, though she could hardly tell him that. He looked much too tired to weather another argument from her, however, so she kept her lips pressed together. Another silence fell between them, this one uncomfortable. He's too much like Yuna. "It's gonna turn into one big mess when Jecht finds out.""I know," Braska agreed. He seemed smaller and more frail than ever; Rikku felt her heart constrict with sympathy. She reached out and grabbed his hand, trying to give him what little comfort she could. Braska looked up, surprised, before his features melted into a grateful smile and he squeezed her hand in return. His fingers were blocks of ice against her own, and Rikku frowned."Are you really positively sure you don't wanna stop?" she asked, cupping both hands around Braska's own and trying to rub some warmth into him. "I could start a fire or something, you know..." She trailed off as a familiar prickling sensation raced across her neck.Auron was looking back at them, and his eyes were trained on her. Or, more accurately, they were focused on her hands, which were joined with Braska's. His gaze moved to her face; abruptly he turned and continued his trudge through the canyon. Rikku gulped and released Braska's hand as though she had been burned. To her dismay, the small interchange didn't go unnoticed."What happened between you two last night?" Braska asked her, his tone cautious. "Auron is distancing himself from you once again."Rikku’s expression dropped. "Like I know what that big dummy's thinking," she grumbled, kicking at the snow. Her head shot up when Jecht's voice broke through their conversation; he’d slowed down to see what was keeping them."Another lover's quarrel, eh? What, ya didn't let him into your room last night?" Jecht crossed his arms. "He's been snappin' at me every time I get close. That man needs to get laid!"Rikku’s face grew hot enough to melt the surrounding snow. "What are you looking at me for?" she screeched, clenching her fists together."Jecht," Braska said with the tiny smile that revealed nothing. "Perhaps you shouldn't tease Auron and Rikkma quite so much. I don't think they enjoy your jibes.""Yeah! Lay off it already!" Rikku added, sticking her tongue out and crossing her eyes for good measure."Relax, don't get your panties in a twist," Jecht growled. "I didn't come here to tease ya anyway. I told Auron I thought we should stop an' let you two wusses catch your breath, but he bit my head off.""I don't need to stop," Braska said, his smile thinning.Rikku, sensing an opportunity, pounced. "Yeah, well I do." She planted her feet into the snow. "I'm bushed. We should take a vote! Majority rules. And I say we stop right now!""Me too," Jecht agreed. By coincidence, of course, he happened to plant himself directly in Braska's path. Taking the cue, Rikku scooted to Jecht's side and also blocked Braska's way forward."Very funny," Braska sighed, trying to step around them. Rikku moved to intercept him, and when he tried for the other side, Jecht sidestepped into his path."Give it up, we're both faster than you," Jecht said with an air of finality.Braska studied them for a moment, then shook his head with a smaller but more genuine smile. "Very well. We can rest here for a few moments."Rikku beamed and Jecht let out a loud whoop before turning and waving at Auron, who was waiting some distance away. "Did ya hear that? We're campin' out here!" he yelled gleefully.That brought Auron stomping back down the path with a fierce look on his face. Rikku wasn't certain that he wouldn't just pick them up and toss them down the canyon. When he was close enough to speak, he addressed only Braska. "You wish to rest, my lord?""That's what he said, so that's what we're gonna do," Rikku piped in before Braska had a chance to reply. "No take-backs! We voted, fair and square!""Not exactly fair," Braska murmured with a glint of humor, but he gave Auron the tiniest of nods.Auron looked as though he wanted to object; a quick glance over both her and Jecht's twin expressions of determination stopped him. Instead, he cast around, searching their surroundings, until he found what he was looking for."Over there," he said, pointing at a small shelter under one of the overhanging rocky outcrops."Alright! Lunch!" Jecht cheered, grabbing Braska by the arm and pulling him towards their temporary camp. Rikku didn't follow them, instead trying to form some words to say to Auron now that he was finally standing by her side. She cleared her throat. "About last night -""You'll need to provide the fire," Auron said, turning away from her. Her eyes followed him as he made his way towards the shelter. With a sigh, she stomped after him. So he thinks he can just ignore me now, huh? Well, he's got another thing coming… Jecht had already cleared the snow away from the cold rock, and was lining a makeshift fire pit with the precious few scraps of tinder that they’d collected. He opened his mouth and then shut it again and backed away. Rikku couldn't blame him; she pointed at the fire pit with a little more enthusiasm than was strictly necessary. All three men ducked out of the way as the flame sprang to life with a blast. Once the smoke cleared and the hiss of rapidly melting snow died out, she coughed and dared the others to comment. Braska and Jecht decided to busy themselves with preparing a small meal, while Auron edged towards the entrance of the cave. Rikku’s head turned, tracking his movement."Oh, Auron!" she called out sweetly, her eyebrow twitching. "Where do you think you're going?"Auron stiffened; he was not one to be cowed even with her temperamental display of magic. He faced her. "That fire will attract fiends. Someone needs to guard our camp." He froze when Rikku leapt to his side, grabbing onto his arm and clutching it."Great, I was just thinking that we needed to collect some supplies anyway." She dragged him away from the warmth of the fire, sparing a glance back at a bemused Jecht and significantly more amused-looking Braska. "We'll be back soon," she promised.As soon as they were clear of the cave, Auron shook her arm off and shot her an irritable glance. "What are you doing?""I told you already," Rikku huffed, marching ahead of him. "Hunting for supplies." She heard his annoyed snort, and her frown softened. "I wanted to get you alone. I mean, don't you think we should talk?""Hnn," Auron answered, and Rikku had to stop herself from smacking him in frustration."Well, I think we should talk," she continued. "Just because I'm related to Raenn doesn't mean anything's changed. Now I know this next one is gonna be hard for you to swallow," she added theatrically, "but I'm Braska's Guardian, just like you."Auron cleared his throat, his gaze settling on her. Coming to a decision, he canted his head in her direction. "I never doubted it."Rikku pulled up short, a smile threatening to break over her face. "So we're good?" she asked him.In response, Auron drew his sword and brandished it at her.Rikku squeaked and fumbled for her daggers. Just how did I piss him off now? "Look out!" he growled, and all she had time to think was What? before he dove at her and they went tumbling through the snow. A rush of air and the sound of snapping teeth flew over their heads, and when Rikku looked up, she was staring directly into a large, glassy yellow eye. Naturally, she did the first thing she could think of."Rikku!" Auron yelled, pulling her away from the fiend's snapping jaws as it roared in pain."Gotcha!" Rikku twisted out of Auron's grasp and tucked away the swirling bottle of pungent musk she had managed to pull out. "Don't kill it yet, I might be able to get another out of him," she instructed, pulling out her daggers as she sized up the angry fiend.Auron, of course, responded by slashing his sword at the creature, which darted out of the way of his heavy blade. "Hey! I told you not to kiiii... uhh..." she trailed off as the creature's wings folded over its huge eye. Then, a blast of cold air knocked her over and she saw stars."Wow!" Rikku yelled, her eyes wide as the landscape swirled in psychedelic colors around her. Is snow supposed to be orange? "I forgot he could do that," she mumbled, readying her daggers. A fuzzy, dark shape swam before her, and Rikku rushed at it, trying to drive her hand underneath its surface. Pyreflies, only pyreflies, she told herself, willing her palm to part the evil eye's leathery skin.Instead of passing cleanly underneath the surface of the fiend's body, Rikku's hand slapped against a hard, unyielding surface. The blob grunted, and then struck her across the forehead none-too-gently. Pain blossomed over her temples where she was hit, but it did serve to clear the stars from her vision. With a start, Rikku realized that she hadn't been reaching for the fiend at all, but rather Auron. She was, in fact, pressed up close against him, her hand stuck halfway down the front of his coat. The expression on his face could hardly be called pleased. "Get your hand out of there and hit that thing." He shoved her towards the floating eyeball circling around them."Yessir!" Rikku chirped, feeling intoxicated from the sudden close contact. If there was one thing she was thankful for, it was that the little fiend before them wasn't very strong, even if it was too quick for Auron to touch. She concentrated on harnessing her magic - a simple Fira was all it would take - and took aim. The spell flew from her hand, and the fiend was reduced to a rapidly-dissolving collection of pyreflies. Picking through the remains, she pocketed the dropped gil. Auron's presence loomed behind her; she looked over her shoulder and gave him a weak smile. "Umm... hi?" she giggled.Auron glared at her with a thunderous expression and said nothing."Oh, alright," Rikku blurted out, reaching into her pocket with an exasperated sigh. She pulled out the small pouch of gil she had palmed and threw it back to Auron, a pout splashed across her face. "I would've put that to good use, you know.""On more jewellery, no doubt," Auron said as he tucked his pouch of money away more securely - this time into the waistband of his pants, Rikku saw with a half-disappointed and half-intrigued glance. She made a mental note to reach low the next time she attempted to steal while confused."You should have killed the eye immediately.""No way!" Rikku scrambled to her feet and displayed the items she managed to procure from their victim. "Look at all this stuff! If we're really gonna make it through the rest of this journey, we need a lot more supplies than we have right now. And don't tell me you're gonna buy them with that," she added, sending a significant glance towards Auron's trousers.Auron frowned, but didn't contradict her. His brow furrowed, however. "And what if it had confused me? That won't be the last evil eye we see, especially if we remain standing here exposed like this."Rikku's smile dropped and she tapped her chin with a finger. "I got it!" she said. "All you gotta do right now is guard me so I have the chance to steal some stuff. Just worry about blocking whatever the fiends might send my way, okay? And if you get confused or something, hit yourself with your sword! It's perfect!"Auron stared at her in disbelief. "That's your solution?" he managed to say."Well, umm... yeah? What! You're the one wearing the armor," she pointed out. "And it's not like you'd wanna hit little ol' me with that big nasty sword of yours, right?"Auron regarded her for another long moment before closing his eyes and shaking his head. "Of course." Sarcasm colored his voice. "Though it would be a shame if I were to slip," he added.Rikku gulped and decided to ignore him; a snow wolf had already poked its head over one of the drifts, attracted by the noise and color of the remaining pyreflies. "No more joking," she said as she flexed her palm and glared at the wolf. Auron faced the fiend, readying his sword. "Uhh..." She spared him a wary glance. "You were joking, right?""Hurry up," Auron grumbled as the wolf rushed them.
.x.x.x.
"Wow, I'm all tuckered out," Rikku groaned, trudging through the snow. Auron grunted in silent agreement, quaffing a high-potion that she had managed to snitch from one of the fiends. "It was worth it, though." She patted the now-bulging pouches on her belt. "Thanks a lot," she added as an afterthought; with Auron guarding her, stealing from the fiends was a piece of cake. They made a good team, her quick reflexes complimenting his more carefully planned attacks. The physical exertion of the battles they fought had done much more to break down the barriers than any talk might have, and as they made their way back to the camp, the silence that settled between them wasn't uncomfortable."Rikku," Auron said, and while she cheered at his use of her real name, the tone in which he said it prompted her to remain silent. "I apologize for avoiding you earlier."Rikku blinked. Well, that was unexpected. "Huh," she hummed in surprise, still not certain of what he was trying to say. "I guess I kinda understand. Some of the stuff Cid's done wasn't anything I'm proud of either.""So... are you Raenn's younger sister?" he asked, stopping to look at her.Tripping, Rikku caught herself on Auron’s conveniently situated back before she could go sprawling into the snow. That at least answered one question - Auron didn't know her family as well as he thought he did. She considered her options - she could lie... and open up the chance for Auron to mention something to Braska, who probably wasn't quite as ignorant of her family tree.Or, she could tell the truth - a thought which was quickly discarded. If he didn't laugh at her outright, he'd probably be furious, especially if she was endangering Spira's future with her actions. Besides... how was she supposed to tell him that he was going to die and spend the next ten years in a personal purgatory of sorts? That kind of information could put a damper on anyone's outlook, and Auron was already pretty dour to start with.“Making yourself comfortable?” Auron’s dry voice interrupted her mental chatter.“Oh! Well, yeah, thanks!” Rikku said, releasing her tight grip around his waist.She decided on obfuscation - it wasn't exactly lying, but it would relieve her of the burden of truth. "I'm not a part of that family anymore," she said, trying to make her voice sound as leaden as possible. It was pretty difficult, considering that she was still basking in the warmth of Auron’s presence. A small shiver of guilt plagued her when Auron looked away, buying into her little act. Of course, feeling guilty made acting guilty much more believable, so Rikku decided to wallow for a while longer, avoiding Auron's gaze as they approached the camp."I will say nothing," Auron said as the glow of the fire came into view. "But Braska is no fool. You may have to tell him yourself, eventually."Rikku pursed her lips together; Braska was going to be a bigger problem than he realized. "I'll consider telling him when he starts talking to Jecht," she said. "Until then, Summoner or not, he's got no right to ask."Auron nodded in agreement. "Very well, Rikkma," he said as they entered the cave. Jecht and Braska looked up from the fire at their entrance, and Rikku forced a bright smile onto her face." 'ey, you're back. We were wonderin' what happened to you two," Jecht called out, waving them in. "There's still a little food left, if ya want some.""Mmm, yeah! But first, we got a little something for you guys, too!" Rikku reached into her pouch and passed a few bottles to each of her companions. "Here, an antidote just in case you step on something nasty, Jecht... oh, and I got some potions for you, Braska!" The men accepted their small bundles with identical expressions of surprise. She noted that Braska's pallor had not improved very much since the beginning of their rest. White magic could heal almost any physical injury, but there was little it could do to combat exhaustion.Auron also seemed to share her assessment, seating himself on the ground near the fire and reaching for the small bowl of soup Jecht handed to him rather than harassing their companions to clear the camp. Rikku settled uneasily at his side; as she sipped at her soup, she snuck a few worried glances at Braska, wondering what could be done to help him. She ate as slowly as she could, considering her options, but all too soon the soup was finished and Auron was standing up."The temple is not too far ahead," he informed them, watching Braska. "If we start now, we may still manage to make it before nightfall." Behind his carefully worded demand, Rikku heard the concern - they had to leave immediately, or risk spending the evening exposed to the elements - something she was sure Braska would weather even worse than the strain of travelling.Braska nodded in agreement, and once again Rikku found herself wishing that she had some kind of miracle cure to offer him, other than the few high-potions she’d snitched -"That's it!" she yelled, shooting to her feet. Then she coughed, noticing the stares of the others. "Umm, I mean, can you guys take care of cleaning up the camp while I talk to Braska for a little bit?" She grabbed Braska and pushed him towards the snow. Auron arched an eyebrow at her, but she mouthed a hasty "Trust me!" to him as she ushered the Summoner outside."Rikkma?" Braska asked her as soon as they were clear of the others. "What is this about?" He frowned in confusion as Rikku pushed him even farther from the camp; she didn't want to risk Auron or Jecht seeing them, particularly since she wasn't certain she'd be able to control her reactions."Guarding you," Rikku answered, dropping her hand to the garment grid. The sphere gate glowed as she activated it, and then, crossing her daggers before her, she allowed the change take over. It was comforting and familiar, as though she was falling into herself, a confident smile threatening to burst from her lips. She heard Braska's sharp intake of breath as the light died away and opened one eye to regard him."And to what do I owe the pleasure of that display?" Braska asked, his smile broadening.Rikku winked at him and flipped a braid over her shoulder, stashing away her machine gun. "You know you love it," she quipped, rooting through her pouches for the potions she had collected earlier. "I had this totally brilliant idea, but I didn't want the others to see me like this. You know Auron, he'd probably flip.""The last time you wore that outfit, it wasn't Auron who was doing the attacking," Braska observed, still keeping a wary eye on her.Rikku ignored him. "Alright, so maybe it was me. Still... I don't want Jecht to see me like this either. Just think of all the jokes he'd make!""I doubt Jecht would be in the mood to jest while you were pointing your gun at him," Braska replied, though he seemed relieved that the Alchemist dressphere hadn't ruined Rikku's good humor. "I still don't understand what you’re doing," he added, watching as she mixed the contents of one vial with another and shook the concoction furiously."I'm gonna hit you with something that'll help," Rikku said, holding up the glowing, volatile potion she had mixed together as Braska's eyes widened. "Hold still, you'll feel better in a second!""Rikkma, I don't think that's a good idea -" Braska's protest was cut short as Rikku ignored his words and flung the vial at him instead. It shattered with a small pop against his chest, and he began to glow. "What in Yevon's name!" he managed to gasp as the light engulfed his body, flashing once before winking out and leaving his robes dry.Rikku lowered her hand from where she had raised it to protect her face. "Double high-potion mix," she explained as Braska looked up from his hands, his cheeks flushed with surprise. Already, the color was returning to his face; he straightened and took in his surroundings with renewed vigor."Guaranteed to make you feel good, at least for a little while," she told him. "It'll probably wear off before the end of the day, but at least you'll be able to make it to the temple. It's not harmful, trust me," she assured him.Braska smiled at her, for once holding onto his staff firmly rather than using it as a crutch. "I do feel much better," he admitted. "I wonder how you'll explain this to Auron and Jecht, though. I hardly think they'd approve of you using me as your test subject.""Hey, it's not a test!" Rikku protested, shouldering her gun. "I've used that mix on myself when I needed a pick-me-up lotsa times!" Glancing back in the direction of the camp, she frowned. "Though, uh, maybe you don't have to tell 'em, right?" She shook her head and returned her gaze to Braska, giving him a confident smile. "Naw... I'm sure Auron can figure me better than that by now. He knows I wouldn't poison you."The smile on Braska's face faltered, dimming into something less open. "Ah," he said. "Wonderful... I'm glad that you managed to smooth over your differences." Rikku winced; Braska didn't look like he thought it was wonderful. She sensed his uneasiness, but the last thing she needed was to have her uncle become even more interested in her than he already was. Auron might believe that she was Raenn's sister, but if Braska grew curious, he’d be harder to throw him off the scent. Still, she felt guilty about ignoring his feelings - their journey was difficult enough as it was."We should get back to the others," Rikku told him, her hand hovering over the garment grid. She stopped, interrupted by a loud chitter that echoed through the snowy field. "... that wasn't you, was it?"Braska's mouth tightened into a thin line. "Rikkma, turn around. Slowly," he whispered, holding his staff out. "Try not to make any noise."Rikku never was good at following instructions. She whirled around, fully intending to blast the fiend who interrupted them with her machine gun. Her mouth fell open as she spotted the sleek, gleaming body of the insect that approached from over the hillside, one thought flashing to the forefront of her mind - but this isn't the Monster Arena! "I've never seen a fiend that large before," Braska said, casting a protective shell over her.The Espada halted its advance, taking in its prey with beady, intelligent eyes.Rikku’s gun waved; a sheen of sweat broke over her forehead. "We are in deep pickles!"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"What in Yevon's name is that thing?" Braska asked between breaths, casting another protective spell over Rikku. The vitality booster was coming in handy; it was lucky that she hit him with it before the creature came into view. The only Espada she’d ever fought before had possessed incredible speed. If this fiend was anything like that one, then she and Braska would need every bit of assistance they could scrounge up."It's called an Espada, and..." Rikku squinted at the huge insect, "it's... slower than the one I fought." I guess it's because of all the snow. Still – what was it doing here? She'd always thought the terrible creatures they faced in the Monster Arena were the result of the caretaker's mad breeding techniques. Apparently some of them were natural occurrences. The Espada chittered and advanced.Rikku swallowed. "Braska... umm, maybe you wanna start summoning? Like, right now?" She edged away from him, figuring two targets were better than one.Only fuzzy memories remained of her arena battle with the supposedly tame one. She spent most of her time during that fight unconscious, being brought back from the brink of death by phoenix downs. In the end, Kimahri felled the beast with one of his special attacks. The rest of team had already been knocked down by the hellishly quick creature, and the victory felt more like a lucky close call.This time, there would be no spear-wielding Ronso to save the day if they were knocked out. The only one who could deal any serious damage to the insect's tough shell was Auron, with his armor-piercing sword – but he was much too slow to reach the thing, even if it was hindered by the chill.Braska chose to forgo his questions and began dancing. The movement aggravated the Espada, which made a gravity-defying leap to land in front of them.Rikku yelled and fired at the fiend. "Hey, ugly! Your fight's with me!" The Espada swung around, and Rikku’s knees buckled. "Uh, yeah!" she said, her voice high with panic. "Braska!" Her words cut off into a shriek as a claw scythed out towards her. "Now would be a good time!” She ducked and scrambled backwards, sending powdery snow flying everywhere.Braska didn’t respond, and the monstrous creature reared before her. Rikku shrunk back in horror.An earth-shaking roar parted the clouds in a swirl of color. Bahamut swept down from the sky like an arrow. He slammed into the back of the rearing Espada, pinning it down. The noise of their scuffle was deafening.Braska took no notice of Rikku’s return to his side; he was frozen in concentration. They were too close to the battle; a shower of snow blasted over them. In desperation, Rikku stepped in front of Braska. Despite her efforts, the Summoner’s concentration wavered, enabling the fiend to score a heavy slash against the dragon.Freeing itself from Bahamut's grip, the Espada skittered out of range. Its once- smooth shell was marred by jagged slashes where the aeon’s claws had injured it. Rikku heard a faint whisper of the Farplane leaking from the wounds.What? she thought, confused by the hypnotic whistle. I know that sound... Deactivating her dressphere, she returned to her normal outfit."The hell is that thing?"Jecht’s shout caught Rikku’s attention; he sprinted towards her, sword out. "We leave you alone for two minutes, and this is what you cook up?""Shut up! I didn’t invite that over for lunch!”“Watch out!” he shouted.Rikku spun only to see Bahamut’s tail hurtling towards them. The sudden impact sent them flying. She landed face-first in the snow, a good distance away from the fight. Nearby, Braska groaned, signalling the end of his Rapture. Rikku’s heart sank as she watched Bahamut's scaled hide turn glossy, dissolving into pyreflies.Disoriented by the sudden loss of its opponent, the Espada chittered angrily. Taking advantage of the creature’s confusion, Auron made his entrance with a forceful blow to its back. Dark blood splattered everywhere as the creature squealed in surprise. Writhing, it searched for the cause of its pain."Duck!" Auron couldn’t dodge a Death Claw; Rikku dashed forward to distract the Espada. Nothing could stop the fiend’s magic attack from slaying its foes if it landed. She aimed for the creature’s wounded back, but as she approached, time slowed down.The whistling in the air grew louder, and through the black ichor spreading across the insect's back, Rikku could make out small flashes of light. Change of plans, she thought as she came closer, closer now, close enough to touch it. Unable to help herself, Rikku reached for its shell, which rippled beneath her fingertips. Her hand delved down into the creature's soul. The sound of the wind was too loud, millions of pyreflies screaming in anguish. She closed her hand around that anguish and pulled –"Rikkma!" Auron yelled into her ear, and Rikku came to her senses, her hand still tightly closed. He dragged her towards the others. "What happened?""I... I don't know," Rikku answered, opening her fist. A few swirls of black mist danced in her palm, emitting faint strains of sound. "A piece of the Farplane," she whispered in awe. So hypnotising…"Stay focused!” Auron commanded.Shaking her head, Rikku trapped the murky swirls of smoke in an empty vial. "We can't defeat an Espada by ourselves. Let’s run!""What are its weaknesses?" Auron herded them away from the convulsing fiend."None that I know of," Rikku admitted. "It's super-fast, though, and if it scratches you, you’ll be a goner."Jecht bared his teeth. "So whadda we do?""You're asking me?" Rikku squeaked. "I point, you punch!"Auron kept his eyes trained on the confused Espada as he joined Braska. "Are you injured?"Staggering, Braska took Auron’s outstretched hand and found his balance. "Sorry I failed you." His mouth set in a grim line. "But I can still fight."“Oh great - it’s regenerating already!” Rikku said in dismay. “It’s got a tough hide - we’ve gotta hit it while it’s still injured!”"I'll reopen those wounds," Auron said, but Rikku held him back."You can’t," she warned. "You’re too slow.""So it’s up to us?" Jecht looked at his sword and shook his head in disbelief.The Espada was recovering from its confusion and starting to trail after them; Rikku reached for the first spell she could find – Thundaga, of course – and threw it in the mad hope of delaying the fiend’s approach. "Less talk, more fight!""Oh, I'll fight." Jecht planted his sword into the ground and mashed his thumb and forefingers into a triangle. A flare of white magic surrounded him as he let the spell fly. “Score!” He grabbed his sword with a mad cackle of delight, eager to strike.Rikku raced after him, feeling a tingle of hope - or maybe that was just the Haste spell Braska was casting on them both - fill her. She’d recognized the magic Jecht used - a Slow spell. Maybe we can actually beat this thing!Her euphoria died out as they engaged the fiend; Jecht’s slashes were energetic, but he lacked Auron’s experience. Ducking and slashing with her daggers, she watched him use the broad side of his massive sword to bat away the Espada’s claw. "You're supposed to stick it with the pointy end!" she yelled, dodging another of the fiend’s swipes."You try -" Jecht puffed, parrying another thrust, "- hitting this thing!"Rikku smirked; half the battle was attitude, right? "I'll show you how it's done!" She darted between two of the creature's legs and dug her daggers into the weaker segment of an exposed joint. The Espada let out a screech of pain and whirled upon her, faster than she could see it move. Deadly black claws descended and Rikku threw herself back.One claw grazed her torso, and black spots burst before her eyes. Rikku’s rapid descent towards unconsciousness stopped with a violent pull; as her head cleared a few stray tufts of phoenix down dissipated.“Up and at ‘em!” Jecht yelled, swinging his sword at one of the Espada’s legs.Rikku launched herself into motion; she’d already learned the hard way that Espadas were attracted to phoenix downs like moths to a flame. Rolling across the ground, she escaped a repeat performance of the knockout."Holy moley!" Rikku leapt to her feet only to narrowly miss being impaled by another one of the creature's legs. This is definitely not the way to recover from a near-death experience! "Jecht! Do something!""I'm tryin'!" He was still hacking at the Espada's legs; all the speed in the world couldn’t compete with Jecht’s lack of skill. After a few futile attempts to distract the creature with his wild swings, Jecht cursed and simply hurled his sword as though it was a blitzball.The sword whizzed over her head; she was showered with odourless goo as two of the fiend’s severed legs collapsed at her side. Seizing the opportunity, Rikku wriggled her way out of the squealing insect’s range."Strike!" Jecht crowed."You idiot!" Rikku replied, her hand snaking out to pull Jecht back towards Braska and Auron in a hasty retreat. Behind her, the Espada's shrieks died out; its legs were probably already regenerating.A much-needed healing spell washed over Rikku. "We saw what happened," Braska said with worry. "Are you all right?""For the moment," Rikku wheezed. She faced Jecht. "I told you this thing had a tough hide! Only you or Auron can even think about piercing it with your swords, and Auron's way too slow!" This earned her a grunt of annoyance from Auron. "You just threw your own sword away! What are we gonna do now?"“Retreat?” Braska said, picking up his robes and running from the battle. Rikku and Jecht followed, while Auron lingered at the rear as a guard."If we live," he huffed to Jecht as they ran, "we're going to have a lesson on proper grip!"Jecht grimaced. "I threw it on purpose!”Rikku stopped and turned around. Raising her hands, she tapped into the power of the Conflagration grid. Investing as much mana as she could into a Blizzaga spell, she created a wall of ice between their group and the enraged fiend. “That’s not gonna hold,” she declared, launching into a second spell.“Are you tellin' me I shouldn’t have saved you?” Jecht growled, catching his breath. “Don't know if you followed, Blondie, but that overgrown bug nearly killed you."“And I’m grateful, but now you’re out a sword and that thing’s still coming for us!” Rikku groaned; they were running out of options, and not even her dresspheres could help them out of this one."We need a strategy," Braska said as the Espada scrabbled at the icy barrier, its murderous chittering rising in volume."Well, you could let me throw Auron's sword at it too," Jecht said.Auron’s grunt was unamused. He held his sword out as the barrier shuddered; a web of cracks spread through it. “The rest of you keep moving,” he said. “I’ll hold it here.”“Hell naw!” Jecht cast a Scan spell. “No fair takin’ all the glory, man. It’s still injured, them legs I chopped off ain’t back yet. Let’s make a comeback in the second half!”Hit it with everything we got, Rikku thought as she cast again, restrengthening the barrier. Auron really is our only option left to hurt it, but I’m the only one fast enough to hit it. So if he’s too slow, then…“Somebody Haste Auron!" Rikku yelled as she leapt onto her target.Surprised, Auron staggered and tried to shove away the questing fingers that reached inside of his coat."Rikkma!" he bellowed.Reach low, she thought determinedly."I know you think we're all gonna die, Blondie, but this ain't really the time to be fillin' those last requests," Jecht said.Ignoring them both, Rikku continued her search under the waistband of Auron's trousers. "Ah-ha!" she yelled, her fingers closing around the sack of gil they'd collected earlier and pulling it out. Dancing away, she hooked the pouch around her own belt and stuffed as many coins as she could into her palms.Her three companions stared with varying degrees of disbelief, the heat of the battle momentarily forgotten. Oh well, she thought. It wasn't often that anyone dove into Auron's pants and lived to tell the tale. She'd just have to make sure she didn’t fall victim to friendly fire. “Did you Haste him?” she asked, as the sound of splintering ice echoed over the field."Ah... yes, yes I did," Braska answered her.She spread clumps of coins between her fingers and lifted her hands. The Espada stopped after clearing the icy rubble, staggering on its uneven legs. Regaining its balance, it scrabbled down the snow bank."Your plan?" Auron demanded, readying his sword."Hit him with everything you got when he's distracted." Rikku lifted her arms, sweating as she took aim. It'd been awhile since she'd literally thrown money away like this; wasting cash pained her to the bone. But, she thought with a mental sob, dead Summoner's entourages didn't need to eat, either. "Rush him now!" She spun and flicked her fingers out, letting the coins fly.The money whizzed towards the Espada with a low whistle; the small size of the coins, coupled with their disproportionate weight allowed Rikku to launch them much faster than any dagger. Even a coin, when tossed just so, could be a formidable weapon; when there was more than one, they could be deadly. She reached back into the pouch and sent another spray flying without hesitation. They arced towards their target, creating a dangerous tapestry of thin golden threads.Auron ran, closing the distance between himself and the fiend. The projectiles had their desired effect; though more than a few missed the mark, they still confused the Espada and created enough cover for Auron to break through its defense.He charged in from the fiend’s weakened side, avoiding the flailing stumps as he leapt. With a lithe twist, he brought his sword down on the creature’s back, ramming the weapon into the wounds Bahamut had inflicted. The sound of chitin breaking filled the air as his heavy sword caught, tearing its victim open like a fish being gutted.The piercing scream of the Espada echoed across the snowy canyon one last time, and then pyreflies erupted everywhere. Rikku sank to her knees, too exhausted to appreciate the lightshow drifting towards them. Soon, only bruises and the mournful echo of pyreflies remained.Braska followed suit when the last pyrefly disappeared, and even Jecht fell backwards, breathing heavily.Rikku’s trip down from her adrenaline-induced battle high was fast and painful. "Holy chocobos," she gasped. "I really thought we were gonna buy it there!""We won't be buying anything in the near future." Auron trudged towards them. His eyes fixed on the ripped, discarded pouch that lay next to Rikku. Only a few coins remained, even less than they had started out with before their hunting and gathering session. Rikku winced."Sorry," she mumbled, waiting for Auron's inevitable explosion. When none was forthcoming, she cracked an eye open and glanced up at him.He was still staring at the pouch with an unreadable expression. Finally, he leaned over and scooped it off of the ground, making a quick note of the coins remaining in the bag. Noticing Rikku's scrutiny, he gave her a miniscule shrug. "This pouch wasn’t used to carrying much money anyway."Braska looked up with an expression of mock surprise. "Why Auron. Are you implying that I might be financially disadvantaged?"“I’m not implying anything,” Auron answered, seating himself next to Rikku. “We are now poorer than Jecht’s education.”“Heard that,” Jecht mumbled from his position on the ground."Sorry. I meant to say we are fortunate that you have such extensive experience living frugally, my lord.” Auron smirked."Now see, why can Auron get away with callin' you cheap when he’s the real tightwad? You should be bustin’ his balls, not mine!" Jecht protested, sitting up."Auron's abilities afford him a measure of tolerance that I'm afraid you haven't earned yet," Braska replied amicably. "When did you learn to cast time magic, and just where is your sword right now, Jecht?""I’m a pro blitzer. We all got our tricks. Helps with the game! Damned if I know what happened to the sword, though.”“Your sword should be an extension of yourself,” Auron growled. “And it should be somewhere over that hill,” he added, pointing back towards the canyon.Jecht waved a lazy hand across the field. "I'm too tuckered out to get it right now." Then he brightened. "But whadda ya know, my ass ain't turnin' blue from the cold anymore!"“Good,” Auron said. “Then you’ll feel it when I beat it.” He made a motion as if to stand.“Alright! Chill the hell out, Stiff, I’m gettin’ it already!” Jecht sat up unwillingly, moving at a glacial rate.Rikku covered her face, still trying to believe the conversation she was hearing. These three don’t seem all that legendary. Auron cleared his throat, and Rikku peered at him through her fingers."Though this was an unexpected battle," Auron began, "we prevailed in the end. That wouldn’t have been possible without your help, Rikkma." He paused, letting the words sink in. "You did well today.”Rikku couldn’t help the smile that bubbled to the surface; Auron’s words cloaked her like a gentle caress. Well, a gentle caress for Auron. Which was more like a brutal slap on the back from anyone else. But Rikku wasn't complaining – after all, a pat on the back was better than nothing, coming from the legendary Guardian of Grumpiness himself.“If you glow any brighter you’re gonna start meltin’ the snow,” Jecht observed, and Auron shifted uncomfortably. Rikku ignored them and continued to beam her thousand-watt smile towards its instigator.Auron said I did good. Auron thanked me! Well, sorta. In her head, Rikku was doing handsprings through the snow. Her body was not feeling quite as cooperative, though; after a few moments of hopeful twitching, she managed to bump her shoulder against Auron’s side. ”Glad to help," she said through her grin, noting with amusement that Auron refused to look at her.In fact, he was hyper-aware of the keen observation of Braska and Jecht, and rose to his feet. "Fiends attract fiends.” He dusted some snow off of his coat. “We need to move out before any more unpleasant surprises occur.”A collective groan rose from the others, and Rikku pouted as she stood, sticking her tongue out at Auron's back. Jecht snickered, and Auron stiffened."Stop making those faces, Rikkma.”Rikku froze, tongue still extended. How does he do that? On a whim, she reached down and gathered the snow at her feet into a compact ball, tossing it at the back of Auron's head. It hit with a wet plop, and silence settled among the group. Nobody threw snowballs at Auron. He just wasn’t the snowball-fight type. In fact, it was something of a wonder - or a clue to how tired he was - that Auron didn't turn around and cleave the offending snowball in half for daring to approach him. He turned slowly, a menacing glint in his eye."What was that for?"Rikku crossed her arms and shrugged. After staring down an Espada, death glares from exhausted Guardians just didn't cut it anymore. "Chill out a little," she replied with a brazen wink. "I heard snow helps with that."Auron glowered at her, then dropped his shoulders. "Be thankful I'm in no mood to respond to that attack right now," he grumbled.Braska chuckled, moving to Rikku’s side. "I think you've finally broken him, Rikkma. Auron just admitted that he may be willing to participate in a snowball fight.""Humph," Auron grunted as he turned away and started walking. "Who said anything about snow?"Braska's smile widened and he nudged Rikku, eliciting a giggle from her. Even Jecht was grinning as he sidled up to Auron and threw his arm across the other man’s shoulders, whispering something into his ear. Whatever he said earned him a disgusted sigh; Auron all but shoved Jecht down the hill towards the missing sword.Rikku trailed after them, feeling lighter somehow. "Click," she said, trying to bank her smile. She could feel it happening; they all could. It kept the grin on Braska's face, the lewd jokes spewing from Jecht, and stayed the tense set of Auron's shoulders. And, it filled them with enough energy to complete the last leg of their journey to Macalania’s temple.They were a group now, not just a motley collection of warriors thrown together by fate or circumstance. They were becoming something like friends.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Jecht! Stop staring!" Rikku planted her elbow into his side.With a wheeze, Jecht tore his eyes away from the frosty Guado standing at attention near the temple doors. Auron grunted his disapproval at their behavior, and Rikku stilled, drawing the hood of her threadbare cloak closer.For once, Jecht seemed inclined to do the same and kept his usual antics to a minimum. That probably had less to do with their Guado guard or even Auron's stern eye. It was Macalania Temple itself which inspired a feeling of gravity in its visitors. Not that there was anyone else to impress – apart from the clergy who maintained the temple, the only other people Rikku saw were the stern Guado guards.The atmosphere was quiet but for the ever-present Hymn and the soft ringing of the ice surrounding them – and even that was muted by heavy velvet banners of Yevon decorating the crystalline walls."You would do well not to antagonize the Guado," Auron murmured once they were out of the guard's range. "They’ve only been initiated into the church recently. There are still many disbelievers among them and they're extremely secretive. They prefer to keep the details of their culture and settlements to themselves, and they look upon outsiders with suspicion.""In other words, even if they're guardin' the place, the Church don't trust 'em yet, right?" Jecht crossed his arms."And neither should we," Auron replied. "Don't go looking for trouble, because this is one place you're likely to find it."Rikku made a face at Auron's choice of words, but bit her tongue and kept her opinions to herself. He was right, after all - the Guado of this time were still a proud, hostile people whose greatest amount of contact with the rest of Spira was relegated to their Blitzball team. That they were allowed to guard the temple at all was a surprising concession on the part of the Yevonites, and a testament to Lord Jyscal's powerful influence over his own people. Seymour's father was not yet a Maester, Rikku knew, but he’d already married into humanity and adopted Yevon's teachings as his own. Judging from the guards' attitudes, she could only wonder at the reaction that must have caused among their tightly-knit community."You should not say such things, Auron," Braska interrupted, giving Auron a reproving look. "The Guado are doing their best to understand us, and it is only fair that we observe the same courtesy.""Yes, Lord Braska, forgive me." Auron looked uncomfortable and as convinced of the Guado's good intentions as Rikku felt. She wondered how Braska could turn a blind eye to the other race's obvious hostility."They don't look like they're tryin' too hard to me," Jecht said. "Did you see the look that one twisty-haired feller gave us when we came in? I thought he was gonna stick us with his pike just for showin' up!""They all have twisty hair, Jecht."Jecht snorted. "An' they all gave us that look, too. Especially you, Blondie. If it weren't for Sin, I'm guessin' your people would be winnin' the competition for Spira's Most Unpopular." His look softened and his tone became somewhat less belligerent. "Don't it bug you sometimes?" Not just sometimes, Rikku thought, tightening her grip on her cloak. She opened her mouth to make a glib reply, but stopped short when she caught sight of Auron. Was he watching her? What for? It wasn't like Jecht made a particularly ground-breaking observation there. Rikku shrugged. "You get used to it," she said."You should not have to," Braska murmured, killing Rikku’s chance to divert the unpleasant conversation into a more light-hearted direction. An uncomfortable silence followed, one that was made heavier by the stillness of the temple.Rikku suppressed a flinch, her eyes darting to the center of the room - the place where Yuna and her team had confronted both Seymour and the warped remainder of his mother. This will always be the place where we first killed more than just a fiend – where everything started going wrong, even worse than it was before. It didn't matter that Seymour had been trying to kill them, that Yevon's religion was as warped and twisted as Anima, or even that the act itself wouldn't occur for another decade. To Rikku, the very stones of the floor oozed guilty memories."I'm being paranoid," Rikku mumbled, trying to hide within the folds of her cloak."Whatever," Jecht said. "I still think these Guado guys make the guards back in Bevelle look like amateurs." He took another look around the nearly-empty temple. "Why are we the only ones here, anyway? Those guards scarin' all the other visitors away?""Well..." Braska said, "In a manner of speaking, yes. The remote location of this particular temple, coupled with the oddity of the new Guado initiates has made Macalania one of the least popular stops of any Pilgrimage. The Summoners that do venture here generally prefer not to linger."The slight undercurrent of anger in Braska's tone caused Rikku more surprise that she had expected; it wasn't really that odd to discover that her uncle felt strongly about more than just the Al Bhed cause. That he would defend the xenophobic Guado annoyed Rikku, and, on a much deeper level than she would've liked to admit, made her feel even more guilty. Why does he have to be so good all the time? Rikku thought with frustration. She glanced at Braska to see Auron reaching out to rest his hand on the Summoner's back."You alone cannot change the way an entire people think. Especially not when they..." he inclined his head back towards the guards, "do not want or even welcome your assistance."Braska's jaw twitched, and then his shoulders dropped as he let out an audible breath. "I know," he replied, sounding tired. “I have already tried, after all.”"Then concentrate on fulfilling your own duty and leave the philosophical questions for others," Auron replied, pushing Braska towards the door to the inner sanctum. "Maybe one day the tension with the Guado will disappear. Today is not that day. Your only task now is to gain the power of the Fayth. Let the Guado take care of Guado problems."Braska straightened, wiping away his disappointment and settling his face into a passive mask. "You are right, of course. Come, let us make our way to the Cloister of Trials." He lead them up the steps towards the heavy double doors, and with a perfunctory nod to the priest, passed through.The temperature of the room behind the doors was frigid. Rikku watched the plume of her white breath rise in front of her when she sighed. “And here I was getting used to feeling my toes again.”"Whoa..." Jecht stared at the snow-covered platform they’d stepped onto. "This ain't anything like that other place! It’s kinda like bein’ outside, huh? So... what're we supposed to do here?"A very relevant question, Rikku had to admit; apart from a few large snow drifts scattered around the platform, the Cloister presented few clues as to where to begin."Well... I suppose we could start with that," Braska said, pointing his staff at one glowing sphere set into the niche of a tall column. Auron strode forward before anyone else could and faced the group."Allow me to handle the spheres. We still don't know what the nature of the trial that awaits us will be." He turned his attention to Rikku and lifted an eyebrow. "Will you be so kind as to assist me, Rikkma?"Rikku peered at Auron from under the shadows of her hood. "Hey, why me? Why not ask Jecht?"“Ask Jecht for help?" Auron repeated, his gaze shifting to the man. Jecht looked up from where he was squatting, as he carefully placed his weapon on the snow."You talkin' to me or about me?" Jecht asked, straightening up and testing the sword with a pink-booted foot. Seeing the others' incredulous looks, he scratched the back of his head. " ‘Sup?""What the heck are you doing?" Rikku asked for everyone else."Oh, this?" Jecht looked back down at his sword. "Snow-swordin'! What else?" His smile dropped when Auron's glare intensified. "What? It's not like the Stiff over there is gonna ask me for help. Might as well have a little fun, right?""... right," Auron finished for him, turning a smug eye back towards Rikku."Auron, please. It might actually be enjoyable to unlock the puzzle this time." Braska smiled helpfully."It's too dangerous," Auron said, and Rikku resisted the urge to smack her forehead. It wasn't that she wanted to slow down their progress… I just hate this temple. It felt a little unfair, too - when it came to the Cloister of Trials, Rikku was a walking cheat sheet. She huffed; even if Braska was destined to obtain every last aeon, that didn't mean she was going to make it any easier for him."Oh, come off it, Auron!" Rikku said, exasperated. "It's not like Braska's gonna break if he does a little work. Besides, isn't this supposed to test a Summoning party's worthiness to receive the aeon? Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I always figured the Summoner was the most important part of that party."Auron's scowl deepened as a grateful smile appeared on Braska's face. "Thank you for your support, Rikkma," Braska said. "Now if only Auron could have your faith in me as well..." Ouch, Rikku thought as she smirked at Auron. Braska really knew how to hit below the belt.Auron grimaced and then sighed. "Fine. You may accompany us, Lord Braska, but stand back and don't touch the spheres until we've determined they're safe." He turned towards the pillar and stopped again with a distinct look of impatience at Rikku's obvious hesitation."Umm, actually, why don't you two try it by yourselves? I've got something I need to do over here," she said."Yeah! Get Auron to lend you his blade!" Jecht hollered as he sailed by, balancing expertly on his sword. He twisted to a stop next to her."Jecht," Rikku sang as she felt Auron glowering at them both. "You're not helping! Go... swordboard over there." She shooed him away. Getting moral support from Jecht was too much like painting a bull's-eye on your back."And no, I don't wanna slack off just to screw around," Rikku added, fishing out her supply pouch and dangling it in front of Auron’s nose. "I wanna check out the loot we collected during our break. I need a little alone space to do it, and I think you guys are gonna be busy, right?" She tried her best to ignore Auron's disapproval. Braska came to her rescue."Auron, let Rikkma stay behind this time. She must be weary from our travels, and I for one am looking forward to this challenge." His tone was soft, but the command was clear. "I am sure we can manage this one by ourselves.""Hnn," Auron said. "Very well. Stay alert and keep an eye on Jecht. If the need for battle arises, I expect both of you to be prepared." He paused, and Rikku wondered why he hadn't dragged Braska off towards the pillar. Then she watched with surprise as he reached into his coat and flung a tattered pouch at her. Catching it, she heard the familiar jingle of coin in her hands."You're trusting me with the money?" Rikku blurted out before she could stop herself.Auron's lips twitched with a hint of humor. "You might as well count it while you're tallying our inventory," he told her. "Besides, I haven't seen very many places for you to waste it here." The smile dropped off and a more familiar expression of annoyance returned as Auron regarded the pillar with the sphere. "Let's get to it," he told Braska, who nodded."Auron," Rikku called out before he walked away. She beckoned him closer, ignoring his look of confusion. "I'm real sorry I can't help out this time," she said, and then lowered her voice when Braska glanced their way. "... but if you find another one of those... y'know... pink spheres, maybe you could give it to me before Braska sees it."Auron's eyes widened in understanding. "You... you believe we’ll find another one here," he murmured, and Rikku tried to tell herself it was the cold that made her shiver then."I'm just saying in case you find one," Rikku replied, feeling her guilt once more.Auron stared at her, and Rikku fidgeted."No. You’re certain we'll find one," he stated. "You want me to protect Braska. How do you know of these spheres and what they are doing here, in the Temple ?"Rikku swallowed. "Braska's starting to wonder what the hold-up is," she told him, meeting his flinty gaze. "Keep this up and you'll be hand-feeding Jecht even more material to throw at us. Or am I really that fascinating?" She batted her eyelashes at him."Fascinating isn't the first word I'd choose," Auron replied, but he did back away. "One of these days you won't be able to slip by my questions. I'll do as you ask for now. For Braska's sake. But I warn you, my patience isn’t infinite.""Grumpy," Rikku muttered as he stomped away, wondering what explanation he gave to Braska, who was now watching them with interest. Well, there was nothing she could do about Auron's suspicions at the moment, and besides - what she told him hadn't been a complete lie.After stomping on the snow to pack it, Rikku settled on the ground and dumped the contents of her pouch out before her. Despite all the back-breaking teamwork between herself and Auron on the snowfields, their supply of items was still meager. There were a few gems in the assortment of goods they'd managed to win or steal from fiends since the start of their journey - the crowning one being the small bottle of swirling, black wind from the Espada. Rikku put that away first, unwilling to let the Farplane Wind throw her into another strange trance. It was much too precious to waste on what she had in mind, anyway. She sorted through the remaining goods and frowned at the results."A few potions... fine... a couple of hi-potions... those will come in handy," she noted, tucking them away. "Hmm... hey, we actually have ethers!" Rikku squealed with delight. She counted them and then frowned, placing the vials aside. Stabbing her finger into the snow, she drew a careful circle around them. "Let's see what else we’ve got," she continued, grabbing a few more items. "Fish scales... fish scales... and more fish scales. Geez, these things are worthless!"She threw the small handful into the circle, and then sifted through the remaining glass vials. "Maybe this isn't so bad… some musk, a couple of hypello potions... is that an arctic wind?" Her eyes lit with glee as one small marble rolled away from the rest of the items, crackling with energy. "A lightning marble! Somebody up there loves me!" She picked up the tiny bead and kissing it, wincing as it shocked her on the lips.Once the rest of the items were either packed away in her bags or sorted into what Rikku was starting to call her "magic circle," she reached into her travel pack and laid out the real reasons she had asked to stay behind.The metal glinted against the white snow, practically screaming with potential at her. Rikku grinned and fingered the silver necklace, the one she had whittled into the shape of Jecht's tattoo. "Alright! It’s tinker time!”Pulling a few tools out of her belt, she squinted in concentration and began to work, falling into the single-minded trance required of any skilled Al Bhed synthesist.In what seemed like moments later, a shadow fell over her, and Rikku hissed in irritation. "You're blocking my light," she grumbled. When the shadow refused to move, Rikku grunted and pushed her bangs away from her eyes, searching for the source of her distraction. She did a double-take as she noticed Auron's quizzical expression. "What the... hey, I thought you and Braska were gonna solve the Trials! Why're you back already? What gives?""I told ya, she's been like that for a while now." Rikku whipped her head around, finally noticing Jecht, who was sitting cross-legged behind her rather than sledding across the snow on his sword. From his bored expression and the way his chin was planted into his palm, it seemed like he’d been there for a while. "At first I thought she was havin' one of them seizures, but I don't think she could be weldin' like that if she wasn't all here.""Welding?" Auron lifted an eyebrow.Rikku blinked. "Huh? Oh, this is just a little something I carry around with me," she explained, waving the small tool in her hand. "I picked it up in Bevelle! It's not up to Al Bhed standards, but it'll do in a pinch.""Do what?" Auron asked."Solder, dummy. It is a soldering iron," she replied with a smirk. It was getting a bit easier to orient herself; from the crick in her neck and the uncomfortable damp of melted snow under her butt, Rikku figured that she’d lost track of more time than she thought during her work. She stretched, taking in her surroundings and noting with some approval that Auron and Braska had managed to make progress - if the shifting locations of the various ice pillars and snow drifts were any indication of success. "Hey, where's Braska?""Braska is on the lower level of this puzzle chamber, piecing together our next step." As he spoke, Auron discreetly pulled a shining pink sphere out from the depths of his coat and displayed it to Rikku, who mouthed a small "Oh!" of understanding. "But what are you doing?" he asked, hiding the sphere as he looked over the no-longer-quite-silver jewellery that was scattered around her."Well, you didn't think I bought all this decoration for nothing, did you?" Rikku picked up another vial and put the finishing touches on the circlet with her soldering iron. "There. Braska and Jecht's stuff is done. I even made a bracelet for myself!" Rikku proudly displayed the blue bangle dangling off her wrist. "Of course, I didn't make you anything, Auron, since you didn't want anything." Seeing their confused looks, Rikku grinned at her two companions and waved the small tool at them. "Didn't I tell you guys? I'm a synthesist.""I'm not familiar with the term." Auron crouched in the snow beside her and plucked the circlet out of her hands.Rikku concealed a faint smile of pride at his look of surprise; Cid always said she was one of the best. Being able to create a good, stable armor required more than just the know-how; like most Al Bhed inventions, it also took a bit of luck and a fair amount of creativity - things that she had in spades."Synthesis. It's what we Al Bhed do to create our superior weapons and armor," she explained, enjoying the flash of annoyance that stole across Auron's face. "Oh, don't be such a grouch. I'd be happy to synthesize something for you, too, if you'd just leave me your bracer."" ‘ey now! Stop flirtin' with Auron and show me what you made me!" Jecht said, pushing between them. "I know I heard my name in there somewhere!"Rikku snickered and selected the necklace, which she handed to Jecht. "I call this the Serene," she told him. "Because you're always complaining about the cold," she added, flicking the pendant and causing it to spin. As it did, a few bright blue sparks jumped from the metal and swirled around it before fading away. "It'll keep you from going berserk if a fiend hits you the wrong way, and it has a little frost-guard in it, too. It’s not much, but just put it on and you shouldn’t feel so cold anymore.""This looks just like my tattoo!" Jecht caught the pendant and let out a low whistle. "How'd you do it?""I looked," Rikku replied, digging a finger into Jecht's chest. She drew it back when a lewd smile spread across his face."I knew you were ooglin' my chest that time!" he crowed. "Sorry, Auron, didn't mean to be movin' in on your girl like that, but I really am too sexy for a shirt." He smirked as he donned the necklace.Auron covered his eyes and Rikku planted her palm right into Jecht's face and shoved him away. "Dream on, horndog. That tattoo of yours is more like an eyesore that can't be avoided. But hey, maybe now that pendant will distract a few people before they hurt their eyes!"Jecht stretched out, a lazy grin on his face. "Yeah, yeah. Get in line, you know ya want me."Sighing wearily, Auron renewed his observation of the circlet. "And this is for Braska...?" Seeing Rikku's nod, he rotated the piece in his hands. "What does it do?""Well," she began, feeling nervous. Auron's stern, probing expression hearkened back to the older, intimidating man from Yuna's Pilgrimage whom she was more familiar with. She received the fleeting impression of being graded on her efforts, and cleared her throat. "It's just a little something I threw together to make casting easier for Braska. I hope you don't mind, but I used up all of our ethers on it." Auron's face remained just as unreadable as before, and Rikku plowed on. "Uh, and, I also used a few sleeping powders, too. That should keep him awake if a sleeper fiend attacks!" She trailed off and worried her lower lip, waiting for Auron to pronounce judgement on her efforts."... and you need my bracer, you said?" he asked, looking up at her.Rikku’s eyes grew round. Was he saying what she thought he was saying? Not only was he trusting her with the money, but also with their protection. She scrambled for an appropriate reaction. Gratitude? But that would imply she was a suck-up - and to a former Yevonite, of all people. Then again, it was Auron, the not-yet-legendary Guardian, giving her his vote of confidence. What was the appropriate reaction to have?Unfortunately, while Rikku's mind was stalling, once again her mouth decided to open and answer the question for her independent of her brain. "Actually, what I really need is your sword and Braska's staff, too." She winced. Oh, that wasn't quite what I meant to say… "You want our weapons," Auron said slowly. "You want to disarm us and experiment on our weapons." He set the circlet down."When you put it like that…” She grimaced. "... yeah?""Well, she got balls," Jecht muttered behind them.A chilly silence rose, and then Auron reached towards his chest and unfastened the buckles there. The heavy sheath on his back clattered to the ground; it was followed by the bracer on his arm. "Braska can decide for himself whether or not to lend you his staff when he returns," Auron said. "I trust you won't damage my sword. If you do, I assure you that I can find other things to stick you with."A damning silence fell as Auron realized what he’d said. He whirled around to Jecht, eyes narrowed. “Open that mouth of yours…”Jecht’s smug smirk said more than enough as he pantomimed zipping his lips.Rikku, for her part, tried to stop her face from self-combusting. I can’t believe he said that! “Uh, sure Auron. Anytime, I think?” She glued her eyes to the equipment Auron had dropped to avoid his reaction. "You know, it's gonna take me a while to get used to this.""Get used to what?" Jecht asked, scooting closer to her. "Havin' the Stiff at your beck and call?" He snickered and Rikku zapped Jecht on the shin with her soldering iron. " Oww! Damn it, Blondie! What the hell was that for?""Why don't you go help out Braska?" Rikku told him. She brandished the iron in a clear threat when Jecht opened his mouth to protest. "I don't care how you feel; get motivated or else!""A woman with balls ain't always a good thing," Jecht groused as he stood up. He trudged past a smirking Auron, pausing only to mutter "At least she ain't my problem. Just behave, kiddos - I don’t think Yevon approves of doggin’ in the temples.”Rikku waited until he was gone before she spoke again. "Jecht's an okay guy when he can keep his mouth shut. Which is like never! " Rolling her eyes, Rikku put the iron down and turned her attention to Auron, beckoning him closer.After a moment of hesitation, he approached her and sunk to one knee."What I meant was... well, it's gonna take a while to get used to this, " Rikku said. "You know. Being one of you. Being... trusted." She wondered what he thought of her confession; Auron had a killer poker face.Auron said nothing for a long moment, and Rikku caught herself studying the curves of his youthful face and comparing it to her memories."When you look at me that way," he said, and Rikku snapped her eyes back to his. "Who are you seeing?"Rikku shook her head at him."It isn’t just Raenn, is it. I remind you of someone. He is the reason you're here with us. This man who was taken by Sin."Unable to answer him, Rikku could only nod.Auron sighed and looked away from her. "His memory binds you to the past. That’s why you feel you don't belong with us." To the future, Rikku corrected. But she watched in fascination as Auron continued to speak. This time, he was reaching out to her, and she wasn't going to do anything to jeopardize the moment - even if it was fulfilling the very guilty desire he was trying to advise her against."You shouldn't let obsession with the dead rule your life. You have potential. Live for yourself instead of your memories. Be more than a simple thief and exile." He gestured at his sword and armor. "Rikku. All jests aside, I trust you. You've proven that trust to be well-founded. Why, then, are you surprised?""Say, what'd you do with the Auron I know?" Rikku asked, a small smile crossing her face. "What's with the pep talk? I think Braska's rubbing off on you." Her smile clouded as Auron's gaze grew fierce. He caught her wrist and held it still."And again, you try to deflect the conversation with your jokes." He sighed in frustration. "I want you to understand what I'm trying to tell you, Rikku. I want you to be able to move on."Rikku held his gaze. "Why?" she asked, her breath hitching. "Is it because you want me to move on?" Do you want me? Auron didn't answer her for a long moment. "I don’t want you looking at me as though I am someone else," he replied. "I'm not. You can't recreate the past out of memories and your own desires. You asked if we were friends, before. I want to be, Rikku, but it's not easy if you don’t see me for who I am.”"It's not that simple." She reached up and traced the outline of his future scar across his face, stopping when he flinched away. "I know that you can't get back what you lost," she said bitterly. Not unless your name is Yuna. "But I can't just drop everything and start over again." With you, she added to herself."Why not?" he asked. "A Pilgrimage is a fresh start for some. A last chance for others. It's a vehicle for change. Will you not even try?"Who was this man, holding her wrist and making her heart race as he probed her with his questions? This wasn't the cool, distanced legend of memory; the stoic, self-sacrificing, hard-assed hero she had journeyed with before. This man was infinitely more dangerous; just as hard-assed as she remembered, but full of something she hadn't even realized the other Auron was missing – a passion and vitality that refused to remain hidden, either in his brief flares of temper or now, in his searching gaze. Suddenly scared, she refused to answer him. You want to go home, Rikku reminded herself sternly. And every Fayth you meet is a chance to do just that. "Well, then," Auron said, dropping her wrist when she didn’t answer. His voice lost its warmth; he withdrew the destruction sphere from his cloak and handed it over. "Then can you at least explain this? How did you know it would be here?"Rikku gripped the sphere tightly. Her relationship with Auron was one of bartering, she realized. He had just given her more than she ever expected to receive. Trust him, her mind whispered, he's Auron. He won't break apart. She nodded slowly. "These things... they're called destruction spheres," Rikku explained. "They're created by the Temples, just like all the other spheres.""How can a thing of such evil exist in a Temple of Yevon?" Auron asked.Rikku sighed. How to explain it all without sending Auron into a religious crisis? "It's not a question of good or evil," she said. "In case you haven't noticed, the Church of Yevon isn't all smiles and sunshine. I... well, I don't really know for sure how everything works, but the temples reflect the Church. And the Church has its dark side, too."She shivered as she thought of the festering hatred and hopelessness that had created Anima. But in the end, despite its evil, Yuna mastered that summon, just as she had every other known aeon. "There's a little bit of darkness in every Temple, but it's how the Summoners use their aeons that matters in the end.""So we should expect to find these pockets of evil in every temple we visit? ""Pockets of profit," Rikku said, climbing to her feet. "If you find the right place to plant the sphere, something good will happen for sure. Now let's see..."Auron reached for his equipment when she stood up, but Rikku waved him down. “Don’t bother. There won’t be any fiends in the Cloisters. It’s never a physical challenge, you know?”“No, I don’t,” Auron said. “My question is, how do you? ” Stopping, he looked her over with newfound interest. “You were telling the truth in the forest that night, weren’t you. You really were an Al Bhed Guardian.”“I still am,” Rikku told him with a slight smile. “Now come on, I don’t really remember where this thing is supposed to fit, but we don’t want Braska seeing it.” She set off, approaching the first empty sphere slot she could find. Wedging it in, they waited, but nothing happened."That's not it," she mumbled, removing the sphere and moving on to the next column. "How many of these niches did you find, anyway? We might have to test them all..." Rikku trailed off as she slotted the sphere into the recess and a blaze of pink spiralled down into the floor. "Or not. Jackpot!""That light... it's moving directly towards Braska and Jecht," Auron noted, his eyes widening as they traced the path of the glow. He reached for the sword that he normally kept on his back and closed his hand around empty air, then cursed. The sound of a loud crash echoed through the hall, followed by Jecht's yell."Oww! What the hell was that?""Jecht!" Braska's voice sounded strained. "Do you think you might be able to stand - oomph - someplace other than my back? ""Well, I guess Jecht is fine. I dunno about Braska though," Rikku observed. "I bet that explosion uncovered a treasure box, too!" she continued with excitement. "Whatever it is, I call dibs on a fourth of the booty!"Auron let out a barely restrained sigh. "I'm surrounded by infants," he muttered to himself, stalking towards the plateau leading to the lower level of the cloister. He paused as Rikku pulled on his coat. "What is it?""Umm..." Rikku beat down her rising blush. "Thanks. For lots of things," she said. "What you asked me to do - it's not exactly easy for me. But I've thought about what you said, and I really want to get to know you .”Auron inclined his head towards her. “I look forward to it.”“Well… you better get going now. I wanna finish your stuff before we leave here.”He nodded at her, and Rikku watched Auron until he disappeared. Returning to her own workstation, she looked down at his sword and bracer."I guess I saved the best for last," she murmured. Her smile slid off her face as a hand crept to her belt, lingering over the Samurai sphere. "You know, I don’t wanna to fall in love with you, not now.” Shaking her head, Rikku cracked her knuckles and settled on the ground, grabbing Auron's bracer. "Well... it isn't the time for this." She let out a panicked giggle. "Definitely not the time."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku sighed into her palm and watched the heavy stone door with half-lidded eyes. The silence was oppressive; she yawned loudly just to hear herself break it. Things were much the same as they had been in Bevelle's Chamber of the Fayth - Braska, secluded in the inner sanctum, was taking a long time. The rest of his entourage waited outside - bored out of their minds, Rikku added to herself. The hush of the temple put a damper on light conversation.
Auron weathered the wait with his usual stoic resolve; he could have passed for one of the statues, standing in the corner with his arms crossed and a solemn expression on his face. Jecht, on the other hand, sprawled lazily across the steps.
Rikku, for her part, waited a good distance away from the entrance to the inner sanctum, unwilling to subject herself to another seizure. She was sure
something
bad would happen if she tried to force her way into the summoning altar. The heavy feeling of being
observed
had returned when the door first opened, causing her to tense with anticipation. But she kept herself still, and as Braska passed through, the stone door had shut behind him without incident.
I just didn't want to end up convulsing at Auron's feet again while foaming at the mouth. That’s why I didn’t try finding a way in with Braska.
Rikku tried to will away the small, inner voice that argued against her rationalization.
It’s not that I want to stay with these guys. Really.
Her conscience sounded suspiciously like one of Paine’s exasperated sighs.
Head buzzing from her mental argument, Rikku pushed herself off the wall.
I need a distraction.
Digging through her pouch, she seated herself on the floor and pulled out an empty recording sphere, fiddling with the controls.
"Rikkma," Auron said as he watched her. "Braska is communing with the Fayth as we speak. You shouldn’t -"
"Oh, stuff it," Rikku answered. "You know I don't believe in any of those hokey-pokey machina superstitions. How many times have you been recorded already, Auron? Looks like your soul's still here to me," she added, switching the sphere on and purposefully focusing on him. Auron flinched, but to his credit but didn't move out of the way. The sour expression he directed at her, however, made clear what he thought of both her recording and her behavior. With a twinge of guilt, Rikku turned the sphere around and aimed it at herself instead.
"Fine, I'm more fun to look at than you anyway." She winked at the glowing orb.
Spheres are strange
, she thought, studying the bubbling blue liquid it contained. Though filled with Macalania’s purest water, they didn't ever reflect images, instead absorbing them for later viewing when properly charged. In a way, they
could
be seen as a rather vampiric devices - not that she was going to tell Auron that anytime soon, though. Fisting her palm against her chin, Rikku stared back into the depthless blue glow and quirked an eyebrow. "I wonder what I should do with you, huh? Keep a diary of our Pilgrimage?" Thinking about it for only a moment, Rikku shook her head. "No way. Those kinds of things always come back to bite you in the butt later on!"
"Why don't you use it to film me instead?" Jecht pushed himself off of the steps and sauntered over, feeling bored enough to bother her. "I'm a superstar! I'm used to all that attention!" He struck a pose, and Rikku giggled while rolling her eyes.
"Just for that I'm not going to record you at all," she said, keeping the sphere trained on her face and sticking out her tongue.
"But I'm
bored!
" Jecht whined as he crossed his arms. "Braska's takin' forever an' I don't even have a blitzball to keep me company here!"
"Thank Yevon," Auron muttered under his breath.
Rikku frowned as she watched Jecht pace. He did seem rather jumpy; on a good day, Jecht was hyperactive anyway. But she'd noticed him getting more twitchy, for lack of a better word, the longer they waited. He wasn't so restless when they were on the move, but here in the temple with nothing but silence and your own thoughts to occupy the time, it stood out all the more.
Placing the sphere on the floor, Rikku reached over and poked Jecht's ankle to draw his attention. She drew back in surprise when he spun around and glared at her.
Whoa, nervous much?
"Hey, are you okay?" she asked under her breath.
Rikku made sure that Auron wasn’t watching them. Fortunately, he’d gone back to ignoring Jecht the moment the whining began. Rikku figured he was meditating with his eyes open, or some other warrior monk junk. Whatever he was doing, it worked effectively to block out any and everything that had to do with Jecht. Now, however, she questioned the wisdom of Auron’s strategy, as a twinge of concern struck her. She suspected she knew the source of Jecht’s problem, but it would've been easier to deal with if Auron showed even the barest flicker of interest.
"Just restless," Jecht finally answered her. He ran a hand over his face and then sent a look of envy towards Auron... or more accurately, Auron's jug. "Sure could use a drink right now, though," he added as an afterthought. "You think he'd loan me some of that stuff if I asked nice?"
"Loan?" Rikku sputtered. "What, like you'd give it back when you were done? How'd you plan on doing that, by yakking all over him?"
"Well, it'd be more interestin' than sitting around here on my thumbs," Jecht growled at her. Then he sighed. "Sorry. Just... all this hurryin' up to do nothin'... it gets to me sometimes.”
Rikku kept silent, her brow furrowing. It wasn't the lack of activity that had Jecht tied up in knots - it was the lack of alcohol. She remembered the vague stories Tidus used to tell during the times he tried so hard to convince them - and himself - that he hated his father. There had to have been a grain of truth in them, for all of Tidus' theatrics.
Watching Jecht's nervous pacing, she wondered just how much he usually drank.
Well, it doesn’t concern me,
Rikku thought.
If I play my cards right, I won’t even have the time to deal with Jecht’s drinking problem.
Still, she felt a pang of sympathy for his plight and decided to try to help by distracting him.
"Hey, why don't you join me down here?" Rikku offered, pulling a few coins out of their near-empty purse. "We can pass the time together. I'll teach you how to play Sphere Break!"
"Sphere Break? That some kinda game?"
"Uh-huh," Rikku said, laying out the coins in the appropriate pattern. She smirked; maybe it was unfair to challenge Jecht, a complete stranger to the game. She
had
won that embarrassing dressphere off of Shinra, reigning Sphere Break Champion, after all. "Sit down and I'll tell you all about it," she said with a twinkle in her eye.
It took more than a few tries to explain the rather complex set of rules. It wasn't made easier by the lack of "prizes" to offer for winning, something Jecht complained about loudly enough to garner even Auron's attention.
"What's the point of playin' if you don't win anything?" Jecht asked.
"It's supposed to be
fun,
" Rikku shot back.
"Keep the noise down," Auron grunted with a long-suffering sigh. His eyes passed over the coins scattered across the ground with a look of distaste. "Sometimes I wonder why I even try."
"Then stop wondering and come play with us!" Rikku pouted.
"Or just stop tryin', you know we won't listen to you anyway," Jecht added.
Auron huffed, resuming his purposeful disinterest in their existence.
"Come on, Jecht. I can't play Sphere Break by myself! You're bored, I'm bored, what else are we gonna do here anyway?"
"Look, Blondie," Jecht replied, gesturing at the coins in the sample game Rikku had created, "if I understand the rules, part of the fun is thinkin' up a way to get all those extra prizes if you play your coins right. So you can't
really
play without a prize, see?"
Rikku sighed. He had a point, she was loathe to admit. "But I don't have anything to give you!"
"Huh," Jecht said, a sly smile spreading over his face. "I think you do. How 'bout this..." He pointed at one of the coins and leaned in towards her, lowering his voice. "This one's your lucky coin, you don't have to do anything if I get it. But..." And here, Jecht's hand hovered over the adjoining coin. "Ten of these lands me a smooch." He continued gleefully as Rikku's mouth dropped open in protest. "Ten of those other ones makes Braska the lucky guy. And..." Rikku dropped her head into her hand, already knowing what Jecht was going to say and feeling the flush of embarrassment creeping over her face. "Eighteen of these makes Big Red over there smile."
Rikku's head shot up. "Why does Auron get eighteen?" she squawked, and then flushed even more as Auron swung around to stare at them suspiciously.
Jecht laughed. " ‘Cause he likes playin' hard to get!"
Auron raised a questioning eyebrow at her, and Rikku shook her head and pointed at Jecht in the hopes that it would suffice as an explanation. That seemed to work, as Auron grunted in exasperation and resumed his aloof meditation.
Relieved, Rikku put her hands on her cheeks and willed her blush to die down. It wasn't so much that she was embarrassed about the "prizes" Jecht had selected - more about her own reaction if he won some of them. But still...
"Eighteen?"
she hissed furiously, narrowing her eyes at Jecht, who gave her a knowing smirk. At this rate, she might as well have a sign tattooed to her forehead that read "RIKKU LOVES AURON."
Jecht and his stupid mind games!
Weighing her options, Rikku gave in. After all, it was a toss-up: morose introspection while watching Jecht go through withdrawal, or having a chance to kiss Auron
and
blame the whole thing on Jecht later on. Glowering, she gave him a quick, guilty nod of agreement. "You'd better be damn good at math!" she warned, spreading the coins out before him. "Now solve this one in sixty seconds starting
right now!
"
Fifteen minutes later, Rikku had learned a couple of things about Jecht. The first was that he was terrible at math. The second was that despite this shortcoming, he was excellent at strategy on the fly - the mark of any good blitzball player, she figured. She was still two coins away from earning the responsibility -
you mean the chance,
her inner voice cheered - to kiss Auron. Due to Jecht's incompetence she already owed Braska one kiss, and was four perilous steps away from having to actually kiss Jecht himself. The last, however, might have been attributed more to his own perverse sense of humor rather than his mediocre mastery of Sphere Break.
Auron, for his part, was still blissfully unaware of his prize status, which was probably a good thing. Sphere Break wasn’t a quiet game, at least it not when Jecht and Rikku played it. They both had a tendency to be boisterous, and when things got too loud Auron's glare would materialize, sometimes accompanied by the conspicuous clearing of his throat. After one too many arguments over the results, Auron pushed off from the wall and approached them with an air of barely-restrained annoyance.
"You both should know better than to gamble in a temple," he told them. "Even if you don't believe in Yevon, the least you could do is show the proper respect here." He scowled at the forgotten sphere that was nestled on the ground, eying its soft blue glow. "And turn that blasted thing off!"
"Oopsie!" Rikku reached for the sphere and deactivated it. This earned her another snort of disapproval, and she rolled her eyes at a smirking Jecht. "For your information, Auron," she said, "we're not gambling. We're just using the coins to play a game, not trading them." Auron didn't look convinced, so she shrugged. "Hey, it could be worse. We could be playing poker instead."
Jecht snorted. "Naw, that wouldn't happen. If ya want a real game of poker, you'd have a stiff drink and some fine lookin' women at your table, and as you can see, we're sorely lackin' in both." He grinned at Rikku and gave her a wink.
Rikku threw daggers with her eyes towards Jecht. "You know, I'm feeling a sudden need to practice my Gil Toss," she growled, gathering the coins into her hand. The quiet sound of rumbling cut off her threat before any bodily harm could be inflicted, and all eyes turned towards the stairs.
The stone door to the inner sanctum lifted. Rikku held her breath; after a few moments, Braska emerged from the darkness, his face damp with sweat. The fortitude potion she'd dosed him with had long since worn off, and he looked weaker than ever. As much as they helped in times of need, crashing from a mix high tended to be ugly - there was a reason the human body could only push itself so far, after all.
"I did it," he managed to say with a proud smile, stepping forward. And then he tripped, and everyone was scrambling to catch him.
Rikku, being the fastest of the group, made it to him first. She was, in fact, quick enough to catch a glimpse of the inner sanctum. There before her was the chance she’d been waiting for. She could slip through if she dove
right now;
nothing was stopping her. And then there was Braska, on the verge of losing consciousness, falling.
Afterwards, Rikku questioned her actions - why she didn't think clearly and take the chance that presented itself. But in the heat of the moment, there didn't seem to be much of a
choice
at all. She was Braska's
Guardian
- she was there to protect him, not herself. The air left her lungs in a gasp as Braska's body knocked into her open arms. For someone with a willowy build, he sure was heavy.
"Help!" Rikku wheezed as she fell backwards over the steps with Braska in tow.
"Whoa there, I gotcha," Jecht said as he caught them both and righted her carefully. Auron was there to ease Braska out of her grasp, slinging the other man's arm over his shoulder.
"My lord!" he said with concern as Braska blinked and looked around. "You should rest -"
"No!" Braska said, pushing himself away from Auron and wavering on his feet before regaining his balance. "No, I'm fine," he added in a more subdued tone. "I'm just... a little tired. Let's return to the main chamber. I wish to summon."
"Now?" Auron repeated with a note of concern. "Do you think that's wise in your condition?"
Braska shook Auron's arm off and gripped his staff. "I have only one condition, Auron, and that is my status as a Summoner. If I cannot perform my duty, then we should abandon this Pilgrimage here and now." He let out a shaky breath when he was done, and the room fell silent.
It was strange to see Auron expressing so much concern for Braska's welfare, when Auron was usually the one who drove the group to its limits. Rikku was starting to understand where his older incarnation's attitude had come from, though.
For all of Braska’s gentle mannerisms, there was something hard and flinty underneath his kind smile; the same stubborn determination that pushed him to march out of the chamber on his own two feet, rather than relying on the help of his Guardians. He stopped to lean on his staff, and Auron's mouth thinned in silent disapproval, though he made no move to assist the other man.
Jecht was also watching the display with mild interest. " ‘ey, Braska. You're tough, we get it. But even the best blitzers get winded sometimes. No shame in lettin' Auron over there help out, right?"
Braska stiffened, but didn't turn around - either from pride, or more simple exhaustion. "It is not a matter of shame, Jecht." With that, he resumed his sedate pace towards the temple proper.
Auron frowned and trailed after the summoner, and Jecht let out a loud sigh. Then he glanced at Rikku speculatively.
"Oh no," Rikku said, shaking her head as she scooped the remains of their scattered Sphere Break game into her pouch. "What makes you think I could do any better at convincing Braska that he needs help than Auron? They're like best friends already!"
"Auron don't have boobs," Jecht replied, and Rikku rolled her eyes.
"Jecht, not every man's world revolves around ogling women," she snapped.
"Maybe so. But you don't got a choice, Rikkma," he drawled in response, folding his arms. "I won Braska a kiss, didn't I? So you have to do it. And I say you do it right now."
Rikku's mouth flapped open and closed for a few moments, but Jecht's somber expression remained fixed. "B-but... but... I'm not going to kiss Braska
right in front of Auron!
Are you trying to help me out here or shoot my non-relationship in the foot before it even starts?"
Jecht sighed. "Listen, I can handle Auron. I'll tell him about our game. Either he'll understand, or he'll be too busy beatin' the crap outta me to notice you lockin' lips with Braska."
Rikku closed her eyes and rubbed the crease that was forming on her forehead. "Jecht!
That's not the point!
" She glared at him and spoke very slowly, just in case his ears were as stuffed as his head seemed to be. "I. Do not. Want to kiss.
Braska.
"
"Oh, 'cause you look like his wife,
right
?" Jecht drawled.
Rikku’s flush deepened. "It's not that! Well, it is, kinda, but not how you think!" She smacked her palm into her forehead and groaned. "Why am I even having this conversation with you, Jecht? I'm not going to kiss Braska right now!"
Jecht stalked after the others, for once trying to keep his voice moderated as they caught up to Braska and Auron. "I didn't say you have to kiss him full on the lips. All you gotta do is go up there and help him out."
"He doesn't want to be helped," Rikku replied. If a tired Braska was anything like a tired Yuna on a bad day, she didn't want to be caught in the crossfire. "If you like the idea so much, go on up there and kiss him yourself!"
Jecht snorted. "Fine. You wanna play it hard, we can play it hard. If you don't go up there and talk Braska outta his fool idea, then you
do
have to kiss him. On the lips, with yer tongue, in front of your boyfriend,
right now.
Or I'll tell Braska all ‘bout how you tried to blow him up earlier."
Rikku blinked. “Wait.
Blow him up?
When did I ever try to blow Braska...?” she trailed off, already regretting her word choice in the face of Jecht’s guffaws. For the second time she felt herself gaping like a fish out of water. "That's- that's blackmail!" she yelped, and gave Jecht a deadly glare to which he only grinned in reply.
"Stop him from summonin’, or kiss him. Your choice."
"Some choice," Rikku said under her breath as she darted past him. She winced as she brushed past Auron.
He’s not gonna like this one bit.
"Rikkma?" Auron asked. "Lord Braska doesn't wish to be bothered right now, as I'm sure you heard." He peered at her. "By that look on your face I can tell that you're planning something. Whatever it is,
don't.
"
"Umm... no can do," Rikku answered. Jecht coughed behind her. "If anything...
weird...
happens, it's all Jecht's fault. So don't get mad, okay?"
"Weird?" Auron repeated, but Rikku ignored him and continued until she was abreast of Braska. She threw herself in front of him and walked backwards, trying to catch his eye.
"Rikkma. As much as I appreciate your carefree spirit, this isn't the best time for your games," Braska told her. "Please step aside."
"I'm not playing a game," Rikku replied. She watched him trip over some icy rubble strewn across the floor, and made up her mind.
Maybe Jecht was right... Braska's being more stubborn than an angry chocobo.
She situated herself at Braska's side, mirroring the position Auron had attempted to take earlier and looping one of his arms over her shoulders. "I'm going to drag you straight to a bed whether you like it or not."
Braska tensed beside her, but didn't pull away immediately. "As tempting as that offer sounds, Rikkma, I am afraid I must refuse. Besides... do you not wish to see the new aeon as well?"
Rikku rolled her eyes.
Been there, done that
seemed like the wrong answer to give. Instead, she settled for an exaggerated sigh. "So it's all about showing off, huh? Well, mister hot-shot, I think you've been hanging around Jecht too long. You don't have to prove anything to us, you know. You're a Summoner already, for cripe's sake! Take it slow! You don't have to save the world in one day."
Braska chuckled. "I thought you would be pleased to see the creator of Macalania's forests," he said. "I can feel her presence in my mind. She is very beautiful, I am certain of it."
"I bet," Rikku mumbled uncomfortably. Pausing, she separated herself from Braska long enough to push open the heavy double doors that sealed the entrance of the Cloister off from the main hall. As she made her way back, she caught Auron's eye. Was he going to be jealous? Was there even anything for him to be jealous of, after that conversation they had in the Cloister of Trials? The nervous butterflies in her stomach died down as Auron gave her an imperceptible nod of approval, and she propped Braska against her side once more.
"I see my Guardians are conspiring against me," Braska noted, allowing himself to be led out. "While I am pleased to see the three of you working together so well, I wish it was not at my expense."
Rikku clucked her tongue in annoyance. "We're not conspiring against you. We're
guarding
you, since you aren't guarding yourself." She tugged him towards one of the adjacent resting rooms, prepared especially for the visiting summoner parties, but stopped when she felt Braska lean away from her.
"Tell me... why did you think you would have any more success at dissuading me than Auron?" Braska asked.
"Because I'm a girl?" Rikku hedged, trying to tug him towards the chamber once more.
Jecht is so dead,
she thought to herself.
Auron stepped into view, "Is there a problem?"
"None," Braska replied blandly, extracting his arm from Rikku's iron grip with a brief look of warning. "I just need a moment to gather myself before I summon."
"Really, now?" Jecht's voice was a little too loud, breaking the hushed silence of the temple as he strolled towards them. "And here I thought you were gonna take a break." He grinned toothily at Rikku, who cringed.
"Braska -" she mumbled. To her surprise, he turned towards her with a look of weary understanding.
"Rikkma, I truly appreciate the concern you and the others are showing for my well-being. But I am not doing this to show off. I
must
summon this aeon . I must prove that I am strong enough to defeat Sin for myself." He gave her a faint smile. "It is a test, and the duty of every Summoner. I cannot back away, and I cannot fail."
Rikku sighed and dropped her head. She knew the look in his eyes; no matter what Jecht thought she could do, nothing was going to stop Braska. Nothing short of his own death, if that was what it took. "... do you want another potion?" she asked.
"I must succeed on my own," he answered, holding out his staff. "Please, tell the others to get back."
Rikku worried her lip. "Aren't you scared that you'll hurt yourself?" she tried one last time.
Braska tilted his head, one of his trademark half-smiles gracing his features. He looked fragile in that moment, more like a life-sized porcelain doll rather than a man. But his voice was steady when he spoke.
"Of course I am worried. Believe me, it is not a lack of fear that drives me to do this now. But there are things which I believe in that are greater than the sum of my own fears. Things that we all must believe in. A world of peace. A world free of Sin. Such a world, brought forth by the Summoner's sacrifice." He gave her a measured look. "I know you understand, Rikkma."
She knew a lost cause when she heard one. With a slight nod, she moved away from Braska, giving him the space he would need to dance.
So stubborn,
she thought to herself. Then, hesitating, she darted forward. "Wait! At least let me give you this," she said. Ignoring Braska's surprised expression, she leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek. "For luck," she explained as he stared.
After a moment of hesitation, he returned her smile and gave her a slight nod. "Thank you."
Rikku turned away from him and jogged over to Auron and Jecht, motioning them to move back. "I couldn't stop him," she explained. "He's still going to summon her." Her shoulders drooped. "I'm sorry," she mumbled to them under her breath.
"I can't believe you really did it! You kissed him!" Jecht exclaimed. “Oww!” he added when Rikku punched him in the arm.
Auron’s expression was closed; he was in his Ignore Jecht mode again, eyes trained on Braska.
"You and your stupid bets," Rikku mumbled, turning around to watch the show.
Braska had already begun the summoning dance; if his steps were a little slower than usual, or his movements less graceful, no one commented on it. Indeed, there was nothing to be said as the swirl of magic surrounded him, spiralling around the staff in his hand and lifting upwards in a spray of color. The tinkling of crystal became louder; the first few shards of ice fell from the ceiling. Massive chunks of it exploded out of the floor, and then silence reigned as the silvery, almost-liquid form of the aeon descended from above.
"Whoa," Jecht breathed, his eyes wide as Shiva formed, blasting away her prison of ice with an air of haughty disregard. Even Auron seemed speechless for the moment, enraptured by the large aeon's beauty.
Rikku drank in the sight of the much-missed aeon. Shiva had always reminded her very much of Lulu - besides the obvious parallel of being ridiculously stacked, both were also calm, cool and put together - what was, in Rikku's mind, the perfect ideal of feminine beauty. She let out a tiny sigh of content, then stiffened as the summon turned to regard the source of the disturbance in the otherwise silent temple. More correctly, to regard
her.
Rikku couldn't notice anything but the aeon as she stared at her, Shiva’s delicate features giving her look an eerily almost-human quality. The gaze sent a chilled jolt through Rikku’s body and she wrapped her arms around herself. No - Shiva wasn't anything like Lulu, Rikku amended. Lulu, for her frosty exterior, still had compassion and feelings for others, the basics of what made a person human. Shiva was, all puns aside, much more transparent. She was the incarnation of ruthlessness, the remains of a consciousness that had shed every last ounce of humanity in order to transform herself into the perfect machine.
As if she could hear Rikku's thoughts, Shiva smirked. Her eyes remained cold and unforgiving, her gaze unblinking.
You do not belong here,
the aeon seemed to say, though she didn't appear to be surprised.
Suddenly, Rikku knew. She knew with a terrifying, absolute certainty, that this was how it would be for the rest of the Pilgrimage. No amount of planning, of clawing or scraping to gain access to the inner sanctum of a temple would change her situation. Shiva tilted her head as if satisfied, and with a toss of one thick braid, leapt away, disintegrating into graceful swirls of pyreflies. Rikku didn't notice, her throat dry and her eyes wide.
They won't help you. You chose this,
her inner voice supplied in the face of her mute shock.
Give up,
her thoughts whispered traitorously.
Forget the Rikku you were, and become the Rikkma of this era. There's no going back anyway.
The small whimper stuck in Rikku's throat. She was here, in this past, unstuck in time forever or until she died - which would happen pretty soon, if Braska completed his Pilgrimage as he said he would.
It'd be easier to forget anyway... to pretend that this is your second chance, your time to be with Auron. Just let go, isn't that what Auron himself told you to do?
Rikku clenched her fists at her side.
Give up? Just like that?
She shook her head, breaking out of the trance she had been thrust into on seeing ice maiden. So what if Ixion or Ifrit wouldn't help her? Heck, if she paid Yojimbo enough money he'd probably open the gates of time for her personally. And if that wasn't an option, there was always Valefor.
Yeah, Valefor,
Rikku thought to herself with an increasing amount of hope. Valefor
was
gentler than any of the other summons she had ever remembered meeting; the aeon had shared a unique bond with Yuna, and it had even comforted Tidus during his time of need. If there was Fayth that could possibly be called compassionate, it would have to be the winged wonder of Besaid.
With that bit of rationalization, Rikku’s sudden wave of panic subsided. She stubbornly refused to think of what would happen if her plan didn't work - she couldn't abandon hope.
My story is not going to end in the past!
Another thought struck her, and Rikku stifled a groan.
Wait a second - Besaid is all the way on the other side of the world! Valefor is going to be the last aeon Braska picks up on this trip!
"Great," she breathed aloud.
"That's the understatement of the year," Jecht piped in, recovering from his own shock. "Why didn'tcha tell me those aeons could be babes? That thing had legs all the way up to her neck!" He let out a low, appreciative whistle, and both Auron and Rikku winced.
"Don't be disgusting, Jecht." Rikku growled. "Shiva isn't even human!"
"She got it where it counts," Jecht replied with a lecherous grin. Ignoring the incredulous stares of his companions, he sauntered towards Braska. "Hey man, nice job! You look beat. I think you earned a rest, huh?"
"Indeed," Braska replied, this time leaning easily into the proffered arm. "Thank you - all of you - for fulfilling your own duties, so that I could fulfill mine." His eyes lingered on Rikku, and with a sinking feeling, she wondered if the impulsive kiss she had given him had been a mistake. A quick glance over her shoulder at Auron stilled those fears, even as a new set was raised.
Auron, too, was looking at her, and she realized with a jolt that he had
seen.
He'd seen Shiva staring right at her! She opened her mouth, scrabbling for an explanation, and then closed it as she caught sight of Braska.
He was dead on his feet, the last of his strength robbed by the summoning, and an unfamiliar feeling surged through her and quashed her uneasiness. Whatever it was that passed between Shiva and herself had to wait; Braska needed her help
now
. Some things were just more important.
"Things which I believe in that are greater than the sum of my fears,"
Braska had told her.
I'm not going home, not anytime soon. I'm a Guardian again.
She straightened her shoulders and smiled at Braska. Auron's questions had to wait - they had a job to do first, and a few frosty looks from an aeon wouldn’t change that.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"We need to talk."
Rikku swallowed and squirmed in her seat by the campfire. She'd been expecting those words for quite some time now. The trip out of Macalania's frozen cliffs had been uneventful and cold. Conversation was sparse - unlike the fiend battles they were challenged by. But with Braska determined to flex his summoning muscles, at the least the journey was easier; he wanted to master Shiva's frosty power while the aeon was still in her home element. Rikku didn’t mind; it gave her that much more time to concentrate on salvaging their dismal supply situation - something that hadn't been aided by her previous gil-tossing effort.
Auron remained reticent for the entire hike, but Rikku could
feel
he was brooding over something.
Jecht's increasingly erratic behavior wasn't helping, either - in place of his usual tension-breaking jokes, a surly temper was growing instead. He was reminding her less and less of the childish yet endearing boor she’d come to know and more of the arrogant, careless stranger Tidus had described to them. If that wasn't enough, his fighting was in a worse state than ever - Rikku swore that she could see his hands shake when he gripped his sword. It was lucky for everyone that Braska was eager to pick up the slack with his aeon, but Rikku wondered what would happen once they left the icy planes and training would no longer be Braska’s priority.
It wasn't a pleasant mix of tensions to travel with - the atmosphere was strained, with pressure building on every side. Rikku expected things to boil over as soon as they made camp, but instead, both Jecht and Braska had bundled themselves straight off to bed. And now, Auron had finally broken the tense silence as they watched the others sleep.
She glanced at him, wondering if this was going to be "the big kablooie."
Couldn't he have picked on Jecht?
Gathering her resolve, she stopped fidgeting and met Auron’s stare.
I am a Guardian. I've faced Sin. I won't let anything scare me! Not even Auron’s scary face!
"Talk? Do we need to, really?" Rikku blurted out.
Or, okay, maybe I can deal with the big kablooie on another day. Auron’s scary face wins!
Auron gave her a simple, knowing look. One of
those
looks, the ones that told her he wasn't going to let her shake him off. She drew another point for him on her mental scorecard and rolled her eyes.
It's completely unfair.
That man could move mountains with the twitch of an eyebrow.
"Alright, Mister Eyebrow of Doom. We can talk now if you insist." Rikku scrunched her nose at him in defeat.
"Thank you," Auron replied, his voice so dry Rikku was sure he could have cured jerky by breathing into the bag of rations he carried. "I think the problem to discuss is obvious."
Rikku sucked in her breath.
Busted!
"Okay, yeah."
Breathe, Rikku!
"About that aeon thing. I can totally explain! I know you hate it when I keep secrets, and I guess this is the mother them all, but I can't just tell you. I mean, maybe I can, but I think you'd better your sword away - come on, Braska's been all
lemmie-at-em!
all day, I don’t think there are any fiends left out here to jump us. And I mean it, stop polishing that thing and put it away, otherwise you might accidentally impale yourself, or something, and then - hey, actually, I don't know if that would really change anything! But it would be all gross and nasty and I'd have to sphere change just to heal you because Jecht just drank our last hi-potion - without asking, I might add, and you know what he said to me after he did it? He said
I don't feel high at all,
can you
believe
that jerk? And anyway - uh, hello, are you even listening to me?"
She trailed off as she noticed the look Auron was directing at her. This one was a different look now, one of the ones he tended to fire off at Jecht. It was the incredulous one, with the quirked lip, asking
how stupid are you?
"Huh? What, what'd I say?"
Auron shook his head, pinching his brow in annoyance and muttering something under his breath that sounded a bit like
I can't believe she talks that much
but could have just as well been
I can't believe we didn't have brunch.
Which was a point - they
were
almost out of food, and everybody was ready for a hot meal and something other than dried meat to chew on. Yeah, it was definitely the food problem that was giving him trouble concentrating on their conversation, Rikku decided.
"Not about that," Auron said, looking up. "Does
everything
in your perception always revolve around you?"
"It does when I'm talking about our supplies!" Rikku answered defensively. "Since I'm only holding
all
of them! In
one small
pouch!"
"I’m aware of the situation," Auron told her. "But I want you to forget for a moment about the food, the money, and whatever it is you're trying to hide from me this time and focus on something much more immediate. Do you think you could manage that just this once?"
Rikku stared. "You don't want to talk to me about money, and you're not going to interrogate me about the aeon?" She frowned and peered at him with suspicion. "Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine," Auron replied with faint amusement. The smirk dropped from his face and his expression turned serious. "I'm not here to ask you about what you obviously don't want to tell me."
The shock was enough to snap Rikku's mouth shut, followed by a momentary feeling of shame - mostly because of the relief she felt on hearing that
she
wasn’t Auron’s problem this time. It probably wouldn’t last, but for the moment it was a bullet dodged.
But... if he didn't want to talk to her about
that,
then why approach in the first place? "So... umm, what’s up?"
Auron turned his gaze to one of the occupied bedrolls across the glowing embers of the dying fire. "Has Jecht been acting strangely around you of late?" he asked in a low undertone.
Rikku followed his glance, landing on Jecht. The suspect was snoring, as usual. As they watched, he rolled over and smacked his lips together a few times, before scratching an armpit and resuming his evening serenade, completely unperturbed.
Rikku winced. "Jecht always acts strange," she pointed out, earning a brief smile from Auron. It soon dropped, however, and Rikku sighed and wrapped her arms around her legs, rocking herself to and fro. She'd tried to avoid this - considering how straight-laced Auron was, it was a wonder he'd kept this to himself for so long. "But I think I know what you mean."
Auron's face settled into a more typical frown, though it lacked his usual fierceness. "Jecht is suffering from the drinking sickness. He'll put us all in danger, one way or the other, whether he finds a new source or tries to free himself of it. I had my suspicions, but Jecht should have mentioned it was this severe." Auron's frown deepened. "This is not how we should have found out." That it was
exactly
the wrong place and time was left unsaid.
Rikku lowered her chin onto her knees and stared at the burned remains of the detritus they'd scrapped together for fuel. "We all know Jecht has a room temperature IQ, and we’ve just been to Macalania.” Idly, she flicked a hand out and reignited coals with a small burst of Fire magic. Jecht's snoring continued unabated. “I bet he doesn't realize how sick he really is."
Auron nodded in agreement. "So far it hasn't been a problem. But Braska is becoming accustomed to the new aeon, as well as the rigors of the Pilgrimage. He'll notice - if he hasn't already."
"Let's hope not," Rikku said, her eyes flicking from Jecht's bedroll to Braska's.
Their summoner was sleeping opposite of Jecht. The two had a strange symmetry, being a study in contrasts even at rest. Jecht was a mess, sprawled over the crumpled remains of his blanket, while Braska lay motionless on his bedroll, so still and pale that he could be mistaken for dead, if not for the gentle rise and fall of his chest. Exhaustion kept Braska still, lost in the deepest of sleeps as he gathered his magical strength for the next day's journey.
Rikku's hand travelled to her lips, recalling the fleeting kiss she had planted on Braska’s cheek. She blushed when she realized Auron was watching her, and redirected her gaze elsewhere. "Braska’s been practicing pretty hard with Shiva, huh. I think he's getting better at this summoning stuff."
Auron said nothing for a while, and Rikku shuffled her feet. "You... umm. You don't want to ask me about what happened in the temple, do you?" she ventured. Seeing Auron's complete lack of response emboldened her. "Not even a little curious?" she added, her nervousness being replaced by indignation.
Is he ignoring me?
Auron shrugged. "It isn't my place to ask you anything." He wasn't looking at her, but his gaze lost a bit of its usual intensity as a smile pulled at the corners of his lips. "I think I've finally realized that," he admitted after a moment. "I am neither your keeper, nor Lord Braska’s. All this time I’ve tried my best to protect him, but I think..." He trailed off, staring into the fire's remains. "Perhaps I’ve been...
overzealous
. He’s earned the right to do what he wants - or what he feels is best. So have you."
He looked at her, then, his eyes shadowed. "You see someone important to you, someone you’ve lost, when you see me." Shaking his head when Rikku opened her mouth to protest, he continued speaking. "I am neither blind nor stupid, Rikku. I accept that you, too, have suffered from Sin, just as we all have. It’s easy to forget that around you and Jecht... you’re both so
different
from us." He studied Braska. "Braska does the same. He sees his wife in you - he can’t help himself." Auron's expression turned grim. "Braska has already sacrificed too much. If… your
attentions
make this Pilgrimage easier for him to endure, then I won’t stand in his way. He deserves to know comfort and companionship on this, his final journey."
Rikku’s heart dropped like a stone - the way Auron put it so bluntly, Braska's
final
journey, brought the inevitable conclusion of the Pilgrimage to the forefront, reminding her of what was in store for them all if they succeeded.
When we succeed,
Rikku corrected herself.
It has to be
when
.
She started as Auron continued speaking, feeling her breath hitch.
Hold on - is he saying what I think he's saying?
"And I know now, Rikku, that you won’t hurt him. You... may return his affections, if you wish. I won't interfere."
“It’s not Braska’s affections I want!” Rikku felt as though she had been punched in the gut; not enough air was making the journey into her lungs for proper speech. She glared at Auron. "This could be the last journey for all of us! What are you, some kind of martyr? Don't you think you deserve a little happiness too?"
Auron faced her. "From you?"
For one a heart-stopping moment, Rikku felt despair. The tone of his rhetorical question was leaden and uninviting, clearly spelling out REJECTION, sending her thoughts into a tailspin.
He doesn't feel anything for me? No... we're friends... I'm his friend! But nothing else? Then this... this journey I was sent on... all that pain I felt when he left... it was all for nothing?
"W-would that be so bad?" she managed to reply.
Auron sighed; his iron mask slipped a little as something flickered behind his eyes, and suddenly Rikku found she could breathe again. She resisted the urge to sock him in the shoulder for scaring her so much, figuring it would kill the mood of the moment they were sharing. If you could call his avoidance of her and the fact that he had just practically shoved her at Braska a
moment
at all.
"You're a very pretty girl," Auron admitted. "Even for an Al Bhed."
Rikku felt her cheeks turn pink a moment before her mouth dropped open. As expected, Auron's dubious compliments were a double-edged sword. “Gee, thanks,” she deadpanned. “I guess you aren’t half-bad for a Bevellian, either.” She waited to hear the
real
words, whatever it was he was trying to tell her.
"I know you believe you’re attracted to me. You're a very poor actress and you wear your emotions on your sleeve." He chuckled. "At first, it offended me, but now..." His smiled faded, and his stare was so heavy Rikku felt a chill run down her spine. She wet her lips nervously, and was surprised when he looked away first.
"... things have been changing between us. Between all of us." There was a tense, but not entirely uncomfortable pause, and Auron gave her a significant look. "You no longer disgust me, in any case."
Rikku rolled her eyes. "Oh, you flatterer," she drawled, turning away from him to hide her face. “Maybe you should get some pointers from Braska. At least he knows how to make a girl feel welcome.” She squeaked in surprise when Auron's hands gripped her forearms to twist her back around. He seemed upset - but not with
her
for once.
"You are a puzzle," he breathed, lowering his face towards hers. He looked conflicted, as though he was struggling to come to terms with her presence before him, even though he was the one holding her still. Rikku blinked, unable to do anything but stare as her heart beat a staccato rhythm.
"Trying to unearth your secrets is... tempting," he murmured, his eyes roving over her face, as if he was looking at her for the first time. The most he’d ever said about her appearance was that she bore an uncanny similarity to her aunt Raenn; maybe he was trying to take his own advice.
Rikku was not feeling quite as adventurous - searching his face seemed like a moot point when his lips were
that close
to her own. It was hard enough trying to resist her own urge to lean in and test them. Were they as soft as they looked? Auron’s mouth was moving, but his words were being drowned out by her own heartbeat.
"But - what you feel, Rikku..." His grip loosened.
Kiss!
Rikku thought hazily.
"Who you see... that man is not me."
Kiss me now, you idiot!
she railed, still zeroed in on his lips.
"And I cannot... no.
Will
not be him."
Something clicked as his lips drifted away.
Still not kissed!
her mind screamed, preparing to take over and drag Auron down to extract satisfaction whether he wanted to kiss her or not, consequences be damned. She gained control over herself before the "conversation" turned into a wrestling match and tried to sway him with a little good old-fashioned Rikku-style logic.
"Well, we could still... um... hang out together, right? Like we're doing right now?"
Except closer. Like, say, if you were holding me on your lap instead of on this stupid stone,
her mind supplied. "You could just be yourself! Honest!"
Auron's fingers flexed against her forearms. His eyes were so dark - she hadn't had the opportunity to see them this close since he had first stared her in the face all those years ago. Why in Shiva's name hadn't she realized how beautiful they were? A heavy sense of anticipation filled her, and she leaned forward, letting her own fall shut as she puckered her lips.
"I can't do that, Rikku."
That was not a kiss.
Rikku’s eyes flew open. She voiced the first, immediate thought that came to mind. "Why not?"
Auron sighed, though he didn't release her - which she noted with glee. "You asked if I wanted to know why you kissed Braska. I think you should ask
yourself
that question first."
Rikku twisted out of Auron's grasp. So he
was
jealous! With a great amount of effort, she ignored the urge to celebrate. "But that was because of Jecht! Him and his stupid bet! That wasn't my fault!"
Auron sat back, his expression closing. "Jecht may have many flaws, but intentionally wounding Braska isn’t one of them. And no -" he added with a quick look, "I don’t believe that’s your intent, either. But what you gave Braska was more than a simple kiss. Surely you understand that."
Rikku sat back, stumped. No, she
didn't
understand that.
More than a kiss?
"Back up there! What do you mean? That was just an innocent peck on the cheek!"
The hard stare Auron gave her made Rikku want to disappear into her boots.
"What? It was just a stupid bet! It didn’t mean anything!"
"You gave him hope, Rikku. Something you wouldn't have done if you had no feelings for him, no matter which inane games you play with Jecht."
"Of course I have feelings for Braska!" Rikku sputtered. "He's my un... uhh, he's
family!
I love him! Just not the way you think I do."
The conflicted, vulnerable Auron she’d witnessed moments before was disappearing behind his wall of granite, though his eyes remained locked on her own. “I was Braska's companion long before you even knew of him." He paused to regard Braska. "Lord Braska is not your brother in blood. He’s well within his right to pursue you - if that’s what you both wish."
“No way! That’s not what I want!” Rikku felt herself turn colder than Shiva at Auron’s mention of her “
brother.
”
That's
who Auron thought she was? Raenn's
sister?
Technically, what Auron said was true - she
wasn’t
related to Braska by blood. The only problem was that Auron was dead wrong - and besides, Braska was Yuna's
father.
Friends didn't jump other friends' dads - that was just
gross.
“I don't like him! I like
you!
Even Jecht knows that!" Rikku pinned Auron under a challenging stare, ignoring her own gut reaction to turn around and run away while squealing in the highest pitch possible.
I can't believe I just said that. Goodbye, dignity! Hello, embarrassment! Well... what’s done is done.
Second-guessing herself was a sure-fire way to guarantee a loss in her stare-down war with Auron. "I think you've started to like me, too. So what's the problem here? Am I not good enough for you?"
Auron grimaced, startled by her accusation. "Don't try to make this an issue of race, Rikku. Or have you already forgotten your own prejudice? Maybe you should don that magic armor of yours if you need a reminder."
“Is that what you really want right now, huh?”
Auron sighed. "That wasn't - Rikku," he tried again, rubbing a hand over his face in an oddly familiar gesture - one that had stuck with the older Auron over the years. "I don't know what you want. But what I’m trying to explain is that
you
don't know, either."
Rikku grit her teeth. "Hey! I know exactly what - no,
who
- I want! Stop putting words in my mouth!" She bit off the sentence before she could tack on a
"and try your tongue instead,"
but Auron still gave her a knowing stare.
What am I missing here?
Rikku thought. Her confusion must have shown, because Auron answered her question without any prompting.
"There is much more to a relationship than physical attraction," Auron told her. "What you think you feel, what you see in me - and yes, even what
I
feel - that isn't enough. It's not enough for me, it wouldn't be enough for you and it's certainly not enough to force onto Braska. There are no fairy-tale romances in Spira, Rikku."
“Leave Braska out of this!” So what if he was right - maybe there weren’t any happy endings in this Spira, this past, foreign world of his. That didn’t mean that she wasn’t going to try. “This is between you and me right now.”
"Look, I don't know what happened in your clan, or why you’re exiled," Auron said. "But I can tell you that Braska is a good man, despite what you may have been told to believe. You don't have to feel shame or disgrace for returning his feelings. You don't have to run away from him."
Rikku studied Braska, still sleeping and unaware of their late night discussion and his own role in it. "Auron, you don't know what you're talking about," Rikku began, but he cut her off.
"You're a liar,
Rikkma,
" he told her. "You've lied about your past. You've lied about your feelings for me. Now you're lying to yourself about your feelings for Braska as well. You've lied so much that I wonder if you even know truth anymore." His words were harsh, but his tone was not full of censure, as she would have expected. "You know what he sees in you, yet you continue to encourage him - with your smiles, your touches, your kind words and now even a kiss. You're not cruel, Rikku. But you are naive."
He's wrong. Auron's
wrong.
Rikku tore her eyes away from Braska. "You mean I should push him away then? Be mean to him so he won't get his hopes up? Tell him a dramatic story about how it's not meant to be over a campfire?" She shook her head, braids and beads slapping into her face and stinging her cheeks. "Just like you right now. Well you know what I think? I think you’re using Braska as an excuse. You're just
afraid
of me, yeah!" Rikku huffed and waited for his reply. The silence loomed, but she hunched her shoulders and refused to give up. She could wait forever for
this
answer.
A dry laugh, unexpected, broke the tense silence. "Maybe you're right," Auron admitted. "I am pushing you away. But you know why. I don't want to be someone else for you." His eyes lost their amusement when he looked up again. "I don't know
what
I feel, but at least I know what I
don’t
want." He fell quiet, his own challenge still unyielding.
Rikku flushed and peered at Braska. She won the battle... sorta. Auron's answer was as raw and honest as it could get, she couldn't deny that. But it still didn't change anything.
Well I know that I don't want to be Raenn. Maybe I do need to start being meaner to Braska. Just because he has it hard doesn't mean I should be leading him on.
Braska sighed and shifted, rolling to his side. The glimpse of his face she caught was contorted with the remnants of some bad dream, but it passed as quickly as it came, and his features soon returned to their slack, unguarded state. Yuna had suffered from those dreams too, Rikku recalled, after she started collecting aeons.
"They say summoning changes a person," she remarked, feeling an urge to move to Braska's side and rest her hand against his forehead, to try and soothe away the worries and the dreams that she
knew
were plaguing him. But instead she caught herself and scowled at Auron. "You think showing someone a little compassion is a sign of being in love? You know, you're pretty messed up, Auron. I don't want to know what your family was like."
"Compassion," Auron echoed, a humorless smile back in place. "Is that what you call this. Hnn," he added, looking away.
The conversation died out, and though they were sitting right next to each other Rikku felt tired and alone. Auron's words bothered her - but not as much as they
should have.
All things considered, he didn't seem very upset with her either, despite their obvious disagreement. Most of all, though, Rikku was surprised that she wasn't angrier at his accusations of her own supposed feelings for Braska.
Well, it's because I
do
love Braska,
she reasoned.
Just in a different way. I thought he could understand that.
"I'm sorry for treating you like somebody else. Someone you're not," Rikku said. "You were right about that. But -" She took a deep breath. "I'm willing to do what it takes to prove that I really like you.
You,
Auron. Not someone who looks like you. Not just my memories."
Auron glanced at her warily. "Don't try to kiss me," he said with a faint look of alarm.
Rikku rolled her eyes. "Hey, how'd you know I was even thinking - oh, forget it! Besides, I didn't win the part of the bet where I got to kiss you anyway, not that you'd believe that." She shrugged. "But I do want something from you, to show you that I'm serious. At least give me the chance to change your mind," she pressed.
"Something," Auron repeated after a short, thoughtful pause. "You've already taken my sword, my bracer, and all of my money. What more do you want?"
Rikku grin reappeared as the atmosphere relaxed between them. A glint entered her eye, and Auron grimaced as he followed her gaze.
“Stop right there!” Auron shut her down with a look of panic before she could reach his belt buckle.
"Aww, c'mon! Then at least gimmie your coat! I won't damage it, I swear!"
After the ensuing brief but quiet struggle, Rikku managed to wrest the coat off of him and gather it in her lap. He’d let her win to keep from waking Braska and Jecht, but she wasn't going to quibble over the details. A win was a win, fair or not. "See?" she whispered. "You
do
like me!"
"I didn't want to disturb the others with your incessant scheming," Auron grumbled, crossing his arms. Which, without the bulky fabric of his coat sleeves to hide them in, were laid bare to the world in all of their muscular glory.
Holy moley, he's hot,
Rikku reminded herself, biting her lip and trying not to stare. Auron cleared his throat with a smug look, and Rikku blanched and scowled half-heartedly at him. She couldn't hold the frown, however, just gave up trying as she delved into the coat, running her fingers over the fabric. A thousand ideas raced through her head. She settled on the least offensive one, abandoning the cloth to dig through her supply pouch.
"I'm gonna put a little Rikku-certified chic into this thing, mister. I mean, red is such a total fashion mistake, if you ask me. It makes you look fat. It could make anybody with abs of steel and a skin-tight bodysuit look fat. Just look at Nooj! ...never mind about that last part."
She chattered away as she worked, grabbing her soldering iron and a few scraps of metal out of the bag. Gathering together everything she needed, Rikku began tooling the shoulder-guard of the coat.
"If you're gonna go flamboyant, then do it with a little bit of style. You should wear your coat off the shoulder or something. Y'know, one arm in, one arm out. It'll look fantastic on you!" She snuck a calculating glance at Auron's biceps. "And this should help a little with the protection too," Rikku added, ducking back as a few sparks flew from the tips of the metal she was working. "Everything could use a little of that good ol' Al Bhed flair!" Finishing up - it was primarily a decorative modification, after all - Rikku blew on the still-glowing shoulder guard and then held up the fabric to display her handiwork to Auron. "Well, what do you think?"
Silence.
Rikku scowled. "What, don't you like it?"
"You... have taken the traditional uniform of Yevon's warrior monks and decorated it with an Al Bhed design," Auron observed. He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes at her. "Do you take pleasure in insulting the Church at every turn?"
Rikku didn't have to think about that one. "Well, yeah, actually, I guess I do. But this time it's just a neat little bonus."
"A bonus to what...?" Auron trailed off, reaching for the coat.
Rikku frowned. "Oh, stop being so sarcastic," she said to him, refusing to relinquish the cloth. There was no way she was going to give this to him if he was going to make fun of it, or worse yet,
insult
it. "I just wanted to give you a little piece of me. You know," she added, feeling more and more embarrassed by the second. "Something that will last - you can take it with you, no matter where you go."
Her voice faltered, and the coat slipped through her fingers as a faint sense of panic bloomed.
Did I reach too far? Maybe he really doesn't like it. He said it was a uniform? Oh, great, don’t tell me Auron gets hung up on things like that...
Rikku closed her eyes and stifled her groan. And here she'd been trying to help ease the tension between them, for crying out loud!
A sudden, unexpected pressure on her hands caused Rikku's eyes to fly open. Auron's larger, pale fingers slid over her own, tracing the designs on the warmed metal in her grasp.
"I am... honored. Thank you, Rikku," he murmured, more gently than she had ever heard him speak. "I will wear it with pride." Catching himself, he withdrew his fingers and frowned. "Lord Braska will be pleased to see it, of course.”
Rikku smiled at Auron and pulled the coat out of his grasp, swatting his hands away. "Wait, there's one last thing I want to do to it." She dove back into her supply pouch, searching for something that would better reflect her feelings for him. When her hand finally closed around one of their few, precious phoenix downs, Rikku felt her smile widen. "I know exactly what this needs," she murmured, drawing out the fluffy feather and one other, more familiar set of beads. She strung the feather around the looped thread and reached for his shoulder guard. A few sparks later, and the beaded hair-cord Yuna had made was dangling from the back of his coat, the small feather at its end twisting through the air. "There," Rikku sighed, blowing on the metal to cool it. "Now it's perfect."
"That is Besaid-style knotwork," Auron observed with interest. "Those are very rare and expensive to obtain. You've been to Besaid before?" He sounded surprised.
"I knew someone from there once," Rikku explained, pleased with her work.
"Thank you," Auron repeated dubiously. "But... why this, and the feather? I can hardly wait to hear what Jecht will say about it.”
Rikku stuck out her tongue. "Oh, come on. You're man enough to wear Besaid hair-braids, right? Besides, with arms like those and that sword, nobody will laugh at you. Just keep one out there for everyone to see and people will be too busy looking at your guns to notice the feather anyhow."
"Hnn," Auron grunted, but he did stand up and slip the coat on. "I'll keep that in mind." Though he shrugged out of one sleeve, he continued to hide his arm from her view within the bulky coat. He looked down at her, one eyebrow quirked. "And does this meet with your approval, then? Or do I need to start wearing sunglasses next? Maybe a new hairstyle?" he suggested.
Rikku smiled, planting her chin in one hand. "Naw. I think you're good the way you are right now."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"C'mon, man, gimmie a break!" Jecht's bellow echoed across the clearing. "I'm too tired to do this! I need a time-out!""The fiends will not be as accommodating as I am," came Auron's curt reply. There was the sound of clashing metal, and then -"OWW! Damn it, Auron, I can't feel my wrists anymore!""That yell of pain tells me otherwise. Now take up your sword."The short moment of silence that followed was soon punctuated by more grumbling. Then the sound of a scuffle filled the air once more. Rikku sighed and shook her head before risking a glance at Braska, who was tending to the remains of their makeshift camp. "Auron's being pretty tough on him, huh?" she observed.Braska nodded, wrapping up his bedroll. "He may seem harsh, but Jecht has found himself a competent teacher." He paused. "Auron would not try quite so hard if Jecht did not show at least some promise."There was another loud ring, and then more of Jecht's increasingly creative obscenities on Auron, his sword technique, his lineage and how the two meshed together filtered through."... Once he learns how to keep his grip on his sword," Braska added as an afterthought. Finishing with his bundle, he stood and shook out his robes. "But the lesson is over for today. It is time we moved on." Stooping down, he scooped Auron's pack from the ground and made his way over to the two swordsmen.Rikku kicked at the ground before rolling to her feet. "I was afraid you were gonna say that," she mumbled, shouldering her pack. Grabbing Jecht's, she trailed after him. As she pulled alongside the three men, she tossed it toward Jecht, nearly hitting him in the face and earning more than a few of his colorful expletives. Ignoring his insults, she addressed Braska. "Do you think we could at least wait until it stopped raining? Jecht does need more practice, after all." She was met by more swearing and ducked a half-hearted blow from the man in question."That storm never ends," Auron interrupted. "Unless you want to take up permanent residence in Macalania, it's time to move on.""Yeah," agreed Jecht a bit too hastily. "We need to get back to civilization. Y'know, with people. And food. And bars," he trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck.Braska smiled in sympathy. "While I can not say that I approve of the bars, I fear I must agree with Jecht. Djose Temple is our next destination, and to reach it we must cross the Thunder Plains.""I know, I know," Rikku replied. "It's just... well, I don't really like thunder all that much." Stubbing a toe into the ground, she frowned. It had been a while since she’d overcome her crippling fear of thunder, but that didn't mean she enjoyed travelling through the Thunder Plains. In fact, the only instance she could recall appreciating any time spent there was during Yuna's concert - and that was more due to the fact that the storm had actually broken, rather than the concert itself. She looked up to see the others studying her. Well, Auron and Braska. Jecht looked smug, and too late she realized she’d given him ample ammunition to use for the rest of the Pilgrimage. Rolling her eyes, she stiffened her back in a show of bravery, planting her hands on her hips. "Whatever," she said with more confidence than she felt. "I won't slow us down."Still, as the small group made their way to the edge of the wet, darkened fields of rock, Rikku found her feet slowing. Lightning flashed, and she jumped, barely stifling her squeak of dismay. Braska was busy explaining the quirks of the never-ending storms and lightning strikes to Jecht, who was listening with too-eager anticipation. It figures, Rikku thought. Only someone like Jecht would be excited at the possibility of getting barbequed by a lightning bolt. There was another flash of light, followed by a loud crack of thunder. With a sense of foreboding, Rikku looked up, then leapt away as a sizzling bolt charred the ground at her feet. Scowling, she rolled off of her butt and inspected her now-thoroughly-soaked skirt. Then she shook a fist at the sky. "Hey, aim at one of those taller guys over there!" She pointed at Jecht. "Just fry one of the guys carrying those lightning rods on their back and leave me alone!" The sky rumbled ominously in response, and Rikku groaned."Looks like you got all the luck, Blondie!" Jecht called out to her with a grin. He followed it up with a whoop as another blast of lightning struck a few feet away, causing her to cringe and jump once more.Rikku growled at Jecht, but his comment had her fingering the Garment Grid. She looked at the new sphere she’d placed in it and wondered if it would work. Shinra wasn't there to fix it if anything went wrong, but then again - she'd made this sphere herself, and she didn't really believe Jecht's personality would be a hostile one. Embarrassing, maybe, but not malicious. Besides, Rikku thought to herself as she tapped the Sphere Break game she’d recorded, the worst it can do is not work, right? "Guys," she called out after a moment's consideration. "I'm gonna try something, okay? Don't freak out!"Auron's eyebrows shot up. "Something? " he asked, a dark look clouding his features. "Define something. "Braska saw Rikku toying with her belt. "You are going to use your magic again," he observed. "But why?""Who cares why?" Jecht jumped in excitement - avoiding another thunderbolt in the process. "C'mon, just do it already! I've been waitin' to see this since forever!"Rikku rolled her eyes in exasperation. At least she could trust Jecht to make sphere changing seem like nothing more than a trip down one of Luca's fashion runways. Still somewhat nervous, she looked to Braska for approval, rather than jumping headlong into her plan. "It's a new sphere," she told him, sensing the dark look Auron was shooting her over Braska's shoulder. "I'm, umm, well, I'm not really sure what it'll do, but I don't think it'll hurt anybody. And," she added, seeing Auron shift his weight, "I think it'll even help us cross the Thunder Plains if it works."Braska looked contemplative, then gave her a slow nod."My lord - !" Auron protested, still not enamoured with the idea of Rikku changing into one of her costumes. She frowned at him, then tempered the look with a guilty wince. In all honesty, Auron had yet to have a good experience with one of her "enhanced" personalities to date. Then she lifted her chin. Well, that’s just going to have to change. She wasn't about to give up using one of the few advantages she had on this Pilgrimage just because it made Auron uncomfortable. In fact, she considered it suitable revenge for when he made her feel clumsy and awkward just by being his normal, competent, muscle-bound self. Which was pretty much always. She smirked and turned her attention back to Braska."Go ahead, Rikkma," Braska told her. "Your magic is a resource that none of us can afford to ignore at the moment." His tone was light, but in it were the underpinnings of a faint command; again, her fault. They were short on money and supplies, and Braska was making clear that no advantage, no matter how uncomfortable it might be for the group, was to be turned away."So what’cha gonna change into now, Blondie?" Jecht asked, missing the subtle undertones of the conversation in favour of ogling Rikku. "Tell me it's a blitzer!""It is, in a way," Rikku admitted, her hand hovering over the sphere belt. "It's you. Well, a recording I made of you." She tried valiantly to ignore how both Auron and Braska blanched at the news while Jecht let out another triumphant cheer."Ya know, there can be only one Sublimely Magnificent Jecht, but I really can't blame ya for trying," he crowed."I knew this was a bad idea," Auron muttered to Braska, whose calming smile was beginning to look strained. "How is this supposed to help us cross the Thunder Plains?" he added with more volume."Stop looking so glum, I'm on it too!" Rikku ignored the groan emanating from Auron and the tightening of Braska's smile and pushed on. "And it's not so much a recording of Jecht, but what he was doing."Auron sighed and passed a hand over his eyes. "I find myself gushing with relief," he deadpanned. Then he shrugged and gripped his sword. "Perhaps you should just stop talking and get it over with," he grumbled. "I'm sure Lord Braska and I will be able to adequately handle the fallout.""Hey, stop talkin' like it's gonna be a bad thing!" Jecht protested. "It’s ME after all!" The rumbling of thunder cut through the silence following his declaration.Rikku shrugged. "Well, here goes nothing!" She sucked in her breath and activated the sphere. A swirl of energy surrounded her, and she tipped her head back and spread her arms to welcome it. The change felt slow, sluggish almost; she wondered what kind of tuning Shinra did to the spheres before he allowed them to be used. It felt as though there was something blocking her. The potential was there, scraping and moving under the surface of the swirling energy, but no feelings of being overtaken, being replaced by something - or someone - else pushed through to the surface. Frowning, Rikku squeezed her eyes shut and delved more deeply into the power flowing around her. The more she chased and grasped after the elusive energy, however, the faster it slipped from her reach. Come on, come on! Somehow she was convinced that Yuna wouldn't have had this problem; probably even Braska could draw out whatever was hiding in the sphere. But Rikku wasn't a summoner, not by a long shot, and after a moment the light swirling around her died. Cracking her eyes open, Rikku looked at her hands - and let out an exhausted sigh. There was no change, and she grunted in frustration and wiped the sweat from her brow."What went wrong?" Braska asked, sensing her disappointment."I don't know!" Rikku snapped, more harshly than she intended to. She ducked her head. "Sorry. I was just hoping it would work, but I guess I really am out of luck. It was a long shot anyway."Braska stepped towards her; the rain was plastering the cloth of his circlet to his head, and Rikku realized that she was the reason the rest of the group was getting soaked - without making any progress through the dangerous fields."It's okay, let's just forget about it -" she began, but stilled when Braska reached out and clasped her hands."Your belt... it summons the memories of the things you record in your spheres," he said. "Is that not what you told me?"Surprised, Rikku could only nod. Braska gave her another smile of encouragement. "Do not give up hope, Rikkma. You yourself know how long it took for me to master the summoning of an aeon. Try not to fight with your memories. A summoner cannot struggle against the aeon he bonds himself to, for it would destroy him. It is only when we learn to fully accept the Fayth into our hearts and minds that they come to us."Rikku had never questioned what it was like for summoners before; she just knew there was a lot of sweat and fatigue involved from whatever went on behind those closed doors. Now, though, she wondered at the precious, jealously guarded information that Braska was letting her hear. "So summoning - it's not really about pulling out all that power, but giving into it?"Braska's eyes warmed as he nodded. "It takes a great deal of trust... trust that the power you deliver yourself to will not harm you. Trust, and confidence. Summoning is about letting go of yourself and becoming one with something greater."Mulling over his words, Rikku thought about Anima and couldn't help but let out a convulsive shudder. How in Spira had Yuna ever managed to master that dark, restless aeon? As if sensing her unease, she felt Braska's hands tighten over her own as he continued."But it is also about trust in yourself," he told her. "The Summon becomes a part of your own soul. If you know yourself - if you accept yourself - you will not be harmed." He stepped closer to her. "You are a strong, good-hearted woman. Trust in yourself, in your own abilities and powers, and you will master this sphere." He leaned in, and she felt a gentle pressure at her cheek, and then he was moving away before she could even register the soft brush of his lips against her skin. Rikku's hand flew to her face, her eyes wide with shock."For luck," he told her with a smile, gravitating back towards Auron, who had observed the entire display stoic indifference. "I believe in you. Try your sphere again."Rikku nodded, her hand still on her cheek, which she was sure was starting to burn as red as Auron's coat. She didn't dare shift her eyes towards the other man; she could tell from his posture alone that he had gone stock-still. Even Jecht wasn't making a comment; rather, he was looking between Braska and Auron with a thoughtful, half-squinted expression that she hadn't seen for some time.She took a deep breath. With everyone remaining motionless, there were only two choices. Either she could try again, or they could all became living lightning rods while waiting for the tension to break. Tough call. Closing her eyes, she passed her hand over the dressphere and called forth the power it contained.It leapt over her skin in a painful crackle of energy, surrounding her with light; Rikku felt herself cringing and trying to push away from it, to master it. The sensation was a lot more raw and intense than her Shinra-prepared dresspheres, and she struggled for control.
Trust in yourself.
She repeated Braska's words, forcing herself to stop fighting the conflicting swirls of energy. Shoulders relaxing, her arms spread as electricity washed through her, at first burning and violent. She struggled not to clench, to accept the foreign presence and almost-familiar thoughts that raced through her mind. You won't harm me, she thought to the strange almost-consciousness that was taking a hold inside of herself. The glow of the transformation surrounded her, and a smile played at her lips. You are me. She felt Jecht's wild laughter run through her, his overabundance of confidence and self-assurance. She saw the coins glinting as they spun through the air, turning over and over on themselves. And she saw herself, smiling as she deftly flipped the coins around her index fingers, her lips moving in a silent, rapid count. She was them; she was all of them , and they were her. Jecht tossed another coin, laughing in triumph as he won his bet, and with a start, Rikku realized it was she who was laughing. Laughing and twirling on her toes as the light faded, leaving her standing among her friends in the midst of the dark, rain-soaked Thunder Plains."Is there something you're not telling us?" she heard Auron say. The question wasn't directed at her."That is NOT me," came the quick answer from Jecht. "There is NO WAY that is me!" He was yelling now."Really," Auron was saying, this time his voice laden with amusement. Braska was making a few very suspicious snorting sounds.Deciding to take pity on her companion - he was, after all, the one who made this possible in the first place - Rikku completed her spin and snapped her cards around. They whirled around her, lifting in an unnatural breeze and threading under her torso and over her chest before following the line of her arm and falling into place in her waiting, outstretched hand. "Of course it's not Jecht," she said. Her voice was loud and bright, all traces of the timid fear she had felt earlier vanished. "Do you think he could ever look this good in a million years? This is one-hundred-percent yours truly!" She winked and blew her friends a mocking kiss.The men turned to her and she posed for them, completely unabashed by the triple set of stares she was receiving. "See something you like?" she asked them."I see the resemblance now," Auron said, his eyes rolling upwards.Rikku pouted, jutting a hip out as she tapped the bottom of her chin with her cards. She knew the sphere was working, just as surely as she knew no amount of falling rain would be able to plaster down the feather ornament that was woven into her hair. "Well, I can't help it if you boys can't keep your eyes off of my sexy bod!" she purred, winking at him." 'ey hey hey," Jecht broke off, waving his hand at Rikku. "C'mon, I'm not really like that, am I? Besides," he added, turning a gleaming eye on her. "There's only one sexy bod on this Pilgrimage, and it don't belong to you.""Humph, I wonder what Braska and Auron would say about that," Rikku teased, her blood warming at the thought of some - any, really - competition. "Wanna bet on it?""I think not," Braska said, managing to recover his voice. He coughed, carefully manoeuvring his eyes to remain planted on Rikku's face. "While I am pleased by your success, Rikkma, I'm afraid I fail to see how this new outfit of yours will assist us in our travels.""What he means is how the hell are ya gonna cross the Thunder Plains in heels?" Jecht added, sidling up to her and giving her skimpy yellow dress a critical once-over. In response, Rikku let out a shrill, confident laugh, crossing an arm over her mouth. "I do NOT laugh like that," Jecht added sullenly."This is an outfit I'm familiar with," Rikku explained, slapping her cards into Jecht's face and sending him reeling backwards - and conveniently out of her arena of personal space. The spotlight was only large enough for one, after all. "I used to call it Lady Luck. Although it does feel like it has a few new touches." She tapped her lip. "I don't remember ever being this loud before," she admitted, then gave the others a winning smile. "But I'm sure it's an improvement!""Of course," Auron repeated, still eyeing the flimsy yellow costume with distaste. "How is it that you're managing to stay dry when the rest of us are soaked?"Rikku winked and turned, sashaying onto the open plains. "I guess I'm just lucky!" she crowed, tossing her cards into the air above her head. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed, coursing down towards her. At the last moment, the bolt split, charring the ground on either side of where she stood. Turning around, she gifted them with a winsome smile. "Well? Are you boys coming, or do you want to wait and see how long it takes for your luck to run out?""That... could be useful," Braska observed as he gathered his robes and hurried after her."If you can put up with her long enough to stand it," Auron grumbled in reply. They both stopped short when Rikku threw a few cards at them. The stack whirled in place, bathing them both in a burst of ephemeral petals of red and gold.Rikku caught the returning cards with a snap. "A little spell I call Felicity, " she explained. "You two shouldn't get hit by any lightning either, unless you want to be." She winked at them. "Stay close now, you wouldn't wanna be caught without me when it wears off!"Jecht hobbled alongside them, peeling a stray card off of his cheek. " ‘ey!" he grunted. "What about me?"Rikku narrowed her eyes and smirked. "Well, I guess you'll just have to rely on your own good looks to get you through this one.” She glanced at the sky. "Oh, and you might wanna move.”"Why? All this star power blocking your limelight?" Jecht snapped back. The sky flashed, and then a yelp filled the air along with the scent of burned hair. Rikku looked down her nose at the man sprawled on the ground before her."Not anymore," she sniffed.
.x.x.x.
Despite the initial arguments, it didn't take long for Rikku and Jecht to become fast friends despite - or perhaps because of - the Lady Luck dressphere; altogether not too surprising, considering how much of her new personality was based off of Jecht's own. Of course, her sudden competitive streak and the mixture of ballooning egos didn't allow everything to proceed quite as smoothly as their easy banter. In addition, she continued to refuse him her luck charms, given Jecht’s penchant to challenge her for the spotlight. The Thunder Plains was her stage, and if Jecht couldn’t concede gracefully, she’d let the lightning teach him better.She noted with amusement that he was getting more adept at dodging the lightning strikes as they travelled deeper into the rain swept plains; the blitzball reflexes helped. The singed toes he received when he didn't manage to jump away in time were an even greater motivator.For as trouble-free as the actual trek through the Plains themselves were, there were still a few unpleasant surprises in store for the party. Battles, as they quickly found out, were not quite as easy as before. While her presence as Lady Luck seemed to grant a boon to their spoils of war - something they all sorely needed - there was a price to be paid for the sudden good fortune.They discovered this with the first elemental monster they faced, which happened to be a disgruntled Gold Element. Some quick defensive casting by Braska ensured that nobody was electrocuted, but it soon became clear that brute force was not the going to be the easiest solution to their monster problem. And Rikku, as the resident black magic caster, stepped into her role.She wasn't sure what made her gamble, or why; a sudden, capricious whim and the thought that the results might be amusing, perhaps. Either way, she laughed with delight as she closed her eyes and spun her cards around, allowing the luck of the draw to choose her spell rather than pulling it out of the Conflagration Grid she wore. Of course, even Lady Luck could have her dry spells, and her companions had been less than amused when she ended up hitting the thing with a Thundara spell of her own. After a confused scuffle, a hard-won victory, and a scathing bout of mostly ineffectual yelling on Auron's part, Braska diplomatically suggested that they relegate Rikku to the role of support, rather than attack.That suited everyone, particularly Rikku, just fine, and she took a great deal of pleasure thereafter in randomly granting her companions luck blessings - though she did manage to "accidentally" knock out Jecht once. "Oopsie! My mistake!" she had giggled to her incredulous companions.Rikku sighed to herself as they strolled - or rather, as she strolled, and the rest of the Pilgrimage sludged - through the slick, treacherous path of the Plains. There were advantages to wearing the Lady Luck sphere, she noted as she examined the finish of her lacquered nails. A hazy, carefree lightness continually fogged her senses, and Rikku found she couldn't bring herself to truly worry - or even care - about most of their trip. The kiss Braska had given her no longer concerned her, though somewhere in the back of her mind something was screaming that it should. Auron's weary, guarded looks also made her smirk; she ignored the slight twinges of discomfort that those gave her and brushed it off as indigestion. More than once her erratic, carefree attitude landed her in trouble; the Iron Giant lair she inadvertently led them into on one of her "shortcuts" could have gotten messy, were it not for Braska's healing magic and Auron's skill with the blade. Even her brushes with danger seemed to be cloaked in a gauzy haze, though; Rikku chuckled to herself, flicking her cards through her hands. Live for the moment, take a few risks. Life is short, why should we worry about silly things like consequences? she mused, turning her head to eye Auron.He caught her look and winced, and her smile widened. She sauntered over to him, noting with disapproval that both arms had disappeared into the depths of his red coat."I thought I told you it looked better off the shoulder," she murmured, glancing up at him through lowered eyelashes.Auron was silent for a moment before answering. "I prefer to have some measure of protection from the elements," he told her, his voice bland."The elements aren't bothering me," Rikku replied, gesturing at the almost-indecent slit running down the center of her yellow dress. "A little help might take care of that problem for you, too. Say, a kiss?" she added with a wink. "It's not often that fortune smiles on mankind, and even less often that she looks this good."Auron stared straight ahead. His grip on the handle of his sword, which was slung loosely over one shoulder, tightened. "Rikkma. For Braska's sake, I am willing to grant you leniency for many of your actions." He turned his gaze to her, and his eyes were hard. "Don't push your luck. Even the Lady's will run out eventually." He turned away and stepped up his pace.Rikku smirked, but allowed him to draw away. "Maybe next time," she murmured with a twinge of disappointment. She knew she looked great; the man would have to be dead to not notice the amount of thigh she was flashing or the way her dress plunged suggestively past her navel. And she knew for a fact that he wasn't, yet. She let out a disconsolate sigh and wished she had a mirror to check her appearance in. Maybe she wasn't pouting enough?A shout rose from the head of their group, and Jecht jogged back towards them, thoroughly soaked. He paused to twist out of the way as a lightning bolt whizzed toward the spot he had been standing moments before. "I see a building up there!" he shouted at them, pointing towards the top of the hill. "Looks like some kinda travel agency!""Travel agency?" Braska leaned on his staff with a look of surprise. "Strange... it should have taken us longer to reach it. The journey through the first half of the Plains is usually more than a day long.""Maybe we got lucky, huh?" Rikku boasted, prompting mutters and tired looks from every single one of her companions. "What?""Can we ask her to go back to normal yet?" Jecht groaned. "Dodgin' lightning is easier than putting up with that," he added, waving in Rikku's direction."I'm right here, you know.""I must admit, I will be somewhat relieved when this leg of our journey is over," Braska agreed."Hey, not you, too!" Rikku’s cards circled around her head in obvious agitation."Thank Yevon," Auron muttered, turning a pointed look towards her. "Get out of that thing before someone sees you and questions us. What we need now is discretion, not luck.""Humph, fine, but I'll have you know that I like this dressphere," Rikku replied to him cattily, holding her hand over her belt. She released the magic, and it bled from her body in a rush, almost as quickly as her confidence faded. Lightning roared overhead, and Rikku jumped in surprise - and then slipped against the slick path, dropping to her knees and landing face-first in the mud. She pushed herself up from her prostrate position with a low groan. "I hate that dressphere," she grumbled, trying to slick the mud away from her face."I dunno, I could get to like it. Look at these results!" Jecht laughed at her, reaching over and swiping a finger through some of the mud on her forehead before flicking it back towards her nose. "I always thought you were supposed to wait for the spa before you got the facial.""Oh, can it," she yelled, pushing herself to her feet. She whirled on Auron and Braska, fists balled. "And you two! How could you let me go around making a fool of myself like that all day? Ugh, I feel so -- ! so -- !""Dirty?" Jecht offered, shaking his mud-crusted finger off in the rain."At least I know where all the bad puns came from," Rikku shot back, glad that the mud mask she was currently wearing would at least hide the hot blush on her cheeks. She stomped forward towards the travel agency, feeling a more than a little foolish and a lot humiliated. A dresssphere based off of Jecht's personality! What had she been thinking? A firm hand on her shoulder stopped her before she got far, and Rikku glanced around to see Auron holding her back. She flushed, clearly remembering each and every one of her spurned attempts to flirt with him during their journey. "Umm... about anything I might have said to you while... uh... under the influence," she mumbled. "I'm really, really sorry, okay?"He didn't answer, and Rikku thought her mud mask might start cracking off of her face in flakes from the burn in her cheeks. "You could say something!" she squeaked, her color rising."Watching you blush is much more entertaining than watching a false reflection of yourself trying to seduce me." Rikku's embarrassment was waylaid by surprise as her mouth dropped. Auron released her and let out a low chuckle, then threw a lump of soggy cloth at her. She caught it and stared, bemused.“This is my cloak from Bevelle!" She shook it out."Wear it," Auron instructed her. Then he looked at Braska. "You too."Braska was already removing his circlet and replacing it with one of the hooded cloaks they had worn through the snowy fields of Macalania. Rikku allowed herself to be distracted by the sight of his long, brown braid - Braska never showed his hair, at least not normally - before turning back to Auron in confusion."The travel agency here is owned by the Al Bhed," Auron explained. Rikku felt a sudden thrill of elation run through her. Al Bhed! She'd nearly forgotten; the Thunder Plains Travel Agency had been one of Rin's first footholds into his wildly successful merchant chain enterprise. She wondered eagerly if a younger version of the man might be there himself; he'd only be slightly older than she was at this point. Forgetting the cloak in her hands, she turned eager eyes onto the Agency, thinking of how to greet her fellow kinsmen.Jecht, who was listening in, had a less enthusiastic reaction - he rolled his eyes and threw up his hands. "Here we go again," he muttered. Then he tilted his head. "Wait-a-minute. Why would the Al Bhed be runnin' anything for one of Yevon's Pilgrimages?""The Summoner's - Pilgrimage," Rikku amended before she could say Sacrifice, "... affects us all. Everyone wants to be free of Sin. Even if we don't like the Church, that doesn't mean we should punish the Summoners." She didn't add that the Thunder Plains was a barren, treacherous and highly unprofitable segment of the Pilgrimage, and that it was more of a reluctant concession to allow the Al Bhed a trading station in one of Spira's least desirable spots, rather than an act of true generosity.Braska, fortunately, came up with a more diplomatic explanation before she had to. "The Al Bhed are responsible for the care and maintenance of the lightning rods that draw the thunder strikes away from this path. In thanks for their continued service and generosity, the Church of Yevon has offered them the trade rights to the area." Even as he said it, thunder roared overhead, and they all looked up."Prime piece o' real estate, this here," Jecht observed.Braska coughed into his long sleeve. "Well... due to certain circumstances, I am not what you might call popular among the Al Bhed." He pulled his hood up, letting it fall over to shade his features. "I believe in this instance, it would be best to allow Auron to handle the negotiations.""Jecht, you're with me. Rikkma, you stay with Braska," Auron commanded, turning towards the agency. Rikku's mouth dropped open, again, and she clutched the cloak in her tightening fist."Hey! Hey wait a second, shouldn't I be the one coming with you? I mean, hello? Who speaks Al Bhed here?" She grit her teeth as Braska raised a hand and Auron canted his head towards her. "I mean who speaks Al Bhed fluently ?" she added, flustered.Auron sighed, tapping the sword against his back. "If you insist, you can accompany me, Rikkma. I'm surprised that you would be willing to risk identification by your own people, though. An exiled Al Bhed, on a Pilgrimage with one of Spira's most notorious summoners," he pointed out.Rikku's hopes fell. Of course he was right; smart Auron, careful Auron, always thinking ahead Auron. Just - why did always being wrong have to hurt so bad? Trembling, she dropped her head and slipped the cloak on over herself, pulling up the hood to hide her long, blonde hair.Auron said nothing, though his lips were twisted into a frown; in sympathy, perhaps, but still uncompromising. "You can both wait for us outside the doors, but try not to be seen until I come out again. They can't turn us away once we've secured the rooms." He regarded her for a moment longer, then swivelled around. "Jecht," he called, striding towards the agency.Rikku watched him go, wiping a drop of muddy rain off of her nose. Definitely rain, she told herself sternly as she looked down.A pair of waterlogged robes moved into place next to her boots. Her eyes followed them upwards; under the hood of his soaking cloak, she could barely make out Braska’s tranquil expression. He made no move to follow Auron towards the building, preferring instead to face the consuming dark of the wilderness. Rikku joined his observation of the never-ending storm, watching lightning strike the landscape at regular intervals.She struggled for words of comfort to give to Braska, whom she knew was suffering just as much as she was, if not more. Hers was an artificial prison; one fraught with personal risk, but an exile by choice, even if the others didn't realize it. Braska's suffering, on the other hand - that was real. She wanted to comfort him, to tell him that he wasn't alone, that people didn't hate him for who he was, or whom he married. But Spira was a cruel world, and Braska had clear eyes. Thunder rolled across the plains, and she reached out and slipped her hand into his. It was cold and limp, and had she not grasped him, it would have fallen out of her grip.Rikku swallowed. "You still have us," she said, reverting to Al Bhed. "Me, Auron, Jecht... and Yuna. We're your clan now. We'll always be your clan. "Braska sucked in his breath and turned his head towards her, his blue eyes piercing in their honesty. "Truly? " he replied, also in Al Bhed. "Why, then, can't you tell me your real name? "Rikku bit her lip, hard. She felt her teeth cut into the soft flesh, felt blood mixing with the flow of rainwater, saliva and mud on her tongue. Even though both were blue, she still thought he had Yuna's eyes. Yuna, to whom she could refuse nothing. And she was tired, as tired of secrets as Braska was of exile.She opened her mouth and gasped in air. A slow trickle of warm blood leaked down her chin, cooling rapidly. "My name is --"Braska silenced her with hand to her mouth; the gentle warmth of a healing spell washed across her skin, closing the wound with a quiet whisper. His finger lingered across her bottom lip for a heartbeat too long before he drew it away; even as the tickle of magic faded, Rikku still felt an electric tingle where he had touched her. He turned his face away."I am strong enough to face Sin... to see my own death, to continue to hold Jecht to his ignorance, to abandon my own daughter. But..." His hand spasmed around hers before loosening. "... I do not want to know your real name. I don't think I could bear it, Rikkma. I don't think I could bear to lose her twice."Rikku blinked as a particularly spectacular bolt of lightning roared to life before them, striking close to where they both stood. Neither flinched."I'm not your wife," she said. "I'm not some pyrefly construct of memories come back to haunt you. You won't have to Send me anywhere."Braska shuddered. "But you are different, Rikkma. I can feel it. I feel it in my soul, I feel it in the aeons who bond with me. I feel it when they gaze at you, when you ask them your silent questions and that part of them which is not me answers."She tensed, and he hesitated."No," he decided. "Don't tell me." Rikku looked at him in surprise, and he gave her a wan smile. "I, too, need my illusions." He began to extract his hand from her grip, and she caught it and held on."I meant everything I said. Whatever you might think of me, our friendship isn't an illusion." She willed him to believe her. He stared back, but she refused to release his hand until the despair receded from his eyes. "You're not alone," she told him. "We'll be with you until the end. All of us.""Don't promise that," he chastised her. "I know what it is to live with your heart torn in two. You don't belong here... you wish to return to your home, wherever that is. My path seeks to bring life to Spira, but I will pay the debt accrued with my own death. If you have the chance to find your own happiness, it's your duty to take it. It's what I wish for you. It's what I ask of all of you, even of Auron. Your paths are not set, not as mine is. I would tell Jecht the same, if we found the chance to send him back to his Zanarkand. Leave, and never turn back to this journey of sorrows."Rikku dropped her head, feeling ashamed. There was nothing she could say to that; know yourself, Braska told her. And in her heart, Rikku knew that what he offered then was everything that she really wanted. Hearing it come from his own lips, however, only made it sound selfish.Braska straightened, his face gentle. "Ah, but I should apologize, Rikkma. Forcing us both to stand in this rain. Come, let us take shelter from this storm," he said, offering her the crook of his arm. Feeling numb, Rikku took it and allowed herself to be led to safety.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku looked up from her perch on the steps as Jecht stooped over the rough-cut sign. Braska had retreated into the building to dry off once the blitzer made his appearance and gave them the all-clear.
Rikku was grateful for that, feeling subdued and uncertain in Braska’s presence. Jecht was as oblivious as ever; his newfound serendipity was due in part to the large bottle of Al Bhed
paan
he was currently nursing. He'd gravitated to the public notice posted just outside the door.
Bored, but not yet willing to relocate indoors, Rikku kicked her heels against the soggy ground. "What's it say?"
"Dodge and Win," Jecht read out loud. "Says here the more you dodge, the more you can win. You just gotta register with that Hypello inside." He smiled toothily, polishing off the rest of his drink before tossing it over his shoulder and letting the empty bottle roll down the hillside. Rikku squeaked in protest, then shrugged in resigned dismay.
"So are you gonna do it?" she asked.
"Why the hell not?" Jecht replied, making his way back into the building. Moments later he emerged again, this time with Auron, Braska and a Hypello trailing after him. The Hypello paused upon seeing Rikku, taking in her crop of blonde hair and swirled pupils, then gave a small shrug and continued shuffling -- as if seeing an Al Bhed on Pilgrimage was an everyday occurrence. Rikku grinned. Sometimes she just
loved
the Hypello.
"Yoo jump the lightning?" the Hypello crooned, blinking at Jecht.
"That's right!" Jecht boasted, puffing out his chest. "Just you watch, I'm gonna win ALL them prizes!"
"There are no adoring fans to impress here, Jecht," Rikku pointed out.
Unperturbed, Jecht cracked his neck and rubbed the back of his head. "Who cares? We'll get free stuff, won't we? Just call it pullin' my weight. 'Sides, I made Auron buy the beer."
"If just to shut him up," Auron explained sourly. "Before you start playing any more of your ridiculous games, there's something we need to discuss. Alone," he added, shooting a glare over his shoulder at their extra guest. The Hypello blinked and wandered towards the sign, uninterested in whatever it was they had to talk about.
"Auron!" Rikku hissed, glaring at him. "That was rude!"
Auron shrugged, unconcerned. "Hypellos don't waste time with useless frivolities. Neither do I." He frowned. "However I called this meeting because we have a slight problem."
"Problem?" Braska asked. He had pulled down his hood to replace the helmet on his head, and for a moment Rikku mourned the loss of his braid. He seemed smaller and more human without the ritualistic trappings of Yevon that he chose to wear.
"Yes. There's another group of travellers staying at the agency tonight, and there was only one room available. It will not be comfortable." All three sets of eyes swivelled to look at Rikku. Jecht was the first to respond with a widening smile.
"Finally," he snorted. "The little princess has to share digs just like the rest of us. Welcome to the real world, Blondie."
Auron glowered at Jecht. "Perhaps we should just let
you
sleep outside. You are the one who snores, after all."
"It's not a big deal," Rikku said. "I'll sleep on the floor; I'm used to roughing it. In fact, if this works out maybe we can save a little money later on and just bunk up together whenever we stop to rest at an inn. It's not like we don't camp together already, right?"
Braska looked as if he was on the verge of objecting, but Auron cut off his protest with a firm shake of his head. "They don't have the space and we don't have the money to negotiate. Unless you want to sleep in the rain tonight, it's this or nothing." Thunder cracked, and Rikku found herself nodding.
"Say 'yes' already!"
Braska still looked hesitant, but after a short internal struggle, he sighed and dropped his shoulders.
"It seems we are determined to break every rule on this Pilgrimage. Very well. Though I apologize for any harm that may come to your reputation, Rikkma."
Rikku rolled her eyes. "I'm Al Bhed. I can take a few hits; stop worrying already.”
Braska looked down in quiet dismay and pushed to his feet. "Do as you will," he said, moving away from them.
"Great!" Jecht waved a lazy hand as he wandered towards the Hypello. "Just don't pull any of that dress shit on us. We’ve had enough of them lucky charms for today." His tone was light, but Rikku hesitated, thinking back on Braska's good-luck kiss and odd behavior outside of the agency. How much was there really behind Jecht's simple demands?
Is he trying to protect Braska?
She shook her head.
No matter what his intentions, Jecht's advice was sound; she didn't need Lady Luck's confidence -- or libido -- not when she was going to be spending the night sandwiched between her three companions.
"Did something happen between you and Braska?" Auron’s question cut through her thoughts.
"He asked me what my name was," Rikku replied as she watched their two companions talking in the rain. "I didn't tell him." She paused. "He didn't really want to know."
Auron remained silent, pressuring her to continue. It only took a mere moment to break her indecision; she was confused, and he would listen.
Simple.
"It's just... well, you know, we're here, and it's
Al Bhed
, and I thought maybe I could cheer him up, but it backfired, and then he asked about me, and then he thought I was Unsent, and then I cut myself and he healed it and told me to run away if I could but I think he was really asking me to stay and I don't know anything anymore!"
Rikku inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. "Except that he's sad. He doesn't want to be alone, but he doesn't want to hurt us... and he definitely wants to -- ” She choked. " -- to fight Sin."
"He won't be alone," Auron assured her. "I will remain by his side until the end."
"That's what I told him!" Rikku exploded. "I told him we'd all be there for him, but he didn't want us to be. It's like he's already
dead
inside!"
Auron’s face was grave. His words were unexpectedly gentle, all things considered. "He was right to tell you so. You can't promise anything for the others. You can't always promise things of yourself," he added. "Would you deny Jecht the chance to reunite with his wife and son for Braska's sake? Would you really want to take that choice away from him?"
Rikku scowled.
But he won't leave,
she wanted to say.
He can't leave.
Stumped and frustrated, she let out an angry snort and dropped her head onto her knees. "Don't say a word," she groaned into her kneecaps. "I know you're right already, so don't rub it in."
She listened to the faint strain of voices blending together with the falling rain as Braska, Jecht and the Hypello conversed, and realized with a sharp pang how much she hated this Pilgrimage. Not for the first time, she found herself wishing that Bahamut would have also stolen her memories, not just her future. It was easier to worship legends from afar; getting to know them was fraught with all sorts of unexpected dangers. The desire to change time, to change history itself pulled at her; the ever-present horror of Sin's ravages reminded her of what that bit of selfishness would ultimately cost.
I'm going to miss them
, she realized bitterly.
It's going to hurt more than watching Tidus and Auron leave the last time.
Desperate, Rikku lifted her head and scrabbled through her pouch. Auron eyed her, wary of the inexplicable burst of energy after her obvious depression. Intent on her mission, she ignored him and pulled out another one of their blank spheres. "For making memories," she said when he jerked back.
"I am still uncomfortable with those... things," he admitted.
Rikku frowned. "But you don't believe that they suck your soul or anything anymore, do you?"
Auron frowned. "I do find myself re-evaluating some of my beliefs," he told her. "But old habits are hard to break."
Smiling, Rikku offered him the empty sphere. "Now's a good time to start, don't you think?" She nudged him. "You said it yourself. Pilgrimages! New beginnings! Turning over a new leaf as a chronicler!"
Auron accepted the sphere from her with a skeptical expression. "Hnn," he grunted.
"... or not," Rikku added with a small laugh. "I think chroniclers need to have more than a three-syllable vocabulary."
Ignoring her in favor of studying the sphere, Auron jabbed at it with a fingertip. "Leave the editorials and just tell me how they work," he grumbled.
Smiling, Rikku pointed out the controls. "You press this darker part here to activate the recording." She motioned towards a specific spot on the sphere.
"Like this?" Auron pressed his thumb roughly into the delicate controls. With a gasp, Rikku reached over and grabbed his hand before he could shatter the device.
"Not so tight!" she scolded him, repositioning his fingers. "Spheres can take a lot of abuse, but they're not exactly blitzballs. You have to be a little careful!"
Frowning, she leaned in closer and covered his hand with her own; she marvelled at how much larger it was than hers. Even alive and warm, his skin was still ghostly pale by comparison.
Feeling shy, Rikku adjusted his grip on the sphere, wondering why Auron wasn't objecting, or at the least delivering some sort of scathing retort about her teaching abilities and the sanctity of his personal space. Not that she doubted the former; it was more that brutal critique was something she had come to expect from him. His silence, she was finding, was much more unnerving than his sarcasm.
Clearing her throat, Rikku slid her hands away from his. "You have to leave room for the sphere to capture the images you want to record, too," she managed to say, proud that her voice hadn't completely deserted her. "Try to cover as little of the surface as possible with your grip. And face the brighter side forward."
"Am I doing it properly now?" Auron asked, turning the sphere around in his hands.
"Yeah, exactly!" Rikku gushed, pleased at his quick adaptation to the foreign technology, but moreover relieved that he wasn't commenting on her strange behavior. A small part of her was glad that he was either dense or blatantly unwilling to pick up on her discomfort.
"Just press that spot to start recording. You can pick anything, really. Wait, I got it! Why don't you try recording Braska? You know, for Yunie!"
"Hnn," Auron grunted in reply, standing and aiming the sphere towards the man in question. He paused, his forehead wrinkling as he observed the tableau before him. "What in Yevon's name is he doing?"
Confused, Rikku looked at Braska. Comprehension dawned when spotted Jecht over his shoulder. The blitzer was hopping from one foot to the other under the open sky. He lifted a telling finger to the rolling clouds overhead with a cocky grin.
"Oh, that," she said with a bored sigh. "Jecht's trying to see how many lightning hits he can take before his hair burns off."
Auron snorted. "I knew I shouldn't have bought him that
paan.
Your people's beer makes Yevon's holy wine seem like rosewater. He doesn't need the lightning to lose his hair. Just give him another few bottles of that poison and it'll fall out on its own."
Rikku shrugged; it wasn't as though she was about to deny anything Auron had just said. Al Bhed beer was almost as world-famous as their technology. It was still considered a controlled substance in Bevelle.
"Hey, tough people need tough drinks. Besides, it happens to be a handy fuel replacement if you find yourself in a tight situation. Always practical, that's another one of our mottos!" she cheered.
"And Spira finally discovers the true cause of your unique pupils," Auron sniped with some amusement. They watched Jecht leap too slowly from a lightning strike, only to land sprawled on his back. "At least it should numb some of that pain."
Rikku waved Jecht’s shock-injury off. "Look, Braska's healing him already. He'll be fine! … I think."
Jecht picked himself up off the ground and approached the observant Hypello with a look of pleasure. There was some kind of exchange, and then Jecht handed Braska a few bottles of what appeared to be hi-potions. Sensing Auron's curiosity, Rikku piped up.
"It's a contest," she explained. "Dodge-the-lightning, or something like that. You can win prizes.”
"Hmm, so he can be useful after all," Auron mused.
Privately, Rikku was glad Jecht volunteered. It was a chance for fresh supplies that they couldn’t afford to turn down, and she didn't think Auron would be fast enough to avoid the lightning on his own. Braska's heavy robes wouldn't have helped either; besides that, he was their Summoner. There was something inside of her that just rebelled at the thought of allowing their leader to willingly electrocute himself while his Guardians stood by and watched.
Which left only her or Jecht to do the jumping. And there was no way in Spira -- scratch that, in the entire
Farplane
-- she was going to start lightning-dodging for fun.
Noticing his audience, Jecht waved them over. "Hoo-ie!" he yelled, shaking his shaggy mane out and sending fat water droplets flying. "Did'ya see that? I'm gonna nab that two-hundred dodge prize in no time flat!"
Rikku's mouth dropped open. "
Two hundred?
Are you nuts?" The last time anyone had tried to dodge that much lightning, it had been Tidus accepting the agency's challenge. Afterwards, he hadn't needed to use Wakka's hair gel for days. They'd only gotten him to relent after Lulu agreed to do the prize jumping, much to everyone's surprise -- until they saw her sending out one of her stuffed cactuars into the rain in Tidus' place. She'd kept the hard-won prize to herself, too, not that anyone had dared to question her. Even Tidus knew better than to pester a mage with a cactuar that crackled lightning needles.
"I'm not crazy, I'm good," Jecht replied, all confidence. "And I want you to get this on the record," he added, noting the sphere in Auron's hands. "For the fans!"
"What fans?" Auron asked smugly.
"Well I can name at least one, 'bout seven years old. I think you might know her." Jecht smirked.
"C'mon, you said you wanted to try it!" Rikku urged, ignoring the fact that he technically hadn't
said
anything. Silence without protest was just as good as implicit agreement in her book, prompting her to give Auron a nudge with her elbow. "Look, you've got a willing audience, too!"
With a patient sigh, Auron shook his head in disbelief and pressed his thumb against the sphere. It glowed with telltale soft blue light; he flinched, but managed to keep his grip on the sphere. Swinging it around, he peered through the blue water as Rikku had instructed.
"Hey! Hold it steady!" Jecht shouted.
Auron rolled his eyes. "Why am I doing this?" he ground out, his thumb moving over the power button. The light of the sphere died out, and Jecht shouted in protest.
"Aww c'mon Auron, I haven't even started yet!" Seeing how little effect his words were having, he beseeched Rikku instead. "Blondie! Make him do it right!"
Rikku sighed and crossed her arms. "Auron," she muttered under her breath. "I didn't teach you all that stuff about spheres for my health, you know."
"This is completely ridiculous," Auron replied in a disgusted voice, trying to push the sphere back onto her. "It's nothing more than child's play and a waste of our time."
"It's not a waste of time!" Rikku replied too loudly, drawing Jecht and Braska's stares. The Hypello was still oblivious to their banter, but she toned her volume down anyway. "Maybe it
is
child's play," she hissed at Auron. "But just who do you think these spheres are for, anyway? Jecht? Braska? Think again!"
Auron fell silent, glaring at the sphere in his hand. He looked up and caught a glimpse of Braska's profile, which seemed to cement his decision. With a deep frown, he stabbed at the controls once more. Jecht whooped in victory, but Auron ignored him and focused the sphere on Braska instead.
Braska’s face was turned towards the heavy thunderclouds in the distance. His expression was just as shuttered as it had been when he spoke to Rikku alone.
"What do you see there, my lord?" Auron asked.
Braska turned and stared in faint surprise, observing the glowing sphere in Auron's hands. His eyes flicked to Rikku, lips stretched in a thoughtful smile. "Oh, I was just... thinking," he replied.
Rikku shivered, feeling the mood dampen from Braska's melancholy in ways all the rain in the Thunder Plains couldn’t manage. Clenching her fists, she forced herself to look away. Thankfully, Jecht was more than willing to provide a much-needed distraction, whether he knew it or not.
" ‘ey! This is important!" Jecht hollered at Auron over the sound of rolling thunder. "No foolin' around," he added, glancing up at the sky in anticipation. "You're gonna spoil it!"
Auron spun the sphere around just as the lighting struck; there was a bright flash, then -- "
Whoa!
" -- and the all-too-familiar smell of singed hair was rising above the acrid scent left in its aftermath.
Blinking, Rikku sought out Jecht; he sat up slowly from where the blast had thrown him, shaking his head. If she squinted, she thought she could see a little smoke coming from his ears.
Braska was already issuing the next healing spell, waving his staff.
"Are you all right?" he asked, kneeling by Jecht until the other man's eyes came back into focus. Auron, who also approached, was much less sympathetic.
"Now there's a scene for posterity!" he interjected in a smug tone.
Jecht looked up in irritation, rubbing his head. "Yeah, yeah..." he grunted as Braska laughed. "Just stop that thing and give it to me already, alright?"
In an unusual show of charity, Auron shrugged and allowed Jecht to have the sphere without argument. "Not much of a display for your fans," he observed. "Unless you're trying to lose them."
Jecht scrambled to his feet and tossed the sphere to Rikku, who caught it by reflex. "I'm not making a new costume out of this," she declared.
"Much as we'd love to see that," Jecht replied amidst the groans, "it ain't for you. Just put it with my stuff. I'll give it to my boy later! I bet he'll like seeing that." Embarrassed, he straightened and rubbed the back of his head. "I'll make another one for Yuna, you'll see!"
"Perhaps later," Braska added, still grinning. He nodded at the Hypello, who bobbled towards the agency doors. "It has been a long day. I believe we should all retire to a dry room and warm food."
"As long as the
paan
ain't warm, too," Jecht added.
Rikku scowled. Not that she didn't appreciate Jecht's good humor, but his addiction was, as Auron delicately put it, worrisome.
"How about not including any
paan
at all?" she suggested.
Jecht ignored her and brushed by, and then Auron stopped at her side. "We can argue this point later," he murmured in a low undertone. "Braska is exhausted, we all need rest."
With a reluctant nod, Rikku sighed and followed the others inside.
.x.x.x.
They retired to their lone bedroom soon after entering the agency; the frosty reception Braska received was enough to drive the entire group from the lounge in a show of solidarity.
And cowardice -- or
caution
, as Rikku preferred to call it -- on her part; she kept her hood up and her head down, careful to hide any sign of her outfit or coloring that might have hinted at her Al Bhed origins. Braska was a convenient, if a bit unfortunate, distraction. To Rikku's great relief, Rin wasn’t there; she remembered hearing he’d been trying to open a shop at the foot of Mount Gagazet. The Ronso were a proud, stern people, however, and Rin’s contract had taken months to finalize -- long after Braska's Pilgrimage was over, Rikku realized with a twist in her gut.
The room turned out to be larger than expected, but still a shade too small for comfort. With only two beds to share, Braska insisted Rikku claim one -- over Jecht's loud protest -- while Auron relegated Braska himself to the other. The remaining bedrolls were spread between them, and a moody silence broken only by the occasional thunderclap settled over the group.
Even Jecht was more subdued than usual, despite the easy access to alcohol; it wasn't hard to see why. Surrounded by the hostile darkness outside and cramped, dull grey walls inside, the small room reminded her too much of their incarceration in Bevelle.
If she could have escaped from the pressure cooker, Rikku would have. More than ever before, she felt the grip of shame overtake her; shame for her family and her clan.
They, the Al Bhed, wronged by Yevon for too many years, had grown so used to prejudice and hatred that they unwittingly took to heart the very lessons they claimed to abhor. It cut her to the quick to see Braska suffer the hostile stares, and a small whisper of conscience reminded her that once, she herself had been no different from the agency personnel.
But I am different now... aren't I?
She tried to focus on the work at hand.
I hope so.
When Auron left the room to gather food for an evening repast, Jecht trailed after him with the more lascivious intent to seek out a specific choice Al Bhed beverage. That left Rikku alone with Braska, and she busied herself with the duty of synthesizing some of the hard-earned loot onto their equipment. It was difficult to keep her concentration on the delicate metalwork needed to graft materials onto Auron's bracer, though; her mind kept straying to Braska's distant look, and the feel of his fingertips on her lips. She blinked and stared at the bracer in her hands.
I like Auron
.
Unbidden, her eyes flew to Braska and she flinched. Wiping some sweat from her brow, she tried her best to ignore the hairs standing up on the back of her neck. Braska's unerring gaze had been locked on her from the moment she started working. She caught him staring every time she snuck a glance up, and wondered if he bothered to blink. It was a little creepy. Well,
a lot
creepy. Most of the time it was like he didn’t even really
see
her. She was tempted to snap at him, as she would have at Jecht or Auron had they been doing the same.
"You're afraid of lightning," Braska said, breaking the monotonous silence.
Rikku started and looked up. At least the misty, distracted expression was starting to fade; she supposed an uncomfortable interrogation was still better than Braska's distance.
He gave her an appeasing smile at her wary expression. "I don't mean to criticize. Actually, I'm rather impressed. You're afraid of the lightning, but still you managed to overcome your fear."
"Same as you," Rikku replied without thinking. Her eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth as Braska looked away. "I -- uh, I mean..."
"You would paint me a hero," Braska said. "I thank you for that. But it's not quite true yet. I don't know that I'll pass the final trial when the time comes," he admitted.
Rikku’s eyebrows lifted. "Auron doesn't doubt you,” she said, careful to keep her voice steady.
"He's a good man," Braska answered just as neutrally.
Rikku nodded. Didn't she have this conversation with Auron already?
I didn't like it then, either
. She fiddled with the bracer. "Um, listen. I don't mean any disrespect here, but, uh. If you're going to say what I think you're going to say, could you maybe just not say it?"
Braska looked surprised, and Rikku pressed her advantage.
"Just because I'm the only female on this Pilgrimage doesn't mean you have some kind of duty to hook me up with Auron. And it doesn't mean he has the right to force me onto you either! What if I don't like either of you that way?"
Braska gave her an amused smile, and Rikku felt transparent.
Maybe the wrong argument here.
Feeling her cheeks turn red, she refocused on the bracer. "Well, okay, but let's say neither of you like
me
that way?" she grumbled.
Braska smirked. "I'm fairly sure I can assuage at least some of those fears. But," he added, holding up a hand as Rikku stiffened, "I take it you mean that Auron is not returning your affections the way you want him to. You shouldn't give up all hope."
Rikku's frantic polishing of the bracer slowed down. "Why are you telling me this?" she asked, looking up at Braska. "I mean, don't you, umm... well, you know, you... and me, and well your wife and all," she said in a rush, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
The corners of Braska's eyes crinkled as he smiled at her. "Seeing you here is a great inspiration to me, Rikkma. I'm trying to overcome my own doubts and fears. I think of it as a challenge. One I must best."
"Oh," Rikku said, deflating as she mulled over his words. Braska didn’t want to fall in love again, that much she could gather. Maybe he feared he would forget his wife - Raenn was foundation for his Pilgrimage and supplied him with the will to drive it forward.
Well, pardon me for not helping you figure out less painful ways to kill yourself there,
was what she wanted to tell him. But even Rikku knew it was a dumb idea to air.
Really, really dumb. It would be like taking Yuna's Gunner sphere and practicing Trigger on myself. Yep, it would definitely be a disasterrific thing to say to Braska right now.
She bit down on her tongue to keep any sharp retorts from spilling out, just in case.
Braska frowned at her. "You shouldn't hurt yourself that way," he warned her. "Unless you want me to heal it again."
Rikku released her tongue instantly, her face turning bright red. Braska finally dropped his gaze. The ensuing silence wasn't only pregnant, it was having
triplets.
"My intents are pure, but at times I find my will lacking," he murmured. "I apologize for my... indelicacy. Please, let us forget it for the moment and continue our conversation," he said, his tone pleasant.
Rikku winced; Al Bhed were known for being brutally honest and outspoken when it came to their emotions. She could see why Braska generated such irritation within her family during his visit and subsequent courtship of Raenn. "Umm, sure. Just... leave off the Auron bits off for now. Let's talk about something else instead, okay?" Braska seemed relieved at her acceptance of their charade, and Rikku smiled uncomfortably.
"Tell me... how did you overcome your fear of lightning? As inspiring as I would like to think this Pilgrimage may be, I suspect we are not to blame for your courage."
Rikku couldn't help but laugh a little at that. "Courage?" she giggled. "Umm, not really. You should've seen me the first time I came here! I grabbed onto my friend's leg and wouldn't let go no matter how much he tried to shake me off! Afterwards, the others told me I looked like a desperate monkey. I was so scared I didn't even care." Rikku stifled another laugh. "Eventually one of my friends got fed up with it and suggested that I camp out here for a week."
That would've been putting it nicely. After one particularly embarrassing brush with a Larvae during a sphere hunt and their subsequent loss to Leblanc, Paine privately threatened to skewer her if she didn't get over her astraphobia. Rikku was grateful the taciturn warrior hadn't ever actually told soft-hearted Yuna just how much of that camping trip had been inspired by sword point rather than bravery. The end result was the same, after all.
"I see," Braska was saying. "You seem rather well-travelled."
"Oh!" Rikku fidgeted. "Well, yeah, I guess you could say that." She smiled in relief as the door to the room slammed open and Auron stomped in, balancing a tray of food in one hand and a tight grip on Jecht's arm in the other. "Dinner!" she cheered, grateful for the distraction.
"Get in there and
stay
in there," Auron growled, shoving Jecht to the floor.
"Aww, man -- " Jecht said, his voice pitching to a near-whine.
"You are NOT dodging lightning for
paan,
" Auron ground out. "Don't make me repeat myself. I promise that you'll regret it." He slammed the tray of food onto the small table pushed up against the wall, sending soup slopping over the sides of the bowls. "Your dinner," he told the others. "If the soup seems a little thin, it's only because our brilliant companion over here overshot our budget with his addiction."
" ‘ey, I didn't know I'd drunk that much!" Jecht protested.
Auron glowered at him.
Jecht shrugged and reached for one of the bowls, but Auron thunked his sword onto the floor, cutting off Jecht's progress before he could reach the food.
"Not for you," Auron grunted, his eyes narrowing. "If you want to sustain yourself on beer, that's your choice. But you will not steal nourishment from the mouths your companions as well."
Jecht slouched back onto his bedroll and sulked.
Braska sighed and shook his head, ignoring the two bickering men and claiming his bowl of soup; Rikku followed him in turn. It was only after Auron also procured his own bowl and they begun their meal that Braska broke the silence.
"So then," he said to Rikku, putting down his spoon. "Are you a Blitzball player, by chance?"
Rikku choked on her soup.
Jecht snorted, sitting up and hunching over his bent knees. "What,
her?
Are you kiddin' me?" He laughed. "Look at them skinny little arms! I bet she couldn't even toss a blitzball across a sphere pool!"
Insulted, Rikku sniffed. "Shut up! I so can play Blitzball! I'll have you know I'm one of the best passers in the league! Nobody passes like the Rikkunator!"
Auron frowned. "I don't remember seeing you in league games," he said.
Rikku blushed. "Well, I, uh, I don't play professionally anymore. You know, falling out with the Al Bhed and all that." She didn't think Auron was buying her story, but fortunately the mere mention of Blitzball was enough to whet Jecht's interest.
"No kiddin'! You, a blizter! Who would've thunk it?" Jecht muttered. "What position do you play?"
Rikku stuck her tongue out at Jecht. "I prefer the midfield, but I can do backside defense too," she answered. "Oh ye of little faith! I bet I could block some of your passes!"
"But not my shots," Jecht bragged.
Rikku snorted. "Well, if you wouldn't knock the defenders unconscious with a ball to the head, we might have more of a chance. I swear, the Jecht Shot is the worst thing to ever happen to Blitzball!"
Jecht stared at her. "How would you know? I ain't never done the Jecht Shot on you."
Rikku shrugged. "My friend Paine practiced the Mark III on me once, and that was more than enough," she groaned.
"There's a chick doing my shot?" Jecht yelled. "There ain't nobody who can do a Jecht shot! That's why it's called the
Jecht
shot!"
Rikku rolled her eyes. "You keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better," she sang with a smirk. It dropped after a moment of consideration. "You know, I don't think you'd get away with calling Paine a chick, either. She might not look it, but I bet she's got more muscles than you. And
she
knows how to wield her sword."
Jecht grinned. "Sounds like Auron's dream girl to me. Even got the right name."
Rikku blinked and came out of her fantasy. She snuck a glance at Auron, who up until then had silently endured the conversation. Now he was glaring at Jecht once more.
Was it because Jecht was right? Paine was the serious type, and so was Auron. And Paine was a fighting machine - you only had to look at her in Full Throttle mode to see that much. Was
that
the kind of girl Auron would go for? A warrior? She cringed even while kicking herself for not grabbing the warrior dressphere before her journey began.
"Don't presume to know anything about me or my tastes," Auron grunted. "Especially when you yourself have none," he added with a disgusted curl of his lip. He focused on eating the rest of his soup, stiff posture daring Jecht to make another comment at his own peril.
"Hit a nerve, did I?" Jecht replied, undaunted. "Well if I'm so wrong, why don't you tell us what you like in a woman, eh? I'm sure we'd all love to hear it." Apparently the beer feud he lost was still fresh in his memory. Or the
paan
was running high enough in his blood to make him forget caution. Tension in the room skyrocketed, and Auron dropped his spoon into his bowl with a loud clatter.
"Jecht, shut up," Rikku hissed.
"I'm just tryin' to help you out here!"
"You call this helpful?" Anger and embarrassment warred for domination.
"Rikkma." Braska's voice cleanly snipped the taut emotional wires that had grown between them. "How did you manage to travel so far, if not through professional blitzing?"
Her fury deflating in a rush, Rikku smiled at Braska gratefully. "I've... uh... been on some trips." The relief faded when Braska tilted his head in thought.
"The Al Bhed usually travel in numbers for safety. And as much as it pains me to say this, they wouldn't always be welcome in certain places, no matter how large or small their group might be."
He paused, and Rikku smiled past the sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach. Braska was good at defusing tense situations... but at the moment, she was more concerned with the cost of their latest truce.
"The only two exceptions of this rule which come to mind are the professional Blitzball League... and Pilgrimages, of course."
Auron was now paying complete attention to the conversation, his curiosity waked.
"I... um... well, I... huh, you know it's funny, but -- "
"You've been on Pilgrimage before," Braska concluded, surprise registering in his voice. He only had to look at her with those
Yuna eyes
, and Rikku found herself nodding against her will. She could feel Auron's stare burning into her. "Who was your summoner?"
Rikku studied her hands, trying to maintain her outward poise. Her mind raced in panicked circles
. I need to name a summoner, and quick! But who's a summoner they'd believe?
A flash of inspiration struck her;
what about Lulu's old summoner? Lady Ginnem, wasn't that her name?
She opened her mouth to spit out the answer, and froze. What if Lady Ginnem hadn't even started on her Pilgrimage yet? Or worse yet, what if she
had?
Would Braska had heard of her?
No,
she thought, booting Ginnem's name out the metaphorical window.
C'mon, Rikku, thinkthinkthink!
What about the other summoner they'd met on Yuna's Pilgrimage? The dead one? She'd said she was the guardian of a forgotten temple. What was her name again?
Belgie... Bella...
"Belgemine!" Rikku blurted out in triumph, before moderating her tone. "Lady Belgemine, I mean," she repeated. "She was... unique."
Ain't that the truth
.
"Belgemine," Braska repeated. "Strange, I've never come across that name in my studies before."
"That's because her Pilgrimage failed," Rikku said. "At the Calm Lands." At least that much was truth. Her words had an immediate and profound effect on Auron and Braska; their expressions grew sober at her revelation.
"Failed?" Jecht repeated. "What, like she didn't pass a test?"
"... something like that," Rikku told him. In a strange way, she had liked Belgemine despite her eccentricities. She wasn't in the mood to pander her story for a
paan
-buzzed Jecht; it seemed too disrespectful.
"It means she died in the Calm Lands, Jecht," Braska answered for her.
"Hold up a minute,
died?
" Jecht sat up straight. He gave Rikku a confused, helpless look. "But weren't you her Guardian?"
Auron slammed his bowl of soup on the floor, nearly cracking the ceramic. "
Shut up,
Jecht." For once it was a relief to see such serious displeasure directed at someone besides herself; it was actually a little embarrassing to consider that maybe - just maybe - he was getting so worked up on her behalf.
It took a few more extremely awkward moments for Jecht to process the command. "But if Blondie here was her Guardian, and the Summoner died, wouldn't that mean she -- oh.
Oh, I get it!
Ooh..."
Auron was looking angrier by the syllable, and Braska for once didn't seem to be coming to the rescue. Rikku, for her part, tried to act like a disheartened, emotionally scarred Guardian who had failed at her duty as best she could. It wasn't that hard, considering she really did have plenty of scarring Guardian experience; still, it felt a little uncomfortable to lay claim to such a sensitive role when it wasn't really hers to play. At least this will throw Auron and Braska off the scent for a little while.
"It's all right," she ventured, taking pity on Jecht, who was now rubbing his head and looking no better than a whipped chocobo. "It was a long time ago."
"You must have been so young," Braska said with a note of sorrow.
"Fifteen," Rikku admitted. "But you know... it was a learning experience. Helped me grow, I guess? I’m way better at this now than I was then,” she reassured Braska.
She looked at the three men and nodded to herself. Some of her internal tension, at least, had eased -- it wasn’t so much the unexpected reprieve Belgemine's convenient Pilgrimage provided, more because her conclusion sounded so
right.
Content to let the trouble Jecht stirred lie, she cleared the surface of her bed. Flopping down, she shut her eyes and tried to ignore the rumbling of the storm outside. "We're all tired. Let's just stop arguing about this and get some rest," she said out loud.
Auron grunted in agreement. Though her eyes were closed, she was willing to bet he was looking at her and forced herself not to shiver. How long it would be before he sniffed out her latest in the huge tapestry of lies she was weaving together? The strange, complete confidence she placed in him -- that
he,
of all of them, would figure it out in a matter of time -- almost made her smile. She cracked her eyes open, and to his credit he managed to not look surprised when she met his stare.
"Thanks," she mouthed silently.
His eyebrows lifted in surprise at her acknowledgement -- with all the confrontation crackling in the room, doubtless he'd expected her to add to the mix. The lines on his face softened, and for Rikku it was even better than one of his wry smiles.
She stomped out the guilty mental droning of her prophecies of doom and gloom and rolled to her side instead, Auron's expression lodged comfortably at the forefront of her mind. The way he had looked at her just then had been relaxed, and more importantly,
honest.
At least there could still be moments of simple, comforting honesty in this Pilgrimage full of deception and lies.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The morning was as bright as it could possibly get in the Thunder Plains, which, honestly speaking, was not very bright at all. Rikku rolled out of the bed, feeling energized -- and maybe just a little bit intimidated -- by the crack of lightning that pulled her from her light slumber. She glanced around the room.
Braska was sleeping heavily in his bed as usual, a peaceful expression on his face. Rikku scowled; it wasn't fair that he was able to sleep through the thunderous noise of the ongoing natural concert outside.
Glancing towards her feet, she saw Auron was also still asleep, snoring lightly into his bedroll. His face was slack, relaxed for once, and Rikku couldn't help but smile. He looked even younger than before, and she had to quell an urge to push one of the stray strands of hair away from his face. Despite their frequent disagreements over the course of the Pilgrimage, he still hadn't tucked away the two long fronds she'd prodded him to let out during the trial in Bevelle. Auron really did seem to be doing his best to discourage any and all of her attempts at flirting with him, but the fact that he had yet to change his hairstyle bolstered her confidence.
I'll wear him down yet.
Easing herself out of the bed, she stepped over him and tiptoed towards the door. Closing it behind her, she made her way towards the common room. It was bleak and nearly empty, lit only by the natural thunderstorm, a few candles, and the weak, bluish light from the sphere stand set up in the corner. A figure hunched over one of the tables caught her attention; coming closer, Rikku recognized him as he swayed.
"Jecht!" she whispered, approaching him. He was surrounded by empty bottles of paan, evidence of what was apparently one hell of a bender.
How the heck did he manage that?
He burped and sat up straighter, blinking owlishly at her. Then he grinned a sloppy smile. " 'ey there, Blondie. What time is it?" He wiped his bleary eyes.
"Too early to be drinking that," Rikku replied suspiciously. She cleared herself a space at the table and sat down, pinning Jecht under a furious glare. "You shouldn’t be drinking that much!"
Jecht's grin faded into a defiant grimace, and he downed the undoubtedly warm and flat remains of the bottle clutched in his hand. After he'd swallowed, he eyed her right back. "Needed a pick-me-up after all that dodgin'." Then his expression brightened, and he reached back and fumbled for something in his pocket. "But take a look at this!" Finding his prize, Jecht withdrew a small, cloth-wrapped object and threw it onto the table. It landed with a heavy thunk, parting the cloth surrounding it, and Rikku sucked in her breath.
"Where'd you get this?" She pulled the rest of the cloth away and inspected the heavy runic symbol hidden within its folds. There was no mistaking what it was, though Rikku had to admit she'd never laid eyes on this particular one before. Even if she hadn't known, the sheer power of the magic trapped inside the small lump of metal was enough to set her teeth on edge. "This is a Celestial Sigil!"
"Celestial Sigil?" Jecht repeated, staring at the symbol. "All I know is that they gave it to me after two hundred dodges. Actually, they seemed kinda glad t'be rid of it." He passed his hand over the metal, stroking it, and Rikku shivered.
That wasn't any surprise; no one could really be comfortable around one of the mysterious, holy artefacts that comprised the true power of a Celestial weapon -- no one except the rightful owner of such a sigil. It was said the weapons chose their own masters -- that they would appear, revealing themselves to warriors destined for greatness, becoming lost to obscurity only when the life of their owner ended or their world-changing duties ceased.
From the way Jecht was carelessly handling the thing, ignorant of the waves of energy it radiated, it looked as though the weapon had chosen him to become its next master. That, or he truly was drunk enough to be oblivious.
"Trust me, it's
really
rare," Rikku said, itching to take a closer look at the thing despite the chills it sent up her spine. "Can I touch it?"
Jecht snorted. " 'Course you can, it’s a goddamn paperweight." He tossed it towards her and Rikku caught it with a gasp. Turning the precious object over in her hand, she inspected the runes and symbols worked into the metal, trying to determine its origin. A trident-shaped mark embossed on its surface caught her eye, and Rikku rubbed her thumb over it.
"Neptune," she finally breathed. "This is the Neptune Sigil." Grinning, she held up the sigil for Jecht to inspect, pointing out the symbol.
"Whazzat supposed to mean?" Jecht asked, his eyes half-closing as his head began a slow descent towards the tabletop. Rikku kicked him in the shins and he jerked upright.
"Oww! Damn! Alright, Neptune Sigil, I got it! So what's the big deal about it anyway?"
Rikku rolled her eyes. "It's just special, okay? You need to hang onto this. Don't give it to anyone else, don't lose it, and most of all..." Here she paused, eyeing the evidence scattered across the tabletop, "Don't sell it for booze!"
Jecht yawned. "Well, if it's so damn special, why don't you hang onto it for now?"
Dropping the sigil as though it burned -- in a way it did -- Rikku shook her head and pushed it back across the table. "It's yours, Jecht. Your responsibility. You keep it."
"Huh. Fine," he grumbled, rewrapping the sigil and shoving it back into his pocket. "Don't see what's so special 'bout the damn thing anyhow."
"Maybe one day when you're sober you will." To this Jecht gave a grunt, and Rikku sighed. "Just keep your eyes open for this symbol. If you find something else that looks like it, don't ask questions. Trust me, just grab it!"
Groaning, Jecht leaned back in his chair and stretched. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. So, Braska and the Stiff up yet?"
Rikku picked at her fingernails, peering at Jecht through lowered eyelashes. "Not really." She paused, swallowing; this was a conversation she really,
really
hadn't planned on and didn't want to have with Jecht. "Listen, we gotta talk..."
"We're talkin'," Jecht said, though he did allow the legs of the chair he'd been leaning back in to hit the ground with a thump. The tone of her voice must have caught his attention because now he seemed to be fully awake, regarding her with a touch of curiosity. "You gonna tell me somethin' ‘bout my boy?"
"No," Rikku hummed, winding her fingers together. "This is about you, not Tidus. Umm, well... you and your monkey, I mean."
Jecht stared at her, his face slack. "I don't own no monkey," he said. "You, uh, you havin' another one of them crazy-attacks?"
Rikku separated her hands, slamming her fists on the table. The empty bottles jumped; one slid off and shattered on the floor. She flinched and directed an angry glare towards Jecht. "I don't mean a pet monkey. I mean the one on your back." When he started to turn, she slapped the table again. "I didn't mean LITERALLY!"
"Well what the hell are you goin' on about? Monkeys and Neptune Sigils and all that shit?” he fired back, irritated. “Talk normal, girl, and maybe I could get a clue!"
Picking up a bottle, Rikku pushed it into Jecht's face; he went cross-eyed. "This monkey!" she hissed. "Everyone's noticed, you know, even Braska. If you're not sloshed you're being an asshole. What's the deal with you anyway?"
Jecht's face closed and he grabbed the bottle out of her hand. "I just need a little help, that's all. It ain't no damn
monkey business,
" he said. "I drink 'cause I like it. Makes me feel good. I could stop whenever I wanted."
"Sure," Rikku replied flatly. "Did you ever stop and think that maybe this Pilgrimage is a teenie weenie little bit more important than making yourself feel good?" She sniffed and winced. "Besides, you smell almost as disgusting as you look. It'd make the rest of
us
feel good if you wouldn't clean out the agency's entire
paan
supply." Her brow furrowed. "And I thought Auron told you not to dodge for beer! He’s gonna be beyond pissed when he finds you here like this.”
Jecht ducked his head. "I didn't do no dodgin' for it."
Rikku waited as the silence grew, with Jecht looking more uncomfortable by the second. She tapped one impatient finger on the table.
"I traded for it, alright?" Jecht shrugged.
"Traded?" Rikku echoed. "Traded what?" A sense of foreboding overtook her as Jecht hunched even lower over the table. "Traded
what,
Jecht?"
He mumbled something unintelligible, and Rikku narrowed her eyes. When he glanced up, she gave him a
Rikku Look Mark II
that would have made Auron proud. Flinching, he picked up a stray bottle and plucked at the label. "Just a little somethin' we found," he mumbled.
"Define something," Rikku said. At this rate, Jecht was going to make her temper give Auron's a run for his money.
"Well... y'know... that jar of, uh,
stuff
you had."
"Stuff?" Rikku repeated, her stomach clenching.
"Yeah,
stuff
. I dunno what it was, that shiny stuff. You had all those things laid out when you were workin' on Braska's staff yesterday, and it was just lyin' there. I, uh, I thought maybe you didn't need it, y'know?" He was rubbing the back of his head and looking distinctly uncomfortable now, but Rikku ignored him.
She was too busy digging through her pockets, mentally trying to catalogue what she'd collected and synthesized to figure out what Jecht would call "a piece of shiny stuff" -- which could define over the half of what she tended to pull from fiends. Swiping a hand over her breast pocket, Rikku froze. She patted the pocket again --
I was sure I put it here
-- and then with a sinking feeling, faced Jecht.
"Did it sing?" she asked, her voice dangerously soft. "That
stuff
you took?"
Jecht scratched his head. "Sing? Wha -- ? Naw, it was just shiny and swirly. Those guys who took it, they seemed real happy, said I could have as many as I wanted," he added, gesturing at the scattered bottles.
"Swirly... shiny, and in a glass vial," Rikku repeated, feeling sick. Her fists clenched on the table. "It did, you know."
"Huh? What did what?"
She had to keep talking, or Rikku was sure she'd grind the enamel right off of her teeth. "It sang." Her voice began to rise, growing a little shriller with each word she spoke. "It sang because it was rare. It sang because it was beautiful. It sang because it was
worth more than this entire building and everything in it put together
!" By now she was standing, and her hands -- which she honestly hadn't noticed moving -- were slapping Jecht over the head as he ducked under her blows. "It sang because it was a piece of the Farplane, you
great big stinking MORON!
" she screamed. "How could you steal from me? How could you steal
that
from me?"
"Calm down, you'll wake everyone up!" Jecht flinched away from her. "Geez, I didn't know, alright? Take it easy, I'll get it back!"
Rikku let her hands drop, realizing the futility of her assault. Beating Jecht black and blue wouldn't bring the Farplane Wind back, satisfying as it might be. "And how's that, huh?" she asked, glaring at him. "You'll find me another Espada and kill it all by yourself?"
"I'll just ask 'em," Jecht said, pushing away from the table. "Wasn't that much beer anyhow."
Rikku stuck her foot out and tripped him back down into his chair with a fierce expression. At least, she would have tripped him back into his chair, had Jecht not lost his balance and fallen with a clatter to the floor. She wasn't feeling particularly sorry, though, and continued without pause.
"They're not going to give it back, Jecht! They're not as stupid as you!" Blinking back her angry tears, she turned away from the table -- and drew up short as she took in the small audience observing their antics. The proprietor of the agency, followed closely by his Hypello assistant, was staring at her, shocked -- most likely processing that one of Braska's mysterious companions was also an Al Bhed. Judging from the look of his rapidly cooling expression, one who was a betrayal of their native cause.
"
What are
you
doing with
them
?
" fired the innkeeper in rapid Al Bhed.
"
None of your business
," Rikku shot back, spotting more figures moving in the corridor behind him. Another entourage of -- she bit back a groan -- Bevellian priests. Missionaries from the looks of it, woken by their scuffle. Behind them, she could make out Auron's bulk, filling the hallway -- and the rest of the room, in fact -- with a dark aura of displeasure.
"You are guarding that Summoner," the innkeeper replied, switching back to the common Spiran tongue. "Guarding the
clis
who stole our sister!"
Rikku's back straightened. "
Don't you dare call him scum
," she snarled, still answering in her native tongue. "
Don't you say another word!
"
"It is you who will keep silent, traitor! Speak another word in the tongue of my people and I'll cut it from your mouth!"
My
people?
The innkeeper specifically excluded her. Rikku stepped back, her mouth opening and closing in shock. Was this how Braska felt all the time?
"What is going on here?" Auron's voice broke through the crowd, even as he shoved the gaping priests out of his way. "Rikkma?" he asked, glancing between her and the innkeeper.
"
You.
You should have told me you were bringing
that
with you," the innkeeper said, facing Auron now. "Leave, the night is over and your party is no longer welcome here."
One of the priests snickered in the background. "A drunkard, an Al Bhed, and an ex-monk, all following the great Lord Braska," he muttered, the sarcasm in his voice clear. "Oh how the mighty have fallen, haven't they,
Sir
Auron?"
Rikku jumped at the priest's tone even as Auron's face grew stony. It wasn't a lucky day for any of them; Auron, young as he was, was more famous than she'd guessed. Dropping her head, she glared at Jecht, who squirmed his way off of the ground while looking guilty. She hadn't meant to get them kicked out, but it was obvious they'd overstayed their welcome.
"Pardon me..." Braska pushed his way forward through the priests, who parted before him with looks of surprise. His face was serene. "We were on the way out already," he reassured the innkeeper. "Come, it's time to go."
Dropping her head in shame, Rikku grabbed Jecht's arm in a painful grip and hauled him towards the door. Auron followed behind him, his knuckles whitened from the severity of his grip on the handle of his sword. Braska paused, turning to face their audience. "I thank you for your hospitality." He bowed respectfully, ignoring the innkeeper's loud snort, and trailed after the others out into the rainy plains.
For a while a gloomy silence settled over the group as they trudged into the everlasting storm; Rikku folded her arms together, scowling. Anger prevented her from feeling the sting of the rain, or even shock at the flashes of lightning that struck around them. Only when the travel agency dropped out of view did her pace slow. She slicked her soaked hair away from her face.
" ‘ey, Blondie," Jecht called out to her, and Rikku tensed.
"Don't talk to me right now," she spat.
"But I -- "
"
La la la!
Is that the wind I hear blowing? Must be, because I think I was being pretty clear!" Rikku yelled, plugging her fingers into her ears.
"Shut up," Auron said, his temper short. "I want to know exactly what happened." He glared at them both. "I've had enough of your antics. Your shameful behavior today interrupted Lord Braska's rest! Or have you already forgotten that you're supposed to
protect
him from hardship?"
"It was nothing," Braska murmured. "One can hardly rest in such a hostile environment -- "
"No, I'm sorry," Rikku piped up. "Stop trying to be the hero, Braska, that was all my fault. I lost my temper and it wasn't fair to you or Auron."
" ‘ey! What about me?" Jecht asked.
"You deserved it." Rikku’s tone frosted over. She turned to Auron, ignoring Jecht's wince. "Do you know what he did? He stole from me! He stole our loot!"
Auron's expression twisted in wry amusement. "I thought you were the thief."
Rikku yelled in frustration and pulled at her hair. "It's not funny! He stole my Farplane Wind!"
Auron's face registered confusion, but Braska frowned at the revelation. "I've heard rumors of the existence of such things... pyreflies that could be bottled, whispers of death that could be caught. How did you manage to acquire such a thing, Rikkma?"
Rikku sighed. "It was that Espada we fought. It was... well,
special
somehow, I guess. I just felt it and I grabbed for it and boom! Out it came!"
"A rare and precious gift indeed," Braska repeated, a note of awe in his voice. "Where is it now?"
"Well, I wonder," Rikku said. "Maybe Jecht knows!"
Jecht mumbled under his breath. "You don't have to be such a bitch about it," he sneered. "Excuse me for not knowin' it was
special.
"
Rikku clenched her fists. "You know what? I changed my mind. Give it to me. You took something of mine, so I'm taking something of yours."
"Huh?"
"The Neptune Sigil! Give it here!" Rikku held out her hand.
"But you said that was special! And I won that fair and square!" Jecht protested, his hand covering the pocket containing the object.
"Jecht! You sold my Farplane Wind for
beer!
You -- you -- you're
asking for it!
" Her hand reached for her sphere grid out of habit, but she was stopped by Auron's sudden, swift grip on her wrist. Though he pushed her back, his glare wasn't directed at her.
"You stole our supplies and traded them for liquor?" he asked, too calm.
Braska observed the exchange, his lips drawn tight as he looked at Jecht. "And what exactly is this 'Neptune Sigil' Rikkma is speaking of?"
Reluctantly, Jecht pulled the bundle out of his pocket, unwrapping it. "I won it dodgin' lightning."
Braska's gasp was more than enough to confirm the object's value. Auron released Rikku and frowned.
"Hand it to me.
Carefully,
" he stipulated as Jecht made a motion to lob the small object through the air.
"Sorry already," Jecht grumbled. "If I'd known that Farplane-thingie was worth the whole damn buildin', I wouldn't've done it."
Auron nearly dropped the Sigil into the mud.
"What?"
He looked down at Rikku, who only nodded a miserable confirmation. "Unbelievable," he grit out, glaring at the Sigil. Then he did a double-take. "Is this -- "
Braska spoke up, his eyes widening. "A Celestial Sigil! Yevon smiles upon us... that object is far more valuable than a Farplane Wind." Then he studied Jecht with renewed intensity. "I understand now. First the sword, and now this..."
Auron looked at the Sigil in his hand. Then he looked at Jecht, skepticism splashed across his face. "My lord, you can't possibly think -- "
"It's the only explanation," Braska replied, still staring at Jecht. "He was meant to have it. He is the one that sword chose." Then he smiled and clapped a surprised-looking Jecht on the shoulder. "To think, we have a legend in the making in our midst!"
Braska's cheerful smile jarred against Auron's incredulous gaping and the not-so-subtle clouds boiling over Rikku's head. He grinned at Jecht, and Rikku and Auron exchanged a brief but mutually pained look. Braska, it seemed, would always be Braska.
"You know, just forget it. There's not much anyone can do with a single Farplane Wind after all." Rikku had to force the lie out through clenched teeth. Sighing, she plucked the Sigil out of Auron's suddenly lax grip. Jecht was on her blacklist. Even his unwitting mastery of the Neptune Sigil wasn't going to change that. "But I'm hanging onto this anyway until Stupid here can prove that he won't trade it for something worthless at the next bar we come across."
Braska, still smiling at Jecht, clapped him on the shoulder once more, a little more firmly. "I think that is an acceptable solution, don't you Jecht?"
Well, maybe Braska isn't as clueless as he looks,
Rikku thought with some satisfaction.
"Whatever," Jecht grumbled. He grimaced at Rikku in a rough estimation of an apology. "Sorry 'bout the trouble, Blondie."
Rikku opened her mouth, but Auron beat her to the punch. "We need to have a word, Jecht." His words were harsh steel, and Braska shot Auron a brief, disapproving look which the other man ignored. "Lord Braska, Rikkma. If you'll excuse us."
Rikku allowed herself to be led away when Braska tugged on her arm. They stopped under one of the lightning shelters. "Hey, you forgave him already, right? So why're you letting Auron go all scary on him? Isn't that, like, against the rules?" Not that she
minded,
but curiosity forced her to ask.
"Rules?" Braska laughed. "I try to avoid telling Auron what he may and may not do. He is a grown man, after all."
"And he's your Guardian," Rikku replied, watching as Auron leaned closer to Jecht, wearing what she could only best describe as his
scary
face. His lips were moving, and from whatever he was saying, Jecht appeared to be sobering up quickly. "Isn't he supposed to do what you tell him to?"
"Auron has his ways," Braska replied. Rikku noticed he was watching the exchange just as avidly as she was. "He does what he feels is in the best interest of the group -- in my best interest. Sometimes that conflicts with my own wishes and desires. For example..." he trailed off, gesturing.
"You mean this whole Pilgrimage," Rikku supplied. "Can't say I blame him."
Braska's responding smile was amused. "I refuse to compromise on the most important things," he clarified. Then his smile faded. "Jecht... has a problem. But it is one which none of us can remedy. He has to find the answer within himself." He sighed as Jecht said something which displeased Auron, who growled out some kind of cutting response. Jecht flinched.
"But you'll let him stay with us anyway?" Rikku asked. "Uh, 'cause it looks like Auron's really putting him through the wringer there..."
Braska sighed. "Auron doesn't know when to back away from a delicate situation," he supplied. "Jecht requires space. A lecture -- no matter how stern -- will do nothing for him at this point. Being scolded for one's faults rarely inspires a person to remedy his behavior. What's done is done. There's no point in dwelling on his mistake."
His smile returned. "Besides... I have faith in Jecht. He will come through this. Even without the proof of the Neptune Sigil, I would believe in him. He has a strength in himself which he does not yet realize. Maybe that is why he tries so hard to prove himself through other venues. Such as Blitzball. And drink."
Rikku frowned. "I guess so," she muttered. "Still wish I had my Farplane Wind back. If we were gonna lose it anyhow, that would have bought us supplies for a month!"
Braska chuckled. "Yes, well, no one ever said the path to redemption would be easy for any of us." He stared at Auron, who was now shouting and gesturing with one hand. Jecht, who had crossed his own arms over his chest, was scowling deeply.
"Jecht will recover from this disagreement with Auron in time." His smile deepened. "You always managed to."
Rikku blushed and bit back a grin. From that perspective, it was kind of nice to see someone besides herself getting flattened by Auron's temper. She almost felt sorry for Jecht.
Almost.
.x.x.x.
The trip out of the Thunder Plains was much less exciting than the journey inwards. It might have been the moody silence which descended on the group; Rikku, still angered at the theft of her loot, refused to allow herself to even think about donning her Lady Luck dressphere. There was no guarantee Jecht would come out of the resulting scuffle unscathed. Auron, furious at Jecht after their "talk," refused to speak with any of them; he marched ahead of the group, tension radiating off of his broad shoulders. Braska, tired and resigned, followed at a more leisurely -- if you could call slugging through the heavy thunderstorms of the plains
leisurely
-- pace.
Rikku was sure Jecht was following her, but she was annoyed enough to push his presence from her mind, not wanting to know what he was doing with himself.
That was why, when Jecht let out a loud yell of pain, they were taken by surprise.
"The little bastard stung me!" Jecht yelped, wincing as he held a hand to his shoulder. His entire bicep was studded with a myriad of wicked-looking needles, and the arm below it hung limp and useless. Rikku's eyes widened as she recognized the source of his injury.
"You found a qactuar? Why'd you piss it off?" she growled, eying the little menace.
"I didn't know the runt had a bite," Jecht groused, edging out of the way of the jumpy, chittering fiend.
"Now you do," Rikku noted as she watched the creature. Seeing her chance as it dropped its guard to twirl around, she rushed in.
Pyreflies, only pyreflies!
Her hand shot forward, delving. Those weren't needles digging into her outstretched palm, but
pyreflies --
suddenly, she felt them.
With a heave, Rikku pulled her hand out, clutching three tiny, pulsing fire gems to her chest. She lobbed one at the qactuar immediately while scrambling to safety, not really surprised when she missed. The resulting explosion was still loud enough to send the creature scurrying away into the darkened plains, though. Rikku sighed; it would've been a difficult kill anyway -- those little buggers were unbelievably fast. She grinned at the spoils she'd managed to pilfer despite the loss and pocketed them.
Turning around, she saw Braska leaning over Jecht's arm, grimacing at the mass of needles that had embedded themselves into the other man's flesh. "Why'd you pick a fight with it?" she asked as she approached, watching Braska carefully pluck them out, one by one.
"It was small," Jecht said. "I thought it'd be easy." He winced as Braska pulled out another needle and gritted his teeth. "Did I ever tell ya that I hate needles?"
"No," Braska replied, pulling another spike from the blitzer's arm, unperturbed.
"What were you trying to accomplish by yourself? Any battle --
any
-- should be fought as a team, precisely to prevent accidents like this." Auron glared at Jecht. "Your irresponsibility knows no bounds."
Jecht winced, though Rikku wasn't sure if it was from Auron's words or the pain as Braska pulled the final few needles out of his arm. Then he dropped his head and mumbled something.
"If you have something to say for yourself, speak up!" Auron snapped.
Rikku frowned. So Jecht had blown their biggest treasure on his bad habit -- granted, it had been annoying. But, remembering Braska's words, she felt a small stab of pity for the other man. Maybe Auron's way
wasn't
always the right way. After all, he'd forgiven her, hadn't he? "Uh, Auron..."
"I wasn't talking to you," he growled, his eyes never leaving Jecht's face.
Rikku leaned over and caught Braska's eye. "Wow. Was he always like this when I pissed him off?" she whispered.
"Worse," Braska murmured with an amused look. "Judging from the severity of his reaction, however, I believe he's growing rather fond of Jecht."
Rikku frowned. Auron, growing
fond
of Jecht? She sure couldn't tell it from the way he was glowering.
"Well?"
Jecht glared at Auron. "I said I was tryin' to make it up, alright? I just thought, I dunno, if I collected a few things from those fiends like you and Rikkma always do, then maybe..." he trailed off and shrugged, rolling his shoulder and flexing his palm a few times as Braska finished casting a healing spell. "Just forget it," he snarled, picking up his sword. "It was a dumb idea."
Auron was still frowning, but it didn't quite seem as though he was trying to melt Jecht into a puddle with his stare anymore. Feeling oddly charitable at Jecht's admission, Rikku sighed and hit him in the arm. The one that Braska had just healed. "Oops," she giggled as Jecht grabbed his shoulder and howled.
"Alright, I get it already Blondie!"
"Sorry," Rikku said, making a grab for his
other
arm. "It wasn't
that
dumb of an idea. But y'know, Auron and I manage to collect all that stuff because I steal it while he's taking care of the nasty business. You don't just go around killing things willy nilly." She paused. "Well, actually, I guess you sorta do. But we do it in style," she added. “As a team!”
"Well, ain't that just great for you two lovebirds," Jecht said.
Rikku ignored his dig. "If you really want to help out, why don't you come with me this time?" She noted Auron's frown, which was growing in length again, and sighed. "I think you could use the practice and maybe Braska wouldn't mind catching up on stuff with Auron. Right?" She smiled her brightest, most hopeful smile at Braska, who returned it with a knowing smirk of his own.
"Of course," he supplied. "We haven't had much of a chance to talk since our journey began, have we Auron?"
Auron opened his mouth as if to protest, and then let out an exaggerated sigh of defeat. "Fine. Go hunt if you want. Don't get yourselves killed."
Rikku took the opportunity to drag Jecht away from the group. "Wow," she breathed. "I didn't think it'd be that easy!"
Jecht shook her arm off, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, I thought he was gonna try and beat my ass down for a while there." Then he sighed. "Listen, I said I was sorry. You over it already?"
Rikku frowned to herself as she spotted a buer in the distance. "Nope," she replied. Then she faced him. "I'll manage somehow. But Jecht?"
"Uh?" he grunted, drawing his sword as he spotted their quarry.
"No more
paan,
okay?"
Jecht's brow lowered and his expression blackened. "I already told ya, it ain't a problem. What's up with you and Auron, playin' good cop bad cop now? Go fuck around with someone else's head." Not waiting for her answer, he rushed headlong towards the buer with a yell.
Rikku's smile faltered and a bit of the shining optimism Braska had instilled in her tarnished over. Maybe Braska's way wasn't always the right one, either. "We'll see," she mumbled, drawing her daggers, following him into battle.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku stepped out onto the sunlit deck of the airship and squinted at the silhouette sitting near the edge of the platform.
What's she doing out here alone?
Making her way over, she seated herself next to the other girl and smiled. "Hey Yunie, what's up?"Yuna sighed. "Oh, hey Rikku. I was just... thinking." A smile flitted across her lips, but there was the also the touch of hesitation that had always plagued Yuna's features during the Pilgrimage. Rikku's stomach flipped – wasn't that supposed to be long gone? She pushed the feeling of wrongness away and returned Yuna's smile."Thinking of what?"Yuna sighed and looked over the endless fields of wildflowers stretching out below their feet. "The Fayth," she told Rikku. "Their dreams."Rikku’s smile faded as Yuna spoke. "Dreams of the Fayth," she repeated. One of the missing pieces clicked into place, and she blinked. "Tidus."Yuna nodded. "Maechen told me that the dreams of the Fayth reach through the spirit of the Summoner," she whispered. "By touching those dreams, I can make them real."Rikku gripped the metal of the platform and stared at the beautiful, empty tableau stretching before her. Please stop talking, Yunie. Please. The flowers were wilting now, the warmth of the setting sun fading into twilight. A sense of wrongness permeated everything. Yuna's face was slowly masked in darkness, but when she looked at Rikku, both of her startlingly bright eyes were blue. "The dream of the Fayth, the power of a Summoner. That which does not exist becomes real for all to see," Braska's voice intoned. Cool fingers rested against her neck, and Rikku started as another, deeper voice whispered into her ear."What is your dream?" Auron asked. You, she wanted to say. You've always been my dream. "Liar," Bahamut rumbled. He was there, floating before her as a child, but his voice was ancient. "Your own story – that is what you wanted. You have never dreamed for others. You have always dreamed for yourself."Rikku wanted to protest, but she couldn't move, couldn't even blink. She forced her jaw to open, squeezing the words between her unwilling lips. "I didn't mean it to be... to be – !" ... so selfish, she couldn't bring herself to say out loud.The pressure on her neck increased; his voice filled her ear, a soothing balm to her crackling nerves. "Your dream wasn't meant for the rest of the world. Do not be ashamed.""You wanted to see him again. Not just your memories," Bahamut told her in his usual monotone, and she couldn't tell if he was scolding her or not. " 'Even if just to say goodbye.' ""But I can't let go!" Rikku blurted out."Then why do you seek us? Why do you wish to end your dream?""Yunie's world..." Rikku managed to whisper, her brow furrowing."A world without Sin," Braska completed for her. "Such a world requires sacrifice to build. The Fayth sacrificed their dreams for us. What, then, is one small dream of our own?"Rikku wanted to shake her head, Braska was wrong. It wasn't fair! But she couldn't move; the fingers touching her neck held her still."Your happiness," Auron whispered seductively."Spira's future," Braska chided."You shouldn't seek us out. You know you aren't ready," Bahamut told her.The encroaching darkness stretched out its tendrils, obscuring everything; Rikku could no longer see Braska or Bahamut, nor feel the touch of Auron's fingers. It wrapped around her like chains, robbing her of breath as she gasped and struggled, searching for the last vestiges of light –
.x.x.x.
Rikku woke in a cold sweat. She sat up quickly in her bed, trying to slow her breathing down and covering her eyes with the heels of her palms. "Just a dream," she whispered to herself. "It was just a dream.""Rikkma?"She dropped her hands and almost let out a shriek as she saw two blue eyes staring at her from out of the darkness, eerily reminiscent of the vision she had just woken from."Is everything all right?" Braska asked her with a touch of concern.Rikku nodded, and then realized Braska probably couldn't see her. "Yeah, I'm fine," she managed to say, keeping the tremble out of her voice. "Just a bad dream, that's all."Braska smiled. She could tell from the faint white flash of his teeth. "I couldn't sleep either," he admitted, pitching his voice low so as not to wake the others. "I feel... restless." She heard the rustle of cloth as Braska shifted on his bed. "Perhaps being this close to the Farplane is causing it. Maybe it calls to the spirits within my soul."Rikku blinked and fisted the sheet in her hand. They had arrived in Guadosalam the afternoon before, but the Guado city was hardly welcoming. Many of the residents seemed to recognize Braska; the attention he garnered ranged from curious to hostile. Though, in all honesty, the mixed reception was better than the send-off they’d received in the Thunder Plains. Besides, the Guado behavior was nothing new – they simply hated tourists, and Summoner's parties were no exception. Rikku could have cared less, though; much more important was the fact that the city was still standing. Sin hadn't attacked, as she'd feared. The entrance to the Farplane was still completely safe and intact and – as she'd discovered with some surprise – just as tightly guarded as "normal."She didn't think it was very normal at all – but it was a clear reminder that the Guado were at the height of their cultural power and influence, having rejected the Church of Yevon's missionary overtures. Yet for all of Guadosalam's glory and pride, she couldn't help but view everything with a touch of sadness. The Ronso had almost completely destroyed the Guado race, decimating their remaining numbers in a war of attrition that lasted a full year after the start of Yuna's supposed "Eternal Calm."One day, all of it would disappear; the proud mansion that housed Lord Jyscal's clan would be reduced to nothing more than Leblanc's glorified massage parlor, and the oddly decorated houses lining the street would morph into cheap tourist shops and tacky arcades. Still, the most important feature of Guadosalam would never change.The Farplane was here, filled with its great emptiness, disquieting peace and hidden sorrows. For now, though – before the destruction of the Guado; before the integration of Guadosalam into the Church of Yevon – the Farplane was still jealously hoarded by its Guado caretakers. Travellers were allowed one visit, and one visit only ; as such, Braska decided that they rest beforehand in order to make the most of the rare opportunity. Rest. As if! Rikku rubbed her hand over her face. Well, there sure wouldn't be any more rest tonight – if her own nightmares hadn't ensured it, then the dulcet tones of Jecht's snoring did. Sweeping the covers aside, she eased out of her bed and tiptoed towards the door."Where are you going?" Braska asked, hearing her movement."Can't sleep, so I'm gonna take a hike," Rikku whispered. She heard more sounds of rustling and bit back a yelp when she felt him touch her elbow."Then, let us go together. There's no rest for me here tonight, either," Braska said, and Rikku bit back a sigh of disappointment. What she really wanted was to be alone, to mull over the meaning of her dream and its possible consequences. Were the Fayth trying to communicate with her, or was she letting her own fears plague her even in sleep? She let out her breath; either way, she couldn't find it in herself to turn Braska down. Considering the potency of her own dream, maybe it actually was her fault that he couldn't sleep either.They exited the room as quietly as possible, blinking to adjust to the soft lighting of the inn's tiny hallway."Oh! You forgot your robe," Braska observed with some concern.Rikku stared and tried to remember to close her jaw. "You forgot yours, too," she replied, her eyes wide. It wasn't so much the lack of formal summoning robes that surprised her, rather that Braska forgot his braid . Not that she could blame him; while keeping her own hair up made it easier to care for on the road, it did get a little itchy after a while. Guadosalam was also the first "comfortable" pit stop they’d reached since the start of the Pilgrimage. She stared at Braska's hair, which hung straight down his back, longer than her own and the color of burnished copper.Noticing her scrutiny, Braska touched his head. "So I did. Is it a problem?"Rikku shook her head. Just looking at Braska was making her own scalp itch, though. Decision made, she pulled off her bandana and let her hair down. "No, this is perfect! We'll tour the city incognito! If we both let our braids out, nobody'll recognize us!""I’m not sure it will be quite that easy to mask our presence here,” Braska murmured, trying to stifle a laugh.Ignoring him, Rikku struggled with the tangles in her unruly hair. "You could be a little more optimistic you know," she puffed as she worked. “It’s not like we’re famous here, right?”Braska’s snicker was lost to Rikku’s yelp of pain. She winced as her fingers caught on a particularly nasty snarl while pulling at a bead decorating one of her braids."Wait."Rikku felt another pair of hands join her own. Braska gave her a warm smile and continued to untangle her hair even after she froze."It will be faster if I help.""Yeah," Rikku said and tried to ignore his knuckles brushing across her scalp. Instead, she concentrated on unravelling the braid in her hand as quickly as possible. In a matter of moments, it was done. Her own mop of hair would never be as smooth and well-behaved as Braska's, but it was still a relief to have it fall loosely around her ears. "Wow, I keep forgetting how long it's gotten," she giggled as she fluffed it out a few times.Braska stepped back to admire her and feeling a little self-conscious, Rikku finished finger-combing through her hair and tied her bandana around her neck. The beads she slipped into an empty pocket. When she was done, she tilted her head and gave Braska a sassy grin. "How do you like me now?"Braska opened his mouth but stopped, as if checking his words, and smiled at her. "It suits you very well." The smile faltered as his eyes moved down over her distinct travelling outfit. "But what of your robe?"Rikku shrugged. "Do I really need it here? The Guado hate Yevonites just as much as they hate the Al Bhed. Besides, it won't matter once we cross the Moonflow." It was true; most people would be too busy eating, sleeping and dreaming about Blitzball to pay attention to anything but their favorite athletes. Even the Al Bhed team had earned its share of notoriety in Luca. Rikku guessed her appearance would be the least of their concerns; more likely than not it was Jecht's boundless enthusiasm that would prove their real problem. She smirked. More like Auron's problem.Braska's uncertainty evaporated. "You're right," he agreed, his shoulders straightening. "We can be free, here, for tonight."Rikku’s grin spread and she hooked her elbow around his own, dragging him down the hall. "That's right! No Summoners and no Guardians. Just two people hanging out!" They spilled onto one of the sleepy town's thoroughfares, and she released Braska to run towards the edge of the road and drink in the sight. "I gotta hand it to the Guado: they sure do know how to decorate a place!"Braska grinned as he joined her side. "I do not believe this is all the fruits of Guado architecture. Much of it seems to be the natural beauty of the cavern." His eyes drifted the source of most of the soft illumination in the city. "I could not imagine the gateway of the Farplane to be otherwise."Rikku found her eyes drawn to the path as well, and the momentary exhilaration she'd felt at their escape faded away. That's the way home. If the Fayth won't take me back, then I’ve got to try here. "Are you coming with us into the Farplane later?" Braska's question caught her by surprise and for a moment, she stared, convinced she'd been caught red-handed in her plan to bail out from his Pilgrimage. If flinging herself into the Farplane could be called much of a plan. Running away seemed more accurate."I... don't know, yet," Rikku answered, shifting her weight."I know the Al Bhed beliefs, Rikkma. It's quite all right if you wish to remain outside of the Farplane while we pay our respects."Rikku glanced up at the path again, frowning. "We'll see when we get there, okay?" Memories of the dream tickled at her mind, and Rikku shrugged off the feeling of discomfort and foreboding that swept through her.
.x.x.x.
"Whoa, Blondie, ya let yer hair down!"Rikku winced and gave a small wave towards Jecht, who was shambling down the path towards them. Auron followed him, his face devoid of expression as he watched her return from her stroll with Braska."Well, Braska did too, so it's okay, see?" Gathering her courage, she forced herself to meet Auron’s gaze and was surprised when he broke contact first, turning his head away. Rikku did a double-take. Since when did she win stare-downs with Auron? The man didn't blink! It was like he wasn't even trying!"It looks like you enjoyed yourselves," Auron told Braska.A mental circuit fired in Rikku's head. She licked her lips in apprehension – she hadn't meant for it to look like she ditched the group to run off with Braska, even if that was what had happened. What she really wanted was a chance to think, to distance herself and gather the courage to do what she knew needed to be done at the Farplane. Braska's presence was more of an accident than a planned date. Why did Auron have to start getting sensitive now, of all times?Rikku slapped herself mentally in the midst of trying to come up with a justification for her behavior that would ease the tension off his face. Why do I need to apologize to him? I'm going to be leaving anyhow. Maybe it's better like this. Still... The guilt gnawed at her with more persistence than a hungry Zanarkand monkey. An idea struck her, and Rikku directed a brilliant smile towards Auron."You should let your hair down too, you know!"He looked at her in surprise before his face hardened into a more typical frown. "A warrior-monk never wears his hair loose.""Oh, I think we can bend the rules a little, Auron," Braska interjected. "I don't believe the Guado will protest if you step out of uniform just for today."Jecht joined the assault, always eager for opportunities to heckle Auron. "Just leave the Stiff alone. Auron knows he can't beat my good looks – we don't gotta rub it in."Rolling his eyes upward, Auron let out a gusty sigh and reached behind his head. Rikku's breath caught as he pulled away the leather tie holding his hair back, sending dark waves spilling over his shoulders. It contrasted sharply against the paleness of his skin and the bright red of his coat. Jecht had it all wrong – with his hair down, Auron looked even more like a Blitzball star than ever before. It was too bad that he was crap at swimming."This is ridiculous," Auron grumbled, reaching to tie back his hair at the sound of Rikku's smothered laughter."No, don't do that! I like it! I was just thinking it's a good thing there aren't that many girls around." She smiled at Auron shyly. "Yeah,” Jecht laughed, “Otherwise Blondie here would have to spend all her free time beatin’ down the competition, right?”"Shut your mouth," Auron snapped at Jecht. He kept his hair down, though, and Rikku hid another smile behind a cough."So where are we going now?" she asked, stretching her arms over her head and popping her shoulders.Braska studied their group, then shrugged. "We are together now... perhaps we should see the Farplane. It is still early enough to be free of most visitors.""Farplane?" Jecht asked as they moved towards the winding pathway to their destination. "What's that?""It is the place where our dead come to rest," Braska explained as they walked. "One of the most important summoner's duties is to gather the remnants of deceased spirits and send them to the Farplane before they can be warped by hatred and envy.""Warped?" Jecht asked. "How can ya warp a soul? And how d’ya know you're sending them spirits to the right place? How d’ya even know dead people got souls?"Auron laughed. "To think the Church let us travel on a Pilgrimage." Sobering, he continued in a quieter voice as they passed two stern-looking Guado sentries. "Don't say such things loudly. Yevon would persecute you as a heretic, and rightly so.""It is true, Jecht," Braska explained. "Even if you disagree with the Church and its teachings, the presence of deceased souls in Spira is unmistakable. The body is a husk for the soul, and when freed from that constraint, the soul is released to wander the earth. When I perform a Sending, I can feel them. As an observer, you, too, can see them – they take on the form of pyreflies.""Pyreflies. You're kiddin’ me. Those are dead people? " Jecht looked disturbed. "Blondie, tell me the truth here!"Rikku sighed. "Even if Yevon gets most things wrong, they can be right about stuff sometimes.""Alright, so they're dead people!" Jecht frowned. "Holy shit. But, 'ey... aren't fiends, y'know, made of them pyrefly-thingies?""Exactly," Braska replied. "That is why it is a Summoner's duty to ensure the peace of the newly departed by Sending them. Otherwise, a malcontent soul will be transformed into a fiend."Jecht was silent for a few moments, digesting the information. He scratched his head. "Yeah, but... uh, if you know all this already, why are there still so many fiends wanderin' around everywhere?" Uncomfortable silence blanketed the group, and Jecht scowled. "What'd I say?""Sin," Rikku replied, letting anger seep into her voice at the reminder of what she had to do. "The fiends are there because of Sin."The discussion died out as the swirling portal of cool light came into view, and Jecht let out a low whistle. "Damn. And we're gonna go inside of that?"Rikku tuned out the chatter as Jecht peppered the others with questions about the Farplane, pyreflies, and "seeing dead people." Thoughts of her dream and the future crowded her head, and she was glad that her friends were occupied. Her steps slowed as she trailed to the side of the path, caught up in her own thoughts. Of condemning Auron to his death and Jecht to many long years of torture and suffering. Braska's sacrifice, both in his life and through his death. But what about Yuna's sacrifice? Was it any less important? Or was it even more important? Hers had led to a world without Sin. A world without Auron.Rikku studied the man in question – he was arguing with Jecht, of course. She smiled; yes, her wish had come true. This wasn't her Auron – he was gone, never to return; she understood that now. But he, too, was Auron, perhaps even more real than the man she'd thought she'd loved. He was a real person, not just a mishmash of pyreflies, hopes and failed dreams. As if he could feel her stare, he met her eyes, brows drawing together. Rikku ducked his gaze. I need to let him go. "Auron! Stop spacin' out on me, I was in the middle of talkin' to ya!"Jecht's rough voice broke the spell, and Rikku winced... she'd let herself get trapped into thinking about Auron again – selfishly, she guessed Bahamut would say. And that's why you have to leave, Rikku. You have to. Her feet refused to move."You have decided not to come inside with us then?" Braska asked her."I – " Rikku stalled, fidgeting. She looked at the swirling portal of light."No... please, Rikkma. You don't have to force yourself to make a decision right now. I can see that you are not ready," Braska told her, grasping her shoulders.Rikku's eyes snapped to Braska as his voice echoed Bahamut's dream words. A look of confusion passed over his face and he released her. "Please wait for us here." It sounded more like an order than a request, and Rikku frowned. "Jecht, Auron.""So you just step through?" Jecht peered at the wall of light, tapping it with a fingertip. Ripples spread through the air where he touched. At Braska's nod, Jecht repressed his shudder, and – mumbling something about ghosts under his breath – leapt through the portal in one giant bound. Braska made to follow him but paused when he noticed that Auron wasn't moving."Auron?""I'll wait," Auron said. "Too many memories."Braska nodded. "Very well. Stay here with Rikkma." That, too, sounded like a command, and Rikku felt her frown deepening. Was Braska really ordering Auron to keep an eye on her? And more importantly, why? Before she could question him, he inhaled sharply and disappeared into the portal. Silence descended, and Rikku scuffed the toes of her boots on the rocky ground."Say, Auron," she called out after a few uncomfortable moments. "Why'd you stay? They're only gonna let us in once. This is your big chance!"Auron shook his head. "My chance for what? To see the faces of the men I've killed in the name of Yevon?"Rikku winced. "... I guess I hadn't thought about it like that." She scuffed her toe into the ground again. "You're not mad at me, are you? I mean, for taking a walk with Braska earlier?"Sighing, Auron leaned against the wall and met her gaze. "I said you'd have nothing to worry about from me.""Really?" She crept towards him. " 'Cause I could be wrong about this, but you kinda looked a little pissed off there."Auron shrugged. "Do what you like."Rikku smirked and inched closer to him. "Some girls might take that as an invitation, you know."His reaction wasn't the one she'd hoped for; instead of laughing – or even better, reciprocating – he glared at her. "But don't toy with him." He paused. "Or me."Rikku felt her already short temper – which wasn't being helped along by her lack of sleep – flaring in indignation. "Maybe I wouldn't toy with you if you'd throw me a bone here! In case you haven't noticed, I like you. And I don't mean it in that 'Oh, you're a great guy' kind of way. I like like you! But sometimes it feels like you don't even care!"Auron frowned, tightening his grip on his arms. "I refuse to be a replacement for – "Rikku stomped her foot. "That's a cheap excuse you told me to stop using already. Why don't you take your own advice? I'm talking to you right now, not him! " She clapped a hand over her mouth after she finished blurting out her protest. Mostly out of shock, but also to hide the grin that was spreading across her face. There. She'd done it. Auron would probably burst a blood vessel, most likely one of hers, if he suspected she was laughing at him now, of all times, but she couldn't push down the feeling of elation blossoming in her chest. She'd said it to his face. Him. He was not the Auron she had foolishly crushed on, not the enigmatic man that no one, not even Tidus, could read. Not this Auron. For once, she was taking a chance, stretching out, and putting her heart on the line – and for a real person this time. Rikku swallowed and dropped her hand away from her mouth as the enormity of her proposal hit her. This Auron was not a romanticized construct of her own mind. This Auron could, and probably would, shoot her down at any moment. If there was one thing young Auron had in common with his older, deader self, it was a complete lack of interest in the opposite sex.Auron simply sighed in response and refused to meet her eye, muttering something under his breath."What was that?" Rikku asked, planting her hands on her hips. Whether Auron was cold-blooded or not, everyone knew the first rule in the battle of the sexes was to never admit defeat. "If you're not interested in me, you only have to say it, you know." She decided not to mention that she wouldn't necessarily be inclined to listen to him. If there was one thing she was learning, it was that time with Auron was a luxury she didn't have. Even now, Rikku knew what they did have was stolen from the future. That was what her nightmare had been trying to tell her, wasn’t it? That it was okay to have a selfish dream. As long as you knew it was a dream and that one day, you'd have to wake up. So what if she was making him uncomfortable? If all she had was borrowed time, she’d stalk him if necessary. Besides, time travel doesn't count as stalking, she exculpated. Relatively speaking, he was the one who was inconveniencing her, right?"... it's acceptable," Auron said, still not facing her."What?" Rikku pulled herself out of her thoughts and struggled to make a connection. "Wait, say that again!" she demanded.Was Auron... flushing? Huh. I guess he's not a graceful blusher, either, Rikku noted with a gleeful smirk. That, or the stone-faced Guardian was coming down with a mild skin rash. She held her tongue, enjoying his growing look of discomfort."Your hair. It looks... acceptable." He paused at Rikku's obvious hesitation. "Right now," he added, finally meeting her stare.Rikku glowed under the compliment. "You like my hair down?" she asked, patting it self-consciously. Then her glow faded into indignation. "Wait, just acceptable? Is that the best you can do?" Life just wasn't fair, Rikku decided. Braska and Auron could put the best of Luca's Blitzball celebrities to shame just by letting their hair down, and all she got was an "acceptable." She scowled and crossed her arms."It looks better this way than that crow's nest you usually wear," he added with a slight hint of humor, refusing to give in to her pout. The smirk faded, but Auron didn't look away. "I think it makes you look more mature." He paused again and let his eyes flicker over her face, as if searching for something. "And more difficult to ignore.""That's not a bad thing," she said, taking a few steps towards him, but stopped when he turned away."Braska noticed, too."She frowned. "But I want you to notice." Her statement hung in the air, unchallenged, and she took a stab at the invisible wall standing between them. "You know, this morning... that wasn't something we planned. It was just a coincidence! I woke up early and so did Braska, and... and we both kind of decided to go out." Auron stiffened and she winced at her choice of words. "Not like a date! Just to look around the city! I mean, if I wanted a date, I would've asked him. He just sorta came along, you know?" Hmm… this honesty stuff wasn't going quite as far as she'd hoped, judging from the expression on Auron's face."Rikku... you're not afraid of facing your feelings, are you?" Auron looked at her; the motion caused his hair to spill over his face, obscuring one eye.She swallowed. "No."He tilted his head towards the Farplane. "Then join Braska."Rikku balled her hands into fists. "I think staying right here is acceptable, thank you very much." She took another few steps towards Auron and then hefted herself onto the ledge right next to him, grinning when he didn't shift away. "Besides... I'm not afraid of how I feel. That's why I'd rather be with you right now."Auron said nothing, but she managed to invade his personal space without resistance. He still faced away from her, arms crossed, but some of the tension faded from his posture as she leaned first a shoulder, and then a cheek against his exposed back."You're a foolish girl," Auron told her gruffly, but allowed her to remain seated against him as he stared into the soft, liquid glow of the Farplane.Rikku closed her eyes and ignored his words, choosing instead to soak in the warmth radiating from his body. This Auron was flesh and blood, no matter how cold he sounded. Contentment flooded her as she pressed an ear against his coat, trying to find the beat of his heart. She let herself be lulled by the gentle sound of his steady breathing and the soft, distant hum of the Farplane.
Nothing's stopping you from going back right now.
Rikku squeezed her eyes together and moved her head just enough to brush the fabric of Auron's coat with her lips. She inhaled deeply, relishing the musky scent of the sweat-stained garment. Traces of ozone and the faintest whiff of Macalania's forests mixed in with the smell that was uniquely Auron, and Rikku had to stop herself from reaching out to grip it and clutch it to her chest – particularly since Auron was still wearing the garment.
Maybe it's selfish, but this is my dream.
She didn't know how much time passed as she half-dozed, free of her worries and content to just be in that moment. Auron remained silent but she could tell from the soft, steady pull of his breath that he wasn't sleeping. Did he feel the satisfaction she did? Did being so near bring him the same comfort? Rikku didn't want to ask.Instead, she kept her eyes closed and allowed herself to picture Auron's face, smoothing away the worry lines that usually marked his face. Reaching up, she grabbed a strand of his hair and cracked an eye open."Can I have this?" she asked.Auron grunted in response, not bothering to turn around, and Rikku took that as a sign of acceptance. With a sharp jerk, she pulled the hair free of his head.Auron twitched in pain and sat up, causing Rikku to lose her balance. He turned around and glared, and Rikku giggled as she twined the hair around her finger. "Something to remember you by," she murmured, tucking it safely away in one of her pockets.Opening his mouth, Auron seemed like he was about to say something. He changed his mind, however, after looking at her closely. "I'm still here," he replied, searching her face.
As long as you remember you have to wake up someday.
Rikku couldn't bring herself to reassure him with a smile, and instead looked at the Farplane. "I – " she started, and then stopped, squinting at the portal as two nebulous shadows formed behind the barrier. "I think they're back," she finished, pointing.Jecht's voice bounced over the steps, too loud in Rikku's ears as he exited the Farplane. "... besides my old man! It's cool and all, but I didn't see anyone I knew!"Braska was right behind him, his modulated voice more muted than usual. "You should be thankful that you have known so little loss in your Zanarkand.” He paused on the steps, catching sight of Rikku and Auron sitting together, and stared for a moment before continuing his descent.Rikku bit her lip and glanced at Auron, whose brow had creased. She hopped off of the ledge and watched Braska approach. He looked even more tired than he had during their trek through the snowfields. Even Jecht caught on to the mood and fell silent."He saw Raenn," Auron supplied under his breath, and Rikku nodded her head in acknowledgement. She tensed when Braska stopped before her to study her face. He said nothing, and she fidgeted under his piercing gaze. "Umm, Braska?" Why was he just standing there? It was the same as in the agency before – almost as if he was looking through her.Without warning, Braska reached out and caught a lock of her hair. He smiled faintly before releasing it, although his eyes remained cool and icy."Put your hair back up, Rikkma." Once again, it sounded like an order, not a request. Rikku bit back the feeling of hurt that sprung up in her chest as Braska started his return towards Guadosalam without even acknowledging her. He’d withdrawn from them, though it didn't take a genius to figure out why. Heck, even Jecht could understand what was bothering Braska right now."So, do these Guado have any good pubs we could hit before we go?" Jecht asked, breaking the silence. Or maybe not, Rikku amended as she spun away from them to separate a few long strands of her hair. She ignored Auron as he brushed by, choosing instead to stay behind and re-do her hairstyle. The Farplane was bringing out the best in everybody, and all she really wanted at the moment was the same thing she had that morning – to be left alone.
.x.x.x.
Auron scowled as he left Rikku behind, catching up to Jecht. "Searching for a pub here would be inappropriate behavior, even for someone like you."" ‘ey! Whaddaya mean, 'someone like me?' I'm just a simple guy lookin' for a good time!" Jecht shrugged. "You need to lighten up, man."Auron sucked in his breath to reply, but Braska stopped him. "Let him go," he said. "You have my permission to leave, Jecht. Do what you like, so long as you rejoin us by this evening.""Hah! Looks like you lost this match, pal!" Jecht waved triumphantly as he jogged back towards the city – a disgruntled Auron and an unnaturally calm Braska left behind."My lord!" Auron sputtered, turning to Braska with a look of complete disbelief. "Why did you give that fool permission to drink himself into a stupor? He’ll only embarrass – "Braska waved his hand, silencing Auron's protest with a shake of his head. "You do not understand. Jecht needs this.""Of course he needs this!" Auron exploded. "He's a drunkard! He'll always need to drink!" Taking a deep breath, Auron pinched the bridge of his nose and forced himself to calm down. "I understand if you're upset with us, but that's no reason to allow Jecht to run wild."Braska's expression flickered; his voice was weary, but with an air of long-suffering patience, he strove to answer Auron. "As much as he likes to hide it, Jecht is also only human. He misses his family."Auron grimaced. "What family? I and half of Guadosalam heard Jecht's claim that he didn't see anyone he recognized in there." He crossed his arms.Braska offered him a small, humorless smile. "All the more reason to miss his family, would you not say?" Though his tone was mild, Braska's words were blunt, his posture stiff. Auron remained silent, and Braska sighed with exasperation. "Let him go. It would be better for Jecht to attempt to overcome his sorrow in a place less steeped in them.""... and what if he doesn't?" Auron said it as more than mere possibility. "Are we to allow him to drink his way through the rest of this Pilgrimage?""Jecht is stronger than you think," Braska snapped. "He will overcome this in time."" Perhaps ," Auron said, and Braska fell silent at the unvoiced accusation of hypocrisy. Just like you recovered from Raenn’s death? A tense moment stretched between the two; they both kept their gaze away from Rikku, who hadn’t followed them.Auron capitulated first. He sighed and rubbed an uneasy hand through his hair, scooping it back up into its usual ponytail. "This is ridiculous." Looking at Braska, his deep frown eased along with his tone, losing much of its anger. "All of Spira is steeped in sorrow. Leaving the walls of Guadosalam won't allow Jecht to escape it any more than finding solace in a bottle would."Some of the stiffness faded from Braska's posture; the corners of his mouth were pulling into a wry grin. "It is strange, but I had always thought I would be happier to hear you standing up to me." He looked over his shoulder at Rikku, who was bent away from them. She was struggling with her wild hair, and the faint hint of amusement left his expression. "Sometimes we need to forget, no matter what the price may be."Auron allowed himself to follow Braska's example, watching Rikku. The illumination of the Farplane cast a bluish halo around her while at the same time encasing her body in shadows. He was reminded of the Espada, of the contrast of harsh sun glinting off bright snow against the strange creature's light-absorbing form.Watching her, Auron understood they were arguing over more than Jecht's drinking habits; he’d let himself be goaded into making a choice regarding the girl. A choice that didn't suit Braska, even if the other man had been doing much of the goading. A stab of uncertainty plagued him, and Auron grimaced in displeasure at the unfamiliar feeling. His life had always been lived on the principles of certainty – he knew who he was, what he believed in and where he was going. Those things were crumbling now, like sandcastles washed away in high tide. They had been since his fall from Yevon's grace, but meeting Rikku transformed slow erosion into a cascading avalanche.Maybe it was no coincidence that she looked so like the fiend that had nearly destroyed them in the snowfields of Macalania. She might succeed where the Espada had failed. He looked away and focused on Braska."I am not angry at either of you," Braska said. "Rikkma cares deeply for you." A long, pained silence hung in the air, and Auron hid his wince. Braska's sandcastles were also crumbling into dust, creating a strange dichotomy in his usually placid demeanor. "You do not have to be ashamed of your own feelings for her," he said so softly that Auron almost missed the words. "People cannot control whom they choose to love." Love? Auron flinched at the word and Braska's head jerked up; with a start, he realized Braska had been talking to himself . The other man gathered his composure and smoothed his face into its usual smile, as though they had not been arguing just moments before. "It is not something you should fear, and it is your choice this time. You have nothing to lose if you will admit you can have feelings. In fact, you have everything to gain."And there it was; perhaps the one force that could stop the turmoil Rikku had released from destroying their small party. But it was only Braska, their Summoner, who was strong enough to harness it – the one thing he clung to more tightly than his own grief.
Duty.
Auron's uncertainty faded into a sharp spike of anger. He held onto it for as long as he could, because it was marginally better than the shame."My feelings?" Auron closed his expression. "My feelings don't matter, and neither do hers. What matters is the Pilgrimage – ""No," Braska said vehemently. "Love is what matters. It is the one thing that gives Spira strength. Not the Pilgrimages, nor the Summoners..." He paused to catch his breath. "Love is what allows people to continue living in this world of Sin – what gives people their true hope. Love of life, of this world, even of self – but most of all love for others. My love for Raenn is what makes this Pilgrimage possible."Auron looked at Braska, his expression hard. "And love for Rikkma could end it," he answered. "Yours or mine... it doesn't really matter, does it?"Braska's lips twitched into a bitter smile. "Always blunt, aren't you? I'm not ashamed of my own feelings, either. But I know what I need to do. Nothing will deter me from that path. You, on the other hand..." His face softened. "Auron, you will have your whole life ahead of you when we have completed our journey. Do you really want to spend the rest of that life alone?""Do you think me blind? I'm your Guardian before I'm your friend," Auron countered. "My job is to protect you from harm, not to be the cause of it."Braska pursed his lips together and resumed his slow pace down the rocky corridor. "That is exactly your problem. You still have not fully understood which of your two roles is more important." He spoke carefully, as though forming the words were difficult. "I am asking you to follow your heart as a friend .""And as your Guardian, I'm refusing," Auron replied."One day you might realize that you do not have the power to make that choice," Braska chided him.
.x.x.x.
There was a definite difference between wanting a little alone time and being left in the dust, Rikku thought with a touch of annoyance. She sprinted down the pathway, still struggling to scoop her unruly hair into its trademark ponytail. "Hey, wait you guys!" she called out, tripping over her feet as a chunk of hair fell into her eyes.Auron and Braska faced her; it looked like she was interrupting some sort of discussion. Jecht, of course, was nowhere to be seen; apparently, the speed of his gait was directly proportional to the amount of bars in the vicinity.Braska bestowed a mild smile upon Rikku when she came to a stop beside them. "Rikkma. I must apologize for my rudeness just now. My request was very selfish."Rikku blinked at Braska's phrasing and glanced at Auron, who ignored her and looked in the opposite direction. Just as well, Rikku thought; being able to look this Auron in the face wouldn't make her decision any easier. She took a deep breath, oblivious to the tension between the two men as she waded through her own jumbled thoughts.
It's now or never.
Steeling herself, Rikku looked Braska squarely in the eye."Braska... I want to stay here a little longer. Will it be alright if I meet you back at the inn later? There's something I need to do."Braska looked surprised at her request. "Something you need to do? Did you change your mind about the Farplane?"Rikku nodded. "I have to see if I can face my own memories," she supplied, almost managing to keep her voice from quavering. Not enough, however, as Auron gave her a perturbed look over his shoulder.Braska's expression softened. "So you'll be leaving us, then?" he asked, and Rikku couldn't help but shiver at his choice of words."I..." She swallowed, feeling Auron's eyes boring into her. "I just want to see," she mumbled."Ah," Braska said. Then he gave her a genuine, heartbreaking smile. "We will be at the inn until tomorrow morning. Take as long as you need." With a short bow, he continued down the passage. Auron held back, still staring at Rikku."How long will you need?" he asked, searching her face. She could tell what he was really asking: are you leaving us? Rikku hesitated. Even if it was time for her dream to end, she couldn't just go without saying some sort of goodbye. Not now, when she'd finally managed to steal a little piece of happiness for herself."I don't know," she admitted. "But if I'm not back by tomorrow morning, don't wait up for me."For once, Auron didn't grow angry, as she expected him to. Instead, he looked grim. "Braska already knows you're planning to leave us, doesn't he?"Rikku shook her head in denial. "I don't know. I mean I don't want to, but I – "Auron cut her off. "No. Don't tell me. Do what you need to do."Rikku gaped. "What, no arguments? Since when did you get so understanding, huh? What exactly did Braska say to you anyway?"Auron sighed and passed a hand over his eyes. After a moment's pause, he answered her. "Sometimes... we need to put friendship over duty." He dropped his palm and gave her a hard look. "Go, then. Do whatever it is that you need to."Rikku stared at him. "I'm sorry."Auron studied her for a moment longer. "I need to be with Braska now," he answered. "But I'll wait for you, Rikku."She watched him walk away. "I'll wait for you," he had said. Not "we'll wait for you." Just I . Auron.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku loitered at the end of the path, trying to decide whether the heaviness in her stomach was the result of guilt or relief – or maybe just the Guado spicy bread she had earlier. Sucking in her breath, she marched towards the portal leading into the Farplane.
Even in the past, it looked the same as ever – a red stone hexagon etched into Guadosalam's darkened walls, surrounded by mist and pyreflies. Six cloudy windows surrounded the portal that framed the doorway into another dimension; it was a work no mortal hand could have created, and yet somehow it was too perfect to have been achieved by nature alone.
It was as though the gateway itself was summoned into existence – but no one could answer the question of how it came to be. According to legends, the gateway had existed long before the art of Summoning. The Farplane was eternal, an ancient and sacred place even in Shuyin and Lenne's era a thousand years ago. The portal was as much a part of Spira as its sky and seas. Perhaps it was the Farplane itself that had created the Summoners, and not the other way around.
All too suddenly, Rikku’s feet carried her to the entrance of Spira's eternal mystery. She shook her head and tried to remind herself of Al Bhed lore – that the Farplane was nothing more than the home of the pyreflies, that it wasn't truly a bridge between the world of the living and the dead. Then she let out a soft sigh.
Who am I kidding? I don't believe those teachings anymore.
She thought of Braska, of even Yuna's unshakable faith despite everything the other girl knew and had seen.
I guess even Al Bhed can be wrong sometimes. We really do let our pride blind us, don't we?
The portal seemed to sigh and ripple in response, pyreflies dancing around her. Souls, she'd told Jecht when he'd asked; she believed that now. They
were
souls, releasing their sorrows as they sang nostalgic memories of their forgotten lives, searching for someplace to call a home, waiting to be reborn.
She stared into the swirling light, then reached out and touched the barrier. It pulsed under her palm, scattering fractured rays of light into the air. A wave of dizziness hit her, along with a tickling sensation.
It's not cold like before.
Bright colors beckoned to her, and every sense was singing with anticipation.
If I could just break through,
she thought to herself with a sudden, almost violent need. Somehow, she knew everything would be okay in the Farplane; every mistake she made, every question and uncertainty she felt would be set to rights. There would be no more doubting, no worrying about Sin's attacks, Jecht's drinking habits, Braska's depression, or even Auron's temper –
Warmth, and the steady beat of a heart against her cheek.
Rikku's certainty wavered, but the feeling of
rightness
pulled at her again, and she shook her head.
"This is what I want. This is what Spira needs."
Her words cut through the silence with startling clarity. Rikku really didn't enjoy the sound of her own voice, despite Brother's petulant claims to the contrary. She thought it too childish; she couldn't manage Lulu's smooth, throaty timber without sounding like she had a terrible chest cold, and she didn't even bother trying to emulate Yuna’s musical, breathy pitch. But somehow, hearing her own imperfect voice echoing in her ears broke the incessant need to pass through the barrier. If everything was
right
behind it, why did her voice still sound so
wrong?
The nostalgia and contentment the Farplane brought to its visitors was no surprise to Rikku, though she was uneasy at their intensity. Still – everyone felt the pull to some extent when surrounded by the otherworldly atmosphere. Despite the sensations it evoked, however, people always said something was slightly off about it. Beautiful as it was, most visitors were eager to leave when they finished paying their respects.
Here, though, it was different. The Farplane's call felt
perfect;
there was no longing to return to the real world. It was as though the slight oddness, the strange dichotomy between comfort and alienation had vanished completely. In fact, being this close to the portal made Rikku feel as though the rest of the world was off, rather than the Farplane itself: like putting on a pair of glasses and seeing the world come into focus for the first time. Only it wasn't her sight that had sharpened, but her feelings.
It's like... coming home
. The way Home had felt, before Yevon had blown it to bits. Or maybe the way the Celsius felt, after all the time she'd spent on it as a Gullwing. With a sudden pang, Rikku realized how much she missed her Brother's scolding, Buddy's even-tempered interventions, and even Shinra's boasting.
The Farplane's entrance churned, jagged streaks of shadow trailing after her fingers where they penetrated the light, reflecting and amplifying her own doubts. Rikku frowned; why was she hesitating? She stared into the now-murky depths of the portal. The sense of longing fought for dominance over her newfound reluctance.
Because he's waiting for you.
The darkness in the portal spread, mingling with the clear light and turning it into a distorted swirl of grey clouds. "I can't be of two minds," Rikku mumbled. That was what Auron had told her, wasn't it? To choose one path and to follow it. Wasn't that exactly what she was forcing Auron to do? To choose between protecting Braska and pursuing her? Between his feelings as a Guardian and her desire for his affection?
She thought of Auron as she'd known him during Yuna's Pilgrimage; he had possessed a dedication to duty that would have impressed his younger self. She wondered if Auron would recognize who he'd become in the future, if he could know. The thought of Auron meeting himself stilled her confusion.
No... he wouldn't be surprised,
Rikku concluded with reluctance.
I keep trying to fool myself but in the end, they're the same person.
Steeling herself, Rikku leaned into the portal. The warmth blanketed her as it never had before, and a small sigh of release escaped from her lips.
Is this what it's like when you die? Is this what he felt that time? No wonder he didn't want to stay with the rest of us.
Something warm traced a path down her cheek, tickling the side of her nose. Rikku's tongue darted out and met with the taste of salt. She realized with some surprise that both of her cheeks were wet.
Why am I crying? It's just the Farplane!
But it wasn't; she was drowning in emotions. The Farplane was turning every stray thought she had into powerful feelings that assaulted her. She couldn't shake the image of him turned away from them, gruff and tired, his graying hair bathed in the light of Sin's destruction even as his soul dissolved into pyreflies before her very eyes and
he never looked back, not even once –
A familiar whistle filled Rikku's ears, one that was steadily growing louder.
I've heard this before. It's like pyreflies screaming...
The whistle became a roar, and Rikku recognized it as the faint strains she'd heard in the Farplane Wind she'd pulled from the Espada. But the strand was only a simple melody; the Farplane itself was pure, orchestrated chaos. Despite the screaming in her ears there was no discomfort. It was the direct opposite of the painful, abrupt shock she'd felt before the Chamber of the Fayth; if anything, the cries were almost seductive, hypnotizing her with its pull.
The Legendary Guardian hadn't looked back, not for Yuna, not even for Tidus. But the young man who had yet to fill that role, the man with the smooth-skinned face and two eyes had sought her out in the darkness of Guadosalam, had told her he would wait for her.
Scared, Rikku tried to pull back. Maybe Bahamut was right; maybe she wasn't ready yet. Her hand, though, refused to cooperate, no matter how much she tugged. A spike of panic shot through her and she stopped fighting.
"Let me go," she demanded, as though the Farplane itself was a living entity. There was no answer but her body remained stationary, arm outstretched, even as her mind raced. Then she felt it; a change in the song of the pyreflies, a presence she was coming to know all too well.
Bahamut!
Rikku whipped her head around, searching for the usual manifestation, but all she saw nothing. "You're not going to hold me here! Not this time!" Gritting her teeth, Rikku struggled against her partial-paralysis. With enough effort, she could shift her body forward, but it still felt like she was trying to wade through Wakka's hair gel. Experimentally, Rikku pushed her weight backwards; movement was easier when she stopped trying to force her way into the Farplane. Frustrated, Rikku focused instead on dropping her hand.
As if sensing her capitulation, the hold on her body eased, and Rikku grimaced. It wasn't very fun being held hostage by an aeon, and not even knowing how or why he was doing it. As soon as she could move, her hand darted to her belt. It was a long shot, but Rikku remembered the shock she'd experienced the first time she used it in Bevelle – the white lightning that had raced through her veins. If the pain it caused was the exact opposite of the warmth and comfort of the Farplane, then maybe it was just what she needed to shock herself out of Bahamut's grasp.
It's time this rotten luck started working for me,
Rikku thought as she launched herself forward and activated the grid.
She wasn't disappointed; a jolt shot through her fingers, a sharp stab of pain that would have made her scream if she could move her jaws.
It worked, it worked!
She opened her watering eyes as she fell through the wall of light and watched the ground rise up to meet her –
– and pulled up short, her mouth twisted open in a cry of surprise as her body was suspended mid-step. Even her hair had stopped falling around her face; she was tilted at an angle that by all rights should have had her face-planting into the ground. But she wasn't falling; she was frozen. She couldn't even move her eyeballs to look to either side. And, Rikku realized, she didn't need to, because the body of a small, ancient child appeared before her.
"Bahamut!"
she yelled. Or at least, she tried to. All she managed to do was stare at a point a few centimeteres below Bahamut's hooded face, since she couldn't even roll her eyes upwards to look him in the – hood, most likely. No one even knew if his human form
had
eyes.
I told you not to come here.
She wondered how he managed to sound scolding despite the monotone of his voice.
She felt the muscles on her face relax, and fixed her glare on Bahamut's face. "What about Spira? You know, it's not like I could be changing the fate of
the rest of the world
or anything, huh!"
You really believe yourself so important?
he answered her.
Rikku felt her anger boiling over, even as his words hit her pride with a stinging slap. "So what if I'm not Yuna?" she snapped. "That doesn't mean you can play around with my life! What kind of sick joke is this? Why are you doing this to me?"
Bahamut paused before answering her; he sounded almost amused, if that was possible.
Still thinking of only yourself, even now? Perhaps your hubris makes you who you are.
At least I'm alive,
she wanted to spit back. But she couldn't. She couldn't even look him in the non-eyes. Rikku wondered if there was a special hell for Al Bhed heretics who talked back to god-like aeons.
If there wasn't, Bahamut would probably make one just for me. Maybe I'm there right now.
Go back and join them,
he said.
You must see this through to the end. This journey was your own wish; don't run away. Be strong enough to live your dream.
Her anger was subsiding, replaced by a sense of shame. He was right, she realized – everything that had happened was only what she'd wanted; to feel important, to have Auron look at her with something more than irritation. In her attempt to run away from her own life and live in her regrets for the past, she'd forgotten to embrace the future. She hasn't realized what a stupid wish it was, and now Bahamut wasn't going to let her have a take-back. With a sinking sensation, she put up a last feeble protest. "But I can't. I can't face them like this!"
You don't have a choice anymore.
He was growing brighter as he said that; it hurt to see, and Rikku cringed, ducking away from the light and shielding her eyes. In that moment she realized she could control her body again and whipped her head forward.
"Wait – !"
The two Guado sentries standing before her spun around, lances at the ready, and eyed her suspiciously. One leaned over and mumbled something to the other in the native Guado tongue, and Rikku didn't need to be trilingual to know that he hadn't said anything complimentary. With a laugh, the two guards turned around and ignored her.
Straightening out of her crouch, Rikku realized that was probably a good thing. She couldn't spare the time to be embarrassed at her sudden appearance at the entrance to the path leading to the Farplane; more pressing was the question of
how
she'd gotten there. She hadn't even felt anything; one minute she was shooting the mental breeze with Bahamut in the Farplane, and the next she was being laughed at by the guards in Guadosalam.
Turning around, Rikku looked at the path to the portal – now calm and no longer murky – and let out a slow, irritated huff. "Well... that was an aeon-sized door slam if I ever saw one," she muttered, adjusting her braids. Lifting her chin and doing her best to ignore the smirking Guado, Rikku marched past the guards and towards the city. There really was only one place to go – back towards the inn.
"No use crying over spilled milk," she told herself. "Besides, he's waiting for me, right?"
She almost thought she could hear Bahamut laughing and tried to ignore it as she stomped down the pathway.
Me and my stupid dreams. Why couldn't I just let go?
Suddenly, seeing Auron didn't seem as exciting of a prospect as it had before; in fact, the entire city of Guadosalam was losing its fascination. The sleepy twilight of the underground cavern made her restless; the walls were too close, the lichen lights too wane, the air too rank. More than ever, she felt a need to see sunlight, to have fresh wind blowing in her hair and burning sand stretching before her. Rikku was tired of the burden of the Pilgrimage. Her Al Bhed blood was calling to her, demanding freedom, and the urge to run away was overwhelming.
Pivoting on her feet, Rikku strode down another path that she hoped would lead to a release from the tightness that gripped her chest.
.x.x.x.
Dappled sunlight shone through the dense canopy. Auron was the first to emerge from the roots of the giant tree that housed the entrance to Guadosalam, his expression solemn and his head lowered. Even so, the contrast of the bright sunlight after so much time traveling in darkness was painful, and he raised an arm before his face. When he lowered his hand, blinking, he saw her and slowed to a stop.
Rikku kicked her boots against the root she was sitting on. "Finally leaving?"
Auron squinted up at her with an inscrutable look on his face; somewhere, Rikku hoped that unfamiliar expression was hosting more than just surprise. Maybe... he was even a little relieved? No, Rikku decided, quashing her fledgling hopes. To assume anything Auron didn't give away was just inviting trouble, she knew all too well. Still, he wasn't scolding her, so Rikku took that as a good sign.
When he started moving again, it was towards her. He stopped at the base of the high root she was dangling off of, and a few of the tense lines around his mouth and eyes eased as he nodded at her.
A warm feeling flooded Rikku, and she found herself grinning back at him. "So, umm, hi," she said softly.
"So here you are," Auron replied, as if to confirm that she wouldn't turn around and high-tail it into the forest at the sound of his voice.
Rikku smirked. "Like gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe," she answered.
Ignoring her, he stepped closer with an intense look. Rikku swallowed; it was almost easier to face Auron when he was annoyed, as he usually was when dealing with her. This, though... this wasn't his
angry
face. His eyes, she noted, were still piercing, even when charged with an emotion other than rage or frustration. He lifted his hand halfway towards her, and then seemed to check himself.
"Lord Braska – " he began with a slight frown. The hesitation passed almost as quickly as it came, leaving Rikku to wonder if she imagined the whole thing. And then, he smiled at her. Auron
smiled.
At
her.
Rikku nearly fell off of the tree root.
"... Lord Braska is helping Jecht," Auron continued, ignoring Rikku's scrabbling attempts to recover and lower herself to the ground. "He'll be here soon, so perhaps you'd care to... prepare yourself." The last line was delivered with a definite tone of amusement, as he relented and assisted Rikku in her ungraceful slide towards the forest floor.
"I totally meant to do that," she said as she failed to lower her skirt, which had ridden high. It was hard to maneuver when Auron was still holding her securely in his arms.
"Al Bhed fashion," Auron muttered with a derisive snort, though she didn't miss the glint in his eyes. "Function before form, was it?"
Rikku huffed. "Bevellian silk would've ripped, I'll have you know."
"More's the pity," Auron mumbled, leaving Rikku to gape.
As if on cue, there was a loud grunt, and Rikku peeked around Auron and saw them – Braska slowly trudging out of the cave, and Jecht, leaning on him. The summoner’s slight frame was bent under the other man’s weight. Stopping when he saw them, Braska lost his precarious balance and nearly fell over.
"Rikkma? We thought you had left us last night.” His jaw shut with an audible click. “I-I can see you are somewhat…
engaged…
with Auron right now, but if you could spare a moment – ugh!" He cut off abruptly, trying to keep Jecht from tipping over.
Face burning crimson, Rikku struggled out of Auron’s arms and righted her clothing before scurrying to Braska's side. "Why aren't you helping?" she called out to Auron. "Aren't you like, I don't know, Mister Perfect Guardian all the time? Don't you think this counts as one of your duties?"
Auron shrugged, the humor in his eyes fading into a less alien expression of annoyance. "Having to bear Jecht's weight is hardly a life-threatening activity."
Jecht chose that moment to burp wetly and covered his mouth, and Braska winced. Rikku's steps slowed down; listening to the rest of Auron's argument seemed like a
really
good idea. Her boots were white, after all; and, if she could help it, they'd stay that way. "Oh, uh, so, you got that covered all by yourself then, Braska?"
"Not really," Braska grunted, hefting Jecht upright.
"Don't help him," Auron snapped, freezing Rikku in surprise as she reached out to lend a hand. Braska met Auron's gaze and the two began a staring contest that was punctuated by Jecht's snores.
"Wait, so do you actually want me to help out or not?" she blurted in exasperation as tension crackled between the two men.
Auron sighed and broke off the staring contest to address her. "I suppose you could say Braska and I are trying to teach each other a lesson." He stopped and watched the two men fumbling towards him.
Rikku let out a loud sigh. "Guys, this is stupid." Then, cautiously – because she really
was
serious about keeping her boots white – she leveled a sharp kick at Jecht.
"OWW!" the huge man roared, shoving off of Braska and flailing. He spun into a patch of bright sunlight and collapsed in a messy pile of limbs onto the ground. After a few moments of groaning, Jecht raised a meaty palm over his face to block the glare. "Whoa, tell somebody to turn off the lights," he mumbled before dropping his arm over his eyes.
Rikku winced. "Uhh... that didn't work out like I planned." She kneeled by Jecht's side to help him up and regretted it when she caught a whiff of his breath.
Braska inhaled that at close range? His respect points just went up about 300 percent!
Pinching her nose shut with two fingers, Rikku tried to breathe through her mouth.
"Ewww! Gross! Have you been marinating yourself in alcohol?" She scrambled to her feet. Jecht was hardly in a state to answer her, mumbling something incoherent under his breath; it really wasn’t worth making an effort to understand what he was saying. She was too glad that his head was pointing
towards the ground
while he was saying it. Instead, she looked to Braska for an explanation. "Why do you put up with this?"
Braska studied her with an odd expression. "You sound like Auron." It shifted into a heartfelt, if somewhat reserved smile. "We all struggle with our demons," he told her as he knelt beside her and reached for Jecht.
How does he do that?
Rikku wondered as she sucked in her breath and dutifully shouldered some of Jecht's weight. With just a few simple words, Braska made her feel guilty for
not
putting up with Jecht's 80-proof cabbage-wilting breath. As they grappled with the drunk man, she noticed that Auron was still watching them with disinterest, rather than joining the cause. "Why aren't you helping
now
?" she asked.
"It's not Auron's duty to help," Braska replied, his expression closing.
Auron stiffened and shook his head. "The best way to help Jecht is to keep moving. He'll walk it out of his system." He turned around and strolled away from them.
The nerve of that guy – !
Rikku raised a hand. At least, she tried to; Jecht stumbled, and both she and Braska grunted as they caught him. "You need to go on a diet," she complained. "Hey, Auron! Little problem with your plan there. How can he walk it out of his system if he can't, you know, walk?"
"Where there's a will, Yevon will provide a way," Auron answered smugly.
"Yevon?" Rikku scowled. "I don't look like Yevon. Hey Braska, do you look like Yevon?" Without waiting for an answer she continued talking, pitching her voice louder. He was making communication difficult by quickening his pace to stay ahead. Not that it was very hard when they were wrestling with a near-comatose Jecht. Maechon could probably outpace them at the rate they were going.
"Wait! Come back! Our girly-muscles can't carry Jecht! This should be your job!" she railed.
"Girly?" Braska mumbled under his breath. "You think I look like a woman, Rikkma?"
Rikku weighed the benefits of screaming out her frustration before deciding it would only cause her to inhale too much of Jecht's tainted air. "Don't jump to conclusions just because you wear your hair longer than mine!"
"You do," Braska concluded in dismay, and Rikku sagged under his disgruntlement. Literally, as the brunt of Jecht's bulk leaned into her side. Jecht’s groggy head lolled onto her shoulder, and Rikku received a full frontal blast when he belched directly into her face.
Oh, forget it. I didn't really need a supply of fresh air anyway.
"Hey hey hey!" she yelled to Braska as she shoved Jecht back over, her voice shrill. "Focus on Jecht right now!"
"Try not to let him get his hands on anything else to drink while I scout ahead," Auron added, scanning the forest before them. "I can keep the fiends from doing any damage, but I can't stop Jecht from creating his own problems."
"Great, who's the babysitter now?" Rikku scowled.
"I ain't no baby..." Jecht mumbled, drifting in and out of consciousness.
"Jecht is hardly a child," Braska concurred, and Rikku hid her expression.
Why does he always have to be so responsible?
Jecht smelled like the ass he currently was, and not even Braska's principles could carry him far enough away to ignore it. She opened her mouth to say as much when suddenly Jecht's weight shifted and she found herself supporting far more of it than before. Grunting, she looked up from the sudden onslaught, only to find Braska standing in front of her and rolling his shoulders.
"He only resorts to drinking as a method of escape," Braska told her in the same effable tone. Rikku didn't like the look of his placid smile. Well, theoretically, it wasn't any different than his normal smile, but the fact that he wasn't holding Jecht up anymore was setting off all sorts of alarms. "What he really needs is someone to cheer him up. Someone with a bright and lively personality."
Rikku blinked.
He can't be serious.
"You can't be – "
"... speaking of you? Why, yes, Rikkma. That is precisely what I was thinking as well. So, please – do your best!" Braska walked away from them as quickly as his robes would allow.
"Hey! HEY! Where do you think you're going?" she called out after him.
"It would be irresponsible to let Auron scout alone."
Dimly, she noted that for wearing a multitude of floor-sweeping robes, Braska could move pretty fast when he wanted to. Jecht chose that moment to let out another burp, and Rikku panicked.
"HEY! Wait just a minute! I'm Auron's fiend-kicking partner, not you!
HEY!
Don't leave me here with him!"
Braska and Auron were out of sight by the time Rikku managed to close her working jaw. "Oh well... I guess this is my punishment for letting them think I was leaving," she sighed. "Come on, stinky. It's just you and me for now."
.x.x.x.
"We're getting nowhere fast," Rikku mumbled, wiping some sweat from her brow. She leaned back and took a long drink of water from her flask, eyeing the slumbering man from the corner of her eye. Auron and Braska had been true to their word so far; not a single fiend had yet dared disturb them on the forest path. Still, even with the lack of fighting, traveling was anything but easy. Jecht was heavy and more than once, Rikku wondered if she should don a dressphere to ease the journey.
She toyed with her belt and looked down the path.
What if Auron comes back?
Jecht let out another loud snore, and Rikku groaned. "If we don't catch up with him soon, he
will
have to come back." She looked at her sphere grid. "Please, please, please don't hurt, okay?" Then she fingered the dressphere one last time before activating it.
As the familiar light washed over her, she felt her thoughts darkening.
This was a terrible idea.
She spun, her hand reaching out and grasping the sword that materialized in her palm. Then, with a heavy sigh, she planted it into the ground before her, eying Jecht with muted disgust while shaking the cherry blossom petals out of her hair. "Wake up."
Jecht let out a snore and turned on his side. " 'S too early, Auron. Go 'way."
One eyebrow ticked in annoyance. "Jecht. Do I sound like a man to you?"
Jecht grumbled, pushing his face into the mossy earth. "Sounds 'nuf like Auron t'me."
Rikku’s shortened temper snapped. "Clean Slate!" she shouted, flinging a hand towards Jecht. She followed the defiant gesture immediately with another, flinging the remaining contents of her water flask into Jecht's face. "Now stand up and start acting like a man instead of a diseased primate, you moron!"
Jecht managed to collect his scattered senses in record time, the alcoholic stupor burning out of his body from her spell. He spat and threw his now-soaked bangs out of his face, glaring at her. "The hell did you do that for, Blondi
eeh?
" He trailed off, eyes widening as he looked her over from head to foot. Then he rubbed his eyes and looked again. "Uh, did I get thrown into the future with Auron and Rikkma's kid or somethin'?"
"No, you didn't." Rikku folded her arms and settled on a harsh glare. "If you have something to say, think very,
very
carefully about it first. Or better yet, keep your mouth shut anyway." She tapped the hilt of her sword for emphasis.
Jecht considered her words for a moment and then shrugged, clambering to his feet and avoiding the reach of her weapon. "Whatever. S'not my business who you stalk."
Rikku's mouth tightened into a thin line. Why in Spira had she ever thought Jecht was amusing? Well, he was
funny,
but not in the
ha-ha
way. More like
funny
in the
off with your head, weirdo
way. She eyed her sword, fingers twitching.
"So why'd you wake me up? Where the hell are we? And where's Braska?" Jecht squinted, taking in the unfamiliar forest surrounding them with a surprising measure of aplomb. Rikku opened her mouth to reply, but Jecht waved, cutting her off. "Naw, don't tell me. I bet he's with Auron doin' that
Guardian duty
thing, right? You wouldn't be in that getup if the Stiff was around."
Rikku sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I woke you because we need to catch up with them."
You idiot,
she appended. "Being unconscious tends to be a detriment to efficient traveling." She fidgeted, restless. "Besides, we need to find Lord Braska. He's in the middle of an argument with Auron right now – no thanks to you, by the way – and I'd prefer if we were there to protect him in case something happens."
Jecht only shook his head, staring at her. "Damn, ya even cloned the stick up his ass! Don't use that costume too often, alright? It's bad enough with just one of him."
Rikku closed her eyes and began to count down from ten.
"But at least you make the coat look hot. Nice wraps! I mean the ones up there," Jecht added, motioning at her chest. "Those things on yer feet just look kinda retarded. Not that anyone’s lookin’ down, eh?"
Rikku gave up counting and grabbed her sword. Patience was overrated anyway. So was Blitzball, when push came to shove. "Zantetsu!" she yelled.
Jecht picked at his ear and then inspected his finger. "Never heard Auron say that before," he noted. "Nice and dramatic, though. Right up his alley. Uh, how long are you gonna point that thing at me?"
Somewhere overhead, a fiend cawed.
"Shoot," Rikku muttered, lowering her sword in defeat. "Fine. Let's move," she grunted, shoving her way past Jecht and stomping down the path, eyes fixed on the ground.
"Well, I would, but – "
Rikku spun around, the last bits of her temper fraying. "You're impossible!"
Jecht jogged to catch up with her, pulling his own sword off of his back. "Yeah, but – "
"Oh, so you want to fight me now? Please! You wouldn't stand a chance against this costume! You wouldn't stand a chance even
without
this costume!"
" ‘ey! Take it easy, Blondie! I was just tryin' to tell ya that – "
Frustrated, she whipped her own sword around and pointed it at Jecht. "Will you just for once in your life do something intelligent and
shut up?
"
Something roared in agreement behind her, and Rikku blanched.
"... yeah, see, there's this big green thing with just about a million tentacles and a skirt standin' in the middle of the road, is all," Jecht finished, dropping into a battle crouch.
"Sweet Yevon, why me?" Rikku groaned to herself as she turned around to face the Ochu.
"Say, is that thing
dancing?
" Jecht tilted his head as the beast undulated back and forth. "... actually, it ain't half bad." He even began to sway in time with the Ochu, mimicking its motions. "That plant's got some sweet moves! Say, I know a few clubs in Zanarkand that could really use talent like that..."
This seemed to appease the Ochu, which stopped dancing and preened itself with its tentacles. For some reason, the sight was just too surreal. Here she was, a
Guardian,
trying her best to save Jecht,
another Guardian,
from Yevon-knew-what in the forest so they could get back to their job, which was to
protect Braska.
And what was her hapless companion doing? He was
flirting with a plant!
"Stop dancing and kill it!" Rikku roared, hefting her sword over her head. She hadn't yet decided which of the two she was going to rush, but her outburst upset whatever atmosphere Jecht had been cultivating with the Ochu through his moonwalk. The Ochu let out another loud-mouthed roar and belched a cloud of yellow pollen from its impressive mouth.
Rikku would have seen red, were it not for the pollen descending over her. Instead, all she saw was stars. It felt like she was wading through molasses, and in the misty haze that refused to clear, she couldn't tell where the Ochu – or Jecht for that matter – was. Something slapped Rikku on her butt, and she whirled around and slammed her sword down on it.
I hope that was Jecht,
she thought as she heard an answering roar of pain. Then, ignoring the two blurry figures moving around her – it looked like they were both dancing again – Rikku concentrated on focusing her willpower on herself. "Clean Slate," she mumbled, waving a hand in front of her own face. The yellow fog lifted, and Rikku’s senses cleared. She blinked, and watched Jecht rush past her. Then she blinked again as she was bathed in yellow once more – this time in sap, rather than pollen. A few tentacles flopped to the ground next to her, and Rikku looked up in time to see Jecht hacking away at the Ochu with his sword. His style lacked any sort of finesse whatsoever, but he made up for it with determination and speed. She noted with some disappointment that Jecht still seemed to have both of his hands before hefting her sword and rushing in to help him.
A few short but messy chops later, the former Ochu lay in pieces on the floor, and Rikku was kneeling by her sword, panting. Jecht was flat on his back, nearly plastered to the ground by the yellow goop that the Ochu had spewed all over them.
Paine always
was
better at this dressphere than me,
Rikku thought as she surveyed the damage they had caused. Sighing, she deactivated the grid; mixing the remnants of Auron and a real, live Jecht was destined to have disasterrific results. Some of her annoyance faded alongside the Samurai costume, as well as the pressing need to jump up and set off at a run down the path until they found Braska.
"This is so gross," Rikku commented as she shucked an armful of goop off of her head. "Why can't Ochu guts just pyrefly away like normal fiends do?" The answer was simple; wild Ochus weren't really fiends, they were just native and unusually sentient plants. Life really was unfair sometimes.
Frowning and parting her bangs, Rikku looked around to find Jecht. He hadn't moved from his spot on the ground, still staring into the forest's canopy with wide eyes. "Jecht? Hey, are you okay?"
"I took it down," he muttered. Then he sat up, his eyes gleaming and his fists clenched. "I took it down! By myself! Without Auron! Well, okay, with you dressed as him, but that don't count! Did ya see that?" With a whoop, Jecht somersaulted off of the ground and began dancing around the Ochu's remains, even going so far as to pick up a severed tentacle and swing it around his head like a lasso. "Yeah, baby!
I'm the best!
"
Rikku shook her head, trying to stifle a giggle. He looked ridiculous, covered with Ochu juice and dancing around like a madman, the Ochu's tentacle wrapped around his head like a macabre bandana. It was a little bit weird, a little bit cute, and a little bit stupid... kinda like Tidus when she thought about it. Her sniggers died out, and Rikku watched Jecht performing his victory dance with a wistful smile.
I really wish Tidus could've known his dad like this.
Then she shook her head.
Well, I'll just have to tell him when I get back, then!
"Jecht!" she yelled, causing him to stop mid-spin and slip on a patch of slime, which he landed on with a wet splat. "Ooh, that looked like it hurt."
"It's just the sweet pain of victory," Jecht answered, still happy.
"Well, get over your sweet pain, buster," Rikku replied. "We've still gotta catch up with Braska and Auron. Last one there's a Yevonite!"
"Hah! You'll be eatin' those words, Blondie!" Jecht yelled, springing to his feet. He stopped as Rikku whirled, nearly knocking her over.
"Oh, and Jecht? Could you... umm... y'know,
not
tell Auron about that... little... uh... thing..."
Smirking, Jecht picked up the end of his Ochu tentacle and smacked her forehead with it. "Are ya kiddin'? That stuff is quality blackmail material. I'm gonna save it for somethin’ important!" His mischievous grin was infectious, and Rikku found herself smiling back with real gratitude despite the threat.
"Thanks, Jecht. You're a good guy, under all that... stuff," she added, wrinkling her nose. "Oh, and see you!" With a cheeky wave, Rikku spun around and took off down the path at a run, laughing.
"Cheater!" Jecht yelled after her. He didn't follow, however, as she disappeared around a bend in the road. Instead, he looked back at the mangled remains of the Ochu. "By myself, huh," he repeated with a note of pride, fingering his sword. "Maybe I can do this after all."
Then he picked up the dripping end of the tentacle, still wrapped around his forehead, and inhaled. A deep grin crossed his face, for he'd figured out something that not even Rikkma knew.
Ochu juice was fermented.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku jogged to a stop, leaning over and panting when the riverbank came into sight. "I'm getting out of shape," she huffed, looking around. There wasn’t any real need to push herself, but Jecht was pretty fast and she did have her pride. Forehead itching, Rikku mopped the sweat from her brow. She pulled her fingers away and inspected the telltale traces of yellow on her palm, wincing. The not-so-flawless defeat of the Ochu was combining with the humidity and heat, forming a sweaty paste of sap that made her skin her skin itch in unpleasant ways.Falling to her knees, she dipped her hands into the cool, refreshing water and rinsed off her sticky arms and face. When she felt somewhat human again, she patted her cheeks and sat back with a contented sigh.The sun was perched at its zenith in the sky, and only a few pyreflies danced over the calm waters of the Moonflow. Even so, the sight was still magical. Moonlilies swayed in the breeze as pyreflies threaded their way between the plants, making it seem as though the river itself was alive, gently exhaling light and color with each breath. It was even more spectacular at nightfall, when the pyreflies would gather among the lilies en masse and light up the river like a ribbon of moonlight, fallen from the sky. She suspected Auron wouldn't let them linger for twilight; still, for the moment, Rikku allowed herself to drink in the sight.Ever since Yuna had defeated Sin, more people were exploring the world. Fiends were still a traveling hazard, but with the Machine Faction's machina patrols and the ever-vigilant efforts of New Yevon and the Youth League, the roads had become much more densely packed. In a way, it was the same problem that affected all of Spira after Sin’s defeat: every natural resort – every last bastion of idyllic beauty – was being settled and commercialized. It already happened in Guadosalam and also Zanarkand; even the Moonflow of the future was suffering under the effects of the population's rapid expansion. Reaching out, Rikku plucked one of the plentiful moonlilies from the water and held the blossom in her hand. A pyrefly drifted around the plant, shifting and blending into the iridescent color of the flower’s reflective petals.Mixed feelings about the development mingled in her breast. On the one hand, seeing people civilize areas formerly too dangerous to settle made her Al Bhed senses tingle with pride. Much of the expansion wouldn't have been able to happen at all, if not for the willingness of her people to help and share their machina with the rest of the world. Rikku had been right there beside them, using her skills to teach others how to use technology.On the other hand, Yuna's stricken expression as she had seen what Cid had made of her beloved Zanarkand was burned into Rikku's memory, just as were the melting forests of Macalania. She took a deep breath and stared out over the river once more, trying to absorb its beauty. It was saddening, to think of how the sight would almost completely disappear in just a few short years. In her time the flowers had nearly died out, trampled underfoot by the constant traffic of machina transportation devices. She carefully placed the moonlily back into the water and watched it drift away.Rikku flopped backwards onto the sandy bank, staring into the bright afternoon sky. Her mind drifted towards her past and Spira's future. This was the same spot she'd washed up on after Tidus and Wakka had thwarted her attempt to kidnap Yuna. She had to admit, lazing away the afternoon on the bank of the Moonflow was a lot more enjoyable when her face wasn't planted into the sand.
You're not dead?
A smile crossed over Rikku's face and her eyes closed, imagining Tidus was right there, leaning over her with that goofy grin on his face.
Rikku! You're Rikku! Hey, you're okay!
It almost felt like someone else's memories to her now. Rikku drew an arm over her face. I'm not crying, she told herself. Still, the memory of Tidus' infectious smile was nearly as bright as the midday sunlight. It was one of her most precious memories; her fateful meeting with not only Tidus, but also Yuna and the rest of her Guardians. She remembered how clueless Wakka had been despite Tidus' near-slip; the disapproving press of Lulu's dark lips as she scolded Rikku for putting Yuna in danger; how amused Auron had sounded when he'd instructed her to actually open her eyes when looking at him –With a start Rikku sat up, eyes wide. Amused? She frowned, replaying the memory over again in her head. His back had been turned as Yuna approached; Rikku hadn't even noticed him then, too caught up in her awe of Lulu's professional poise and beauty. She'd only realized that she was standing beside the Legendary Guardian himself when he turned to face them. And when she had seen his shielded, grim face masked by those dark sunglasses, the first thing she'd felt was an overwhelming jolt of fear. He had stepped in front of her, and Rikku thought he might have heard her knees knocking together. When he demanded that she look at him, she'd nearly wet her shorts; then, he'd forced her to open her eyes – well, one, at least – and she had been certain the game was up. She wasn't the only one to be left flabbergasted by Auron's easy acceptance afterwards; Tidus had even complained that she hadn't had to face a trial by Kimahri's lance. Rikku had responded by pointing out all the bruises Tidus and Wakka had given her while destroying her submarine.It wasn't until later, when she was smarting from both Macalania's stinging cold and Wakka's harsh rejection of their friendship that Rikku had begun to see the gruff man as Auron rather than the Legendary Guardian . It had happened somehow between the moments that her face was buried into Auron's coat, trying to keep her tears from freezing to her cheeks and his easy dismissal of the suspicious temple guard. That was, she had thought, the first time he had been kind to her. But as she reviewed her memories, the seed of doubt was planted. How much of it was colored by the capricious whims of a fifteen-year-old lovesick girl? She'd even had a crush on Tidus, of all people, back at the beginning – at least before the blond had opened his mouth and ruined it for her. Now, though, she wondered.She thought back on the initial reaction she'd received from Yuna's Guardians when they first met. With Yuna's reassurance, Lulu had accepted her after their private discussion. Wakka was too thick to understand and too good-hearted to question her sudden desire to join the group. Tidus was already in her corner and she'd known Kimahri would remain silent, as Ronso tradition demanded. That had left only Auron to convince. He was anything but stupid; his single vigilant eye seemed to catch everything . Why had he, the most paranoid of all Yuna's Guardians, allowed her to join the Pilgrimage? He must have known she was the one piloting the submarine that kidnapped Yuna, and yet he acted as though she wasn't a threat. Facing away from the others, he had barely even noticed she was there. Or maybe, Rikku thought, his back had been turned because he didn't want to see her. "Show me your face." She'd thought he was angry; with the filter of memory and experience, though, she understood that his gruff voice had actually been gentle. Had he been trying to reassure her because of her obvious fear? "Look at me." No, he'd been stern then, annoyed with her evasiveness. And then…
"Open your eyes."
Rikku covered her mouth, and felt a shocked smile stretching over her face. He'd been laughing at her. A silent, grumpy unsent Guardian laugh, but a laugh all the same.
"Are you certain?"
Rikku's grin faded. She'd heard that in the Farplane, too. Auron's voice, asking her if she was sure of her wish. Maybe, Rikku thought with a shiver, he hadn't been asking for her sake. Maybe he'd known what was to come. Hadn't Bahamut told her that she wasn't important? Does that mean my friends... Auron... they're going to die no matter what I do? What will happen to me? Will I die here with them, too? Rikku drew her knees into her chest and buried her face in her arms, the afternoon sun no longer warming her shoulders. The song of the pyreflies grew louder in her ears, her heart thundering in her chest. She couldn't be sure if her sudden panic was for her friends or for herself. So worried about the course of history and the flow of time, Rikku had never once considered she might be a part of it – but every story had to end, didn't it? This cold, paralyzing feeling flooding her body – this was real fear, not the knee-knocking bumbling of her fifteen-year-old self.She thought of Tidus, boldly leaping off the edge of the airship. How did he do it? How could he keep smiling and acting normal even when he knew what was coming? How did Yuna do it during her Pilgrimage? Or even Braska?What was Bahamut was trying to accomplish? The Fayth never did anything without a reason. Was it to change the world? Bahamut had all but said she couldn't affect the future. But, Rikku realized, even if the world hadn't changed, she had. The past was the past. And if the future, too, was set in stone, then maybe – just maybe – that was the reason she was here. To learn how to live in the present. "Are you certain?" Auron had asked her. Rikku took a deep breath and lifted her head, holding onto her idea and using it to beat down her rising fear. If there was one thing she was sure of, it was that she wouldn't go down without a fight. This was her life, and it was her story. It didn't matter where or how it ended; she'd make sure the journey was worth it."One hundred percent," she breathed, letting her memories fade.
.x.x.x.
Rikku found Braska and Auron loitering at the edge of the way station away from their fellow travelers, conversing. From the looks on their faces, it seemed their disagreement still hadn't been resolved. She wiped her hands off on her skirt and approached them with a cheery smile."Hey guys! What's up?""Where's Jecht?" Auron asked, not sounding surprised to see her alone. "Wandering off to find his next watering hole?" He crossed his arms."I wish you would have a little more faith in Jecht," Braska interrupted, frowning. "I am sure he was delayed for a good reason." He looked at her with a hint of hope.Rikku clasped her hands behind her back and swayed on the balls of her feet. She'd been looking forward to meeting up with the others again, but now felt as though she were a tiny bug under a giant magnifying glass, and both men were pulling her legs in opposite directions. "Uhh, see, about that...""Don't worry. I would’ve left him behind, too," Auron supplied."Are you sure he will be fine on his own?" Braska asked, a crease forming between his eyebrows. "Perhaps we should backtrack and try to find him."Though they were addressing her, it seemed more like Braska and Auron were continuing to fire verbal volleys at one another. "Actually," she began.Auron cut her off and glared at Braska. "I'm not wasting my time by looking for him, and neither is Rikkma."Braska's frown deepened. "Unless I am mistaken, Rikkma chose not to leave us in Guadosalam. All of us, including Jecht. She would never abandon a companion so heartlessly."Grimacing, Rikku gestured at the men's argument, muttering under her breath. A moment later, a large splash of water rained down over both Auron and Braska. A few of the other passengers glanced their way and murmured, and even more of them got up and left for the central station. Auron stood stock-still, while Braska delicately plucked the now-drooping tassel attached to his circlet off of his face. Rikku swallowed and reconsidered her bright idea when both men turned to face her. For a moment the only sound punctuating their incredulous stares was the slow drip of water from their soaked clothing. "Ah, ha hah..." Rikku rubbed the back of her head. "So you see, there was this Ochu, and..."" 'EY!" a loud voice yelled, and Rikku spun around, half-expecting to see a jubilant blond burst out of the forest. It wasn't Tidus who appeared by the riverbank this time, though, but Jecht. He was jogging towards them, his progress slowed by a thick bundle of rope that was coiled around one shoulder. "Braska! Auron! You guys ain't gonna believe this!"Rikku's eyes almost popped out of her head as she began waving her hands at Jecht to catch his attention. You promised not to tell! she mouthed, dancing in place as he neared them. Her hope of being subtle plummeted as he ignored her with a familiar glazed look in his eyes. I thought I cured him already! Where'd he find more to drink? "Rikkma? There are bathrooms available at the central crossing station if you need them," Braska interrupted, and Rikku caught herself mid-hop and dropped her arms, squeaking in surprise. Looking uncomfortable, Braska cleared his throat. "Of course, if it's really that urgent, we could escort you to the side of the road – ""I'm fine," Rikku chirped out, her face burning red. She watched Auron looking away from the corner of his eye, his expression unusually solemn. With a jolt, she realized he was trying not to laugh at her. Again. "Really," she mumbled, feeling her mortification quadruplify. Blackmail or not, Jecht was going to pay. The man in question was already boasting, tapping his chest with a thumb as he weaved before them. "So Blondie ran into this big plant thing an' pissed it off, but then I saved her all by myself."“Saved?” Rikku clenched her teeth. "Wait a second! I'm not the one who was dancing with it!"Jecht barreled on, gesticulating with his arms to illustrate his story. "Yeah! It was pretty good, but I was better!" His face darkened and he whirled on Rikku, losing his balance in the process. When he straightened, he pushed an accusatory finger into her face. "The party was just gettin' started, but then you had to go all gung-ho on it with yer swo – " He stopped when Rikku shot him a murderous look that managed to briefly pierce through his inebriated fog. "S-sw-swearin'," he finished clumsily.Rikku let out a silent sigh of relief. Then Jecht ran with it."Yeah, swearin', that's it! Worse than me, too! I mean, shit! " The few remaining passengers began to glance in their direction again. "And not just any shit," he continued in what Rikku imagined was the loudest voice possible to achieve without a microphone. " Choco- shit! No wait. Choco-humpin' mog-snoggin' shit. No, no wait! Choco-humpin' mog-snoggin' shit and... and... your momma! " He gave Rikku a big thumbs-up. "Nice one, Blondie!""You didn't really say that?" Braska asked her in a low tone, glancing around."No!" Rikku yelped. Then she looked at Jecht. "Well, okay, so maybe I did say some nasty things, but, it wasn't that bad!""You do realize, it was just an Ochu..." Braska murmured.Rikku gave up trying to shush Jecht and hung her head in defeat as the few travelers who had remained for the entire serenade of obscenities stared at them. "Yeah, so anyway, one of you can just kill me right now and put me out of my misery."Jecht hadn't noticed the attention he was garnering; he only seemed capable of focusing on things in his immediate line of sight. Fortunately he moved on from Rikku and now had Auron on his radar. "Uh, say. Why are ya wet? Aww, man, did I miss out on a pickup Blitzin' game?" Squinting, Jecht finally seemed to realize there was a river next to them. "Whoa! Lookit all that water! ‘ey... it's leakin' those shiny things. Whatchamacallits. Y'know, dead people." He waved a stray pyrefly away, nearly smacking his own face in the process. "Trippy..."Rikku slapped her forehead. "Maybe I will take a bathroom break, after all.""... so you two were delayed because Jecht was dancing with an Ochu?" Auron said, wringing water out of the sleeve of his coat. "I rest my case.""I beat it fair and square," Jecht piped up. "And look!" Bending over, he shrugged the mass of rope off of his shoulder into a pile at Rikku's feet. "This time I brought back the loot!"Rikku leaned in to have a look at the "rope." Then she jumped back with a disgusted yell. "Eww! Grossness! Those are Ochu tentacles! I can't believe you brought them with you!"Jecht looked crestfallen at her outburst. "Huh? Y'mean you can't use 'em?""I steal stuff on the inside of fiends, I don't rip off their body parts!" Rikku took another large step away from the pile."Aww, c'mon! But I even dried 'em out an' everything," Jecht answered, his expression turning surly.Braska, who had finished squeezing excess water from the bulk of his outer robes, nudged the pile with his staff. "Now now. I'm sure Jecht meant well, Rikkma. And I think we all must admit that defeating an Ochu on one's own is an impressive feat.""Yeah, ain't it?" Jecht preened with a self-satisfied smirk."I wonder, though... what do you mean, you dried them out?" Braska was kneeling now, his face troubled as he poked through the tentacles with his staff. Jecht licked his lips."Humph," Auron said. "I told you so. Lord Braska?"Braska let out a slight sigh and shook his head. "There is no use debating over it now. Let us move on, the shoopuf station is right around the bend. Jecht, come with me. I will walk you there." With a look of resignation, Braska grabbed Jecht's arm and led him down the path towards the landing point. "So... did you know that pyreflies gather to the Moonflow at twilight? The entire river turns into a sea of light.""A river full o' dead people. I swear, this place is gonna turn me into a than... thana... thanatana... aww, hell with it. Zombie hater!" Jecht continued to spout his potation-inspired wisdom as Braska made several futile attempts to hush the large man.Rikku watched them wander away, scratching her head. "Huh? What'd Braska mean, debating about what?" She raked a few more fingers through her braids with an expression of disgust; the Ochu sap still trapped in her hair was clumping and it probably looked as bad as it smelled. As far as she was concerned, a bath couldn't come soon enough."You really don't know?" Auron stepped over the pile of abandoned tentacles and paused at her side. He grasped her hand and pulled it from her hair, then held it before her face.Rikku stared at the yellow goop running down her fingers in confusion. Then she looked over her shoulder at Jecht, who chose that moment to burp before staggering into Braska. "Wait, you mean..." Returning her gaze to her fingers, her eyes widened. "Oh, that is just too gross, even for Jecht.""Ochu sap is known to be a potent inebriant," Auron explained. Then he sniffed and twisted his face into a mild grimace. "Next time, cast the Water spell over yourself.""Oh, umm..." Rikku blushed; Auron was still holding her hand. "Yeah, sorry about that. But it really looked like you two were going to go at it right there, you know?" She let out a brief sigh of disappointment when he released her hand, striding down the road. "Hey!" She jogged to catch up with him, slowing by his side. Auron wasn't looking at her, so she frowned and tugged at the loose sleeve of his coat. "Is everything alright? 'Cause, this tension is really uncool. All these negative vibes are gonna bring us bad luck!""Then use Jecht's costume," Auron replied.Rikku refused to give up with a stubborn pout. "Come on! What are you and Braska really fighting about?"Auron exhaled. "Primarily about Jecht. I'd hoped traveling together would teach him some responsibility, but with his dependence on spirits he's only getting worse. Braska still sees hope for Jecht's future and wants to guide him. I, on the other hand, am starting to believe he is nothing more than a liability."Rikku frowned; she couldn't exactly express her own opinion when she found herself agreeing with Braska. The whole point of talking was to try to get Auron to calm down, though, not to get him mad at her, too. Speaking of which… "But it can't be just that," Rikku guessed. "It's also about me, isn't it?"Auron's expression tightened into a pained smile, and at that moment Bahamut's chastising words about her own audacity returned full force. Self-esteem? Who needed that? "Or maybe not," she added, feeling her face heat.Auron sensed her discomfort and cleared his throat. "In a manner of speaking. Perhaps not in the way you imagine. It's more of a disagreement over our definitions of duty... and how you should fit into that definition." So then he's still holding back? Rikku decided she'd cheer doubly hard for Braska... on the sly, of course. "Ooh, you mean he hit a sore point." She frowned. "Well... even if you don't agree with him, maybe you could... I dunno... compromise?" And actually start dating me for real? She gave him a mental kick to the butt."It's not that simple – " Auron began. He broke off as a loud yell rang through the air."Was that Jecht?" Rikku asked, before a myriad of screams and the sound of groaning metal rose above her voice. The chaos was coming from the landing point, and seconds later, Rikku gaped as panicked travelers streamed out from around the bend, running in every direction. "Hey! Hey wait! Is Sin attacking?" she yelled, catching the arm of a passer-by."No, it's some maniac with a sword!" The man shook himself out of her grasp and scrambled away."Braska... Let's go!" Auron said to her. He drew his sword in one fluid motion – causing yet another wave of screaming and panic – and began shoving people out of his way."Maniac with a sword?" she mumbled, ducking behind Auron and drawing her daggers. "Holy moley, please don't tell me..."The fleeing passengers thinned out, and Rikku slammed into Auron's back as he turned the corner and pulled up short. "I'm going to kill him," she heard him say, and peeked out from behind his arm. Then she choked."Jecht, you have to stop!" Braska was trying to calm the other man down, with little success. Jecht, for his part, was brandishing his sword, crouched before a very surprised and angry shoopuf. A very surprised, angry and bleeding shoopuf."He hit the shoopuf?" Shoopufs were supposed to be huge, gentle and friendly creatures. The furious animal before them only seemed to be ginormous to her, though. It roared in pain and lashed out with its trunk, tearing away yet more metal from the already-damaged machina docking bay, forcing everyone to duck the flying shrapnel. The gigantic pole it was lashed to strained dangerously under the weight of the panicked creature. While the travelers had managed to escape unscathed, more than a few pieces of luggage had already been flattened under the shoopuf’s feet. A lone Hypello was ducking and weaving between the debris, waving his arms over his head in agitation."Shtooop! Shtooop!" it cried, running towards Jecht."Get back! I killed an Ochu single-handedly, ya know!" Jecht yelled, ducking into his battle crouch.Braska was already whirling his staff around. "Slowaga!" he chanted, sending the offensive spell flying at Jecht without hesitation. The other man stood frozen for a moment as the magic hit him. It was enough for the surprised Hypello to scramble out of the way of Jecht's sword. "Are yoo inshane!" he squawked at Jecht, falling over."Ain't you a fiend?" Jecht fired back, hefting his sword again. Before he could attack, Auron was already in motion, knocking the weapon out of Jecht's grip with his own sword, his face a mask of fury."Unbelievable! Shut up and stop attacking things!" Auron roared, turning to face the rampaging shoopuf. "Rikkma! Get over here! Braska, keep Jecht down and protect the civilian!" His voice was nearly drowned out as the shoopuf heaved and finally managed to snap its tethering post with a loud crack.It stood before them for a few moments, panting noisily, the whites of its eyes showing clearly. Thick red blood from the heavy gash Jecht had inflicted was spilling onto the ground with each breath of the huge creature."We should help it!" Rikku said."Out of the question," Auron replied sharply. "If it charges, we won't be able to stop it from trampling other people. We need to kill it.""Now, that's what I'm talkin' abo – " Jecht fell over with a pained grunt as Braska simply cracked his staff over the head of the other man. "Oww," he mumbled from his sprawled position, face-down on the ground."Rikkma's correct. We were the cause of this problem, so we can't simply solve it with bloodshed." Without waiting, Braska sent a powerful curative spell towards the shoopuf."It worked!" Rikku cheered as she saw the animal's wound clot and scab over. Once again she marveled at the raw power behind the force of his spell; a shoopuf was several times the size of a normal human being, and yet Braska's magic worked as effectively as ever – his magical capacity could have easily rivaled Lulu's. She pulled her attention away from the summoner as she heard Auron curse."It didn't work. We've only made it easier for the creature to move."Even without its injury, the shoopuf was still pawing the ground, eyes rolled as it prepared to charge them. "Wait!" she yelled. "I don't want the blood of an innocent shoopuf on my conscience!""You may not have a choice," Auron said, even as Braska cast another Slowaga, this time at the enraged creature. Think, Rikku! Think! How can we take it down without killing it? As if in answer, Rikku's sphere grid lit up, its magic coming to life and swirling around her. "What? What's going on?" Let me help you, a familiar voice whispered in her ears. Use me. Rikku blinked as her vision cleared, staring up at the angry shoopuf even as her hand automatically lifted to catch the rays of light forming above her head."Believe," she heard herself saying. And then the presence faded, and Rikku was left standing in the midst of three bemused men, one panicking Hypello, and one very angry shoopuf with nothing more than a microphone in her hand.Oh, well. She'd played before tougher audiences than this."Listen up! It's showtime!" she shouted, pulling the microphone down and striking a dramatic pose."Rikkma?" Braska said, eyeing her newfound excess of feathers and ruffles as she turned her back to the shoopuf and flounced.Jecht peeled his face off of the ground. "Wow! Is that a skirt or just a really big belt?""Trust me!" Rikku crooned, sending both of them a playful wink. Then she focused her attention completely on the shoopuf. Even with the glow of Lenne's spirit surrounding her, she retained enough presence of mind to realize the immediate danger. The Songstress sphere was a perfect manipulator, but the costume had no attacks and nearly no defenses. If she couldn't charm the beast quickly, she might as well have rolled under its feet with a target painted on her stomach."Sleep, baby, sleep..." Rikku murmured, swaying as she pointed a gloved finger at the shoopuf. It bellowed in response, and Rikku felt the sweat beading on her forehead. A really tough crowd, huh? She sucked in her breath and gripped her microphone."C’mon, don’t try to brawl..." she cooed. “Listen to the moonlilies’ call!” The shoopuf stopped roaring and whiffed, and Rikku twirled. The song she was belting out was just a distraction; what really counted were the movements of her feet. Still, if she couldn't capture the shoopuf's attention, it would be able to resist her spell."And down the pleasant dreams will fall..." She shimmied to the side, then skipped, and... there! Rikku felt the magic taking hold, her steps synchronizing to the pattern of light on the ground as she hummed. She smiled as her body moved on its own, the dance itself becoming a channeling rod for the energy she was pouring out through her song. Come on, big boy, she thought as she ran a hand down her side. Pay attention to me! As if in response, the shoopuf began to sway, its pants slowing down as it watched Rikku's dance show. Yes! It's working! Unfortunately, the magic worked a little too well. It caught the attention of more than just her target."Whoa, that's pretty good, Blondie!" Jecht cheered, sitting up and rubbing his head. He whooped and clapped his hands, and the shoopuf snapped out of its trance. It let out an earth-shaking roar, and Rikku stumbled."Sleep, baby, sleep..." Rikku's voice tapered off, the spell she was weaving broken. Damn you to Yevon, Jecht! You deserve each other! The shoopuf rose onto its hind feet, and Rikku panicked. Getting smooshed was not in the plan! "Rikkma! Get back!" she heard Auron shouting. Silly Auron, getting so worried like that. People might get the idea he liked me. Braska, too – he was hitting Jecht with his staff again, this time knocking the drunken man unconscious. It was kind of funny, because everybody knew white mages hit like Shelinda, so why even bother? Still, it was strange, though... they all sounded so distant. Everything was fuzzy, probably because that white light was surrounding her again. But she hadn't activated her sphere grid, had she? She wasn't done yet. Rikku wanted to yawn, but found herself growing worried as she realized that she couldn't blink.
Lenne? Lenne! Let me go!
Rising panic burned away the cotton surrounding her mind. It wasn't as frightening as when Bahamut had trapped her; she knew Lenne was only trying to help. Still, the sensation of being a prisoner in her own body shook her to her very core. Someone else was moving her arms and legs, and as she raised the microphone to her lips, Rikku realized that she wasn't seeing her own hands. She opened her mouth, and the voice that spilled out was Lenne's, rich and soulful. Even the very breath she took to power her words seemed laden with magic."Be still, be calm, my precious boy..." The shoopuf dropped to all fours. "Don't struggle, my love, just enjoy." Lenne threw her arms wide, and the beast's legs folded. "It's much too late to get away..." Lenne lowered her hands, and with a low keen, the shoopuf's eyes closed. Smiling, Lenne threw her head back and spun, long brown hair flying around her. "Fall into your dreams where we will play!"The light was flaring, and Rikku felt her control over the Songstress sphere – and her own appearance – returning. Even so, she couldn't stop herself from shaking as the echo of Lenne's parting laughter rang in her ears. She dropped the microphone as though it burned her hand and reached for her belt, deactivating the sphere. Then she slid to her knees, numb.“Shank yoo, shank yoo! Yoo shaved my shoopuf!" The Hypello scrambled to care for his sleeping mount. Rikku could only watch and stare as Auron knelt by her side."What happened?" he asked quietly. "It wasn't just your clothes this time. Your face... your hair... it's as though you became a different person."Rikku worked her jaw for a few moments. "I-I lost control," she whimpered. "That wasn't me, it really wasn't me!" She gripped her belt. Wasn't Lenne gone, dead, living her happily ever afterlife with Shuyin in the Farplane? Every fantasy Rikku had had, every scrap of jealousy she had ever felt for Yuna's charmed ability with the sphere grid was fading into horror. There was nothing magical or special about being possessed; it was terrifying ."That was very brave of you, to face an angry shoopuf alone." Rikku felt an arm on her back, and looked up to see Braska regarding her. Is that what the Summoner's Rapture is really like? She shuddered."And reckless," Auron murmured, but Rikku couldn't really disagree with him on that point."I felt it," Braska told her. "An ancient presence. It was almost... like a Summoning, in many ways. But different, somehow. The pyreflies which gathered around you transformed your appearance."Rikku bit her lip. "But I didn't call them. She did.""Who was that?" Auron's voice was serious, and... worried? He was worried about her? Progress! Despite herself, a small smile crept across Rikku’s face."That was Lenne, a thousand-year-old memory," Rikku explained, fingering her grid. "She's done this before. I mean, not to me. But it's always been for a good cause.""There's an actual soul trapped in your sphere?" Braska said, kneeling back in surprise. "An aeon that can summon itself?"Rikku blanched. Well, when he put it that way, Lenne did sound a lot creepier than she was. "Ahh... no no no, she's not a Fayth. It's kinda more like... she's an Unsent, maybe? Except it's not really her, it's just her memories. She doesn’t have a body of her own."Braska continued to frown. "Memories? I doubt that memories alone can wield that kind of influence even with that magical belt of yours." His frown deepened. "Such power could be dangerous. It might be in your best interest to inform the Church about your – ""No way!" Rikku shot up, bubbling with indignant anger. "There's absolutely no way I'd ever trust Yevon with any of my stuff! They'd probably want to shoot me just for having it. They did shoot me, actually! So you can forget about it!""Calm down," Auron told her, rising to his feet and offering her a supportive arm. "Lord Braska meant well. He was only thinking of your safety when he suggested it."Rikku took a deep breath and tried to push aside her sudden spout of anger. "Yeah, yeah, I know." She caught sight of Braska’s stricken look and hid her smile. "It's fine, you can stop looking like you kicked me. I just lost my temper, that's all.""I am sorry," Braska replied as he bent over Jecht. "It slipped my mind for the moment – how strongly you feel about the Church. Not all of Yevon is as strict as the clergy in Bevelle, though." Then he frowned at Jecht, who was groaning from where he sprawled across the ground. "Hmm, I believe I may have struck Jecht a little too hard the second time."Auron released her arm and stepped over Jecht. "Not hard enough," he grunted, the disgust leaking back into his voice. "What happened here?"Braska paused mid-spell, containing the healing magic in one hand. "Jecht had never seen a shoopuf before. He thought it was a fiend." Releasing the magic, he let it trickle down over the Blitzer's forehead, reducing the noticeable swelling there.Rikku blinked. "How could he think it was a fiend?" She glanced at the Hypello, who was inspecting the fresh scar on the slumbering shoopuf. "I mean, it's wearing a saddle. And it’s not like he hasn’t seen a Hypello before!""You mean he was drunk," Auron said bluntly to Braska, who didn’t quite manage a smile."Well, yes, there was that, too..."Rikku kicked Jecht in the shin, causing him to grunt as he rolled awake. "Huh?" Then he saw Braska and grabbed his head. " 'ey, stop hittin’ me with that thing already!" He blinked when he noticed everyone staring. "Eh? What's the big deal?"Jecht wasn't expecting Auron's punch. Rikku and Braska weren't expecting Auron's punch either and both jerked back as Jecht toppled over. It wasn't a punch between friends, and Auron shook out his hand after delivering it.Some semblance of sobriety returned to Jecht as he sat up, holding his jaw. "The hell was that for?" he shouted."You attacked a shoopuf. What's worse, you tried to attack a civilian," Auron said coldly. He gestured at the Hypello, who was ambling towards them. "You put Lord Braska and many innocent people in danger, and you nearly killed Rikkma as well."Jecht's mouth opened and closed a few times, then he held his head between his hands. "Listen, I didn't know that thing wasn't a fiend.”"Idiot," Auron muttered under his breath. "I'll deal with you later." He fell silent as the Hypello stopped before Braska, who bowed deeply."I must apologize for my Guardian's behavior," Braska said, his head dipped low. "I really do not know what I can say, but please believe that we never meant to cause you this trouble."" ‘ey, wait a minute, shouldn't it be me apologizin' – " Jecht let out a sharp wheeze and stopped talking as Auron sent a none-too-gentle elbow into his stomach.Ignoring everyone else, the Hypello swayed for a few moments, blinking his wide-set eyes. He tapped his long fingers together."Yoo are a Shummoner?" he asked placidly. Then again, no one had ever really seen an upset Hypello before, so Rikku could only assume. Their fish-like features were so alien that it was hard for other races to interpret their usual expressions as anything other than vacant curiosity.Braska remained immobile, his head still bowed. "Again, please forgive us."The Hypello said nothing and Braska slowly straightened. "I would like you to accept this money as a token of our sincerity," he continued. "Auron?"Auron shifted, reaching into his coat. "Yes, my lord, but how much – ""All of it," Braska said immediately, and the silence that followed seemed to stretch on forever, until it was broken by the Hypello."Verily generous of yoo," he said, swiveling away from Braska to shuffle in front of Auron. He held one long-fingered hand out expectantly, and Auron looked down at that hand and stared. Rikku could almost see the vein beginning to pulse in his forehead. With a stiff movement, he withdrew the pouch from his cloak and let it drop into the Hypello's waiting palm.Not even bothering to count the coins, the Hypello looked at the debris and shrugged. "Next shoopuf ride will be delaylay-laaayed. Come back this evening!""Well," Jecht mumbled as Braska led them away from the destruction, "It ain't all bad. At least we get to see the Moonflow at night, right?""Wonderful," Auron spat. "Maybe that will give us time to sober you up before your next accident."Braska's shoulders drooped, and Jecht rubbed the back of his head, looking away with a guilty expression.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku sat on the bank of the Moonflow watching the pyreflies gather near her bare feet, which were drifting through the water. The sun had disappeared below the horizon and the river was beginning to work its magic. The effect of the ethereal light the pyreflies gave off was multiplied by the reflective moonlilies, amplifying their silver glow so that it looked as though the stars themselves had fallen out of the sky.Auron had ordered them to make camp; ferry service had begun as soon as the shoopuf woke from its nap, despite the damage done to the landing point. It hadn't mattered much; with the last of their money gone, there was no way to pay the crossing fare. There was no way to pay for dinner, either, for that matter. She scowled; she’d been looking forward to having something other than the Guado’s uniquely seasoned jerky. Now they couldn't even toss gil to see who would have to spend the night fiend-hunting in order earn the money needed to continue the Pilgrimage.They'd drawn river-reeds instead. Jecht, of course, hadn't been included in the pool.Personally, Rikku thought she should have donned her Lady Luck costume for the contest. Then she might not have come up with the shortest reed. She planted a hand into her cheek and rolled her eyes over to her assigned duty for the night. I'd so rather be hunting fiends right now. As if he could feel her stare, Jecht turned his head, his back hunched as he rode out the remaining effects of his inebriation. "So..."Rikku frowned. "Did you say something? Because I thought Auron told you to keep it zipped!"Jecht grimaced and fell silent – for a few blissfully short moments. "Did I really almost kill you and that blue guy?""He's a Hypello, and yes, you almost killed him." She snuck a peek at Jecht. He looked pretty haggard, even for a guy with a hangover. And, she noticed, he hadn't actually spoken in his usual lazy slur. A mild feeling of guilt struck her; she knew Jecht wasn't as much of an idiot as he appeared to be. Then again, his redeeming qualities only shone through when he was sober, which, as of late, was becoming a rare thing. Now, however, seemed to be one of those moments. Rikku relented; he'd get enough grief from Auron later, that much was certain. "As for me... well, that was more the shoopuf."Jecht turned around and looked at her, his face serious. "So that big thing was a shoopuf, right? And I hurt it bad?"Struck by his tone, Rikku pulled her feet out of the water and scooted around to face him. "Braska healed it, you know. Good as new!"Jecht's head sunk, allowing his unkempt hair to cast his face into shadows. "I never hurt anyone before. I mean 'sides myself. No matter how bad I got, I never..." He trailed off, and Rikku waited, watching a myriad of expressions cross Jecht's face. Pain. Denial. Shame. "... maybe that ain't right. My... my boy would tell me to give it up, and I'd always say, tomorrow, tomorrow, I'll do it tomorrow. " He stopped and brought a hand to his face, and Rikku averted her eyes.When Jecht spoke again, his voice was low and thick. "He's the one who's really been hurtin' all this time, ain't he?""I'm sure Tidus will understand you one day.” Rikku tried to give him an encouraging smile, but Jecht wouldn’t meet her gaze. “I mean, you're his dad. He knows you love him.""He's always cryin' and sayin' he hates me. Nothin' but a big crybaby..." His voice cracked.Rikku balled her fists together, feeling another twinge of pity. Jecht was alone; more alone than any of them had realized. Still thinking of only yourself? Bahamut had asked her. Looking at the broken man before her, Rikku felt ashamed. She'd spent so much time spent lamenting over her own displacement she'd nearly forgotten that Jecht came from a completely different world – a world that wasn't even real. At least she had the comfort of knowledge; nothing about Spira was familiar or comforting to Jecht. Nothing except perhaps Blitzball and alcohol. Even with his brawny appearance, he was still very much a boy being forced to grow up on the fly. He'd been so pleased with himself just for defeating the Ochu, and Rikku realized it was more than simple pride. Jecht wasn't used to fighting; he wasn't used to being unknown and unpopular. He didn't have anyone to rely on except them – and they'd relegated him to the group liability, just as Auron had predicted. Everyone except Braska, who always stood alone to do the right thing."Hey, come on, now," Rikku said. "So what if you don't have a good relationship with your kid? I don't get along with my father or my brother very often, either. But you know... every time Brother says 'Rikku, you are so annoying!' I know what he's really saying is that he loves me. Maybe it's the same for your son. He just doesn't know how to tell you."Jecht sniffed gruffly and swiped a hand over his face, pretending to adjust his bandana. "Yeah... I dunno... maybe. But I wanna go back. I wanna tell him myself."Rikku looked at her toes helplessly. "You'll see him again, I know it." But you can't go back, you can't ever go back. "I guess." He looked up, squinting at her. "So, that your name? Rikku?"Rikku's head snapped up, her eyes wide. "Oh! Uh-uh-uhhh... actually, what I meant was – !"Jecht shook his head and laughed. "Forget about it. You ain't real smooth. I figure everybody here knows you've been hidin' your real name by now."Rikku let out a sharp sigh of relief. "You mean you won't tell Braska?""You got your reasons," he said, shrugging. "Not my business."Rikku tilted her head. "Then why'd you ask?"Jecht rubbed the back of his neck, cracking it with a loud pop. "Well... like you said. I nearly killed ya. I figure I should at least know who you are before I go and do somethin' like that again."Smiling, Rikku flopped to her back and watched the pyreflies twisting through the air. "Don't tell me you're planning to try and kill me again later on. That's Auron's job, you know. With poison or something when I get too annoying, I bet.""Naw, he'll just throttle ya," Jecht said with a tired smirk. "Auron don't beat around the bush." He paused. "And ya don't have to worry, anyhow. He's gonna be too busy tryin' to kill me for the rest of this trip instead."Rikku reached up and let a pyrefly settle on, then glide through, her finger. "Braska won't let him.""Yeah... Braska..." Jecht fell into a melancholy silence, and Rikku kicked herself for her lack of tact. He surprised her, though, by continuing to speak. "He's the only one who still believes in me." Then he coughed. "Uh, well... no offense, Blondie.""None taken.” Rikku smiled. “You're right, though, Braska's different. I guess that's why he's the summoner and we're not. He's just... better than us."Jecht snorted. "Takes a goddamn martyr to be a summoner, huh?" You don't know how right you are, Rikku thought.The silence stretched between them as the sky grew darker. The pyreflies had multiplied over the river and were shining brightly enough to do away with the need for a fire. Rikku reflected on the man sitting a few feet away from her; even with Tidus as one of her closest friends, she still knew so little about Jecht. After everything he had done for them, the sacrifices he would make for Tidus and all of Spira, she didn't believe in him. He's not that man yet, she reminded herself. And Auron still didn't trust him either, right? Auron's behavior... he's so pissed off most of the time. Always looking for something – or someone – to fight . At first he'd targeted her; understandable, considering how much they'd annoyed each other. Then there was that argument with Braska. And now this. If she was honest with herself, Rikku really didn't see how Auron would ever bring himself to forgive Jecht. She rolled onto her stomach and propped her chin in her palm, studying the river. A frown quirked her lips. What was making him so angry?Maybe they were all struggling with loneliness, in their own separate ways. Jecht and his family, Braska and the Pilgrimage... what demon was Auron facing that caused him to cut himself off from the rest of them every time they started to bond? Was it even her place to try and dig it up? Rikku dropped her head onto the ground and groaned; all this thinking was making her brain hurt." ‘ey, quit complainin', I'm hungry, too," Jecht said, interrupting her thoughts.Rikku huffed. "I wasn't thinking about food. I was thinking about Auron, for your information."Jecht winced. "I'm tryin' not to do that." He let out a rough laugh. " 'Sides, how can you think 'bout the Stiff when you got a superstar all to yourself tonight?"Well, on the one hand Jecht seemed to be feeling well enough to make jokes again. On the other hand, it was Jecht. "I'd fantasize about Auron over you any day," she said, stifling a yawn. "Besides, your ego's big enough to stroke itself.""Oi!" Jecht grumbled, puffing out his chest. "I'll have you know I'm the best blitzer in Zanarkand! No woman can resist my charms!"Rikku smirked to herself. "I did have a crush on Tidus once, but I figure that's because he lucked out and got his mom's genes." Well, except mentally, she added with a snigger."Oh, really?" Jecht continued nonchalantly. "What's so special 'bout my boy anyway?"Rikku thought about her previous Pilgrimage with a feeling of nostalgia. "Well, for one he's blond. That's a big plus for most Al Bhed, you know. And even if he is kinda stupid, he's still got a good personality. He doesn't swear half as much as you do, and he's definitely better with a sword." She giggled to herself as she thought of some of Tidus' more fanciful attacks; how he managed to combine Blitzball with sword fighting and still make it look graceful was a mystery."I see."Rikku's eyes snapped open. She sat up so quickly she nearly blacked out. "Wait! How did you – I mean, I wasn't really talking about your son –" It was too late; the damage was done. Jecht was sitting very still, staring at her with eyes that burned like lit coal."Tidus ain't blond," he said.Rikku struggled with her words, trying to find an explanation, a clever way to patch up her mistake. And for once, her quick mind was failing her. It was too difficult, keeping track of all the lies, of which memories were okay to share and which were too dangerous. She fought with herself, sweating under Jecht's scrutiny, before finally wilting."He isn't yet, " she mumbled, drawing her legs into her chest.The tension grew as Jecht continued to stare at her. Finally, he broke the silence. "How? How can you know? It's like I thought, ain't it? You're from Zanarkand, too!"Rikku rocked back and forth. She made the mistake of looking up, and felt something inside her tearing at the look of hope written across Jecht's face. She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, then dropped her face towards her knees.Jecht's voice was confused. "But... all this stuff about Zanarkand bein' destroyed a thousand years ago... we're from the past, ain't we? Time travelers? 'Cept... you've seen my boy. My Tidus, all grown up, right?""It's not that simple," Rikku said. "You're partially right." About her own time bending story, maybe. But she couldn't tell him that he wasn't even real; that he and his son were nothing more than the Fayth's dreams. Jecht was still waiting for her to continue, she knew, and she pressed her lips together and let the silence speak in her stead.That, too, was an answer, and eventually Jecht seemed to realize it. He sat back and rubbed his head. "... just tell me this. Were you lyin' to me? Just now? Am I ever gonna see my wife and son again?"Rikku peeked out over her knees; Jecht wasn't even looking at her, his gaze focused on the river of light instead. "I know you'll reach Tidus again. Stop asking me! Just believe in yourself for once."Jecht studied the pyreflies, his expression unusually solemn. "It... feels different here. Not like back home." He looked at her with a small, sad grin. "Maybe I'm the one that's changin'," he concluded, more to himself.
.x.x.x.
The bright morning sun greeted them, and Rikku smiled, allowing herself a luxurious stretch. It had been a long evening, but she felt lighter, happier than she had before. At first, she'd been scared and angry that Jecht had flushed out her secret, but now all she really felt was relief. A least a part of the increasingly-complex web of lies she'd spun had been torn away, and it made her feel free, as though it was a chance for a fresh start.They'd made camp directly next to the Moonflow; looking out across the slowly flowing river. Rikku observed the remnants of the previous night's pyrefly gathering dissipate over the water. So pretty, she thought with a small sigh. In a way, she was almost thankful for Jecht's blunder; seeing the Moonflow at night was a rare and precious memory she intended to keep close to her heart."Hey, that's right! I don't have to keep it just for me!" Sitting up a little straighter, Rikku rolled over and dug through her pack. With a squeal of happiness, she pulled out the empty sphere she'd found. "Yes!""Ugh," came a low, rumbling groan from the bedroll next to hers. "Must you always be so loud?""Oops! Sorry Auron," Rikku whispered. It had been a late night for both him and Braska; they hadn't returned until long after Jecht had dropped off and Rikku's own head was beginning to nod. The two men had gathered enough for the ferry, but they both looked worse for the wear. She glanced over to the other side of the camp and saw Jecht sprawled across the ground, dead to the world. Guess I'm on my own this morning... Smiling to herself, Rikku scrambled to her feet and switched on the recorder. She panned the sphere slowly for a wide shot of the river and then froze as Braska's back came into view. Wasn't he out all night? What's he doing up this early? She opened her mouth to ask, but stopped when she noticed he wasn't moving. Without even a breeze to ruffle his robes, he looked like the statue that would one day grace Yevon's temples alongside the other fallen summoners.He stood there, still and silent for so long that Rikku eventually put the recorder away in defeat. Then, cautiously, she approached him."Umm, Braska?""It's a beautiful sight, isn't it?" Braska said by way of greeting. "The pyreflies, rising out of the river like that. They give me hope."Rikku looked at the river curiously. "Hope?" she asked."Did you know that I was once a missionary for Yevon?" Braska continued. "This is not the first time I've been here." He smiled. "Auron was my guide then, too." Auron? "But... you were trying to convert the Al Bhed, weren't you?"Braska laughed. "Oh, I am a bit more well-travelled than that. Besides, Auron himself told me the Al Bhed were a lost cause. His judgments are usually right."Rikku scratched her head, curiosity overcoming her. "So why didn't you listen to him, then?""Auron's world view is very practical. When he sees a weakness, he either removes it, exploits it, or avoids it. A missionary priest can not afford to have that attitude. The foundation of Yevon's faith is hope, despite what may appear to be insurmountable odds." He paused. "Even now, Auron sees Jecht as a weakness and he would seem correct in his assessment. By all rights and logic we should cast Jecht off. But…” So he sees it, too. "You want to save them," Rikku finished. "Both of them." She couldn't help the small twinge of jealousy in her breast; what had been a revelation for her last night was already a lifetime crusade for Braska. It was foolish to be envious, she knew; the two men had been friends for years. Of course Braska would know more about Auron's mindset than she would."In his own way, Auron is as limited as Jecht," Braska continued. "He has come to believe that hope is a crutch, that it makes one weak. I was hoping meeting you would be able to change him, but I find it increasingly difficult to stand by and let go..." He paused uncomfortably and kept his eyes fixed on the horizon. "... of my own feelings."Rikku stiffened beside him, and Braska spoke quickly to reassure her."No, no. It's all right. You were quite clear on how you feel about Auron. That is not the reason we were arguing.""Yeah, that's what Auron said, too," Rikku mused before balking. Great going, Rikku! That was so tactless! Glancing at Braska's pained expression, she tried to steer the conversation towards safer waters. "You said this place gives you hope?"Braska nodded, his face easing. He held out a hand, chasing away a few pyreflies. "The Moonflow looks different, now. There was no way station, back then, no Hypello landing point. A part of that beautiful wilderness I once knew has disappeared.""Tell me about it," Rikku murmured under her breath. "Isn't it depressing?""Not at all," Braska said, surprising her. "The pyreflies still gather here at night. In my mind's eye, I can see the remnants of that wild river I first saw. It’s not really the Moonflow that I'm thinking about, though. It's the happy memories coming here brought to me. If it wasn't for my journey then, I would have never met Raenn. I wouldn't have Yuna." He smiled softly. "And now I'm here with you."Rikku couldn't bring herself to say anything, pulling at the tassels on her vest instead. How can he say those things and not make my heart hurt? She shut her eyes. If she was going to be here, to stand by the side of these three men, then she had to do it completely. Auron knew, even Jecht knew, now; only Braska remained ignorant. Braska, who had accepted her – no, all of them, from the very beginning, who told her his secrets and let her see his own pain. It wasn't fair. "My name's Rikku," she finally blurted out, cracking an eye open and waiting for his reaction.Braska continued to contemplate the Moonflow, seemingly unmoved by her admission. Then he canted his head towards her. "You asked earlier why it gives me hope? It's because I can stand here and smile. Even though the person I loved disappeared, I can still come to this river and create happy memories for myself. Memories like this one." Then he turned to her and smiled – a real, honest, open-hearted smile. So like Yuna. "Thank you, Rikku."Rikku felt her pounding heart slow down, and allowed herself to return the gesture with a smile of her own. "So I guess that means I can stay, right?""I wouldn't have it any other way," he answered.Encouraged, Rikku lifted a hand in the air and danced in place. "Oh, oh! And I wanted you to know, I'm rooting for you! I mean this whole argument with Auron thingie. Don't tell him that I'm siding with the enemy, though, okay?"Braska blinked at her, and then let out a loud laugh. "All right. I'll keep fighting then, since you're cheering so hard for me."Rikku lowered her hand and stopped swaying. "Umm... but is it really okay? I mean, we don't want to hurt you."Braska exhaled heavily. "Would you like me to be honest, or to make you feel better?" Then he shook his head. "No, that was uncalled for. But let's just say..." He looked at Rikku speculatively. "If Auron drops the ball, I'll be waiting to catch it." His gentle smile returned, this time colored with a hint of mischief.Rikku swallowed. "I'm... gonna go take a walk. Yeah, that sounds really good," she mumbled. Spinning around, she sped-walked away from Braska's laugh, feeling his eyes on her back the entire time.
.x.x.x.
When Rikku finally gathered enough courage to return, she found Auron awake and, for lack of a better word, brooding over Jecht. The blitzer, who saw her arrive, lifted his head off of the ground with a wince and motioned for her to come over." ‘ey! Blondie! You're a lifesaver!""I am?" Rikku approached cautiously; an angry Auron was an Auron she didn't want to get too close to, boyfriend material or not."Yeah," Jecht said, pointing at the recording sphere still held in her hands. "Turn that thing on."Rikku scrunched her nose. "What? Why?"Auron crossed his arms. "So you can make more recordings for your fans? I'm sure you have plenty now at the ferry."Jecht dropped his head back onto the ground. "If it's on the record, then you can't kill me and hide my body.""How unfortunate," Auron said. "And here we are, right next to – what was it you called it? A river full of dead people.""Fine, fine, enough already!" Rikku interjected, switching the sphere on and aiming it at Jecht.Jecht scowled, displeased to be the center of attention when he was obviously nursing a bad hangover. "What are you shooting ME for?" he asked, gesturing for her to point the sphere at Auron.Auron snorted in response. "So you don't do anything stupid again. I can't believe you attacked that shoopuf." His voice took on a tone of annoyance. "Lord Braska had to pay the handler for damages from his own travel money."Jecht winced and curled a little into his side. "I said I was sorry. It's never gonna happen again! I promise!"Disbelief was written clearly across Auron's face. "Ah. A promise? Which you'll forget come tomorrow!" he scoffed.Jecht seemed to shrink under the admonition. Rikku sighed; she felt bad for Jecht, but he had brought it down upon himself. Besides, she half-suspected that he had stuck around camp, curled on his side and waiting for Auron's inevitable confrontation, out of a sense of guilt.Braska, too, seemed to pick up on Jecht's listless attitude. "Auron, please." He moved closer to Jecht's side. "He did apologize. He knows he was wrong."Typical Braska; despite the money they'd lost and the transformation of what should have been a pleasant afternoon excursion into a grueling evening of fiend hunting, he still was trying to protect Jecht from Auron's wrath. Feeling a surge of indignation, she eyed Jecht and lifted an eyebrow. C'mon. I know you're better than this. Don't leave Braska hanging. Do something! She willed him to speak up, to apologize to Braska, or even just to talk back at Auron instead of wilting there before them like a squashed moonlily. Instead, Jecht dropped his face towards the ground.Auron snorted in disgust and started to turn away, and Rikku felt bitter disappointment welling."That's it."Auron froze at the sound of Jecht's voice, while a tiny, knowing smile flashed across Braska's face. Pushing himself to his feet, Jecht stood to his full height and clenched his hands into fists. "Only thing I drink from now on is shoopuf milk!"Everyone gawked at Jecht's newfound determination. Mostly because he didn’t realize that no one in Spira had ever attempted to milk a shoopuf before. It probably also didn't help that the shoopuf working at the crossing was male.Still, hiding his laughter with a polite cough, Braska was the first to react. "You're sure?" he asked lightly."We're on a journey to fight Sin and save Spira, right? If I keep screwin' up – and makin’ a fool of myself – my wife and kid are never gonna forgive me." He glanced at Rikku and gave her a brief, knowing smile. Hope against insurmountable odds, huh, Rikku thought as she returned it. I guess we can all try a little harder to be like Braska. Auron shifted, and Rikku's eyes darted to him. She held her breath; it seemed like Jecht had taken a huge step forward just now, but would his new, fragile resolve be able to survive Auron's bitter cynicism? And then she noticed, Auron wasn't looking at Jecht at all – he was looking at Braska. Oh, right... they were fighting, too.Braska held Auron's gaze with his own clear eyes. Then, tilting his head slightly, he closed them and smiled. A victor's smile.Auron's shoulders drooped, and he pinned Jecht under a critical stare. "That's on the record," he said.Rikku grinned. She might have been losing her mental tally of face-offs against Auron, but so far Braska had an unbeaten record. She'd have to take tips from him sometime. Then, Braska looked at her, and Rikku felt her heart speed up. Uh... maybe I can pass up on the tips, she decided, looking down and fumbling with her sphere controls."Rikkma... as it seems to be a good day for new resolutions, I was wondering if there was anything you wanted to say to us."Rikku looked up. Auron was staring at her with his usual impassive gaze, giving away nothing. Then again, he was used to it. Jecht, on the other hand, looked uncomfortable, scratching his neck and unable to meet her eyes. And Braska – eh, Rikku thought, resisting the urge to fidget – he was giving her the gentle look. The look that created a thousand guilt trips. How does he do that? No wonder Auron always breaks first. She planted her hands on her hips and pouted."Alright, you guys can stop playing dumb already. Does anyone here not know my name yet?"Auron had the decency to look somewhat surprised, Braska was obviously pleased, and Jecht just looked relieved."Good, I kept thinkin' I was gonna spill it by accident later on." Jecht smirked at her. "And who's the one who's always playin' dumb, anyhow?""It's all right. I am glad you decided to share a little more of yourself with us, Rikku," Braska told her. "And... I must admit, it rolls off the tongue a bit more easily. Less... suggestive connotations."Rikku blushed and wanted to kick herself; Auron was staring at her right now, and Braska was... was... flirting, or something. She really hoped it was or something, willing her features to compose."Well, shall we? Before any more unfortunate incidents occur?" Braska gestured towards the direction of the road, and Rikku jumped."Ah, I've still gotta pack my bedroll and stuff! Don't worry, I'll meet you guys there in a jiffy. It's not too far ahead," she called out, diving towards her things."I'll stay," Auron spoke up. "A fiend could attack any time."Rikku stopped her haphazard attempts at packing to stare. "You're not going to rush me?" Her mouth dropped open." 'Course he won't!" Jecht grinned. "Seems like the lady-killer here's finally movin' in! So... you guys gonna need a full hour or just a half?"Rikku growled. She chucked the sphere at Jecht's head and winced as he ducked. It hit the Moonflow with a plunk, making a small splash as it sank between the thickly entwined lilies."...uh, oops?" she said, watching the bluish glow from the sphere disappear.Jecht rubbed his chin. "Wait... does this mean it's not on the record anymore?"Auron grimaced. "And this is why I'm going to stay behind. Lord Braska, please go on before I do something to him," he added, nodding his head at a quickly paling Jecht."Whoa, it was just a joke, a joke! I'm really gonna stop drinkin'!""Best to let him cool down," Braska said, steering Jecht away from Auron's harsh glare. "Hopefully we'll have better luck this time." He paused for a moment, his smile wavering. "And, ahh... perhaps it would be best if you keep that sword of yours sheathed, unless you actually see me summoning..."Auron watched the two men as they moved away, shaking his head at Jecht's near-panicked attempts to reassure Braska of his good intentions. Then he focused his sharp gaze on Rikku, who froze."Hey! Why are you staring at me like that? I thought you'd be happy that I wasn't keeping so many secrets from the rest of us, " she said, dropping her voice a few octaves as she made air quotes with her fingers. "You have no reason to be mad at me right now! Well, except for maybe that sphere I just lost. Uhh... actually, just forget I mentioned it," she ended with a nervous laugh.Auron rubbed a hand over his face. Then he looked at her again, this time trying to soften his glare – mostly unsuccessfully, Rikku noted. "I'm not angry. I just want to know when and how you ended up telling them your real name.""It just sorta happened," Rikku shrugged, turning back to her pack and stuffing her few scattered belongings into it. Kneeling at the foot of her mat, she began the tedious job of squashing it into a compact roll, feeling a mild sense of annoyance that Auron wasn't helping her even though he'd been the one offering to stay behind. "I told Jecht last night, and Braska this morning. I dunno, it seemed like the right thing to do at the time."Auron's silence was deafening, so Rikku paused and turned around to look at him. Uh-oh, she thought. His glare was back full force."Braska I could understand. But Jecht, of all people? And last night? After he nearly killed you and made a fool of us all?" He peered at her. "Did the shoopuf land a blow to your head that I failed to notice?""Hey!" Rikku huffed in indignation, which turned into real annoyance when she lost her tight grip on the bedroll, forcing her to start all over again. "Are you saying I have to be brain damaged just to be honest with my friends? Maybe I just felt like telling him! Jecht isn't as bad as you keep making him out to be, you know. He said he'd stop drinking. Just give him a chance."This drew a loud snort from Auron. "A chance? He's had several of those and wasted them all. I gave him a chance when you convinced me to teach him how to use a sword – and look at what he did with that knowledge." His frown deepened. "Why are you trying so hard to defend him?" He crossed his arms. "It wasn't enough to seduce Braska and myself? You want to target Jecht, now, too?"The mat flew out of Rikku's hands and towards Auron, though it fortunately didn't join the sphere she'd tossed into the depths of the Moonflow."How – how can you even say that?" Rikku yelled, standing now and facing him. "If you would even bother to talk to Jecht instead of yelling at him constantly, you might have known that he's married . You might even figure out that he drank so much because he misses his wife! Jecht might be an idiot, but at least he's an idiot who cares about the people close to him!" She bit her tongue so hard it bled before she could add the Unlike you! It didn't matter very much, as Auron seemed to read her intent."Oh? So you want someone to reassure you when you're feeling insecure? Is that why you were looking at Braska that way just now, too?"Rikku felt some of her indignation die down; normally, she'd find Auron acting so jealous kind of cute, but he hadn't entirely missed with his last accusation. Me and my stupid face are like an open book to him. "Well... it's..." probably what you think, she amended, considering what Braska had told her. "It's not like I'm trying to do anything! I just get to talking with him sometimes, and then – well, he – he – he's the one making all the moves! Y'know, like POW! Right outta the blue!""If you blush like that while he's talking to you, of course he'll keep trying," Auron replied with a hint of heat in his voice. "You're only encouraging him."Rikku scowled, one part guilt and three bazillion parts annoyance. "Yeah, so what's the big deal anyway? If you're so upset about it, why don't you act like Braska, huh? Or am I not good enough for you?"Auron stopped talking and crossed his arms, turning his face away from her. He was scowling deeply – an expression that he'd stopped directing at her recently, and seeing it again was disappointing. Rising to her feet, Rikku inched towards her fallen mat and picked it up, playing with the scuffed sheeting in agitation. Maybe we're both to blame for it this time... but Auron is more wrong, she thought stubbornly. I won't back down. Modulating her voice, she cleared her throat. "If you feel something for me, why don't you ever show it?"Shifting, Auron let out a sigh. "I apologize," he mumbled.Rikku gave up all pretense of dealing with her bedroll and matched his pose, crossing her arms and scowling. "For what? That's the most ambiguous apology I've ever heard!" She swayed on her feet. "Every time we talk, I walk away feeling more confused than I did before. You don't hate me, but you don't like me either, do you? Sometimes it feels more like you're just tolerating me." She grinned. "Actually, I wish I could seduce you. At least I wouldn't be so confused all the time. But then again, you're Auron, the man of stone."Auron chuckled at that, finally relaxing and glancing her way. "I'm flattered that you think so, but I'm not... entirely unaffected." He let out a long sigh. "You seem to have the talent of making fools out of all of us, myself included."Rikku blinked. "What was that? First an ambiguous apology, now an ambiguous insult? See? See? " She grabbed her head and shook it. "Arrgh, you're making me crazy!""The feeling is mutual," Auron replied."Well, at least the apology part was nice," Rikku said, calming down. "You sure have a lot to apologize for. So, do I get to decide what it applies to? 'Cause there's lots of grievances I have to sort out first, then."Auron laughed, unfolding his arms and becoming a somewhat less intimidating as he relaxed. "You are bothersome. I suppose I'd expect nothing less from you, Rikku.""There! You did it again!" She jumped up and down and pointed."I was apologizing for my failures," Auron relented. "I can't be like Braska. I can't become someone who shows you those emotions that you so greatly wish to see. I'm not that man." Rikku stilled, taken off guard by his sudden earnestness. She brought a hand to her mouth, too surprised by his confession to come up with a witty reply.Auron, of course, interpreted her silence as a critical one, twitching uncomfortably. He cleared his throat. "I don't know how to express myself well. Public displays of... affection – or even humor – are foreign to me." He ran a hand over his head, pushing the unruly strands of hair out of his face.Rikku smiled to herself; those two strands, even the way his now-decorative red coat was casually shrugged over one shoulder – they were all signs of just how far he'd come during the Pilgrimage – maybe just as far as she had. It must be hard for him, she realized. And then to compare him to Braska... none of us compared to Braska, and we all know it. She looked away, guilty.Auron muttered a low curse under his breath; she heard his footsteps. Rikku looked up and stifled her yelp of surprise; he was standing closer to her than before. Definitely closer than "just friends" close. Still, his face was screwed into an uncomfortable grimace and he wasn't meeting her eyes. And was that... sweat? Beading on his forehead? Rikku goggled and stared into his face."Are you trying to be romantic? Because I'd really like to know why you look like someone's using thumbscrews on you right now," she said, half-caught between surprise and a vague sense of wounded pride. "Come on, I'm not that ugly!"Auron looked at her properly, his own expression losing some of its tension in surprise. "No, you're not ugly," he reassured her, looking relieved when Rikku's bristles relaxed. Then he rolled his eyes. "I told you, I'm terrible at... well, this. "Rikku did the only thing she could do. She gaped. Auron – no, Sir Auron: the most famous and popular Guardian of all time, the only one who had helped defeat Sin twice, the one that Barthello started that fan club for, the very same one for whom Baralai had named several sections of the city of New Bevelle after – that Auron was actually a klutz at romance?"You're joking," Rikku said in disbelief, staring at him as another one of her precious teenaged Auron-fantasies cracked and splintered in her mind. Inner Rikku let out a lingering, mournful howl of despair.Auron grimaced again and looked distinctly uncomfortable, backing away from her. "Well, thank you for your understanding," he said with dripping sarcasm, and Rikku remembered that her face was still an open book."Oh! No no no no!" Rikku said, catching his coat as he stepped away and pulling him back in. "I didn't mean that you were joking like that . I meant... um, well, it's just that you're so hot, it's kinda hard to believe you don't have any experience with women." Even as she said it, a new fantasy started to take root in Rikku's mind, her eyes beginning to sparkle. "So does this mean I'm like your first girlfriend?" Oh yeah! Rikku screamed to herself, pumping a mental fist. Oh, but Jecht better not find out, or Auron'll never hear the end of it. Looking annoyed, Auron pushed her away. "I didn't say that," he grumbled, his own pride clearly smarting. "Whatever you were thinking just then, you're wrong," he added for good measure.Rikku stepped on her imagination before it could run any further than it already had. "Oh, so you mean you don’t need kissing lessons?" she asked with disappointment.Auron stared at her in shock."Uhh, never mind," Rikku coughed into her hand.Dropping his face into his palm, Rikku recognized the calming exercises Auron was practicing. She'd seen it first-hand several times, usually right after he would try to give Tidus some advice. He looked up warily. "What I meant was that I was trained as a warrior-monk in the Church," he explained. "Yevon teaches that we should turn away from the worldly pleasures of the flesh. We weren't strictly forbidden from doing anything – my friend Kinoc could attest to that. You met him once, when you were incarcerated in Bevelle," he added."Yeah," Rikku said, shivering at the memory. "I never thanked you for saving me then."Auron shrugged. "At that time, I wasn't saving you," he said, and Rikku wished Auron would stop breaking mirrors as she scooped up the remains of yet another fantasy. "Wen is still a warrior-monk, just as I used to be. My actions had more to do with the spirit of Yevon's teachings. We can choose how we follow our own path, but what truly matters is one's intent. His weren't... pure enough."Rikku chewed her lip, digesting the information. That's right! Didn't Kinoc say Auron had a girlfriend before, too? I wonder what that was all about... "Umm, okay. So what does this have to do with you and me, though? I mean, you aren't a monk anymore, right?""That..." Auron said distantly. "Yes, I have left the Order; but, as I said... I believe intent is more important than meaningless titles." He looked at her again. "I don't mean to insult you. And... I do find you attractive," he added haltingly. "But I can't simply let go of a lifetime of teachings just to suit your own whims."Rikku felt her frown returning. "You didn't have to say it that way," she pointed out, and Auron muttered and grabbed her arm before she could walk away."I'm... pleased," he said, looking uncomfortable. "I'm pleased that you told the others your real name. Honesty is the basis for true trust and friendship. It is what we're all going to need to see this Pilgrimage through to the end. What you did took courage and I respect you for it," he finished, and Rikku thought she saw a slight hint of color in his normally pale face. Wow... Rikku felt herself gawking again and shut her mouth. "Uhh, o-okay," she replied, her nervousness returning. So maybe he wasn't as hopeless as she had thought, if he could make her pulse speed up just by being blunt. I really should say something, but... sweet Shiva, he sure is good-looking up close... Heart in her throat, Rikku stared at him, feeling the seconds tick by as Auron grew restless, tightening his grip on her arm."And..." He paused, unable to meet her eyes despite their close proximity. "...I was jealous," he muttered under his breath."J-jealous?" Rikku squeaked, and Auron’s face darkened a little more. "I was upset because it is no longer..."Rikku waited expectantly, prodding him with a hesitant finger when he failed to continue. "No longer what?"Auron rolled his eyes. "You really are going to destroy me completely, aren't you?" he muttered under his breath. Then he looked at her squarely. "It's no longer our secret." Definitely a blush now, Rikku observed.It took a few moments before the fireworks finally exploded over her head. A few very long moments, during which a clearly uncomfortable Auron began to panic, in his own stiff-lipped way."... It's no longer something just between you and I. It was... special, I suppose. Something that brought us closer." His discomfort faded as he continued. "Your name was something that not even Braska had." He stiffened as Rikku threw her arms around him, hugging him."I understand," she whispered. "You... you really do care." Squeezing her eyes shut, she inhaled the musky scent of his coat as she buried her nose in it. Then, unable to repress it any longer, she giggled. "I like you, too!"Clearing his throat, Auron managed to separate Rikku from himself. He was still embarrassed by her mirthful dancing and giggles, though. "Don't expect this sort of thing to become the norm just because we are together," he said gruffly."He likes me, he likes me!" Rikku sang loudly to herself, ignoring Auron's chagrin.With a groan, he bent down and picked up Rikku's forgotten bedroll, throwing it over her head and ending her impromptu dance. "I can't bring myself to say these sorts of foolish things in public constantly, so enjoy your victory while it lasts."Rikku batted the cover off of her head, unaffected by Auron's warning. "Party pooper! But don't worry, I'll act embarrassing enough for the both of us!" she added with a wink.Auron stared at her with his serious face, and Rikku stopped teasing and swallowed."Uh, but not in public?" she added with a slight cringe. She was completely unprepared when he grabbed her arm again and pulled her in. So unprepared that her eyes were still open when his lips touched her own.
Warm... his kiss is warm.
Pulling away, Auron granted her the briefest of smiles. "That managed to shut you up," he noted.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Uuwuh," Jecht groaned, holding a hand over his mouth. "I feel seasick."
Rikku skirted a little further away from Jecht.
Auron frowned. "We're not even on the sea."
Jecht didn't reply, instead leaning over the side of the palanquin while turning a distinct shade of green. Rikku felt a little sorry for him. His face looked pale and clammy, and she suspected that it had very little to do with the gentle swaying of the shoopuf.
Despite their early start, the traffic crossing the river had been backed up considerably – mostly thanks to Jecht's ill-conceived attack – and their journey hadn't begun until late afternoon. It was more than enough time for Jecht to start feeling the effects of his bold declaration of sobriety.
In a strange way, it was encouraging to see him suffering this badly. Jecht had managed the crossing thus far without drinking any liquor at all. Rikku guessed that most of his motion sickness was more the reality of his decision to stay clean. If that really were the case, she thought with a smirk, the sicker Jecht got, the better it would be for the rest of them.
Jecht burped wetly again, and even Braska looked a little green around the gills.
Maybe not exactly
better,
Rikku amended. With a sigh, she scooted to the railing and joined Jecht, who was hanging over the side miserably. "Hey, are you gonna be alright?"
Jecht waved one hand at her, the other covering his mouth. "Murrrp," he gurgled, and Rikku swallowed her own gag at the sound. She turned away – if he was actually going to vomit, then she
really
didn't want to see it firsthand – and then stopped as a glimmer under the water's surface caught her eye.
"Jecht! You can't puke here! Look!" Rikku said, grabbing his shoulder and shaking it as she pointed at the water.
"What the hell – 'ey, lemmie go!" Jecht growled at her. He stopped struggling and let out a low whistle as Rikku pushed his head down towards the water. "Is that... a city?" He squinted at the buildings rising from the river's depths.
"Yep," Rikku said cheerfully. "A sunken city!"
"Legend tells it was once a glorious city filled with wondrous machina," Braska added as he joined them, looking into the water. "The pride of its people became so great, however, that the bridges supporting the city collapsed under their own weight, destroying it forever."
"Maybe," Jecht mumbled. "But I bet it looked really cool while it lasted."
"You're missing the point of the lesson," Auron called out, still seated across from them with his arms folded against his chest. Despite his studied aloofness, Rikku noted with a giggle that he, too, was glancing over his shoulder to observe the city passing below them.
"Hey... you know," Rikku said as an idea formed, "I bet it
still
looks really cool!"
Jecht looked up at Rikku's tone, and then a grin tugged at his mouth. "Are you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?" he asked, and Rikku waggled her eyebrows before pulling up her goggles and fixing them securely against her face.
"C'mon, let's go!" she yelled. Climbing over the seat, she took a deep breath and dove off the shoopuf. The faint sound of Braska and Auron's cries of surprise were drowned out as she hit the water with a splash, a sudden shock of cold against the heat of the midday sun.
Now this is more like it!
Rikku thought as she angled herself downwards and pumped her legs, descending towards the city as quickly as she could. A dark blur passed her; Jecht outpaced her as he swam by.
Show-off,
she thought, redoubling her efforts to reach the city first.
The sparkling sunlight faded into a hazy blue in the depths of the Moonflow. Seaweed of impossible size swayed in the current, their numbers so thick that she couldn't make out much more than indistinct shadows in the depths of the river. Taking in her surroundings, Rikku revelled in the cool atmosphere. Sounds and sensations were dampened, making it feel like a relaxing escape from the loud, hectic world above. After a moment of letting herself free-float, Rikku sighed mentally – it would have cost too much air to do it underwater – and decided to look for Jecht. She knew she could hold her breath for at least fifteen minutes, maybe even more if she stretched it – all that diving Cid kept sending her to do paid off, after all. As for Jecht, she had no idea what he was capable of. Then again, he did play Blitzball for a living. If Keepa could fall asleep underwater and live, she probably had nothing to worry about.
At the nearest curved roof, Rikku began scanning the murky depths for Jecht. Her frown grew as she swam among the buildings; he was nowhere in sight, and she was beginning to worry.
I should've at least warned him there could be fiends down here
. She stuck her head into the ruins of what looked like an apartment building – and drew back suddenly, struggling to keep from choking as a wild-eyed Jecht surged out from the window.
Unable to yell at him despite her pounding heart, Rikku settled for a deep scowl and a few unmistakable gestures with her arm. Jecht, however, simply grinned at her with a look of relief.
He was worried? About me? As if,
Rikku scoffed, and then caught herself.
Well... actually, I guess I was worried, too,
and with a sheepish smile she returned Jecht's thumbs-up. He gestured for her to follow, and then swam back inside the building.
Oooh, treasure hunting!
Instinctively, she eyed the corroded surfaces and debris inside for telltale signs of discarded machina. Jecht was less interested in poking around the rubble, and instead swam purposefully in front of her, bypassing several rooms. With one last, longing glance, Rikku followed him; obviously, something down there had him excited.
It was kind of nice, diving with someone who had never seen Spira's underwater ruins before; what could be considered "normal" to an average diver was still a foreign paradise to someone like Jecht. With a smile, Rikku wondered if he was going to point out the city's strange architecture or maybe even lead her to some sort of useful machina that hadn't yet been unearthed –
"Brruf!" Rikku coughed in surprise as she squeezed through yet another window and into a large hall with a high ceiling – one that she and Jecht were scraping the surface of as they swam across the room. The sheer volume wasn't what made her jerk back in surprise; it was the activity
below
them that caught her attention. Jecht was still swimming in circles and pointing every now and then at something that caught his eye.
Rikku tread the water, shocked.
I never realized...
Of course it made sense, once she thought about it. They had to live
somewhere,
after all.
Below them, darting around the water in streaks, was a school of Hypello. It was perhaps what she might call a 'city' – though their gathering certainly bore no resemblance to the metropolis of Bevelle. Rikku had never seen so many together at once; their long, stretched bodies, so clumsy on the land, served them well underwater. They weaved and dodged among themselves, densely packed and yet still perfectly coordinated, as though their movements were some sort of universally understood dance. Occasionally, smaller groups of Hypello would break away from the larger mass, swimming around each other in circles to form a tightly-knit ball – a feat of acrobatics that not even the best Blitzball players could ever hope to compete with.
Rikku watched, fascinated, as several of the Hypello clusters broke off, drifted away, and then reformed seamlessly with the masses below them. Silver and blue, they blended with the water so well it was dizzying. Their yellow eyes shone, pinpricks of light in the darkness. It was strange, disturbing, and yet somehow beautiful. Rikku was having a hard time connecting the slow, gangly creatures of the surface with the graceful ballet being orchestrated underwater.
Jecht tugged on her arm, and Rikku watched, fascinated, when another living orb of Hypello drifted towards them. As they approached, the group broke apart and positioned themselves near the ceiling. One Hypello swam closer with a graceful flick of its body; it moved sinuously like an eel, its arms and legs plastered to its side.
"Yoo are vishitoooors, yesh?" it said, and Rikku gawked. The heavy-sounding accent of the Hypello's voice was almost exactly the same as its brethren on the surface, save for the change in pitch due to the water surrounding them. Glancing at Jecht, she gave the curious Hypello a smile and a nod, hoping that its observation was as innocuous as it sounded
. Well, I never heard of a violent Hypello before, but I don't think I ever heard of anyone crashing a Hypello party, either…
The Hypello half-turned and crooned something to the others, who closed in eagerly. Rikku thought she might have begun to sweat, if not for the fact that she was underwater. The other Hypello were responding with strange clicks and cries of their own – a completely different language, it would seem. After a few moments, though, they all began to chant one word which she understood.
"B-b-b-bliiitz, Blitz, Bliiiitz!"
Rikku blinked. They weren't really –
Jecht swam past her, a broad grin on his face. He thumped his chest and then struck a Blitzing pose underwater. The Hypello circled him at a dizzying speed, their chants growing louder. Fish-people or not, when it came to Blitzball fans Jecht was
always
in his element. Rikku resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Yoo human-ni-man-niman, human," the Hypello Rikku was beginning to think of as the spokesperson said to Jecht. Then it turned an eye – only one, actually, which was rather odd in and of itself – onto Rikku. "And yoo Al Bhed!"
Rikku and Jecht exchanged similar glances of confusion, before she turned to the spokesman – or maybe it was a woman – and gave it a clueless shrug.
Why is it important?
she wanted to ask.
The Hypello arced around her. "Al Bhed not sho bad, but humanimans need ze shurface..."
Now it was Jecht's turn to look insulted as the swarming Hypello ignored him mid-pose and circled around her instead, chanting something that sounded like
"bed-bed-bed!"
Really,
Rikku thought, crossing her arms with a sulk. So what if she had darker skin, spiral pupils and a general propensity towards Blitzball superiority because of her lung capacity? She was just as human as anyone else! It wasn't like she was a
Guado –
Rikku checked the thought as she considered it.
But no matter how much I don't like them, Guado are still people, too.
It was that kind of thinking that made Seymour who he was, she realized. And up until Yuna's calm, most Spirans didn't seem to think of Al Bhed as entirely
human,
either.
Looking at the colony below, the lines between the races were becoming as blurred as the figures of the Hypello themselves. Before, Rikku had grouped them together simply as another one of Macalania's varied beastfolk, so different from herself that any attempt to understand what made them tick was destined to be futile. It was an easy thing to do with a people who were so alien to her own lifestyle.
Tobli had been the first to push for more widespread acceptance of the beast races among the human population; Hypello, however, didn't have the temperament for the same sort of passionate crusade. Most people thought of them exactly as how they presented themselves – quiet, simplistic creatures who stayed out of the way of others, living peaceful and reclusive lives.
The swarm below her was anything but simple or reclusive, though. They chattered amongst themselves, and the group of youths – at least Rikku
thought
they were youths – surrounding them were just as energetic as any land-dwelling teenagers, curious to meet and talk to both her and Jecht. If she thought about it, several Hypello had already mastered Spira's surface tongue despite it being so foreign to their own language of aquatic trills. Even if their speech sounded clumsy and slow to a land-dweller's ear, could there really be any surer sign of intelligence than that? After all, as far as she knew no
human
had ever mastered the Hypello language – few seemed to realize that such a language even
existed.
Up until a few minutes ago, she herself had been one of those people, Rikku thought with embarrassment.
The Hypello cloud finally stopped their furious rotation around her and gathered back into their communal ball of perpetual motion, save for the one who was speaking with them. "Will yoo show ussh your Blitz?"
Jecht gave the Hypello an eager thumbs up as Rikku held up her hands and shook her head.
Whoa-whoa-whoa!
She shot Jecht a warning look –
how can you Blitz without other players?
Jecht, seeming to understand, grinned and pointed a finger at her.
One-on-one?
Rikku struggled to keep her jaw closed. As it was, she'd been letting out enough air already. If she had to admit it, she was no slouch at Blitzing, but Tidus – heck, even
chubby Wakka
could beat her any day of the week with his eyes closed. She wasn't a professional! And hadn't Tidus said his father was a legend? She sagged, letting herself be buoyed by the water, and Jecht gave her an encouraging slap on the back.
"We'll b-b-b-bring zhe ball," the Hypello crooned. "Shee yoo topshide!"
.x.x.x.
Rikku broke the surface of the water, gasping for air, and shook her head. Twisting around, she spotted the large shoopuf a short distance away. Jecht surfaced next to her with a spray of water, inhaling deeply before whooping.
"Alright! Real Blitzball, at last! I'll show ya what I can do!" he roared, raising a fist over his head and sending another spray into Rikku's goggles.
Pulling them off and wiping them down, Rikku faced him. "Hey, what's the big idea? Who said I wanted to play Blitzball with you anyway?"
Jecht stopped splashing around, and his face fell as he tread the water. "Ya mean you can't play? Well, you
are
a girl, but I thought what with you holdin' yer breath an' all..."
Rikku hit the water with her palm, sending a wave flying into Jecht's face. "I can too play!"
"Then what's the problem?" Jecht's grin returned. "C'mon, let's show 'em what I can do!"
"What
you
can do? Gee, thanks," Rikku muttered under her breath. "Listen, just because I know how to Blitz doesn't mean I can play one-on-one! I'm a midfielder! I block passes, I don't score goals! Have you even
looked
at my legs lately?"
Jecht rolled his eyes. "Well, that would be Auron's job, wouldn't it? 'Sides, you don't need to shoot to play 'gainst me. It won't be a real game, just a chance for me to catch up a little bit, show my stuff, y'know."
Rikku eyed him suspiciously. Blitzing was a pretty rough game. She couldn't count how many black and blue spots she'd gotten trying to win that stupid prize egg necklace that Yuna had wanted so badly in the Gullwing team's last tournament. "Fine... as long as the only thing I have to do is pass the ball to you. No blocking, no tackling, no shooting at me, got it?"
Jecht smirked. "You'll be fine, Blondie!"
"Fine. Yeah," Rikku squeaked, wishing her voice hadn't risen a few octaves as she vicariously relived a few of Tidus' Sphere Shots. "I'm gonna go tell the others what we're doing," she added.
" 'Ey, get 'em to come in with us! Then it can be a
real
game! All of you against me!"
"I'd rather eat the blitzball first," Rikku grumbled to herself as she set off for the shoopuf at a brisk pace. It wasn't too difficult; unlike the Hypello, a shoopuf was nearly as slow in the water as it was on land. She caught up easily, hoisting herself onto its finned tail and earning a mammoth grunt of displeasure from the creature. "Sorry!" she called out, scrambling up the back of the shoopuf and towards the palanquin monkey-style.
"Rikku! What happened? Where's Jecht?" Braska asked, standing.
"Lord Braska, please sit down, that's dangerous. If Jecht knows Blitzball half as well as he claims to, he should be fine," Auron interrupted, glaring at her from his position on the seat. It looked like he hadn't moved
at all
since she'd last seen him.
Rikku hung onto the outer edge of the palanquin, mindful of the water streaming off of her body. "Yeah, about that... well, we met some Hypello while we were swimming and we kinda got pulled into a Blitzball game."
"With what team?" Auron asked, gesturing at the empty river around them.
"Well, er... just me," Rikku laughed, toying with a braid, which she nearly yanked off her head when she slipped and lost her balance on the shoopuf's slick hide. With a hiss of surprise, she planted both hands back on the railing. "Oww... slippery..."
"Be careful!" Auron scolded her, and she noticed he'd half-risen out of his seat.
"Hey, I'm okay! It's not like I can't swim," she reassured him, surprised when Braska laughed at her words.
"Auron, perhaps
you
should be the one to sit down?" he teased, and with a fierce expression Auron seated himself – this time on the side she was hanging from.
Rikku made a face at him. "What's with you?" When he didn't answer, she turned to Braska, who was still smiling, for an explanation.
"Auron doesn't know how to swim," Braska whispered to her, though she was sure the man in question knew exactly what she was being told.
"Ohh," Rikku said. "Umm, well, that's alright. I mean lots of people don't know how to swim..."
not
, she thought. Usually it was only city-dwellers who were faced with that problem; with Spira being covered in as much water as it was, nearly every provincial citizen knew at least how to keep themselves afloat. "So I guess that means you won't be joining us, huh," she added with a note of disappointment. "What about you, Braska?" She turned pleading eyes onto the Summoner, silently begging him not to leave her to face Jecht's Blitzball frenzy alone.
"Ah, well. I'm afraid I'll have to pass," Braska told her with a light smile, seating himself next to Auron. "I learned how to swim during my time with the Al Bhed, but my constitution leaves a little something to be desired."
"It can't be that bad..." Rikku protested.
"One minute and thirty-seven seconds," Braska told her with a hint of embarrassment.
"... yeah, umm. What I meant was it can't be a bad idea to stick around Auron right now," Rikku finished, trying to stifle her snigger.
"I'm grateful for your concern," Auron grumbled, still stinging over the revelation of his weakness. As he looked away, Rikku pounced with a mischievous grin.
"Cheer up," she cooed, hefted herself across the railing without warning and dropping her arms around him and forming a moist Rikku-imprint on the back of his coat. He only tried to shake her off half-heartedly. "If you look on the bright side, this means I'll get to have fun teaching you how to swim later on!"
"If we have the time for such diversions," Auron said gruffly, though the scowl had eased off of his face. He cleared his throat and tilted his head towards Braska, and Rikku let go of his neck reluctantly.
"Oh, please don't restrain yourselves," Braska said amicably. "I fully plan to attend those promised sessions myself. Perhaps I can improve my own time under water."
Rikku blanched and Auron mumbled something that sounded like "
then go ask Jecht"
under his breath.
"Listen," she told them, "I gotta go. I bet Jecht's waiting already, but I promise it won't take too long. We'll be back before you know it!"
Auron caught her arm before she could dive off. "Be careful," he said, his voice serious. "Both of you. There are still fiends in that water, and if something happens..." He looked vaguely upset. "... I couldn't rescue you."
Rikku stared, a blush crossing her face. Had he really just said that?
Even Braska was regarding him with a touch of wonder, and Auron dropped his head with a low oath.
"... really will ruin me,"
he muttered, and Rikku let out a tiny snicker. It turned into a scream as Auron glared and pushed her backwards into the water. She hit it with a splash; sputtering as she tread the water, she stared at the retreating palanquin incredulously.
"Hey! I'm gonna get you for that!"
Auron waved a hand over the railing, already turning his back to her. "Hnn. Watch yourself," she heard him say as the shoopuf drifted away.
Rikku hit the water with her palm again. "Some boyfriend!" she seethed.
"Blondie! 'Ey, over here!" Looking around, Rikku spotted Jecht waving. Ripples in the water surrounded him, and at first Rikku thought they might have been fish-fiends until a few yellow, bulbous eyes broke the surface and blinked at her.
"Oooh," Rikku said, feeling nervous. As if in response, Jecht tossed a blitzball – tattered, but still in working order – into the air and waved at her. Putting on her goggles, Rikku whimpered to herself. "Here goes nothing..."
Taking a deep breath, she dove under the surface and swam towards Jecht. The cool grasp of the water was comforting to her, and Rikku marveled at the Hypello who had joined them. They were spreading out between herself and Jecht, swimming in wide circles and forming a living sphere ring.
Wow,
she thought, watching the shifting shadows cast by their bodies dilute the bright sunlight streaming in from above.
Something hit her in the back, and spinning around Rikku caught the falling blitzball out of pure reflex. She looked up and saw Jecht grinning a shark smile and beckoning to her to pass the ball.
I can do this,
Rikku thought, and with a grin – or maybe a grimace, depending on how you looked at it, she began swimming in small circles to build her speed. When her blood was pumping, she stopped abruptly and sent the blitzball flying towards Jecht with a hard throw.
He looked pleased as the ball came towards him and twisted in the water, bringing one leg up. Rikku's eyes widened; it was sloppy – definitely unrefined, but that looked an awful lot like Tidus' signature move. Hastily swimming out of Jecht's line of fire, she watched as he completed the flip, connecting a foot to the blitzball and sending it rocketing out of their Hypello-made "sphere." Nearly as quickly as the shot had been fired, one of the Hypello separated from the group and swam after the ball. The others were busy cooing and trilling, even as Jecht lifted his arms over his head and mouthed
I'm the best!
"Al-Bheeeed!" Hearing the watery cry, Rikku caught the blitzball that was sailing towards her. She looked at the ball in her hand in surprise, and then back at the Hypello, who was already rejoining his comrades in the circle.
That fast? But he shot it pretty hard...
The smirk faded from Jecht’s face. A grin was beginning to bloom on Rikku's own, though – Jecht might not have been playing Blitzball against her, but apparently the innocent Hypello could make his pride smart. With a frown, Jecht motioned at her to pass the ball again.
Rikku’s competitive streak fired up.
Oh no, two can play at this game!
Swimming to build up her speed once more, she gripped the blitzball and forced herself into a spin.
C'mon, c'mon,
she thought, feeling Jecht's eyes on her as she attempted to whirl the way Judda had taught her.
Just a little more spin on it, and then... release!
With a grin of triumph, Rikku let her
special
pass fly. Jecht's expression turned into one of disbelief as he dived out of the way of the ball. One of the Hypello broke off from the group and caught it – not too difficult of a feat, considering that her pass couldn't obtain anything near the speed of one of Jecht's shots – but as it swam to return the ball, it wavered. The Hypello's eyes blinked once, then twice before falling completely shut. It let out a loud snore, drifting through the water.
Oops, Rikku thought, watching the Hypello float away before it was rescued by one of its brethren. Maybe using a Nap Pass wasn't the brightest idea... The remaining Hypello seemed to disagree, crooning and hooting in a strange mix of cheers to encourage her. She grinned and waved at Jecht, who glared and bunted the ball back at her. Right, this is his show. Circling once again, Rikku threw a simple vanilla pass at Jecht as an on-the-fly apology.
This time, Jecht caught the ball with his hands, which surprised Rikku. Then, with a twist of his torso, he began spinning, faster and faster.
Hey... did he just copy me? So not fair!
Rikku thought petulantly, watching him whirl through the water. More unfair was the fact that he seemed to get the hang of the spin almost instantly. It had taken her
weeks
to learn that! He kept on going, to the point where the water was beginning to cyclone underneath him. Then, coming out of the spin, he let the ball fly.
Rikku felt the pressure of the water rushing past as the speed of the ball flying by her cheek left a vacuum in its wake. The Hypello parted, and Rikku spun around, but she couldn't even
see
the ball, let alone track it.
How'd he get it that fast with his arms alone? Shoot, he really is a pro!
Whirling to face Jecht, her eyebrows rose, and he responded with a smug grin that just screamed
"Eat that!"
The grin dropped, however, as another Hypello dutifully approached her, ball in hand.
Biting back a snigger, Rikku felt a niggling sense of pity for Jecht. He was giving an impressive performance – and the Hypello seemed to be eating it up, just like a perfect audience. Their unassuming way of avoiding his shots and returning his goals, however, was seriously annoying him. It was hard to claim he was the best when a couple of non-blitzers were outshining him.
C'mon, Jecht... the only way you could beat them is if you grew gills,
Rikku thought as she prepared another pass.
This time, Jecht simply paddled in place and delivered a powerful kick to the ball.
What's he trying to do now?
Rikku thought, watching it speed past her. The answer came with a loud thump, as the kick actually connected with one of the swimming Hypello, knocking it out of formation and sending the ball flying back towards Jecht. A lump of dread formed in her stomach.
Is he nuts?
As if in answer, Jecht flipped once again. Rikku observed the movement with anxiety, her rising panic making it seem as though he was moving in slow motion. His foot connected with the ball, and another Hypello went down.
He IS nuts! Gotta go, go-go-go!
She swam as swiftly as she could for the edge of the Hypello ring. She didn't see, she
felt
Jecht reaching back, probably sucking the surrounding water with him as he knuckled the ball, and she just
knew
she should have worn her Lady Luck dressphere down here –
"Booooh!" The air rushed out of Rikku's lungs explosively when the blitzball hit her retreating back.
Oww,
she thought as she lost her orientation, flipping head over heels in the water. Somewhere behind her she knew Jecht was already in a spin, putting the finishing move on the Not-So-Sublimely-Magnificent-When-You-Got-Hit-By-It Jecht Shot Mark II. She might have felt sorry for the Hypello he struck with his final blow, but the problem of getting her air back had a higher priority.
Coughing, she inhaled a mouthful of water and began clawing her way to the surface blindly.
I need air and I knew this would happen and it hurts and I need air but I can't see anything and I need air and Auron's not gonna come and I REALLY need air...
Thrashing around, she came into contact with something soft; eyes flying open, Rikku realized she'd been angling downwards towards the riverbed, and felt a moment of panic.
I won't make it to the surface!
She looked up, desperate, and saw yellow.
What?
The Hypello blinked at her, and suddenly, she was
flying.
There was no other way to describe it; she felt like one of Jecht's blitzballs, streaming through the water so quickly that she would have hurt her eyes, were it not for her goggles. The Hypello shot them towards the surface in a stream of bubbles, and for the briefest of moments Rikku felt jealous of every fish she had ever seen.
And then her ears were roaring as the pressure broke and she crested the surface. The Hypello released her, leaping over her head before dipping soundlessly back into the water with almost no splash. Rikku's own return was not quite as graceful; she coughed and sputtered, sending sprays all around her as she expelled the water from her lungs. Finally, her heart slowed down to something less than racing Chocobo speed and she managed to pace herself at a steady tread in the water.
Her back stung; even without looking Rikku knew she was going to develop a blitzball-shaped bruise between her shoulder blades.
I can't believe I was feeling sorry for him!
"Arg!" she screamed, slapping the water furiously. She heard a splash and twisted around, her face set in an angry snarl.
Jecht tread the water next to her, hair plastered to his face and eyes wide. He opened his mouth, and Rikku reached over and slapped him.
"You jerk! That really really hurt! I told you not to do that!" she yelled.
"... you can hit me again," Jecht mumbled, rolling onto his back and floating listlessly.
Calming down somewhat, Rikku scowled at him. "I should." He said nothing, and her scowl deepened. "I should tell the others, you know. Then Auron'll
really
kill you. They won't even find
pieces.
" He still didn't respond, and Rikku hit the water with frustration. "Braska would help, too!"
"Maybe I should leave," Jecht said, and Rikku stopped ranting.
"Huh?"
"Leave this whole Pilgrimage thing," he added, squinting at the clouds. "I almost got ya killed two times now. I can't even keep my promises, see?"
Rikku paddled through the water. It was hard to try and respond to that, especially when her back was still smarting. "Well, everybody makes mistakes every once in awhile. Maybe you just make more than the rest of us," she said.
Jecht gave her a half-hearted glare. "What if we reach the other side an' I mess up again? What if it's Auron next time? Or Braska? I can't stop thinkin' about it. Just one drink. Just one more to say g'bye."
"Don't you think you're strong enough?" Rikku asked.
"What does it matter? You said it. I'm a jerk anyway, even when I ain't drunk." He flipped upright and faced her. "You should go catch up with 'em. Tell Braska I drowned or somethin'. I can still reach the shore from here."
Rikku rolled her eyes. "You? Drown? Like they'd believe me! Don't be stupid and come back with me already."
"Why? There ain't nothin' good 'bout me," Jecht answered with a viciousness that took Rikku by surprise. "Abandonin' my woman for the bottle... an' then I never really got to know my kid. I wanna see him so bad it hurts, but he hates me. Hell, he's probably happy I'm gone. I can't even stop hurtin' the people tryin' to help me right now! I ain't nothin' but bad news for everyone, so maybe I should just disappear." He paused. "Tell me this, though. You know my boy. You said he grows up just fine. So... you
know,
don'tcha. Do I ever get back to Zanarkand?
My
Zanarkand?"
Rikku looked at Jecht; he was less of the cocky Blitzball hero they had come to know and looking more like a pathetic waterlogged child at the moment. Uncertainty and depression had him hunching over, making him appear smaller than he really was, and even his wet hair drooped without any of its usual wild life.
This man saves Spira,
she told herself.
You have to lie so he can go on.
She opened her mouth, and in an increasingly worrisome trend something spilled out of it that she hadn't intended.
"No," she said softly.
Jecht closed his eyes.
"... but come back anyway," she added, feeling stupid. "Braska needs you."
"He don't need a good for nothin' like me," Jecht said bitterly.
Rikku didn't know how to answer him, but the water around them erupted, saving her the trouble. Her panic died down as she realized it was only Jecht's Hypello fan club leaping around them. One – the spokesperson, Rikku recognized – swam up to them and lifted its head fully out of the water.
"Shank yoo!" it crooned, eyeing Jecht with something close to adoration.
Guess it's a female,
Rikku concluded.
"For what?" Jecht asked; he had, after all, knocked a couple of them cold with his last trick.
"Shat wash wonderful!" the Hypello cooed. "Wee love Blitshball, but noobody ever comes to vishit..." she added. "Hypello never get to shee..."
Rikku thought about it, nodding to herself. "Right... I haven't seen too many Hypello in Luca's stadium, either."
A Hypello Blitzball team... they'd be laughed out of town before they got near the locker rooms
.
And the Al Bhed Psyches would probably be laughing the loudest, too.
"So... you guys aren't mad, then?" she asked, just to be certain.
"M-mm-mad?" The Hypello looked at her, then Jecht, and – Rikku tried not to wince – did that weird split-eye thing again to look at them both. "Yoo are heroes! Firsht humanimans to play jusht for ussh!" She swam around Jecht, surrounding him with pleasant ripples. "Hero!" she crooned happily, and the other Hypello decided to join in, clicking and squeaking and occasionally trying to copy the word, though it came out sounding more like a chorus of
"E-rows."
"Wow," Rikku said, watching as the group of Hypello slipped away into the depths of the Moonflow. "I guess they really like you."
The look of surprise hadn't quite fallen off of Jecht's face; his brows rose to his bandana. "Why're they so pumped? All we did was Blitz a little, and I even hurt some of 'em!"
Rikku smiled. "You did something for them that nobody ever has before," she informed him.
"Eh?"
"You treated them like equals. You're a regular Hypello Hero!" she added with a small cheer.
"Uhh," Jecht said, his face turning red. "I guess... if you say so," he mumbled. "Compared to those guys, I ain't no Blitzin' hero though."
"You're not their hero just because you're a guy that can Blitz," Rikku said, splashing some water his way. "They like you because they saw something in you. The same thing that Braska does. Even me, I guess... when you're not trying to drown me," she added with a small smirk.
"But I – " Jecht protested.
"You're not bad news," Rikku cut him off. "The Neptune Sigil chose you, didn't it? There must be a reason. You know, I always thought Auron was your toughest critic, but maybe I'm wrong. After all, you're the only one who wants to give up on yourself. What happened to all that resolve from last night?"
Jecht grimaced. "Maybe it died when you told me I was gonna be stuck here," he pointed out.
"Uhh," Rikku said, losing her concentration and dipping under the water.
Darn it,
she thought, coughing as she surfaced. "Hey... you don't know the whole story. And you shouldn't! Who ever said the future is set in stone? And why are you taking my word like it's the law, now? You're the one who's always joking about how wrong I am about everything, aren't you?"
Jecht wavered, looking between the shrinking figure of the shoopuf and the distant shore of the Moonflow.
"Jecht," Rikku said, waving and centering his attention back on herself. "I'm fine, okay? No harm, no foul. And besides, think of this as your big chance."
"Chance for what?" Jecht raised an eyebrow.
"To
become
a hero, not just look like one on the spheres," she said. "To turn into a dad Tidus could be proud of. I think you got a pretty good start today."
With a sigh, Jecht shook his head. "You sure you ain't gonna regret this later?" he asked, paddling alongside her.
"Nope," Rikku said. "But it's your job to convince me that this isn't a mistake, right? That's the point!"
"Some pep talk," Jecht mumbled, before diving into the water and streaking off towards the shoopuf.
"Yes!" Rikku said. Then she realized she was being left behind. "Wait a sec... hey, no fair! You're not supposed to leave the girl behind, especially after you hit her!" He showed no signs of slowing, and she huffed. "Fine, see if I ever do anything nice for you again.”
She took her time swimming back; Jecht seemed to be in a hurry, as though he might change his mind if he delayed, and all she saw of him was a bright stream of bubbles. Back still aching, Rikku watched the city below her passing by.
Hmm... it really is pretty. I wonder why I always end getting beat up whenever I come here, though
. A flash of silver caught her eye, and Rikku smiled at the last of the Hypello darting away between the ruins of the ancient city.
Those guys... I wonder why I never saw them before? They must be just as affected by Sin as the rest of us, but they seem so... relaxed, always happy to help. Like most of the beast-men in Spira; Sin's sorrow just doesn't seem to touch them.
She frowned thoughtfully as she swam.
Maybe someone could help
them
out for once. I should talk to Yuna about it, she has enough clout to do something…
Rikku stopped herself from going down that path, grabbing her head and shaking it.
No... not going to think that way anymore. I promised myself I'd be here from now on. Just like Jecht – no more relapses!
Stepping up her pace, she sped through the water mentally chanting her new mantra.
When she reached the shoopuf, Jecht was already there, dripping water all over everything. Auron, for once, didn't seem to be making a big issue out of it. He winced as he watched her clamoring over the slick hide of the shoopuf to rejoin them, and his grip on the railing was turning his knuckles white. Rikku suspected his reticence was more due to his discomfort around the open water than any actual leniency.
"So did you have fun Blitzing?" Auron asked as she pulled herself over the railing.
"
Well
," Rikku said, drawing the word out as she eyed Jecht. She made a show of cracking her back and rolling her shoulders, and Jecht looked progressively more uncomfortable with each passing second. New leaf or not, she really thought he needed to sweat a little; her back still
hurt.
Finally, she stopped stretching and smiled. "Jecht's become a Hypello hero!"
Auron rolled his eyes. "Forget I asked.”
"Really," Braska said, chuckling at them both. "A Hypello hero? That’s a good first step towards defeating Sin, isn't it? It seems my faith in you was well-placed," he joked.
Rikku giggled a little, but her heart wasn't in it. People underestimated the Hypello because they just simply didn't seem to
mind
what others thought of them; after what she'd seen, though, to laugh about Jecht's new "title" felt cruel.
Jecht, too, wasn’t in the mood to joke around and only managed a wan imitation of his usual cocky smile. " 'ey, I'm gonna go hang out with the driver, I guess," he said. "I still need to apologize to him for... well, y'know." Ignoring Braska's look of surprise, he didn’t wait for an answer to climb right back out of the palanquin.
"Did I offend him?" Braska wondered out loud.
"Let him go," Auron said. "At least he came to the proper conclusion on his own this time. Savor the moment."
Braska ignored him, a perceptive frown crossing his face. He leaned forward and strained to catch the conversation that had started between Jecht and the surprised Hypello leading the shoopuf. At least, Rikku guessed the Hypello was surprised, since it had bothered to direct one of its eyes towards Jecht instead of the river.
"I do not think he is simply apologizing," Braska observed. "It looks like they are actually... conversing." Jecht laughed loudly and pointed to himself, and Braska lifted an eyebrow. "About Blitzball, of all things."
"Hnn. Rikku, go tell Jecht to leave the driver alone."
“Nopey-nope!” Smiling, she plopped down onto the seat right next to Auron. “Let him sort it out by himself for once. It might be good for him!”
“Good for him?” Auron scowled. “And bad for us. I’ll get him myself.” He started getting up.
Pouting, Rikku threw her legs over his lap, making sure to drip liberally across his coat. "No," she repeated. “I’m serious!”
He sighed in annoyance, but allowed himself to be trapped against the bench by the weight of her legs. "He might very well be trying to pawn his next drink off of the driver," Auron warned her.
Braska, who was observing the conversation between Jecht and the Hypello with interest, shook his head. "I do not think that is the case. He said he would change, after all. I trust him."
“I can see I’m outnumbered here,” Auron groused. Though his words held their typical bite, he dropped his arms onto Rikku’s legs, purposefully tracing a line down her calf towards her ankles.
Rikku suppressed a surprised giggle. Then she tried to pull herself together before anyone could notice her turning into a puddle on the seat cushion.
Braska, who still hadn’t turned around, didn’t even realize he was interrupting them. "Speaking so candidly with that creature, though…” He sounded thoughtful. “I always thought the Hypello were not interested in our world. I wonder..."
She smiled, watching Braska learning something new; apparently Jecht could be more of a hero than any of them had realized – and he wasn't even trying. "Yeah, just trust him a little," she soothed Auron. "You might be surprised, but even Jecht can do the right thing once in awhile."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"So where's this place we're goin' to again?" Jecht called out as he ambled down the packed dirt road, hands behind his head.
"Djose," Braska answered, a few paces behind. "The temple of the Thunder God Ixion."
"This one's a god, huh?" Jecht’s brow furrowed. "I thought you guys called 'em aeons."
Auron didn't even bother to glance in Jecht's direction as he spoke, his voice dripping with irritation. "Of course it's an aeon, you fool. The term is simply an expression of respect."
Jecht's face twisted into a scowl of annoyance. "C'mon man, I get it already! No more sword lessons. Fine, I can live with that. But you gotta at least
talk
to me sometimes!"
Without answering, Auron distanced himself with a quickening pace.
"How long is he gonna stay like that?" Jecht mumbled under his breath.
Rikku shook her head. "We all know Auron can really hold a grudge. And you
did
mess up big time. Maybe you should give him some space?"
Stifling a groan, Jecht sagged, and Rikku gave his shoulder a sympathetic pat. "Here's an idea! Why don't you try talking with Braska instead? At least he won't bite your head off."
"Whatever." He did slow his steps until he was walking alongside Braska, though, who gave him an understanding smile.
"You will be fine," Braska reassured him. "Auron will come around with time."
A muffled
hmph
was heard from Auron's direction, which Braska politely ignored.
“Or maybe I can bribe him, huh?” Jecht scratched at the stubble on his chin. “The driver told me he’s got this cousin in Luca who sells awesome sweet rolls!”
“Auron does not enjoy sweets,” Braska coughed under his breath.
Jecht looked disappointed. “Really. Must be ‘cause he’s such a sourpuss.” Then he smirked. “Well, guess I can buy him some pickles instead, then. Or maybe just a hot dog, since Auron’s such a big di – “
“
Jecht
,” Braska pleaded.
"Yeah, yeah.” Stretching, Jecht grunted. "So what's this
Thunder God
look like anyway? Is it as babe-a-licious as that Shiva chick?"
Rikku stifled a laugh at the look of dismay on Braska's face.
"I do not believe we should refer to the Fayth of Macalania as a 'chick' ... and no, I do not yet know what Ixion will look like. A Summoner first has to establish a rapport with the Fayth before he can call forth an aeon's physical form." He sighed. "One would think it becomes easier with time, but..."
"You won't fail," Auron interjected. He stopped and looked over his shoulder from his position as vanguard, meeting Braska's eyes. "We will stand by you, however long it takes."
Braska smiled. "Thank you. Djose's temple is a bit different from the others, though."
"You mean it don't have one of them crazy mazes in it?" Jecht asked hopefully. His face fell as Braska shook his head.
"I am afraid not... the Cloister of Trials exists in each temple, so that a Summoner must prove his or her worth."
"In other words,
boor-ring
," Rikku chimed in. This one wasn't going to be as simple as the others; she'd never had the chance to see Djose's temple in action while the Fayth lived inside of it. Still... after experiencing the joys of the Cloisters of Bevelle and Macalania twice, how hard could it really be? She smirked. "Don't worry – Rikku's here to save the day. This'll be a snap!"
"Just like in Macalania?" Auron deadpanned as he waited for them to catch up. "Because you helped us so much then, too."
Sticking her tongue out, Rikku made a face. "I was
busy
. We had
stuff
for me to be busy with then. Say, what
are
we gonna do about money? There haven't been too many fiends around, and Luca's practically right around the corner!"
She thought about the endless stretch of road that led from Djose to the Blitzing capital of Spira. Even with the steady influx of fiends and bandits that plagued the highway, coming up with enough money stay in Luca was going to be a daunting task. Popularity had its price, and Luca's exorbitant costs easily rivaled those of Bevelle – and that was excluding the fee of the Blitzball tickets she knew Jecht would demand.
Auron, too, looked uncomfortable at the mention of finances; Jecht had no clue of what awaited them, and Braska –
well, he'd probably tell us to think of sleeping in the alleys of Luca as a camping trip.
As expected, Braska smiled at her without a trace of concern. "You should not worry so much. Where there is a will, Yevon will provide a way."
"I think I'm really starting to hate that saying. No wait, I
always
hated it." Slumming it in Luca wasn't high on Rikku's list of things-to-do; besides being the home of Blitzball, the city was also an important commercial fishing point. If they didn't want to come out of Luca stinking like fish guts, they were going to have to come up with some cash, and fast.
Rikku leaned over. "Hey... no, really. What
are
we gonna do? We can't afford to go to Luca like this," she whispered, noticing Auron's grimace.
"You and I, double duty for the next week," Auron answered her. "We are not going to make our beds on the fishing nets of Luca's wharf."
Braska's smiled faltered only slightly as he opened his eyes. "Really, Auron. It wasn't that bad the last time."
"There were still a few crabs in those nets," Auron pointed out. "Live crabs."
"I saw it as an all-inclusive bed-and-breakfast," Braska said amicably.
Turning to Rikku without pause, Auron gave her a fierce look that could only have been borne of desperation. "Triple duty," he amended, and Rikku shot him a quick salute.
" 'Ey! What's crabbin' got to do with Djose anyhow?" Jecht asked. "I thought this was some kinda lightnin' temple. Ain't it a bad idea to stick it right next to the sea?"
"You are partially right. Djose's temple is located near the coast, just as Besaid's is," Braska explained. "But the Temples of Yevon are over a thousand years old. They were built around the shrines of the Fayth, not for man's convenience." He smiled. "It works out to our benefit, in the end. If the temples did not exist where they are now, there would be no easy way for Summoners to prepare for the battle with Sin through a Pilgrimage. In order to prove ourselves worthy of receiving the Final Aeon, we must test ourselves at each of Yevon's temples."
"I get it," Jecht said, nodding. "How many more of these places do we gotta stop by on this field trip before we get to Zanarkand, then?"
"Field trip...?" Auron quoted dangerously, but Braska waved him down.
"There are two more temples located along the outermost islands that we must travel to before we can begin the final journey towards Zanarkand."
Jecht fell silent, his face pulling into a moody frown. "Final journey, final aeon... you guys seem all geared up for some kinda big
final Blitzoff
with Sin, right?"
Braska hummed. "I would not compare it to a Blitzball game, but yes – that is in essence our goal."
Jecht's frown deepened. "But... didn't ya say before that Sin kept comin' back after ten years, no matter how many times it got beat down?" He scratched his head. "Maybe I'm missin' somethin' here, but what's the point? Seems to me like there ain't nothin'
final
about it."
The group fell silent, and Rikku's eyes darted to Braska. He was taking his time while contemplating an answer; finally, he looked up. "The point is that we do not know what might happen this time. Yevon teaches that if we atone for our mistakes, we will one day defeat Sin. The Pilgrimages give people hope. We refer to the confrontation with Sin as the
final
battle because it requires the summoning of our final and most powerful aeon. That is also why we make our way toward Zanarkand, the most difficult of all temples to reach."
"Summoners in Zanarkand? I’m tellin’ ya, I ain't never seen any of those while I was there," Jecht insisted. Still, if Braska's goal had been to stave off the incessant questioning, it had worked; Jecht's boundless curiosity died with the mention of his home, and how much it had obviously changed from the city he knew.
A brief look of regret passed over Braska, which he quickly masked. "But you were asking why Djose differs from the other temples?" he prodded. "You will see when we arrive. It is rather hard to miss."
Discussing the summoning of the Final Aeon was a guaranteed conversation killer, Rikku decided; fortunately they were closing in on the welcoming bridge that led to Djose's temple. An imposing cliffside rose to the left of the path, while an abrupt drop-off to the right of the bridge bordered the sea.
"Here we are," Rikku muttered to herself, admiring the path. The cobblestones and way posts were still in good repair, richly decorated with Yevon's colorful banners which flapped in the cool breeze. It was so unlike the Djose she was familiar with – crumbling, dirty, and clogged with both prospective diggers and junked machina. Here, the wind carried only the pungent scent of the sea inland, rather than the cloying stink of oil and rusting metal. "It's so pretty," she murmured, shocked at how different her recollection was from what actually lay before them.
The jarring dichotomy of memory and reality was her own fault, Rikku realized; Djose hadn't changed into a scrap yard overnight, after all. Fear of lightning kept her own interactions with the temple limited until well after the Machine Faction had commandeered its empty hull. Even when Djose was considered the de facto Al Bhed home camp and she had wrestled with her own demons on the Thunder Plains, Rikku always found a reason not to visit. If she was being honest, that
reason
was Gippal. Even though the leader of the Machine Faction was hardly ever present there, the fear of bumping into him was more than enough to keep her far away.
With his position as head of the Machine Faction, Gippal's practically a shoe-in as Father's successor.
Keyakku might have been able to fill Cid's shoes, but he was gone, killed in Yevon's destruction of Home. She remembered all too well her father's grief at the death of his eldest son; it wasn't just family that he had lost then. Rikku knew deep down that Cid understood neither she nor Brother had what it took to pull, and more importantly,
hold together
the willful spirit of the Al Bhed. She also knew that Cid saw Gippal's interest in her – which was more like an interest in anything on two legs with breasts – as his chance to keep the reigns of leadership within the family.
Wrinkling her nose at the memory, Rikku suppressed a shudder.
Arranged marriages are for Yevonites, not me.
"Is anything wrong?" Jumping with surprise, Rikku was jolted out of her memory only to see Auron eyeing her. "You look as though you were contemplating something important."
"I wouldn't call it
important,
" Rikku replied. "I was just remembering things I wish I’d forgotten."
Father would freak if he heard me saying that about his big wedding plans. I wonder if Gippal would freak, too? Naw, that guy would jump at the chance to get close without the risk of Cid breaking both of his legs. He’d only start freaking once he figured out it was permanent.
"I don't believe you." Auron's deep voice cut through Rikku's vivid imagining of Cid attempting to hog-tie herself to Gippal with an Al Bhed promise rope. "You're thinking of someone important to you."
"How can you be sure?” Rikku sulked. “I could be thinking about what I had for lunch, y'know. Which, by the way, was nothing?"
A hint of a smile ghosted across Auron's face. "No," he said with authority. "It's a person. You wouldn't bother to think that much otherwise."
"Hey!" she protested. "I think all the time! And not just about people!"
"Really?" Jecht interrupted with a grin. "Could've fooled me!"
Auron's smile fell off and he leveled a frosty glare at Jecht before turning back to her. "We can talk about it later. When we have a little more
peace and quiet.
" Rikku watched him stalk off with mixed feelings of relief and disappointment.
"Can't a guy get a break?" Jecht muttered.
Rikku huffed. "Look who's talking! You were making fun of me just now!"
Jecht shrugged, unconcerned. "So? You ain’t no guy, and Auron’s givin’ you plenty of breaks lately, ya kiss-up. ‘Sides, it was for a good cause. You don't mind, right?"
Rikku opened her mouth to protest – and tripped as a loud shriek reached her ears. Looking down, she lifted her foot and found a monkey eyeing her balefully. Recovering its squashed tail, the tiny thing chattered at her before scampering onto a bridge post to stare her down. "Hey, little guy! Didn't see you there..." Rikku cooed nervously. They might have been cute, but Ghiki had taught her very clearly that a furious monkey was nothing but trouble. "Umm, sorry?"
The monkey glared at her, then abruptly launched itself at her face. She ducked, and it flew over her head with a loud screech.
"Close call... hey guys, watch the monkeys!" she yelled as Jecht let out a belly laugh. “What's so funny?”
"You!" Jecht said, pointing. "You're actually scared of a damn mon – !"
A furry body plastered itself against Jecht's face, cutting him off. Muffled shouts could be heard as he staggered across the bridge, clawing at the writhing ball of fur that had attached itself to his head. "Met it moff! Met it moff!"
Rikku winced. "Should we help him?"
Auron, who had stopped to observe Jecht’s flailing, strode on towards the temple after a moment. "Like attracts like," he said. "Just make sure he doesn't fall into the water."
"Well, he is moving in the right direction," Braska observed as Jecht slammed into one of the posts, sending a few more monkeys flying. “Generally.” At least three more of them had joined the first attacker, hanging off of Jecht’s shoulder, arm, and leg. "But we finished the last of our rations on the way here," he observed dubiously. "I'm not entirely certain
how
we could help him."
Another partially-stifled scream was heard –
"...mit me mon meh mass!"
– and Braska and Rikku cringed.
Digging around in her pouch, Rikku's hand closed around a small grenade. “Well, I do have one last trick up my sleeve..." Cupping a hand over her mouth, she called out towards Jecht. "Stay still! Help is on the way!"
"Is that wise – " Braska started to say, but Rikku had already pulled the pin.
"Let 'er rip!" she yelled, tossing the grenade at Jecht. There was a loud boom, and then the monkeys scattered as Jecht collapsed onto the ground. "Oh wow, it really worked!"
"Uhh," Jecht groaned, sitting up with unfocused eyes. "Who turned out the lights?" He rubbed his face, groggy. Then he swiped a hand over his eyes again, this time more urgently. “Wait... my eyes... the little bastards got my eyes! Aww, hell! I can't see nothin'!"
Rikku took care to avoid Jecht's new, monkey-free flailing assault as she darted in and slapped him on the side of the head. "Relax, loser. You're not blind, I just hit you with a smoke bomb. It'll wear off in a little bit."
"A smoke bomb? What the hell were you thinkin'? You coulda killed me!" Jecht scrambled to his feet. He swayed as he rose to his full height, and she grabbed him by the arm to steady him.
"You could say I owed you one," she chirped, slapping him on the back to emphasize her point. The motion nearly sent the disoriented man back to the ground. "Besides, it got rid of the monkey problem, didn't it?"
Braska cleared his throat. "That was not really necessary. The wildlife of Djose is peaceful enough, as long as you do not provoke them." Even as he spoke, a small ring of adoring monkeys had gathered at the hems of Braska's robe, looking deceptively cute and innocent as they watched him with their large eyes. "Besides," he continued, unaware of the animals' attentions, "It would be cruel to take away Jecht's first sight of one of Yevon's more spectacular temples." With a spin of his staff and a few softly spoken words, he whisked the blindness away from Jecht's eyes.
Rikku swore she heard the monkeys cooing in unified awe as Braska's soothing magic hummed through the air. She hid her envious glare. "Well not all of us can be perfect."
Jecht stretched next to her, blinking and enjoying the return of his vision. "Maybe he lines his robes with banana peels." Then he turned full-circle, taking in their surroundings. "Gotta say, Braska. I don't see nothin' special 'bout this place yet."
Braska made a small gesture. "Follow me." As he turned to walk across the bridge, the ring of monkeys surrounding him froze, their ears pointing upwards. Then, in silent streaks of white, they scampered away in unison, disappearing between the rocks.
Rikku gulped. "What was that?"
"They finally figured out he wasn't gonna donate any bananas to the cause?" Jecht quipped. He dropped his hands away from his head, though, one lingering on the hilt of his sword, and sniffed the air. " ‘ey, you guys smell somethin' weird?"
Braska also stopped, a slight frown marring his features. He spared a cursory glance at the rocks, and then turned towards the drop-off, facing the open sea. "The monkeys went into hiding. Something frightened them."
"Eh?" Jecht asked, but Rikku was already hurrying down the path, feeling a roiling sensation in the pit of her stomach. It wasn't a scent Jecht was noticing, but something far more insidious.
"I'm gonna go get Auron, okay?" she said.
"No need," Auron replied as he approached them at a jog. His sword was already out, and Rikku moaned.
"Please say that's just my empty stomach making me queasy." She reached for her daggers and hoped that her denial would break the horrified trance falling over them.
"Strange, that it would come this close to the temple," Auron said to Braska, who only shook his head.
"They say it is drawn to the Hymn. Though, to my knowledge it has only assaulted a temple once before. The presence of the Fayth must be enough to repel an open attack..."
"What? What're you guys talkin' about?" Jecht asked, his frown turning anxious.
Rikku shushed him. "Sin," she whispered, scanning the still-calm waters for any sign of motion. A ripple caught her eye, and she pointed. "Over there!"
Even as she shouted the water broke, waves cresting over the massive hull of the monster as it surfaced. An inhuman roar filled the air, and the ground around them shook. Gigantic waves parted and smashed against the cliffside as Sin swam through the water, its cracked and pock-marked skin hardening into enormous fins which pulsed in the air.
"Holy shi – " Jecht mouthed, his eyes wide.
He's never seen Sin like this before,
Rikku realized; they'd only fought against Sinspawn to date, and Macalania's forests had been much too dense to display the full size of the creature. This Sin was truly impressive, and what was worse, it was kilometers off the coast – and the mere sight of it was still enough to make Rikku's knees go weak. It was bigger than she remembered, a
lot
bigger.
"How many years has it been again since the last Calm?" she squeaked.
"Too many," Auron said grimly.
"Nearly thirty," Braska added, eyeing the beast on the horizon. "It's grown a bit since I last saw it."
Rikku reeled; even from this distance, Sin's aura was beginning to affect them. She clapped a hand over her mouth, trying to take shallow breaths. "The toxin! We've gotta get outta here!"
Auron nodded. "Summon later," he commanded Braska, pushing him down the path towards the temple. "We need to get to safety first."
"But I can still – " Braska protested, his eyes trained on Sin. Rikku flinched at what she saw on his face; fear, obsession and...
hatred?
Something disturbingly close to it warred across his expression.
"Later! There'll be fiends and Sinspawn enough to deal with at the temple," Auron said, now bodily dragging Braska away from the cliffside.
As if waking from a trance, Rikku shook her head and elbowed Jecht, who was still gaping.
"That's the thing that brought me from Zanarkand?" he wondered. He looked at Rikku in confusion. "We’re gonna fight
that
by ourselves?"
"Jecht, focus! We've got to cover them, the fiends will be here any minute! C'mon, do your job! Help me protect Braska!"
Coming out of his stupor, Jecht gave Rikku a tense nod. "Yeah... don't know how we're gonna protect anybody if that thing decides to come over here, though."
"Rikku!" Auron called out, and she gave Jecht one last look before racing towards the others. She saw soon why they'd pulled up short; a basilisk had squeezed out from between the rocks, attracted by the same noxious aura that was making her feel so woozy. Two funguars also sprouted nearby, brought into early bloom by the toxin. "Have you fought these before?" he asked tersely.
Rikku didn't bother to answer; time was short, and with Sin on the coast she didn't want to risk staying in the open. Sprinting forward, she heard Auron's soft curse behind her as he followed. "Rushing in with no plan?" he grunted at her as he prepared his sword. Ignoring him, she focused on the basilisk, trying to avoid its gaze.
Pyreflies, pyreflies…
"Look out! Them plants have teeth!" Jecht shouted from somewhere behind them; it was the only warning before flames washed over her, tongues of magical fire created by the funguars that burned wherever they touched open skin. Gasping at the sudden pain, Rikku's concentration broke. It was too late to stop; her hand was rushing in, but now it wasn't a creature of pyreflies but just a really huge, ugly snake and she
hated
snakes –
"Oww!" Rikku yelled as her palm slapped against the hard, unyielding scales of the furious fiend. It let out an answering roar and swooped down towards her, its fanged mouth open and dripping acidic saliva. "
Aah!
" she screamed, cowering against the strike.
The hit never came; a swoosh of air passed over her head, followed by a wet squelch, and the creature let out a shriek of pain as it skid back a few meters. It was enough space for Rikku to back-roll out of the way of the basilisk's attack.
Auron shoved her backwards, and Rikku marveled at his raw power. She recognized the attack he’d used against the fiend; Power Breaks, he called them – a concentrated strike to a foe's weakest point, to knock its strength away. "Thanks," she wheezed, and Auron whirled his sword around, flicking some blood off the blade.
"We need a plan," he said, trying to keep an eye on the fiend without petrifying himself.
"Plan?” Jecht caught up to them, bouncing in place. “We hit it with our swords 'til it dies!" He formed his fingers into a familiar triangle before throwing a Haste spell over Auron. "Let's go!" he cheered, raising his own sword and rushing in headlong.
"Jecht!" Rikku yelled, but it was too late to stop his charge. Unaware of the danger, Jecht looked up mid-strike and froze in place, telltale signs of graying petrifaction working its way over his legs.
Auron let out a few oaths under his breath. "Can you destroy the funguars with your magic?" he asked.
"I already have a plan," she assured him. "Take care of the snake, and don't worry about me this time."
I won't fail twice.
Gritting her teeth, she rushed in again, ignoring Auron's dismay.
I'm stronger than you. I know it. You're nothing but pyreflies. Give!
She struck hard, pushing her hand through,
between
the basilisk's layers, reaching, searching until her fingers closed around something small and hard. With a shout of triumph, Rikku pulled back the grenade, not pausing in her retreat as she lobbed it at the cliffside. The ensuing explosion sent massive chunks of rock and dust flying into the air, temporarily blinding her as she scrambled in what she hoped was the direction of her companions.
When the smoke cleared, Rikku made out the unique shape of Braska's feathered circlet, waving like a banner in the dusty aftermath. She saw him leaning over Jecht, who looked much less gray than before. "Did I get 'em?" she asked breathlessly, spinning to watch Auron face off with the basilisk. Rays of reflected sunlight flashed into her eyes as she tracked the battle, caught along the blade of his sword, which was in the constant motion.
Braska coughed and straightened, his eyes scanning the cliffside. Then he smiled. "Effective," he noted, pointing at the two newly-formed funguar sculptures gracing Djose's path. "Auron might need some..."
Another squeal of pain was heard, and Rikku watched as the basilisk burst into a cloud of pyreflies at Auron's last, savage strike.
"... assistance," Braska finished.
"Wow," Rikku said, allowing herself a moment to be impressed. Auron turned to face them, ignoring the pyreflies that were still swirling around him.
"No time to talk, let's go!" he shouted, pointing at the path.
"Right," Rikku said, helping Braska heft a woozy Jecht to his feet and hurrying after him.
"Guuuh..." Jecht groaned, gradually regaining the use of his limbs as they half-dragged him down the road. "Maybe I should take up them lessons with Auron again..."
Rikku clenched her teeth. "You did good. Just be glad Auron's better, right now. I don't know if we could take another basilisk..."
Auron pulled up short, motioning for them to stop. "Wait," he said suspiciously. Violent waves burst against the cliffside in a deafening roar, and in the short lull that followed, Rikku heard it – the sound of falling rock, a scrape of scale against stone. She let out a tiny whimper.
"But we just fought that!" Not one, but
two
basilisks slithered out from between the stones to greet them.
Jecht shoved off of her, gripping his sword and staggering towards Auron. "Who cares? We'll take 'em down, just like the other one," he growled.
Auron nodded. "I'd rather take our chances with the snakes instead of Sin." Even he was beginning to sweat, though; the oppressing sensation of the toxin was taking its toll on all of them, any fighting aside.
Rikku gulped, putting on her best game face.
I
really
hate snakes,
she thought, wishing she could give in to the toxin's call to curl up and fall asleep. "Yeah, let's do it!" she forced herself to cheer instead.
I'm not going down without a smile on my face.
"You ready, Braska?" Hearing no answer, her heart skipped a beat –
Was there another fiend? Did the toxin get him?
– and she whirled around to look at him.
He was kneeling on the ground, his staff outstretched, eyes focused on the air before him in abstract concentration. "Braska?"
"Shh!" Auron pulled her back, causing her to trip and stumble against his chest. Steadying herself, Rikku blinked as the pyreflies gathered around the summoner and exploded into a rainbow of crystalline color.
"He’s... gotten better at summoning," Rikku breathed as she watched Shiva burst out of her icy prison with a careless gesture.
"Sin is here. He's motivated," Auron replied. Then he raised his voice, addressing Jecht. "All we can do is stay out of his way."
Jecht, too, was staring as the towering aeon stalked haughtily past him, leaving trails of icy crystals in her wake. "Don't need to tell me twice," he said, scrambling away from the ice elemental after she dropped her veil into his arms. "Don't she look madder than before? That is one bitch I don't wanna cross right now..."
Shiva was already kissing her fingertips in a deadly greeting, icy winds beginning to cyclone around her. Rikku's eyes widened. "Diamond Dust? He's making her do that
now?
But we're too close!"
Auron released Rikku to kneel in front of Braska. "Take cover!" he shouted to her and Jecht.
"No way," Jecht growled, joining Auron and doing his best to make a human shield for Braska.
"Don't be a fool, at least I'm wearing armor," Auron hissed at him, but Jecht's answering glare matched his own.
"If that's what it takes to show you I'm serious, then live with it."
Rikku crouched down on Braska's other side, shivering from the numbing cold surrounding them as Shiva gathered her energy overhead. Auron stopped glaring at Jecht to stare at her.
"You, too?"
"Heh heh..." Rikku laughed nervously. "The more the merrier, I always say!"
Auron's face hardened even as the powerful attack Shiva was unleashing on the unfortunate basilisks screamed through the air, transforming the balmy ocean cliffside into an arctic wasteland.
"Together, then," was the last thing Rikku heard him saying, and then the world was blanketed in white.
.x.x.x.
Rikku woke with a gasp, wheezing and shuddering. "C-c-c-cold!" she croaked, wincing at the painful stiffness in her limbs. She relaxed when she saw Braska sitting across from her, safe, although his eyes were dark with concern.
"Rest," he soothed her, easing her back down onto the bed as her panic subsided.
"What happened? Where's Auron and Jecht?"
Braska's head dropped. "Auron is fine. We were rescued by the warrior-monks stationed at Djose. In fact, we are inside one of their field tents right now. Auron is negotiating with the other monks for our stay here."
"Monks," Rikku said, biting the inside of her cheek. Yevon's army of brutal enforcers. There was a reason Auron was so good at what he did, and now, apparently, he had company. A whole one, from the sound of it. "What're they doing all the way out here?"
"This was not the first sighting of Sin near the coast," Braska explained. "It was seen moving near Luca, out towards the smaller villages. I believe the Church deployed them to protect the other temples."
"And Luca," Rikku added, only to be met with silence. "I mean it's not like they can ignore it, right?"
Braska sighed. "Protecting the temples must take precedence over protecting Blitzball tournaments," he murmured.
Rikku understood what that
really
meant; Luca was in many ways a rival city to Bevelle. Bustling with commerce and nearly as large and densely populated as the capital, it was a major hub for trade and interaction for all Spirans, fuelled by their love for sports. Unlike Bevelle, however, there was no Fayth, no temple, and no overwhelming presence of Yevon – just Blitzball, a game which crossed differing cultures and artificial borders as easily as the Church drew them. No, Rikku understood, if Sin attacked Luca the Church would be the last to step in and interfere.
Just like Mushroom Rock all over again.
"One of Auron's friends is directing the monks’ activities now – Wen Kinoc, have you met him?" Braska smiled faintly. "I suspect that Auron is currently trying to...
broaden
the Church's perspective."
"Fat chance," Rikku mumbled. Catching Braska's look of surprise, she modulated her tone. "Uh, I mean, Kinoc's not here right now, is he?"
Braska shook his head, and Rikku tried to hide the look of relief that crossed her face. "No... but Auron's name still carries some weight with the rest of the monks. I am sure everything will work out for the best."
"Mm-hmm," Rikku added, trying to sound cheerful but failing. Braska didn’t press her, much to her relief. Turning her head, she squinted into the darkness and made out another body on the cot next to her. "Is that Jecht?" she asked, pushing herself up on her elbows. He looked out for the count, breathing deep, steady breaths and for once not snoring.
Rikku waited as Braska stared at the man in question. The silence drew out, and unable to bear the growing tension, she bit. "
Hello?
"
Braska's expression was pinched and drawn. "... I healed him," he finally said. "He is still asleep. Auron said he had told him to flee, but Jecht would not listen." His eyes were still fixed on the slumbering man.
"It's alright. It looks like he's just sleeping." Rikku stretched the kinks out of her back. "I'm sure you did your best." She stopped as she noticed Braska growing rigid. "Huh? What'd I say?"
Braska stood up. "It is nothing," he answered with an air of weariness. "I am glad you are feeling better, Rikku. I just need to step out for some fresh air."
Rikku watched him go, frowning as she massaged one particularly sore muscle in her shoulder.
Wonder what his problem is?
Braska pulled back the curtain covering the entrance to the cramped tent, but stopped before he could run into Auron.
"My lord?"
"She's awake," Braska murmured, brushing past the other man.
Rikku winced at the sudden onslaught of light from his exit and turned her head away – and froze. A small beam of light shone across Jecht, revealing a myriad of angry red welts crisscrossing his arm. The thin strip of light widened, exposing more of his chest, and the trail of scars continued, bisecting his tattoo and creating angry roadmaps across his dark skin. Even without seeing the rest of him, she finally understood why Braska left.
She could almost see it... Jecht, kneeling alongside the rest of them, surrounded by Shiva's summoned frost. The ice encasing them as the aeon lifted a hand, her expression as cold as their deadly blanket. Her fingers snapping, shattering their crystal tomb. Millions of sharpened, tiny knives cutting, piercing, stabbing across Jecht's open skin as the shards flew. Rikku covered her mouth and let out a small gasp of dismay.
"His face was scarred as well," Auron said from his position at the door. He let the curtain drop, the ray of light thinning to a tiny sliver once more. "He almost died to protect Braska from his own aeon."
"What about us? Why are we – oh no!" Rikku felt a small flush of guilt as she ran her hands over her arms and legs, checking for wounds. A weight settled beside her as Auron sat on her cot.
"You are fine," he said. Even in the dim light, Rikku could tell he wasn't looking at her. "You just couldn't leave, as I'd asked you to." A note of muted anger colored his words.
Rikku drew her knees up under her chin. "Why are you so mad about it? And why am I okay while Jecht looks like a tic-tac-toe game?"
Auron stared at Jecht, not meeting her eyes. "I knew what would happen. I couldn't let you take the brunt of that attack. You're nearly as lightly dressed as him," he added, jerking his chin towards Jecht. The tension practically radiated off of Auron.
"You protected me?" she asked. "I thought you were guarding Braska."
"I failed in that duty." Auron's fist tightened against his coat. "Jecht did not."
Feeling guilty, Rikku dropped her head. "I should’ve listened to you." She knew she should have been happy – she was getting her wish, after all: Auron had protected her. It should have been romantic – to be the center of one man's attention, placed above even his own strict code of duty as a Guardian. Instead, she felt brittle inside.
I made him choose. Protect Braska, or protect me. And he chose me.
She closed her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Hnn. Guard your emotions, then guard your Summoner," he said bitterly.
Rikku looked up at Auron. "Do you regret it? Us, I mean?"
Auron faced her. "I never asked for this."
Rikku nodded, ignoring the stab of hurt in her chest, and dropped her chin back onto her knees.
"Do you at least forgive Jecht now?" she asked, remembering how hard the other man had been trying to catch Auron's attention – and approval – before for the attack.
One eyebrow rose in surprise. "Braska was correct. He always had potential. I'm the one who was blind." His words tapered off into the darkness.
"I hear a
but,
" Rikku prodded.
"Forgiving myself is another matter."
His words weren't really that much of a surprise.
Don't turn away just because it hurts,
she wanted to say. Instead, she let out a small sigh of disappointment. "I'm not giving up on us, you know. There's gotta be a way for both of us to be happy."
Auron said nothing, but he didn't protest, and Rikku took that as an encouraging sign.
"But I really am sorry. Next time I won't make you choose, okay?"
"There won't be a next time," Auron declared, standing. "I won't allow it to happen again. Meet us outside when Jecht wakes. The temple awaits us."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Chasing after Auron and Braska in the makeshift warrior-monk camp was not going to go down in history as one of Rikku's finer moments."You can leggo now, I'm fine," Jecht groused as she dug her fingers into the man's meaty forearm. He scowled as her grip only tightened around his elbow in response. "Look, I know a few new scars add to a man's mystery, sweetheart, but this property's taken – "Rikku rolled her eyes upwards and turned her grip into a sharp pinch on the delicate skin of Jecht's inner elbow. It did cause him to let out a high-pitched yelp of pain, cutting him off effectively."I know you're a big strong man and you can handle near death experiences really well, but this isn't about you! Help a girl out with her social anxiety, alright?"Jecht snorted at her. "That ain't like you," he noted, but he also didn't push her arm off.Rikku cast her eyes to the left and right and scooted a little closer. While it might have been her overactive imagination, it felt like a thousand hostile stares were piercing even more holes into her already tatty linen cloak. She pulled the worn cloth closer around her neck, knowing that it actually made no real difference. Their party's entrance to Djose had been nothing short of spectacular, considering how they'd ridden in on a wave of sinspawn and Shiva's ice crystals. Everyone stationed there had already seen and heard their ragtag Pilgrimage arrive in the loudest, most explosive way possible. And it wasn't even a good entrance at that – the days of Y-R-P!ing in with a practiced smile and a well-rehearsed pose were definitely over, Rikku admitted with a wince.Instead, Yevon's crack troops were witness to a disgraced summoner unable to control his own powers, a formerly respected monk who had been ejected from their own ranks, an Al Bhed heretic and an unconscious Blitzball lunatic crashing straight into Djose, right in the middle of Sin's attack.Rescued! They had needed to be rescued! In retrospect, it made the act of attempting to disguise herself behind her robes seem even more pointless, and Rikku straightened her shoulders with a sigh of surrender.Trying to armor herself against the worst of the glares, she considered the mix of monks and crusaders surrounding them. People were always subdued after one of Sin's rampages, but even here she could see conversation dying off as she and Jecht strode past tents, then picking up again in silent, pointed whispers behind them. It could get worse, she figured. Kinoc himself could have been stationed with the battalion camped outside of Djose's temple. Rikku wasn't eager to find out if he was actually there; she was more than willing pass on any possible chance of meeting him. Their first encounter in Bevelle seemed like decades ago in her mind, but even that distance couldn't stop her from remembering the way his lecherous gaze had crawled up and down her body. With an involuntary shiver, she eyed the other warrior-monks milling around, wondering how much of Kinoc's leadership would inevitably rub off onto his troops. Looking up, she saw Jecht's frown as his calloused hand came up to cover hers."You alright?" he grunted, the first notes of actual concern trickling into his voice. "Somethin' happen while I was out?""It's nothing." Rikku plastered an absent smile on her face to mask her discomfort, still keeping her close proximity to Jecht. "I'll be fine as soon as we're out of here," she muttered through her clenched teeth, meeting the stare of yet another silent monk as they passed by. "Have you seen Auron or Braska yet?"Jecht answered her with a grunt and quickened their pace, drawing them away from the makeshift barracks and towards the entrance of the small inn just outside the temple. Rikku felt her shoulders loosening as they left the immediate company of Yevon's faithful army and entered more neutral ground. She spotted Braska and Auron, both tense, waiting near the concessions counter."Chin up, eyes forward!" Rikku yelled at them with false cheer, waving. Braska graced them with a weak smile, but as expected, Auron didn't smile at all."I'm glad to see you are feeling better," Braska said, his eyes running over Jecht and pausing as he assessed the new scars. A fleeting look of pain flickered across his eyes before he smoothed his features. "Did you encounter any problems exiting the camp?"Jecht shrugged, dislodging Rikku and pointed a thumb at her. " ‘Sides the little lady here worryin' about nothin', not really." He scowled as he took in his three companions, each drawn with more tension than he was used to seeing. "What gives? Why're you all lookin' like we're about to enter a Blitzoff with a losin' team?" His brows rose as he took in Auron's stony countenance, which was even more intimidating than his usual game face. "Even you, ice-man?"Auron let out a gusty sigh and unfolded his arms. He tilted his chin at the camp they'd just exited and narrowed his eyes. "It seems no matter how far from Bevelle we travel, the hand of Yevon continues to reach out to cast shadows over us all."Braska dipped his head with a wry smile. "Some of these shadows are of our own making, Auron."Auron's expression tightened, and he turned to Braska. "My lord, what happened was not your fault – ""Hey!" Rikku chimed in, breaking her uncharacteristic silence before chewing on a fingernail. "All this doom and gloom is great, I mean, par for the course with the Yevon and all that, but we have more important questions to answer. You know, like are they after us? "Jecht scratched his head, nonplussed. "Why would they be after us? We ain't done nothing wrong, right?" At the extended silence, his eyebrows shot up. " Right? "Braska coughed into his hand. Auron grit his teeth. Rikku pointed at herself and gaped. "I feel like I'm missin' something here," he answered blankly. As Rikku opened her mouth, he waved her down. "Well, besides you. I already got this Al Bhed stuff down. You hate ‘em, they hate you, we all hate each other, big deal."Rikku eyed the others and sighed. "Let's get inside. I can feel those guys staring at us. We can walk and talk, right?" As they made their way towards the temple entrance, she stopped and looked back at the camp, her brow furrowing. "I'm surprised they're not asking for your help though. Usually there's a lot of Sending needed after Sin hits the coast."Braska shook his head. If his feathers could droop, they probably would. As it was, the way his posture bowed was a story in and of itself. "I did offer my services, and there were a few who accepted… among the civilians." He attempted a smile at Jecht's puzzled look. "Sending the souls of the departed to the Farplane is one of a summoner's primary duties. We allow those who have passed to find peace, preventing their restless souls from turning into fiends. Even so, there are many among the warriors who feel strongly about allowing one such as myself to perform that sacred ritual.""Because of us Guardians?" Jecht asked, for once displaying something akin to tact rather than pointing his finger at Rikku."Not just us," Auron interrupted. "Braska married into the Al Bhed." He paused. "And not just any Al Bhed. Raenn was the sister of Cid, leader of the Al Bhed tribe. It was seen by many in the Church as the greatest of betrayals."This news made Jecht stumble to a stop. "Wait, doesn't that make Blondie here like a princess or somethin'?"Rikku tripped over air and bit back a laugh. "Are you for real?" she managed, wiping at her eyes. "We don't pass down leadership, that's dumb! Every tribe votes in whoever they want, and the tribe that yells the loudest usually gets the reins." She pointed to herself. "My family's been in the running for years because we've always been really good at tinkering. But saying we rule the Al Bhed would be like saying the wind rules the desert. All Cid really does is bluster at a whole bunch of grains of sand and hope they move in the same direction." She didn't add in that as Cid's daughter, one of the foremost synthesists in the world and companion to the vanquisher of both Sin and Vegnagun, many people had actually taken up to calling her just that, "the Al Bhed Princess." It was a nickname that didn’t carry any social weight, and it was also one she didn’t particularly appreciate, as it came with a whole lot of ribbing around the friends who knew her best. Damn Gippal and his catchy pet names. Braska nodded in agreement. "Yes, those who have been amongst your people know this. The Al Bhed detest following authority, even within their ranks. It is rare, however, for someone raised within the strict structure of the Church to grasp, let alone understand their unique, chaotic concept of self-rule." He stopped as they reached the foot of the stairs leading to the temple doors, eyeing them pensively. The usual honor guards stationed there had been forgone in the wake of Sin's attack; besides, an entire encampment of soldiers now stood directly before the temple itself. A few nuns bustled in and out of the stone building, but they all seemed busy trying to control the damage wrought by Sin and paid little attention to the summoner's party. "I may as well have declared open war on Yevon with my actions. It is a wonder they allowed me to stay in Bevelle as it is," Braska finished, avoiding the curious gaze of a passing nun."Huh." Jecht rubbed his chin. "But what about you?" He directed his question at Auron this time.Auron stilled, his jaw working for a moment as he tried to address Jecht's question. "It isn't that simple." Rikku reached out, touching his arm, and he flinched away from her. Bits and pieces, she knew the official version of The Legendary Guardian Auron's story as well as any other Spiran. The warrior-monk who rose to greatness within the Church, and then used that greatness to propel Braska to become the Champion of Yevon, rather than settling for the title of a Maester for himself. He, alone among the Guardians of recent memory, had lived to tell the tale of the High Summoner's Pilgrimage. Well, Rikku thought to herself. We all know how accurate Yevon's revisions of history are. Still, curiosity was consuming her; Tidus hadn't shared much about Auron when they were together, and the man himself had only talked about his past when push came to shove. Typically only when other overpowered Unsent like Seymour or Yunalesca were doing the shoving, at that.Determined, she reached out and grasped his arm again. "Come on, Auron. It helps, letting those secrets out to your friends." She smiled at him, and his posture softened as he gave her a miniscule nod."To understand their hatred, you must understand what the warrior-monks are," Auron began, facing the small tent-barracks built before the temple. "For many years, there was open warfare between the Church of Yevon and the Al Bhed. Defending the people from Sin has always been the primary reason for the existence of the crusaders, but the warrior-monks were established to enforce the teachings of Yevon to the wider world. By whatever means necessary.""Uh-huh, so them crusaders are like the cops, but them monks are like the army, right?" Jecht gestured at the groups of soldiers scuttling about.Auron’s eyes grew clouded. He unhitched his sword and sat on the steps, his body sagging. Rikku could barely contain her shock; she could see Braska in a similar state. Auron the proud, Auron the stoic – he never bowed, he never stopped, he never rested. But for all intents and purposes, he seemed to have melted onto the roughly hewn stone steps. He looked… like his older self in that moment, Rikku realized. Exhausted. Both powered and weighted by the force of his regrets."The crusaders are the hope of the people. The dreams of the young, the idealistic. They're just children, some of them." He clasped his hands together and leaned forward onto his knees, gazing over the soldiers milling about their camp. "They were folded into the arms of Yevon long ago, but only after their leader, Lord Mi'ihen, proved their worth to the Church. It had been a struggle, won by the humility and heroism of one lone man. That struggle and heroism appeals to the youth of today, much more than the strict mores of the nuns and the warrior-monks. The crusaders have attracted the more independent members of Yevon's faithful in recent times. This new idealism has once again put them at odds with the Maesters."Only Braska seemed to have any idea of what Auron was speaking of; Rikku watched cluelessly as Braska sat, albeit with more grace, next to Auron and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You can't protect everyone, Auron," he said. "Are you not the one who told me to choose my battles?"Auron smiled wryly and dropped his forehead against his clasped hands. "And look at the choice you have made."Braska squeezed his shoulder and released it. "My choices were never your burden to carry, my friend."Gathering himself, Auron looked up from his seat towards Jecht. "I was initiated into the order of the warrior-monks at the age of thirteen. It had been my whole life. The monks do not look kindly upon… idealism. " His gaze cut over to Rikku, and she nodded in understanding. Every Al Bhed knew the blind, vicious devotion to Yevon carried by the warrior-monks. Fanaticism was an integral part of their training. It was what made them so good at killing – especially the things that weren't fiends. It was a lesson no Al Bhed community had managed to escape learning during the wars; the monks had even assisted Seymour in the destruction of her own Home."It wasn't until I met Braska that my own opinions began to soften," he continued. "Until then, I was merely an unquestioning tool of Yevon. A well-honed blade in the service of Church. When Braska became a missionary, I was appointed as his bodyguard for several reasons. My skill, my good standing within the monks, and the understanding that if Braska's mission of outreach to the Al Bhed failed, I would provide the Church with a simpler method of saving them." He fingered the hilt of his sword and avoided looking at Rikku.A numb silence settled in Rikku's mind. Auron? An assassin? A spy? Both? Was he sent to find Home or kill my father? Or maybe kill all of us, Keyakku and Brother and me too? Her stomach flip-flopped as she processed the information. She wouldn't have put it past Mika to issue a kill order on Cid's entire family, but the fact that Auron hadn't freaked out about the revelation of her real name gave her some hope. Maybe Yevon wasn't always in the business of killing children. Then again, Yunie had only been seventeen when she started her Pilgrimage, and Pacce couldn't have been more than ten years old despite being Isaaru's "Guardian.""Obviously, I failed," he finished."I wouldn't call your decision a failure," Braska corrected him, and Rikku found her head bobbing in agreement. Auron still avoided her gaze though, and her heart clenched. That stupid man, she thought, though it was devoid of any true anger. Only Auron could master the art of self-flagellation for choosing to be something other than a Yevonite dirtbag.Auron spread his hands, his features descending into a hardening scowl as he glared at the small encampment spread before them. "Even afterwards, I was still offered a chance. They needed someone to rein in the crusaders. The idealists. A firm hand to guide them away from those beliefs conflicting with Mika's grand vision. All it would take to prove my loyalty was one arranged marriage."" The priest's daughter!" Rikku blurted out, remembering their first conversation in the dungeons of Bevelle. "Braska said you had to marry a priest's daughter." Auron stiffened even further at her exclamation. Her nose scrunched as she thought about it. "But how would that prove anything?"Braska smiled humorlessly. "Why, Rikku, it would have proven both his loyalty to the will of the Maesters and his trustworthiness to the idealism of the crusaders. Auron would have made them a perfect leader, uniting diversity within the folds of Yevon. No one would have questioned his rule as a fair and unbiased source. A new Lord Mi'ihen for the faithful." So that was their plan, Rikku mused to herself. It still worked, in the end; " Legendary Guardian Auron" was just as big of a lure for the ranks of the Yevonites as " Neo Lord Mi'ihen" might have been. She imagined she could hear the sound of Auron's teeth grinding together as his jaw worked. "I left everything to Kinoc. The crusaders, the monks. He'll have control of them all one day, the poor bastards. Sometime I wonder if it was worth it," he spat out."Hold up now, I still don't get it," Jecht said. "Why couldn't you just suck it up and marry that girl, if you still care so much about them monks and crusader kids? I mean I get it, you're buddies with Braska, and you've got Blondie now, but you still gave up all that fame and fortune – " here, he gestured at the troops, " – for this? What was wrong with her?"And then all the pieces clicked into horrible place as Braska gave Auron another pat on his shoulder. "Nothing. Nothing at all. She is perfect in every way. Still, I have to admit that I am thankful for Auron's decision. I only wish for Yuna to be able to choose her own path in this world someday."The shocked silence lasted for a few moments before Jecht exploded. " She's only seven! " he roared, drawing the gaze of several soldiers. "How could they even – !"Auron stood up and grabbed his sword, swinging it onto his back with a violent jerk and silencing Jecht's outburst. "She's half Al Bhed and the daughter of a priest. In the eyes of Yevon, she is merely a point to be made in an argument that has spanned generations." He paused and glared at Rikku. "And yes, the irony of it now does not escape me.""Auron…" Rikku bit her lip, unable to offer anything more."Enough," he ground out. "We're here for the Fayth, not my life story." With that, he turned and marched up the steps, silent and angry once more.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Cool air washed over Rikku as they entered the darkened antechamber of the temple. Tall, solemn statues stood vigil around the entrance to the Cloister of Trials, silently judging the group gathered before them. She shivered, pulling her cloak tighter around her body. It was her first time inside of Djose Temple, at least while it was still a temple. Converted as it was in the future into the base of the Machine Faction, Rikku had graced the halls frequently. By then, however, anger at the Church as well as the practical study of the machina there had ensured that its new Al Bhed residents had stripped the temple completely. It was barely recognizable to her in its original state; the difference in times was striking. Gone was the familiar warmth, crackling noise and unique oil-metal-and-sweat scent of the always-bustling camp orchestrated by Gippal and his minions. In its place lonely silence kept guard.Her eyes settled on the grand pedestal before the Cloister, where a tall, cold-faced statue of a woman stood, larger and more weathered than the others surrounding it. Another unknown face to her, a High Summoner from times long past – perhaps a Champion of Djose once. The woman's story was forgotten to the passing of time, remembered only in the musty history books recorded by Yevon's priests and in her solemn gaze over the barren floor."That is the Lady Farron." Braska's hushed voice brushed against her ears as he came to stand beside her. Naturally, he of all people would know exactly who this bleak, anonymous figure represented. "Has she caught your interest?"Rikku pushed the hood of her cloak away and tugged at a braid of hair, her eyes still trained on the statue. "I don't know anything about her," she admitted. "Except that it's a big statue, so she must've been a High Summoner. She did this, she made the same journey we are. She overcame all of the obstacles facing her and defeated Sin once. And I still don't know a single thing about her story." Her words echoed through the nearly-empty temple."She may be gone, but her sacrifice was never forgotten," Braska countered. "Lady Farron conquered Sin over eight hundred years ago. She helped pave the path we summoners still walk, even today."Rikku brought her arms around herself and gripped her elbows. "She looks sad.""But she brought the world happiness, for a time." Braska shifted, and Rikku recognized the minute movement for what it was: discomfort. His words and his face never gave anything away, but even he couldn't completely mask the struggle that came with choosing a summoner's sacrificial path. His restlessness in the serenity of the temple was more than enough of a tell. Uneasy, Braska moved away from her, and she squinted upwards into the sculpture's face.The anger at the Church in Rikku's own era had not spared many of the temples, including the High Summoners' statues. The way Braska still struggled with himself over the Pilgrimage pulled at her, even knowing that he would become the catalyst for Spira's change through his own journey. The broken stone and chipped faces from her own memories only added to her torn feelings. Had all of those long-ago sacrifices been so carelessly discarded, forgotten in the bright new world of the future?For the first time Rikku felt a twinge of regret for what the Machine Faction had done to Djose Temple. Her love for Yevon certainly hadn't grown over the course of this Pilgrimage, but her conscience tugged at her for the needless desecration all the same. The High Summoners were once just like Braska, sacrificing everything in order to instill the world with what they believed was real hope. They too were victims, just as much as the misled masses of the faithful. They hadn't deserved her anger.Surprised, Rikku was finally able understand how Baralai's New Yevon faction managed to obtain a foothold of power at the start of the Eternal Calm. That had always been incomprehensible to her during time with the Gullwings; she had always wondered who could accept that there had been anything good in Yevon's thousand-year-old cycle of lies and death. Now, however, standing in the gravitas of a temple which would ultimately be lost to Spira's mad rush for change, nothing seemed as clear-cut as it had anymore. No matter how false the teachings had been, sometimes there were more reasons to hold on to the past.And not all of the summoners’ statues had suffered the same fate, after all; no one dared deface a statue of High Summoner Braska while Yuna was still alive. Lady Farron, too, had been spared destruction at the hands of the Al Bhed. But she wound up forgotten, Rikku knew. In a few short years, the statue of the woman before her would crumble and disappear, only to be moulded into the face of Braska himself, the new Champion of Djose. Let those dark thoughts go, Rikku chastised herself and hurried to catch up with the others. Auron was speaking with the priest standing before the doors of the Cloister, while Jecht and Braska held back. "Are we good?" she asked, rubbing her arms to ward off the chill brought about from her morose introspection.Jecht nodded at Auron, who was making his way back towards them. "Looks like it. Say, ya got any tips for us? You're the best at solving all them crazy puzzles they throw at us. Or are ya gonna sit this one out too?"Rikku shook her head, pulling herself together. "I'm with you this time," she declared, winning a smile from Braska."Then let us begin." Braska swept through the rumbling doors which opened before them. With a sense of building excitement, they trudged into…… an even smaller antechamber than before. The doors sealed shut with an ominous thud, and soon the only light in the room was the dim glow filtering in from two spheres embedded into the walls. A low buzzing sound filled the room; Rikku recognized it as the hum of electricity powering up and waited expectantly."This trial supposed to be about seein' in the dark?" Jecht asked after a few moments, when nothing else happened."Maybe we have to do something to the spheres?" Rikku guessed, throwing her arms out and flailing her way towards one of the glowing walls. She gripped a sphere in her hand and yanked it out of its socket, and instantly the room descended into shadows even blacker than before."Great idea," floated Jecht's dry answer through the darkness.Inwardly thanking Lulu for beating into her the most basic black magic lessons ( "Control, Rikku. I know this is difficult for you, but you must learn control. Now hold that flame until the skoll is roasted or there'll be nothing for dinner tonight!" ) and whispered the invocation for a Fire spell. The flame sprang to life in her palm and lent some illumination to the small room. "Anyone find anything useful?" she asked, raising her arm above her head to spread the light as far as possible.Auron was already prying the other sphere out of the opposite wall, and Jecht looked on in surprise. " ‘ey man, what're you doin'? Ain't you the one always tellin' us to be careful? Look before you leap into that pit of spikes and all that?""We won't get anywhere by standing around waiting for the door to open itself," Auron said. "So where do we put it?" he asked Rikku without preamble."How should I know? I've never been here before!" she shot back, flushing. Maybe I oversold myself in Bevelle. "You're the tinkerer," he replied with a hint of censure. "Can't you solve this puzzle?""Technically, Braska's the summoner, so he's supposed to be the one to figure this out," Rikku hedged. "And stop putting me on the spot! I'm already being our resident human torch!""Over here." Braska's reply saved her. No one had noticed as he wandered off to study the decorative reliefs carved onto the walls of the chamber; now, he stood before a simplistic render of a stylized horse's head. Rikku recognized it as Ixion, but honestly, it looked as though the artists of Djose had been shocked one too many times by the resident aeon while decorating. If anything, the carving looked more like a deranged goat of some kind than a majestic unicorn. "It looks like the nostrils of this sculpture are also sphere sockets," Braska told them.Jecht let out a hoot as Auron and Rikku both reflexively looked at the spheres in their hands. They were, of course, colored an unfortunate shade of sickly green."Eww…" Rikku said, scrunching up her face as she shoved her sphere into the socket. "Someone else gets to touch the sphere boogers next time, I pass!"Auron grunted in faint amusement as he placed his own sphere into the socket next to hers. "This is a holy sculpture of Djose. Do you always have to bring things to the lowest common denominator with your crude humor?"Privately Rikku was glad Auron was unclenching so quickly after revealing his past to them. It seemed airing his frustration to their small group had actually worked to relieve him of some of his constant tension. He wasn't even really sniping at Jecht for once despite their close quarters – and the ensuing bad jokes."Look, you're gettin' slimed!" Jecht snickered even as Braska shook his head in disbelief. Of course, now that he'd said it, Rikku couldn't unsee it – the nose of the creature they'd filled with spheres was overflowing and running into two parallel grooves on the floor, filling the room with luminescent "mucus.""I don't think I'm going to manage to ever see this aeon the same way again," Rikku mumbled as the wall split apart and opened a path deeper into the heart of the temple. As they entered the next small chamber, she sniggered and found herself agreeing with Jecht for once. "Oh look, a symbol of Yevon made up out of a pool of snot." She pointed at the floor. "If the shoe fits..."Braska let out another long-suffering sigh and cut her off. "Might we at least pretend to show a bit of respect? I haven't won over the Fayth yet." He stepped forward and eyed the symbol on the floor with a stone pillar rising directly from the center of it. "It is incomplete. I suspect we will have to find a way to make all portions of the symbol light up.""Well, we could all try sneezin' at the same time!"Three groans rose in unison to Jecht's suggestion, and Auron took charge. "There's enough light to see here from that sphere in the wall. Braska, you take the left corridor. Rikku, you and I will go right. Jecht, stay here at the symbol and shout if anything changes."Braska opened his mouth and then shut it, his eyes crinkling in amusement as he glanced between Auron and Rikku. Shaking his head, he turned off and made his way down the corridor. Jecht wasn't as blissfully quiet or subtle about the division of duties."You got a real soft touch, Auron. Don't use this as an excuse to play tonsil hockey though! We'll hear it!"Rikku tried to cover her cheeks, an automatic reaction to hide the embarrassment splashing across her face. Her flush only deepened as Auron's hand shot out and caught her palm, preventing her from burning half of her face off. With a surprised yelp, she shook out the flame, releasing control of her Fire spell. Then she glared at Jecht, who was smirking at both of them. "Real funny big guy!"She turned to Auron, mouth open to complain, and shut her jaw with a click as Auron's hand came up to graze her cheek. "Are you hurt?" he asked, his eyes roving across her face. He seemed completely unaffected by Jecht's exaggerated coo in the background. All Rikku could do was mutely shake her head, her "Nu-uh" coming out as more of a squeak than a whisper. He spent another moment searching – or maybe just judging, because who could tell with Auron – before he released her with a nod and turned down the corridor. "Coming?" he asked without looking back.Rikku recovered from her daze quickly enough to turn to Jecht and point at him with one finger. "Not a word! Not ONE SINGLE WORD," she warned, before running after Auron.Jecht only shook his head, still chuckling to himself. "You guys just make it too damn easy."
.x.x.x.
The rune puzzle was fairly easy to decipher in the end, although the unexpected bottomless pit of CRACKLY LIGHTNING DEATH, as Rikku liked to call it, had been an unpleasant surprise. Still, they’d easily unlocked the final staircase leading towards the Chamber of the Fayth, and she even managed to hand off the destruction sphere they'd unearthed to Auron without Braska taking notice.Now, gathered before the closed chamber, Rikku marvelled at the difference she felt from the other temples. The deep bass of Djose's Hymn swirled around them, soothing and comforting now that she finally allowed herself to accept its beauty. There was no pressing desire to crash Braska's communion with the Fayth. Most likely not by coincidence, she had also yet to feel an uncontrollable urge to seize up in front of the others while foaming at the mouth. In fact if anything, the atmosphere in the temple felt… relaxed, for once. Crossing her arms over her head, Rikku found a smile bubbling up when she faced Braska. "Good luck in there!" She actually meant it.Braska nodded in acknowledgement, but hesitated. "I do have one small request to make of each of you before I begin my prayers," he told them.Auron stood at attention, and Rikku lined up next to Jecht behind him. "Anything, my lord."Braska's smile widened at the sight. "Cooperation between my Guardians. I could get used to this," he mused."Don't hold your breath. It'll only last a minute and thirty-seven seconds," Rikku shot back with a wink, earning herself another grin."My favor will require a bit longer than that I fear," he replied. "But it is nothing taxing. I merely ask that you wait for me outside. I want all of you to be able to witness the true face of Djose if I am successful.""When," Auron corrected him. "Are you sure? You're always weakened after praying to the Fayth. I could remain behind and – "Braska declined with a firm shake of his head. "No, Auron. I think all of you have earned a chance to see this. Djose Temple opens only rarely, and only in the presence of a successful summoner. It is the least I can do to repay all of you for the support you have given me so far." Rolling his hands together, he performed the traditional bow to all three of them and straightened. "Now, off you go. I will do my best!"With only a token grumble of protest, Auron herded them towards the steps. As soon as Braska disappeared behind the closing doors, Rikku drew them back. "Wait a minute! Have you still got the goods?" she asked Auron.Jecht stopped stared at her. "Goods? What're ya talkin' about? Those glowin' snotballs?""Sorta," Rikku hedged, and nudged Auron's boot with her toe. With a sigh, he reached into his coat and pulled out the destruction sphere he'd hidden there."Whoa!" Jecht said, the jokes leaving him as the sphere's aura visibly dampened the room. “The hell is that?""We're not sure," Rikku said, "but I think we don't really wanna know. What I do know is that it blows things up, though!""It's a bomb?" Jecht yelped, withdrawing his questing finger almost as quickly as he'd pointed it to poke the offending object."A bomb that landed you your sword," Rikku corrected. "The first one made the path that led to the treasure chest holding it." She raised a fist and danced in place, her old sphere-hunting senses taking over. Wherever there's treasure, there's a Gullwing! "Who knows what we'll find with this one!""I'd sooner get rid of it as well," Auron noted, approaching the lone platform with the sphere socket. "This thing makes my skin crawl." He slotted it in, and they watched as a sickly pink line of energy lit up and raced away from the platform and towards one of the far walls. There was a loud bang, and then a small cloud of dust rose up from the corner of the stairwell."I'm not paying for that," Rikku said immediately."What they don't know won't hurt them," Auron replied, moving towards the debris as the dust cleared. As expected, a chest lay behind the ruined stone panel, and Rikku rubbed her hands together in anticipation while Auron cracked it open. Then he paused, a look of confusion on his face."Oh come on! What is it? Another sword?" she asked, hopping from foot to foot."Or a magic warrior blitzball?" Jecht cut in more hopefully."I'm not sure," he said, pulling the item out of the chest and standing. "I think it's a glove. Or a shield of some kind." He turned around and held the object out towards them, and Rikku felt her world narrow down to the weapon in his hand. She covered her mouth and choked back a sob."Rikku?"A tear really did escape her as she rushed forward and wrenched it out of Auron's loose grip, cradling it to her chest.
My friend! I thought I lost you forever after we beat Sin – !
The Godhand she clutched almost felt as if it was warming and purring in response to her silent greeting. It had slipped from her grasp after that final, gruelling battle within the bowels of Sin, much like the Celestial Weapons of the others. With all of the pyreflies floating around from bursting Aeons, Aurons and Tiduses, none of them had truly cared that their weapons had also deemed their jobs done. It didn't stop Rikku from sorely missing hers, though. The Celestial Weapons had almost seemed alive back then, merely dormant until wakened with the power of the crests and sigils tuned to their natures. It was just as well that time seemed to flow fluidly in any direction for the weapon itself; it responded eagerly to her touch, still thrumming with the full measure of magic they'd worked so hard to unlock during Yuna's Pilgrimage. "I missed you," she whispered to it, stroking the metal."Man, chicks and their obsession with accessories," Jecht said as he eyed her. Auron was less irreverent about the find; he recognized the Godhand as one of the legendary Celestial Weapons, even if he didn't know what it was or why it had bonded to Rikku."An explanation?" he demanded, though not unkindly. "Is that what I think it is?"Rikku nodded, drying her tears and slipping the familiar weapon over her forearm. She felt complete as she did so, as if she'd been travelling naked all this time and only realized it in that moment. "It's a brass knuckle and a targe in one," she said after a moment, stretching her arm out and revelling in the feel of it. "I call it the Godhand.""It's yours," Auron said, his voice reflecting his surprise. "That Celestial Weapon chose you?"Jecht picked up on Auron's interest and was now eyeing the weapon with open curiosity. "How come it's so different from mine? Yours is…" He gestured helplessly at the air, unable to voice what Rikku already knew. "It's all magicky , right?" Alive , Rikku amended. "You have to wake the magic in them to get them to feel this responsive," she explained. No use holding back, since they were staring at the proof of a wakened Celestial Weapon right on her arm. "I'm guessing you need to find the Neptune crest to match your sigil."Jecht whistled under his breath. "So yours is awake?""We managed to activate it during my first Pilgrimage, but it just kinda… disappeared after that ended," she admitted. Then she fell into her old, familiar low battle crouch, testing the Godhand while rocking back and forth. She needed to shift her center of balance to familiarize herself with its lone weight on her arm; it was so much heavier than her light twin daggers. It only took a few short moments, however, to regain the feel of it, like slipping into a comfortable pair of old shoes. Her already broad smile widened. I must look like an idiot to those two, rocking on my heels like this! Instead, when she straightened and met Auron's eyes, there was a glint to them that hadn't been there moments ago. It looked suspiciously like approval. With another small shock, she also realized her defensive style while using the Godhand was actually quite similar to Auron’s."It's a bit different from what they taught the monks, but you know the basic form," he noted, mirroring her pose with his own bracer-covered arm. Of course, Auron didn't slouch and bounce around like a punch-drunk monkey when he guarded, but Rikku was surprised to see he was right. Why didn't I ever notice that before? Too distracted by that huge sword, or maybe the muscles holding it up. "You are quicker than I. It's more suited to your style," he mused. Auron moved closer, still studying the Godhand with avid interest, though he did spare a moment to meet her eyes and quirk his lips upwards. "Quite the secret to be hiding. You should have let us know earlier that you could fight.""Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" The pleased flush brought about from his flattery was displaced by indignation. With a scowl that matched Auron's rising humor, she realized he was baiting her. Well, it’s working , she admitted with a sulk. Poop head! "I've been pulling my weight just fine with my daggers! Excuse you!"Jecht sniggered.Rikku blinked, becoming aware of how close she and Auron were standing, matching stares as he challenged her. He'd pressed himself so near to her that she could feel his breath on her lips and the warmth of his skin. That immediately lit up an interesting avenue of thought that had her own eyebrows lifting in surprise. Hmm. So Auron like-likes it when we talk shop about fighting, huh? Now that had possibilities. Still, having Jecht cheer them on as an observer in the background pretty much killed the moment, and she stepped back."I told you, he's a smooth operator," Jecht repeated, holding up his hand for a high-five with Auron that was pointedly ignored."Come on," Auron told them. "If Braska wants us to be outside the temple when he addresses the Fayth, then we need to be there." They made their way down the steps and outdoors once more, and even the presence of the crusaders and monks milling around wasn't enough to dampen Rikku's spirits.It did have a sobering effect on Auron, though, who eyed the sudden flurry of activity within the camp suspiciously. "Something's happening – " He cut off as the ground began to tremble under their feet."Whoa!" Jecht yelled, windmilling his arms to keep his balance. "Is Sin attackin' us again?""Not quite," Rikku said, a knowing smile passing over her face. The Machine Faction liked to keep the temple permanently fired up with their equipment, but there was something to be said for seeing a summoner do it on his own. "Look up, guys!"Even the bustling monks and crusaders paused as a huge beam of electricity flew out from the apex of the rocky temple. A low whine and a rumble was the only warning before the rocks themselves flew apart, exploding into huge, gravity-defying chunks that rotated slowly around the now-exposed man-made temple. "He did it! Braska got the aeon!" Rikku cheered, picking herself up off the ground and dancing despite the quakes."It was never a question," Auron replied. Still, his deceptive tone did nothing to disguise the incredulous stare he was directing towards the spinning boulders floating overhead; clearly he'd never witnessed Djose Temple blooming with his own eyes."Whoa..." was all Jecht could manage, his jaw hanging loose.After a short while, the tremors subsided and the rocks descended towards the temple, sealing it in its dormant state."I guess that's our cue," Rikku began, but snapped her mouth closed as a uniformed monk brushed by her, entirely too close for comfort. Her skin crawled when she realized just who had done the brushing as he removed his helmet.Auron, always quick to recover, noted the intrusion with displeasure. All of the tension they'd managed to dissolve with their sojourn inside of the Temple made a swift reappearance."Wen," he bit out, performing the obligatory bow. His sharp eyes never left the other man's face."Auron. Good to see you around, though I'm a little surprised that those two are still with you." Kinoc's gaze shifted towards Rikku and a slow grin formed. "Or have you finally seen the wisdom in taking my advice?" He leered at her. "Hello again, sweet thing."Rikku skipped backwards, scowling at Kinoc, and didn't protest when she bumped into Jecht."That the problem you were havin' in the camp earlier?" At Rikku's nod, he cracked his neck aggressively and thudded a menacing fist into his palm as a greeting."To what do we owe this pleasure Wen?" Auron interrupted brusquely. "As you can see, Lord Braska has completed his task. We must to return to his side."Kinoc directed his oily smile towards Auron, folding his arms behind his back. "Far be it from me to keep a Guardian from his duties," he offered, though the way he drew out the word made it sound more like an insult. "I'm afraid, however, that I find myself in need of your help."Auron snorted. "You have your men for that.""Yes, I do." Kinoc's easy smile dropped from his face, shadowed by something darker. Then the smile returned, albeit smaller and colder than before. "But come now, is that the way to treat an old friend? You do still owe me after all," he added, this time looking at Rikku with no hint of amusement."I'm not going anywhere with you," Rikku spat out, finding her backbone. She wasn't in prison anymore, and the Godhand thrummed comfortingly on her arm. She narrowed her eyes at Kinoc's scornful laugh."Relax, I've no use for the likes of you," Kinoc answered, dismissing both her and Jecht from his mind as if they were no more than trash under his steel-toed boots. "I only need you for this for this mission, Auron."Auron grunted, his face giving away nothing as he looked at his companions, and Rikku cringed. Don't do it, Auron. Don't listen to him! You're with us now, you don't have to take this guy on alone! Leave your past where it belongs, in the dust! She tried to convey her thoughts with her expression, wishing she still had her Psychic dressphere around."I'll go," Auron ground out, and Rikku sagged in defeat as Jecht let out a yell of protest. She straightened again at his next words, though."But I won't go alone."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Mushroom Rock Road was as unsightly as ever – nothing seemed to be able to change the odd, bare path by the sea. Its austerity belied the fact that it was one of the bloodiest coastlines in the world. It had survived the Great Machina War, weathered countless attacks by Sin, and stood through battles between Spira’s opposing factions. Now, it was host to an unlikely group of Guardians and their outcast Summoner rushing to meet an unknown purpose for the very Church that had scorned them.“I’m ridin’ a giant, oversized chicken,” was Jecht’s contribution to this historic moment.“Chocobo, Jecht!” Rikku corrected him. His mount let out a loud wark of agreement.“Whatever!” He spat out a tuft of downy feathers that had flown into his mouth. “What’re we doin’ here anyway? And why haven’t we travelled by chocobo before? This is awesome! ” Though it was his first time on the giant birds, his athlete’s reflexes were serving him well; Jecht had taken to chocobo riding as easily as he played Blitzball.Braska pulled up alongside them, also doing exceptionally well. It was rather impressive that he could stay seated, considering how much of his outfit was flapping in the wind. He had chosen to forgo his feathered helmet for the ride, however, and Rikku was distracted by the sight of his braid whipping out behind him. It reminded her of Yuna’s own braid, which she refused to trim. Did everyone in Yuna’s family have a thing for excessively long hair?“Chocobos are too expensive for us to rent,” Braska shouted at them, bringing her back to the present. “These steeds are on loan from the Chocobo Knights themselves!” Courtesy of one Wen Kinoc, Rikku amended sourly, focusing on the path ahead where the man in question and Auron were racing side-by-side. They hadn’t been given much of an explanation other than the order to get to the promontory connecting the Mi’ihen Highroad with Djose as quickly as possible. But even without any knowledge of what they were rushing towards, Rikku couldn’t find herself complaining. The loaned chocobos were shaving time off of their journey. Better yet, they gave her an excuse to breeze by the Den of Woe without having to think about Shuyin’s presence there, still trapped as an angry spirit.
“It’d be nice to know what kind of doom and gloom we’re running towards this time,” she did add, loudly enough for her companions to hear. She reined in her chocobo when Kinoc and Auron slowed down; the road was giving way to a steep incline, over which the faint sounds of battle could be heard. As if to answer to her own question, bile rose in her throat and a queasy wave of familiarity washed over her. Oh, poopie. “Sinspawn,” Braska ground out, donning his helmet and collecting his staff. “This aura isn’t strong enough to be Sin itself. We must try to help the people here!”Auron turned his chocobo across the path, forcing everyone behind him to come to an abrupt halt. Jecht yelled and slid off his saddle, landing with a thump next to his mount.“Wen!” Auron dismounted, and Braska and Rikku followed suit. “Why did you bring us here? Sinspawn are no reason to interrupt a Pilgrimage.”“Sin is the reason for the Pilgrimage,” Braska interjected. “We need to stand and fight!” While Rikku agreed with the sentiment, the sudden fervor in Braska’s tone gave her pause. The last time he had felt that strongly about standing his ground, Jecht had ended up unconscious and scarred. Auron, too, seemed to remember, and met Braska’s deep frown with an unwavering glare. It was the summoner who had to look away first.Kinoc nudged his steed back, unconcerned with the screams and discordant ring of metal surrounding them. “Haven’t you guessed?” He pulled his armored chocobo to a halt, pacing in place without bothering to dismount. “We’re trying to defend the pass towards the Highroad. Sin’s attack hasn’t stopped just because your Pilgrimage did.”Jecht picked himself up off the ground and joined them, cracking his knuckles together. “Well, we’ve fought these guys before. If it has more than two legs we pound it, right?”“Or less,” Rikku agreed, flexing her fingers within the comforting grip of her Godhand.Auron cut them off again, regarding Kinoc with open suspicion. “The warrior-monks have been trained for this. What more could I add to that?”“Auron!” Braska’s tone was sharp. “A summoner could turn the tide in a battle against Sin!”“He didn’t ask for you,” Auron replied shortly, and Rikku winced. Ouch. Auron wasn’t going to bother sparing anyone’s feelings today, especially with the battle right on top of them.Kinoc’s snort of agreement didn’t help, and Rikku felt a little sorry for Braska. The summoner’s knuckles had whitened around the grip of his staff and his expression was pinched. Leaning in, she grabbed his elbow. “Just ignore Kinoc,” she whispered. “If you could power aeons with stupidity, he’d be a High Summoner.”Braska let out an unexpected bark of laughter, quickly smothered, then met her eyes and nodded. They turned their attention back towards Kinoc, who was still addressing Auron as if he was the leader of their small entourage.“The monks are assigned to protect the temples, not the settlements. I’d have thought you’d feel a little more strongly about this, considering the arguments you’ve always made about defending Luca.” He flashed Auron a challenging smile, all teeth and no warmth. “If we don’t stop Sin’s charge here, the fiends will swarm Luca. Or is Blitzball finally starting to lose its charm?”Sucking in his breath, Auron’s face hardened. “The crusaders? That’s all you’ve sent? Was it even a full company?” His jaw worked as he fixed his furious stare onto Kinoc. “Think of the civilians in Luca, Wen. Men, women, children. It would be a massacre!”“Yes, Auron,” Kinoc answered with resignation, drawing his sword and turning his chocobo towards the hill. “Think of the people, if that spurs you to act.”Auron drew his sword and rested it on his shoulder. “Bastard! ” he spat. “You shame us all!”Kinoc paused, his posture tense. He looked back at Auron, eyes hard behind the heavy helmet. “I’m here, aren’t I? Now come on.” He turned away, all pretence of good humor gone. “You always were my better.” The admission seemed to be couched more in resentment than entreaty. Still, Kinoc waited for them to catch up. “They need you.”They crested the hill together, and Rikku gasped. Jecht froze next to her, taking in the sight. Apart from whatever might have happened in Zanarkand, he’d never seen Sin’s destruction up close; their encounters had mostly been against sinspawn, one-on-one. Or maybe some-on-one, considering how the fight in Macalania had gone. The devastation spread before them was new, and sobering.Fallen crusaders and injured chocobos were splattering the landscape in macabre shades of red. Those still standing were battling the swarm of black, shelled creatures invading the shore. Minor sinspawn, deadly because of their sheer numbers. A few of the fiends which had broken through were tearing apart corpses with their mandibles, and Rikku covered her mouth to suppress a gag. For every one of the beetle-like fiends the crusaders felled, three more were scrabbling up the rocky cliffside. The forces were holding, but just barely, as their losses were mounting.“It’s a goddamn slaughter!” Jecht grabbed his head in disbelief. “What’re we supposed to do about that?” He formed his fingers into a box, scanning one of the sinspawn before them. “Weak to Thunder and those shells give ‘em a good defense! Water’ll heal them!”Braska twirled his staff, beginning the dance to summon, but Auron raised his hand to stop him.“Wait!” Narrowing his eyes, he scanned the seabed. “They’re coming from somewhere out there. Chop off the head before you dispose of the body.” A moment passed, and then he pointed towards an unnatural swell rising from the ocean. “There.”Rikku watched the lump quiver, breaking the surface to reveal an undulating spherical mass of glistening scales. Two webbed wings lifted it briefly out of the water before it dove back into the sea.“That thing is ginormous! ” she screamed, choking on the wave of noxious toxin its short rise had released. It was the largest offshoot of Sin she’d ever seen in her life. Despite its terror-inducing size, it was still too far out to be attacked directly. Even at that range it was powerful enough to shoot pods of pulsing sinspawn towards the shore. Some of them were hatching in mid-air, crashing into the cliffside before exploding into pyreflies from the fury of the impact.“Magic users to me! Surround the summoner! Everyone else, form a line on the path,” Auron ordered. “Concentrate on eliminating the smaller fiends before they can spread inland.” Kinoc, used to Auron’s battleside manner, took off at a gallop, directing the regrouping of the soldiers.Turning to Braska, Auron made a sweeping gesture with his sword. “Defend the shoreline. We’ll need your aeon to hold the off the ones that make it out of the water. You heard Jecht; take the summon from Djose.” He glanced at Rikku. “You, too. Cast from here. Don’t bother aiming, just hit the water,” he told them, pointing towards the ocean. “Jecht, you and I look after Braska.” He raised his voice, thundering over the noise of the soldiers taking defensive positions around them. “Don’t hold anything back! We hold this line or Luca falls!” He’s a natural at this, Rikku marvelled. He’d always been gruff during Yuna’s Pilgrimage, but this – the imposing sureness of presence radiating from him – had all but disappeared, withdrawn into the depths of the bitter, reclusive shell of his older self. That lack of initiative had been a loss for Yuna’s party.Braska had already restarted his dance, gravitational energy pooling as pillars of lightning arced down from the sky and scorched the ground in a perfect circle around him. Heck of a way to break in a new summon , Rikku thought with some sympathy. Braska grunted and pulled Ixion from the rune that bloomed in the sky. He fell to one knee, staff raised as the Rapture overtook his body. The huge, shaggy unicorn reared upwards with a fierce scream before stampeding towards the cliffside. Rikku threw her arms out for balance; the ground quaked under the aeon’s massive hooves in an eerie parallel to the blooming of Djose Temple.The magic-wielding soldiers began to tighten into a living shield around Braska. Bursts of Fire and Thunder magic punctuated the chaos as they tried to hold back the fiends hounding the regrouping crusaders. Rikku cut away from her companions and joined the ring of magic users, facing the sea. Her stomach roiled and she tried to ignore just how Al Bhed she looked among the ranks of Yevon’s uniformed soldiers. Did I sign up for this? Bouncing in place, she wished Yuna and Paine were there. Even the hardest battles seemed easier with the other two girls by her side, making their ludicrous battle pose in the face of danger. I can do this, she chanted to herself. Out of habit she raised her voice towards the incoming tide of fiends, lifting the Godhand defiantly at them. “What time?”“Showtime!” Jecht yelled back, attacking the closest fiend. Rikku sputtered and let out a wild laugh. I can do this. And then, even though no one would possibly get it , she rallied with a wide grin and finished the Gullwing battle cheer. “Doctor A is in the house!”An amused snort sounded next to her, despite the fact that Auron was aiming at a fiend, mid-swing. “If you have time to pose, you have time to cast,” was all he said.Rows of glinting shells boiled over the cliffside, held back now only by Ixion’s vicious jabs of lightning and razor-sharp hooves. Channelling her inner Lulu, Rikku opened herself to the power of the Conflagration grid. The arcane words flew from her lips as she stretched out her hands, releasing the Thundaga spell. Lightning smashed the sea, cracking through the violent eddies stirred to life by the fiends. Odd flashes of light and color bubbled below the surface of the water, like a magical depth charge. The soldiers around her took the cue and soon, the sky was lit up with sharp bursts of lightning striking the ocean in a thick, unnatural storm of magic.“Alright!” Rikku cheered, but her smile faltered when the flow of fiends continued unabated onto land. Jecht and Auron were blurs whirling around them, cutting down the approaching spawn to keep the defensive ring of casters intact.
“Again!” Auron yelled as he split one of the creature’s shells.Reaching into herself, Rikku pulled out the spell, sending it hurtling towards the sea. Again the unified storm of magic darkened the sky and the water churned. And again nothing seemed to happen. Ixion screamed in frustration, sending a powerful blast of his own towards the water, and charged ocean spray flew upwards in a massive geyser. Still, the fiends continued to pour out of the ocean.“Again! ” Auron roared, and with more than a little desperation, Rikku reached as deeply as she could into her mana reserves and flung out another Thundaga. The water frothed and crackled, and Jecht let out a loud whoop. Finally, finally, pyreflies were rising from the violent waves, mixing with foam and sea spray. Ixion continued to fire electrical blasts from his horn as the tide of sinspawn trickled down to a manageable level. The soldiers around Rikku cheered; the fiends still escaping from the sea were more easily dispatched than before, weakened by the spells they’d blasted the water with. She wasn’t fooled, though; Auron still held himself tense, his face darkening despite the lull in the battle.Kinoc rejoined them, looking worse for wear but still mounted on his chocobo. Rikku realized with a start that he had also been providing support to their team; considering the man’s attitude, she’d have thought he’d be as far away from the shoreline as possible, laughing at them as they fell. Stranger things have happened, she figured, narrowing her eyes at the enigma who’d drawn them into this mess. “It can’t be that easy, not even for you,” Kinoc noted.Auron answered with a grim nod. “It’s coming,” he warned as the broodmother burst out of the ocean, propelled into the air by its two massive wings. Residual lightning crackled around the hull of the main body. Though it had ceased to fire pods, the massive creature continued its inexorable advance – straight out of a twisted entomophobic’s nightmare. Auron grimaced. “We won’t be able to stop it from making landfall!” he yelled, breaking through the circle to knock Braska out of his Rapture. In the distance, Ixion screamed in fury and smashed himself against the sinspawn in one last charge, before bursting into pyreflies.“We need to move to a more defensible position,” Auron said as he scooped the dazed summoner over his shoulder. “Get to high ground!”Kinoc was already herding them away. Anger and indecision warred across Auron’s face as he moved, torn by his duty as a Guardian and his desire to defend the retreating soldiers. “I won’t allow it to happen again,” he had said to her the last time he abandoned Braska. Rikku swallowed past the fear knocking her knees together. I can’t believe I’m about to do this for a bunch of Yevonites. Well, she justified to herself, I’m really doing it for Auron, I guess. Stupid, stupid Auron. Stupid, stupider Rikku. “Auron,” she said out loud, surprised that she was able to raise her voice above a whisper. He paused to look at her, a fierce scowl still drawn across his face. “Go go go! I’ll hold things here and buy you guys some time. Don’t worry, I can take care of myself!” She gave him a quick victory salute and dashed away before he could answer. Suicide mission alert! Fall back, fall back! Rikku’s mind gabbered as she raced towards the monstrosity rather than away from it. The mental babbling only quieted down when her feet hit the edge of the cliff, arms windmilling to keep her balance.Strangely, it was that small, more mundane threat of tripping and falling to her death as opposed to being torn apart by sinspawn that allowed her to collect her racing thoughts. “There’s no way I can do this alone,” she groaned, her hand hovering over her sphere grid, struggling for a strategy.“Quit hoggin’ all the glory for yourself,” Jecht answered as he joined her, sword in hand. “And please tell me you got a plan, other than makin’ your boyfriend mad enough to split that thing in half with his eyes.” He gestured, and she felt a Haste spell wash over her alongside a tidal wave of relief. Thank you, Jecht. He read her face and gave her a bolstering grin, almost as if they were sharing a secret rather than a deathwish.“No plan, but I do know we’re gonna need to get lucky,” she answered him, activating her dressphere. She heard Jecht groan but a soft fog of confidence settled over her mind, soothing her jangling nerves.Somehow, her Lady Luck sphere had changed again; she felt less capricious and more focused than she had before, snapping her cards around with purpose. Maybe it wasn’t such a surprise, considering that Jecht himself was, against all odds, standing with her, completely sober and ready to fight to the death for the people in a world he barely even knew. But who needs odds when you have luck on your side? Smiling, Rikku threw her cards into the air, sending flower petals cascading around both herself and Jecht. “A little bit of Felicity can go a long way,” she purred.Jecht darted around her, slashing at the smaller fiends that were still attempting to overwhelm them. “Got any way to deal with these small fry before the motherlode hits us?” He bounced on the balls of his feet, eyes wild.Rikku assisted him with another round of Thundaga and pursed her lips. “Maybe. Do you like gambling?” she asked, holding a palm up before her.“Anytime you’re ready,” he grunted, charging at another fiend.“Oh, I’m always ready,” Rikku answered him with a sharkish grin, summoning four dice to her hand. She blew on them softly and then flung them in a wide arc over her head, her brows narrowing in concentration. The dice hovered in the air, spinning, and the world seemed to slow down at the same rate of their rotation. A triumphant smirk graced her face when they stopped, and she flung her hand outwards, fingers spread. “Double snake eyes. I win again!”With a pop, time flew into sluggish motion as every fiend in a wide radius around her spontaneously exploded into a mass of pyreflies. Jecht let out a low whistle, waving his hand before his eyes as if it could clear them from the thick mist of rapidly dissipating light.“Nice,” he drawled, keeping an eye on the still-approaching behemoth. “Think that’ll work on the big one?”“Sorry, not a chance,” Rikku laughed, her hand moving over her sphere grid and activating another node. She heard, rather than saw, Jecht’s surprise as she spun on one foot, surrounded by a swirl of light.“Changin’ again?” he sputtered. “We really got time for that?” She reached out for the weapon materializing over her head. “Shove it, blitz boy. I’m out of mana and big ugly’s still getting closer.” Reaching into her now-bursting Alchemist’s pouch, she let out a long-suffering sigh. “I wanted to save this for something special,” she groused, before throwing an elixir at Jecht. “Chug chug!” She tilted her head with the imperious command, uncapping and downing one as well. With a loud belch, she wiped her mouth on the back of her hand and smashed the vial into the ground, energized. “Rud tysh! Now that’s the stuff!” Just in time, she noted with a grimace, as the large sinspawn burst into the air directly overhead. “Ugh!” She pushed away a wave of nausea as the creature unfurled its massive body. Writhing tentacles rimmed its sides, lashing the air. Rikku’s eyes widened as the fiend prepared to fire on them point-blank from the sinister-looking protrusions on its lower torso. Her fingers fumbled in her pouch for anything that would help, closing around two vials.“Cred! Duck!” she yelled, diving to the side as the sinspawn belched multiple spears of dark energy at them. Her luck – or maybe it was the Felicity spell – was holding as nothing more than a few strands of her hair were clipped off by the attack. Turning her dive into a roll, Rikku bared her teeth. “I like my hair the way it is,” she snarled at the sinspawn, rising to her feet. Jecht made it away unscathed as well; she watched him leap to slash at one of the offending appendages that had attacked them. A cloud of black ichor erupted from the sinspawn in answer, flying onto his face with a wet splat and sending him rolling to the ground, blinded. Before the creature could put a tentacle through him while he was down, Rikku threw the vials in her hand against the sinspawn’s massive body. It’s a good thing Braska and Auron haven’t managed to cure me of my ways, she smirked as the shattered healing potion dribbled into her pilfered vial of Djose’s holy water. “Eat that!” she yelled as the agents reacted, exploding into multiple chains of holy energy that staggered the fiend away from the cliffside. She took the opportunity to run to Jecht’s side, pouring some cleansing drops into his eyes to wash away the viscous black liquid covering them.Jecht waved her away, grabbing for his sword and blinking. “Thanks, Blondie,” he muttered, focusing on the spawn that had already recovered from Rikku’s attack with an expression of growing horror. “At least I’ll see it comin’!” The angry, towering mass of fiend bore down on them. “No way!” Rikku flattened herself against the ground as the creature unfolded into a long, chittering flying bug of doom and reached for them with its tentacled feet –The furious roar hit the sinspawn at the same time Bahamut did, sending it flying back several meters over the ocean. The two creatures began to grapple in earnest, Bahamut trying to push it away from the rocky shore while the spawn wrapped its tentacles around the dragon and attempted to drag it into the water.Rikku wheezed, ignoring the battle of the titans and digging the heels of her hands into her eyes. She tried to gather feeling into her fear-numbed legs. “C’mon, c’mon, get up!” she chanted. That brush with death had been much too close, and she forced her gasping breaths to slow down until she could sit up again.Jecht was already standing, though he had planted his sword into the ground and was holding onto it like a crutch. “Let’s not do that again,” he muttered, whipping his head back and forth. He noticed Rikku coming shakily to her feet and gave her a sobering nod. “It ain’t over yet, you know.”“Yeah, I know,” she managed to cough out, grabbing her machine gun. “Ed’c hajan ujan,” she added under her breath. It’s never over. A triumphant roar redirected her attention to the battle of the giants, just in time to see Bahamut tear the sinspawn’s leathery wings off and push away. The flailing creature dropped into sea like a stone. An exceedingly large stone, which Rikku realized spelled bad news for anyone standing near the shore. A tsunami of water hurtled towards the cliffs, directly where she and Jecht were standing.She heard Jecht swear under his breath and tighten the grip on his sword as he reached for her arm. Abandoning her gun, Rikku grabbed onto him with both hands and hung on for dear life, holding her breath as the wave crashed over their heads. Water battered them from every angle. Finally, the pressure receded, leaving them soaked and exhausted.“Let’s not do that again either,” Rikku coughed, spitting out a mouthful of silt-laden water.“So, there’s good news and there’s bad news,” Jecht answered, pushing his sodden, dripping hair away from his face.Rikku straightened, wincing at the bruising the wave had inflicted. “Tell me the good news first!” she whined, dismissing the Alchemist sphere when she realized her summoned machine gun was a total loss.“Braska’s pet aeon got it to stop flyin’,” Jecht said, pulling his sword out of the ground and sinking into his battle crouch.“That was the good news?” Rikku groaned and readied the Godhand, shifting her weight back and forth. “And?”“It’s still comin’ for us,” he replied as the first writhing tentacle threw itself over the cliff and smashed into the ground by their feet.“Nobody told me it was gonna be a marathon!” Rikku screeched, jumping and slashing at the tentacle with her weapon. She leapt backwards in surprise when it countered with a slash of its own. “I always suck at those!” Another tentacle reached over the cliffside, slamming into the ground.“Better tired than dead,” Jecht huffed, bringing his sword down onto another one. He danced away from a third and a fourth tentacle, not looking nearly as winded as she felt. It was more through luck than skill that she dodged the swaying tentacles unharmed.What luck, Rikku amended as she felt the Felicity spell fading away. At least Jecht was already recasting Haste, filling her with enough temporary energy to keep moving.“It don’t look good,” he muttered when Rikku found herself back-to-back against him. More writhing tentacles joined their brethren; trying to destroy all of them would be futile. The appendages weren’t attacking unless Rikku or Jecht struck first, though; instead, they scrabbled for purchase against the rocky ground. Her mind raced even as they were surrounded by a living wall of fiend flesh. “We have to get out of here!” Rikku shouted. “These are its legs!”“So?” Jecht groused, swinging his sword back and forth. “Whaddaya expect me to do? This ain’t no ochu dance party!”“If we don’t get out of here right now , we’re gonna be pancakes when it pulls the rest of its body up!” Rikku said, attacking one of the barriers with the Godhand. A few of the tentacles jerked back, but it was a poor hit; panic made her careless. Focus, Rikku, focus! She held the Godhand up in defense, grateful as Jecht deflected the counterattacks she’d provoked. The weapon on her hand thrummed with untapped power, encouraging her. You’ve been on the edge before. This isn’t new! With a deep, calming breath, she nodded and tightened her grip. The Celestial Weapon would support her, bad strikes or not. It seemed to recognize her command, emitting crackles of energy as she sought out a target.“Look! Over there, they’re not clustered as tightly,” she yelled to Jecht, pointing. “If we hit it together we can get outta here!”“Worth a shot,” Jecht answered her, readying his sword. “It’s do or die, right?” Without warning he skipped forward into a salto. Rikku recognized it as a Blitzball move to gather momentum for a spinning pass. On solid ground, it was one of Tidus’ desperation moves, the “Spiral Cut.” Why Tidus felt a need to call out the name of his attacks while performing them was still beyond her.She raced to catch up with Jecht as he pushed off the ground and made a full body rotation overhead. His sword came down with a thud into the mass of tentacles at the same time as her Godhand hit them from below. With a screech, the interlocked appendages drew back enough for Rikku to catch a glimpse of hope.“It’s not big enough!” She ignored the the fiend’s counters in favor of thrusting the Godhand into the rapidly shrinking opening. It was a last ditch attempt to create an escape route; Jecht also wedged his sword through the gap and grunted with the effort of prying it wider.They both fell back in surprise when a golden talon burst through from the opposite side, ripping the tentacles apart. Rikku sprinted through the opening the aeon provided, Jecht right behind her. Bahamut roared, grappling with the fiend.“Maybe we should call it a day,” Rikku croaked as she stumbled to a stop. Fishing through her pockets, she passed a hi-potion to Jecht and greedily gulped one down herself. A few of the bruises and stinging welts she’d earned sealed shut, and she could feel the bleeding slow down in the ones that hadn’t. Still, without the magic of the Alchemist dressphere, the potions weren’t doing enough for either of them. “Can we retreat yet?”Jecht shook his head, looking exhausted. “I don’t think the dragon’s gonna win this one,” he wheezed, watching the fight.Bahamut was struggling, dropping to one knee as he wrestled with the jagged remains of the sinspawn. He must have been holding the creature back in the ocean, buying them time to escape before she and Jecht could be crushed. “Oh, Braska,” Rikku breathed, relieved and embarrassed at the same time. What kind of Guardians had to be rescued by their summoner? If Kinoc and the crusaders witnessing it hadn’t thought their Pilgrimage was a joke before, they probably did now.With an almost anticlimactic sigh, Bahamut collapsed, the dragon’s form wavering before dissolving. The sinspawn looked heavily damaged at least; huge chunks of its armored shell had been shredded away, and the remaining body was significantly smaller in size than before. What it lost in mass, however, it gained in speed. Flipping itself over in a grotesque caricature of a pillbug, it scuttled up the rocks and directly towards its largest threat: the high outcropping where Braska and Auron stood. Bursts of magic from the remaining casters assaulted it from all sides, but this time the spells bounced off of the fiend’s hard shell like pebbles thrown against a boulder. “It’s magic resistant now!” Jecht bellowed. He stood a few meters before her, his hands splayed outwards in their familiar box. “Still armored too!” He finished his spell.The fiend was carelessly mowing down the remaining crusaders standing between it and the summoner. Even Kinoc was there, though he was knocked off of his chocobo as the sinspawn thundered past him. Jecht swore loudly, already running, but Rikku knew he wasn’t fast enough; no one could be, not with the number of legs still left on the thing. She moved her hand to her belt and activated another node, refusing to submit to the drooping exhaustion weighing down her limbs.“You’re gonna listen, whether you like it or not!” she yelled, raising one arm and letting the magic swirl around her. I’ll lend you my strength, Lenne whispered, and power flooded Rikku’s body. She smiled and danced a little jig, reenergized, before grabbing her microphone out of the air and bringing it to her lips. Her voice boomed over the cliffs, the magic reaching out and licking at the sinspawn, slowing its charge. “Don’t you know it’s rude to ditch your date before the last dance?”The crusaders were regrouping, at least the ones who weren’t gaping. She could see Auron gesticulating angrily at her from where he stood; Braska, pale-faced, was already beginning another summoner’s dance. Winking, she blew a kiss towards them and began to sing for her audience of one. “Come to me, my dearest friend,” she crooned. She held out a finger and crooked it, and a shudder rippled through the fiend. “Can you feel my song again?” Slowly, ponderously, it began to turn towards her. “I’ll bring you back where you belong,” Rikku promised, and its legs twitched. “And this can be our favorite song!” she belted out, raising her voice. It’s working! she thought with growing excitement, putting a hypnotic sway into her hips. The sinspawn was moving towards her in earnest now, and she almost tripped over her feet, humming into her microphone. Uh, it’s really working! Now would be a great time for the rest of a plan! Beads of sweat broke out over her forehead, and, not for the first time, Rikku wished Lenne’s dressphere had any kind of offensive capabilities.The missing plan materialized in the form of a very angry Shiva, her icy face drawn in contemptuous fury as her foot crashed into the sinspawn. She stopped its charge and crushed what look like the fiend’s head into the ground. Rikku’s anatomical guess was proven wrong as the spawn simply rolled its hind end forward in response, lashing out at the aeon and proving that it didn’t need a head because it didn’t have one. Shiva managed to twirl away in a cloud of ice shards and braided hair, narrowly avoiding the hit.Rikku skipped forward reluctantly – running towards greater sinspawn instead of away from them seemed to be the disturbing theme song of the day. Even Auron was taking the cue now; she tracked his red coat flying through the air as he leapt from rock to rock, rushing to assist them. Hmm, he looks like poetry in motion, she thought, nurturing the lyrics for a new love song while watching him move. It would probably be a smash hit if she could make it to the stage on time. She touched a node on her belt as she considered the idea, and –– fell to her knees, the exhaustion returning full force as Lenne’s strength fled her limbs. “I’ll sing when it’s dead,” she ground out, staggering to her feet. One more time, she promised herself, fighting for her breath. Without the poltergeist in her Songstress sphere to buffer the pain, her wounds were really starting to sting. Even so, she couldn’t gather enough energy to complain about it, not even one little, “Owwie.” Instead, she concentrated on manipulating her sphere grid. Just one more change. One last time and it’s done, she repeated. Or I am. “Either way, this is going to end here,” she growled as the light flared around her. She drew herself tall and slashed her summoned sword through the air, cherry blossoms scattering in the wind. Then, holding her weapon to her side, she pitched herself forward into a run. Fortunately, even the Samurai dressphere couldn’t reduce her natural speed, and soon she was overtaking Jecht.“Holy crap!” he yelled, doing a double-take as she passed him. “You’re really gonna do that in front of him?”“You said do or die,” she answered bleakly, hefting her sword. She continued her charge without hesitation, lifting her blade in a wide arc at the last possible moment. It cleaved through the armored shell like a hot knife through butter, sending wriggling legs and plated chunks of flesh flying before they exploded into pyreflies. Jumping back, she surveyed the damage she’d inflicted with a grim sense of satisfaction.The creature screamed and reared, only to be met with another hit, this time courtesy of Shiva. The aeon ripped through the underbelly of the fiend with her claws, before rolling away from the angry monster’s thrashing. It didn’t even have a chance to recover before Auron reached them, his sword whistling through the air and smashing the fiend’s chitinous back, severing yet another jointed segment of its long body into pyrefiles.He retreated to Rikku’s side, eyebrows raised at her appearance. She could see the questions on his face, a plethora of whats, whys, and hows, but when his mouth opened, he only allowed a terse command to come out: “We hit it together from the bottom up. Destroy the segments one by one.”Rikku nodded, grateful for his brevity, and narrowed her eyes. “Now!” they both yelled simultaneously, and she had the presence of mind to match Auron’s offended glance before charging with him. Their swords hit the body of the fiend in a mirrored strike, destroying yet another segment.“Never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad there’s two of you,” Jecht quipped as he covered their retreat, keeping the flailing appendages of the angered fiend from spearing them. Or more accurately, spearing her ; Auron wasn’t as winded, still able to defend himself. She dropped to a knee, panting, and willed her legs to move.Auron looked at her more closely, his eyes tightening with worry as he took in her state. “You need to retreat,” he commanded, stepping in front of her.“No, you need me,” she countered. “No Fear!” Her cry was both an answer and a spell, defensive shields rising over her in a honeycomb of light. I may be borrowing Auron’s strength, but I can still do this! “It’s almost over.”Jecht approached them, limping heavily and looking just as beat as Rikku. “I gotta agree with Auron for once, Blondie. We’re both done, even with that fancy belt of yours.” He shook his head. “Braska’s gotta take the ball from here.”Rikku frowned, angry. “No. No! I won’t stand behind another summoner and let them do all the work! We’re Guardians now! This is our job, even if we fall!” She rose to her feet, determined.“Stay here!” replied Auron. Then his expression softened. “You don’t have to fall just yet.” Rikku watched as he threw himself back into the fray and wondered when, exactly, she had become the cynic. Well, tough luck, but I don’t give in that easily, she thought in defiance and readied a charge.“You’re channelin’ too much of the Stiff!” Jecht caught her shoulder and yanked her backwards. “Relax, Braska’s ice chick has this covered.” Shiva sailed through the air as he spoke, landing another punishing roundhouse kick against the spawn’s torso. “See? Nothin’ to worry about – ” He trailed off as a few tentacles from the staggering fiend clamped around the aeon’s leg, halting her retreat. The sinspawn swung her into the ground and pinned her there. It toppled onto the struggling summon, crushing her into pyreflies. Rikku shook herself out of Jecht’s grip. “You were saying?”“I hope you got a miracle spell hidin’ somewhere,” Jecht amended, readying his weapon.Auron was already taking advantage of the spawn’s last attack against the aeon, driving his sword into its exposed belly. Rikku huffed as the fiend screeched and jackknifed back onto its many feet, nearly crushing Auron in the process.“Why won’t this thing drop?” She swore under her breath as she deactivated her sphere grid. There was no point trying to fight it with her remaining strength; Auron and Jecht were right. In her state, she’d only be making herself a needless target in close combat; magic was the only real option. She glanced at her belt. Every node on the accessory was lit, the used paths forming themselves into a shining diamond pattern. Rikku smiled viciously. “Is it still guarding against spells?” she asked.“Yep,” Jecht answered her, squinting. “I got nothin’. Not even mana,” he added. “Ooh, Auron took a big hit there.” He winced, and Rikku forced herself not to look. “Seriously, we need a game plan!”“I may have one last surprise,” Rikku admitted, “but we have to make it vulnerable to magic or it’ll just be another waste of time. Ideas?”She spared a moment to watch the progress of the fight in the heavy silence that followed. Auron was alone against the creature now. He moved in an intricate dance of blood and steel, a choreography she didn’t understand.Braska was raining white magic on Auron as quickly as he could from his vantage point, buying the warrior more time. Rikku was impressed by the summoner’s reach; even Yuna couldn’t power her spells from that far a distance. Still, there were limits to what white magic could do. Wounds could be healed, but the physical stamina exhausted during a lengthy battle remained gone even after the injuries disappeared.“You!” Rikku whipped around, surprised to see Kinoc joining them. His armor was covered in dirt, and at some point he’d discarded his helmet, but the grip on his sword remained strong and his eyes were lit with fury. That sword, she noted, was pointed at her. “You’ve brought your Al Bhed curse to this battle and doomed us to failure!”“I’m not the enemy here!” Rikku snapped back incredulously. “Don’t even try bringing your dumb Yevonite superstitions into this! Why don’t you go help Auron instead?”“What, no more Al Bhed tricks up your sleeve, girl? You’re the one who’s not helping,” Kinoc snarled, facing the battle. “Auron was never this weak before that Al Bhed Lover corrupted his mind!” Rikku recoiled at the raw venom in Kinoc’s voice, suddenly glad that Braska wasn’t standing next to them. She was sure he would have thrust his sword straight into the summoner otherwise. He really hates Braska that much? “Your lot ruined the greatest one of us! If we die here, it’s on your cursed Al Bhed heads!”Despite his words, it was the way his entire body trembled with wrath that allowed Rikku to realize she had it the wrong way around. Her entire world shifted two paces to the left. Kinoc didn’t just hate Braska; he loved Auron. The sudden swell of pity blindsided her, leaving her gaping as Kinoc threw himself into the battle to assist the other man.Did Auron even know – but how could he, when they had both been prominent scions of Yevon? Bevelle’s Maesters were already falling over themselves in their hurry to denounce the Al Bhed; how much further would they have gone to punish one of their own favored sons? It probably wouldn’t have even come to that – Rikku was pretty sure Kinoc loved power more than any single person. But it was still something. “Are we gonna let that asshole show us up or what?” Jecht growled, cuffing her shoulder, refocusing her attention. “We need to help them!”Rikku grabbed her head and shook it. “I know, I know!” Think-think-think! She scrunched her eyes shut and covered her ears – probably not the best pose to take in a life-or-death battle – but the plain truth was they were all dead if they couldn’t bring the sinspawn down this time.She heard a low buzzing that grew steadily louder despite the pressure of her hands against her head. I’ve felt this before. She cracked her eyes open and watched the battle rage. The fiend rose into the air to tower over the remaining combatants. Its mandibles clicked, and Rikku tilted her head, watching flashes of light spark between them. A prick of fear shivered down her spine; a warning. She ignored it and focused on the trance-like song echoing through her head, losing herself to the melody no one else seemed to hear.Her feet were moving; Jecht asked her what she was doing, but she couldn’t answer. There was only the call. Come here, it whispered. Listen. She ran towards its pained cry for freedom. Wait – she thought, her hand reaching out, ignoring Auron’s yell as he almost clipped her, ignoring the tickle of Braska’s white magic. Wait, I know you! Her hand slipped through the fiend easily, parting shell and muscle as if it were no more than pyreflies, reaching further and further in. Something shivered in delighted recognition as her hand closed around it, and she pulled.The sinspawn’s legs caught her and sent her flying. She heard shouting, but even as she landed in a bone-jarring heap and rolled to a stop, she smiled. Lifting her hand, she looked at the two glowing balls of light trapped between her fingers, whispering their secrets to her. “Twin stars,” she breathed, carefully bottling them before they could dissipate. Another healing spell sprinkled over her, waking her to a number of hurts she had acquired. Rikku pushed herself up despite the pain and looked at the sinspawn.It was still reared above the others, but tottered as though she had pulled out whatever was holding the linked segments of its body together. Auron was more than ready to take advantage of the distraction; he grabbed the jug attached to his hip and pried it open with his teeth. Taking a deep swig, he spat onto his blade and lifted it over his head while chanting. Dark energy swirled around him; his arms shook from the effort of containing it. Then, with a shout, he swung the sword, sending the blasts of power towards the fiend and knocking it down. It let out an inhuman scream and curled in on itself, and Rikku’s grin rose even higher. Jecht had asked for a miracle, but they didn’t need one. They had Auron. “It’s payback time,” she rasped. Leaning back, she opened her arms to the sky, feeling the Conflagration grid on her belt heat as the activated pathways pulsed in time with her whispered words. Please, she thought as she smashed her arms downwards, pushing every bit of energy she could into the spell. The ground under the sinspawn lit up and cracked, rumbling ominously. Auron and Kinoc scrambled away from the glow as it seeped out of the rocks in an oscillating ring. The ground shuddered once before multiple beams of pure energy exploded into concentric circles over the fiend’s body, enveloping it in a deadly grasp. Seconds later, a deafening roar followed as the energy burst, spewing flames and pyreflies everywhere. It drowned out everything else for a brief moment, turning the sky into a shimmering blanket of white. And then, in the vacuum of silence that followed, the pyreflies faded and revealed nothing more than barren rock, all signs of the sinspawn vanished.Rikku let herself collapse backwards and savored the hard-won victory. Smirking, she took a page out of Tidus’ book and pointed one victorious finger towards the sky. “Flare!” Then the blackness of pure exhaustion overtook her in a decidedly less-than-glorious faint.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The sun shone brightly, and somewhere overhead a seagull let out a lazy trill. Rikku smiled as a cool breeze whisked away the oppressive heat. She stretched, enjoying the feel of the wind in her face and wondered when, exactly, Brother had installed recliners on the deck of the Celsius. Whatever. It was a good life decision, she decided, nestling back against her pillows.A shadow fell over her, ruining the perfect moment.“I can see you’re awake, you know.” She heard, rather than saw, Paine cross her arms. The older girl sighed. “Get up already.”“Why should I? I’m so tired!”Paine’s eyeroll was audible, too. “Could you please focus? You need to get back to work.”Rikku cracked an eye open, and tried to match the red glare. “Work, work, work! Don’t you think I’ve earned a break? It’s not like you guys need me around anyway – Doctor P is in the house, right?”Paine smiled faintly and Rikku’s hackles rose. Paine didn’t smile. Her face grew shadowed, backlit by the eternal twilight of the Farplane. “Everyone’s good at something. My job is to break things. Yours is to put them back together.” Paine’s voice was changing, taking on a deeper, more masculine cadence. Her body started dissolving into pyreflies.“Maybe you’re more needed than you think.”Rikku stretched out her hand, hit by a sudden, sharp sense of loss. The silhouette stepped toward the edge of the airship’s deck, and the feeling grew. “Paine?” she asked, but... it wasn’t Paine she was reaching for anymore.No, it was –Rikku’s eyes flew open, throat closing around his name. “Are you in pain?” Jerking backwards, she turned towards the voice. “Auron?” The room was dark, she was on a bed, and he was sitting next to her, a rare look of concern on his face. Auron didn’t sit by bedsides, waiting for people to wake up; he was more the type to beat consciousness back into them. It was confusing with the dream-image of Auron’s older incarnation still fresh in her mind. Wait, am I still dreaming? Rikku pinched herself. “Oww!” she yelped, before blowing on the reddened skin. “Yeah, I’m in pain now!”Auron chuckled, and his probing stare faded into mild humor. “Looks like you’re feeling better.” He paused. “Can you stand?”Rikku took in her surroundings. They were in a travel agency, it seemed. But they must not have spared any expense since she was resting on a bed rather than squished like a sardine between the others. Not to mention that Auron was being nice. Was he trying to butter her up for something? Some sort of bad news? She narrowed her eyes in suspicion, swung her legs out of the bed, and felt for her boots with her toes. “Is that sinspawn still waiting outside for round two thousand? ”“Don’t joke about that,” Auron growled.Rikku relaxed as normality reasserted itself. “Alright, just checking,” she said, bouncing to her feet. Auron caught her as her knees unexpectedly buckled. “Um, yeah, so I might need something to eat first,” came her muffled amendment, her face burning to match his coat.Auron’s fingers flexed around her before he pushed her back. “Hold onto my arm,” he instructed. “There’s some fruit in the lobby.”They shuffled their way into the hall, Rikku shooting not-so-surreptitious glances at Auron the entire time. “I’m not made of glass, you know,” she told him after a few steps. “Not that having an excuse to hold onto your arm isn’t magnificent, but I’m starving . I can’t even appreciate this moment because the way to my heart is being eaten open by my stomach.” She frowned when he didn’t crack so much as a smile, though their pace did quicken. “Hey,” she said, softer, tugging on his arm. “What’s wrong?”Auron exhaled. “I need some air.”They entered the cheerily lit main hall and headed to the produce stand tucked against one corner of the reception desk. The man behind the counter gave them a brief nod while she picked out some fruits. She raised an eyebrow when Auron offered to carry them for her, guiding her towards the exit. Chivalry wasn’t dead, but its unexpected presence was surprising her into speechlessness.“Is something wrong with you?”Well, okay. Near speechlessness.“We’re at the Mi’ihen Highroad Travel Agency,” Auron replied wearily. Despite the telltale tic of annoyance on his forehead, he still held the door open for her. Ah. Although the building had not yet been painted in the garish colors of the Al Bhed, the simple fact that the receptionist hadn’t batted an eye at Rikku’s garb should have clued her in. The closer one got to Luca, the less anyone cared about identity or race; Blitzball would always be Spira’s greatest unifier. The relaxed atmosphere was a welcome change, and Rikku felt herself unwinding as they stepped outside.The sun was rising over the banked ruins of the sunken twin towers, and she smiled at the familiar sight. This was where we first found the Godhand. All of a sudden, she missed the Fahrenheit. It had been clunky and slow for an airship – Cid didn’t have nearly as good a hand in tuning airships as did his children – but it had served them faithfully throughout Yuna’s ordeal. Until Father turned it into a tourist transport. She scowled. Shoving the thoughts aside, Rikku hurried towards the picturesque bluff stretching before the sea and threw herself to the ground, revelling in the feel of cool grass tickling her stomach.Auron handed her the fruit and sat next to her, cross-legged and back ramrod straight. If he cupped his fingers above his knees, he could have started meditating. Rikku rolled her eyes and dove into a pomegranate, fingers shucking off the thick peel. “Do you ever loosen up?” She held out a few seeds for him, and when he made no move to take them, she shoved them into his hand. “We just totally owned that Sin Fin. I think you earned a breather.”He didn’t answer.She popped a few seeds in her mouth and kicked her legs out behind her. “Mmm. These are so good! Have you tried them yet? I swear to the Godhand these must be the best tasting things in Spira!”Auron’s fingers twitched around the seeds in his palm, but he remained silent. “Ok, maybe they aren’t, but that first meal after a near-death experience always tastes the best!”Auron crushed the seeds. Rikku blinked and shut her mouth. Sticky juice dribbled from between his whitened knuckles, and his face contorted in pain. “Don’t joke about that,” he repeated, looking at her.Rikku cautiously wiped her hand on the grass and sat up. “Did… someone die?” “Braska and Jecht are fine.”Her stomach unclenched, but her brow furrowed. “Then why the heck are you acting like it?”“Many others died. And you! Running off like a fool towards death!” Auron dropped his gaze to his clenched fist. “I have never been so thankful to see Jecht exercising that same poor judgement.”Rikku pulled her knees under her chin and looked out toward the ocean. Why couldn’t Auron just focus on the fact that they’d won? Her choice shouldn’t matter – she’d made it and come out victorious; it hadn’t even been the first time! If anything, near-death battles had been Rikku’s thing since she was sixteen.Still, she hadn’t meant to cause him any pain. “As long as Sin’s around, taking it on means rushing toward death ‘like a fool.’ As long as we fight, there’s a chance I might not make it back. Worry sucks, but that’s what happens when you actually care about other people,” she murmured. “But thanks, I guess?”Auron eased his hand open and began to clean it methodically. “I realized something,” he told her, avoiding her eyes. “Your… costumes. They saved your life.” Rikku waited, wondering where he was going with that line and hoping fervently that it wasn’t towards the Samurai dressphere. “And yet they are machina. Technology, forbidden by Yevon.” His tone was even, but Rikku realized his confusion was more than just his feelings for her; something was fundamentally changing inside of him. “I can’t hate anything that can help us defeat Sin. That can keep you, Braska – and damn it all, even those Crusaders – safe. ” He looked lost and angry, and Rikku’s heart clenched. “I know what Kinoc said to you,” he admitted. “Jecht doesn’t mince words.” He reached into his coat, pulled out a sphere, and set it on the ground.It buzzed to life and Auron’s voice filled the air. It was the recording she had made in Bevelle, teasing Auron about his fear of machina – the one where she had accidentally captured his exchange with Kinoc for her release. Eventually, it fizzled to a stop.“We were wrong about so many things. The teachings may have chafed, but I never thought to question them until Braska came. Afterwards, I believed Mika was making too many mistakes, but even still, the tenants were my guide. The path may have become rockier, but my way was clear.” Auron looked at her. “You’ve muddied the waters.”Rikku grinned, unapologetic. “I hear we Al Bhed like mud. Maybe it’s not all that bad, getting your hands a little dirty.”Auron returned her smile with a faint one of his own. “Perhaps.” He looked at the sphere before them, and then scooped it up. “I do know one thing. This is no longer a memory I wish to keep.” He tossed it towards the ocean, where it hit the water with a soft plunk. Auron watched it wash away as though he were saying goodbye. His expression was stoic, but the corners of his eyes were pinched – his only tell for the feelings he struggled with. Still, there was also something more settled – determined, even – in his posture.Rikku dug into her small collection of fruit – she was still hungry, damn it, no matter what emotional operas might be playing out in Auron’s head. As she ate, she tried to give him as much privacy as possible.Fortunately, Auron returned from his head-trip before it got too awkward. “There’s something else,” he said.Rikku froze, then casually turned and spat a seed out of her rapidly drying mouth. “Yeah, so about that dressphere,” she began.Auron blinked, confusion stealing over his expression for a second, before it was replaced by mild irritation. “Not that,” he cut her off. “Frankly, Braska and I were wondering who would next suffer for your costumes. Now I owe him 10 gil.” Sarcasm leaked into his tone. “Thank you for that, by the way.” He smirked as Rikku floundered. “I meant when you ran off. I didn’t agree with your choice.” He uncrossed his legs and clasped his hands, leaning forward. “I was angry that you didn’t consult me first.”Rikku coughed. “I could tell. You just overkilled those poor pomegranate seeds, you know?”Auron shook his head and chuckled. “No. I was angry with myself. You have the right to live or die as you see fit. It’s just… I had been relying on the belief that you weren’t capable of sacrificing everything for sake of this Pilgrimage.”“What the – !” She socked him in the arm. “What do you mean, ‘Not capable of it?’ Isn’t that what you’ve been scolding me for from day one? What the heck!” She fumed, ripping up patches of innocent vegetation and flinging them at Auron’s head. To his credit, he didn’t attempt to dodge the onslaught, eyes rolling. Only once he was sufficiently coated in clumps of grass did her temper begin to wane. “You better have a really good point before I make you follow that sphere,” she muttered.Shaking a few tufts from his hair, Auron sighed. “I have no right to feel sullen about your choice simply because…” He trailed off and turned his head away, mumbling something.“Oh, no you don’t, Buster!” Rikku yelled, grabbing his head with both hands, and forcing him to meet her gaze. “You’re not getting off that easy! Spill!”To her surprise, his eyes were filled with warmth. His own hand reached for the back of her neck, trapping her with a gentle grip. “Because you infuriate me by forcing me to notice you. Because I now look forward to each day with something like anticipation instead of dread. Because you are making this journey bearable.” He paused and drew her in. “Because you are you. ”Despite the herd of stampeding chocobos demanding be let out of her chest, she managed to say, “You know you love me!”“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Auron replied, before kissing her.She melted. Auron’s kiss was slow and measured, but all the more intense for it. And he was a really good kisser. Did he have practice? Had someone else gotten to his lips first?
Shut up, brain.
He kissed her like she was the rising sun itself. It was a kiss filled with warmth and joy and belonging .His hand moved to the nape of her neck. He snagged a braid and tilted her head back, deepening the kiss. If not for his warm hands and insistent lips anchoring her, Rikku felt she would scatter like motes of light dancing across the water.Reluctantly, she pulled away, before resting her forehead against his. She closed her eyes for a moment and just breathed. I was wrong. It was so clear now; the truth of his kiss burned away the last remaining delusions of her past. What did a sixteen-year-old girl, still smarting from the loss of her home and family, know about love? She’d latched on to the first thing that had seemed kind and real – and that was ironic, considering Auron had been nothing more than pyreflies, bitterness, and willpower.Rikku’s breath caught, and some of the magic evaporated.Auron’s thumb gently traced along her earlobe, sending another shiver down her spine.This Auron was full of flaws, clumsy and fumbling in his attempts to demonstrate his feelings for her. But that didn’t matter. Even knowing what the future held did little to dampen the strength of her own response. Rikku wanted to travel by his side, wanted to be the one who pulled a smile onto his solemn face, and wanted to help him carry the burden of his destiny. Because this imperfect, sharp-edged man before her was her friend , not her idol.“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “Am I assuming too much?”“Stupid,” she whispered with a smile, not sure if she was talking to herself or Auron. I didn’t know anything . She opened her eyes. “Don’t be so dense. I really do, you know.” She swallowed. “I love – ”Auron’s lips silenced her before she could finish. After an achingly short moment, he pulled away and shook his head. “Not yet. I can’t blindly throw myself onto your altar.” He leaned back, far enough to stop her from seeking another kiss. “Not directly after falling from Yevon’s.” The admission cut slightly, tainting the glorious moment with a bitter aftertaste. “You can still kiss me anyway, you know.” He huffed in amusement. “Opportunistic as always.”Rikku grinned, reaching out to brush some grass from his hair. “I can’t promise we won’t hurt each other, but sometimes a little pain is worth it.” Bumping his shoulder, she grabbed another fruit and and offered it to Auron. He took it from her with a smile. They sat there for a while longer, continuing to eat and watching the sun climb higher.Auron broke the silence when the beginnings of the midday heat started tipping into uncomfortable warmth. “Jecht’s turning into a better Guardian than the rest of us.” He let out a wry laugh. “Untrained as he is, he has never hesitated to throw himself to our defense.”“That’s because he doesn’t understand,” Rikku pointed out. “Jecht still thinks we’re on some journey to become superstars, complete with fame and commercial sponsorships.” She eyed Auron. “He deserves to know.”He tensed. “That is still Lord Braska’s call.”“You think we should tell him too, don’t you?”“What Braska wants, he gets. This is also something we have no right to decide on our own.”Rikku discarded the last of her fruit, appetite vanishing. So, to Auron, Braska’s desires trumped Jecht’s ignorance. She tried to remind herself – he didn’t know Jecht was also marching towards his own fate, one which was, in many ways, worse than a simple death. “I still think we should tell him something, ” she protested. “At least about Zanarkand. He’s earned that.”“What more can we do? Jecht already knows Zanarkand is a thousand-year-old ruin.” Auron shrugged. “He simply refuses to believe it.”“He still thinks Braska is going to be able find him a way back.” And he still thinks he’s from our Spira, she added with a pang of guilt. “I hate lying to him.”Auron frowned. “As do I. But what would come of telling him the truth? To reveal to him so shortly after our hard-won victory that Braska is going to die – and that he will still be stranded here – would be no kindness.”Rikku hung her head. It was a pretty good point; nobody sane would taint a victory celebration with a suicide-in-progress. Well, maybe all those undead Maesters of Yevon would enjoy something like that; Seymour had thought death was a great excuse to host a wedding. Still, this was Jecht. He wasn’t dead. He’s just not real.Tainting a victory celebration with an existential crisis didn’t sound much better, for that matter.“Maybe you’re right,” Rikku groused, tousling her hair. “We should just let sleeping fiends lie.” She leaned her chin on her palm. “Hopefully, they won’t bite us in the butts too badly when they wake up.”“If we cannot give him honesty, perhaps sincerity will do instead.” Auron looked down at her, his expression serious. “I have been wrong about many things. I told Kinoc his behavior was shameful, but even he was there when we needed him.” He turned back to the ocean. “I’ve always labeled Jecht as an irresponsible fool, but perhaps that label is meant for me, instead. I should talk to Jecht as a friend, rather than a mentor. I owe him that much.”She stared at Auron. “This battle really shook you, huh? The way you were slinging out commands, I guessed you used to do stuff like this every day before breakfast! But, maybe not?”Auron’s eyes danced with humor. “Maybe I did.” His almost-smile dropped into a more thoughtful expression. “It’s not the fighting. Fighting is what I do best. Having comrades – no, friends – that I care for…” He trailed off. “This is uncharted territory.”Bolstered by a sudden sense of euphoria, Rikku scrambled to her feet and dusted her skirt off. “Alright!” she cheered. “Let’s do this, then! I’ll help you show Jecht the power of friendship!” He cringed. “Although, I think Jecht’s ahead of the game on this one. I mean, he already asked you to lend him money.”Auron rubbed his temples. His forehead was doing that thing again. Did he know it could get stuck like that? “On second thought, it might be best if I attempt this alone.”“Aww, phooey! This is exciting! You’re getting in touch with your feelings !”“Don’t gloat too much. We’re still going fiend hunting later today.” He fixed her with a glare that said, I have a very large sword and I’m not afraid to use it on you. Fine by me. Rikku tried not to bounce in place. It was amazing – just one kiss and she was already shifting Auron’s threats into dirty promises.Auron looked at her strangely. She giggled. “Uh, right. Go spend some quality time man-bonding with Jecht, and I’ll keep Braska busy!”Auron scowled, before managing a neutral hum of agreement. Looks like I’m not the only one crashing face-first into the gutter after that kiss, she thought smugly, before the truth of it hit her. She blushed. “Uh. I mean, I’ll just hang out with him. You know. Not. Uh. Bonding.” She realized her hands were mimicking helpful gestures of what bonding could imply and dropped them. Can my face get any redder? Auron looked as though he couldn’t decide between throttling her or laughing. She spun towards the travel agency with more than a little manic desperation. “Yeah! So where are they, anyway?” Auron sighed. “Braska stayed behind to perform the Sending for the fallen crusaders.” Rikku’s nervous excitement deflated. “Jecht stayed with him to watch. They should be returning soon.” He paused. “Even Kinoc couldn’t deny his own soldiers. Not after Braska summoned three aeons to their defense. I wonder how the Church is going to spin this battle.”Rikku thought of the solemn stone figures lining the interior of the thunder temple. “So this is how Braska became the Champion of Djose, huh?”Auron snorted. “Champion of Djose? That does sounds like something Mika would concoct. What more clever way to mask a band of misfits than to label them heroes.” He shrugged. “Who knows, they may even build him a statue.” He tilted his head.“What? What is it?” Rikku asked, before she heard it too: the unmistakable sound of chocobos coming from the direction of Mushroom Rock Road.“I think that’s them,” Auron said, moving towards the agency’s corral.Braska and Jecht soon came into view, each riding a chocobo. Braska was in his full uniform, helmet included. Jecht followed him, looking unusually subdued.“Hey, guys!” Rikku called out, waving. Though Braska waved back, obviously relieved to see her up and about, Jecht ignored her greeting. She felt a twinge of worry, approaching Jecht as he stabled his chocobo. “Hey, are you alright?”“It was Jecht’s first time witnessing a Sending,” said Braska as he joined them, removing his helmet to wipe some sweat from his forehead. “I never wanna see that again,” Jecht grunted. “How can you stand it?”Braska dipped his head. “I stand it because I must. As long as Sin remains, there will always be a need for summoners to perform the Sending. I admit, I do not enjoy it either. The ceremony has become a necessity much too frequently of late.”“Thirty years is a long time,” Auron agreed, joining them. “One of the longest. Sin grows more powerful when it continues unchecked. I can only hope our battle slowed it down somewhat.”Jecht crossed his arms, frowning. “Thirty years is one of the longest times between summoners beatin’ this thing up?” He canted his head to one side. “So, you’re sayin’ no matter how hard you put the smack down, Sin gets back up? You ever consider you gotta problem with your strategy?”“All the time!” Rikku blurted, fixing an accusing glare onto Braska. But Braska only shook his head minutely.“Jecht, forget about it.” Auron cut in. “You and I need to discuss something more important. Inside.” He traded a long look with Rikku before turning away.“Fine. I’m goin’, alright! Better than crackin’ my head on this mess,” Jecht muttered as he stalked away. Right, my turn. Think pure thoughts! Rikku faced Braska, who was now petting his chocobo. “ So… ” she began, stubbing her toe in the dirt. “That was pretty hard on Jecht, but are you alright? I mean, the battle was tough for you, too, and then you had to perform a Sending after!”Braska’s hands stilled. “I must become stronger,” he said carefully. “I know the crusaders will paint this as a victory, but I still failed.” He looked over at Rikku with a tired smile. “In the end, it was the three of you who defeated the Sinspawn, not I. At least I was able to earn enough of the soldiers’ respect to Send their fallen.”Rikku ground her teeth, suddenly furious. “You shouldn’t have to earn anyone’s respect! You’re a summoner! Isn’t it enough that you’re going to die for those ingrates?” The unfairness of it all burned. This man, who was loved and idolized in her time, was facing nothing but hurt and rejection in his own. “You haven’t failed. You’re not a failure!”“Thank you, Rikku,” Braska replied, after a long moment. “I am glad you believe that.” That was a total brush-off! Stomping over to him, Rikku pushed Braska away from his chocobo. “I’m over here,” she said. “That bird doesn’t hold the secrets of the Farplane in its feathers. You could at least look at me and try to listen!”Braska held up his hands in defense. “I am listening – ”“No! No, you’re not!” Rikku pulled at her hair. “You summoned three aeons in a row! Do you know how incredible that is? And you still managed to save our lives afterwards with your magic!” She flailed, trying to drive her point home. Braska caught her hands and forced them to still. “I couldn’t let you die,” he told her, expression intense.Rikku’s neck prickled uncomfortably, and she shook her hands free. “I’m just saying: believe in yourself a little more.” Her face was burning. “Umm, but maybe I should just… y’know,” she stuttered, thumbing her way in a random direction that was anywhere except here .A look of confusion crossed Braska’s features. “...You want to muck out the stables?”Rikku turned her head to face the enormous pile of chocobo manure and straw she had been pointing to. “I give up,” she groaned, sagging in defeat. Braska started snickering, trying to hide the sounds behind a poorly engineered cough. Well, at least the tension was broken.“Walk with me, Rikku,” he told her, a smaller, but thankfully real, smile returning to his face. “I told you I wouldn’t let my feelings come between you and Auron. I am happy for the two of you, truly.” They ambled down the path circling the building. “There is no illness quite like the pain of the heart,” he told her. “I have already succumbed to it once before. It was my greatest teacher.”He leaned down to pluck a flower that was growing by the side of the road. “It showed me that every moment of life is precious.” He studied the petals, and then tucked the wildflower behind her ear. “Life in Spira is too short to hesitate when your heart speaks to you.” His smile broadened, as if he knew a great secret. “Even the pain of rejection is something I welcome.” He dropped his hands and backed away.As Braska gave her some space, Rikku had to wonder… just what sort of woman had her aunt been to have so completely captured his complicated heart? Whatever Raenn had done resonated with Braska completely, even now.Rikku toyed with the flower. Would she and Auron ever share that depth of feeling?“Allow yourself to grasp love,” Braska continued, resuming their stroll. “If your path leads to Auron, so be it. Live while you can. Smile despite Sin, and know that what you are doing is right.” Strong words for a supposed follower of Yevon’s conservative teachings. No wonder Mika had all but excommunicated him.Rikku couldn’t help herself. “But what about you? You’re already taking on responsibility for the entire world. You expect me to be okay with making that harder? That’s not fair! When do you get to live?” She clenched her hands into fists.Braska spread his arms. “If love is to know joy, then grief is to know ecstasy. Without the extremes of our feelings, we may as well already be dead.”Rikku hung her head, unable to counter his point.Sensing the heavy mood, Braska shook himself and started back towards the travel agency. “What exactly did Auron wish to speak to Jecht about?” he asked, tone light. Hmm. That was about as subtle as Brother mooning after Yuna. A rampaging shoopuf would’ve been less obvious, but Rikku could appreciate the subject change. Even if he was trying to ply her for information about Auron’s discussion with Jecht. Too bad Auron’s such a stickler for Braska’s rules, Rikku pouted. “Yeah, about that… we figured Jecht deserved a little more of the truth than we’ve been letting on. He nearly died, you know!” Dismay clouded Braska’s face. Even the feather on his helmet drooped.“Hah! Just kidding! Auron’s thanking Jecht for what he did for me during the fight. You know, ryht du ryht. Made you sweat there for a minute though, didn’t I?” She smirked.A calculating look edged into Braska’s expression. “I suppose I deserved that. But, Rikku,” he said gravely. “Please don’t take my metaphor about the ecstasy of grief too far. Now is not the time.”The only proper response to that was an eyeroll, of course.“And if you happen to forget, I will write you soliloquies and ask Auron to proofread them.” Rikku gaped.Braska folded his hands, nodded, and walked away.Oh, he fought dirty. She raced to catch him, eyeing him warily. “You know you’re gonna have to tell Jecht something one of these days, right? Even Auron thinks so.”“Just a little longer, that’s all I ask. I know it’s selfish, but…” Braska gave her a steady look. “I have already given up many things.” Way to guilt trip me! Rikku huffed; this was too important an argument to concede without a fight. “Just find a way to tell him before Zanarkand,” she warned. “I knew a couple of people who thought hiding the truth was a great idea, right up until the end.” She steeled herself and glared. “Don’t do that to him.”“When we return from the last temple, then. I will tell him before we ascend Mount Gagazet.” Slowly, Rikku raised two fingers to her eyes and flicked them out towards him in warning. “You better! I’m watching you, mister!”“I’m flattered,” Braska replied, before sighing. “Do you have any suggestions for how I should approach the topic?”Her eyebrows rose to meet her bandana. “You’re asking me? Since when have any of you trusted my life advice?”Sheepishness stole across his expression. “Well, you just mentioned some experience in these matters. I hoped you might have some advice to impart.”Rikku cocked her head. Now Braska was acting weird. Maybe Sin’s toxin had hit both Auron and Braska hard – that would explain today, at least. “You’re the one who’s supposed to be our fearless leader!”Braska rubbed his chin. “I really have no idea why you look to me for guidance. I am simply journeying to the temples to collect aeons. Where in Spira did you get the idea that this made me some sort of font of wisdom?”“You opened your mouth,” Rikku supplied helpfully.“Stop that now. Really,” Braska complained, placing his hand on the agency’s front door. “At my current level, I do not even know if we will reach Zanarkand. I am still too weak.”“What’s this about not reachin’ Zanarkand?” The doors flew open, which pushed Braska into Rikku. Her foot caught on one of the many trailing flaps of his robe. She went down flailing, dragging Braska with her. They landed in a tangle of limbs, cloth, and feathers, and blast it all, it hurt. “Get off me! And eat something, you’re all elbows!” Rikku complained, shoving at Braska.“You’re one to talk,” Braska shot back as he struggled to right his clothing, dignity clearly smarting.“Oops,” Jecht said. “Guess I don’t know my own strength!” He laughed and held a hand out to Braska. “You alright there, buddy?”“I should ask that of you,” Braska countered as he was pulled to his feet. “Auron already spoke to you of his feelings, then?”“He did,” Auron answered, moving past Jecht to help Rikku to her feet. “We’ve sworn our eternal devotion to one another and are leaving the Pilgrimage. My apologies, Rikku.”“Did you just – ?” Rikku’s mouth hung open to collect some chocobo flies. “Apologies to Rikku?” Braska asked dryly.“I told you he was smooth,” Jecht added, giving Auron a thumbs-up and a wink. “Ugh, Jecht!” Rikku complained.Jecht laughed and slapped Braska on the back. “Just kiddin’, kids. Auron wanted to let me know how special I was to the team.” He smiled. “As if I needed to be told. And,” he said, hand remaining on Braska’s back as his smirk widened, “he also told me you’d have big news about the Pilgrimage one o’ these days.”Braska whipped around to face Auron, who was very purposefully looking off into the distance. Rikku glanced at Auron in surprise, before she grinned at Braska, all teeth. Braska stiffened and narrowed his eyes at them both in response.“Well!” Jecht grunted, slapping Braska again, nearly sending the summoner back to the ground. “Since I don’t speak eyeball ping-pong, why don’t you and I go inside and have a meal. I’m starved and you’re payin’,” he said, hauling Braska into the building.The door slammed behind them. Rikku and Auron stared after them.
“Jecht’s really gonna make Braska squirm,” she said. “Don’t you feel even a little bit sorry for him?”“No,” Auron answered, smugly.
.x.x.x.
The sticky afternoon heat evaporated with the approaching sunset. Rikku sighed in relief. She checked over her stuffed pouches, humming while she riffled through their contents. “So, today’s been pretty productive,” she told Auron. “We’re fully restocked on healing potions. There might even be some musk left to sell after I’m done with it.”“We should have enough to get by in Luca,” he agreed. “Though it will hardly land us in the lap of luxury. Thank you for your help.” He unhooked his jug and took a long swig from it.Rikku snickered. “Celebrating with a drink already? We’re not even back at our rooms yet!”Auron lowered the jug with mild exasperation. “It’s just water. I haven’t – ”“Sure sure, I’ll believe it when I taste it,” Rikku groused, holding out a hand. “Fiend hunting is hard work! Give it here!” He obliged, and Rikku wasted no time drinking from it. She groaned in relief as the luke-warm water wet her parched throat. Reluctantly she tore herself away and wiped some sweat from her brow. “Water is life,” she moaned. Then she noticed she’d spilled a bit in her haste. “Oopsie,” she said, brushing away a few stray drops from her chest.Auron retrieved the jug and corked it with an indecipherable expression.“What?” Rikku planted her hands on her hips. “Can’t a girl take a drink without being scrutinized?”“You provoked me,” he answered bluntly.In a way, it was a relief that Auron’s earlier declaration of feelings hadn’t really changed their dynamic, at least in the field. Whether he liked her or not, he was still a prickly pear. I kinda love that about him, she thought fondly, before correcting her stance into the appropriate one: indignation. “What’d I do this time? Is drinking water a crime now?” She shifted her weight to one side and pouted.Auron ran a hand down his face and sighed. “You’re still doing it.”“Ok, that’s cryptic. Even for you,” Rikku shot back, revising her previous judgement of love. Maybe it was only kinda-sorta-like . “A little help here?” she asked, lifting her arms up.Lowering his hand, Auron raked his gaze up and down her body, lingering for a moment on her still-jutting hip. “I didn’t say I was angry,” he answered, meeting her eyes. Auron: Two bazillion, Rikku: forever in the negatives. Suddenly self-conscious, she straightened as if someone had shocked her with a Thunder spell. Wait, who’s really losing out here? She re- rearranged her stance, thrusting her hip out further than before.Auron chuckled and turned away. “It’s only cute when you aren’t trying.” “Cute? You think I’m cute?” Two bazillion and one, Rikku recounted.Auron didn’t answer this time, but a satisfied smile crossed his face. They continued back to the agency in silence, and Rikku tried to recover. For a guy they’d all figured to be less romantic than Wakka, he was smooth. She tapped her lip and glanced at him. “You know, I don’t think you’re cute.”“Thank Yevon,” Auron muttered.“Nope,” she added with an appreciative glance towards his butt. “You’re dead sexy.”Auron tripped – and yes, that was a faint flush on his cheeks. Score .They slowed as the travel agency came into sight; Jecht was waiting outside, leaning against the rail of the corral and watching them approach. Braska was nowhere to be seen.“Where’s – ” Auron began.Jecht cut him off. “He’s resting inside. Relax, Stiff,” he said, tone sharp.Rikku stopped; usually, Jecht’s pet names carried a note of fondness to buffer the sting. That clearly wasn’t the case this time.Auron tensed beside her. “Did he tell you?”“Nope. Braska didn’t give up the game.” Jecht shrugged, expression almost blank, even as aggression edged his words. “I get it. I really do, man. We’re friends, but you still got your honor an’ all. You don’t have to tell me nothin’.” His tone slid into bitterness. “But it did get me thinkin’ ‘bout how much I don’t like secrets. They make my head hurt.” He shifted toward Rikku.Rikku gulped. “Blondie, I wanna talk to you alone.”Auron opened his mouth, but Rikku hit him before he could say anything. He looked down at her, frowning.“I’ll be fine,” Rikku assured him.“That’s what you said the last time,” Auron replied. Still, he nodded, both to her and Jecht, and strode into the building. Jecht pushed away from the fence. “Not here,” he said, before heading behind the agency.Rikku followed, feeling like she was marching towards a firing squad. When he stopped, she blurted, “So, what’s on your mind?”“Zanarkand.” He crossed his arms. “A thousand years gone, huh?”“Heh-heh…” She smiled nervously. “Yep, that’s about right!”“But it ain’t the whole truth, is it.” It wasn’t a question. Shifting her weight, Rikku clasped her hands behind her back. He glared and penned her between the wall and some old, stacked crates. “The truth is somethin’ you got locked up inside that head of yours.”“I don’t know what you’re talking about?” she tried. “Stop being so mean, it’s kinda scary!”Jecht shoved her back against the wall with bruising force. It was easy to forget how strong he was when he acted so playful around them. “How do you know Tidus?”And there it was. Would her web of lies withstand the hundred kilograms of muscle towering over her? “Jecht, I can’t – ”“Tell me how you know my boy! ” Jecht roared, punching the wall. Rikku shrieked as chunks of lime and stone burst to the left of her head. “Tell me! ”His shout was one of raw pain; she recognized the agony of wondering if you could ever really go back; of discovering you’d had something good but taken it for granted, and now it was gone – possibly forever. Jecht hadn’t even chosen this path; instead, it had landed on him, unasked for and unwanted.“Do you really want to know?” She steeled herself. You owe him this, Rikku. We all owe him this. But I’m the only one who can pay this debt. He waited for her to continue, and Rikku swallowed. One last chance for him to walk away. “You won’t like anything I have to say.”“I got nothin’ here, Rikku,” he said, the anger and pain bleeding into desperation. “Braska and Auron won’t tell me the score, and I need to find a way back. You’re a time traveller too, ain’t ya? Help me get back. Doesn’t matter when. I just wanna see my family again, even if Tidus is all grown up.” Existential crisis it is. She shook her head; there was no way to say anything without hurting him. “Your Zanarkand still exists…” He looked up, eyes bright with hope.Something inside her crumpled. “...but it’s not real. Your wife, your son, your Blitzball record… none of it is real. You aren’t real.”“The hell?” Jecht stepped closer, expression more confused than anything.Rikku’s heart clenched; he didn’t understand.“I’m here, ain’t I? I just saved your life! I still got the bruises from it! Tell me how imaginary that was, huh?”Rikku crossed her arms. You decided to do this. So, do it! “Look, I don’t know. This world, the Spira you’re in now, is real. But the real Zanarkand died a long time ago! The entire city got wiped out in the Machina War. The place you’re remembering is a dream, Jecht. Only sleepers think a dream’s real.”Jecht shook his head. “You musta hit your head, ‘cause that can’t be right. I ain’t nobody’s damn dream, girl! How’s that even possible?” I can’t do this. Why isn’t Yuna here? Or even Auron – he’d know what to say. She dropped her head into her hands. I’m just messing things up. Let me help you. Let go. I will tell him, Lenne said, before Rikku’s garment grid activated against her will. Magic flared and then she was shoved back behind her own eyes, nothing more than a passenger in a vehicle she was no longer driving. Jecht took a surprised step backwards. “You’re that singer chick. What’d you do with Rikku?” Then his expression turned hungry. “Are you my way back?”Rikku tried to reply, but when her mouth opened, only a reedy sound escaped from Lenne’s lips. It turned into a soft hum – a hauntingly familiar tune.“Sleep now, be at ease,” Lenne crooned, fingers fluttering over Jecht’s eyes, shutting them. “Everyone’s the same. Their lost fears, wrapped with sadness and confusion.” She bowed her head, her voice strengthening into a cruel benediction. “Pray to Yu Yevon! Dream, Fayth. Forever and ever, grant us prosperity.” The song died out and Lenne’s magic faded with it. Only the haunting echoes of the Hymn and a profound sense of loss remained.Jecht broke the silence first. “That’s the temple song, ain’t it. That’s what them Fayth are singin’ when they sleep.”“I’m sorry,” Rikku said.He began to laugh uncontrollably. His hand covered his eyes and she realized he’d started to cry. He’s just like Tidus. Jecht stumbled back, hitting the wall he’d ruined and sliding to the ground. Why, why hadn’t she just lied? Jecht was Jecht. He was invincible; she couldn’t watch him break apart. She heard Braska’s words from earlier: Without the extremes of our feelings, we may as well already be dead. But Braska wasn’t there. She was. It would have to be enough.“You’re here now,” she offered. “Somehow, you made it to the real Spira. Maybe that means you’re real now, too.” “This ain’t about me!” Jecht glared, eyes shining and furious. “I made some mistakes, I know that. But I always tried to do right by my boy. He doesn’t deserve any of this! Why me? Why not him? Why ain’t he real?” He clenched his fist and hit the ground, as if he could beat an answer out of the earth.Rikku sat back on her heels. For all that they protested, he and Tidus were the same – sparks of happiness in a world that had forgotten how to feel joy. Wasn’t that really what gave them their unique strength? Maybe comfort wasn’t what he needed. Comfort would be accepting the hand fate dealt you. Comfort would be giving up.If nothing else, Jecht was a fighter. Rikku stood up. “Who are you?” she asked. “I never thought you’d let yourself be beat like this. You faced down the biggest sinspawn any of us have ever seen and you didn’t even blink. But one sappy little song and you’re reduced to tears? I never took you for a crybaby,” she sniffed. “Is this really the best your Zanarkand has to offer?”“But,” Jecht started, faltered, and started again. “You’re the one who said – you said I ain’t real. What the hell can I do about any of this? I can’t even take care of Tidus properly!”“So that means you’re just gonna stop trying? Some dad you are,” Rikku snapped. “Tidus was always angry at you, you know. By the time you left him, he said you’d given up. That you’d started drinking so much you couldn’t even Blitz properly anymore. Jecht, the loser. ”Jecht leapt to his feet. “You got some nerve! If you know what’s good for you, you better shut that mouth of yours!”Rikku shrugged. It was a dangerous line she was toeing, but he needed this. “Why, so you can curl up into a little blitzball and start crying again?” She scoffed. “If you don’t like it, do something about it.”“Maybe I will!” Jecht exploded. “I’ll show you how real I can be! I’ll show all of you! Dream, my ass! I’ll make it all real! I’ll even make Tidus real!”Rikku grinned. “Good,” she said. “I’ll hold you to that.”Jecht was turning purple. “You won’t get to do shit – wait, what?” It took a few painful moments of watching the chocobos spinning the wheels in his head before understanding dawned. “Good play,” he admitted, shoulders dropping. “Are you mad?” Rikku shifted, nervous. His anger had dissipated, but Jecht was still a raging hulk and she was the bearer of bad news in his warpath. She was a little surprised they weren’t already scraping bits of her off of the agency walls.“At you? Naw, I guess not,” Jecht said reluctantly. “Am I pissed? Hell yeah,” he added, his face darkening. “What the fuck is wrong with you people? You hated your own messed up world so much you had to create a brand shiny new one to screw with, too?”“Umm, I don’t think Sin was supposed to be a part of your world,” Rikku told him in a tiny voice.“Well la-de-fuckin’-da! That helps me out a whole lot right now, don’t it!”“Sorry,” she squeaked as she scooted away from the wall. “Maybe I should just… go?”“Yeah,” he agreed, sullen. “Get lost. I don’t wanna see any of you right now.”Rikku scrambled away. A small part of her felt guilty for leaving Jecht behind to wrestle with his demons. The larger part – the one in charge of self-preservation – heaved a sigh of relief.Still, he’d asked to be left alone, not abandoned. After a moment of thought, she decided to linger at the chocobo corral entrance, just in case he returned to them. She wasn’t sure she would, in his place. But I really do owe him. She settled down to wait.The minutes ticked by, and the sky grew darker. She plucked a few long blades of grass and wove them together. More and more vegetation joined her weaving as time passed, Rikku becoming single-mindedly focused on her impromptu grass sculpture.She’d nearly finished the tailpiece of her miniature Machina Maw when a shadow fell over her. It was Jecht. “C’mere, Blondie.”The fondness was back in his words. “Feel a little better?” Rikku asked, scrambling to her feet.“Well…” he drawled before forcing her into a headlock and digging his knuckles into her hair. “Head noogie, sucker!” “Owwie! Lemme go!” She thrashed, batting at him until he released her. “That wasn’t funny!” she said, glaring as she rearranged her braids.“Was to me,” he told her, grinning from ear to ear. His expression slipped into something a little softer. “Thanks. Guess I needed a kick in the rear.” He rubbed the back of his head. “You know I talk big, but…” He dropped his hand.. “Never exactly got the primer on how to fight fate. Where do I even start?”“Here!” The reply spilled out of Rikku’s mouth. “You’ve already started. The answers are still in Zanarkand. Stay with Braska. Stay with all of us!”Sighing, he eyed her. “Yeah, I know. What else am I gonna do? Guess you guys ain’t the only ones with secrets anymore. Or are you gonna tell ‘em ‘bout me too?”She shrugged. “That’s your call. We’d help you find answers either way.”Jecht looked around. “So, this is the real world, huh?” His lip curled. “It’s a damn mess, if you ask me.”Rikku could only agree.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku had a plan. It was a good plan. It was a
fantasteriffic
plan. It was a plan that did
not
involve getting hot, sweaty, and dusty hiking down the highway towards Luca. After a hard day of fighting for supplies followed by the excruciating conversation with Jecht, she’d earned a break. And so, when the sun rose the next day, she equipped herself with the necessary supplies to put
Operation Vacation Tan
into action.
Rikku sighed and stretched against her bedroll-turned-sunning-towel. “I could get used to this.”
Of course, less than a minute later, the sound of approaching footsteps and rustling robes met her ears.
Ugh, that’s probably Auron and Braska. Can’t a girl get any privacy around here?
“... and we gathered enough supplies to set off for Luca today. As soon as we find the others, we should leave; there’s no reason to delay any further.”
Classic Auron.
She groaned.
“It would seem we managed to unearth one of them, at least,” Braska responded. “Rikku! Have you seen Jecht? He chose not to return last night, but Auron told me you two had – ” He cut himself off, sputtering.
Rikku cracked one eye open. “Yeah?”
“What are you doing?” The tone of Auron’s voice could wither grass. “And why are you wearing
that
again?”
She gave Auron a bored look. “Hello, they’re my clothes?” She gestured at her yellow bikini. “And can you stop looming? You’re in my sun.”
Braska looked away. “Clothes… yes. I seem to remember there being… more… of them.”
“Well, yeah, I’m not wearing the scarf or the sleeves. Think of the tan lines!” She shuddered.
Auron gave her a frosty look. “That is not the travelling outfit we agreed upon.” His gaze caught on her scrap of a skirt. “I don’t even think
that
qualifies as an outfit.”
Rikku pointed at him lazily – the sun felt too nice to get worked up. “Relax, it’s not like I’m defenseless. My belt is right here,” she added, patting the garment grid tucked in the folds of her discarded scarf. “Besides, this is a perfectly respectable Al Bhed outfit.”
“Respectable?” Auron repeated, frustration leaking into his tone. “The parts of you left to the imagination would fit on one hand!”
“Hey, I kept my straps on!” Rikku protested, pulling at the shoulder buckles. Then she looked down at her chest and huffed. “And you don’t have to rub it in, you know.”
So what if I’m not in the same “Blitzball” league as Yuna or Paine?
Auron flushed and turned away.
Braska coughed; it sounded suspiciously like a stifled laugh. “For what it’s worth, I would still describe you as a handful, Rikku.” And yes, that
was
a smirk.
Rikku glared and sent Braska a rude gesture, mouthing, “I’ll show you
grief!
”
“I am merely trying to help.” Braska shrugged. “Am I correct in assuming today’s lack of travel outfit means you do not wish to travel?”
“Duh,” Rikku agreed, settling back onto her roll.
“Which counts as a point in my favor,” he said to Auron. “Another night at the agency won’t leave us destitute.”
Auron ran a hand over his face, and Rikku felt a miniscule pinprick – a mosquito bite, really – of guilt. If she didn’t smooth this one over, it would end up itching for days afterwards.
“We can keep fiend hunting down the Mi’ihen Highroad.”
Braska owes me big for this!
“We’ll make up that gil in no time!”
“...Have it your way,” Auron replied, turning back towards her.
Rikku scratched her head. That was almost
too
easy, at least for Auron. She shrugged. Maybe he really wanted a vacation too? Whatever the reason, it was her policy not to look a gift chocobo in the beak. Stretching her arms over her head, she sighed and wriggled into a better tanning position.
“At least for now, we can enjoy the view,” Auron said with a mild smirk that fell away seconds later. “But I want you to don your travelling gear while we’re hunting. Luca may grant you a respite from wearing actual clothing, but the fiends along the Highroad won’t.”
Rikku scrunched her nose at him.
I can fight just fine in a bikini!
She opened her mouth to object, but Braska beat her to the punch.
“I must protest,” he said staidly, clasping his hands.
“With Rikku wearing clothing?” Auron's eyebrows rose. At the rate they were going, it wouldn't be long before they declared independence from his face.
It was Braska’s turn to flush. “No, not that –
Yevon’s mercy!
I take issue with your assumption that I’m incapable of handling our money!”
Rikku sent Braska a disbelieving look; Auron mirrored it. “Um... but can you really? Not that it wasn’t sweet and all, but I figure getting me my own room didn’t come cheap?”
In fact, she
knew
it hadn’t; Auron had had to split the previous day’s profit into five – one for each of them, and a final share for their all-consuming debt.
Braska shifted uncomfortably. “An opportunity to settle our monetary obligations will eventually present itself, I’m sure.”
Auron twitched. “Your faith in other people is very strong, if not a bit misplaced, my lord.”
Rikku winced at the sudden formality. She was starting to realize Auron only used the honorifics when he was reaching his limits.
Uh-oh.
It was almost as if a chilly breeze blew between the two men. Somewhere in the distance, a lonely chocobo warbled.
After a long moment, Braska sagged and offered his proverbial white flag. “Fine. Maybe you are correct. I admit my spending habits are, at times, a bit poorly informed...”
Auron grunted.
“... terribly uninformed, rather,” Braska corrected, “but that does not mean I cannot help us
earn
the money we require. I’m simply saying I wish to contribute.”
“So you wanna come fiend hunting with us? You could’ve just said so and saved Auron’s forehead some wrinkles!” Rikku rolled her eyes in exasperation. “It’s fine by me – the more the merrier!”
Braska’s smile returned in full force. “Thank you, Rikku! I promise, I won’t disappoint you.”
Auron crossed his arms. “That is not what I would be disappointed about,” he muttered, gazing at Rikku.
She blinked at him.
He blinked back.
Oh. Ooooh. Apparently this was another thing Auron had wanted to do with her – and only her. To her, spending an entire day up to her elbows in fiends’ torsos seemed more like torture than a date, but trust Auron to think the opposite. He’s so bad at this; it’s almost cute. It might have been more cute if the area they’d canvassed yesterday hadn’t been infested with floating eyes. Rikku suppressed her shudder and vowed to teach Jecht how to steal.
Finally, Auron sighed. “Of course, my lord. It will be good training for you.” He managed a thin-lipped smile. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“And for Jecht as well,” Braska hastily amended, sensing the impending danger. “Perhaps we can learn to work more effectively as a team.”
“Nice save, Braska,” Rikku observed. “Now you just have to sell the idea to Jecht!”
“I’ll just excuse myself to find him then,” Braska replied, trying to retreat from Auron’s ire.
“ ‘Ey!” Jecht hollered. “There you all are! I been lookin’ for you guys!” He waved, jogging towards them.
Braska’s smile fell. “Ah. Jecht. How fortunate that you stumbled over us just now.”
Rikku went to return his wave before freezing, suddenly nervous. Jecht didn’t look any worse for wear, but you couldn’t always tell with him. What if he was still mad at her?
Well, only one way to find out.
Raising her hand, she shouted, “Heya! Everything good?”
Jecht looked at Auron. “According to the Stiff’s face, I’m doing better than y’all!” He gave Rikku a look which she translated as,
‘Everything’s shit, but what’cha gonna do about it?’
It could’ve been worse – then again, this was
Jecht
. He was already waggling his eyebrows at her. “I’m fine. You know me: Jecht, the invincible!”
Braska and Auron glanced between them. “Did something happen last night?” Braska asked.
Jecht smirked, crossing his arms and leaning back. “Wouldn’t you like to know? I can have secrets too, man. I’ve got
hidden depths!
”
“That’s – ” Auron began, undoubtedly with a barbed observation. Rikku shook her head and made a slashing motion across her throat. “ – not the phrase I would have chosen,” he finished.
“Y’know, sometimes I think Blondie makin’ ya more chatty was a mistake.” Jecht popped his neck. “But we’re gettin’ off track! I got somethin’ important to tell you all!”
“What news are you so eager to bring us today?” Braska asked.
Jecht punched his palm. “We gotta rescue the chocobos here, pronto!”
“I wasn’t aware the chocobos needed saving,” Braska said.
“That’s the thing!” Jecht pressed on. “If we don’t do somethin’, they’re gonna turn into monster chow! Think of them poor widdle birdies,” he trailed off, before cooing mournfully.
“Hidden depths,” Auron repeated.
Jecht ignored him. “See, I was askin’ around ‘bout renting more chocobos – ”
“Ah-ha!” Braska interjected. Everyone swivelled to look at him. “...Jecht is also unaccustomed to dealing with the costs of this Pilgrimage! Even
I
know we could not possibly afford to rent chocobos!”
“What? Oh, naw, I meant the folks at the agency offered us a sweet deal. We nip their monster problem in the bud, they lend us some chocobos for free!” He laughed and rubbed the back of his head. “How else would we pay for it? Ain’t like we got any gil lyin’ around after you blew it all on Rikku’s room, right?”
“Yes. Thank you, Jecht,” Braska said, grin frozen and brittle on his face. “Please, continue with this idea of yours.”
Jecht paused, before scowling at Auron and Braska. “Look, if you all are actin’ funny ‘cause Blondie’s in a swimsuit, lighten up! You don’t gotta fight like a pair of midfielders! There’s enough of a view to go around.” He grinned at Rikku. “Nice rack, by the way! You should let it out more often.”
Rikku sat up and pointed at Auron. “See? Even Jecht thinks my boobs are a fine size, you big meanie!”
A beat passed, and then Jecht tilted his head. “Did he really...?” he asked, his tone incredulous.
“He did,” Braska agreed, serenely.
“Man, do I gotta teach you everythin’ about women?” Jecht exploded in disbelief. “How much ground do you expect me to cover here? Do you even know how babies are made? ‘Cause at this rate you ain’t gonna find out! A bro can only do so much!”
Auron groaned. “Just drop it and tell us about this monster.”
“Oooo….kay.” With another dubious look at Auron, Jecht continued. “So there’s this fiend that’s been attackin’ the chocobos. I was thinkin’ we could take care of it, maybe even make huntin’ it into one of them sphere things for the kids.” He brightened. “Adventure, y’know? Chocobos, scary monsters, and big damn heroes savin’ the day!”
Braska nodded. “An excellent idea! Yuna would love it. Rikku, do you have a free sphere?”
Rikku frowned. She vaguely remembered Yuna’s tales of fighting a Chocobo Eater during the Pilgrimage. That happened before she’d joined up; apparently it hadn’t ended well for any of them. Not that it mattered; Rikku had her
own
memories of a certain Anything Eater taking too much of a liking to her Samurai dressphere.
Well.
If this was anything like that fiend or the one that could take out Yuna’s entire party of Guardians – including Auron –
she
wasn’t going to mess with it. “Count me out,” she decided.
Auron sighed in relief. “You’re right, this isn’t our problem – ”
“No, I’m with Jecht, I think this is a great idea!” Rikku corrected him. “You boys go have your fun. I just happen to have a
real
date,” she glared at Auron, “with the sun today.”
“
Burn
!” Jecht hooted, clapping Auron on the shoulder. Auron’s dangerous gaze dropped to the point of contact, and Jecht removed the offending hand. “Uh, I was talkin’ to Rikku. Since she’s, uh, not helpin’ us, yeah.” He turned to Rikku and flapped his arms. “I hope you burn! And it peels off your tan!”
“Don’t act like fiend bait in my sun spot,” Rikku scolded Jecht, reaching for her belt pouch. With a little rummaging, she found her prize and held it out to Auron. “And here you go! A brand new sphere, ready for recording. Knock yourselves out!”
Auron looked down at the sphere in Rikku’s outstretched hand. “What part of this idea – no, this entire day – is great?” he asked. “I
knew
we should have set off for Luca immediately.”
Rikku softened, feeling a little sorry for Auron. She tugged his arm down and placed the sphere into his hand. “Stop panicking,” she told him.
“I don’t panic,” Auron replied gruffly, refusing to meet her eyes. He made no move to take the sphere.
“Look. You called my boobs small, and I’m still talking to you. It’s okay to make mistakes sometimes! That’s how we learn, right?” She pressed the sphere into his hand insistently. “Just keep trying. Not only with me. With everything, you know? If you think you’ve made a mistake, move forward and look for better answers for the next time.”
Auron took the sphere from her hand. His fingers brushed hers. “I’ll try,” he said, standing up and switching the sphere on. “Where do we start?” He held the recorder up, taking in their surroundings.
“A giant fiend that attacks chocobos…” Braska mused. “It must be attracted by the tamed ones in the corral. They would be easy prey.”
“What’s it waitin’ for?” Jecht cupped his hands over his mouth and yelled. “ ‘ey! Come out and fight!”
Auron groaned. “This is a waste of time.”
Jecht stopped shouting and scowled. “ ‘ey, come on! It’s the right thing to do! Everyone’s depending on us.” Braska approached him, staff already in hand. Jecht grinned and shrugged. “ ‘Sides, it’s good practice.”
Unexpectedly, Auron chuckled. “I guess you’re right,” he relented, relaxing with a smile.
Braska’s expression also lightened. “Well then – ”
A series of panicked cries cut off whatever else he might’ve said; a flock of speeding chocobos thundered past, kicking up clouds of dust. Auron fumbled and dropped the sphere.
Coughing and sputtering, everyone tried to wave the dust away.
“I think that was – ” Braska’s words ended in a shout.
A fiend, nearly as big as the travel agency itself, burst through the clouds of dust. It was ugly – all fists and teeth and no neck to speak of – and its split jaw was open, twin tongues lolling out. Flecks of saliva splattered everywhere – and everyone – as it ran past, hot on the heels of the fleeing chocobos.
Jecht gave chase, unsheathing his sword. “There it is! Auron! Let’s get ‘im!”
“Right.” Auron drew his own sword and took off after the other man.
Braska was quick to follow, pausing only to pick up and turn off the sphere Auron had dropped. “Wish us luck, Rikku. Are you sure you won’t come along?”
“Dream on,” Rikku answered, brushing herself off with her scarf. “Chocobos and fiend spit aren’t going to stop me from having a vaycay. I earned this!” She sniffed. “Good luck though,” she added, making a shooing motion. “Hurry up before you lose them!”
With a final nod, Braska grasped his staff and followed the other two. Rikku watched him disappear, feeling a momentary twinge of doubt, considering Auron’s disastrous future experience with the fiend. “They’ll be fine,” she told herself firmly, flopping back down on her roll.
The dust was settling and the chocobos, the fiends, and even her chatty companions were finally gone. The sound of ocean waves lapping against the shore filled the air, and a few insects buzzed nearby. Soon, the soothing heat and gentle noise lulled Rikku to sleep.
.x.x.x.
A soft voice roused her. “Rikku.”
Rikku blinked muzzily. “Auron?” She rubbed her eyes. “Back already?”
“I couldn’t leave you,” he admitted, kneeling beside her. “Not after what I said.” He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “You’re the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” he added, voice deep. His lips brushed ever-so-softly across her knuckles. Rikku’s heart pounded. “Even if Yuna’s and Paine’s are larger, your breasts are more than enough for me.”
Huh.
“That was pretty direct,” Rikku said, off-balance.
“So is this,” Auron replied, leaning over her. His face descended towards hers, eyes dark and full of promise. “Rikku,” he groaned.
“Oh, Auron!” Rikku breathed, closing her eyes and puckering her lips.
“Rikku!” he said again, and this time he sounded more distant. And less intimate. And maybe a little more panicked.
Ignoring the noise, she pursed her lips harder.
Any minute now
. Auron opened his mouth again, and
boy
did he need to brush his teeth. But, that was okay, because he was
this close
to finally delivering and –
“GRAWRARGH?”
Rikku opened her eyes and looked at the large, purple tongue waving overhead. A moistened chocobo feather drifted downward and landed on her chest.
The Chocobo Eater was staring at her, confused. It snapped its massive jaw closed and pointed at itself with one huge, taloned finger. “GWARARA?”
Rikku screamed and released a Fire spell directly into its face.
“WORST DREAM EVER!” she yelled, backrolling to her feet. She fumbled for her garment grid before remembering where it was – lying on the ground next to her sleeves and scarf, discarded in the name of sun worship.
“Yikes,” Rikku gasped, skipping back a few paces until she was teetering at the edge of the cliff. Somehow it didn’t seem quite as scary this time around. “I guess Sin ruined me for Chocobo Eaters,” she grumbled, finding her footing and slipping into her battle crouch. She catalogued her resources quickly – no Godhand, no daggers, no garment grid, no spheres.
Alright, so almost nothing,
she thought, holding up her fists.
The Chocobo Eater mirrored her and seemed to laugh, and with good reason. A single one of its hands was already bigger than her entire body.
Still, “almost” meant there was a chance, and Rikku was good at taking chances. Silently thanking Lulu once again, she let a small flame flicker to life in her hands and bounced on her heels. “Hit me with your best shot!” she challenged.
The Chocobo Eater looked miffed and pointed at her ominously.
“Or better yet, don’t!” she amended, looking at the fiend’s raised fist.
Thankfully, Jecht, Auron, and Braska caught up to Rikku’s unexpected sun-and-fun party with the carnivorous fiend.
“Gotcha!” Jecht yelled. “Oh, hey Blondie!” he added. “Sorry, didn’t mean to herd it all the way back here!”
“Rikku! Are you all right?” Braska asked, concern writ across his face.
Auron pointed his sword at the fiend. “Did you just try to kiss that thing?” he demanded.
Damn Auron and his eagle eyes!
Rikku sulked. “I thought it was someone else, alright?” she said defensively, throwing a bit of Fire towards the fiend’s feet to drive it away.
“Your last boyfriend must’ve been one ugly bastard,” Jecht observed, racing in to distract it – which drove the Chocobo Eater back towards Rikku’s side of the cliff.
“I was napping!” Rikku yelled back, before lighting another small spell under the monster’s feet. It leapt back towards the men, squealing. “Can’t you hunt it somewhere else? This was
my
spot first!”
Auron slammed his sword into the fiend’s knees, knocking it flat on its back and sending it sliding towards her in a spin. “Don’t avoid the question! How could you mistake that thing for m – for
someone
you would kiss?”
Braska sent him a knowing look. Jecht just snickered.
“GRWARARARARARAAARRRG!” The fiend jackknifed back onto its feet and pointed a meaty finger towards the nearest target – which happened to be Braska. It narrowed its beady little eyes, promising,
“You’re next!”
to the Summoner.
Braska abruptly stopped laughing. “Ahh… I don’t suppose someone else can take that punch?”
“Think of it as training,” Auron growled and ducked as the fiend’s fist flew towards them. He managed to somewhat deflect the creature’s aim with the broadside of his sword; Braska dodged the fiend’s talons in an awkward flail of flying robes.
“That was cold, man,” Jecht noted, taking the opportunity to land another solid hit on the Chocobo Eater, tipping it over once more. “You still mad at him?”
Auron didn’t reply, instead batting the fiend towards the cliffside with his sword. “Let’s knock it over the edge!”
Rikku waved her arms frantically, still trapped on the wrong side of the huge – if now mostly harmless – Chocobo Eater. “What the heck? I’M STILL OVER HERE, YOU KNOW!”
“Oh!” Braska stood up, robes askew. “We need to rescue Rikku!”
“Rescue me? Rescue
yourselves
, you mean!” Rikku yelled. “I TOLD you guys I needed a vaycay! And that was a really,
really
good dream!” She punctuated each word with another explosive Fire spell, bumping the hapless fiend several meters back towards them, which allowed her to reach her belt. “In fact,” she continued, snapping it on. The tingle of the magic enhancement ran up and down her spine, and she sent the others a nasty smile. “Let me help you knock it off
that
cliff!” She launched into an arcane chant.
Braska blanched. “Auron,” he said nervously, searching for an exit. “Maybe you should apologize to Rikku. Perhaps knocking it off the cliffside is not the best of plans?”
“She’s resourceful. She’ll live.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Jecht agreed, taking a cautious step backwards. “But there ain’t nothin’ like the temper of an angry woman. Got doubts if YOU’LL live, ya know?”
“GRWARAWAR,” the Chocobo Eater agreed miserably, waving its tiny feet in the air.
Auron whacked his sword against the fiend, volleying it towards Rikku like a gigantic living blitzball. “If you hadn’t worn that
outfit
today I wouldn’t have said
anything!
”
Rikku blasted the Chocobo Eater back towards Auron with a high-powered Fira spell. “You mean you’d just be thinking it!” she shouted back, over the fiend’s flailing arms.
Auron drove his sword into the ground in frustration. “That is not what I meant! Why must you insist on misunderstanding me?”
Having had enough, the Chocobo Eater flipped back onto its feet and tried to beat a stealthy retreat into the bushes. Even it seemed to know better than to get caught in the middle of a lover’s spat.
Rikku herself didn’t particularly care, as she finally had an open line of sight towards Auron. “Because you don’t even try to understand me!” she shot back. “These are my clothes, okay? Deal with them! And who thinks of
fiend hunting
as a first date, huh?”
Both Braska and Jecht stared. Even the Chocobo Eater froze and looked at Auron.
Seething, Auron yanked his sword out of the ground. “I’M SORRY, ALL RIGHT?” he yelled, charging the retreating fiend.
“GWAR?”
Sliding to a stop, he swung his sword, batting the fiend over the cliffside and out towards the water with a Shooting Star. The sound of the Chocobo Eater’s howling faded. It twinkled in the sky once before landing with the faintest whisper of a
plink
into the distant ocean.
Jecht whistled. “Maybe it’ll find that blitzball you lost in Bevelle,” he noted.
Panting, Auron turned around and sheathed his sword, looking at Rikku. “I’m new at this,” he said simply.
“... I suppose this takes care of the bounty,” Braska cut in. He pulled at a reluctant Jecht and shoved him down the road. “Why don’t you and I visit the agency and see to collecting our reward?”
“
Right
,” Jecht drawled, smirking at Auron and Rikku as they left.
The sun was starting to set – Rikku’d been napping for longer than she’d thought – and she approached Auron, coming to a stop when they were nearly face-to-face. She flashed him a tiny, uncomfortable smile. “So… I got a little mad there, I guess.” Then she leaned on one hip. “You did try to drop me off a cliff. Got anything to say for yourself?”
Auron gave her a serious look. “I am sorry. I meant no insult... to your chest, or your choice of clothing.” Then he looked at her again, lips twitching upwards. “And you do look good.”
Rikku beamed, irritation falling away. “It’s cool. Maybe you’re really not that smooth after all.” She gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder. “It makes you less intimidating!”
Auron caught her hand and pulled it away. “I’m not sure I like that,” he joked. “I hardly garner any respect among the rest of you as it is.”
“You don’t need us to be afraid of you,” Rikku replied, doing a victory jig. It was slightly more ridiculous looking than usual, considering that Auron was still holding her hand, thereby forcing him to swing his arm to her dancing. “We like you enough to make fun of you. Isn’t that a good feeling?”
Auron rolled his eyes. “Oh yes. Very warm and fuzzy on the inside. Perhaps you’ll catch me weaving friendship bracelets for us next.” He pulled Rikku in and planted a kiss against her forehead, expression gentling. “Today was… fun.”
“Even without me?” Rikku pouted, still swinging his arm.
Auron squeezed her hand, looking out over the ocean. “There is something to be said for simply enjoying yourself. Braska has always told me to live for the moment.” He shook his head. “Maybe he’s right.”
“About some things,” Rikku hummed in agreement. “Promise me you won’t read any of his poetry if he offers, though,” she added as an afterthought.
Auron looked at her curiously. “I can guarantee nothing,” he replied, tugging her towards the travel agency.
“Wait a sec!” Rikku pulled away and rushed back to her now-ruined sunning spot to gather her things. “You know, you just guaranteed us a free chocobo ride to Luca, which means we’ll breeze by all the fiends on the Highroad.” She finished packing, stood up, and peered at him, bedroll under one arm. “But stop worrying about the money! We’ll be fine; I have a plan.”
“A plan?” Auron repeated. A vague look of horror crept into his expression. “You, a master thief... Have a plan to make money... In a large city.” He paused. “Are you about to make us wanted criminals?”
Rikku scowled and marched past him, holding her head high. “Hey! My plans are foolproof! It’s a good one, I swear, and perfectly legal too!”
...I think.
Taking one last, wistful look out over the peaceful ocean vista, Auron sighed heavily. “Why do I have a bad feeling about this?”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“...Seriously, don’t it?” Jecht stood at the base of a large statue, squinting upwards. He crossed his arms and tilted his head to the right.
“For the last time,
no
. He does not look like you. Lord Mi’ihen is a hero of Spira.
You
are a little-known Guardian who can’t even properly dismount a chocobo,” Auron said as he finished gathering their supplies. “Be thankful Rikku was fast enough to catch yours before it got too far down the Highroad.”
“And on foot, too,” Rikku added as she limped closer. “Do you know how hard it is to run down an angry chocobo? You
suck
.” She flopped down onto the ground. “I brought them all back to the stable, Braska. Now, let me die in peace.”
“Oi, thanks, Blondie,” Jecht greeted, still squinting at the sculpture’s face. He canted his head in the opposite direction. “Say, Rikku, does this Mi’ihen guy look like me?”
Braska twitched in annoyance, leaning against the base of the statue depicting the behemoth Mi’ihen had proudly slain. “Jecht, it is simply the hair.”
“Says you,” he grumbled, giving the statue another doubtful glance. Shaking his head, he turned away and beamed. “So, Luca, huh? I can smell Blitzball in the air – tell me about this place!” He rocked on his heels, looking eagerly towards the stone stairs that led to the sprawling city.
They were close enough that foot traffic had become a common sight along the Highroad’s well-worn path. Most travelers seemed to be heading towards the city as if drawn by gravity magic. The eclectic mix of pedestrians ranged from stern-faced Ronso to outlandishly-attired Al Bhed. There were even a few Guado passing by, though they said little and eyed the other races with thinly-veiled suspicion.
Braska smiled as he took in the distinctive groups of travellers. “Luca is the second largest settlement in Spira, as well as the crusaders’ darling. The Blitzball season is just beginning, so everything is a bit livelier than usual.”
“Luca is also the bane of Yevon’s eye, even more than the Al Bhed,” Auron said. “But the people of Spira cherish Blitzball more than the Teachings, so more
eccentricities
are tolerated here.”
“It is the place where all can gather to forget their woes, if just for a short while,” Braska finished. He stopped and glanced at Rikku, who hadn’t yet moved. “I am surprised by your reserve, Rikku, considering the subject matter.”
Rikku threw her arm over her eyes. “You try holding a conversation after keeping pace with a chocobo. My feet are killing me!”
Braska kneeled and raised his hands. The soft glow of a curative spell settled around her ankles, soothing away her soreness. “Come. Jecht is eager to be off, and, to be honest, I am as well. The excitement here is catching.”
“Catching like a rash,” she grunted, dragging herself to her feet. Still, she couldn’t deny that the Cure had helped.
The others started strolling down the path, Jecht jogging ahead to catch a view of the city’s Blitzball stadium.
“Hey! Wait for me!” Dusting herself off, she chased after them.
Braska’s entourage was only one group of many. The tourists were streaming in; in anticipation of the influx of visitors, Luca had not disappointed. Huge, colorful balloons, marking the annual Blitzball Tournament, swayed gently in the breeze. Far to the left of the city, a large windmill towered over the surrounding buildings, brightly-decorated sails slowly turning. Towards the waterside, the Sphere Theater could be seen; the pristine, gull-shaped roof shone in the bright sun. In the center of the city, the large, open market plaza drew the eye, buzzing with crowds of Blitzball fans. A broad avenue led to the water in a direct path towards the main attraction.
And there, at the end of the concourse, was the stadium. The dock torches surrounding it were already lit, sending huge, rainbow-colored flames towards the sky.
Jecht stared in open-mouthed fascination. “Is that the stadium? It’s better than I thought it’d be!” He was grinning from ear to ear – they wouldn’t be getting out of Luca without one Blitzball game under their belts,
at least
. “You guys even got flames goin’ on here? I gotta see this up close!”
Perfect,
Rikku thought, with a mischievous smile.
“Yuna would love this view,” Braska said. “It is much more exciting than Bevelle. Auron, would you do the honors?”
“You want
me
to make another recording?” He stared at Braska in shock. “Of
this?
”
Braska hummed in agreement and pushed an empty sphere into his hands.
Auron scowled. “When did I become our party’s archivist?”
“Considering you did so well the last time, I thought you might actually enjoy it,” Braska laughed. “Perhaps there is a career waiting for you at the Luca Broadcast Corporation.”
Sighing heavily, Auron pocketed the recording sphere. “Interviewing sphere stars. What a bright future you imagine for me.” Straightening, he assumed his
business
voice. “I will do as you ask later. For now, we should secure lodgings near the docks.” He turned a stern eye on Jecht, who was fidgeting with impatience. “Remember, we are not here simply to enjoy the festivities; our ultimate goal is to book passage to Kilika.”
“ ‘ey, c’mon! You can’t come to the Blitzball capital of Spira and
not
blitz!” Jecht protested.
Rikku looked at Auron sidelong. “He’s right, you know. And, since it’s tournament season, the docks are gonna be packed anyhow. We’ll be lucky if we can find something all the way out here near the Highroad.”
Auron crossed his arms and looked at Braska. “And this is why I said our funds were insufficient.” He frowned. “We’re not camping on fishnets again!”
Braska whistled and turned away, as if he hadn’t heard the complaint.
“Relax, you guys!” Rikku danced ahead, arms behind her back. She ducked a little and smiled, swinging her braids around for the maximum
cute
effect. It caught Auron’s attention, although his expression was one of suspicion – not appreciation. “I
told
you I had a plan! Leave it to Rikku!”
Braska smiled broadly, clapping. “I knew Yevon would provide a way!”
Rikku pouted.
“Apologies,” he continued. “Your cleverness is your own, of course. Enlighten us?”
“Well, it goes something like this: you and Auron go into the city and have some fun. Make that sphere recording, grab a bite to eat – ”
“Remember, they got sweet rolls here!” Jecht punched the air; Auron elbowed him.
“ – while Jecht and I go scout the Blitzball teams.”
“I knew we were friends for a reason!” Jecht cut in again, this time with an excited hop.
Auron was looking at her as though she didn’t understand the meaning of the word
plan.
“Blitzball teams usually scout the players,” he pointed out. “I don’t see how this will get us anywhere.”
“Wrong!” Rikku grabbed Jecht and wrapped an arm around his neck, which was harder than it looked, since he was so tall. Still, he crouched down willingly.
Smart man.
“
We
happen to be a hot commodity here. Jecht is an ace Blitzer, and I’m not half bad, either! Between the two of us, we’ll make enough money to coast through the rest of this Pilgrimage!”
“Fame and fortune!” Jecht agreed, shaking her off. “The fame is gonna be all me, because
I’m
the best!” He leapt and twisted, kicking an imaginary blitzball through the air.
She sighed and planted her hands on her hips, unable to argue. Jecht was a forward after all; midfielders like herself rarely got the spotlight. Still, she knew she was good, even if she didn’t brag as loudly as Jecht. Rikku pulled her goggles over her eyes.
“That’s a new look for you,” Braska said. “Will you be wearing those into the city?”
She nodded and took a deep breath. “There’s a lot of Al Bhed in Luca right now. I don’t want anyone to know I’m here.”
If someone recognizes me, it’ll probably make the future go kablooie!
“Actually, it might be time for
Rikkma
to make a reappearance.”
Truthfully, the Al Bhed encampment on the docks didn’t worry her nearly as much as the presence of the Besaid Aurochs did. They had to be here, she knew; Wakka didn’t keep their 23-year losing streak by
missing
one of the tournament games.
She wondered how old he was; they’d never questioned each other’s ages during their journey. Well,
no one
questioned
Lulu
about her age, at least – Tidus had tried once, but she’d gotten such a dangerous glint in her eye that he’d stopped halfway through asking.
Still, when she’d first met Wakka, he’d seemed
ancient
.
Wonder if he’d think the same if he saw me now.
She sniggered at the role reversal, before realizing that made
her
old. Hiccupping, she sternly resolved not to think about it.
Raising a hand, she turned to the others. “Are we ready? Keep an eye on the sphere broadcasts to check our progress. You won’t be disappointed!” She smiled. “Or you could actually invest in tickets and watch us play in the stadium.”
“I think we will do just that,” Braska agreed happily.
Auron pinched the bridge of his nose. “With what gil? No,
nevermind.
No
, my lord.”
Braska frowned.
Auron ignored him. “The tournament doesn’t even begin until tomorrow. What are we doing about lodging for tonight,
before
your ‘fame and fortune’ arrives?”
Rikku winked and drew a small flask out her pocket. “Go book someplace swanky,” she instructed, handing it to him. “With room service! And heated baths! And… and… massages,” she added quickly.
“What is this?” Auron asked, holding up the vial; twin balls of light chased each other in mesmerizing circles, letting off a melodic hum.
“Sin’s contribution to our Pilgrimage,” Rikku answered, crossing her arms in satisfaction. “Twin Stars are worth almost as much as Farplane Winds. Don’t blow it all in one place like last time, alright?”
Jecht rubbed the back of his head but said nothing.
Huh
, Rikku thought with a tiny smirk.
Looks like Jecht
can
learn after all.
Auron looked at her, for once seemingly at a loss for words. Besides its monetary value, he’d witnessed what she’d done to obtain it. “... I’ll make sure this gift is properly appreciated,” he said, expression warm and wondering.
“Thank you, Rikku,” Braska added, bowing. “I wish I could repay you for this kindness.”
Rikku gave them a thumbs up. “Then watch the games today. We’re gonna blow you out of the water,” she promised.
Jecht whooped in agreement before high-fiving her.
“Pow-wow at the central monument after the show’s over?” she asked. Auron gave her a tight nod, and Rikku decided to push him a little. “Relax! And give a girl a kiss for luck?”
“Hnn,” he replied, beginning to look amused. Reaching over, he ruffled her hair and planted a chaste kiss squarely on her forehead. “Next time, specify where,” he finished, quietly.
Rikku gaped before pouting.
Tease.
“Fine. We don’t need luck, we’ve got skill! C’mon Jecht! Let’s do it!”
“Yeah!” Jecht agreed, grinning broadly. “...After the sweet rolls!”
.x.x.x.
Rikku squinted at a tiny sphere screen while Jecht lounged at her side and munched on a roll. He sent a layer of crumbs skittering over the floor; the half-beast attendant sweeping the carpet shot them a dirty look. It wasn’t the first.
“I asked you to help out, not make the workers here hate us, you know,” Rikku observed, most of her attention still on the archived game on the screen.
“Whatever,” Jecht grunted, licking the last of the sticky dough from his fingers. He burped and put his feet up on the table.
She turned away from the screen. “Jecht,” she hissed. “Put your feet down! Just because we paid to get in here doesn’t mean they won’t kick us out!”
“Fine,” he groused, removing his feet and leaning forward. “So what? You found us our marks yet?”
Sighing, she shut off the sphere screen and stretched her arms over her head. “Well, as far as I can tell, the worst team in the league right now is the Besaid Aurochs.” That was no surprise;
everyone
knew the Aurochs were bad. That most of their losses were due to a string of bad luck, rather than a lack of talent, was unexpected, though. And then there was the fact that Wakka hadn’t played in any of the games she’d watched – she wondered if it was a coincidence.
“So we’re gonna offer our services to these Aurochs?” Jecht picked at his teeth. “Bring the underdogs the championship?”
“No!” Rikku squealed. The attendant switched his glare to her. Hunching, she lowered her voice. “No, I think the Aurochs are a bad choice. If you wanna go for the real underdogs, that would be the Ronso Fangs. They’re still relatively new to Blitzball – looks like the Ronsos’ interest in sports is pretty recent. They have the talent, but they don’t know how to use it.”
“Ronso,” Jecht repeated, scratching his head. “Why does that sound familiar?” He slapped a fist on the table. The attendant squawked. “Wait, ain’t they those big blue furry cat guys? You mean they can
swim?
”
Rikku nodded. “Yeah! But not well.” She pulled up an exhibition game and motioned Jecht to watch. “They’re slow, but very powerful. And competitive.” The opposing team scored a goal – immediately, an underwater scuffle broke out. The Ronso catcher punched the scorer, who flew right out of the sphere pool. “They don’t like losing.”
Jecht grinned. “Hungry, huh? Sounds like my kinda team. Alright, let’s go find ‘em and make ‘em winners!”
“Not so fast!” Rikku searched through the sphere recording. “It says they’re on Dock Four this year. We have to convince them to take us on first.” Shutting down the display table, she stood up and stretched. “The Ronso are proud and direct. Don’t try to smooth talk them. Just show them your moves and guarantee them a win.”
“Anything to get outta here,” Jecht agreed, leading the way outside. It was obvious he was glad to escape the Sphere Theater’s solemn atmosphere. “This place is way too stuffy!” He made a face at their aggrieved attendant as he passed.
Privately, Rikku agreed with Jecht; the return to open air and the city’s buzzing energy was refreshing. “Docks, here we come!” she cheered, setting off toward the stadium’s long gangway.
Strolling down the painted steps, Jecht drunk in his surroundings. “This reminds me of the good ol’ days in Zanarkand,” he hummed. “Did I ever tell you ‘bout that? Bein’ a superstar at home, I mean.”
Rikku rolled her eyes in amusement. “Only about a million times a day. I’m in a good mood though, so you can serenade me one more time if you want.”
Jecht laughed. “Well, Zanarkand was big enough to have six different districts. We divvied it up into four teams per district, so twenty-four teams, not countin’ them junior and minor leagues. I played for the Abes in A-East.”
Rikku took a moment to digest that. “Wow. You guys must have really loved Blitzball! Right now all of Spira is gathered here to play, but we still only have six teams.”
Jecht nodded. “My Zanarkand was a world of its own,” he said. “Lots more people there. And lots more blitzin’ too. Kept us entertained, I guess.” He shrugged. “I try not to think about it too much. When I started hittin’ the bottle too hard, I wondered sometimes if that was it – if there was nothin’ more to life than blitzin’ for twenty-four teams full of cocky assholes just like me.” His tone sobered, and his gaze went distant. “Didn’t actually think I was right.” He barked out a dry laugh. “At least I can get my Blitz game back on track here.”
Rikku draped her hands on her head, turning Jecht’s words over in her mind. ”Say… how
did
Sin bring you here? What happened?”
“It’s not a fun trip to remember.” Jecht rubbed the back of his head. “I wasn’t all that sober either, mind. And I wasn’t tryin’ to off myself, no matter what bullshit the tabloids were runnin’!”
Rikku gaped. Jecht,
suicidal
?
He scowled. “ ‘ey! I ain’t jokin’! Just ‘cause I drunk a little too much didn’t mean I was a damn head case! No one ever tried trainin’ out that far in the ocean before. I wanted to be the first.” He smirked. “Everyone in Zanarkand was always so afraid of leavin’ the city.
There’s nothin’ but water out there, Jecht. You’re crazy!
That’s what they said. Bunch of spineless mice, all shiverin’ their whiskers at each other. Well, not me! I ain’t afraid of anything!”
“But… there
was
something to be afraid of, right?” she asked slowly. “You’re lucky Sin didn’t attack your city when it appeared.”
Jecht snorted at her. “Sin didn’t
appear.
Hell, I didn’t even know what it was ‘till I saw the fin underwater! I’d have been a goner if I wasn’t a Blitzer. I got sucked into this giant whirlpool – wasn’t any use tryin’ to get back to the surface. I figured if it wouldn’t let me go back up, might as well go down. So I just swam towards whatever it was, fast as I could. Then, the water disappeared.”
“Disappeared?”
“Yeah. Like, I knew I was swimmin’ down an’ all, but I broke into the center of the world or somethin’. I always thought the ocean had a bottom, but up and down got switched, and all of a sudden I was fallin’ through the sky.” He frowned. “Or maybe floatin’. I dunno. All I remember is when I hit the water again, it
hurt
. I was black an’ blue for days after they fished me out.”
Rikku nodded. “So you fell out of the sky and landed in the ocean near Bevelle.”
“Bevelle? Hell naw, Blondie! I landed someplace called Baaj. They said Sin attacked; it must’ve destroyed damn near everything, ‘cause there wasn’t much of a city left, from what I saw,” he added. “Not much standin’ but the temple when I came. The priests there wrapped me up and crated me off to Bevelle like a pack of dried fish.” He shrugged. “An’ then I met you and Braska and Auron. Not much else to tell.”
Fell out of the sky near Baaj?
Rikku narrowed her eyes in thought. Tidus had ended up near the Baaj Ruins too, the first time they met. Maybe it
wasn’t
just a coincidence. “You know what I said about your Zanarkand? Maybe I’m wrong – not about the Fayth and the dreams and stuff,” she added quickly, seeing a fleeting look of hope pass across Jecht’s face. “About your dream Zanarkand not being real. It sounds to me like it might really exist somewhere out there. I mean, down being up, up being down, and falling out of the sky?”
“What’re you gettin’ at, Blondie?”
She formed a circle with her hands. “What if your dream Zanarkand is like one of Braska’s aeons? Really out there, one big city floating in the sky over the ocean? Maybe you swam too far down and fell out of the edge of it. But that would mean you could really go back, wouldn’t it? We’d just have to find it.” She paused, suddenly remembering the lack of airships in the present world. “Uh… and learn how to fly too, I guess.”
Jecht stopped walking and fell silent, his look pensive.
“Jecht?” Rikku asked carefully.
“No.” He turned to her, expression serious. “No way. Even if it’s really there…” He shook his head. “I can’t. Not after comin’ here. All that stuff you said about it not bein’ real… that ain’t exactly wrong. My Zanarkand never sleeps. We eat, we drink, we blitz, but we don’t
live
. Not the way you people do here. I thought all them others were scared little mice. But maybe it wasn’t their fault, not really. Maybe that’s the way we were
made
to be. I was the weird one, tryin’ to drink my way to some real answers when it all seemed hollow. I couldn’t go back no more, not knowin’ what I do now. That ain’t livin’. That’d be runnin’ away from the truth.” His face hardened. “I gotta bring Tidus here. That boy’ll turn into me otherwise. He asks too many questions. He ain’t stupid-happy like the rest of ‘em either.”
Rikku regarded him. “Why don’t you ever say stuff like that to Auron? He’d stop ribbing you about being dumb.”
“Say what? He’d just get on my case about bein’ a… a…”
“An aeon?” she supplied helpfully.
“I was gonna say
dream
,” Jecht said, chortling, “but yours sounds cooler. ‘Sides, Auron’s still got a head full of his own problems. You’re givin’ him an assist, but he ain’t anyone to go to for help with the deep stuff.” He grinned. “You need it killed, that’s Auron. Need a hug and a shoulder to cry on, that’s Braska. But you want some answers? That’d be you. All that airhead jazz ain’t hiding what you really got goin’ on behind them swirly eyeballs.”
“Thanks, I guess?” The idea of anyone coming to her for advice made her eyes cross.
Is this how Braska feels all the time?
Jecht shrugged.
Before Rikku could gather her thoughts and respond, she frowned. “We’re in the wrong place,” she said, taking in their surroundings. “This is where the Besaid Aurochs are staying.” Adjusting her goggles self-consciously, she put her head down and began walking past the dock.
“ ‘Ey! Blondie! Wait up! I didn’t scare ya did I?” Surprised, Jecht jogged to catch up.
“Shh!” Rikku looked around.
No Wakkas spotted,
she noted with some relief. “It’s not that! It’s just that I don’t wanna meet any of the Aurochs,” she whispered. “We have a kinda-sorta history going on here, alright?”
“Ooh!” Jecht brightened. “Drama! This is great!”
“It’s not great!” Rikku threw up her hands and stomped away.
“Blondie, uh, watch out – ”
She plowed headlong into a small figure in her path, sending them both sprawling to the ground.
The kid sprang to his feet, rubbing his butt. “Oww! Watch it, ya!”
I know that voice.
Sure, it was a little younger and a bit more high pitched than she remembered, but there was no mistaking that Besaid accent.
Cringing, Rikku opened her eyes and saw a pair of sandaled feet. With a gulp, her gaze travelled up the baggy pants – yellow, of course, and strapped closed with a multitude of bright blue cinches – a small, tanned torso, still lacking in muscle definition, and a blue bandana holding up a shock of wild, red hair.
Disasterrific
.
“Damn!” Jecht said as he reached them. “I tried to warn ya! Hey kid, are you –
Tidus?
”
The boy eyed them both, before shrugging – a true Besaid native, unfazed by anything. “No idea who you’re talking about. Name’s Chappu,” he said. He stuck out his his chest proudly.
Oh, Wakka
, Rikku thought.
“S-sorry, kid,” Jecht managed. “You look a little like my son.”
Chappu gave them a bright smile. “No harm, no foul, mister. You looked like you were in a hurry there. Are you playing for one of the other teams?” He studied Rikku. “The Psyches, ya? You both better get outta here before my brother comes by. He’s not a fan. Says they play dirty.” He flushed slightly. “No offense.”
Rikku stood, eying the cheerful boy. Instincts told her to run, but…
maybe
she was homesick. Just a little
teensy
bit. She smiled at Chappu. “You know, we don’t play for the Psyches. We’re free agents!”
“Oh!” Chappu said. “It’s too bad you’re… you know.” He gestured at Rikku’s outfit. “The Aurochs could use a little help. We’ve been short on manpower since Sin attacked. Wiped out most of the old team.” He gaze drifted downward.
Rikku’s heart clenched. In the smaller communities, Blitzball was often passed down as a family tradition. “But your brother made it out alright,” she said, patting Chappu on the shoulder.
“Oh yeah! Wakka just joined the team. He’s only thirteen, though, so he’s warming the bench. Don’t tell him, but Cap’n says he’s gotta put on more muscle before he can play with the big boys.”
Jecht was gaping again. “Thirteen? You guys don’t have a junior league here?”
Chappu snorted proudly. “Wakka’s been playing since he was six! Blitzing is his dream! One day he’s gonna make it big and bring home the Championship. And me and Lu, we’re gonna be right there with him, ya!”
“Sorry, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen this year,” Rikku told him sympathetically.
Or ever, for you.
Deflating, Chappu nodded in agreement. Apparently he was more realistic than his brother. ”Don’t I know it. We’re gonna suck so bad this year.” He sighed. “
Again
.”
“Hey, kid, chin up,” Jecht said. “This is just a bad break. It’ll pass.”
Rikku slapped her face, knowing Jecht was giving her a pleading look, as if to say,
Can’t we play for this team instead?
She scowled and said, “No, Jecht.”
Chappu’s wide grin turned a bit rueful, but he didn’t push it.
“Well, good luck, kid,” Jecht said. “If you find me after the tournament, maybe I can show you a few tricks!”
Chappu shook his head. “No thanks, stranger. My girlfriend’s already in the stands, and we got a date after the big game. Can’t keep a lady waiting, ya?” He waved and dashed off towards the city.
“Weird kid,” Jecht mused, his mind obviously on Tidus.
Rikku shivered.
Did I really just meet Wakka’s dead brother?
Another thought occurred.
Lulu’s here? Does she already dress in leather and lace?
Curiosity killed the cat, sure, but a part of her was cackling at the prospect of seeing her former mentor and idol as a child.
“Blondie?”
Lulu’s favorite lesson popped into her head:
Focus!
“Yeah, we should hustle. We have less than an hour to find the Fangs and convince them to let us join!”
“Right!” Jecht said, as they hurried towards their destination. “So tell me about this team.”
“Would it have killed you to pay attention in the theater?” she groused before relenting. “The Fangs aren’t that good. They’re power hitters – both for scoring and interceptions, but they’re slow. Their defense is weak. Still, it shouldn’t be too hard win an exhibition game, especially if we’re helping them out.” She slowed down, seeing a telltale flash of dour blue. “There they are!”
Jecht pushed ahead with a swagger. “ ‘ey there, big guy! Are you lookin’ to win the tournament this year?”
The tall beast crossed his arms and looked down at Jecht – a decent feat considering Jecht’s height.
Nervously, Rikku elbowed Jecht out of the way. “What he means to say is that we’re free agents. My name’s Rikkma, and this guy here is Jecht.” Thinking quickly, she performed a halfhearted bow to the guard.
The Ronso unfolded his arms and fixed his golden stare on Rikku. “Al Bhed follows teachings of Yevon?”
Hooked.
Grinning, Rikku straightened. “Like Jecht said, we’re here to help. We know you guys are new at this, and we wanna see your team succeed.”
“Ronso take care of Ronso problems.” The guard sniffed, crossing his arms again and losing interest.
“Well, you’ve got more than a few,” Rikku said quickly. “You guys haven’t won a single game since you started playing! I know; I’ve watched all of them!”
The Ronso’s expression remained impassive, but his tail twitched in agitation.
“We’re not sayin’ you’re bad,” Jecht cut in, holding his hands up in a placating manner. “We’re just sayin’ we might be able to teach you some new tricks. Game changers, if ya know what I mean.”
Rikku nodded, dancing in place. “Uh-huh! Hire us and we’ll, uh, restore your honor! Do it for your people. Let’s show Spira that Ronso pride!”
The guard glared at them for a few moments longer, then nodded slightly. “You see Gazna. Gazna lead us. He decide.”
And sunk!
Rikku gave Jecht an excited thumbs up. They followed their still-nameless guide onto their ship, and a few things became immediately obvious. The ship was chartered – the crew was human, and they were scared witless of their Ronso passengers.
“Damn! These guys are huge!” Jecht whistled. Said Ronso were lounging all over the ship. A large female leaned against a wall and observed them with an unblinking stare. Another male stood at the foot of the stairs, tail twitching as he watched them approach.
Of course, Jecht was both delighted and unaffected by the close scrutiny of the dangerously fanged and clawed creatures dwarfing him. Most likely he was thinking only of the advantage the Ronso builds would provide in the game.
Typical Jecht
, she thought as they walked deeper into the ship.
The few humans they passed were either fearfully scurrying between their cabins or hiding behind the potted plants scattered through the hold.
Finally, they stopped before a plain cabin door, and their silent companion knocked once. It swung open, and their guide ushered them inside.
A heavy-set, bearded Ronso in a yellow blitzing uniform looked up. He sat behind a desk, papers scattered before him. From her vantage point, they looked like rough sketches of Blitzball formations. At his side, a much smaller Ronso flipped through the papers and made a few notations.
The seated Ronso growled. “Zamzi. You disturb with intruders?” His piercing tone turned menacing. “With Al Bhed?”
Uh-oh
. “We’re free agents,” she cut in, waving. “Rikkma and Jecht, at your service.”
A rumbling growl echoed through the small room.
“We’re Guardians!” Rikku added nervously. “In the service of the Summoner Lord Braska!”
The growl cut off. Every Ronso in the room looked surprised. “Al Bhed… Guardian?” The Ronso behind the desk stood slowly, keeping his hands on the table. “I am Gazna, captain of Ronso Fangs.” He performed a clumsy bow. “Small one Zev, guide is Zamzi. You honor us with visit.”
Rikku nudged Jecht, and after a moment, he returned Gazna’s bow. “Don’t get that response often.”
“Ronso care little for politics of humans. Summoner Braska honors Spira.” Gazna tilted his head. “Why do Guardians come here?”
“We ain’t here as Guardians today,” Jecht said. “We’re Blitzers, too. We wanna sign on with the Fangs.”
Gazna crossed his arms and said nothing. Zev, the smaller Ronso, stepped forward.
“You want to help Ronso?” Zev’s tail lashed back and forth in excitement. “You will play for Fangs?”
Behind them, Zamzi spoke up, his tone harsh. “Be silent! Elder speaks! Runt only listens!”
“Fangs lose again this year!” Zev replied. “Ronso need help! Guardians offer help! Zev will not not be silent!”
“Ronso take care of Ronso problems!” Zamzi repeated, crouching and baring his fangs.
The two growled at each other before Gazna raised a hand and closed it into a fist. Zamzi and Zev fell silent.
“Why?” Gazna asked.
Rikku bit her lip, weighing her options. The Ronso were notoriously fussy about things like honor and pride, but Kimahri was one of her besties. He’d taught her how to navigate these waters. “We need money,” she told him, and ignored Jecht’s incredulous stare.
Zev recoiled, Gazna’s gaze turned frosty, and Zamzi snorted. “Al Bhed,” he scoffed. “No pride.”
Rikku raised her voice. “We need money for Lord Braska’s Pilgrimage,” she amended. “Yevon doesn’t support Braska. He’s an outsider and he needs help. And you need help with Blitzball. You’re outsiders too. We can help each other.” She turned her head slowly and met Zamzi’s eye. “We’d give up our pride to continue on the Pilgrimage.
Would you?
”
Thanks, Kimahri.
After a long moment, Zamzi dropped his gaze. When Rikku turned back, it was to find Gazna looking at her in approval. “How would you help Fangs?” he asked.
“I’m a star player,” Jecht answered. “Rikk… uh… ma’s pretty good too. Between the two of us, we can bring home the title.” He flexed his muscles and grinned. “We got the moves if you got the team.”
Gazna motioned to Zev. “Gather team on deck.” He gestured at Rikku and Jecht. “You. Follow.”
The Ronso stomped out of the room before them, and Jecht leaned towards Rikku. “That was a pretty big gamble,” he whispered.
“Not really,” she whispered back, following the beasts. “The Ronso may be stubborn, but they’re sticklers for their pride. They may be the only completely honest race left in Spira. If you’re upfront with them, they’ll do right by you.” She smiled. “As long as they think your cause is worthy, that is.”
They emerged on the deck, and Rikku marvelled at the collection of gathered giants. She knew she was short, but being surrounded by the towering Ronso was enough to give a girl a complex, especially when more than half the team was looking at them in hostility.
Gazna raised a fist again, and the Ronso turned their attention to him.
“Today, Yevon smiles on Ronso!” he began, before gesturing at Rikku and Jecht. “Guardians Rikkma and Jecht offer help with Blitzball! For honor of Gagazet, we accept them as pack.”
Murmurs rippled through the team. Zev nodded in approval. Zamzi remained stoic. A different male Ronso stepped forward, his expression thunderous.
“Malik object! Al Bhed and human interfere! Malik will not accept!” He snarled and slashed at her. Rikku jumped back, retreating until she hit a soft wall and was shoved forward.
Stumbling, she turned and saw that she’d bumped into a female Ronso – slightly smaller than her male counterparts, but still taller than Jecht.
The female bared her teeth. “Kelda agree! Kelda will not play with humans!” She crossed her arms and continued to snarl.
The smallest Ronso, Zev, leapt to their defense. “Guardians smart! Guardians know Blitzball! Ronso will lose again without Guardians!” He was shoved back by Malik.
Zamzi caught him.
“Zamzi? You side with runt? Did someone break horn and glue back on?” Malik’s voice held a note of disbelief.
“I stand with Gazna. Captain decide,” Zamzi replied bluntly.
“Zev stands with Gazna!” the small one repeated.
The Ronso formed a ring around Jecht and Rikku; on one side, Gazna, Zev and Zamzi stood, supporting them. On the other, Malik and Kelda, opposing. Almost in unison, every head swung towards the last remaining Ronso on the team, a young female.
“What does Irga decide?” Kelda asked.
Tail twitching nervously, the remaining female dropped her head. “Irga believes Guardians will teach Ronso much,” she said, edging over to Gazna’s side.
“Then it is decided. Malik and Kelda are bench. Rikkma and Jecht take place,” Gazna declared. He looked at the two ousted Ronsos. “You remain on ship until return to Gagazet. Those with blind pride can be no part of Ronso Fangs.”
Snarling, the pair stomped below deck.
“That was easier than I expected,” Jecht said, relaxing. “I thought for sure they were gonna rip us a new one!”
Gazna turned a disdainful look towards Jecht. “Ronso do not attack weaker race unprovoked,” he sniffed. “Even if anger is great.”
“Weaker?” Jecht bristled, and Rikku grabbed his arm in warning. “Just get me in the water, I’ll show you who’s weak,” he promised, cracking his knuckles.
Gazna ignored him. “Exhibition game begin soon. We leave for stadium now. Zev. Take care of Guardians.”
The team began to file off the ship. Jecht rubbed his head. “So that’s it? We’re just goin’ straight into a game like that? I thought he was the captain. You mean we’re not even gonna discuss our positions?”
Rikku shrugged. “Don’t ask me, I told you they were bad. I guess they figure everything’s gonna work itself out on its own.”
Zev folded his ears backwards. “Not wrong. Captain not understand Blitzball,” he told them in a rumbling undertone. “Ronso all same. Direct attack. Be stronger than others. No defense. Zev run horn into wall many times now.”
“Whoa,” Jecht said, studying Zev with newfound respect. “You may be the little one, but you got a grasp on the basics, kid.” He frowned. “So what did your leader tell you to do with us?”
“Malik left forward. Kelda right forward. Guardians decide which position to replace.”
“Wow, you guys are
really
bad.” They were approaching the stadium now, and Rikku was beginning to see some flaws in her plan. Even if the Besaid Aurochs sucked, at least they
talked
to one another before a game. “Alright, how about this instead: what positions do
you
guys hold?”
The question seemed to put Zev into more familiar territory, and he answered her almost
happily
– for a Ronso. “Captain Gazna play midfield. Irga left, Zev right. Zamzi is keeper.”
“Well, that ain’t too hard,” Jecht said. “You just tell your guys when they get the ball to pass it to me or Rikku. I’ll get your shots in!”
Zev eyed Jecht dubiously. “Ronso can shoot.”
Rikku winced and shared a nervous look with Jecht. They were already approaching the team entrances, and the Ronso strategy was still distant and nebulous.
“Uh… then
shoot
the ball to Rikku,” Jecht told him with a little less confidence. “She’ll take care of ya! Just make sure your defenders have your game on today, alright?”
Zev began to look agitated. “Ronso do not defend. Ronso shoot.”
“Oh boy,” Rikku muttered. They arrived at the team’s cabin doors, and Rikku split off with Irga for the women’s partition. “Are you ready?” she called back to Jecht.
“I got this. Stop worryin’, Blondie. I’m the greatest! This one’s in the bag.” He gave her a thumbs up and his patented grin, before disappearing between the broad blue shoulders of his teammates.
“So… do you know who we’re playing against?” Rikku tried, smiling at her companion.
“No,” Irga said, before stripping down into her blitzing gear.
Sighing, Rikku changed into her own familiar bikini and puffed sleeves. At least Auron and Braska wouldn’t miss her, a mass of skin, bows, and yellow swimwear in the middle of all that Ronso blue. Rikku turned her attention to the room’s sphere screen.
“Well, Bobba, it looks like we’re finally going to see the Ronso Fangs in action once more!”
“Always a pleasure! Those Ronsos are real crowd pleasers!”
“That’s because they always lose. But at least they’re guaranteed to make the show entertaining while they do it! People are already taking bets on how many fouls they’ll make this year.”
“Well, you might have to hold your breath on that one, Jimba. It looks like the Fangs drew the Besaid Aurochs for this exhibition game. The Aurochs have been on a losing streak for three years straight, and this year their youngest player is only thirteen! That smacks of desperation to me.”
“
What?
” Rikku yelled.
“You’ve got to remember, Bobba, the Ronso Fangs have been playing Blitzball for nearly that long and they
still
don’t understand the rules. I’d say it’s a clear case of the helpless versus the clueless. Who do you think’s going to win today?”
“Only Yevon can say, Jimba. Only Yevon can say.”
Rikku nearly broke the sphere screen as she shut it off. “Let’s just get this over with,” she said to Irga, lowering her goggles over her eyes.
They rejoined their male teammates at the entrance to the field. The explosive sounds of the arena filling with water echoed to their position, and she stretched to loosen herself up.
Jecht grabbed her arm and pulled her to the front. The horn sounded, signalling that the arena was ready for play. “Let’s blitz!” he roared, and after taking a deep breath, dove into the water.
“Let’s just survive the game with our pride intact,” Rikku grumbled. Sucking in a giant breath of her own, she joined him.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“Touch comes before sight, before speech. It is the first language and the last, and it always tells the truth.” – Margaret Atwood
Braska leaned forward on his stool, watching the large sphere screen on the wall. He took a sip of tea. “This is all very exciting, don’t you think?”“As exciting as any tournament in Luca usually is,” Auron answered with a distinct lack of emotion. The waitress placed his meal on the table and he nodded in thanks. “But, this is your first time here during the Blitzball season, isn’t it?”Braska nodded, eyes still trained on the screen. “Indeed. I am a bit surprised that you aren’t more affected. You’ve shown great interest in the seasonal results before.” He looked at Auron. “I would think you’d be more enthusiastic, considering Rikku and Jecht’s involvement this time.”Auron shrugged. “I followed the tournaments out of necessity – through Blitzball, one can gauge the various factions in Spira.” He picked up his sandwich. “I don’t bear any particular love for the game itself.”“Bevelle has never declared war on Luca,” Braska said with a hint of melancholy. “Must you prepare for the worst, even during a celebration like this?”“It would be foolish to discount the power Blitzball holds, and Maester Mika is no fool.” Braska wilted. Relenting, Auron sighed. “Although I am curious to see what those two are up to this time.”The buzzer sounded, waylaying any further attempts at conversation. Braska perked up and directed his attention back towards the screen. “I think it’s beginning. Oh look, there Jecht and Rikku are!”Auron picked up his meaty sandwich and took a bite. Swallowing, he raised an eyebrow at the screen. “They’re playing for the Fangs? How did they even convince the Ronso to let them in?”
“Oh, hush. Rikku can be very persuasive when she wants to. I will cheer for them if you won’t.”Despite taking another large, stubborn bite in response, Auron kept his eyes glued to the screen. A cheer sounded through the cafe as the horn blared for the blitzoff.“There, look at that. The big Ronso in the middle caught the ball! What a magnificent start!” Braska said, before frowning. “Forgive me if I’m wrong, but… aren’t they supposed to move more quickly than that?”“The Fangs are notoriously slow.” Auron put the sandwich down. “This is normal for them.”“Hmm,” Braska said, never looking away from the screen. “Look, he’s cornered. Oh! Well, at least they can’t force him to drop the ball. Now, he need only pass it, and then they can score easily – ”A ripple of laughter ran through the cafe. Braska lowered his teacup. “That was... not good.”“No,” Auron agreed. Braska waved his arm, and some tea sloshed from his cup. “Why did he try to shoot? Rikku was right there!”“Calm yourself,” Auron said, rescuing the cup. “There’s still time left on the clock.”“But they can’t swim fast enough to catch them!”The crowd oohed , and Auron smiled. “The Ronso may be slow, but Rikku is fast. There, she’s passing to Jecht.” Braska blinked. “Is that wise? He’s at the other end of the arena. Surely, it will be intercepted.”“Hnn,” Auron said.The patrons oohed again, and Braska leaned back. “Did she just knock that player unconscious… with the ball?”“It’s called a Nap pass,” Auron corrected him. “What is Jecht doing ?” He squinted and rubbed his chest. “I know that move.”The crowd exploded into a mix of excited cheers and shrieks of disbelief.“...Did Jecht just knock two of their defenders unconscious, too? Is that even allowed?”The Fangs scored a goal, and a roar rose in the cafe.“The Sublimely Magnificent Jecht Shot Mark III,” Auron said dryly. “He’s a fool.”Braska spun around. “Why so dour, Auron? They’re winning, aren’t they?”Auron sighed and picked up his sandwich again. “The Ronso Fangs have never had a problem scoring . The real game starts now.”The horn for a blitzoff sounded again. The Aurochs took possession of the ball.“They’re ganging up on Rikku now? Why is she defending? Isn’t she playing as a… what was that term… an offenser?”“A forward,” Auron corrected him. “Rikku claimed to be a midfielder, which is a very versatile position. Judging from what I’ve seen so far, her style is defensive, used mainly to disable her opponents and create openings for the rest of the team to score goals.” He shook his head. “But, the Ronso have placed her as a forward.”“Ah,” Braska said, though he still looked confused. “Do forwards also defend?”“No,” Auron said, exasperation leaking into his tone. “ That is the job of the defenders . And this ,” he added, gesturing at the screen, “is the Ronso weakness. They have no tactical acumen whatsoever. They took a valuable resource and squandered it.” He grunted and took another bite of his sandwich, visibly losing interest in the game. “Weak or not, the Besaid Aurochs play as a team, which is why they’ll win this match.”“We’ll see – ” Braska started before gaping at the screen. “She only lost the ball because there were three of them on her at once!” He leapt out of his seat. “That can’t be fair! What were her teammates doing?” Auron pulled Braska back down. “Calm down and drink your tea,” he said.“Calm down? How can I be calm? The Ronso are too slow! Every time they catch up, the Aurochs just pass the ball to a different player! They’re completely avoiding Rikku and Jecht now, too!” He pounded his fist on the table. “Oh, they’re taking a shot – ”The goal horn sounded once more, and the crowd cheered.“A tied game,” Auron said, eyeing Braska suspiciously. “I thought you weren’t a fan of Blitzball.”Braska bit his knuckle, eyes glued to the screen. “How are you not worried? Those are our friends!”“There’s little point. As I said, they’re going to lose.” He shook his head and laughed. “I’ll enjoy teasing Rikku about this.”“The game’s not over yet,” Braska said fiercely. “I’m sure Jecht and Rikku will be able to rally. They’re very good at working together, too – ”The horn sounded for another goal. 2:1, Aurochs. “I told you,” Auron said smugly. “Now, drink your tea.”
.x.x.x.
Rikku sat on the bench in the locker room, head between her knees. Jecht collapsed on the floor, resting his head on the bench next to her. Their teammates were expressing their discontent in a much more typical Ronso fashion: by scowling, growling, or fighting with one another.“That was a disaster,” she mumbled. “Not even disasterrific. Just a complete and total disaster.”“No kiddin’,” Jecht groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. “I’ve worked with bad players before, but this brings it to a whole new level.” He sat up and glared at Gazna. “ ‘Ey captain! Shouldn’t you give us a pep talk ‘bout now ?”Gazna’s face remained impassive, though his tail lashed from side to side. “Guardians promise victory. Ronso Fangs lose.”Zev leapt up from his slumped position on the floor. “Ronso Fangs lose game, but still win,” he declared. Everyone glared at him, but he only puffed out his chest. “Final score 4:3. Fangs score three points! Best score of Ronso!”“Runt hit by blitzball too hard,” Zamzi said scornfully. “Horn pushed into brain.”“If you compare it to the games without us, the team did pretty well,” Rikku admitted. “But a loss is still a loss. You have to actually win to advance, you know.”“Shaddup, all of ya,” Jecht shouted, clambering to his feet. “It’s clear as the tails on your asses what the problem is, and it ain’t us!”Rikku squeaked and waved at Jecht, trying to convey an emergency message to abort mission . Was he really trying to antagonize the angry blue giants right after they’d lost the game?Jecht ignored her, continuing his rant. “A good team works together. All you guys do is play like lone warriors!” He grabbed Zev. “You gotta think more like this guy. Zev’s the only one who even tried to pass!” Dropping his victim, he pointed at Irga. “And you!” Irga looked down at Jecht. “The name of your game is defense! You left Rikku coverin’ the entire base by herself, and she was a forward! You gotta stay in your position!” Finally he faced Gazna, who was watching the proceeding with an unusual amount of tolerance. “But most of all – you! The hell you doin’, captain? You’re the midfielder! You gotta lead your people to victory! What you say goes. You tell Irga to stay put, she stays put. You tell Zev to shoot… well, at least he stopped listenin’ to you and started passin’ instead. And you – you have got to stop shootin’ every damn time you get that ball! Midfield is defense, not just point!” Frustrated, he threw his arms into the air and kicked the bench.Rikku eyed Gazna. He didn’t look as mad as she expected... more like thoughtful .“Gazna consider Jecht’s advice. Gazna allow Guardians to stay for tournament tomorrow.” His tail twitched. “Ronso will… talk .”The team began to file out of the locker room. “So, see you here tomorrow?” Rikku called out. Zev nodded – the only one to acknowledge her – before the door swung shut behind him.“Talk,” Jecht muttered in disgust. “S’like talkin’ to a damn wall! Gazna didn’t even answer you!”“The Ronso aren’t all that chatty.” Rikku placed her head between her knees again. “This is hopeless. Even if they listen to every word you said, they won’t be ready by tomorrow. So much for my big plan.” She groaned. “Looks like we’ll be leaving Luca as poor as we came. Auron must be laughing his head off.”Jecht shook his head. “No way, Blondie. This ain’t about money – it’s about pride! We’re gonna win our game tomorrow, no matter what it takes!” He raised his fist and smiled. “This ain’t over yet. I got a plan of my own.” He pulled her to her feet.“Hey, leggo! I haven’t even changed yet!”“No time,” Jecht told her, steering them towards the exit. “We gotta get back to the market before that sweet roll vendor closes down.”Rikku pulled away from Jecht, grabbed her things, and jogged after him, confused. “Sweet rolls? I don’t think we can bribe the other team into throwing the tournament with a few pastries.”Jecht turned back to her with a glint in his eye. “Trust me on this. I got a surefire way for us to win tomorrow. You with me or not?”“Hoo boy,” Rikku said, nodding uncertainly. “It’s gonna be a long day, huh?”
.x.x.x.
When they finally returned to the market plaza to rendezvous with the others, twilight was descending. Tourists and natives alike gravitated towards the bars, and only a few were still strolling through the streets – mostly couples at that. Auron stood out like a sore thumb, sitting alone on a bench with an expression that could curdle milk. “There you are.” He rose to his feet as they approached. “The game ended nearly two hours ago. Where have you been?”Rikku pouted. “Oh, I’m fine, Auron. No serious injuries other than to my pride, Auron. We lost the game, but I still had a great day, Auron. Thanks for asking, Auron!”“You lost. It happens. Get over it, you’re not dead.” Though his tone was amused, his dour frown quickly returned. “That’s still no reason to keep your friends waiting. I sent Braska back to the hotel ahead of us.” He glared at Jecht. “I assume you’re to blame for this?”Jecht shrugged. “We were takin’ care of business. We’re still on track for the tournament tomorrow.” He grinned cockily. “Just you wait and see. We’re gonna win the next one.”“I’m sure you’ll blow us out of the water, ” Auron told him. “Forget about blitzing for now. You both did your best,” he grudgingly admitted, “but you can only go so far with the materials you’re provided. Now come,” he said, strolling away.“Ain’t nothin’ wrong with them Ronso,” Jecht corrected him, following behind. “Other than constantly comparin’ the size of their horns. They’d have more of a chance if they weren’t all tryin’ to piss on each others’ feet.”Rikku crossed her hands over her head and smiled at Auron’s retreating back. As comforting went, he still sucked at it, but at least he’d tried. “Thanks,” she said, skipping next to him. “Maybe Jecht and I are just too used to working with a good team. If you and Braska could blitz, we’d take the cup for sure!” She winked.“Even if I could swim, I’d pass,” he said. “Nevertheless, I did as you asked. Your treasure bought us a night at the Glitzball and passage to Kilika on the S.S. Pualu.”“The Glitzball?” Rikku blinked as Auron led them towards the largest building in the entire plaza. “The Lucan Glitzball? The most famous hotel in Spira? ” She cupped her face and tried not to scream as they approached the plush runner leading towards a pair of polished doors. A very detailed weaving of a blitzball, complete with shining silver thread, decorated the carpet, and the walls were painted in an array of eye-catching, colorful designs. “All the biggest names stay here!” She dropped her hands and glanced down at her bikini, pouting. “I’m so underdressed!”Auron snorted in agreement. A dignified cat-like creature held the door open for them, and Auron nodded his thanks as he swept inside.“Huhuhuhuhuh…” Rikku wiped some drool from her chin. Even the indoor air seemed more expensive. “How can anyone afford this? It’s like they papered the walls with gil!”Auron grimaced. “It’s overdone,” he said simply. “I never did enjoy the tastes of the Leblanc family.”Rikku choked. “The Leblanc Syndicate owns this place?”“They own nearly half of Luca’s entertainment industry and you asked for massages,” Auron told her, lifting an eyebrow. “They do specialize in that here.”“I think you just ruined it for me,” she grumbled, trying to purge all memories of Leblanc’s Noojie-Woojie fantasies. A passing attendant handed her some complimentary champagne. “No, wait. I’ll be fine!”“This place is somethin’ else,” Jecht said, waving away said attendant with a brief look of regret. His gaze caught on the opulent crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, which were emitting wavering light from dozens of tiny lightbulbs. He did a double-take. “Wait, they got machina here? I thought that was all forbidden.”“Much more is tolerated in Luca,” Auron said.“That’s not really machina electricity anyway.” Rikku danced in place on the carpeted floor, heedless of the stares from the other lounging guests. “It’s all chocobo-powered. I’ve only ever seen that type of system on a ship, though!” She stopped swaying, shoved her face into one of the massive flower arrangements decorating the main hall, and sniffed. Smells expensive, just like everything else here! Then she wandered over to the stairs, where a harpist was beginning to play a soothing melody.“Feels like I’m a celebrity again!” Jecht said with a broad grin.“Are you done yet?” Auron asked, tone exasperated. “I’ve rented us a suite. Let’s go.” He directed them down a small hallway. “We each have a room to ourselves, but will share the bath and common area.” Jecht wandered by; Auron grimaced at the odor trailing after the other man. “I humbly beg either of you to inspect the bath first .” “What, can’t stand the sweet smell of victory?” Jecht smirked.“More like the stench of defeat,” Auron snorted.Jecht took a cautious sniff at his armpit. “Maybe you’re right. Dibs, Blondie!”“Fine, knock yourself out.” Rikku rolled her eyes and started inspecting an intricately carved chair rail. The opulence surrounding them was fascinating. Although she wasn’t completely unfamiliar with wealth – heck, the Celsius was probably worth more than this entire hotel – neither Brother nor she ever thought to display that fortune as obviously as the Leblancs did. She wondered if being constantly reminded that you were filthy rich was overwhelming.A quiet rattle at the end of the hallway caught Rikku’s attention. “Is that a paternoster?” she squealed. The wide doorframe hosted two cabins, one side ascending and the other descending in constant motion. They brought the faint scent of chocobos wafting up the shaft with them.“We’re heading to our rooms – second floor,” Auron told her.Rikku raced down the hall and jumped into the ascending box as soon as the opening was large enough. “Jecht, hurry up or you’re gonna miss our ride!” She hopped from foot to foot and beckoned eagerly to Auron. “This is even better than those things in Bevelle! Do you think we could ride it all the way around?”“No,” he told her as he stepped into the slowly rising cabin. “It’s late, and this is not a joyride. Jecht!”“That thing is creepy,” Jecht grumbled, leaping on just before the cabin rose too high to accommodate his huge frame. “Couldn’t we take the stairs? And it stinks in here, too.” He pinched his nose.“It’s cool!” Rikku declared, dancing in place; the cabin shook. “This is the smell of chocobo technology! It’s organic! ”Auron sighed. “If technology is to smell like chocobo musk, I can see why the people would flock to Yevon.” He inspected the floor they were passing. “This is our stop.”They tumbled out of the paternoster, even as it continued to rise, and followed Auron down a dimly lit hallway. Rikku removed her shoes and dug her toes into the thick carpet. Here, it was dyed a deep shade of blue and adorned with swirling patterns that looked like the surface of water in sunlight. Auron strode towards one of the few doors lining the hallway, key in hand.“Over here,” he called, moving to unlock the door just as it swung open. Braska stepped into the hallway. “My lord?” Auron asked. Rikku also stopped; Braska was dressed more casually than she’d ever seen him. He’d forgone his usual voluminous robes, and was wearing a simple set of patterned shorts and white undershirt that exposed his wiry chest. A pair of sandals and a towel slung over one arm completed his new look.“Ah, you’ve returned!” Braska greeted them. “I’m sorry about the game today, but perhaps fortune will smile on you tomorrow.”Jecht brightened and opened his mouth. “ ‘ey, Blondie – ”Rikku held her hand up. “I am not wearing Lady Luck to blitz.”“It was just an idea,” Jecht sulked. “A really good one.”“Where are you off to so late?” Auron asked Braska, visibly reverting into Guardian mode . “Shall I accompany you?”“Ah, let me explain.” Braska beckoned them into their room.“Free samples!” Rikku yelled as she entered. She made a beeline towards the side table and pocketed the complimentary vials. Braska laughed at her for a moment before shaking his head at Auron. “Company won’t be necessary. I’ve gotten wind of some concerning rumors, that’s all.” Everyone turned towards him. He lifted his hands to calm them. “The crusaders here already know of our battle with the sinspawn.” He smiled faintly. “But, I haven’t been able to determine if Bevelle’s official story is complimentary or not. In my full robes, such a task will be impossible.”“What will going out to the city in your nightclothes accomplish?” Auron asked. “No matter what Bevelle decides, we will continue the Pilgrimage regardless.”Braska hefted his towel and laughed. “Relax. I wasn’t planning on leaving the hotel at all. I was hoping to learn more about the rumors in the sauna. And, if no success is to be found there, I’ll next try in the massage parlor.”Jecht whistled.“It’s not that sort of a massage, Jecht,” Braska said, amused. “Still, I do intend to enjoy myself to the fullest. I’ve heard the masseuses wear the strangest outfits here...”“At least someone’s enjoying himself,” Rikku mumbled.“That is – ” Auron started.Braska shook his head. “That is my plan for the evening, and I won’t have you interfering. Don’t wait up for me.” “Man, I’m with you one-hundred-percent! There ain’t nothin’ like a good massage after a hard day of blitzin’! Where’d you get the towel?” Braska pointed to the bathroom; Jecht scurried there and back in record time, returning with a towel slung around his neck. “I’ll keep an eye on him, Auron,” he said, thumping the other man on the chest as he passed.“A noble sacrifice, I’m sure,” Auron deadpanned before sighing. “Just let us know if we have to make a quick exit from the city. At least the tournament will be working in our favor.”“And I guess this means I have dibs now!” Rikku cheered, heading for the bath.“Rikku! Wait!” Auron called out before she could shut the door completely.She wrinkled her nose. “What now?”“Have you eaten yet?”She rolled her eyes. “Of course not. As if Jecht would let us eat when he’s on a Blitzball mission. Just order room service or something!” He looked stricken, but after a brief moment of hesitation, she slammed the door. Maybe the food here’s too expensive? Well, whatever. That’s his problem – today we’re splurging! Pushing it from her mind, she eagerly examined the luxurious bathtub. There was no pump and it wasn’t filled, but after judicious use of a few water spells and a fireball, the bath was steaming and ready. She stripped, let her hair down, and all but dove into the water. With a happy sigh, Rikku dunked her head and let her worries float away.
.x.x.x.
On the other side of the door, Auron put his head in his hands. “Can you both leave already?” he asked miserably.Jecht pounded him on the back, laughing. “Fine, fine, I know you’re eager to get started, but leave a boot out or somethin’ if you don’t want us interruptin’ later. And remember what I told you – don’t mention her rack unless it’s a compliment! Otherwise you won’t be gettin’ any!”“Calm down, Jecht, the children aren’t thinking that far ahead yet.” Braska stifled his laughter. “Although you are both hopeless,” he finally managed.Auron sagged. “Not you, too.”Wiping his eyes, Braska continued. “Just consider this as a proper first date. Be sure to select some good wine. Ask them to bring candles.” He paused. “And try to order something that requires the use of utensils, for the love of Yevon. No sandwiches.”“Just go,” Auron repeated, running his fingers through his hair. “I’ve faced down armies of fiends. I can manage a dinner .”Braska and Jecht exchanged a look. Jecht hit Auron on the back one more time. “Well, good luck! You’ll probably need it.”“Hush. Go wait outside for a moment, would you?” Braska said before regarding Auron with a softer, more serious look. “Relax,” he said gently. “You’ve nothing to lose by trying your hand at romance. For some reason, that girl loves you like no other. You could feed her a two-gil meal from the slums and sleep on the fishing nets by the docks, and she would still awaken and look to you as though you were the rising sun itself.”Auron sighed and raised his head. “That is not – ” He growled. “I don’t even understand my own feelings. How can I properly answer hers?”“Perhaps you are overthinking this,” Braska chided. “The journey is just as important as the destination. You must find your answers together . There are no rules to follow or bend, no outcome you can guarantee. Love simply… happens.” He grinned. “For some, more clumsily than others.”“I am not clumsy.”“So you say.” Braska sighed. “I know the Teachings, Auron, but you are not that man anymore. You do not have to follow them. To love an Al Bhed is not a sin. I am quite literally staking my life on that.” He stepped back. “But I am killing the mood, as Jecht might say. Go, have your fun tonight.” A twinkle entered his eye. “I’ve the means to secure another room if it becomes necessary.”“You’re as bad as Jecht,” Auron answered him with a faint smile of his own. “Go enjoy your massage ,” he added.Braska chuckled as he exited the suite. “I fully intend to, my friend.”
.x.x.x.
Rikku exited the bathroom, clad in the Glitzball’s luxurious complimentary bathrobe. She finished wrapping a large towel around her sopping hair – and froze. A small dining table had been placed in the center of the room. The lights were dimmed, and a tall candle burned between two lavish place settings. A bottle of wine was sitting in a rack to the side of the table, chilled by a minor Blizzard spell. Silver-domed plates announced the main entrées; whatever they hid smelled heavenly.She reached for a dagger, eyes darting around the room. “Auron?” He emerged from the shadows. Jumping, she brandished the weapon at him. “Who the heck are you and what did you do with the real Auron?”“This is already going well,” Auron mumbled, crossing his arms. “Put the dagger down. Do you not recognize a date when you see it?”“You mean the dried fruit? Yeah, there it is, in the fruit bowl. What’s all the rest of this, though?” Rikku asked, still waving her dagger. “And where’s your armor? I thought I told you to grab us some dinner, not switch yourself with a Leblanc Syndicate body snatcher.”“Leblanc body snatcher – ” Auron mouthed, then reached over to raise the lights in the room. He strode to the table and snuffed out the candle with his fingers. “Are you satisfied now?”Tucking her daggers away, she nodded warily. “I get it, I think. I just don’t understand. A date, Auron? You don’t do dates.” She made her way over to the table and peeked under one of the silver domes. “Ooh! Is that shellfish? ”“No, and I am apparently not who you think I am. Let me call room service and ask them to remove this offense,” Auron huffed.“No-no-no,” Rikku said quickly, seating herself at the table and stuffing a bite of food into her mouth. “I’m starving! It’s cool if you wanna hang around for a little longer. I’m sure the real Auron won’t mind if you eat something while you’re here too,” she added.Huffing again and beginning to smile, Auron settled into the chair across from hers. He watched her slurp down another shellfish. “The others put me up to this, you know.”She grinned. “I could tell. This isn’t your style.” Grabbing the iced wine from the rack, she popped the cork open with an ease that surprised Auron and filled both of their glasses. “Honestly, it’s not mine either. A sandwich and a movie on the sphere screen is good enough for me.”Auron hummed in agreement and picked up a glass.“Besides, I’m already in my underwear,” she continued, eyeing him. “Dressing up just to use some fancy silverware seems unnecessary.”Choking, Auron snorted liquid from his nose.Rikku sipped daintily from her own glass. Score! Auron grabbed a napkin to wipe up the mess. “Must you really? That was excellent wine.”“That was revenge. Be thankful I’m tolerating a second date from you at all.” She drew her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them. “Seriously, though. I get that you’re putting yourself through this for my sake; I guess this makes up for the first one.” She grinned and held up one of the forks on the table. “But do you even know which of these we’re supposed to be using right now?”Auron shrugged. “Reject authority and use your fingers.” He grabbed an oyster and sampled it. “Hnn. These are good too.”“Less talking, more eating,” Rikku instructed. “I haven’t had anything but a sweet roll since before the game. Jecht and his stupid ideas,” she muttered, busying herself with demolishing the meal.As expected, the food was delicious. How did we live before this? Rikku thought, eagerlytasting everything. For a number of minutes, the only sounds in the room were of them eating, interspersed with an occasional prompt to try another dish.Finally, when her stomach ceased complaining, she grabbed her napkin and looked up from her plate. Auron was watching her, dark eyes crinkled in amusement. He’d eaten less than half of what she had.“You aren’t hungry?” She frowned. “This meal must’ve cost a fortune. Are you sure you don’t wanna eat more of it?”“It is delicious, but I enjoy watching you more,” he told her.Rikku eyed him suspiciously. “Eating like a savage in front of you? That’s what does it for you? Really?”Auron nodded. “Creating armors, stealing from fiends, playing Blitzball, eating your dinner... you become absorbed in whatever you set your mind to, to the exclusion of all else. I find your single-minded focus fascinating.”“Huh,” she replied dumbly, feeling her cheeks heat. She cupped her hands against them.“You also lose the power of speech when I embarrass you.” He grinned. “I relish that the most.” A dramatic pause. “The golden silence, that is.”“Oh, shut up,” Rikku giggled, hitting him in the arm. He grabbed her fingers and drew them to his lips in a soft kiss.“I wonder, sometimes.” Flipping her hand over, he ran his thumb slowly down her palm. “What it would be like to be your focus. To be the one receiving all that attention, with no distractions.”She shivered. “Are you going to try to find out?”In answer, Auron stood, drawing her away from the table. “Come with me.” He led her towards one of the rooms.Rikku’s eyes bugged. “Wait, what? You want to sleep with me? FOR REAL?” Auron winced. “Why do you always jump to the most awkward conclusions?”She stepped closer, still clutching his hand. “Well, you just wined and dined me. I’m in my underwear. You’re not wearing your armor, so you’re practically naked, too. And look! There’s a bedroom right there.” She stepped closer still. “What am I supposed to think?”Auron jerked away. “I may have miscalculated the effect of the… environment.” A rash of color splashed across his face, but he soldiered on, still gripping her hand. “You asked for a massage. I thought I might be able to assist.”“Oh.” Rikku let that sink in. “Yeah, um, so I’m not exactly a virgin,” she told him bluntly. “We can totally get it on if you want.”Auron’s hand spasmed around hers. “That was not what I meant!”“So you’re not gonna massage me with your d – ”“Rikku! Just – stop!”An awkward silence fell. Rikku swayed on her feet and chanced a look at Auron. He rubbed his forehead, eyes clenched shut. “Wait a sec, are you still a virgin?” Auron sent her an exasperated look. She shrugged. “I take it that’s a no, then?” she asked, somewhat disappointed. “What’s holding you back?”“For some reason, you have the power to deconstruct whatever words I throw at you and turn them into complete nonsense.” Auron dragged her into the bedroom, released her, and pointed at the bed. “Remove your robe and lie on your stomach.”Rikku put her hands on her hips. “Why do I have to get naked if you don’t?”“We are not going to have sex!” Auron threw his hands up. “And I am not going to attempt to massage you through that abomination of a beach towel.” He fingered the collar of her plush robe. “Do you want this, or not?”Frowning, she worked her fingers at the knot on her belt. “What are you planning?” She opened her robe and dropped it to the ground.Auron flushed and turned away. “I thought you said you were wearing underwear!”Rikku looked down at her neon purple panties. “I am?”Auron made a choked noise that sounded somewhere between a snort and a groan. “I meant your top.”Scowling, she flopped down onto the bed face-first. “Well, somebody told me I didn’t have anything up there to write home about, so what’s the big deal?” She looked at him over her shoulder. “You can turn around now if you’re worried about seeing the girls.”He slowly turned to face her, as if he was expecting her to leap off the bed and attack him with her nudity. It was a tempting thought, but Auron seemed to have a plan for the evening, even if it wasn’t sex. This is progress! She forced herself to wait. Auron settled on the bed next to her and carefully unwrapped the towel around her hair. “Since words can mislead us, I hoped to show my intent with actions.” He spread out the tangled mass of dark gold strands, still damp from her bath, and grunted. “You should take better care of this,” he mumbled, threading his fingers through her hair and working out some of the knots.“It’s just hair,” she replied, already sinking into a comfortable stupor as his fingers ran along her scalp. “As long as it stays out of my face, I’m good.”Chuckling, Auron combed through another long, blond strand. “That seems to be very Al Bhed. The style of your people is eminently practical.”She stared at the bedsheets. “Is that why you won’t sleep with me? Because I’m an Al Bhed? Even after everything?”Auron’s hands moved to her neck. They were large and warm, and his thumbs applied slight pressure at the base of her scalp. “The warrior-monks are not a celibate order, but Yevon does frown upon engaging in relationships.” He traced down the side of her neck to her shoulders, before working on those muscles. “For most monks, sex is merely another distraction, a physical act which must be performed to maintain one’s health. It is not a tender thing. There is no feeling in it, other than that of release.”Rikku closed her eyes. “You’re so romantic,” she said, dryly. Still, it wasn’t hard to filter through Yevon’s blatant influence. “So, you don’t want to sleep with me because you care about me? That’s – ” Going to kill me. “Sweet of you,” she finished unenthusiastically.His hands traced a burning trail down her sides, kneading muscles she hadn’t even realized were sore. “Are the Al Bhed really so different?” he asked. “You are no blushing virgin either. Do you mean to say you gave away such a precious and meaningful experience to someone you truly loved?”She pressed her face into the mattress. The truth was, she’d been jealous of the other girls and their boyfriends, and more than a little drunk. Paine had Nooj and Yuna had Tidus. She had a bottle of Bartender’s strongest offering, the memories of a dead man, and Buddy’s sincere sympathy. “ ‘Live as we want’ – that’s the Al Bhed way,” she finally said. “Our bodies and our desires are a part of who we are. We won’t deny ourselves for some distant moral code passed down by a false god. It’s not natural.”Auron’s fingers dug into the base of her spine and she groaned. “Is that really what you want, though?”She snorted as his hands traced the curve of her butt; he grasped her firmly and pressed his thumbs into her glutes. “You’re asking me this right now? Seriously?” Rather than respond, he pushed harder, hitting a pressure point that actually hurt, albeit in a toe-curling sort of way. She groaned again.Auron’s warm chuckle washed over her like a soothing balm. He smoothed his fingers over the sore spot and continued the massage. “Haven’t you wondered what it must be like for two people to give of themselves so completely? And to actually receive something in return, beyond the physical? An exchange of souls.” Rikku thought of how Yuna and Tidus looked at each other. The sun and the moon. Always connected. Unable to exist without the other. She shivered.Auron’s fingers slowed. “Sex is not a decision I would make lightly. It’s an act that can consume a man and commit him to a path of self-destruction.”The warm haze from the massage slowly faded. She blinked. He has such a low opinion of sex? “But aren’t some things worth the risk?” Aren’t I worth the risk? “...If I were to taste that gift, and then lose it...” He trailed off. “It’d be just like Braska and Raenn,” Rikku breathed. “Do you think loving me will kill you?”Auron was silent, though his hands continued to rove down one of her legs. His fingers tickled the back of her knee before digging into the muscles of her calf. “A number of things may kill me. I will always be a warrior before I am a lover, though.”Whatever else he might have said was lost to Rikku as he continued to work his magic. He cupped her lower leg firmly and pushed his palms upwards. She let out a low moan as his fingers circled around her muscles with long, sweeping strokes. Then his thumb hit a tender spot just below her knee and she hissed, tensing.Auron immediately stopped. “Are you all right?”“Mmm,” she murmured. “I’m fine. You can keep going.”He smoothed his hands over the sore area, gently running his fingers over the spot for a moment. The slight respite allowed Rikku to regain some of her senses. “If you’re so afraid of losing yourself, why are you doing this?”He switched to her other leg and didn’t speak for a moment. “You asked for a massage. I can deny myself, but I cannot refuse you,” he replied, concentrating on his movements as he warmed up her leg.“Auron – ”His hands encircled her foot and massaged her heel and her concentration scattered. He dug his thumbs into the arch of her sole – if she could’ve mustered the energy, she would’ve been embarrassed by the sound she made.Auron’s grunt of satisfaction barely registered over the pleasant buzz echoing through her body, but it started to fade as his fingertips slowed.Rikku’s brow twitched in annoyance. Don’t stop , her mind sobbed. I’ll go into withdrawal! “Words are useless with us,” Auron said, picking up her neglected foot as if he’d heard her thoughts.
Thank machina.
He circled his thumbs absently over her heel. “We always seem to end up fighting, but perhaps I enjoy that, too. You give as good as you get.” He began to massage her in earnest once more, driving his knuckles into the base of her foot. Rikku nearly wept in relief. “But there is an intimacy in touch, which cannot lie.” You don’t know how right you are, Rikku thought muzzily; she was seriously considering placing Auron’s foot massage several tiers higher than her limited sexual experience.When he finally stopped working over her feet, Rikku was too relaxed to protest. His hands – magic hands , she was going to call them from now on – traced their way back up her body, over the ground he had so painstakingly explored, back to her shoulderblades. He rested there, spreading his fingers as though he could push them below her skin if he pressed firmly enough. She was already half-dozing when he spoke again, his voice distant and melodic in her ears.“We were never taught to appreciate touch. Sex was an acceptable debasement, but to savor a caress – that was too vulgar, too intimate in the eyes of the Church.” He leaned over her and planted a soft kiss between her shoulders. “To show affection is the true weakness.”“Hmm,” Rikku hummed, drifting bonelessly through warm clouds. The soft weight of a blanket settled on her back, and the mattress shifted as he stood. “I love your weakness.” “I know,” he said, stepping away. Loving someone doesn’t make you weak, she tried to tell him as he carefully shut the door. But, fighting against the warm, soothing state he’d so carefully constructed took too much effort. She drifted into a relaxed slumber.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“Mmm…” Rikku surfaced from her deep slumber, feeling loose and relaxed. She rubbed her cheek against the soft bed sheets, and her memories fell into place with a mental bang. “No way!” she yelled, sitting up and tossing the blanket off her shoulders.The door to her room burst open. “Rikku! Are you all ri – OH!” Braska spun around, his face flaming. Behind him, Jecht gave her a thumbs up. “Nice underwear, but you might wanna cover up. I don’t think Auron wants everyone appreciatin’ that view.” He dragged Braska away and shut the door.Braska’s comment, “It is a very nice view...” came through, loud and clear.“...And this is the story of my life,” she groaned, spotting her clothing and her pack stacked neatly nearby. After dressing in her blitzing gear, she threw her robe on, and slammed the door open. Braska and Jecht jumped.She glared at them and pointed at Braska. “Don’t interrupt a girl’s beauty sleep ever again,” she warned him, scowling. She turned to Jecht, ready to say her piece, when she caught sight of his outfit. “...What the heck are you wearing?”“It’s a blitzin’ uniform! You like it?” He’d ditched the plated gauntlet and pauldron on his left arm for two blitzer’s half-sleeves, though his chest was still bare. Gone were the suspenders and flapping orange sash, replaced with a pair of baggy grey swimming trousers. He looked like a native Spiran Blitzball player.“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you look good,” Rikku admitted. “Like you mean business.”Jecht smacked his palm and cracked his neck. “If we’re gonna crush ‘em today, we’ve gotta dress the part. C’mon, get yourself geared up already!” he added with a touch of impatience. “Auron better not have worn you out last night!”Rikku’s appreciation withered into irritation and she stomped towards the closed bathroom door. Thinking of Braska’s intrusion, she knocked before reaching for the knob.The door opened and Rikku looked up into Auron’s face, her arm still extended, but now making a beeline towards a very bad idea. Or a good one. She yanked her hand back, face flooding with color. “Umm!”He stared at her for a moment, then stepped aside. “Good morning, Rikku.” His stern expression softened as she fidgeted, her flush growing by the second. “Did you have pleasant dreams?”Rikku squeaked. Then she narrowed her eyes at him. “Now that’s just mean.”“Mine were very vivid,” he continued, quiet. Rikku squeaked again, her knees turning to jelly. “Not fair,” she whimpered.“Revenge is best served cold.” He smirked, drawing back, and raising his voice. “You should prepare yourself for your game. You seem a little distracted.”Jecht snorted.Braska coughed. “Auron! There’s no need to be cruel.”Auron raised an eyebrow. “Have you ever seen two cactuar mate? Well then, keep your opinions to yourself.” He smiled.“Ugh! You’re impossible when you’re in a good mood!” Rikku scowled, entered the bathroom, and slammed the door on his face. His laugh chased her.Performing her morning ablutions, she was filled with a giddy warmth. She splashed her face with cool water from the basin and stared into the mirror.She didn’t look any different. I didn’t actually sleep with him, she told herself, wondering why she felt as though something had changed. The memory of his hand trailing down her back surfaced, and she suppressed a shudder. But, he gave me something more precious than that. Rikku caught sight of her goofy smile in the mirror, then slapped her cheeks a few times in annoyance. “The things that guy does to me,” she muttered, trying to calm down.When she exited the bathroom, she found the others seated around the low table in the center of the room, deep in discussion.“Good, you’re here,” Auron told her in his business voice, pointing at an empty chair. She hurried to join them. “Tell us now what you discovered, my lord.”Braska sighed and clasped his hands. “I’m not exactly certain that it’s bad news. Apparently we have mostly been labelled as heroes.”“Mostly?” Auron repeated.Jecht slapped Braska on the back. “Stop bein’ modest, man! They’re sellin’ Braska as the biggest damn hero this side of the Moonflow!” He shook his head. “The way they told it, you’d think he singlehandedly took that monster down without even summonin’ anything!”Braska shifted uncomfortably. “That is – ”“As it should be,” Auron said, cutting him off. Then he frowned. “But what of the rest of us? I can’t imagine Wen would have let this go, not after the way we parted.”“Oh, there are rumors flying about the three of you as well,” Braska told him. “But the only one they can seem to agree on is that I managed to save the day with the help of one Sir Auron, Legendary Warrior-Monk.”Bafflement spread across Auron’s face. “Legendary? I was dishonorably discharged and stripped of my rank by Mika himself.”Braska shrugged. “Kinoc must have pulled a few strings, because now, records show that you requested an honorable release from your duties to support my Holy Pilgrimage.” His lip curled in distaste. “Also, he was promoted for his actions during the battle.”Rikku shuddered. “He’s going to be the worst Maester ever.”“Let’s hope it never comes to that,” Auron replied darkly. “What about Jecht and Rikku?”“That’s where it gets all sticky, right?” Jecht said, leaning forward. “The crusaders are in our corner, and are makin’ noises now about usin’ Al Bhed machina to fight Sin ‘cause it worked.”“Bevelle must be overjoyed,” Auron grunted.“It helps that you were both seen blitzing yesterday. That goal Jecht scored made quite the impression, on more than just the crusaders.” Braska smiled at Jecht. “If they are referring to me as the Champion of Djose now, you are a perfect fit to become the Hero of Luca. I believe a few of the crusaders even referred to you as ‘sir. ’ ”“Sir Jecht.” He rubbed his chin and grinned. “I like that sound of that.”“Don’t get too excited,” Auron reminded him. “It doubt it was sanctioned, since the last time Bevelle saw you, you were incarcerated. They can’t be happy about this development.”“Sanctioned? We’re Guardians , not press releases. We don’t need Bevelle’s blessing to do our jobs.” Rikku frowned. “...And do I even want to know what they’re saying about me?”Jecht shuffled his feet.Braska cleared his throat. “...No, I don’t believe you do.”“Mika would sooner declare a holy war than approve of an Al Bhed Guardian,” Auron said. “Especially as it’s you ; I doubt he’s forgotten what you did in Bevelle.”“They are willing to overlook Jecht’s presence in light of my sudden and unexpected ascent , ” Braska joked before his mirth disappeared. “But we are still a long way from accepting your people into our fold. I am so very sorry.”Rikku waved off Braska’s sympathy. “Forget it, we don’t want to be folded in,” she scoffed. He sighed. “It may be best to leave before our faces become too familiar here. I wouldn’t want to confront an envoy from Bevelle.”“You’re saying we should run while we’re ahead, right?”Jecht frowned. “Can we at least finish our game today? We promised the Fangs we’d help ‘em out. They need us, man!” His passion made Rikku wonder how much of his motivation was professional pride and how much was his undeniable soft spot for the Ronso. He really is just a tough guy with a chewy center.“We can’t abandon them, ya know?”“Yeah,” she cut in. “I don’t care what Bevelle thinks about me. We’re in Luca! I wanna win at least one game before we leave. And who knows when Jecht’ll be able to blitz again? Let’s stay for a little while longer, pretty please?”Braska sat back. “I suppose it might help. Were Mika to send emissaries to intercept us, it would still take them days to arrive. In the meantime, well.” He smiled. “Good publicity never hurt anyone, and there is no better place to garner that than here.”“Are you sure you want to do this?” Auron asked Rikku. “You will be affected the most, whether or not this ploy succeeds.” He’s putting me first! She grinned. It froze when Jecht and Braska snickered, and she blushed again. How can Auron act cool as a cucumber with all of their teasing? Auron seemed to be ignoring the pair, though there was a certain set to his face that hinted at something more… Wait, he’s laughing! Rikku squinted to be certain. He’s laughing at them! Her mouth dropped open and Auron’s eyes crinkled. Give them a show, huh? she thought, grin growing. “Oh, I’m pretty sure I know what I want. Just one more game here, then we’ll pack it up. Watch us again? Please?”“As you wish,” he said. “Oh thank you!” she gushed, throwing herself into his lap. He grunted in surprise, but his hands automatically settled on her hips. She dug her nose into his neck.“ ‘Ey! Stop slobberin’ all over one another! We get it already!”Giggling, Rikku turned head towards Auron’s ear. “There’s something I need you to do today,” she whispered, and he stilled. “I need you to find a bookie for the tournament.”“What?” Auron asked, suddenly looking ready to push her off of his lap.She tightened her grip on him. “Oh, don’t be shy now, ” she said, batting her eyelashes at him.Braska sighed. “I would tell you two to get a room, yet here we are…”“This had better be good,” Auron rumbled.“I want you to bet on the Fangs today,” she whispered. “I told you I was gonna take care of our little money problem. This is our ticket!”She felt, more than heard, Auron’s sigh. “You want me to gamble.” His murmur carried a resigned undertone. “Without Braska’s knowledge.”“Just a little. Do you trust me?”Auron rested his head against hers. “Against my better judgement. Fine, I’ll do it.”“Thanks,” Rikku said, leaning back to look at him. “Not just for this, but for last night, too. I’ll treasure it.”A flicker of emotion passed behind his eyes, before he bent to kiss her on the lips. She flailed a little, conscious that they weren’t alone, but Auron only deepened the kiss, one hand moving to the back of her head and the other tightening around her thigh. Her embarrassment faded as the feel of Auron flooded her senses: the rough texture of the coat her fingers curled into, the cool slide of his leather armor as she pressed against it, and the gentle warmth of his lips at odds with the searing heat of his fingertips.Her mind reeled even as her body reacted; I didn’t know it could be like this. Finally, he released her. She lay her head against his chest, awareness returning very slowly.Auron’s breath left him in rough pants; he seemed as surprised as she by the unexpected intensity of their play-acting. If it could be called that; the electricity between them wasn’t a game anymore.She jumped out of Auron’s arms, feeling guilty that they’d given Braska and Jecht such a show – all jokes aside, she knew Auron enjoyed his privacy. “Uh – ” She started to apologize before trailing off. The other two were nowhere to be seen. “Where’d they go?”A small cough came from the doorway. Braska stuck his head in, expression wary. “If you two are finished, we do need to check out of this hotel. Wonderful as it was, I’m not certain we could afford two nights in a row here.” “Wow,” Rikku said, wishing she could stop blushing. “Wait – you’ve been taking financial lessons from Auron?” The sheer incongruity of the thought was an effective distraction from her mortification.Auron laughed and turned away. He seemed to be adjusting his coat. “Go on, I’ll be with you shortly.”Making her way towards the door, Rikku snickered at Braska. “You worrying about money. Did your masseuse do something to your head?”Braska started to protest, but Jecht pushed him aside. “Are you ready yet? C’mon, c’mon! We’re gonna be late!”Rikku rolled her eyes. “It’s not me who has to be ready. Are you sure this plan is gonna work?” “Oh, ye of little faith,” Jecht scoffed, grabbing her wrist and dragging her along. Rikku whimpered in dismay, shooting a longing look at the paternoster. “We ain’t starting off the day by smellin’ chocobo piss in that deathtrap of an elevator,” he grumbled, pulling her to the stairwell. “Now, less whinin’ and more believin’!”“Fine, fine, I’m moving.” Huffing, she shook her arm free and followed him. “You do know the Al Bhed aren’t that religious, right?”They reached the lobby, Auron and Braska bringing up the rear. Auron made his way to the reception desk to settle their bill. Braska gave them an encouraging smile. “I wish you both luck. It’s not the end score that matters, after all, only that you gave it your best.”Rikku put her hands on her hips. “You make it sound like we’ve already lost!”Auron rejoined them. “It’s not the end score that matters? That’s not what he was shouting at the sphere screen yesterday,” he commented. “Enjoy yourselves today. Try to win. And do not worry about the money,” he added, directing a significant look towards Rikku. “Even should things not work out as planned, we will be fine without your fame and fortune to guide us. We’ve managed this far.”Now everyone was looking at Auron as though he’d sprouted a chocobo pinion from his head.Jecht stage-whispered to Braska. “I told you he would be cool about stuff if he got laid.” Rikku kicked him in the shins.“We’ll be watching the game in the stadium today,” Braska said. “Our presence has been all but demanded in the luxury suite. We are to make just as much of a public appearance as the both of you.”“Wonderful,” Auron bit out, scowling.Braska blanched. “Perhaps we’ll stop by the vendors first. We may need to pick up a pair of sunglasses for Auron before he uses that expression on an innocent bystander.”“Hnn.”“Yeah, I see what’cha mean,” Jecht noted. “Cold, man. You’re givin’ me the shivers!”Rikku giggled. “They’ll look good,” she offered. “You’ll go from “dismembering them with your eyeballs ” to “super cool badass ” in no time flat! Doctor A the Chillmaster!”“You’re being ridiculous,” Auron told them, although his scowl softened. “We’ll meet at Dock Two when everything’s done. The S.S. Pualu is anchored there; we’ve already reserved cabins on the ship.” He tipped his head at Braska. “Let’s go.”Jecht cracked his neck. “Us too. We’re don’t wanna miss our ace, Blondie.”Exiting the hotel, the group parted ways, Rikku and Jecht hurrying towards the stadium. “You think he’s really gonna show?” she asked as they jogged up the steps leading to the team cabins.“He’ll be here,” Jecht said with conviction. The only thing Rikku could see as she approached the entrance, however, was a mass of fur and yellow swimwear. The Ronso Fangs were gathered in force, including their two hostile benched members. Every single expression was disturbingly fierce. The pack of Ronso faced them, giving the impression of an impenetrable blue wall.“What’d we do?” Rikku mouthed to Jecht, breaking out into a sweat.“Hell if I know,” Jecht replied, watching the group. “Think I should’ve brought my sword?”Gazna stepped out of the line. He stood there for a moment, contemplating them both. Then he dropped into a deeply respectful bow. “Gazna hears news of battle on Mushroom Rock. Ronso Fangs honor Guardians.”In perfectly coordinated tandem, the team mimicked their leader.“Eh-heh-heh-heh.” Rikku pulled her goggles over her eyes and glanced around – people were staring. “You can get up now. Really!”“Damn!” Jecht said. “If you guys could show this sorta coordination underwater, we’d have it made!”Gazna straightened, and the team behind him dropped out of their formal poses. “Gazna hears word of Sir Jecht. Ronso must learn new ways to adapt to new world. Fangs try hard today.”“Fangs win game! Fangs win tournament!” added Zamzi with some heat, leading a chorus of approving yips and growls.“Whoa,” Jecht said, rubbing the back of his head. “Great spirit, team, but we ain’t gonna leave things up to chance this time. Gimmie the lineup!”Gazna raised his arm, and the team split into the targeted positions. “Left forward Jecht! Right forward Rikkma! Midfield Gazna!” He paused and lashed his tail, then began again with less enthusiasm. “Left defense Irga. Right defense Zev. Goal defense Zamzi.”“Right. Here’s what we’re gonna do,” Jecht said, and pointed at Irga. “Little lady, you’re warmin’ the bench today. Not that you ain’t good, but, uhh…” She isn’t good, Rikku finished. “But we have a secret weapon!”Low murmurs rumbled through the other Ronso, but Gazna silenced them with a raised arm. “If Irga not defense, Fangs lack player. No sixth, no team.” He squinted at Jecht. “What is weapon of Sir Jecht?”“See, well, looks like he’s a little late…” Jecht hedged.Rikku tapped him. “No he isn’t! Look!” She raised her arms and jumped up and down. “Tio! Tio! Over here!”“Ooh, yesh. There yoo are.” Tio ambled over slowly. Hypello. On land, Rikku reminded herself, watching the vendor sway and bobble his way to the Ronso crowd. He finally shambled to a stop before Jecht. “Yoo wish-ish-ish to blitsch, yessh? Tio ish here.” Tio bobbed his head, blinking his enormous yellow eyes.Zamzi snorted. “Sir Jecht bring pre-game snack?”Tio brought his large webbed hands together and wriggled his fingers. “Or yoo wish to buy a schweet roll? Tio can give yoo a schpeschal prische.”“I think Zamzi was talking about Tio, not the rolls,” she whispered to Jecht.“Alright now, settle down,” Jecht said, giving the agitated Ronso a stern look. “Tio’s gonna help us take care of the left field.” He turned to the Hypello. “You got that? You’re the left defense. Hell, and offense, if you want. Can you handle it?”Tio’s head wobbled. Rikku figured that was as close as they were going to get to a Hypello “yes.” She looked at Gazna; in the end, it was really his team and his call. And as far as she knew, no one had ever signed a Hypello to a Blitzball team.Gazna studied their new companion for a moment, and then nodded his head. “Gazna will trust Guardians. Irga, bench. Tio is left defense.” He paused. “Hypello also need gil?”Tio waved his hands. “Tio hash already been p-p-p-paid!”Gazna grunted. “Welcome to Fangs. Play with honor.” With that, he marched into the cabins, the other Ronso following. Tio trailed after them, albeit at his own, slow pace.“That went well,” Rikku said. “But I didn’t know we were the ones paying for Tio’s services. How much gil did you promise him?”“Gil?” Jecht laughed. “Nothin’! I just promised his nephew a brand new blitzball with a signed autograph from yours truly!”“That’s it?” Rikku balked. “He’s playing for a blitzball?”“With my autograph,” Jecht emphasized. “The one and only Hypello Hero of Spira! His nephew lives in the Moonflow. He’s a fan.” He held up a hand, which Rikku dubiously slapped.“Isn’t that sorta like stealing? Even we’re getting a salary, you know.” Although it’s diddly squat. “This, comin’ from a thief!” Jecht answered her. Then he grinned. “ ‘Sides. You know how these Hypello love water. We’re gonna crush ‘em! Just you wait an’ see!”
.x.x.x.
The walls of the open-air stadium suite magnified the day’s heat. A breeze blew through the stifling box, bringing with it a moment of relief. In the middle of the platform, Braska had the dubious honor of sitting in the ostentatious throne; it was also the seat most mercilessly exposed to the burning sun. He’d already removed his helmet and was fingering the collar of his multi-layered robe. “This is terrible,” he murmured to Auron, who stood at his side.“At least you have a seat,” Auron grumbled, spreading his legs and placing his hands behind his back. He’d stubbornly refused to remove his overcoat and sword, but a telltale ring of sweat beaded across his forehead. “You’d think they could make their guests of honor more comfortable.”“I’ll trade you my seat for those glasses,” Braska replied, fanning himself with his hand.“Hnn,” Auron refused. “The game will start soon. Once the outer sphere rises to contain the stands, the water should disperse some of this heat.”“You are just enjoying your new sunglasses,” Braska ribbed. Auron coughed into his fist.A low whine echoed over the stands and both men winced; static crackled, and then the buzz faded into the familiar-sounding Blitzball anthem booming across the stadium. “Morning, folks! It’s another bright and sunny day in Luca!”“Perfect weather to mark the start of the annual Spira-wide Blitzball tournament! What number are we on now, Bobba?”“I think this is the nine-hundred-and-thirty-fourth tournament, but who’s really keeping track? We all know what we’re here for, Jimba!”“That’s right, to blitz! And there’s bound to be some good action in our first match of the day. It’s everyone’s favorite furry darlings, the Ronso Fangs, kicking things off with their unique style!”Auron sighed. “Must we to listen to this drivel for the entire game?”“It’s not that bad,” Braska chided. “I find the announcers to be very informative. This is the most interesting thing that has happened since we arrived in our torture chamber.”“Interesting doesn’t always mean good. ”“The Fangs are doing better than expected,” Jimba said. “They managed to score more than two goals yesterday! A first in their team history!”“But, it was a big day for the Aurochs, too! That exhibition game was their first win in three years. A badly needed morale boost for one of the worst records in the league! Can they keep that momentum for the rest of the tournament?”“We’ll have to see when they play the Luca Goers later today, Bobba. For now, we’re here to watch the Fangs, who’ve drawn the Al Bhed Psyches as their first opponent!”Auron twitched, and Braska looked at him in concern. “Is this bad news?”Grimacing, Auron thought of the crumpled betting slip tucked away in his pocket. “The Psyches are expected to win the tournament this year. So yes, this is very bad.” The announcers continued to banter. “That’s a bad break, Jimba. The Psyches are known for both their speed and superior Blitz tactics. They’re one of the best teams in the league right now, and a favorite for the cup.”“You’re right, Bobba. The Fangs may be known for their monstrous strength, but they’re the slowest team in the league! Once again, this game is looking pretty hopeless for our under-cats, even with the new talent they’ve recruited.”“You know, I heard through the grapevine that those players are actually part of a summoner’s entourage! In fact, that summoner is here with us today! Say “hello” to Hero of Djose, Lord Braska!”The gigantic stadium screen across from them flashed, and the Blitzing logos shifted to a live feed of the luxury box. Braska and Auron both stiffened. The crowd hushed, and Braska carefully donned his helmet. Auron pushed his glasses up and stood very still.“You don’t say! It’s not often that we see a summoner’s party in the stadium. And having Guardians playing in the tournament, no less! What’s the story on those two?”The screen flickered before showing a closeup of Jecht and Rikku. Past game statistics scrolled below their faces.“Well, rumor has it the man called Jecht was instrumental in helping summoner Braska turn Sin away from Luca!”“We’ve been promoted to driving back Sin now?” Auron repeated in disbelief.Braska was in a similar state. “That is a bit much. I am uncertain of how they expect us to match with these caricatures of ourselves.”Auron growled. “They don’t expect us to; they expect us to die trying.”“All the more reason to succeed then, is it not?” Braska hummed.The screen switched to a recording of Jecht performing the Mark III. It replayed in extreme slow motion, showing his perfect form, hair swirling around his smirking face. In the stands, more than a few women screamed. Jimba continued. “Between his battlefield heroics and his incredible agility in the sphere pool, he just might be a legend in the making! Let’s hope we see another one of his magnificent goals today before the Fangs get smothered by the Psyches!”The crowed roared, and a few chants of “Sir Jecht!” could be heard.Braska smiled. “I think our plan is working. I told you this endeavor would prove worthwhile for those two.”“You bring up a good point, Jimba. What about his companion, Rikkma?” The screen switched to the replay of the five-man breakthrough Rikku had suffered in the exhibition game. This slow motion video relayed her obvious grimace as the Aurochs tackled her and stole the ball.“Although, I hope she is not watching that,” Braska amended.“We’ve never seen an Al Bhed free agent going head to head against the Psyches before. Everyone knows they like to stick together! Do we have the dirt on that?”“There’s been some hot debate about the mystery lady. Being in the presence of a summoner didn’t stop this cutie from using some fierce forbidden machina during the battle with Sin!”Another murmur rippled through the crowd, though it was hard to say whether it was more admiration or outrage.“Well, Bobba, I’m not sure how I feel about that.”“Neither is Bevelle, Jimba, but we’re not here today to debate the Teachings! What we do know is that she’s an excellent passer, with all the speed you could expect from an Al Bhed blitzer. She may just be enough to give Jecht the opening he needs to make a shot today!”“So, you think the Fangs have a chance this time, Jimba?”“Not in hell, Bobba! Now, let’s have a quick word from our sponsors!”Braska turned to Auron, annoyed. “I am beginning to agree with you about this commentary.”
.x.x.x.
Rikku treaded water, waiting for the horn to sound. Across the field, Tio was swimming in lazy circles; he seemed bored. She redirected her attention towards their opponents – the Psyches – thankful that none of her family members were on the team.Cid was a huge fan of Blitzball, and naturally, his children followed in his footsteps. Brother showed the most promise, but was too young. Keyakku, however, was a shoe-in. Or, he would have been, if he hadn’t been more interested in finding lost machina with Cid’s Research and Recovery Division.As it was, the opposing team was unfamiliar – and hostile. One of the Psyches’ forwards drew a thumb over his throat in greeting. Rikku stuck out her tongue and sent him a one-fingered salute.The blitzoff sounded, and there was no more time for posturing. Gazna tried to catch the ball, but his opponent snatched it first. The Al Bhed passed the ball to the left side of the field – apparently they’d tagged the Hypello as the weakest link. Yes! Rikku thought, watching Tio dart towards the ball to intercept the pass.Then she gaped – losing a few precious breaths of air – when Tio stopped and broke away, leaving the Psyche’s receiver to catch the blitzball. Recovering, she shouldered past the player trying to block her – Throat-Slitter , she was going to nickname him – and landed a quick kick to his stomach for good measure. We’re screwed. If the Psyches get past Tio, we don’t have a defense! Jecht apparently thought the same, abandoning his position to swim towards the ball.The Psyches were busy, getting into their own formation. The receiver spun, passing to their forward. It was clear they expected to make a goal within the first few seconds of play.A blur of blue slammed into the shooter, knocking the ball from his possession. Zev grabbed the loose ball and passed it to Gazna.Rikku grimaced. Here comes another long shot, she thought, trying to guess which Psyche would return the ball after intercepting it. Gazna caught the pass, shrugged off the Psyches’ defenders as if they were paper, turned, and hurled the ball in her direction.Shocked, Rikku caught the pass and began to swim in earnest. Wow, they really did listen to Jecht! Scanning the field, she spotted the man in question and prepared a long pass for him. She went spinning as she was tackled from behind. Throat-Slitter had caught up and clearly wanted revenge. Keeping a death grip on the blitzball, Rikku bared her teeth and attempted to evade him. He was quick enough to grab her ankle; she struggled to free herself. Light reflected off a pair of metal knuckles when he raised his other hand.He punched her, splitting skin. Her calf screamed in protest as she kicked him off and swam away. That was totally a foul! Why isn’t anyone ringing the buzzer on this jerkwad? Gazna came to her rescue, punching Throat-Slitter and sending him sailing to the bottom of the sphere pool.With a nod of thanks, she located Jecht, and swung into a rapid spin for a pass.Dizziness hit her. Not now! Reaching her target speed, she launched the ball – somehow, in the right direction. Jecht prepared the Mark III, but rather than watch him execute it, she inspected her calf.Four shallow, diamond-shaped puncture marks marred the skin, weeping blood into the water. Messy for sure, but it shouldn’t have broken her concentration. Suppressing another wave of nausea, Rikku glared at Throat-Slitter. Poison, really? She couldn’t even cure herself – status changing equipment was strictly forbidden, and every eye was on her and Jecht. Although, judging from the lack of a foul, none of those eyes were giving her a fair chance.Thinking quickly, she unwound her scarf and wrapped her leg. She knotted it tightly, trying to slow the flow of poison, and turned her attention back to the game.Jecht finished his final kick, and the horn blared as they scored the first goal. Smiling, Rikku returned to her starting position, her arms feeling sluggish. As the rest of the Fangs took their places, Jecht eyed her leg and raised his eyebrows. Rikku pointed towards the center of the arena, where Gazna was kneeling on the starting platform. Later, she motioned.The blitzoff sounded, and Rikku held herself back, trying to find an advantageous position. Her head was pounding; if the Psyches were playing dirty, she’d be better off keeping the contact with them to a minimum. Once again, Tio had the opportunity to intercept the ball, only to shy away at the last moment. She frowned. Jecht’s ace in the hole is turning out to be just as much of a flop as Irga was. The Psyches regained possession of the ball, but Rikku was too far – and too weakened – to try to assist the Fangs.The Psyches punted a goal past an enraged Zamzi just as she was tackled from behind, again. Furious, Rikku flipped head over heels and wriggled free of her attacker: the goalie. The Psyche Girl put a hand under her chin and flicked it at Rikku. She twisted and swam back to her position before the net.Clenching her teeth, Rikku tried to contain her rising temper. I get it already, she thought, assuming a more defensive stance. She’d known the Psyches would be hostile; after all, she was the Al Bhed Guardian of one of the most hated men in their clan. Still, fiends tearing at her was something Rikku was prepared for. Having other humans – her own people – doing it was different. She told herself the leaden feeling in her stomach was simply the venom.The horn sounded and the Psyches again took possession of the ball. But, rather than pressing an assault, they passed it lazily between themselves. Seconds later, the buzzer sounded for halftime. Thank machina! Rikku forced her aching arms and burning lungs towards the locker rooms.Once inside, she limped to her belongings and rooted through her pockets, finding an antidote and downing it. “Ugh, that tastes disgusting,” she muttered, tossing the vial aside and reaching for a healing potion to chase it down.Jecht was on her immediately. “What the hell happened, Blondie? You just ran outta steam halfway through the set!” He pointed at her leg. “Those bastards do somethin’ to you?”“Poison,” Rikku replied, removing her goggles and wiping at her eyes. “I’m not exactly their favorite person right now.”Zamzi snarled, making her jump. “Psyches have no honor!” His tail lashed like a whip.Gazna approached. “We have bigger problem. Hypello no good.” He was hauling Tio along, one fist wrapped around the Hypello’s suspenders. He lifted Tio into the air like a struggling fish. “Gazna say we eat.”“Let meeee g-g-gooo!” Tio said, slapping his webbed fingers at Gazna’s wrists. “Tio can blish-blish-blitsch!”Rikku leaned down and unwound her scarf, inspecting her leg. “I don’t think that’s Tio’s fault,” she said. “The Psyches are playing dirty. You noticed, didn’t you?” In hindsight, it was the only explanation for his behavior that made sense.Tio stopped struggling and focused one eye on her. “Yesh,” he said. “Tio doeshn’t want to be hurt! Pschyches are b-b-baaad peoplsches!”“You Fang now! You show no fear!” Gazna bellowed, shaking Tio before dropping him. “Rikkma get hurt, still play. Hypello shame Fangs!”Tio swayed. “We areshn’t like y-yoo,” he stammered. “One hit, and Tio ish du-du-dusshshht!”“Is that all?” Jecht cut in, crossing his arms. “Gimmie a break! That just means don’t get hit, right?”Tio blinked at him.Jecht smiled and clapped the trembling Hypello’s shoulder. “Relax, man. You got this one. I’ve seen your nephew play.” He paused. “I think.” He slapped Tio on the shoulder again. “You guys are the best swimmers in Spira. Even better than me! Takes a pro to know one.”Tio straightened. “Yoo really shink shoo?”“I know so!” Jecht corrected him. “Ain’t nobody gonna catch a Hypello that don’t wanna be caught. Stop playin’ head games and get back to the real one! Go for that ball and keep it away from them Psyches. They can’t play dirty if they can’t play, right?”Gazna grunted in approval. “Ronso strong.” He considered for a moment. “Zev protect Tio. Gazna cover Rikkma.” He looked at Jecht. “Jecht shoot. Untie score!”Zev nodded. “Captain!”“Yeah!” Rikku cheered, standing up to dance in place. “We won’t let those Psyches bring us down, right guys? Let’s win this thing!”Tio bobbed his head with renewed confidence. “Tio will tr-tr-try!”Jecht looked at Rikku, his smile widening. “Ya hear that, Blondie? Sounds like the Fangs finally got themselves a real captain here.” Turning to Gazna, he gave him a firm nod. “Yessir! Shoot like crazy!”Ganza stepped towards the arena portal. He raised a fist. “Fangs blitz!”
.x.x.x.
“Well, Jimba, this is big surprise. So far the Ronso have managed to hold their own against the Psyches, despite every sign pointing against them!”“That’s right, Bobba, and they’re even playing at a one-man disadvantage. I don’t know whose idea it was to throw a Hypello into the mix, but they’ve set their sights on making the most diverse Blitzing team Luca has ever seen.”“And we got to see another one of Jecht’s amazing shots! That alone made this match worth it, wouldn’t you say?”“Indeed. Although it’s a pity Rikkma isn’t performing up to snuff today. She may have been affected by an injury from a previous game, which would make it more of a two-man loss for the Fangs.”“I guess you could say Sir Jecht is worth more than two men, Jimba! Or maybe just one Al Bhed and a Hypello. That isn’t really saying too much, is it?” Bobba chuckled. Braska clenched the arms of his chair, smile plastered on his face. “I don’t suppose it would help anything if I were to summon right now,” he commented idly.“It would be a wasted effort.” Auron remained immobile at his side, his face impressively stoic. “They don’t broadcast from inside the stadium,” he added with a hint of regret.“The game’s starting again,” Braska noted, leaning forward. “Do you think they have a chance?”Auron studied the sphere pool. “They’re doing better than I expected,” he admitted. “Even with the tricks the Psyches are using. Somehow those two managed to rally the Ronso.”A pained look crossed Braska’s face. “The Psyches are targeting her because of me.”“Rikku is a grown woman. She can take care of herself.”“That’s not the point,” he snapped. “It isn’t fair that she must suffer for my sake. I should be the one out there.”“Doing what?” Auron snorted. “Learning how to blitz so you could take those attacks in her place? You don’t think your Pilgrimage is enough?”Braska shifted in discontent. “I know it is impossible, but I never wished to be the cause of any more suffering. Maybe this was a mistake. We should have departed this morning.”“She is doing this for you,” Auron said. “Rikku doesn’t need to be there; Jecht would be fine on his own. Don’t cheapen her decision by denying her the chance to fight for you.” “But – ““No wound inflicted on her here will be greater than the one you deliver yourself, in the end.”Braska bowed his head.The blitzoff sounded, and as usual, the Psyches gained possession first. Auron cleared his throat and turned into the announcements.“... the strangest thing I’ve ever seen!” Bobba shouted. “The Ronso captain isn’t even trying to hold the midfield! He’s positioned himself next to Rikkma and – oh, wow! Did you see that hit, Jimba? I think the Psyche’s forward will feel that one tomorrow!”“Yowch! Rikkma and Gazna have taken possession of the ball! If I don’t miss my guess, she’s going to pass it to Jecht – say, what is that?”“Looks like a pass, Bobba, but not one I’ve seen before. She’s putting some kind of spin on it, and – no! She missed Jecht! She’s giving that ball away to the Psyches!”“What an incredible mistake! This could be a game changer, folks. The Psyche’s receiver has the ball! He’s launching an attack on the Fang’s goal!”“Wait a minute, Bobba. Something’s happening. Did you see that? What’s he doing?”“He’s slowing down, Jimba! It looks like Rikkma put something in that pass! It has all the marks of a Wither pass, but I’ve never seen one that effective so – no! He’s swimming in the wrong direction! And Zev Ronso is on him! Oh, that looked painful.” “They’re grappling!” “It’s a fumble, a fumble!”The crowd screamed.“I don’t believe it, Bobba! The Hypello has the ball! The Hypello has the ball!”Auron surged forward, and Braska leapt from his chair. Half of the stands were on their feet as well, shouts of disbelief sounding through the stadium.“I can’t track him, Jimba! He’s on the left – no, the right – no, above! The Psyches are in a complete panic! They can’t keep up!” “This is incredible! Not even a Guado can match that speed! I can’t spot the ball!”“There! There! He’s handed the ball off to Jecht! The Fangs have a clear shot!”“Jecht’s going for it! I’ve never seen that technique before, either! What a kick – look at the spin on that ball! It’ll take a miracle to stop it!”The horn blared, and the crowd went wild.“I don’t believe it! The Ronso Fangs are in the lead! The Fangs are leading in the second half of a game for the first time in history!”Auron almost couldn’t hear the announcers over the crowd losing their collective minds.Braska gripped Auron’s sleeve, leaning forward – any further and he’d tumble over the railing. “They scored!” he shouted.“It’s madness, Bobba, sheer madness. The blitzoff is happening and – the Hypello is at it again! Look at that, the midfielders didn’t even have a chance! He’s got the ball!”Braska let out a chuckle. Then another, and another. He collapsed into Auron, roaring with laughter.“It looks like the Hypello put that one in himself!” one of the announcers screamed as the crowd – almost impossibly – grew louder. “That’s a new goal record! Fourteen seconds after a blitzoff! This is turning into a slaughter!” “I have never seen the Al Bhed Psyches so completely outclassed. Let’s see if they can turn it around with this blitzoff – no! The Hypello scored another goal, Bobba! He scored another goal! ” “Hnn,” Auron said as the final horn sounded. “I should have made a larger bet.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
As the Fangs climbed the stairs towards the stadium doors, the dull roar of the crowds grew. Gazna proudly led the Ronso contingent towards the exit. Almost every head was held high – every head except for Rikku’s, who lagged behind them, dragging her feet. Even Tio, with his bobbling gait, was moving faster than her.“Rikkma! Where the hell are ya? Get up here!” Jecht shouted from the front. “Our adorin’ public’s waitin’!”“They’re waiting for Tio!” Rikku called back irritably, wishing there was more than one exit from the stadium. She adjusted her goggles, wrapped her scarf around her face in typical Auron fashion, and hoped her father – if he was watching the games this year – wouldn’t be paying too much attention. “This was such a bad idea,” she muttered, before catching up with Jecht.“You got stage fright or somethin’?” Jecht queried in an undertone.“It’s not that – ” Rikku began, only to be cut off when Gazna threw open the stadium doors. The waiting crowd erupted into screams and cheers.Jecht gave her a half-hearted shrug of apology and rushed forward. She tried to stick her tongue out at him as he left her behind, but only got a mouthful of fabric for her trouble. Here goes nothing… “Fangs! Fangs! Fangs! ” The chant thundered through the throngs of admirers; evidently, the people of Luca loved underdog success stories. Gazna led them back towards Dock Four, doing his best to ignore the humans in his path. Most of his pack followed suit, although Zev stopped to sign autographs and pose for the more determined fans. The small Ronso seemed pleased by all of the attention. The same couldn’t be said for Zamzi, who was unsuccessfully trying to shake off a delighted little girl dangling from his arm.Tio, on the other hand, was being swarmed by reporters. "What made you decide to join up with the Fangs?""Do you have anything to say to the Psyches after absolutely crushing them?""What was it like to play along creatures as fearsome as the Ronso?"“Tell us! Are there plans to form an all-Hypello Blitzball team in the future?”Tio blinked and scratched his head. Then he raised his hands and gyrated his hips in excitement, causing the small crowd around him to step back in sudden embarrassment. “Buh-buh-buh-buy a schweet rollolololl! Tio’s schweet rolls are the bescht!”Rikku sniggered. Pressing herself against the side of the building, as far away from the media fanfare as possible, she scanned the crowd for Jecht. She found him surrounded by a small crowd of eager reporters and curious spectators.Jecht wasn’t being accosted by fame in the same way as his teammates; instead, he had purposefully sought out the thickest pockets of admiring fans. “The secret to my success?” His loud laugh carried over the din of other conversations. “Well, I gotta admit – them sweet rolls really are somethin’ else!” She rolled her eyes and sighed in amusement. Satisfied that the crowds seemed busy with the other Fangs, Rikku attempted to slip away. Maybe she could find Auron. Hopefully he’d taken her advice; the winnings would still be huge, even if he’d only made a small bet. Rubbing her hands together in anticipation, she let out a small cackle as she tiptoed away.“Laughing about your victory?” Rikku froze at the chipper question. The bright light of a sphere camera flashed – blinding her – and a microphone nearly went up her nose, held by an eager, smiling, young reporter. “Seeing an Al Bhed in the middle of those Ronso Fangs was a real shock! Do you have anything to say about your decision to play for the newest team in the league?”“No comment,” Rikku muttered, pulling her scarf up and trying to pitch her voice several times lower than normal. It made her sound a bit like Paine. With a nasal twinge. And constipation. In other words, she sounded like Brother.“Are you battling a chest cold? Or, just shy, Rikkma? Can you at least tell us if the rumors are true: are you The Champion of Djose’s Guardian?”“Eh-heh-heh,” Rikku replied, desperately searching for an escape route. I wonder if using Tidus’s elbow-and-dash flee technique would be bad form right now? The reporter – and her crew – was tenacious, tailing her even as she tried to head for a quieter section of the docks. “Why is an Al Bhed joining a Pilgrimage anyway? Have the Al Bhed begun to accept Yevon’s teachings? Wasn’t Lord Braska married to an Al Bhed woman? Are you Lord Braska’s wife?”The reporter stepped ahead of her, blocking her exit; panic set in. Rikku changed directions and tried to reach Jecht. Hopefully, the reporter would find him more interesting.“Jecht! A little help!” she called out over the crowd. He looked at her, furrowed his brows, and waved her off.“So you do know Sir Jecht! Can we speak to Summoner Braska too?”Gritting her teeth, she pushed through the sea of human flesh until she reached Jecht’s side. She pinched his elbow, ignored his yelp, and yanked him away from his starry-eyed female fans. “They’re out for blood!” she whispered, jerking her head towards the camera crew behind her.“Whaddaya want me to do about it?” Jecht asked, pointing towards his own. “Just ham it up! That’s what we’re here for, right?”“I don’t think this is what Braska meant! I just want to get away!” The microphone was shoved in her face again and she flinched back before pushing Jecht in its path. “Get me out of this!”“Sir Jecht! How do you know Rikkma?”Regaining his balance, Jecht directed a meltingly warm smile at the female reporter and flexed his biceps. “Now, ain’t that just cruel? A pretty girl like you not botherin’ to gimmie her name before askin’ after someone else?” Several women swooned. Rikku rolled her eyes. At least the attention was off her for the moment, thank machina. “Oh!” The reporter blushed. “It’s Shalandra. And I must say it’s a pleasure to meet one of the Ronso Fang’s best kept secrets!”Jecht’s own reporting crew decided to push back. The woman leading it elbowed her way forward, until she was next to Shalandra. “Yes, it is a pleasure, isn’t it? Sir Jecht, could you tell us more about that move you used? Did it have a name?”Jecht opened his mouth, but the first reporter interrupted. “Well, you’ll just have to wait for a better moment to ask. Sir Jecht was just about to tell us all about that.”Sensing a catfight brewing, Jecht raised his arms. “Ladies, ladies. No need to argue!” He laughed heartily and threw his arms around both reporters. Quietly, Rikku slipped away, pleased that her plan had worked. Score one for Secret Agent Rikku! “Guardian?” Jecht asked, before laughing again. “Yeah, I’m a Blitzin’ star, but ya know, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. I’m a Guardian first, so this is gonna be our last game with the Fangs. We’ll be movin’ on soon, doin’ that whole Pilgrimage thing.”“We? ” they repeated.Rikku froze mid-sneak. Jecht, what are you doing? “So your pretty companion is a Guardian as well!” Definitely going for the jugular, those reporters. “This is unprecedented – an Al Bhed supporting Yevon’s teachings!”Murmurs rippled through the audience.“Do you have anything to say for yourself now, Lady Rikkma?”Rikku flailed a bit, horrified, as the cameramen herded her back towards Jecht’s side.“ ‘ey! Rikkma… uh…” Jecht fumbled, looking apologetic.Both of the reporters – Sphere Clones One and Two, Rikku decided to call them – were on them like predators scenting blood in the water.“Can we expect an announcement concerning the Al Bhed from Bevelle soon?”“Tell us about your battle on the coast! How did you manage to fight Sin without the Final Aeon?”“When did you convert? Are you one of the faithful from Lord Braska’s successful missionary expedition?”“Sir Jecht, how does it feel to be travelling with an Al Bhed? Do you use machina too?”Rikku tried to escape once again and Jecht rubbed the back of his head, but the questions kept coming, rapid-fire. Something had to give, and that something was Jecht.“She ain’t an Al Bhed! It’s a disguise!” he shouted.Shocked silence fell. The only sound that carried was that of a tiny dying animal. Rikku clapped a hand over her mouth when she realized it was coming from her.“What?” Sphere Clone Two asked in disbelief.“A disguise? From what?” Sphere Clone One questioned, before continuing to grill her. “And why as an Al Bhed? Isn’t that the worst possible disguise you could choose?” Rikku turned and stared at Jecht with a clear message on her face. Fix this or I’ll hurt you! Jecht seemed to understand – either that, or he was imagining what Auron would do to him once the impromptu press conference ended.“Rikkma’s ah… ah… she’s a pop star! Don’t want no press on the Pilgrimage though, so she dyed her hair and put on those clothes!”“Pop star?” Clone One said blankly. “We’ve never heard of any pop stars named Rikkma.”“I didn’t realize there was a thriving entertainment industry outside of Luca!” Clone Two gushed. “Are they accepting job applications?”As the cameras – and the gazes of the surrounding crowd – turned towards her, Rikku felt herself sweating. Really, with friends like Jecht, she might as well just jump off the pier right now – “Naw,” Jecht said. “She’s this… singer chick,” he continued. “Big in my hometown! People love her!” Apparently he was going to take this blitzball and run with it. Rikku only wished she wasn’t playing the part of the ball. Clone One looked skeptical. “Really? Then why won’t she say a word to the camera?”Rikku threw a hand over her face – partly to block out the blinding light but also to hide her eyeballs – and shook her head. At least her goggles were being helpful, darkly tinted as they were.“It’s for real,” Jecht said firmly, crossing his arms. “She’s just bein’ a little shy right now. Ain’tcha Rikkma? Trust me, she got a voice that could hypnotise ya if she used it,” he added with a smirk.Several members of the audience wolf-whistled, and Rikku peeked between her fingers to glare at Jecht in exasperation.“Well then, how about a victory concert?” Clone Two – the chipper one – clapped her hands together. “This will be perfect! The Yocun Revivalists are playing in the stadium soon to honor both Lord Braska and the tournament season start! I’m sure they’d be pleased to have you perform as their opening act!”As if in response, the crowd around them whistled and shouted in approval. “Yes!” Clone One said. “You both helped save Luca, and even managed to become the surprise darlings of Blitzball! It’s a romantic journey to save the world from Sin! Give the people what they want!”Rikku stomped her foot. Enough is enough! “I can’t do it! I’m not a pop star!” It was the honest truth; without Lenne providing the talent, she was worse than “terrible.”“But, there were rumors that your singing was instrumental in calming Sin during the attack!” Jecht, of course, helped things along by nodding wisely. Rikku resolved to put a live Lucan crab into his pack, preferably in the section where he stored his clean underwear.Clone One raised an eyebrow. “So it’s a lie? You’re an Al Bhed? You really can’t sing?”“Hey!” That was a thrown gauntlet if she’d ever heard one. Rikku planted her hands on her hips. “Take that back!” Clone One smirked. “Prove us wrong!” “Return to the arena and show us your talent! Luca has its eyes on you, Rikkma!”“Sing for us!” Number Two said, gesturing to the crowd to take up the call. They didn’t disappoint. “Concert! Concert! ”As the chant spread, Rikku hung her head. Damn Spira and its borderline obsessive love for large musical extravaganzas. “Fine,” she gritted out. “I’ll have to change first. Don’t expect anything great, though,” she added, shooting a nasty look towards Jecht. “He and I come from a really tiny village with no taste.”Still, the crowd continued to cheer. What did I step into this time?
.x.x.x.
“So, why am I here again?” Jecht sat on the locker room bench, looking bored. “You don’t need me to suit up for this party, do ya?”“You’re here because this is all your fault!” Rikku paced back and forth, doing her best to wear down the floor tiles. “Bevelle’s going to be hounding us as it is! And now you want to rub it in their faces with a concert? What the heck were you thinking?”He shrugged and wiggled his fingers at her. “Just do your magic thing. ‘Sides, if I’m right, this will help, huh? You sing a little song, do a little dance, get the people to love ya and you’ll get them Yevonites off your back.” He hit his own chest with a fist. “I’m the Blitzer already. You gotta be somethin’ else. Somethin’ besides that Al Bhed. Give ‘em a show they won’t forget!”Rikku pulled her braids. It pained her to admit it, but Jecht was right in a way. This was exactly what Braska had wanted them to do; make a good impression in Luca, then leave quickly. Well, Rikku amended, maybe not exactly. Auron was going to be apoplectic. Good thing he’d be stuck in the VIP box with Braska until the concert was over. More time to watch my life flash before my eyes . At least Jecht will die first. “Shame you gotta use that fake name, though,” Jecht said. “Don’t seem right, letting some made-up personality take all your credit.”She snorted. “Lenne’s the one who’s going to be taking all the credit .” Jecht looked confused.“The Songstress,” she elaborated. “She’s… kinda dead, but her memories are really, really active in my dressphere.”“Kinda dead?” Jecht repeated faintly. “Okay, freaky.” Then he shrugged again. “Whatever. Do ya think she’s gonna change your appearance again? Dunno how we’d explain that one away,” he added. “You two don’t look a thing alike.”“I have no idea,” Rikku admitted. “I don’t even know what I’m gonna do out there! I use my dresspheres for battle! What am I supposed to do, cast a sleep spell on the arena and sneak out?” Jecht looked at the sphere screen, which was now displaying the prepared stage. Apparently the two announcers were eagerly relaying the lineup change. “Relax,” he told her absently. “You’ll be fine, Blondie, ya always are.”“You’re the one who got me into this. You should go with me – be a stage dancer and embarrass yourself, too.”Jecht perked up. “For real? You’d let me out there?” There was entirely too much hope in his expression.Rikku took great relish in squashing it. “Not in a million years. Not even if you were the last backup dancer in Spira.” Jecht wilted. “Dang. Don’t get a man’s hopes up like that!” Turning his attention back to the screen, he frowned. “It’s time. You better get your game on, Rikku.”Rikku’s heart pounded. She looked down at her belt, fingering the Songstress sphere. “Lenne, what the heck am I doing? How am I gonna get out of this one?”The sphere glowed faintly against her fingertips, but gave no answers.“Auron’s gonna kill us,” she stated for the record, then activated the sphere. The magic settled around her, along with a burgeoning sense of confidence. She strode over to a mirror and studied her reflection. A nearly neon orange vest and short purple skirt met her sight. “Well, that answers that question,” Rikku said, fluffing her hair. “I’m still me.” She held out her gloved hands and frowned. “Actually, I’m even more me than I usually am in this costume.”Jecht raised an eyebrow. “Ain’t that a good thing?”Rikku looked at herself again. Her hair was the same floppy blonde mess beneath the purple bandana as before. Her eyes were unmistakably green. “I still look like an Al Bhed,” she told the mirror. “This is going to be like declaring war on Bevelle, you know.” Then she stepped back and forth in a quick dance move and lifted one shoulder. “Like it or not, at least they’ll be listening.” She grinned. “Maybe this isn’t such a bad idea.”Jecht stood and moved towards the arena’s entrance. Now that the water had been drained, the door opened onto steps. It didn’t seem as if the crowd had stopped cheering. Don’t they need to breathe? “Go out there an’ kill it.” Jecht gave her an encouraging fistbump.“Of course,” Rikku replied, lifting her chin. She squared her shoulders and sashayed up the steps. The crowd fell silent as she made her way to the lone microphone smack dab in center stage; she pointedly avoided glancing at the luxury suite. Grabbing the mic from its stand, she lowered it to her abdomen, bowed her head, and promptly panicked. What am I doing? She tried to think of a song but drew a blank; Rikku felt alone and horribly exposed. Sure, boosted confidence was part and parcel of the whole dressphere, but she’d never simply performed as a Songstress. She stood before the crowd feeling mostly like herself – awkward and unprepared for the multitude of eyes directed towards her.The silence drew out and the magic pooled around her feet restlessly. Whispers passed through the crowd as the seconds ticked by. Everyone wanted her to deliver some sort of mystery-revealing performance. A few Al Bhed eyed her with open confusion, clearly trying to decide whether she was one of them. The more traditionally dressed northern islanders and the devoutly religious glared, their looks tending towards open hostility. The native Lucans and people of the smaller southern villages were smiling in anticipation. And the crusaders scattered throughout the stadium looked towards her expectantly, as though she had some sort of message to deliver. Lenne! Rikku thought desperately, one hand straying to her belt. I don’t know what to do! Help! Power flared around Rikku’s feet, and the crowd gasped. The light dimmed into a set of more familiar rotating circles; base runes for the magics the Songstress could call upon. Each always started with a dance. Automatically, Rikku began to step along the sigils, chimes rising with each tap of her foot. She moved more quickly, and the chimes turned into harmonizing chords – the beginning of a tune. Lenne’s hand guided her own. She lifted the microphone. Forget about the public, Lenne’s voice echoed in her head. Forget about their expectations and desires. You must sing about what you know, what you feel. Sing for the people you love, and all will be well. Rikku took a deep breath. She could do this. She shut her eyes to block out the crowd and opened her mouth. “All of my life I've tried so hard! Doing my best with what I had...”The magic carried her; her feet found the pattern of the dance as she sang. A gasp rippled through the crowd and bursts of color exploded behind her eyelids – the dressphere was working its magic, triggering a spectacular light show for the audience.“Maybe I'm born right out of my time, breaking my life in two…” Rikku pushed everything into her song: her confusion and anger, hope and despair, feelings of aimless drifting and newfound belonging. “Throw me tomorrow! Now that I really got a chance!”Opening her eyes, she realized the magic had conjured actual images that moved in time with the music. Figures flitted across the stage as she sang. They were fuzzy and indistinct, made more of light than true pictures, but she recognized them regardless. “ – everything's falling into place – ” Brother, so young, chased a teenaged Keyakku; they were laughing. Her father leaned over to kiss her mother. Gippal stood on one leg and grinned at her. Rikku tore her eyes away and continued to sing.“Seeing my past to let it go!”Tidus turned away from her and dove into an invisible ocean. Lulu reached out, offering to teach her. Wakka was on her other side, dribbling a blitzball. Rikku’s breath caught, but she couldn’t end the spell – she had to keep singing.“Lucky old sun is in my sky…” Auron was there, older and more rugged, flipping over the snowmobile. She looked away, still continuing her song, and saw Kimahri, with his broken horn and his crossed arms, nodding at her in acceptance. Yuna danced in her summoner’s robes, staff twirling. Behind, Paine gifted her with a rare smile.The music swelled, and the audience was entranced, their eyes locked on the summoned figures. A small chill of fear rolled through her – what did they see in her memories? But the spell continued to pull words out of her, beyond her control.“Nothing prepared me for your smile!” And now Jecht was there, rubbing the back of his head and laughing. Braska looked over his shoulder at her, his expression wistful. And Auron, young Auron, placed his hands on her back and leaned forward. “Only for you I don’t regret...” she finished gently.The images began to fade, and Rikku slowed her dance, allowing the song to wind gracefully towards its close. A clogged feeling set up camp in her throat, and her heart was racing; she couldn’t tell if she wanted to scream or cry. Having her life laid bare like that – and for what, a performance? Sure, it was great to see her friends – and sweet machina, how she missed them – but they were her memories. She hadn’t meant to share them! Lenne, what was that? she asked, but Lenne didn’t respond.The arena was completely silent, despite being filled with people; the only sound Rikku heard was that of her own labored breath. She bowed her head in disappointment and frustration – mostly at herself. I gave it everything I had… and it still wasn’t good enough? A faint sound intruded – a lone clap. It was quickly followed by another, and another, until the stadium was filled with the sound of applause. Rikku jerked her head up and blinked a few times before smiling shyly. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all. “ENCORE !”Her smile faltered. “Umm, thank you?” Feedback reverberated across the stadium. She winced and backed away towards the stairs. “Really, thanks, but I can’t – ”The crowd cried out in disappointment and she froze. Lenne tugged her back into place. Lenne! I have nothing left to sing about! she thought, fingering her microphone. There’s always another song to write about love, Lenne whispered in amusement.Rikku’s annoyance boiled into anger. Wasn’t it enough that she’d sung her life story out tonight? Now, Lenne wanted her to sing about Auron ? Growling, she stomped her foot.A magical pattern exploded out of the ground. Oh no. She picked up the pace – more tones sounded as her feet walked the path to a much more upbeat tune. Lenne laughed. Use that frustration! Rikku’s pace quickened. A lively melody played, ringing chimes sounding over a bass line as she danced. Might as well go for it, Rikku decided, and thought of Auron as she opened her mouth. “Baby, baby when I look at you, I get a warm feeling inside!” If she wasn’t so busy dancing, Rikku might have smirked. Well, if he hadn’t known this song was dedicated to him, he would in short order. “There’s something about the things you do that keeps me satisfied,” she crooned. “I wouldn’t lie to you, baby - it’s mainly a physical thing. This feeling that I got for you baby - makes me wanna sing!” She struck a seductive pose, running a hand down her side. “I feel for you!” The crowd went wild; many of the women and even a few of the men copied her movements.“I think I love you!” She twirled, magic swirling around her and into the air. Now some people in the audience were staring at each other. Lenne laughed again and Rikku smiled. Well, that’s one way to channel the Songstress magic, I guess! Delighted, Rikku lowered her microphone and put more energy into her steps, dancing until the volume of the music swelled to fill the stadium. Satisfied that she’d now captured the entire audience, she began to sing again.“Baby, when I’m here with you, there’s no place that I’d rather be.” She licked her lips and wriggled suggestively. “Can’t believe it’s true, the things you do to me!”A few of the more ambitious couples in the crowd were kissing now. Others were dancing in ways that definitely would have been outlawed in Bevelle. Even some of the northerners had shed their excess robes and loosened up.“I wouldn’t lie to you baby, I’m physically attracted to you - ” Rikku winked, and a raucous cheer rose from the audience members who weren’t otherwise engaged. “This feeling that I got for you baby, there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do.” She leaned back with a lascivious roll of her hips. “I feel for you! I think I love you!” She spun and laughed, taking in the boisterous crowd as her feet moved even more quickly. Taking a deep breath, Rikku finally let her eyes travel to the one spot she’d been avoiding all evening.“Whoa-oh !” Her hand went up, gesturing directly to the V.I.P. box.Braska had an amused smile on his face, lounging in his chair and enjoying the show. He didn’t seem to be nearly as affected as the rest of her public – little wonder, considering his mastery of magic and partiality to her subject matter. Auron, on the hand, was gripping the railing while he stared at her. She laughed at the look on his face and blew him a kiss. “I feel it, too!”
The crowd saw the motion and went wild. Rikku had to direct her attention back to her dance, retracing her steps across the stage. Still, she looked over her shoulder at Auron. “I think I love you…”The people were on their feet, stomping and swaying, some in the process of disrobing and many more desperately making out. The more rational part of Rikku’s mind was warning her of the advantage of a timely exit – at least before the spell wore off, and the more religious contingents of the audience realized just what they’d done.Rikku let her voice rise in volume as she neared the exit. She spun one more time and bowed as she sang. “I want you!” Then, with one last step, she conjured an explosion of light and dove for the stairs. The last notes of the song lingered.Jecht caught her as she slammed the door to the cabin below and deactivated her dressphere.“Whoa!” she gasped, wiping sweat from her brow. “That went really well! But I think we’re gonna have to jet before they get us again. I may have pushed it too far with that last song…”Jecht released her slowly, his brows furrowed. “Rikku…”Rikku felt a pang of concern. “Hey? Are you alright?” A little more worried, she stepped away from him. “Don’t tell me my last song got you too?”He shook his head at her. “It was your first song,” he told her, even as she dragged him away from the changing rooms. “What was that?”The worry turned into full-blown concern. Did he see? Did he see everything ? “Let’s not do this here,” she hedged as they hurried out into the afternoon sunlight. “Where’s the Pualu again?”“Dock Two,” Jecht reminded her. “An’ you ain’t gettin’ outta this so easy,” he added, jogging after her. They managed to dodge most of the crowds en route to the ship, mostly because the concert was still ongoing. And also maybe just a little bit because the people they did run into were too busy necking. Rikku wasn’t sure how the poor Yocun Revivalists could follow up her act without magic of their own, but judging from the loud strains of music echoing out of the arena, they were giving it their best try. “There it is!” Rikku said in relief as they neared the water, spotting the name of their ship painted in bold letters across the hull of a large boat. The vessel was broad, with royal blue sails and men and women working hard on the deck, undistracted by the pleasures being offered in the city. Compared to the paucity of their travel accommodations before, it looked downright luxurious – though nothing really could compare to their one-night stay in the Glitzball. Still, it seemed Auron had really loosened the pursestrings for this portion of the journey.“Two Guardians from summoner Braska’s party, reporting for duty,” Rikku chirped at the sailor standing on the gangway. Thankfully, it seemed he hadn’t watched Luca’s sphere news; he gave no indication of recognizing her.“Very good! Your things are below in cabin three,” he replied, stepping aside and granting them access.Rikku wasted no time scrambling towards the underbelly of the ship. “One room,” she mused. “I guess Auron can only get so generous after all.”She pushed open the door and strode in. Two bunk beds, comfortably sized, lined the walls, and a port hole displayed the sea outside. A small rug with a coffee table was bolted to the floor between the beds, and someone – most likely Auron – had already distributed their equipment around the room. There were even a few potted plants spread around, giving it the appearance of a comfortable hotel suite rather than a cramped ship’s cabin. Jecht shut the door behind them, leaned back against it with a thump, and crossed his arms. “Tell me ‘bout that song you sang,” he said straightaway.Rikku pulled her goggles off of her head and let them drop around her neck. She rubbed her eyes. “What did you see?”There was a pause, and then Jecht unfolded his arms. “I saw my wife,” he finally admitted. “And my boy, Tidus.” Then he laughed shortly and shook his head. “I even saw my daddy, teachin’ me how to blitz. He’s been dead an’ gone for years now.” He looked at her, frowning. “How could you bring all them up there on the stage like that? I reckon you don’t even know half the people I saw. Like my teammates from Zanarkand.” Then he dropped his head again, his voice suspiciously thick. “Ah, damn. I sure miss ‘em all. Look what you did, Blondie.”Rikku wandered towards the porthole and peered outside, pretending not to hear his sniffles. She turned over what Jecht had said in her mind. So they didn’t see my memories – they saw their own instead. She studied the horizon and did her best to afford her friend some privacy.Jecht eventually quieted down, and Rikku felt brave enough to speak. “I’m sorry if I hurt you,” she offered. “I didn’t know it would do that.”“Naw,” Jecht managed. She heard his footsteps coming nearer. “Was a good kinda hurt.” Unexpectedly, he pulled her into a bear hug. “Thanks,” he mumbled gruffly. “Felt like I got to see ‘em all again for a minute there. Little piece o’ my Zanarkand to take along with me here.” Maybe Jecht’s idea wasn’t a total fiasco after all, Rikku thought.He pushed her away, grinning. “Now about that other song…” He whistled. “I thought you didn’t wanna piss them Yevonites off?”Rikku felt her entire body turning red. “It was just supposed to be for Auron!” she choked out. “I didn’t know it was gonna do… that.” She drooped, ashamed. “I’m never going to be able to show my face in Luca again, am I?”“Probably not. But that don’t matter, you’ll be too busy scorin’ with Auron to care ‘bout Blitzball anyhow,” Jecht laughed, slapping her on the back. “You two gonna go at it again tonight? Maybe I need to tell Braska to rent another cabin, eh?”And just when she thought she couldn’t get any more embarrassed. “Thanks a lot, Jecht.” She grabbed her bag, pretending to fumble with something in it. “Just go away and do something else, will you?” she squeaked. “In fact, go find Gazna and tell him about us leaving. It’s not nice to announce it to the reporters instead of your captain, right?”Jecht continued to laugh at her, though she did hear him opening the door. “Alright, alright. I’ll let you stew in your own juices ‘til Auron and Braska get back. That’s gonna be a fun conversation to listen in on!”“Remember you started it first with those reporters!” Rikku shot back.Jecht’s laughter cut off abruptly. “Uh. Ya think you could, I dunno, maybe butter the Stiff up a little while I’m out?” he asked her with a hint of apprehension.“Sure,” she replied cheerfully. “I’ll set the schedule for your next sword practice with him, too! Buh-bye!” Jecht cringed. She waved at him. He shut the door and fled.Looking around, she tossed herself onto the bunked bed next to Auron’s pack. Sure, he’d put her stuff on the top bunk, but she was too tired to climb. He’d just have to suck it up or squish in next to her. Part of her worried about exactly what Jecht had voiced: what would Auron’s – and Braska’s for that matter – reaction be to her performance? What memories had her first song shown them? More importantly, what would Auron make out of her second song? The look on his face had been mixed – angry, which was to be expected – but, there’d also been something darker and challenging there.Just thinking about it brought the flush back to her face in full force.Yet, despite her anxiety and nervous desire, one final thought floated to the forefront of her mind as she snuggled into the luxuriously soft sheets. At least, after all that effort, I’ll be able to enjoy being rich again… Soon the only sound filling the cabin was that of Rikku’s snores.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It was very late in the afternoon before Braska managed to extract himself from the hustle and bustle around the stadium. Auron was, of course, right behind him, and in a foul mood.“I can’t believe we wasted so much time on this,” Auron said disgustedly.“At least they fed us,” Braska pointed out.“I wouldn’t have called that food. And I wouldn’t have called that concert music, either,” Auron replied as he stomped down the road. “My ears are still ringing.”“You mean the Revivalists? They were…” Braska searched for an appropriate description. “...compelling.”“You think death metal is compelling,” Auron repeated, coming to a stop.“I was trying to be complimentary,” Braska protested. “They certainly put their heart into the performance. It was emotional.”“Yes. I felt very angry as I was forced to watch it,” Auron agreed.A small smile flitted over Braska’s face as he began strolling down the road once more. “You know, you looked much more compelled by Rikku’s performance.” Auron adjusted his sunglasses, but said nothing. Braska’s smile widened. “Oh? You didn’t enjoy her declaration of intent? I would think you had much to look forward to.”Auron masked his embarrassment with frustration. “We can’t be certain that piece was created for me.” Braska sent him a look of disbelief. “...Fine. It was a bold statement.”“That is all you can say?” Braska’s eyebrows went up.After a long moment, Auron let out an exasperated sigh. “I appreciated it. Are you satisfied?” He grumbled as the other man laughed at him. “Honestly, that whole incident reeks of Jecht. I’ll pry the story out of them later.”Braska only laughed harder at that. “Leave Jecht alone. I believe you’ll be busy enough prying Rikku for information.”“I’m glad you find this so amusing,” Auron muttered. “You didn’t seem to be as moved by her second performance as everyone else.” He hesitated. “Were you… similarly unaffected by her first solo?”Braska’s laughter died and a contemplative look passed over his face. “No, that one did reach me.”“What did you see?” Auron asked.Footsteps slowing, Braska looked to the sky, lit in brilliant hues of orange and gold from the setting sun. “I saw people who were precious to me. Many familiar faces, even friends who are still with me now.” He smiled at Auron. “But also those who have passed before me.”“Then you saw something similar to what I did,” Auron said, brow furrowed. “It was… painful. I don’t understand why she chose that song.” Catching himself, he frowned. “My apologies. Listen to me, complaining like a petulant child, when you've lost more than any of us.” He made a sharp noise of discontent.Braska regarded Auron. “It’s fine, my friend. Memories are bittersweet things to hold onto. Allowing yourself to feel that pain will give you the power to move beyond them.”Confusion flickered across Auron’s face. “Why would you say that?”“It’s not about wanting to prod old wounds to see if they still bleed,” Braska replied. “In fact, if I had the power to turn back time, change history and obliterate the sorrows that shaped me, I would be sorely tempted to.”“But, would you?”Braska chuckled and resumed walking. “If I erased my sorrows, then what would become of my joy? Would it be as great? Would I even recognize the experience of true happiness? I’ve found that you can’t have one without the other.”Auron trailed after the other man towards the docks. “And you believe that’s what Rikku was trying to tell us?”“No.” Braska studied the ground. “I think it is something she is finally beginning to understand. Though I admit I prefer to dwell on the effects of her second song. I enjoyed that one much more.”Auron barked out a laugh. “Sometimes I wonder if Jecht is the bad influence, or if you’ve always been this morally subversive.”“Some secrets should never be revealed.”They shared a companionable grin. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen you this happy,” Auron said. “You thrive in this atmosphere. I still don’t understand why you chose to remain with Yuna in Bevelle.”“Because, Auron, as much as the Church does not wish to have me, I have need of it.” Braska paused, taking in their surroundings. “But, wouldn’t it be wonderful if Bevelle could be even a little bit like this? People coming together, regardless of their creed or race, to celebrate as a part of something greater. If only that draw could be Yevon, rather than Blitzball.”“Yevon is too discerning for this audience, my lord.”Braska shrugged. “The demands of the Church are created by man and man will always be fallible. Yevon could be so much more than what the Church has made of it.”“Him,” Auron corrected.“It,” Braska replied firmly. “Yevon is a belief, Auron. Once, perhaps, Yevon was a summoner who walked among us, a man like you and me. Well. More like me , obviously,” he added with a hint of mischief. “But the Yevon that Spira worships today has no bearing or relation to that man.”“Hnn,” Auron said, as they restarted their stroll through the docks. “You sound almost like the Al Bhed.”“Is it any wonder? They’re the ones who showed me the Church’s limitations. Why are only the priests permitted to study history? Where did the Teachings actually come from? Is machina truly the curse that created Sin? No one has any real answers.” Braska sighed. “Maybe the Church is wrong about these things, but we are simply no longer allowed to ask.”“If you think that,” Auron replied, “then how can you continue the Pilgrimage? Can revenge alone drive you that far?”“I would call it love, not vengeance.”Auron walked in silence for a few moments. “As you say, my lord.”Braska grimaced. “Auron, wait.” He stepped up to the other man. “I hate it when you distance yourself from me like that. We’re in Luca. Can’t you loosen up for once?”Auron faced him, his expression stony. “When will you stop lying to yourself? You set your path because of this so-called love for Raenn, but you left your daughter behind to be raised by the wolves of Bevelle. You openly tell me that you reject the Teachings, yet you still walk the path of a summoner. And you wonder why I’m confused!”Braska’s face was pinched. “You’re confused because you’re finally starting to ask the questions you never thought to before. But you are mistaken about me.” He looked away. “Leaving Yuna behind was the most difficult thing I have ever done. I know what this will do to her if I succeed. And yet still I must try.”“Why?” Auron’s question was laced with pain. And then, softer. “Why you?”They lingered at the edge of the water, listening to the lap of the waves splashing against the stone. The excitement of the day was winding to a close, and the number of people on the streets was dwindling. A rare moment of peace and quiet descended over the docks. Braska tilted his head to the side and let his eyes slide shut. “Do you remember this, Auron? The first time we came here together.”Auron stilled. “I do. We were both different men.”“Yes,” Braska sighed. “I, too, was restless then. Yevon was still a rigid icon for me. I was so certain I was right.” He opened his eyes and studied the movement of the water below. “When Raenn died, I lost the last of my blind faith, but I never lost the vision that it left behind of a united Spira – one free of sorrow, free of the fear of Sin, and one that could work together for a common good: each other.” He turned to Auron. “To me, Yevon can still be that banner we gather under. It is an idea, a goal to work toward. An idea can change, Auron, even if the Church cannot.”“They should have excommunicated you when they had the chance,” Auron said after a moment. “Is that why you think it has to be you? Not just for Raenn?”Braska nodded. “You weren’t entirely wrong before. The anger and the pain are still there; they still lick at my heels and drive me forward. But Sin can’t be defeated by hatred alone. If anything, I believe hatred is what created Sin. Perhaps love is what can destroy it.“To think, the love of a Yevonite and an Al Bhed might bring Sin to its knees. Now that is an idea worth pursuing. Imagine the legacy I would leave to Yuna. It would be greater than my own death.”Auron snorted. “You really believe the Church wouldn’t rewrite history to paint your death in their colors?”“That’s why I have you, isn’t it?” A startled look crossed Auron’s face. Braska grinned. “I trust you’ll carry on with whatever I manage to start. You are the strategist, after all.”“My lord,” Auron managed, still looking shell-shocked.Braska clapped Auron on the back. “Enough of these maudlin thoughts. What say we find Jecht and Rikku and congratulate them on their game? We’ve kept them waiting for long enough, I would think.”Recovering, Auron scowled. “And whose fault would that be? You’re the celebrity now.”“And you are the one who engineered that,” Braska countered. “Besides, wasn’t a large part of our delay that detour into the city you insisted upon taking? What business did you have at that bank anyway?”Auron coughed into his sleeve. “Look. Isn’t that Jecht?” Fishing the sphere out of his coat, he turned it on. “I should make a record of the Hero of Luca. It’ll be a keepsake for Yuna.” He strode away.“Subtlety is not your strength, my friend,” Braska murmured under his breath, snickering.“ ‘ey, Auron!” Jecht called out, waving. “Did ya get that last match?”"Yeah,” Auron replied. “But I don't understand why you wanted me to. Didn't you say you have Blitzball in your Zanarkand?"Jecht rolled his eyes. "Not a sportsman, are ya?"Thinking about the continuous broadcast of Bobba and Jimba that they’d been subjected to for the past few hours, Auron grimaced. “Thankfully, no.”Braska caught up to them, eyes still gleaming with amusement. "Working on your form?" he greeted, nodding at Jecht.Scoffing, Jecht looked down his nose at Braska. "My form don't need no work. I'm the great Jecht!” He struck a heroic blitzing pose.“Really,” replied Braska, smile widening. “Tell that to your Hypello friend.”“Yeah, yeah. Tio was pretty good. But it was still my idea!” Jecht turned away, scratching at his chin. “Actually, this one… it's for my kid." The last was said a little too quickly as he walked away.Concerned, Braska followed after the other man. "Your son plays Blitzball?"Jecht’s shoulders rose and fell, though he still refused to face them. "Yeah, and he wants to beat his old man bad. Once, I told him to give it up. He didn't speak to me for a week.” He let out a rough laugh, his shoulders hitching again. “Wonder what he's doing now. I hope he got bigger and put on some muscle." He stepped further away.A look of understanding passed over Braska’s face.Curiosity piqued, Auron turned the sphere towards Jecht. He froze when he heard the hiccup, followed by a soft wheeze. “Jecht?” Auron asked, surprised.Jecht whirled around, his face red and eyes suspiciously bright. " ‘ey, what's the big idea! Stop shooting!"“Hnn,” Auron muttered, shutting the sphere off. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to intrude on your… moment.”Scrubbing at his face, Jecht let out another loud, clogged sniff. “Damn,” he grumbled. “Second time in one day. Leave a man some pride, will ya?”Braska cleared his throat. “It has been an interesting day for all of us. Where’s Rikku?”Sniffing again, Jecht gestured at the docked ship behind him. “She’s on the Pualu. Hidin’ away from the rest of Luca.”“Then what are you doing out here alone?” Auron asked with mild disapproval. “After the stunts you two pulled today, I’d think you would know by now to stick together and lay low.”“Oi, she’s the one who kicked me out! I was just deliverin’ our goodbyes to the team.” He grinned at Braska. “You got the support of the Fangs, B.”“Bee?” Braska repeated, looking less than thrilled.“Oh, yeah!” Jecht punched an eager fist into the air. “They’re dedicatin’ the rest of the tournament to Team BARJ! Even got Tio to stick around for a few more games with ‘em!”“Team Barge,” said Braska faintly. “That sounds…”“Awesome!” Jecht yelled.“Terrible,” Auron growled.“... like a seafood delicacy being sold by a street vendor,” Braska finished. “Why don’t we forgo your team nickname for the time being?”Jecht shrugged. “Alright, B. Your loss. BARJ just has a nice, easy ring to it, ya know?”“No,” Braska said firmly. “I really do not. I do hope you relayed our gratitude to the Ronso Fangs, however.”“ ‘Course!” Jecht answered, joining them as they boarded the ship. “I always got both of my teammates’ backs!”“Proud of your newest Blitzball creation?” Auron asked with some amusement.“What can I say? I got the touch!” Jecht cackled, hands on his hips. “The Fangs are gonna take the cup, mark my words. Just you wait an’ see when we get back here after this Pilgrimage is over! I told ya, there’s gonna be parades!”Braska’s steps slowed. “Yes,” he said, looking back towards the brightly colored city which pulsed with energy and excitement. “A celebration of life when this Pilgrimage ends. I think I would enjoy that very much.” He stooped low and bowed in prayer. “You have my thanks, people of Luca.”
.x.x.x.
Rikku mumbled as someone poked her in the side. “Ngg… go away! I’m still sleeping!” She turned her face into her pillow and stubbornly tried to ignore the next prod, which was less gentle.“Paine...” she groaned, blinking one bleary eye open and taking in Auron sitting next to her.He frowned. “I can’t be hurting you.” Another poke. “You’re not that delicate. And you’re in my bed.”Rikku rubbed her eyes and sat up with a yawn. “I was tired and it was there,” she complained, feeling like a zombie. “How long has it been?”“We’ve already set sail from Luca,” Auron told her. “The journey will last overnight. We should arrive in Kilika in the morning.”Stretching her arms overhead, Rikku pushed herself to the edge of the bed. “I’m glad to be gone after all those reporters, but I think I’m still going to miss Luca a little.” She picked at a fingernail sadly. “I didn’t even get to say goodbye to the Fangs.”“Jecht said your goodbyes for you,” Auron assured. He hadn’t moved, and Rikku took the opportunity to lean against him and rest her head on his shoulder.“So, are you mad at me?” she asked.“I saw the sphere broadcast,” Auron told her. “You weren’t completely to blame. Jecht has no brain-to-mouth filter whatsoever.”Noticing that the room was empty, she smirked. “Is he already floating face-down in the water then?”Auron chuckled. “He and Braska are both topside, enjoying the view. I think Jecht is demonstrating the Mark III for the crew. It’s his preferred method of trying to keep me away.”Rikku giggled and turned her face into Auron’s neck. “And what about me?”“What about you?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her. “Do you wish to be punished?”She blinked. “Well, when you say it like that…” She ran a finger down his bicep.“I heard every word you sang,” Auron murmured, lowering his head. His lips quirked upwards. “That wasn’t the way I imagined gaining favor in Luca, but you likely made many people very happy today.”Feeling bold, Rikku reached up and curled her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. “I wanted to make you happy,” she admitted. “The rest was just an accident.”Auron turned his head and kissed her hand. “You love me,” he said plainly.Rikku sucked in her breath. “I do,” she answered. Then she stared at him, a challenge. “What’cha gonna do about it?”Auron leaned in, his lips hovering over her mouth. “Take advantage,” he answered, before sealing them against her own.“Mmm,” she moaned. This is a good idea. No, this is a really great idea. Her arms wandered on their own, wrapping around Auron and pulling him closer as she leaned backwards onto the bed. To her delighted surprise, he allowed himself to fall on top of her. His mouth chased hers with growing hunger.His roving hands were definitely onto something , at least. They trailed paths across her bare torso, igniting nerve endings under her skin she hadn’t realized she even had. Rikku flushed and squirmed underneath him, eliciting a grunt from her partner.Auron pulled away reluctantly. “If you don’t stop wriggling, this may develop into something we both regret,” he warned.“Remind me again why that would be a bad thing?” Rikku shimmied a little more to drive her point home, inhaling sharply when she felt the success of her efforts.“You may enjoy performing for audiences, but I am a private man,” Auron scolded, extracting himself from her grip. He gave her a heated glare as he sat up, adjusting himself. “The sun has not even fully set. I came to fetch you to rejoin the others. They’ll be serving dinner soon on the deck, and Braska wishes to see you.”“Killjoy,” she muttered. “I’ll get your pants off sometime, you know.”Auron smirked. “I’ll be on my guard,” he replied. His eyes softened and he tucked an unruly strand of hair away from her face. “There’s no hurry, Rikku. This is simply another step in our journey.”Rikku made a face, sitting up and checking to make sure nothing was more exposed than usual. “Tell that to my lady bits,” she grumbled.“Your blunt humor will be the death of me,” Auron replied in a pained voice as he helped her to her feet. Pulling her in, he pressed her body tightly against his own. “Do not mistake my restraint for a lack of interest,” he added in a low voice.“Gotcha,” Rikku breathed, staggering a little when he released her. He caught her hand and pulled her towards the door. “You’re a cruel, cruel man,” she told him as her heart rate recovered.Auron directed an amused look over his shoulder as he led her through the ship. “I’m cruel? You’re the one who tried to seduce me in front of the entirety of Luca.” He smirked. “You’re welcome to try that song again when we’re alone.”Giggling, Rikku followed him up the stairs to the deck of the Pualu. She gasped – the last rays of the sun were setting fire to the ocean. A few stars were already visible, twinkling overhead between the billowing sails. “This is beautiful!” she gushed, dropping Auron’s hand to run towards the railings. The Pualu was a standard Spiran transport ship, although perhaps a bit more luxurious than what Yuna had travelled on during their time together. It was a far cry from the industrial barges used by the Al Bhed for deep sea exploration. Everything was so bright and colorful; it was almost as if a piece of Luca had broken off of the docks and floated away with them. “I love it!” she shouted, spinning to face Auron.“Rikku!” Braska called her over; he, Jecht, and several other passengers were standing by a small grill mounted to the deck. Freshly caught fish sizzled on it, sending a tantalizing aroma into the air. Jecht munched on one, stopping only to give her a wave with his half-eaten meal.“There you are,” Braska said, smiling as he handed her a charred fish. “When we returned to the room, you were already sleeping soundly. It would have been a pity to wake you.” “Who wouldn’t be tired?” she replied. “A concert right after a Blitzball game, sheesh!” She grabbed the meal and bit into it. Then she hopped up and down and screeched, waving her hand at her mouth. “Hot – hot – hot!”“Crybaby,” Jecht teased before taking a large, demonstrative bite out of his own fish.“So he says. His yell was louder than yours when he first tried it,” Braska laughed, handing off another stick to Auron. “Well. I hope everyone enjoyed their time in Luca?”Licking her lips, she blushed. “Sorry about that unexpected publicity stunt,” she told Braska. “I really wasn’t planning it, but Jecht opened his big mouth and – ”“ ‘Ey, it all worked out in the end,” Jecht complained. “You can blame me for the success if ya want, though.”“Jecht is correct. Do not worry, Rikku, we all enjoyed the performance. You made quite an impression on Auron.” Braska smiled with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “What kept you for so long? Did you get lost along your way to our cabin?”Auron put an arm around Rikku, grabbing her hip almost possessively. “I was having an appetizer.”She frowned as the two men stared at each other. It wasn’t exactly hostile, but there was a hint of tension between them, almost as though Auron was trying to tell the summoner to back off. Turning, she pushed Auron’s hand off of her hip and gave him a small frown. “I’m not your pawn,” she murmured. “Don’t use me like that.”Auron stared at her, then nodded. “Sorry,” he said stiffly. “I assumed things were changing between us.”She grabbed Auron’s coat and tugged him away from Braska’s observant gaze. Once they were out of earshot, she turned on her heel to face him. “Just because I wanna jump your bones doesn’t mean you can parade me around like a prize chocobo,” she hissed. “I chose you, Auron. Isn’t that enough for your pride?”Auron rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I was not trying to use you,” he muttered. “I see the way Braska looks at you still. You are not his.”Rikku narrowed her eyes. “I’m not yours either,” she shot back. “I’m my own person, Auron. So are you. Settle this thing without using me as bait!”Auron glared. “The only thing between Braska and I is you , Rikku.”A throat cleared behind them. Auron and Rikku both flinched, surprised at Braska’s silent approach. “I should be the one to offer the apology,” he told them. “I have offended you, Auron, and caused this disagreement. Please accept my sincere regret. I will stop needling the both of you about your relationship.” Then he bowed deeply.Caught off guard by Braska’s admission, Auron was slow to react. Rikku helped him along by nudging his ankle with her boot, prompting him to bow in return.When Braska rose, he focused on Rikku. “I truly am sorry.” He looked resigned, before his expression melted into its usual pleasant facade. “Please, do not isolate yourselves here. I will make myself scarce, so you can enjoy the gathering the crew put together.” He swept away, smiling, and started to greet the other passengers.Auron stared at the polished wood of the deck, sighed in frustration, and crossed his arms. “This is why I hate romantic involvements. It breeds pointless emotions, like jealousy.”She frowned. “ Hey! It’s not all pointless. Just because there are bumpy parts doesn’t mean the ride isn’t worth it.” She mirrored his pose. “The first time I fell in love, I convinced myself everything had to be perfect. That idea ruined me for everyone else after he died.” She dropped her head, thinking of Auron’s older self and all of the time she wasted pining after him.“I forget sometimes that, young as you are, you still have more experience in this than I,” he admitted quietly, meeting her eyes. “You’ve loved before and had your heart broken, just as Braska has. You are both, in a sense, my superiors.”“Hah! You think I’m your superior? Well then, drop your pants!”“I’m trying to be serious here,” he scolded her, rolling his eyes.“See?” She grinned ruefully. “It doesn’t work like that. Having experience doesn’t give me some kind of edge here, you know? Besides, what makes you think Braska’s situation can even compare with mine? He had a family before Raenn died. I was just a stupid teenager hung up on a guy who didn’t even notice me.”“I didn’t realize – “ Auron started, but Rikku continued before he could finish.“It’s not like there’s some formula you can follow to make things all neat and safe anyway. That sure would be great though, wouldn’t it? If we could map out our feelings and make a guided tour for falling in love without any heartbreak?” Raising her palm, she walked two fingers across it. “If it was that easy, I’d write in a detour to avoid hurting Braska.”Auron huffed a laugh. “I suppose it was bound to happen. I thought I could resist you and spare us all this headache, but you’re very persistent.”“Of course! You got a heart, I’ll steal it!” She twirled around once, then took Auron by the hands. “Letting myself fall in love with you made me realize it doesn’t have to be perfect this time. Maybe it never really is. But I think it’s worth all the trouble in the end.” She looked up at him earnestly. “We’ll find a way to handle Braska’s feelings. Alright?”Auron squeezed her hands. “All right,” he told her, then leaned in for a kiss.“Ahh!” a withered voice said when they drew apart. “How refreshing to see the couples of today celebrating the glory of love! Oh, to be young again.”She jumped, then blinked. Wait, I know that hat! “Gramps?” she exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise.The stooped old man in the ornate travelling robes adjusted his spectacles and peered at her. “Yes, young lady? Have we met before?”Smiling broadly, Rikku reached out and grabbed his hand, pumping it up and down. “Yeah, though I bet you don’t remember it!”“Rikku!” Auron said sharply.“Oh, it’s quite all right, young man. Your companion is correct. Old Maechen has far too many memories to keep them contained in this head of mine. Perhaps you’d like me to share a few stories?”“It’s kind of you to offer,” Auron hedged, eyeing the doddering old man with a hint of impatience. “But – ”Rikku elbowed Auron in the stomach. “Of course we’d love to listen to you!” Maechen had always been a sweetheart to Yuna and the rest of them; his stories had helped them understand Sin, the great Machina War, and later, Shuyin and Lenne. His words even helped them face down Vegnagun. She could feel the Songstress sphere warming in agreement; Lenne and Maechen shared a friendship that technically spanned a thousand years. “Tell us a story, please!” she begged.“Well, well! It’s not often that those I meet are so eager to hear my words!” Maechen stroked his beard, obviously pleased, and cleared his throat. “I am on a journey, studying the history of our world, Spira, seeking its stories and secrets…” As he droned on, Auron began to look bored, and Rikku remembered why she always let Yuna do the talking, if possible. Maechen really liked the sound of his own voice. She wondered if he’d been a Blitzball reporter when he was young.Jecht wandered by and stopped behind Maechen. He cocked his head to listen, but after a few moments, his eyes grew glassy. Shaking himself, he smirked and formed his hand into a beak, parroting Maechen’s words. Auron eyed Jecht and very casually drew a thumb over his throat.“Did you have something to add?” Maechen peered at Auron.“Ah.” Auron quickly converted his movement into a long, drawn-out scratch. “No, I just thought I felt the irritation of a biting fly. Please, carry on.” He smiled rigidly past Maechen at Jecht, who was miming I’m so scared! right back.“Don’t mind him! I’m listening to every word, Maechen,” she answered, which was partially true. The cadence of his storytelling voice was very relaxing. It synced with the rise and fall of the passing waves, creating a pleasant tune of white noise.“I suspected you would be, young lady. We have just reached the history of Al Bhed after all.”“Ooh,” Jecht said, joining them by stepping into Maechen’s line of sight. “Now this I wanna hear! Tell us all of Blondie’s secrets, old man!”She rolled her eyes. “They’re not my secrets. This is the history of my people! Right, Maechen?”The old man squinted, hand on his chin. “Indeed. You’ve the bearing of the Pollendina clan, miss. Always well regarded among their fellows, they’ve managed to retain the ruling hierarchy of the Al Bhed for generations now. They do say only the best and brightest are produced from that line. Are you by chance a relation?”“Pollenwhat?” Jecht asked, his face scrunching.“Pollendina.” Braska approached, bowing respectfully to the old man. “That was Raenn’s family,” he supplied. “Good to see you again, Maechen.”“Oh!” Jecht grinned. “So you mean Blondie here’s a royal Pollen Diva?”“Pollendina,” Rikku corrected. “Nobody cares about the old clan names anymore though. We intermarried so much it all got too messy to keep track of years and years ago! Almost everyone’s part Pollendina nowadays.” She snorted, thinking of Brother. “Best and brightest, huh? You sure about that, Gramps?”“It’s true,” Braska protested. “The bloodlines may have thinned, but I was married to one of their clan. Her intelligence shone as brightly as the stars in the sky. It was her mind I first fell in love with.” He looked at Rikku and smiled. “That seems to run in their family.”Maechen saved Rikku from another awkward moment by continuing to chatter on, oblivious. “Of course it would! Your people are an engineered race after all, bred and created for exactly that purpose.”“Wait, what? ” Any sort of tension between Braska and Auron was ignored as Rikku focused completely on Maechen. “Engineered? We’re not engineered!”“Oh, yes, my child,” Maechen chuckled, missing the expression of shock splayed over Rikku’s face. “The Bedohls were originally clones of proper humans, created over a thousand years ago. That was why they could not use magic, you see. Instead, they were trained to excel at wielding machina.” He stroked his beard. “One might say your people were the first living machina ever created! Truly a marvel of ancient Zanarkand!”Jecht’s head whipped over to Rikku. “We made you? I didn’t ever see no androids back in my Zanarkand!”Braska, looking nonplussed, interrupted him. “How do you know this to be true, sir? Nothing you describe was ever recorded in the histories I studied.”Rikku shushed them both with her hands. “He’s a scholar. Trust me, this guy knows his stuff. We’ve met before!”Maechen scratched his head. “Really? I can’t seem to remember…”“You wouldn’t, Gramps.” Rikku tapped her foot impatiently. “Tell me more about the Bedohl!”Pleased at her interest, Maechen eagerly recounted his tale. “Little remains of the original clones in the tribes of the people we know as the Al Bhed. The Bedohl were simply soulless husks, with none of the emotion or empathy shown by other sentient beings. Your eyes and unique hair color are most likely the last remnants of that time so long ago. I wonder what Alb would say were he to see you now, thriving as an independent race.”Despite his encouraging words, Rikku felt sick to her stomach. Clones. We’re all really blonde, green-eyed clones. Engineered to be smart. She didn’t doubt for a minute that Maechen was telling the truth – he always did. His soul was driven by the need to record and preserve Spira’s history, even its unsavory moments. If anyone knew the truth about her people, it’d be him.“Aww, c’mon, don’t be so down, Blondie. S’not like you’re anything like them bed rolls anymore, right?”Fury flooded her. “You think this is a joke? Are you laughing it up now?” she said, raising her eyes to meet Jecht’s. A look of hurt passed over his face. “ ‘ey now,” he told her, folding his arms. “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t do this! Sometimes the truth sucks. Ya just gotta learn to deal with it, right?”Momentarily stunned, she felt her anger fading. After all, she’d dropped a much bigger bomb on Jecht’s head.Auron squeezed her arm. “Rikku. You don’t even know that it’s true.”The pity wall from her friends was crushing her. She winced as she forced herself to do what she was apparently bred to do – think this one through. Clenching her hands, Rikku dug deeper. “Who’s this Alb person you’re talking about?”“Why, Alb was the geneticist of course! You might say he is the god of your people; he invented your race.” Maechen paused, thinking. “ Al Bhed is a corruption of Alb’s name and the Bedohl which he created. I assume it was easier for those in Zanarkand to ridicule the clones by their new title.”“It’s an insult?” Rikku said in a small voice. “Our people were named as a… a joke? ”“Oh, it was no joking matter,” Maechen replied. “The Bedohl managed to become so powerful that they had to be kept under surveillance at all times. It’s speculated that their power was actually the catalyst for the Machina War.”“So, we caused the Great Machina War too, huh?” Rikku sunk to her knees, her feet splayed to her sides. “Wow,” she said after a moment. “That’s… something.”“Something” wasn’t the half of it, but it was all she could bring herself to say. So, that’s why our hair and eyes never change? Why we’re so good with machina? We were created this way? “Rikku?” Auron called.She ignored him. We didn’t even ask to be created! How did we become such a threat to Zanarkand? They turned to Sin in the end just to fight us? All the death and destruction… that’s our fault? She clenched her hands, breathing deeply. No. We were forced into this world and then into the war. The Al Bhed never had any control over our destinies from the beginning! We didn’t start anything! An itching sensation started behind her eyes, and she could feel the warm flush of anger crawling up her neck. So, why are we blamed for everything? She scowled. No matter what Maechen says, Yu Yevon created Sin! It’s not our fault! “Ah. I seem to have troubled you, young lady.” Maechen’s apologetic voice interrupted her whirling thoughts. “That was never my intent.” What did you think would happen, Gramps? She dug her nails in deeper, but said nothing.Braska broke the awkward silence. “You said the Bedohl were a race of clones unable to use magic?” he asked Maechen.The old man nodded. “Indeed, it is as much a legacy of the Bedohl as their unique coloring.”A broad smile lit Braska’s face. He turned to Rikku. “This is wonderful news!”Jecht snorted. “What’s so wonderful ‘bout it? You tryin’ to rub salt in the wound?”Auron bent over Rikku and gently grasped her shoulders. “Rikku,” he said. “ You can use magic, even without your belt.”“Don’t you see?” Braska told her with excitement.Maechen didn’t, by his look of surprise. “Truly?” He fiddled with his spectacles, inspecting her with new interest. “You can harness the power of magic, young lady?”Confused by the sudden attention, she nodded. “Yeah… a friend of mine once said she thought I had some talent. She taught me a few spells. I can’t do much more than low level parlor tricks, though.” To demonstrate, she held up a hand and snapped her fingers together. A tiny flame danced to life on her fingertip, and she held it up for Maechen to see. “Nothing like what real mages can do when they get serious.”Her pathetic flame was still more than enough to cause Maechen to clap his hands together in excitement. “Amazing! Truly amazing! Humor an old man and show me another!”Bemused, she snapped her fingers again. This time she focused on making a small spark of electricity. At Maechen’s eager look, she snapped her fingers a few more times, generating enough static charge to lift her hair.“You gotta teach me that trick!” Jecht told her.Braska’s smile broadened. Auron helped her to her feet with a thoughtful look on his face.Maechen was trembling with excitement. “And once more!” he begged.“You want a show? I guess I can try.” Frowning, Rikku focused on the spell, mouthing the arcane words as she gestured. Completely ignoring her garment grid, she pulled the magic out naturally, sweat beading on her forehead. With a shout she sent the most powerful Blizzard spell she could conjure sailing over the water. It hit the ocean with a splash, freezing the tops of the waves for a few seconds and creating a small crystal explosion that disappeared again immediately.Rikku sighed in disappointment. “That sucked.” I’ve seen Lulu do worse to Wakka after he accidentally ruined one of her dolls. She set his entire Blitzball trading card collection on fire with a snap of her fingers! She glanced back and did a double-take at the look on Maechen’s face. “Why are you so excited? So I can cast a few useless spells! What does that prove?”If possible, Maechen quivered even more. “Why, it proves that you are a ray of hope for Spira! The first Al Bhed I have ever witnessed harnessing magic! After all these long years, a sign of change appears!” A few tears sprung to his eyes.Braska patted Rikku on the shoulder. “Your people are Bedohl no longer. You have learned to adapt – to grow and become a true part of Spira, just like the rest of us. You needn’t let the past define who you are.”“Perhaps the end of Sin’s thousand year reign is also drawing near,” Maechen agreed. “If your people have evolved this far, then what more could be possible?”She looked at her hand, overwhelmed. “You got all that from a few elemental spells? Don’t you think that’s pushing it?” “Why not reach for the stars?” Braska answered her. “Sometimes you may manage to catch one.”He was right, she realized. Didn’t I just say it to Auron? I’m my own person. “Stars, huh? Well, I already caught two, didn’t I? They bought us a nice time at the Glitzball!” She’d already done so much without knowing her people’s past – the new information didn’t have to change anything. The Al Bhed excelled at adapting, surviving, and flourishing – even under the most extreme conditions. It doesn’t matter where we came from; we live as we want now. Grinning, Rikku gave a surprised Maechen a tight hug. “Thanks, Gramps! That was a pretty good story after all. You always pull through when we need you!”Maechen chuckled, returning the embrace. “It was a pleasure, my dear. Truly.” As she stepped away, his smile dropped.“Did I squeeze you too hard?” Rikku asked with worry.Maechen turned towards the ocean, a troubled look on his face. “Oh,” he said simply. “We have a visitor.”“What?” Auron spun, eyes narrowing as he peered out over the darkened water in confusion. “No,” Braska breathed, paling. “Not here. Not now. ” Then his face hardened. “Auron! Warn the captain of – ”It was right about then that they felt it – the sweep of nausea that always heralded trouble.“Holy shit,” Jecht cursed, scrambling towards the cabins. “I’m gettin’ the weapons! Rikku, you stay with Braska!”Auron was already off, his red coat flying behind him, directing the helpless civilians below deck and shouting warnings at the crew.Maechen and Braska stood beside her, watching in dismay. The waves boiled and erupted off the port bow, exposing the tip of a giant fin for a brief moment. Even that was enough to elicit screams and panic from the other passengers.“SIN!”Sin dove, and the massive wave its fin generated rocked the boat violently.She grabbed Braska as they went flying; Maechen sailed beyond them, unable to find purchase. They all hit the railing hard, but she managed to catch it with one hand and bend her torso around it. Braska scrabbled for a grip, his waterlogged robes slick against the polished metal. Maechen, already weakened, slipped as the ship lurched when Sin rammed it again. He flew overboard, an expression of horror on his face.“Gramps!” she screamed as he disappeared below the surface of the churning ocean. He’s already dead. He’ll be fine, she told herself, but couldn’t quite stifle her panic.The ship careened through the ocean like a staggering drunk, before righting itself into a less precarious tilt.“Rikku!” Braska managed, steadying his footing. “I need my staff!”“Jecht and Auron are on it!” she shouted. “It’s too dangerous to run after them with the ship like this! They’ll come to us!”“I don’t think it’s attacking the ship,” Braska told her urgently. “Sin is going for Kilika or Luca. We must do something!” He trailed off, spotting Jecht as he re-emerged onto the deck. “There!”Rikku wrapped tight fingers around Braska’s wrist before he could take off without her. “You hang on to me no matter what!” she ordered. “If Sin pushes the boat again you’ll be a goner in those robes!”Braska gave her a quick nod, and together they raced across the deck. “Here!” Jecht tossed the Godhand at Rikku. She caught it and released Braska, slamming the weapon onto her wrist with a minute sigh of relief. At her side, Braska was gripping his staff and trying to dance despite the rolling of the ship.“You gotta be crazy, man!” Jecht stopped him. “You can’t go into Rapture here!” He scowled and pointed at Rikku. “Keep ‘im from doin’ anythin’ stupid. Knock ‘im out if you have to,” he said shortly. “I need to get Auron his sword.”“I won’t stand here uselessly!” Braska spat, clutching his staff as Jecht darted away. He swung out his arm to begin summoning.Rikku parried, shoving the staff down with a sharp clang. “Don’t even think it!” she hissed, meeting his glare. “We’re trying to keep you alive!”“And I’m trying to – “ Braska’s angry words cut off as a shadow loomed over them. Looking up, Rikku saw the giant, rippling hide of Sin rising out of the water – right next to the edge of the boat.“You were wrong about the target,” Rikku squeaked, eyes widening in terror. The ship groaned, wood protesting as the portside of the deck rapidly rose. She grabbed Braska’s arm and dragged him towards the central mast. The angle was already high enough to make the last few steps almost too difficult to manage. Leaping, she caught a loose rope from the sail and tried to lash it around his wrist.“You first,” Braska yelled, pushing the rope towards her as the floor continued to tilt under their feet.“No time!” Rikku screamed as the deck rose too sharply for their footing to continue to hold. She clutched onto the rope as her feet slid backwards, and somehow forced her hand with the death-grip around Braska’s wrist towards it. “Hold on!”They were jerked into the air, and pieces of broken wood – and even a few sailors – went flying past them. Where are Auron and Jecht? Braska’s weight pulled painfully at her arm.“I can’t…”She watched Braska’s fingers slip against the slick rope in his one-handed grip. “Let go of your staff!” she shouted.He shook his head, face white, and out of desperation Rikku swung her legs out, trying to catch his torso. “Let it go!” she screamed again, even as he slipped through her leg-lock.Braska fell, mouth open in surprise, and landed in the water in a bright splash of color. His robes billowed around him like a flower closing its petals to the night, and then he was gone, sinking below the depths.Panicked, her eyes flitted around the deck, looking for the safest way to reach the water. She spotted Auron and Jecht on the bridge with the captain as she searched – each hanging onto whatever was bolted down. From the looks on their faces, they’d seen Braska’s fall. Auron’s expression was grim, and he gave her the tiniest of nods. I love you, she thought as she took a deep breath. Then she let go of the rope and flipped herself, turning her fall into a dive.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Twenty-two…
Rikku prepared for the shock of entering the cold water, counting the seconds down in her head.
Twenty-one…
She hit the surface with a splash and barrelled under, bubbles streaming past as she sank into the depths.
Seventeen…
She briefly regretted lacking the time to don her goggles, then turned upright. Sculling water, she spun, searching for any sign of Braska.
Fifteen…
The encroaching evening wasn’t helping; the existing light was rapidly disappearing, swallowed in the shadows of thrashing bodies and floating debris. Some of them were fiends, Rikku realized, both spawned by and attracted to Sin.
Ten…
Frustrated, she dove deeper into the water. It was impossible to see anything in the murky darkness. Braska could be anywhere ; the one thing she knew was that he’d be dragged down, both by his waterlogged robes and lack of swimming ability.
Seven…
She had to find him quickly. In that moment she both hated and loved Brother. At least she knew what to expect, not that it would make the experience suck any less than the first time.
Three…
Air escaped her lungs as she mouthed the words underwater, gesturing. The Thunder spell sparked to life in her hands, scattering her mental count as it crackled around her body. Shock raced through every nerve ending as she pushed the spell outwards.
Sixty?
She revised her count as she lost seconds of breath from her impromptu electrocution.
No, let’s go with fifty!
The spell pulsed into the depths, flying in every direction and illuminating the water with an otherworldly glow.
Forty-seven...
She spun, eyes darting back and forth. There – no, that was the scaled hide of a fiend. She pushed back quickly, disengaging before it could attack her.
Forty-five…
Again, a flash lit the depths as she re-cast; she was better prepared for the ensuing shock this time. Something glinted and she surged towards it, only to recognize the metal grating of the ship’s grill, also lost to the sea.
Thirty…
Another Thunder spell. Shaking away the aftershocks, she scanned the depths with increasing desperation.
Twenty-seven…
There was a drifting mass below her, still crackling with residual energy from the magic. It was large and ragged – most likely a fiend, if the huge limb-like extensions were any gauge. She dove after it anyway.
Twenty-two…
Hope began to grow when it didn’t move to attack her. A final spell illuminated the lumpy figure and something shone in front of it – a staff. Braska’s staff! The lumps weren’t large, monstrous appendages – they were the trails of his voluminous robes, billowing around him like a dark burst of clouds. He wasn’t struggling, but his hand still gripped the weapon and his eyes were purposefully closed.
Eighteen...
At least someone, presumably Raenn, had taught him some Al Bhed deep sea survival skills. He would have been in greater trouble trying to struggle his way to the surface in his outfit. Still, his expression was tightening.
Fifteen… fifteen seconds to reach the surface from here.
Rikku swam towards Braska, grappled through the mounds of loose fabric, and hooked her hands under his arms. He started a little at her touch.
Thirteen…
She grimaced and kicked, powerful strokes meant to bring them up as quickly as possible.
Ten…
The surface seemed so far away. Her muscles protested every moment, twitching from the multiple electrocutions.
Five…
Braska began to convulse, fighting to keep his body from searching for the breath he couldn’t take. They weren’t going to make it.
Four...
One minute and thirty-seven seconds – that was as long as Braska could last underwater.
Three…
And of that, only seconds were left.
Two...
She stopped swimming and spun to face him, tired and angry. Pinching his nose shut, she pressed her mouth against his and forced it open.
One!
Braska hungrily inhaled, sucking in the air she blew into his mouth. She cut him off; her own lungs were starting to burn. He’d regained control of his body for the moment, at least.
Fifteen seconds extra, maybe?
Grabbing Braska’s robes, she hauled them upwards. It was easier now that he was trying to help her, although he still wouldn’t release that ridiculous staff. Rikku swore she’d crack it over his head once they were back on solid ground.They broke the surface at her mental count of eight, gasping for sweet air. The distant screams of humans and fiends surrounded them, but the epicenter of the battle was further away than she’d expected. “We are so screwed!” she cursed in Al Bhed, as some of the fiends closed in. “You may be right,” Braska agreed, startling her. She’d forgotten he spoke it, too.Ignoring the telltale fins circling them, she turned to Braska and held up her Godhand. It crackled and snapped as she moved it towards him.He balked. “What – ”“Do you actually want to drown?” she asked curtly, using her weapon to cut away his robes. She slashed the fabric at the shoulders, and then at his chest, before slicing mercilessly through the wide belt decorated with the symbol of Yevon. The newly-freed robes sunk like a stone. She pulled off his flapping sleeves but didn’t discard them immediately.Grabbing Braska’s staff, she hooked it horizontally across her waist. “Get behind me,” she said, eying the approaching fins. Nothing like a handicap to make a water fight interesting. “Don’t let go of that tysh cdyvv , no matter what happens!” she instructed, lashing his wrists to the weapon with the remains of his sleeves. “And hold your breath if we dive,” she added, testing her range of motion.The sahagin closest to them raised its head above the water.“Here it comes!” she shouted.The fiend rushed them, splitting the water into two arcs. She fed it a celestially-powered punch for the trouble; the sudden movement slammed Braska’s weight against her and they tipped headfirst into the ocean.Rikku righted them, spluttering, as the fiend screeched and exploded into pyreflies.“Are you sure this will work?” Braska asked, coughing.“It’s not like I’m gonna give up and die here!” she answered, trying to find the Pualu beyond the enraged hoard of aquatic fiends that circled them.“Untie me and let me go,” he told her.Ignoring him, she twisted them to face the next fiend: another sahagin, all razor-sharp fins and pointed teeth. She jabbed it – wheezing as the staff dug into her torso – but it was only a glancing blow. With Braska’s dead weight on her back, competing against the fiend’s speed was almost impossible.The sahagin raced past, scoring them with an errant fin; their blood trailed into the sea, inciting the other fiends into a frenzy. The water frothed.“Rikku, if you let me go – ”“Shut up!” Rikku blocked an attack and reduced another sahagin to pyreflies. The fish were weak, but had them greatly outnumbered. “You said the same thing on the ship! Are you even serious about this whole Pilgrimage?” she tried to joke, scanning the surrounding fiends.He huffed a tired laugh against her back. “You can still make it back if you swim hard. I’m weighing you down. Literally,” he added, somewhat wry.The remaining fleet of sahagin backed away, clearly agitated by something she hadn’t spotted. That’s not good. “You know Auron’d just kill me when I got there,” she answered. “Hold your breath.” As soon as Braska had inhaled, she dove.It was easier to maneuver their bound bodies in the water rather than fight against the churning waves; she rotated them in small circles, searching for the source of the sahagins’ retreat.A pair of horns approached and her eyes widened. Rusty gearbuckets! She broke the surface, gasping.“What is it?”“Trouble,” Rikku told him, turning to face the danger. “I think it’s a remora.”The fiend’s fins and horns crested and Braska tensed behind her. “That’s… quite large,” he said. “There’s still time – ”“You’re not fish bait!” she shouted, headbutting Braska to silence him. He grunted in pain. “Let me concentrate!”An idea formed as the remora came closer. Well, it’s not crazier than anything else we’ve done so far… She readied her arms, preparing the Godhand. “Hang on!”The remora leapt at them, its fanged mouth wide and streaming water. Rikku threw herself backwards, dodging out of its path as it came close enough to almost scrape the skin off her nose. You’d better not die from just this, you ugly fishface! She punched it solidly in the side as it passed. The Celestial weapon heard her request, powering the hit with enough velocity to send her arm clean through the fiend’s tail.The remora thrashed and let out an inhuman scream, yanking them back and forth as it attempted to dislodge them.Shoulder-deep in the fiend’s tail, Rikku grabbed the top fin with her free hand and hung on for dear life as the remora leapt and lifted them out of the water.“Breathe!” she managed to yell before they hit the ocean again.The panicked fiend dragged them through the depths, barrelling away at speeds only the Hypello could challenge. Shutting her eyes at the pressure, Rikku mentally counted down the seconds. When they neared one minute, she twisted her arm in the fish’s tail.Another wild thrash whipped them about, but with a few adjustments, she figured out how to force the fiend to surface. She gasped for air as they broke above the water, unable to see more than the dark, churning sea and disjointed flashes of the night sky.The fiend submerged them again and she tried to work her arm free of its tail. The pattern repeated, precious minutes ticking by.The remora had moved them away from the immediate danger of Sin’s battle, but she had no idea what direction they were travelling. From the fading sense of Sin’s toxin, however, it seemed they were being dragged into the middle of nowhere.Drawing her knees up, she planted her feet on the remora’s side. Grunting, she pushed herself away – finally tearing her arm free – and then hit it hard with the Godhand. The Celestial weapon powered up, blasting the fiend into a spiral of pyreflies. With a quick check to make sure it was gone for good, she pushed them towards the surface.After they broke through, she tried to catch her bearings, heaving air into her lungs. Braska still seemed to be alive, which was good news, although the makeshift ties around his wrists had rubbed his skin raw. That, coupled with the salty water... “You alright?” she gasped, craning her neck.His fingers flexed around the staff, and she breathed a sigh of relief.“I could be better,” Braska panted, dropping his head against her shoulder. “Sin?”“It’s far away, I think,” she said, treading the water. “There aren’t any more fiends either. They must all still be at the Pualu.” She thought of Auron, dangling inside the nearly flipped boat, just as powerless against gravity as she had been. She thought of the size of Sin’s dorsal fin. She thought of Jecht, trying to swim through the debris with Auron’s dead weight in his arms. A tickling sensation worked its way up her throat, threatening to erupt into a shrill giggle – panic, she realized, smothering it and giving herself a mental slap.Braska shuddered; she wondered if he was imagining those same things. You can’t afford to lose your cool. Guard your emotions, then guard your summoner! The stern voice in her head sounded a lot like Auron; it helped calm her nerves. Focusing on their surroundings, she found nothing but dark water swallowing up the starlight as far as she could see.“And what now?” Braska asked her, quietly enough that the question was almost lost to the sound of the lapping water.Rikku sighed. “I guess we swim,” she said, taking another look at the sky. She’d never been much of a navigator. That job had always been left to Brother – Cid had made sure they were attached at the hip after what had happened to Keyakku on his maiden sea voyage. Still, she knew enough of the constellations to orient herself.Finding the proper star, she pointed. “That way’s north,” she explained. “If we keep swimming, we might hit Luca’s shoreline. I think we were closer to it than Kilika when Sin hit us. It’s our best chance.”“Our only chance,” he corrected her. He seemed to pull himself together. “Will you release me now? I can swim.”Rikku snorted, trying to find a comfortable way to perform a stroke without having the staff dig even deeper. Her ribs felt tender; her abdomen was most likely tattooed with a staff-shaped bruise. “Not on your life. I bet you’re more exhausted than I am! Just hang on. Kick your legs if you can.”“I wish you didn’t have to carry me,” Braska mumbled. His head dropped again against her shoulder. She reached around to pull his helmet off, annoyed at the enormous soaked feather that flopped into her eyes. Removing the circlet she’d modified from the helmet’s crown, she let everything else sink into the ocean, then shoved the last bit of Braska’s protective gear back onto his head.“First my robes and now my helmet? I won’t be recognized if they find us,” he joked weakly.“ When they find us,” she told him, settling her aching muscles into the rhythm of swimming. “Don’t give up. You still have your staff.”“Yes,” he agreed, attempting to move his legs in the water as well. “I can still summon. There is always hope.”
“That’s the spirit,” she replied tiredly. Then she gave up on conversation, concentrating on regulating her harsh breaths as they paddled awkwardly through the water, aided only by the dim light of stars.
.x.x.x.
Left. Now the right. Left. Now the right. The words droned in Rikku’s head, keeping her focused. Auron’s voice was calm and authoritative as he guided Jecht through his sword drills. She smiled – he could be a brutal taskmaster sometimes.Her head nodded forward and a splash of salty water went up her nose. Snorting and coughing, she resumed her pace, dragging one arm in front of the other. Left. Now the right. Left. I said left! Again, from the beginning! Auron’s voice cracked like a whip, and Rikku jerked away from the slumber she’d been drifting towards. Her head bumped against Braska’s, who had long since passed out.The movement roused him. He groaned, then started. “My arms,” he hissed. Then, “Rikku?”
“ Still alive, ” she answered, agreeing with his complaint. Her arms felt like they were going to fall off, torn right out of her shoulder sockets. Left. Now the right. “Rikku? Rikku! You must untie me!”Shaking herself out of her stupor, she scowled. “ You’ll fall off and die, ” she muttered, belatedly realizing she had switched to her native tongue. She swung one arm out again, then the other, a sloppy parody of a proper swimming stroke.“Listen to me! Myht! There is land!” Braska struggled, pulling her in a different direction. The staff dug into the bruised flesh of her sides.“Owwie! OWW!” Rikku came to her senses. “Stop it, I’m awake!” She gingerly twisted in the direction Braska was trying to point her towards.A collection of rocks scattered throughout the water greeted her sight; on closer inspection, they looked like rubble from a destroyed city. Many were simply sharp points rising out of the sea, but a few were large enough to hold a person, perhaps even two if they squeezed. A large structure jutted up from the center of the stones, but she was too far away to tell what it was. Good enough. She’d take anything at this point. Forcing her tired arms – limp and almost useless – onward, she dragged them to the rocks.More of the ruin came into view as they neared the one mostly-intact structure towering over them all – once she was close enough, she realized it was a ravaged, partially sunken temple. The roof and a good portion of its walls were missing, but it was unmistakable all the same, even in the darkness. Of all the places to land… Maybe she was wrong?“We’ve reached Baaj,” Braska breathed in wonder, confirming her suspicion. “Look at those unweathered stones. These ruins are recent.”The thrill of fear that should have struck her at the mention of the temple was more like a dull, distant whisper. She stroked desperately through the water, energized by the promise of rest.It became easier when Braska tried to help her. This time, his legs were stronger than her own; he was the one pushing her.The unending slog continued. Left. Now the right. Left –“Watch out!” Braska yelled, right before she propelled them into one of the smaller ruins.She smashed against the raised stone with a gasp; Braska’s staff splintered with a sharp crack, and his weight slid from her back.“Braska!” she shouted, turning to reach for him with reflexes dulled by exhaustion. But, he’d also managed to grab onto the rock. Her heart climbed back down her throat when she saw him. His staff was still tied to his wrists, but it had broken into two rough pieces.Tiredly, he hauled himself onto a raised outcropping and sat down, his back bowed. Satisfied that he wasn’t about to drown after all her hard work, she flopped face first onto the flattened stone shelf below him, not even bothering to pull her legs out of the water. She lay there, revelling in the surprisingly painful sensation of not moving.
Thank machina.
Rikku started to doze, but was rudely awakened by a thunk of wood hitting stone close by her ear. Braska gasped – she opened her eyes to investigate – holding a trembling hand over his bloody wrist, his face tight with pain. Whispering, a weak green glow enveloped his hands and climbed up his arms. The tension on his face eased as his skin knit back together. He sighed in relief before looking down at her listlessly. Then his empty gaze swept to her side.Confused, she turned her head, wincing as even the muscles in her neck protested the simple action.One broken half of the summoning staff lay next to her. She moved to grasp it, but her arm spasmed, knocking it off the inclined surface. It hit the water with a soft splash and its tasseled end quickly sunk from view.“I am completely useless,” Braska told her bitterly.Pushing past the pain of her aching joints, Rikku pulled herself out of the water and sat on her knees. She frowned. “You can still summon without a staff, you know.” She thought of Seymour summoning Anima while trying to kill them in Macalania’s temple and of Yuna diving off the chapel heights in Bevelle, surrounded by a ring of light before Valefor caught her. “You can do it if you try!”Braska dropped his head. “Only the greatest of summoners can achieve that,” he said, reaching for the lower half of his broken staff. He fumbled it between clumsy fingers, a mirthless grin on his face. “Your faith in me is misplaced.”Gearing up for Pep Talk No. 385, she said, “You’re always beating yourself up – ”“No!” His hands clenched and one fist weakly slapped the stone next to him. He hissed in pain. “No. I’ve already tried.” He dropped the remainder of his broken staff into the water. “When you rescued me, I was trying to summon.”She thought of him floating underwater, perfectly still, his face masked in what she now realized was concentration. “You would have drowned when you entered Rapture,” she pointed out.“I’d have had a minute and twenty-odd seconds to do something about it,” he answered. Then he looked away. “Had I been successful.”Rikku sat back. Braska was, undoubtedly, a powerful magician; the skill with which he wielded white magic was more on par with Lulu’s casual grace than his daughter’s hesitant attempts. She’d never stopped to consider that he wouldn’t also be a powerful summoner.After all, Yuna was the most powerful summoner she’d ever seen, defeating every challenger she ever faced – Isaaru, Seymour, Belgemine, and even the corrupted versions of her own aeons in the end. She’d always thought her cousin had inherited those powers from her father. Now, as she picked apart Braska’s admittance, she came to understand that the power of a summoner wasn’t the strength of one’s magic. It was a matter of will.It was strange sometimes, seeing how different the father and daughter could be, even while they walked the same path.“You can still work on it,” she tried, hoping to lift his spirits.Braska let out a short laugh, which turned into a pained groan as he tried to roll the stiffness from his shoulders. “I’ll have to. The Temple of Baaj was abandoned by Yevon after Sin destroyed the surrounding island settlement. There isn’t even a Fayth stored here anymore. We’re on our own.”Rikku thought of Seymour. A shiver ran down her back. “Are you sure? ”“Quite.” He tried to lift his arms again and winced. She shrugged in sympathy, causing a lance of pain to run down her own arms, dangling at her side like useless ochu tentacles. He gave her a wry smile. “I suppose I could try to heal you with my foot,” he offered. “I’m not certain my aim would be accurate, though.”“Let’s wait it out until the sun comes up,” she replied, slumping against the ledge Braska was sitting on. It was difficult without the use of her arms. She let her legs sprawl and stared at the temple’s ominous shadow overhead.“Then, allow me to tell you why there is no longer a Fayth stored here.” Braska nudged her shoulder with a toe; his boots had been lost sometime during their mad escape. Despite his joke, Rikku still twitched when she felt him mumble and channel magic through the contact on her shoulder, closing the wound the sahagin had made and easing the ache in her arms and ribs.“Showoff,” she muttered with a smile, leaning back as the creeping exhaustion returned.“Baaj was once the home of the aeon Leviathan,” Braska began. “A mighty dragon of the sea. They say it was very large, and could channel water magic most effectively. A true beast to be feared.”“Mmm?” Rikku said muzzily. “Never heard of anyone using it…”“That is because Leviathan was destroyed over two hundred years ago, and the records were suppressed by the Church. It would be too demoralizing to let the people know a Fayth could be killed, and Baaj has always been a seat of controversy and conflict. Did you know the Al Bhed once razed this place to the ground in an attempt to stop the Final Summoning?”She blinked, lifting her head. “Operation Seasnake. Yeah, we learned about that one in school. I didn’t know the city of Baaj was this big though.”“I know you are no fan of the Church, but not all of the Al Bhed’s history is proud either,” Braska told her pointedly. “Yevon remembers that battle with great sorrow and bitterness. Many innocent people died that day, not just the priests and warrior-monks.”Rikku dropped her head. “History sounds different when you’re telling it,” she said. “Operation Seasnake was supposed to be one of our greatest accomplishments.”“History is written by the victors. The truth of things is much harder to discover,” Braska replied.“The truth isn’t whatever your Yevonite history books told you,” she muttered. Anger roused her, giving her a spark of energy. “You know they lie about us. We’re easy targets, we always have been!”“Whatever the truth really is has been hidden by time,” Braska conceded. “And the city of Baaj endured, surviving everything but attacks from Sin itself. The one this year was decisive, of course.”They both eyed the ruins, evidence of the newly-slain corpse of Baaj.“But, that is not how Leviathan was lost,” Braska continued, “it was Sin’s assault on the temple two centuries ago that cracked the Fayth stone and destroyed the aeon. They say summoner Kisaragi was in Rapture when it happened. He died the moment the aeon did, when the connection between them was permanently broken.”Rikku shivered. So, that’s why the Final Summoning is fatal . Yu Yevon’s mindless thirst for a host broke the bond between an aeon and summoner, even during Rapture. He really was the one summoner left in Spira more powerful than Yuna at the end. “That’s an awful way to go.”“Perhaps so. But even from the ashes of that defeat, a victory arose. His daughter followed in his footsteps and defeated Sin less than a decade later. That Calm was a golden era for Baaj, despite the loss of the Fayth.”Shifting uncomfortably at the parallels to Braska and Yuna’s own story, she shook her head. “I don’t like it here. This place gives me the creeps.”“I feel sorrow to see it reduced to this,” he told her. “Baaj was a great hope for Yevon. They say the first half-Guado was to become high priest of the temple here. Empty though it may be, his position would still have been a powerful symbol. A pity that that, too, was wiped away by Sin.”“You know about Seymour?” Rikku asked.His brow furrowed. “Was that the young man’s name? There were only rumors among the higher echelons in my order, ones which I stopped being privy to when I fell out of favor,” he admitted with a disappointed shrug. “How did you learn of him?” Oh, he just tried to kill us about sixty million times with his mom and his army of Guado sycophants, Rikku thought. “We have good spies,” was what she said instead.“I see,” agreed Braska, though he clearly didn’t. They were both too tired to press the issue, so instead he slid down from his ledge. She scooted over as much as possible on the tiny perch. He flopped down beside her with an atypical lack of grace; his feet splashed into the water.“We’re both gonna be soggy, armless wonders when the sun rises,” she said with a weary laugh.“Then, at least we will be a matched pair,” he replied with a faint smile.Her grin faded, and she looked over the ruins. “Do you think Auron and Jecht will be okay?” she asked in a small voice. She knew Auron couldn’t swim and kicked herself for not forcing lessons on him earlier.“If they work together, they can accomplish the impossible,” Braska answered.She snorted. “Them working together? That’s already pretty impossible.” She laughed, then again, and again, and found she couldn’t stop. It wasn’t that funny. Another laugh tumbled out of her, and she didn’t even have the energy to be mortified when she noticed she was crying.Braska pressed his knee against hers. “Rikku. They’ll be fine. Auron and Jecht are survivors. It’s only a matter of days before they come here. Auron will be leading the charge of course, complaining about the length of time it took to find us, and Jecht will bestow us with pearls of wisdom about the journey.”She hiccuped, another ugly sob stuttering out of her chest. “I-I-I didn’t even apologize after we fought!” She thumped her head against the ledge. “Not fair! Why’d this have to happen now? I just told him I loved him!”Managing to move his hand toward hers with a grimace, he touched her wrist. “All will be well. You are simply tired. Let go of your worries and rest now.”If she hadn’t known better, she might have suspected Braska had cast a sleep spell on her. But there was no tingle of magic that accompanied his soft touch, merely the soothing tones of his voice as he launched into an old children’s tale of a beautiful summoner and the valiant Guardian who loved her.Still, even as she felt herself giving in to her exhaustion, she turned her head against Braska’s shoulder, bothered by a niggling desire to have the final word. “Don’t like the story of Yunalesca and Zaon much,” she grumbled.“What a strange girl you are,” Braska murmured as she drifted away.
.x.x.x.
For Rikku, sleep was an uneasy thing, plagued by nightmares – of darkness, Sin, and drowning. She dreamed of Auron, his face pale and still, drifting through the water. She couldn’t reach out, arms bound by bands of hot iron against her sides. Odd flashes of murky green light burst around them, and she struggled to free herself. Auron opened one eye, his face aging while the hair at his temples turned grey.Her mouth flew open, expelling the breath she’d been holding.“Worry about yourself,” he told her. “I am already – ”“NO!” Rikku sat up with a gasp, then caught herself as she fell halfway into cool water. She whimpered as reality refocused – she could move her arms again, at least, but sweet machina , it hurt. Gingerly, she pulled herself back against Braska’s side.He was still sleeping and looked exhausted by their journey. His long braid, usually impeccably groomed, lay in a limp and tangled mess to one side. The tattered remains of the layered robe she’d brutally refashioned still clung around his neck and shoulders. Underneath the ripped cloth, he was wearing a much more familiar-looking undershirt and patterned pair of shorts. His feet were bare.Daylight was approaching – by noon, they’d be baking in the stifling heat without shelter – but at the moment, she was more concerned with the chill Braska was likely feeling. She wasn’t much better off, still dressed in her skimpy yellow bikini and ribboned sleeves from the Blitzball game.One of the sleeves was not-so-ribboned anymore; the arm she had hooked through the remora had reduced most of it to shaggy tatters. With a shrug, Rikku pulled it off. Checking her pouches, she grimaced. Their luck throughout the Pilgrimage so far had taught her never to travel unprepared, but the bulk of her clothes, supplies and even her twin daggers were with her pack – most likely on the bottom of the ocean floor. Or, worse yet, lost somewhere in Sin’s gigantic belly.Her eyebrow twitched. We finally hit it big in Luca, and what does Sin do? Eat our money! The indignation was doing wonders to warm her up. Sifting through her remaining supplies, she found a minor healing draught and downed it, sighing as the potion eased the residual ache in her arms.Braska stirred. “Unn,” he groaned, wincing. “I’m getting too old for this.” He rolled his shoulders with another wince, then cast a healing spell over himself, exhaling with relief.“Morning,” Rikku said with forced cheer. “I could use some of that too, you know!”“Good morning, Rikku,” he said, sending a soothing wash of magic over her.She nearly cried as the crippling soreness receded into a barely-noticeable twinge. Twisting her arms experimentally, she smiled in thanks. “Wow, I needed that. And what do you mean, too old for this? You’re almost the same age as Auron and Jecht. Isn’t that what people usually call the prime of their lives?”Braska stared at her, then laughed. “Is that what you think? What a wonderful way to start my morning.”“What? What’d I say?”He shook his head, grinning, and clambered to his feet. Removing the remains of his old robe, he examined the tattered flaps with regret. “We should find shelter and food. I haven’t any supplies, and I doubt you’re much better off.”Rikku scrambled to her feet as well, her curiosity ignited. “Hey, don’t think I’m gonna let this go! I’ll totally bug you about this for the entire time we’re stuck here. That could be days! Weeks!” “Isn’t that all the more reason to find shelter inside of the Temple?” Braska asked, giving her an innocent look.She wasn’t fooled. “Nice try, but you can’t distract me that easily , ” she warned, putting her hands on her hips.Braska pursed his lips. “Rikku. It’s poor manners to demand the age of your travelling companions.”“We’re shipwrecked in some abandoned ruins in the middle of nowhere with no rescue in sight, and you’re worried about me being polite?” She scratched her head. “You’d worry about me being polite even if we were in the middle of Luca right now?”He sighed. “True. Still, we have more pressing concerns, don’t we?” He looked towards the abandoned tower. “I believe I could manage to swim across these waters on my own.”Judging the distance between their small isle of respite and the larger ruin, Rikku nodded in agreement. “Okay, I hear a ‘but’ in there. What’s up?”Face tightening, Braska turned to her. “I truly am useless right now. I would not be of any assistance in a battle, should we meet resistance.” Slight anger bled into his expression. “It seems I will have to completely rely on you once again. I am sorry.”“Don’t apologize!” She couldn’t understand Braska’s extreme mood swings – from his usual optimism into this fatalistic pessimism. Was it some kind of self-esteem thing? “You already healed us, didn’t you? That’s something!”“It’s not enough,” he said sharply, before exhaling through his nose. “My apologies. I should not take my temper out on you. It is my failing, not yours.”“You’re a real ball of fun right now, you know?” she said. “But, since you’re so bent out of shape about this...” Reaching down, she unclasped her garment grid. “It should still fit you, unless you ate a lot of lobster specials while you were in Luca.”Braska took the belt with a look of surprise. “But, what of yourself? This is your weapon. What will you…”She held up the Godhand and made the extensions click together like pincers.“I see,” he finished meekly, donning the belt. It snapped into place and he sucked in a breath. “Thank you, I think.”“You think?” Rikku tossed her hair. “You’re wearing one of the greatest machina inventions known to Spira and you’re not sure it’s a good thing?”“I’m not certain I want to activate any of your… dresses, ” he amended, touching the various spheres.“You did fine with the Alchemist dressphere before,” she told him. “And it’s not like the Lady Luck sphere will put you in a dress. It changes to suit the personality of the user.” She paused, considering Braska’s love of sweeping, heavy robes. “Although, if you like wearing dresses…”“Why thank you, Rikku,” Braska said dryly. “I am touched by that assumption.” An uncomfortable look passed over his face. “But will it make me think and react like… Jecht? ”She blanched. “ Yeah … maybe you should stick to the offensive dresspheres.” She pointed at the key spheres on the belt. “That one’s the Alchemist. It comes with a gun, but you probably don’t really need it because it’s more of a healing outfit. Over here is the Songstress – skip that if you can. It’s a little, uh, haunted.” Braska looked uneasy at her explanation. “And the last one we’ve got is the Samurai – probably your best bet if you need to fight something in close quarters, but don’t use it underwater…”She trailed off, thinking of how they’d left Auron on the sinking ship. “Auron… he can’t swim.”“I will try not to use it at all,” Braska told her, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Perhaps the black magics contained in your belt will be enough to tide us over.”Wiping her suddenly damp eyes, she gave Braska a watery smile. “Just don’t cast any Thunder spells underwater, either. I’ve had enough of that for a lifetime.”“Duly noted,” he promised, straightening. “Are you ready?”“As I’ll ever be,” Rikku said. “Lemmie go first, just in case.” At Braska’s nod, she took a deep breath and dove into the water to survey the surrounding area. The telltale flicker of fins warned her that it wasn’t exactly safe, but nothing larger than a piranha seemed to inhabit the ruins. The water was also shallower that she expected; still too deep to walk through, but not a yawning pit of fathomless depths as she’d initially feared. Satisfied, Rikku surfaced.“It’s not that deep,” she called out, waving. “There aren’t too many fiends, either. I think you’re good!”Braska waded into the water and kicked off into a slow dog paddle.Rikku wrinkled her nose. “Really?” she asked as he splashed his way over to her.“I never claimed to be good at swimming, merely that I could manage it,” he huffed.“Yeah, well, you’re gonna call every piranha around to us if you keep splashing like that,” she chided. “Follow my lead. Swim like you’re bellysliding over the water. If you wanna go fast, stretch your arms out more. Think of them like your propellers!”She swam in freestyle circles to demonstrate. “If you wanna see where you’re going, then stick your arms forward like this. You don’t need to keep your nose out of the water completely either, just go slowly and don’t splash too much. And kick your legs out like a frog!” She circled around him again. “Got it?”“No,” Braska said, giving it a try. After a few uncoordinated strokes and sputters, he seemed to get the hang of it. “But, I think I can manage this.”“Great! You know how you can thank me?”Braska angled towards the temple and swam slowly forward. “By reaching our goal sometime this morning?”Rikku smirked, catching up to him easily. “By telling me how old you are.”“Sorry. I’m concentrating on swimming,” he replied, ignoring the tongue she stuck out at him.The rest of their watery journey passed with only a few words exchanged – “Piranha, I got it!” or, “Can we rest for a moment? My arms are still weak,” and one, “Hey, you think we can eat that?” After a short repurposing of one of her belt pouches, Rikku was also placed in charge of chasing after their lunch.Finally, they climbed onto the steps and entered the broken temple. Braska flopped onto his back. “That was quite a workout,” he breathed.“What work? I’m the one who killed all the wildlife,” Rikku told him, fingers tight on her makeshift fishnet. She opened the pouch and spilled its contents. Two large, silvery fish flopped in protest; she quickly put them out of their misery. “I also got us some lunch,” she added, setting her weapon aside to clean the catch with her small tooling knife. “Think you can start a fire?”Braska sat up, surveying the broken remains of the antechamber. “That may not be the best idea,” he warned her. “The last time I tried, I brought half of the forest down upon us. These walls do not seem very stable.”She paused and looked up, a fish still in hand. “Well, you gotta learn how to control it sometime,” she mused. “At least here, there’s no roof to fall on us. Find something burnable and give it a try!” She refocused on her task and left Braska to the job of making their camp. After a few moments, the sounds of objects being dragged and dropped ceased, and a peaceful silence settled. Finally. A break from all that excitement. She started gutting the second fish.Then, she nearly skinned her arm as a loud explosion rang through the temple, shaking the foundation and sending dust and silt flying from the walls. A larger piece of stone crumbled backwards and fell into the water with a loud splash. Rikku turned around, eyes wide.Braska was pointing at the firepit with a surprised expression, his face and formerly white shirt now stained black with soot. The small fire pit he’d cobbled together was smoking, the rocks welded together by intense heat. A few embers still glowed in the center of the pit, sending tendrils of smoke into the air.“Yeah,” she said dazedly. “Maybe I should take care of the fire next time.”“It wasn’t as bad as my first attempt,” Braska told her, moving aside as she grabbed the prepared fish and lay them across the smoking coals.“You’re a natural,” Rikku told him, and he gave her a small smile of gratitude. “A natural disaster,” she added with a smirk and his smile fell. “Now, tell me how old you are!”Braska sighed and sat back, reaching for his ragged braid. “Would you happen to have a comb amongst your supplies?” he asked.Rikku pointed at her own shock of messy, braided hair.“I suppose not,” he added, unplaiting the tangles. “You should take better care of your own. Your hair will only treat you as kindly as you treat it.”She rolled her eyes and slumped back onto her elbows. “That’s what Auron said, too!” Her good mood evaporated.Braska paused, then sighed. “Rikku, I am…” He trailed off, studying her face, and seemed to understand that another apology wouldn’t lighten the atmosphere. “... thirty-five.”“Yeah,” Rikku said, only half-hearing his words. Then she fell backwards. “Wait a sec! Thirty- what ?” she repeated, scrabbling over to Braska to pull his cheek. “But you look younger than Auron!” She sat back, dumbfounded. “What’s your secret?”Braska colored, rubbing his cheek. “Living well?” he tried.Frowning, she poked him. “Try again.”“Contentment,” he said after a moment. “I suppose that is it. I have made peace with who I am, what I have done, and… what I am to do.” Then he smirked. “Having inherited the most fortunate features of both of my parents may also play a minor role.”“That is so not fair,” she pouted, still wondering at Braska’s ageless baby face. “Yunie’s gonna have it made when she gets old.”His smile widened. “I enjoy the idea of Yuna living to a ripe old age.”Her heart twinged; it had a worrying habit of doing that whenever Braska spoke about the future. “We can make it happen somehow,” she said, trying to rally herself into a better mood.“...Rikku,” Braska said, soft and soulful.“Hmm?” she asked, staring at him. Blue eyes, like the sky on a sunny day . Braska was so hard to push away; he was so full of genuine affection for the world and everything in it that his feelings almost demanded a response from anyone surrounding him. What am I going to do with you? “I think your fish is burning,” he continued, still soft and soulful.“Ack!” She jumped, fumbling for her tools as the smell of charred fish filled the air. She scowled and heard Braska’s chuckle. Did he just pull one on me? She shot a suspicious glance at him, passing over a hot fish.“Why, thank you,” Braska said, the picture of graciousness and propriety as he accepted the meal. With his perfect posture and unbound hair spilling around him, he could have passed for refined nobility. Only the soot stains running across his forehead and shirt ruined the effect.Rikku stubbornly ignored him, eating around the burned portion of her own meal. “You do stuff like that on purpose, don’tcha?”He carefully pulled off a large flake of meat and blew on it, before meeting her eyes. “ Stuff? I’m afraid you’ll have to be a bit more specific, I’ve no idea to what you are referring.” He popped the morsel into his mouth and chewed, his eyes trained on hers, then licked his thumb. Slowly. ”Stuff,” she repeated, scowling. “Like that. Geez, no wonder you drive Auron up the wall.”Braska lowered his gaze and picked at the fish. “I suppose it is in my nature to tease. I enjoy my small rebellions against other peoples’ expectations. It’s amusing to test the limits of acceptance when others refuse to see beyond a priest’s robes.”“What a rebel,” she deadpanned, pulling a bow off of her remaining sleeve and holding it out. “By the way, you look like you cleaned a chimney with your face.” He plucked the rag out of her hand with aplomb, not even flinching when she continued to needle him. “Did you spend all your time in the monasteries looking up the nuns’ skirts too?”Braska managed to look offended even as he wiped his face clean. “You think me so uncivilized? Of course not. I only approached other willing deviants.”He… couldn’t be serious. My uncle’s a perv? He smirked at the frozen expression on her face. “Such a pedestal you ask me to stand on! I’m still a man, like any other.”“Not really,” Rikku recovered, banishing her thought – hopefully forever. “You married an Al Bhed. Nobody does that. Besides other Al Bhed I mean.”“True… I suppose it was my unorthodox manner that first caught Raenn’s eye. I do not think she would have found a proselytizing missionary the least bit attractive otherwise.” He sighed. “But, that was so long ago. I have been, as you would say, good, for many years now.”Rikku nibbled on her fish, her appetite vanishing with the knots in her stomach. It was nice, getting to know more about Braska, but it also felt like she was sparring with him. His newfound playfulness and good humor were rubbing her the wrong way, as if he was testing her for something… and she didn’t really understand the stakes in their battle of wits. She decided to cut to the chase, disliking the nuanced circles he was running around her.“Is this ‘cause you’re gonna die soon?”Braska’s expression darkened, and he tossed the remains of his meal into the fire. He glared. “And what if I said yes? What would you do?” He tilted his head, his long hair shifting in the breeze. “Would you try to run from me, trapped as you are here?” He wasn’t supposed to admit to it! He never admits it! This attention he was giving her, his flirting – because that’s really what it was, she had to acknowledge – was all wrong. “I don’t love you,” she told him.“I don’t care,” he answered her. “Besides. You are lying.”Her surprise was quickly followed by indignation. “Excuse me?” It was the same feeling of having Auron’s hand on her hip, as though she was merely an accessory to his own thoughts and desires. Why was everyone trying to push her into a position she hadn’t chosen for herself? It made her bristle.“You do not wish to be in a relationship with me,” Braska said. “You want that of Auron. That is his one weakness, you know. He has never learned how to care for other people. It would be much simpler if you merely wanted to sleep with him.”“Uh, well,” Rikku fumbled, caught flat-footed because he was right, at least about that. “Fine, okay, that’s true, and we’re working on it, thank you very much, but why’d you call me a liar?”Braska parted his hair and began to meticulously braid it. “You have put yourself into danger for my sake for no good reason, repeatedly. There were many times you could have simply walked away and allowed me to die. There were times I wished you would, as it would spare both myself and Auron much anxiety.” His fingers worked quickly, securing the now-neatened end of the braid with the small strip of cloth she’d given him from her sleeve. “I’ve heard the cry of your beating heart even over the silence of your closed mouth.”Rikku looked away, thinking of the way Auron had touched her just two nights ago. He’d tried to convey his feelings through his fingertips, even as they’d verbally clashed.“I’ve often wondered why you feel so strongly,” Braska continued. “I have not done anything to earn your loyalty, not in the manner I have earned Auron’s over our years of friendship. Yet you are as true to me as he is.” Finishing, he stood up and walked over, seating himself by her side. “It isn’t the blind obedience of the faithful,” he mused. “You have never adhered to the Teachings, nor treated me as a holy man.” His hand snaked out and caught her chin, lifting it. “Nor am I a strategic piece to be arranged in your people’s war against Yevon. It’s a mystery.” He leaned forward. “I’m intrigued.”Rikku leaned back, avoiding closer contact with him. How am I supposed to tell him I love Yuna? Another thought occurred and made her scoot a little further away. How am I supposed to tell Yuna her dad hit on me? A lot? “Maybe you could get unintrigued?” she tried weakly. “We might be stuck here for a few days, but we’re gonna get out of this eventually. Let’s not… mess up what we’ve got right now by making things sticky.”Braska’s expression contorted. “Word choice,” he told her, covering his face with a hand to hide his sudden mirth.She flushed and bounced to her feet. “I didn’t mean it like that! I meant, uh, tangled!”His shoulders quaked. “Really, you’re worse than Jecht. You don’t even plan these lapses, do you? It all happens subconsciously?”“Well, you’re getting me all mixed up!” Rikku yelled, stomping her foot. “Just… stop it! Stop thinking those dirty thoughts!” She paused. “Old man!”“Now now,” he chided, also standing and brushing himself off. “You shouldn’t be bitter simply because I’m beautiful.”“Errgh!” she yelled, throwing her arms up into the air. “I should just take my belt and leave you here to rot!”Braska clasped his arms behind his back. It reminded her a little of Yuna, and her frustration fizzled away.“You’re right,” he said. “We’ll undoubtedly find a way to free ourselves of this mess and continue with the Pilgrimage.” He glanced around the abandoned temple and the lonely ruins beyond it. “But until then, won’t you allow me to express myself candidly? I promise, I won’t force you into anything. I simply want…” He trailed off, his voice full of longing.She watched him, unsure. He was being so honest with her, voicing his opinions and feelings with little of his characteristic reservation. And yet the undercurrent she had always sensed in him was still there, uncomfortably raw and exposed. Now, instead of focusing that passion on his own Pilgrimage, Braska’s attention was completely directed towards her .“... I want to be allowed to want again,” he finished. “To hoard this desire for myself, just for one moment in my journey. Can I not be allowed even that much?” He turned to Rikku and tangled his fingers into a loose bit of her hair. “I won’t hurt you. Never that. No matter what you think of me, at least allow me to keep your trust.”She blinked. His hand dropped away.“We’re wasting time,” she said uncertainly. “We need to work together to see if there’s anything useful in this temple.” Not waiting for his answer, she sought out the door to the Cloister. He followed after a slight moment of hesitation, and was soon at her side, helping her push open the heavy doors.When they’d created enough space to squeeze through, she stopped and leaned on her knees. She could feel Braska watching her. “Maybe we should just… you know,” she mumbled, pointing a thumb toward the temple’s depths.He nodded. “After you,” he said, tracking her with banked intensity.Rikku turned her back on him, but still heard his soft words as she stepped forward.“You can run from what is between us for the moment. But you can’t hide indefinitely.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku grimaced as she squeezed past another damp rock. The hallway may have been comfortable in its original pristine state, but after the temple's collapse, it was little more than twisting, narrow passages clogged by broken stone and destroyed supports.After a small eternity in the darkness, the path opened into a pitch black chamber. She called a Fire spell to her hand and lifted it above her head. "Wow," she whistled as the guttering flame dimly lit their surroundings. The ornately decorated room continued endlessly upwards, farther than her light could reach. Grotesque wooden sculptures graced the bases of the undamaged pillars; their beady, carved eyes silently judged her for the intrusion. The air was moist and water streamed from multiple cracks in the wall, draining into several sloping paths leading away from the circular room."This place is bigger than I thought it'd be," Rikku said. Her words echoed, bouncing off the dark walls. The Baaj ruins were not exactly new territory – after all, she and Brother had rescued Tidus and salvaged the Fahrenheit here, not to mention visiting with Yuna during her Pilgrimage. But by that point, Baaj had been submerged for nearly a decade. The current, freshly-ravaged temple interior was just beginning its ten-year journey to the ocean floor."Such a loss," Braska murmured, surveying the ruins. "I visited here once on my way to Bikanel. Though I was unable to fully explore it, the main hall was a masterpiece on its own." He touched one of the nearby pillars. "So fleeting is the work of man."She sent her Fire spell upward, but it winked out before making contact with anything. "I think we're underwater," she noted thoughtfully. "I really hope these walls are sturdy.""Yevon built its altars to last," Braska told her. "There seem to be several passages leading from this room." He pointed to one of the drainage paths. "A trial by maze, perhaps?"Rikku ripped another bow off her sleeve and tied it around the jutting beak of a statue near the entrance. "Hopefully not," she replied. Then, doing her best to ignore the spooky atmosphere, she cracked her knuckles. "We need to sweep this room, then take the passages one by one. This is a Yevonite temple, so maybe there'll be a summoner's staff lying around somewhere.""We can hope," he agreed. "But we shall need a more stable light source than your flame if we are to have any chance of success.""Hmm…" She rooted through her supplies for a recording sphere."A film, now? Not that the idea does not have merit, but…"Rikku flipped through the sphere controls; it winked to life with a faint blue glow. "I can modify this," she said, putting it on the ground and digging through her pouch. "I just need to up the power supply with something like… huh, this lightning marble looks pretty good…"Fingers working quickly, she cracked open the sphere. Careful not to spill the precious water it contained, she minutely adjusted the wiring. Finally, snapping the device together again, she crossed her fingers."Here goes nothing!" She hit a button and the sphere buzzed to life, flooding the room with a much stronger blue glow than normal. Smirking, she twirled her tooling knife between her fingers. "I'm too good at this.""I suppose that will do," Braska said, picking the sphere up. "Is this… recording us right now?" He squinted at it in suspicion."It has to. The marble's wired to the central controls directly. I bypassed the main switch because if I put it on the power toggle it'd just blow the whole circuit – "Braska blinked." – I lost you at marble, didn't I?" Rikku finished."It provides light. That is more than enough for me to know. Thank you.""It should work underwater, too," she added, circling the room. "Which we're gonna need. Most of our exits look flooded already."Frustration passed over Braska's face. "Do not take on the burden of this search alone."Rikku absently pulled at her goggles, trying to remember the sunken temple she'd explored with Yuna. She couldn't help but smile at the memories – although Yuna and most of her Guardians were weak swimmers, they'd still made it through the submerged passage. Maybe with a little too much clandestine "air sharing" between the couples. Wakka and Lulu had seemed to enjoy themselves nearly as much as Tidus and Yuna; at that point in their journey, though, the latter two had pretty much made out whenever and wherever they wanted to.Huh. Auron had actually managed pretty well on his own down there, waiving the need for breathing assistance. Of course, as a dead guy, he probably didn't breathe anyway. She hadn't paid much attention at the time, being forced into point guard as Tidus and Wakka ferried the rest of their party through. Auron had proved himself surprisingly competent underwater, to Tidus' relief. "It was hard enough giving mouth-to-mouth to Kimahri," Tidus had admitted afterwards.Maybe I did – do? – teach Auron how to swim, Rikku thought, hope blossoming in her chest. If he could swim when he came here with Yuna's party, it meant he had survived Sin's attack on the Pualu. Then, she mentally slapped herself. Why am I worried? I already know what happens to everyone here! I know Auron, Braska and Jecht will still complete the Pilgrimage – and eventually die. Right?"Rikku?" Braska had planted the light sphere in the center of the room and was now close, staring in concern. She hadn't heard him approaching, too lost in her thoughts. "You've been standing there for a while now. Is something wrong?"Everything, she wanted to say. Everything's wrong, and there's nothing I can do about it. Or is there? The question that had haunted her since the beginning came into glaring focus in the cold blue light of the sphere. There was nowhere to hide down here, no distractions to turn away her doubts. And what about Sin? Can I alter history? Can I really be that selfish?Braska's concern was turning into full-blown worry; it did little to ease her unsettled thoughts.
He's already dead. And I have to let it happen.
"Rikku?" Braska repeated anxiously.She shook her head, braids flying; Braska retreated a step.Focus, Rikku! Focus! He's not going to die yet. Not here, not now. We need to get out of here, no matter what it takes. The thought gave her the room to breathe again; it was easier to deal with her immediate problems than wrestle with the destiny-altering ones. That's right! I brought Braska here. This is my fault, so it's my responsibility to fix it.He'd asked earlier about helping out, hadn't he? "I think you can come along," she answered him, avoiding his searching gaze and falling easily back into her role as a deep-sea salvager. "Either they'll connect to more rooms like this one or just be dead ends. It shouldn't take too long to explore this place – the temple didn't look that big from the outside. Did you already finish checking out this room?"He caught her arm as she tried to brush past him. "Stop," he said quietly. "What secret are you hiding that is so terrible you can't share it with me? No one else is here, and I won't continue to ignore your misery simply to spare your pride."She shook free and glared at Braska. "What about you? You're the one made of butterflies, rainbows, and sharp bits of broken glass."His expression fell slightly. "Every summoner is broken in one way or another. We wouldn't be who we are otherwise.""If you won't let me help you, you don't get to help me either," she answered him.Carefully, Braska pushed her back against a pillar, face solemn. "Why did you stop just now, after I voiced my concern for you? Why do you look as though your world is breaking apart simply because I care?" He dipped his head slightly, his voice lowered. "Are you really so distraught over Auron? Him alone?"Rikku turned her head away, angry that she couldn't conjure a rational solution to an irrational problem. And to top it all off, Braska's incessant probing was grating on her nerves. Why did he have to force her to have any sort of feelings for him at all? Everything was easier when he was just the distant, fuzzy image of Yuna's dad. "I don't want you to die," she finally said. She fixed her eyes on him, calculating. Can I change the future? Can I use Braska's feelings to save everyone? Silencing the tiny voice screaming in her head, she lifted her chin. "If I'd just kiss you, hold you in my arms, and tell you all the lies you want to hear, would you stop your Pilgrimage?"Braska tilted his head. "Only if they weren't lies."As she opened her mouth to reply, he closed the distance between them. Hungry lips pressed against her own. She squeaked in surprise – he swallowed the sound eagerly.
Wait, this wasn't what I –
"I will find your truth," he mouthed before diving back into the wild kiss. Unlike Auron, Braska didn't hesitate. His tongue, searing and desperate, plied insistently against her lips until they parted again. He seized her face, then dragged his hands downwards to outline her collarbones. Nothing was sacred to his questing fingers; they trailed over the fabric of her skimpy top and then along the line of her ribs, his thumbs lingering briefly against the outer curves of her breasts.His urgent kisses chased her, ferociously waking the hunger that Auron had slowly built in her and offering an easy path to release. She found herself responding, leaning into the caress despite her surprise."You are Al Bhed, through and through," Braska murmured against her cheek as he broke away, his breath short and heavy.Coming from anyone else, that might have been an insult. But he knew. He'd married into her people. He understood how the Al Bhed were taught to approach their sexuality – openly, with honesty, as a basic part of their nature. Life is short, take what you will while you can.Braska attached his mouth to the juncture of her neck, suckling the flesh there. His fingers brushed a path over her belly and hooked into the low waist of her skirt, pulling her flush against him. He pushed a small curative spell into her skin – the low whisper of his voice against her neck and the spark of magic felt like being electrocuted underwater. But it wasn't pain that tickled her nerve endings this time."You're more Al Bhed than I am," she mumbled, seeing stars when he rolled his hips against her. It was the hottest kiss she'd ever shared with anyone in her life. It was a kiss with Yuna's dad. It was her dry-humping someone who wasn't Auron.Rikku tore away from Braska and covered her mouth, pressing her thighs together.The memory of Auron's words came back to haunt her now. Haven't you wondered what it must be like for two people to give of themselves so completely? It's an act that can consume a man and commit him to a path of self-destruction.Her fingers trembled against her swollen lips. No! Not with Braska! It's not supposed to be like this – not with Braska!Braska sank against the pillar he'd trapped her against, cushioning his forehead with his arm. The fingers of his free hand curled as though he was still touching her, trembling. One eye met hers, dark and hungry. "I want," he said, voice rough."I can't," Rikku shot back, her hands still covering her mouth. "This is so wrong! Really, cosmically wrong!""Your body disagrees," he observed, his eyes unabashedly roving across her. Then he paused and laughed. "Cosmic? You need to call upon the heavens to describe our experience?" His eyes sparkled with delight as he grinned at her. "Does this mean I was very good, or very bad?""This isn't a joke!" Rikku spat out. "Why'd you kiss me?""Why didn't you simply cast me aside?" Braska asked, sobering. "You're stronger than I am in every way, except in this desire we share. You felt something as well, don't deny that."She closed her eyes and gripped her hair, using the pain to chase away the aftereffects of their impromptu makeout session. "It felt good. Very good," she admitted. "But still wrong! This isn't about sex!" Probably really, really good sex, her traitorous mind supplied.Braska straightened with a small smile of triumph.She looked at him askance. "I just rejected you again. Why are you so happy?""If you were to kiss me, hold me in your arms, and whisper things I wish to hear, then they mustn't be lies." He gave her a wry smile. "Now I know you do feel something beyond desire. Thank you for that much."That didn't go according to plan, Rikku thought, struggling to formulate a response.He laughed at her look, dropping his head back to the pillar. "I promised I wouldn't force you," he muttered. "But I believe I'll need some time before we can continue our search. You may wait outside, at the entrance.""Why?" She frowned. "What are you planning?"He smiled, but the heat in his eyes didn't abate. "Would you like to remain and find out? Your presence could be of great assistance."She opened and closed her mouth a few times, feeling herself turn so red she probably looked purple in the light of the sphere. "I think I'll pass, yeah," she said, voice soaring into previously-unknown octaves. She scooted towards the exit, short of outright fleeing. "Just come for me when you're done." She paused, then felt her blush quadruplify. Wait a sec. "Uh! Uh, I meant – !"Braska was laughing at her again.Alright, Baaj can sink right now and take me down with it, she thought furiously, her cheeks burning. She dashed away, leaving him to take care of his pressing business. Ugh, enough with the puns! Rikku slapped her cheeks and picked up her pace towards the ruined corridor. She paused, then giggled madly.
We forgot about the recording sphere in there. Oopsie?
.x.x.x.
The atmosphere was stilted, to say the least. Braska appeared to be slightly more relaxed – no wonder, Rikku couldn't stop herself from thinking – while she felt too tightly wound.At the moment, he was using the lit sphere to inspect the wall, kicking aside rubble as he searched for something useful. She'd ignited another Fire spell, preferring to hold the flame rather than sharing the sphere light and getting close to him.When he finally finished his search and approached her, she startled and her tiny flame erupted into a roar that nearly singed a few locks of her hair. Braska gave her a knowing, amused look; she clenched her hand and ended the spell."I didn't find anything," she told him."I was also unsuccessful," he admitted. "I fear we're going to have to brave one of the underwater passages. Do you have any thoughts?"Rikku was of the personal opinion that she had more thoughts than she could contain, but she tried to narrow them down to the temple's layout. "I poked around a little outside while you were… uh…""Otherwise engaged," Braska supplied with a charming smile. "What did you find?"She glared. "Well, in all the other temples I've seen, the antechambers usually have at least two storage and supply rooms for the priests and nuns to use. I bet if we stuck to our immediate left or right, we might find something.""Hmm." Braska rubbed his chin. "In my recollection, Baaj was designed a bit differently. The entire temple was restructured after the loss of the Fayth. It was said there was quite a library maintained here," he added with a note of pained regret."Waterlogged books aren't gonna help you summon anything," she reminded him.He nodded. "We have very little to go on. I suppose we should just work our way around the room from one side to the other."Finally! She grabbed onto the sense of purpose like a lifeline. "Great!""That's our first candidate, then," he told her, pointing."'Our'?" she repeated in disbelief. "What 'our'? You can barely swim!"Braska stepped closer. "I'm not leaving you to explore this temple alone." He raised his hand to silence her protest. "No, hear me out, please. I know you're more than competent on your own, but I, too, want to feel useful. Let me at least hold the light sphere so your hands will be free."Biting her lip, Rikku weighed her options. Braska would severely limit her time underwater, but he was already showing signs of cracking under pressure; maybe giving him the chance to help out would take his mind off of things. Like her.Pushing aside her misgivings, she nodded. "Fine, let's do it!" She groaned and tugged at her hair. "No, I mean – !"Braska shook his head in disbelief. "Ladies first," he offered, gesturing towards the sunken passage.She donned her goggles and waded into the water. Braska followed, the light from the sphere reflecting off of the walls.Mentally counting the seconds, Rikku dove and followed the snaking passage until she saw a glint of natural light. A wall had collapsed, allowing sunlight to filter in from the open sea above. Her guard went up as she cautiously stuck her head out and glanced around. Access to the temple's exterior would only mean one thing: fiends were sure to be lurking around somewhere.She glanced back at Braska, who seemed to be thinking the same thing. He frowned, shook his head, and motioned for her to keep exploring.Not giving up? Fine. Continuing her countdown, she beckoned him onward. They returned to the darkened passage, following it until another collapsed wall made the rest of the route impassable. Pursing her lips, Rikku twirled her finger and turned around.Rather than following her instructions, Braska paddled awkwardly past her. She soon saw why – a small school of piranhas trailed him. They'd likely sighted her through the crack in the outer wall and followed them.One… five… seven. Not too bad, she thought, wasting no time in charging the closest ones. They broke off into two clusters, but she managed to clip one, splitting it easily into pyreflies. A webbed cocoon of light formed around her as she sought out another target; she shot Braska a disbelieving glance.Protect? Really? What is he thinking? Not that she didn't appreciate the sentiment – especially as one of the piranha's sharp teeth glanced off of her arm rather than nicking it. But spellcasting meant speaking, and as she well knew, casting underwater sacrificed precious air. Revising her countdown, she swam after the remaining fiends, opting for speed over finesse as she popped them like soap bubbles. She didn't stop when the last fiend fell to her graceless swipe, instead surging towards Braska and grabbing his arm. Using the wall as a springboard, she dragged him through the water, wincing as they hit the sides of the tunnel during her rushed escape.Probably not gonna make it back to where we started. She pushed them straight out through the cracked wall and towards the surface. As expected, Braska was already beginning to falter, his expression growing strained. Rikku plucked the light sphere out of his hands and pocketed it, not willing to sacrifice what little supplies they had if Braska lost control of his body.
A little drowning won't kill him, right?
He gasped, expelling bubbles.
Damn it.
She stopped swimming and pulled Braska around. Once again she squeezed his nose shut – this time pinching as hard as possible – then pressed her mouth to his and pushed air into his lungs.He hugged her when she tried to pull her head back, though he didn't transform the maneuver into what she had feared – another kiss. Still, she released him with an acute sense of discomfort, intensely aware of how he'd managed to imbue what should have been a clinical move into something with more meaning.She pushed away with a wounded look and then continued to the surface on her own, not waiting to see if he followed. He can make do with the air he's got now."Rikku," Braska gasped when he surfaced beside her.She slapped water at him, wishing it was an extension of her hand. "Why'd you cast that spell? You can't even swim that well!""I wanted to help you," he said quietly."You're not helping!" she yelled, pulling off her goggles in frustration. "You're driving me out of my mind! All this… touching, and looking, and … you know, doing stuff!""Perhaps we should exit the water before we discuss this further?" He gestured towards the temple."No!" Rikku wailed, hitting the water again. "You're just gonna look some more with those laser eyes and make me all clumsy and self-conscious again!""Why would you feel that way?" Braska swam closer, ignoring her tantrum. "You're a beautiful woman. The grace of your body is surpassed only by the sharpness of your mind. There's nothing for you to feel self-conscious about."She boggled at him, even as she tried not to blush. "Nothing? What about that whole disasterrific kiss?""Disasterrific?" Braska repeated with a small grin."Ugh!" she said, slapping the water one more time. "I can't even talk to you – "The water slapped back."Uh oh," she mumbled as the ridged back of a large fiend surfaced near them. Maybe Braska was right about this whole land thing."That does not look like a piranha," Braska noted as he valiantly dog paddled away from it."Don't look! Swim! Swim!" she shrieked, recognizing the danger as the fiend's back swirled above the surface in a lazy arc towards them.She grabbed Braska by the back of his shirt and pulled as she sped towards a segment of the temple wall low enough for them to climb over. "Up, up, up!" she shouted, then dove under his feet and pushed with her shoulders to give him a boost."What are you do-aah!" Braska yelped. She heard him land with a painful-sounding crunch on the other side and shrugged. He's a white mage, he can deal.Then she looked back and shrieked, this time flinging herself at the stone and scrabbling up it like a crazed monkey. She crested the top, panting, and glanced back down into the water.The fiend's ridges extended into spikes, which shivered before slowly dipping back below the water's surface as silently as they had arrived. "That thing's still around?" she muttered, watching the Geosgaeno's shadow retreat into the depths. Well, now I guess we know why there aren't any other big fiends here.She clambered down into the interior of the temple much more cautiously and looked over Braska. His hands were cupped over his nose, the telltale glow of healing magic fading. "Sorry about your face," she told him sheepishly. "I think we're in trouble though.""What was that thing, to send you into such a panic?" he asked, wiping blood off his chin. "You've been more than competent with your Celestial Weapon alone thus far."She shuddered. "It's an old frenemy. I was its lunch once until my friends busted me out of its stomach. Not doing that again any time soon!" She swore. "And it means trying to build a raft and sailing out of here is out of the question. That thing is big enough to swallow us whole if we tried."Braska slumped. "I can't stand being this powerless!"She jumped, surprised at the rancor in his voice. "Not powerless. You've got my belt," she reminded him."Which I can't use in water!" he shouted.She flinched.He dropped his head to his knees. "I can't summon. I can't have you. I can't even fight to protect you. Failure after failure. And to think, I aspire to defeat Sin."Rikku fidgeted uncomfortably. "Hey, look. It's not as bad as you think. We haven't finished exploring the temple yet. We might still find something useful!""You might find something," Braska corrected her wearily. "I'll only be a liability, as I've already proven. I truly am less than nothing here."He was bent in defeat, and she was reminded of how he'd acted after their battle with the sinspawn near Mushroom Rock. "You're not weak. Strength isn't always about who can fight the best, you know."Braska didn't answer, climbing to his feet and pacing. "We need to continue the search. I must find something… anything that will allow me to summon.""I don't think so!" she replied. "Sorry, but you're a wreck. You won't do any good diving the way you are right now."He spun towards her, hands clenched. "Are you trying to make me feel better?""I'm still trying to do what I started on the ship – keep you alive!"She spotted the raised ridges of the Geosgaeno, circling around the temple.Shaking herself, she tried to focus. "We need to go inside," she added in a much lower undertone. "I'm not sure if that fiend can travel outside of the water, but we really don't wanna find out."The return to the central chamber of the Cloister was tense and silent. The afternoon was still young, but Rikku felt as drained as though they'd been shipwrecked all over again. Her nerves were completely raw, and Braska didn't seem to be doing much better. She drew out their light sphere and made a quick decision."No more exploring today," she ordered. "We need to rest and regroup. And we need a fire or this sphere is gonna burn out.""Agreed," Braska said, looking exhausted.They busied themselves making camp. In an effort to avoid Braska, Rikku threw herself into the minute details of her tasks – clearing the floor, forming a ring to create a firepit, and snapping one of the drier wooden sculptures into kindling. Braska seemed to be doing the same; both ignored the unspoken tension in the room, but soon there was nothing left to do but watch the fire – or each other.Rikku picked at a fingernail, then gathered her courage. "Listen," she began uncertainly. "I'm not sure why you're feeling like a big pile of useless right now, but that feeling's not gonna stop unless you try to change it yourself. You can't… kiss it away."Resting his chin in his palm, Braska wilted. "You already made it quite clear that I am being too forward in my affections towards you."She clenched her hand reflexively, then released it. "That's not what I meant! You've got bigger problems than me." Not that the pink shoopuf in the room wasn't weighing heavily on her mind, but they needed to deal with surviving Baaj first. "Actually, we've got bigger problems, because if you don't get your self-confidence back, we won't make it off this island.""You would manage it somehow," he told her. "You're very resourceful. I admire that about you; you look into the face of hopeless odds and never give up."She sighed. "If you thought that about yourself, you'd be able to summon anything, anywhere. Where's all that unflappable calm you usually have stored up?""I must have lost it alongside my robes and staff." He shrugged. "I was careless enough to allow the symbols of my duty to be destroyed. Without my trappings, I have nothing left to hide my true nature.""You don't need to wear robes to be a priest," she replied. "Why don't you work on your summoning problem while I do all the exploring tomorrow? I promise, I won't take any risks.""I can't bear the thought of you dying for my sake. I lost Raenn in this way – she wanted to heal the rift between Cid and myself. She wanted me to be a part of the Al Bhed."Rikku straightened and planted her fists on her hips. "I can't help looking like her. But you're mixing us up in your head, and it's hurting your focus."He stared at her, his brow furrowing. "Is that what you think?" he finally said. "That I kissed you in the hopes of resurrecting my dead wife and slaking my thirst for intimacy?""Well… yeah?" she said. "That's what you've been doing all along. Don't worry, I'm not taking it personally." That was a lie, but Braska didn't need to hear that truth. "I know how hard it is, losing someone you loved like that.""I'm not the only one who undervalues myself, then." He stood and walked around the fire to sit next to her, holding a hand up as she tensed. "Peace," he soothed. "I won't touch you.""Alright. But sit over there," she said, pointing an arm's length away from her position."I won't deny that you first caught my eye because of your appearance," Braska told her as he settled on the floor. "Even knowing you're Raenn's younger sister, the resemblance is still uncanny. But it's been many weeks that we've travelled together now. You're more than a haunted shadow to me. It's your fumbling attempts at love that made me notice you as your own woman. Perhaps it's my jealousy of that youthful hope I see in you, burning brightly enough to ignite an answering passion even in Auron's soul."He stared into the fire. "I understand if you wish to reject me because of your commitment to him. You don't want to betray Auron." He grimaced. "I didn't want to betray him either. He's my dearest friend."Braska returned his gaze to her. "But don't think for a minute that it isn't you I wished to kiss then. It has always been you, and no other." His hand twitched. "My lack of control shames me. But I thirst for you. And here, without any power, it's all I have left of myself." He dropped his gaze. "I'm sorry to burden you – yet again – with another facet of my weakness."She kept her silence, though her heart squeezed at his admission. Unable to help herself, she reached out, her hand hovering over Braska's shoulder. His eyes snapped to her fingertips, filling with the same dangerous darkness that had led to all the trouble in the first place.Abandoning the idea of touch, Rikku let her hand fall, placing her fingers next to his knee instead. Even without contact, she imagined she could feel an invisible spark of energy jumping between them. "I can't replace him with you," she said finally. "I don't think my heart works like that. There's only room for one of you to live there."Braska stared at the stone floor between them. "Could you let me rent that space for now?""You'd damage the property if I did," she joked. She looked up at Braska's sudden noise of dismay."No," he said firmly. "I would not defile something so sacred. You are my temple here. You are my Fayth. I wish to worship you."Stupid words. Rikku shivered. It's like he's reciting a spell."Please. Let me love you," he whispered.Or a prayer."You don't even know what you're saying. Go to sleep," she told him. "It's just the stress of being trapped here talking, right? Maybe we'll find an escape tomorrow."Braska stretched out as though she'd given him a command, folding his arms over his stomach and staring up into the ceiling. The firelight flickered unevenly over his face, hiding his expression in its shadows. "Ever only as you wish."Rikku settled down beside him, his last words reverberating around her head and chasing away any illusion of rest until long after the fire had died down.
.x.x.x.
The next morning – at least Rikku guessed it was morning, though her rest was fitful and the chamber still dark as ever – she tried to sneak away and continue her exploration of the Cloister unaided.Unfortunately, Braska was already up and awake, foiling her plan to leave unnoticed. He appeared to be meditating, though his eyes opened and tracked her when she sat up."I have decided to spend the day focusing on my summoning technique as you requested," he said. "If it is a matter of will, then I must try my best to sharpen it. I will not stop you from exploring the rest of the temple without me."She nodded slowly, tried not to feel guilty, and rose to her feet. He was doing exactly what she'd asked, yet seeing him bend to her will so easily made her feel terrible. Auron would have fought me on this if he didn't like what I said.But, the entire problem was that Braska wasn't Auron."Rikku," Braska began. She tensed. "Will you allow me to say a morning prayer before you leave?""A what?" she asked, all at once relieved and even a little disappointed. "You wanna bless me? For what, luck? Just use the dressphere instead, that actually works."Braska stood up and approached her. "You misunderstand."Confusion transformed into jangling nerves when he stopped in front of her. He pressed too close for a simple exchange of words and turned his face against the fall of her wild hair."I wish to receive your blessing." Braska shivered. "May I?"Her breath caught, and she dropped her eyes in shame. He wasn't even touching her, but she felt an excited tremor run through her. She forced herself to meet his gaze.Let me have this, his eyes seemed to plead.She welded her mouth stubbornly shut."Rikku," he repeated, and the unbearable note of sadness and longing laced through his voice led her to nod, acquiescing to his request. Just this once, she told herself.He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers, the kiss as light as air. It was only a single, brief moment of contact, and then he pulled back. "Be careful," he said, turning away.Rikku swayed, disoriented, and realized she was teetering on the edge of a dangerous chasm. "Um," she managed. "So… I'll be going down that one." She pointed at the next flooded passage. "I promise I'll be back soon. Happy focusing?" Wincing, she was grateful he didn't bother to reply to her awkward farewell; the slight smile on his face was enough to haunt her all the way through the rest of her exploration.
.x.x.x.
The morning yielded only disappointment after disappointment. Of the six submerged passages in the room, two were dead ends. One was impassable only a few meters down, one led to the submerged rubble of the library Braska had mentioned, and one was the path they'd explored the day before.She knew exactly where the last untouched passage led – their final hope for assistance and a trip down memory lane with only Anima to guide her. Even if Seymour hadn't transplanted his mother into the temple yet, she still wasn't eager to see the Chamber of the Fayth.Figuring that procrastination was the better part of valor, she decided to first return to the open ruins above to catch their next meal."Fish is getting old really fast here," Rikku complained to Braska. They had chosen to eat in the open-aired entrance, awash with the brightness of the midday sun. Even though the lack of a breeze made the heat stifling at times, it was a much-needed break from the oppressive darkness of the Cloister. Both of them were frustrated by their parallel lack of success."Beggars cannot be choosers," Braska lectured, then ducked away from her annoyed swat. "But yes, I agree. I never thought I would look back fondly upon the food we were fed in Luca's stadium and yearn for it." Finishing his meal, he moved to the water's edge to rinse his hands clean."There's only one place left to look, you know," she said apprehensively as she joined him. "I didn't really think it would be this hard to get out of here. It's already our second day.""Amazing how much can transpire in that short of a time. Before we were wrecked I was sampling the gourmet cuisine available to the patrons of the Glitzball," Braska agreed regretfully. "It is a bit of an adjustment."She snorted, drying her hands on her skirt. "What, you mean to say I haven't been an accommodating hostess so far?" She made a sweeping gesture at the ruins behind them and pitched her voice cheerfully. "Hotelier Rikku at your service, presenting the finest to be had at the Baaj Vacation Resort. Our offerings today? Carp! For breakfast, lunch, and dinner! It's a cleansing diet for only the most discerning of palates.""You forgot to add it comes in two varieties," Braska replied. "Raw, or blackened beyond recognition.""Don't criticize the head chef unless you want her to spit in your food," she warned him, before bursting into giggles.He grinned back at her, easing some of the strain that had dogged them through the night. When the humor died out, he gave her one of his small, secretive smiles. "May I thank you for your services rendered thus far, my dear hostess?"Rikku's smile waned. "You wanna say another prayer?"The smile dropped from his face as well. "Only if you will allow it."She stood and retreated, troubled that she let herself be caught up once again in his desires. It was just too easy to allow Braska's natural charm to disarm her, even as her more rational mind protested.Did you really expect anything else? it asked her.Just one more time, her heart whispered in reply, to ease his pain.She heard Braska's approach behind her and turned around. He studied her face, as if searching for permission, and then dropped to his knees before her when he found it. She held her breath, wondering what form his prayer would take this time. Her curiosity was answered as his hands snaked around her waist, tracing over the swell of her hips. He pressed his mouth to her belly, planting a soft kiss just below her navel.She flinched, lightning racing all the way down to her toes at the contact. Then his tongue flicked out and moistened her skin, and the lightning raced back up to pool – uncomfortable and warm – between her legs. She gasped.Braska dropped his hands from her sides and traced feather-light patterns across the back of her thighs with his fingers. He continued to spread the same soft, wet kisses across the entire expanse of her abdomen, mapping one hip to the other.Only when her knees started to buckle did he pull away, his blue eyes darker than a stormy ocean. "I should return to my meditations here," he murmured when he'd recovered enough to speak.She started out of her stupor. "But the Geosgaeno! That thing we met yesterday is still out here!""I will take my chances," he told her.She frowned. "It's not safe!""You would not be safe if I returned with you now." He relented at her stricken expression. "I will position myself near the entrance and leave at the first sign of trouble. I promise you this." He managed a weak smile towards her that dropped away quickly into true concern. "Please take care of yourself."Cowed, Rikku gave him a quick nod and accepted her chance for retreat. As she crawled through the passage, she railed against herself. Why did I let him do that? Why did it feel so good? If he wants me so badly, why doesn't he take advantage whenever he turns me into a smooshy gelatin cube?The last question bothered her the most, reminding her of Auron's hot and cold behavior. Of course, Auron told her he acted that way because he didn't know how to love her, but it couldn't be the same for Braska, right?Stepping into the now-very-familiar circular chamber, Rikku settled near the remains of their camp and ignored the last passage that beckoned ominously. Instead, she drew out the light sphere and cradled it.Should I? Or shouldn't I? She rotated it, thinking of Braska. Her finger hovered over the playback button, but she hesitated. There was, of course, her natural voyeuristic tendencies that would be delighted to know what exactly had been trapped on the sphere. But eclipsing that was the question now thundering through her head.Love? Is that what he's fighting, not desire? She thought about Braska's morning and afternoon "prayers" – increasing in intensity each time. Surely he would request one that evening as well. Knowing exactly how that could end, her decision was made. "I have to know," she whispered, pressing the button.The sphere winked and crackled, the playback slightly distorted due to her modifications to the controls. Then she saw Braska's face, squinting in suspicion." Is this… recording us right now?""Well, I guess it still worked," she muttered, watching their first entrance to the Cloister play out before her. By the time things had progressed to the More-Than-Just-A-Kiss, neither she nor Braska were visible in the sphere's recording field. Still, she didn't need a visual aid; every sound they made was burned into her as a tactile memory. She watched herself race across the screen, face flushed in embarrassment, and heard Braska's laugh chasing her.Then, the noise of more movement. A rustle of cloth, and was that Braska's quickening breath? It was hard to tell through the occasional crackles and pops contaminating the recording. She clearly heard his breath hitch as he called out her name in a strained gasp. Rikku covered her mouth, her face reddening.Her name. Not Raenn's.Suddenly ashamed of her violation of Braska's privacy, she tried to shut the sphere off. Before she could adjust the controls, she heard a short laugh from the recording.Braska's feet came into view. The video showing him shook a little as he picked up the sphere. "I wonder," he mused. "Will you watch this? No more secrets between us, then?" The sphere shook again as he settled against a pillar, and then she was treated to another view of Braska's feet as he languidly stretched his legs in front of the camera."I thought this would be simple," he admitted conversationally. "I'd say my goodbyes to Yuna, set off to avenge Raenn, and have Auron by my side to ensure the success of my journey. Then you and Jecht appeared, and I couldn't leave either of you behind. Two more outcasts to add to our company of misfits. And things descended into utter chaos."There was a moment of silence, punctuated by the crackling of the recording, and then Braska's voice picked up again, warmer than before. "I've been enjoying this chaos more than I realized. Somewhere along the way, the three of you picked me up and forced me to remember that there was more to my life than anger and despair. Oh yes," he admitted wryly, his tone cooling, "I know that I'm a cruel and weak man. A good man, Auron would say, a kind one, Jecht might agree. I wonder if you've seen reality? Or have I fooled you as well?"Rikku held the sphere carefully, frowning. She heard the truth in his voice, and knew it was the real source of his summoning problems. Loathing dripped from every word, despite his light tone.The image jolted as Braska shifted. "I know I abandoned Yuna. I also know it was wrong. To lose her mother to Sin, and then also her father… I've stolen my daughter's happiness for my own selfish whims. But I couldn't put my love for her above my own hatred. To think, Jecht is a better father than I. He weeps for his son still, yet my tears dried long ago. My heart closed when Raenn left, even to my own child."He let out a soft sigh. "I wonder, now, if I betray my wife by opening it again. The memory which first drove me down this path grows softer and less jagged with every step I take. She would be so angry with me for walking it at all – like all Al Bhed, she hated the Final Summoning. But all I'm capable of is wounding the ones I care most about."The image jumped again. "I never intended to hurt you or Auron. But watching you fumble towards one another woke something in me I'd forgotten I needed – hope. And eventually, also love. I realized that, in Luca. That I couldn't defeat Sin without those things in my heart, that it would take more than my hatred to save Spira. Even Auron noticed how I had changed."A soft laugh was heard from the recording. "He would follow me to the ends of the earth, so loyal he is. I couldn't ask for a truer friend. Auron would willingly allow me to lead him to his ruin. I've never met a better soldier than him, yet he has the heart of an innocent child, easily consumed by extremes of both joy and pain. I love him, in my own way, just as much as I love you."The recorded image tilted; Braska placed the sphere on the ground by his side. "But I've told you already. I'm a weak and cruel man. I put Raenn before Yuna, and now I've placed you before Auron. I suppose I can't learn from my mistakes after all. I know this will end in tears and madness, and yet I reach for it all the same. Would Auron forgive me, I wonder? Will Yuna?"The sphere winked out briefly; Braska had chosen to shut it down. Though the recording buzzed back into life quickly, there was no way to tell how much time had passed for him."I know this will have to end." Braska's voice again, stripped of its usual calm undertones. Anguish colored his every word. "Baaj is nothing but an illusion of my own making. The world could forget our existence and continue on without us. Allow someone else to defeat Sin! We can remain here forever, trapped, as you help me rediscover how it feels to love and be loved in return."The image shifted as he exhaled sharply."But I'm running from my duty. This is all merely a fevered dream which I'm forcing you to endure. I must find a way to end it. Thank you, for tolerating it. For tolerating me. I only hope that one day you and Auron will find the happiness which I no longer have, or deserve."The recording skipped again, and when it restarted, Rikku recognized the antechamber they had explored together the previous day. She shut the sphere down and let the darkness surround her. Braska's voice echoed in her mind, chasing her whirling thoughts. This was his focus? This was what gave him the strength to summon, the hope that he could run away from himself by dying for Spira? He was right, in some way; the Braska she knew now wouldn't be able to defeat Sin; he couldn't even face himself."Rikku?" Startled, she opened her eyes and squinted against the unexpected light.
When did I fall asleep?
Braska had apparently managed to master her grid enough to control the flame he now cupped in one hand. "You took so long to return, I grew concerned."Noting the stiffness in her neck, she shifted uncomfortably. "I guess I lost track of time.""Did you find anything?" he asked with a hint of hope. It fled from his face when she shook her head, and he slumped to the floor beside her, extinguishing his flame. "I apologize for bringing you into this mess," he murmured into the darkness."Don't… say you're sorry anymore, okay?"Something in her voice made him relight the spell in his hand and look at her more closely. He leaned towards her, his brow furrowed. "What happened to you?" Reaching out with his free hand, he touched her cheek, and his frown deepened. "Why are you crying?""Huh?" Rikku scrubbed at her face, surprised when her fingers came away wet. "Oh, this? I just… I dunno," she trailed off, dropping her hand. It hit the sphere she'd forgotten about, sending it clattering across the floor.Braska watched it spin to a stop, then looked at her, his voice careful. "Did you explore the passage at all?" When she shook her head, he gave her a resigned look. "How much did you see?""All of it."The flame winked out once more, and he sat back with a thump. "I was careless," he admonished, anger licking the words.She grabbed his hand in the dark, squeezing it. "Why do you hate yourself so much?""You've seen why," Braska answered bitterly. He tugged away from her, but she only tightened her grip in response."You're the one lying to yourself, you lying liar." She squeezed his hand again, holding him still. "I know you really care. I've seen you with Yuna, and Auron, and even Jecht. You're not just going through the motions and pretending to have a heart. I know you really mean it." She faced him, even though he was only a shadow in the darkness. "You wouldn't rip yourself to shreds hurting like that if it was all pretend.""Why do you believe in me? Even now, after I've done nothing but torment you since we left Luca? Don't patronize me." His voice grew sharp. "Or, do you wish me to succumb to my own lust, and ruin you in the process?""I know it's not lust," she said. "I saw everything on that sphere. I don't just tolerate you." Pausing, she took a deep breath, allowing herself to admit her confused feelings out loud. "You made me love you too, you know. Just a little."She felt him still, and her heart ached in the recognition that he'd permanently changed its shape. It was hard to continue speaking through the thick emotion that settled between them."You do deserve happiness. If I could, I'd give it to you." But I can't, she didn't say, though it was clear he understood her. It didn't matter how charming he acted or how forward his overtures were – in the end, she wanted to be with Auron. Besides, Braska was still Yunie's dad. She covered his hand with both of her own. "I'm sorry.""You're still stronger than I," he said, his voice resigned. "Will you allow me one last prayer?"She leaned forward and kissed him first. He wrapped his arms around her like she was a lifeline to his sanity, responding with a joy and passion that ignited her senses and filled her with a sharp pang of regret – whispers of what could have been just beyond her grasp. When his embrace grew more heated, she broke it off, resting her head against his, their breaths mingling in unsteady gasps."Thank you for letting me recognize love one last time," he whispered against her skin. Then she felt him smile. "It's your loss too, you realize. I've been told I'm an excellent lover." He murmured something unintelligible and Rikku nearly fell over backwards when another Cure spell rushed into her, this time fully powered."Unn… not fair," she mumbled, slumping into a boneless heap against him."It's never going to be," Braska agreed. "Such is life in Spira."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"I will go with you."Rikku paused, her goggles halfway up her face. "Huh? Why now?" It was more curiosity than any desire to stop Braska that made her ask. He'd be able to manage the short distance to the Chamber of the Fayth even with his mediocre underwater abilities."This may be our last chance to find anything," he said. "I'd rather face whatever lies beyond together.""Don't say it like that. Even if there's nothing there, you'd eventually be able to summon if you kept trying."Braska activated the light sphere and gave her a level stare."Ok, or maybe we'll find something," she sighed in exasperation. "Stay close – and no casting unless you can breathe!" Turning, she waded into the water of the final, unexplored passage.The swim was brief; rather than winding through the ocean's depths, the path ended at a small chamber above the water. It contained nothing more than breathable air, crumbled stone, and two ugly statues guarding a plain double door.Braska shut down the light sphere and handed it to her. Water dripped from his sodden clothing as he stared at the door. "Rikku… why are those torches lit?"This is totally not possible. Unpossible. "Spontaneous combustion?" she tried. She did the math and came to a conclusion that made her want to swim right back out of the passage, summoner's staves be damned.
Seymour's probably around my age right now. He's a summoner. And he's already been here.
"Well! This place is kinda creepy, and I bet we're not gonna find anything anyway, so let's just go back right now and – "Braska was already struggling to push the door open. "What are you hesitating for? This is magnificent! Somehow, magic has remained, despite the temple's destruction! It may be the key to our escape." He pushed again, grunting, and the door creaked open.He strode through and she followed, unwilling. Immediately, they stopped, taking in the well-kept room lit by flickering torchlight. Unlike the rest of the ruined temple, the space looked recently refurbished. Six statues lined the edges of a wide red carpet. The pulse of a magic rune sealed an unmistakable doorway against the back wall."There's a Fayth here," Braska breathed in awe. "I can feel it."Rikku couldn't feel anything other than the heavy, oppressive presence of despair. Still, she didn't need to see the expression on his face to know he was right. The malevolent pink light of the destruction spheres she and Auron had so carefully hidden from Braska decorated the room in glowing lines along the floor and walls.As she watched, three of the guardian sculptures bloomed into life with that same sickly light; glowing symbols of Bahamut, Shiva, and Ixion decorated them respectively. The others lay dormant, aeons yet undiscovered by Braska."I don't think we should be here," she whispered, tugging his arm.He ignored her, studying the lit statues, then the darkened ones. "Kilika, Besaid, and Zanarkand," he concluded, excited. "They must be the final keys to unlocking this puzzle.""You're right!" Hope kindled. "Guess we're stuck without visiting the rest of the temples first, huh? Let's go back!"Braska walked further into the room. She groaned in frustration, running after him and toward the gigantic, floating rune which blocked their path to the Chamber of the Fayth."Dead end," she supplied.His expression hardened as he stared up at the rune. "I won't be denied. Not now. Not after all of this." He raised his hand and began to chant; power gathered around him. He directed the Dispel into the center of the rune. Rikku screamed and covered her eyes as the chamber shook; the magic wavered – but held.She peeked out from under her hands. "I don't think it wor – ""We're close." Braska cast again and again, growing angrier with each attempt. "I won't be refused!"Under the onslaught, the rune was visibly weakening, struggling to reform itself even as each spell came through stronger and faster than the last. Finally, with the sound of glass shattering, the rune broke into multiple swirls of light and the three activated sculptures also faded into darkness.Panting with exhaustion, Braska lowered his arms.Seymour's totally gonna kill us for breaking his spell. She imagined him bursting through the doors behind them, a vision of spiked blue hair and murderous insanity. On the plus side, he'd bring a summoning staff with him, right? Cringing, she waited for the Trial's retaliation to Braska's attempt at cheating; however, nothing but a slow drip of water marked the destruction of the barrier. Rikku turned away from her daymare to address Braska, only to see his back disappearing into the Chamber.She yelped. "Hey! Wait up!" Diving after him, she narrowly avoided the stone petals of the closing door. Then she spun to look at the now-sealed entrance behind her.
I'm actually inside the Chamber of the Fayth! Nothing stopped me this time!
She wiggled her fingers. No seizures, pressure, or voices in her head. "Yes!" she cheered, climbing to her feet. Then she came to a sudden stop, arms windmilling at the sight of the Fayth stone.The Hymn filled the air – a woman's alto, deep and soulful – but it didn't comfort, as the other Hymns did. The song was lonely, full of sorrow and loss.Braska kneeled before the circular stone embedded into the ground. A ring of magical light surrounded it, casting disturbing shadows across his face as if to match the twisted figure in the stone below.Tiptoeing forward, Rikku looked at the remnants of the Fayth's human body. The back of a woman's torso was trapped, her arms crossed over her head as she was consumed by the petals of a carnivorous flower. Anchored chains bound the hybrid creature and splayed it open at the same time.Totally creepy, Rikku thought, a shudder running through her. She hugged herself, trying to become small and unnoticeable.The Hymn faded. A figure materialized, floating over the stone: Seymour's mother, the spitting image of the memory they'd seen in Zanarkand during Yuna's Pilgrimage. She was beautiful, with long silken hair and ebony eyes. She sported the same strong jaw and air of cold amusement as her son."Summoner. Your prayers are not welcome here," she said, her voice low and authoritative.Braska rose. "You are the Fayth," he said in awe. "I am honored that you have chosen to appear for me.""This is no honor. I have not chosen you," she said. "You are intruders. Leave."He fell silent. Although he had only collected three aeons thus far, Rikku figured it wasn't the normal process to be rejected by a projection of a Fayth after praying to it."Will you not grant me your aid, my Lady?" he asked, still carefully respectful. "Spira has need of your strength.""You are not worthy," the Fayth repeated, her eyes merciless. "Leave."The words were laced with a thrumming command, and Rikku's joints locked. Her feet turned her around against her will. Not again! Why is this happening now? She fought the sensation, struggling for control.And for the first time, her resistance seemed to be having an effect.Strength blossomed, washing through her limbs and loosening them. She twisted to face Braska's back and dropped to one knee, clutching the ground. A bead of sweat rolled down her nose, and she watched it drop and splash onto the stone floor."How are you to be the judge of that?" Braska asked the Fayth, seemingly unaware of Rikku's struggle. His polite tone had vanished however, replaced with a hint of distress. "I will fight Sin and destroy it, even should it cost me everything."Frustration filled Rikku, both from her own loss of control and Braska's determination to self-destruct. She forced her mouth open and croaked, "Why? Why does it always have to cost everything?"Braska glanced at her as if he'd suddenly noticed she was there.Ignoring him, she focused on Seymour's mother. Rikku knew, now. Knew it was the Fayth trying to control her body like a puppet. She clawed the stone and glared defiantly at the ghostly image.The woman dipped her head and the pressure fled from Rikku's body. She caught herself before she could land face-first on the floor, gasping for breath."There can be no end to the spiral of death without sacrifice," Seymour's mother said. "It is the way of things.""You can see her?" Braska asked, his surprise plain. "But you aren't a summoner…"She stared back helplessly and shrugged. I don't know either, she wanted to tell him.But the Fayth was speaking to them again. "I will not hear your prayer, summoner. I was not created for you."Braska's head snapped back around, anger clouding his features. "I will defeat Sin!""You will not bring change to Spira.""Hey!" Rikku threw her arm out. "You don't know anything! Made for your special little summoner, were you? He can't defeat Sin. You're the one who made sure of that – you and Jyscal!"Seymour's mother gave her a knowing smile. "My son will save Spira, with the aid of my power. It is our destiny."Rikku screamed, a raw cry of frustration and betrayal. Somewhere in her mind, she'd believed the Fayth were an existence separate and above the machinations of the Church of Yevon. That the power they held granted them some form of wisdom beyond a mere mortal's ken. Yuna's Pilgrimage had done much to bolster that opinion.Maybe it was because this Fayth was young, still close to the memory of her humanity – but it didn't change the truth Rikku was witnessing: even a Fayth could have the same pride, and therefore the same failings, as anyone else in Spira – living or dead."Rikku!" Braska reached for her, but she knocked his hand away, full of fury. He still wanted to defer to the creature before them; he didn't see what she did. We really are the only ones who can save ourselves."Braska's the one who'll bring change to Spira!" She shook, unable to contain her rage. It was more than just the slight to Braska, more than learning that the Fayth were not infallible. It was something she and Brother had tried to ignore in the painful years following the destruction Seymour had wrought in Bikanel.Let it go. Home is gone forever and we don't need it anymore – those were the arguments she'd used against her own father, more frequently than she cared to admit. Despite that, she understood why Cid was so driven to rebuild his past.Nothing could make her forget what Seymour had stolen from them either. After her mom's death, Keyakku had become the center of her family. But then Home was destroyed, and Keyakku along with it, and nothing in Spira could stop the fallout between Brother and Cid. With Keyakku's death, the last illusion of her own broken family fell apart, a machina missing an essential screw."Your son can't protect Spira!" Rikku spat. "He only knows what he learned from you – how to destroy the things most precious to the rest of us!"The woman recoiled, then lowered her head. "...I see you truly believe in your summoner," the Fayth said after a moment.Rikku nodded jerkily, not trusting her voice. At least something in her words must have struck home."Do you have the power to defeat Sin and save Spira from itself?" the woman asked, looking at Braska.Despite his obvious surprise and confusion, Braska was still able to re-focus on his own singular goal. "I do, and I will.""We shall see." The woman's form faded. "Prove yourself worthy, and I will grant you my power." Although she disappeared, the Hymn didn't resume.Rikku glanced around the small room. Pretty please don't be what I think that was. "Uh, you didn't happen to get a new aeon just now did you?"Braska looked confused. "No… that is not at all what I expected." He frowned at her. "You knew of this Fayth? Who is her son?"The floor began to shake before she could answer him. And for once, she really would have preferred to answer him. "We are in so many deep pickles they could make a salad out of us," she said, checking her weapon.Braska hurried towards the exit, which had opened for them. "Is the temple collapsing? We need to leave before we're trapped in here!"Rikku sprinted ahead, racing through the statue-lined room and out to the sunken passage. The temple rumbled, and she just knew. She stopped Braska before he could dive into the water. "No matter what happens, you have to get out," she told him, digging her fingers into his arm."We leave together," Braska told her urgently. "There's no time for this, the walls are going to collapse!" He tried to draw her down into the water with him.She shook her head and yanked him back up. "You get out," she repeated, grabbing his face. "Don't try to be a hero. You're too important." Then she hugged him, and from the way he jerked, she could tell Braska was finally beginning to worry about something other than the quake."What awaits us outside?" he asked, returning her embrace."Pain," Rikku quipped. I'm not gonna go down with a frown. I'm not gonna go down at all! She repeated the mantra a few times, and forced a bright smile. "Think of this as the Trial of Baaj. Let's do it! And I mean the fighting, not the other stuff!"For once, Braska didn't laugh. "I won't let you die."She pulled out of his grasp and dove into the water, not bothering with her goggles. There was no part of her eager to face a battle with the aeon of nightmares, but she wanted to begin the fight before her courage deserted her.Braska followed behind her; they surfaced in the enormous chamber that was becoming much too familiar, but the room was no longer the dark cavern it had been when they'd left. Rikku could actually see the apex of the tall ceiling as mist swirled around it. Red light churned in the center of the magical storm like an ever-watchful eye.Braska gasped, his eyes wide. "What is this incredible power – "The mist exploded.They were thrown to the ground as an enormous hook burst from the ceiling and slammed into the floor, cracking it in several places. The chain stopped moving and pulled taut; spouts of red lava and black smoke boiled up at the point of contact. Beneath the surface, a massive shadow took shape, revealing the first spiked petal of the aeon's crown as the chain pulled it out.Anima's bloodshot eye rolled in its head, centering on them as it rose to its full height."Can't we sit this one out?" Rikku raised the Godhand out of habit, then let out a short, panicked laugh. As if her knuckle could block Anima's blasts of raw energy. "Try not to get hit," she told Braska."Is that even an aeon?" he said, looking shell-shocked. He shuddered.Rikku slapped him in the face. "Put on one of your dresspheres right now! Do it!"Nodding, he reached for the garment grid and activated a sphere. Light swirled around him, and when it faded, she blinked and forgot about the towering harbinger of death looming over them for a split second.Some things still had more shock value than even Anima.At least Braska was wearing a tuxedo rather than a skimpy dress. On the other hand, it was the most gaudy tuxedo she had ever seen – bright reds, deep purples and glittering sequin accents everywhere. His playing cards danced in figure eights around his body."Huh. I'm feeling pretty lucky," he said with a delighted smile. Then he looked up at Anima and winced. "That one isn't very good looking, is she? Shiva has a leg up on her. Or two, actually."Anima roared and squinted at them.Rikku grabbed Braska and hurled them across the floor. Said floor exploded into splinters behind them as the blast hit, demolishing the area where they'd been standing."I can't believe you just called an aeon bigger than every building in Luca ugly!" Rikku fought the urge to smack the back of his head. "Do you want to die?""Of course I do, I'm a summoner," Braska answered easily, rolling to his feet with more grace than he would have managed without the costume. He dusted off his jacket and adjusted the bowtie at his neck. "How do I look?"Rikku slapped her forehead. "You look like you need to stop posing and dodge!" They both did just that as another blast shook the room, stones flying. She peered out from behind the statue she'd used for shelter and glared at Braska. "Why'd you choose Jecht?" she shouted. "Do something useful besides making it mad!""As you command, my Lady," Braska replied, throwing his playing cards into the air. "I think we could use some Felicity right now." The familiar rose petals rained over both of them, but something was different – the simple spell had gone into overdrive in much the same way he boosted the grid's black magic.Braska collected the cards into his waiting hand with a snap and sent a taunting grin her way.Of course he would be able to manipulate her garment grid more competently than she could – he had magic power to spare and he was a trained summoner.She wasted no time, taking advantage of the Haste lifting her heels. Anima glared, and Rikku leapt out of the way. The blast barely grazed her, exploding a pillar to her side instead.She weaved through Anima's rattling chains and drove the Godhand forward, willing it to hit as hard as she could. It connected with a crack, creating a force wave so powerful Rikku was pushed backwards. The aeon shuddered, turning its eye towards her."Wha-oh…" Rikku said, trying to back away.A flock of cards swarmed around Anima's head. Glancing over, she saw Braska's hands slashing up and down; the cards followed his movements, swatting and biting the aeon like a swarm of flies.Enraged, Anima spewed forth a volley of blasts which smashed haphazardly against the walls.Rikku retreated, rejoining Braska and looking for another opening. She was thankful for the Godhand's enhanced power, but still felt like an ant chipping away at the toenail of a Behemoth. "We need to use magic!""I'm a little busy here," he complained, hands still moving in complex patterns. He let out a cluck of annoyance and recalled the cards, quite a few of which were now singed along the edges.Only after she'd pulled him behind one of the larger piles of rubble did she let her breath out in a rush. "That's a great trick for keeping it off of us, but it won't take that thing down! We need to bust the shell surrounding its body."They both ducked as the rubble shuddered, hit by another attack."What do you have in mind?"She thought about his dressphere. "Try your Magic Reels. Since you're stronger than me, they might do some actual damage.""Magic Reels?" He closed his eyes. "Ah, I think I understand." Spreading his hands, the cards split into three bunches and hovered between them, before spinning and gaining the appearance of a slot machine's reels."Aim high. Try to cast Black Sky," she instructed as he focused on the cards. The reels slowed to a stop, displaying a match before the illusion collapsed. Rikku dropped her head and groaned in dismay."Whoops," Braska said as the image of three summoner's staffs faded away. "I think my mind was elsewhere." Then he looked up in surprise as a spell bloomed to life overhead and showered him with glowing feathers. "What's this?""Nothing bad," she replied, still disappointed in the failure. "Well… just cast something big at it while I try hitting it again! On three… two..." She rolled out from her cover; behind her Braska started chanting.Anima shuddered as a massive Firaga spell blasted its face, temporarily blinding it.Rikku leapt over a pile of fallen stones and ran forward. The hairs on the back of her neck rose; electricity crackled through the air as Braska released a Thundaga spell. Reaching her goal, she ducked under a chain and spun, striking the aeon hard. Again, a shockwave blew her back; again, Braska strove to cover her retreat, this time using a Waterga.Bits of stone cut into her skin as she narrowly escaped another blast.The air pressure plummeted – Braska aimed a Blizzaga at Anima's head – and Rikku flung herself into a roll. Her breath fogged as the spell encased the aeon's eye in a thick layer of ice.They had a moment to regroup, but already the ice was glowing eerily, as Anima prepared to free itself."Ugh, you're bleeding all over the place!" Braska's nose wrinkled as he stared down at Rikku. Despite his words, he still managed to look concerned, cards fluttering around his shoulders in agitation.She waved him away. "Relax, I'll live."Braska deactivated the dressphere, his jovial manner disappearing alongside the outfit. "I'm sorry," he said in frustration, casting a healing spell for her superficial wounds. "I can't believe I said that – I wasn't myself."Rikku ignored him and ducked as the ice casing around Anima's head exploded. The aeon shook itself, as if disoriented."I'm going again!" she yelled. Braska's desperate shout to wait was swallowed by Anima's furious bellow.Faster, she told her legs and tensed her arm. Go faster! She spun for another hit and heard Braska cast behind her."Nonpareil!"Power flooded her as her punch connected. The Godhand was alive with energy, bolstered by the strength-enhancing spell. Her weapon tore through Anima's tough outer shell, directly into the creature's exposed inner torso – and her arm was mired in the aeon, holding her down."Eww, not again," Rikku gagged, wrenching free. The torn flesh around the wound shuddered; she hit the aeon once more while it was weakened rather than attempt a retreat.Anima screamed, its skin rippling to cover the wound. Her next punch landed on the shell instead of the aeon's torso, though it still scored deeply. The gigantic petal she had hit was sagging, exposing the aeon's more fragile body high above her.Turning, she signaled Braska, who was now wearing a long scarlet cloak and wielding a familiar-looking massive sword. He was covered from head to toe in pitch-black armor, but for the blood-red cloak and the frightening gold mask shielding his face.Recovering from her shock at his appearance, she pointed at Anima's weak spot. "Hit it there!" she yelled.He wasn't listening to her; instead, he charged forward, shouting. Rikku couldn't hear him – or anything else; the sounds of the battle disappeared.The floor turned black and seethed beneath her. She only managed to catch one last glimpse of Braska before the roiling miasma closed over her head.Suspended in midair, she turned herself around, feeling like she was falling through the Farplane. But, whereas the Farplane had been bathed in white light, everything was cloaked in poisonous darkness.A tremor of movement caught her eye; the petals forming the lower half of the aeon's body emerged from the miasma and unfurled. An enormous, skeletal head, packed with pointed teeth and twisted horns, gave her a ghastly grin of welcome."This is so totally not good," Rikku breathed.Anima's darker half laughed, as if mocking her for being so weak. This aeon, this Fayth, contained the ultimate power, yet refused to lift a finger to curb Spira's suffering. It passively watched the world struggle for survival, yet presumed to pass judgement when it failed.Rikku's paralyzing fear fled, replaced with the blinding anger she'd felt in the Chamber."It's all your fault!" she stuttered, so angry that the words tangled as they hit the air.The creature raised its bound hands and broke free of its chains."You killed Keyakku!" She raised her weapon; the Godhand glowed neon in the darkness. "You're not better than us!"Even as she punched, Anima continued to laugh. Rikku's weapon exploded with light, striking the aeon's knuckle that rushed to meet her.The laugh echoed, as if to mock her defiance and confirm Braska's doubts. Only power matters in the end. And you don't have it.Anima's bony fist slammed her arm away as though it were a blade of grass – her wrist shattered – and struck her body. Bones splintered; muscles quivered and tore apart; flesh melted from the intense heat. The hot tang of blood filled her mouth, and then everything went black.
.x.x.x.
Auron knelt in a field of flowers, touching something hidden between the stems. He looked up in surprise, before his brow furrowed. "Not yet.""What?" Rikku asked, but he was already gone.
.x.x.x.
She heard his voice first, but she couldn't see him; her eyes weren't working." – back, don't leave! Not yet, not like this, I won't allow – "Braska sounded so worried. She wished she could open her eyes and look at him, but she wasn't even sure they were still there. Where'd my eyeballs go? That's a funny thing to lose –Pain. Pure, white-hot agony consumed her.Some detached part of her understood the sensation of being rebuilt even as she bled out; bones snapping into place, charred flesh regrowing and knitting together before it could flake apart completely. Braska's voice floated in and out between her wordless convulsions; when she could scream again, she begged him to stop between shrieks.He continued forcing the curative magic into her, refusing her the mercy of unconsciousness as he healed her faster than her body could die.Rikku's eyes returned before her eyelids, and she immediately wished they hadn't.Behind Braska's crouching, sobbing form, Anima was still thrashing. It focused on him."Bra-a-ah!" she tried to warn him through her raw throat.The blast of energy struck, and he slumped over her with a gasp of pain."B-br-bra …" she moaned. Terrified, her eyes travelled to his ruined back, where Anima's attack had torn apart both his shirt and the skin underneath it. Blood flowed freely from the wound, and his body lay motionless, trapping her.Panic flooded Rikku as she struggled to free herself. No! No! He's not supposed to die yet!Braska shifted and a swirl of light surrounded him, transforming into familiar glowing feathers that fluttered to the ground. He struggled to sit up, pale-faced."I won't die here!" he swore. She twitched as he stood and staggered away; his back was still a mess, but it was no longer bleeding. He approached the swaying aeon, seething. "You are nothing but a coward, hiding behind your power." His voice was steady and sure despite the waxiness of his face.Anima stilled, its eye trained on his figure."You were to test my worthiness alone, but instead you drew the both of us into this senseless battle." He raised his arms and cast, layering protective barriers and regenerative magic over himself."I offer you your test, then!" he ground out as the aeon struck him. A burn blistered over his outstretched arm, but he managed to reform the Protect spell just as quickly as he had brought Rikku back from death."No more tricks, merely a contest of wills! The summoner and the summoned!"Rikku tried to sit up, fear freezing her heart as Braska endured another hit, but her limbs gave out.Swaying, Anima rolled its head from one side to the other. It twisted its neck abruptly, directing a powerful burst of energy towards Braska. The blow brought him to one knee, but he was alive."You are forgetting your place, Fayth," he said, rising to his feet, the wound on his arm closing. "You were a tool created for the greater good, not your own selfish whims. I won't forgive you for hurting the innocent." He murmured and raised one hand. Magic rose in visible waves around his body.Rikku could almost feel it; he was no longer drawing power from her garment grid. Instead, he was casting a spell of a magnitude she'd only seen once before.A spiral of light encircled Anima, stilling into tiny balls of glowing energy before twisting towards the ceiling in a ring and beginning to rain holy lances into the aeon.Braska's chanting stopped, but his hand remained outstretched, magic continuing to pulse around him.Trancing, Lulu had once called it. The ability to cast wordlessly, from the depths of one's soul. She'd dismissed the possibility of Rikku being able to learn it; it was a power you had to be born with. Even Yuna couldn't do it.Braska, it seemed, could. The ring descended around Anima once more, spears of light piercing the struggling aeon. The spell continued unabated – bright stars raining from the ceiling in a dizzying flash of power that struck again and again. The low hum generated by his spell grew to a feverish pitch, echoing in Rikku's ears.A low groan sounded; Anima's huge body listed to the side, its last remaining defensive petal wilting even as Braska continued to strike it. The aeon shuddered, glowed, and collapsed into a thick mist of pyreflies.Braska lowered his arm and watched it dissolve, panting.In Anima's place, floating above the debris, the Fayth appeared before them."You have been tested, and found worthy," she said. "I will lend you my power." Her fierce expression softened. "Your will is strong. You are indeed a mighty summoner. Perhaps you will be able to spare my son from his pain."She faded and Braska fell to his knees, gasping and tearing at his chest. Rikku watched in awe as he struggled to absorb Anima's essence; a nova of light surrounded him, disappearing into his body. When it was over, his ragged breath echoed through the chamber.She listened to the rush of water pouring into the damaged room. He did it."Rikku," he called. A tongue of flame sprung to life in his hand and he stumbled towards her. "Can you walk?"She licked her lips and cleared her throat once to test it. "I'm not sure," she rasped. "But I know I can't swim."Nodding, he slung one of her nerveless arms over his shoulder. Together, they struggled to their feet and limped towards the exit. Despite the excruciatingly slow pace, the crumbling temple held around them.After what seemed like an endless journey, they emerged into the cool night air. Rikku didn't protest when Braska dropped her and all but collapsed by her side under the open sky. She closed her eyes. I just need a moment, she thought. A tiny breather.
.x.x.x.
When Rikku's eyes cracked open, bright mid-morning sunlight assaulted her. Wincing, she covered her face and struggled to orient herself. She was lying flat on her back near the remains of their firepit in the temple's outer chamber; Braska must have moved her there after she collapsed.I'm alive, she realized as her grogginess faded. I'm still alive.Gingerly testing her limbs, Rikku bit back a groan of pain. Her body felt like one large bruise, and her hair was as stiff as her limbs. Turning to one side, she saw her belt, neatly rolled beside her head. Her eyes travelled beyond it to spot Braska, standing by the edge of the ocean.His shirt was in tatters, held around his shoulders by a few threads and a prayer. The braid hanging down the center of his back did little to hide the fresh pink scar that radiated outwards like a starburst over his skin. His bearing looked different; something in him had changed over the course of the night.As if sensing her eyes on him, he turned and smiled, and the difference clicked – the tension weighing him down since their arrival was missing."You're finally awake. I don't suppose you're feeling up to catching us some breakfast?"Rikku rolled onto her face and pushed her legs up under her, resting there for a moment. She heard Braska laughing at her awkward pose."Do you need some help?""Not from you!" She sat up with a speed she didn't realize she had regained; flashing the sky in a miniskirt was probably a bad idea while he was watching. Then she winced and rolled her shoulders. "Ugh, I ache all over.""The best thing for sore muscles is more of what made them sore," Braska told her.She huffed. "I bet Auron taught you that."He shrugged. "Does it matter? You need to clean yourself off and I need to eat. I believe it would be best to apply his wisdom in this case."Rikku reached for her belt and snapped it on, then straightened and checked her weapon. "You're so sensitive to a girl's needs." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "I can see where Auron learned how to date.""The morning grows no younger," Braska answered her with a note of cheer.She scowled and stomped by him, intent on ignoring the twinkle in his eye.He caught her arm and spun her into an embrace. And then, to her mortification, he dug his cheek into her crusty hair."Are you sure you wanna do that?" she asked. "I think I'm wearing parts of my own body as decor right now."Braska laughed. "Believe me, I've seen you looking worse.""I know." She turned her forehead into his chin. "Thanks for saving me.""I keep my promises," he replied. Then he drew back and tilted her face up with the tip of his finger. "Rikku, please…" His voice quieted as his head lowered.Rikku's breath hitched and her eyes fluttered closed."... be careful," he finished, shoving her.Her scream cut off as she hit the water, and she resurfaced flailing and spluttering. "First Auron and now you! Just because I can swim doesn't mean I like being dunked!" She slapped the water with her hand, spraying him as he laughed. "I can't believe you got me! Again! Ugh!" She turned and swam away, trying to bury her giggle.A short while later, she was feeling more like herself while they shared a meal over the remains of the campfire. "So," she said cautiously, "did you get it? You know… the thing." A small part of her railed against calling the aeon they'd uncovered a Fayth."Yes, and more than that," Braska answered her. He met her eyes. "I understand now. It was never the staff I was missing, but my own belief."She frowned, disappointed. "It all comes back to Yevon for you, even after this?"He smiled as though she'd told him a hidden joke, then shook his head. "Belief in myself. Thank you for being my strength when I had none of my own." He reached out a hand and beckoned her, and after a brief hesitation, she sidled up against him.His arm descended over her shoulders and he gave her a light squeeze. "May I kiss you now?" He said it like he was asking for her opinion about the weather."... I guess?" Rikku answered. It probably wasn't a good idea, but then again, neither was nearly dying in front of him. I should let him have at least that much. "As long as it's just one kiss."Braska chuckled. "I promised you once that I would not stand in the path of your true feelings. I do keep my promises." Then he leaned over and pressed his mouth against hers.There was some knowledge in his touch that hadn't been there before; a certainty still laced with an undercurrent of tingling passion. He took full advantage of her hesitant acceptance, not only settling for the press of her lips, but also winding his hand through her hair, tilting her head to deepen it into something raw and messy. When he drew away, Rikku had to swipe her mouth dry.Braska traced the edge of her face, his eyes tracking her with unnerving intensity. "I must borrow your knife," he said after a moment."Huh?" She blinked, but he was already helping himself to the pouch at her hip, his fingers playful and teasing through the fabric as he sought out her tooling knife. When he finally grasped it, he flicked her nose and stood up. She watched, bemused, as he walked to the ocean's edge and opened the knife.Then she she saw what he was doing. "No, don't – !"He regarded the long braid hanging loose in his hand. "I suppose I have the shortest hair of all of us now."Rikku lowered her arm. "Why'd you do that?" she asked, walking to his side.Braska shrugged, dropping the link of hair over the water and letting it sink out of view. "Because it is an end to things. And a new beginning." He closed the knife and handed it back. Then he turned and wrapped Rikku in a close embrace."You allowed me to dream for a little while," he murmured. Patterns lighted around them as he spoke; his eyes closed and the sky parted overhead. Rikku returned the hug even as he fell into Rapture. Bahamut landed as softly as a giant dragon could, forgoing his usual fanfare. The aeon scooped them carefully into his palms, the gentleness of the motion an odd contrast to his fierce power."No, thank you," she whispered against Braska's ear. "For showing me who you really are. Maybe one day, I'll be brave enough to do the same." She looked over his shoulder into Bahamut's knowing gaze and nodded.The dragon tensed, before leaping into the air. With a few powerful strokes of his mighty wings, the island of Baaj became nothing more than a distant memory.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The first sign of life Rikku spotted was little more than a speck against the vast blue sheet of the ocean. As they approached the dot on the horizon, a green-sailed ship, decorated with familiar tribal patterns, gained definition; they were probably nearing Kilika.Bahamut dove swiftly towards the ferry, announcing his presence with a roar. He banked himself well away from the boat, but Rikku could still see surprised sailors running across the deck, likely at their unexpected appearance.Bahamut rumbled, flapping his wings and hovering over the ocean."Thanks, big guy," she said, tightening her hold around Braska's body. "I've got it from here."Gently, the dragon released them; they slid into the water with a splash. On seeing both of his passengers safely resurface, he flew away; a quiet rain of pyreflies fell when he disappeared into the clouds.Braska stirred and she loosened her grip, still treading water for them both. "Welcome back. Can you swim?""I think so," he told her, cautiously testing the waters. He looked around, spotting the ship that was now sailing towards them. "Is that our salvation?""Well, they don't look like a firing squad from Bevelle," she told him. "I think I know those sails. Looks like the Winno, from Kilika. You ready?"At his nod, they set off towards the ship, keeping a wary eye out for fiends. After all they'd been through in the past few days, their self-engineered "rescue" seemed almost anticlimactic –An unmistakable whoop sounded.A few figures were standing on the bow; one jumped up and down, before running to the stern and diving off the ship.Rikku faltered, shocked. "Was that – ?""Jecht?" Braska finished, also looking surprised.It had to be; their greeter was swimming through the water with all the power of a professional Blitzer. As he drew closer to them, the bright red headband around his hair was unmistakable."Holy shit! We found you guys!" Jecht yelled when his head broke water. "Auron nearly jumped off the ship right after me!""Jecht! I've missed your ugly face!" Rikku yelled, glomping him hard enough to send them both underwater.When they surfaced, Jecht dunked her again. "Who you callin' ugly?"Rikku sputtered and flailed, flipping sopping braids out of her face."Still, I'm happy enough you guys are alive that I'm not even gonna hold that against ya," Jecht said. "Braska! You okay? The hell happened to your hair?""The story would take longer to recount than I have strength to tread water," Braska replied. "And I am sure Auron is beside himself with worry."Auron! Relief and excitement hummed through her veins. He's here, he's okay! Her head swivelled towards the ship, trying to seek out his familiar red coat."Jecht, a moment," Braska said, turning towards her. "Don't hesitate," he told her clearly. "Auron needs to see you more than me." He smiled, wry. "Jecht is here to protect me now.""Braska's right, Blondie. The past two days haven't been no vacation, lemme tell ya. I ain't ever seen Auron so bent outta shape." Jecht pitched his head towards the approaching boat. "Give 'im a reason to breathe easy. It'll do us all some good.""Rikku! Braska!" She turned; Auron was calling out to them now, even as the crew prepared to intercept them.Rikku raised one hand in a wave and redoubled her efforts to reach the ship, eager to see him. Grabbing for the rope ladder someone had thrown over the side, she scrambled up to the deck as quickly as she could. Auron reached down and hauled her up over the last few rungs, pulling her into his arms."You've returned." He pressed his forehead against hers, his voice full of all the things he couldn't say. I missed you. I thought you had died. Thank you for saving my best friend. I love you. Rikku returned his hug and eagerly met his lips. His hand wound through her hair, tilting her head back to deepen the kiss.Her mind buzzed, some of the euphoria fading as the memory of Braska's parting kiss rose to taint her reunion with Auron. She pulled away suddenly and tried not to feel like the sea scum trailing in the wake of the boat.Sensing her tension, Auron eyed her uncertainly. His hands, still clutching her arms, tightened. "Is Braska well?"Rikku nodded and forced herself to look at him. "He's... changed. A lot of…" Her eyes skittered away from his. "Things happened.""Is he hurt?" Auron asked, and she knew he wasn't referring merely to physical injuries.Yes, she wanted to tell him, all the time – but she suspected Auron already knew that. "Not really. He's gotten stronger." She thought of her unpleasant encounter with Anima's power and suppressed a shudder. "A lot stronger.""But – " Auron began." 'ey! Stop canoodlin' and give us a hand here!" Jecht's voice carried from the side of the ship, and shortly afterwards, Braska's head appeared over the edge."Braska!" Auron moved to help the summoner onboard, his eyebrow rising at Braska's appearance. "This is a new look for you," he noted, inspecting the summoner's shortened hair, bedraggled shorts, and tatty, stained shirt. Then his expression tightened as he saw the scar on Braska's back. "What happened?""It's good to see you too, my friend," Braska said, pulling Auron into a hug. "We can trade stories of our adventures later. For now, I believe some real food and clothing would be much better suited as a greeting."Rikku looked down at herself at Braska's words, realizing she was still wearing her yellow bikini from Luca. It, much like Braska's clothing, had not weathered their adventure well. Her skirt was torn in several places, though thankfully her pouches and grid belt were still intact. The last remaining sleeve of her outfit was a lost cause, with only a single forlorn bow remaining, and her scarf was nothing more than a tatty rag fluttering in the breeze. The only part of her that didn't look like it had been dragged through a warzone was her Celestial Weapon, still as pristine and battle-ready as ever."Yeah, some new digs would be good," she agreed."Of course," Auron told them. "Jecht, take them below. I'll speak with the captain and join you in a moment.""C'mon," Jecht said, leading them towards their cabin. The whole ship was very similar in construction to the Pualu, but lacking in the obvious displays of wealth their previous vessel had boasted. Instead, brightly dyed cloths were draped against the walls, and the unique tribal patterning native to Kilika decorated almost every wooden surface. Though lacking in luxury, the resulting atmosphere was homey.Rikku felt herself relaxing, even though the yawning chasm of her anxiety still licked at her heels."Lords an' Ladies first," Jecht said, opening one of the cabin doors and gesturing grandly.They trailed in one after another, and Rikku made a beeline straight to the nearest bed and flopped onto it face-first. "Pillows," she moaned into the cloth. "I will never take pillows for granted again, ever, I swear."Braska mirrored her, falling backwards onto the next bed with slightly less drama but an equally loud sigh.Jecht snorted, obviously sulking. "You guys are showin' them pillows more love than me? Some friends you are."Though she knew he was joking, Rikku tensed, her misadventure with Braska still at the forefront of her mind. She lifted her head and snuck a glance at Braska, who'd thrown an arm over his eyes. "I think I'd rather shower my affections on pillows right now," she mumbled."Huh," Jecht said, looking back and forth between them with a growing frown. "Somethin' I'm missin' here?""We have had a rather difficult trial," Braska said. "One I will be happy to share with you once Auron returns."Rikku shot up, her eyes wide. "No way! You can't tell Auron!""Tell Auron what?" Jecht asked suspiciously, at the same time Braska started and gave her a guilty look."Rikku, while I understand your hesitation well…" Braska began.Jecht's sudden and intense scrutiny made her break into a cold sweat. "No-no-no! I mean about the other thing! With the spell!" She glanced nervously at Jecht, who was squinting at her with the promise of a full interrogation later on. "You know, that thing. Regrowing my eyeballs and stuff.""Whoa, whoa, WHOA," Jecht said, throwing his hands up. "That totally didn't go where I was expectin'. Regrew your eyeballs? How the hell'd you lose 'em in the first place?" He paused. "You can do that?" he asked in disbelief.Braska fell back against the bed. "Apparently so, when properly motivated." His brow furrowed. "I'd prefer not to dwell on it, in fact.""Ditto," she said with a shudder. "Can you guys just keep this one on the down-low around Auron though? He… wouldn't take it well, I think. I mean you said he was already bad enough when he thought we died, right?"Jecht's attention snapped back to her. "Thought you died? What, did you really die?"She paused, a memory dancing through her grasp like pyreflies when she tried to catch it. "Not yet," she answered slowly.The door swung open, and Rikku jumped. Auron strode in, clutching a crumpled paper bag and carrying a bundle of clothing under one arm. "I've updated the captain to our situation. He's agreed to turn the Winno around and return to Kilika." He dropped some clothing off at the foot of each bed. "Courtesy of the members of the crew," he added, settling himself next to Rikku. "Now, what happened to you both?""Oh no," Rikku declared, leaning over him and grabbing her prize. "Prioritize, Auron. Clothes first!" After stripping off her accessories and her ruined sleeve, she shook out the geometrically patterned tunic he'd brought. It was much too large, obviously a man's shirt, but she threw it on over her head anyway. It settled over her like a baggy dress, and with a sigh Rikku reached for her belt and cinched it tight. "I feel so underexposed," she complained, rubbing the cloth against her abdomen. "This sucks!""It suits you," Auron said gruffly.Rikku blushed and revised her opinion of the outfit.Braska had also donned his replacement shirt, though it did little to make him look like a summoner any more than before. If not for his pale skin, his shortened hair and loud tribal clothing would've marked him as just another resident of Kilika. "I suppose I can find attire more suitable to my station at the temple," he murmured. "As well as a new staff."Rikku winced. It was that stupid staff that had started everything, right down to Braska being thrown overboard. "It's not like you even need one anymore," she said with a scowl. "You summoned Bahamut just fine without it.""Is this true?" Auron looked surprised. He, more than anyone, would understand the significance of her words."I still need a staff to perform the Sending," Braska reminded her. "A summoner has other duties besides that of summoning.""So you need a new staff, we'll get you one, fine." Jecht yawned. "Now can we get to the point sometime before we hit the docks? Spill, we wanna know what happened!"Auron dug through the paper bag and passed each of them a sandwich. "How did you get that scar on your back?" he asked Braska."That was an accident." Braska put his sandwich down. "Perhaps I should start from the beginning. When Sin attacked, I was washed overboard…""... because of that stupid staff," Rikku muttered.Braska frowned and cleared his throat. "...and rescued by Rikku, who dove after me. We were dragged away from the battle…""Wrong! Totally not dragged. We rode into the sunset on the back of that remora like the bosses we are," she corrected."I distinctly recall being dragged. And slapped about by a very large tail," Braska said with a touch of impatience."Spoilsport.""... Rikku rode heroically upon the tail of the fiend, which carried us away from the battle. She also conveniently forgot to mention that she had lashed me to her back as a helpless bystander to her insanity. Now, if I may have your permission to continue uninterrupted?"Rikku crossed her arms. "Not if you're gonna tell it like that!"Braska peered at her. "Truthfully, you mean?"Jecht laughed. "Lookit that. You even managed to get on Braska's nerves, Blondie!"She glanced at Auron, who was watching their exchange. "You two have gotten closer," he said, voice free of inflection. "You're more comfortable with each other now."Braska's fingers clenched on his sandwich. Rikku swallowed and picked at the corner of her dress. Even Jecht picked up on the sudden tension filling the room, his grin dying out."Auron – " Braska said."No, my lord. Please, continue." He clasped his hands and leaned forward.Away from me, she noted, suddenly feeling sick."I think I would very much like to hear the rest of this story."Braska inhaled sharply and straightened, as though he was steeling himself. "We were lost at sea for most of the night. As I mentioned, Rikku had constructed a tether of sorts to ensure my safety as she swam us towards what we thought would be Luca.""Just to mention it," Rikku cut in, "navigating is really not my specialty." Anxiety was tying her stomach in knots and giving wings to her mouth, which developed a mind of its own."I'll say," Jecht scoffed. "You would've run into us if you'd been goin' in the right direction.""Really?" she blurted out, both unable to contain her curiosity and also secretly hoping to derail the conversation. "How'd you guys get out? I mean, I thought we were goners there for a while, and we weren't even in the middle of the battle anymore!""That is far from the truth," Braska cut in, and part of her yelled in frustration.
It was working, Braska! Why'd you have to say anything?
"Rikku never once gave up hope. I believe that is the sole reason we made it to Baaj."Panicking, she glanced at Auron to gauge his reaction to Braska's glowing praise. "Enough hyperbole! Let's just stick to the facts!" she squeaked, observing Auron's darkening expression. And let's make sure those facts are super-short!"We were rescued by Hypellos," Auron said, his voice curt. "What do you mean, the city of Baaj? That is nearly twice the distance from Luca to Kilika."" 'ey! I know that place!" Jecht chimed in. "That's where Sin dumped me when I first came here! Ain't much left of it though. You find anything else besides broken stones an' that temple?""A really, really big people-eating fiend," Rikku said. "There's no city left. There isn't even an island for a city to stand on."Auron took a moment to digest the news. "Baaj," he repeated. "It's a miracle you survived at all." He looked at Braska. "Why didn't you just summon something before then?""I tried," Braska said."... and failed," Auron concluded, accusation leaking into his tone. Braska flinched.Against her better judgement, Rikku reached out and tapped Auron in the elbow. "It's a sore spot," she whispered to him in a low undertone.Auron gave her a searching look."Let it go, please?" Despite all the things she knew she'd done wrong, there was one thing she was still certain of: she was Braska's Guardian, and Guardians protected their summoners. She lifted her chin."Hnn," Auron said, refocusing his attention on Braska. "Well?""We encountered some rather unexpected difficulties in those ruins while searching for a means to escape." Braska toyed with his sandwich. "My staff was lost during the journey towards Baaj, and I was of little help to Rikku.""Nu-uh," she said. "I let you have my belt. You helped out when you weren't trying to bring the ruins down on us with your mutant fireballs.""Huh? So you tried usin' that belt to survive?" Jecht scratched his head. "Did it work out?"Braska quirked a smile. "We may be of differing opinions on the definition of successful, but yes, it did work for me. It was a bit easier to master this time, in fact.""This time?" Auron's brow rose, and her heart sank as he turned to look at her with a hint of surprise – and was that anger?He's definitely jealous now. She bit into her sandwich to avoid answering, suddenly finding the composition of anchovy and sauerkraut extremely interesting.Auron switched his glare towards Braska. "That wasn't your first attempt to use Rikku's belt?""It happened a very long time ago, in Macalania," Braska answered smoothly. "I am not surprised you did not notice. You and Rikku were fighting then and I was curious.""You wished to satisfy your curiosity," Auron replied, his tone frosty. "Is that how you would describe your interest?"Rikku's eyes teared up in her haste to choke down her food. It didn't seem like Auron and Braska were talking about her garment grid anymore, and she felt a pressing need to divert the conversation before it ended in blows."It's a machina!" she blurted, shattering the tense silence. "The garment grid is a machina. Even Jecht could use it if he tried."Jecht leaned forward, suddenly eager. "Really? Can I try it right now?""No," she added automatically, holding her palm up to his face."Aww, c'mon! I just rescued you guys out of the ocean! Show a little gratitude!"She rolled her eyes. "I think we would have made it back to the ship somehow. Besides, I'm not loaning you my garment grid under any circumstances. The problems you'd get into with it would be worse than anything I could cook up.""Now you sound like Auron," Jecht mumbled. "Pair of damn clones, you two.""Hnn," Auron said, though there was a note of humor in the sound. Then he looked at Braska, his posture easing. "This conversation is going nowhere. You should finish your meal first, my lord." He pushed himself to his feet. "I'll be outside."Rikku stood up, eager to follow him and repair the damage Braska had caused with his words. "Can I come with you?"Auron stopped and looked at her. His gaze was no longer cold and angry, but there was still something wounded in it. "Eat first. Recover your strength. We can talk about this later." He left, slamming the door.Braska put his untouched sandwich aside. "I have lost my appetite," he told them. "Perhaps some fresh air will do me some good." The gentle click of the door when he left was almost louder than Auron's violent slam."You know," Jecht said into the unsettled silence that followed. "You owe me for throwin' myself under the bus like that.""I messed up," Rikku said, sitting back down and holding her head in her hands.He crossed his arms. "Did ya sleep with him?""No!" she yelled. "I mean, not really.""Blondie, there's a whole ocean between no an' not really." Jecht sighed and sat himself next to her. "You didn't see Auron when you were gone. The Stiff's got it bad for you. When he thought Sin had killed ya both, he lit up the damn sky. Freakin' scary," he added with a pained look. "That's how they managed to find us.""Tell me what happened to you, and I'll tell you what happened to me," she hedged. "How'd you guys get out alive? I thought the ship was going to capsize!""It did," he said. "Auron kicked out the window and I took him up with me. He can't swim worth a damn, you know?""I know," she mumbled with a touch of guilt."Anyway, he got right back on the boat soon as it flipped. He just didn't give a single shit. Sin started doin' this spell thing, sending everythin' up into the sky.""Gravity magic," she said, nodding. "It's one of the ways Sin destroys a lot of things at the same time." She thought about the gravity blast Sin had fired at the Fahrenheit; he'd literally carved a tunnel into the sea and skies above. It must have been Tidus' worst idea ever to try and face off against that on the deck of an airship. "How'd you survive?""Well, Auron was pretty mad.""Define pretty mad, Jecht."He made a face. "It's just hard to describe. Harder to believe. I mean for real, he spun around and did this thing with his sword, and made… I dunno, some kinda hurricane, I guess? Wasn't all that big, but then it hit Sin's whirlwind, and kapow! Wind, water, and fiends everywhere! I thought I was gonna die, no joke, but he reached for that jug of his and threw it in the air. And then boom! It was rainin' so much fire I bet they saw it in Luca!" Jecht grimaced. "Blasted the rest of the ship we were hangin' off of into bits, though.""Wow." She blinked. "So he drove off Sin all by himself?""Hah! I'd love to say a pissed off Auron could do that, but naw. He bought enough time for help to come. It was real close. He kept hollerin' for me to drop him and look for you guys. Almost did, too." Jecht rubbed his jaw and winced. "That man can pack a punch."Rikku smiled in sympathy. "Thanks for not listening to him. Auron said Hypellos rescued you, right?""Sorta," he replied. "The crusaders were there first. They got these warships patrollin' around Luca, see? For protectin' the city. I figure a scout musta seen Auron's fireball and sent out the call. A whole fleet showed up. They're the ones that managed to drive Sin away. The Hypellos, now, they fished us outta the water."Hypellos? Working with the crusaders? The thought was so bizzare it gave her pause. "I didn't know the crusaders were letting Hypellos join their ranks?""They ain't. The one that got me said Tio put the word out soon as he heard I was out there." Jecht's sudden grin was all teeth. "Told ya I'm a superstar!""Wow," she repeated, trying to process the idea of Hypellos taking the initiative to do anything, much less something that would put them in danger. "They must really like you.""Not just me. They got everybody. Least, everybody who was still kickin'," Jecht amended. "They even brought me my pack!""They liked you so much they rescued your stuff," she said. "Couldn't they have done that with mine? Or at least Auron's?" The small part of her that constantly hoped for a life of luxury was wailing in despair."Don't think it was my charm that got me my stuff back," he said, digging through one of his pockets. He pulled out a familiar-looking object, no worse for the battering it had received. "Pretty sure it was this.""Is that the Neptune Sigil?" The small object gleamed in the light. "It's true… your weapon really did choose you," she added, impressed. "You're inseparable!" She motioned to the Godhand, lying on the floor. "If you can find the other half of your weapon's soul, you can wake it up. It'll be fantabulous!"Jecht eyed the crest with discomfort. "A weapon that's alive? Not sure I like the idea of that…""It's not like it's suddenly gonna start talking to you," she huffed, rolling her eyes. "It's more like… it listens. If you ask it to do something, it will. Almost like a machina, except you don't have to program anything. You just wish and it happens.""Seems like somethin' that'd be right up Auron's alley, not mine."She smiled to herself. "I guess he's just not ready yet. The Weapons choose who they serve, we don't get a say in it.""Whelp. I bet it woulda helped if Auron had a weapon like yours when he threw that fireball at Sin." Jecht shrugged. "Anyway, we beat it outta there on one of the smaller ships and let them crusaders do their thing. Auron was pissed the whole time and he stayed that way for two damn days. I thought he was gonna crack a few teeth, includin' mine.""We're near Kilika, right? How'd you get all the way over here if you lost everything?""Oh, Auron still had some money. Somethin' bout an investment in Luca. We booked another ship to Kilika soon as we could. He was pretty sure you guys would turn up there at some point, an' here we are," Jecht said, "waitin' to hear your half of this adventure.""Well, you heard what Braska said." Rikku fidgeted. "We washed up in Baaj, and I accidentally broke his staff. He got all weird and depressed, I guess."Jecht frowned. "So what, you had some pity sex – " He shrugged at her offended cry. " – non-sex with him, and now you feel bad about it?"She glared. "That's not what happened! We just sorta kissed." Her face grew hot. "... a couple of times. But nothing else!""Well then, just tell Auron that so he can stop stompin' around. He's been takin' it out on me for two days already! I need a breather! What's the big deal?"Rikku suddenly found the hem of her dress fascinating. "And afterwards, Braska… well, he… um… he-kinda-told-me-he-loved-me," she said in a rush.Jecht took a few moments to puzzle it out. Then he scratched his head. "Yeah, and? Tell him sorry an' move on. It's not like Braska's gonna hold it against ya. He ain't the type."She stared at one triangle on the edge of her hem. "I tried! I really did!"Jecht squinted at her and waited."Alright, so I may have told him I loved him too – just a little bit! – in the process. I was just trying to help him, okay?" she said, her blush growing.Straightening, Jecht let out a groan. "I feel some kinda responsibility here as a bro to tell you this.""I'm not a bro, Jecht.""I mean as Auron's bro, Blondie." He rapped his knuckles against her forehead. "You can't go around doin' things like that. You're gonna break his shrivelled excuse for a heart.""I know," she said miserably."I mean it. Don't hurt him, Rikku."She startled when he used her name. Jecht was giving her his best stern look."Are you giving me the shovel talk?"Jecht dropped the glare and shrugged. "Well, yeah. How was it?""Four out of ten. Nice use of a guilt trip, but you're not very scary." She smiled weakly at Jecht's disappointment. "You're a good friend to him, you know."He sobered. "He needed one after you two went missin'. Auron without a purpose just ain't Auron. He didn't even have somethin' to swing his sword at. 'Sides me, I mean.""What should I do?" she asked in a small voice."Not sit around here mopin' an' lettin' Braska do all the talkin' for you," Jecht answered. "But 'ey, don't ask me. My wife's the only woman for me. I got no idea why you can't just pick one and stick to him."Rikku scowled. "I did pick one! I picked Auron! Even Braska knows that now!""I bet Auron don't." Jecht crossed his arms behind his head. "He don't like talkin' about his feelings. Too squishy. You gotta get out there and find him 'fore he fills all them blanks in his head with things that ain't true.""I guess so," she mumbled, half-rising from the bed.Jecht caught her before she could go too far. "Not so fast! We had a deal; fess up about Baaj. Gimmie the short version. Fact, get right to that part about your eyeballs. What the hell happened?""Oh!" She squirmed, resisting the urge to rub her eyes to double-check that yup, they were still there. "Well, we washed up at the temple and found another aeon hidden there.""Cool! So you did the Trials all by yourselves?" He brightened, then frowned. "Is that what gave Braska that scar?""There weren't really any Trials," she winced. "The aeon just didn't want to come with us.""They can do that?""You don't have to stick with us either, but you do anyway," she pointed out, leaning into his side to remove the sting from her words. "The one we met wasn't a very nice Fayth. She tried to kill us.""Damn! You mean you beat an aeon? You go, Blondie!""Huh? I didn't beat anything. Braska took it down. By himself. I was sorta out of it for that. You know, getting used to the feeling of being not as dead as I should've been.""Braska? Braska beat an aeon by himself?" He looked incredulous. "I know he's great at healin' an' all, but… you hit your head or somethin'?""He's stronger than you know. If you thought Auron's Tornado was bad, just… don't make Braska upset either, okay?""If you say so," Jecht grunted. "What's all this 'bout losin' your eyes though? What the hell happened to ya out there?"Shivering, Rikku pulled her knees up and hid her face in them. "I almost died, alright? If Braska hadn't been there, it'd be all over for me." A warm hand descended onto her back with a little too much force, and she looked up, wheezing.Jecht gave her another awkward pat and a crooked smile. " 'ey, you don't gotta talk about it if ya don't wanna. All that matters is you're here now, right?"Relief flooded through her at Jecht's clumsy empathy. Death wasn't something Rikku liked dwelling on; she'd done enough of that after Keyakku and Auron had disappeared from her life. "Yeah," she agreed, grateful to drop the subject."So, 'bout this aeon. Was she hot?"Rikku thought of Anima and stifled a manic laugh. "No, Jecht. Don't even go there. I'll be happy if we never have to see it again.""Fine, fine," he grumbled. "So what're you waitin' for? Go patch up your love life. Auron's a friend an' all, but if he socks me again I'm blamin' you.""Right," she said, scrambling to her feet. "Thanks for the shoulder. I feel a little better now."Jecht propped his feet on the bed and grabbed the rest of her meal. "Yeah. Now get lost before you go all mushy on me." He bit into the sandwich and waved her off.Adjusting her ill-fitting outfit, Rikku hurried through the hallway and up the stairs. Light as the fabric was, having her midriff covered felt constricting. She scratched her itching waist as she came up on deck; how was it possible for something to be this uncomfortable –"I don't want to talk about it."Freezing, she glanced around. That was definitely Auron's voice. Pressing herself against the wall, she crept forward and peeked around it. Auron was leaning against the side of the bridge, stubbornly glaring at the sea. Braska faced him; his eyes flitted over when he spotted her, but he gave no other indication of noticing her presence."I've caused you this pain. Will you not at least hear me out?"The muscles in Auron's jaw worked, but he said nothing.Braska sighed and clasped his hands together. "She told me she loves me."Rikku's eyes widened. I'm gonna kill him! Well, maybe just hurt him! But really really bad! She tried to catch Braska's eye, but he ignored her."Your point?" Auron finally looked at Braska, his posture stiff."She also told me she loves you more." His smile held a touch of regret. "She rejected my advances, but not from any lack of effort on my part."Auron was silent for a long moment. Then, quietly – Rikku wanted to curl up and die at the pain in his voice – he spoke. "Why are you both acting so guilty? You're hiding something."Braska chuckled. "Not what you are likely expecting." His gaze drifted somewhere over Auron's head, unfocused. "I wanted to touch that passion you share together. I wished it to be my own, but in my hunger I lost control. Rikku… was very badly hurt because of my pride."She blinked. Braska was playing with his words again, hiding the truth within layers of meaning. That didn't change that fact that he was going to tell Auron she almost died which was not okay. She redoubled her efforts burn him into a crisp with her glare."You're the one with the scar," Auron noted. "What happened? Tell me.""We were forced into a battle I was not prepared to fight. I reaped the just rewards of my arrogance and nearly lost everything." Braska grimaced, and Rikku knew he wasn't talking about his own scar.She swallowed."Yet here you stand, my lord."Braska refocused on Auron. "It was difficult. We faced a great many obstacles and adversaries. I survived the ordeal due to Rikku's efforts, and have burdened her with this guilt as my thanks. She blames herself for my failings. She thinks she betrayed you, when truly, it is I."Auron pushed away from the wall and bowed. "My life is yours, my lord. It's your right to take what you want from it," he said with muted anger."I don't want to take anything from you, Auron." Braska sighed. "I have always only wished to give you the means to find your own happiness."Auron remained silent, and Rikku ached to see his face.Whatever Braska saw there must have disappointed him, for he asked, "Will you hurt her now too, as I have?"That was going too far. "Hey! Stop it!" she shouted, jumping towards them. Auron looked over in surprise as she flung her arm out defensively and sent a challenging stare at Braska. "Now you're just being mean.""Rikku," Braska sighed. "I am trying to help."She crossed her arms and stepped in front of Auron, facing Braska down. It struck a chord; Auron'd done the same for her, once, protecting her from Kinoc. It bolstered her confidence. At least I can do this for him now too."By making him feel guilty or like he's done something wrong just for having normal feelings? We're the ones who were wrong!" she continued, poking Braska in the chest. "You know better than anyone what it's like to really love someone. It's messy. Back off! You and your insecurities are only making things worse! This is something Auron and I need to work out alone." She narrowed her eyes. "You promised.""I simply wanted to give you the opportunity to speak in the first place!" Braska shot back, flustered."No!" she snapped. "Just leave us alone so we can talk! You have to let us deal with our own problems. We're not little kids, you know? We can think for ourselves!""Rikku, enough." Auron grabbed her shoulder.Braska's soft laugh silenced him. "Of course," he said to Rikku. "Even now, I show my weakness. This place is rightfully yours, and not mine." He bowed to them. "At your will, my lady." He met her gaze; then, with a slight nod at Auron, walked away.Rikku watched Braska disappear, still steaming. Then, she took a deep breath. There was something more important to deal with than meddling summoners first. Turning around, she uncrossed her arms and looked up at Auron."Why did you stop him from absolving you of all guilt?" Auron's hands twitched. "I wanted to believe him.""Real love won't grow in a bed of lies," she answered. "You can't use guilt as a fertilizer.""Was what he said a lie?" Auron asked her, the evidence of pain still obvious in his voice.In that moment, watching the rare bursts of vulnerability pass over Auron's face – confusion, hurt, perhaps even the broken hope that Braska had lied to him – she understood why she felt guilty.It wasn't the kisses she had shared with Braska; Auron himself had said it before. Finding comfort in a warm body was just another way of reaffirming life in the face of death; there was nothing truly personal in it.It was little more than an act until it was backed with emotions.What Braska had told him had been her true betrayal."I… I did say I loved him," she admitted, cringing at Auron's visible flinch. "That part was true. I love Jecht too, you know? He's a good guy if you can see through all that posing he does. Braska's a good guy, too. I believe in him. But that doesn't mean I want him the same way I want you. I chose you. I'm choosing you now. And I'll always choose you!" She stopped, embarrassed.Auron eventually broke the silence that stretched in the wake of her loud confession. "What really happened?" he asked, serious.He's not gonna like this. She knew she couldn't avoid it, though; it felt wrong, lying to Auron to protect his feelings. Wasn't that what she'd just scolded Braska for?"Something… something bad. Really bad." She swallowed, trying not to think of the battle with Anima, and the torture that had seemed to stretch on endlessly when Braska saved her. "Let's just say Braska's a really good healer."Auron's flinch was almost as painful as her wounds had been. "He saved you," he concluded, and Rikku nodded mutely. "And was injured in turn.""I'm supposed to be his Guardian!" Rikku blurted out. The stress she'd bottled up over the last two days came hurtling out of her mouth in a tidal wave. "I lost my way. I couldn't hold on to anything… my duty, you, the future… I should've died back there, you know! I owe Braska my life. Instead, here I am, and he's the one with the scar! And I'm still mad at him! But I'm madder at me because I was so stupid!"She didn't realize she was crying until Auron brushed away one of her hot, angry tears."Then you acted as his Guardian," he told her evenly. "You did your duty. It was Braska's choice to ignore your sacrifice, and he paid the price."Auron's words didn't make her feel any better; what did it cost him to hold that straight face while trying to justify her behavior? She was the one stomping all over his heart and he still wanted to help. Hadn't he always been that way? The thought startled her; even at the beginning, when they'd first met in Bevelle, he'd always been there to rescue her from danger despite his sniping.
This time I'm the danger, though. How can he rescue me from myself?
"I was too weak to protect him," she told Auron. "And I was too weak to protect you, too. I just ended up hurting everyone! I messed up." She hung her head, acutely missing the warmth of his hand as it dropped away from her cheek. "I… guess I wouldn't be surprised if you wanted to end it now, though. You would've never betrayed me like that, because you're stronger than me. I'm only bringing you down.""You are not weak."She jolted at Auron's words, looking up in surprise; he gave her a wane smile."You did save his life. You protected him from Sin, brought him safely to Baaj, and came back alive. That is all I could ask for. Nothing else matters."His words were comforting, but she still felt uneasy. "So… you mean we should go back to like we were before all this happened?""No," he said bluntly. The plunge her heart took at his words must have shown on her face, because he relaxed, moving closer, and drew her into his arms. "You fought with Braska to allow me to feel this pain. It would be easier for you to pretend you never felt anything for him, or to play along with his tricks."His arms tightened around her, and she felt brave enough to return the embrace, scared of losing Auron again, but in a way that was completely new and much more painful."I am not a child, Rikku. I won't chase after you in a land of fairy tales and make-believe." He kissed the top of her head. "I want our relationship to be honest. I never expected it to be easy.""I bet you never expected it to get this complicated so quickly either," she sniffled into his coat.Auron's chest rose and fell in a silent chuckle, and something inside of her unwound. He could still laugh at her, at least. "With you, I have learned to expect anything."They spent a few more moments locked in their embrace. "Can I kiss you again?" she asked."Not yet."She shuddered.Auron pulled back in concern. "Are you cold?"She shook her head a few times, confused. "No, it's not that. I'm not sure..." She trailed off, grasping for an elusive memory.Auron pushed her away. "It isn't over. I need time to come to grips with this. Don't ask me for an answer right now. And Braska – " He struggled to voice his emotions. "I can't hate him. No matter what he does, or who he wants. He saved me. I would not be here, with you, without him."Rikku nodded reluctantly, knowing all too well the nature of the beast – loyalty – Auron was grappling with. At least he didn't have to worry about Braska climbing all over him, hungry for kisses and casting those dangerous Cure spells at every opportunity. Did he? She didn't think Braska was interested in Auron that way. Then again, if he was… Her eyes glazed over at the thought.Auron was looking at her strangely again. "Why are you drooling?"Catching herself, she blushed and wiped her mouth. "Oh! Nothing?""Hnn," Auron said suspiciously, though he didn't press. He looked up as a bell rang overhead. "We're approaching the docks. Let's regroup with the others.""Auron," she called out, grabbing the sleeve of his coat before he could walk away. "Are we good?"He turned and stared at her for a moment. Then, with a slight smile, he nodded. "For now." The smile dropped. "Get Jecht up here. Move out."Rikku gave him a salute and hurried towards the cabins, feeling better. There was, however, still a cold, hard ball of uneasiness nestling in the pit of her stomach. Though Auron seemed willing to forgive her, she knew it wasn't going to be that simple. For one, she didn't even know how to approach Braska anymore. Everything had changed; even just looking at the summoner was awkward now.More importantly, even if Auron was willing to forgive, he was definitely not one to forget. He may have let it go for the moment, but she knew it was far from over.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“So, this is Kilika?” Jecht leaned against the railing, his gaze darting around the thriving fishing port along the coast of the island.“Yes,” Braska replied. “It may not be as large as Luca or Bevelle, but Kilika does have a charm all its own.”
“That what you call this stench? Charm?” Jecht inhaled and gagged, cupping a hand over his nose.
“Jecht,” Auron grumbled. “Control yourself.”
“Fine,” the larger man groused, turning to face them. “So, what’s the plan?”
“There’s a Fayth here.” Rikku flapped her shirt, uncomfortable in the sweltering heat. “It’s on a hill in the middle of the jungle, so we’re going on a hike. A sticky, icky hike. And, did I mention the giant poisonous mosquitoes yet?”
“The journey to the Temple of Fire is worth that effort,” Braska chided, bowing toward the thick green forest rising over the edge of the village. “Although I am hoping that we have the means to purchase some shoes before we leave.”
“Shopping? With what money?” She pouted. “All our hard work in Luca, washed out by Sin. I guess I know what I’m gonna be doing here.”
Jecht and Auron directed bemused looks her way.
“What?” she asked.
“Blondie, I told you Auron’s still got some money.” Jecht glanced at Auron. “You didn’t say nothin’ yet?”
“The timing wasn’t right,” Auron replied. “We only lost a portion of our earnings when the Pualu sank. You didn’t think I was foolish enough to travel with that much cash in person?”
“Our earnings?” Braska asked, glancing between them. “What earnings? Do Blitzball players earn that much?”
“They do when they’re me!” Jecht told Braska.
“The odds were roughly two thousand to one,” Auron said to Rikku in an undertone, “and I bet generously. Three fourths of our total earnings. And all your personal share.”
Rikku blinked, reviewing her memory of their gil reserves; her mind crunched the numbers. She blinked again. Then she screamed. “WE’RE GILLIONAIRES?”
Auron grimaced at her attention-grabbing shout. “Not quite. I put aside a fund for Yuna as well.”
A nice thought, but Rikku could care less. She launched herself into Auron’s arms and hugged him, despite his disgruntled look. Grabbing him by the lapels of his coat, she bounced in excitement. “We’re rich! We’re totally, filthy rich!” She threw her head back and cackled, unfazed even when Auron pushed her away. “No more fiend hunting!” She whooped. “Ever!”
“ ‘ey man, what gives?” Jecht called after her. “Did they pay you more than me?”
Braska looked dumbfounded. “I hadn’t realized Blitzing was quite that profitable. Maybe I should have looked into enrolling Yuna in a few swimming courses...”
Rikku continued to laugh madly.
“I think we broke her,” Jecht observed.
“Woo-hoo!” She danced her way around the deck, throwing in an occasional cartwheel for good measure.
“Hnn.” Auron moved toward the gangway to the dock. “She hasn’t yet realized I’m still in charge of our budget.”
Rikku faltered and tripped. “What?” she yelled, scrambling to her feet.
Jecht shrugged, following Auron.
“…Why do I have a bad feeling about this?” she muttered.
“Well, perhaps he is joking – ” Braska began, but then stopped and paled. “Auron. I do still need shoes! We are going to stop by a vendor before we begin our journey, correct? ... Auron?”
No answer came, and Rikku watched with dismay as he hurried after the other two men.
.x.x.x.
The jungle was, as Rikku had guessed, even more sweltering than Kilika Village. Though the path was shaded by palm fronds, the humidity was almost unbearable; even breathing felt uncomfortable. She wiped sweat from her brow and wished, for the millionth time, that her borrowed “dress” was a two-piece.
At least then, fiend-hunting would be a little less miserable.
“Why do I have to do this?” she whined. “I thought we were rich now!” Focusing on the battle, she dashed forward and willed her hand through the lizard hissing at her. Stealing a petrify grenade, she skipped back, and removed the pin. “Fire in the hole!”
It detonated with a boom; the fiends crashed to the ground, transformed into life-like sculptures.
“We’re trainin’ our teamwork!” Jecht said, munching on the papaya he’d bought at the marketplace. “Next time, go slower. I still don’t get how you’re stickin’ your fingers between ’em like that.”
“That’s because you’re not even looking, you meathead!” Rikku exploded, throwing her hands into the air.
“Auron…” Jecht sing-songed. “Rikku’s bein’ mean.”
Auron looked up from the rock he was sitting on while polishing his sword. He lowered his sunglasses and gave Rikku a look.
“Fine, fine, I’ll do it slower next time,” she groaned, slumping.
“I still do not understand why I have to take part in this as well,” Braska groused, weaving between the petrified fiends. In his hand was a roughly-hewn quarterstaff, carved from a stray piece of wood. Red-faced and sweat-soaked, he struck at one of the statues with the weapon until the fiend shattered.
“I’ve neglected your lack of close combat skills for far too long, my lord.” Auron’s smile was cold. “This exercise should help improve both your strength and endurance. You’ll need every advantage you can get against Sin.”
“Thank you…” Braska huffed, swinging his makeshift staff once more. “... for thinking of me.” Another statue broke apart. “Could you not have applied that same thoughtfulness to my choice of footwear while you were shopping for your new jug?”
Auron made a token attempt to mask his smug expression, adjusting the jug on his hip. “Many Kilikans are proud to wear those sandals every day.”
Braska leaned on his knees and glared. “They’re made of reed and are two sizes too large. You only bought them because they were on sale.”
Auron resumed polishing his weapon. “You missed one.”
Braska shattered the last statue with an angry whack.
“Well,” Jecht said, throwing the remains of his snack over his shoulder. “Guess it’s time to move. We must’ve squashed every fruit fly between here and the village already.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Auron said, packing up as well.
Rikku let out a gusty sigh, before facing Jecht as he snickered.
“How’s it feel to be on the other end of one of Auron’s training regimens?” Jecht asked.
Rikku raised the Godhand at him, making it emit a few sparks. “Wanna find out how it feels to be on the other end of this?”
“Touchy,” Jecht grumbled, still in good humor. “Least you two took care of all them mutant bugs ‘round here.”
Rikku sighed, clambering to her feet and trying to stop the back of her dress from sticking. “Actually, if it weren’t for our resident slave-driver, I think I’d be enjoying myself.” She looked into the canopy overhead, drinking in the birdsong and the sun filtering through the treetops.
“It’s so different from what I remember,” she admitted, glancing around to make sure Auron and Braska weren’t in earshot. “Wilder.” Jecht had opted to keep the secret about his own origins to himself, and after the whole not-so-romantic fiasco on the Winno, Rikku was finding it easier to trust him with a few of her own.
Jecht stopped, crossing his hands behind his neck and looking up with her. “Yeah, they ain’t got a view like this in Zanarkand either. We got buildings taller than you can see, but the only color in ‘em comes from the neon lights. None of them trees or birds an’ stuff.” He smirked. “No man-eatin’ bugs either, though.”
Rikku laughed. “Oh, we still have those hanging around.” She plucked one of the brilliant orchids blooming on a twisting vine nearby. “But all of the nicer parts are going away. People got used to using machina riders. They get you from one end of the jungle to the other quickly and avoid all the fiends. And the sweating.” She twirled the flower in her hand. “The birds left because of the noise. The flowers kinda died out too from the fumes, and the path is always muddy and torn up from the wheels. You can’t even walk parts of it anymore without a good pair of boots.”
Jecht made a face. “Sounds like a real vacation paradise.”
Rikku stroked the flower carefully. “It makes me wonder sometimes if my future really is the best one possible.” That brought about a wave of guilt; she knew for a fact the people of Kilika would happily take a little more mud and a little less wildlife as the price of avoiding Sin’s periodic destruction of their town.
“If you don’t like it, why not change it?” Jecht shrugged at Rikku’s surprised look. “Ain’t that what I’m doin’ right now? You can do it too, ya know. Last I’d heard, nobody got a rulebook ‘bout how things are supposed to happen. Your Church tries real hard, but look how far it gets ‘em out here.”
“It’s not my Church,” she protested.
“You’re Spiran, ain’tcha? It’s your Church whether you like it or not, Blondie.” He gave her a friendly nudge and jogged ahead to catch up with the others.
“My Church, my butt,” Rikku muttered, studying the flower in her hands. “Why not change my future, though? I wonder...”
Wait a sec, what am I thinking? She gave herself a mental slap. No, no, bad Rikku! No wondering! Wondering means Sin comes back! Wondering means Tidus will never make it to Spira! She blinked, rotating the orchid slowly. … Right?
“Rikku!” Auron’s tone was sharp. “Put that down.”
She scowled, pulled from her thoughts. “Why? It’s pretty!”
“And deadly, like most everything in this jungle. If you don’t want to use up our entire stock of antidotes, stop being so careless. We’re leaving for the temple now.”
Rikku scoffed and tossed the flower aside. It settled among the twisting vines and lush greenery – a shock of brilliant red. Change the future? Yeah, right! What a dumb idea.
Without Auron forcing them to stop and beat the underbrush for fiends every few meters, they made quick progress. That changed, however, as they arrived at the base of the stairs to the temple.
“Where is it?” Jecht squinted and shaded his eyes, looking at the seemingly endless series of stone steps and circular plateaus leading up the hillside. “I don’t see no temple ‘round here. Ain’t it supposed to be huge or somethin’? Where the hell is it?”
“The temple in Kilika is mostly underground,” Braska told him. “We’re probably standing on top of a portion of it right now. But the entrance is at the zenith of these steps. We call it the Pilgrimage Road.”
Rikku groaned, fanning her shirt. “Forget what I said, I’m really missing the machina now.”
“Think of this as another excellent training opportunity.” Despite his words, Auron tugged off his coat and wiped his brow.
The four of them started climbing at a slow pace, and Rikku noted with a little satisfaction that Auron’s undershirt was just as damp with sweat as hers. Little was said until they reached the first circular platform.
“Whoa! The hell is that?” Jecht made a disgusted face at the thick-lipped fish leering at them. He spun around and jumped. “Ugh, it has a brother!”
Auron looked the statues over. “Kilika has a thriving fishing industry. People idolize what they know.”
“But why’d they make it look like ol’ fish lips here is puckerin’ up?”
“Maybe they really love fish.” Rikku brushed by, too hot and tired to admire the statue. Her calves were screaming, her eyes stung, and worse yet, there wasn’t a drop of water in sight – other than on her sweat-soaked clothing.
Braska gave Jecht a sympathetic pat as he passed. “These artistic statements line the entire length of the path, I regret to inform you.”
“I liked the sparkly boom temple better,” Jecht mumbled.
The hike was slow and arduous; Rikku felt herself wilting with every step. It wasn’t just the stifling heat that was sapping her energy, though – even with Jecht’s banter, the palpable strain between Auron and Braska made her want to sink into the ground. And despite what he’d said on the Winno, it was clear that Auron was also still pretty pissed off at her, too.
Guilt wasn’t a feeling she was used to experiencing, but she was starting to realize she hadn’t actually taken Jecht’s advice. I never apologized to Auron.
Squaring her shoulders, she resolved to pick up her pace. Well, that’s gotta change. But instead, her feet slowed as the oppressive jungle heat reminded her why she’d been flagging.
… I’ll make sure he understands how I feel when I’m not about to turn into a walking Flame Flan.
By the time they reached the next platform, even Jecht was starting to huff, mopping his face with the hanging length of his bandana.
Braska was openly using his quarterstaff as a third leg. “Auron. We’ll rest here,” he declared, a note in his voice indicating he wouldn’t compromise. He sat down in the shade of one of the hideous fish sculptures and closed his eyes.
“Fine,” Auron said, unhooking his jug from his hip. After taking a short sip, he walked over and passed it to Braska. “It’s water. Drink.”
Braska cracked an eye open and regarded the other man. Then with a faint nod, he accepted the offering and took a long draught. “Thank you, my friend,” he said as he handed the flask back.
Auron grunted and moved on. He held out the jug to Rikku, who took it and drank so greedily that he pulled it out of her hands. “Leave some for Jecht,” he scolded.
“ ‘ey man! Why am I last?” Jecht snatched the drink out of Auron’s hands and guzzled the remaining water down.
“Because you’re my favorite,” Auron told him. Corking the jug, he turned to them and crossed his arms. “Be on the lookout for fiends when we continue. We’ve been lucky so far, but the path is long enough that it’s not uncommon to be attacked along the way.”
Rikku frowned. “Hey, isn’t it the warrior-monks’ job to guard the temples? Why do we have to do all the work again?”
Auron’s sardonic grin lacked any trace of humor. “Kilika and Besaid’s temples are a bit more difficult to reach. They don’t pull in quite as much income as the others.”
She wrinkled her nose. “No money, no monks, huh?”
“I’m sure it is merely a forty-year oversight on Maester Mika’s part,” Braska noted with a hint of cynicism. He pulled himself to his feet and leaned against his staff. “Shall we continue?”
They resumed their slow trudge up the steps, but it wasn’t long before Auron’s prediction came true.
“Gnat ahead,” Jecht called, darting forward.
Rikku felt like she was going to melt. “Squash it yourself!”
“You should be more serious about this,” Auron told her, drawing his sword and rushing to aid Jecht.
Rikku dragged her heels and shared a conspiratorial grin with Braska when she noticed him doing the same. “Do your feet hurt?” she asked him innocently.
“I seem to have stubbed my toe upon this stone. Perhaps it’s because of my inappropriate footwear,” Braska added with more volume.
“Get over here now, you two!” Auron snarled at them.
Shrugging, Rikku shambled near, adjusting the straps on her Godhand. Braska trailed behind, still using his staff as a walking aid. The crested the platform to see Auron batting away one of the gigantic flies. Jecht was being swarmed by the remaining two; even as he split one in half, the other dove in and sunk its stinger into his flesh.
“OWW! DAMN IT, YOU LIL’ PESTS!”
Rikku and Braska both winced. “He’s not gonna be able to sit down for days if you don’t heal that,” she noted.
Braska sighed and waved his staff, curing both the poison and Jecht’s ridiculous pain-induced dance.
Auron killed the remaining fiend and stalked toward Rikku and Braska, pyreflies shadowing his footsteps. He fixed them both with an Auron Look Mark III. “Why didn’t either of you assist? We can’t function as a team if you aren’t present for the battle!”
“Woah, slow down there buddy,” she protested. “We’ve been fighting these things all day long! There’s nothing serious about these bugs and you know it. Even Braska could handle them alone… well, with a couple of lucky hits,” she amended.
“Thank you for that vote of confidence,” Braska said, exasperated.
“ ‘ey guys?” Jecht limped over.
Rikku rolled her eyes and ignored him. “My point is, we don’t even need to do this for money anymore. All teamwork means here is, ‘Whoever is closest gets to hit it first.’ ”
“You could at least help,” Auron countered. He transferred his glare to Braska. “Especially you, milord.”
Braska slammed the butt of his staff against the ground. “You don’t want my help. You want to punish me. The next time you feel petty, you can walk through the jungle in these shoes. I am finished with this ridiculous penance.” He kicked off the flopping sandals.
“Yo?” Jecht waved his hand.
“Not now, Jecht,” Rikku said.
“I am not being petty,” Auron growled. “Although I think I have every right to be vindictive!”
Rikku crossed her arms and glared. “Liar liar, pants on fire! These fiends are a waste of a Celestial Weapon. And the muscles in my arm, which are pretty sore from all the stealing I did earlier, by the way.” She stuck her nose up. “If it comes my way, I’ll smack it. Otherwise, do it yourself next time!”
“Hello!” Jecht shouted. “I don’t care what you all decide to do, but my ass hurts. Somebody else take care of that over there.” He pointed over his shoulder at a swarm of angry fiends that were approaching behind him.
Rikku counted the bugs with growing dismay. “Five? Five of them? Is this some kind of cruel joke the universe is playing on me? That’s it – ”
Braska spat out a few short words. A whirlwind of glowing stars fell from the sky, blasting the fiends with spears of destructive light. They also carved away a good portion of the intricate stonework underneath them and took out one of the statues, blowing the head clean off and leaving only half of a fishy tail behind.
“... Overkill, much?” Rikku mused when Braska lowered his staff. “Thumbs up on the redecoration, though.”
Auron and Jecht stared at Braska, who shrugged.
“What? You wished for us to take care of them and I wanted to test my new spell,” he said.
“Ha-HA!” Jecht shook himself and pumped his fist into the air. “So that’s how ya did it! Rikku was right, you got some mad skills, B!”
“That’s how you did what,” Auron asked, overcoming his shock.
Braska raised a bemused eyebrow at Rikku. “You didn’t tell him?”
Rikku winced as Auron’s laser stare cut over to her. “I thought you were telling him! You told him practically everything else, didn’t you?”
Braska frowned, looking affronted. “I thought you didn’t want me to tell him anything!”
Jecht scratched his head. “ ‘ey, Blondie, you told me.”
“You… told Jecht,” Braska said, rapidly paling.
Rikku turned bright red. “Uh, not everything!
Jecht smirked at Braska. “She told me enough, though.”
Auron unsheathed his sword and swung it – a silent, complicated kata of warning.
Jecht positioned himself behind her. With one magnanimous step backward, Braska joined him.
Cowards. She eyed Auron’s continued movements and forced a laugh. “So, maybe we forgot to mention that Braska got this nifty new aeon in Baaj. It gave him that scar on his back and now he can kick butt!” The sweat beading on her forehead had nothing to do with the tropical heat. “That’s the short version, soooo… don’t kill us please?”
Auron sheathed his sword and rubbed his forehead. “We need to work on your communication skills.” He lowered his hand and glared at them.
“Uh, Blondie, race you to the top?” Jecht asked.
“You bet your life on it!” Rikku agreed, scampering away from Auron. “Literally,” she huffed, overtaking Jecht’s own desperate scramble.
“If it was good enough for Lord Ohalland, it’s good enough for me,” Braska added, finding his second wind and running after them.
“Hnn,” Auron said as he watched them flee. He began a much more sedate climb up the steps, a faint smirk on his lips.
.x.x.x.
“Now,” Auron warned them, tapping the hilt of his sword. “I expect to see a little more decorum before we approach the temple. Are we clear?”
“Yes, sir,” Rikku, Jecht, and Braska chimed.
“Ain’t you the leader here?” Jecht whispered to Braska.
“Not until I have shoes again, at the least,” Braska murmured back. Auron cleared his throat, and Braska fell silent.
“Good.” Turning, Auron marched up the remaining stairs. “Let’s go.”
“Blondie, you need to do better. I thought I told you to take care of that temper!”
She stuck her tongue out. “Hey, at least you didn’t get the worst of it!”
“Neither did you,” Braska pointed out. He sighed. “But, I suppose I’ll need to take up the mantle of a summoner again once we reach the temple.” Disappointment was obvious in his voice.
Jecht scratched his head. “Wait, you’re enjoyin’ this? Auron’s been ridin’ you the hardest outta all of us!”
“Well, I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’ve enjoyed any of his punishments thus far. My feet certainly haven’t.” Chuckling, Braska shook his head. “Auron is merely treating me the way he would one of you two, had you upset him. He would not have dared to do so before.” His expression morphed into something old and tired. “But it is high time for me to return to reality.”
“...You know, Braska, they’re just robes,” Rikku began. “You don’t even need the staff anymore. It’s not like you have to change who you are just because you have them. We’d all still be your friends anyway.”
“It is freeing, to travel among you like this,” Braska replied. “But without my robes and staff, I may not be able to complete the Pilgrimage.”
Her face fell, understanding what he was really saying; he needed distance.
“Huh? Why?” Jecht asked. “They got a dress code in Zanarkand or somethin’ ?”
“Not a dress code. However, you might say a certain mindset is required.” Braska started walking up the steps. “Besides, I am sure both you and Auron would appreciate it if I reined in my more… impulsive nature.”
Jecht grunted as Braska left them behind. “Didn’t realize how bad he got it for you,” he said to Rikku. “What’re ya gonna do ‘bout him?”
“I think I did more than enough already. I’m voting for ignoring all this awkward in the room and letting Auron handle him.”
“Well, that ain’t gonna work.” Jecht snorted. “Mark my words, folks like him? They always snap, sooner or later. And, if ya stick to your plan, Auron’ll be doin’ the snappin’ for him.”
“They’re best friends though,” Rikku said. They resumed the slow climb. “How do you know they won’t be able to work things out?”
“ ‘Cause I’d break anybody dumb enough to put the moves on my wife.”
“Wife?” Rikku squeaked, face immediately flaming.
Jecht smirked. “What? C’mon, even you gotta know the Stiff’s a lifer by now.”
Rikku glared and held her cheeks, trying to cool the sudden burn down. “Don’t ever mention that again! Marriage! Geez, we haven’t even made it past the midfield yet!”
“Eurgh!” Jecht gagged. “Too much info, Blondie! Auron, gettin’ handsy? Now I gotta wash my brain!”
“Whatever you two are discussing can be done from up here.” Auron paused mid-turn, then leaned back over. “Better yet, just stop talking when you reach the temple.”
“Grumpy.” Rikku pouted.
“Yeah. Just like an old married guy, huh?”
Rikku flipped a rude gesture towards Jecht and skipped up the last of the steps. She came to a stop next to Auron and Braska, taking in the grounds.
Kilika’s temple was an ugly, squat thing. It rose out of the jungle’s peak like a boil on the hillside, its outer hull bearing no resemblance to the artistry or majesty of any of the other temples they’d visited thus far. Colorful flames burning behind magical barriers lit the area, the only sign that the building was host to a Fayth. The whole thing looked like a primitive rendition of a stone airship – something people might have built in the long centuries after the Machina War ended to honor what they remembered but didn’t quite understand. It also looked to be the work of the same hand that had gifted Spira with Kilika’s unique fish sculptures.
She could appreciate the irony of the structure being dedicated to the Church of Yevon.
Besides its lack of architectural grace, a large part of the temple’s shabby appearance was its obvious lack of upkeep. The upper half of the outer walls were in ruins, overgrown with many years’ worth of jungle lianes and moss. It was easy to see where the monetary hand of the Church was tightening its fist.
Despite that, the temple bustled with an organic liveliness absent from its more majestic counterparts. Villagers from the port swarmed everywhere, chatting, praying, and hocking religious souvenirs in makeshift stalls. To one side of the temple, hopeful Blitzball players were even training.
The murmur of conversation was everywhere, and the attending priests and nuns looked just as relaxed as the visitors.
“Whoa,” Jecht said. “This place is awesome!”
Rikku scratched her head. Sure, the atmosphere was lively, but was Jecht just ignoring the temple’s visible disrepair? “ ‘Awesome’ might be a stretch,” she said dubiously.
Jecht pointed. “They got a hot spring right there! I’m goin’ in!” He ran for the circular indentation that was glowing misty green in the middle of the courtyard.
“Jecht!” Auron yelled. “It’s not water – ”
Jecht was already airborne, trying to cannonball right into the center of the “pool.”
Rikku winced as he hit the magical, Fayth-generated force field with a painful-sounding thud and flopped over, drawing activity around the temple to a standstill.
“This is not a good day for my ass,” Jecht groused in the ensuing silence as he stood, rubbing his posterior.
A few titters spread through the crowd, and movement around them resumed.
As Jecht limped back towards them, Auron palmed his face. “Why in Yevon’s name would you make a spectacle of yourself like that?”
“I thought it was water, alright?” Jecht looked a little embarrassed. “Nobody ever told me flames could be green.”
Braska sighed. “I should apologize. It slipped my mind to inform you about the quirks of this particular temple.” He pointed towards the circular depression, flickering deceptively with its cool fire. “The Fayth here powers the flames, which change color based on several factors. For example, they will turn blue when the temple is in danger, or bright red when a summoner communes with the Fayth.”
“So why’s that one green?” Jecht asked, peering at the “pool.” “ ‘Specially made for greetin’ summoners?”
“Oh my! You are a summoning party?” A smiling nun approached, bowing when she stopped. “I couldn’t help but notice this lively young man,” she said, glancing at Jecht with a twinkle in her eye. She appraised their party, her eyes lingering briefly on Rikku, before she performed another, deeper bow to Auron.
“My Lord Summoner,” she said. Auron’s brow rose at the title. “You’ve chosen quite the collection of Guardians for your Pilgrimage. Kilika Temple welcomes you!”
Braska coughed. “Actually,” he said, stepping forward. “I am Summoner Braska of Bevelle.”
“Oh!” The old woman straightened, looking flustered. “My apologies, my… Lord…” She trailed off as she took in Braska’s bare feet, ragged pyjama shorts, loud Kilikan beach shirt and unkempt hair. “... I take it the journey here was difficult?” she added diplomatically.
Auron’s lips quirked. “For some.”
“Oh, you poor dears,” the woman said, grasping Braska by his arm. “You just wait right there and I’ll bring you all some water. And you, my lord… perhaps we can find you some better suiting attire, hmm?”
“Gladly,” Braska said, patting the woman’s hand with an even smile.
As he was ushered away, Rikku tilted her head. “You know… we aren’t famous here.”
“News from Luca would travel slowly,” Auron replied. “Especially after an attack by Sin.”
“But you and Braska aren’t infamous here either,” she pointed out. “It’s like they don’t even know you!”
He shrugged. “Most likely they don’t. Politics also tend to stop travelling at this distance.” He looked pointedly at Jecht, who was haggling with one of the vendors over a blitzball decorated with a cartoon rendition of Ifrit.
“So we’re not celebrities, but we’re not pariahs. This is good!”
Auron grunted in assent.
“And we have money now, which is better!”
“No shopping.”
She deflated at his terse answer; Auron wasn’t budging on his anger. “Can I at least get a needle and thread to tailor this thing?” she whined, picking at her dress.
With a sigh, he said, “So long as you don’t turn it into another bikini, fine. Do it when we return to the port.”
Rikku hummed and swayed on the balls of her feet. Despite the surrounding hubbub in the temple – or perhaps because of it – it felt like they were alone. The lively noise surrounding them made their silence much more acute. C’mon, Rikku. It’s now or never. She glanced at Auron a few times, gathering her courage.
“What?” he bit out.
“Sorry,” she said, continuing her sway. She clasped her hands behind her back, hoping to hide her nervousness.
“What are you apologizing for?”
She slowed her movements and dropped her gaze to her boots. “Hurting someone I love.”
“...Why are you saying this now?” he asked with none of his previous impatience.
“It’s easy for me to say the words, but it’s hard to mean them sometimes.” She reached for his hand, relieved when he didn’t resist. “I’ve been letting Braska do all the talking for me, but I don’t think that’s what you wanted to hear. So… I’m sorry.”
Auron squeezed her hand. “Are you sorry you love Braska?”
Rikku watched the temple flame flicker and dance. “... I don’t think so,” she eventually said. “I don’t think I ever want to be sorry for loving anyone. Feeling love for someone else isn’t something you should apologize for.” She looked at Auron again. “I don’t love him the way he wants me to, though. The way I love you. I’m just sorry that my feelings ended up hurting both of you anyway.”
“This is an unusual amount of honesty for you.”
“I don’t like lying to you,” she replied with complete sincerity. If nothing else, it was important he understood that. “Everything’s so much more complicated and I don’t even know why. I want to be with you. It should be simple.”
“Nothing is ever simple with you.” He huffed out a wry breath. “Maybe it’s my own weakness to be drawn in by complexity.”
She fidgeted, restless. “I hate this feeling. Like we’re fighting, even though we’re not.”
He attempted a smile for her, but didn’t quite succeed. “As do I.”
Auron pulled away as Braska emerged from a side chamber, escorted by the nun. Braska was clothed in a familiar mass of billowing robes, new staff in hand and even a helmet on his head. This one was missing the gigantic feather, but it did still have long trailing flap of fabric drifting out behind it.
“So they still keep the traditional uniform of Bevelle, even here,” Auron observed.
“He looks like a summoner again.” She couldn’t keep the dismay from her voice. This is happening. Braska’s still going to go through with it. She crushed Auron’s hand with hers. “I couldn’t lie to myself enough to stop him.”
Auron gripped her hand back, gaining her attention. “Braska told me he tried to seduce you.”
“I tried a little, too,” she admitted. “I thought maybe… maybe if I convinced him he could feel the same way for me that he did about Raenn, he’d stop.” She thought about Braska’s prayers, and her discovery of his true feelings on the sphere. “But I couldn’t go through with it.” Because he already really did love me. “It just… backfired and got us into this mess. And then the aeon in Baaj came out and tried to kill us both.”
Auron exhaled slowly. “Your plan wouldn’t have worked. He’s not doing this for Raenn anymore.” He released her hand. “I’m not like Kinoc anymore either. You are the ones who showed me the faults of using people in such a manner. I can’t thank you for trying to stop Braska.” His finger brushed her face. “And I don’t want to share you with anyone.” He sounded unhappy.
Rikku hid her wince; she’d tried her best to be honest, but his tone said enough. Her apology was acknowledged, but whether it was accepted was a more delicate matter. Weariness flooded her. How long do we have to be like this? What can I do to make it better?
“Oh there you are, dears!” the nun called, nearing, with Braska in tow. She handed over some filled bottles. “Water, to quench your thirst after the journey. I can’t imagine how you managed the climb in this heat!”
“Sister Ovelia has been most generous,” Braska told them, straightening his robes. “She even managed to procure a proper staff for me.” His placid smile towards them did little to ease Rikku’s tension; somehow she just knew he’d been watching her talk with Auron. “Auron… if we are as well provided for as you stated, perhaps we could repay the good sister for her kindness.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary, my lord,” Ovelia said. “You summoners do more than enough for the people as it is. It wouldn’t be right to take your gil as well. Now where is that other young man with the long hair? I’ve got one bottle left for him.”
“Sister,” Auron said, drawing a handful of coins from his money pouch. “You misunderstand Lord Braska. This is not compensation for services rendered. It is merely a token of our gratitude.” He pressed the money into the old woman’s hands.
“Well, on behalf of the temple, I won’t refuse, although – ” She choked as she did a quick count of the coins he’d handed her. “... this much! Are you certain?”
Braska’s congenial smile towards Auron deepened into something more sincere. “Of course. Thank you, Auron. Worldly trappings can sometimes obstruct us from reaching our goals. If I am to defeat Sin, I shall have no need for such things.” He glanced at Rikku. “Let us collect Jecht and enter the temple.”
Auron tensed, likely sensing the immediate shift in command. “Of course,” he said, words somewhat bitter, “we have a job to do.” He moved to follow the summoner.
“ ‘Sup?” Jecht asked as they approached, holding the fresh bottle of water in one hand and waving goodbye to the sister who’d brought him over with his other. “We goin’ in?”
“Braska’s ready to start the Pilgrimage again,” Rikku told him unhappily.
“That’s great!” Jecht ambled after Auron, looking at the steps heralding the entrance to the shrine. “I really thought there’d be bodies lyin’ around before those two started talkin’ to each other.”
Despite the oppressive heat, Rikku shivered. That might still be coming.
The air chilled the further they descended into the heart of the temple. Kilika, like Besaid and Djose, was one of the shrines she had only chanced to visit with Yuna and Paine. And just as in Djose, being in the presence of an active Fayth changed the atmosphere considerably.
The low buzz of conversation filled the antechamber, but even the presence of visitors couldn’t detract from the feeling of power residing within the walls. Firelight danced across intricately carved reliefs lining the room, giving them a strange feeling of movement and life in the flickering light.
As with other temples, statues of summoners long passed lined the walls. Most were aged and rough, falling into ruin thanks to inadequate temple funding. The notable exception was one large statue near the entrance to the Cloister, meticulously maintained. Most of the visitors were praying to it.
Some things never change. It brightened her spirits a bit to see something so familiar and comforting despite all of her inner turmoil.
“Hey, Jecht.” Rikku tapped him on the shoulder. “If you were religious, this guy right here’d be your patron saint.”
Jecht squinted at the sculpture. “What’s so special ‘bout him?”
“That is High Summoner Ohalland. He defeated Sin three hundred and twenty years ago,” Braska answered. “He is very highly regarded here, as Kilika was his home village.”
“Not just that,” Auron added. “Lord Ohalland was a star player for the Kilika Beasts in his youth. For many years, before he took up the Summoner’s path, he was a world-famous blitzer.” He smirked. “Someone to compete with for your title as the best.”
“And they say he fought with a blitzball,” Rikku added with a giggle.
“...No, they don’t,” Auron corrected her with a frown. “Where would you get an idea like that?”
Rikku scoffed. “That’s what the bartender in Luca told us when…” When Wakka was given his Celestial Weapon. She remembered that clearly. Wakka fainted dead away and Kimahri had to scramble to catch him. Even Tidus had been surprised to hear that someone else besides their resident chocobo-head had used a blitzball as a weapon; it even inspired him to create a new finishing move. The only person who hadn’t batted his lone eye at the news had been Auron.
Rikku swallowed. “Well, you never know. They’re crazy about Blitzball in Luca. Maybe some people like to keep the history the Church doesn’t care about alive. It could be true!”
“That is an intriguing idea,” Braska said. “I know the Al Bhed originally passed their own records down through oral tradition, but I hadn’t considered that it might be happening in Luca as well.”
Auron grunted. “If that’s the case, it’s better you never suspected it. If you’d voiced that idea while you were still a priest, Mika might have found an excuse to start an Inquisition.”
“Against the citizens of Luca?” Braska shook his head. “I doubt it.”
“They sent me to kill Cid if you failed. Inquisitions aren’t always public matters.”
“Umm, can we stop talking about Church-sanctioned assassinations while we’re in the temple? I thought you guys were all about the decorum!”
“ ‘S not like anybody’s listenin’, though,” Jecht pointed out.
“Whatever,” Rikku hissed, upset. “Can we just drop it?” Honestly, she just didn’t like dwelling on the thought of Auron trying to kill her father any more than necessary – which meant at all.
“Yes, well. The Cloister of Trials should be this way,” Braska said, leading them towards some steps hewn into the wall at the far end of the room.
“Yo, where’re the guard dogs?” Jecht asked.
“There are no warrior-monks stationed here,” Auron answered. “The blind trust of the faithful keeps the southern temples safe enough in the eyes of the Church.”
“But… y’know… what if Sin attacks here?” Jecht prodded.
“The Chamber of the Fayth is hidden deep within this mountain. The devastation would only affect the living.” Auron grimaced. “Civilian casualties would be considered an acceptable level of collateral damage.”
An uncomfortable silence fell. No one seemed to be willing to inform Jecht that Kilika was as famous for its periodic destruction by Sin as it was for its temple. Judging by the look on his face, he still got the message.
“So it’s like that, huh?”
Braska coughed and strode forward. “Not for me.”
Jecht quirked his lips in grim amusement. “Well. Won’t be no casualties if we wreck Sin first, right?” He stalked after Braska, leaving Rikku and Auron to bring up the rear.
“Think this will be hard?” Rikku asked as they approached the stone elevator embedded in the floor.
“After everything we’ve been through?” Auron snorted. “Not likely.”
Jecht let out a triumphant hoot. “Are you kiddin’ me? This’ll be a piece of cake! Team BARJ is finally back in action!”
Rikku’s own groan was matched by Auron and Braska’s, their aversion to Jecht’s pet name obvious. The not-quite-dulcet sound of their collective exasperation ended, and seconds later, she had to stifle the involuntary giggle bubbling in her throat. The line chiselled between Auron’s brows softened, and even Braska smiled a little.
I guess we still do have something in common after all. Good job, Jecht.
With the tension drained, they managed to situate themselves comfortably around the circle. A rune on the floor lit and the rock shifted, carrying them deeper into the mountain.
She couldn’t help feeling nervous; some part of her knew the Temple couldn’t possibly be overrun by the evil spirits Shuyin’s hatred had awakened, but it was hard to shake the dread she’d felt when facing Ifrit’s dark, malice-filled form with Yuna and Paine.
That’s all in the past, she told herself firmly. Or, the future, I guess. Ugh!
The elevator touched the bottom with a rattle that jarred her from her musings. All the noise from above disappeared, leaving them in silence.
“At least this one ain’t dark,” Jecht observed.
Stepping into the Cloister, he prodded a sphere set into a pedestal in front of them. Every touch sent a spurt of fire into the air. “And them flames don’t hurt.” He grabbed the sphere and tossed it from hand to hand, trailing arcs of fire.
“You know, I’m feeling a little underwhelmed.” Rikku crossed her arms as Jecht threw the sphere a few more times before fitting it into the only other slot by the door. Red runes lit up along the frame.
“I suppose the lack of funding reveals itself in more ways than one,” Braska noted as stone grated against itself, revealing an opening.
“Let’s get this over with,” Auron said as he passed through the entrance and surveyed the area. “It’s safe.”
They filed into a dim-lit room containing nothing but a pillar holding another sphere and a few empty sockets in the surrounding walls.
Jecht grabbed the sphere and eyed his choices. Shrugging, he shoved it into the socket nearest to him. A complicated glyph lit up, floating in front of the wall, blocking passage to a hidden door. After a few tense moments of expectation, nothing else happened and everyone deflated.
“This has all of the makings of another logic puzzle,” Auron observed, reaching for the door. His hand was repelled by the warding magic of the glyph.
“A moment,” Braska said, stepping forward and pushing Auron aside. He examined the glyph, but whatever he found soon caused his earnest expression to slide into fleeting look of annoyance. “Du ramm fedr drec.”
Rikku’s eyes bugged. Did he just –
Braska tapped his staff against the glyph, whispering. With a tiny explosion, the magic dispelled. His spell also affected the sphere powering the rune, extinguishing its magical flame with a discordant plink. The temple’s interior lighting deactivated simultaneously, cloaking them in darkness.
Jecht was the first to react. “Uh… I think you just broke the temple. You even allowed to open doors like that? Ain’t it cheatin’ ?”
Braska pushed the door, which swung open obligingly, letting a sliver of light into the room from the passage beyond. “I have had enough trials for my lifetime. Let us move on.”
Rikku glanced over her shoulder; Auron was palming his face again and muttering. With a heavy sigh, he shouldered past Braska and took point. “I expected you to have more of a delicate touch, my lord.”
“I’ve recently come to learn that diplomacy can only get one so far,” Braska sniped back, trailing after him.
Rikku tripped forward when Jecht nudged her less-than-gently. “Think the temple’s gonna survive those two?”
“I don’t even know if I will.”
The remainder of the trial passed quickly and, in Rikku’s opinion, violently – mostly because Braska and Auron seemed to be racing to decide who could dismantle the Trial’s puzzles first – usually by the judicious application of brute force, whether magical or physical. Jecht hung behind Rikku, opting to stay out of the way of the two competing men.
The contest was broken only briefly by the discovery of a destruction sphere; there was a moment of awkwardness when Braska spotted it.
“My lord,” Auron hedged as he removed it from the wall. “This – ”
“There’s no need. I know what that is,” Braska replied with a look of distaste.
Rikku stepped in, eying the sphere with a barely-contained shudder. It wasn’t easy to ignore that pink glow when it brought to mind the memory of Anima’s deadlier half. “It’s a part of the hidden Cloister we discovered in Baaj. Braska already collected that aeon.” She couldn’t stop herself from glancing at Braska, hoping he wouldn’t share the finer details of their encounter.
He gave her a steady look, then turned to Auron. “Do what you wish with it. This particular corruption hiding within the Church is no longer a concern of mine.”
Rikku’s fists uncurled as the tension leaked out of her. Some things Auron really didn’t need to know; if he heard about the true extent of her injuries, it would probably make the havoc he was wreaking in the Cloister look tame.
“So... you two busted up this temple pretty good,” Jecht noted, pointing at the smoking trail of destruction they’d left behind. “You sure we ain’t gonna get in trouble for this?”
Auron shrugged, slotting the sickly pink sphere into every wall socket they passed, removing it when nothing happened. “You’d be surprised at the amount of forgiveness money can buy. Besides, Bevelle will be forced to send a restoration team to Kilika once they hear of what we’ve done here.”
Rikku sniggered. “Oh c’mon, admit it. You just wanted to smash things up, right?”
“Hnn,” Auron replied neutrally, though he didn’t deny it. He stepped back as the last socket he tried pulsed with sudden power, imploding with a loud bang.
Jecht still looked uncertain. “We really got enough dough to cover this?”
“Yes,” Auron replied, sounding almost bored as he stepped over the rubble. A chest was pushed up against the wall, and he made short work of opening it.
“What’s in it this time?” Rikku demanded impatiently.
“A better staff?” Braska asked with a note of hope. “It would be a sign from Yevon…”
“A new blitzball,” Jecht corrected him with a gleam in his eye. “You said it yerself, this Ohalland guy was a blitzer!”
Everyone leaned forward eagerly as Auron stood up. Then the men’s faces fell as he held up the treasure.
“It’s… a dirty mirror.” He turned the dull, strangely shaped object over in his hands once. “Inscribed with flowers.” He swiped the surface of the mirror with his coat a few times and frowned. “Damaged beyond repair.”
“We went through all that for a piece o’ trash?” Jecht groaned, throwing his arms up.
Auron shrugged and moved to put the mirror back in the chest. “One man’s trash…”
Rikku rushed forward and snatched it out of his hands. “Is another girl’s treasure!” she said, cradling it. She held up the mirror with a smile, even though the surface reflected nothing but dark smudges of dirt. “This is better than a new blitzball, Jecht. Think of all the things you could do with it! You know… like your hair!”
“Hell no. You have just as many bad hair days as I do, you ain’t one to talk me into usin’ no mirror.” Jecht crossed his arms and smirked. “ ‘Sides, I make bed hair look good. Take a lesson, sweetheart.”
“Ha ha.” Rikku resisted the urge to chuck the mirror at Jecht’s head. “I’ll just let you keep thinking that, okay?” Jecht sucked in some air for an objection, but she flapped her hand at him impatiently. “No, seriously! This mirror’s a part of the ritual to wake up your Celestial Weapon. I recognized it from when I got my Godhand. Of course, since you don’t want it, maybe I will keep it instead,” she drawled.
“May I have a closer look at that?” Braska asked, interested. Once she’d passed it over, he frowned, wiping at the surface with no more luck than Auron had. “I’ve read the legends of the Celestial Mirror. This hardly seems to be ‘shining jewel of the heavens’ that was described in the holy texts.”
“You have to clean it first,” Rikku explained. “In Macalania. ...with memory water.”
“Memory water?” Auron said sharply. “That’s suicide.”
“There’s a shrine, at least I think there’s still a shrine! So you don’t have to go diving to get it. But it has to be the wielder,” Rikku added, turning to Jecht. “Every change that happens to your weapon has to come out of you. No one else can do it for you.”
“So you pour a little magic water over the thing and bam! You’re done. What’s the big deal?”
Auron levelled Jecht under an exasperated look. “What really happens?” he asked Rikku, curious.
“Well, it’s a test, see, a way to bond with your Weapon. You make it come alive because it’s a part of you.” Rikku sighed. “You see things. And hear things. That’s what memory water does.” Absently, her hand strayed over the Godhand, still attached to her wrist like a second skin. “I think it’s different for everybody, but it’s never easy.”
“Sounds like fun,” Jecht grumbled, his eagerness dispersing. “Thanks for enlightenin’ me.”
“Try not to let it weigh on your mind,” Braska told him. “It will be some time before we need to pass through Macalania once more, so this trial need not concern you before then.”
“So ya mean I get to have pre-game jitters for as long as we’re stuck out here in the sticks collectin’ aeons. Great, no pressure, right?” Jecht shook his head when Braska offered him the mirror. “I’m gonna try to forget that thing even exists for now. Remind me ‘bout it if we hit Macalania again.”
“Sorry!” Rikku mouthed with a wince as Jecht stomped out of the tiny alcove.
.x.x.x.
The Antechamber of the Fayth was similar to the others they’d visited before – long, filled with the deep tenor notes of Ifrit’s Hymn, and otherwise pretty boring.
Although boring could be nice, Rikku corrected herself as she lounged on the floor. As long as the Fayth was still singing, no murderous aeons were about to materialize in the room to try to slay them all. That was always a good thing. Lifting her chin out of her palm, Rikku glanced around the room at the others, wondering if she should bother trying to start up a conversation.
Jecht had his pinkie finger stuck in one ear. He pulled it out, made a face, and flicked it towards one of the ornately decorated walls.
Rikku redirected her hopes at Auron. He had propped himself against the wall, sword held in front of him, with his head bowed in meditation. Even now, while his summoner wasn’t in the room, he was guarding the door. She’d never seen anyone who so completely dedicated himself to the single-minded duty of protecting others from danger.
Auron’s head bobbed forward with a soft snore.
Or he was just really, really tired. Payback time. She grinned and began to creep towards him, but was stopped by a soft cough from Jecht. Looking over her shoulder, she gave him an impatient glare that clearly read, What?
“Didn’tcha hear a word I said before? Auron nearly lost his mind worryin’ ‘bout you two while you were gone,” Jecht whispered. “Let the man sleep.”
Rikku sunk back down, flushing. It was pretty bad when Jecht was the one handing out the disapproving looks. Guess I have to entertain myself. With a sigh, Rikku decided to resort to tinkering. She dug into her pouches, searching for her tooling knife, but froze when her fingers brushed the edges of a familiar sphere.
Gingerly, she lifted her modified sphere out of the pouch and stared at it. Part of her was amazed it had survived at all – she hadn’t, after Anima’s attack. Then again, Anima had been aiming at her face, not her inventory.
The sphere looked a little rough around the edges, but was otherwise intact. Placing the recorder on the floor, she carefully pried it open. The lightning marble was almost burnt out, and it took only a moment’s effort to strip it away. Then she stared at the open sphere, thinking.
“What’s that?” Jecht murmured.
“Something I made in Baaj,” Rikku said, mindful of Auron’s slumber. “We needed a light source and this was all I had.” And it accidentally trapped a whole bunch of completely incriminating and embarrassing information on it. She was tempted to spill the precious water within, scattering the memories it contained.
“You’re pretty handsy!” Jecht told her with a smile, and Rikku almost knocked the sphere over right there as she jumped.
“What did you just say?” she whispered back, glancing at Auron to make sure he was still asleep.
Jecht peered at her like she’d grown a second head. “I said you’re pretty handy. Boy, are you touchy today. What’s twistin’ your panties this time?”
Not helping, Jecht! Patting her cheeks to reduce their burn into something less incriminating, Rikku shook her head. “Sorry, I misheard you,” she managed to choke out. “Just… ignore me while I try to fix this thing,” she mumbled, masking her face behind her hair. She heard Jecht’s snort as she refocused on the disassembled sphere.
I really should just throw this thing away. Or at least erase it. Despite her thoughts, her fingers were already reassembling the sphere. It lit up with the usual soft light when she switched it on, no worse for the wear from her modifications. Heart pounding, Rikku powered it down before any of the content could play. Then her finger hovered over the control that would purge the sphere of its contents.
Auron would kill Braska if he found this, Rikku thought. Braska would kill me first if he knew I still had this. Well. Hurt me really bad. Or look at me disapprovingly. Or… just try to kiss me again.
That stray thought struck a nerve that stayed her hand. It wasn’t that she wanted to keep the evidence of Braska’s attraction to her after all the grief they’d caused, but there was more than just his moment of physical weakness recorded onto the sphere. It was also his confession to himself. He had, in a sense, granted her permission to see the rawest depths of his heart, of the doubts and the anguish that drove him to try so hard to be so kind and perfect around others.
Braska had finally chosen to reveal his true face to her; it felt somewhat wrong to destroy the evidence of his change.
Well. Most of the evidence, Rikku amended, adjusting the playback to purge the sphere’s more salacious content. As Auron himself had said, sometimes it was better to leave people in the dark.
She jumped at the sound of the Chamber’s doors sliding apart; Braska stumbled through, looking tired. Auron jerked out of his stupor and stood to attention.
“I was successful,” Braska said. “We can stay in Kilika tonight, I will summon there.”
“Alright!” Jecht sprung to his feet. “That was the fastest I’ve ever seen ya do it, too! You must be getting better at this!”
Braska gave Jecht a thankful smile, and then looked at Rikku, who was still kneeling on the floor and cleaning up her supplies. He caught sight of the sphere and lifted an eyebrow.
Rikku ducked her head. “Congratulations,” she managed to say, scooping the rest of her belongings into her pouches.
“Let’s return to the village,” Braska told them, sounding weary. “I think I would like to move on.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku wandered through the busy village, trying to avoid bumping into other people. It buzzed with activity; villagers scurried back and forth like colorful jungle birds flitting about their treetops.
The jingle of coin was a comforting sound in her ears; after returning from the temple, Auron had relented and gave them each some shopping money. As she searched the marketplace, Rikku passed Jecht – chatting with a blitzball peddler, of course – and Braska, who seemed to be bemoaning the state of his footwear with a cobbler.
I’m a little surprised Auron let those two have any money at all, considering how grumpy he’s been.
Then she winced. She wasn’t exactly in a position to complain, being partially to blame for Auron’s foul mood.
Before long, she arrived at a stall that looked promising, judging from the swathes of colorful cloth draped about. She spent a few moments eying the pretty fabrics wistfully, then approached the vendor with a gleam in her eye. One short round of haggling later, Rikku left the stall feeling satisfied. Packing the needle, thread, and shears away for later use, she sought out the others. Auron was nowhere to be seen, so she stopped a passing woman.
“Excuse me, but have you seen a big guy in a red coat around anywhere? He’s got long black hair, a really huge sword, and he looks kinda mean.”
The woman’s expression brightened. “Oh, you mean that visiting Guardian? Yes, he’s helping us with some security for the festival tonight.”
“Thanks,” Rikku said, distracted.
Festival? What festival? And what kind of problem would demand Auron’s attention in Kilika, of all places?
The “security issue” became clearer as she noticed the activity surrounding the skeleton of a large, unlit bonfire, set up in the center of a wide clearing near the jungle’s edge. A vendor’s stall already had food prepared, sending the pungent scent of smoked fish into the air. There was even a raised platform doubling as a makeshift stage. One eager villager was encouraging the rest of the workers with a lively beat he thumped out on his hand drum.
Hmm, looks like they’re getting ready for a party.
She grinned, spotting Jecht near the edge of the stage. He was showing off with his new blitzball to the beat of the drums, gathering a few spectators.
Hamming it up already
, she thought with a laugh.
Jecht bounced the blitzball on his head, then sent it to his knees. He began juggling it with his feet quickly enough to make it look as though the ball was bobbing in midair. A few of the viewers – fellow Blitzball players, by the look of their clothing – were nodding in appreciation. Jecht caught and balanced the ball on his forehead, swinging his arms and legs out in a few dance moves as the drummer whistled encouragement. Mid-spin, Jecht waved at Rikku.
“So, what’s the show for?” she called, gesturing at the stage and the enormous stack of wood.
Jecht tossed his head and bent forward, catching the ball on his back. He rolled it between his shoulderblades, the crowd clapping as he kept dancing. “News from Luca! The home team made it to the quarter finals!”
“Beasts! Beasts!” the crowd cheered.
“Well, okay, that explains some of this, but
we
didn’t play for the Beasts,” Rikku reminded.
“Not a problem,” Jecht said, straightening and sending the ball spinning into the crook of one bent foot. “The Fangs made it in, too.” He lobbed the ball high and caught it on his chest, then smoothly circled it along both of his arms.
“I can do that,” one boy pouted, invoking laughter from the others. Rikku did a double-take as she observed the teenager; he looked suspiciously like Barthello, although younger and still missing most of his bulk. The squinty-eyed pout was
exactly
the same, though.
“Give it a try, then.” Completing one last roll, Jecht tossed the ball. It hit the kid in the chest, and he promptly lost his balance. More laughter ensued as the kid quickly stood back up with little else than his pride bruised. Jecht waved to his audience, then climbed down from the stage. Rikku watched a juggling game start up behind him as he joined her.
“Didn’t you just buy that blitzball?” she noted.
Jecht shrugged. “The kids are enjoyin’ themselves. ‘Sides, it’s not like Auron’s gonna let us stop and catch a game somewhere down the line. Might as well get used by somebody.” Then he frowned. “You’re right though. I shoulda signed it first.”
She rolled her eyes. “You make up one original goal shot and you think you’re hot stuff.”
“ ‘ey! Didn’tcha just see that performance?” He gestured towards the stage, where one of the young blitzers was trying to replicate Jecht’s footwork – unsuccessfully. Jecht smirked at her. “I told ya,
I’m
the best.”
“Mm-mmm,” Rikku said, sticking her nose into the sky. “I know somebody better.”
“Now, wait just a minute here. There ain’t nobody who can blitz better than me! Have you ever heard of an
Ohalland Shot
? No? Didn’t think so.”
Rikku crossed her arms over her head. “I know someone who made up
two
new shots.”
“You ain’t makin’ this up, are ya?” Jecht stopped. “Who’re ya talkin’ ‘bout?”
“Well…” she drawled, before relenting at the look of curiosity on Jecht’s face. “It was your chip off the old block, actually.”
“Really?”
“He invented the Sphere Shot and the Mark Two.” She smiled, remembering all of the games Tidus had dragged Wakka out of retirement for. “Not that the Mark Two and Three aren’t impressive, but a Sphere Shot is something anyone can learn and use. Tidus changed the game for everybody.”
“He did, huh?” A thoughtful smile crept onto Jecht’s face. “There ain’t no
real
Mark Two, yanno. The whole Mark Three thing was just a crowd pull. He really made up a move and named it after me?”
“Yeah. Said he was tired of covering your butt on the Mark Three’s empty promises, so he filled that hole by himself.”
Jecht blinked and looked away, obviously overcome by some emotion despite the snark. Then his brow wrinkled. “It ain’t better than the Mark Three, is it?”
“It’s slower.” She noticed Jecht preening and smirked. “Because it takes out
three
defenders.” Jecht frowned. “He also called it the
In Your Face, Old Man
shot at first,” she added.
Jecht snorted. “Did he ever recruit any Hypellos?”
“Well, no…”
“See?
Still
the greatest!” Jecht laughed. “That’s my boy,” he said with a clear note of pride in his voice. “One day he’ll catch up.”
“You seem to be taking things pretty well,” she observed with a smile, which soon faltered. “Better than I am right now, at least.”
“I got my ways. Talkin’ to you ‘bout Tidus means he made it here, or you made it there, right? Either way, I musta figured it all out, so why worry?” He slapped her on the back. “You will too, soon as Auron an’ Braska pull their heads outta their asses.”
“Huh,” she said, slightly bolstered by his optimism.
Did Jecht grow up while I wasn’t looking?
“Jecht! Rikku!” Braska approached, staff in hand. He smiled, but only glanced at them, searching for something over their shoulders. “Have you seen Auron?”
“Nope,” Jecht answered. “Last I heard, they wanted him in the forest for somethin’. ”
Rikku also shook her head “I just got back from shopping. I was looking for you guys.”
“I see.” Some of Braska’s excitement seemed to dissipate. “It will be getting dark soon, and the villagers have asked me to light the bonfire. I suppose I cannot delay any longer, even to wait for him.”
“You gonna summon your new pet now, B?”
“Mm,” he hummed, readying his staff.
“They’re not pets,” Rikku grumbled, pulling Jecht out of Braska’s way so he could begin his dance. Braska’s staff burst into trails of flames as he spun it, and then he struck the ground. A ring of fire raced from the impact, and an ominous rumble filled the clearing. All around, villagers slowed down to watch as the summoner fell into Rapture.
“Whoa!”
The ground shook, and everyone struggled to keep their balance. With a loud crack, four large horns broke through the earth. A snarling, shaggy head followed it, and the aeon roared as it burst out, spraying rubble everywhere. Ifrit landed on his massive forearms with a grunt, snorting warm blasts of steam. Then he looked around and caught sight of Jecht and Rikku.
“Why’s it comin’ this way?” The note of awe in Jecht’s voice was tinged with wariness. “Aeons attackin’ people who summon them ain’t… a normal thing, right? Or is that your specialty now?”
Ifrit stopped before them and ducked his head, bringing one glowing eye level with Rikku’s face. He stared at her for a moment, then let out a loud whuff of hot air that blew her braids back.
“Aeh-heh-heh,” she said, trying not to make any sudden movements. She’d never really noticed before, but up close, Ifrit’s claws were
gigantic
. Just one of his fingers was nearly the length of her upper body. “I think he’s friendly. Right?”
In response, Ifrit ground his massive palm into the top of Jecht’s head.
“Ahh! Hot! Hot! Get it off!” Jecht yelled, batting the aeon away.
Rikku choked back a laugh as Ifrit released him; faint wisps of steam curled off of the ends of Jecht’s hair. “I
think
he just gave you a noogie. Maybe he likes you!”
“The ice bitch won’t gimmie the time o’ day, but the flamin’ dog… gorilla…
thing
wants me to go bald? You gotta be kiddin’,” Jecht groused, patting his head.
“It could be worse,” she told him. “He might have licked you.”
Ifrit grinned, baring rows of razor-sharp teeth. A literal tongue of flame flicked out of his mouth.
“Down boy,” Jecht said, taking a quick step backwards.
Ifrit huffed again before turning to face the bonfire. He inhaled, his massive chest expanding, slammed his forearms into the ground, and belched a stream of fire at the huge pile of wood the villagers had prepared. It exploded into flame with a bang, and all around, people cheered. Shaking his shaggy mane, Ifrit rumbled and leapt into the air. His body wavered and dispersed into pyreflies before he hit the ground.
“Nice show,” Rikku said when Braska blinked back into awareness.
He smiled, waving a hand at a few of the clapping villagers. “I aim to please.” Then he looked around again. “We should find Auron. It will be difficult to make plans once the festivities begin.” His expression brightened as he spotted the other man approaching them. “Ah, there he is.”
“My lord,” Auron said, jogging toward them. He glanced at the fire and gave Braska a curt nod. “Things went smoothly with the new aeon?”
“Ifrit was much more cooperative than the last one,” Braska answered.
“Ya missed out on bein’ a part of that thing’s pettin’ zoo,” Jecht complained. “Where were ya hidin’ anyway?”
“Yeah, you never miss Braska’s summonings!”
Well, beside Baaj. Obviously.
Auron spared her a glance, but didn’t respond.
Rikku chewed her lip.
Of course he’s still ticked off. We really messed up.
“The celebration tonight is going to be a lively one,” Auron said, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve heard the news?”
Jecht pumped his fist.
“I helped the village guards establish a perimeter and set up our lodgings for the evening. We’ll be staying at the Seaside Inn, on the lower floor. You each have your own room and I’ve stored our things there for the time being. You’ll know which room is yours by your belongings.” He paused. “Even
you
should be able to find it, Jecht. There’s only one inn in this village.”
“Figured,” Jecht answered, unruffled. “This place is a two-mosquito town. Don’t think we could get lost if we tried.” His annoyance transformed into anticipation. “So… that mean we’re free to party like there’s no tomorrow?”
A slight smile crossed Auron’s face. “Well… yes. Just don’t get drunk. We’re still leaving for Besaid in the morning.”
Jecht scoffed. “I don’t drink no more. But that don’t mean I forgot how to live it up,” he added. “Who’s with me for a dance-off?”
Braska laughed. “Hardly! I think I’ll pass.”
“I don’t dance,” Auron said with finality.
“Blondie, you’re my only hope!”
“No way,” Rikku said, warding off Jecht’s pleading look. “I just saw your moves
while
you were balancing a blitzball on your back. I’m not going up against that!” She clucked her tongue and pointed at him with a melodramatic wink. “
You’re the best
!”
“Damn.” Jecht rubbed the back of his head with a sour look. “You guys really know how to kill the mood before it even starts.”
“I’m sure you’ll find others who share your enthusiasm,” Braska said. He gestured around them; with the fire going and twilight descending, the rest of the villagers were steadily streaming in, livening up the atmosphere. “Although, I don’t think the musical entertainment will be starting until later this evening, so you may have to wait to find a partner.”
Jecht snorted and crossed his arms. “Why should I wait? We got our own walkin’ music box right here, don’t we?”
Rikku glared and mirrored his pose. “Say that again? I dare you. No, I’ll have Braska
double-gorilla-dog
dare you.”
Braska sighed. “Rikku, aeons are not meant to settle personal grievances…”
“And my belt isn’t for personal entertainment!” she shot back. “This thing is
a weapon!
I’m not gonna use it to give another concert just because Jecht wants a
dance-off!
”
“Actually...” Braska began.
Rikku’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Not you, too?” she whined.
“I admit to some
personal
curiosity,” Braska assured her. “It’s the only dressphere that I haven’t tried yet. It’s… quite the experience, each time. I’d happily assist Jecht in this matter if you were willing to loan me your grid once more.”
“Hmm.” She scratched her nose, only avoiding the instinctive jaw drop by remembering him in the Luck dressphere.
Nothing really could top
that
.
“Well, maybe this once. But don’t mess up the festival or anything. The Songstress sphere
always
makes magic when you use it. If anyone can figure out how to channel that safely, though, that’d be you,” she added with a slight pout. She reached for her belt, unclasping it, grousing about the unfairness of Braska’s latent talent with her garment grid.
Heck, he’s probably gonna go down in history as Spira’s greatest idol singer after this.
“Hnn.”
Rikku looked up at the sound, belt in hand, and saw Auron glowering. He shifted his gaze away when she caught him, but it was too late.
He’s jealous!
A part of her wanted to giggle – Auron definitely wouldn’t be quite as envious if he’d seen what
she
had – but a larger part of her felt guilty. Embarrassing moments or not, it was an experience she and Braska had shared, and one he didn’t have.
She hesitated. “You know,” she said to Auron. “You could try it out too, if you wanted.”
“I don’t think so,” Auron huffed. “I’ve no desire to
perform
for these people. It is, as you said, a
weapon
.”
“Nobody’s asking you to put on the Songstress sphere and give us a concert. Shut up, Jecht,” she added without looking.
“Fine,” Jecht grumbled, closing his mouth.
“I mean… if you wanted to test it out, though,” She eyed Auron critically. “... not that it’s gonna fit around your waist. But…” Reaching out, she grabbed his arm and wrapped the belt around it a few times.
“What are you doing?” Auron attempted a half-hearted escape, but Rikku closed the clasp around his forearm. He inhaled sharply. “This is – ”
She nodded, smiling at him. “Black magic. That’s what you’re feeling right now. If you think about casting an offensive spell, you can do it, up to a certain point. How strong it is depends on your own magic power, but it’ll still fire you up,” she winked.
“I see,” Auron said, twisting his arm around. A small, unsteady flame flickered in and out of being on his fingertips. “Interesting. This is more intuitive than I thought it would be.”
Rikku beamed.
Yes!
Operation Get Auron Happy Again is underway!
It was amazing to think that, at the beginning of the journey, he would have blasted her for using machina weaponry. Now here he was, trying one on for himself.
When you get down to it, he’s just a big weapon nerd,
she thought fondly, watching as he switched spells to coat his fingertips in a layer of ice.
“I don’t understand how you cast the final spell to defeat the sinspawn we fought on the coast,” Auron said, extinguishing the magic. He continued to study the grid, eyes narrowed. “I don’t feel that sort of power in here.”
“Oh, that,” she said, slipping into instructor-mode.
She
was the biggest weapon nerd around, after all, according to Paine. “It’s a chain reaction. You have to unlock the power by activating all of the dresspheres first. See the circuits here?” She leaned in and pointed to the pathways connecting her dresspheres.
“So, no concert then,” Jecht complained behind them, sounding bored. “Great, thanks, just checkin’...”
Auron ignored him. “I think I understand. The nodes connect to the dresspheres.” He frowned. “There’s something strange about this one, though.” The sphere he was prodding pulsed.
“Oh, that’s the…
Lenne, wait a minute
– !”
Things really
had
been going too smoothly.
A swirl of light burst under Auron’s feet, and he stepped back with a look of surprise. “What – ” he managed before the light washed over him.
“Uh,” Jecht choked. “Think you better start runnin’?”
Auron reached upward and pulled a guitar out of the air, swinging it over his hips. He examined himself, scowling in a way that would have put even Paine to shame. “I don’t think I like this.”
He was dressed from head to toe in black; his long hair was still slicked back into its ponytail, and somehow, his sunglasses had made a reappearance. That was where the similarities ended. The ripped, formfitting shirt he was wearing was blazoned with the jagged logo of another band, and thick leather straps, studded with spiked metal, were wrapped around his wrist and throat. He was wearing enough belts to give Lulu a run for her money, and his pants… well. His
pants
.
“... I thought you weren’t a fan of the Yocun Revivalists,” Braska said to Auron, faintly.
“You should wear that more often,” Rikku managed, unable to tear her eyes away from the skin-tight leather that really showed off
everything
. “Maybe I should tailor your real pants.” She swallowed and forced herself to look up.
“What is going on?” Auron demanded, flinging his arm dramatically. “I have an urge to scream. Very loudly.” He paused and looked down. “And play this guitar.”
“Uh,” Rikku said, trying to collect her scrambled thoughts. “The Songstress sphere accidentally got activated somehow.”
Accidental Auron’s ass, Lenne!
“So, uh, it puts you in a new outfit, and gives you the ability to pants…” She slapped herself. “I mean
dance
, dance, make magic with the dancing. In the pants.”
Jecht cocked his head. “Do those even count as pants?”
“Just tell me how to stop it,” Auron demanded, stepping forward with one steel-toed boot. A chime sounded.
“Too late,” Rikku squeaked.
“Augh!” Auron yelled, rather melodically.
“Well, you do have better pitch than the Revivalists,” Braska told Auron with a twinkle in his eye. “Maybe you should see this through?”
“How exactly am I supposed to
see this through
?” Auron bit out, stomping his foot. Another chime sounded and a runic pattern flickered to life under his feet. It was beginning to draw the attention of the bystanders, who were forming a ring around them.
“Is he a rock star?” a young girl asked, her eyes lighting up as her gaze lingered on Auron’s pants.
Rikku shoved herself in front of the girl –
Dona
,
of course
, she thought with a scowl – and flapped her hands at Auron. “Just do something! You can’t keep standing and pooling the magic or there’ll probably be a backlash!”
“Do what?” Auron growled. “
I don’t dance!
”
“Well if you’re not gonna dance, then you’re gonna have to sing.” She eyed the irregularly glowing pattern with increasing worry. She’d never tried building up the Songstress sphere’s power before, but she couldn’t imagine anything good coming out of it. Nor anything good coming out of Auron transforming into Lenne in the middle of a large crowd. “Just… try playing that guitar and sing your feelings!”
Slowly, and with a epic glower that put all of his previous facial expressions to shame, Auron began to pluck a few chords on the guitar. Rikku breathed a sigh of relief as the pattern he was standing on stabilized, then had another moment of panic. Songs
always
made magic. She reached for the Godhand, remembering too late she’d left it with Auron.
Sidling closer to Braska, she leaned in. “Hey, maybe you should be ready to summon something. Y’know. Just in case.”
Braska started in surprise, but refocused his attention on Auron as the music grew in volume.
Auron was glaring at them, fingers clenched around the neck of his guitar. He opened his mouth, but instead of angry words, he started singing. “
Love me forever, or not at all. End of our tether, backs to the wall!
” Braska was right; Auron did have pretty good pitch, even if it sounded like he was dragging his voice over rough sandpaper.
...but he’s not half bad. Actually, he sounds pretty good
, she revised. Although he’d probably sound
better
if the words weren’t so furious.
He strummed his guitar, eyes boring into Rikku. “
Give me your hand, don't you ever ask why. Promise me nothing, live 'till we
die
!
” He broke eye contact, looking down and stomping his foot. The magic exploded, harsh and angry, breaking in shockwaves over the crowd and making people stumble. An angry Auron was powerful, no matter what weapon he was using.
“
Everything changes, it all stays the same! Everyone guilty, no one to blame!
” His face contorted as he sang. “
Every way out brings you back to the start. Everyone dies to break somebody's heart!
”
His fingers flew over the strings of his guitar, freezing the crowd in place. The chords were fierce and loud, and people began to sway uneasily. Rikku still wasn’t sure what spell he was casting, but it didn’t feel
good
.
“
One of another, laugh ‘til you cry,
” Auron continued, his voice harsh. “
Faith unto death, or a knife in your eye!
”
His frenzied guitar riff reflected the internal rage and turmoil he’d pumped into his song. “
You know love’s a thief, steal your heart in the night. Slip through your fingers, best hold on tight!
”
Rikku swallowed as she finally understood
she
was to blame for his spell.
This is what I did to him
, she realized as the clearing grew murky in an unnatural darkness. Even the light of the huge bonfire seemed to dim. He was making his guitar wail in a way that his voice never would, spreading his turmoil to everyone listening.
She looked at Jecht, who was kneeling and staring at the ground with a hard look in his eye, far away from the present. At her side, Braska fared no better, his eyes closed as sweat beaded across his brow.
Stop
, she thought, but the weight of the song made her legs want to fold under her and she couldn’t gather the energy to raise her voice. It almost felt like gravity magic, but it tugged at her
soul
instead of her body.
As Auron continued to sing, Rikku felt the magic taking hold of his anger and lashing out like hammers bludgeoning the crowd. She forced herself to look at him, meeting his gaze and seeing the frustration and despair obvious on his face. But he sang one final line at her, filled with something more than fury. “
Oh, my love’s heart, come back to me!
”
His hands stopped moving, allowing the reverberation to die out into the now-silent night. The unnatural darkness lifted, and people began to shift and look around in confusion.
Rikku’s mind cleared when the last notes ended; she heard Braska chanting, sending a powerful wave of Esuna magic into the crowd. Ignoring them, she rushed to Auron’s side and deactivated the grid.
A soft breeze passed over her as the swirl of light surrounded Auron, releasing him from the dressphere.
Jecht came to his feet, shaking his head. “Well, that love song made me feel like shit. Great job, Auron.”
“I’m not sure what it did or if I countered it effectively,” Braska told them, looking at the subdued crowd that was beginning to disperse. Many were making their way back towards the village; the joy and life seemed to have been sucked out of the air itself. The faces that passed them were angry, worried, and upset. One woman even slapped her partner.
Rikku winced; her head felt like it was stuffed with cotton and her temper was frayed. Pushing down her growing feeling of guilt, she turned on Auron. “Look at what you did to these people!” she hissed. “They came here for a party, not to get their souls crushed! We need to fix this!”
Auron was unwrapping the belt from his forearm with a look of disgust. “Never again,” he muttered. “I regret even
asking
about it.” He shoved it back into Rikku’s hands, the look on his face a mixture of humiliation and building anger. “You wanted to know my
feelings
? Now
everyone
does!”
Rikku drew back, hurt. “I didn’t mean to – ”
Auron cut her off. “This was just one more mistake in a countless string of them!” He palmed his face, exhaling loudly. When he next spoke, his words came out calm and flat. “No. This wasn’t your fault, it was mine. But it
is
a sign of how incompatible we really are.”
No. No, no, no,
no
!
I’m not letting it end like this!
“We aren’t incompatible! So maybe this was a bad idea, but ending
us
? That’s just the magic talking!” She lifted her hand, thinking to catch Auron, who had turned away from her. The belt still dangled from her fingertips, and a sudden flash of fury overwhelmed her.
It’s all because of this thing
–
!
Jecht caught her arm on the downswing, snatching the garment grid away before she could smash it into the ground.
“You ain’t thinkin’ right,” he told her. Then he scampered onto the stage.
“What is he – “ Auron began.
Rikku groaned, not wanting to watch the inevitable disaster.
Jecht raised his voice, addressing the rest of them. “So, that sucked, but this is
still
the greatest idea ever!” he yelled, snapping the garment grid in place around his wrist. The crowd milled about the stage restlessly, still plagued by an almost tangible cloud of depression and irritation. “It’s
my
turn now!”
Braska made an abortive noise of dismay as Jecht activated one of the nodes on the dressphere and was surrounded by light.
When it faded, Rikku peeked through her fingers. “...Jecht?”
His overalls had lengthened into pants, though he was still shirtless. Even the patterns on his clothing remained the same, though now his trousers were of the same orange dye as his former sash, and his arm guard was completely missing. “Huh. Don’t feel too different,” Jecht mused. Then he looked down at her with a wide grin. “Yeah?”
“Which dressphere is that?” Braska asked, also confused. “You do not look much…
changed
. Did you activate your own sphere?”
A rotating pattern lit up underneath Jecht’s feet as he laughed. “Now why would I do that? I’m tellin’ ya, you don’t see a difference ‘cause I
already am
a superstar!” Jecht reached and pulled down the microphone that materialized over his head.
“Yevon help us,” Auron muttered, turning as if he was going to bolt.
Rikku clamped down on his arm. “Nope, you said we’re a
team
. That means we face things together,” she grit out.
Auron shook her hand off. “You’re the one who wanted your space earlier.” It was too late for him to escape, though; magical notes had already started chiming.
Jecht continued to build the music, deftly moving across the stage. “That’s the problem with all you people. Always caught up in your own love lives, singin’ out your boo hoos to each other. You gotta look at the bigger picture!” He stomped, freezing everyone in place with two strong chords and capturing the attention of the depressed villagers.
“
This ain’t a song for the broken-hearted!
” he belted out. “
No silent prayer for the faith-departed!
” His loud words arrested the drifting crowd. Even Rikku felt the pull of magic, giving Jecht her full attention.
“
I ain’t gonna be just a face in the crowd! You’re gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud!
” He stomped again and the music
exploded
, a driving beat urging them to do
something
. Rikku twitched.
“
It’s my life! It’s now or never! I ain’t gonna live forever!
”
Rikku opened her mouth to ask what Jecht was doing, but instead, song burst forth. “
It’s my life!
” She noticed she wasn’t the only one; a few others in the crowd sang with her as they swayed.
Jecht continued to dance, grinning. She noted with some distraction that he was still better than most people at it; maybe having practiced on his own helped? Then she noticed that
she
was copying his moves. And as much as she wanted to yell at him for making
dance magic
, she couldn’t help the snicker that welled up as he bounced around their makeshift stage. “
I just wanna live while I’m alive!
”
“
This is for the ones who stood their ground,
” Jecht sang to his warming audience. “
For Auron and Rikku, who never backed down!
” Rikku spun around with a laugh, coming to an abrupt stop when she realized she was face-to-face with Auron.
“
Tomorrow’s getting harder, make no mistake. Luck ain’t even lucky, you gotta make your own breaks…
” Jecht twirled his hand at them.
Auron directed a look of utter frustration towards Jecht. He opened his mouth, likely on a reprimand, but instead sang, “
It’s my life! And it’s now or never!
”
Jecht nodded and continued to belt his refrain, working the now-eager crowd into a fervor. Rikku focused her attention on Auron, no longer fighting the magic that spurred her into a loose dance.
“
We ain’t gonna live forever
,” she hummed to her unwilling partner. She trapped Auron’s waist in her arms, swaying with him. “
Don’t you want to live while you’re alive?
”
Auron gave her a measured look, but sang along with her – and the rest of Kilika, thanks to Jecht’s spell. “
It’s my life
,” he grumbled.
“
My heart is like an open highway –
” Rikku grinned.
“
Like Braska said –
”
“
I did it
my
way,
” Rikku finished for him. At least he was still dancing, though not even Jecht’s spell could make them stop arguing. “
I just want to live while I’m alive
,” she sang.
“
‘Cause it’s my life!
” Jecht roared. He’d somehow managed to transform his mic into a guitar which he was playing for the cheering crowd, and the air of celebration returned with a vengeance.
Jecht was still singing, but the magic he’d poured into trapping them was beginning to fade, freeing their feet. Auron’s swaying motion slowed down, and Rikku reluctantly stilled as well. His hands reached for hers, tugging her away from the center of the festivities and towards the edge of the crowd.
“I don’t know how much more of this I can take,” Auron told her, though he didn’t seem as upset as before. Rikku wondered if it was the lingering effect of magic lightening his mood, or if he really had managed to let go of some of the inner turmoil he’d let them glimpse.
“I can’t believe he did that,” she snorted, gasping for breath when they stopped near the trees. The music faded to a pulsing beat in the background, and she turned to face Auron with a grin. “Are you okay?”
“Would you believe me if I said I was fine?” Auron asked. He choked out a rough laugh, then dropped his head. “Look at the difference between what I wrought and what Jecht has done.”
Rikku’s smile faded. “Jecht was just trying to do some damage control. You were telling me how you really felt, though.” She looked at the hand he was still holding. “Am I really like a knife to your eye?”
Auron sighed. “My feelings were in
all
of it. I still love you enough to hate feeling this way.” He shook his head. “And now I’ve made you and many innocent people suffer.”
Rikku thought about his song. Yes, it had been angry, but he had ended it with a plea. She was tiptoeing around Auron, waiting to see when, or even
if
, his simmering anger would ever disperse. Maybe he wasn’t just angry, though; maybe he was waiting for
her
to do something, too.
She clutched his fingers like a lifeline. “It doesn’t have to be like this, you know,” she said. Then she darted in, not bothering to ask for permission. Her lips crashed into his before he could pull away, and she held him in place.
He stiffened, but slowly unwound as she persisted, refusing to give up. Finally, his arms came around her and he tilted his head, responding to her touch. It didn’t have the magnetic pull of the kisses they’d shared before; it was filled with an emotion much more raw and desperate.
Rikku drew away first, looking up into Auron’s grim face. She reached over and tried to smooth the furrows from his forehead. “I’m here,” she whispered to him. “I’m alive, and I’m not going to leave you.”
Auron cupped her face. “I was lost without you here.” He bent down and kissed her again, properly;
the way we should have on the Winno
. Some part of her that had been curled up in a wounded ball relaxed.
Auron’s right
. He drew her closer, deepening the kiss. Words would never be enough between them; it was his lips and his crushing embrace that told her how he felt; how much of his desperate anger had masked his fear.
So she did her best to reassure him, stroking her fingers across his scalp and letting him hold onto her. They separated after a few moments, breathing heavily. Rikku couldn’t help smiling at him. “Even if you messed up, I
really
liked those pants.”
Auron groaned. “At least one of us did, then.” He pulled her closer and rested his chin on her head, and Rikku tucked herself against him. In the village, a cheer rose up as a new song started.
Another grin spread across her face as she looked up. “Is that his third one in a row? Looks like Jecht is going wild,” she noted.
“Let him,” Auron replied, tightening his arms and brushing his lips against her cheek. “It’s a time of celebration that we all need after that ordeal.”
She grinned as strains of the music spilled over them. “Hey, this one sounds different. Kinda makes me wanna dance!” She swayed in Auron’s arms, waggling her eyebrows.
Auron huffed a quiet laugh at her. “This is a celebration.
Our
celebration. Now don’t spoil it by talking about
Jecht
.” He leaned forward and recaptured her lips, and Rikku melted in his arms.
.x.x.x.
“
Ah, we’re drinking and we’re dancing, and the band is really happening…
”
Near the village fire, Jecht was having his dance-off, trading moves with a Kilikan woman to the beat of the music. He wasn’t, however, singing; Braska smiled in satisfaction and lifted the mic to his lips to continue.
“
And it’s partner found, it’s partner lost, and it’s hell to pay when the fiddler stops...
”
He
was
better than Rikku with the dressphere, his feet moving gracefully over the pattern as he sang. “
Ah, we’re lonely, we’re romantic –
“
The strange feminine presence inside of the sphere harmonized with him, giving the spell more power – another summoner’s soul, he sensed, her time long past. She was basking in the freedom he was weaving for her into the magic, a host vessel capable of properly broadcasting her own considerable powers. “
And the summer night is fragrant with a mighty expectation of relief...
”
He continued the song, wondering at the sense of familiarity the other presence gave off. No, not familiarity;
recognition
. As if the presence in the sphere knew something about
him
.
But how would that be possible?
Chiding himself for the brief flight of fancy, he pushed the strange thought away and focused on his dance. As his eyes cast over the crowd, he saw Auron and Rikku, outlined by firelight against the trees on the edge of the jungle. “
... And I swear it happened just like this…
”
People whirled around him, hypnotized. They were pictures of joy and vitality, shedding the burdens of their sorrows for a single night with the help of his magic. Their happiness was infectious, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the couple that had drawn away from the dance.
“
A sigh, a cry, a hungry kiss…
” Braska watched as Auron leaned down and kissed Rikku, who responded in kind. A pained smile passed over his face as his feet moved along the pattern, keeping the music flowing. So they’d taken Jecht’s advice to heart and were allowing themselves to move on. “
The Gates of Love, they budged an inch...
”
Sing your feelings
, Rikku had told Auron. “
... I can’t say much has happened since,
” he sang, realizing that he, too, was broadcasting his own feelings. “
And I missed you since the place got wrecked…
”
The sphere unlocked the truth from one’s soul and freed it, influencing the will and desires of all who heard the heart’s song. “
... I just don’t care what happens next. Looks like freedom but it feels like death...
” Braska tore his eyes away from the couple.
Sing your feelings
, she’d said. “
... it’s something in between, I guess… it’s closing time.
”
.x.x.x.
When their next kiss finally ended, Rikku felt lightheaded.
“So… does this mean we’re okay again?” she breathed, trying to find her balance.
“Yes,” Auron replied unsteadily, and she was glad to see that he just as flushed and shaken as she was, for once. “More than that,” he added lowly, taking her by the hand and leading her back towards the festival.
It looked like the Songstress dressphere was finally being retired for the night, but the villagers had stepped up, providing their own music. The tunes were much more primitive – powered only by the collection of drums being played by hand and one woman piping on a set of reed flutes – but that didn’t stop the eager dancers from whirling around the bonfire, shouting and yelling in a celebration of life.
“Are we gonna join the party?” Rikku called out to Auron in confusion. He’d turned her into jelly, and now he expected her legs to work? “I don’t know if I’m ready for that after being kissed into a pile of goo. Besides, I thought you don’t dance!”
Auron stopped and squeezed her hand. “Both of us are ready to dance.” Turning, he pulled her through the crowd. She tripped along behind him, trying to keep up with his long strides.
Confusion blossomed into slow comprehension as he forced their way out of the clearing and towards the village. Soon, the sounds of the party were left behind, nothing more than a low murmur competing with the gentle slap of water hitting the docks. Their surroundings were dark and empty; the night was still young and celebrating the victory of the Kilika Beasts was a community event. He slowed as they approached the simple hut that was designated as an inn for visitors, drawing her inside.
“But – ” Rikku protested as he pulled her into one of the rooms and shut the curtain that doubled as a door. Moonlight spilled in from the window, illuminating the lone futon spread across the floor. She eyed the thatch shutters that Auron hadn’t bothered to close, letting the distant sounds of the festivities carry into the room. “This isn’t exactly private! And what about the others – ?”
“I rented three rooms,” Auron said, facing her. “This one is ours.”
She blinked, then looked down as his arms circled her waist. “Three – “ Understanding dawned, and she scowled. “You
planned
this, didn’t you? You big meanie! Holding back your kisses all day long, and now this?”
“And what if I did?” he asked. His face was hidden by the long shadows of the night, but she could still see the traces of amusement lining his eyes. “I was only returning your favor. You made me
suffer
, Rikku.” The humor leaked out of his voice, and his arms tightened around her. “More than you know.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, the words bubbling up unbidden. It was a strange day, and turning into an even stranger evening – Auron was hardly being subtle, and his sudden swing from angered distance to desperate longing filled her both with anticipation and dismay. He was supposed to be their rock.
I did this to him
, she thought again, guilt gnawing at her conscience.
And not just what I did with Braska, either. I taught him to care this much and then disappeared somewhere he couldn’t follow.
She clasped her hands behind his neck, drew him in, and felt him shudder when he buried his face against her neck. “I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
“Very few people ever mean to die,” Auron answered, relaxing his near-bruising grip and straightening. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t in the foreseeable future.”
She lay her head into his chest. “I worried about you, too,” she admitted. “I’m going to teach you to swim in Besaid. And no, you don’t have a say in this,” she added when he looked affronted. “I dreamt you’d drowned. That Sin ate you. That Jecht tried to reach you and couldn’t make it in time. I dreamt you died a thousand different ways and I couldn’t stop it. I
hated
it.”
Auron held her for a moment longer, soothing her with the steady rhythm of his breath. Then he pushed her back gently.
“Tonight is a celebration of life,” he said, reaching for her head. He unwound her bandana, letting her hair hang free over her shoulders in a tangle of beads and braids. He straightened the messy locks with his fingers, but his eyes never left her face. “Will you join me?”
Rikku’s fingers twitched. She felt heat rising in her cheeks, but ignored it and instead focused on undoing the buckles of his belt. It clattered to the floor, and she pushed the red overcoat off his shoulders. That, too, dropped to the floor with a whisper, leaving him in his pants and armored chest plate.
He leaned down and pressed a tentative, questioning kiss against her lips. “It’s not like you to be so quiet,” he murmured.
“Words get in the way sometimes,” she answered thinking back on their time together. Her fingers unbuckled the clasps of his armor.
Whenever we talk, we mess things up. But he can’t misunderstand this, right?
She tugged at his chestplate, and he backed away to help her remove it and then stripped off his grey linen undershirt.
Rikku inhaled sharply. She’d known Auron was strong; it was obvious, given the size of the sword he carried around and the definition in his arms. But this…
He bent in the moonlight, removing his boots, and her eyes were glued to the ripple of back muscles the simple motion highlighted. When he straightened again, she was drawn to the chiselled planes of his chest.
Wow
. Then her gaze dropped. She swallowed, reaching out with trembling fingers, then paused.
Auron caught her movement, eyebrow lifting. “You are allowed to touch me,” he told her with a hint of amusement.
She crooned in satisfaction, then ran her hands down his abdomen. “Covering these up is a crime against nature,” she drooled.
Auron laughed, and Rikku tracked the mesmerizing shift of his torso as he did.
“So you think I should walk around baring myself as you usually do?”
Yes, please!
was her immediate thought before the image played out in her brain. “...Probably not,” she admitted, tracing the dip between the muscles from his chest to his navel. For once she was thankful for the sweltering heat in Kilika; thin beads of sweat dotted his bare skin. “You’d attract too much attention.” She traced the defined line down his hip and he jerked. “Ticklish?” she mused.
Auron swore and leaned down, catching her in an unexpected kiss. The easy, flirtatious atmosphere melded into focused intensity in an instant. For all his light humor, Rikku could feel the tension coiling underneath his skin.
He, too, had missed her, she realized, as his hands rose to hold her head steady. The hunger that had sprouted in Luca had festered into something darker when he thought she might be dead.
And then he found me again, and I threw what I did with Braska right in his face.
She faltered, surprised that Auron still wanted to be with her at all.
Maybe… we shouldn’t be doing this yet? Is it really the right time?
Perhaps sensing her hesitation, Auron growled. “I do not care,” he said, the heated words washing across her collarbone. “Whatever you are thinking, I
do not care
. I don’t want to keep myself from knowing you any longer, whether you hurt me again or not.”
That stung, spurring Rikku to silence him with a kiss. “I won’t hurt you,” she said, fumbling with her battered bikini bottom until it joined his clothes on the floor.
He hiked up the edge of her shirt, his hand a burning warmth as he pushed it over her thigh. When he paused, she whined in protest. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” He continued lifting her shirt off. “I’m willing to be hurt if it means I can have you.” He pulled the cloth over her head and dropped it aside, then guided her to the floor.
Rikku shut her eyes and pressed against him, searching for relief to the growing heat under her skin. Auron’s fingers caught against her top, untying the string. When he pulled it away, she felt him lean back to observe her, just as she had done to him.
Her eyes flew open and she watched him watching her. His brows furrowed, gaze darting back and forth over her; he was giving her the same considering look he used when appraising an opponent. She shivered at the intensity, but still managed to inject a smug note into her voice as she spoke. “You know, you’re allowed to touch me, too.
Even
if you think they’re small.”
“You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?” He fell forward, trapping her head between his hands and kissing her hungrily, a man starved for touch. She wrapped her legs around his waist and breathed out a moan as his fingers trailed down her sides.
This is happening
.
This is really happening!
Reaching for the tie of his ponytail, she yanked it out. His long black hair spilled over their shoulders like a silken waterfall.
Maybe there’s something to combing your hair after all
, Rikku thought, running her hands through the smooth, tangle-free lengths. She curled her fingers into Auron’s scalp and tugged.
He let out a low groan and in answer, another woman moaned with him –
They both froze, and then she realized the groans weren’t coming from
him
.
Auron murmured something under his breath, and it didn’t sound complimentary. Turning her head towards the open window, she squinted.
The moans grew louder –
definitely
not either of them. In fact, they seemed to be coming from another room in the same inn.
“Uh! Celes!” a man cried out.
Rikku thumped her head against the futon as Auron collapsed next to her with a pained grunt.
“You wanna keep going?” she whispered, then winced as another strangled cry sounded. Whoever the two lovers were, they weren’t shy about letting the world know they were going at it.
Save some action for us! You’re killing the mood over here!
Auron rolled onto his back and covered his eyes. The scowl forming on the lower half of his face hinted at his desire to unleash an overdrive.
Rikku could commiserate.
Shrugging, she sat up and kicked off her boots. Then she leaned her chin on her palm, sulking and listening to the sounds of their amorous neighbors.
Eventually, Auron sat up beside her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and moodily rested his chin against her shoulder. Another loud cry split the air and Rikku smirked.
“He must be good,” she whispered.
Auron opened his mouth to reply, but a sudden shout, followed by a long moment of silence, made him pause. His eyebrows rose, and he turned to Rikku, his mouth close to her ear. “You think they’re done?”
A giggle sounded. “Again? Already? Oh!
Oh, Locke
– ”
Rikku sighed. “We should’ve just dance-danced,” she answered under her breath.
Still, despite the distracting noise, she felt Auron nuzzle her. “Mmm,” she hummed as he brushed his lips over a particularly sensitive spot on her neck. “What’re you doing?”
Auron didn’t answer, too busy tracing a path up her chin and towards her own lips. He drew away before kissing her, but she hardly noticed, distracted as she was by his wandering hands. “I thought you didn’t want to – ”
“What did he do to you?”
Rikku’s stomach dropped out and she shivered at the low, angry note coloring Auron’s voice. There it was: his jealousy.
“Did he touch you here?” he murmured against her ear.
She shook her head, breathing shallowly. “Why are you asking me this now?”
Auron’s mouth drifted down her neck, suckling the sensitive skin. “And here?”
Her eyes fell shut and she tilted her head back. His lips were warm and insistent, but he pulled away even as she leaned forward, forcing her hands down to her sides.
“Answer me,” he demanded, his breath hot against her skin.
Opening her eyes, Rikku looked out the window. The two lovers continued to provide the backdrop to Auron’s bittersweet interrogation.
“Yes,” she sighed, conflicted by the mixture of arousal and guilt threatening to overwhelm her.
Auron stiffened, but his fingers continued to trail down her sides, stopping at her hips. He traced the edges of their curves, then forged a path to her outer thighs. “Where?” he asked again.
Is this the right thing to do?
Rikku wondered, even as he raised goosebumps with his touch. She’d lied so much to him already… could she do it again,
now
, to spare him? Did he even
want
to be spared?
No.
She was done making the same mistakes. He deserved her honesty, no matter how much it would hurt them both.
“Not there,” she answered, moving her hand over his. She guided his fingers along the backs of her thighs with the whisper of a memory. “Here,” she added, releasing him.
Auron’s mouth silenced her, his kiss hot and angry. There was no hint of mercy or tenderness in the action, just raw fury. Or anguish, maybe, at her words. He drew back after a moment, panting. “Did he kiss you as I have?”
Rikku couldn’t meet his gaze, so she closed her eyes instead. “Answer
my
question,” she demanded. “Why are you asking?”
He dropped his head against her chest, his breathing rough and pained. “I can’t stand it. The thought of someone else claiming your body.” His fingers gripped and released her thighs. “I want to burn away everything he did to you.”
Somewhere above them, Celes was singing another aria. Auron had dedicated a song to Rikku too, one that had shown the depths of the turmoil that still boiled below the surface of his outward calm.
“Okay,” she breathed. “Okay,” she repeated, meeting his kiss with one of her own. “Ask, and I’ll show you.”
He pushed her down against the futon, and Rikku allowed him to test her, adding her own soft gasps and sighs to the chorus. Her voice rose and fell with each discovery of her indiscretion; it felt like Auron was hunting for and exposing her deepest secrets. True to his nature, he was focused, methodical and relentless in his exploration. It was thrilling; her nerves were on fire, and her body was thrumming with excitement. Gasping, Rikku’s eyes flew open.
So why do I feel so terrible?
Auron’s movements slowed as her words died out. He dropped his forehead against her hip. “Is there anything else?” he asked, his voice strained.
Rikku gulped in a ragged breath and shook her head. “No… no, there’s… nothing else to confess.”
Something in the way her words caught in her throat made him lift his head and look at her. Climbing to her side, he brushed a tear away from the corner of her eye. “I’ve hurt you.”
“I hurt you first,” she replied.
He flopped onto his back, the tension draining out of him. “We really are cactuars,” he muttered with a hint of wry humor. “This is not at all how I envisioned tonight’s activities.”
She rolled into his shoulder, defeated. “I thought this would make me happy, being able to finally be with you like this.”
I said it to Braska, didn’t I? Maybe I’m too stupid to take my own advice.
“But, I can’t just kiss away our problems.” She squeezed her eyes shut.
I’ve figured out that much, at least.
His laugh surprised her.
“You think it’s funny?”
“Not that,” he said, tracing a gentle finger over her shoulder. “It’s just that you’re the least
Al Bhed
Al Bhed I’ve ever met.”
After everything that had happened, somehow, the contradiction warmed her. "Oh, like you're a shining example of the warrior monks, huh?" She poked him in the ribs. "But, maybe that makes us perfect for each other.” Sobering, she glanced over at Auron, thinking about their thorny relationship.
The Church of Yevon made a production of being scandalized by the Al Bhed’s supposedly promiscuous behavior, and in response the Al Bhed embraced that philosophy without shame. On the other hand, for all of their professed piety, Rikku had never met any warrior monk as straight-laced and honor-bound as Auron. If fact, it was usually the Church’s own ranks who were the first to ignore the teachings. She winced, reminded once again of her disastrous stay in Baaj, and pushed the thought away.
“We're both hurting because we want the same thing – just to be with each other. I don’t want to do what other people think I should, and I think... neither do you, right?”
He met her gaze. “I want to trust you.”
She drifted closer. “I didn’t sleep with Braska.”
Please, please believe me.
Maybe this was the real punishment for the myriad of lies she’d fabricated since crash-landing into Auron’s life; he just couldn’t accept the truth when she told it to him. “I couldn’t do it because he wasn’t you. Even if you don’t want me anymore, I won’t run to Braska. I can’t be with anyone else. It has to be
you
.”
Auron pulled her close and kissed her; it wasn’t the hungry, desperate kisses he’d assaulted her with before. There was something almost delicate in the way he touched her now, every movement an apology. “You’re shaking,” he whispered.
“I can’t lose you,” she whispered back, trying to hold herself still. “I know it’s childish and there are things going on that are bigger than you and me, but I can’t help it. I don’t know what I’d do if my stupid lies forced you away.”
He brushed his calloused thumb under the sensitive skin of her ear, drawing tiny circles that soothed away her tremors. “I shouldn’t have let my frustration and assumptions cloud my judgement.” He searched her face. “I know who you really are.”
Rikku’s breath caught in her throat. “What do you mean?”
He caught a stray lock of her hair between his fingers, his eyes still trained on hers. “You’re my love. And I am still yours.” He lowered his head, breathing in her choked sob. “I won’t forget it again,” he added, before sealing his mouth over hers.
The gentle apology gradually heated, and his hands resumed their exploration of her body. This time, his touch wasn’t an interrogation, and the renewed tension that sparked between them was no longer filled with anger.
She tore her mouth away from him, sucking in a ragged breath. “So then we’re lovers? You’re all talk,” she said, giddy with relief. “If you mean it, then you better back up those words right now.”
Auron slowed her frenetic caresses. “Relax,” he told her, gently. “There’s no need to rush.” His voice grew husky. “I won’t let you escape tonight.”
Some of her panicked desperation to nail down Auron’s forgiveness lessened with his reassurance, and she stopped trying to plaster herself against him like an overly-affectionate Coeurl.
“Your presence in my life is a gift,” he continued. “I’m not sure how I earned it, nor how long I’ll manage to keep it. But, if this ordeal has taught me anything, it’s that you’re here now, and I’d be a fool to reject that gift. So I intend to return it.” His lips grazed hers. “I am yours. But will you accept me?”
Embracing him, Rikku drank in his presence. She wondered why he couldn’t see what she did:
perfection
, from his sculpted warrior’s physique to his sharp mind. Most of all she wondered at his capacity to be loyal no matter what he was put through, expecting nothing in return. Almost as though he was
afraid
to demand more from the few people he cared for.
Was it just me who did this to you?
The thought was fleeting, but the answer didn’t matter. Her heart ached, that
she
had hurt him enough that he thought it necessary to even ask – but the answer was something she was more sure of than ever before. “Only you,” she replied, drawing him into a kiss.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku woke to the muted grey light of dawn. She blinked and stretched, wincing at the soreness. Memories of the previous evening trickled into place, and the wince turned into a warm blush and soft smile.
Turning, she looked at Auron, sleeping on his stomach next to her. His near-permanent scowl had smoothed out, gentling his features. His hair was unbound, fanned over his back and a bit more tangled than she'd remembered it being last night – mostly my fault, she giggled. His breath was steady and deep; it was probably the first good rest he'd managed to get in days.
Lifting the arm that was slung over her torso, she eased herself out of Auron's grip. He turned his head and snored loudly, fingers flexing, before his breathing evened out again.
Hmm… he really is kinda cute. She resisted the urge to push some of his hair away from his face and instead wrapped her arms around her knees and watched him.
Is this going to change things? Rikku frowned. Things had already started changing the moment they left Djose. I won't let it. You're stuck with me for good now.
Auron slept on, unaware of her vow. Smiling, she bent over and reached for her clothes. Hesitating, she picked up the borrowed shirt she'd been wearing as a dress and wrinkled her nose. Taking one last glance at him, she reached for her pouch and dug out her supplies. Time for a new look.
.x.x.x.
The caws of seagulls mingled with the noise of the slowly waking village; Kilika was late on its feet, likely thanks to the previous night's wild celebrating. When Auron stirred to life, his face scrunched in confusion at the bright sunlight spilling into their room.
"Hnn… Rikku?" She hummed in greeting. "Why didn't you wake me?"
"You looked tired," she answered, her focus still centered on the scrap of cloth she was sewing. "Just a sec, I'm almost done with this." Pulling the thread taut, she bit it off with her teeth. Then she shook the cloth out and held it up with a triumphant smile. "What do you think?"
He rubbed his eyes. "It's… colorful. What is that?"
"My new sash!" She stood and turned, wrapping the rectangle of cloth around her waist to dangle over her left hip. It reached just above her knee in the same half-skirt style she'd fashioned on Yuna's costume. She took up her needle to put the finishing touches on her outfit.
Auron blinked again, then ran a hand through his hair. "I'd say it's too early for surprises, but it's you. What are you wearing now?"
Rikku straightened. "You don't recognize it? This is my dress!" She tugged the form-fitting top she'd made out of it. This time, the material ended an appropriate distance above her navel. "I didn't have enough fabric left to make a full skirt, so I just mixed it up with my old one and made a pair of shorts instead."
Auron said nothing, watching her.
"They're a little tight, but I've sewn my own clothes before," she admitted. "I'm pretty sure they'll hold together. Still, I guess I should test them." Sliding her legs out into her battle lunge, she bounced back and forth. The seams felt like they were holding, but it was better safe than sorry. After all, there was nothing quite like the experience of having to fight fiends pantless, or so Wakka had once told her. Rikku dropped into a series of squats and stretches, testing the limits of her new booty shorts. "Yeah, I think these are good," she concluded, dusting her clothes off.
A low noise emerged from Auron's throat. "Get over here."
Catching the look in his eye, she blushed, automatically moving back toward the futon. She glanced out the window. "I thought you said it was late!"
He pulled her down with a predatory gleam. "Then no one will mind if we're a little later."
"I like the way you think." She smirked. Then she yelped and slapped his hands. "Wait! These are brand new! Don't rip them off like that! Hey! Hey!"
.x.x.x.
"You think they're having breakfast somewhere?" Rikku asked Auron, later. They strolled through the village, observing the cleanup and recovery from the festival.
Auron glanced at the sun shining overhead. "Lunch, more likely."
She grinned. It was nice to take a day off like this; Auron was usually the one whipping them along at a breakneck pace. He seemed content to meander at the moment, though, and she wasn't complaining. Still… "How are we gonna explain this to the others?"
He shrugged. "Do we need to? Let them think what they will."
"You don't get embarrassed easily, do you?" she muttered, shoving her shoulder against his.
He looked down at her. "I'm not ashamed of us." His words were earnest despite his relaxed behavior. "Although there is only so much of Jecht's humor I can endure. But that has nothing to do with you."
"Cut him a little slack today," she said, spotting a bobbing blitzball in the middle of a small gathering. "Without Jecht's big mouth we might not even be together right now." She pulled him towards her goal.
He grunted in acceptance. "Just for today."
As expected, Jecht was performing his tricks again with a new blitzball. He stopped and smiled when he saw them, catching the ball under one arm. "Well, well, well! If it ain't Blondie and Tightass!"
Auron reached for his sword and Rikku leapt for his elbow, dragging it back down. "You said you'd be good!"
"Good morning to you too, Jackass," Auron muttered.
"Just callin' it like I saw it yesterday." Jecht smirked. "And it ain't mornin' no more, ya know." Waving off his admirers, he tossed away the blitzball – now signed – to one of the onlookers. "You missed an awesome party last night! Or did ya? Eh? Ehh? You lovebirds too busy havin' a little party of your own?"
Rikku was surprised that his eyebrows hadn't fallen off yet, given the way he was waggling them at Auron. She stepped forward, crooking her finger. "Oh Jecht..."
He approached. "What's – "
Jumping, she tackled him, trapping his head under her arm.
Windmilling his arms, he tried to free himself. " 'ey! Auron! Get her off!"
"Why?" Auron replied lazily. "Rikku, adjust your elbow to your left. Chokeholds are more effective if you cut off their air supply quickly."
She ignored Auron and pounded Jecht's back with her fist. "You're an idiot!" Then she relented and gave him an honest hug. "But, thank you for what you did last night."
Jecht returned her squeeze before pushing her off. "Watchin' you two was givin' me hives," he grumbled. "So… you both okay now? No more drama?"
"I don't think we can guarantee that. But yeah…" She put her hands on her hips and grinned at Auron, who returned her smile. "We're better than okay."
Jecht's whistle cut through the air. "Damn! You made him smile! You guys musta had more fun than I thought!"
"Jecht!" she scolded at the same time Auron said, "Yes."
"Uh… huh," Jecht said, his eyes darting between them. "This is gonna get gross if I press, ain't it."
"Try me," Auron answered, smug. "I'm in a good mood."
She rolled her eyes. "Where's Braska? Who has my belt? Don't we have a ship to catch? And why am I being the responsible one right now?" She stomped in protest.
"B's got your stuff, Blondie. He's at the docks, tryin' to get us a ship I think. Since, ya know, some people missed our mornin' ride outta here."
"Braska's…" Rikku repeated.
"... buying tickets. Alone," Auron finished. "Let's move."
Jecht jumped as they sped past him for the waterfront. He scratched his head. "I thought we were rich now! What's the problem?"
.x.x.x.
"Wait! Stop! Whatever he's buying, we won't take it!" Rikku raced onto the ship, leaning over and huffing as Braska turned around, eyebrows raised.
"There you are, Rikku. Those are some very nice shorts," he added. "But I think they're missing something." He pulled her belt out of his bag and handed it over.
She snatched it and gave the belt a kiss, checking the garment grid for damage. "You took good care of my baby, right? Shh," she added, cooing to the machina. "There, there. Mama's here. I'll never leave you alone again!"
Chuckling, Braska looked over her shoulder. "Where's Auron?" He faced the confused crewman who was still holding out four tickets. "I'm sorry, we'll be just a moment here. Please keep those handy."
"These four V.I.P. slots to Besaid won't wait all day," the sailor responded, waving the tickets.
"V.I.P cabins?" She glared and snapped her belt into place. "That's strange, 'cause even the Pualu – you know, Luca's luxury liner – didn't have those." She sized the sailor up. "I'm sure my friend, Sir Auron's gonna find that very interesting." She gestured behind her. "You can't miss him; he's the tough-looking guy in the red coat with the huge sword."
The man gulped and pocketed the tickets. "Our offer's always open to negotiation, of course."
"Sure better be," she answered cheerfully.
Auron approached, eyeing the nervous sailor. "Problems?"
Braska sighed in defeat. "Not anymore. Hello, Auron. Did you rest well?"
Auron looked at Braska. "As well as could be expected."
"I see," Braska said, glancing between them. "I… am happy for you." He smiled tightly at her. "Both of you." Shaking his head, he turned back to Auron. "Perhaps you could arrange this business with the ship for us? Rikku seems to believe I am not the right man for this task."
Auron frowned and turned away from the summoner, glowering at the sailor. "Let's talk about Besaid," he said, advancing on the other man.
What a mood dampener. But, I'm not gonna run from this. "Thanks," she said, sarcastically. "I actually am happy, but I'm so glad you approve of us. It's nice to have your permission."
Braska frowned and looked at his feet. "I suppose my words were uncalled for. I had no desire to provoke you."
"Really? I couldn't tell. Why do you have to be like this around Auron?"
His head shot up at that, blue eyes piercing. "You know why."
Rikku eyed him critically. He obviously wasn't as unruffled about last night's developments as he was pretending to be. Still, a niggling sense of guilt plagued her; she'd fallen for Braska's baited words again. The whole point of talking to him was to try and smooth things over, wasn't it?
If I let this fester, it'll tear us apart. And it's not like Braska's gonna fix it on his own. "I don't want to feel guilty watching you and Auron snipe at each other." She pursed her lips, a plan slowly forming; bad as she might feel for engaging Braska in another battle of wits, he really needed to learn to leave well enough alone. Might as well go for broke. "We're gonna leave if you force us to."
"Leave? " Braska stiffened. "Why do you think I would demand such a thing? I never – "
"You're hurting him. If we leave, he doesn't have to face that, and maybe you'll have to give up on your Pilgrimage. It sounds like a win-win to me." She glanced over her shoulder at Auron, who was still negotiating with the sailor. "I'll tell you something he doesn't know." Rikku leaned in, lowering her voice. "The reason I joined my first Pilgrimage was to sabotage it. I was an Al Bhed before I became a Guardian, and I still am. Don't think I won't cheat to get my way!"
To her surprise, Braska only laughed, drawing Auron's gaze. "That's what I like about you. You're not afraid to grab the things you want." He faltered for a moment. "I only wish I was one of them. But you shouldn't make idle threats – they don't suit you. You're not that manipulative, Rikku."
Not like myself, he left unsaid but not unheard.
She scuffed her boot against the deck, sulking. "I had to try. I hate being the reason you two are fighting."
"You are fire," Braska told her. "Those of us in the cold will always be drawn to your warmth. Don't blame yourself for this."
I'm blaming myself for burning you. She pushed the thought down; she wouldn't let guilt taint the time she'd spent with Auron. They'd excised those demons together last night. "I still want you two to stop fighting."
Braska bowed to her. "If it eases your mind, I will speak with Auron today. He is my friend, and I am being a poor one to him."
"It's settled," Auron said as he rejoined them. "The captain wants to leave for Besaid as soon as possible, so we need to find Jecht." He looked between them, brow furrowing. "Or am I interrupting your discussion?"
Rikku caught Auron's eye and gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll go. You know I can be fast!" Rising to her tiptoes, she planted a kiss onto Auron's lips, not allowing herself to be intimidated by Braska's presence.
Then she forgot what point she was trying to make when Auron drew her closer, urging her to part her lips. He returned her kiss with passion, both a reminder of what they'd done and a promise that it would be happening again in the future.
When he released her, she had to take a few deep breaths to steady herself, blood pounding in her ears.
"Return quickly," he murmured.
"Y-yeah," Rikku stammered, tripping over her feet as she turned away. Oh, sweet machina, a tiny part of her mind screamed in panic, short-circuiting from Auron's surprise attack. The rest of her body continued to work on autopilot as she hurried off.
She forced herself to focus on getting Jecht and returning as quickly as possible. Will the boat still be in one piece when I get back? She could almost picture Auron practicing his Bushido moves against Anima. Finding Jecht seemed like a good thing to prioritize; two pairs of arms would be better than one if Braska and Auron decided to really start fighting.
.x.x.x.
Auron watched Rikku's retreat until she was out of sight. Then he faced Braska.
"Straightforward as usual," Braska told him in a strained voice. "You've made your point. I have no intent to usurp the position you now hold."
Auron took in their surroundings and frowned. "This is no place to talk, my lord." He made a small gesture towards the ship's bow. The short walk there was tense and silent.
Slowing to a stop near the edge of the boat, Braska leaned on his staff. "Have you more to say, or shall I be reduced to watching your displays of affection whenever I am in her proximity?"
Auron let out an explosive sigh. "Stop. This wasn't what I meant when I told you to move on!" He glowered at Braska. "I would have allowed you anything before, but you refused to act! You pushed us together. Why have second thoughts now?"
"I brought this upon myself." Braska lowered his head in acknowledgement. "Perhaps it was selfish, but I wanted to live again through you." His voice softened with an old and familiar note of pain. "My happiness died with Raenn. I thought I would never be able to feel again after I lost her." He trained his eyes on the ocean, following the shifting movements of the water. "But I still remembered. I thought it would be enough, to maneuver you into place and watch as you learned to love one another. I believed I had made peace with myself in Luca." He sighed. "Only after Sin attacked did I understand how wrong I was. The hopes I harbored for you were my own desires." He thumped his staff against the deck in frustration. "Facing that truth nearly destroyed us."
Auron's hands clenched, a muscle in his cheek jumping at the word us. "Yet, you're here and stronger than ever." His mouth tightened. "I know what you did with her. You've always been my mentor and my guide, until now." His fists trembled and he regarded Braska with hard eyes. "I trusted you. Why?"
"Because I lost everything!" Braska snapped. "I was stripped of my purpose, my power, my very meaning. I was nothing, yet she still believed in the person I was pretending to be. Even when Rikku learned of the depths of my own sins, she accepted me." He took a deep breath, calming himself. "That irrepressible energy of hers draws both of us, doesn't it?" Some of his frustration softened. "I know my words mean little at this point… but I am sorry. I never meant for this to happen."
"... you need to release her," Auron said when he found his voice, his anger still smoldering. "I don't share. She's too soft to cut her ties to you."
"Auron," Braska sighed, shaking his head. "Rikku's affection is hers to dispense as she sees fit – people don't simply decide to fall in or out of love. I don't know that I would chose to ignore my own feelings even if I could." His smile turned bitter. "Perhaps I am more fortunate than you. A dream can never be crushed by the truth of reality."
Auron snorted. "You know just as well as I do that your love isn't unrequited. We'd have no arguments if Rikku didn't care for you." His fierce frown eased into something more contemplative. "Though I think I've begun to understand your feelings."
"What? I thought you and she – "
"When I thought her life might have ended somewhere out there," Auron explained. "I knew my duty was to you first. That I had to find you. If she died protecting you, it would have been a good death, one she chose." He shook his head. "But she's made me want more. I want a life beyond my duty, now. I want hers to be a part of it." Some of the tension leeched away from his words. "In just two days I nearly went mad. You lived with feeling that – that much for six years."
Braska fell silent and bowed his shoulders. "Is it not as I said? Only something stronger than hatred could overcome Sin. You feel its power now. What a cruel and terrible weapon love would be, if it could be wielded. No one would be impervious."
"Haven't we done just that?" Auron winced. "I'm a man of action, and you of words. It doesn't matter how we fight, we will find ways to damage each other." He let out a heavy breath. "If this continues we will destroy everything. This Pilgrimage, your hopes for Spira's future, perhaps even Rikku."
"At least you can finally admit you love her," Braska observed.
"I won't give her up. Not even for you," Auron answered. "Will this be a problem?"
Braska turned away. "I'm glad you've discovered your ego at last. You can't protect others unless you know how defend yourself first." He hesitated. "I… feel the same way you do, but there's no future in such fantasies. There would be none even if Rikku shared my feelings." He tightened his fingers around his staff. "The path I walk was born from the ashes of my love for Raenn. It began in sorrow and will end in sorrow. Those foolish enough to care for me will be hurt."
Auron tensed.
There it was, the truth they continued to sidestep: Braska's Pilgrimage and how it would likely end.
Auron broke the weighty silence. "That's a little fatalistic. Maybe you'll be the first summoner to defeat Sin and tell the tale of it. You've destroyed every other convention along the way to get here."
"And two temple Trials as well," Braska added with a smirk. "But to answer your question, no. I will not make myself a thorn in your side, Auron – but you can't ask me to stop admiring Rikku. I will respect her choices."
"Meaning?"
"I want to keep her safe." He returned Auron's probing look with a hint of steel. "If you can no longer trust me as your friend, then at least have confidence in me as a hopeless lover. I, too, will fight to protect the things I care about. So, I won't force her to chose between us."
Auron studied him for a long moment. Finally, he sighed. "I must be a fool, because I believe you." Looking away, he let out a low grunt. "And I'm glad you're still alive." Some of the stiffness eased out of his posture. "Things wouldn't be the same without you here, you troublesome bastard."
Braska nodded in acceptance. "You are still my friend too, Auron. Never forget that." He considered the other man. "We should continue our training together. Even if you were being resentful – "
Auron scoffed. "Resentful? Please. I am not petty."
" – you did have a good idea," continued Braska smoothly, undisturbed. "We each grow stronger when we share our expertise, do we not?" His mouth quirked with muffled amusement when he saw Auron's confusion. "I would suggest you make an attempt to learn the basics of White magic. You never know when it'll prove useful."
.x.x.x.
"I can't believe we're late because of those," Rikku growled, stomping towards the port.
Jecht adjusted his newest burden against the bundle of his travelling bag. "Yeah, well if you wanted to get back quicker, you could've carried my pack."
She rolled her eyes without bothering to turn around. "Just get rid of some of those stupid blitzballs! Why do you need so many, anyway?" She gestured at the bulging net he refused to drop.
"For the fans! You don't got no agents here in Spira. I gotta take care of my own publicity now, ya know?"
"Ugh," she groaned, throwing her hands in the air.
A small group of teenagers approached them – or more accurately, made a beeline for Jecht. As they swarmed around him, he stopped walking and lowered his net. Rikku balked. Wait, he has fans already? "Well, I guess when you're competing with fish for the adoration of the people, it doesn't take much…"
"Sir Jecht! Do you have time to show us more tricks?" one of the girls squealed, and Rikku glared. It was Dona, again. Guardian rabble my butt. She's all over these guys! At least Bartello was absent this time; probably pouting, if the hearts shining out from the girl's eyes were anything to go by. Trying to suppress her gag reflex, Rikku edged away from Jecht's adoring crowd.
" 'fraid not! Duty calls and all that stuff." Jecht waved down the disappointed cries and began passing out signed blitzballs to each one of them. "But here's a little somethin' to remember me by. Use these to keep yourselves sharp! When I come back, I wanna see professional Blitzers kickin' butt here. Can I hear a 'yeah' ?"
"Yeah!" the teenagers cheered in near unison. Dona cleared her throat impetuously and gestured at the other kids, who quieted down. "Thank you for visiting Kilika, Sir Jecht!" she said. Then the group performed a well-synchronized bow to him.
Jecht rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah… so catch ya later then," he muttered, grabbing the net which was still well-supplied with blitzballs. He did his best to casually speed-walk away and made a face at Rikku when they'd gained some distance. "That was damn creepy," he mumbled to her. "Y'know that's a victory sign in Zanarkand? It's all kinds of messed up that you people use it to pray. Do they think I'm a god or somethin'?"
Rikku tried to picture Jecht as a deity, but her mind recoiled in horror. "Let's hope not. You know, the further south we go, the more of that you're gonna see," she warned him. "People tend to be more superstitious the farther away you get from the big cities. They'll bow to almost anything that makes them happy. Drives us Al Bhed nuts." She smirked. "But hey, you wanted fans? Now you've got some. Don't blame me if they're Yevonite zombies!"
"That's one crazy world cult, man." He looked disturbed – not disturbed enough to abandon his net full of signed blitzballs, though. "Definitely weird."
"Look who's talking," she mumbled, watching him pull a ball out of his net and hand it off to yet another smiling villager. As they approached the docks, she sped their power walk up to a jog.
"So, what's the hurry?" Jecht asked, matching her pace. "Ain't like Auron's gonna let the ship leave without you."
"I'm a little more worried he might set it on fire." She breathed a sigh of relief as the Liki came into sight, still docked and in one piece. "C'mon, let's go find them." They both hurried up the gangplank, Rikku waving off the crewman with a quick call of, "Summoner's party!"
Jecht let his baggage land onto the deck with a loud thump. Placing a hand on his neck, he rolled one shoulder. "Well, the ship ain't on fire." He pointed. "They're just standin' over there talkin' to each other."
She spun to follow Jecht's finger. "There's no blood? Are you sure?"
"What'd you do this time?" Jecht looked at her incredulously. "It ain't even been a full hour since I last saw ya!"
"Nothing!" she pouted, then winced at his loud snort. "Ok, so maybe I tried to pressure Braska into making up with Auron…" She swayed in place. "... with a teensy-tiny little bit of blackmail. Miniscule. Microspeckic."
"Uh-huh," Jecht said, waiting.
Rikku picked at one of her nails. "I threatened to grab Auron and run," she confessed. "I didn't mean it, okay? I just wanted to see if I could stop the fighting."
"Are you outta your mind?" Jecht slapped his forehead. "The man was a missionary, right? Ain't Braska been trainin' all his life to sell snake oil to people? You think you can out-talk that?"
She frowned. "I never thought of it that way. But what's that got to do with my plan? I thought it was a good one! I can be convincing!"
"Did it work?"
"No," Rikku mumbled in a small voice. "Braska saw right through it and made fun of me."
Jecht sighed. "I'm just sayin', I don't think you can pull one over on a guy like that." A grin crept onto his face. "Hey, have ya got one of them spheres on ya? I got a plan."
"...What are you cooking up now? You know both of them could kick your ass if they really wanted to."
"See, that's the thing! We make a video, and nobody's ass gets kicked! It's like… evidence, right?" He lifted his chin proudly. "I'm brilliant!"
"You're insane," she replied. Still, apart from the shoopuf incident at the Moonflow, Jecht's track record with bad ideas was less embarrassing than hers. "But ugh, fine. Here." With a sigh, she dug through her restocked pouches and came up with an empty sphere.
"Stop worryin'," he told her. "We'll just say it's for Yuna and they'll behave." He started up the sphere and approached the two men, who were still facing the sea. When they were close enough, Jecht cupped a hand beside his mouth. " 'ey! 'Sup?"
Braska turned. "Oh, you're back. Auron and I have been talking."
Auron also faced them, focusing on the glowing sphere in Jecht's hands. He rolled his eyes but didn't comment.
Rikku studied both of them. They didn't show any signs of injury; then again, Braska was a fast healer. She checked the deck for chipped wood and bloodstains. "How'd all that talking work out for you?"
"We've come to an understanding." Auron's lips twitched as he watched her. "One that didn't involve any loss of limbs."
Braska laughed. "Well, not yet. I was just attempting to explain the theory of White magic to Auron." And yep, that was definitely an impish twinkle in his eye. "He has all the makings of a promising student."
She looked at Auron, who didn't seem to understand the source of Braska's amusement. He has no clue. Then she blinked. Wait, why am I worried about this? "Ah! That – that's a really good idea!" she blurted. "Study hard, Auron!"
"You feelin' okay?" Jecht peered at her. "You look like you got smacked in the face with a blitzball. More than usual I mean."
She made a strangled half-noise, fanning herself. "It's just heatstroke." Which wasn't entirely untrue, considering her memory of Braska's expertise with Cure spells in Baaj. "Whew, is it just me or is it hot around here?" She couldn't stop the grin that was spreading over her face any more than she could keep her mouth shut. "You know, you could heal me if you knew a little White magic," she said to Auron.
Braska held a finger up, still looking smug. "I could – "
"No-no-no!" she shouted, coming out of her stupor. "I think I'll recover fine on my own, thanks!"
Auron now wore a definite look of suspicion as she sidled up to him and continued to beam. "We're going to have a talk about this later," he warned when she grabbed his arm. He placed his hand over hers and tightened his fingers.
"I hope you'll do more than just talk," she whispered back, and he gave her a speculative look.
They both startled as a sailor's loud cry went up; the ship was pulling out into the open sea. She hadn't even noticed, caught up in the moment. Auron cleared his throat and stepped away from her. Forcing herself to pay attention to her surroundings, she glanced at Jecht and Braska, who were conversing.
"So we're goin' to visit another temple, right?" Jecht asked.
"That's correct," Braska told the other man, facing the sea. "Besaid is our final stop."
"Right. So... after you get that aeon from Besaid… where're we goin'?"
"Back the way we came," Auron answered him. "Then we go north from Bevelle and climb Mount Gagazet."
The statement hung heavy in the air, and Rikku thought of the promise she'd extracted from Braska long ago. She glanced at Jecht, who was still idly filming the scene, oblivious to the meaning behind their words.
Braska's shoulders drooped, and he turned around to face Jecht. "Beyond it lies Zanarkand."
Some of the ease drained out of Jecht at those words, and he took a slow step backwards. "Zanarkand, huh?" There was a certain foreign weariness to his voice.
Braska tilted his head, frowning in confusion, likely because he hadn't revealed the price of the Pilgrimage to Jecht yet. Rikku kept her mouth shut, since it was just as obvious that Jecht hadn't shared his secret about Zanarkand with Braska either.
"It's been in ruins for a thousand years, right?" Jecht asked with a note of finality.
"So the legends say," Auron answered. He paused, looking uncomfortable. "No one knows for sure. It still could be your Zanarkand."
She winced. Auron really needed to work more on his poker face.
Jecht must've thought something similar, barking out a loud laugh. "Thanks for tryin', Auron." He shut the sphere down and tossed it at Braska, who caught it in surprise. "For Yuna," he grunted, before stalking off.
They watched Jecht collect his things and disappear below deck in silence. Finally, Auron spoke.
"Was it something I said?" He frowned. "I know I can be direct, but we've discussed Zanarkand before. This reaction is… new."
"It's not your fault," Rikku assured him. "Jecht has some issues with his hometown. He hasn't said anything to either of you yet?"
"No," Auron answered, looking at her. "Is that what you spoke about at the Mi'ihen Agency? The night he didn't return?"
She nodded. "Yeah. It's complicated." Understatement. "I bet he'll tell you when he's ready."
"Hmm." Braska looked back at the sea, his face troubled. "So many of us, still keeping secrets from one another."
"You're one to talk," Auron scolded.
Braska lifted his shoulders in the barest hint of a shrug. "I can't tell him. Not yet. I promised I would do so before we reached Zanarkand, but it looks like he needs an ear for his own burdens right now." He turned to Rikku. "Go speak with him."
She blinked. "Why me?"
"Because he's closest to you," Braska replied, as if it was obvious.
Rikku frowned. Well, she did spend more time with Jecht than the others, that was true, but…
"And, you're the only one that can put up with his juvenile humor for extended periods of time," Auron added.
"Wait just a minute!" Rikku scowled. "Are you trying to say something about me?"
"You're very patient," Braska chipped in with a smile.
Well, that was that. Auron and Braska must've patched things up if they were feeling confident enough to double-team her. "Patient, huh?" she asked. Having years of practice with Tidus would make anyone patient. "Maybe," she hedged. "But I already talked to Jecht about his problems while we were in Luca. I can't help him out with this one." So much had happened since their conversation that it seemed like a distant memory, but one thing stood out. "Jecht said it to me himself. When you need a shoulder to cry on, Braska's your man." Braska looked surprised, and she grinned at him. "You should go instead."
Jecht strode out onto the deck again, freed of his luggage. He took one look at them and stomped up the steps to the ship's observatory, shoulders sloped.
"I don't know what I can do if I don't understand what's troubling him. But, perhaps I can offer a new perspective on whatever it may be." Braska sighed. "I'll try my best." With a brief nod, he left them, moving towards the observatory deck.
Rikku watched him disappear up the steps after Jecht. "Braska's pretty good at talking to people, right?"
"He is," Auron confirmed. "Braska played a significant role in the Church's aggressive push for world unity. It's the main reason Mika still tolerates him despite his disgrace; he was crucial for the Ronso conversion. He even worked with the Guado for some time before they sent him to the Al Bhed."
She puffed up, feeling a surge of ridiculous pride. "So you mean my people are the ones that finally knocked some sense into him, huh?"
"Don't be so confident," Auron chided her. "Braska absorbed everything the other races had to teach during his visits. They softened him up long before he even reached the sands of Bikanel." He snaked an arm out and pulled her to his side, his hand wrapping around her waist. "It's fortunate for me that his track record is less than stellar with the Al Bhed."
"You don't seem so upset at him anymore," she hedged.
"We cleared the air." He leaned in and nipped at her earlobe, his breath warm and heavy. "But I'd appreciate it if you continue to reject his advances." He was making the argument unfair, trying to overwhelm her with his presence.
It was definitely working.
She uncrossed her eyes and focused on having a conversation instead of melting into a pile of shameless need in front of the entire crew. "Ah… I don't think he's gonna be making many more. Especially when you're getting so touchy-feely in public," she added. "Not that I'm complaining!"
Auron grunted in amusement and relaxed his hold, though his fingers lingered on one of her arms. "It's Braska. Keep your guard up. I'm warning both of you: I am not a tolerant man."
"Not a very patient one either," she laughed, poking him in the side as he pushed her towards the stairs leading below deck. "I'm with you now. Which means I hope you got us our own room, because otherwise they'll be sleeping outside tonight." They dodged a few passengers on the way to the cabins, and she blushed as an older woman they passed gave her a knowing smile. "Can you be any more obvious, by the way?" she hissed.
He ignored her as they reached their cabin. "Yes, but that would be obscene." He swung the door open and waited for her to enter. "Step inside. I have an interrogation to conduct."
"Oh?" Rikku froze in the door frame, having an inkling about Auron's curiosity. She was very proud of herself for managing to keep a straight face, though she couldn't stop the slight bounce in her step when she spun to face him. "I thought that was over after last night?"
"You thought wrong." He pushed her into the cabin. "Magic lessons? Really? What are you hiding?"
She skipped out of his reach and clasped her hands behind her back. "You'll have to squeeze it out of me," she warned, swaying in place.
Auron smiled and shut the door behind him. "I'm good at that."
.x.x.x.
Jecht was brooding. It was an unusual look for him. He sat on the deck, cross-legged, chin in his palm. To anyone who knew him well, he seemed a different man, so quiet and withdrawn as he'd become.
Braska sighed and placed the recording sphere on the ground. It flickered to life – odd – but he shrugged and let it be, returning his attention to the Blitzer. "Quite a view up here."
Twitching, Jecht looked over his shoulder. "Oh. Hey, B. You come up here to talk some sense into me?"
"Do I need to?" Braska replied. "What's troubling you?"
Jecht squinted at him. "Rikku didn't tell you the score yet, huh?" He nodded at Braska's silence. "Here's a deal: you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine. 'Til then, it's my problem."
"Friendship doesn't work that way," Braska scolded. "If it's something I can help you with, I'd willingly offer my services. Sometimes even just talking about your problems can help lighten them." He spread his hands. "And I'm a good listener."
Jecht sighed and rubbed his head. "See, why do ya gotta be so nice all the time? You're makin' me feel like a dick here."
Braska grinned at him. "Does this mean you're willing to talk with me? If not, I can try harder."
Snorting, Jecht shook his head. He looked at the deck below and frowned. "I thought if I went with you guys I might find a way to go back. But it's not that easy." He drummed his fingers over the wooden planks. "I need to get back there, but I don't think I can go home anymore. Your world's… changed me."
Braska tilted his head. "My world? You mean modern-day Spira?"
Jecht laughed at that. "You call this modern, huh? Half the world is scrapin' by in backwater huts, worshippin' some cult that does jack-all for 'em against the mother of all fiends while waitin' to get killed off." He paused. "No offense."
"None taken," Braska told him. "You are not wrong. But… there is always the hope, that this time something will change. That we may live to tell the tale of defeating Sin once and for all. And even if it does not happen, we are buying the rest of the world the respite they need to marshall their forces until we can." He sighed. "I admit, it is not a perfect system, but we cannot simply sit back and refuse to try."
"Are we even makin' a difference, though? Does anything we're doin' matter in the end?"
"I'm staking my life on the belief that it does," Braska replied.
"That still don't get me any closer to my boy, though."
"I'm sorry." He placed a hand on Jecht's shoulder. "I hope your son realizes what a good father he has."
For some reason, that made Jecht laugh. He pushed Braska's hand off and rose to his feet. "No need to apologize, B. It ain't your fault." Cracking his neck, he turned to face the summoner with a familiar arrogant grin on his face. "I should be thinking about fightin' Sin now, anyway. Zanarkand can wait." The grin slipped a little, and something harsher glinted in his eyes. "But I will find my way back."
Braska knew the look Jecht was giving him; it was one he often saw in the mirror. The determination of a man possessed, and not always with an idea that was healthy – or safe. "Be careful, Jecht." This is a dangerous road you're walking down.
Jecht stared at Braska for a moment, weighing his words. His smile reappeared. " 'ey, I'll be alright. You're the one who should be careful. Wouldn't want your little girl to cry."
All of us, so tangled in this web of lies we have spun around each other. Braska thought of Yuna, alone in Bevelle, waiting eagerly to hear news of his success; his daughter was very much like Jecht in that regard. She didn't yet seem to realize what victory would mean. He turned away, hiding his sardonic grin. "She'll be all right. She's strong, like her mother was."
I'm slipping. He bent to retrieve the sphere, struggling to mask the tension on his face. It was never this hard to lead them where I wanted to before. Shutting down the recording, he nearly dropped the sphere in surprise when a heavy arm fell across his shoulders.
"Listen, B. Whatever's eatin' ya this time, just forget about it. Once we get to Zanarkand, everything will work itself out just fine." Jecht gave him a thumbs up. "You'll see!"
Blinking at Jecht's mercurial attitude change, Braska struggled to match the other man's sunny smile. Perhaps I am not the only one skilled at wearing masks. "I am sure it will," he managed weakly.
"That's the spirit. Keep tellin' yourself that and you can make it happen." Jecht released him and yawned loudly, scratching his head. "Wonder if they got anythin' to eat on this pleasure cruise? C'mon, let's go find out!"
Braska's rigid smile eased into something more natural as he smirked at Jecht. "Always thinking with your stomach, are you? I'll join you in a minute."
"Whatever." Jecht shrugged. "Just don't take too long mopin' up here by yourself, or I'll take your share too."
"Wasn't I the one who was supposed to comfort you?" Braska muttered under his breath. Shaking his head, he turned and followed Jecht down the steps.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku rubbed her eyes and stretched, drinking in the fresh morning air on the Liki’s deck.
The evening had passed uneventfully – as uneventfully as sharing a room with Auron could ever be – and now, the island of Besaid was in sight. Shallow sea shelves, lined with bursts of rainbow coral, necessitated a circuitous route around the island, despite its close proximity to Kilika. It was almost as long as the trip from Luca to Kilika would have been, had Sin not interrupted their journey.
Nostalgic, she watched Besaid’s scenic shoreline pass by; she’d made the very same trip herself countless times on her cutter, back in the year following Yuna’s Pilgrimage.
That was a rough time.
Rikku winced. She’d run away, fast as she could, when things had settled down. Run from the whiplash of realizing they’d lost Auron
before he’d even joined the Pilgrimage
. Run from the memory of Tidus disappearing without so much as a by-your-leave.
Yunie was the one who’d been
really
ripped in two by it, but she’d put on a strong face and stayed in Besaid, dealing as best she could with the fallout generated from toppling a thousand-year-old world order.
Rikku hadn’t been that brave. Auron and Tidus were gone, and in the wake of the Eternal Calm, there’d finally been enough time for the loss of both Home and Keyakku to settle in. Brother disowned himself from Cid, unwilling to fill his role as Keyakku’s disappointing shadow while her father attempted to rebuild Home. She’d chosen to flee on her own ship with Gippal and his Machine Faction backing her efforts, using the flimsy, yet effective, excuse of “teaching.”
Still, something always brought her back to Besaid. Yuna didn’t deserve to suffer from the crazy in her extended family, but Rikku wanted to make sure Yunie realized she still
was
part of a family – one that disapproved of the slew of marriage proposals thrust towards their heartbroken cousin.
She still thought Yuna’s decision to run away and join the Gullwings was the best one she’d ever made.
Rikku gulped in the clean, salty air. It hadn’t been easy, but she missed those days. She smiled, surprised; it hadn’t seemed like such a great time to her then, as an awkward sixteen-year-old who was disillusioned in more ways than one. But she’d been free, and she’d sailed those seas like she owned them, with Yuna as her anchor in Besaid.
The soft breeze whipped her hair into her eyes; pushing her braids away from her face, she thought about how far she’d come from those days. Calmer, more mature, less accident-prone –
“Look out!”
Something slammed into the back of her head, knocking her over. She kissed the deck and groaned, before pushing herself up on her elbows. A blitzball rolled away from her, Jecht’s scrawling signature taunting her as it tumbled past.
“Oops! Sorry, ya? Didn’t see you there!” The man – a native to Besaid, judging by his accent and complete lack of aim – bowed in apology and scooped up his blitzball.
Rikku stood, one hand clenching.
Right in the middle of an inner monologue
, she fumed, scanning the deck for Jecht. Instead, she spotted Braska, sitting against the mast and holding back laughter, eating Wakka’s favorite local pudding for breakfast.
“Please don’t look at me that way. I had little to do with Jecht’s dispersal of blitzballs this morning.” He held up his hands in appeasement and sent a Cure spell her way.
“Tell me where he is,” she demanded, only slightly mollified by the disappearance of her headache. “I’ll show him where he can put those extra blitzballs!”
“I haven’t seen him.” Braska busied himself with his food.
She narrowed her eyes.
Taro root pudding is not
that
interesting.
“Are you covering for him? Why?”
Braska’s smile revealed nothing of his thoughts – or Jecht’s potential whereabouts. “Jecht is in his element. Why don’t we allow him to enjoy this moment while he has it? Besides,” he added, “Besaid truly loves Blitzball. I’ve never seen such devotion to a home team, not even in Luca.”
Rikku thought about the Aurochs with a wince. “Too bad about their losing streak.”
“Whether they win or lose isn’t important.” Braska tilted his head at her surprised look. “They always try to do their best. I can appreciate their spirit. I’m sure they will be rewarded for their tenacity one day.”
“Uh huh.” She crossed her arms. “I’m gonna put money on them having a
really long
dry spell.” Her stomach rumbled, undermining her brief moment of victory for besting Braska’s game of subtexts.
He patted the ground next to him. “Sit, please. I’ve had my fill, and it looks as though you’ve worked up an appetite. Besides, there is another rather pressing matter I need to address.”
“Hmm,” she said, joining him. “No funny business!” Auron’s reprimand still rang in her ears.
“I’ll leave that to Auron,” Braska replied, handing over his bowl. “Where is he? I thought you two were joined at the hip.”
Rikku choked a little.
If a snark-off is what he wants, then that’s what he’s gonna get
. She sniffed and swirled her spoon around the bowl. “I know, right? Mister up-and-at-’em is having another lie-in today. I guess I tired him out.”
“What a joy it must be, to be so young and
vigorously
in love,” Braska answered without missing a beat.
“Tell me about it! It was a
long, hard
night but somehow we managed to push through it together.” She smiled innocently at Braska.
“So I gather. I do hope my
lessons
on the importance of listening to others’
needs
have been getting through to Auron. I am sure they would be most beneficial to you. Both,” he added, almost as an afterthought.
Rikku’s eyebrow twitched.
He can’t be seriously talking about –
“How is your head doing, by the way?” Braska continued, his face placid. “That was a fairly sound knock that blitzball delivered to you. Would you like me to take another look at it?” He paused, tapping his chin. “Or perhaps you might desire Auron to handle you. It would be an excellent test of his
nascent
skills.”
“Auron’s
skills
aren’t
nascent!
” she spluttered. “I’m pretty sure I’m the better judge of that!”
Braska’s guileless blink made her pause. “I was merely speaking of healing, Rikku. There is no need to be so defensive, now is there?” His eyes twinkled. “Or is there something
else
you would like to talk about? Do you mean to say Auron needs my assistance now? Is that why he is not here? What in Spira did you two
do
last evening, anyway?”
All right, I lose
, she thought, feeling her face heat. “I can’t believe I’m making weird innuendos about this with you! Is there a point to this conversation?”
Braska chuckled, then sobered. “That
is
my point.” He sat forward and faced her. “You
are
both young and in love. Have you thought through the consequences of your actions?”
She stared. “This from you?”
“I think I know better than most how much one’s feelings can impair one’s judgement.”
At least
he
looks uncomfortable for once.
“I am also a trained healer. Auron is not.” He waited, and when Rikku said nothing, his cheeks reddened. “I am not saying I would be unwilling to offer my services… as a healer,” he added when her expression darkened. “But may I suggest that you have this discussion with Auron first, before that becomes necessary?”
Rikku continued to stare, the pudding forgotten.
Did seeing Auron and I finally get together make him crack? What’s he talking about?
Braska continued to look more and more discomfited as she remained silent – looking at her, then the sky, and finally fiddling with his robes – before blurting, “
Children
, Rikku. I’m speaking of the creation of life.”
Rikku froze.
Kids?
Truth be told, the thought hadn’t even crossed her mind. With everything that’d been thrown at them, she was happy enough that her love life was finally straightening out.
Now, Braska was finding a way to transform even that into rising panic.
KIDS
, her mind repeated with emphasis.
It was also supplying helpful images: scores of tiny, blond-haired Aurons swarming underfoot, their faces drawn into scowls as they smashed pointed sticks and chubby fingers against everything that moved.
Owwie.
A distant part of her mind registered the sharp pain as she collapsed against the deck; it wasn’t a good day for the back of her head, apparently. Braska hovered over her with a look of concern, a healing spell at his fingertips.
“Rikku?”
It wasn’t her overactive imagination that put her in a dazed stupor; it was the sudden, unexpected clench in her belly that moved, fluttering, towards her throat.
I don’t
not
like that idea.
Then the alarm bells started wailing in her brain. Her answer to Braska was an expletive so colorful it made him blush.
“Rikku – ”
“Nope,” she said, standing and immediately pacing. She held her face, continuing to curse, switching to Al Bhed.
“Rumo credcdelgc! E ys cu vilgat!
Brother’s
kuhhy gemm sa! Ra’mm gemm
Auron!
”
“I don’t believe anyone can kill Auron,” Braska told her in appeasement. “At least not over the matter of your honor. Now please sit, you’re drawing undue attention.”
Suddenly numb, Rikku plopped back down next to Braska. “I can’t spawn yet!” Then her head shot up, eyes wild. “What if it’s already happened? I need to find Auron! No, wait, I need to hide from Auron!” She wailed, “I’m not
ready
!”
“Breathe.” Braska placed a hand on her shoulder. “In and out,” he directed, guiding her through the calming technique. “There’s nothing to be gained by panicking at this point. What’s done is done and my concerns may be baseless.”
She latched onto his words. “You’re the strongest white mage I know! Can you check? Like, right now?” She wanted to kick herself for the hope in her voice, but she was feeling pretty desperate.
He went quiet, then nodded slowly. “I suppose I could try. Lean back and hold still,” he instructed, extending his hands – suffused in a soft green flow – over her lower abdomen.
His power coiled around her.
Since Baaj, there was something like a
flavor
to his magic now; whether it was from the kisses he had “enhanced” or the fully charged Life spell he’d poured into her, she wasn’t sure. But she could tell it was
Braska
casting the spell, warm and probing. He wasn’t attempting to stimulate or overwhelm; his face was stilled in concentration, eyes half-closed.
Finally, his magic withdrew with one last caress.
She shivered. “Well?”
Braska shook his head and she wilted against the mast, unsure if in relief or disappointment.
In relief
, she scolded herself firmly. Not firmly enough, from the look he gave her.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Rikku closed her eyes and flapped a hand at him. “It’s okay, I’m – it’s better this way.” She took a deep breath and held it, letting her racing heart slow. “We’ll… we’ll be more careful in the future.”
Braska sighed. “You don’t have to be, if this is what you want. You’d make a fine mother, if just because you care to be one.” He gave her an encouraging smile. “But speak with Auron first. Decisions like these aren’t yours alone to make.”
Still feeling humbled and foolish, she picked up the abandoned bowl of pudding and dug in.
He looked away.
Without the sudden panic buffeting her, she frowned and studied the contents of her bowl, unsettled.
That… was more than just a little mean, wasn’t it?
Although Braska was willing to do her favors if she asked, forcing him to use his magic like that when she
knew
how he felt was a new low. She cast about for something to say, because “
Oops! Sorry!
” seemed inadequate.
Finally, she settled on neutral territory: Jecht’s observation. “So, you were a missionary, right?”
Braska blinked and looked back at her, clearly surprised. “Yes, that’s right. Why do you ask?”
“Well, that means you had to convince people to believe in the stuff you told them.”
“You make it sound so mercenary.” Braska relaxed. “I believed in my words, you must understand. You cannot convert anyone with empty lies and false promises. People can sense sincerity. I would have had no luck otherwise.”
“I know, but I mean… I’m just trying to understand why you’re
so bad
with money when you’re so
good
at handling people.” Rikku shrugged at his affronted look. “You get walked over by every single merchant you meet.”
“How do you know that’s true?” he asked with a frown.
“How much did you pay for your new shoes?”
Braska’s frown deepened while studying his shoes. “Supporting Kilika’s economy is a noble endeavor.” His look of displeasure faded into honest contemplation. “But if you must know, the Church paid all of my expenses when I was a priest. Handling money was never my concern.”
“That explains a lot.”
“I suppose I don’t know the value of gil. And I prefer to believe that most people in Spira are good and have our best interests at heart.”
“Nobody has your best interests at heart when it comes to money,” she told him. “It’s a fiend-eat-fiend world out there.”
He smiled. “Then, I suppose being taken in by merchants is the price I have to pay for rejecting your pessimistic attitude.”
She groaned. “We both know I’m right, but you’re still making me sound like the bad guy here! How do you
do
that?”
“Years of practice,” Braska told her, smug. “So, would you happen to be interested in learning more about the Church of Yevon?” His playful smile faded as he focused on something over her shoulder. “Ah, perhaps another time.”
Rikku turned and watched Auron approaching them. He looked well-rested and relaxed.
She grimaced.
That’s about to change.
“Hey,” she greeted.
“Braska. Rikku.” He zeroed in on the bowl of pudding in her hands. “Is that breakfast?”
Braska smirked and pushed himself to his feet. “I apologize for my rudeness, but if you would excuse me? Rikku has something to discuss with you, and I believe you’ll be wanting some privacy.” He gave her an encouraging nod and moved away.
Auron settled in Braska’s spot and took the bowl from her, eyeing its contents with a look of distaste. “Southern cuisine,” he muttered without enthusiasm. Grabbing the spoon reluctantly, he watched Braska’s retreat. “What was that about?”
“Don’t start eating yet,” she warned. She felt a little sorry for the bowl; it was fast becoming Spira’s most passed-over breakfast. “I need to tell you something important.”
“This bodes well,” Auron said, lowering the spoon. “What is it?”
“Well, it’s more of a question really,” she hedged, scratching her cheek.
“Out with it.”
Rikku swallowed. “So… how do you feel about kids?”
He dropped the bowl, sending the remaining pudding to its final resting place across the planks. She allowed herself a short sulk; Auron cottoned onto things a lot faster than she did.
Surprise and panic flashed across his face. “Are you – ”
“Oh! No, no-no! At least Braska doesn’t think so.”
Auron sagged in relief.
“…You
really
don’t want to have children, do you?”
“I’ve never considered it.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I feel like a fool. I apologize.”
“Not just you,” she said. “I panicked too, at first. But then, you know… I thought about it, and would it really be all that bad? Bringing a little piece of both of us into this world together?”
“Yes,” Auron replied without hesitation.
Rikku struggled to mask her sudden dismay. Granted, her first response had been almost exactly the same, but still....
He sighed. “You’re getting things wrong again.”
Rikku scoffed, unable to meet his gaze. “What? It was just a question. No biggie.” Thick pudding oozed across the deck as she tried to resist the urge to flee from Auron. It didn’t work, so she leapt to her feet. “I better get something to clean that up with.”
His hand wrapped around her forearm and he brought her back down to the deck with a thump. “Rikku. Listen to me.” His grip loosened and he traced his thumb down her wrist until he was clasping her hand. “If I were to consider that as an option, you would be my first choice.”
“Wow. Romantic,” she deadpanned. Still, she allowed him to pull her to his side.
“I’m a soldier,” Auron replied. “I’ve always expected to die young and violently. I never planned for a life beyond my duty. Being in the service of Braska, rather than the Church, hasn’t changed that.”
Rikku frowned, discomfited. “You almost sound like Braska.”
“Hardly.” Auron grunted. “I don’t seek my own death, but I still manage to find it for my opponents often enough. I can’t live a peaceful life, Rikku.” He sighed. “It’s cruel, perhaps, but I’m not about to change my mind in the midst of the largest and longest battle I’ve ever fought.”
“You mean Sin.” She squeezed her eyes shut, angry.
“Your offer is one neither of us can afford.” His hand tightened around hers, as if to soften his words.
It didn’t help. So what if it
she
wasn’t the problem? Auron was still trapped, just like Braska and Jecht and everyone else in Spira – trapped by the shadow of fear Sin cast over everything.
She’d gone soft in the few hopeful years after Yuna’s Pilgrimage – been freed from that fatalistic mindset. Frustration built in her chest until she thought it would come spewing out of her throat. It
was
cruel; to be shown a glimpse of a future she hadn’t even known she wanted, only to have it crushed before it could become more than a fleeting idea.
Because Auron was right, and she knew it. It wasn’t right, bringing an innocent child into a world ravaged by Sin. She’d just…
forgotten
.
Rikku turned her head into Auron’s shoulder and hugged him.
“I wish it could be otherwise,” he said, stroking her back.
That was maybe the most unfair thing of all.
“I don’t want to complete this Pilgrimage,” she said, her voice rough. “Besaid is the last temple we need to visit, right? Can’t we stop this? All of us, just forget about finishing it and live normal lives?”
“What life could be normal when we’re forced to live like this?” Auron’s sigh did little to hide the anger and frustration in it. “We’ll change things. Braska and I, we’ll fix this broken world. I’ll make sure we do.”
Rikku blinked, understanding just a little more of the puzzle that was Auron – he wasn’t following Braska out of blind loyalty alone. “You
want
to finish this Pilgrimage. You want to kill Sin.” She paused. “Even though it will kill Braska, too?”
“We can’t choose how others want to live and die, but I’ve made mine.” The certainty in Auron’s voice tapered off, and his words sounded more like a reassurance to himself, rather than an answer. “I’ll find a way to ensure Braska’s survival. I
must.
”
Not just Braska
. Somewhere along the way, she’d invested too many pieces of herself in all of them. Jecht and his stupid blitzballs, Auron and his unyielding certainty. The realization of Auron’s ideal future – of a happy and Sin-free Spira – was growing more and more distant in Rikku’s mind.
Does that make me a bad person?
She wondered if he would still love her if he knew of the betrayal she was flirting with. The entire drama surrounding Baaj would pale in comparison. Heck, what would Braska and Jecht say – it was
their
childrens’ futures she was thinking of throwing away.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she answered with an uncertain smile. “Here’s to hoping.”
.x.x.x.
Besaid’s sparkling, white-sand beach was just as beautiful as Rikku remembered. She spread her arms, unable to hold in her laugh as she spun around. “I love this place!”
Whirling, she squinted against the glare of the sun. The image was so familiar, she almost thought she could see Wakka on the dock, a blitzball under one arm and waving with the other.
“What’s gotten into ya?” The mirage wavered and reshaped itself into Jecht, who tossed the blitzball into the air with a grin. “Not that I can blame ya. This is great!” He leapt forward and kicked the ball towards her, and Rikku ducked out of the way. “Hell, who’d even wanna practice blitzin’ here? Let’s get straight to the surfin’!”
Auron cuffed Jecht on the back, forcing him down the pier towards the beach. “We’re not here for your amusement. The village of Besaid is a long hike away from the dock. If we want to reach it before nightfall, we should set out soon.”
Braska followed behind, taking in the bright sky and calm blue sea. “There’s no hurry, Auron. We’ll be spending a few days here regardless. We may as well enjoy ourselves.” He looked around, smiling. “It’s so very different from Bevelle.”
“That’s because only a handful of people live here,” Auron reminded. “The temple is the only thing keeping this settlement alive.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Braska replied, watching one of the native women tending to a fishing net; a few children ran along the beach, buzzing with excitement. “There’s something compelling about living so far removed from the bustle of the larger cities.”
“Compelling?” Auron nodded towards the children, who were now dancing around Jecht as he passed out the remainder of his blitzballs. “I would be surprised if they could read.”
“Oh come on!” Rikku shoved her elbow into Auron’s side. “Just because we’re on the edge of civilization doesn’t mean they’re all illiterate. Give Besaid a little credit!”
“They
are
famous for their beadwork and fabrics here, but they’ve little else to offer.”
“It may not be perfect,” Braska replied, clucking his tongue. “But look at how happy they are. Have you ever seen children in Bevelle that lively?”
Surprised shouts sounded as Jecht performed the Mark III for the kids. The ball whistled through the air – toward them.
“Look out,” Braska shouted.
Auron and Braska dove; Rikku stared in horror at the approaching ball.
Holy machina
—
It hit her in the stomach, sending her flying off the pier and into the sand. It stung, but not nearly as much as her pride. Coughing and spitting, she sat up, holding the blitzball in trembling hands. “
Ra'c y tayt syh.
” Sucking in her breath, she bellowed, “JECHT!”
“Uh-oh. She sounds like Auron,” he said.
Only Braska’s loud laugh stopped her from exacting her revenge. “It feels
lighter
here,” he said quietly before raising his voice. “Jecht! Please remember to set a good example for the children while you practice.”
“Come and apologize to Rikku before I
also
begin to practice,” Auron added, cracking his knuckles.
Jecht approach her with a hangdog expression, surrounded by a hoard of giggling children. “Yeah, so, that was the Mark III in action.” He eyed her with a wary look. “Sorry ‘bout that Blondie. Thought you could take the hit.”
Was that a smirk just now? He’s so dead.
“Ahaha! Sure thing! Now, watch closely,” she said to the children with a bright smile. “I’ll show you how to perform a tackle!”
“Wait, ya really don’t need to do that, Blon– OW! OWW! GET OFFA ME!
UNCLE!
”
Auron cleared his throat and glared at them.
She looked up from where she’d landed – on Jecht’s back – and carefully withdrew her knee from its spot between his shoulderblades.
“That looked like it hurt, ya?” one of the boys observed. “I’m not sure I wanna be a forward anymore.”
Jecht lifted his head and spat sand. “That’s ‘cause you’re only supposed to do that underwater.” He rolled to his feet, knocking Rikku off in the process, and thrust his chest out. “But it ain’t that easy to take down Sir Jecht, best Blitzball player in all Spira!”
“What he’s saying is build your endurance, munchkins.” She smirked. “If you wanna be like Jecht, you’re gonna need to learn to take a
lot
of hits.”
“Enough,” Auron called, beginning to walk from the pier. “You can return to the beach later. Let’s get to the village first.”
There was a chorus of cheerful goodbyes as Rikku and Jecht caught up with Auron and Braska. Braska was grinning at them. “Really. You two are as bad as the children.”
“He started it,” she grumbled, shaking sand out of her hair.
“Aww, c’mon, it was fun.” Jecht grabbed his pack out of Auron’s hands. “So tell me more about Besaid.”
“Ask Braska,” she told him, still annoyed. “You know, you’re lucky I was in a good mood earlier. I almost decided not to give you this, since you used me for target practice.
Jerk.
” She pulled a wide, plain metal bracelet out of her pouch and handed it to Jecht. “Try it on, it’s a new piece of armor I tooled up earlier. I made it just for you.”
“What’s it do?”
“It helps with the fiends.”
“Huh,” Jecht said, slipping the accessory on. “Well, I don’t feel different.”
“You’ll see,” she assured him. “Now stay back here, I’ll help Auron clear the path ahead. And before you get any big ideas about sneaking up on us, I’ll be pretending everything we bust up is
you
, so leave us alone. Don’t even
think
about trying the Mark III again!”
“Touchy,” he groused.
Auron nodded at her. “Ready?”
“Yeah. Just a little warning though,” she said with a furtive glance over her shoulder. “Walk fast.”
“Should I even ask? …do I need to worry about Braska?”
“I’m sure they’ll be fine,” Rikku said with a broad smile. “Now let’s go-go-go!”
.x.x.x.
Auron and Rikku took point through the passage ascending to the jungle.
“Besaid was a great metropolis over a thousand years ago,” Braska said to Jecht. “The Church’s records claim it was once the seat of power for training future Summoners. Little is left of that legacy today, besides the Temple of Wind. The village that shares its name is now hidden in the depths of the older ruins.” He gestured at the worn stone steps and overgrown columns decorating the rocky path. “Besaid, as it stands today, may be one of the smallest permanent settlements left in Spira.”
“Huh,” said Jecht, pushing aside a vine.
The path meandered towards a bridge that passed a roaring waterfall. A tough-shelled fiend ambled onto the path, marring the scenic overlook’s beauty, but Auron quickly batted it over the edge of the walkway.
“ ‘Cept for the usual fiends, seems kinda peaceful here.”
A Garuda swooped down and both men squinted as a dressphere activated with a flash of light. Auron rubbed his head, looking annoyed while Rikku’s loud laughter echoed. The sound of machine gun fire and explosions filled the air, and, when the bird wavered and dropped to the ground, Auron finished it with a single swing of his sword.
“Mostly peaceful,” Braska agreed. “The high concentration of fiends here today is likely due to the bulk of Besaid’s population attending the Tournament in Luca. With no one patrolling the road, the journey may be a bit more trying, though it’s not a difficult one.”
A Flan wibbled its way towards them.
Braska fried it with a Holy spell. “Although this is a bit excessive.”
A Dingo and a Condor rushed out of the forest together, ignoring Auron and Rikku and barreling straight towards them.
“No sweat,” Jecht said, drawing his own sword. “I been practicin’, I can keep up with those two! Leave this to me.” He rushed forward to meet the wild dog and swung his sword out in a wide chop; the fiend dissolved into pyreflies. The flyer was a little trickier; Jecht had to take a few swipes at it before he landed a hit. He gave Braska a thumbs up when he was finished. “See? Told ya so.”
“Behind you,” Braska said, pointing.
Jecht scowled as another two Condors flapped towards them. A Flan struggled to keep up. “You guys want more of this? Well, bring it on!” He charged into battle with an eager yell.
“Something is strange about this,” Braska murmured, leaving Jecht behind as he quickened his pace.
.x.x.x.
They’d made good time down the path, as per Rikku’s instructions; Auron held up a hand to slow her down, squinting. “Wait.” He tilted his head towards Braska, hurrying towards them.
“What exactly is going on?” Braska managed to say, struggling to catch his breath.
Rikku leaned over and looked down the path. “Jecht’s not with you?” At the shake of Braska’s head, she grinned.
Payback is golden!
“Good. But, uh, we should keep moving.”
“I take it your hurry is somehow related to Jecht’s irresistible appeal to the fiends?” Braska paused. “And you might have warned me,” he added with a touch of indignation.
“Like the fiends here are anything to worry about,” she scoffed.
Auron grunted at her. “How?”
“That bracelet I gave him,” she answered, skipping a little with pride. “I designed it myself. I call it a Lure Bracer. Well, you can see what it does…” She pointed at the bridge behind them. Jecht was racing across it, chased by a flock of squawking Condors. His bare feet looked splattered with blue.
“Is that Flan goo?” Auron muttered in confusion. “Fiends turn into pyreflies when they’re slain. How did he manage – ”
The question was answered as the bridge Jecht crossed was suddenly swarmed by a mass of undulating blue Flans, wobbling after him.
“Oopsie?” Rikku said, scratching her head. “I guess it works a little too well.”
Braska eyed the parade of Flans with baffled awe. “I’ve never seen so many in one place.”
Auron’s face darkened into a scowl. “I’m going to have to deal with this, aren’t I?”
She pouted. “Don’t blame me! Jecht hit me with those blitzballs one time too many, okay?”
“I think we can safely blame you for this,” Auron replied, drawing his sword.
“Technically that fisherman from Besaid was the one who hit you,” Braska reminded. He raised his staff and blasted the first wave of the crossing fiends with another Holy spell, buying Jecht some respite.
“He’s still guilty by association,” she grumbled, taking down one of the Condors with an Ice spell of her own.
Auron waited at the end of the bridge, positioning himself as a human chokepoint. “’
It’ll be just like a vacation
,’ she said. ‘
I’ll teach you how to swim
,’ she said,” he muttered.
“Oh, come on!” She joined Auron and poked him in the shoulder. “We’re in Besaid.”
“Fiends are fiends,” he replied, casting a baleful glare over his shoulder. “And there are more than a few of them following Jecht straight down this path towards the village.” He scowled. “I can see that more training sessions are in order.” He raised his voice and ordered, “Jecht! Keep them away from civilians!”
Jecht glared at Auron incredulously, then turned and ran back over the bridge towards the slow-moving army of Flan, cursing.
Braska peered at Auron. “We’re still quite far from the village.”
Auron relaxed, resting the flat of his blade against his shoulder. “He doesn’t know that.”
Rikku spent another moment watching Jecht wade into the sea of sticky blue creatures, then grinned at Auron. “So back up there.
Fiends are fiends? Are they really, though?”
“Is now the time for a philosophical discussion?” Braska asked, sending a healing spell at Jecht.
“Just hear me out for a minute,” she replied. “ ‘Cause I have a theory…”
Auron made a show of leaning against the post of the bridge. “This should be good.”
Behind him, Jecht wailed and Braska raised his staff again, casting. “I used Regen this time, so we should have a few moments. You have a fiend theory?”
“Well,” she began. “The fiends in Besaid are the wimpiest things you’ve ever met, right? They’re even easier than those bugs in Kilika.” Searching the ground, Rikku bent over and picked up a large pebble, tossing it in her palm. “Watch this.” She closed one eye, took aim, and lobbed the stone at a passing Condor, which burst into pyreflies. Nodding in satisfaction, she turned back to her companions. “Even the kids here could kill them.”
Some of them did so as a sport in the future, actually. She’d been responsible for that, seeing as how she couldn’t resist tinkering with the slingshots the hopeful children had gifted her during her stint as a “teacher.” It was easy enough to improve the range and efficiency, as well as their capacity to fire objects larger than pebbles – such as fruit.
The first time a hut had gotten
papayaed
, Lulu hadn’t been amused.
Shaking her head, she refocused on her theory. “So the real question is,
why
are the fiends in Besaid so weak?”
“Hmm,” Braska mused. “I may have a theory about that myself, but I’d like to hear yours first.”
She waited, but Auron shook his head. “I don’t speculate. My job is to kill them, nothing more.”
“Well, I think it’s related to population density,” she said, putting her hands on her hips. “There aren’t so many people here, so there’s less material to deal with when… something happens.” There was a moment of shared silence as everyone recognized
something
as
Sin attacks and kills a bunch of people
. She cleared her throat. “I mean, there’s just not enough pyreflies available to create the greater fiends.”
At that, even Auron perked up in interest.
“See, I’m not really convinced that fiends are made from the resentment of the dead,” Rikku continued. “They’re made from pyreflies. And pyreflies are released from the bodies of people who die. So… basically, since less people die, less powerful fiends are made here.”
Somewhere behind them Jecht howled, as if to disagree.
Braska frowned. “Perhaps. But no matter where or how, death occurs when Sin attacks. The feelings of loss and despair would be the same, whether there were one or many victims. An individual’s strength of will cannot be so easily quantified and measured. It would only take one grief-stricken unsent with an exceptionally strong will to create a fiend of extraordinary power, if what Yevon teaches us is true.”
She hesitated, thinking of Seymour and Yunalesca. Technically, they
weren’t
fiends… were they? She wasn’t sure what she’d call Seymour or Yunalesca’s final forms otherwise. But what did that make Auron? Would he also have been destined to become a fiend if Yuna hadn’t –
Stop it.
“Well, how do
you
explain Besaid then?”
“I suspect it has more to do with the attitude of the people who live here.” Braska paused to send another Cure towards Jecht before resuming their conversation. “How would each of you describe them?”
“Naive,” Auron answered, then grimaced as Braska and Rikku both scowled. “Fine.
Innocent.
”
“C’mere you lil’ shits – OWW! Fuck!
FUCK!
”
“Jecht! Language!” Braska shouted.
“Happy-go-lucky!” she said to Braska when he turned back towards them. That described Wakka to a point, and it even applied in some extent to Lulu’s unflappable equilibrium. “They just don’t let
anything
bother them here. Besaid’s full of the most laidback people I’ve ever met!”
“Exactly,” Braska finished with a knowing look. “Innocence. Happiness. The ability to shrug off sorrow and continue living their lives to the fullest. Besaid is a village full of people who have refused to give up and abandon their hope. In doing so, I believe they are protecting their village in a way unique to all of Spira.” He gestured at the fiends still plaguing Jecht.
Rikku observed the battle. Jecht was now being swarmed by the Condors, who were snapping at his long hair. He was still making a mess, stomping his way through a slimy sea of blue Flan, and had abandoned his sword in favor of swinging about with his fists alone. It was a comical way to fight – she had to push down a few snickers watching him flail – but he was still making pyreflies out of almost everything he struck.
“Anywhere else that would be suicidal rather than amusing,” Braska noted. “But here, the spirits of the people of Besaid are keeping him safe. The dead do not hold grudges in this place. There’s no malice left substantial enough to create powerful fiends.”
“Interesting.” Auron straightened. “Maybe both of you are correct. Perhaps those who pass with happiness in their souls can’t be corrupted.”
Braska grinned wolvishly. “Oh? You’ve taken a sudden interest in studying fiend philosophy, I see. Whatever happened to
‘don’t ask me, I just kill ‘em’
?”
Auron snorted. “Don’t mistake my lack of commentary for a lack of interest. I’m not Jecht,” he scoffed. “Speaking of which...” He pointed at Jecht, who had slipped on the Flan goop and was now rolling around on the ground, still raising pyreflies.
Braska sighed and twirled his staff once, bowing his head. Light bloomed and Ixion burst out of the sky. The aeon whinnied and charged across the bridge after Jecht.
As Ixion met the morass of oozing fiends, he sent a sea of sparks through them, dissolving the remaining bodies into pyreflies. It was over in mere moments and the aeon joined the flood, dissolving into light and releasing Braska from his Rapture.
The Condors were still circling around Jecht, and Auron squinted at them. “Deal with the birds, Rikku. As much as it warms me to see Jecht suffer, this
is
your fault.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she grumbled, raising her hands and channeling the power through her garment grid. A few Thunders later, there was nothing left but pyreflies drifting through the sky and the smell of burnt hair. “Whoops,” she called out to Jecht. “My aim wasn’t so good that time.”
Jecht rose to his feet, panting. He glared, pulling the bracelet off his wrist and holding it up. “Made it just for me, huh?”
She matched his glare, lifting her chin in a challenge. “Yep!”
Jecht eyed the bracelet. “Think you’re pretty clever? Did it take ya a while to cook this one up?”
She preened. “Actually, it did. Lure bracers are a pretty tough bit of synthesis, but I had the right tools on me and you really
did
push it with the blitzball thing – ”
Jecht tossed the bracelet over his shoulder. It fell with a twinkle into the rapid water below the bridge, carrying it away towards the sea.
“Whoops,” Jecht said, limping past them. “Butterfingers. Maybe it was all that Flan.”
Rikku stared at the waterfall, gaping and making sounds not unlike the Condors that had just been attacking them.
Braska gave her a sympathetic smile. “Well, it was an enlightening conversation. Thank you for that.” He trailed after Jecht, sending out another Cure spell.
Auron lifted a finger to snap her mouth shut. “You two
are
worse than children,” he said, amused.
.x.x.x.
Besaid was… underwhelming, to say the least. The arched gate to the “village” protected nothing more than a smattering of simple huts, even fewer than Rikku had seen when Yuna lived there. It was all but abandoned, save for the temple clergy, the very young, and the very old.
She might have called it a ghost town if the tiny collection of huts could even be considered a
town
.
Braska looked over the village with a hopeful glint in his eye. He turned to Auron and opened his mouth.
“Yes,” Auron sighed, preparing the sphere that Rikku pushed into his waiting hands. “I know,
for Yuna
.” He held it up as it buzzed to life.
Jecht strode out into the center of the village and looked around. “Smallest heap o’ huts I ever seen,” he grumbled, unimpressed.
Braska stood next to him, clearly seeing something the rest of them didn’t. “Now,
this
looks like a fine place to live. Hmm…”
Jecht gave Braska the side-eye and walked away.
Braska continued to study the village before turning back towards the gate. “Auron,” he called out, smile forming.
“Uh-oh,” she muttered. “I know that tone. Wanna run?”
“Let’s see what he wants first,” Auron replied in an undertone. “Yes?” he asked Braska.
Braska’s smile faltered. “Come now. I am not about to ask you to do something
completely
unreasonable. Do you not trust me?”
“That’s a loaded question. What is it?”
Braska turned back towards the village. “I am serious. When this is over…” He paused. “Could you bring Yuna here?”
Auron straightened in shock. “
Here?
Besaid? But my lord… there’s
nothing
here.”
“Define
nothing
, Auron,” Braska said. “I see a village full of hope, peace and beauty. I see a place where Yuna will be able to grow on her own, protected from the machinations of Bevelle. I see a village where my daughter will not be made an outcast for the color of her eyes.” His expression turned pained. “Is it really so difficult to understand? I want her to live a life far away from this conflict.”
Auron fell silent. Rikku realized after a moment that he was contemplating Braska’s request. All the more, Braska seemed to be waiting for his answer, as if it might have some weight in Yuna’s future.
Maybe it does
, she thought, surprised. She knew now that Braska and Auron had been a team for far longer than this Pilgrimage; what
had
happened after Raenn died? She tried to picture it – Braska, freshly cast from the Church and torn with grief, with no means to support his family and no idea of the value of money.
Someone
must had gotten them through those six years as outcasts in Bevelle.
Someone
who also made a trust fund for Yuna and might have just as much of say in her future as Braska did.
Rikku stared at Auron’s shoulders.
You big liar.
“You have my word,” Auron eventually said. “I’ll bring her here.”
“Thank you, Auron. You’re a good friend.” Braska’s voice was warm with sincerity.
Jecht, oblivious as ever, came stomping back through the moment. “What are you guys doin’?” he complained. “Let’s go! I’m so hungry I could eat a shoopuf whole!”
Braska started. “Sorry. Well, let’s go then.” He nodded one last time at Auron and walked off towards the temple. “Jecht! We don’t eat shoopufs any more than we milk them…”
Auron shut the sphere off, still staring into the ground. He was taking it pretty well, all things considered – being ordered by his best friend to uproot his own life in Bevelle to become a surrogate father to a seven-year old in a two-hut village he clearly held little love for.
Rikku touched his shoulder. “I bet Yunie thinks you’re a great second dad,” she whispered.
“Hnn,” Auron grunted, putting the sphere away. “Braska believes that, which is all that matters.” He sighed, taking in the village with a bit more interest than before. “I suppose I’d better get to know this place.” He paused, counting. “All seven huts of it.”
“ ‘ey!” Jecht’s voice carried over from the steps of the temple. “They got puddin’ here! C’mon, let’s eat!”
Auron winced. “Pudding.
Wonderful.
”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku opened her eyes to the sunlit deck of the airship. Sitting up, she looked around and sighed. “Not this again. Who is it this time? Yuna? Paine? Brother?”
“Oh, hey! Rikku! There you are.” She jerked around. Tidus grinned, one hand raised in a familiar wave. “How’s it going?”
She blinked. Then she pinched herself.
“That doesn’t work in a dream, you know.” He settled by her, still smiling. “Not unless you can make your body pinch yourself in the real world, too. Although, I dunno… muscle memory is a weird thing. Whenever I dream about having to go to the bathroom, I usually wake up – ”
“Okay! I get it!” she said hastily. “You sure sound just like Tidus. What mysterious piece of advice do you have for me? I’ve already dreamt about Braska and Yuna, and Auron and Paine. So when do you turn into Jecht?” She examined him with suspicion. “You’re not hiding a blitzball anywhere, are you? I’m not getting smashed out of this dream by the Mark III if I can help it.”
“You want me to look like my old man? Wait – you dreamt that Paine and Auron were the same person? Your subconscious sure is freaky.” Tidus made a face. “And hey! Give me a little credit! I’d use the Mark II.”
She socked him in the arm. “I miss you guys.”
His grin faded. “Yeah, we know. Yuna’s worried about you. Even Gippal wants to know where you went. He set up a temporary base in Guadosalam; they’re using Leblanc’s mansion. You know, Seymour’s old place.” Tidus grimaced. “Gives me the creeps.”
“Gippal using Seymour’s house or Gippal shacking up with Leblanc?” she asked, smirking.
“Both.” He frowned. “Listen. People are getting really worried. Brother’s handling it the worst. His baby sister’s disappeared, his other brother died, and he’s never gotten along with your pops to begin with, so. You need to finish up and come back home soon. Family’s important.”
“You would know, huh?”
Tidus glared. “Don’t give me a hard time about this! It’s already bad enough picturing you kissing Auron. He’s my foster dad, you know!”
Rikku pursed her lips and tapped them. “I never thought of it that way. So… does that make me sorta like your mom now?” She cackled at the look that passed over Tidus’ face. “Nightmares for decades, right? My work here is done!”
“No, I don’t think it is yet.”
There was a tone of solemnity to his words that brought her up short. “What – ”
“Look, I gotta go soon, but… take care of my old man, will you?” Tidus laughed. “It kinda makes me mad, knowing you’re getting along better with him than I ever did. But I guess everything Jecht does makes me mad.”
The field of flowers surrounding the airship began to grow fuzzy. “Tidus?” she asked uncertainly. “...Am I dreaming right now?”
Tidus gave her a wistful smile. “See you around, Rikku.”
.x.x.x.
Rikku shot up in bed, blinking. What was that?
“ ‘Bout time you woke up!”
Turning, she stared at Jecht with wide eyes.
“You were sleepin’ like the dead! Broke Auron’s record for lie-ins.” Jecht tilted his head when she didn’t respond. “You feelin’ okay? Your motor mouth don’t usually run outta gas.”
“Shut up, Jecht,” she replied, without any of her usual fire.
His expression slanted into worry. “Okay, I’m callin’ Braska. Auron wasn’t supposed to actually screw your brains out.”
That shook Rikku from her confusion. “I’m fine!” She threw a pillow at Jecht; he grunted when it smacked him in the face. “Why’re you waking me up now anyway?”
“Braska’s gettin’ ready to enter the Cloister soon. You gotta Guardian up or you’re gonna miss it.” He crossed his arms. “Seriously, you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Somehow, she managed a smile. “I think… maybe I did.” Then she noticed where Jecht was really looking. This time it was a brightly-colored pot that smashed into his face. “OUT! OUT!”
“OWW! Fine, will ya just – OWW!” Jecht scurried out of the hut, ducking a few more of the projectiles she sent after him. “It ain’t my fault you sleep in the buff now! Gimmie a break!”
Grumbling about idiots whose names started with 'Je' and ended with 'cht,' she scrambled out of the bed. Donning her clothes and garment grid in record time, she quickly rucked her tangle of hair into its usual ponytail and slipped on her boots. Eying the broken shards of pottery littering the floor, she sighed and swept up the mess with her foot.
What is it with everyone wanting to comment on Auron and me? Why is it so hard to leave us alone?
After depositing the trash outside with a silent apology to the owners, she quickly made her way through the tiny village, trying to ignore any detours down memory lane. Her feet slowed as she passed the place where Yuna and Tidus’ hut would stand in the future, eying the mostly-barren patch of land. Shaking her head, she hurried past it and continued on her way.
It was quiet; Besaid was a community of fishers and weavers, usually up on their feet early in the morning. There was little activity in the village at that moment, though, and the silence allowed her mind to drift towards her dream.
Had it really been Tidus? Was there any actual way to check? He hadn’t dissolved into mist or morphed into a figure from the past, unlike all of her other dreams – as if those weren’t weird enough too. This one, however, left her feeling even more lost than the others.
What if it wasn’t just a dream?
It was something to deal with later, though; she’d arrived at the temple and Braska was waiting, standing by one of the pillars flanking the entrance. Jecht was sprawled next to him, soaking up the early sunlight. Even Auron looked unusually relaxed, arms crossed as he leaned against the weathered stone.
“Ah, good morning,” Braska greeted her. “Should I ask about what happened to Jecht’s face?”
“He woke me up,” she said, directing a glare at Auron. “Wasn’t that supposed to be your job?”
Auron raised an eyebrow. “You can be insufferable in the mornings. All the more reason for me not to volunteer to wake you.”
She scowled.
He shifted, then glanced away. “Although, I did try. You were exhausted.”
“Well, no wonder,” Jecht began, “Since ya spent all night – ”
Auron raised his fist.
“Nothin’. I didn’t say nothin’ ‘bout the most violent couple in Spira,” Jecht finished.
“Yes, well.” Braska cleared his throat and led them inside. “The Trials await us, so let us proceed before any more violence is provoked.” His muttered, “I should charge for my services,” echoed between the arched stone columns.
Rikku hesitated as she entered, surprised. “This place is pretty... atmospheric?”
Jecht snorted, the sound bouncing through the room. “You mean empty. Where the hell are all the statues?”
The temple’s interior looked nothing like she remembered it; there were fewer summoners’ statues present than there were huts in the village. The only three she recognized were High Summoners Gandof, Ohalland, and Yocun; the remaining statues were either broken or weathered beyond repair.
How had the village managed to restore its Temple in the future? Although, its current destitution could’ve explained why it took Besaid almost ten years after Braska’s Calm to finally receive his High Summoner’s statue.
Braska sighed. “While I could attempt to draw some meaningful parallel from this austerity, I’m afraid the truth is much simpler.”
Auron strode towards the entrance to the Cloister. His boots echoed across the stone floor. “Money. Besaid has none, and this temple never recovered from Sin’s attack three years ago.”
Someone cleared their throat; a young nun emerged from one of the storage rooms and smiled. “Well! This is unexpected! I thought everyone would be in Luca for the tournament!” She bowed. “Are you a summoner’s party by chance?”
Braska returned her bow. “Indeed. I am Summoner Braska of Bevelle. I have come to commune with your Fayth.”
“And I am Sister Ginnem,” the woman said, visibly pleased. “On behalf of Besaid, I welcome you to the Temple of Wind.” She continued to stare at Braska, obviously star-struck.
“Thank you.” He returned her broad smile with a bit of discomfort.
Jecht’s eyebrows went up. “How the hell did Braska get a fan all the way out here before I did? Did they hear ‘bout us already?”
Rikku shook her head. “She’s a nun,” she whispered back. “The Church’s superstars aren’t Blitzball players, remember? I doubt she’s heard anything about you.”
“Damn.”
“...Yes, well,” Braska said after the silence had stretched uncomfortably long. “I take it you’ll have no objection if we enter the Cloister then?”
Ginnem flushed. “Oh, excuse me! I’m also training to become a summoner, and you’re the first real one I’ve met.”
“Ah,” Braska said stiffly; it seemed he didn’t approve of the woman’s career choice. “Well then, I suppose I shall have to work that much harder to succeed before you do.”
Ginnem’s enthusiasm waned. “Perhaps. My younger sister was among those slain when Sin last attacked Besaid. I might give you a run for your money!”
Braska sighed. “I do not wish to overstep the bounds of your hospitality, Sister, but have you perhaps considered other, more productive, ways of serving Yevon?”
“My lord,” Auron interjected. “The Teachings – ”
Ginnem raised her hand. “Peace, friends. I’m not about to report you to the High Priest. Although, you shouldn’t practice that speech so openly on other summoners outside of Besaid.”
Jecht scratched his head and leaned close to Rikku. “What was that all about?”
“Yevon’s Teachings. They encourage the clergy to become summoners. You know – the more you have floating around, the more chances one of them will take down Sin.” She rolled her eyes. “Apparently, it’s a sin to get a summoner to stray from the holy path.”
“So, why’s Braska tryin’ to stop her?”
She crossed her arms and frowned. “It’s complicated. Braska’s just like that.”
Jecht shrugged. “Didn’t figure he’d wanna hog all the glory. Then again, didn’t see him fallin’ for you, either.”
“Thanks, Jecht,” she said, channeling as much of Auron’s innate sarcasm as she could into her reply. She turned her attention back towards Braska’s conversation.
“...Of course,” he was saying, bowing to Ginnem. “I will be happy to share my experiences with you after I have prayed to the Fayth. If I can be of any other assistance, please ask.” He beckoned them toward the Cloister entrance. “Shall we?”
Auron pushed the doors open, and they passed through the wide hallway together. Runic, mosaic-like script flashed across one wall, resolving into something that looked like a sundial.
“Before we begin,” Auron said. “Please try to avoid destroying the temple this time. There’s a Summoner-in-Training here.” He paused. “You’ll only make it easier for her.”
“I know,” Braska replied, studying the rune’s shifting patterns. After a moment, he raised his hand; a wall slid open to reveal a set of stairs. Another rune awaited them at the base of the hidden steps, powered by a glowing sphere set into a socket.
There was only one other place in the small passage the newly-revealed sphere could fit; unasked, Jecht slotted it into the waiting door’s recess with a look of boredom.
“Well, this seems a little too easy,” Jecht observed, pushing the door open. He was already removing the sphere from its socket when Rikku passed. She raised an eyebrow at him. “I learn fast.” He tossed the sphere in the air.
They continued down the linear hallway – it offered no surprises and even less decorative ornamentation than the other temples. When the next sphere socket was finally spotted, Jecht inserted the orb without prompting. The wall rumbled and rose into the ceiling, taking their sphere with it. “Hope we didn’t need that,” he said.
Auron peered into the tiny alcove the moving wall had revealed. “Even here, there’s a destruction sphere. They must be recent additions to the Temples,” he noted, pulling it out of the wall.
“How do you figure?” Rikku asked, confused. Sure, Seymour had placed them there himself to seal off his mom, but Auron wasn’t supposed to know that. At least, not yet.
“This entire building must have been destroyed when Sin attacked. Everything here is too new. They were likely placed when it was rebuilt.”
“And, of course, it wasn’t just the temple that was hit,” she said, thinking back to her run-in with Chappu. “I heard they lost most of their Blitzball team, too.”
Maybe there was something to Braska’s theory after all. If the village had been razed to the ground three years ago without a summoner present, it was almost a miracle that there were so few fiends to be found on the island.
Jecht continued down the tunnel. “Well, apart from them glowin’ things across from that hole in the wall, it’s a dead end,” he called out. “Feels more like a vacation than a Trial.” He punched at the glyphs, then snorted as they dissolved and revealed another not-so-well-hidden alcove with another light blue sphere. “An’ this’ll make our exit,” he muttered, grabbing it and bringing it to the others.
“We should make a donation to this temple as well,” Braska said to Auron, who looked weary, but unsurprised.
“At least our budget can finally keep up with your whims.” He took the sphere from Jecht and shoved it into the wall, which rolled up to reveal the familiar round sigil for an elevator. Taking a speculative look at the destruction sphere in his hand, Auron held it up. “Everything we’ve found to date seems to have been useful so far. Who wants to try this?”
Rikku scratched her cheek. I’ve definitely noticed a ‘Celestial Weapon’ theme to the hidden treasures we’ve found so far. So maybe... “Isn’t it Jecht’s turn to go treasure hunting? Why don’tcha let him have it this time?”
“Really?” Jecht snatched the sphere out of Auron’s hand. “Sure, man. Don’t come cryin’ to me when I collect the goods, though.”
“Whether or not what you find is ‘good’ remains to be seen,” Auron replied.
Smirking, Jecht ambled back towards the only free sphere slot left in the Cloister. “Doesn’t matter. Treasure is treasure!” The wall lit up as Jecht slotted the sphere in; a line of sickly pink energy stuttered to life.
Something exploded further down the hallway.
“That sounded… rather destructive. Perhaps we should make a more substantial donation to the Church than we did in Kilika,” Braska said as they made their way towards the rubble. “Though we may have caused less problems this time, the paucity of our surroundings makes this defacement all the more obvious.”
“Hnn,” Auron agreed, as they reached the new room and Jecht opened the chest.
He froze.
“What is it?” Auron asked.
“Get over here, Rikku,” Jecht said, pulling the object out. “This what I think it is?”
Skipping over, she grabbed the symbol from Jecht and studied it. It was warm and made of a strange, blackened metal. The relief of a red trident rose from the surface; as her fingers passed over it, it flickered and glowed. “Yeah,” she breathed, handing it back to Jecht. The symbol flared with ruby light. “It’s the Neptune Crest! Congratulations… you found the other half of your weapon!”
Jecht stared at the crest. “You said these things... they choose you, right?” His fingers curled around the crest. “If that sword’s really mine, that means I’m supposed to be here.”
“As loathe as I am to admit it, you have been an exemplary Guardian for Braska so far,” Auron said. “I had my doubts when we first started, but now, you deserve to be a part of this Pilgrimage just as much as any of us.”
Braska nodded in silent agreement.
Jecht, however, didn’t appear to be paying attention. His brows were furrowed, his mouth drawn into a soft frown as he stared at the symbol.
Rikku swallowed, realizing that both Auron and Braska didn’t understand the true meaning behind Jecht’s words. He wasn’t questioning his role as a Guardian; he was wrestling with the idea that he’d been destined for Spira.
“Do I even got a choice?” He looked up at Rikku and she was struck by the uncomfortable realization that he was coming to her for reassurance. “Or am I still dancin’ to someone else’s tune, just like all them other mice in Zanarkand?”
A chill passed through her. Aeons… are always summoned by someone, for a purpose. Had Jecht’s arrival really been an accident, or was Yu Yevon growing tired of living? “I don’t know,” she said. “But you still have your free will, right? You can choose what you want to do with yourself while you’re here.”
Jecht remained rooted to the spot, gaze moving back to the pulsing red crest in his hand. “Ya really think so?”
“Jecht?” Braska looked puzzled. “What are you talking about? Of course you have the option to choose. I have never meant to trap you into continuing on this Pilgrimage if that was not your wish.”
Jecht grunted. “Sorry, but this one ain’t about you, B.” He ran his thumb over the crest. “It’s ’bout me.”
Rikku felt eyes boring into her head; gulping, she met Auron’s questioning gaze. Clearly, he had no idea what she and Jecht were discussing, but he had witnessed part of Jecht’s initial meltdown on the Mi’ihen Highroad. His eyes narrowed, but she shook her head once, quickly. Not now. Her eyes flitted over to Braska. Not in front of Braska.
Auron frowned, but touched Braska’s arm. “Braska. Leave them. Let’s find the Chamber of the Fayth.” He looked at her. “Join us when you can.”
She nodded, thankful he’d understood, and faced Jecht, waiting for the elevator to descend before speaking. “I thought you said you were gonna fight. Don’t fall apart on us now!”
“Fight what?” Jecht growled. “Fight bein’ someone else’s dream? I don’t got no control over my own damn life!” He sprang to his feet and paced the hall nervously. “I don’t even know if I am alive! I ain’t ridin’ this storm, Blondie. I’m drownin’ in it.”
Tidus’ words haunted her. “...Take care of my old man, will you?”
Steeling herself, she grabbed Jecht’s arms. It was hard, considering his height, but she put her weight into it and shook him. “Snap out of it,” she commanded. “You’re not lost in this storm.” She waited until his eyes were focused on her. “You are the storm.”
He stared at her for a long moment.
Did I reach him?
“...You been hittin’ the Ochu tentacles lately, Blondie? The hell you on about?”
It was surprisingly easier to shake Jecht around like a limp rag doll when she was angry. “No, you dork! I was trying to be inspirational!” She raised a hand threateningly. “I can be more direct if your head’s too thick to get it!”
Snickering, Jecht shook her off. “Sorry. We were gettin’ too serious there for a minute, but then you saved it by goin’ over the top.”
“What?” she sputtered.
“You should’ve seen your face!” Jecht guffawed. “You were actin’ like somebody killed my pet chocobo or somethin’! Snapped me right outta my funk. See, I just don’t like thinkin’ bout serious things too much. It’s no fun.”
Balking, Rikku resisted the urge to choke him with his own bandana. “Of course thinking is hard, you undersized Ogre! But, it’s still better than the alternative!”
“What, you mean actin’ like all the rest of the people in Spira?” He sobered abruptly, and she couldn’t help but wonder how much of his sudden cheer had been faked. “Sin ain’t never really been defeated in a thousand years. Everybody keeps hopin’ that doin’ the same thing over and over again will work, but nobody ever got it right. You’d think by now everybody would’ve figured Yevon’s Teachings were a load o’ Dingoshit. We’re gonna have to do things different if we wanna change this world, right?”
“Well, yeah,” she replied uncertainly, dropping her hands. “Do you have some kind of plan?” A strong feeling of deja-vu struck her; for a minute, she saw Tidus looking back at her.
“Naw,” he replied. “Least not yet. But I guess it’s a good thing I ain’t really alive then.” He grinned, smaller than normal but still real. “Means I can’t die tryin’ somethin’ new, right?”
Huh. Maybe my message wasn’t completely lost after all. Still... “You gonna be okay?”
“Long as we stick together. You can’t leave me hangin’ here, right? You’re the only one who knows what I am,” Jecht said gruffly.
Was this how Tidus felt at first, too? Maybe it was worse for Jecht, with all his pride, to have to admit that he needed friends at all. “You know I wouldn’t do that to you. Besides, I don’t think we could get rid of you if we tried. You’re pretty stubborn.”
“...So you think I’m the storm, huh?” He punched his crest into the air. “Then I’m gonna bring it. That’s my call.”
Rikku matched his grin. “You sound like you’re ready to go back to Macalania now and get yourself a Celestial Weapon.”
“Yeah! We’re gonna be Spira’s best Celestial Warriors, you know it! Kickin’ ass and takin’ names!” he declared, high-fiving her. “I’m totally gonna rub Auron’s face in it, too.”
Yeah. He’ll get past this.
“C’mon, let’s see if Braska’s got himself a new aeon yet.” He scratched his head. “Is it a chick or a dude here? If it’s a chick, is she hot?”
“You know, I was almost impressed.” She headed for the elevator. “At least some things never change.”
Chuckling, Jecht pocketed the crest and followed her.
When they both stood on the platform, it rumbled, then sent them deeper into the earth. The stones got older and more weathered the further they went; when the elevator bottomed out into the antechamber of the Fayth, it felt as though they’d stepped into a different temple. Delicate, whorling patterns decorated every wall, and the floors and ceiling were richly inscribed with feather-like symbols. The high, haunting trill of a soprano echoed around them, adding to the room’s solemn atmosphere.
“Whoa,” Jecht mumbled, his eyes wide. “Lookit this place!”
“You made it,” Auron greeted from his position against one of the walls. “Did you work everything out?”
“I’m good to go. And once I power up my sword, I’m gonna wipe the floor with your ass. Payback for all those drills, man!”
“You say that as though you believe it might happen. Well, you’re welcome to try.” Auron smirked. “And fail.”
Jecht raised both hands and flipped Auron the bird.
“Auron, stop baiting Jecht!” she scolded. “Getting access to a Celestial Weapon is a really big deal! Don’t ruin his moment with reality, okay?”
Jecht repeated his salute to Rikku, before sticking his fingers into his ears and pointedly studying the ornate walls.
Auron chuckled. “Braska just entered the Chamber. We may be here for a while.”
She put her arms behind her back and strolled around the beautiful room, eyeing the delicate carvings. Now this is more like I remember. “I guess this part of the temple wasn’t touched by Sin’s attack. Still, I’m kinda surprised it’s so pretty. I mean, this place could put Bevelle to shame!”
Auron shrugged. “If Besaid truly was once the seat of Spira’s summoners, imagine what this temple must have looked like before the Great Machina War.” He shook his head. “You would hardly realize it by looking at the hovels above, though. Or the villagers, for that matter.”
Finished with her cursory inspection of the small chamber, Rikku settled on the floor by his feet. “Don’t knock it. You and Yuna might be adding to their population one day.” She giggled at his disgruntled look, giving his calf a playful pinch.
“Hnn,” Auron said, though his soft gaze belied his strict tone.
Relaxing against the wall, she idly traced one of the spiraling patterns on the floor. Auron should learn to like this place; he might have a future here, after all. Her finger stilled as the memory of her strange dream resurfaced.
If that was actually Tidus though, what does that mean for Auron? Does Auron never make it back to Besaid? Were my other dreams real, too?
A faint memory of pyreflies tickled; Auron, kneeling among flowers.
Come back soon, Tidus had said.
She shivered, trying to make a connection. What if going back home meant dying, like she almost did in Baaj? What did that even mean? Was she dead?
Rikku lifted her hand, inspecting her finger. The faint white scar where she’d first bitten herself to test the theory was still there. She frowned.
Was what Dream-Tidus said even true? Were her friends in the future worried about her? It would just be like Brother to panic; it was practically his normal state of existence. But Gippal? Rikku snorted. Hardly. As much as he liked to play the field, even he would’ve given Leblanc’s grating personality a wide berth.
“Do you want to talk?” Auron’s soft question startled her from her thoughts.
She glanced up, confused.
His brows were drawn together in faint concern. “You look as though you’re worried about something,” he said. “Is it this secret between you and Jecht?”
“No, that’s something different. You’ll have to pry it out of Jecht. It’s not really my place to say anything.” She twisted her fingers into her sash. “I just… I feel like my past is catching up with me the closer we get to the end of this Pilgrimage,” she admitted. “I guess I’m a little scared.”
He sighed and lowered himself to the ground beside her. “That’s not unreasonable. We all have to face what’s coming. Jecht is the lucky one,” he added, gesturing to where Jecht was seated, cross-legged, fingers still in place. “Ignorance is bliss.”
Jecht pulled his fingers out of his ears. “You ain’t talkin’ about me, are ya?”
“No.” Auron leaned over and kissed Rikku, who flailed a bit at the unexpected – but welcome – assault.
“I know ya did that on purpose!” Jecht turned around and stuck his fingers back into his ears, making gagging noises.
She pushed Auron off with a giggle. “You love torturing him, don’t you? Not that I’m complaining.”
“Bothering Jecht is merely an additional benefit.” He drew her close. “Am I correct in recalling that you threatened me with a swimming lesson?”
Rikku stared. That was suspicious. Auron, kissing her out of the blue to tease Jecht, then asking for swimming lessons while cuddling? “What’s gotten into you?”
He cleared his throat, but maintained his grip. “I was looking forward to spending time with you,” he said, and she almost believed him.
He really was trying hard, and it was definitely cuter than their first date, although in its own way, just as creepy. Auron didn’t cuddle unless you hit him with a Confusion spell first. Which meant...
“You don’t have to act weird to try and make me feel better,” she chided. “I like you the way you are. Tough and gruff.” She teased her fingers along the inside of his coat, tugging him closer. “Although you’re right, we need to get rid of the highly sinkable part ASAP. Like, right after Braska’s done here, okay?”
“…I was afraid you’d say that.”
The Chamber of the Fayth doors parted, and Braska came to a stop at the top of the stairs. Rikku and Auron stood.
“Record time,” Auron noted.
Wiping sweat from his brow, Braska smiled. “It’s done. I’ve received the last aeon. I am now a fully realized summoner.”
“That was damn fast,” Jecht said, also joining them. “Does it get easier each time ya do it or somethin’?”
Braska shook his head. “No… the Fayth here is different from the others I’ve met so far. Very… gentle. I shall summon the aeon outside, and perhaps you’ll understand.”
Their exit from the small temple was quick, and after a brief announcement from Sister Ginnem, some of the townspeople came to watch Braska summon in the circle of beaten dirt in front of the temple.
Rikku studied the gathering with amusement; the “crowd” consisted of an elderly granny, four children who couldn’t be older than ten, one sullen Crusader stuck manning the Crusader’s Lodge, and Sister Ginnem herself. Still, they all watched with wide-eyed looks of anticipation as Braska stepped into the circle.
“Are you ready, my lord?” Ginnem asked.
Braska nodded, visibly amused. “Well… this is a larger crowd in attendance than when I first summoned Bahamut, I suppose.”
He raised his staff and twirled it before extending his arms and leaning back. Beams of light circled his feet, rushing from the ground to meet the sky in a tightening spiral. A clear ring sounded when they clashed, forcing the clouds apart in a sudden gust of wind. And then, with a sonic boom, Valefor plummeted, twisting before spreading her wings to slow her descent. The rush of air from the aeon’s arrival was strong enough to knock the smaller children to the ground.
That did little to stop the cheering and whistling that rose around Braska as he fell into Rapture. Valefor flapped a few times before landing with a thud, her wings still spread.
“Wow,” Jecht whistled. “That thing sure knows how to make an entrance, don’t it?”
“She,” Rikku corrected, too busy drinking in the sight. Valefor, the heart and soul of Yuna’s collection of aeons. Maybe summoners formed a special bond with the first aeon they called; whatever the reason, Valefor had always been the most responsive of Yuna’s menagerie. She was also the only one Rikku had ever seen taking special note of anyone other than their direct enemies in the past – Valefor had often displayed affection for Tidus. Rikku had always guessed it was Yuna’s influence somehow.
Now, the huge, bird-like aeon cocked its head and parted its beak, as if panting, and stared at her. Then it began to lumber towards them.
Auron stiffened. “What’s it doing?”
“You’re just noticing?” Jecht asked, obviously relaxed. “They always do that.”
“Do what?” Rikku asked, as Valefor stopped before them, lowered its head, and blinked at her.
“Come over and take a look at Blondie,” Jecht said. “They never give Auron here the time o’ day.”
“I don’t know,” she hedged. Anima had proved that they did notice her, at least to some extent. Until she’d stopped trying to throw herself into meeting the Fayth however, she would’ve described most of the attention as hostile.
Valefor stood upright, flapping her wings, and closed them in a gentle hug – over Jecht. A few murmurs and gasps rose from the villagers.
Huh. Maybe it wasn’t Yuna’s influence after all. “I don’t think she was looking at me just now,” she teased. Through Valefor’s wings, Jecht stood frozen as the aeon trilled and nuzzled his head. Rikku tapped her chin. “Maybe they’ve been looking at you all this time, you know? Ifrit didn’t give me the head noogie!”
“Hey, I never turn down new fans, but bein’ hugged by a giant wind parrot is kinda creepy,” Jecht muttered. “Nice birdie?” he called out to the aeon.
Valefor reared up with a screech that sounded suspiciously like laughter. Her wings unfurled, and she leapt into the sky, shaking her mane out once before dissolving into pyreflies.
Braska blinked as he straightened. He bowed in thanks to the resulting smattering of applause.
“That was wonderful!” Ginnem said, her eyes alight as she moved towards them. “You’ve collected all of them, yes? Have you called them all too? Might you be able to later? Was the journey to reach the other temples difficult? Or terribly expensive? How many can you summon – ”
Braska held up his hands, silencing her. “All in good time, Sister. If you would allow me just a moment…”
“Oh! Oh of course, my lord,” Ginnem said, blushing and bowing several times.
Wincing, Braska approached them. “I fear the rest of my day has been spoken for,” he said in a low undertone to Auron. “If you’d be so kind as to settle the donation for the temple, the three of you can have the rest of the day to yourselves.”
“Yeah!” Jecht punched the air. “Guess I’m goin’ surfin’ after all!” He looked at the village children, who had picked themselves up and were now milling around. “Who’s with me?” he shouted.
They children brightened and swarmed him, cheering. Jecht gave Braska a parting wave as he led his newfound admirers away.
Auron was already sifting through his pouch, pulling out a large handful of gil. “A thought, my lord,” he said with a smug grin. “I believe you should be the one to present the donation to Sister Ginnem. This was your idea, after all.”
Braska blanched as he took the money. “Thank you, Auron. I’m sure the good Sister will be most appreciative.”
Behind Braska, Ginnem giggled and waved.
“Enjoy your day together,” Auron said with a smirk. It dropped as Rikku tapped his shoulder.
“You agreed to some swimming lessons, mister.”
Now, it was Braska’s turn to smirk. “Yes, you should enjoy your day as well. I’ve found Rikku to be an excellent teacher! Our sessions together were most pleasurable!”
“Bastard,” Auron muttered as Rikku dragged him away, trying to stamp out her blush.
With the village so deserted – at least compared to what she was used to – it took little time for them to arrive at the hut she and Auron were sharing. He loitered awkwardly in the doorway.
She put her hands on her hips. “You’re gonna need to strip down to your shirt and pants,” she said. “No coat, no sword, no armor, no jugs of alcohol. You can keep your shoes if you want, but it’s gonna make it that much harder if you’re a beginner.”
“No.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Listen, I know how much you love your look, but you’re gonna sink like a stone if you go into the water wearing all that.”
Sighing, Auron unbuckled his bracer and discarded it.
“Wait, really? You’re giving in just like that? I thought you were gonna put up more of a fight!”
Smirking, he removed his belt and threw it towards her. “You did ask me to strip. Who am I to refuse?”
Rikku didn’t manage to catch the coat that came flying her way next. Well, at least it matches my face. Batting the fabric off her head, she pouted. “That’s unfair, you know! We’re still going swimming first.” It was a mantra she had to repeat a few more times in her head as Auron removed his chestplate.
“Fine. If Jecht’s performance on the way here was any indication, armor shouldn’t be a problem.” He stopped and glared at her. “But the sword stays.”
“Oh no, it doesn’t,” she answered. “When you know how to float, you can bring your sword along. Otherwise, it’s dead weight.”
“There are still fiends out there,” he insisted. She slapped the weapon out of his hands, threw it back onto the bed, and sat on it for good measure.
“The weakest fiends in all of Spira. And I’ll still have my garment grid with me.” The look on Auron’s face told her what he thought of that idea, so she sighed. “Wow, okay. How about this? I can summon a sword for you if you need to fight, so leave the real one here.”
“Hnn,” he said, sounding unconvinced.
Huffing, she stood and activated her dressphere. Cherry blossoms fluttered around her, and she pulled her weapon from the air. “You are ridiculously stubborn,” she groused, twirling the sword until it was pointed hilt-first at Auron. “Look. They’re identical.”
Rather than taking the weapon, his gaze was trained on her red coat, eyebrows raised. “That is… a unique interpretation. I’m amazed you’ve managed to duplicate my clothing, yet still reveal your stomach to the world.”
“It’s a gift.” She scowled, impatient. “Now, are you going to stare and mock me, or do you want the sword?”
Auron grudgingly reached for it. Then tugged. “You do realize you have to let it go.”
With a grimace, Rikku released her tight grip. “Be careful with that! It’s not a toy,” she warned.
He shot her a look as if to say, “Do you know who you’re talking to?”
“Sorry, I can’t help it! I get all… twitchy, thinking of someone else handling my weapons. That’s all your fault, by the way.” Adjusting the fit of her gloves, she pouted and tried not to feel naked. She was of half a mind to tell Auron to get his own sword back, but knew the compulsion was just the dressphere’s influence. “Let’s get this over with,” she grumped, stomping outside.
Auron followed her out of the hut. She continued to fume and ignore him until they were halfway to Besaid’s canyon. “This is a stupid idea,” she muttered as she walked. “Swimming! Who needs to swim?” Well, technically Auron needed to swim; that was the whole problem, wasn’t it?
Clenching her teeth, she tried not to blame Auron for neglecting such a basic aspect of his education. But, it was completely irresponsible of him, when he knew he’d be travelling overseas with Lord Braska. Of course, he always thought he knew best –
Auron chuckled and Rikku whirled around, annoyed. “What?” she bit out. “What exactly is so amusing about any of this?”
“You are,” he said. He tapped her sword against his shoulder, where he was carrying it. “Are you really so upset that I am simply borrowing this?”
“Of course I am! Wouldn’t you be?” she shot back.
“Mine is real,” Auron said with a frown.
She fumed. How dare –
“No, I am not arguing with you about the quality of our swords right now. Tell me, why are you really angry?” He pinned her under a sharp stare.
Rikku threw her hands up in exasperation. “You want to know why? I’ll tell you why!” She paced in front of him. “We’re in Besaid, the perfect tropical getaway from almost every problem in Spira. But are we naked in a hut, getting to know each other better right now? No! Here we are in the jungle, battling insect bites and suffering this sweltering heat for a fool’s errand!” She panted when she was done, directing an accusatory glare at Auron.
He was laughing at her again. “I can’t argue your logic,” he said. “But remember – you are the one who wanted this. Not I, obviously.”
Rikku growled and stomped her foot. “I know!” she yelled, before whirling and stalking off.
Shaking his head, Auron trailed after her, still smiling.
.x.x.x.
Auron was both a fast learner and a merciless tease. The moment she’d dropped the Samurai costume, Rikku knew he wasn’t going to let her live her dressphere-induced temper tantrum down. And he hadn’t.
“There’s still time for us to return to the village and improve our communication skills,” he noted as he tread the water next to her.
She ignored the blush riding high on her cheeks. “Stop trying to get out of this! Show me that stroke one more time.”
“Hnn,” he grunted, before complying. He’d listened to her instructions and caught on to the basics with ease, but didn’t have any natural grace in the water to speak of.
“Stop trying to punch through like that,” she called as he splashed around her. “Water’s not solid! Don’t be so rigid. You have to flow before you can strike!” She winced as he made another hard slap against the surface, sending a geyser of spray everywhere.
Auron returned to treading the water. “You’ve taught me enough that I won’t drown. Must we really waste any more time on this?”
Rikku sighed and checked the sun’s position overhead. “I guess not,” she grumbled. “We’ve been at it long enough. You can take a break.”
Together, they swam back to the shore. She collapsed under one of the nearby palm trees while he stripped off his soaked shirt, laying it in the sun to dry. He joined her on the ground and let her rest her head against his bare chest. She melted when he began to comb his fingers against her scalp, working out a few of the knots in her hair.
Mmm. This is perfect.
“Rikku,” he said after a few moments had passed. “I want to know more about you.”
She smiled and traced a lazy finger between the muscles on his abdomen. “Don’t you think we know each other pretty well by now?”
Auron caught her hand and squeezed her fingers in a gentle reprimand. “Not like that. I want to know more of your past.”
She tensed. “I’m… I’m not sure if that’s a good idea,” she hedged. Auron remained silent, waiting, and she chewed her lip. “…What do you want to know?”
“Tell me about your first love,” he said after a moment. “Who was he, and how did he break your heart?”
Of course he’d go for the jugular. “Oh, well, that’s easy,” she answered, thinking fast. “He was my best friend back when I was growing up. I thought he was The One, you know? So, I spent three weeks making him this awesome weapon. A mortar with a saw blade!”
“How imaginatively unpractical.”
Rikku smacked Auron’s chest. “Hey! I thought it was some of the best work I ever did! And you know what? So did he. He even gave me a thank-you kiss when I gave it to him!”
“So what happened to your One?” Auron asked with a hint of amused tolerance.
“I caught him making out with Nhadala behind the power generators the very next day.”
“Thank you, Rikku.” Auron sighed. “But you know I wasn’t talking about your first childhood crush.”
A girl can dream. She curled against him, frowning. “This isn’t… easy.”
“Of course not.”
“How ‘bout this: I’ll make you a deal. You tell me something about you, and I’ll tell you something about me. Fair and square!” She poked him. “I went first, so it’s your turn now.”
“Very well.” He paused before asking, “You know that scar on my right thigh?”
“Oh, you mean this one?” She snaked her fingers under the waistband of his trousers to investigate, pouting when he sucked in his breath and gently pulled her hand away.
“Stop that. I actually want to talk to you.”
“I can talk and do other things at the same time!” Rikku protested. “I’m multi-talented!”
Holding her wrists back, Auron smirked. “Yes, I know. I fully intend to put that boast to the test. Later. Right now I want to tell you about my scar.”
Sulking, she collapsed against his side. “Fine, tell me your boring old battle story. I’ll ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ in all the right places just to remind you of what we could be doing instead.”
“It’s not a battle scar,” Auron said.
“What?” Surprised, her eyes dropped to his cloth-covered thigh. “But it’s huge! And deep! What the heck did you do?”
Flushing slightly, he focused intently on the palm fronds overhead. “...Tattoo,” he muttered.
Rikku blinked. Looked at his thigh again. “No way! You got a tattoo once? On your thigh?”
Clearing his throat, he nodded. “It was an ill-advised mistake of my youth. Once I realized that, I removed it myself. It was before I knew Braska.”
Wincing, she freed her hand from Auron’s grip and carefully cupped it over the scar. “That must’ve hurt. What was it a tattoo of anyway?”
“That’s two questions,” he said smugly. “Tell me about your belt. Why’d you steal it and run away?”
“Well… I didn’t really steal it. It was a gift.” Spotting the look on his face, she slapped his chest lightly – Oww, I bet that hurt my hand more than him – and growled. “I’m serious! It’s mine! I’m not running from the Al Bhed because I’m a thief. It’s... more of a family relations thing.” To put it mildly. “I don’t get along that well with Cid.” At least that much was the honest truth.
“Well, we have that much in common,” he replied. “So what would you like to know about me?”
“You can’t seriously tell me about that tattoo and not say what it was!”
“It was a name,” Auron said. When he offered nothing more, Rikku pounced on him.
“Oh no, you don’t, you big meanie! It’s tickle torture until you spill!”
Once again, Auron drew her hands away gently, although the smile had dropped from his face. “It was a woman’s name.”
Rikku froze. Wait, hold up. What? She laughed uneasily. “I think I must have just heard you wrong. Because it sounded like you just said it was a woman’s name.”
Auron’s fingers wove themselves through her hair, settling against her scalp and gently bringing her head to rest under his chin. “I was sixteen, the first time I thought myself in love.”
She was surprised by the seriousness of his voice. Rikku blinked and held her breath.
“I was already in training with the other acolytes. We weren’t meant to be only soldiers; we still had to learn the Teachings. There was a nun who favored me. She took me under her wing.”
He fell silent. She prodded him. “When you say she took you in, you mean – ”
“Yes,” he said, curt. “She took my virginity. She was an instructor at the seminary; I was seduced by her tender words and gentle touches. But I was a foolish boy, and I made a simple mistake.” He made a small noise of self-depreciation. “I told Kinoc.”
Ouch. “What happened? He turn you guys in?”
He laughed. “I almost wish he had, but no. Wen forced me to shadow him the very next day. He met with her, and she bedded him. I was… made to understand that it wasn’t I who caught her eye; she was an older woman who had a taste for the boys.” He paused, exhaling as if to purge the memory from his mind. “I left them to their pleasures, lost the contents of my stomach, and decided that notions such as love and affection were pretty lies spun by the ignorant.”
Rikku bit her lip in the pregnant silence that followed. Holy machina. Her surprise was quickly overshadowed by a twisting, uncomfortable sensation tugging at her gut; a mixture of helpless rage and sadness, struggling to be contained. How could she – how could anyone –
As if sensing her discomfort, Auron’s arms tightened around her, and his voice lost some of its clinical detachment as he continued. “There was a short time afterwards that I followed Kinoc’s lead and tried to assuage my disappointment in simpler transactions. But I never enjoyed myself as he did. It was all just… too much effort.”
She let out a shaking breath, afraid to look at him. So Auron had a wild past because some bitch broke him. Her fingers spasmed against him.
“I shouldn’t have told you,” he murmured, his body stiffening.
“No!” She snapped her neck up so quickly she nearly clipped him on the chin. “No, I’m not upset at you!” Leaning forward, she pressed her lips against his desperately, trying to force all her churning emotions into the kiss. “I’m not mad, not at you. It wasn’t your fault! I really really hate the Church, you know, and not just because I’m Al Bhed. I mean, mostly because I’m Al Bhed, and also because of this whole murdering Summoners thing, but this is just the cherry on top of the rotten shoopuf parade.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Auron told her. “I wanted to tell you this. I thought you should know. Yes, it was a difficult time in my life. But here we are now, and that’s all that matters.”
“I’m glad you changed your mind about love,” Rikku said in a small voice. She felt ashamed; she’d demanded this exchange, and Auron had given her a larger glimpse into his troubled past than she’d deserved.
“I didn’t. You did,” he told her, leaning over to kiss her.
He sealed it with a guilt trip! Breaking off the kiss, she winced; she’d dug this hole all by herself. And now, he was waiting for her to answer him.
“The guy who broke my heart…” she began. “He was a lot like you. You know, gruff and tough. I guess I have a type.” A type named Auron. “He was older than me. Like, a lot older. He taught me everything there was to know about being a Guardian.” She closed her eyes and forced herself to think of him as he was then; older, wiser, more bitter. “He… was devoted to protecting the people close to him, and right from the beginning he saw me for who I really was.” She trailed off and pressed her ear against Auron’s chest, listening to the soothing rhythm of his heart. His beating, alive, very very real heart.
“But?” Auron prompted.
“But I don’t think he ever loved me,” she admitted. “And he died before I could tell him how I felt.”
The silence between them stretched, heavy, but not entirely uncomfortable.
“I think…” He paused. “...your first love was a good experience for you.”
Snorting, Rikku snuggled more securely into his embrace. “What, getting my heart broken into a million pieces and not getting over it until I met you?” Again.
“It seems like he was a good influence on you, to have taught you some truly important things, both about yourself and about being a Guardian. You can look beyond the surface, and see things for what they are. That’s a rare gift he gave to you, one you should be thankful for.”
“You know, I guess I really am.” She stifled a smile. “He was kinda like the gift that keeps on giving,” she said, no longer talking about the older Auron.
“He may have missed a wonderful opportunity, but I’m glad I didn’t.” Auron squeezed her. “Thank you for telling me. Don’t be afraid of the demons of your past. This Pilgrimage is not like your first. I love you, and we will not fail.”
Rikku could only curl closer and close her eyes, listening intently to each beat of his heart.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Auron stood on Besaid’s understated pier, regarding the ill-fitted warship docked there. It was a magnificent ship – three masts, freshly painted and equipped with the crusaders’ best weaponry. Gleaming cannons lined the hull of the ship; the decorative religious embossing on them did little to hide Yevon’s blatant hypocrisy on display. Anyone even remotely familiar with the Teachings could see that the canons were machina, plain and simple.“May I be frank, Captain Hewley?” he said after a moment.The dark-haired man who stood across from him nodded. “Of course, Sir Auron. Speak your mind.”“This is a terrible idea.”Hewley’s expression melted into indignation, presumably at Auron’s blunt analysis.“We can’t accept your offer. It would put Lord Braska in too much danger, to say nothing of Luca. Sin has already been spotted off its coast. Twice. You should return to your post and defend the city, especially with the Tournament ongoing.”Hewley worked his jaw. “The crusaders are offering Lord Braska our flagship specifically for his protection. We can’t allow another incident like the Pualu to occur. Sir.”Auron shook his head in disbelief. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a flagship or a fisherman’s junker. No vessel can stand alone against Sin.”“We won’t be alone. The crew consists of our best warriors, and Lord Braska will be able to support us with his aeons as well,” Hewley insisted. “We are to escort him safely to Bevelle. If I may be frank, you don’t have a choice in the matter; your summoner will decide.”Auron’s expression turned black, and Braska put a hand on his shoulder. “Captain,” he said to the crusader. “If we might have a moment alone?”“We shall wait as long as you require, Lord Braska,” Hewley answered, bowing. He straightened, gave them a perfunctory nod, and returned to his vessel.“What’s the problem?” Jecht scratched his head, looking over the ship. “It looks pretty smooth compared to the other boats we rode on. Plus it’s free, ain’t it? Red carpet service, straight from Bevelle.”“That is exactly what worries me.” Auron scowled.Rikku rolled her eyes. “You think they’d try to assassinate Braska by sending him the crusaders’ flagship? That’s a stretch, even for me.”“Not an assassination,” Auron told them. “I do not doubt that their warship is formidable, nor that its crew is dedicated to anything other than Braska’s success.”“But?” she pressed.“Sin is always drawn to wherever too many people gather in one place, such as Luca during Tournament season. When the crusaders are united, they have a chance of defending the city with their fleet. Splitting their forces this way offers no one adequate protection.”“Does it matter in the end?” Braska asked. “Between Bevelle and Sin, one of them was bound to catch up with us. This is only one ship of many, Auron. Luca will remain safe under the watchful eyes of the crusader fleet, and the offer the good captain makes will ease our own journey towards Zanarkand.” He sighed. “Not that it matters anymore; for better or worse, we have no choice. If the crusaders have stepped in publicly, no simple transport will agree to take us anywhere.”“At the cost of Luca’s safety,” Auron muttered, sour. Then he shook his head. “We’ll do as you wish, my lord,” he said, turning away. “Are we all prepared to leave Besaid?”Rikku looked back at the beach. Ginnem and the children stood there, waving and smiling. “I wish we could’ve stayed a little longer.” Jecht lobbed the last signed blitzball towards his pint-sized fan club. “Remember what I said,” he shouted. “Keep practicin’ like I told ya and you’ll take that Tournament one day!”Braska returned Ginnem’s eager waves with a pained expression. “As beautiful as Besaid is, I believe I am ready to move on. Shall we?” He boarded the ship and Jecht trailed after him.Reluctantly, Rikku turned to follow – and bumped into Auron. His arms circled around her. “What’s up?”“If I find myself returning here with Yuna… I hope you will join me.”Rikku’s mouth dropped open. “You want me to live here in Besaid with you?”“Yevon, I hope it doesn’t come to that,” he said, pained. “But being with you might make it slightly more tolerable.” “We’ll see,” she said with a tiny smile. “Maybe we won’t have to, right?” Rising to her tiptoes, she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “But thank you for asking.”“Hnn,” he said, before pulling away and leading them onto the ship.Captain Hewley bowed in greeting. “I’m happy to see you’ve changed your mind,” he said. “Welcome aboard Mi’ihen’s Pride. It will be our honor to escort you to Bevelle, Lord Braska.”“Thank you,” Braska returned the bow. “I pray for a safe and quick journey, that you may rejoin your companions in Luca as soon as possible.”The captain nodded, then signaled the nearby sailors. Mere minutes later, the ship pulled away from the pier, inching towards the open sea. Dark sails unfurled and caught the wind; Yevon’s symbol was emblazoned in stark white, shining against the crisp blue sky. Rikku shivered. “Catching a ride on a Yevonite ship to Bevelle? This really isn’t how I thought my life would pan out.”“Keep on your guard,” Auron said, visibly tense. “Even if this journey proves uneventful, I doubt our reception in Bevelle will be.”Rikku snorted to cover the discomfort his words prompted. “Ya think?” “The crusaders have shown their hand in this as well,” Auron continued. “It can’t be a coincidence that Kinoc wants us to sail in on the flagship bearing all the things Bevelle abhors. Blitzball, an Al Bhed, and weapons that look like forbidden machina.” He gestured at the ship’s impressive array of cannons. “They’re hoping to make a statement.”Jecht cracked his neck. “Stop worryin’ so much. The question you’re supposed to be askin’ is if Bevelle can handle Team BARJ!”She groaned. “Well, since even I can’t handle that name – ”“There is no point in worrying now, regardless,” Braska said. “This ship is sailing directly from Besaid to Bevelle, so we’ll have many days to contemplate the fate that awaits us there. We may as well enjoy our time here while we have it.”“Kinda like a vacation cruise before the execution, huh?” She crossed her arms, unable to shake a steadily-growing feeling of unease. “Enjoy ourselves. Sure. What could go wrong?”
.x.x.x.
In hindsight, Rikku wondered if she’d jinxed it. They’d made it past Kilika without incident. The route their captain chose followed the inner coastline and took them past Luca along the side nearest the Moonflow. From there, it would take a few days before they’d reach one of Bevelle’s grand ports close to the Calm Lands; a much shorter and easier trip than they’d first traversed on foot. At least, that had been the plan.Sin tended to change the best laid plans.The violent sea and her churning stomach indicated that, as Auron had predicted, things were definitely not going according to plan. On the plus side, being attacked by Sin was becoming less and less of a shock each time it happened.“Are you kidding me?” she groused as she scrambled across the deck, punching her way through the insect-like Sinspawn raining down. “We have to fight this thing on the water again?” She skidded to a stop as four more pods slammed in front of her, holding the Godhand ready. “You’re getting in my way,” she growled, striking one. It blasted into pieces before it could hatch.“Rikku!” Auron appeared at her side, focused as ever, and she felt some of her fury subsiding. “Don’t waste your time on these. Get to Braska and protect him!” He swung his sword and leapt into the air, driving the weapon into the deck as he landed on one knee. A wave of pressure radiated outwards from the strike, blasting the minor fiends away.Dragon Fang, she thought as his move cleared the deck.“Go,” he said, rising to his feet. “And don’t fall overboard this time,” he added with a tight smile. It fell from his face as he joined the other soldiers struggling with the next volley of landing fiends.“Watch yourself!” she shouted, turning to find Braska before something less friendly did. She sighed in relief as she spotted him, casting an array of protective spells over the crew while Jecht stood near, keeping the fiends away.“Blondie!” Jecht yelled, grunting as he destroyed another spawn. “You gonna stop slackin’ and give us a hand here?”“You look like you’re doing fine on your own, you know.” She dodged another crusader who was running past. They really had put their best on the ship; the soldiers were holding their own with minimal help from Braska and Auron. They didn’t actually need more offensive power on the deck, at least not against the small fiends. Nodding, she activated her dressphere and felt Lenne stir as she transformed.“That getup? You gonna sing them a lullaby?” Jecht scoffed when the light faded.“Not a bad idea,” Rikku hummed. “But, I don’t need to sing for that.” She walked delicately along her summoned pattern, then picked up the pace, ignoring her microphone in favor of stepping into a complicated dance. The spell’s power rolled out in waves under her feet.It took hold rapidly; Sinspawn across the deck collapsed into dozing heaps, much to the surprise of the soldiers. Their confusion didn’t last long; soon, there were clouds of pyreflies floating through the air as the crusaders took advantage of the respite.“Man the guns!” Auron shouted to the rushing crew. Several coordinated groups of soldiers ensured that the cannons were ready to fire. Unlike the previous attack, there were no milling, terrified passengers to account for. They really were on a warship, and every movement was efficient and calculated. Rikku shivered. And we’re going to battle Sin again. Can I be a terrified passenger instead of a soldier, maybe? Slowing her dance, she watched the enormous fin bobbing through the water towards the ship. We’re gonna need a different strategy. What would Auron do? She sought him out on the deck. He was helping one of the gunner teams, pointing the weapon at Sin and instructing them on where best to direct their fire. That’s it! She changed the magic pattern with a sweep of her foot, slowing down and shifting the spell as she adjusted her dance style.“Whoa,” Jech observed. “That somethin’ you come up with for Auron?”She grit her teeth and kept dancing. Technically, she supposed Auron had just inspired her to use this particular dance, not that it was any of Jecht’s business. Thanks for inventing this one, Lenne, she added with a bit of sarcasm. You couldn’t have just used a waltz, huh? Amusement radiated from her resident poltergeist; apparently Lenne had no problems performing the highly suggestive number in front of Braska, Jecht, and a handful of random crew members.“...Should I even ask what you’re casting now?” Braska’s eyes were glued to what Rikku hoped were only her legs. Wait, it’s Braska. She heaved a mental sigh and continued dancing. “It’s for the gunners,” she finally managed, panting. “And stop distracting me! This one is complicated.” Sliding across the deck, she released the spell, letting its power wash over the soldiers.“Hmm,” Braska said, enlightenment crossing his expression. He twirled his staff, clearly having grasped the nature of the magic boost. “I wonder if it will affect my spells as well.” He settled into a casting stance.“Oh, I get it!” Jecht said, grinning. He held up a hand, flexing his fingers. “Accuracy, huh? Man, I sure feel like I could hit that!”Rikku winced at the terrible pun and kept dancing. At least Jecht could still laugh in the face of their impending doom, which was something. “Here it comes,” she noted. Sin’s huge body rose from the ocean, its myriad eyes twisting in every direction, like worms writhing across wet soil. It was still several hundred meters away, but close enough for her to realize just how enormous their enemy was. Even from that distance, it dwarfed their ship many times over, blotting out the sun. It would only have to open its gigantic maw to swallow the Pride whole.“That thing keeps gettin’ uglier each time I see it,” Jecht muttered, taking a step backwards.Auron shouted a command, and the roar of the cannons firing in unison split the air. Sin let out an inhuman screech as most of the weapons struck their mark and pyreflies rose from several of its now-destroyed eyestalks. The crew prepared for another broadside under Auron’s orders.“How long can you maintain your spell, Rikku?” Braska asked as a fissure of light surrounded him.“Not much longer,” she gasped, feeling the sweat soaking through her bandana. “If you’re gonna trance, hurry up.”“A pity.” He lifted his hand. His brow furrowed in concentration and a tiny, glimmering ball of light descended from the clouds. Another one fell, and then another. It almost looked as though twinkling stars were dropping out of the sky to float around Sin’s massive head. The tiny points winked against Sin’s armor before exploding into multiple coronas, removing a few more of the eyestalks. Braska dropped his hand, ending the spell with a grunt.Jecht closed his jaw with a snap. “That… that was all you, B?”“That was as powerful as I could make it,” Braska said, frustration clear in his voice. “Even if we combined all of our skills, we could only hope to temporarily blind it at best.”“Can we outrun it?” Rikku huffed, doggedly continuing to dance as the gunners on the Pride fired again. “We can’t face that head on! We don’t have enough firepower!”Braska cast a healing spell over her, allowing Rikku to catch her breath. “You may be right,” he said. “But I’m not sure Sin is going to give us a choice.” He pointed.She slowed to a stop. Sin was rising out of the sea. On wings.Several surprised cries sounded across the deck when Sin hefted its body clumsily into the air, supported by two crystalline wings. They were unevenly developed, only sprouting from one side of its body, and one was much larger than the other. “I have never seen anything like that,” Braska said, paling as Auron rejoined them.Rikku shuddered. I have. The thought provided little comfort. “Tell me you have a plan,” she begged Auron.“Run,” he said. “And be prepared to swim.” He turned and looked at Sin, which was now circling over the sea in an unsteady wobble. “But I don’t think Captain Hewley agrees with my assessment.”“Oh, so that’s why we’re sailing towards it. Good.”“Indeed.”She put a hand over her mouth and tried not to gag as the toxin grew stronger. On the plus side, it’s harder to panic when you’re busy trying not to toss your cookies.“Where’d it get them glowy wings from?” Jecht asked as pods of spawn bombarded the deck once again. “It’s impressive as hell, but ain’t that some pretty bad design, havin’ ‘em only on one side like that?”Sin faltered and wavered before righting itself, as if to prove Jecht’s point.“That is no natural evolution of Sin.” Auron squinted. “We did that.” That brought him a round of surprised stares, which he ignored. “Those wings emerge from an area that should have been a foreleg.” He gestured with his sword. “They aren’t wings. They’re wounds.” His voice was calm, but there was surprise – and maybe even something like hope – on his face as he made the observation. “When we killed Sin’s child at Mushroom Rock, we wounded it greatly enough to force it to change forms. Without the Final Aeon.”Rikku narrowed her eyes. He’s right! She studied Sin, trying to pinpoint the locations of its crystalline scars. Auron had guessed the biggest wing was the result of their explosive battle at Mushroom Rock; the smaller one was most likely the fin they’d destroyed in Macalania Forest. She even saw traces of crystalline growth near the top of Sin’s massive head; either Auron must have been angrier than he let on when he unleashed his Tornado, or the crusaders stationed at Luca were better at fighting Sin than she’d suspected.We brought it to this point without the airship! Even Yuna and Tidus didn’t manage that! Renewed determination filled her.“Think we can do it again?” she asked as their ship came closer. The guns fired once more, but this time, they seemed only to garner Sin’s attention, puncturing her burgeoning hope. It turned to face them, and wind whipped violently over the ship.“Holy shit. I know that one,” Jecht muttered, eyes wide. “We gotta get off this boat! That’s the spell that trashed the Pualu!”“And go where?” Auron said, even as his expression grew grim. “There’s no escaping this.”A tight knot of fear grew in Rikku’s belly as her eyes sought out Auron, expanding further when she met his gaze and saw his grim resignation register.It was that, more than anything, that chilled her to the bone. Auron was many things: determined, deeply convicted in his beliefs, both thoughtful and passionate. Someone like him didn’t just give up.The truth of the upcoming attack closed her throat, filling her with an entirely new, different sort of panic than the fear for her own life. No. I just found him, the real him! It can’t end like this, not yet – She lost her balance from the sudden lurch of the deck. The Pride was already spinning in a tightening circle, sucked in by Sin’s massive gravity spell. The sails lifted, and wood snapped violently around them as the masts broke off. Screaming crusaders were hurled into the air along with the debris, and the pull of the gravity spell latched onto her next. Auron flung himself towards her, grabbing onto her hand and pulling her into his arms. His grip was crushing and she clutched onto his waist like a lifeline. If this is it, neither of us is going to the Farplane alone this time, she thought vehemently. He returned her squeeze, and in that moment she surrendered to her desire to forget about the Pilgrimage, her friends, even the future. All that mattered was Auron, and she tried to stretch every moment she had left with him.The hull of the boat started to unravel, like pieces of thread being picked apart from their stitches. It was as though time had slowed down, almost like when the Fayth had choked her during her attempts to gatecrash their inner sanctums. But it wasn’t painful or beyond her control this time; she measured every breath they took, soaked in the hypersensitized feel of Auron’s skin against her own.
I thought your life was supposed to flash before your eyes, but I can’t stop looking at him. It’s all I want to see.
Auron’s gaze was fixed on her, and his expression softened even as their bodies began to lift away from the deck. “Ri – ”The magic collapsed in an explosion of light, knocking them off their feet. The damaged ship rocked but held together, whirling in the wake of Sin’s spell. Sin’s earth-shattering roar thundered through the sky as it dropped back down into the sea, crystalline wings flexing.“What happened?” Braska shouted, even as the surviving crusaders scrambled to bring the remains of the ship back under control. “Did we attack it?”“No,” Rikku said, her eyes wide as another beam of energy hit Sin. “Not us.”“Vun Bikanel! Vun Rusa!” A gigantic catamaran raced past them. It dwarfed the Pride and moved too quickly to be any sail-driven vessel. Two very familiar-looking wave-powered fins allowed the ship to skim over the water at high speeds. And on its deck, a gigantic double-barreled machina was still crackling with energy from the last shot it had fired.I know that ship. “It’s Dra Muja Puyd!” She struggled to her feet.“The what?” Jecht yelled, then shook his head. “Screw it! I don’t care what they call themselves, long as they’re here to rescue us!”Auron also stood, tracking the foreign ship. “The Al Bhed. That is one of their deep sea salvagers. You recognize it, Rikku?”She nodded, watching as the ship turned away from an enraged Sin. “The Love Boat. It’s Cid’s ship,” she repeated, feeling faint. Her father had taken great pride in naming it that, despite everyone else’s objections. “It’s a name that promises something for everyone!” he’d declared. And it wasn’t just any deep sea salvage class vessel. No. This, too, was a flagship. And she knew who was sailing it.“Then, it’s your family?” Braska asked, also scrambling to his feet. “We must help them!”“Looks like they’re the ones helpin’ us,” Jecht pointed out as the boat pulled up next to them.The Al Bhed tossed rope ladders down towards their deck, along with a bevy of colorful commands in their native tongue. The remaining crusaders needed no urging; they abandoned their sinking Pride as quickly as they could climb over. Auron grimaced. “Let’s hope Cid doesn’t consider consigning you to death at sea a fitting repayment for Raenn’s loss,” he said to Braska as they ran for safety.“Rinno! Rinno!”“We are hurrying!” Rikku shot back, rushing up the ladder amidst the other soldiers. She pulled herself onto the deck and made a cursory check around herself; Team BARJ had made it across, and in the chaos it looked like none of the Al Bhed had identified Braska.“We ain’t outta hot water yet!” Jecht said, gesturing towards the huge machina mounted on the deck of the ship.The Al Bhed were preparing to fire their laser once more. But, even as they activated the weapon, Sin’s hide shimmered and flexed, firing its own dark beam of energy across the sea towards them. The twin blasts, light and dark, intercepted each other over the water.A deafening explosion shattered the air, and the incredible pressure flattened her against the deck of the ship a second time. When it cleared, sound echoed dully through her pounding eardrums. Ignoring the strange, tinny buzz, she craned her neck and felt her stomach drop. The explosion had damaged the Al Bhed’s laser cannon. It was powering down despite the desperate efforts of the engineers working around it. More importantly, the catamaran had been rocked off-course from the blast; some of the crusaders who hadn’t been lucky enough to make it over screamed and cried as they dropped into the water, caught midway between the two ships.Auron cursed. “Sin just disabled our only chance at victory. We must retreat while it’s distracted,” he ordered, scanning the blonde heads that surrounded them for any sort of leader.“Braska’s got other ideas,” Jecht said.She turned to find Braska surrounded by a rotating ring of shining symbols, falling into Rapture.Auron bit out an oath and leapt over to hold Braska steady as the sky overhead parted. “You fool,” he growled.Well, I guess they know Braska’s here now. Then she paused, blinking. What is he doing? “Wait,” Rikku said, watching as Valefor tumbled out of the sky and shot past them. “He’s not trying to attack Sin!” The aeon dipped rapidly over the water, fishing out men from the sea with her clawed feet and throwing them carelessly onto the deck of their ship. There were going to be more than a few broken bones and concussions to heal if they made it out alive, but she was fairly certain the crusaders who’d been grabbed wouldn’t be complaining about it. “We need to buy Braska more time!” she shouted.“With no weapon, we can’t,” Auron told her. “We have to leave. Now.”Lenne, she thought. Can we do this? “Let me try something. It won’t hurt whether we flee or stand our ground,” she said. Despite his fierce look of chagrin, he gave her a curt nod.Even before he’d finished the motion, she was running toward the broken gun. She skidded to a stop next to the two Al Bhed working on the laser.They turned to face her. “What are you doing here? Who are you?”“I’m here to help!” Rikku shouted, pointing at the darkened weapon. “I can fix it!”“Impossible!” the female technician yelled. “The power generator was completely fried by Sin, not to mention the rigging! There’s nothing left to fix!”Rather than bothering to answer, Rikku lifted her arms and brought a Thundaga spell crashing onto the machina. The Al Bhed leapt backwards with cries of dismay; she ignored them and sent two more spells onto her target before she began to dance. Whorls of light spread from her feet; she tried to picture the machina in her mind. Work, she coaxed, imagining the steps she followed ran along a path of unbroken circuits. Please, work, she prayed, hoping her magic would channel the electricity she supplied. The laser sparked to life as she danced, and one of the technicians sprang into action, not bothering to question how she was restoring it. “That… is not possible,” the other said, watching as the cannon tilted upwards and tracked Sin’s movements across the water. “It isn’t even designed to move that quickly!”“Shut up and help me fire this thing!” Rikku heard the smarter of the two technicians shout. A humming sound flooded the ship, and then with a low whine, the laser fired again, bright and dangerous. It struck Sin directly at close range; once again, the ship rocked back through the water. More shouts arose.The remaining foreleg of Sin was dangling from its torso by a few scraps of flesh, and thousands of pyreflies screamed in release. Sin’s outer hide began to writhe, attempting to catch the nearly-severed limb and re-weld it to its body. Another high-pitched scream rang through the air.Valefor banked to a stop; it was almost ridiculous how tiny the mighty aeon looked next to Sin. It didn’t slow her down, however; flapping her wings, she puffed out her chest and opened her mouth, blasting a sharp line of energy across the dangling limb that severed it cleanly. Roaring, Sin whirled its massive body around, slicing its huge tail through the aeon and dissolving Valefor into pyreflies. With a hiss and loud crackle, more white crystals formed a protective layer against the hole they’d punched into Sin’s outer shell. A tiny white wing extended from the wound, unfurling to join the others on Sin’s back.“We got it!” The cheers rising from the members of the crew cut off as Sin flexed its skin; the sky abruptly darkened with a thick hail of pods, speeding towards them.Rikku’s steps faltered as she stared at the incoming missiles. She raised her arms to cast anything that might slow them down, but blinked as a several of them exploded into balls of fire.
What?
She cringed as Ifrit landed with a thud next to her, then immediately leapt off of the deck, high into the air overhead. The aeon drew his arms back and punched, sending flaming balls of rock into the sky. Although he couldn’t contain Sin’s attack, most of the fiends went up in smoke well before they hit the deck of the ship. He landed with a snort on the edge of the transom, huffing and growling streams of fire.Taking advantage of the brief moment of respite Ifrit’s attack afforded her, Rikku ran back towards her companions. Jecht was keeping Braska steady, but she didn’t see Auron. Scanning the ship, she finally spotted the red flash of his coat. He’d found the leader of the Al Bhed and was trying to organize a retreat, arguing with the captain even as she approached. Spotting her, Auron gestured her over. “Rikku! You need to translate!”“What did you say?” The Al Bhed turned to face her, ignoring the thunderous expression on Auron’s face as he spoke in the common tongue. His goggles were still pulled down, but even that couldn’t change what she saw. The same eyes, the same nose, the same chin that had been burned into her memory.“Who are you? Raenn?” he called out in Al Bhed, his voice thick with suspicion and disbelief.Despite the battle raging around them, despite Auron’s urgent demands, she couldn’t bring her feet to move any closer. “It can’t be,” she muttered.His head tilted in confusion. “No… you aren’t Raenn. What happened?” The captain’s hand lifted towards her, but Auron cut him off.“We don’t have time for a touching reunion! Move this ship or we die!” He pointed his sword at Sin.It was now drifting above the water, charging for some sort of attack that created a ring of light around its entire body.The captain immediately began bellowing orders to the crew. “Retreat! Full throttle, we need to get out of range!” The ship jumped to life as the Al Bhed reacted to his command; it was a responsive vessel that flew over the water, carrying them away from Sin more quickly than even her last joyride on the back of the remora. Still, she knew they weren’t going to be fast enough to outrun Sin’s attack. Yuna had told Rikku the story of Operation Mi’ihen. Sin’s charge had obliterated the warriors fighting there, and driven the tamed chocobo population to near-extinction. Rikku was one of the few Al Bhed who had been lucky enough to avoid witnessing the slaughter first-hand. That didn’t mean she couldn’t recognize the signs of Sin’s penultimate attack when she saw it.
Not if I can help it!
She began dancing again, trying the same spell she’d used on the laser. It isn’t even designed to move that quickly, one of the technicians had said. She only hoped the spell would work on the ship, too.Ifrit roared; the huge aeon drew his arms together and hunkered down, shaking. A wall of fire rose around the aft of the ship, weaving into a pattern familiar to what she’d remembered seeing in Kilika’s Cloister of Trials. This, however, was on a scale much grander than the doorway that had blocked Jecht’s progress. Ifrit’s fiery shield engulfed the entire breadth of the boat.And then, the air itself seemed to compress, and Sin released its attack.Water droplets rose upwards in defiance of gravity, before exploding into fine mist. The attack missed the ship, but the resulting waves still threw them across the water.Rikku’s legs threatened to buckle but Lenne took over, forcing her to continue dancing to one beat – go, go, go! The boat rose and they sliced through the water like a low-flying airship. Even at their speed, the reactionary shock wave still caught them. Ifrit snarled as his shield disintegrated under the force of the blast; a moment later, it tore the aeon’s body apart. Their shield gone, the back of the catamaran began to twist and warp, bending under the strain.Connected as she was to the ship with her dance, Rikku felt when both of the rudders broke off. Her feet moved, pulling them back in, the magic holding together fractured steel and bent plates of metal just enough to keep them moving. She stumbled more than once, as though the force attempting to pull the ship apart was a physical weight dragging her feet off rhythm, but Lenne pushed her back into place. The pressure lightened as another shield formed around them; this time it was a cocoon of ice. Shiva dropped out of the sky to kneel on the ruined transom, her arms crossed before her and baring her teeth. The rapidly cooling metal of the ravaged ship stopped bending like self-folding origami. Rikku’s moment of relief was short lived, however. They were still trapped in the wake, and Shiva’s power was no greater than Ifrit’s. The aeon trembled and then splintered apart as the pressure tore through her shield as well.The loss of protection lifted the ship out of the water, sending it spinning, and Rikku’s feet slipped, breaking Lenne’s spell. Groans of bending metal rocked the catamaran as the pieces that she had held together with little more than magic fell away, leaving their vessel crippled. The boat hit the water with a shudder but remained upright. A honeycomb of protective light formed around them. It seemed that this time, Braska hadn’t even bothered to call an aeon, simply casting a weaker spell by himself in favor of speed.Rikku sat up as the shaking deck came to a gradual stop; sirens were blaring and panicked shouts split the air, but somehow, they were still alive. She looked out across the ocean towards Sin, surprised by the distance they’d managed to put between themselves and the giant beast. No wonder, it feels like I danced holes into the soles of my boots, she thought dazedly, dismissing her dressphere.Sin’s glowing wings glinted against the sun. Then, it turned away from them and dove into the ocean, disappearing from sight.“Is it over?” she heard someone ask tremulously. It was a good question; one someone else could answer, she decided, falling back and closing her eyes.“Lord Braska!” The shout of a crusader in the common tongue snapped her eyes open again.“Back off, he’ll be fine,” Jecht yelled. She turned her head and saw Jecht standing over her, hefting an unconscious Braska over one shoulder. “B took himself out castin’ that last spell,” he greeted her. “How ‘bout you? I don’t got enough arms left to carry the both of ya.”“My feet hurt,” she complained, though she did make an effort to stand up and join him.“No kiddin’,” Jecht replied. “Thank your dead friend for dancin’ us outta that tough spot.” Despite their apparent victory, he looked grim. “We’re gonna have to fight that again all by ourselves, huh?”“If what Auron told us is right, at least it’s a little bit smaller now,” she said, trying to find a bright side. “... and airborne.” Maybe there is no bright side.They found Auron gathering the crusaders. Hewley had gone down with his ship, leaving the soldiers in chaos. Auron was establishing command over the remaining confused and disheartened warriors. Seeing them approach, he offered a few more words of advice to the young soldier trailing him. “Keep the men calm; sort out those fit for duty and administer what aid you can to the injured. I’m leaving you in charge until I return.”The crusader he addressed gulped, then gave him a firm salute. “Yes, sir!” Auron nodded in approval and faced them. “They’re suffering, but not as much as they would be if it wasn’t for Braska,” he said. “He nearly killed us all just to rescue a few more of their men.” There wasn’t any anger in his voice as he spoke, though; he lifted a hand and placed it on Braska’s forehead. “Thank you, my friend.”“You! Over there! Bring the summoner and the other Guardians inside!”She jumped at the words in her native tongue. Turning, she saw a handful of Al Bhed waiting for them, guns pointed. Some of the less injured crusaders behind them jumped to their feet, but Auron held up a hand and shook his head.“What do they want?” he asked her.“No discussion! You come now, or we will bring you!” one of the Al Bhed shouted, waving his gun to support the clear command.“They want to see the summoner and his Guardians,” Rikku translated. “I think we better go before this gets uglier,” she muttered, eying the seething crusaders behind them. “We’re coming. Chill out, our summoner’s been injured. Protecting your ship, remember?” She added the last with bite.“Only because we rescued you Yevonite fools,” the Al Bhed answered as he led them into the hanger. “Look at what you did to our ship! And the laser is destroyed! Cid is going to have our heads. The price was too high!”“You’d rather have even more people dying just to save your stupid laser?” she shot back, growing angry. “What’re you arguin’ about?” Jecht grumbled in a low undertone. “Don’t think it’s a real smart idea to make ‘em mad right now, Blondie.”Rikku ground her teeth. “Some people don’t have their priorities straight,” she answered.“You’re right. You can’t put a value on human life. Maqui, put your gun down. They are our guests, not our prisoners.” The young man turned towards her and lifted his goggles. “I see uncle Braska. But is it really you, Rikku?”She thought about saying something else, but seeing him standing there before her – so vibrant, so alive – Rikku found her lies unravelling. She couldn’t, she just couldn’t pretend, not in front of him. “Kei-kei,” she said, her voice thick, reverting to the only name her five-year-old self had been able to call him before he’d left on his disasterrific maiden voyage. Cid had grounded her poor brother for an entire year after he totaled both their flagship and the laser. She hadn’t realized she’d been part of that disaster.Keyakku took one step forward, then another, still utterly confused, but clearly recognizing her all the same. “Rie-Rie.” His hands came to her shoulders; they were nearly the same height. He didn’t question her as she collapsed into his arms, sobbing while she hugged him. Instead, he just stroked her back, his voice laced with confusion and wonder. “What happened to you, little sister?”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“So, you do know each other,” Auron said.Rikku forced herself to let go of her brother – her living, breathing, alive-alive-alive brother – and step back. “Um,” she said, swiping at her eyes. “I’m not sure that’s true just yet,” Keyakku muttered, looking shell-shocked. He couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away from her.She coughed out a watery laugh and tugged one of her braids. “This is Keyakku.”“I know. We’ve met,” Auron said before focusing on Keyakku. “Aren’t you a little young to be having your own command? Where’s your father?”Keyakku’s expression cooled. “Unlike you people, the Al Bhed gain ranks by talent , not privilege. I’ve been commanding this ship since I was sixteen. So, you’ll answer to me here, Auron.”“Hnn,” Auron grunted, looking unimpressed. Rikku snorted. Keyakku was a Pollendina – Al Bhed royalty, as Maechen had said – whereas Auron was the orphan who’d had to claw his way up through the warrior-monk ranks. Still, Auron only continued by saying, “You’ve grown.”“Can you guys have your lil’ chat later?” Jecht cut in, hefting Braska’s unconscious body in his arms. “He ain’t light.”“Uncle Braska!” Keyakku said, jumping. “I’m sorry. Please, bring him here.” He turned to his men and switched to his native tongue. “Maqui, you and the others go outside and deal with the Yevonites. Food, medicine. Don’t rough them up, but take their weapons if they have any.” “Keyakku! What about him?” Maqui pointed his gun at Auron, who remained unintimidated by the show of force. “Do you not remember the last time?”“I will handle Auron,” Keyakku said, stern. “Leave us. That’s an order.” He paused, as if to stare at her again, before visibly shaking himself and moving deeper into the ship.Rikku and the others followed. She craned her neck, examining the sparking cables and damaged paneling surrounding them.“Sin really busted up Father’s boat,” Rikku said, wincing as she ducked under a hanging wire. Keyakku froze, obviously tensing at her mention of Cid. Rikku swallowed and pushed down the nausea roiling through her stomach. I guess he’s still trying to process everything, too. After a moment, the shock bled from his body, and his shoulders drooped. “Pops is gonna blow a gasket,” he agreed. “My first voyage out, and what do I do? Destroy the gun and total the ship.” He stopped and pressed a panel on a door; it slid open, revealing a modest cabin containing a desk fitted between two bunk beds. Though divested of any adornments – and a little on the small side – it was still clean and serviceable for the four of them.
And loads better than the brig.
“You can put Uncle Braska down over there,” Keyakku told them. “I’ll get you some water.”Jecht placed Braska carefully onto a bed and let out a sigh of relief, cracking his neck. “Thanks for rescuin’ us, kid. But, you mind tellin’ us what you were talkin’ about with Rie-Rie? We don’t all speak your language, ya know.”She blanched at hearing Jecht use the nickname. He better not pick that up… Keyakku sighed and rummaged through one of the desk’s drawers. Pulling out an Al Bhed primer, he threw it at Jecht’s head. “Then learn it yourself, hotshot,” he said. “Rikku. Come with me. You still know where everything is, right?”“Um. Yeah,” she admitted, daring a glance at Auron. His brows were drawn together, and he was studying her as though she were a baffling puzzle. “I’ll be back in a jiffy, okay? You guys keep Braska safe and sound. I don’t think everyone here’s as nice as Keyakku.”Jecht waved a hand in her direction, then spread himself over one of the other free beds. He began flipping through the primer, sounding out letters. Auron rolled his eyes and nodded at her, pulling out his sword and stationing himself by the door. “Do what you need to. I understand that your circumstances are delicate, but remember your duty,” he told her. “And, be careful,” he added in a low undertone.She nodded, reading his message loud and clear. Find a way to keep Braska safe until we can escape. She hoped they wouldn’t have to escape, but for all of Keyakku’s goodwill, they had destroyed both the ship and the cannon. It had taken the Al Bhed the better part of ten years to properly repair that cannon after her brother’s “failure” the first time. Rikku knew. She’d helped. Pops always did say we had to clean up our own messes, she thought, semi-hysterically. Thinking about how she’d just broken the cannon that she and her family had spent years fixing... it made her head hurt almost as much as worrying about what Kei was going to say once things settled down.
My problems are getting more complicated than Lulu’s skirt.
She and Keyakku exited the cabin. After the door slid closed, he crossed his arms and faced her with an unhappy frown. “Way to undermine my authority in front of just about everybody, Rie-Rie. It’s hard enough trying to be captain of this ship when I’m younger than almost anyone else here. If you weren’t my sister, I’d probably punish you for that.” He stopped, then smirked. “Hey, wait a minute, maybe I can punish you for that! ”“Don’t get any ideas,” she warned. “I still remember that time you locked me in the cargo hold with the snakes! I hate snakes!”Keyakku grinned. “Come on, that was all Brother’s idea. And they weren’t snakes! It was just cable insulation. It’s not my fault you’re gullible.” His grin faded. “But it is you, isn’t it? Only my siblings would know that story. You’re really my baby sister, all grown up?”Two Al Bhed mechanics squeezed by them, eying Rikku with open curiosity. “Everything okay, Captain?” one of them asked.“It’s fine,” he said, tilting his head in a silent order to keep moving. They saluted and continued on without batting an eye.“You’re… really good at this,” she observed.“Why wouldn’t I be? We’re not all like Pops, y’know,” he replied with a smirk.“Hey, let’s not talk out here,” Rikku said. “I don’t want anyone listening in on what I’ve got to tell you.”“Captain’s quarters? They’re mine until we get back to Bikanel and Pops demotes me. Or maybe just throttles me.” He paused and sighed. “Not that we’ll make it back any time soon. Last I heard, the engine was shot, so we’re sitting ducks out here.”“I’ll help you fix it,” she said, slamming her hand onto the panel that opened the door to Keyakku’s cabin. Or Rikku’s cabin, as she liked to call it. It had been hers too, once upon a time. It hadn’t changed much – or is it the other way around? – from her own memories: more spacious than most of the other rooms on the ship, but still aggressively spartan. “Help fix it? Wow. You know your way around machina that well now, huh? You always were clever,” Keyakku said, waving the door shut behind them. He pulled his goggles off and ran his fingers through his hair. A muscle in his cheek jumped. She recognized his nervous tic; it was the only reason her father could ever best Kei at poker. It only appeared when he was under a lot of stress. In his later years, her brother had worked hard to bring it under control, and she’d delighted in teasing him about the rigorous facial exercises he practiced daily. It didn’t seem quite as funny now, knowing she was currently the source of his discomfort. “Kei-kei?”Rather than answer her, he dove for the large desk in the corner of the room and fished out a bottle of paan – some of the Al Bhed’s finest, judging from the label. Popping the cap off, he took a huge swig.“Hey!” She plucked the drink from him; he sputtered in protest. “You’re only seventeen! You’re not supposed to have this stuff yet!”Keyakku snatched the bottle back and glared. “One, my crew and I just survived a fight with Sin by the skin of our teeth. Two… well, do I even need a two? Look at you!” He winced and took another long draught, then stared at the ceiling for a moment before setting the bottle down with a decisive thud. “Okay. Now I think I can handle whatever you’re gonna tell me. I’m ready.”“I’m not,” she said, making grabby hands towards the bottle.He slid it away from her with a frown. “You’re only five! Stop it before you mess up your brain! Or maybe it’s too late already, huh?”Eyebrow twitching, she crossed her arms. “Really, Kei-kei?”“Couldn’t resist. If I don’t keep laughing at you, I’ll probably lose my mind.” Keyakku shrugged. “So. Did someone discover a machina for time travel? How old are you, anyway? Why’d you come here?” He stopped, then asked, more solemnly, “Did we finally defeat Sin?”Wincing, she sorted through the questions. “Not… exactly? Twenty-one. It was kind of an accident.” She rocked on the balls of her feet. “And… yeah. Yeah, we did.”Keyakku slumped, tension leeching from his frame. “Are you lying?”Rikku shook her head. “I wouldn’t. Not about that.”Keyakku reached for the bottle, saluted with it, then took another drink. “Explain ‘not exactly.’” He grew agitated, drumming his fingers nervously on the desk. “Doesn’t you being here , in this time, fuck everything up?” He raked a hand through his hair as his voice rose. “Holy machina, why’d you even tell me, Rie-Rie?”She sighed. Keyakku always had been the smart one. “Look, I’m sorry, but lying to everyone I know here is getting pretty old! I saw you –” She choked down the word ‘alive.’ “– and just. I didn’t want to lie anymore. Not to you.”He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, remaining still until his cheek stopped twitching. Then, he cleared his throat, struggling to keep his voice calm. “Start with the machina,” he instructed. “If we beat Sin, why did you wanna go back and change things?”“Weren’t you listening? There is no time-travel machina, Kei! I didn’t want to come here!” she exploded. “What part of ‘accident’ don’t you get?”“But how can an accident send you backwards through time?”“I don’t know, alright? It was a surprise to me, too! I was just minding my own business, trying to make my peace with the dead, and then… I sorta...fell-off-that-ledge-in-the-Farplane.” Her voice sank as she spoke, watching Keyakku’s face morph from frustration to incredulity.“You mean you were klutzy enough to fall off of a ledge in the Farplane.” He stared for a long moment at the bottle in his hands. “I don’t think this is helping.” He set it aside with careful movements. “Rie-Rie, are you an Unsent?” Wait, what? She blinked before answering. “I’m pretty sure I’m not dead.”“How sure?” Is he serious? Well, judging from the twitch in his cheek, he probably was. She made a see-sawing motion with her hand. “Like, the success rate of one of Pop’s patch-up jobs? Maybe 80/20?”“80/20? You know, I’m not so sure we’re talking about the same Cid here. This is important – something you need to know. Ask Uncle Braska to Send you when he wakes up,” he ordered.Rikku made a face at him, then froze when she realized he wasn’t smirking. “You think I’m joking? You’re my sister, and I love you, but if you died, you need to accept it and move on!”She sank to the floor and put her head between her knees. “I don’t wanna hear that from you,” she moaned, squeezing her eyes shut. Changing the future. He said it like she didn’t already know that, wrestle with it every day, every time she looked at Auron. She knew she could alter the course of history, for so many people.For him.All it would take was one little warning. Just a few small words from her lips, and Kei wouldn’t be at Home when Seymour’s goons attacked. He wouldn’t have to die in her arms.But, if he knew, Kei would never let Home be destroyed by the Yevonites. Heck, Seymour’s attack might not have even succeeded.She bit her lip. On the other hand, if it didn’t happen, Cid would never grant Yuna the use of the Fahrenheit or the pulse cannon, not when there was still a chance to squirrel away the Summoners from their Pilgrimage.Their best method to fight Sin just… removed, with one small sentence from her. Was so much truly riding on what she said to Keyakku? It’s just one little warning, her mind whispered tauntingly. I could change the future.
And damn it at the same time.
She clenched her hand, nails digging pinpricks of pain into her palms. I hate this! I hate being powerless! Why do I have to choose between my brother and Yuna? Between Auron and Sin? Why do I have to decide if Tidus ever gets to live? Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes, making her angrier. Is that all I can do with my memories? Cry? What’s the point? In the tense silence that settled, she heard Keyakku’s chair creak as he stood. He slid down next to her and pulled her into a hug. “Sorry,” he said. “It must be hard.” He sounded guilty. “Don’t cry. You’re making me feel like the bad guy here.”“I’m not crying,” she said, sniffing. “I just have something in my eye.”“Yeah. Something like tears, huh?” Laughing, he squeezed her. “I am happy to see you like this, y’know? My baby sister, all grown up. You’ve even gotten pretty, so I guess I’m gonna need to invest in a better gun.” He huffed. “I hope you stopped hanging out with Gippal. That kid’s trouble, I’m sure of it.”She giggled at that; it sounded wet and wobbly. “Yeah yeah. I did learn my lesson eventually. But now you can laugh about being right, if you want.”Keyakku chuckled again, then sighed. “You’ve gotta be better about letting stuff like that slip out! Everything you change, even the tiniest details, are gonna mess with the future.”Rikku blinked. She thought about Braska’s entire Pilgrimage to date. “Eh… I think it’s kinda too late to worry about changing the little things,” she hedged.“…What have you done? ”“Well, for one, I dunno if you heard about it yet, but I’m that Rikkma from Luca.”“Of course you are.” Keyakku slapped his forehead. “This is how you know we’re Cid’s kids. When we mess up, we mess up big. I bet Brother’s gonna bring on the Apocalypse by sneezing or something.”Laughing – a little more naturally this time – she disentangled herself from his hug. “We need to get the others that water you promised. They’re probably wondering if you killed me. Auron gets twitchy when I make him wait too long.”“What’s going on between you two anyway?” Keyakku stood to gather a few supplies, tone oozing suspicion. “Uncle Braska was cool, so I can understand hanging around him, but Auron? Maester Mika’s pet assassin?”Rikku wheezed in shock. “You knew about that?”Keyakku gave her a disbelieving look, handing over a few blankets for her to carry. “Uncle Braska didn’t need Yevon’s Number One warrior monk as a bodyguard for the Ronso. Why would he need one for us?” He scratched his ear as they exited the cabin and made their way back down the hall. “Although, considering the way Uncle Braska and Aunt Raenn busted out of Home, I guess they did need him after all.” Not our finest moment, Rikku thought.“It took Pops a bit to cool off, but he did want to welcome Uncle Braska back after everything. But then, Aunt Raenn died, and… well, you know.”“Father would take Braska back?”“Yeah, both him and Yunie. No problem.”“But not Auron,” she added.“Not Auron,” Keyakku agreed, coming to a stop before the guest quarters. “Now, please tell me my eyes weren’t working right before,” he said. “Because Auron is one scary guy, and if you two are dating, I’m definitely gonna need a bigger gun.”She rolled her eyes and went to open the door.Keyakku caught her hand before she could, pulling her close. “No matter what happens, Rie-Rie, I love you. Okay?” No matter what happens…? Gulping, she gave him an uncertain hug. But, it didn’t matter. He was alive and they were together. “Okay.”The door slid open, and she jumped. Auron stood there, looking displeased. “I heard voices.” He gave Keyakku an appraising once-over. “Did I interrupt your touching reunion?”Keyakku looked confused. “Our – ”She made a face. “No! Gross, Auron! Keyakku is family – ”Keyakku pinched her.“OWW!” She jerked away from Keyakku’s arms. “What was that for?”“Chaos Theory!” he muttered sullenly.“They already know we're related, dorkface!” Rikku squinted back at him, just as mean.“The familial resemblance is uncanny,” Auron grunted, stepping aside.Tearing his gaze away from Rikku, Keyakku entered the room, brushing past Auron. “I brought you some food, water, and salts to wake Uncle,” Keyakku said, placing the items on the desk. He faced Auron, almost comically stiff. “I know you probably still think of me as that little kid at Cid’s side you met back then, but I’m a man now.” He tensed when Auron only sent him a look full of amusement, but didn’t rise to the bait. “A man protects his family, Auron. So, if you mess with Rikku, you’re gonna have to deal with me.”Jecht raised his head out of the primer. “Now, this is gettin’ interesting,” he muttered, closing it with a grin. “Am I finally hearin’ a shovel talk for Blondie?”“Jecht,” she warned, exasperated.“Your meathead got it right,” Keyakku said, crossing his arms and ignoring Jecht’s scowl. “We’re in the middle of the ocean, and we Al Bhed are really good at making stuff disappear. If you don’t want to take a long walk off a short plank, you’ll keep your hands to yourself on my ship.”“Kei-Kei!” she shouted, embarrassed. Sweet machina, is this what it’s like to have a younger sibling? Keyakku must have had the patience of a Fayth while they were growing up.“Let him posture,” Auron said, so clearly dismissive it was almost painful to watch. “You have something to prove, boy? I’ve gone through Cid before, too. Don’t tempt fate.” Apparently Auron’s patience wasn’t nearly as great as her brother’s.Keyakku, looking slightly scared, nevertheless stood his ground.“Ooh,” Jecht said, grabbing the smelling salts. “Braska needs to be awake for this. I heard he can regrow limbs if it gets messy.”At the mention of Braska, Auron rolled his shoulders and looked away. “We’ll continue this later,” he promised. Then he moved to Braska’s side and cupped the summoner’s head while Jecht passed the medicine under Braska’s nose.“Ung!” Braska’s eyes shot open and he immediately batted the salts away from his face. He held his head as Auron helped him sit up. “What – where am I?” Keyakku kneeled down and pushed a bottle of water into Braska’s hands. “Uncle,” Keyakku said. “Thank you for helping us escape from Sin.”Braska blinked, stared, and then blinked again. “Keyakku? Little Kei?” He smiled, surprise evident on his face. “Not quite so little any longer, I see. Look at the fine young man you’ve grown into!”“You speak that gobbledygook, B?” Jecht winced when Auron slapped the back of his head.“Of course,” Braska said. “It wouldn’t make much sense to proselytize in a language I couldn’t speak, would it?” He looked at Keyakku again. “I would like to apologize for what passed between your father and I so many years ago. I never – ”“Uncle. Pops forgave you a long time ago.” Keyakku shook his head. “You’re part of our family now, too. If anything, I should be apologizing for what my dad put you and Aunt Raenn through back then.”Some element of the tension Braska always seemed to be carrying vanished. He closed his eyes for a moment, looking too overcome to form words.“Uncle?” Keyakku asked.“Thank you,” Braska whispered, clasping Keyakku’s shoulder and squeezing it with a trembling hand. “From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.”Rikku watched the scene unfold with both profound satisfaction and an unsettling feeling of jealousy. I never realized how heavy that guilt was for Braska. If I had told him the truth, I could have saved him from this so much sooner. “Uncle,” Keyakku continued, his voice wavering. “I need to ask you for a favor. I wish I didn’t have to say it now, like this, but it’s urgent.”“Anything,” Braska replied, focusing his attention on Keyakku. “What is it that troubles you so, my nephew?”She frowned when Keyakku turned to look at her. “I need you to Send Rikku. Now, if possible.”She made a choking noise, and Braska went very still.“What?” Auron asked suddenly, alert. “What did he just say?”“You want me to perform the Sending…?” Braska turned to look at her, his obvious surprise slowly becoming tainted with uncertainty. “Rikku, how did your first Pilgrimage fail?”She ignored Keyakku’s started glance, still trying to process her brother’s words. What the heck? Didn’t he just agree to let me handle this? Even if Kei suspected I was Unsent at first, I thought he believed me! Was he lying this whole time? The rumbling feeling of nausea returned with a vengeance, even as her mind churned out a logical analysis. But it all makes sense. If it wasn’t for his cheek, Kei would have been the best poker player in the family, she thought, bitter.“Rikku?” Braska prompted.Reeling, she forced the words out. “My summoner… she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t make herself call the Final Aeon, so we didn’t. But we didn’t all die trying.” Fury at Keyakku’s gall suddenly flooded her. “I’m not dead!” she yelled at her brother. “How can you even joke like that, Kei?”She chanced a glance at Braska, who was staring at his hands and rapidly paling. He might not have been a Yevonite any longer, but he was still a Summoner. If there was one thing Yevon hammered home as greatly as the need to sacrifice themselves to Sin, it was their complete and utter commitment to the Sending. For all that he might have rejected the Church, Braska was still a man of faith. The lies she’d spun to her friends – to Braska – tightened around her like a noose. Heart pounding, she tried to read him, but he wouldn’t meet her eyes. Still, she knew the expression crossing his face all too well: self-loathing and regret, warring for place under his placid Summoner’s mask.A swell of indignation and betrayal welled up in her chest. You said you loved me, she thought viciously, trying to force him to look at her. Are your feelings so cheap? She’d still loved Auron after he’d revealed his true nature at the end of Yuna’s Pilgrimage. Perhaps, it had even made her love him a little more.But she wasn’t Braska, she realized faintly. He didn’t have her belief in the future or the possibility of happily-ever-afters. His version of love was a jagged thing, carved into him by painful experience. It wasn’t something that could so easily accept this.Keyakku’s voice snapped her attention away from her thoughts. “I’m not joking. The dead long to be a part of the living. When they stay here too long, they corrupt the world and everything they come into contact with. You don’t have a clue about what you are or how you even got here!” Her brother looked down, refusing to meet her angry stare. “What am I supposed to think?” “Kei, you’re being stupid.” She scanned the room desperately. Her eyes landed on Auron, and she bit down on her tongue.He was staring at her, head on, doing little to hide his shock. A slow glimmer of understanding was crossing his features; he was piecing together a rough idea of Keyakku’s accusation from Braska’s response. “Rikku, you’re not…?”“I – I’m not! – ” she began, before the softly insidious part of her asked, Are you sure? She froze, feeling like she’d been doused in cold water. She didn’t know how she’d gotten to the past, not really .The implication hurt more than Braska’s sudden inexorable sadness or Auron’s uncertain denial; Keyakku had planted the seed of doubt in her mind, too. She couldn’t answer Auron’s blind faith in her, not when she couldn’t even be sure of the truth herself.“Just give it up, Rikku,” Keyakku said quietly. There was guilt in what little she could see of his face, but it was mostly overshadowed by resolve. So this why everyone had said he was destined to become an even greater leader than Cid – he’d never been as soft as their father, always the smart one who was willing to think with his head, rather than his heart.It wasn’t that Keyakku didn’t believe her or didn’t love her, was it? He just believed a future free of Sin was more important than whatever anyone in their tiny room felt.…Could she blame him?Braska was beginning to look sick. He finally managed to look at her, though his expression was guarded. “All this time, that’s what I sensed…? That’s why you could see the Fayth too?”“You don’t believe him, do you?” she asked Braska in a small voice.His expression crumpled and he looked away.“It’s better this way, Rie-Rie.”“Don’t call me that,” she told Keyakku, her anger draining away into shame. Was this the truth of it? She, Rikku, an Unsent this whole time, only too selfish – too determined to chase her own adventure – to accept it?“Auron,” Braska said in a leaden voice, reaching for his staff. “Take Rikku to the deck.”“Braska?” His gaze darted between all of them.Braska stood, expression reminiscent of the one he’d had in Baaj when he’d desperately pumped magic into her failing body. He looked like she was dying again, except this time, he couldn’t save her. “Don’t play ignorant, Auron. Take her above and say your farewells.”Jecht was standing now too, though he just looked confused. “Hold up! I don’t understand. What are you guys plannin’ on doing topside? What farewells?”Braska tilted his head towards Jecht, unable to meet her eyes. “I am to perform the Sending. It is the duty of all summoners to provide guidance to the dead, to allow them to rest in peace.”“Why isn’t anyone listening? I’m not dead,” she repeated, twitching at the way Auron recoiled. “I’m not!”It was even worse, now that it was out in the open, confirmed so plainly before them all. Auron went stock-still, all emotion bleeding from his face; his complete lack of response was louder than his worst death-glare.Even Jecht froze, staring at her in consternation as he processed her words. “Blondie?”The silence settled around them, dense and uncomfortable. The adrenaline pumping through her veins began to fade, and she wondered with a brief flare of resentment how everything could have fallen apart so quickly, with just a few simple words from Keyakku’s mouth.The irony of the situation didn’t escape her. Her decision to remain silent had all but sentenced him to death; now, with his decision to speak out, he may have done the same to her.All at once, she felt hollow and burnt out, unable to muster the energy to be indignant at her brother, because he was only trying to save the damn world.Even if she could understand Braska’s reaction, his stern rejection stung her, too – apparently his love did know some bounds. Although it wasn’t really surprising, considering how Yuna had thrown herself off of a tower just to avoid Seymour. Like father, like daughter till the end, huh, she thought with bitter amusement.But it was Auron’s reticence that stabbed the thousand knives into her heart. Was it silly to hope that he’d transform into her knight in shining armor even now? Probably wishful thinking; the princess he’d tried to rescue had turned into a frog in his arms, after all. An undead one. She choked back a maniacal laugh and turned towards Jecht, who was still waiting for her acknowledgement. “What?” she asked, feeling tired. “Dead, not dead. Whatever.” She focused her attention on him. “Do you wanna go along with this? Or, are we bustin’ outta here the hard way?” he continued, reaching for his sword.Some of her paralysing despair cleared at his words. It warmed her somewhat to see that at least one of her companions didn’t really care about her living status. It was the clueless friend who wasn’t entirely human, but still. It was Jecht. “Thanks for being in my corner, Jecht, but don’t pull out your can of whoop-ass just yet,” she told him more lightly than she felt. “I guess… no matter what I want, it’s better to see if Kei’s right.” Auron inhaled sharply. She thought of the Farplane, of the flowers there, and of a brief, cloudy memory. Not yet? Or is it time now? I don’t even know anymore, Auron. Shaking herself, she pasted a bright smile on her face. “But you can hold on to this, just in case.” Reaching for her belt, Rikku pulled off the Songstress sphere and tossed it at Jecht. “If he is right, take care of Lenne for me. A Sending can’t be good for her.”He caught it deftly. “Rikku. You sure ‘bout this? Lenne made her own choice, y’know, and it looks like she’s doin’ just fine. Maybe it don’t have to be this way for you, either.” He gave her a small, conspiratorial grin. “Make your own fate, right?”She couldn’t quite bring herself to return his smile, especially not with Auron’s gaze burning a hole through her. “No… I think I owe it to everyone to find out. No matter what the cost.”“Fine,” Jecht said with a shrug, pocketing the sphere. “That’s your call.” Then he glared at Keyakku. “ ‘ey, you! That was a dick move, man. I’m gonna kick your ass when we’re done here.” He transferred his baleful stare to Auron. “You too. She’s your girl.”“Stop it,” she said sharply, putting a hand on Jecht’s arm. To his credit, he didn’t flinch away. “Firstly, I’m not his. I’m my own. And secondly, being undead is a bridge too far for some people.” Auron did flinch at that. “Not that you would know,” she told Jecht, covering her hurt as she withdrew her touch. “Seeing as you have no taste and all.”“Rikku?” Auron said, studying her.A part of her unclenched in relief; at least he could still talk to her, rather than at her. I guess Jecht’s disapproval was a pretty powerful motivator. “Yeah?” she said quietly.“I… am sorry,” he murmured, his expression pained. “You are the one who has always believed there was a way for both of us to find happiness. I was ever the cynic.” He met her gaze. “But, if this is true, we can’t run away from it.” She could see him struggling, trying to reconcile the idea of her life with death. He might be able to unbend enough to learn to love an Al Bhed – and even accept the use of machina – but embracing the Unsent was a challenge this Auron couldn’t yet conquer. She was also hyper aware of Keyakku’s eyes on them. I won’t give Keyakku the satisfaction of seeing Auron hurting like this. Grabbing Auron’s arm, she hit the wall panel and shoved him outside. “Give us some time.”“Rikku,” Keyakku said with a note of warning, standing up. “Don’t try to escape. You know this is the right thing to do.”“No! This is your fault! You don’t get to speak about what’s right! ” she hissed, some of her anger returning. “Five minutes. That’s all I’m asking for.”Braska didn’t answer, his face deathly still. She shivered. He’d shut himself off from her; whether it was to hide his own feelings or because he was faithful to the core tenants of his duty as a summoner, she couldn’t tell. Clearly, Auron wasn’t the only one shaken by Keyakku’s request. Peeling her eyes away from Braska, she looked at Jecht. “Buy me five minutes?” she pleaded. “I won’t run. Promise.”Jecht nodded, already moving to plant himself in the doorway. He crossed his arms and smiled toothily at her brother just as the door shut. Hopefully, it would be enough.She faced her too-silent companion. “Auron?” she asked. “Say something.”An inarticulate noise of frustration burst from his lips. It was fairly dramatic for someone whose nonverbal emotional range typically consisted of varying octaves of ‘Hnn.’ She gave him a fond, but melancholy smile.“What in Spira do you find amusing about any of this?”“I was just thinking that even now, you haven’t changed. I kinda love that about you.” She felt a stab of regret for her words when Auron’s expression clouded, his mouth twisting downwards in a grimace.“Is it even true?” His voice was quiet and laced with pain. “This goes well beyond rejecting Yevon, you know that. The dead don’t belong among the living. Even that Al Bhed boy understands.” Then, hesitant – more hesitant than she’d ever seen him be before – he reached out and pushed her ever-unruly hair away from her face. “I can’t deny you anything. But, if you have any mercy, please. Don’t ask me to defend you from this judgement.”Rikku grabbed his hand. “I don’t know if it’s true or not. There’s a lot of things about myself I can’t explain. I don’t even know if I’m supposed to be here,” she admitted. “But I’m pretty sure I’m not dead.”Auron’s hand clutched hers, and his eyes were searching. “Are you certain?”“Nope. But I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”He bit out an oath. “ You never change either. I swear, you’ll drive me to my grave with your inappropriate sense of humor.” “Not apologizing. If the only thing I can do about it is laugh or cry, I’m gonna laugh.”He pulled her into a tight hug, tremors running through his body. “I could have continued in blissful ignorance,” he said, voice strained.“Liar, liar, pants on fire.” She felt Auron chuckle through his tight grip on her. “Let’s get this over with, huh? You can help Jecht beat up Keyakku afterwards.”He clutched her for a moment longer, then pulled back, composing himself. “Don’t disappear,” he ordered, as if his words could make a difference. She gave him a shaky nod, and he pressed the panel for the door. “We’re ready.”The short walk back to the deck was excruciating. No one said anything, and Rikku felt the sweat dripping down the back of her neck. Am I dead? Will I return to the future if Braska Sends me? Shouldn’t that be what I want? The last thought made her pause.
That was what I was working for all this time, wasn’t it? To find a way to go back home before I messed things up. I wanted what Keyakku wants.
She refused to look at her brother. No. If that’s what I was like before, then I’m glad I’ve changed. I don’t want to be a person who’d sacrifice the ones they love for some greater cause. How would I be any different from the Church, then? Our happiness counts, it has to. No, she thought more firmly, directing her gaze instead towards Auron, who was at her side. I want to be with Auron. I want to live in Besaid and have a future with him, teaching our bratty children how to break the Auroch’s losing streak and complaining about the bad food there. I want to know the truth. It’s better this way. The hatch slid open and she froze. Scores of demoralized crusaders were sitting on the deck, many having shed their armor under the sweltering sunlight. Several were nursing obvious injuries; even the ones who didn’t were gazing dully out to sea, still reeling from their utter defeat.
But, they also deserve to have a future in a world without Sin.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the light.Keyakku passed her, murmuring low words to his guards. Then he beckoned Rikku and the others to follow, leading them towards the ruptured stern of the catamaran. With a few more quiet commands, the remaining Al Bhed guards vacated the area. At least he’s giving us some privacy. Stepping towards the very edge of the boat, she remembered Auron’s departure from the Fahrenheit. Don’t look back, she told herself, keeping her eyes on the ocean. Fear threatened to overwhelm her; she thought instead of Tidus, leaping fearlessly towards his fate. He managed to surface to a life in Besaid, she reminded herself. “Well? What are you waiting for?” she asked when the silence drew out.“I’m sorry,” Braska murmured, and the raw pain in his voice almost made her turn around. She heard the whisper of his robes as he began to dance.Rikku kept her eyes open, watching the reflections of sunlight on the water. If I’m going back this way, I’m not doing it with my eyes shut, she promised. It was a pretty hard resolution to keep; the sunlight was bright, and not blinking was beginning to make her eyes sting and water. Moments ticked by, and she grew restless. To top it all off, her forehead was starting to itch, but she didn’t dare move her hand; she didn’t want to see her own body dissolving like one of the fiends she had so often fought.
Is it time for my dream to finally end?
The tension made her head buzz in a cacophony of fear, worry, and confusion. The sun blinded her eyes. Shifting waters blurred into a vision of pyreflies snaking through ethereally glowing flowers. I won’t regret my time here , she promised herself abruptly. I won’t taint my memories like that. But the thought of what she was leaving behind – and what she might have already changed – threatened her resolve. Would Tidus even understand her choice, sentencing his father to become Sin? What of Yuna, who had never wavered in her love for her own father? Braska would die unnecessarily, and the spiral of death would begin anew. Would Yuna and Tidus’ future together survive the changes she’d already wrought?And what of Auron? Will Auron – my Auron – understand why I had to do this? A shiver ran down her spine. Would she become the reason he grew into the bitter, reticent man of the future? She couldn’t hear anything through the dull roar in her ears – or was it the screaming of pyreflies? She felt distant. Disconnected from her own body. Almost as if she was floating away.
This what a Sending feels like, huh.
Jecht’s loud voice cut through the white noise. “So… that’s it, right? She ain’t dead?”Braska… had finished dancing? She was still alive? The Farplane faded from Rikku’s memory with a snap, leaving her with nothing more than a dull headache from staring at the sea for too long. Her legs abruptly folded and she pitched forward, unable to keep herself upright. Her forehead hit the deck with a thump – which conveniently also took care of the itch – and she slid her eyes shut. I’m still here. I’m not dead. Keyakku was wrong. She heard a loud crack, followed by a grunt of pain. Turning her head sideways, she spotted Keyakku sprawled across the ground. Jecht was standing over him, rubbing his knuckles. “Thanks,” she croaked out.“By the way. My name’s Jecht, Asshole.” Jecht stared down his nose at her brother. “I’d hit you again, but I gotta leave somethin’ for Auron and Braska,” he growled. “Mess with our heads one more time an’ I’ll be happy to reintroduce myself, though.” He looked over at Auron. “Your turn.”Auron chose to forgo Jecht’s offer in favor of kneeling by Rikku’s side, helping her sit up. “Are you all right?” he asked, tracing his fingers over the new welt on her forehead. He dropped his hand, leaving it on her thigh.Rikku considered the question. “No. No, I’m not all right. I’m really, really mad!” The bottom of Braska’s robes came into view. He dropped to one knee beside her. “Thanks, I guess? And sorry… I really put you in a rough spot, huh? I’m trying not to make it a habit.”Braska stared at her; there was more color in his face, but he still looked tense and unhappy. “I should be the one apologizing. That I didn’t believe you – ” He shook his head. “But, we have more pressing matters at hand. Who are you, that my nephew believed you to be an Unsent?” he asked. Right. Keyakku, the cause of this whole mess, had still gotten off with nothing more than a punch. Rikku ignored Braska and zeroed in on her brother instead, who was sitting up and rubbing his jaw. “ Are you satisfied?” she growled.“You still can’t stay here.” Keyakku returned her scowl. “I’m glad I was wrong, but you’re just too dangerous on the loose. You can’t keep travelling with those three.”“I’m not going to Home with you! ” she shouted, balling her hands into fists. Auron startled, fingers spasming against her leg. “You can’t make me!”“I’m still older than you, Rikku, and you will do what I say! ” Keyakku yelled back. “I’m taking you back to Father, and he’ll decide what to do with you!”“Silence!” Braska sat back on his heels, his tone commanding. “Kei. Do you even realize how worried you made us just now? Not to mention that you are only seventeen, and Rikku is your aunt. You are not making any sense, and are also being very disrespectful!” “My what?” Keyakku asked, flabbergasted. “Rikku, what exactly did you tell these guys?”“What do you mean?” Braska asked, his anger ebbing away to confusion.“Rikku is not my aunt!” Keyakku rubbed his forehead and muttered, “I can’t even wrap my brain around that one.”Braska regarded her appraisingly. “Who are you?” Stupid! Rikku cursed herself. You knew Braska was fluent! She opened her mouth, searching for an answer, even as Braska trapped her under his stare. “She’s my little sister,” Keyakku said, standing up and taking the choice out of her hands. “And she doesn’t belong here. I don’t know how she did it, but she fell out of her time and landed in ours.”“Keyakku! I’m gonna weld your mouth shut, I swear!”Braska squinted and tilted his head. She wilted under his scrutiny. “I thought you looked like Raenn. But... you also look like Cid.” Then his eyes went wide. “Wait. I have a niece, Kei?”“And another nephew,” Keyakku added. “Rikku’s the youngest, not that you can tell. Mom died a little while after Rikku was born. Which was five years ago.”Keyakku’s explanation finally seemed to reach Braska. He sat back in shock; his staff clattered out of his hands. “Then you are…” he said.Rikku attempted a grin and rubbed the back of her head. “Fast-growing?”Braska looked like he might faint. Whoops.Auron tugged her attention back to him; she could see his temper teetering on the brink of ‘finish what Sin started and sink the rest of the ship’ as he tried to follow their conversation. “Someone better explain to me what this farce is all about, or people are going to get hurt.” He looked at Keyakku. “Starting with him.”“Ah-ha!” Jecht exclaimed. “Hold yer chocobos, Auron, I think I got it!” Everyone stared. Jecht’s head was buried in the Al Bhed primer Keyakku had given him earlier.“Meay-de-demah kueay-ku-deahn,” he sounded out. “That means little sister, right?” He snapped the magazine closed and beamed, proud. “Blondie here is Asshole’s little sister, I guess?” Then he looked at Rikku again with a frown. “Don’t that make Braska your – ”“Stop,” Braska said, paling. “For the love of Yevon, don’t say it.”“Whoa. That’s pretty damn trippy, Rie-Rie,” Jecht continued. “So, like, did you eat some experimental Al Bhed growth hormones, or somethin’ ?”Braska groaned. “Please tell me that you’re an adult, at least.”“Yes, I time traveled, okay?” Rikku hissed, narrowing her eyes into a Rikku Look Mark Die, Jecht. Jecht only seemed enthused by her reply. “Whoa! Is there a copy of you here right now? How old is she? Can you even meet yourself like that?”“Jecht! Shut up!” Auron yelled, then frowned at Rikku. “You… are from the future?” He weathered her nod slightly better than Braska had, which is to say he wasn’t hyperventilating. Much. She supposed being a time traveler paled in comparison to being an Unsent, but he still didn’t look happy to hear of her downgraded paranormal status. “We need to talk inside,” he managed.And… just like that, the proverbial Coeurl was out of the bag.She looked at them. Jecht was unphased, and no wonder, considering this was all icing on his own personal cake of secrets. Braska, likely still trying to confront the idea that he’d fallen in love with his niece, couldn’t even meet her eyes, again . And Auron… well, Auron just looked pissed off. Good , she thought vindictively. I’ll tell him where Keyakku sleeps. She took a look at her companions, and slumped forward, exhausted. I don’t think I’ve ever kept a secret that long in my life. Relief flooded her; she’d withstood Sin, Keyakku’s judgement, and a Sending. All that was left was to survive the rest of Braska’s Pilgrimage with the gang. No problem, right? She chanced a glance at Auron, whose expression was thunderous.
… Riiight.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The return to their designated cabin was just as silent and tense as their departure.Braska, Jecht, and Auron filed in, but Keyakku grabbed Rikku's arm before she could follow. "Don't go back with them," he said in a quiet undertone. "Think of what you're risking."Auron stepped back out of the room, expression flat. "Release her or I'll break your arm."Keyakku frowned. "This is the company you're keeping?" he asked, voice heavy with disapproval. "What would Pops say?""That you're a backstabbing traitor," she replied, still smarting from his betrayal. She yanked her arm away. "You'd fit right in with Yevon's clergy. They always think they're doing the right thing too.""Fine," Keyakku said, retreating with ill grace. "I can't stop you from making a mistake. But remember, it's our lives you're playing with too, not just your own." He glared at Auron. "If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from my sister. She could end up destroying everything.""Unlike you?" Auron replied. "Just look how well you've handled this situation so far. Will you attempt to convince Braska to Send me next?""That was – " Keyakku paused. "You know what? Never mind. Do what you want. I need to start repairs on the ship." His cheek rippled; she couldn't be sure if it was his nervous tic or just the sheer force of his grinding teeth. Reluctantly, he turned to face her, his expression warring between anger and embarrassment. "Rikku…" His cheek twitched again, then he let out an explosive sigh. "Look, if you're as good as you say, we could use your help when you're done here."She rolled her eyes. "Please! I know this ship better than you. I'll help later." She gestured at the open doorway. "In case you missed it, I have to clean up this mess, first!""You really shouldn't – ""Buh-bye," Rikku answered, grabbing Auron and stepping inside. She stuck out her tongue, then closed the door in Keyakku's face."This one's mine," Jecht said, hefting himself onto his bed, then cursing as his head hit the low ceiling. "Ain't they got somethin' better on this ship, Blondie? This place makes the Winno look like a luxury cruise.""This is the luxury cabin," she told him, pointedly not looking at Braska or Auron. Jecht, ever-loyal, go-with-the-flow Jecht was the safest option for her attention right now. "The Love Boat is a deep-sea salvager. We use it for missions, not comfort. Most of the crew sleeps wherever they want to on bedrolls."Jecht flipped through his primer while she spoke. He scratched his head. "So, The Love Boat? Why the dumb name?"Braska seated himself on the lower bed across from Jecht, removing his helmet and placing it by his side. "This is Cid's boat," he said. "Cid was always a great admirer of the concept of love. So much so that he tattooed it across his head as a declaration of intent."So he's finally talking again? She spared Braska a glance and decided to try for normalcy. You can do it, Rikku! He's just your uncle, that's all! It didn't help.Taking a deep breath, she pasted on a grin and put a hand on her hip. "Yeah, we all thought his name for this boat was stupid, too. Father doesn't always think things through when he gets excited."Braska stared at her – maybe she shouldn't have entered into a fake face contest with the mask master – before dropping his head into his hands and groaning.She winced. Okay, maybe he's not ready to work past that whole 'Uncle' thing just yet.Auron remained standing; he'd made no move to reclaim his hand after she'd grabbed him. His reticence may have been prompted by shock – it hadn't been an easy afternoon for anyone, really – but his touch was still firm and reassuring."So, I guess I owe you guys an explanation…" she began."Nope," Jecht called out, turning a page in the primer. He shifted, then yelped as his knee banged against the ceiling. "Well, unless it's why this room was made for midgets. How can the ship be so damn big but this place so small? Are all Al Bhed tiny people or somethin'?""Maybe your head's just too big," she said flatly, mouth running on autopilot.Auron spoke up. "Why aren't you more surprised, Jecht? Is it because you are also a time traveler?""Huh. So, ya finally believe me? Nice." Jecht snorted. "It's somethin' like that. 'Sides, I already knew."Braska did look up at that. "What?""We talked a little 'bout it. Ya know, while you and the Stiff were off takin' bets on who had more of the crazy, way back at the start of this Pilgrimage."Auron shifted beside her. "Your private conversation at the Mi'ihen Highroad?"Jecht scratched his nose. "Even before that, man. You two slowpokes just can't keep up, can ya?" He glanced over the edge of his primer towards Braska. "But she didn't tell me you were her uncle, no. How ya takin' that one, B?"Braska dropped his head back into his hands. "Not very well," he answered, voice muffled."Technically, we're not blood related," Rikku pointed out. Braska hunched further and groaned again. "Okay, not helping. Got it.""Hnn," Auron said, releasing her to remove his sword. He leaned it against the wall and rolled his shoulders, relaxing. "For once, Jecht is right. All of this can wait. None of us are in any shape to deal with this news after battling Sin."She wasn't the only one startled by Auron's declaration. "You're slacking off? Aren't you the one who's always going on about keeping our noses to the grindstone?" She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Wait. Who are you, and what did you do with Responsible Auron? You haven't snapped, have you?"Auron's annoyed look answered her well enough.She raised her hands in defense. "Just figured you, of all people, would want answers – "He pulled her into a tight embrace; she squeaked. "All that matters right now is that you are not dead," he said, "although you seem determined to shorten my lifespan."Something in his voice stopped her from making any more jokes. She relaxed in his grip, trying to reassure him with her presence. It was just as he'd predicted; she'd introduced him to the weaknesses of his heart. He was admitting it, now, holding her in his arms without a care for logic, reason, or even Jecht's pointed quips about public displays.Auron released her, his lips quirking into a faint smile. His face was still lined with tension and exhaustion, but he seemed more settled than earlier. "I can't assure you I won't snap and stab your brother later, but we should rest first.""You guys do that," she said. "I've gotta help the others fix this hunk of junk. Who knows if Sin will come back for seconds or not? Besides, this was my ship, too. I can't let my baby suffer!" She patted the wall of the cabin."Wait a sec!" Jecht called out, sitting up. "You ain't goin' nowhere before – " Whatever he'd been about to say cut off as his head smacked into the ceiling. "Augh!" he yelled, collapsing backwards.Gulping, Rikku turned to face him. Guess it was a little too easy, huh? "Before what?""Damn midget people," he muttered under his breath while fishing through his pockets. Finding what he was looking for, he tossed a small object towards her.Catching it reflexively, Rikku looked at the sphere he'd thrown. It winked at her in the light, and a brief feeling of warmth suffused her palm. Lenne. She smiled."Before you take her back," Jecht grumbled irately, still nursing his bruised forehead. "I knew I wouldn't need that! Don't abandon us so easy next time, Blondie. We're buddies, right?"She took more care than usual to slot the Songstress sphere back into her belt, fiddling with it until she was sure she'd blinked away the excess moisture gathering in her eyes. "Yeah," she said, looking up with a grateful smile.Auron gripped her chin in one hand, gently turning her to face him. "Come back to us when you're finished. You're still a Guardian.""I promise. I'm finishing this Pilgrimage with all of you. You're stuck with me whether you like it or not." She smiled, and Auron released her with a satisfied nod.Braska cleared his throat as she made her way to the door, and she glanced over her shoulder. He was staring at her, frowning. After a moment, he seemed to come to a decision, and his expression cleared. "Despite everything that has happened…" He did seem to choke for a moment, but recovered gracefully enough, "Auron is right. Do not let Kei order your life here." He smiled weakly. "And – you will always be welcome among us, despite what he may say."Some of Rikku's confidence returned. "Thanks."" 'Sides. Team JAB is a crap name and you know it," Jecht added, returning to his reading. "Don't ruin the magic, Blondie. I worked hard to come up with that one."She smirked. "Now who could resist an argument like that?" Her smile softened. "I'll be back as fast as I can, I promise." Pecking Auron's cheek, she waved and skipped out of the room.Once the door was shut behind her, she stopped and took a deep breath. That… went better than I expected. I didn't think they'd let me off the hook just like that. They probably wouldn't, come to think of it, but she appreciated the space all three men were clearly giving her at the moment. It seemed Braska's Pilgrimage had changed everyone, after all. One door closed, another opened, they say. I guess I trust them more than my own brother. A sense of bittersweet satisfaction filled her. And somehow, they trust me now, too."Hey! You there!" One of the Al Bhed technicians called out; it was the woman who had manned the laser during the battle. "Keyakku said you'd be helping us with the repairs. You're the one they call Rikkma, right?""That's me," Rikku said with a wan smile, noting the return of her fake name. "Yeah, I can help out a little. You guys don't mind?"The woman shrugged, her eyes hidden behind her thick goggles. "No idea why you're keeping company with a summoner. Especially that one. But, Keyakku said you're okay, and his word's good enough for me. All of us, really."Rikku blinked, surprised, before sour realization set in. He only wants your help, the small, still-wounded part of her mind snarled. Just wait until my ship's fixed, I bet he'll try something again. Not that it mattered; The Love Boat was just as much her own as it was his, and she was going to get it back in action no matter what her brother – or anyone else for that matter – thought of her. Wiping her expression clean, she smiled pleasantly at the other woman."Where do you need me the most?" she asked."Everywhere," the tech replied with a groan. "Name's Ashe, by the way. Nice meeting you. Now, if you've still got access to whatever miracle you pulled on our gun, we could use it outside. Both of the rudders are completely busted and what's left of the wave fins are falling apart, too."Rikku grinned and pulled on her goggles, adjusting them. "Now you're speaking my language," she said. "Let's get to it!"
.x.x.x.
Repairs were not quite as quick or simple as Rikku wished.Sin's attack had left The Love Boat adrift in the middle of the ocean, powerless and barely floating. By the end of the first day, they'd managed to patch up the most critical leaks on the catamaran, but were still dead in the water. Keyakku was hesitant to put his crew on rotating repair shifts since a good portion of his manpower was spent guarding their unexpected passengers – the remaining crusaders.At the start of the second day, she convinced her brother to let Auron handle the crusaders, allowing the Al Bhed to devote their full attention to the ship's restoration.By the end of the second day, Auron convinced the crusaders to pitch in and help with the repair job.But, even with all hands literally being on deck, it was a slow and painstaking process; while the young, idealistic crusaders were more open-minded about machina than most of the faithful, they were still, ultimately, a military arm of Yevon's Church. Auron's own easy acceptance of their circumstances made as much of a distinct impression on the group as the open hostility he and Keyakku exchanged.Jecht, on the other hand, was more a case of willing but not able. Being a capable swimmer, he tried to assist with repairs on the ship's hull, but once he attempted to fix one of the boat's wave power generators by punching it until it lit up, he was dishonorably discharged from his duties.He'd looked so pleased to be helping, too.Since then, he'd spent his time studying his primer and making halting conversation with the Al Bhed.And then there was Braska, who worked tirelessly to heal the wounded and offer counsel – where he could – for the crusaders. Unfortunately, the infamous summoner who'd snatched away their leader's sister was something of an oddity among the Al Bhed; it was only thanks to Keyakku's order that the crew weren't actively heckling Braska. It was still clear, however, that not everyone shared Keyakku's willingness to forgive and forget.After the third day of loaded glances and quiet whispers, Rikku decided she'd seen enough of Braska politely loitering while trying to ignore the uncomfortable scrutiny. It was simple to catch him alone; Keyakku took a special delight in assigning her duties wherever she was least likely to be able to spend any time near Auron."Hey," she called out to Braska as she passed him. "You're with me today."Braska started and unclasped his hands. He turned away from the edge of the boat, where he'd been giving his best impression of turning into a statue. "Rikkma? Has someone been injured?""Nope," she said, unwinding her bandana as she led him back to their small cabin. Stopping by the door, she unlatched her garment grid and handed it to him, along with the strip of cloth. She glanced around the hallway, then lowered her voice. "Put that on inside and change into the Alchemist dressphere. We're going to the engine room today, and I don't want you catching on fire or losing any fingers. Plus, I don't think they'll recognize you without your helmet if you put some goggles on and hide your hair. And don't say anything to the crew," she added with another nervous look over her shoulder. "We'll be swarmed if anyone figures out that belt's a piece of machina and not my own special magic!"Braska looked down at the belt in surprise. "Thank you for your consideration, but… what do you need me there for?""Oh, trust me," she smirked, pushing him into the room. "Now hurry up before someone sees you!"A minute later, they were both walking purposefully down the hall. Braska kept his goggles up and his head down, and Rikku made sure to do all the talking as they wove between the technicians scrambling around the inside of the ship."Rikkma! You're finally here," Maqui greeted her when she approached the doors to the engine room. He paused to converse with another Al Bhed before nodding and turning back to her. "Sorry," he said. "I know Ashe's been keeping you busy outside, but we've been trying to get the power back online since yesterday without any luck. Maybe you could give it a shot?"Rikku crossed her hands behind her back and swayed, surreptitiously directing Braska into the power room. She aimed a thousand-watt smile towards Maqui while Braska slipped inside. "No problem! Fixing things up is my specialty.""No kidding," Maqui agreed. "I've never seen anyone build brand new machina out of the old salvaged stuff. Where'd you learn that anyway?""Oh, heh-heh." Rikku laughed. She somehow didn't think he'd believe her if she told him the truth: that she'd studied under Gippal, their resident six-year-old troublemaker in Bikanel. "Self-taught, I guess.""By the way," Maqui began with a hopeful grin. "If you aren't doing anything for dinner tonight, would you want to join me in the mess hall – "Rikku cringed and pointed to the engine room, smiling so hard it felt like her face would split. "Who knows? Keyakku has me running ragged here." She was willing to bet he'd put Maqui up to asking for the date, too. "Maybe next time, huh?""All right. No worries! Anyway, I cleared the room out for you like you asked, but just holler if you need some extra hands. Good luck in there." He passed over a toolbox. "Oh, and take these since you don't have one of your own." With a friendly nod, he returned to directing his own set of repairs.Stepping into the engine room, she let the doors shut behind her. Dropping the toolbox, she removed her goggles and pinched the bridge of her nose."You're picking up Auron's habits," Braska observed with a note of amusement. "I take it you are as thrilled now as I was when I gained a new admirer in Besaid?"With an inarticulate sound of frustration, she threw her arms up. "I don't even know if I have a new admirer! What I do know is that I have a stupid, interfering, mom of an older brother.""Kei does not approve of Auron. They truly haven't been getting along very well, have they?"She stomped over to the darkened power generator, analyzing it with a critical eye. "I wouldn't know. Keyakku makes sure the only time we get to see each other is right before I'm about to drop from exhaustion." She filed her disgruntlement away; as annoying as Keyakku was being, she couldn't afford to get distracted. My baby needs me! She reached out and placed a comforting hand on her ship. Don't worry, Mama's gonna rescue you, sweetie. Tapping her finger on her chin, she studied the machina engine. "Forget about that. I called you here for an actual reason.""Oh?" Braska said, moving to her side. He looked at the engine, bemused. "If you wanted me for some heavy lifting, this isn't the proper outfit for the task." The smile he gave her was entirely too friendly. Apparently, the Alchemist dressphere was working its Al Bhed magic on Braska's normally-reserved personality.
Well, at least it's helping him get over this whole family thing, right?
Ignoring his grin, Rikku rolled her eyes. "If I wanted heavy lifting, I'd've called Jecht. What we need here is finesse, and you have more of that than I do." She pointed at the machina. "I've got to get in there and fix up the wiring. Once that's done, the whole thing's gonna need a jump. That's where you come in."Braska looked intrigued. "A jump?" he asked. "You require my assistance to jump on that machina? While I admit I am unfamiliar with Al Bhed technology, it strikes me as an odd request." He eyed her. "I know you are only trying to ease my stay here, but wouldn't this still be Jecht's field of expertise?""As if I'd let Jecht near here after what he did to the outer generator! I meant I need you to fry it with a Thundaga spell, one aimed with precision and power. More power than I can produce, actually. You'll have to hit it in two places that I'll show you later, or we might blow the whole thing.""I see," Braska said. "Then, thank you for allowing me to assist you. I was beginning to feel rather useless up there."She picked up the toolbox and set it down near the engine. "Well, you're gonna have to spend the next hour or so feeling pretty useless down here instead," she said, tying her hair back. "It'll take me a while to fix this thing. But I'll bet I'm still better company than the touchy guys on deck. Now…" She paused and surveyed the room. "Where is it?""Where is what?" Braska shuffled around the small room, looking completely out of his element, despite his costume.Ignoring him, she continued scouring under the pipes, searching for her prize. "Ah-ha!" She straightened from where she'd bent over, pulling out the wheeled board. "My creeper!"Braska made a choking sound; when she turned around, his eyes whipped upwards to study the ceiling a little too intently."Are you okay? I know it's a little steamy, but I really thought you'd feel better down here." She sighed in disappointment and wiped some sweat from her brow. "I guess you can go back upstairs if you can't take the heat, though."Braska closed his eyes and muttered something under his breath. Then he smiled. "No, no. I will be fine, thank you."She side-eyed him, then shrugged. "Alright, but let me know if you're feeling funny before you collapse. Auron'll tan my hide if I don't take good care of you."Braska gave her a hard stare. "Rikku. I will be fine as long as you work quietly and efficiently," he emphasized. "Now please, for the love of Yevon, do not regale me with tales of Auron spanking you right now."Her face flamed. "That wasn't – I didn't – !" She sputtered, then gave up. "Urg! Maybe you should take that dressphere off after all," she mumbled. "You're acting kinda gross.""Gladly," Braska agreed with some relief as he deactivated the sphere. And collapsed. "Good grief, it's stifling in here," he gasped, pulling at the neck of his robes. "You weren't joking, were you?""We don't only dress like this because it's fun," she said. "Fixing up machina is hot, messy work. We can't wear all that Yevonite stuff – we'd suffocate, not to mention getting all that loose cloth caught up in our machina." She pointed to an engine he was leaning against. "Speaking of, don't sit too close to that while you're wearing those robes."Braska rested his chin in his palm and reactivated the dressphere.She watched him transform, jaw hanging. "I thought we agreed you'd put that thing away!"He shrugged. "It's a risk I'm willing to take. Just because Jecht believes I can heal any bodily injury does not mean I wish to test the theory on myself." His expression turned coy. "Besides, I see no need to fight a losing battle with my sense of virtue in this heat.""Right," she drawled, unconvinced by his sudden smirk. "Well, whatever. Just stay out of my way and make yourself comfy. I'll let you know when I need you. Uh. Need your help," she corrected. "With electrocuting things. Like the machina!" she added as Braska's grin continued to widen. "Fine, if you're gonna be like that, you can just ignore me and entertain yourself – wait!" Rikku slapped her forehead. "You know what, just forget I said… like, all of that.""Fix your machina before you add any more steam to this room," Braska commanded, leaning back and crossing his arms behind his head. "Do not worry about me, I will be fine here."Huh. I know that expression. He's planning something. Maybe I shouldn't have given him the Alchemist dressphere. Kicking the creeper into place, she gave Braska one last suspicious look and refocused on the more important task at hand – repairing the engine. Laying back, she rolled herself under the machina and studied the damage, chewing her lip. Well, poopie. This might be a little harder than I thought.The next thirty minutes passed with her tinkering and sweating enough that she was pretty sure she was leaving a Rikku-shaped watermark on the creeper. Wait, something's missing here. Shoot, it's all the way in the bottom of the toolbox. Too far. Ugh, do I really have to move that much? It's so hot… "Braska," she called. "Can you hand me the bundle of green wires and the pneumatic grinder with the two millimeter drill bit?""Hmm?" he mumbled. "The what?"She rolled her eyes and held her hand out, waving in the general direction of her toolbox. "The green wires in the toolbox, even you should be able to get that one. And the…hmm. The thing with the blue handle that turns really fast and buzzes when you click it," she elaborated. "It's near the bottom.""Oh! Wires. Of course, just a moment."Rikku heard him rummaging around inside the toolbox. Something landed in her hand and she grunted in thanks. Then she held up the wires and frowned, before tossing them back in Braska's general direction. "Hey! I said the green wires! Green! These are black. Are you colorblind or something?""Ah. Right, green," he sighed.Another bundle of wires landed in her hands, this time, they were the right color. "Great. Now, the drill?""Yes. The drill," he answered, sounding distracted.Her brow ticked, and she slid a little further out, chancing a look at Braska. His chin was in his palm again, and he was staring at her thighs with a lewd smile on his face. That's how he's entertaining himself? She fumed. Right. This means war. "Hey!" Braska's eyes snapped up. "Stop staring at my legs and get me that tool!""Sorry," he said, though he didn't sound very repentant. "This one, correct?" He held up an orange screwdriver and Rikku narrowed her eyes at him. The process repeated itself for a wrench, a nut driver, and a pair of wire clippers before he landed on the drill she needed."Glad to know you're listening," she muttered, pulling herself back under the engine."Anytime," he said serenely, and she could almost feel his gaze resettle on the exposed lower half of her body."I'm gonna try something," she called out, just to be fair. The absent-minded noise he made in response sealed his fate. Concentrating, Rikku whispered to herself and triangulated the angles of the room in her mind. It was full of delicate equipment, after all…Braska yelled as the Thunder spell hit him. Moments later, the door slid open and a worried Maqui stuck his head in. "Is everything all right in here?""It's fine," she called out in a sing-song voice. "Just a little accident. Don't worry, I've got a potion. He'll be okay!""Sure," Maqui said dubiously, although he left after another few seconds of silence.As the door closed, Braska pushed himself up slowly, then healed himself. "I believe that was uncalled for."She hummed and resumed working on the engine. "I was just helping you focus all that wandering attention."He kept his silence, and she smirked in satisfaction. Then she lost herself in the work again, putting Braska's proclivities out of her mind. This is going pretty well! I just need to solder these two bits together, and then if I run the wire down here, I can..."Rikku," Braska called out, derailing her train of thought."What?" she asked, annoyed."I'm very disappointed in you."Her hands stilled and she frowned. What is he up to now?"You were a very naughty girl just now," he told her, his voice heavy with innuendo. "Uncle Braska may just have to punish you for that. You said you were partial to spankings, yes?""What?" Rikku screeched, sitting up so quickly she smashed her forehead into the engine with a loud bang. Stars flashed before her eyes when she dropped back down, whining. "Owwie…"Braska's loud laughter didn't help any with the pain, either.The door slid open again. "Rikkma?" Maqui's worried voice reached her. "It sounded like there was more trouble in here…""Oh, we're fine, thank you," she heard Braska say. "Rikkma just had a small mishap. Do not worry, I also have a potion at hand.""I, uh… I see. Rikkma?""Yeah?" Rikku answered, blinking away tears of pain."You know, never mind about dinner," Maqui said. "I just realized I'm, uh, gonna be busy tonight. Tomorrow, too, actually.""Not a problem. Thanks, Maqui." Rikku jiggled a foot at the door and heard it slide closed. "Well, at least something good came out of that," she grumbled. She winced and touched her forehead; there was going to be a goose egg sticking out like a third eye tomorrow. "And here I thought you were all hung up on being related to me.""I was only jesting," Braska replied, smug."So you say now. But you're a sticky, tricky chameleon!" She rolled herself out from under the engine and sat up, indignant. "Get outta that dressphere before I make you, pervert!""While you are providing me with some very compelling reasons to object, I suppose I am making you rather uncomfortable, am I not?" His grin died. "Is that the reason that you said you couldn't, while we were together in Baaj? Because we are related?" He paused, disabling the dressphere and sighing as his summoner's robes settled around him. "You responded to my advances, despite knowing whom I was then." He grimaced, some of his previous reserve returning, although to his credit, he at least seemed willing to talk about it now. Looking at her, his expression was a mix of frustration, bitterness, and regret. "Why?"Some of Rikku's righteous anger fled at his honest assessment. She deflated. "I… I was just trying to get you to stop then, y'know? You weren't thinking straight. You still aren't." She looked down at her hands, scrubbing her fingers together in a futile attempt to dislodge some grease. "I made a mistake. We both made mistakes. I thought we moved past that, though. You don't have to repeat them again."Braska was silent for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was low. "I don't know my niece, Rikku. I didn't even know of her until a few days ago. I left Bikanel before she was born. All I do know is that I fell in love with a vivacious young woman who reminded me of what it meant to be alive. You changed me, and I can't discard those feelings simply because it would make things more convenient for all of us.""But aren't you thinking about how weird it is right now, to like me like that? I'm your niece. That little girl you never met and me? We're the same person. She's just a lot younger." She winced and rubbed her throbbing forehead; this heart-to-heart with Braska wasn't doing her headache any favors."Shall I heal that for you?" he asked."Huh? No, wait a minute – !" She shrank back as Braska's hand extended towards her, but he simply placed the tips of his thumb and forefingers against her skin, murmuring. The spell was soothing, easing away the throbbing headache and reducing the pain to a whisper of memory. She let out an involuntary sigh of relief, then stilled as the spell continued to envelop her.His eyes were closed, fingers still touching her forehead. His power continued to ebb and flow from him in waves. It wasn't the crackling, desperate surges he'd surprised her with in Baaj, but it was still an intimate touch, a gentle caress of magic."It's all better now," she said, swallowing.He sighed, ending the spell. "I know nothing of the little girl you once were," Braska told her. "Right now, I see only what has always been before me: a grown woman who has captured my regard. That has not changed. Or shall you ask me to tell Auron next that he has traded his engagement to my young daughter for one with my even younger niece?""That's not – " She fumbled for the right words. "It's not the same," she protested. "You and I… we're family!""Not by blood," he reminded her. "And apparently not by association, either. You don't protest because of our family relation. No, you protest because you can't bear to accept more than one lover into your heart."Rikku thought about it. Braska deserved that much consideration from her, at least. "That's not entirely true," she eventually said. "I mean, not hurting Auron is a huge part of it. But…"She thought of Yuna, and all the time they'd spent together. The other girl wasn't just her cousin, but also her best friend. They'd almost died for each other a dozen times over, and if she ever got back, they would probably do it all over again until they were old and grey. "You're Yunie's dad," she said. "Even if I love you, I love Yuna more."Braska sucked in a breath, surprised. "You know my daughter. You know her." Then he closed his eyes. "Of course… you and I are very similar, I suppose. But your heart is strong enough to make the proper choice." He sat back, his eyes growing distant. "I am relieved that you two found each other and healed this rift which I created." His voice was tinged with a note of resignation. "At least she will have the chance to grow into a fine young woman with you by her side.""Then why do you sound so sad about it?" she asked.He shook his head. "If you were once a Guardian, that means that my own Pilgrimage failed. Sin still exists, and I won't be there to witness my daughter becoming the person you know." He looked at her. "So, that is your hidden sorrow and the reason you can humor me. You've never truly known me as your uncle, either. I'm destined to die a meaningless death."A mix of rage and shame welled up in her throat. "I'm not humoring you! This is hurting me, too!" She looked away, trying to beat back the helplessness that was threatening to engulf her.
I won't be like Braska. I won't let his fatalism swallow up my life here. Why can't he see that it doesn't have to be like this? We can still change his future!
Do I really believe that, though? She shuddered, uncertain. No. I'm Braska's Guardian. What I believe doesn't matter, I have to help him!"Your life isn't meaningless! It's just... about more than you." It was the one lesson her own presence in the past continually taught her, despite her best efforts to find her own future.It was something Yuna had known all along, right from the beginning.
Oh, Yunie.
The wave of homesickness that overtook her was as unexpected as it was sudden. She grimaced and curled her body inwards, feeling a coldness descend over her that even the room's stifling heat couldn't keep at bay. "Saving you means destroying Yunie's happiness. I can't choose!"Braska frowned at her. "What do you mean?"She fell silent, chewing her lip. Should I tell him the truth?"Rikku?""You know, the last time I confided in somebody on this ship, he told you I was undead and tried to get me Sent.""Ah," he said. "I'm sorry about Kei. It must be a very precious future he wishes to protect.""You're the reason we have a future at all," she said in a small voice. "You, Auron, and Jecht. The three of you carved out that future for the rest of us with your own sacrifices. Yunie can be happy because what you did mattered. You gave us all hope.""I thought your summoner – no." Braska looked at her again, surprised. "You've done this before. All of it. Your Pilgrimage didn't fail, did it?"Something tickled her cheek. Rikku put a hand up and realized she was crying again, silent tears this time, ones that took her by surprise. "We broke the spiral of death. But, the price was so, so high. Everyone was so happy when the Eternal Calm came.""The Eternal – ?""There wasn't any time to be sad," she continued. Now that it was spilling out, she couldn't stop her words. Holding it all in for so long had taken its toll, and she was tired. It was his fault for asking. "We were all too busy rushing forward to grab our shiny new future. Nobody stopped and noticed how many bits and pieces of us had died with Sin.""Sometimes we are required to make sacrifices for the greater good," he said quietly.She snorted and scrubbed her face. "Oh, stuff it. I don't subscribe to Yevon's mumbo-jumbo. Spira's been sacrificing summoners to the greater good for a thousand years! It never changed anything.""But it will," Braska said, growing more certain. "Sometimes, there is no other choice. If my sacrifice is to pave the way for your future, then I gladly accept my fate. I will be strong for the sake of your summoner, and all of Spira." He smiled. "It is a fair trade; you were the strength I once lacked." Gathering a fold of cloth from his sleeve, he tsked and wiped her face; it came away covered in grease. "You have made a mess trying to bury your tears," he noted. "But do not worry. I will do my best to set things to rights.""Do you know what you're saying?" she said, pushing his hand away."Of course."Rikku grabbed Braska and pulled him into a hug. It ran in the family, she supposed. Yuna had always been her anchor in the turbulent years after Sin's defeat. And now, Braska offered to be hers in the years before. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm sorry I can't save you."Braska held her close. "You already have," he replied. Then he pushed her away and nodded at the engine. "You should finish that. We have a Pilgrimage to continue, after all."
.x.x.x.
"Rikku! Where have you been?" Keyakku's voice was filled with frustration and worry as he hurried down the corridor to meet her. "You were supposed to be outside finalizing the repairs on the outer hull!"Stopping, Rikku eyed her brother. "For your information, I just finished fixing my ship's engines," she grumbled, not in any mood to banter. "You're welcome, by the way." Besides, she guessed Keyakku didn't care one bit what she was repairing on the ship – just as long as she wasn't doing it anywhere near Auron."It's not your ship – !" He stopped as he noticed Braska standing behind her. "Oh! Uncle Braska. Sorry, I didn't realize you were with her."Braska glanced at Rikku, then pasted a wide – and most likely fake – smile across his face. "Ah, little Kei! How good it is to see my favorite nephew once again!" He stepped past her, his arms outstretched, using his lengthy robes for maximum effect in the ship's cramped hallway. "You mentioned before that I've another nephew as well, have you not? I am simply bursting with curiosity to hear all about him." His arms closed, and the robes descended around Keyakku like the jaws of a snapping trap."Sure Uncle, but now isn't the best time – " Keyakku struggled in Braska's embrace."Oh, yes. Time. Something we summoners have so much of," Braska mused. "Well. Perhaps it is not so terrible, to march forward towards my fate knowing nothing of my own family. Knowledge can breed regret and hesitation," he added with a note of pained acceptance."What? No, it's fine," Keyakku amended hastily. He looked behind Braska. "Rikku and I would be happy to tell you all about Brother, wouldn't we?""You wanted me out on the outer hull yesterday, didn't you?" she countered, crossing her hands behind her head. "Guess I better get to work on that. See you around! And thanks for your help, Uncle Braska!""Anything for my favorite niece," Braska replied, tightening his grip around Keyakku's shoulders. "One should always value one's family, don't you think, Kei?"She skipped down the hall, happy to be freed from Keyakku's scheming for the day.
Thanks, Braska.
It was nice that he felt comfortable enough around her to have her back again, despite everything that'd happened. That thought, however, caused her to stumble and slow to a walk. Braska's gonna ride that uncle joke for as long as he can milk it. But that's a whole other problem, isn't it? He still doesn't see me as his family.
Damn it.
Turning the corner, she almost ran head-first into Jecht, whose nose was buried in his Al Bhed primer."Oh! Kuoonnoh," Jecht sounded out, stepping back. Then he looked up and grinned. " 'ey, Blondie! Still workin'?""Yep. So the first words you've got down pat are an apology? What a surprise," she drawled.Jecht scowled. " 'ey! This stuff is hard! I just tried to ask a few guys if they had any blitzballs 'round here and we nearly got into a fight!"Rikku frowned. "What'd you say?"He flipped through the primer. "Here we go. Ryja oui caah so pmedwpymmc? Drao yna uv aqlabdeuhym cewa yht E ghuf ruf du bmyo fedr dras. E lyh cruf oui so Jecht Shot!"Blinking, she pieced together the poorly-enunciated words. "You didn't," she said."I got it wrong?" Jecht scratched his head. "Maybe that's why they were so mad. What'd I say?"I am picking up Auron's habits. She rubbed her forehead, feeling her headache return. "You asked if anyone wanted to look at your balls. You then claimed they were huge and offered to show them your Jecht Shot."He paused, then grinned. "Well, they are. Ain't my fault all you Al Bhed are tiny.""Eurgh," she gagged. "Just… keep reading and try not to talk so much," she managed. "At least 'til we're closer to the shore." Shaking her head, she brushed past Jecht to continue towards the deck." 'Ey, wait! You're goin' the wrong direction," he told her. "Someone was askin' for ya down that way," he added, pointing down another hallway.Rikku frowned. "I know there's nothing to fix there. Did Keyakku put you up to this?""Your bro? Hah." Jecht smirked. "He ain't got the guts to meet my other fist yet. Naw, this was someone else." He scratched his chin. "I'm guessin' it won't take too long.""Alright," she groaned, sighing. What now? I was really hoping to see sunlight… and maybe just a little bit of Auron for once. She stomped into the dead end, looking around. No one was there. "Ha, ha, Jecht," she growled, pulling open the supply door.Auron yanked her into the closet and shut the door behind them.A moment of silent surprise passed before her brain got with the program. "So, hey there," she said, trying to untangle herself from his arms. Her face was smashed against his chestplate and there was a shelf poking into her back.Auron grunted, adjusting his position until they had a little more room to breathe. "This is ridiculous," he growled after a moment, panting. "Being forced to hide in a janitorial closet like delinquent schoolchildren. Is your entire family like this?""Well… yeah," she giggled. "If you'd just stop trying to draw and quarter Keyakku with your eyeballs every time you met, he… would still hate you, actually. Kei knows you were sent to kill my father."Auron sighed. "He was a smart kid." He shifted his arms. "Pity it didn't last.""I haven't seen you in two days and we're trapped in a dark closet together. Do you really want to talk about my brother right now?" She poked him in the side.He twitched. "He said being with you could destroy everything." Auron pushed her leg away from where she was rubbing it against his thigh. "What is going on?""We're not necking, that's what's going on," she answered, though her mind raced. She tried to separate Keyakku's warning from the red haze of anger that mashed his words into a jumble in her mind. Destroy everything? Her brother really was the smarter one. She was better with her hands, but his skills lay in leadership. He could analyze events, predicting consequences and reactions to them. Combined with his level head, it made him a fiercely competent politician. Or it would have one day, had he survived the attack on Home.Sure, he was worried about Sin, but he didn't know her future was certain. He only had her word for it, and her brother had already demonstrated that he didn't really trust her."Be serious," Auron scolded. "What did Keyakku mean?""I'm thinking," Rikku said, uncomfortably. If he's not worried about a future he doesn't even know is real being destroyed, then – "...I think he meant me." Auron waited, and she frowned. "He told me every little thing I did here had the potential to change the future. So, if I do something really big, the future will change. My future will change."He tensed. "Braska once told me, even if given the chance, he would not change his past. That he would not be the man he is today without it."Of course. She winced. Auron didn't get along well with Keyakku because they were similar in that manner; he'd been trained to grasp the larger picture as well. "I think he meant if I change the past, my future will cease to exist. I'm a part of that future. I'll be what gets destroyed." She paused as Auron's arms tightened around her. "But, it's just a theory. Kei always was a fan of two-gil pulp fiction. He might be wrong."Auron exhaled. "And if he is not?"She rested her forehead against his chest. "It's still my life. Death is the one guarantee we all have. It's only a question of how and when."His frustration was palpable. "Death is not the same as ceasing to exist!""Isn't it though? We Al Bhed think so. That's why we try so hard to do everything now, in the present. You only get one shot at life, so you might as well make the most of it." She thought of Braska's resolve and took a deep breath. "Dying for love isn't the worst way to go, you know. At least I'm getting something out of the deal.""Why are you always so selfish?" Auron's voice was pained. "You wormed your way inside of me and now you threaten to slip out again?""Love isn't for the weak," she agreed. "Lucky for me you're the toughest guy I know." He said nothing, and she bit her lip. "Are you… still okay with me? Knowing what I am now?""What you are?" He snorted. "Braska already proved that what you are is human. Whether it's a relief or disappointment, you haven't changed." Leaning down, he sought out her lips; she could feel some of his frustration from the past few days bleeding into the action.That was a mistake. Just as frustrated, she leaned eagerly into the kiss. It escalated quickly; what was meant to be a simple reassurance turned into a messy tangle of limbs and desire. He pushed against her, hungry, and she pressed back, trying to find the space to fit herself against him.She broke off suddenly, gasping. "I was going to ask if you were that happy to see me," she wheezed, "but I'm pretty sure that you're not that flexible." Wincing, she reached down and plucked what felt like a broom handle out of her side, shoving it out of the way. Auron's answering hiss of pain told her she'd only succeeded in sharing her discovery with him."I'm going to hurt your brother," he muttered as he struggled to right both himself and the cleaning supplies they'd knocked askew in their unexpected tussle."Good," she grumbled. "Waste him for me, too." I wonder how long we'd have if I just opened the closet door and dumped all this junk into the hallway…"Rikku," Auron said, clearly trying to regain some control. It was a poor effort, considering how husky his voice was. "I need to know. Are you trying to return to your own time?""I think I preferred it when your hands were asking my shorts the questions," she joked, and then squeaked as he shook her."You are driving me mad. Don't play this off!" he demanded."I'm not, okay?" she blurted. "I want to finish this stupid Pilgrimage, retire in Besaid, and make a dozen little green-eyed babies with you. Or maybe just make a dozen attempts to have one." She fell silent, embarrassed at her own admission.Auron's huff of laughter eased some of her mortification. "Only a dozen attempts? I'll have to work harder to raise your expectations." He sobered, his hands roving across her arms. "You're serious."She nodded, knowing he could feel the motion. "I was trying to get back before. That's why I joined the Pilgrimage at first, you know. I thought the Fayth could help me out.""And now?" he asked."And now, I'm not trying anymore," she said truthfully. "I guess I stopped wanting to go back. That's kinda your fault.""Hnn," he grunted in satisfaction. "Did you find a way back to your time?""Maybe… but it's not the way I wanna go, because I think it involves dying." She shivered. Not yet, not yet, her memory teased. Not ever, she told herself. "It'd be a one-way trip whether it worked or not.""Stay, then. And don't tell your brother of your discovery.""Keyakku? Please! He wouldn't kill me," she said confidently. "He might be a jerk now, but he's not that far gone. Besides, he knows I might be able to turn into an Unsent and come back to haunt him if he tries. Poetic justice, right?""That's nothing to joke about," Auron said, his voice sharp and disapproving. "Why are you so trusting, after what he did… to all of us?""Because…" She hesitated. "Keyakku was my favorite brother." She could tell by the way Auron tensed that he noted her phrasing. "When he died, it hurt me. It splintered my family, too. Brother, my other brother – yes, that's really his name – was always just that to Cid: Kei's little brother. After Kei died, he and Father fought so much that I ran away for a whole year. On this ship," she added with a small laugh."I'm sorry that you lost your siblings," he said. "Both of them, since you've decided to stay.""It feels a little like I got one back," she admitted. "Except he doesn't match with the picture I had in my head. I'm kinda disappointed." That was the understatement of the year, and by the way Auron stroked her back, he understood. "I'm just like Cid, really." She snuggled more deeply into Auron's grasp. "I guess I compared Brother to Keyakku too. I always teased him about rushing into things before his brain could catch up. But now that I'm here with Kei again, I miss Brother, that idiot. He never would have told Braska to Send me. He'd just have yelled a lot more… and then promised to help me out anyway.""Perhaps Keyakku is trying to help, too," Auron said. "Although you aren't listening. Didn't he instruct you not to divulge this sort of information so freely?"Rikku shrugged. "So what? It's Keyakku's theory, not mine. He also told me to stay away from you, but here we are in a broom closet. Not making out," she emphasized, teasing her fingers down Auron's sides."Don't remind me," he groaned, bending down to brush a few kisses along her neck."I think I'll decide for myself," she murmured, relaxing against him even as the sweet tension of anticipation rose in her belly. I'll never give this up, she thought with an audible sigh. The attention he was lavishing on her slowed down, and Rikku frowned. "Stop now and you're gonna regret it," she warned."I will not be interrupted by another Yevon-forsaken broom," Auron growled.The door flew open, flooding the tiny room with light." – and then he even asked us if we wanted to see them, can you believe it!" Ashe complained to Keyakku, who was standing next to her. Her eyes widened as a few bottles clattered to the floor and rolled away at her feet. It was a more graceful reaction than her companion had.Rikku managed to lift her hand into a half-wave from where it was trapped behind Auron's head. Probably the better choice than drawing attention to the one on his butt. "Hi!" she greeted her brother. "So, you already told Uncle Braska all about the family, huh?"Keyakku was frozen, doing his best impression of a suffocating fish.Auron didn't give him the time to formulate anything more coherent than a loud squawk. He grabbed the offending broom still wedged behind him and thrust it ungently into Keyakku's abdomen, shoving him out of the way. "Thanks," he told the two surprised Al Bhed, before reaching for the door and slamming it shut once more.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku stood on the deck of The Love Boat and smiled. The motor was propelling them at a fraction of its usual speed, but the wave power generators were completely repaired.The current ruined state of the laser was regretful, however. They'd cannibalized it in the end, along with several other less-essential parts of the boat to rebuild the portions of the hull and engines lost to Sin's attack.Father's not gonna be happy when he sees his ship. She still remembered the fallout from the sudden and unfortunate end to Keyakku's first mission, but her guilt was mitigated by fury.At least he'd stopped trying to separate her from Auron after the supply closet fiasco.The catamaran skipped across the water at a slow, but steady, pace. An invigorating sea breeze blew her hair back, and she inhaled the salty air with deep satisfaction.Necessary deconstruction aside, her ship was alive again, and it felt good."Now, if only I knew where we were going," she mumbled. Sighing, she marched towards the hold. Several Al Bhed crewmembers nodded as she passed; making such rapid repairs on the ship outstripped the taboo of being a Guardian – or making out with one in a closet – apparently.Stopping before the captain's cabin, she wavered, hesitation warring with anger. But, if anyone was going to answer her…She touched the wall panel, then opened the door after hearing Keyakku's gruff, "Enter."He sat at his desk, pouring over the Pollendina family's navigation charts. They were a collection of salvage maps pointing to unexplored ruins; some of the Al Bhed's greatest treasures were contained there.Keyakku looked up, balked, and slammed the notebook closed.She rolled her eyes. "So, you don't trust your little sis with the treasure, huh?"He glanced from the book to her, then huffed. "Of course you'd recognize this. I guess it's kind of pointless, huh? If there's anything to find in here, you probably already know all about it.""Or found it already, yeah."Still, he made no movement to reopen the logs.She leaned against the wall and studied her brother. What happened to us? I thought we knew each other. Memories of her loving brother assailed her, but it seemed impossible to reconcile the man she'd looked up to with the paranoid captain sitting before her. Where's the trust? His betrayal of her confidence was still raw and bleeding.Despite her intentions, she couldn't stop herself from poking the wound. "You were my idol, you know."He jerked, turning a wide-eyed gaze on her."I wanted to be just like you. I tried so hard to learn all this stuff so I could keep up. Somewhere along the way, I guess I ran right past you."Keyakku sighed, pulled off his headgear, and scrubbed at his hair; freed of his usual trappings, they looked more like each other than ever. "Look. I said I'm sorry – ""Excuse me, but no, you never said anything!" Rikku snapped."I'm apologizing now.""You don't need to start lying about how you feel. It's too late anyway," she added in a quieter voice. "After what you did… there aren't any takebacks."Keyakku leaned on his desk, chin in hand. "I admit I made a mistake. If I could make it up to you, you know I would.""Do I?" She squinted at him and tried to remember the Keyakku she thought she knew. He'd always kept their family together, despite their disagreements; he listened, taught her what he knew about machina with limitless patience, and he doted on her – even more than he ever did Brother. Keyakku had been the warmth, the smiles, the tenderness that was missing in their own father. "Do I know?"He flinched, unable to meet her stare, and her image of him crumbled just a little more.It hurt.As he sagged under the weight of her criticism, she was struck by an odd thought. Maybe he did try to make it up to me when he got back… the other me, in Bikanel. Maybe him being nice to mini-me is part of his apology.It didn't make it better for her, but it was food for thought.Reaching down, Keyakku opened a drawer and pulled out a familiar bottle of paan. He held it out to her – an olive branch. "You and me," he said, studying her. "We turned out the same. I didn't expect that."Rikku raised an eyebrow, refusing the offer. "Well yeah, we do look a lot alike. You'd have to be blind not to see the resemblance. Speaking of, your crew's pretty good at ignoring stuff when you order them to.""True, but not what I meant." He laughed. "I always thought you'd take after Pops. Loud and impulsive, lots of tunnel vision, you know. But you're a problem-solver too. You can see the bigger picture." He shook his head. "We're both like Mom."She stilled. No one ever talked about Mom. It was a forbidden topic. "Really?" she asked, keeping her tone steady.His obvious disappointment said it all; some part of him had hoped she already knew whatever there was to tell. "Come home with me," he said, sincere. "Come back to Bikanel, and I'll tell you all about Mom. Anything you want to know."And there's the catch. "I can't leave the Pilgrimage," she replied."You can. You just have to want to," he said more firmly."Do I need to spell it out for you? I'm not going.""Why not?" he pressed. "You'd be welcome there. You wouldn't have to go through this sham of a Pilgrimage.""I am welcome here, in case you didn't notice," she shot back. "Auron, Braska, and Jecht are my best friends here. And our Pilgrimage isn't a sham!"He eyed her in disbelief. "Their Pilgrimage goes against everything the Al Bhed believe in. We don't sacrifice summoners for our own safety."Ouch. That hurt. Still, she drew in a deep breath and shook her head. "I'm not leaving them.""You'd choose them over coming home?" Keyakku slammed his fist on the table, making the notebook and paan bottle jump. "You're Al Bhed! You're one of us! We're family!"Rikku squared her shoulders. "I'm a Guardian first. That's all I want… and all I need, now.""No, Rikku – "She sighed and cut him off. "I didn't come here for this. I need to know where we're going. And by we, I mean Braska and the rest of us. Oh, and that bunch of elite crusaders you're holding hostage, too."He frowned. "Don't change the subject.""I haven't," she said evenly. "Can you really keep all those Yevonite soldiers under your thumb until you get to Bikanel? And, I'm sure Father will welcome them into Home with open arms when we arrive.""What are you trying to say?""Am I really worth all the hassle it'll take to get me home, voluntarily or not? Don't tell me you already forgot about the 'bigger picture.' "The jab to his earlier comment hit home. He clenched his head between his hands and leaned on his elbows, shaking his head in frustration. The motion was so familiar to her that it almost broke her poker face."I'll deal with the soldiers – " he began.She talked right over him. "Not to mention Uncle Braska and his Guardians. Like me, remember? Don't underestimate the trouble we could make for you. The crusaders would follow Auron anywhere, and you've seen Uncle Braska summon." Crossing her arms, she did her best to look intimidating; maybe there was a little too much of Auron rubbing off on her. "Don't forget, I already broke your big fat gun. Oopsie.""Are you trying to threaten me?"She sniffed. "I spent the past five days making your crew like me. Auron spent that time building an army right under your nose. And you've made the only summoner on this ship – our own uncle, so tell me again about family – feel like an outcast." She bared her teeth. "I can sail this boat without you. So… you wanna talk about where you're taking us?"It was a big bluff. If it came to a mutiny, the Al Bhed would side with Keyakku. And, indebted as they were, the crusaders would hesitate to fight their Al Bhed saviors, tenets be damned. In fact, Rikku suspected that the seeds of Operation Mi'ihen were being planted right there: the survivors paving the way for a new generation of crusaders willing to work with the Al Bhed and their machina.But her posturing wasn't entirely smoke and mirrors, either. If word got out that the Al Bhed were taking "hostages" to Bikanel – during Luca's tournament season, at that – the results would be devastating.Keyakku might want her to come Home, but she was willing to bet he wanted to avoid open war against the rest of Spira more.You really think I'm like Mom now? But the words caught in her throat.He analyzed her for a long moment, then sighed. "When'd you get so bossy?""I'm not bossy," she protested. "I'm a survivor. And I know how to get what I want."Clearing his throat, he glanced at her one last time, then reopened the navigation charts. He flipped through the pages, located the appropriate map, and pointed. "According to my calculations, we're here right now. Where did you want to go?""Our goal is the Calm Lands," she said, moving towards the table and turning the map her way. She tapped her chin and frowned, thinking of Jecht. He'd gathered all the tools necessary to unlock his Celestial Weapon, but they'd be nothing more than dead weight until he underwent the ritual in Macalania's forest to unseal its true power. "But we gotta stop by Macalania first."Wincing, Keyakku said, "That's way too close to Bevelle."By which he meant, "The Love Boat's damaged. We won't be able to avoid Bevelle's defensive fleet if we approached the city."Although she couldn't fault him for being cautious, the thought of backtracking halfway around the continent on foot – or worse yet, over water on The Love Boat – was terrible. "How close can you get us?" she asked."You're serious, aren't you?" Keyakku rubbed his chin. "I can probably get you guys onto the outskirts of Lake Macalania, near the Temple. But you'd still have to find a way in; the whole place is surrounded by cliffs."Rikku worried her lower lip. "That's still probably our best bet." She tried not to think of their lack of weather-appropriate gear, long lost to the two shipwrecks they'd survived."Even if you make it in, you're gonna freeze," he said bluntly."We'll come up with something! Team BARJ is good at improvising.""Team what?" Keyakku shook his head. "No, just forget I asked. I need to get rid of your crusaders first anyway; it won't make things any easier if we get caught with them on board." He pointed at another segment of the map. "We'll make a stop near Guadosalam – it's neutral enough territory – then drop you by Lake Macalania afterwards." He looked up. "After that, you'll be on your own."She pushed away from the table. "You were never with me from the start, Kei-Kei."He flinched. "I really am sorry.""Yeah," Rikku said, not bothering to turn back as she left the room. "Me too."
.x.x.x.
Macalania's chill leaked through the entire ship; no one, especially the remaining Al Bhed crew, was happy to be there. The catamaran was still damaged enough to require the conservation of all available power. As a result, the environmental controls had been some of the first to be sacrificed. The ship was moving at a crawl through the less-than-temperate ocean waters.Rikku's breath condensed into crystalline patterns against the metal ceiling over her high bunk. She couldn't feel her nose. The idea of sneaking into Auron's bed to snuggle for warmth was considered and discarded for the millionth time. Much as she might have enjoyed it, she didn't want to completely ruin Auron's reputation in front of the others."I can't believe we're here again," Jecht complained, tightening his blanket coat. "It was cold enough the first time!" He fingered his necklace, still enchanted to protect against the chill. "This charm can only do so much.""Hey!" she chimed in, annoyed. "You know you'd be worse off without it.""Or you could wear a shirt," Auron added."Or we could go someplace that isn't the ass end of an icicle, like the rest of them crusaders did!""You would delay Braska's Pilgrimage even more?" Auron grumbled. "We're already suffering this setback for your sake." He scowled and adjusted the blanket across his lap.Braska clucked his tongue from his own bed, where he was reclining with his arms behind his head. He was weathering the climate change within the ship with ease, even offering his lone blanket to Jecht. "Witnessing the birth of a Celestial Weapon is hardly a setback, Auron," he scolded. "I, for one, am eager to see what will happen.""I suppose it will help against Sin," Auron admitted grudgingly, tucking his hands into his coat."Don't remind me that we gotta fight that thing, man. I don't think one sword is gonna make that big of a difference, Celestial or not."Someone knocked on the door."Come in," Braska called out.The door slid open and Ashe nodded at them. "We've arrived," she said, avoiding Rikku's eyes. "It's time." She glanced in Auron's direction and turned bright red."This is our stop, guys," Rikku said, snagging her blanket as she jumped from her bunk.Ashe stopped her before she could leave the room, pushing a large wrapped bundle at her.Rikku fumbled, but didn't drop it."For you and your friends," Ashe said. In her attempts to look away from Rikku and Auron, she spotted Jecht and the red of her face shifted to purple as her gaze dropped to the blankets piled around his lap. "From the captain!" she squeaked, all but fleeing the room."What exactly did you three do to elicit that response from the poor woman?" Braska asked suspiciously.Rikku thought back to the supply closet and let out a dreamy sigh. "Everything."Auron coughed.Eyebrows raised, Braska faced Jecht. "Can you perhaps enlighten me?""Huh? Oh, Rikku said I asked her to check out my balls." He shrugged at Braska's incredulous stare. "What? It was an accident!""Oh, that was no accident," Rikku mumbled happily, mind firmly in the supply closet."Rikku," Auron broke through her stupor, smug smile in place. "The package?""Yeah, what's the surprise?" Jecht asked, flipping down from his bunk onto Auron's bed.Auron grunted and booted Jecht off.Rikku sat herself next to Auron and began sifting through the contents. "Wow. Three sets of Al Bhed thermals. We usually use these under our wetsuits to keep warm when we dive deep.""Thank Yevon," Braska huffed, shucking off his outer robe and dispelling the blue glow glimmering over his bare skin. "I was growing tired of casting NulFrost.""... That's an area of effect spell," Auron noted in clipped tones.Braska blanched. "Err… it is quite taxing to maintain?""We'll talk later."Jecht cracked his knuckles in agreement. Braska cleared his throat nervously."Less fight, more antifreeze," she said, handing out the appropriately-sized clothing. All three sets of it.Auron frowned. "I see Keyakku's generosity knows definite bounds.""Sorry." She winced. "At least you're the best dressed out of all of us for this trip?"Auron tightened his grip on his blanket."Ehehehe." More digging unearthed two wetsuits, one of which was of a more feminine design. Squinting at the other, she said, "Looks like this one is yours, Jecht. Might be a little short, though."Jecht caught the suit she tossed at him. "Wearin' midget clothin' is still better than freezin' my ass off." He was already pulling off his armguard, trying to squeeze into the thermals."Let's see… a pair of boots – they're for you too, Jecht," she said, handing over the shoes. "And last but not least, a bunch of Al Bhed potions to keep us going until we can reach a shop."Her hands slowed down as she brushed over the folded note tucked between the vials. The spiked, hand-written script was brief and to the point.
Be safe, my sister.
She swallowed and crumpled it into a ball. "Let's gear up," she said. Her fingers shook, made clumsy by the lump of cold stone that seemed to have lodged itself in her belly. The nerve of that guy… like clothing and a few potions can make up for what he did!Auron placed a hand against the small of her back. She stilled."It was a generous move," he told her. "Keyakku had no need to aid us.""It's his way of saying goodbye," Rikku said tightly, yanking the thermal shirt down over her own clothes. "It's fine. It's not like I wanted to waltz into Bikanel and tell anyone who I am, anyhow." She struggled into her pants, avoiding the gazes she could feel. "Pollendina's just a tired old clan name that nobody cares about.""It's your name," Auron said."No." She grabbed her wetsuit. "Pollendina is the name of a little girl living on Bikanel right now, learning how to do cartwheels in the sand and wondering where Sin will hit this year." I'm not that little girl anymore. I'm my own person. She met Braska's eyes and felt reassured by the faint nod of approval he gave her.Auron's brow was still drawn."I'm Braska's Guardian," she finished. "Sir Rikku at your service!"He tilted his head. "Sir?""I'm made up of too much awesome to not have a fancy title like the rest of you," she replied, standing to zip her wetsuit closed. Then she winced and twisted around a few times. "Ugh, I forgot how tight these things are."Auron stared. "Perhaps an extra set of thermal garments are unnecessary after all," he muttered, tearing his eyes away. The he leaned over to Braska. "You're taking point today."Braska let out an audible sigh of disappointment.Jecht grimaced. "Tight ain't even the half of it." He rolled an arm and a few of the stitches popped. "Well, I guess it's better than nothin'," he groused, bending over to don his armguard and popping another unfortunately-placed seam in the process."Ugh, okay, now that is officially too much information. If Braska's taking point, Jecht's taking the rear so I don't have to see his," Rikku groaned." 'ey! Ain't nothing wrong with my ass! Don't blame me if Auron's don't compare.""I'm not worried," Auron said dryly."I am!" She covered her eyes. "Somebody save me from this before I lose my dinner!""Well, at least this journey into Macalania will be an interesting one," Braska said. He stood and pulled on his robes, conveniently blocking her view of Jecht. Glancing over each of them, he nodded. "If we are all appropriately dressed, let's see what awaits us outside."They reached the deck in short order, and she had to pause to admire the sight spread before them. Lake Macalania shone like a jewel under the moon, sharpened by the chill of the night. Countless stars littered the heavens, reflecting off the snowy cliffside that extended on both sides as far as the eye could see. A few crystals glimmered in the air – pyreflies, perhaps, or just flakes of ice magically suspended by the force of the Fayth's dream. It was breathtaking, and devastatingly cold.Rikku tightened the blanket she'd nicked around her shoulders and breathed out curling white plumes. "We can do this," she murmured, trying to keep her teeth from chattering."We have before," Braska agreed with her. "And we shall do so again." He faltered as a breeze cold enough to penetrate even his winterized clothing blew past. "Is it not strange? We want not for gil yet have fewer supplies than ever.""Money is worthless without a shop to spend it in," Auron said gruffly, tucking his red coat closed. "Besides, regardless of our finances, it's to our favor to keep our heads down. Whether they think us celebrities or heretics, at the moment, the world at large likely believes we've fallen. We can continue the Pilgrimage unhindered by Bevelle. Or Luca, for that matter.""Ain't like we're disappearin' forever. The end game is to beat down Sin, right?" Jecht scratched his head, then shivered. "Kinda think people are gonna notice that."Auron led them to the edge of the ship, where a few Al Bhed, including Keyakku, were waiting. "If we can complete our objective in Macalania and then reach the Calm Lands without raising attention, nothing else will stand in our way. It will be too late for the Church to do anything but watch.""First, though, how're we even gonna get up there anyway?" Jecht eyed the snowy cliffside. "S'not like this boat can fly.""That's a really good question." Keyakku stepped forward. "We've brought you here, as requested, but we don't have the equipment to scale the barrier.""Thank you for all of your help, Keyakku," Braska said, bowing to his nephew. "You have my deepest gratitude for everything you have done for us. Please… tell your father I am sorry for the troubles I caused him. I will do my best to ensure Raenn's death was not in vain."Keyakku paled. "Uncle! You don't have to – you can still come home to Bikanel. Bring Yuna to meet the rest of the family! I'm sure she and Rikku will get along well…" He trailed off and avoided Rikku's eyes.Braska smiled knowingly. "I don't doubt it. I'm afraid I will have to refuse your offer, however. My duty lies elsewhere, now." He turned to study the cliffside.With Keyakku so close and the tension nearly a tangible thing between them, Rikku couldn't help but hope that his stubborn streak would break and he'd say something supportive. Or even just give them a friendly thumbs-up.He was still her brother. That had to mean something, right?She smirked bitterly when he didn't deliver, huddling further into her blanket."Your thoughts?" Auron prodded Braska."Bahamut," Braska said. "It will take more than one trip, but he is strong enough to carry us over.""But how're ya gonna get up there while you're in Rapture?" Jecht cut in. "What'd you an' Blondie do before?""Well," Braska said, pleased, "Rikkma, if you'll just come over here, perhaps we can demonstrate – ""Find another way," Auron cut in, brows lowered.Braska sighed. "I understand your reservations, Auron, but you are being unnecessarily difficult. Flying is the simplest way to reach our goal."Auron's stone-faced expression didn't shift. "Flying aeons might be seen by the Temple."Although a good point, Rikku was willing to bet that reason wasn't motivating Auron's bout of sullen logic."Hmm. Perhaps you're correct. I do have another idea." He motioned to the Al Bhed. "Stand back, please.""Auron, Jecht, he's gonna cast something," Rikku translated, and they cleared a small ring around the summoner.Braska closed his eyes and kneeled, holding his staff up. Runes surrounded him and Shiva descended from the sky with a melodic ring of crystal. She threw her cloak back and regarded the gaping Al Bhed. Then she stepped before Braska, trailing mist.
What's he planning?
Shiva raised two fingers to her lips and spun."Isn't that – ?"A slab of ice slammed into the side of the cliff. Shiva raised her arm, gathering power in a glowing ball of white light. Leaning back, the aeon thrust it forward, sending blasts of ice and snow against the cliffside."If she snaps her fingers, the resulting avalanche will sink this ship," Auron said after a few moments of stunned silence."Maybe ya shoulda just let him summon the dragon," Jecht replied, sounding nervous as he rubbed at a scar on his face.Shiva, however, didn't straighten, and the spell kept billowing from her outstretched hands. As her magic howled and raged, the icy formation grew into a spiked, crystalline bridge leading to the edge of the snowy cliff. Finally, Shiva ended her spell, tossing her braided hair over one shoulder. With one last contemptuous glance, she leapt off the deck and disappeared in a swirl of pyreflies.Braska stood and shook his head. "I'm not sure how long that structure will hold. We'd best move quickly.""Wow…" Keyakku said, audibly impressed. "You've got your own personal ice sculptor." Getting past his shock, he motioned to his crew. "Bring the ship to the edge of that thing. Go, all of you! I'll see our guests off."Rikku nodded at the Al Bhed as they passed; some even smiled. It was nice to be back for a little while, she thought, turning to take one last look at her ship, nostalgia kicking her lips upward."So," Keyakku began, clapping her shoulder. "This is it?""This is it," she answered, wistful smile fading.He looked away but kept his grip on her. "Will I ever see you again?"She crossed her arms. "When you reach Home, you can see me as much as you want.""I meant you – this you." His hand clutched her, face stretched tight with regret."Not if I can help it, Kei," she said, shrinking away from the weight of his palm. "Maybe some things are better left in the past.""Or the future," he agreed. His hand dropped away. "Goodbye. And good luck. Don't mess up, Rie-Rie.""Gee, thanks," Rikku said, turning away."I mean it," he called after her, voice wavering. "Good luck. Maybe someone like you doesn't need it, though."She stopped and faced him, frowning. What's he trying to pull now?Keyakku smiled ruefully. "Just keep pushing and reach your goal, okay? If you believe in this path that much, I've got to believe you can succeed.""...Yeah," she said, confused. Maybe my Kei-Kei wasn't a complete fantasy? Biting her lip, she looked at him one last time, trying to take in his appearance: young, healthy, and… heartbroken."I love you," he said, his words almost lost to the wind."... I love you too, Kei," she managed to respond.
Too much. This is too much.
Turning, she fled.The ship was still pulling flush against the icy bridge Shiva had created, but the gap was small enough to traverse, and she wasted no time in doing so. Auron called her name but she ignored him, scrambling over the slick ice as quickly as she could.
That stupid brother of mine… can't even just say goodbye without making things complicated, can he?
" 'ey! Slow down!" Jecht was quick to catch up, practically loping up the bridge. "Why're you runnin'?"She stopped to face him, panting. "I'm just mad! So mad! He really just… Keyakku... ugh!"Jecht belted out a laugh. "You sound just like my son." He crossed his arms and sighed. "Want me to keep the boys away 'till you're done cryin'?"Straightening, Rikku scrubbed the already-freezing tears from her face. "Don't bother," she growled. "There'll be enough tears on this Pilgrimage. No need to add more."Ignoring Jecht's thoughtful frown, she tried to continue her desperate scramble upwards.He lunged and grabbed her ankle, tripping her.Squealing, she face-planted onto the ice bridge, sliding in an undignified heap back towards him. He planted a foot on her butt to stop her from continuing all the way down the bridge.Lifting her head, she spat snow and glared. "If you were trying to kill me, you're gonna regret failing in about two seconds!""I'm kinda thinkin' you ain't in no shape to go up there alone," Jecht told her, unapologetic. He ground the heel of his foot in; she wheezed. "Wait up for Auron, at least."She struggled, but Jecht's foot had her pinned.What the heck does he think he's doing? It's not fair! None of this was supposed to happen! Seeing Keyakku again at all was just mean! And then finding out how ruthless he really is… except for just now, that's not the brother I knew! My Keyakku wasn't supposed to be like this!Her struggles died out. Had that been it the whole time?
He's different from how I thought he was. Just like Jecht, and Braska… and Auron.
Why was everyone proving different than her memories?The heavy tramp of Auron's boots approached and the pressure on her backside eased off."Thanks," Auron said."No problem," Jecht grunted. "I'm gonna go help Braska up. Better you deal with this Bite Bug than me."Sitting up, Rikku glared at Auron as Jecht carefully retraced his steps. "I don't wanna talk about it."Leaving one family for another shouldn't have hurt this much."Did I ask?" Auron shot back, hauling her to her feet. "You don't have to explain anything to me," he said, and that finally made her see him. He didn't look at her as he tugged her against his chest, as though to shield her from the cutting wind. "If you want to cry, then cry. If you want to scream, then scream. Just don't hurt yourself. I won't allow it."She couldn't answer, overwhelmed. I don't have to be strong right now, do I? She gasped, only partly in relief, and turned her face into Auron's neck.His arms came around her, and she let herself break in the protective circle of his embrace.
.x.x.x.
"Oh, thank Yevon," Braska exclaimed as they crested another snowy hill.Despite her feelings about the Church, Rikku had to agree with the sentiment. Traveling Lake Macalania's wilds by day was hard; doing it in the freezing cold of the night was masochistic."I am exhausted," he declared, leaning on his staff and breathing heavily. Despite his words, Auron's endurance training seemed to be paying off – Braska had managed to keep up with the rest of them this time around.She masked a small grin.Even Jecht fared well, finally able to pull his own weight against the fiends there. He planted his black sword into the snow and squinted at the light in the distance. "That's the Agency, ain't it? I'm 'bout ready to thank this Yevon guy myself."Auron surveyed the steep path down the cliff towards the well-travelled road. "We're only stopping here for supplies and moving on towards the Forest immediately."Rikku, Jecht, and Braska groaned in unison.Auron cut them off. "If we want to remain unnoticed, we can't afford to spend a night so close to the Temple. In fact, the less of us who enter the Agency itself, the better.""Damn! You mean we ain't gettin' a break from this cold, either?" Jecht sulked."Stop complaining."She cringed. "I'm guessing I'm not gonna be the lucky winner of the 'hot or not' contest, huh?"Auron's stern expression softened. "You and Jecht are too recognizable, especially in those outfits. They'll most likely remember Braska, as well; it's best to keep a low profile here. If those in Bevelle catch wind of our presence, they'll be certain to draw us into their power struggle.""Aww," she mumbled, rubbing her hands together. "Would that really be so bad, though? I mean, at least we'd be warm. Plus, Yunie's there!""Unfortunately, Auron is correct. You're forgetting that you and Jecht are still technically criminals within the city. The only reason you were released from your incarceration is because they expected us to fail, and miserably at that. Now that we have come so far, we pose a real threat to Mika, and Kinoc will surely desire to have us as his pawns," Braska said, that irritatingly reasonable tone creeping into his voice.Rikku quashed the surge of disappointment and the uncharitable thought that Braska just wanted to avoid his daughter."It falls to me, then, to handle the purchase of supplies while you three wait outside," Auron said. "We'll move on immediately."They began a weary trudge towards the road below, and Rikku tried to ignore her shivers. Keyakku's parting gifts were lifesavers in the bone-chilling cold, but she was still losing feeling in her toes. We can't get to Macalania Forest fast enough."This ain't fun at all," Jecht muttered.She listened with half an ear, slipping on a treacherous patch of ice. "Give me the desert heat any day over this," she groaned.The sound of something heavy hitting the slope behind her made her turn around.Jecht was looping his foot through one of the dangling chains on the hilt of his sword, which he'd dropped flat against the snow. Stepping onto the blade, he bent his knees and bounced experimentally."Oh, for the love of – you're gonna try swordboarding here?" Rikku cried."Snow-swordin', Blondie. Get it right!""Whatever!" She threw up her arms in frustration. "We're not in the Temple anymore, I don't think it's really safe – ""Save it! It'll be even better than the last time!""Last time ended with Auron fishing you out by your feet after you went ass over teakettle into a snowdrift," she reminded him.Ignoring her, he pushed off, sailing down the slope. He curved in a sharp arc, directing a spray of snow at Auron and Braska, prompting loud curses from them both.Jecht's entertainment was short lived, however; his makeshift board hit a protrusion and he went airborne, arms windmilling. With a crash, he landed head-first into the snow and rolled the rest of the way down the hill, coming to a stop at the side of the road."I suppose I shall have to see if he's still breathing," Braska said, sounding less than enthused about it. He pushed clumps of snow off his headdress."If he is, don't bother healing him." Auron shook some snow out of his collar. "Any part of him that has not yet been bruised is going to be shortly." He did a double-take as he caught sight of Rikku. "What do you think you're doing?""What?" she asked innocently, adjusting her goggles. "It looked fun!""You've got to be kidding – "With a running start, she flung herself into the snow, gripping her fully-extended Godhand between both hands like a mini-sled. "Alright!" she cheered, picking up speed as the dark hillside whizzed by. "Way easier than walking!"Her exhilaration was short lived; the same bump of unusual width that had ruined Jecht's run sent her airborne."Or no—AAHT!" Her scream cut off as she hit the ground, rolling the rest of the way down the hill. Sitting up with a groan, Rikku coughed and wiped her mouth, wondering how she'd managed a more impressive wipeout than Jecht."Celestial Weapons are awesome," he mumbled dazedly, sprawled next to her.Rikku giggled, dusting snow from her hair. "You betcha!"Auron, who'd raced down the hill, used Jecht as a stepping stone on his way over. "Are you all right?" he asked, scanning her for injuries as he kneeled next to her."I'm fine," she told him, flexing both arms in demonstration.The tension in his face transformed into annoyance. "Unbelievable," he muttered. "This is what you call a low profile?" He stood and walked back towards the road, detouring only to plant another boot in Jecht's back. "Clean yourselves up and wait outside," he said, stomping towards the Agency.Braska slid to a stop between them, leaning on his staff. "Are either of you grievously injured?" he asked in a tone that implied the correct answer should be negative."Nope," Rikku offered, seeking out her weapon and shaking off the snow. "That was exciting, though!""My armpits are freezin' now," Jecht added, hopping to his feet. "You think the Stiff'll mind if I sneak into the Agency anyway?""I'd advise you not to tempt fate," Braska said amicably. "Rest assured, as soon as we've traveled a good distance from the Temple, I shall call upon Ifrit to warm you.""Bein' stuck out in the cold makes everyone happy," Jecht grumbled, grabbing his sword and wiping it clean. "Say, we didn't make a sphere our first time 'round here, did we?"Braska raised an eyebrow. "You are thinking of that now?" Then he studied the landscape. "Although Macalania is rather different in the evening, I suppose.""Well, what else are we gonna do while we're waitin'?" Jecht said. "Back me up here, Blondie."Rikku rolled her eyes, digging through her pouch. "We can do a sneak attack on Auron when he comes out the door. It'll be payback for leaving us outside!""I would have thought you'd be more supportive of Auron's decision," Braska said. "You two have been getting along very well."Finding an empty sphere, she grinned. "Dating Auron doesn't mean he gets a free pass! If I don't get to warm up in the inn, he doesn't get to avoid starring in Jecht's home movie collection." She offered the sphere to Jecht."Naw, I wanna be in it, too! This is for Tidus, so you gotta hold it."Nodding, Rikku lifted the sphere and tried to punch the control to turn it on. Her numbed fingers slipped, but a hasty juggle kept her from dropping the sphere. "That was close!""Are you feeling well?" Braska asked with a hint of worry. "You aren't usually this clumsy."Righting the sphere, she shrugged. "I'm as good as I can be in this weather, I guess. I can't feel my fingers anymore, so gimmie a minute to get this – "Braska's unexpected Cure removed some of the numbness from her hands and was followed by swirling globes of blue light that settled against her skin, buffering the chill of the night air."Do you feel any better?" Braska asked, and she gave him a grateful nod." 'ey! What about me?" Jecht complained. "My fingers are cold too!""As I have said before, this is a very draining spell to maintain," Braska lied, pointedly shaking snow from his robes. "Besides, Rikku is family. It's my duty to take extra care of her.""Umm," she said, fiddling with the sphere. "Thanks, but you really don't have to treat me like I'm special.""I beg to differ," he replied, prying the sphere from her. Switching it on, he held it up. "So. What is it you wish to record, Jecht?""That!" Jecht said, pointing as the Agency door swung open and Auron stepped out, carrying a bulging pack.Letting the door shut behind him, Auron froze, then narrowed his eyes. "And what are you doing now?" he asked with an air of resignation."Makin' memories!" Scampering up to the entrance, Jecht grinned and threw an arm over Auron's shoulders. "Now smile and say shoopuf!"Auron shrugged the arm off, walking away. "Fine, but keep your hands to yourself. Shoopuf.""You're supposed to smile, too!" Rikku called out."I am smiling." His face was like granite. "Is this also for Yuna?""Actually, it's for Jecht's son this time," Braska replied, trying to angle to camera to include both men. He frowned. "Auron, could you stand closer to him?"With a long-suffering sigh, Auron nodded and repositioned himself beside Jecht, who grinned and threw his arm around the other man's shoulders once again.Auron rolled his eyes but didn't shake Jecht off this time. "Don't ask me to make small talk," he warned.Braska chuckled and shook his head. "Good. That should do it," he told them, panning the sphere to include the Agency's large banner. Lowering it, he looked out over the dark, snowy glacier, twinkling in the scattered moonlight. "I shall miss this," he murmured. "All of it. Even despite the hardships, this has been a fulfilling journey.""C'mon man, don't be such a downer! We'll pound Sin and make it out the other side in one piece." Jecht grinned. "I'll even teach you guys how to snow-sword!"Braska's answering smile was tired. "Thank you, but I'll have to pass on your invitation."Jecht smirked. "You say that now, but I'll get you to change your mind, B. Just you wait!"A tense hush descended, and Rikku swallowed. Every step drew Braska towards his inevitable conclusion, yet he still hadn't mentioned his fate to Jecht.For every secret we unravel, there seems to be a dozen more to bury us, she thought, feeling cold despite Braska's spell.Auron ground his teeth together, and he shook himself out of Jecht's grasp. "There won't be any lessons after Sin.""What's the matter now?" Jecht asked, surprised. He squinted at Auron. " 'Fraid I might bite?""Jecht..." Auron trailed off and lowered his head, his scowl deepening.Jecht shrugged. "Whatever, man. You're always gettin' in these moods." He looked over at the others and grinned. "Braska! You should take one, too. It'd make a great gift for little Yuna!""I suppose," Braska said, looking at the sphere in his hands.Reaching out, Rikku grabbed a flap on the arm of Braska's robe. "Don't," she said, meeting his eyes. "Don't do this to him.""Braska..." Auron had stepped forward and was now also staring at Braska. His frown was crumbling into something more brittle. "Will you continue, my lord?"Jecht looked between them. "I must be missin' somethin' here. Blondie? You gonna translate?"Rikku's knuckles turned white, her grip tightening. "Don't make me do this," she whispered, desperate. "Not to Jecht. Not anymore. Please."Braska tensed, his hands clenching around the sphere. But he said nothing, and Rikku's mouth twisted.Auron's expression turned dark. "We shouldn't be wasting our time like this!" He slung the pack over his shoulder and strode through the snow so quickly, Jecht had to jog to catch up with him."Wait, what's up, Auron?"Auron ignored Jecht and continued to plow towards Braska. He pulled Rikku away from the summoner, cradling her in the crook of his arm. "Say nothing," he said to her. "This is not your burden.""But I can't do it anymore," she mumbled, turning her face into Auron's coat. "I hate it. I hate all these secrets!"Jecht caught up with them, a definite scowl stretching across his face. "Somebody gonna tell me what the sudden hurry is?"Auron released Rikku and whirled on him, shielding her from Jecht's view. "Let me tell you what the hurry is!" he snapped.Braska started. "Auron!" he yelled, shutting the sphere down. "A summoner's privilege – !""Even you should be able to figure it out by now!" Auron snarled at Jecht, interrupting Braska. "Rikku has been a Guardian before. She knows the price. If we fail, Braska dies!""I will not fail!" Braska's shout was even louder than Auron's.Undaunted, Auron faced him, his fury obvious in the tense line of his shoulders and the jagged scowl on his face. "You'll still die!" His words sliced through the air, sharper than any sword."What? Whaddaya mean, Braska still dies?"Rikku bowed her head and huddled further into Auron's warmth. Jecht needed to know, but finding out like this was crueler than he deserved. But, is there any way to tell him without hurting him?The answer was obvious in how none of them were willing to meet Jecht's eyes."The fate of all summoners who call the Final Aeon," Auron eventually ground out, resignation and loss tempering his tone. "The final summon is a human sacrifice, Jecht. Whether we win or merely die trying – Braska won't return."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Crack!
Jecht smashed his fist into Braska's face.Rikku reached for him. "Jecht!"He whirled on her, angrier than she'd ever seen him. "You lied, Rikku," he shouted. "You lied to me!" Auron moved to hold him back, but Jecht avoided him in disgust. "Don't touch me, man. You ain't any better than the rest of 'em."Braska winced, probing his already-bruising chin. "They withheld that information on my orders," he said, working his jaw and casting a Cure."Like that makes it okay? A good team knows when to ignore a bad captain," Jecht spat. He glared at Rikku again. "Thought you knew that.""I wanted to tell you – ""Fuck you," Jecht said. "Fuck all of you. We ain't doin' this here." He turned and stalked down the road.Auron leaned over and held his hand out to Braska. "It had to be done.""Not in this manner." Wearily, Braska clasped Auron's outstretched arm and stood. He dusted the snow from his robes, wincing again when Auron gave him a not-entirely-friendly pat on the back."You left us no options," Auron said. "Drawing it out as you did was only more painful. This way we're still giving him a chance to decide for himself if he wishes to continue.""Once again, I reached… too far." Braska wilted and trailed after Jecht with a pained look on his face.Auron glared as Braska continued ahead. "I don't know what to do with him anymore," he admitted after a long moment.Nudging Auron, she grabbed his hand and pulled him to follow. "I kinda think we can't do anything." She fell silent, also watching Braska and, further ahead, Jecht. "...You think Jecht's gonna ditch the Pilgrimage?"
If he did…
A brief flutter of hope stirred. Maybe – just maybe – things could change without her interference. Maybe there could be a future where Auron and Braska lived and Jecht wasn't turned into a monster.She thought of Keyakku's time theory, and Auron's secret fear. But if they live, I might not be there to see it happen."Jecht? Abandon us? No," he answered, gripping her hand tightly. "We're his friends, and Jecht is loyal to the people he cares about." He drew her closer. "I'm betting we'll be stuck with him for life.""Right." Rikku smiled wanly, unable to muster more in the face of her sudden hope being dashed. "He's not going anywhere." Especially when he knows it means leaving Tidus behind in Dream Zanarkand.Auron's gaze tracked across her face, as if able to see her sudden melancholy.But she couldn't – shouldn't – tell him more about the future. Knowing the truth would hurt all of them. Can I blame Braska when I still have so many secrets?She looked away and picked up the pace. "Let's catch up."The snowdrifts and the bitter cold subsided as they exited the plains; small spurs of crystal grew alongside the path, gradually transforming into the dense forest of Macalania.Braska waited at the large split between Bevelle and the Calm Lands and began to speak as they came near. "He hasn't said a word," he murmured, canting his head towards Jecht, who was squatting on the other side of the crossing. "Maybe you should approach him, Rikku. I'm sure he could use a confidante, if not a friend."Panic struck her. "I lied to him just like the rest of you, you know!" she hissed. "I bet he doesn't wanna see my face either right now!" Then she looked at Braska – the cause of the problem – and Auron – ever the emotional iceberg, despite his newfound warmth towards her....If comforting Jecht fell to either of them, it'd be a disaster."Fine." Swallowing, she gathered her courage and marched toward Jecht. "Hey," she called out.He didn't answer.She skipped forward and crouched beside him, wrapping her hands around her knees.No acknowledgement as he stared at a rivulet of water running between the crystal trees.She sighed and hunkered; Jecht could take his time.The forest, unlike the snowy fields, wasn't much changed by the evening light. Slivers of floating crystal drifted through the air, ringing like wind chimes. The surrounding trees rose far overhead in twisted spires, blossoms of translucent foliage and glowing orbs of light interspersed between their twining branches. The sound of flowing water was everywhere.You could almost forget all about your problems here. The soothing atmosphere eased some of her tension, to the point where it was almost a surprise when he broke the silence."No wonder you people made us. Who'd wanna live in this world?" he said before laughing bitterly and gripping his head. "I'm the dumb one, ain't I?""You're not dumb," she said, latching onto the conversation. "We kept this from you.""Yeah, but I know everythin' now – just how screwed up this world really is. This freaky cult o' yours, that town-eatin' monster you haven't gotten rid of in a thousand years, even Braska's Pilgrimage…" Dropping his hands, he snorted in disgust. "But I still wanna be here. 'S better than the alternative. Crazy, ain't it?"She swallowed. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you.""You should be. I thought we were buddies."The words cut deep. Her gaze skittered away from him to the surrounding crystal foliage, clear and transparent. Unlike the rest of us during this whole Pilgrimage. Guilt wracked her. Maybe if they hadn't let their secrets twist them into knots –"…But I guess you can't be buds with lyin' losers, eh? I've been keepin' secrets, too. Can't expect y'all to do any different." He stood. "Time to come clean.""Huh? W-wait!" Whipping around, she leapt to her feet and chased after him as he flagged down Braska and Auron."Yo!" he yelled, much too loud for how close he was to them. "Before we go any further, I gotta tell you guys somethin'." Jecht glanced over his shoulder at her.Was he… asking for her support? After she'd lied to him? I thought he was still mad at me!She shook herself. This isn't about me. It's about Jecht. And as open and careless as Jecht seemed to be, how many people did he ever really allow to come close? Buddies, he had said. She gave him an encouraging nod. I'm still your buddy too. Jecht returned the gesture, then crossed his arms. "I ain't real," he said, then paused as if bracing for a blow."…Jecht." Auron's familiar scowl started to creep across his expression. "If this is one of your jokes, now is not the time – ""Shut yer trap!" Jecht bellowed. "I only figured it out a while back, see. I thought I really was from your Zanarkand, but I ain't." He looked up at the foliage overhead, troubled. "I didn't ask to come to Spira. I was called, I guess. By somethin'. Or someone. Dunno how, but I ain't like the rest o' you. I ain't… human.""While I've never doubted that you're a fine example of a sub-human, aren't you taking that analogy too far?" Auron replied dryly."Jecht, what are you talking about?" Braska asked, visibly worried. "I know you are upset at us, but we've travelled together for quite some time. I think one of us would have noticed if you were anything less than human."Jecht crossed his arms. "One of you did notice."Rikku scuffed her boot, not daring to meet the twin gazes that fell on her."…You're being serious, aren't you?" Auron asked. "Explain yourself.""Not real…? You're certainly not Unsent," Braska said. "You've witnessed two Sendings. I'm not sure how you managed to travel through time, but if it happened to Rikku, there's no reason it couldn't also – ""You don't get it, man," Jecht said with a tired sigh. "I ain't human. I'm like one of your pets.""My pets – ?""He means your aeons," she offered reluctantly.The soft tinkling of the crystal forest was almost deafening in the silence that fell."You knew about this." Auron's voice broke the impasse. "This was the secret you two shared.""Yeah," Jecht said. "Guess I'm an aeon too. Somethin' like that, anyhow." He wouldn't look directly at any of them.Rikku squinted at him. He's scared of telling us this, isn't he? What does he think we're gonna do? Abandon him, or send him back to Bevelle?Stepping close, she punched him in the back.Jecht wheezed and craned his neck, glaring. "The hell you doin' ?"She glared right back. "Maybe it's because you're so dumb, but you're the bravest person I know," she said, her voice pitched low. "You faced this on your own head-on, not the way we tiptoed around you with Braska's secret. You know, Tidus is also my friend, and you two are the same. I think you can call me an expert when it comes to befriending your kind." She dropped her hand. "I know it's harder now, but you can still rely on us."Jecht's eyebrows lifted, expression naked and open. "You really think it don't matter that I'm an aeon?""An aeon?" Auron scoffed. "If so, you are the most pathetic excuse for one I've ever seen. Is the Mark III your special attack? Hnn," he added, loading the syllable with contempt."It was good enough to take you down, wasn't it?" Jecht shot back."It was nothing special," Auron replied, dusting his hands as if to rid himself of a problem. "You may as well save yourself the embarrassment and stick to calling yourself a human.""That ain't what I'm sayin'! What's your problem, man? You ain't listenin'!"Auron shrugged. "I heard you the first time. You're the only one here who has problems understanding." He turned his head and huffed. "Frankly, you're terrible at this.""Look, Auron, the hell are you – ""I suppose," Auron said, even louder, "despite being such a subpar specimen of the species, you've still somehow managed to retain your humanity."Jecht's protests died out. "Oh." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Ya know… you ain't so bad for a stiff." Then he looked up, grinning. "But don't this mean it ain't fair for me to fight ya? I mean, technically, I'm one o' Braska's war gods, right? Lemmie see, he's got a god of Thunder, Ice, Fire, and Wind… wonder what that'd make me?"Rikku rolled her eyes. Is he gonna –He puffed up. "Jecht, God of Blitzball. Oh yeah.""A war god? What a fertile imagination you grow in that empty space between your ears." A smile lifted the corner of Auron's mouth. "If you want to back out of our duel that desperately, you'll have to think up of a better excuse. Wimpeon.""Better than bein' a Stiff." Jecht's relieved grin faded when he looked at Braska, silent and still sitting. "You're bein' awfully quiet.""I'm trying to comprehend what you said." Braska frowned, staring at Jecht. "How can you be summoned? Who summoned you?"Rikku dipped her head, her guilt making a swift return. Well, how am I supposed to know what a buddy would do in this situation? No matter what Jecht thought of holding back, she was pretty sure no one was prepared for the answers she had – not even Braska.And how could she even explain Yuna's involvement with Shuyin, Lenne, and Vegnagun for that matter? Braska would have a fit; he was convinced his Pilgrimage would put his daughter out of danger. I can't tell them.Braska's frown deepened. "There's nothing I've ever come across in the Teachings that could – ""You're overthinkin' it, B," Jecht said, clearly taking their acceptance and running with it. "Hell if I know either. There ain't nobody stuck in my head tellin' me what to do. I'm my own man." He coughed. "Though there is a certain pain in the ass that orders me to do these freakin' sword drills…"Auron stared Jecht down until the taller man fell silent."That you are," Braska said, expression lightening. "Nothing you've done has ever led me to doubt your humanity. And, either way, I've no grounds to criticize you for keeping this from us."Jecht sobered. "Yeah, 'bout that… we gotta talk." He looked at Rikku. "Blondie, go take the Stiff and make out or somethin'. I'm stealin' Braska for the rest of the evenin'.""Are you gonna be okay now?" she asked in a small voice. He really should be angry at all of us, not just Braska. Is it really that easy? As if he could read her thoughts, he socked her in the arm. She stumbled forward."This is fine, I ain't too mad. I mean, I guess you had your reasons. Not that I like 'em any. But…" Jecht smirked. "You ain't hidin' anything else, are ya? Huh? Huh?"Rikku was happy she wasn't facing Jecht; she didn't quite have the same control over her face as Braska did over his."So what about you, Auron? Time to fess up."Auron stiffened. "What?""C'mon," Jecht said. "You're the only one here who hasn't overshared yet. You gotta have some big secret hidin' under that coat!" He stopped and gave Auron a sly grin. "You ain't actually a woman under there, are ya?"From the way he was wiggling his eyebrows at Auron, it looked like Jecht was still willing to be friends with them after all. Almost lightheaded with relief, she grinned and latched onto Auron's arm, matching Jecht's leer. "Oh, I can promise you he's definitely not.""Jackass," Auron muttered, stomping forward and dragging her with him. "Bring Braska back here in the morning. Don't wander too far off in these woods, either. You remember what happened last time."Rikku tripped after Auron, leaving the two men behind. "You think they'll be fine?" she asked."Braska made a mistake," he replied. "He has to face the consequences of this by himself. It's not our place to interfere." He slowed to a stop, then chuckled, although it wasn't a happy sound."What's so funny?""This must be the strangest Pilgrimage Spira has ever witnessed," he admitted. "I'm not sure how we've even succeeded this far." He trailed off, humor leeching from his voice. "If you travel on a Pilgrimage in the future, then Braska's fails."It wasn't a question, a statement that hurt all the more because it was the first time Auron had expressed any doubt about their journey.She bit her lip, startled. I… recognize him. It wasn't any discernable change; he was still young, still whole, and for the most part happier than she'd ever seen him before. But there was something about the way that he spoke that unsettled her. A look in his eyes, perhaps, or the weight of his voice. For the first time in a very long while, she remembered Auron as she'd originally met him, jaded and bitter."Don't say that," she blurted, feeling desperate. "Don't go down that path."He stared at her, troubled. "...Was I right to support his decisions as I have up until now? Should I have tried to stop him?"She couldn't bring herself to answer his question, and her chest constricted – there were no answers to be had, anyway. "This Pilgrimage is important," she eventually settled on. "Without it, we wouldn't have found each other."Auron's pained expression softened, and he drew a finger under her chin. "That is someth – ""Ah, a summoner party."They froze; a woman stepped out of the shadows."How very interesting," she said. "Pardon my intrusion, but I hope you will allow me to join your camp tonight. There is safety in numbers, after all." She smiled shrewdly at them. "And perhaps I could trouble you to tell me of your journey?"
.x.x.x.
Jecht sighed in satisfaction as he plopped onto the ground next to the small pond, and started pulling off his boots. "I hate shoes!" Rolling his arms, he popped a few more wetsuit stitches as he struggled to shuck it off as well."Indeed," Braska said, sidestepping the thrown outfit."I'm just glad it's not the asscrack of winter cold here." Jecht leaned back on his elbow."While I agree, I do not believe you called me here to watch you disrobe and discuss the weather," Braska said, settling across from him."You're right." Jecht fixed Braska with a serious look. "I thought after Djose, there was no way you could hurt me any worse, but guess I was wrong." He rubbed a scar on his chest. "Were you just gonna let me keep on goin' without knowin' anything? All of you?""They were under my orders," Braska repeated. "And, it was some time ago now, but Rikku did request I tell you the truth before Mount Gagazet.""Yeah, but ain't that just around the corner?" Jecht crossed his arms. "Some friend you are.""I am sorry."Jecht scrubbed the back of his head, groaning. "If you're just gonna die, why are you doin' this at all?"Braska folded his hands in his lap. "I want to create a world free of Sin. One for Yuna – ""Don't bring up your little girl," Jecht snarled. "You ain't doin' nothin' for her by dyin' !""But I believe I am," Braska replied."You can't even hear how you sound, can ya?" Jecht asked with an air of realization. "You really believe all this shit.""Only by believing can I find the strength to continue on.""Listen to you. You're just as crazy as your cult," Jecht grumbled. "You got everythin' right here, right now, and you're throwin' it away on a dream! What's the point of defeatin' Sin if you won't be around to see it with your little girl afterwards?"Braska sighed. "I did not want to 'be around' afterwards. I did not want to 'be around' before, either," he admitted. "Sin already destroyed my most precious memories.""Don't make me punch ya again!" Jecht roared, silencing Braska. He muttered under his breath for a while, clenching and releasing his fists. "Precious memories. You don't think of no one but yourself, do ya? I got a wife and kid too, ya know! Yeah, you lost your wife, and I'm sorry an' all, but you still got Yuna. Do you even know what I'd give just for that?"Braska pursed his lips.Looking away, Jecht continued, "My wife, Anne… my boy, Tidus. I don't even know if I got that much anymore. You're so hung up on your dead wife that you can't even see what you have in your livin' daughter." Scrubbing his face, he redirected his red-rimmed glare towards Braska. "That's your problem. Thinkin' everything good in your life's come and gone already. How can ya live like that?"Braska studied his clasped hands, sober. "One might say, I was not trying to.""An' that's what I don't get! How can ya do that to Yuna, huh? She's your flesh and blood!""Auron was more of a father to her than I, after Raenn died." Braska's tiny smile was pained. "Another of my failures, you might say. This… is the least I can do for her, now. It is my apology. And my promise... Yuna's future should be filled with happiness. Her life will be better without me in it."Jecht paused and shook his head. "I think yer gonna regret this, but I give up. It's like talkin' to a Ronso defender. 'Cept the Ronso are more flexible." He narrowed his eyes. "Still, none of that answers why you lied to me in the first place.""Honestly?" Braska sighed. "…I wanted to look at this journey through fresh eyes. You were untainted by the shadow of Sin." He tilted his head. "You still are, by and large thanks to your… unique origins. I suppose I've been trying to live a second life through the eyes of each of my Guardians.""No kiddin'. Look at the mess you made with Auron an' Rikku."Braska's expression pinched."Alright, alright." Jecht held his hands up. "It's not really my business, but the three of you together? That's a disaster in the makin', no matter where this Pilgrimage ends up.""Our conflict will resolve itself with the end of my journey," Braska said."Becomin' a noble sacrifice is a coward's way out, if ya ask me," Jecht muttered."Go on."Jecht did a doubletake. " 'ey, uh… you are askin' me?""It may seem strange, but yes. I believe I am considering taking advice from you. Auron would be mortified." Braska smirked. "Especially since you just encouraged me to interfere in their relationship.""What? No, wait! I didn't say that, B!" Jecht craned his neck back toward the path as if Auron would suddenly materialize. "I just think you shouldn't be in such a hurry to off yourself, is all!""Peace, Jecht," Braska said. "I understand what you meant."Jecht's panic receded and an annoyed expression stole across his face. "I'm beginnin' to see what Blondie meant.""Rikku mentioned me to you?" Braska leaned forward, eyes lighting." 'Bout how much of an ass you could be sometimes. I see it now."Braska deflated. After a few moments of silence, he glanced at Jecht."... do you wish to talk about yourself?""If you wanna." He shrugged. "I've known 'bout this aeon stuff for a while."Braska coughed. "Forgive me, but how did you find out that you are… ?""Rikku's lil' musician friend told me. The thing in that sphere's from Zanarkand, too. But the real one, a thousand years ago." He picked at one of his toenails. "Don't know where I came from, not really anymore. Just fell outta the sky one day, started my life as a real person with a bang.""Puzzling," Braska mused. "Every aeon must be called by a summoner, but I know of no one powerful enough to conjure one for so long. Nor have I ever met an aeon with a will so free as yours. I just don't understand. Are you sure you aren't a human from either the past or the future?"Flicking his fingers clean, Jecht plunged his feet into the pond. "I'm thinkin' it's probably Yevon's doing or somethin'. Y'know, like the machina in the Cloisters. I mean, your Church is in control of all of them other aeons, ain't it? So I gotta be a part of that somehow. And... I ain't a hundred percent sure 'bout that free will bit, neither."Pulling off his own shoes, Braska joined Jecht at the water's edge. "Perhaps free will is merely an illusion. I knew my fate was intertwined with Sin's even before I began my Pilgrimage. If all roads eventually lead to death, at least this Pilgrimage was, and remains, my own choice.""Huh," Jecht grunted, splashing water to break the quiet. "Ya know, I'm not even sure if I can die. Your aeons never kick it permanently when they get wiped out, right?""Please don't test your hypothesis," Braska said. "I'd be most upset if you were incorrect.""Hah! Don't that make us a pair, then? I ain't sure if I can die, and you ain't sure that you can live.""Actually…" Braska trailed off, studying the reflections. "I do know the answer to that. I cannot live. That is why I must do this.""Blondie tell you that?" Jecht rolled his eyes at Braska's faint nod. "There you go again, assumin' everything's set in stone. No wonder Spira ain't defeated Sin in a thousand years. None of ya are willin' to try a new move.""I'm fairly sure what Team BARJ – " His face twisted at the acronym, but he rallied. " – is doing has never been done by any other summoner's party before. I, a fallen priest, with a disgraced warrior-monk, a time-traveller, and an aeon as my Guardians? Who knows what the future will bring." Braska's expression grew mischievous. "It's exciting, isn't it? I'm certain Bevelle thinks so.""A thrill a minute." He glanced at Braska. "So, you ain't givin' up, then? Gonna see this through to your death while Spira cheers you on?""What else can I do?"Dropping his chin to his chest, Jecht sighed. "Messed up," he said. "This world is messed up."
.x.x.x.
Morning sun filtered through the canopy; the crystalline air cooled the brightness down to a dull imitation of daylight, swathing the forest in a sleepy atmosphere.Rikku paced along the path, chewing her thumbnail."Calm down," Auron said, gaze trained on their new companion. "We'll handle this however it turns out. Even though she's apparently not your previous summoner," he added under his breath.My luck just keeps on getting better and better. She sent him a weak smile.Auron only sighed.Braska and Jecht entered the clearing and her pacing stopped. "Hey!" she tried to warn them, jumping and waving her hands. Don't say anything suspicious!Now would be a great time to develop telepathy."Auron. Rikku. Good morning. We apologize for keeping you waiting overnight," Braska began, then hesitated. "I had not realized you had company.""Your companions were kind enough to offer me shelter last night," the woman said. Bowing, she looked him over with a faint smile. "Lord Braska, I presume? I've heard much of you."Braska returned her bow. "I am afraid I do not have the same pleasure, Miss…?""Away with those needless formalities. My name is Belgemine, a fellow summoner."Braska's expression froze, but he recovered smoothly, rising from his bow. Rikku swore she could feel his eyes boring holes into her, even though he didn't once look away from Belgemine."Well, this is a surprise. Perhaps I have heard of you after all," he said with a faint arch to one brow. "What brings a fellow summoner to seek me out?""I've come to offer you a challenge.""Oh, here we go," Rikku muttered."What challenge?" Auron stepped forward in alarm. "You said you only wished to meet him. What are you planning? Were you sent from Bevelle?"Belgemine's low, rolling laughter spilled out. "Hardly," she scoffed. "No one has ever sent me anywhere, Guardian."Rikku choked. Was she always this obvious about it?"We summoners are no tools of Yevon," Belgemine continued. "Let the Maesters say what they will; a summoner's sole duty is to destroy Sin. Nothing more, nothing less."Braska waved Auron away. "It takes courage for a summoner to say that, especially in the shadow of Bevelle. What sort of a challenge were you thinking of?""A battle between our aeons, a one-on-one match." She pulled out a richly decorated scepter, tapping it in one palm. "Not to the death, of course. Shall we see who is stronger?" Her words were kind, but the look in her eyes was flinty."Whoa whoa whoa, are we gonna get to see an aeon smackdown?" Jecht asked, looking between the two summoners. "Who even is this chick?""I'm merely a concerned resident of Spira," Belgemine answered, her eyes still fixed on Braska's. "Your companion has the right of it. Do you accept the challenge, my Lord?""While I appreciate your enthusiasm," Braska told her, "I am not sure I see the point in engaging a fellow summoner in a show battle. Rather than wasting time with meaningless posturing, we should support one another's journey.""Bad move. B looks like a real wuss now," Jecht muttered.Auron smacked Jecht's head then hissed, "Do not trust her intentions!""But I ain't wrong, am I?" he replied.Rikku stifled a grin when Auron went silent.Laughing, Belgemine lifted the sleeve of her robe over her red lips. "What's this? Reluctant to duel me in a friendly match, yet you plan to face Sin with that attitude? Are you even good enough, I wonder?" she prodded.Braska's polite smile thinned. "Of course, if you insist, I would be happy to oblige you. What are your terms?"Belgemine dropped her hand, and her predatory grin widened. "How do you feel about testing your stamina as well?""Testin' his stamina? ...That's some come-on line," Jecht whistled. "When did Braska become our resident chick magnet?" He pointed at his abs. "Lady, are you blind? The goods are over here!""Can it," Rikku mumbled, grabbing Jecht's arm and dragging him away from the two bristling summoners. "I think we better get out of their way.""A stamina match is acceptable," Braska said, tightening his grip around his staff."The best of five rounds." Belgemine's flirtation disappeared, replaced by something serious and grim. "The first to defeat three aeons shall win. Show me how strong of a link you've forged."The two summoners circled each other; Braska was spinning his staff. "Ladies first," he offered with a dip of his head."As you wish," Belgemine said, planting her feet and thrusting out her scepter. With a wide sweep, pink motes of light followed the motion of her weapon into the sky."What kind of a wimpy attack is that?" Jecht complained. "And with that girly mini-staff, too?"The pink sparkles faded, and the sky turned pitch black with an ominous ring."Holy shit, never mind," Jecht blurted, eyes wide. "Did she just… make the sun disappear?"Auron watched the flower petals rain down, bemused. "Braska said he'd collected every aeon. What in Yevon's name is she calling? And why is she not falling into Rapture?""Yojimbo," Rikku whispered, cringing at Auron's sudden cutting look. "Eh heh heh…"Komainu barrelled out of the forest and butted his head against Belgemine's robes. Yojimbo emerged from behind the trees a moment later, his steps measured. He stopped at Belgemine's side, one hand on the hilt of his wakizashi, the other extended, palm-up.Belgemine dipped her head and dropped some coins into his palm, which the aeon tucked away.Yojimbo straightened, facing Braska.A moment of shocked silence followed from the others."It demands gil?" If Auron could sound more offended, she'd be surprised.Rikku shrugged. She'd had to work hard stealing gil in the Calm Lands to keep Yojimbo fed during Yuna's Pilgrimage, after all.Wait. She paled.Yuna had actually been pretty smart with her money. But if Braska found and used Yojimbo –"Oh, poopie," she whined. Being rich was nice while it lasted.Braska's surprise turned into concentration; swinging his staff low, he bent his head, the familiar runes forming around him. They were mirrored in the sky, as Bahamut broke through the clouds, dispelling the illusory image of the moon. His landing made the ground shudder, crystal shards flying.Yojimbo reached for his sword.Bahamut lunged forward, one meaty talon formed into a fist. He swung – Yojimbo sidestepped the attack – and exploded a chunk of ground.Yojimbo pointed; Komainu rammed full force into Bahamut, pushing the dragon back."There's two of them," Auron observed, his eyes narrowing. "The dog is a separate but weaker aeon. How is that possible?"Yojimbo crouched and drew his wakizashi, sending out a fierce wave of energy.Bahamut shielded himself from the impact with one wing. Straightening, he shook off the attack and roared, gathering crackling balls of dark energy. Throwing his arms out, he sent the attack flying towards Yojimbo, who slid backwards."Damn…" Jecht said, ducking as smashed bits of the forest flew past. "I'm feelin' a little inadequate here."Rikku gave him a conciliatory pat on the back. "Don't take it so hard. Those are two of the strongest aeons out there. You can catch up later!" She grabbed onto Auron to keep her balance as Bahamut attacked again."I don't think I wanna catch up if it turns me into that," Jecht replied, pointing.Yojimbo was lifting two fingers; a swirl of black at his feet spit out a katana, which the aeon caught in one hand and drew, before throwing himself into a deadly spin.Bahamut hunkered down to weather the attack; instead, the sword sliced cleanly through him, sending the dragon's wing and the better portion of his upper torso flying. The remains of the aeon's body toppled, drifting away into pyreflies."... Wait, I don't count as one of Braska's aeons, do I?" Jecht gulped. "He ain't gonna call me next?""If he does, use your free will to run the other way," she said, smirking.Jecht flipped her off.As the last of Bahamut's pyreflies disappeared, Braska fell out of Rapture gasping, his eyes wide.Belgemine smiled, smug. "A point for me. Shall we continue?"His expression soured and he kneeled. Pillars of flame roared into life around him, and Ifrit burst out of the ground.Yojimbo dipped his head in acknowledgement and placed his hand on his wakizashi."Braska's trying to overwhelm that aeon with strength," Auron observed. "But Bahamut was his strongest aeon.""That's… not really true…" Rikku trailed off. Braska could win this battle if he'd only call on his most powerful aeon. Why was he holding back from summoning Anima? Because of her?Komainu charged, but Ifrit caught the dog by its neck and squeezed.There was an audible snap and the dog dissolved into pyreflies.Growling, Ifrit summoned a meteorite and punched it at Yojimbo.Yojimbo split the rock in half, but was still blasted by flames when the shards exploded, burning away his cloak. Staggering, the aeon reached into his coat and tossed a handful of daggers.They struck home, peppering Ifrit's shaggy hide like quills; the aeon roared in pain. Leaping high, Ifrit bared his teeth and landed squarely on Yojimbo, then punched him until all that was left was a Yojimbo-shaped hole in the ground.The humanoid aeon faded into pyreflies.Belgemine's smile dropped. "Not bad," she murmured, lifting a hand before her face and closing her eyes. "But it's not over yet." The air around them cooled as Shiva descended from the sky.Auron had finally unclenched and was now watching the battle with avid interest. "Look… she's entering the Rapture now, unlike before..." he mused. "I've never seen a summoner able to function while summoning." The surprise of Belgemine's challenge had worn off; it was clear she wasn't trying to injure Braska – only his aeons."You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Rikku observed as a gust of icy wind washed over them from Shiva's attack."I hadn't expected it, but this is excellent practice for Braska," he noted, nodding as Shiva deftly leapt out of the way of Ifrit's wild swing, her braids flying. "Belgemine knows what she's doing. She's better at this than he."Jecht scoffed. "You're a part of Team BARJ! You ain't allowed to cheer for the other team, dumbass!""I can if it will make Braska stronger," Auron replied as Shiva pointed, burying Ifrit under a thick layer of snow. "Braska isn't planning ahead, as Belgemine is. He's merely reacting to her moves. He has to do more if he wants to be good enough to defeat Sin. You can't predict the course a battle will take, so you need to be able to think on your feet – ""Ooh, what a hit! Did ya see that, Blondie? I think Ifrit's a goner.""Nooo!" wailed Rikku. "Not that easily! Ifrit can do it!" Feeling a chill, she twisted her neck and met Auron's fierce glare."Were either of you even listening?" Auron asked."Nope," Jecht answered for both of them carelessly. " 'Ey, your own fault for talkin' too much. Blame Rikku for passin' on her motor mouth. Oops! There he goes!"As they watched, Ifrit's tongues of flame winked out under an icy blanket; his form wavered and disappeared into a cloud of pyreflies."Now it's two to one for Belgemine.""Well, what would you have done?" Jecht asked, scowling as Braska scrambled to his feet."Dismissed the injured aeon as soon as his opposing element, fresh and battle-ready, appeared before him." Auron shook his head. "Braska's not experienced enough to win.""Don't sound so happy about it," Rikku groused."If he loses, it'll force him to think," Auron said. "Only then can he improve.""...You sure that's the only reason?""Of course," he said, not looking at her. "Do you actually think I'd want him to fail?"Oh, I dunno. She thought about how pissed off he still was about the whole Baaj incident; Auron could hold a grudge better than anyone she knew. Considering this isn't a life or death battle, he looks like he's enjoying every second of Braska's struggle. He was just petty enough for it to be possible.Clearly unaware of their lackluster support, Braska spread his hands to the sky and looked upwards. Valefor dove to meet him, screeching loudly."Nevertheless," Auron began. "Valefor is Braska's fastest aeon – "Shiva leapt into the air, one leg extended in a vicious axe kick.The bird-like aeon cawed in distress, wavering. Shiva lunged again, clawed fingers extended, and slashed at Valefor's head.The bird pumped her wings away from a fatality, but wasn't quick enough to avoid the four wicked claw marks now scored across her chest. She keened in pain as Shiva backed away, fingers held before her to cast.Auron grunted. "Braska was pushing Valefor to her limits when he rescued the crusaders," he noted. "His aeon should have been fast enough to dodge that."Rikku winced as a cocoon of ice formed around the flying aeon and shattered, adding to her injuries. Then she squinted as Valefor began to glow. "Maybe Braska isn't trying to get her to dodge," she said.Valefor spread her wings and performed a somersault. The aeon whipped her mane around in a circle, before lowering her head and gathering energy.Shiva's eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms, surrounding herself in an icy shield."Lookit that, the bird's glowin'!" Jecht grinned. "I smell a special attack! Think the ice queen's gonna survive it?""Shiva is shielding herself. If he attacks now, it won't be very effective." Auron studied Valefor, a slow smile spreading. "But he's not attacking now. That is a healing spell."The energy around Valefor burst into sparkling motes of green light, closing her wounds.Shiva's shield faded; the aeon lowered her arms, looking annoyed. Then her eyes widened as Valefor opened her beak, spitting out a ray of energy that sliced into Shiva's unprotected body and forced her to her knees.Shuddering, the ice aeon dissipated."Tied!" Rikku yelled, pumping a fist. Auron snorted and she stepped on his foot. "Jecht's right, you should be cheering for Braska! Come on!""Hmph," Belgemine said, something almost like respect on her face. "So you can learn – I underestimated you." She raised her scepter with a faint grin. "But let's see if you can survive this."Lightning raced down from the heavens, scorching the earth in a perfect circle around her. Pulling the scepter downwards, Ixion landed with a clatter of his massive hooves. Rearing, the aeon let out a whinny, then dropped and pawed the earth.Valefor swept her wings together, pushing Ixion back with a powerful gust, but the unicorn spread his legs, digging tracks into the ground, and remained upright.Tossing his head, the aeon's horn sparked and fired two spinning discs of light towards Valefor; the bird crashed to the ground."Get up, get up!" Rikku screeched. She bit her fingernails and tried not to panic. You're Yunie's aeon! You have to do well!Valefor struggled to rise, panting through her beak.Thinking quickly, Rikku turned to Jecht and hit him repeatedly in the shoulder."Oww, oww, oww! Quit it! Whaddaya want?""Come on, cheer for Valefor!" she demanded, shaking Jecht's arm. "She's one of your fans!"Both Auron and Jecht sent her incredulous looks, but she pouted and stubbornly poked Jecht again. "I mean it! We've got to try to help Braska, at least! Do something!""You really think that'll help?" He cupped his hands around his mouth. " 'ey birdie! I'm talkin' to you, girl! Get up and show that overgrown horse what you're made of! You ain't done yet, right? I'm rootin' for ya!"Valefor twitched, eyeing Jecht, then lumbered to her feet and launched into the air with a defiant screech."Yeah, it worked!" Rikku cheered, dancing in place."Technically, you two cheated by interfering in Braska's battle," Auron said. He shrugged when she glanced his way. "Never said it was a bad thing. Let's see if it's enough to turn the tide."Valefor curled her wings together tightly. When she unfurled them, magic thrummed through the air.A swirl of bubbles rose around Ixion, engulfing the thunder aeon in water; the unicorn snorted in pain and charged."Dodge! Dodge!" Rikku screamed, and sagged in relief when Valefor managed to avoid the hit by swooping out of range."Hnn," Auron muttered, sounding sullen.Valefor rained another Water spell over Ixion, weaving back and forth between the unicorn's furious counterattacks. Her luck ran dry, however, when Ixion reared and gathered a huge wave of lighting around his horn, then sent it blasting out in an unerring streak towards the flying aeon.Valefor was trapped.With a bang, the electrical cage exploded outwards, sending the injured aeon crashing to the ground."No!" Rikku cried, watching Valefor's blackened body collapse. "We're so close! Don't give up now – ""Get up!" Jecht waved his arms at the aeon. "C'mon, GET UP! WIN THIS BATTLE AND I'LL KISS YA!" he bellowed.Rikku stared at him; she was pretty sure Auron was, too.Jecht lowered his arms and blinked at them. "What? You're the ones who told me to stack the game, right?""That's some dedication!" Rikku giggled, then gasped as she saw Valefor struggling to move. "... I think it's really working!" The aeon couldn't muster the strength to fly anymore, merely twisting her head and panting as Ixion sauntered over.Stopping before Valefor, Ixion prepared to stab the struggling aeon with his horn. He neighed in surprise when she opened her mouth, a low whine filling the air.A rotating disc of light appeared before her beak, firing multiple beams of energy into Ixion's face at close range. The unicorn reared backwards, only to be blasted away by even more rays of energy. His surprised scream still lingered in the air even as his body disappeared."Yes!" Rikku high-fived Jecht, then danced in place. "We won!""It was still a poor victory," Auron grumbled.Rikku stopped cheering and leaned in towards him. "Don't be so disappointed just because Braska won this time," she whispered. "Not everyone can be as skilled as you are." She licked his ear for good measure.Auron shuddered but his grumpy expression lifted. His arm also landed around her waist and pulled her close.Mmm, I think my luck's starting to turn around after all. She soaked in Auron's warmth as she snuggled close to him, squirming in all the ways she knew he liked."Be good," he murmured."I always am." She smirked and tried to keep her cheeks from reddening under the piercing look he gave her as his grip tightened. "But, umm, spectator sport right now," she whispered, pointing towards the makeshift arena. "Right!"As if on cue, Belgemine woke from her Rapture, rubbing her forehead. "Stop! That is enough!"Dropping her head, Valefor rolled backwards and trilled in contentment towards Jecht, before closing her eyes and also fading away."Ooh, I think you better watch out the next time Braska summons her." Rikku giggled. "She's gonna get you! Your new number one fan isn't yourself anymore!""Laugh it up," Jecht grumbled. "Braska won, didn't he?"Braska stood, wiping sweat from his brow, and smiled at Belgemine. "That was an invigorating match," he admitted. "I was wrong; this was, indeed, an enriching experience for me." He bowed deeply to her. "I thank you for the challenge. It seems I still have much to learn in the presence of a summoner as skilled as yourself.""No thanks are necessary." She laughed. "You did beat me, after all. With a little more training, perhaps you could defeat Sin, too.""Not if you reach Zanarkand first," Braska replied."I won't be able to reach Zanarkand," Belgemine said. "I'm afraid my chance has passed. Yours, however…" She trailed off thoughtfully. "You show an unusual amount of talent, even if you are a bit rough around the edges."Braska twitched, pleasant expression flattening, but was reduced to surprised silence when she pushed her scepter into his hands. "Take this, as a symbol of your achievement.""Lady Belgemine?" Braska asked, trying to return it. "I've no need of yet another staff. It's something I've learned to do without, in fact," he added, lips twisted."That is no summoner's staff," Belgemine told him. "It's a key. Perhaps the key to defeating Sin. Find me in the Calm Lands if you're serious about your duty. I may be able to help… if you have the will to see this through."Rikku tensed; Belgemine's words echoed Anima's own challenge much too closely. She trembled. I wonder if Braska loathes that aeon as much as I do. Braska seemed to remember, too. He took the scepter from Belgemine with a solemn nod."I'll await you at Remiem," Belgemine continued. "The name means something to a scholar such as yourself, yes?""Remiem…" Braska breathed in surprise. "Is that not a mere legend?""It's a story as old as the Great Machina War. But, all stories spring from an element of truth, don't they?" Belgemine's smile was knowing. "We'll meet again, Lord Braska," she declared, bowing. Then, with a twirl of her robes, she swept down the path, as silently as she'd arrived the night before."So, what'd she give you?" Jecht asked, scrambling over the decimated clearing. "A summonin' matchstick? Looks all girly," he noted, eying the flower-laden scepter with disgust, "but if it can call out that sword guy – ""I don't think so," Braska replied, looking over the ornate scepter. "To find that aeon, we must first locate its Fayth. Although there is an ancient power running through this scepter I can feel. Perhaps it truly is a key." He paused, then looked up at Rikku, smiling a touch too pleasantly to be comfortable. "Belgemine. Now why, I wonder, does that name seem so familiar?""Eh… heh-heh." Rikku laughed nervously and detached herself from Auron. "So, I guess you kinda figured out she wasn't my first summoner, right? We met her on the way, though. She challenged us too. But she doesn't know me yet, see? That happens later.""Does that mean you know where to find the aeon she used?" he asked."Mmm," Rikku said non-committally, meeting Auron's eye. "You might have already noticed, but he's kind of a weird one. You have to pay him to work for you, even after you get him."Auron's hand flew to his money pouch, a look of abject horror crossing his expression as he faced Braska."So it seems," Braska said, looking over the scepter again. "What do you know of this? She mentioned Remiem. I had thought that to be nothing more than a fairy tale.""Remiem's not just an urban legend," she admitted. "I can take you there, too. But if Belgemine's waiting to challenge you again, I think you sorta need to practice fighting with your aeons more." She almost felt the glow of approval from Auron and tamped down on her grin. "All of the answers you're looking for are in the Calm Lands, so there's no rush!""Ya know," Jecht interrupted. "Belgemine's got an aeon we didn't know about, right? An' Braska's got an aeon she don't know about, too. And hell, I'm an aeon nobody knows about." He rubbed his chin. "Kinda makes me wonder how many aeons are there that we don't know about, huh? Think there's more hidin' out there somewhere?"Rikku thought of Sin and swallowed."Maybe there are others like me, too," Jecht continued. "Y'know… wanderin' around, thinkin' they're human, not really knowin' anything about it.""It wouldn't be surprising," Braska admitted. "There is much knowledge that the Church has lost over the years. And much knowledge that it has suppressed. There just may be as many lost Fayth stones in Spira as there are stars in the sky. But human aeons among us…" He trailed off at Jecht's look of hope. "I'm fairly confident that you are unique, my friend."Jecht's visible disappointment dampened the air of Braska's victory.Frowning, Rikku poked Jecht in the arm. "Hey. You're not the only one, you know? There's a whole city out there, full of aeons just like you – your dream Zanarkand. Maybe one day someone will even follow you here into Spira."She didn't elaborate in front of Auron and Braska; they didn't need to know that Tidus would follow in Jecht's exact footsteps.Jecht hardly needed to know, and Tidus was his son.Clearly taking her words at face value, Jecht's somber look eased slightly. "Yeah, maybe you're right," he grumbled. " 'Sides… we ain't here to find another aeon right now, are we?" He clapped Braska on the back once. "Good fight, man. Now let's go celebrate by gettin' me a Celestial Weapon!
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"You sure it's here?" Jecht asked."Uh-huh." Rikku squinted through the dense tree branches to the forest floor below. "The shrine's suspended on the crystal path between the trees somewhere around here. You can't just find it, though. It has to open up for you!""Then why're we wandering around without a game plan?" he complained. "Feels like we've been goin' in circles for hours now!""We're not moving in circles," Auron interrupted, also studying the ground. "We have travelled deeper into this forest than I've ever been, though.""Yep," she said, still scanning their surroundings. "And, I do have a plan for your information! We're chasing butterflies.""...Chasing butterflies," Auron repeated. "That was your plan?"Jecht groaned."Why are we chasing butterflies?" Braska asked, scrambling over a jagged crystal knob protruding out of their aerial pathway. "Do they hold some special significance for the Celestial Weapons?""Nope," she said, spotting a cluster of bobbing blue butterflies and scrambling off the branch. "But we need their help to find the path.""How are butterflies supposed to help us?" Auron asked, following."They're not really butterflies," she answered, coming to a stop before the cluster of fluttering insects. "They're the spirits of Macalania Forest."Braska froze, crunching footsteps suddenly ceasing. "What?"Rikku didn't answer, watching the butterflies circle overhead. Why won't they come to us? "Spirits. You know, the beastfolk. Like Yevon's travelling musicians or that doorman at the Glitzball.""They're spirits?" Braska asked.She turned; surprise was painted in stark relief on Braska's, Auron's, and Jecht's faces.
Huh. Didn't they know that? Whoops...
"You mean they ain't like us?" Jecht scratched his head. "I thought they were just weird funny-lookin' half-animal things," he admitted. "Are them Hypellos spirits too?""No, Hypellos are a regular old race just like the rest of us," she said. "But the beast-people don't have real bodies, I guess? That's why they can turn into butterflies whenever they want to, but most of them left the forest to live as people with the rest of us."Auron turned a wary gaze on the hovering group of butterflies that was stubbornly refusing to form into a solid creature.Nodding at them, she continued. "The ones that haven't taken on physical forms stay in Macalania and only show up when they feel like it." Which they clearly don't right now. "I think they're still watching us and trying to decide if they want to help."After a moment, Auron grunted and slung his pack to the side. "Then there's no point in wandering further. Let's settle down here. If they're truly forest spirits, they'll appear when they're ready."It was as good a place as any, she reluctantly agreed. There really wasn't any point plowing further into the forest; night was already descending, and the clearing Auron had chosen was secluded and cozy. Towering crystalline trees surrounded them on all sides, and a shallow pond rippled along the edge of the copse. The sweet, ringing notes it produced were a testament to the purity of its water.Sighing, she followed Auron and began to set up their makeshift camp. Jecht did the same, grumbling. Braska approached him and the two men began to converse on the other side of the clearing.Her hands stilled as she watched them. A heavy feeling of guilt gnawed at her. We may have told Jecht the truth about Braska's fate, but I still haven't said anything about his own. Doesn't he deserve to know, too?"Something on your mind?" Auron asked, kneeling beside her and following her gaze. "What is it? Did he do something again?""Oh no," she said quickly. "Braska didn't do anything. It's Jecht this time."Auron frowned."Well, not really, I mean, it's sorta about me, I guess." Tearing her eyes away, she looked up at Auron. "It's just… I know something about Jecht. Something big. And I don't like keeping secrets from you guys.""Is this about the future?" At her hesitant nod, Auron settled more comfortably next to her. "Then don't bother worrying. It's better for all of us if you don't share your knowledge.""How can you say that?" she blurted. "Don't you want to know? If I were him, I bet I'd want to know.""Are you sure?""Of course I—"He raised an eyebrow.She shut her mouth and mulled over his words. "Why didn't you tell us?" she'd asked his older self once, in Zanarkand. The shock of that revelation, the feeling of hurt and betrayal—that he'd kept something so important from them was unforgettable.In the end, she suspected he'd answered her question mostly for Yuna's sake. "If I had told the truth," he'd said, "would that really have stopped you from coming?"She broke a piece of crystal from the ground and twirled it between her fingertips. "What if… what if in the future he makes a bad call, and telling him the truth could give him the choice to do things differently? Shouldn't I let him know about it?""Rikku," Auron said after a long silence. "I admit I was thinking mostly of your safety when I asked you to keep your own counsel. But that isn't the only reason."He looked at Jecht, who was now trying to juggle his Celestial Crest, Sigil, and the Cloudy Mirror. He missed a catch, and the mirror fell into the water by his feet. Jecht winced and dove for the fallen symbol as Braska shouted in dismay."Jecht shared his secret with us and revealed his greatest fear while doing so.""That he doesn't know if he's real?""No," Auron corrected. "That he doesn't know if he has free will. That is what Jecht holds most dear—his independence.""Mayyybe you're right," she countered, though she wasn't entirely convinced. Still, what Auron said wasn't wrong. "I guess it makes sense, though. It's the one way he can prove to himself that he's more human than aeon, right? Not being controlled by somebody else.""Hnn," Auron grunted in agreement. "And, revealing your knowledge to Jecht is an act of control, in a way. You're taking away his—and all of our choices every time you do. The future is not something for you alone to decide. You cannot control fate.""I never thought about it that way," she admitted, voice small. Her eyes flitted to Braska, who was now also on his knees, helping Jecht search the shallow pool. "Maybe because Braska doesn't feel that way about it. He asks me stuff about the future whenever he thinks it could help. Like with Remiem earlier.""That is Lord Braska's prerogative." His observation was steeped in disapproval. "Braska believes his destiny is set. He believes you to hold the ultimate knowledge of it. But you do still have a choice: you could also withhold information from him." He cupped her hand. "I disagree with Braska on many things. And I, too, have made mistakes, more than a few of them with you. But I am not always wrong." He caught her eye. "And Braska is not always right."They were interrupted by Jecht's whoop of triumph as he held up the missing mirror, dripping with crystalline water."It could have been destroyed!" Braska yelled, glaring at Jecht."But it ain't. Look, that water even cleaned the guck off! You can actually see somethin' in it now!" Jecht waved the mirror demonstratively. Light glanced off its clear surface, reflecting between the darkened trees.Braska's mouth fell open.Auron frowned. "What are they—"She tugged his hand, staring upwards.The butterflies coalesced, shifting into a ball of light. It dropped to the ground in the shape of a small mouse-like creature clutching a horn nearly as large as itself between its paws."Oh me, oh my, visitors galore! Whatever have you come here for?"Rikku scrambled to her feet and hurried to bow. "Uh, hi!" she said, waving. "Glad you showed up! We're just here to visit the Celestial Shrine."The mouse sized her up; its nose twitched. "Pukutak welcomes your merry little band. But, why come again, when you wield the Godhand?"Rikku started. "You recognize me?""Why yes, of course, though it is quite bizarre," the little creature said. "It isn't so easy to travel that far."Jecht and Braska joined them, standing a bit behind Auron.Braska, in particular, watched the exchange with a look of wonder. "This creature is…" he breathed."Guys… this is Pukutak," Rikku said, trying to work past a knot of confusion. They remember me! How is that even possible? "I guess you could say we've met before?""Of course we have, how could we forget?" the mouse said cheerfully. It looked at Braska. "Although last time you travelled with a different brunette." It trilled softly. "But the bond is strong, a connection you share. Whether with this summoner, or with his heir.""Yuna," Braska breathed, jerking to stare at Rikku. "You came here with Yuna."She swallowed and tried to avoid his gaze. "Umm… we're not actually here for me," she deflected, wondering what else the talkative little mouse would reveal if it kept rhyming. She pointed at Jecht. "He's the chosen one this time."The mouse faced Jecht, then clapped its paws in delight. "Oh me, oh my, now this is fun! He reminds me so very much of his son!"Jecht's eyes narrowed. "Huh," he said. "You mean to tell me— "Rikku shook her head wildly and slashed her hand over her throat, mouthing, Don't ask!"—you know the way to this shrine?" he finished, looking unsettled."Ah, but I am not the only guide. Only together shall we decide!" Closing its eyes, the mouse lifted the horn to its lips, and began to play a light, lilting melody. The clear notes rang through the forest, morphing into a meandering tune that skipped through the scales."Is that how they communicate with each other?" Auron asked."Uh-huh," Rikku whispered, as more butterflies began to congregate in the clearing. Two more balls of light formed, dropping to the ground in familiar shapes."Well, well, what have we here?" A squat frog-like creature appeared, speaking in a thick brogue. It beat a short greeting on the drum attached to its belly. "Been a while, lassie.""Donga?" A smile spread over her face. In her own time, she'd been unable to locate the musicians after Tobli's concert; it was a relief to find her friends were safe in this time and still knew her."Got it in one, that's a good girl," Donga said amicably, pounding the drum.The other glowing creature slowly straightened, now in the form of a tall, robed bird carrying a harp. "Be greeted, travelers." It bowed gracefully. Tilting its head, it blinked one dark avian eye at Rikku, then turned to Jecht. "I am known as Bayra. What business do you have with us?"Jecht awkwardly held out the tightly-gripped Celestial Symbols. "Ah, well, see, I found these things while I was travelin' through Spira and, well, ya know…" He trailed off uncomfortably under the bird's penetrating scrutiny. "…Ya do know, right?"A moment passed as the three creatures silently conferred. Then, with a flash of light, Pukutak and Donga disappeared, scattering into swarms of butterflies.Bayra strummed the harp. The notes faded before it addressed them. "You hold Celestial Symbols and have unlocked the key. We will assist you. Who shall be judged?""Uh…" Jecht said. "Pretty sure that's me."Bayra nodded, then waited.Hesitantly, Jecht sank to his knees before the avian creature.With a nod, Bayra struck a few notes on the harp, letting the music surround them.This feels familiar. She knew they were here for Jecht, but she couldn't help it—a wave of nostalgia washed over her. If she closed her eyes, she could almost feel Yuna standing next to her, clutching the sleeping Nirvana between her hands. It's like time just stops in this forest.After a moment, Bayra lowered the instrument. "The Fang which rends the world asunder. You may pass.""Whoa," Jecht said, looking up in surprise. "Little dramatic there, don't ya think? I mean, it's just a sword, right? It ain't like it's gonna turn me into some kinda world-destroyer, right?""We become what we choose to be," Bayra answered solemnly. "The Celestial Weapon can only reflect your truth."The silence that followed was pregnant. Rikku turned her head and met Auron's eyes. Do you still think you're right?As if he could hear her thoughts, he scowled at her and shook his head.Bayra was still waiting, leveling an unreadable stare at Jecht. Even Rikku was beginning to feel some second-hand awkwardness from the creature's piercing look.Jecht rose to his feet. "Right. Whatever you say, man. ...So I'll just go and pick up my sword then," he said before backing away."May we accompany him?" Braska asked the birdman, openly curious. "I have only heard legends of the Celestial Weapons. It would be an honor to see one born before my very eyes."Bayra blinked. "We shall see. Step forward, Lord Summoner."Braska approached and sank to one knee, bowing his head. Bayra lifted the harp and played; a note twanged and the beast's fingers halted."I am sorry," it said. "But the melody, while familiar, is not yet correct. You are not the chosen avatar. You may not pass."Braska's shoulders drooped. "I see," he murmured. "Thank you for entertaining my request." His brow furrowed and he stepped away, gaze darting towards Rikku.She met it with a sinking sense of dread. Braska might be stubborn, but he wasn't slow. Bayra's words had hidden a riddle of time, and she could sense him trying to unravel it. Yet, Bayra had said. Braska knows I came here with Yuna. Bayra hadn't been saying Braska wasn't yet ready; he'd spoken of the future, of Yuna.The question was, if Braska could also figure that out on his own. She knew he'd eventually ask her, and tried to smile back but couldn't quite manage. Braska didn't know that Yuna was her summoner, at least. She thought on Auron's advice—maybe he was right. Maybe Braska shouldn't know, either.Bayra was still waiting, harp poised. Rikku jumped when it addressed her. "Little one," it intoned, fingers strumming across the instrument. The chords seemed to wrap around her and a shiver ran down her spine; her fingers twitched. "The Hand which seeks to change destiny. You may pass.""Uh… thanks?"Bayra ignored her, facing Auron.Auron shook his head. "There's no need—"The bird played the harp again, letting the music settle. "The Sword which cleaves both heaven and earth," Bayra said. "You may pass.""What?" Auron coughed out. "I own no Celestial Weapon.""Yet," Braska interjected, a small smile on his face, and Rikku's stomach roiled. His response couldn't have been a coincidence.He figured it out already?! She scrutinized Braska's face, but his mask was flawless; she couldn't glean a single honest thought from his expression."I am pleased for you, my friend.""There must be some mistake," Auron replied, eyes darting about as if expecting the others to spring some sort of trap on him. "If I was chosen as a recipient for a Celestial Weapon, why did I find nothing of the sort until now? Both Jecht and Rikku obtained their weapons well before petitioning here.""I do not believe these spirits make such mistakes," Braska replied. "Perhaps it means you are destined for greater things than this Pilgrimage. I hope you will grasp this opportunity which I do not have." He looked at Rikku again; something glinted in his eye. "I wonder if I ever had one to begin with."Jecht rejoined them, lugging his sword along. He pulled up short. "So, y'all are tense as hell. Did I miss somethin'?""It is time." Bayra lifted the harp and plucked a delicate tune; as it played, the forest began to harmonize with the notes, and the air shimmered. A crystalline path formed, leading into the canopy—nothing more than glittering motes of light suspended in the sky."Whoa…" Jecht breathed. He put a tentative foot on the path, then used more weight when it didn't sink through. "I'm kinda gettin' how you guys felt in Bevelle that first time," he noted, heading up the nearly-translucent path."Go," Bayra commanded. "What you seek lies above. The mirror will show you the way.""Sure, but, eh…" Jecht trailed off, studying the path that branched into multiple directions like a semi-invisible tree. "Wouldn't it be easier if Blondie just took point?""It doesn't work like that," Rikku said, stepping behind Jecht and shoving him. "You have to earn your way to the shrine. Just use the mirror like Bayra said."Fishing out the Celestial Mirror, Jecht grumbled. "Got it." He held it up, pointing it at the path. With a gentle hum, the walkway solidified, glowing white wherever the mirror reflected its light. He pointed the mirror before him like a torch. "Follow the glowy trail to the prize. Seems easy enough.""Yeah!" she cheered. Then she stopped, noticing that Auron had yet to follow her. He still stood on the forest floor beside Braska, looking uneasy. "Hey! What're you waiting for? Let's go!""Go on," Braska prodded gently. "Our camp has been set here, I can simply wait for your return.""But my lord—"Braska's expression grew stern. "I will be fine. Do not keep Jecht waiting."Sighing, Auron stepped onto the path. When he didn't fall through, a muscle in his jaw twitched; soon, he was striding towards them. "I don't like this," he grumbled when he caught up."You need to relax a little," she chided. "Braska can take care of himself, and I'm pretty sure the spirits won't let us get lost." Thanks to Auron's hesitance, Jecht was already further ahead. "C'mon!" she insisted, tugging his arm. "Scared you'll fall off?""It's not the heights I'm afraid of," he replied, still visibly troubled. "Why am I here? I shouldn't be a part of this." He glanced at her. "I'm not even certain you should, either. Your weapon is already complete, isn't it?"She hummed in acknowledgement, recalling her own trial to awaken the Godhand. "Maybe we're both extras here, but getting my weapon to wake up was hard. I think Jecht could use someone with him. And hey, the more the merrier, right?""…Very well." Auron quickened his pace.The path of light wound haphazardly around the twisted tree branches. Here and there, bits of natural wood poked through, bursting with more traditional leafy foliage between the strange rock-like crystal formations.Jecht forged ahead, navigating the twisting path with his beacon while she and Auron followed at a more leisurely pace.Twilight was beginning to descend. The ever-present floating crystals in the forest were growing visible, refracting the faint light provided by the crystalline sheath over each tree. The glow intensified the higher they climbed; the darker it grew, the easier it was to see movement underneath the translucent bark of the surrounding trees."Look," she said, pointing at one of the clear, shining trunks next to Auron. "We must be getting close to the shrine. Can you see it?"Auron squinted at the tree she'd indicated, then huffed in surprise. "I see water moving beneath the surface," he observed, reaching out to touch it. "Memory water flows freely through these trees?""Yep," she said, covering his hand and lacing their fingers. The silhouette of their entwined hands was dark against the soft blue glow. "I think the crystal coating is thinner near the top, so you can see it better up here.""Cutting down the trees would make collecting the water simpler," he said after a pause.Rikku smacked his hand. "What kind of an idea is that? You'd have to kill the tree to get the water out, you know? Betcha the spirits wouldn't be very happy about it, either."Auron withdrew his hand. "Harvesting the forest might save a few lives, but the people would grow greedy, and this land would die, I suppose."It'll die when we defeat Sin, she thought with a pang.Still, there was no reason to disrupt the peace of the forest spirits by rushing the process.Surrounded by glowing trees, they continued on and soon caught up with Jecht, who was standing at one of the forks in their path. He swung the mirror around until one of the branches sparkled; it led further upwards, ending at one of the largest glowing seed pods Rikku had ever seen. The familiar-looking sphere was surrounded by enormous crystalline thorns and seemed to absorb the surrounding light as they approached."Huh. That is one big damn tree," Jecht muttered, sounding impressed. "I don't see no shrine though." He climbed his way up the last of the path. "You sure this thing is workin' right, Blondie? 'Sides this mutant blitzball, this place don't look no different from—" Jecht froze.The pod began to sparkle, a mote of light starting from its center and spreading outwards. It pulsed, and Jecht's mouth fell open."What is he doing?" Auron asked, a curl of almost-worry in his voice. He moved to touch Jecht."Shh," she whispered, yanking Auron's arm back. "This is the right place. He's already begun the ritual."Auron's eyebrow went up. Other than Jecht's unnatural stillness and the strange radiance being emitted by the tree, everything was quiet around them, as if even the subtle hum of the crystals had silenced to watch the proceedings.There was no change in the surroundings—no indication that anything beyond the norm was going on—before Jecht drew his sword and held it up. It floated from his grasp, as though caught in an invisible current, bobbing before the shrine."Yeah," Jecht said, seemingly apropos of nothing as he pulled out the Neptune Sigil and Crest. His shoulders tensed, and his fingers clenched around the symbols."This is the hard part," she stage-whispered to Auron, who looked confused—and irritated about it. "His visions should be starting soon.""Visions?" Auron paused, a look of understanding passing over his face. "What do you think he's seeing?""The Mercury Sigil showed me my greatest hopes," she said. "And the Crest showed me my greatest fears."
And I'd rather not revisit that, thank you very much. It was hard enough getting through it the first time.
She cleared her throat. "You have to accept both of them to get your weapon to accept you. I've never seen anyone fail, but I guess how long it takes depends on you."As she spoke, the Neptune Sigil rose out of Jecht's outstretched hand before being sucked into the black sword in a brilliant flash of light. The Crest, however, remained stationary in Jecht's other hand; sweat beaded on his forehead."Perhaps he dreams of his family in his Zanarkand," Auron mused."Must be tough," she agreed, seeking out Auron's hand and clutching it. They stood vigil as Jecht struggled for what seemed like an eternity.Eventually, the Crest pulsed and rose into the air as well.Another flash of light struck the sword, and the original runes on it morphed, elongating into new red symbols. The sword, too, changed slightly, lightening to a gleaming silver at its tip, which faded into its previous light-absorbing black near the hilt.Rikku tilted her head and squinted at the still-glowing runes on the weapon as it drifted its way back towards Jecht. They seemed to form a familiar, stylized image. Like fish? Or maybe whales…?Reaching out, Jecht grabbed the handle, then dropped to one knee. Panting, he leaned his weight on the sword."Damn," he choked, blinking."Are you alright?" she called out, releasing Auron and skipping to Jecht's side.She started to kneel when a low ring filled her ears, and Jecht's image grew fuzzy.
What? What's going on?
:: Have you the Celestial Weapon? ::Rikku's head shot up, staring at the gigantic seed pod. Her vision tunneled as it seemed to unfold and absorb her; some part of her recognized the signs from when she'd initially awakened the Godhand.
Why is this happening? My weapon's already awake!
Mechanically, she reached for her claw and undid the straps holding it to her arm. It drifted away, swaying in the air before her.:: What do you want? ::If she could have blinked, she would have. It was the same question Bahamut had asked before bringing her to the past in the first place. She knew the question as intimately as she knew her answer.I want my own story, she began. But it wasn't just that anymore. It had changed somewhat, shifted without much notice as she'd traveled alongside the others. …I want Auron—the real one—to be a part of my story. :: What is real? ::Two Aurons appeared in her mind: one young, fiery, and devoted. One old, weary, and restless. Two Jechts: one down-to-earth and loyal, the other distant and inhuman. Two Braskas: one emotional and driven, one a stone-faced statue. Two Keyakkus, one cold and calculating, the other doting and protective.
No… I don't want to see this! Don't show me this!
Now Yuna, sweet and innocent as a Summoner at seventeen, jaded and irreparably heartbroken as a Gunner at nineteen. Tidus, all smiles and optimism, and Shuyin, with his murderous glares.The images kept coming, relentless and unforgiving.A tendril of icy fear crept across Rikku. Was the shrine showing her a glimpse of the truth, or just a vision to mislead her? She didn't even understand why she was being challenged. Hadn't she already done this?She wanted to shut her eyes and deny the assault. This is real. Everything that's happened has to be real. Auron, Jecht, and Braska—they're all real. Aren't they?:: Do your dreams still rule your existence? ::A hot spike of anger overrode her confusion.
They're not dreams! My Auron is not just a dream! This is real, and I won't let you fool me into doubting myself, or them!
With her anger, strength blossomed. She opened her eyes and struck out, trying to drive away the images assaulting her. Her vision cleared; she was still half-crouched, staring up into the glowing shrine.:: Then complete the ritual, and accept your own power. ::Something in her mind shifted, and a sheen of light surrounded the Godhand, before it bobbed back towards her. She stumbled forward to catch it as gravity returned and the weapon fell.Her eyes widened at the gleaming spikes and bright red varnish on the claw; the weapon had changed. It felt more powerful somehow—faster, more streamlined, as if it had been optimized when she hadn't even realized it needed a tuning in the first place. "What just happened?" She stumbled.Jecht grabbed her other arm and righted her. "I was 'bout to ask the same thing," he said, still waxy and pale-faced. "You spaced out on us. Snapped outta it real quick, though—"Rikku let out a squeak of surprise and Jecht flailed and struggled to keep a grip on his sword as they were hauled violently backwards.Auron dragged them down the path, ignoring their protests until they were good distance away from the shrine. Releasing them, looked her over. "Rikku?" he asked, worry lining his voice."I'm okay," she managed, catching her breath and trying to slow her racing heart. "Better than Jecht, I think."Jecht sat up from where he'd been tossed aside, rubbing his head and looking irate. "Thanks for carin', man.""Remind me why I rescued you again," Auron deadpanned, shooting a glare over his shoulder."I'm fine, really," she cut in, poking Auron. "We weren't in any danger. The Celestial trial is always like that. I'm not sure why I had to go through another one, but I think it changed my weapon."Jecht held his sword up, running his hand down the flat of the blade. "I know it changed mine."Collecting her scattered thoughts, she pushed aside her confusion and focused on her slowly budding excitement. I got a weapon upgrade! I wonder what my Godhand can do now? Ooh! I can't wait to test it!"This is great!" she cheered, scrambling to her feet with Auron's aid. "So, did your sword power up?""Yeah, I guess." Jecht sounded subdued. Frowning, some of her excitement dissipated as her eyes flitted to his face. The usual reaction during Yuna's Pilgrimage after powering up a weapon had always been one of satisfaction or glee. She had no idea why Jecht was being so contrary about the whole thing. I wonder what he saw in his trial? It must've shaken him up pretty bad, if he's not boasting about this to Auron yet."You guess? You still have no idea how to handle your weapon, do you?" Auron asked with a heavy note of disapproval."It's got a name now," Jecht said. "I heard it when I was seein' things. It's the Fang. Sin's Fang.""... A strange name," Auron managed.Not so strange, she thought, Bayra's words to Jecht echoing in her ears."Yeah, not like I chose it myself anyhow," Jecht answered despondently, giving the sword an experimental whirl. His eyes widened. "Whoa!" The reluctance marring his face slid away as he whirled the sword around again. He crouched and shifted his weight, testing his weapon in various holds. "Holy shit! It really did change! Blondie, is this—?"Smiling, she nodded. "Yeah, it's normal. That's the power of a Celestial Weapon. Congratulations! You'll have to show us what you can do with it now. Go easy on Auron, okay?"Auron snorted. "Who should go easy on whom?"Jecht's toothy smile was full of promise. "We'll see about that next spar." His grin dropped. "Say… what about you?""What about me?" Auron asked, dry as the Sanubia Sands."Umm… well, don'tcha want to present yourself to the shrine too?" she chimed in.Auron recoiled. "And share in the excitement? No." He turned to escape down the path, but Rikku caught the flap of his coat and yanked him back."Hey, if we suffered, you should too," Jecht said.Rikku pinched Jecht, then pulled Auron near. "That's not it. The shrine's trial isn't really a bad thing."Jecht snorted.Rikku ignored him. "It may seem tough to get through, but it always makes you stronger."Auron eyed the shrine. "I have no Celestial Weapon to present. There's no point.""Oh, come on!" She pouted. "Self-reflection! Personal growth! Think of it as… as… auto-meditation! Warrior-monking made easy!"Auron gave her an incredulous look."What's the worst that could happen?" she continued softer, turning him towards the shrine and giving him a gentle push. "The spirits said you were allowed up here, so there must be a reason. You should find out. Who knows when you'll be able to come back again?""Hnn." He shot them both a dissatisfied glare, but walked up towards the glowing pod. He stopped a few paces away from it and stilled.She squinted at his back, trying to determine if he was falling into the same trance she and Jecht had."Think anything's happenin' to him?" Jecht asked her after a few beats."I don't know," she whispered back. It was hard to tell; Auron had as much of a poker posture as he did a poker face. Without seeing his expression, she wasn't sure if he was communing with the shrine or simply growing annoyed at their insistence he stand before it.After a few more moments, he turned around and marched back down towards them."…Well?" Jecht said expectantly."Hnn," Auron grunted again, offering nothing helpful. He gestured at the path back down. "Let's return. We should rejoin Braska as soon as possible." He took the lead, brushing past Rikku.She scratched her head. "I still can't tell," she complained."He's one tough cookie. Maybe you can wheedle it outta him later," Jecht said with a shrug. He took another look at his sword, then grinned. "Or maybe I can beat an answer outta him with this thing.""Don't rough up my boyfriend," she said, cracking her knuckles in the Godhand. "Otherwise, I might have to test out my new weapon too.""Yeah, yeah. We know you're all talk," Jecht laughed, jogging after Auron.She huffed, but spared the shrine one last look over her shoulder. If there's no more shrine in the future, that means there's no more Celestial Weapons, either. Her feet stilled, and she whirled around to face the seed pod."I'm… I'm sorry we couldn't save you," she said into the trees. She noted a few blue butterflies fluttering around the shrine, and thought of Bayra, Donga, and Pukutak.The seed pod darkened completely, leaving her with only the soft light of the trees and the echo of the crystals.Blinking, she ducked her head and hurried after the others, trying not to dwell on her part in helping destroy Macalania's forest of dreams.
.x.x.x.
Dinner was a simple but welcome respite from the day's exertions; gathering around the campfire to relax—for once—put most of the group in good cheer.Braska was interrogating Auron for the details of their visit to the shrine. Auron, for his part, was still not giving away what, if anything, had happened to him. Rikku, munching on a skewer of meat, watched Braska try to coax the information out of Auron, who stubbornly resisted all attempts by responding with grunts whenever possible.She stifled a giggle and glanced over at Jecht, who remained silent. It was odd for Jecht to let a good mood pass him by, but he was lost to them, staring at the Fang which lay across his knees. Rather than joining Braska in heckling Auron, he was stroking his fingers over the red symbol on the blade."Hey, Jecht?"He looked up at her, startled. " 'Sup?""You feeling okay?" She tilted her head towards Auron and Braska, who had also fallen silent—clearly, she wasn't the only one who'd taken note of Jecht's reticence. "Normally you'd be the first one to join the dogpile if Braska gave Auron a hard time. Still worried about whatever you saw at the shrine?"Jecht's fingers drummed across the blade, glancing over each of them before answering. "Yeah. Just… thinkin' 'bout my Zanarkand. Maybe I'm homesick."It was Auron who surprisingly broke the subsequent silence with, "I'm sure we can find a way to get you back. It's no less improbable than anything else we've done so far."Jecht barked out a laugh, although the humor didn't meet his eyes. "Aww, so ya really do know how to care!"Auron folded his arms and leaned back, expression scornful. "Why do I bother offering a hand to a rabid dog…?"Jecht shrugged, but his pall of contemplation seemed to have lessened. "Naw, thanks, man. I mean it. 'S just… dunno if I'd wanna go even if we found a way back, see. If I'm just some dream, don't that mean goin' back is like fallin' asleep again?" He tapped his weapon. "Lookit this thing. It ain't even the same sword anymore, now that it's all woken up. Maybe I'm like that, too."Oh, Jecht. Rikku bit her lip, the weight of her secrets seeming to increase every time she had the chance to say something but didn't. Would Jecht be homesick if he knew what his future held?"That's an excellent way to think of it," Braska agreed. "Perhaps your presence here in Spira is evoking a positive change in yourself. It certainly has improved our merry band, hasn't it?""Yeah," Jecht said. His fingers traced the runes. "Say, Auron…"Auron shifted, still looking annoyed. "What?""Can I ask you to do somethin' for me?""That depends on what you're asking.""If you ever meet my boy, Tidus, will you give him a few pointers? Yanno, the way you did for me. Teach him to use a sword, yeah?"Auron's face went slack with so much surprise Rikku found herself fumbling for a recording sphere to preserve the moment. His expression recovered before she could snap a picture, and she pouted, dropping the sphere into her lap. Just in case, she thought, waiting expectantly and watching Auron like a hawk.Braska met her gaze and hid his grin behind the voluminous sleeve of his robe."What in Yevon's name—no," Auron said. "No," he repeated more emphatically, perhaps thinking of his time as a somewhat-unwilling surrogate parent to Yuna. "You're his father. There's nothing to stop you from teaching him yourself.""See, that's the thing," Jecht said, growing animated. "I been thinkin'. I wanna bring my boy over here. I'll find a way, I know I will. But what if somethin' happens to me? There ain't no guarantees in Spira." He leveled a finger at Auron. "You're the most dependable person here, you know it. And with Blondie there next to ya now, I'm bettin' you'll still have a reason to be around after Braska's… done doin' what he has to."Auron tensed and Braska shifted uncomfortably. As the mood nosedived, she tucked the unused sphere away and fiddled with the hem of her shirt.Jecht forged on. "So that's why I'm askin' ya now. If you ever meet my son, I want ya to let him know his old man was lookin' out for him." Then, quieter, "I was tryin' to, at least."Pinching the bridge of his nose, Auron sighed loudly. "That's making the assumption that you won't be around after the Pilgrimage is finished, either. Don't. Just don't.""C'mon, man. I'm countin' on you. Whaddaya want me to do, ask Blondie to be his role model?""Hey!"Jecht smirked at her tightly and turned back to Auron. "It's you or the Hypellos," he repeated. "Don't know anybody else here. Don't leave me hangin'!"Lowering his hand, Auron pinned Jecht under an intense glare. "Fine, if just to shut you up.""You'll do it?""This is a ridiculous idea, but if I ever meet your son, I will teach him to use a sword, just as I taught you. Satisfied?""Almost," Jecht said, grinning and clapping Auron on the shoulder. "Thanks, buddy."He turned to face her, his smile dropping. "I got somethin' to ask you too, Blondie. But…" He looked around at their campsite. "Not right here. No offense, Braska, but this is for my boy.""Hmm," Braska said. "It's quite all right. You're thinking of your future and your family. Take all the time you need."Auron sighed again, then nodded. "Don't stay out for long. We're breaking camp early tomorrow." Though his words were gruff, Rikku felt his warm gaze trailing after her as she got up and followed Jecht away from the camp."So what's up?" she asked. "Do you need me to help look for something out here?""Naw," Jecht said, distracted. "Wait a sec." Boxing his fingers together, he cast a Scan and turned slowly, before stopping and grinning again. "Hah! Found a good spot. This is perfect!" He hurried forward.She looked around when they arrived at Jecht's goal; he'd led her to a clearing with a small, shallow pool of water surrounded by dense forest. A tree rose out of the center of the pool with a few crystalline formations creating a small waterfall behind it. With the help of all the moving water, the light refracting around the clearing was almost unnaturally bright."It's pretty here!" she said, clapping her hands. "But what are we looking for?""We ain't lookin' for nothin'," Jecht said, settling down in front of the pool and crossing his ankles. "I got a favor to ask you.""Okay." She crouched and wrapped her hands around her knees. "Must be something serious.""Sorta. I wanna keep makin' these movies for Tidus. Fact, I wanna do another one right now." He paused, looking uncomfortable. "Think you an' Auron can pass 'em along to him? After? Y'know… in case somethin' happens to me. I want…" He trailed off, looking uncertain. "I want him to know. About Spira. About bein' real. I want him to feel this."
Oh, Tidus.
"Sure thing," she said, choking back a wave of sympathy. "We're starting to run kinda low on spheres, though… I guess we should've restocked in Besaid." She pulled out the one from earlier and checked it. "I think this one has a little something on it from before, but there's still lots of room left. Wanna use it anyway?""It's good enough," Jecht said, snatching the sphere from her grasp and turning it on. He placed it on the ground and settled back, trying—and failing—to look nonchalant.He cleared his throat and shifted, testing out a few different poses. One of his legs pulled up and the other one hit the ground as he rested an arm on his bent knee. Then he lay down, propping up his head on one arm. A few seconds passed before he growled in annoyance and sat up again, planting both hands on his thighs.Rikku watched him squirm and contort for a few more moments, then reached over and shut the sphere down. "We don't have that much empty space on it," she chided. "Or were you gonna start speaking sometime this year?""Alright already!" Jecht huffed. "I'm a little nervous this time! Can ya cut all that other crap out? I wanna look cool. You know, professional.""Why?" she sniggered, even as she set about editing the recording. "You think Tidus wouldn't want to see how dorky you're being right now?"" 'ey, smooth is my middle name.""Sure thing," she hummed, unconvinced. Finishing with her tinkering, she placed the sphere back on the ground.Jecht cleared his throat again and sat forward, draping his elbows on his knees. "I'm ready now."Nodding, she reached down. The sphere hummed to life. "And… action!"Jecht sucked in a deep breath, thinking for a moment. She rolled her eyes and let her finger hover over the stop button, but he started speaking before she could press it." 'ey," he said, uncharacteristically solemn. "If you're sittin' there, watching this… it means you're stuck in Spira, just like me."Rikku's smile faded. I know this one, she realized. I really did end up giving this message to Tidus. She watched as Jecht sounded out what she realized the sphere recording really was: his final goodbye to his son, and tried to ignore the shivers running down her spine.
No matter what I do, nothing changes. Everything is happening just like I remember it. I thought… maybe, after we passed through Macalania the first time and he didn't create this, maybe then… maybe it'd be different. But… but now…!
"You might not know when you'll get back home, but you better not be cryin'!" he rallied. Then he wilted a little. "Although, I guess I'd understand."He looked down at his hands, and she took a wild guess that his sudden urgency to create this particular sphere had been spurred by the visions he'd received at the shrine. Maybe Jecht's biggest fear is never seeing his family again.Jecht sat up, his face hardening. "But, you know what? There's a time when you have to stop cryin' and move on. You'll be fine."She wondered if he was saying it just for Tidus' benefit, or also to convince himself. He pulled himself together and smiled confidently at the camera."Remember, you're my son. And…" He trailed off, uncomfortable.Tell him you love him! she insisted silently."Well, uh…"
Tell him you're proud of him!
A look of panic crossed his face as he rubbed the back of his neck. She scrunched her brows together, gesturing for him to continue, and Jecht flushed red."Never mind," he growled. "I'm no good at these things." He shot to his feet and stomped over, turning the sphere off himself. "You can stop laughin' now. Go on, yuk it up and get it outta your system.""Why would I laugh?" She threw her hands up. "You were doing so well! I thought it was nice," she admitted. "But why'd you choke at the end?"Jecht turned red again and crossed his arms, glaring at nothing in particular. "I can't say it, man. Sure, he's my son, but I don't go around moonin' over my feels like you an' Auron do. It ain't manly!"She pursed her lips, vaguely annoyed at his assessment of herself and Auron, wrapped up with his backwater ideas about how manly men conducted themselves in general. "I know you have a reputation to protect, but really? You have to posture in front of your own son? C'mon, he's just a little kid!"He couldn't meet her eyes. "Never was the touchy-feely type."Rikku sighed and stood up. "This has nothing to do with being manly or touchy-feely, you big dummy. Tidus is your son. Maybe he needs to hear how you really feel sometimes."Jecht kicked the water. "I'm tryin'!""Well, try harder!" she scolded. "You're the one who told me to say what you mean when it's important. Otherwise, it'll be Tidus filling the blanks in his head with things that aren't true." She shoved his own advice back at him along with the sphere. "I'm going back to camp before your sphere overflows from that testosterone. Just think about it, okay? It's fine if you're too embarrassed to do it in front of me, but don't hold back for your own son. He deserves that much from you."She made her way towards the forest path, stopping when she heard the telltale sound of the recording sphere being activated. Jecht's voice was so quiet she had to strain to hear him."Anyways... " he mumbled. "I believe in you. Be good. Goodbye."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
As soon as the dense crystal woods of Macalania had given way to the rocks and moss of the path towards the Calm Lands, Jecht had challenged Auron to a spar."You're goin' down." Jecht bounced on the balls of his feet, grin competitive.Auron's expression was glacial. Silent, he pointedly turned his blade, blunt side facing up.Quite a distance away, Rikku readied her bag of mixed nuts, popping one into her mouth and munching on it. Braska sat beside her and waved off the pouch when she offered, his attention instead focused on Jecht and Auron."Who do you believe will win this time?" Braska asked as the pair began to circle each other in the small, dirt-strewn clearing.She shifted, trying to find a comfortable spot against the tree they were both leaning against. "Auron's going to wipe the floor with him, like always. The only gamble is how long it'll take.""You're not concerned at all? Fighting against a Celestial Weapon seems foolhardy. Even if it is Jecht's." Braska fingered his staff, tense. "Sin's Fang should be significantly more powerful than Auron's blade and has no blunt side. What if he catches Auron off guard?""Jecht needs to learn how to control his super-sword," she protested. "It's better if he practices with a friend instead of making a mistake in front of an enemy, right?""Hmm," Braska said, clearly unconvinced as he glanced her way."Besides," she continued. "Auron's got his armor on. And you're here, right?" She winked at him. "You saved me, after all. If anything happens, helping Auron recover should be a piece of cake."An uncomfortable look passed over Braska's face.She smirked—revenge could be sweet, sometimes.He cleared his throat, suddenly unable to meet her gaze. "Well then. Shall we make a small wager?"Side-eyeing Braska, she leaned away from him. "I'm not kissing you if Auron loses. Give it up.""Fine." Chuckling, he raised a hand in defeat. "...Although I do think having the use of your Garment Grid for an entire day would be an acceptable compromise.""No way," she blurted. The last time he'd used it, he'd just hit on her even more, something she hadn't thought possible."Are you worried about Auron's chances after all?"Her brow twitched. "How's this: when Auron wins, you and Jecht have to catch dinner for the rest of the week."Braska shrugged. "We already split the duties. That hardly seems a sporting prize.""Then…" She tapped her chin, then snapped her fingers. "You guys do the hunting for an entire week, starting tomorrow. And you have to pretend to be incompetent enough to keep Jecht from coming back to camp for at least two hours."Braska's smile dropped. "Are you two really that starved for affection—"A sharp clang sounded, cutting off his words. She glanced over in time to see Auron and Jecht springing back from one another. Eager to watch the fight, she hurriedly shoved her hand towards Braska's face. "Deal?"He leaned back, nearly going cross-eyed in an attempt to track her hand. As the ring of clashing metal whined behind them, his gaze lit up in challenge. He clasped her hand and gave it a perfunctory shake. "Deal."They were both invested now, and he made no argument when she released him to turn her attention to the spar.Auron leaned forward, holding his sword steady and advancing towards Jecht like a predator, his steps slow and controlled. Jecht scooted back, light on his feet. Before he could be pushed to the edge of the clearing, he lunged forward, attacking with two quick slashes which Auron deftly blocked. They backed away and resumed circling each other."Look," Braska said, gaze sharp. "I told you it would be difficult for Auron this time.""Difficult? He totally blocked it!""Just barely."She stared at the pair, looking for whatever Braska thought he was seeing—Auron's sword was quivering. Huh? She followed the sword to his grip, and her eyes widened. It wasn't his sword that was moving; it was his arms. They were shaking—only slightly, but enough for Braska to catch it. Just how hard did Jecht hit?"The power of a Celestial Weapon must be mighty indeed," Braska noted. "I've never seen Auron falter from a parry before."Huffing, Rikku crossed her arms. "Auron's blade isn't half bad either!" She'd crafted the Ashura herself during their trip on the Love Boat; so what if it wasn't Celestial? It could still kick ass in the right hands. "He's gonna win. You'll see."Auron's expression gave nothing away; instead, he twirled his sword once, shaking his arm out, then sunk into a low battle stance. Inching towards Jecht again, he held the blade steady in both hands and looked almost relaxed.Jecht mirrored his pose, waiting. For a few moments the men stood, appraising each other, before Jecht hefted his sword; Auron tracked him with his weapon and Jecht faltered, stopping midway through the motion.With a grimace, Jecht stepped back, seeming to find no opening in the other man's defense."Jecht's improved," Rikku conceded, watching him abort another attack. "He wouldn't have waited before… he'd just rush in and Auron would send him flying. He's gotten more cautious."Jecht finally followed through on a quick feint, forcing Auron to evade the blow."What, you actually scared of this thing?" Jecht called out, some of his confidence clearly returning as the tense line of his shoulders relaxed a bit. He made a few wild thrusts, testing Auron as the other man strove to dodge rather than block the hits.Auron's mouth tightened and he planted his feet, stopping Jecht's advance and stabbing out with the Ashura in challenge. The two swords met, and Auron caught Jecht's blade in a defensive twist that deflected the Fang.Jecht, however, only grinned and surged forward. "Gotcha!" he shouted as his fist hit Auron's jaw with an audible crack.Auron reeled backwards, off-balance while Jecht jumped into a spinning kick; his foot smashed into Auron's side and pushed him even farther away."Hey! That's cheating!" Rikku sputtered, clenching her fists."There are no rules in a real battle," Braska reminded her. "Jecht is merely capitalizing on his own advantages—he's faster and larger than Auron… and very good at brawling."Auron regained his balance and struck out—not gracefully by any means, but enough to force Jecht to skip away from the blade's reach. He struck again.Jecht used the Fang to block Auron's swing.This time, Auron didn't try to match and hold Jecht; he slid forward out of the block and attempted to use the momentum to smash the other man with the pommel of his sword. Jecht was quick enough to dodge the strike, leaning to the side while directing another quick hit towards Auron's stomach.The two men separated, panting."Yield?" Jecht called out, swinging his sword over his back in a mocking parody of Auron.Auron scowled. "We'll go again."Braska shook his head. "Jecht prevailed in that round and had Auron on the defensive." His faint smile oozed satisfaction. "So, when will your belt be available for my use?""It's not over yet," Rikku said stubbornly, watching Auron wipe his jaw and spit.Auron nodded at Jecht, lifting his sword again and resuming his slow pacing."We shall see," Braska said in response.
Ohh! Just you wait, Braska. Auron'll show you who's boss!
As if able to hear her thoughts, Auron struck; without warning, he flicked the Ashura out, aiming the tip at Jecht's face. Jecht nearly missed his parry, clumsily bringing Auron's sword down with brute force and trying to rush in close again. Auron turned his own sword upwards, unexpectedly baring the sharp edge of his blade—which forced Jecht to abort his attempted punch, and instead stumble past while arching backwards to avoid being sliced.Jecht wheeled to a stop a few paces away, wincing. "Ya nearly cut me, asshole!""That trick won't work twice. Besides, I thought you wanted to show me the power of that sword, not your fists."Jecht scowled, holding the Fang up in a high guard. "Fine. You want it so bad? We can play it hard." He charged; Auron didn't move, steady as a rock.Even if Auron's nerves were made of steel, her own weren't, and Rikku squeaked as their blades neared one another. Auron simply crouched beneath Jecht's stab and swung his own weapon up, stopping the tip a hair's breadth away from the other man's neck.Jecht froze, gulping, and Rikku's heart dropped out of her throat.Auron raised an eyebrow."Y-yield," Jecht said. Auron relented and lowered his sword. "This was more fun when you weren't usin' the business end of that thing."Sighing in relief, Rikku stretched her arms over her head, letting Braska bathe in her smugness. "Jecht's sword might be stronger, but Auron knows how to use his."Braska rolled his eyes, probably swallowing a lewd joke. "Still, if Jecht managed to land a serious blow, it would be fatal for Auron. That is the power of his weapon.""That's probably why Auron's not letting him land any hits," she said. She smiled, sending Auron a thumbs-up when he glanced their way. I wonder if I had anything to do with his new strategy? It was, after all, pretty much the only technique she ever used when she fought: do anything to avoid getting hit!Of course, Auron did so with grace whereas she looked like a drunken monkey."Fascinating," Braska said."What?"He smiled wistfully, shaking his head. "You believe in him completely, even without a Celestial Weapon. You would defy heaven's mandate and put your faith in a mere mortal warrior?"She scoffed. "What mandate? Having a fancy weapon doesn't automatically mean you win! Celestial Weapons only amplify what you already are. Mine didn't make me a better fighter either, you know?""You stood against Anima with it.""And lost," she reminded him, incredulous. "Leaving things up to fate isn't all it's cracked up to be. You still need to work for your victories if you want to have any." Her smile suddenly felt brittle; the words may have come off flippantly, but they still hit a little too close to home.Braska must have sensed the sudden dip in her mood, because he eased away from her, his playful smirk transforming into something more somber. "True, I suppose." He tapped his lip, expression thoughtful. "But having a stronger weapon than your opponent lends some advantage, no matter what you believe."She dug into her snack pouch and popped a nut into her mouth, chewing slowly. When she felt composed enough to answer, she swallowed and forced a smile that felt more genuine than she'd hoped. "Sure, but Auron doesn't need a stronger sword." Her gaze was drawn inexorably back to Auron as he shifted his stance and faced Jecht again. "He is the sword."Jecht was the first to attack, springing forward with a quick thrust. Auron twisted out of the way, dodging instead of blocking, and thrust his blade towards Jecht's head.Jecht's eyes widened and he swore as he desperately moved to cover his face, his sword meeting and locking with Auron's.Auron bore down on both swords, the muscles in his arms straining.Jecht seemed to be searching for an opening, but the awkward tilt of his wrist against the Fang's hilt made it impossible for him to find leverage.With a grunt, Auron forced their blades towards the ground and then leaned his full weight onto the Fang with one knee, trapping Jecht's hands under the hilt of his own sword. There was an audible crunch.Rikku heard Braska suck in his breath at the same time she did. "Ooh, that must've hurt."With the Fang immobilized under his knee, Auron freed his own sword and feinted with his pommel towards Jecht's head."Yield! Shit! Yield!" Jecht shouted before Auron could club him. "Alright, alright, you win!" He wilted when Auron lowered his sword. "Sin's wrinkled ass! Ya broke my fingers!" he hissed, shaking out his hands after Auron stepped away."Sorry," Auron said in a tone that was all but apologetic."Yeah, yeah. How're your teeth doin', huh?" Jecht shot back as he collected his sword gingerly, wincing.Rubbing his jaw, Auron grunted. "You could say we're even now.""Naw," Jecht said, shoulders drooping. "Once I stopped tryin' to clock ya, you kicked my ass. I gotta practice more." Then, he let out a self-deprecating laugh. "You may win every time, but I still ain't used to losin'."Auron held out a hand, then helped him to his feet. "You did better than I expected, and your sword is a fine weapon. If we met on a battlefield, I wouldn't take you lightly.""You wouldn't take me at all," Jecht scoffed, cracking his neck. "I'm fast enough to get away from monsters like you." The defeated grin he was wearing belied his words, though; even Auron seemed to understand that his pride was running on fumes."He didn't really do that badly," Braska said, watching Jecht with concern."You're right, but it's good for his ego to lose once in a while," she said, confident that Jecht would bounce back from his latest defeat just as quickly as the last time. "Before you know it, he'll be heckling Auron for another duel, you'll see. And then Auron'll beat him again. Think of it as their male bonding time.""Hnn," Auron said, clapping Jecht on the back. "You certainly are faster. You just need to train using that speed with your sword rather than your fists.""Bonding," Braska replied thoughtfully as he looked on.Leaving Jecht behind, Auron approached them, wiping some sweat from his brow."Enjoy your quality time with Jecht next week," Rikku murmured to Braska, chuckling as she rose to meet Auron. Skipping the last few feet between them, she threw herself at Auron and planted a messy kiss on his lips. His arms wrapped around her waist and she felt him smile; he lifted her up and gave her a proper greeting."Do you two gotta swap spit right in front of me?" Jecht groaned as he shambled past.She slid to the ground with a grin. "Not always," she hummed.Braska sighed pointedly and left toward camp, shoulders slumped.She smiled up at Auron, hands latched behind his neck. "That was intense!"Auron pried her off gently and smiled, tired; it didn't reach his eyes. "Hnn." He shrugged off his coat and followed Braska, tossing his things by their bedrolls before grabbing his bottle for a long draught of water.She watched him, confused. What? Why'd he pull away?He finished drinking and, after a moment's contemplation, snatched up his sword and stomped back towards the clearing where he'd just sparred with Jecht, sullen." 'Sup with him?" Jecht asked, coming near as he toweled sweat off his neck with one hand; the other was limp at his side, fingers beginning to swell. "He won, didn't he? You say somethin' to him?"Rikku crossed her arms, pouting. "I didn't do anything! You're the one who punched him.""That was a lucky shot," Jecht grumbled. "But y'know, he's been actin' real crabby lately. I thought fightin' me might get it outta his system, but… "She considered his words; Auron's prickly attitude just now was the latest in his admittedly withdrawn behavior ever since they'd left the crystalline forest. "I know," she said, deflating. "He's been like this ever since we got back from the shrine."They both stood there in silence, and Rikku knew Jecht was thinking the same thing: He saw something up there.
But what could be so bad to make him act like this?
Well, she had called it their male bonding time, and Jecht was right there. As dejected as he might feel about losing to Auron—even with his brand new toy—she knew he still cared about his friend's well-being.
And friends don't let other friends stew in their own juices, right?
"So…" she said. "About Auron's temper…""Woah, don't put this on me!" Jecht blurted. "You're his girl!""You're his bro," she retorted. "Bros before hoes!"" 'ey, I just punched him!" Jecht reminded her, mopping away more sweat. "You do the askin'."Rikku bit her lip. "Fine. He did almost take your head, so you can have a break. I'm gonna try talking to him. Run interference on Braska for me, will you?""On it," Jecht agreed, shoving her forward with an elbow. "Go on, straighten him out. I'm rootin' for ya." He raised his voice. "Hey, B! Need some help here. My fingers are killin' me!"Braska startled and strode over quickly, brandishing his staff. "Which ones?"Rikku rolled her eyes as Jecht smirked and flipped his middle finger out towards Braska. "Think it was this one." He made a show of looking confused, then held up his other hand and doubled down on the gesture. "Or maybe this one. Why don'tcha take a closer look and find out.""…Doesn't that hurt?" she asked, noticing the lines of pain creasing Jecht's mouth."Totally worth it," Jecht smirked."Is it now?" Braska asked, lowering his staff from its casting position. "In that case—""Naw, B, I'm kidding—""I think I'll make my exit before Braska breaks the rest of your fingers," she said, scampering after Auron and stifling a snicker when she heard Jecht yelp in pain behind her.Her feet slowed as she neared Auron, who'd planted his sword into the center of the impromptu sparring ring and was staring at it morosely. What's he doing? Is this some kind of warrior-monk meditation technique? If it was, it was a terrible one; he didn't look particularly relaxed or calm. "Hey," she said cautiously, reaching to touch his arm. "What's the matter?""It's nothing."Oh, no you don't. Sliding between him and his sword, she put her fists on her hips and glared. "It's not nothing. Spill the beans!"Auron looked over his shoulder at Braska and Jecht, still near enough to hear their argument—and vice versa. "Not here," he said quietly, reaching around her to grab his sword."Hey guys!" she yelled, raising her voice and smirking at Auron's look of annoyance. "We're just gonna go clean up. Don't follow us!"Braska made a face. "You can't even wait until tomorrow—" he started, but Jecht pulled him down into a headlock and gave her a thumbs-up.Auron palmed his face. "Did the concept of discretion completely pass you people by?" He motioned for her to follow.She saluted Jecht and Braska, then trailed after Auron, feeling a little apprehensive. Something was upsetting him enough to make him sulk, and she couldn't get a read on what it was. After all they'd been through, it was a little unsettling to find that he could still have his own secrets, too.The irony wasn't lost on her.They walked until the camp was out of sight, stopping by a small stream of water. Auron walked to the water's edge and unbuckled his chestplate, letting it fall to the mossy ground. He sent her an austere look. "I hope you realize I'm not in the mood for any games right now.""I know," Rikku mumbled, kicking the dirt. "I'm not gonna jump you out here. I just thought you looked upset and maybe needed some space."Auron said nothing, kneeling by the stream and rinsing his hands in the water.Might as well go for it. "Auron… what did you see at the shrine?"His hands stilled. "Nothing," he said after a moment."You're a sucky liar."He huffed, but kept his face turned from her. "Nothing worth mentioning." Carefully, he cupped some of the water in his hands and brought it to his jaw with a grimace; his skin was darkening into a mottled shade of red where Jecht had struck him."You should've asked Braska to heal that first," she tsked."I'll handle it," he replied. Muttering, he traced his fingers over the bruise. A spark of curative magic flared to life under his fingertips, fading the discoloration."And your side, too," she added, prodding his ribs with her toe and nodding sagely at the resulting hiss of pain. "Jecht got you good. Don't grin and bear it if you can heal it!""I can decide what I'm capable of bearing," he grit out, though he did pass his hand over his side too."Why won't you just say it?" She crossed her arms and frowned when he didn't answer right away; it felt like he was trying to distance himself from her again. "Hey, c'mon! Aren't we supposed to be a team?" His lack of answer made her flush, first in disappointment, but then in anger. It's way too late for you to back out now, buster! "I can't help you work through whatever this is unless you talk to me."Grunting, Auron stood and reached for his sword, stepping away from her. "There's nothing to work through. Jecht bested me. I need to practice. That's all."You still won, she thought, but swallowed it down at the stubborn look on his face. Backing away, she hauled herself onto the branch of a nearby tree and made herself comfortable, not bothering to mask her exasperation. "Practice away then. I'm not going anywhere.""…Fine. Suit yourself," Auron grumbled, straightening and holding his sword to his side with its point facing down.Though annoyed at his dismissal, she found her irritation ebbing away as she was drawn into his moves.He thrust his arm out, fingers held tightly together. His palm turned up as he swept his arm across his chest, the move a strange mix between meditation and martial arts. His fingers separated as he brought his hand low to grasp the hilt of the Ashura.He drew it in an explosive whirlwind of motion, leaping into a spin before landing, knees bent and legs spread wide. The heavy sword was balanced in one hand, its weight resting on his back shoulder while his free arm remained outstretched, up in guard—or perhaps a promise—for his invisible opponent. He paused, focusing.She was fascinated by the way he could control his every movement so perfectly. Her own fighting style was chaotic, to say the least; self-taught and reliant mostly on improvisation and speed. His strict, regimented motions were almost the exact opposite of hers—at least unless she was donning the Samurai sphere. It was clear he'd trained hard to achieve that level of mastery.Maybe that's why we work so well together as a team when we fight, she thought with satisfaction.Gripping the hilt with both hands, Auron swung the sword around in a wide arc. The weapon stopped perilously close to his neck, and he relaxed, balancing it on the opposite shoulder. Crouching low, he bent back, as if dodging an attack while sweeping his sword out in a one-handed slash that made the muscles of his arm bulge from the effort.Rikku swallowed, her mouth going dry; she knew how much that sword weighed; she'd made it. Even with the strength enhancement she'd tooled in, she could barely swing it. Auron managed to control the blade as though it was one of her daggers, stopping it with uncanny precision.He leapt up in another show of raw power, quads straining, and transformed the movement into a downwards slice, followed immediately by a quick block and a feint to his side. He gouged tracks into the moss with his feet as he slid backwards from the force of the motion; then he dug his heels in. Forcing his slide to an abrupt stop, he pushed off of the ground.She wiped drool off her lip. Not the time. Be supportive now, lust after him later!His entire body launched into the air, one leg outstretched in a roundhouse kick, whipping the sword overhead in a one-handed grip. He barely touched the ground before he was airborne again, legs scissoring and his entire body twisting for momentum as his sword made a gleaming arc above his head. He landed heavily, carrying the force of the spin through in his strike, though he stopped the blade inches away from actually hitting the ground.Abruptly shifting his weight to his front leg, he struck out with the weapon as though it were a spear, pausing with both arms fully extended as the blade quivered.Straightening, he twirled the sword around to one hand to rest at his side, its tip facing the ground. He exhaled heavily, then looked up into the tree at the sound of Rikku's claps."I didn't know you could do that," she said, sliding off her branch. "You know, all the jumping and kicking and stuff while holding your sword. You can be just as flexible as Jecht when you try.""But not nearly as spontaneous," Auron replied, walking over to join her and carefully putting his sword aside. "Besides, this was merely practicing forms. Real battles aren't performance stages. I fight to win.""I dunno," she hummed, settling herself on the ground. She patted her lap invitingly. "You're the best swordsman I've ever seen. I always think it looks like you're dancing when you fight. Are all warrior-monks that good or is it just your thing?"He chuckled, slumping to the ground and resting his head against her legs. "I preferred training to politics. As it turned out, I had to train quite often in order to avoid them. And I wasn't entirely successful in the end.""You shot yourself in the foot, you know," she mused, unwinding the tie on his hair. "You got too good and they couldn't ignore you anymore.""Hnn," Auron agreed, his eyes fluttering shut.She carded her fingers through the sweat-soaked strands, eliciting a contented sigh. "You're amazing, you know," she murmured. "I'm glad you're with me."Some of the tension she'd managed to draw out of him returned.Bingo. So, it's about me, huh? She forced her fingers to slow and coax him into speaking."I know what you're doing," he rumbled, keeping his eyes closed."Is it working?" she asked, hopeful."...Yes," he muttered with token resistance. Sighing, he reached up and caught her fingers, stopping her ministrations. His eyes cracked open, dark and serious. "I was wrong," he said, then stopped."Mmkay," she said as the silence stretched. "For what now, though?"Auron's fingers laced through hers. "The shrine showed me a vision of the future."This time, Rikku tensed, but Auron kept his eyes on her and tightened his grip around her hand. "I don't know if it was real. You said it showed you your greatest fear and your greatest desire." He paused. "But, I only had one vision.""Which one did it show you?" she asked, pulse thundering."They were one and the same," he replied. "I saw you."What's that mean? Swallowing, she forced a tiny smile to her face and tried to act casual. "How'd I look?""Happy," he said. "You were surrounded by family."Rikku blinked. "My family? Like, Cid, Keyakku, and Brother? Was I five?""Our family," Auron corrected her, his fingers squeezing hers. "And no, you were not five. We were living in Besaid. You, and I, and our children. I… was happy, too." He sounded surprised. "I didn't think I would be happy.""You don't want kids," she said, feeling her hammering heart slow down, although only slightly. The blind panic that he'd caught a glimpse of Yuna's Pilgrimage faded, only to be replaced by a growing sense of confusion. "You made it sound like your worst nightmare, really."He looked away from her. "I don't want to become a father. Braska and Jecht are fathers. I can't be like them."Rikku scrunched her brows together. "I think it's different for everyone, though? It's not like you'd have to follow in their footsteps. How would you know until you tried, anyway? I bet you'd figure it out.""I couldn't abandon my children," he said suddenly. "Not the way they did. Purposefully or by accident. It would kill me." He swallowed. "I don't shirk my duties, but this... this makes me afraid. I grew up alone. I couldn't wish my childhood on anyone. Especially not to my own children. I couldn't make another me.""Who said they'd be alone? I'm a part of this too!" She extracted her hand from his and worked her fingers through his hair once more, soothing him. "Besides, you wouldn't leave," she said confidently. "Not unless you had a good reason to.""You can't be certain," he said. "Not in this world. Not with Sin. But…" he trailed off and returned his gaze to hers. "It was strange. It was the first time it felt like family to me.""Braska and Yuna—""No," he cut her off. "Not a stray intruding onto someone else's hearth looking for scraps. This was mine." He caught her fingers and pulled her down towards him. "My family. Mine alone." He reached up and pressed his mouth against hers, warm and insistent, as though he was trying to send himself into the future he'd seen through the touch of their lips.When he drew back, he brushed a stray braid away from her face, his expression pained. "I want to believe in it. More than anything. More than defeating Sin. I have never wanted anything so much as this."Rikku bent down and touched her forehead to his. "You're scared," she said softly."I am," he admitted."Then let's be scared together, 'cause you're never getting rid of me now." She smiled at the open, fragile expression on his face, tracing a finger down his cheek. "I don't mind being your dream, you know. It's kinda flattering." Besides… you were mine first."I don't want you to be my dream," he countered, echoing her thoughts at the shrine. He sat up and pulled her flush against him. "I want you to be my future."Rikku shrugged off the frission of unease that lanced through her at his words. He wants the same thing I did: our ideal future, not the one we actually got. Did he even realize what he was asking her to do, by placing his secret hope into her hands?I've always wanted you to be my future. Bahamut gave me my own story, but I'm not sure he actually granted me my dream. She smiled, trying to banish the dark thoughts swirling through her mind before Auron picked up on her discomfort; he was dealing with enough already. And who says our future can't be the real one? Why can't they be the same?"I like your dream," she whispered, focusing on Auron. "But I see a teeny-tiny problem with it."His expression closed, brows drawing together. "Sin," he said heavily."No. I believe in Braska. I really think we can defeat Sin." She smirked and tapped his nose. "I meant something more immediate.""Hnn," Auron grunted and lifted an eyebrow. "What are you cooking up now?"She frowned, threading her fingers carefully through his hair and stroking his temples. "Don't close up like that. I liked how honest you were being with me there.""I told you, I'm not in the mood for games," he attempted to grumble. It wasn't very effective, considering the way his eyes were fluttering closed under her careful massage."I'm being completely serious here," she said. "I like it when you open up to me. It makes me feel closer to you. The real you." She sunk down lower and let her lips ghost past his temple as she spoke. "It makes me want to be closer to you."He twitched, finally catching onto her mood."And that brings me back to your problem," she said coyly. "How are we supposed to start a family together if we don't put any effort into it?""Effort," he repeated, cracking one eye open and looking at her."I hear raising a family can be hard work," she grinned, leaning back. He craned his neck, following her up. "Think you're up for it?""You tell me," he answered, reaching up and drawing her back down with a glint in his eye.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Wind blew across the vast expanse of jagged prairie; blades of grass swayed in the breeze, vivid green against the shockingly blue sky. Some were as tall as Rikku herself, and most hid the dizzying variety of wildlife that flourished in a land untouched by civilization.Fiends also moved within the grassy sea, but the ones who didn't get lost in the thrush were the worst.Rikku shielded her eyes against the bright sunlight. This untamed version of the Calm Lands looks as bad as it did before Argent settled into it. Rin's Agency had yet to open, nor was there any sign of the chocobo trainer. This place is way too pretty to be so cruel."...So you call this place the Calm Lands 'cause it's so peaceful-like out here?"Auron adjusted the strap on his sword. "It is hardly peaceful. Some of the deadliest fiends in Spira gather on these plains. Be ready.""Yes," Braska agreed. "The Calm Lands are indeed dangerous, but they are also the chosen battlefield for most summoners who face Sin."Jecht frowned. "This where you summoners have your smackdown? The hell's so calm about it then?"Rikku lowered her hand, a surge of anger overtaking her. Gone… everything we worked so hard to change in the future, it's all gone. "The summoners bring the Calm to Spira when they die here," she said. "So, it only looks pretty on the surface. Once you stop looking at all that grass, all you can see are the scars."Auron shot her a look, and she lowered her head, trying to control her frustration as they crested the hill. She'd hoped it wouldn't be as horrible as she remembered. I'm right. It's worse."Come now. It really isn't as bad as you make it," Braska said.It was exactly the wrong answer, given by exactly the wrong person, and all her attempts to reign in her panic-induced temper flew out the window."I hate this place!" she exploded."Whoa, Blondie!" Jecht yelled, ducking her flailing fist.Auron turned around and looked at her, concern writ across his face. "Rikku?"She blew out a heavy breath. "Sorry. I'm a little mad, okay? I don't like being here.""Please, calm down, and try to enjoy your time here," Braska said. "I grant you it is dangerous, but this untamed wilderness is, in a sense, also raw and beautiful."
What about death is beautiful?
"I would not mind making our stand against Sin here," Braska continued. "It is a fine tradition."An uncomfortable silence descended.Well, this is great. Just like the first time with Yunie, Rikku thought bitterly. Being surrounded by all the supposed beauty of the Calm Lands and registering none of it, because she was too busy freaking out about saving her fatalistic summoner's life."Ya had to go an' make it awkward, didn'tcha?" Jecht grunted, crossing his arms."It's not a summoners' graveyard in my time anymore," she said.Braska's expression fell.She balled her hands into fists. "We took it back and made it ours. It became a place for people to have fun and relax. And now it's all gone! Back to square one.""Oh, so in the future it becomes a nature preserve?" Braska said, brightening."Eh… not exactly," she hedged."We took it back?" Auron snorted. "You mean the Al Bhed settled here. Knowing your people, they likely turned it into an amusement park."Rikku made a face. " 'We' as in 'all of Spira,' for your information! The Al Bhed might have opened an Agency here, but it was actually settlers from Bevelle who set up the games – ""Games?" Auron looked over the sweeping planes again, an expression of disbelief on his face. "You really turned it into a carnival?"She wilted a bit. "Well, it's sorta permanent…" Her voice shrank at Auron's incredulity and Braska's pained grimace, but gained a last hurrah from Jecht's rapt attention. "... and there's some betting games, too.""Gamblin'!" Jecht cheered. "What else did ya do? You guys invent some kinda land Blitz to bet on, maybe? Where you have to play it with your feet or somethin'?" He scratched his head. "What would ya call it? Blitzfeet? No wait, football?""That sounds so lame! Who'd want to watch a dumb idea like that?" Rikku rolled her eyes. "No, people come to bet on the lupine runs."Braska choked. "You… you host dog races on this sacred land?""Don't knock it!" she shot back. "I loved the way we changed things! We made enough noise so you could almost forget about all the people who died here."Another uncomfortable silence fell.This time, Jecht glared at her. "Alright. Enough broodin', you two. You know how Auron gets when you leave him outta yer private parties.""Jackass," Auron muttered. "Thank you for reminding me of their time together."Braska cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should get a move on, after all.""Yes. Why don't you go ahead and scout for fiends," Auron replied."And dinner," Rikku added, pushing a surprised Jecht towards Braska. "Now be sure to take your time, you two! Bring back something good!""What? 'Ey, it ain't my turn today! Quit it, Blondie, you ain't the boss of me!""Oh, but I am," Braska cut in, grabbing the Blitzer. "I believe I shall require a Guardian to assist me during my task, and I choose you, Jecht." He frowned at her. "So tell me, Rikku. How far out would be wise for us to venture?""The hell you askin' her for?""Rikku should be more familiar with this area than any of us," Braska said reasonably. "I trust her discretion in this matter."Behind him, Auron turned and studied them. After a moment, the crease between his eyes disappeared, replaced by amusement."I'll send up a signal when we've found a good place to camp. You can turn around then, okay?""Of course," Braska said, prodding Jecht towards the greater plains. "You will remember to do so in a timely manner, I hope," he added a bit nervously. "Don't get carried away by your… search.""Buh-bye!" Rikku replied, winking and waving at them.They disappeared into the sea of grass; she wondered briefly if she was shirking her duties as a Guardian by sexiling her companions.
Naw, Braska and Jecht can take care of each other. … Okay, that sounded totally wrong.
Auron's arms wrapped around her waist and he rested his chin on her head. "You don't actually intend to look for a campsite right now, do you?" It wasn't a question. "Should I even ask what method you used to chase off Braska this time?"Smirking, Rikku spun to face him, returning his embrace. "Don't worry about it. You know, if we turn around and run, we might even make it back to Macalania before they notice!""Do you really hate this place that much?" he asked. "The future you described hardly sounds better than what we see now."She exhaled, deflating. Yunie had thought so, too. Her cousin hadn't been at all pleased to be drawn into Rikku and Paine's heated competition over their favorite Calm Land factions. Yuna had been bitterly disappointed by many of the changes her Eternal Calm brought about. I wonder if that was Auron's touch shining through."Ok. Maybe what we did was a little disrespectful." She shuddered. "But this whole place is worse, you know? It's not right to sacrifice people for a little bit of peace!""The sacrifices we've made here were never in vain," Auron countered."You really believe that?" She clenched her teeth. "A thousand years, and we're still putting all our hopes into Yevon's fairy tale. It would've worked by now if it was gonna work at all. It's a false hope!"Auron's arms tightened around her. "But it's the only hope we have." He seemed to be struggling; she knew he didn't want to know how this Pilgrimage was meant to end, but if she was a Guardian in her own time, he could easily draw his own conclusions. "... It's the only hope I have."As much as she wanted to yell that he was wrong to place his faith in a belief that would only betray him, there was something in his voice that stopped her. His eyes were hard, but his expression pained.Free will, she reminded herself. Don't take that from him. Frustrated, she dropped her forehead against his chest. "Being here makes me wanna puke. Maybe we should leave. Maybe it'll make Braska think twice about this. You heard him. He's gonna kill himself right here!""We can't abandon him," Auron murmured. "He'd continue the Pilgrimage without us.""I know," she sighed. "I just hate this place. I wish we could all just... run away. Go back to Besaid and live there instead, y'know?"Auron bent down and kissed her; it was fierce and quick, as though he wanted to force them both to forget why they were in the Calm Lands.He drew back and smiled as Rikku scrabbled to catch her breath. "Enough. I have no desire to dwell on the distant future when our immediate one is still uncertain. We still need a campsite, regardless of your motivations. Shall we start looking?" he rumbled, still leaning in; it made it hard to concentrate on his words."There's good," she managed, pointing in a random direction."... you aren't even looking," he said, amused."It's a big flat plain. Pick a spot, build a campfire, and we're good. What did you expect?""You to be slightly less transparent than Braska," Auron answered, releasing her. "I'm not about to strip naked at the entrance to the Calm Lands simply because you are impatient.""Well, if you want to be all Serious Business right now, I guess we can look for a better place," she complained, crossing her arms. "But if we don't find a good spot in half an hour tops, I'm calling it a day!"Auron grabbed her hand. "I'm sure we'll manage," he replied with a smirk.She let him lead her away, grinning from ear to ear. Auron had always had a powerful aura of self-confidence, conscious or not. It was infectious; whenever they were together, none of their problems seemed insurmountable. She gripped his hand as they pushed their way through the tall, sweet-smelling grass and let herself relax.A short while later, they'd covered a fair bit of distance over the fields, and the silence between them was beginning to stretch. She looked up at him, worry tickling at her. "Auron?" she prompted.Something slightly lost had replaced Auron's usual expression as they walked down the hill hand-in-hand. "... This doesn't have to become Braska's grave," he said eventually. She could practically see him stamping out his rising self-doubt. "We will find a way, no matter what you believe lurks in the future." His hand tightened around hers. "We'll find a way to save you both."She couldn't deny the flush of warmth that flooded her at Auron's words; even with his doubts, he clung to the steady belief that everything would end well if they just tried hard enough.I wonder if putting on the Samurai sphere would make me less cynical these days? It said nothing good when Auron became the optimistic one.Comforting as his conviction felt, however, it wasn't one she could completely share in. She'd tried to cling to that sort of blind faith during Yuna's Pilgrimage, after all, and it… hadn't ended well.Clenching his hand, she let Auron pull her deeper into the valley, trying to silence her own doubts.
.x.x.x.
The stars shone brilliantly, almost as if the vast emptiness of the plains had coaxed them out to fill the void below. As much as she missed the hustle and bustle of Argent's gaming stations, Rikku had to admit the Calm Lands were pretty.They'd set up camp along the cliffside – a spot where the winds that swept across the open fields were blocked by both the mountain at their backs and the crumbles of a few fortuitously placed ruins. It wasn't quite as exposed as the rest of the plains and, with the addition of a small fire, easily defendable against wandering fiends.That was apparently something they'd all needed, judging by the state Braska and Jecht had returned in. Though they'd been successful on their hunt, both men looked worse for wear. In particular, Braska's robes sported more than a few new tears; he must have taken her directive to look incompetent to heart.Feeling somewhat responsible, she'd offered to patch his things up. He'd agreed only after giving her a stern warning not to deface his ceremonial belt, peppered as it was with Yevon's holy symbols.He should've known better.Squinting in the fire's light, Rikku pulled her needle through the cloth and stifled a grin. As if I'd back down from a challenge.Putting the finishing touches on the garment, she shook out the belt and admired her handiwork: Yevon's all-seeing eye was looking decidedly more bloodshot than before, thanks to the decorative Al Bhed curse words she's sewn in red thread.Tailor tax, she thought with smug satisfaction. Braska can complain about it when he starts fixing his own clothes. She dropped the belt back into her lap and gazed around the campfire.Jecht was meticulously cleaning his sword – a habit he'd picked up from Auron – so carefully, it was clear he was still uncomfortable with it. Braska was conversing with Auron in low undertones, looking mildly worried. Sounds of their quiet conversation drifted by; they seemed to be discussing Belgemine's challenge and how to go about meeting it.Drawing her legs up under her chin, Rikku frowned. We need a better plan. Her brief talk with Auron earlier had set the cogs in her mind turning; Braska was going to charge forward regardless, and Auron and Jecht would follow him. Sure, they'd gotten better – a lot better – since the start of the Pilgrimage, but they were still going up against Sin. And this time, they wouldn't have an Al Bhed laser cannon to back up their encounter. We need to do more than just better.There were two halves of the same answer glaring her in the face, reluctant though she was to address them. Belgemine was the lesser of the two evils; but to confront her, they'd need to find Yojimbo first.And the other...She could almost hear the wispy, deceptively frail voice. "Nostalgia makes the heart feeble. It is the heart's… nemesis."Trema's words haunted her. When they'd finally discovered who – or, actually, what – he really was, she'd been overwhelmed by her fear and anger at his betrayal. He'd fooled them all, wearing the mask of the harmless, friendly old Arena caretaker, and used that trust to destroy so many people's hard-won spheres. She'd been happy to help Yuna send him to his final rest, confident he'd made a terrible mistake.Now, in hindsight after her time with Auron and the others, she wasn't so sure he was wrong anymore.
Right now, he's still just the friendly old guy tending the Monster Arena; Yuna's Eternal Calm is what broke him and twisted his purpose. As long as I don't kick up any trouble about him being dead, he'll help us train.
She thought about Trema in the Via Infinito, effortlessly defeating fiends that had given the Gullwings no end of trouble with his bare hands.You know, on second thought, maybe I don't want his help."Yo, Blondie! What's with that look?"Rikku quickly scrubbed whatever expression she'd been wearing off of her face. She couldn't tell the truth, especially when it sounded so crazy. We're stuck in a massive summoner graveyard, on our way to visit two of the most powerful Unsent in Spira to find couple of lost aeons strong enough to take down Bahamut, that's what."Blondie?" Jecht asked again, setting down his sword when she still hadn't answered.Focus, Rikku! Gathering Braska's robes, she threw them at the summoner. "I just hate thinking about this place, that's all," she said tersely. "But we still need to be here.""Now that is a change from your previous attitude," Braska noted. He donned his robes, pausing to inspect the belt. "... I can read these, you know," he groused."I know," Rikku said, regaining some of her cheer.Braska sighed. "Why have you suddenly decided to support my journey when you so obviously detest this place?"She swallowed down her unease. "Trema," she said, glancing at Auron, whose brows drew together."The former trainer of the crusaders? He's still alive?"For a given value of the word. Stifling a mad giggle, Rikku nodded at Auron. "He's gotten old, but he should still be running Lord Mi'ihen's Monster Arena near here. That's where I trained to fight Sin when I got my Godhand. I bet Jecht could use that place to practice with his sword.""More fightin'?" Jecht groaned, putting away his weapon. "I was already doin' all the work out there by myself! We don't need no Arena when this place is crawlin' with fiends like that!" He glared at her. "And you're catchin' dinner tomorrow."Braska laughed uneasily. "It was not that bad. And a bit of training could benefit us both. Even with that sword, you had no idea what you were doing against the Malboro earlier.""C'mon, it was a solid idea," Jecht grumbled."You tried to counter its breath attack with a sprig of mint.""You what?" Rikku blurted."...It might have worked if it'd landed in that thing's mouth like I planned," Jecht complained, flushing. " 'Sides! Wasn't like you were doin' any better, B! You kept tryin' to clobber me with your staff after it spit at ya!"Auron was looking between the two of them, as though he couldn't decide who to lay into first. "You both should know better than to take unnecessary risks!""I quite enjoyed myself today," Braska said valiantly, and Rikku had to give him credit for sticking to his end of the deal. If she hadn't known better, she might have actually believed Braska wasn't lying through his teeth.As it was, he was wearing a belt that depicted a crude Chocobo squatting over a roundish-shaped holy symbol on his belt with great aplomb."It was invigorating," Braska finished.Jecht was having none of it. "Really? You feel that way before or after the Chimera Brain knocked you out with the flamin' meteor?""What!" Auron yelled. "Jecht! What were you doing?""Dodgin'?" Jecht answered incorrectly, and yelped when Auron smacked him on the back of the head.Braska's smile tightened. "I appreciated the learning experience. And I will duck next time..." He peered at Jecht. "... behind you. We are going hunting again together tomorrow, whether you find the endeavor agreeable or not."Jecht met his stare, before swinging around to face Rikku. "A learnin' experience about how not to make bets with Blondie, right?" He glared. "Thanks for draggin' me into this, man."Rikku inspected her fingernails. "I'm not the one who lost the bet.""Technically, neither am I," Braska added. "I hope you'll forgive me for placing too much faith in your battle prowess, Jecht. You might even be able to say… you brought this upon yourself. By not training enough, perhaps.""Pull your own weight then, B!" Jecht growled back.Auron cut them off. "You two are ridiculous. There is a reason I've told you not to gamble, my lord," he said to Braska, earning an annoyed tongue click. "Forget about the wager. From here on we hunt, travel, and camp together. As a team.""Aww!" Rikku complained, but silenced herself when Auron gave her a quelling look."Serves you right," crowed Jecht. He froze mid-fistpump when Auron's glare landed on him."And you," Auron continued. "A visit to the Monster Arena would not be a punishment. You need to learn to control that sword. Visiting Trema is an excellent idea, if he's really here," he said. "The Arena was traditionally used to prepare warriors for battle against Sin. Your opponents would be powerful fiends, but in controlled conditions.""Yeah," she agreed. "You guys could train safely without holding anything back.""You guys? Ya say that like you wouldn't be comin' with us," Jecht said suspiciously."I wouldn't," she replied, decision made. I'm gonna avoid Trema if I can, even if he is still 'sane.'"Wait, what?"Ignoring Auron's surprise, she pressed on. "I've done my time at the Arena, thank you very much! Besides, I've got something more important to do here.""What is more important than accompanying Braska on his Pilgrimage?" Auron asked, incredulous.She couldn't meet Auron's eye. He's not gonna like this. Casting around for any excuse to delay the inevitable, she latched onto the first thought she had. "Well, finding a way into Remiem Temple, for one."Braska blinked. "I thought you knew where it was?"Nodding, Rikku picked at her boot laces. "Well… kinda. In my day, it was pretty accessible. You needed a Chocobo to get there, though, and I haven't seen one around here in ages. Not even wild ones!""Chocobos would be devoured by the fiends here more quickly than they could breed a sustainable population," Auron said. "... The same fate that could await you, if you tried to venture through the Calm Lands alone. I know you have confidence in your skills, but who is to say you wouldn't benefit from training at the Arena again with us as well?""Look, I can handle myself!""So you say," Auron murmured. "But this is about teamwork. There's always room for improvement.""That's right! You don't get to slack off after what you put me through today, Blondie!""It's not exactly like I did nothing, either!" she huffed, gesturing at shelter they'd found along the cliffside. "If I hadn't been looking, we'd be camping out in the open right now. Do you really wanna do that now that you've seen for yourselves what's hiding in the grass?""It truly was fortunate that you managed to find this… den," Braska said placatingly. "I would have thought you too preoccupied with other matters to search. How did you come across it?"Rikku scratched the side of her cheek. "Well, it's funny, see…"Braska's efforts to undo the stitching on his belt slowed, and he looked up."…This is where they host the dog races in the future."Auron chuckled as Braska spluttered."Well, it'd be silly to let all this good space go to waste," she explained quickly. "They built the holding pens here. It's good shelter from the wind, and with that cliff right above us, you can have extra seats on top with a view of the entire course from above.""We landed in the doghouse, ya mean," Jecht yawned and closed his eyes, leaning back into his bedroll and scratching an armpit."I can't think of a more appropriate place to kennel you, really," Auron deadpanned."Grateful as I am for the effort, must you really trample over all of Yevon's sacred beliefs?" Braska mumbled as he returned to restoring his defaced belt with renewed vigor."I was being thoughtful!" she protested."I am sure," Braska said, annoyed.Her mood darkened. "You could be thoughtful too, you know," she muttered. "Like, ever think about calling this whole Pilgrimage off?""Rikku," Auron warned.Braska held up a hand. "To be honest, yes. I did, once." He gave her a meaningful look. "It was a poor decision, as I believe you and Auron agreed."Rikku dropped her face into her palms and groaned."And just when we were havin' such a nice time," Jecht called out, arms behind his head. He cracked one lazy eye open. "The hell is wrong with you people? We're already here now. Stop worryin' about the future so damn much. I'm too tired for another fight. Let's save all the plannin' for tomorrow, alright?""I hate you all for forcing me to agree with Jecht," Auron added, taking up his position for the first watch. "Lord Braska. Rikku. Drop the subject."Easier said than done, she thought, but kept her mouth shut. Braska said nothing, plucking furiously at his belt with a deep frown etched across his face.The ensuing tense silence, broken only by the sounds of the popping fire, wasn't much better than the budding argument. After a few moments, Jecht swore and sat up, rubbing his head. "Well, sleep sure as hell ain't happening now, so why don'tcha tell me 'bout them games they have here in the future."Rikku crossed her arms. "I thought you didn't want to worry about the future.""You put us up in dog pens and then started barkin' at B about his shitty life choices when he complained, Blondie. C'mon, stop bein' a bitch and throw us a bone here."Auron twitched, and even Braska's grimace turned pained."Ugh, fine, just stop with the puns," she said. Maybe it was a little wrong of her to needle Braska about his beliefs so much – whether with her words or his altered clothing – at least, in this place. "There were two agencies competing for business, so it was pretty lively. There were marketing campaigns all across Spira! Argent was led by a bunch of older people, while Open Air was run by kids younger than me – some former crusaders and Al Bhed working together. I put my weight behind Open Air, obviously," she added, "but Argent won and took over the entire industry.""What? You didn't manage to get your way?" Auron cut in from where he was leaning against a stone pillar at the edge of camp. "I've always found you to be unstoppable when you have a goal in mind."She flushed in pleasure. Jecht made gagging sounds."Well… it wasn't my decision in the end," she said. "Yunie wanted to give the older people something to look forward to, to help them embrace the changes going on. Open Air thought up most of the games, but they were still just a bunch of teenagers. She figured it'd be easier for them to start over if they lost, not like the people working for Argent."Braska's hands stilled on his belt."When Yunie asks, it's hard to say no." She smiled half-heartedly. "And, sure, I liked Open Air better, but I guess I understood." More of her bad mood dissipated as nostalgia took its place. "The Al Bhed… we're used to starting from scratch, and the crusaders have always been pretty open-minded. But the Yevonites… they're kinda set in their ways." She shrugged. "Everyone deserves a chance to be happy, and even Argent's stodgy old handlers made things better than the way this place is right now."She thought back on all of the times she'd spent with Yuna and Paine here – especially Paine's mad scramble to get away from Argent's hapless heir once she realized he was going to ask her to marry him. That had done more to ease the sting of losing than any of Yuna's heartfelt explanations about the people, really. Those times were fun.She came out of her musings to the stares of the other men. "What? You asked.""Yunie?" Auron said slowly, looking between her and Braska. "As in Yuna? Braska's daughter, Yuna?"Rikku's throat closed."Whoa," Jecht said, blinking. "This story just turned trippy. So you and Yuna are like, what? Best buds in the future or somethin' ?""No, no, wait! You got it all wrong!" she said, waving her hands frantically. "It's not the same Yuna – ""Rikku," Braska interrupted. "It's… fine." He turned to the others. "She told me before. Although..."She gulped; she'd never really talked about her relationship with Yuna to Braska, and she didn't want to start doing so now.His tone sharpened. "You never did mention why Yuna might have need of a Celestial Weapon.""You know?" Rikku blurted, then clapped her hands over her mouth. Damn that man and his ability to suss her out! Okay, so maybe he's still a little mad at me."It wasn't difficult to extrapolate," Braska chided her. "The forest spirits could see into the future. Your future. Bayra's own words were that I was familiar to them, but not yet the chosen avatar." He smiled faintly. "I must admit to feeling very proud of my daughter, but… why her? What did you two face that required such strength? Was she also a Guardian in your time?"Rikku could feel Braska's suspicion sharpening, and glanced over at Auron, who was watching her, stone-faced.Sorry, Auron, she thought with a twinge of guilt. "Ok, I'll tell you a little, if you promise not to push. There are some things I just won't say. It'd make things… complicated."Braska's face lit up, but Rikku couldn't ignore Auron turning away from her. "Auron, c'mon. I know you don't think I should say anything, but this is important. Braska has the right to ask about his own daughter."Auron snorted. "Do what you want," he told her, his disappointment almost tangible.She questioned her judgement for a brief moment, before shrugging off his concerns. I've already made my decision. Sorry, Auron.Rifling through her memories for a safe story, she settled on their second-to-last mission as Gullwings – last, if she didn't count the grueling reunion Paine organized at Iutycyr Tower. "So," she began, licking her lips. "You guys never heard of Vegnagun before, right?"As soon as she mentioned the name, her belt flared to life. Everyone started, and surprised, she looked down.No; it wasn't her belt, it was Lenne.The sphere pulsed erratically before fading, and Rikku sighed. "I guess this is actually Lenne's story, to be honest.""She's an Unsent, right?" Jecht asked. " 'Cept with no body, 'cause she's livin' in that sphere?""Yes," Braska mused. "I thought I felt something different about that sphere. Another consciousness. It was almost as though she recognized me.""Not you," Rikku explained. "Yunie. I found Lenne's sphere, but I didn't know what it was then, so I gave it to Yuna. And then Lenne, she… well, she kinda…" There was no polite way to say it, she figured. "She possessed Yuna.""What?" Braska yelled, leaping to his feet. "My daughter was possessed by an Unsent?""It wasn't that bad! Calm down!" Rikku waved Braska back to his seat. "Only temporarily. All Lenne did was make her dance and sing a few times. And only because she wanted to warn us of a new threat to the world. One as big as Sin.""How many deathtraps does this place have?" Jecht asked in disbelief. "What can be worse than a flyin' man-eatin' super-whale fiend?""... the machina the people from Lenne's time built to defeat it. It went out of control and started destroying everything in sight." She cupped the Songstress sphere, which was radiating warmth. "Lenne died trying to keep Vegnagun – that's what they called it – from being used, and her boyfriend, Shuyin, was beyond mad about it. He was so angry he came back from the dead as an Unsent and went around possessing people, too. His spirit got sealed in a cave, but a thousand years later he broke out and tried to start a new war. He didn't realize that Lenne's soul was still here, trapped in this sphere. So, when we found her, Lenne asked Yunie and the rest of us to help her stop him."Rikku fidgeted nervously, realizing she had everyone's attention. "... and, uh… we said okay, sure thing. It took over a year of Yunie, me, and our friend, Paine, running all over Spira before we managed to find Shuyin and Vegnagun, but… we did in the end, and then we killed it and sent Shuyin to the Farplane for good." She smiled sheepishly. "Y-R-P to the rescue! That was it, really."The others' rapt attention faded into grimaces of annoyance."You suck at tellin' stories, Blondie," Jecht complained. "Where's the buildup? The drama? You can't save the world with Braska's little girl and leave us hanging on the details like that!" He paused. "And what the hell kind of a team name is Yerp? Disappointin', man.""We called ourselves the Gullwings, dumbo!" Rikku seethed."Rikku's description was brief and to the point. We shouldn't press her for more," Auron argued, despite the dissatisfaction plain on his face as well. "But, there's one thing I don't understand. If Lenne's job is done, why is she still here?" His eyes dropped to the sphere in her hands. "Unsent are said to be tied to this world by an obsessive desire to accomplish a goal they failed to achieve in life. Why would Lenne's spirit still haunt that sphere after you defeated her enemy? Why was she still here in the first place?"It was the same question Yunie had, and one of the main reasons she'd been eager to pass the Songstress sphere onto someone else. After all Lenne had done for them, it didn't seem right to try and Send her, or break the sphere – something Rikku was pretty sure would kill Lenne for good, no matter what she was. But her presence was still unsettling and her motives unclear, even if the spirit had been an asset so far."I don't know," Rikku answered reluctantly. "But I can tell you that she's always helped me out, even here. I think she means well.""The undead breed malice in their souls," Auron countered. "Especially if left to their own devices for too long. People fear them for good reason – it's inevitable that they'll develop a deep resentment of the living. You can't control that power, Rikku. That thing possessed you at the Moonflow, didn't it?" He trailed off, but his thoughts on Lenne were clear – he wanted the spirit gone.Was that the real reason why Auron left? He didn't want to stick around and see what he'd turn into? But, what about Maechen, or Belgemine? They'd left willingly after Yuna had fulfilled their desires.No. Not all Unsent are evil. You weren't bad. Her eyes narrowed at Auron. And with Lenne's help, maybe you'll never be Unsent, either."She's not evil and we're not gonna Send her anywhere," Rikku said stubbornly, trying to ignore the doubt Auron's words had raised.In the end, Lenne had tricked Shuyin into leaving by promising to go to the Farplane with him. And while there was no question that Shuyin himself was a gigantic raging ball of hate while he haunted the living world, the way Lenne had betrayed him still left her cold."I'm with Rikku here," Jecht said. "Sure, the dead chick is creepy, but she gets things done, yanno? Maybe that's a good thing. Havin' someone on the team who ain't afraid to break a few eggs to make the omelette.""Just wait until you're the egg," Auron ground out. "I wonder how you'd feel then."Jecht only smirked. "Been there, done that. We worked out our differences a while ago."Rikku cut in before Auron could question him. "Look, Lenne was a summoner, just like Braska. Maybe that's why she's so good at reaching out to us from the sphere. She's been trying to beat Sin for a thousand years! Maybe that's her focus. Shutting her out just because of our superstitions would be as bad as what the Church does! If Lenne wants to offer us her power, then I'll accept that risk.""I do not like the idea much, but… she has proven to be a valuable aid to Rikku in the past, has she not? We will let her stay for now… and remain vigilant, for if she slips."Auron's shoulders dropped in defeat. "Yes, my lord."She chose not to point out that it wasn't their decision to do anything to Lenne. Her ghostly companion seemed to have a will of her own, and no qualms about imposing it on whomever happened to pick up her sphere. Better to keep her close than throw her away. Who knows what trouble Lenne might get up to on her own?Braska turned back to Rikku. "But, now that you've told us of the threat this Vegnagun poses… perhaps we can do something to neutralize it? Now, before Yuna will be forced to face it?"Rikku smiled faintly. This was what Auron was really worried about, wasn't it? The human desire to meddle. And that changing the future might destroy me. "Yunie can protect herself, Braska," she answered. "Besides, she'll have friends to help her out. She's good at that – making friends, I mean. It's not all that hard to save the world when you have your best friends supporting you." She beamed at the three men, bouncing in place. "Am I right or what?""Hnn," Auron said. Despite his attitude, even he was placing his fragile hope for Braska's Pilgrimage on her theory being right. "I suppose you may be, this once.""Yo, I got a question for ya," Jecht said. "How'd you find Lenne's sphere in the first place? Just got lucky?""Not luck, skill," Rikku said with a note of pride. "The Gullwings were a sphere hunting crew. That was our job, to find and collect spheres.""Sphere hunting? That is what Yuna chose to do in the end?"Rikku nodded at Braska; this was safer ground. "She wanted to help Spira preserve its past, its history. Sin destroyed so much of it. You were a part of that effort for her, you know? She didn't want any of the High Summoners to be forgotten. Collecting spheres filled with other peoples' memories was the way we thought we could do that.""I've always wondered why you were so fixated on spheres," Braska murmured with a note of admiration. "And here I thought it was because of your special belt. I hadn't realized your cause was so noble."At this, Rikku reddened. Maybe not such safe ground after all. "Well, uh, about that…"Auron groaned. "Spit it out.""... I wasn't lying when I said sphere grid technology was widespread where I come from. I mean it's not now, but it happens eventually. That's why sphere hunting is such a lucrative job. People want more than just the memories, they want the power, too. But spheres are pretty hard to find. The ones you make on your own aren't as good as the old ones that have been around for a while." And with Macalania Forest dying, new spheres are a limited resource anyway."Nobility tempered by pragmatism. Why am I not surprised?" Auron turned a critical eye onto her belt. "That invention sounds like a worse idea the more I understand it. Human nature is driven by greed and self-interest. If they're widespread in your future, then it won't be long before people attempt to harness that technology for warfare.""We don't use them to fight each other!" Rikku protested, then bit her tongue. Fighting other humans was actually the first thing Leblanc did after she got her mitts on one. Copying the tech and selling lower quality grids en masse had been the second thing she'd done. But even Leblanc came around in the end, right?Auron shook his head. "Granting overwhelming power to the undisciplined will almost always lead to irresponsible usage and needless violence. Who invented this device anyway? How could anyone think spreading it to the population at large would be a good idea?"Though it wasn't aimed at her, she still shrunk a little. It wasn't like he was exactly wrong, but – "... the Gullwings invented these," she mumbled. At Auron's widening eyes, she shook her head, braids flying. "No-no-no, not me! I'm good, but I'm not that good! My friend Shinra invented them. He's the genius behind the original grid technology. But he never meant for it to get out the way it did! It was stolen from us, and by the time we got it back, well… mass-produced grids had already hit the market and it was too late. Sphere hunting got pretty cutthroat after that.""Sounds like trouble in the makin' if you ask me," Jecht observed. "I gotta say, your future ain't lookin' so bright." He looked around. "Well, 'cept for them games, that is."Rikku thought of Sin and Vegnagun. "The future's what we make of it. And I liked mine, even with all the sphere grids floating around," she added wistfully."Thank you for sharing that with us," Braska told her, before she could begin any more trips down memory lane. "I understand being so open does not come naturally for you, but we all appreciate your candor."Blinking, she returned his smile. It seemed revealing a little more about herself to the others had smoothed over their minor spat, and she felt herself relaxing. "And… sorry about your clothes, I guess. I mean, I like them better now, but I didn't mean to tick you off that much, you know?" Digging through her pouch, she handed Braska her tooling knife, which he accepted with a nod."So," Braska began as he resumed picking at his belt, "Now that cooler heads are prevailing, we really should discuss where we are to go from here. Rikku, I know you value your independence, but Auron is correct. It isn't safe to travel these lands alone."Stalking closer to the fire, Auron still wasn't looking her in the eye, but he seemed mollified by her reconciliation with Braska. "We'll visit the Arena together first. Perhaps we'll find a solution to breaching Remiem without Chocobos during that time.""I'm not going with you," she insisted, and the line of tension returned to Auron's shoulders.
And we were doing so well…
There was no getting around it. Swallowing, she faced him. "I didn't say I'd be leaving on my own."Auron sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. "Despite the events of today, I suppose Braska and Jecht would be fine by themselves, thought what you expect us to accomplish – ""I didn't mean I'd be leaving with you, either."There was a beat of silence, broken abruptly when Braska cursed, the knife slicing into his hand."... uh, Blondie? You ain't makin' no sense here. You mean you're thinkin' of sending me an' Auron to the Arena and runnin' off with Braska?" He squinted at her. "You got a deathwish or somethin'?""It's not a deathwish!" she huffed.Jecht looked up at Auron's thunderous face. "Well, besides the fact that the Stiff is ready to kill ya, you gotta realize you and B are the worst fighters on the team. The monsters here are gonna cream you without us."Rikku and Braska scoffed at the same time, then shared a look."Creepy," Jecht muttered.Sitting down with a thump next to her, Auron glared. "Explain yourself.""This wasn't my idea," Braska protested, stopping to cast a healing spell over his sliced palm."Not you. And shut up," Auron ground out without looking away from her. "Jecht has a valid point. You can't keep the Samurai sphere active for your entire time here, and you can't travel if Braska is in Rapture." He tried to modify the severity of his tone, with limited success. "I don't understand.""It's not because of any of you." Sighing, she scuffed her boot into the ground. "Look. It's just… it's Trema, okay? I mean, I know him. The future him."The displeasure on Auron's face eased into confusion. "Why? Is there something wrong with him?"She was almost quick enough to stifle the hysterical laugh, but not quite. What's right with him?Auron leaned back, and even Braska was paying attention now."We had a… little falling out," she said. "I know it hasn't happened yet, but… he's not the man you all think he is. He's not a good person. Not really."The crackling of the fire filled the silence."Can we trust him?" Auron asked slowly."For now. He won't let Jecht get hurt, I don't think. But I don't wanna take any chances. That's why you have to go, too.""Whoa whoa whoa! You think this Trema guy's gonna try somethin'?" Jecht sat up, looking worried."I hope not, but if he does, you both have to promise to run, not fight." She grabbed onto Auron's arm, gripping it tightly. "He's not as good as they say. He's better.""Better than me?" Auron asked, serious. He exhaled heavily when she nodded. "So you don't trust him around Braska either, then.""Well, it's not that. I'm sure Trema would protect any summoner who fought in the Arena. You guys might actually be safer with him there. It's just that Braska needs to prepare for the visit to Remiem, too.""You mean my duel with Lady Belgemine," Braska cut in. "But wouldn't that be best accomplished at this Arena, then? I could train my aeons to fight more efficiently there, alongside the rest of you.""It's not about training. It's about Yojimbo." At their blank looks, she sighed. "Belgemine's secret aeon. His Fayth stone is hidden near the Arena, too. Sorry, but you need to be there," she told him. "You can't beat her without that aeon, and I'm the only one who can take you to find it. Besides, we're going to have to backtrack across the entire length of the plains once you've gotten him anyway, since Remiem's in the opposite direction."Jecht let out a low groan at that. "My feet are hurtin' already.""I still don't see why we can't all do this together," Auron said. "It would be worth delaying the Pilgrimage for your safety. We've all battled Sin enough to know we'll need every advantage we can get. Or we can just avoid the Arena altogether, if you feel so strongly about Trema.""No, we can't. Trema… he's kind of working with Belgemine," she said slowly. "You know that scepter she gave Braska? It really is a key… well, half of a key, and Trema's got the other half."Auron slumped over. "Let me guess. It's the key to Remiem Temple."She nodded. "If you can prove to Trema that you've got the will to fight Sin, he'll let you have the other half of the key. He's even tougher than Belgemine, though. She only tests the summoners. He tests the Guardians.""So you mean we ain't just fightin' to train, then," Jecht said. "This is gonna be a real battle for Braska's sake.""Listen, I know I'm not a close combat specialist like you guys," she told them. "But if we want Braska to have a chance against Sin, he needs us. I can't help you guys out in the Arena, but I can help Braska find his next aeon. I have to do this.""I still don't like it," Auron replied. "It's too dangerous out there. You and Braska are both masters of support magics, not direct attacks. Even with his Holy spell and your Samurai sphere, you'll be hard-pressed to defend yourselves against the fiends here.""You might be surprised. We managed to get by somehow on Baaj," Braska said quietly. He'd resumed picking away at his belt.Silence descended once more. Finally, Auron let out a low breath."I wish there was some way to keep you safe," he said."Well, hang on a minute. We still got other options, yanno," Jecht cut in. An evil grin bloomed on his lips. "What if Blondie here had another costume to choose from?""What other costume?" Auron glanced at Rikku's belt with a frown. "She has four outfits, and only one of them is made for actual combat.""Yeah, yours. See, she's got one of her, one of you, one of Lenne, an' one of me.""Your point?""My point is that somebody's missin'," Jecht finished, crossing his arms and looking smug.Everyone's stare landed on Braska, who froze. "Eh?"Rikku choked. "How is making a dressphere based off of Braska supposed to help us in combat?" She ignored Braska's hiss of annoyance and squinted at Jecht. "You're not actually trying to help us out here, are you? You just wanna see what I'd turn Braska's personality into!""I have to agree. While it may be entertaining to see just what exactly Rikku would create…"Braska's hiss turned into an indignant squawk."...I don't see how adding another white mage to the party would help them survive the Calm Lands without us.""But, you know you wanna see it," Jecht sing-songed, still looking smug. "C'mon, everyone but Braska's had to put up with it at some point. Don't you think he should get a turn?""Put up with it?" Rikku huffed. "They're your own personalities, you know!""Hnn," Auron said blandly, poker face straight.Clearing his throat, Braska shook out his belt. "Well, this has all been very enlightening, but I'm afraid we can't test your theory, Jecht. Rikku would need to have made a decent recording of me before she could test it as a dressphere, and that just hasn't happened – "The words seemed to die in his throat, and Rikku avoided his sudden gaze with a guilty look."You didn't.""Didn't what?" Auron asked, eyebrows rising. "Wait, you have a sphere recording of him?""You should have destroyed it!" Braska spluttered."Well, I couldn't exactly throw it away!" Rikku stage-whispered at him. "It sounded like your last will and testament!""Ha! See? What'd I tell ya? She's got one!" Jecht leaned forward. "You have to do it now! Fair's fair!""Absolutely not!" Braska shouted, looking alarmed."Not on your life," Rikku said at the same time.Auron and Jecht traded a knowing glance. "Grab her!" Jecht yelled as he leapt for Braska, tackling the other man."What– AURON!" Rikku screamed as he grappled with her, trapping her arms behind her back with one hand and rooting around her hip pack with the other. "This is betrayal! You're gonna regret this! You'll be sleeping alone if you do it!" she screeched, struggling to wriggle free of his tight grasp."I'd be sleeping alone if you left us at the Arena anyway," Auron countered. He pulled her pouch of assorted of spheres free and held them up. "Jecht! I have them!"Rikku heard a muffled cry of indignation from Braska as Jecht's head popped up. "Great! Can you tell which one is his?" He grunted as Braska redoubled his efforts to escape from Jecht's full-body pin."Not really," Auron mused, doing his best to hold her back while sorting through her spheres. "We'll have to watch them all to find it.""Wait!" Rikku yelled, abruptly stopping her efforts to claw off Auron's shoulder guard. If Auron watches that sphere, we're all dead! "I'll cooperate, just let me go!"Smirking, Auron released her. "I'm glad you've come to see reason," he said amicably, holding out the bag of spheres. "But," and he lifted the bag away as she tried to snatch it, "No tricks. If Jecht and I had to go through this, so does Braska."Grabbing the bag out of Auron's hands, she sulked and quickly found the sphere she'd modified in Baaj. Rolling it between her fingers, she made one last attempt to wriggle out of her predicament. "But you know, you said it – it's not like we need another white mage, right? What good will showing it do, besides embarrassing Braska?""That's good enough for me," Jecht said with a grin, helping a sullen Braska regain his seat by the fire. "Remember what I had to go through when you put on mine?""But that was you! Auron?" she tried one last time."Turnabout is fair play," he responded."Fine," Braska grumbled, doing his best to brush his robes out. "Do your worst. It's not as if the rest of you could humiliate me any more than you have already.""Aww, c'mon, you know it won't be that bad," Jecht said as Auron joined them. "You're the most borin' square I ever met, B. No offense." The three of them watched her expectantly. "Well? We're waitin'," he added.Rolling her eyes, Rikku removed one of her dresspheres and carefully slotted Braska's sphere into her grid in its place. "If this breaks my belt, I'm blaming all of you," she told them. Then, taking a deep breath, she activated the node.A familiar cone of light surrounded her, and she felt the same sluggish resistance she'd first experienced when activating Jecht's sphere. The light wavered, and she struggled not to fight the energy that surged through her, to open her mind and accept the thoughts whispering through the recording on the sphere. She realized too late that it was a mistake.I want, Braska's voice whispered to her. Hunger suddenly filled her; lust, of course, but more than just that – a crazed desire for everything she wasn't, everything she couldn't have. It felt like every part of her that could tell her to stop, wait, let's think about this was falling away into a self-destructive blaze of greed. I'm tired of being weak, she thought fiercely, licking her lips. If good girls finish last, then I'll do whatever it takes to win.Stretching, she let the change finish and smiled provocatively across the fire at the three gaping men."B?" Jecht said faintly. "That don't look like no white mage to me.""We need to talk," Auron growled to Braska, although his eyes remained glued on her.Braska swallowed audibly."Whatever's the matter?" Rikku purred, stepping towards them. "You don't mind if I go a little wild, do you?" She pushed herself up into Auron's personal space, straddling his legs, and placed her claws on his shoulders. "Wanna try me out?"Auron's throat bobbed. He managed to tear his eyes away from her skimpy white bikini top, though his hands grasped her tattooed thighs.She growled in disappointment, however, when he only pushed her away. I'm not letting you off the hook that easily, loverboy."What are you wearing?" he asked, confused."Next to nothin'," Jecht helpfully supplied."And is that… a horn?" Auron added, staring at her head."So, you noticed I'm a little horny, huh?" she teased. "Give the man a prize. For your information, this is my Berserker costume." A coy smile lifted her lips. "You know us berserkers. I hear we're really good at pounding things."Braska groaned in dismay; his head was between his knees. "Just kill me now and get it over with.""Oh no," Jecht said, slapping Braska on the back, his eyes still glued on her. "If I had to live through it, so do you, buddy."Rising to his feet, Auron whipped off his coat and threw it around her. "Take off that costume. We've seen enough.""Excuse you?" Rikku stepped back, yanking off his coat and throwing it back in his face. "You haven't seen anything yet! You want me to take this off?" She smirked suggestively. "Then make me." Lifting a clawed finger, she beckoned to Auron as she sashayed backwards, away from the firepit.Growling, Auron threw down the coat and stepped towards her. "I have no idea what Braska put on that sphere, but it doesn't suit you. Deactivate that outfit right now, or I'll do it for you.""Ooh, now that's a promise I hope you'll keep," she purred, waiting for him to approach. Just a little closer, sexy. Right there – "Gotcha," she said, and he stopped, frowning.Flipping backwards, she clipped Auron on the chin with her clawed foot. He went spinning, landing with a crash between a very surprised Jecht and Braska. Springing to her feet, she fell into a battle crouch, weaving back and forth and grinning madly."I told you to try me out," she sang. "Now now. Come on, it's not like I bite. Unless you want me to," she added, lifting her arms into a loose boxer stance.Auron stood slowly, rubbing his jaw. "You want to fight me?""Well, what did you think I wanted?" she asked, batting her lashes. "Now, are you going to come over here and show me what a big, strong man you are, or do I have to tease it out of you myself?"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rubbing his jaw, Auron straightened and faced Rikku. "I'm not fighting you."Posing provocatively, she blew him a kiss. "I thought you wanted me out of this outfit, mister.""Not like this.""You didn't go flyin' like that when I punched you in the face, man," Jecht wondered. "How'd she get so strong?""I'm sorry," Braska whispered. "I had no idea this would happen. I suppose I desired strength more than I realized."Rikku licked her knuckles, then smiled."Yeah. Strength. That's what you call that, huh?" Jecht muttered. Pushing a fuming Auron behind him, he raised his voice. "Blondie! I'll fight ya if you want. Don't take it out on the Stiff. Can't blame him for not wantin' to hit his girl, yanno?"Oh, no you don't, hero. I've got some lessons to teach! "Get lost, Jecht!" she shouted. Glaring, she pointed one clawed finger at Auron. "I don't want to fight anyone but him.""I think that means she wants to kick your ass before she rides it," Jecht said to Auron.Braska choked."Bad luck," Auron replied sourly, reaching for his coat.She somersaulted forward, whipping it out of his hands with her foot. "No, I mean it," she growled, crouching. "This isn't just because of Braska's sphere. Or your very fine ass," she added with a toothy smile. "You wanted to know if I could keep him safe, right? Now's your chance to find out."Jaw working, Auron eyed her. Finally, he spat and grabbed his sword. "Fine. But you have to take that abomination off afterwards.""We'll see how much you want me to after I beat you," she purred, dropping into her fighting stance."Hey, you sure you wanna do this?" Jecht asked as Auron shoved past him, brandishing his weapon."She asked for it," he replied. Then, he pointed his sword at her. "I won't hold back.""Good," she smirked.The smirk dropped when he lunged without preamble, wielding his sword like a club."Whoa!" she yelled, tumbling out of reach of the heavy sword. It slammed into the ground; he'd flipped it to the blunt side. "Thought you said you wouldn't hold back," she sneered, righting herself and rocking back and forth in a wide ginga.Auron stepped into a guard, sword up and eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to prove?""That I'm good enough," she snarled, launching into a diagonal cartwheel. Auron skipped out of the reach of her kick, but as she came to a stand she grabbed his sword arm and yanked him forward.Caught off guard by the force of her tug – she knew she was stronger than even Auron now – he went flying forward, directly into the path of the straight punch she threw at his face. She hissed as her knuckles only grazed the side of his cheek; he'd somehow managed to twist his head out of the way despite her hold on his forearm.Unfortunately, the missed punch left her completely exposed, and taking a page out of Jecht's technique, Auron brought his knee up into her abdomen. She wheezed and fell over, but caught herself on both arms before she could completely collapse. Turning her save into a handstand, she spread her legs in a split, twisting violently into a helicopter kick which forced him to scramble away from her.Jecht whistled. "She's good!""She's flexible." Braska sounded distracted; whether with fascination or mortification at her behavior, she didn't have time to spare a guess.Auron, to her disappointment, wasn't nearly as stunned by her newfound talents. He brought his sword before him and rushed her, still trying to use the weapon like a battering ram.
Hmph, I'll make you take me seriously!
Rather than dodging, she stepped up and crossed her arms to meet the strike. It hurt; he was still strong.Just not strong enough.Gritting her teeth, she stopped his downward momentum. His eyes widened – now he's getting it – and she threw her arms open, pushing him back. He staggered. She flipped into another handstand, then scissored her legs around him and threw him to the ground. Pushing up straight through her arms, she launched her knee at Auron's face, stopping a hair's breadth before his nose.His eyes darted from her knee to her face. She grinned, holding herself still while delicately balanced, before twisting away."Do you think we could convince her to fight all of us?" Braska asked."Keep it in yer pants, B!"Auron rolled to his feet, regarding her warily. Blood pounding in her ears, Rikku stared back. His eyes were chips of onyx in the weak light of the fire and his chest rose and fell unevenly.Not so unaffected as you'd claim, Iceman? Triumphant, she sunk into her battle crouch and began to rock back and forth again. "Bring it," she said huskily as the excitement of the fight coursed through her veins. It was different from the times they'd seduced each other in bed – this time, it was dangerous. She made a throaty noise of satisfaction when he brought his sword up, finally in a proper stance.Auron lashed out, a low strike aimed at her legs. She leapt into the air, twisting into a handless cartwheel that sent both feet perilously close to his face once more. They both missed, but she completed her rotation when she hit the ground, sweeping his feet from under him.You need to stay on your feet to fight, she thought as he sprung back up. Dancing away from his next swing, she laughed. My style is formless. I'll break your roots and devour you with chaos!He tried to use his sword's reach to hit her, but she ducked under his forward thrust. Balancing on one hand, she swiftly lifted her legs and kicked, narrowly avoiding his sword to connect with his chin.She spun into cartwheel; he caught her left leg on the upswing, trapping her in place, but she leaned back, used his own hand as a springboard, and smashed her free foot into his neck.He grunted as he stumbled backwards, releasing her."Satisfied yet?" she asked, rolling back into a standing position."Not even close," he muttered thickly, wiping his lip. A smear of blood painted his chin and Rikku's heartbeat quickened as she sucked in air. Yevon, I want him so bad.She launched herself at Auron, twisting low and raising her thigh into a powerful blow aimed at his torso. Smiling wickedly, she changed her momentum at the last minute to avoid his block, and smashed her balled fist into his exposed sword arm instead with all of her strength.He dropped the heavy sword with a pained shout; she scooped it up and clubbed him with it. "Payback's a bitch," she panted as he dropped like a stone.Pushing himself to his elbows, Auron looked up at her through his mussed hair. "You…" He sprung to his feet and tackled her, wrapping his arms around her.She snarled, managing to keep on her feet as she struggled to break free. "That's more like it!"They scuffled against one another, all grace and fluidity gone from the fight. Finally tearing away, she leaned back and slid her leg behind his. As she swept his feet out from under him, she threw her elbow into his chest, slamming him backwards into the ground.Spinning, she straddled him, trapping his wrists beneath her clawed hands. "Guess what?" she panted, baring her teeth. "You win." Leaning forward, she pressed her hungry mouth against his, flicking her tongue out to lap away his blood.Auron made a low sound in the back of this throat, straining against her hold as he returned her kiss with a searing one of his own."Uh… guys?"Rikku tried to ignore Jecht's voice, grinding against Auron and relishing in the muffled groan she pulled from him."Hey, come on now!" Jecht sounded angrier. "Once a day is enough! You ain't sendin' me back out there in the middle of the night just 'cause you got some fight fetish thing goin' on!"Pulling away to flash a dangerous glare at Jecht – and Braska, who remained suspiciously silent and attentive – she growled. "If you know what's good for you, you guys'll make yourselves scarce."Beneath her, Auron managed to free his arms. "Take off those clothes," he gasped."I was waiting for you to say that," she agreed, grinning down at him. Then she yelped in surprise as his hands found her waist – and deactivated her dressphere.The burst of light faded, freezing Rikku in place as her sanity returned.Hoo boy. Her face immediately started burning and she stared at Auron, too embarrassed to look at the others. "Umm..." She broke the sudden silence, acutely aware of just how much their tussle had affected him. "Sorry?"Auron's head fell back against the ground and he shut his eyes. "Just… don't move yet," he muttered, breathing deeply. "I swear to Yevon, you're going to be the death of me."Despite their position, and the fact that it really was all her fault, Rikku couldn't contain a tiny snigger. "It would've been a nice little death, though," she whispered.Chuckling, Auron sat up, gently sliding her off. "I'm sorry I hit you," he said. "You did ask for it, though.""Yeah, I know. I'm sorry, too," she added, gesturing at his jaw before straightening her clothes self-consciously. "Lemmie get you a potion for that," she added, catching sight of the bruises starting to swell on Auron's face."I could heal you both," Braska called from across the fire; at some point during the awkward silence, Jecht had apparently herded him away."No!" Rikku and Auron shouted in tandem. Then they looked at each other and laughed, easing some of the tension still sparking between them."I think we've all had enough stimulation for today," she said, pushing to her feet and stumbling towards her pack."I'll say," Jecht muttered. He was seated next to Braska, scribbling furiously in a glittery pink notebook."What's that?" she asked as she searched for a few healing potions."Therapy." Jecht buried his head into his book.Well, I can't blame him. Grabbing the discarded red coat and some potions, she returned to Auron's side.They drank the liquid, and the cooling tickle of magic danced down her throat, spreading out to her bruises and numbing their sharp pain to a dull throb. She rolled the vial in her palms and asked, "You okay?""I don't know yet," Auron said, smoothing out his hair. He glanced at her sidelong, and though he looked away quickly, she caught the expression flickering through his eyes.Her post-battle lassitude faded abruptly, turning into an icy chill as the enormity of her actions hit her. I used one of Braska's most intimate, honest, weakest moments as a costume. I wore his feelings for everyone to see, and Auron got it.She chanced a glance at Braska; his face was cheerful, if a bit embarrassed as he verbally sparred with Jecht. He caught sight of her and his smile wavered, before returning with full force as he responded to something the other man said.
Ugh. I think I messed up big time.
"Yes. You're more than capable of defending Braska in that outfit." Rikku's attention zoomed back to Auron, and a sense of humiliation overcame her, one that ran much deeper than displaying her lusts and desires so brazenly before the other men. She'd humiliated him, too, on multiple levels – not only besting him at combat, but doing it using Braska's feelings for her. To say nothing about how obvious those feelings were from her behavior alone.
Auron's not nearly as good at pretending everything's okay as Braska is.
"But," he continued gamely, "I'm not sure I want you to use it around him." He grumbled. "Or anyone else, for that matter.""It's not like I'd really have to use Braska's sphere, you know? I've still got you, too," she said, handing over his coat. "Yeah, it's risky, but between the Samurai and Berserker spheres, I think I could get Braska through the Calm Lands on my own." She studied her boots, tapping her toes nervously. "It won't be like last time, you know.""I know."Something about the way he said it gave her pause and she squinted. Yep, he's mad. "I swear," she tried again. "It's not like that between me and Braska anymore. We've moved on.""Is it?" She glanced up as Auron donned his red coat and turned to look at Braska. "I believe you, but, I don't believe Braska shares your outlook. He's… very good at holding on to the things he cares about." He slipped, there – some of the turmoil he was trying to bury surfaced into an ugly grimace before he managed to school his features back into their usual scowl. Auron's gaze drifted towards her, his eyes like chips of glass. "You'll have to be careful around him. And I don't know if you know how to be careful at all."She opened her mouth to protest, but shut it again quickly; how many times had ignoring Auron left her in a pickle before? Maybe he has a point. Still…"I've learned how to be careful of you."He rolled his eyes and made to rise.No you don't. Yanking him back down, she said, "I won't break your heart again. I swear!""You say that now, but you will. Multiple times, most likely." And the worst part was he sounded resigned. "And, each time, I'll be fool enough to pick up the pieces and keep running after you," he said irritably. "I… also have trouble letting go."She released him, wounded more by his honesty than their physical tussle had managed. "If that's how you really feel, we can collect Yojimbo together, you know. We don't have to split up." It stung that he still didn't trust her to be alone with Braska, but at least he had kept his word and been honest about his own feelings.Even if the truth hurt.They fell into a silent, uncomfortable impasse; she fidgeted, the burden of blame weighing heavy on her shoulders this time.This is about Auron and me now. I can't ignore this. He'd bravely placed his abused heart into her careless hands, and she'd bruised it and left him even more cautious and wounded. His behavior brought the bumps and burrs in their relationship into sharp focus.He thinks he's just a tiny, disposable part of my world. And I can't explain to him why he's so wrong – that he's the reason I'm even here! She looked away from him. Auron taught me not to run, so I won't run from this. I did this to him. This is my fault. I cheated on him with Braska. Maybe not physically, but in every way that counts.Auron sighed heavily. "No. Your plan is sound. It would accomplish our most pressing goals in an efficient manner and I'd be a fool to reject it out of jealousy." He ran an agitated hand through his hair, making it oddly reminiscent of his future look. "But you've managed to turn me into a fool.""What can I do to prove to you that nothing is going to happen between me and Braska?""Wear a chastity belt," he muttered.Rikku fingered her garment grid. "I don't think it does that.""Indeed. It does the opposite," Auron agreed, shifting uncomfortably. "I'll just need to take it on faith that you'll be true to your word and resist his advances." He reached out and drew her close. "I can be a man of faith again. For you, one more time." He paused, and then continued, loudly enough for his voice to carry over the fire. "I can also castrate Braska.""I heard that, my friend," Braska replied, having returned to picking at his belt. "Rest assured, I will do nothing to Rikku that you would not.""Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Auron snapped."Whoa, calm down," she said, pulling Auron back. "He's just baiting you.""I know," Auron grit out, glaring at Braska.The other man blinked serenely in response.His smugness hit her like a lightning bolt. She knew Braska, possibly more than Auron did. He was, in his own way, just as wounded by the show she'd given them that evening. His characteristic equanimity after being so rawly exposed was just another way of avoiding his own emotional minefields.
There's no way he's as collected as he'd like us to believe.
Braska caught her stare and ducked his head, ripping another red thread from his belt. His fingers were swift and sure as he plucked at the strings.
If we leave together, he won't do anything to me this time around.
Rikku knew it with a certainty that she couldn't easily explain, but he'd hurt Auron, too. And in some ways, Auron was more precious to him than her.Braska was just as cautious as she now, even if more experienced at carrying overwhelming burdens of guilt. He was trying to avoid close scrutiny by wearing the mask of a lecher rather than a holy man; a behavior he'd no doubt managed to pick up from observing Jecht, considering all the time the two had been spending together lately. No one tended to take Jecht's running commentary seriously; but that was because Jecht was about as sincere as a used machina salesman – everyone knew how devoted he was to his own, missing family.It's a little different when your fiction is grounded in reality. And that's what it was; a finely crafted performance, as usual for their summoner, but still a fiction. In the end, it was the same problem as before.He's hiding something. She stared at Braska as her mind churned.He'd wanted to be strong – to have the strength to stand on his own – in Baaj, but had instead ended up using her as a crutch. Then, he'd fought with Anima and ultimately defeated the aeon on his own.
So, if he had the ability to be strong back then, why hasn't he ever tapped that strength since?
Braska glanced up at her and stilled, tension flickering across his face before settling into a more relaxed expression.
And that's another mask… but this time, I think I know why.
She turned her attention back to Auron. "There's something I can prove to you, at least." Reaching down, she reactivated her belt.Auron jerked away as her horn, claws, and large swaths of bare skin made a return. "What are you doing? Take that off right now!"This was a risky gamble; the adrenaline was overtaking her again, but if it worked… she'd win back Auron and help Braska, too. "Just watch. Trust me."Though the deep frown seemed to be chiseled into his face, he nodded. "Fine."Jecht looked up from his book and balked. "Aw hell. C'mon man, you were supposed to be talkin' her down!"Ignoring them, she rolled gracefully to her feet. She slunk around the fire, eyes trained on Braska, who'd frozen. Hello, prey. Wide-eyed, he swallowed when she stopped before him. "... is there something you wanted to discuss?" he said, valiantly keeping his eyes on her face.
Mostly.
Rikku leaned down, placing her chest at his eye-level. "Mmm. Didn't you request a challenge?"Braska started. "It's a bit late for these games, Rikku. What you are doing is wrong, and I refuse to participate in whatever scheme you have planned.""Nervous much?" She winked, refusing to budge.His blue eyes hardened. "Not particularly. You are my Guardian, after all."Gotta push him more. She slid closer, tracking the single bead of sweat that rolled down his forehead. Then, closer still. "What was it you said before?" she hummed, reaching out and gently tugging the belt out of his grasp, throwing it to the side. "Your body disagrees." She worked her fingers around the clasp of his robe.Braska's lips parted. Then, his hand shot up to wrap around her wrist. "Rikku." His throat bobbed. "Stop.""Why?" she purred. "Are you not enjoying all this attention? Isn't that what you wanted?" She lowered her voice. "What you hungered for? Aren't I the manifestation of your dream?" Her tone turned mocking. "Am I not your strength?""A summoner does not fight with his body," he answered weakly.Another bead of sweat tracked down his temple; this time, however, Rikku was confident that it was her words and not her proximity that caused it. She traced the shell of his ear with her lips."Prove it," she whispered.He gasped in surprise as her grip tightened, and then eyed her in disbelief when she tugged, hard, and threw him past the fire. He flew past Auron – who ducked – and crashed into one of the leaning pillars of their camp, adding a new dent to it."Holy shit!" Jecht yelled, leaping to his feet. "How strong does that getup make ya?" He stopped and looked at her. "Uhh… do I gotta fight you now or somethin' ?"Auron, too, had leapt to his feet, sword in hand. "Rikku! What are you doing?""Stop worrying. He'll heal." She crossed her arms and waited.Auron and Jecht exchanged uncertain glances, but before they could decide what to do, Braska staggered to his feet, the glow of curative magic already surrounding him. It was followed in rapid succession by a Regen and Protect spell. "I think you broke one of my ribs," he coughed out, one hand on his side."I take back what I said earlier," she said, sauntering towards him. "Stop trying to look incompetent. Show Auron what you can do.""What I can do?" Braska spat. "Do you actually wish for me to summon an aeon to defeat you?""Show them your true power," she growled, "or I'm going to beat you into a pulp right here, right now." Dropping into her battle stance, she continued. "I won't stop until you make them understand that you're not helpless around me.""Blondie, the hell you been smokin' and where can I get it?" Jecht asked."True power. You mean the aeon you collected in Baaj?" Auron cut in. "Something else did happen there. Something neither of you will tell me about." His voice turned flinty. "I should have known there was more to this than your libidos."Braska's brow tightened. "I can't!" He dodged as she catapulted forward."You think I didn't notice?" Her foot hit the pillar where he'd stood moments before, sending chunks of rock flying. Flipping backwards on her hands, she returned to her rocking stance. "You haven't called on her once, not even the last time we fought Sin," she said lowly. "You need to get over it if you want to beat Belgemine.""No!" he shouted, trying to dodge her next strike. Rikku was too quick; she caught him with a low punch to the stomach that doubled him over. All training with Auron aside, Braska still didn't have anything close to his Guardians' abilities; he was almost completely winded from her lone hit – which she hadn't pulled."You will, or your Pilgrimage ends here!" She knocked his feet out from under him with a sweeping kick."Stop!" he wheezed. "I order you to stop! Auron! Jecht!" He scrabbled away in a clumsy backwards crawl.She heard the sound of a scuffle behind her; glancing over her shoulder, she saw Jecht struggling against Auron."Look, whatever stunt she's tryin' to pull, it's too much – ""She's asking us to trust her," Auron grunted, pushing the other man back."You're thinkin' with the wrong head right now, man! That ain't Blondie out there, that's Braska!"That gave Auron enough pause for Jecht to leap past him. The blitzer tried to tackle her, but Rikku sent him reeling back towards Auron with a well-placed punch."That's for calling me Braska," she snarled, cracking her knuckles. "Auron, take him down! Don't let his heroics get in my way."Even as she said it, part of her cringed. Yeah, maybe I am a little too much Braska right now. Sorry, Jecht. Despite his moment of doubt, Auron seemed to get it and lunged forward, doing his best to hold Jecht back so her own fight could continue.Speaking of which… She turned back towards Braska with a mocking leer; he'd wasted her moment of inattention, still rapidly casting healing and defensive spells rather than actually trying to stop her. She smirked. Sorry, but you made me stronger than yourself. You can't do anything to stop me now. Lashing out with a powerful kick, she broke through his protective barrier and clipped him with a clawed toe, drawing a thin line of blood across his cheek.He gasped in pain, staring at her with wild eyes."Do it!" she demanded. She leapt into the air and wrenched her arm back."You died!" he screamed, falling backwards against the ground."Stop running!" she howled, and something in Braska's face crumpled as he shut his eyes, the brief green flare of a summoning surrounding him. Her fist landed perilously close to his ear, blowing a crater into the rocky soil even as the air turned noxious, dark smoke billowing around them.The chain that slammed into the ground by her side rocked them both but Rikku didn't move. Braska had fallen into Rapture, his mouth twisted into a rictus of pain. She, too, was frozen; as brazen as the Berserker dressphere made her, this was a fear both she and Braska shared.Anima - the source of both the Berserker's greatest strength and greatest vulnerability. She held herself stock-still over Braska, still unable to raise her head despite the aeon's arrival.Look up. Do it. You have to get over this, too.Steeling herself, she deactivated her dressphere, yet the fear remained. It's not just Braska alone who has to face this challenge, she thought, squeezing her eyes tightly shut once before forcing them open. No more running for either of us. Standing upright, she raised her head.Anima towered over her, swaying in a non-existent breeze. Her single eye rolled down towards Rikku, and she swore she saw the aeon grin. Then, with a discordant cry, Anima tossed her head to the side and sent an energy blast flying out over the mountainside. The sound of the crumbling rocks boomed over the plains, followed by the low rumble of a rockslide.Still a bitch, Rikku thought faintly as her knees wobbled. Despite her best attempt at bravado, the reminder of what had happened the last time Anima blinked overcame what little strength she had left in her legs.Burning. As she crumpled, she couldn't see anything; all she could do was feel the white hot lances of pain racing down her spine, trapping her in the past. Anima had set her on fire, smashed her to pieces, blinded her, literally. It wasn't just the pain of dying that froze her in place; it was the horror of coming back. And the chilling realization that it could happen again. A small moan of terror escaped her lips.
No. No more. Anything but this!
To her surprise, she didn't hit the ground; a pair of arms caught her first."You didn't need to go that far." Auron nearly crushed her in his grip, his fingers digging in hard enough to make her wince. He paid no mind to the terrifying aeon towering overhead; instead, his eyes sought hers out, terror shining clear as day in his expression. "This is how you knew. That theory about returning to your own time – you tested it. You died?"In a way, his shock helped ground her; she focused on his face, reaching up to cup it in her hands. "Not on purpose...""You died!""I got better–" she began, to which she clearly heard Jecht snort. Auron's inarticulate cry silenced any forthcoming witty commentary. He pressed her to himself, trembling for a moment, before grinding out in a shaking voice:"Not now."This time, she kept silent; she'd promised to not break his heart again and this was a small – but important – part of doing so.He hugged her as if she'd fly away if he let go. She waited until his rough breath evened despite the pulse of his wildly hammering heart thudding through her. She wasn't doing much better; the thought of raising her head and seeing the aeon towering above Auron sent her burrowing deeper into the safety of his arms.My shield… You've always been my shield, from the first moment we met. She breathed in his rich, earthy musk, letting it soothe her jangled nerves. After that indeterminate moment, he pulled away and rested his head against hers, fingers trembling. "I thought you were exaggerating.""I'm sorry. Braska did bring me back, though." Looking over Auron's shoulder, she watched Anima sway, observing them with her red-streaked eye, bloody tear tracks trailing down her ruined face at the sight of their embrace.Was this aeon, the one created by a gross perversion of the notion of ultimate love, watching them with malice? Or regret?Another thick, bloody tear rolled down Anima's grotesque cheek, and Rikku shuddered, unable to keep watching."We should check on him," she murmured.Reluctantly, Auron released her from his death grip, though he kept her close even as he let her go."Braska brought you back," Auron said slowly.She glanced to the ground, where Braska still lay prone, his face unnaturally placid as both his mind and body powered the aeon. She wondered just how angry he was going to be when his Rapture ended. "Well, I might have just made him mad enough to Send me out again, though."Auron huffed out a weak laugh, enveloping her in another crushing hug. "Sending doesn't work on you, remember?" His head bowed. "But Braska saved you then. He saved you." His voice was thick with conflicting emotions.Rikku reached up and stroked Auron's cheek. "I'm right here," she said softly.Weary amusement flashed through his eyes. "So you are." His expression closed as he looked down at Braska. "And so I owe that man yet another debt." It wasn't anything new; Auron had said as much to her before. This time, however, his voice wasn't laced with mere gratitude, but a hint of… resentment?She swallowed, both cheered and worried to see Auron struggling with his self-imposed mantle of being Braska's vassal; how else could they ever really be friends if not as equals?Still, she thought with a shiver as Anima cast her shadow over them, the timing's a little off."Uhh, guys?" Jecht stumbled towards them, staring wide-eyed at the huge aeon. They matched, considering that one of Jecht's eyes was beginning to swell shut from her earlier punch. "Can we wake Braska up? Like, right now? This kisser hurts like a bitch, and that thing is just sittin' there creepin' me out with its bloody eyeball.""Try getting blasted by it," Rikku mumbled, nudging Braska's prone body with her toe. "Braska almost died, too. Even with his protective spells, that scar on his back…"Auron finally looked up to watch Anima, which listed to the side before fading into a massive cloud of pyreflies. "I don't want to imagine what you two went through.""I didn't want to relive it either," she admitted lowly."Well, no wonder, if that's the thing that gotcha," Jecht said carelessly, missing her sudden, frantic headshake.Auron, sharp as ever, didn't; his voice turned as cold as a frosted blade. "You knew."Sensing the danger, Jecht shamelessly turned it back on her: "Hey man, she told me to zip my lips. It's a tough call, figurin' out which o' the two o' you is more scary.""I'll remind you later," Auron promised. Jecht shuddered."Hey, lay off him, I really did tell him to keep his mouth shut," she said, feeling slightly responsible. "Besides, I survived this. We survived this."Don't run. Without Anima's looming presence, her confidence started to return. "We survived," she said firmly, in part to convince herself. "We made it out of Baaj. Maybe not in one piece, but we did it, just the two of us. We can make it to Yojimbo, too." She noticed Braska stirring. "Now that he's not afraid of using Anima anymore, that is." I hope."I dunno if tryin' to beat an aeon outta your summoner counts as gettin' over your fears," Jecht said dubiously."All of you kept secrets from me," Auron repeated, tone trapped somewhere between hurt and anger.Well, it's gonna hurt for sure when the anger starts to win. She looked for some way to salvage the situation and reestablish his trust in their team."Look who's talkin'," Jecht said. "Secrets about death ain't so fun, are they?" he asked, and abruptly the conversation was over.Braska sat up slowly, groaning in pain. He grunted, chanting another healing spell over himself, before raising his head to regard them, posture tired and defeated. He seemed to contemplate which of their stares to confront first, and ultimately faced Rikku.
Damn it!
"I thought you didn't want me to tell him."Some of the knots in her stomach released at the weary tone of his voice; he wasn't angry at her at least, she could tell that much. "Some skeletons are better outside of the closet. But… for what it's worth, I'm sorry I had to force you to do it to yourself like that." The words hung cheaply in the air, bringing a flush of shame to her cheeks.I'm sorry for showing your greatest fears and desires to everyone like it was a game. And I'm sorry for using you to face my own fears, she wanted to say – but not like this, not with a crowd of spectators observing their every movement, turning his most private pain into some sort of public sphere opera. "Sorry," she repeated in Al Bhed, the words a near-whisper. "I really am so sorry.""Would that regret cease to define us," he answered in the same tongue. Then he looked away from Rikku and faced Auron instead, his expression wry. "Well. At least you managed to catch her when she fell."A moment of thick tension passed between them, snapping only when Jecht hauled Braska to his feet."Holdin' out on us, were ya, man?" Slapping the summoner a few times on the back, Jecht dragged him away. "Gotta admit, that was a pretty bad-ass aeon you got there. I'm gonna need a lot more therapy before I can catch some sleep tonight.""Jecht, what – ""You can help me proofread," Jecht added, scooping up his pink notebook and slapping it into Braska's hands, then pushing him towards the fire.Dazed and looking winded and bewildered, Braska sat, clutching the fuzzy notebook to his chest.Nodding to himself, Jecht turned around to face them and crossed his arms. "Blondie?"Wincing, Rikku met his good eye. Unsurprisingly, Jecht was mad. "So about that punch…" she started."Shit. Don't do that! And I don't mean the damn punch!" he roared when she opened her mouth to protest. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, working his jaw. "I get it. You wanted to help both of your dudes out there, you made a risky play, and it worked. But next time? Little less force and a lot more finesse, alright?""Are you lecturing me?"Jecht glowered, expression darkening. "What'd ya think, Blondie?"Under the other man's scrutiny, she felt about as big as her toenail. It's pretty bad when Jecht has the moral high ground. "Sorry.""Are you?"She looked up at the question; Jecht had fired it off at her light-heartedly, but the look in his eye was sharp. It wasn't just his bruised face that he was mad about."Y'know I'll always be in your corner, Blondie, but sometimes ya make it damn hard to stay there." He pointed a meaty finger at her. "You an' Auron are bad enough when ya team up. You an' Braska? It'll be the end of this whole damn world. You in that costume is walkin' proof that B ain't got no self-control!"Auron twitched beside her, but said nothing. His hand did snake out and tighten possessively around her waist, though, to which Jecht raised a knowing eyebrow.Swallowing, Rikku met Jecht's piercing stare and gave him a slow nod. "I'll be careful when I use it. If I use it. Promise. Gullwing's honor!""Huh." Jecht's jaw twitched; it almost felt like he was sizing her up as though she were a Blitzball opponent. Despite his usual antics, he hadn't been granted the title of a champion for nothing – he could be dead serious when he wanted to, and right now he was making no bones about reminding her of that.A flash of pride shot through her; much like Tidus, Jecht had also grown to become an integral part of his summoner's Pilgrimage. And the closer Zanarkand loomed, the more they were beginning to fall apart. She wondered if it was in Jecht's nature to step in, as any good captain would, doing his best to rein in the team and hold them together.The analogy didn't make his tough gaze any easier to weather.Eventually, he looked away and sighed. "Fine. I'll believe ya this time, but don't scare the shit outta me like that ever again." He grumbled and shifted uncomfortably. "Didn't need that pair of underwear anyway."Latching onto the mumble, her brows furrowed. "Wait, I've packed your bag before. You don't own more than one pair of underwear! That was rhetorical, right?""That's for me to know and you to worry 'bout findin' out." With a final nod at Auron, Jecht waved them off. "Don't stay out too late, kids," he called, turning away from them."Oh, gross," Rikku muttered, watching him join Braska on the other side of the camp. Goes straight from deep and intense to that. "Please say we don't have to worry about Jecht going commando!""Stop killing the mood," Auron said testily."Mood?""Something you obviously can't read," he added meaningfully, drawing her closer to him. "I want you to come with me. You nearly died and I – " He stopped. Sighed. Shifted. "This, I understand."She looked up at Auron, who was still boring holes in her with his stare. "Hey, okay, relax. I'm not gonna disappear on you now, you know? What's the rush?""You're prone to lying," he deadpanned, pulling her to her feet. "Now come with me. Right away.""Where?" she asked, struggling to match his pace as he tugged her away from their camp."I meant that literally," he replied, still pulling her along at a hurried pace. "I want you. Now."She blinked. She'd only just started to realize that perhaps she and Auron had a borderline-unhealthy habit of tuning out the kinks in their relationship with really great, toe-curling sex, but did he actually mean right now?"... not that I want to slow you down or anything there, but I thought you said it's not safe out here?"Auron whirled to face her, the heat – and tempered, but still there, desperation – obvious in his gaze. "Well, then put your Berserker outfit back on." Turning on his heel, he stomped deeper into the night, undoing his belt as he moved.Is it really that easy? Can we go back to normal just like that, with one death scare and a roll in the grass? She watched him move away from her, fitting another piece of the puzzle that was Auron into place. He's strong because he doesn't know how to be anything else. He protects others because he doesn't know how to protect himself. And he really doesn't know how to handle it when I act just like him.She sighed.
Why are all the men in my life so complicated?
Auron turned. "Are you coming?" There was a note of impatience in his voice, but underneath it… vulnerability. A need for her immediate presence that was, perhaps, a little childish, and not purely physical.I get it. I don't know if it's right, or even good, but I need that too. A small grin spread across her face. "Of course. One confirmation of life coming right up!" she replied, scampering after him.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku watched as Auron and Jecht disappeared into the tall, swaying grass.
I hope I made the right decision.
Sighing, she turned around to face her last—and only—companion for the next few days. "Ready to skedaddle?""Skedaddle?" Braska rose stiffly, wincing with each movement. "I'm more likely to limp, as it stands. Auron truly has no mercy.""He's just looking out for you," she hummed, shouldering her pack.…Well, maybe that was stretching the truth a little. Auron had spent their last few days running Braska into the ground through a brutal "training" regimen—so brutal, in fact, that Braska had dropped into mana fatigue after too many self-heals.It didn't help that Auron had forbidden him from the use of any stimulants to assist in his recovery. "It builds character," Auron had said, utterly serious.She almost felt a little sorry for the summoner, but if Jecht could survive it, so could Braska.Orienting herself on the plains, she scanned the horizon, secretly crossing her fingers for luck. "I think it's this way." That direction looked Mount Gagazet-ish… probably."You think?" Braska echoed, struggling with his own pack. "Do you prize ambiguity that much or do you actually know where we're going?""We'll find out!" She brushed him off with a smirk. "If we're lucky and fast enough, we might make it to the canyon in a day or so.""Luck you can provide with your belt. I fear my speed will be lacking, though." He hobbled next to her, using his staff as a walking stick. "Well. Ladies first."Sending him a suspicious look, she began to move.Although their hike started off slow, gradually Braska was able to match her pace as he warmed to the exertion.It still felt like they were plodding through the vast plain at the speed of an Adamantoise, though.She tried to keep herself busy by scouting through the grasses for signs of fiends, but they were, for once, making themselves unusually scarce.Which was why, when Braska—who'd seemed content with silence—spoke up, she jumped in surprise and nearly twisted an ankle.He cleared his throat. "I find myself wondering—"Oh, here we go.He huffed, noticing her expression. "You do realize I am not such a cad as to encroach upon your dignity mere hours after we separated from Auron?""Really?" She squinted at him."...Very well. I suppose you have a right to be cautious. However, you may let down your guard. I merely wanted to question you about the money you requested. Whatever do we need all of that for?""Oh!" Rikku jostled the heavy sacks tied to her belt; she'd practically forced Auron to part with more than half of their remaining cash."There are no shops here on the plains, and nothing of significance to purchase from the Ronso settlement," Braska continued. "And there certainly are no vendors left in Zanarkand. Are you thinking of using those coins as weapons again?""Not really." She chewed her lower lip, trying to figure out the best way to break it to their resident money-sink. "We're going after Yojimbo, right? See, he's kind of this… mercenary type, and the summoners who find him…" She trailed off and eyed Braska, full of misgivings.Catching her look, his eyebrows rose, as if to ask, 'What have I even done now?'Taking the plunge, she said, "To convince him to serve you… you have to haggle… with gil."There was a beat of silence. "You wish for me to bargain with an aeon?" He blinked. "You wish for me. To bargain. With our gil. Are you quite certain about this?""And here I thought you'd be all hung up on the aeon wanting your money part.""Oh no, that's quite fascinating as well. But it's all a bit of a shock." His confusion morphed into a tiny smile. "I've learned to take the surprises you hide for me in stride. I suppose it's instinctual by now." His eyes flickered beyond her and he grew somber. "Speaking of surprises…"The unmistakable sound of an Ogre stomping through the nearby grass drew close.The creature came to a standstill as it spotted them, pausing and flaring its nostrils. Then it smiled, lumbering towards them."Shall I cast—" Braska's words cut off as Rikku activated the Berserker dressphere."Get in my way and you're asking for it!" she growled at the fiend, bouncing in place to stretch her limbs.The Ogre roared back and raised its fists."By all means then, go ahead," she heard Braska mutter, before an array of buffering spells flowed over her."This is my kill! Besides, I wanna try out this outfit a little more. Y'know, test the limits." Grinning, she leapt towards the Ogre. Whipping into an aerial spin, she stretched her arms to slash at the fiend's head. Her claws slipped through the air, missing the Ogre's face by inches and instead neatly clipping off both of its long, dangling sideburns.The unexpected haircut enraged the fiend enough to roar and drop its arms; it lunged towards her.She ducked and weaved through its wild sings, trying to draw it away from Braska's position. But the Ogre caught on quicker than expected, beady eyes gleaming as it refused to follow."These ones are more intelligent than other fiends," Braska called. "Do you need some support?""Naw, I got this," she yelled back, rocking in place. "Don't draw its attention! Save your offensive spells—we don't want to call anything else to join the party—"She cut herself off, barely avoiding the Ogre's sudden swipe; a gust of wind passed her by.She narrowed her eyes. You wanna end it quick, huh? I'll give you quick!Arms outstretched, she tilted and threw her upper body towards the ground while balancing on one leg, propelling her into a low spin while extending her opposite leg in a high kick.The Ogre slapped away the first blow but buckled when her second kick slipped through its flailing arms and landed with a satisfying crack on its jaw.The fiend staggered backwards, squealing in pain. Its massive, bearded chin dangled limply, dislocated on the side she'd struck her blow. It tried to raise its arms into another guard, but she mirrored it, stepping right into its personal space."Nuh-uh," she sang, shuffling her feet to confuse the fiend.As expected, it eyed her footwork, but rallied and tried to block her when she raised a leg to stomp on its knee.Gotcha. As soon as its guard dropped, she leaned back and snapped her leg forward. Her foot smashed into the other side of the Ogre's jaw with enough power to shatter the remaining joint.The fiend landed on its back with an earth-rattling impact, keening. Its face, already grotesque, was now distended and rapidly swelling. One last, vicious stomp aimed at the fiend's nose was all it took to smash it into clouds of drifting pyreflies."Too easy!" Dusting herself off, she struck a victory pose. A slow clap made her drop the stance and spin around.Braska was walking towards her with a wry smile on his face. "Impressive. I'm flattered to be able to inspire such skill in battle with my behavior." A mischievous grin crossed his face. "And quite alluring as well. Are you certain you have no interest in sympathetic coitus?"Deactivating the dressphere, Rikku wrinkled her nose. "Eww. And no." She paused. "Besides, how could you be thinking about that while watching me literally deface an Ogre? That's… kind of messed up.""I only offer my advances in the spirit in which they are received.""You mean utter hopelessness?""Since you insist," he replied easily, unperturbed. His grin faded into a more thoughtful expression. "I was thinking that it is rather strange, though. That dressphere should be a reflection of myself, yet when you wear it you are so…""Suave? Sexy? Good-looking?"Braska shot her a flat, unappreciative look. "Violent," he corrected. "It is as if you would tear the whole world apart with your bare hands, if you could."She looked at him, struck by a stab of pity.Auron's voice rang through her head, "Maybe that's his plan: induce pity, attempt seduction."But, sad as it was, it was also possible this wasn't part of some master scheme on Braska's part. Maybe he really didn't understand himself."They reflect who you are on the inside," she said, resuming their slow hike towards the base of the mountain. "Whenever you're confused, upset, or angry, you just bottle all those things up and smile like nothing bothers you. All that pain has to go somewhere, you know. And if you don't let it out around others, then… kaboom, I guess.""Perhaps you have a point," he mused, beginning to look unsettled. "I am still attracted to you."Rikku cursed as she tripped. Well, that answers that—But, Braska wasn't even paying her any attention. He seemed to be thinking out loud, staring into the distance. "My lust and jealousy hardly contain the strength of emotion that would warrant this violent, surging presence," he continued. "If it is a reflection as you claim, I lack the physical means to become that sort of a fighter. I also hardly have the…" He paused diplomatically. "...courage to display those talents as you do. I suspect your exaggerated behavior in that dressphere is a facet of your own personality, not mine.""Nope! Wrong." She smiled at Braska's startled expression. "You're really focused, you know? It's something I admire about you."She watched his features light at her compliment. I hope this doesn't give him ideas… Shaking off her doubts, she pressed on."Even when things are hopeless, once you make a decision, you stick with it. Like, still chasing me, even though you know you don't have an icicle's chance in Bikanel anymore."He held a hand over his heart in exaggerated dismay. "You wound me, my Lady.""I'm not your Lady, and you're the one wounding yourself," she sniped, rolling her eyes. "Even when you know things will end badly…" She swallowed and ignored the obvious parallel to his Pilgrimage. "...you just grit your teeth and keep going. You're actually… really brave.""Brave?" He sounded pleased, and—Scratch that, he's coming to the wrong conclusions after all."... except when it comes to Yunie," she added in a rush."What?""Well, it's true! She's only seven and you can't even face her!"Braska froze; Rikku kept walking. After a moment, he rushed to catch up with her. "What do you mean? Returning to Bevelle now would mean walking directly into Kinoc's trap!""That's not the only thing I meant," she muttered.Scoffing, Braska frowned. "My actions have hardly hurt her any more than remaining stagnant in Bevelle would have. Do you think the Church of Yevon was kind to us? That they would have let either of us continue our days in peaceful poverty? I am doing all of this to protect my daughter. In fact, according to you, in doing so I have made her stronger.""Is that what you really think?" She pursed her lips, trying to keep her rising temper in check. "You crippled her, you know?"Braska placed a hand on her arm. "You are angry? At me?"Shrugging off his hold, she glanced at him, then grimaced. It wasn't fair to Braska, at least not yet, she knew; it was his death that had finally twisted Yuna, not his life. And even though Yuna's own Pilgrimage had worked out in the end, the resentment was still there, sitting hot and heavy in her chest like a weight she couldn't shake."You made her afraid of losing the people she loves. You made her believe they'd always leave her in the end. That's why—" She became a summoner. She chased down every scrap of information the Gullwings could find about Tidus no matter how far-fetched it was. And that she brought Tidus back with her own two hands. "—why she got strong. You scabbed her over."Braska's faltered, mouth drawn into a tight line. "I made the right decision. You told me that. I cannot go back now."What Braska deserved it or not, there were some things he needed to face. "How'd you feel when Aunt Raenn died?" It was a low blow, but Rikku wasn't in the mood to be charitable. "That's how you made Yuna feel after your Pilgrimage. Ever think about that? You're her whole world, and you're bowing out of it by choice.""I love my daughter. She will survive this.""Oh, she'll learn how to fly," she answered, sniffing. "But only because she grew her own pair of wings."Another fiend stirred the grasses ahead of them, and Rikku re-activated her Berserker dressphere. Before charging, she turned to look Braska in the eye."I think you know what you did, too. This outfit… it's not just your lust. It's your rage." She cracked her knuckles, grim. "This is you, alright. Own up to it." Then she left before, gritting her teeth.He didn't try to stop her this time.
.x.x.x.
Wow, we actually made it before sunset! And only two days behind schedule. I can't believe I got us here this time!
Rikku valiantly ignored the previous three days' progress, or lack thereof. Her directional sense had steered them wrong four times already. Braska had complained, more than once, that it was a secret conspiracy she'd concocted with Auron to lengthen his "training regime."Stupid. Why on Spira would I subject myself to this torture too?Relieved by their progress, Rikku surveyed the narrow mountain pass leading towards the foothills of Mount Gagazet. The sun was setting, but it didn't make much of a difference from where they stood in the shadowy valley. The tall mountains managed to block out most of the light even on the sunniest of days."We should make camp here," she declared, pausing before a rickety wooden bridge leading over the canyon. "It's too dangerous to go any further today.""Too dangerous? You've recklessly thrown yourself into handling everything we've come across so far, and really, when was the last time you deactivated the dressphere? This costume has not improved your personality in the slightest.""You're the one with the problem, Mister 'This isn't me!'" She stuck her tongue out. Arguing with him had gotten old on day one.Braska apparently felt the same; he'd given up on open confrontation and had resorted to lengthy silences or pointed sniping when they clashed. But even that had tapered off within the last day. The breakneck pace she'd maintained would've made even Auron proud."What could you possibly consider to be too dangerous?" Despite Braska's sharp words, his tone was anything but. He looked pale and listless. Aside from his physical exhaustion, their stilted disagreements didn't seem to be helping him along, either."Too dangerous for you," she clarified. "You're dead on your feet." When he didn't argue, she dropped her stiff posture and wilted. "Okay, so maybe I'm a little tired, too. Let's rest here for the night."Sighing, Braska limped off towards the nearest rock face, searching for a suitable area to make camp. At least he was too worn down to continue arguing.Like I'm one to talk. Whether the tense silence between them or giving in to the Berserker sphere's compulsive competitiveness was to blame, the end result was the same: she was also bone-weary. "I think I overdid it," she mumbled, snapping off a few of the bridge's flagpoles."Rikku!" Braska scolded, eying the increasingly shabby-looking bridge. "The vandalism is inappropriate.""Freezing our butts off while getting chomped by fiends is also inappropriate," she shot back, hefting the wood over her shoulder. "But fine. Thanks be to Yevon," she yelled as she snapped off another pole."Please stop before you completely destroy that bridge. Remember, we still need to use it later.""Yeah, yeah. Spoilsport." Gathering the remaining wood, she trudged toward Braska and started making camp.Only after they were both comfortably settled around a crackling campfire did Rikku power down her Garment Grid. The weariness that hit her was sudden and unexpected; she'd never worn a dressphere continuously for so long before. "Hey… I don't feel so good," she whimpered, before pitching face-first towards the fire."Look out!" Braska, fortunately, managed to keep her from losing her eyebrows to the licking flames with a lucky catch, throwing her back. Then he overbalanced, sending them crashing into the ground in the opposite direction."Owwie," she wheezed. "...and thanks. Nice save, but can you… y'know?" She tried and failed to push away the heavy arm he'd thrown over her shoulders.He mumbled incoherently into the ground, then rolled over onto his back, releasing her. On the bright side, he seemed too dispirited to take advantage of his position. "Really?" he groaned, not even trying to rise from his ungainly sprawl. "I do not have the stamina of my youth anymore. You are expecting too much of me right now.""Ha ha," she deadpanned. Shrugging, she didn't make any attempt to sit up, either. "I haven't felt this tired since we swam to Baaj."He grunted in assent, eyes still closed. "This is entirely your own fault. You pushed us into that impossible pace while handling all of the fiends. I told you to let me assist you.""I was sure I could handle it!" she protested, trying to sit up.
Oww! Nope.
With a hiss, she gave up until the world stopped see-sawing. "Besides, look at you. It's not like you could handle it either. I'm the one who did all the work and you're still totally beat!""Sharing the burden tends to make it easier for both parties to bear," he insisted, turning his head enough to glare at her. "You brought this upon yourself by overestimating your capabilities. Must you be so stubborn in refusing my aid?""Yeah. If I give you an inch, you'll take a mile. At least you can't grope me when you're like this.""And you cannot even sit up."They both fell stubbornly silent, caught at an impasse. Rikku blinked when Braska sniggered. Turning her head, she caught his look of amusement."This is absurd," he said after a moment. "Our mutual pride shall be our undoing. Or was that my pride? It is, after all, my dressphere."She matched his smile with a tiny one of her own. "So, you're finally admitting you're wrong?""Now, I did not say that," he protested. "But perhaps you are not entirely mistaken about that costume." His voice grew pensive. "I've always believed it was my duty to walk the path I do. That it was my fate. You… make me question everything I believe." He glanced at her again. "Why do you try to induce doubt in my beliefs, when you know my sacrifice will save your world?"She twitched her fingers, pressing her palms into the soft grass. "Maybe there are more worlds out there than mine," she said softly. "Worlds where you don't have to die. Where you and Yunie can be together again, the way a real family should be. Maybe there's even a world where Auron and I can be together, too."Braska's gaze bored into her. "... I have been entirely selfish all this time, haven't I?"She was surprised to see sadness and some sort of realization etched on his face when she looked at him."Well, you kinda have a right to be—""You said our sacrifices paved the way for your future. Not mine. Ours." He paused. "Despite your relationship with Auron, you would forfeit—""Stop!" Blades of grass tore under her clenching fingers. "Don't say it." Unable to bear the look in his eyes, she turned away. "Tell me about how you met Auron. I want to know more about him. Everything."The silence drew out between them, long and painful. The shallow breaths she gulped down were louder in her ears than even the crackling of the fire. "Please," she added, quiet and desperate.
Don't think about it, don't think about it, don't think about it—
Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest when she felt a gentle touch on her hand; broken bits of grass and dirt were brushed away, then warm fingers gripped her own. She clutched onto his hand like it was a lifeline."...He was very devout back then," Braska replied, his voice gentle. "Confused, and hurting. He looked to the Church for his answers. He was younger than you when we first met. Nineteen, I believe, and already a rising star within the warrior-monks. Destined for greatness." Braska chuckled lowly. "He was very good at killing things, you see. But he hated himself and his work. I thought I could save him. Show him Yevon's light, rather than the Church's darkness.""So, he really was a Yevonite fanatic?""Very much so. One might say I was something of an… exit counselor, I suppose. A strange task for a missionary of Yevon. But I felt I had to save him. The Maesters were warping the Teachings into something base and corrupt, and he was strangling himself upon them. For all of his strength, Auron was more fragile than you could know… and he wanted to change. Besides, I have always been very persuasive. Convincing him to give up on that path was very similar to my previous proselytizing, in fact. I have always believed in promoting the greater good in Yevon's name, rather than pedantic adherence to the Teachings."The words were hard to hear, but unsurprising. She'd guessed as much from her first, confrontational encounter with Auron in this time. "So, you're the one who got him to quit the monks? That couldn't have made that old fart Mika very happy.""Oh, nothing so extreme!" he reassured, squeezing her hand. "My mission was very important. I had already established my reputation by then, and Maester Mika felt Auron would be a useful addition to the Al Bhed delegation, as you well know. It was not a far reach to request Auron as a personal bodyguard as they had no idea of my influence over him. And it did free him from the clutches of the monks… and Kinoc.""Ugh." She suppressed a shudder. "How can Auron still be friends with that jerk? Kinoc hates your guts, you know. I think he wants to kill you.""I suspected as much," Braska replied. "But Wen is not the malevolent force you would cast him to be. In his own way, he has also rebelled from the failures and hypocrisies of the Teachings, albeit in a manner different from Auron's. Regardless, he did his best to protect Auron in his own way, even after Auron's dishonorable discharge from the warrior monks. Kinoc has always strove to defend Auron's position and reputation within the Church. Were Wen not blinded by his own ambition, he might have been…""A good person?" She snorted. "Auron can be stubborn about holding on to things he cared about.""Despite his rebellion against Yevon's establishment, I couldn't sway Kinoc to my side." A note of regret tinged Braska's words. "He meant well, but his relationship with Auron was poisonous. Kinoc revels in the very political games that tortured Auron. In the end, I thought distance would do them both some good, so I brought Auron along with me. In doing so I earned Kinoc's enmity.""... and then you met Aunt Raenn, blew up half of Home on your way out, and earned yourself a little enmity with the rest of the Church and the Al Bhed. Great going, by the way.""I am not entirely to blame for that fiasco!" he spluttered, hand spasming over her own. "Believe it or not, Raenn was the instigator of much of that mischief. It is not as though Auron or I knew heads or tails of those machina grenades she flung around with so much abandon, and she was very upset with your father." His indignation faded into a soft smile. "The two of you are more alike than you know. You would have to be, to evoke such strong feelings in my heart."Rikku swallowed and released Braska's hand. "And there you've gone and made it all weird again." Ignoring the pain, she forced herself to sit up with a groan. "Can't you just give up already?"There was a rustle of cloth as Braska pulled himself up, seemingly unphased by her retreat. "I've told you once before. It's no simple thing to change my feelings. I, too, am very stubborn, as you've found out." He eyed her Berserker sphere pointedly. "But you are mistaken. I was not trying to woo you to my side. Your friendship is much more important to me than my own desires—you're the only one I seem to be able to be honest with.""Huh," she answered, subdued. That… tracked. He hadn't been trying to put the moves on her, not even after stumbling onto the truth about Auron's fate and crushing her emotional defenses.She eyed Braska—smiling, he dug through his pack and threw her a satchel of jerky—then sighed, somewhat relieved. Nope, no urge to jump his bones. Auron'd be pleased.Somehow, though, it still felt wrong. But why?She bit off a piece of jerky. Then her eyes widened in surprise. "This is Chubby Chocobo jerky! Where'd you get this? It's my favorite!"He laughed. "I had guessed it might be.""This is so good!" she mumbled, her appetite roaring to life. She began shoveling food into her mouth as quickly as she could."You were staring holes through the vendor's display in Luca. I've been asking Auron to find me a few ever since. You're more than welcome to them." His smile faltered as she continued wolfing down the food. "So long as you do not inhale them like that. By Yevon, you're starting to emulate Jecht's eating habits," he added, looking a little disgusted."Mmph," she answered, focusing on claiming her precious food prize instead. Halfway through her pile, she glanced up at Braska, feeling a warm wash of affection for him. He knows me so well!Then her stomach dropped.Pausing with his own stick of jerky raised halfway to his mouth, he noticed her frozen stare. He raised an eyebrow and grimaced. "Close your mouth at least," he muttered, turning away.Rikku didn't hear him. Well, she did, but she wasn't listening to the words he spoke now. It was what he'd said to her in Baaj that echoed in her mind.Now I know you do feel something beyond desire. The jerky in her mouth lost its flavor. So what if I'm not attracted to Braska anymore? She looked down at the satchel in her hands. This is what Auron's really afraid of. This weird connection we still have.Swallowing with difficulty, she glanced at Braska again. This time he met her gaze and gave her a tired, reserved smile. He wasn't really happy; he was just being polite.When was it that she'd started being able to see him, the Braska that hid himself so carefully from even his best friend and his own daughter?He dropped the smile and looked away first.Yeah… this is bad."We will find this aeon quickly." Braska's soft voice reached her over the fire. "Do not worry so much. No matter what your opinion of me may be, I will return you safely to Auron's side. I am… tired. Tired of being selfish."Appetite gone, she packed away the remaining jerky, hovered for a bit, then crawled into her bedroll.Weariness returned with a vengeance. "Being selfish?" She thought of the way she clung to Auron, much the way Braska tried to cling to her. "Is that what this is?""It's different for you." Braska settled in for the first watch. "You are bringing happiness into Auron's life, a feeling he's rarely experienced. What you are doing is hardly selfish. Knowledge is the burden which you have struggled to carry alone, and love makes that burden all the greater." His voice was soothing, coaxing her to sleep. "Now we will share that burden. Lighten your heart, and fill Auron's remaining days with your love. That is your sacrifice, for him, and no cause could be more noble.""Don't wanna be noble," she mumbled, her eyes heavy as she drifted towards a restless sleep. "Don't want Auron to die..."Braska's voice chased her into the darkness. "Then I will simply have to do my best to save him, too."
.x.x.x.
"So…" Braska eyed the steep slope before them."Yep," Rikku said, nodding. "The valley.""I've heard rumors of the crusaders training down there before, but have never personally visited it," he replied. "The rumors have also said that, oftentimes, the trainees don't return.""It's not that bad," she hedged. "The fiends are a little tougher down there than up on the plains, but we can handle them!""It's not merely the fiends that I am concerned about." Braska sighed. "Yevon has long known of the problems in this valley. There was an attempt a few years back to cleanse it and reclaim the glory days of High Summoner Yocun. She once tamed this area while training as a crusader herself.""They were still trying, even in my time," she said. "The crusaders never managed to do it until after the Eternal Calm, but yeah, they did use this place as training grounds before then.""The plan eventually succeeded, then! I would not have guessed it," Braska mused. Noticing her confused look, he elaborated. "Many pieces of self-operating machina were blessed for use as fiend controls and released into the wilds. I had heard that plan backfired rather spectacularly, however."Rikku shivered. "Yeah, I know. Been here, done that, remember? This place is crawling with wild machina. And no, the crusaders in my time didn't manage to get rid of them either. They're just like… big, annoying mechanical cherries on top of all the fiends already down here.""Can you disable them as you would ordinary machina?"She gaped at him."I was married to an Al Bhed who helped me escape from Home," he added at her incredulous stare. "Of course I know of your abilities.""Right. Well… the short answer is no. Not in battle, at least," she appended. "I'm sure I could reverse-engineer something if it was already deactivated, but you Yevonites really messed those things up when you stuck your hands into the tech. There's no kill switch on your holy battlebots.""I have never understood nor supported the military arm of Yevon," he protested. "Besides, it was a noble thought.""Just look how well that turned out, huh?" The whirring sounds of a Defender patrolling the chasm carried through the air. "If it's any consolation, we Al Bhed tried to fix it later on. We released a ton of smaller machina to take down the ones Yevon let run wild. Even nicknamed them Mech Hunters, y'know?""Did it work?""... Weeell, about that…"Braska sighed. "Nevermind. Aren't you going to don your costume?" He studied the path before them, looking nervous.Rikku activated her dressphere. When the light faded, she threw her sword over her shoulder and directed a thin-lipped grin towards Braska. "Of course, my lord.""I suppose I should have expected that." He eyed her costume with a mixture of trepidation and disappointment. "Please tell me you aren't channeling Auron's ire as well. Or are you going to make me take point?""That remains to be seen," she said ambiguously. "Let's move."Their slow trek through the narrow pass was uneventful; where the path leveled out, the lower valley spread before them, quiet and desolate. Unlike the verdant plains above, the lack of sunlight kept the prodigious growth of grass from overtaking the ground. Instead, small, spotty patches of moss and fungus decorated the otherwise barren earth. The mountain walls rose so high around them, it almost felt as though they were underground.Glancing around, Rikku breathed out a sigh of relief. "The coast looks clear," she said to Braska, whom she'd pushed behind her. "No machina or fiends in sight. Follow me." Hugging the side of the wall, she advanced cautiously."Where are you going?" Braska asked, hurrying after her. He looked over his shoulder at the broad expanse of the valley they were ignoring. "I thought you said we needed to enter the canyon. Why aren't we crossing it? Are we avoiding our enemies?"She snorted. "I didn't say we need to cross it. We just need to be down here. The cavern should be somewhere right along this wall…" Spotting a worn trail marker, she pointed at it. "There. See that? It's not a natural formation. Whoever stole the Fayth wanted it to stay hidden, but they still left us some clues." Continuing forward, they soon reached an unfamiliar cluster of fallen rocks. She clucked her tongue. "I think this is it.""This? This rockslide?""Well, the crusaders must've cleaned it up at some point. You can see the entrance in my time. I can still recognize it here, though." She pointed at a small, sunken arch, barely visible through the fallen rubble. "See that?"Braska squinted, then scrambled up onto one of the larger rocks. "Those… are carvings. Seals of Yevon!" He grew excited. "So this really is where they hid it! Can you find a way in?"Studying the rocks, she shook her head. "No, it's completely blocked. Get down from there, I'm gonna try something." Without waiting for his reply, she hunched over and lowered her sword, concentrating. By the time Braska's feet touched the ground, she was ready."Zantetsu!" she roared, charging towards him.Braska paled, flinging himself out of her way.Lifting her sword, she swung it upwards with all her might, channeling energy into the motion. This time, unlike her last attempt to use the skill, power gathered around her, coursing through her sword and blasting out towards the obstacle.It struck the stone, blowing it apart in a shower of dust and pebbles. She straightened; the air gradually cleared, revealing a narrow path leading down into the cavern."You could've killed me!" Braska sputtered, struggling to his feet. He shook out his robes, looking annoyed."You're alive, aren't you?"He squinted at her. "That's enough Auron for today. Why don't you be yourself for now?""Fine." Rolling her eyes, Rikku deactivated her dressphere. Then she chewed her lip. "Uh… sorry?"Cleaning himself off as best he could, he glared. "Charging me is becoming too much of a habit of yours. What sort of a Guardian are you?""The one that keeps you on your toes?""Through bodily injury?" Braska let out an exasperated sigh. "Auron has already claimed that title. Try again."Gulping, Rikku gave him a sheepish wave. "Yeah, umm, alright. It won't happen anymore!"The look of disbelief he gave her… well, it sort of matched Auron's. And Jecht's, come to think of it. Urk. Maybe I am getting a reputation on the team..."I'll just, uh… go." She pointed at the path she had cleared. "Down there. Y'know. To find that aeon and get outta here. Alive. Both of us."After a moment, Braska shook his head and followed. "Lead the way. And please make a token effort to avoid injuring me this time."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The dim passage soon widened, opening into a much larger cavern. A single beam of sunlight shined through a crack in the ceiling, almost blinding after their stint in the cave's darkness. Black mist curled lazily around them, as if trying to push back the light."This feels familiar," Braska murmured. "You and I, alone in a dark ruin fraught with danger, an unknown aeon awaiting us at the end of our adventure together.""Oh come on. It's not as scary as Baaj. And compared to Anima, Yojimbo's almost cuddly!" Rikku led them further into the depths, trying to recall the path to the Fayth stone—it was a lot harder without Lulu as a guide. "Now I gotta warn you, there's some pretty tricky enemies hiding in the dark here, so stay close—"Braska, of course, had already wandered to the ornate tile embedded into the floor of the otherwise rough cavern. Sighing, she halted her march and about-faced, moving back towards him."Strange." He knelt by the tile and ran his hands over it. "I've seen something very similar in the upper floors of the Temple in Bevelle. I wonder what use it has here?"She squatted by his side, tilting her head to study the tile. "You really don't know what that is?""No. I had always believed them to be decorative." He looked pained. "You mean they, too, are machina? Do the Maesters have no shame?""The more you know," she said, pointing at the carefully disguised arrows along the pattern. "It's a Trial, sorta. Not like the official ones in the Temples, though. This whole cave is the Trial! Make it to the end without getting killed, y'know? If you can do that, the Fayth will release the seals on these things and they'll power up and teleport you out, nice and easy."Braska sat back on his heels, blinking owlishly. "Teleportation? You're not jesting?""No, but I couldn't tell you how they work; no Al Bhed could, actually," she admitted. "Best we were able to figure, these tiles are tied to the Fayth somehow and use them as a power source." She shrugged. "So I guess they aren't really machina. More like… magic-machina. Kinda like my Garment Grid, come to think of it. Except my Grid pulls the power from its user, not a Fayth.""That does not make it any easier to swallow," he said, standing up and looking around. "Well. Yevon keeps no official records of this place, though rumors of the existence of abandoned Fayth are commonplace. The scribes prefer to keep the official libraries purged of any unsavory records, however. I'm afraid I have no idea of what to expect down here.""Luckily, you have me, your personal walking cheat-sheet," Rikku said, tossing her braids. "I know exactly where we're going!""You said the same thing about reaching this cavern three days ago.""Can it! I got us here, didn't I? Have a little faith!""That is my purpose in coming here, after all." She winced. He grinned. "So, where shall we go?""Nowhere, really, if you ask me," she replied, pointing up towards the ceiling. "Let's make our way in a little further before the light disappears. We'll have to camp out in here, but it's less creepy than doing it outside with all those patrolling mechs. At least the fiends sleep sometimes."They trudged together into the darkness, which was periodically broken up by drifting clumps of pyreflies. It was almost as if they were being guided further inwards by the Fayth itself. The air vibrated with the presence of magic, making Rikku's skin prickle. Even Braska seemed affected by the charged atmosphere, his steps slowing to observe the clusters of pyreflies each time they drew near.Before long, one of the cavern's residents appeared to greet them."...These are the fearsome opponents you were warning me about?" Braska stared at the giant pot that had landed in front of him, tracking the glowing bobble waving from the top of the Urn with a frown."Great, a Magic Urn. I hate those things," Rikku mumbled. She'd lost count of how many Phoenix Downs Yuna had had to use on the entire party after her repeated stealing attempts ended in failure. I really thought they were hiding something incredible! How was I supposed to know they didn't have anything useful? Shaking herself from her reverie, she shouted in dismay as Braska reached out with a questing finger and poked an eye etched onto the middle of the pot."No, don't—!"The Urn shook violently. Rikku covered her eyes, groaning."Augh!"Peering between her fingers, she saw Braska sprawled on the ground, one hand clapped over his face. His other hand was clutching a small sack."That… thing just giggled and struck me with this bag!"The Urn trembled at his words, glowing bobble bouncing."What in Yevon's name is it?" he asked, struggling to his feet and backing away from the Urn, which seemed to want to follow him. The skin around his bruised eye was already turning purple."It's some kind of creepy… animal, maybe, that hides itself in the pot," she explained, stepping in front of Braska and stopping the Urn's advance, careful not to disturb any of the symbols on the pot with her touch. "It never really attacks, but it can be dangerous if you don't know how to deal with it. Down boy! Shoo!" She clucked at the Urn.It trilled in dismay, glowing bobble wilting.Ignoring the sulking Urn, she shoved Braska back. "I think it just wants to play with us, but if you poke it in the wrong place, boom!""Boom?""Boom," she repeated with emphasis."...How might we, ah, transfer its interest to a more suiting target?""Usually by running like hell the moment you see one," Rikku said.The pot vibrated, clearly unhappy."Not that we were thinking of doing that right now, no siree!"Braska glanced between her and the Magic Urn. "And what happens if you poke it in the right place?""Besides your black eye?" Rikku gestured at the small sack in his hand. "It gives you a little reward. But then it won't leave you alone, either. You kinda have to keep playing with it until it gets bored.""And for how long might that be? We only have so many eyes to sacrifice.""I dunno," she answered. "I always got to the boom part first.""I see," Braska said, paling.The pot wriggled impatiently."What about Jecht's sphere?" he said suddenly. "You've never made it to the end of this creature's game, correct? Perhaps all you were lacking was the fortune to see things through.""But then I'm the one who has to play with it! I'm the one who'll get the boom!"Braska, quickly retreating, was all smiles. "Do your best to defend your summoner, my Guardian!"Rolling her eyes, Rikku activated her Garment Grid; Jecht's warm, welcome presence filled her with confidence. When the light faded, so did her annoyance."Ooh, games!" she cooed, sauntering up to the pot and tickling the glowing bobble with her finger. It shivered, and she laughed. "Let's make a wager," she said, tapping her lips with a card she had trapped between her fingertips. Coming to a decision, she pointed at one of the Urn's outer designs."There!" Her cards snapped against the painted eye.The Magic Urn jumped, squeaking.A slow grin spread across her lips. "Hmm, liked that, did you?" Holding a hand before her mouth, she cackled, channeling her best Dona. "Well, well, well. Who wouldn't want to be spanked by the Mistress of Charm? Looks like today's your lucky day, Pottie-Pie!""Err… Rikku, are you certain you are on the same page as that thing?""Of course," she said airily, cutting Braska off. "Our cute little Magic Urn here has been a very, very naughty! All that tension it's holding back, just waiting to explode! Why, it's practically my duty to help the poor thing out." As she spoke, she rapped her cards against another one of the pot's eyes.This time the Urn let out a high-pitched yelp and rotated in place."That's right," she cooed, the cards twisting around her arms in preparation. "Take that!" A loud thwap echoed through the cavern as her cards hit the Urn again. Before it could recover, she sent the deck flying back towards it, grinning wildly. "And that!"SMACK!"Don't fight it baby, you know you want it!"SMACK!"Now I'm getting excited!"SMACK!"... I think I am learning more about Jecht than I ever wanted to know," Braska groaned."I don't know about you, but I'm having the time of my life," Rikku crowed. "Now hold still, darling, it's time for the grand finale!"The little creature in the pot screeched. A large pile of treasure sacks were haphazardly tossed to the ground.Rikku ignored them, licking her lips as she took aim. "There!"Her cards lashed out at the same time the creature within the pot rocketed out of the container. The abandoned Urn shattered into shrapnel.None of it hit her, of course. All that dust would have been murder on her sequins.But where did my little friend go? Waving away the dust, she scowled. "Hey! Come back here! I wasn't done playing yet!"A loud crack sounded, followed by a sudden burst of light. Rikku shielded her eyes until the brightness faded; looking upwards, she spotted a brand new Urn-creature-sized crack in the cavern's ceiling. Sunlight streamed in from the outside."Oh, so that's where those came from?" she speculated, collecting her scattered cards with a gesture. Then she pouted. "Such a spoilsport! I was this close to winning the game!"A hacking cough interrupted her musings. "...On further consideration, perhaps you should remove Jecht's sphere," Braska wheezed, struggling to his feet. He didn't seem to have shared in her luck; once again, he was covered with a fine layer of dirt, looking worse for the wear. Spitting out a pebble, he gave her a flat stare.Sheepishly, Rikku deactivated the dressphere. "Next time, we run?""Indeed," he deadpanned.
.x.x.x.
They set up camp when the few bits of natural light from the outdoors began to fail; twilight on the plains was already looking like the deepest night inside the sunken cavern."I am starting to reconsider my position on the sanctity of those bridges," Braska said as they settled by the light of another modified glowing sphere. "Could we not have brought some wood with us for a fire?"Rikku snorted. "Who were you expecting to carry it, me? Besides, we don't want to draw the fiends to us. Just think, what if a Tonberry ambushed us in our sleep?""That tiny green lizard creature we faced earlier? Come now, it was not all that terrible. I thought it adorable, the way it waved its miniature weapon about."She made a face at his smug expression. "Well, excuse me for not having your blessed knife-repelling karma. For some of us, that encounter was pretty painful!""Yes, well—" Braska abruptly fell silent."Wha—"He shushed her, deactivating the sphere and plunging them into darkness.It was then that she felt it: a sudden drop in temperature, chilling her to the bone. A strange, cold light floated by, giving off a different sense than the innocuous pyreflies drifting through the cavern. It paused as it neared them, a few of the lights solidifying into a translucent, skeletal face.A Ghost! Rikku held her breath, motionless, sweat beginning to bead on her forehead. She wanted to close her eyes, but didn't dare move.It looked in her direction with unseeing eyes. Despite appearing to sense them, it couldn't seem to pinpoint their presence.If fiends really were nothing more than the discontent of the formerly living, Ghosts were the purest essence of that rage and hopelessness. Spending too long in the presence of one was a sure way to find death, even if it wasn't directly attacking. The sheer weight of its depressive aura could eventually break a living mind down.That sense of hopelessness sapped her willpower; to distract herself, she dared a look at Braska. His features were hidden in darkness, but he was also holding himself still.Did being a summoner gave him the ability to weather the Ghost's presence better?A lone pyrefly drifted by his face and Rikku had to stop herself from twitching in surprise. It didn't appear like he was suffering. Instead, he was looking at the Ghost with a strange light to his eyes, his lips twisted into a sad smile.After a few more excruciating moments of inspection, the Ghost moved on. Only after the oppressive atmosphere faded—plus a full extra minute, just in case—did she let out her breath."How'd you do that?"Braska re-lit their sphere, blinking in surprise. "Feel it coming? You could not?""Well, when it was right on top of us," she said, confused. "But I meant, 'How'd you act so put-together when it was breathing down our necks like that'? Weren't you scared?"Braska looked down, folding his fingers together. "I have always been sensitive to the feelings of others. I suppose… that is quite literal, in a place like this. Perhaps it has to do with my capacity for magic. Perhaps it is because those Ghosts still cling to the hopes and aspirations of those who passed on in discontent. I don't truly know. But as for feeling fear… no, I do not fear them. I feel pity.""You first thought isn't to run screaming?" Even Kimahri's fur got ruffled around Ghosts! "You're braver than I thought!""Quite the opposite," he mused. "I suppose… I fear death. I fear I will become like them, one day, tied to this world by my regrets and my anger. I do not fear them. I fear I understand them."She shivered. "We could Send the next one we meet, if you want.""The souls trapped here are ancient," he observed. "Old souls can resist the Sending if a summoner is not powerful enough or if the grudge that holds them here is too great. We would have to battle them into submission first, and even then, it is no guarantee of success. Would my Sending be powerful enough to allow the pyreflies in this place to escape, or would they simply reform into something just as bitter as before, called back to one another by their lost companions?" He lifted a hand, allowing a few of the floating pyreflies to pass through his fingertips."They are as bound to their path as I am," he concluded. Then he gave her a wan smile. "Although I am hoping for a better end, at least. One with more meaning."Rikku slumped. This place sucks. "Maybe we should just get some rest so we can start out bright and early tomorrow morning," she said, reaching for the sphere."Wait."Rikku looked up in surprise."I've a favor to ask of you," he said, rummaging through his bag. He pulled out a small pair of scissors. "Would you be so kind as to tend to this mess on my head? It will take my mind off of things and also certainly remove these bothersome bangs."Grabbing the scissors out of his hands, she shrugged. "Sure. Whaddaya want? And no dirty jokes, please.""Perish the thought." He held out a length of his hair. It had grown longer since his impromptu cut in Baaj; now, it was brushing the edge of his chin, eerily reminiscent of the style Yuna wore after Tidus' disappearance.
Yeah… it'd be better to make him look a little less like her.
"I'd like to keep it shorter, if you will. Closer to my head." He indicated with his fingers where to make a cut, and Rikku nodded.She leaned forward and attempted to snip off some hair, but after a few cuts, she realized their position was too awkward. "Sit up straight," she commanded, scooting closer and rising to her knees before him. "This is really tough without a comb." Frustrated, she ran her fingers through his fine, brown hair, working out the snarls in it. "Alright, I got it now."Braska remained silent, likely enjoying all the attention she was showering on his scalp… or the view of her boobs as she leaned forward to work. Pausing, she glanced down; he was wearing a blissful expression as he stared at her chest. Yep. Conniving jerk.Still, she was the one holding the sharp, pointy object in her hands, and it was hard enough to see anything by the weak light of the pyreflies and their lone sphere. Maybe he should know that."Now hold still," she said, tugging sharply on a lock of hair. "One false move and you might just lose an appendage." She snipped the scissors dangerously close to his ear.Braska swallowed and schooled his features into respectful aloofness. "Yes, ma'am.""Good." Concentrating, she resumed cutting; soon, wispy clumps of hair littered the floor around him.Hmm… a little more from the side… make it shorter at the top… and there! Done. Humming, she fluffed up his hair and sat back to appraise him.Braska raised one brow. "How is it?""Better," she said. "You look less like a girl now!"He frowned, but she didn't elaborate.Really better, she thought as he cleaned up. While the resemblance to Yuna was still there, it wasn't as striking. Plus, he looked younger with the shorter hair.What would he have looked like had he lived to her time in the future?Shaking the stray thought away, she handed back the scissors. "You'll just have to trust me on this one.""I trust you with my life. Trusting you with my hair is a matter of lesser importance." He smiled briefly at her as he packed away the scissors.Rikku scrambled away from him, confused and uneasy. He's not even doing anything this time! What is wrong with me? Shivering, she reached out and shut down the sphere. "Should be a big day tomorrow. Get some rest, I'll take first watch.""As you wish," she heard him say in the dark, followed by the rustle of cloth as he settled down for the evening. Soon, his breathing evened out. Although he did his best to hide it, their journey was still pushing his limits. Sleep overtook him in moments.Gradually, her eyes adjusted to the low light in the cavern and she spent several minutes watching him. Her heart thumped, remembering the way he'd looked towards the Ghost. A fierce desire to shield him from that pain rose up in her, surprising in its intensity.After all he's done and everything he's said, why do I still feel so drawn to protect him?She clenched her fists, unsettled, and resigned herself to another long, restless night.
.x.x.x.
There was a split in the tunnel ahead; Braska leaned his staff against one of the cavern's walls, pulled out a coin, and flipped it."Hey! What're you doing? I know where we're going!""You said that three Imps, six Yowies, two Valahas, one Nidhogg, eight Thorns, and fourteen Dark Elements ago." After lifting his palm and inspecting the coin, he grabbed his weapon. "We will take the right.""Geez," she mumbled. "You didn't have to keep count…""I didn't count the Coeurls. I am attributing that to your appreciation for cats.""Fine! Lead on." Grumpily, Rikku lowered her head and followed. They traveled the narrow path, lit only by pyreflies, until it ended in a larger clearing. Looking up, she stopped and grabbed onto Braska's robe. "Wait," she whispered. "I really do recognize this place. We're close."With trepidation, she passed the area where Ginnem had appeared—only a shadow of the vivacious young woman she'd met in Besaid. Nothing emerged from the darkness this time, however, and she felt a sharp pang of guilt.Ginnem was still alive right now, but she hadn't even tried to stop her. I'm sorry, Lulu.She stood, remembering Lulu's graceful, pale neck bowed in the darkness as she wiped away her silent tears. It had been a shock to her fifteen-year-old self back then, to see her idol so emotionally affected by anything. It spoke to the depths of the pain Lulu had experienced.
Could I have prevented it?
She tried to steady her breathing, feeling suffocated by the memories."Are you all right?" Braska's question jolted her back to the present. He placed a hand on her shoulder, steadying her."Y-yeah," she said faintly. Clearing her throat, she pointed towards the back of the cavern. "Over there. This is what we came here for, right?"As if sensing her turmoil, he gave her shoulder a squeeze. "There is no need to rush."Taking another deep breath, she pushed away her regret and placed her hand on his. Focus on the now. One step at a time. "Yeah. We all have our demons, right? Don't worry about it."After a long moment, he nodded, dropping his hand and turning towards the faint light ahead of them.The Chamber of the Fayth was unguarded. There were no stone doors to pray before, and the light they'd seen originated from the unnaturally glowing purple-hued torches. Hastily-layered seals indicated that whomever had stolen the Fayth stone had still wanted to protect the soul it contained. There was little else between them and the Fayth this time, however.Something struck her—or rather, the lack of something. "Where's the Hymn?"Braska stopped. "I can sense a presence here, but it is very faint. It is as though the Fayth here is dormant.""Maybe it is. Maybe without people to pray to it and keep it alive in their memories, they fall asleep. Go into hibernation until someone remembers to wake them up, or something." She peered into the pit containing the stone.The brightly painted statue was no worse for the wear from its transport away from its original temple. The cloth wards even kept it free from debris and dust. It didn't change the fact that for all intents and purposes, Yojimbo had been abandoned. She felt a twinge of sympathy for the soul trapped inside of the statue; forgotten, unable to serve its purpose, but still condemned to its eternal vigil. "Try praying to it. Maybe you can wake it up."Approaching the statue, Braska kneeled. He cupped his arms in prayer and bowed. "Oh, ancient servant of Yevon, I humbly request your aid."For a moment, nothing happened. Then, despite the burning torches, the cavern darkened and shook. Small pebbles fell from the ceiling and energy built up around them, old and powerful.When the floor finally stopped vibrating and the light returned, the Hymn's low baritone filled the room.The air over the stone wavered, forming into a warrior monk. His outfit was antiquated, bearing little in common with the current uniform in Bevelle. At his side, a ghostly dog sat."I am the blade of vengeance," the Fayth stated. "They dare only whisper my name: Yojimbo."Braska bowed once again, awe splayed in stark relief over his expression. As far as she knew, Yojimbo was only the second aeon to reveal his human form to Braska. Maybe third, if you count Jecht. Except Jecht's not all that awe-inspiring. Suppressing her snigger, Rikku did a quick spot check for her own mobility. Looks like Yojimbo doesn't have it out for me, at least. The Fayth was addressing Braska; it was the first time she'd ever been so completely disregarded by one of them.Then she noticed Koimanu staring at her, ears lifted and tail wagging. Its gaze was sharp and intelligent, and she waved back uncertainly. Great… at least his dog acknowledges me, I guess. She redirected her attention back to Braska."... to train as a summoner," Braska was saying.She blinked. Wait a second. "Why didn't you ask him to help you defeat Sin?"The Fayth hesitated, then crossed his arms. Almost petulantly. "Yes, summoner. Why did you not make that request instead?"
Uh-oh.
Braska turned to look at her in consternation. "I thought you expressly wished for me to obtain this aeon to challenge Belgemine!" he murmured."Yeah, but I think you hurt his feelings!" she stage-whispered back.Braska's eyes widened in disbelief. "Me? You are the one who just pointed out my error in excruciating detail for him!"Yojimbo cleared his throat. "IF YOU DESIRE MY STRENGTH…"They stopped bickering, turning wide-eyed glances his way."... then you must pay my price."Braska looked at her again, and Rikku rolled her eyes and threw over a few of her money pouches. "Don't screw this next part up!" Then she looked at the Fayth and grinned. "Umm, hi. Don't mind little old me over here!"Koimanu barked, and Yojimbo seemed to repress a sigh, addressing Braska once more. "Very well. Make your offer.""Ah, yes. I was hoping that this amount would be sufficient." He offered up the two bags towards the Fayth.Yojimbo waved a hand, and the two pouches rose into the air, hovering over the ground. "...An adequate offer."Rikku nodded, relieved. It's a good thing I padded out those bags a little more than usual."Adequate? Might I request you stay your decision for just a moment?" Braska blurted.Yojimbo froze, and the two bags plummeted to the ground."What are you doing?" she hissed.Braska turned towards her, a look of panic on his face. "He said adequate! Are you sure that was enough? Didn't we bring more than this with us? Look, I can see at least three more bags on your belt!"For once in her life, she was stripped of the ability to respond, only able to gape.Unfortunately for both of them, Yojimbo suffered from no such restraint. "Would you like to rethink your offer, summoner?" he intoned.Depressed, Rikku detached the rest of the pouches from her belt. My money… my precious money... Stomping over, she slapped them into Braska's outstretched hand, bowling him over. When he managed to pick himself off of the ground, she pinched his arm, hard. "It's called haggling for a reason," she snarled. "I'll make you regret it if you promise him the entire pot!"Gulping, Braska nodded, then firmed up his expression when he faced Yojimbo. "Indeed," he told the Fayth solemnly. "My first offer was uninformed, for which I apologize. I wish to rectify that mistake now."Some of the tension seemed to leak out of Yojimbo's offended posture.So far, so good. She nodded, holding her breath.Braska held up one lonely bag.
Just one bag?! Wait, what is he—
"I hope this salary will be adequate compensation for your employment."Rikku was certain part of the reason the cavern began to rumble at that moment was because of the force of her jaw drop. When it finally stopped, the Fayth was seething."You ask for a phoenix, yet you offer chicken feed!" he roared. "No deal!" Koimanu barked sharply in agreement. The image of the Fayth began to waver and fade from view."Wait!" She ran forward, waving her hands. Yojimbo ignored her, continuing his fadeout until she tripped over one of the seals, accidentally ripping it out of the ground.His image came back into sharp focus. "Impudence! First your summoner offers insult and now you dare threaten me!""It was an accident!" Standing up awkwardly, she tried to stick the seal back in the ground; Braska stopped her before she could tear the cloth any further."This is a holy seal, Rikku. It requires a priest's blessing to repair properly. Fortunately, I am a priest." He bowed to Yojimbo. "I apologize, and shall restore this seal immediately, sir. We meant no disrespect."Yojimbo grunted. "And yet you both sow it abundantly. Very well. Make your amends, summoner."Braska knelt down to deal with the seal, leaving her to an uncomfortable stare-off with the ghostly image of the waiting Fayth.The tension was unbearable, so she decided to cut it with her long-standing curiosity. After all, when will I ever get another opportunity like this? "Say, Yoji, my man… like… Fayth… dude. What do you do with all that gil anyway? It's not like you could spend it in your state."Yojimbo uncrossed his arms. She didn't think it was possible for the Fayth to look any more upset, but the nickname sure wasn't softening him up any. To her surprise, Yojimbo still answered her. "Upon leaving the Temple, my ties to our leader were severed. I require other methods of sustenance or my Dreaming will end. The Fayth thrive upon mortals' desires, and your mortal currency is both an embodiment and a vehicle for them. Humanity's individual passions may be fleeting, but its collective greed is eternal.""Geez. That's not a very sunny outlook on life."Braska clucked his tongue at her."...Existence, I meant!" She laughed weakly, trying not to choke.Shaking his head, Braska looked up at Yojimbo. "Poor as she may be with words, my Guardian is not entirely incorrect. A creature of your power and glory should not be reduced to scrounging after the leavings of the few who manage to discover your presence here by chance. If we were to assist you, could you reestablish your ties to Yevon and regain your original power?" he asked.Yojimbo's expression didn't change, but the air grew colder around them. "Favored supplicant of Bahamut, I have no desire for your aid."Braska bowed his head and returned his attention to the seal. He murmured a low prayer, the tear in the cloth knitting itself back together. The lettering began to glow, and Braska sat back, keeping his hand outstretched to channel power into the half-restored seal. He returned his gaze to the Fayth, who had yet to disappear. "But why?" He glanced at Rikku. "And… why can you speak to her as you do to me? She is no summoner.""Hey!"Braska shrugged. "He is speaking to us, rather than trying to annihilate us. When will we have another opportunity such as this?""Wait a sec," she said. "So if you can notice him talking to me and I can notice him talking to you, does that mean… you've noticed whenever time got all funny around me in the Chambers?""Time got… 'funny?' " Braska frowned. "I have never personally witnessed it. Of course, time seems to drag by slowly when I offer my initial prayers to the Fayth. I assume it is part of the challenge. Or are you referring to our struggle against Anima? Of course I was aware of that, as you well know."Yojimbo twitched. "You are both servants of Bahamut. Naturally you are subject to the King's will."Rikku looked up at the Fayth. "You mean Bahamut is the one who controls time?""Rikku!"Startled by Braska's exclamation, she tore her eyes away to see him staring at a few pyreflies floating past his head. Or at least, they had been floating. Now, they were completely motionless. As if on cue, a child's voice rang through the air."The impudence is yours."Rikku jumped as Bahamut's tiny child-like figure strode past her to address Yojimbo. "You can't reject the prayers of a Summoner.""I am not beholden to your whims any longer," Yojimbo said slowly. "Your faction is weak. King you may be but your power shall never defeat Sin.""Alone for too long, you have forgotten your purpose," Bahamut replied, a dragon's growl lacing through the child's voice. "Kneel and serve, as is your duty."Rikku edged closer to Braska, watching the two eyeless Fayth stare each other down, which was pretty weird in itself. "What did we just step into?" she whispered. She'd never had a good encounter with an unhappy Fayth to date, and neither Yojimbo nor Bahamut looked particularly pleased."I'm restoring this seal as quickly as I can," Braska muttered back, sweating. "Let's leave them before we are drawn into their feud.""Your methods of fighting this war are childish," Yojimbo said, full of contempt. "But what is one to expect from a mere child?"Bahamut floated until he was eye-level with the adult Fayth. "I lead because I am eldest. Pay feasance to the summoner.""To be consigned to oblivion is preferable to stagnation," Yojimbo said. "You are as powerless as your subjects, King. On your path, the spiral of death shall remain unbroken.""He's like Anima," Rikku breathed."Pardon?" Braska looked up from his work, alarmed. "He wants to kill us?""No! He's got free will! This is great!" She jumped up and down and waved her arms at the Fayth. "Umm, sorry to interrupt your creepy little staring contest there—""Rikku, what are you doing?""—but see, we have this friend named Jecht who could really use your advice—""I shall not serve your summoner."She wasn't sure if Yojimbo was answering her or Bahamut, who was still floating nearby.But, since Bahamut wasn't speaking up anymore… I hope this doesn't mess things up between Braska and his aeons."Wait! I'll make you an offer you can't refuse!" Yojimbo tilted his head and she plowed on despite Braska's look of dismay. "You need belief to have power, right? So hook yourself up to Lord Braska here. It's not like you'd be doing this for the Temples," she said quickly. "You're the one saying Bahamut's way won't work. How are you going to challenge it without any power of your own?"A crushing pressure washed over her, locking her joints. Chill out, shorty! she thought, gritting her teeth and glaring at Bahamut. I'm trying to help! She forced her mouth open—her tongue felt like it was stuck, but Bahamut couldn't have been too upset with her, because she managed to spit out the words somehow. "My summoner… can help you! Wanna… prove the King wrong? Now's... your chance! Join… Braska!""Rikku!" Now Braska looked worried, likely noticing something was amiss. He started to break off his spell."No!" she managed.He subsided unhappily but his hand returned the seal.Yojimbo crossed his arms and her heart stuttered. But, on the bright side, she felt herself regaining control. If Bahamut is cutting me some slack, then I must be doing something right. Maybe Braska's favorite Fayth is as crafty as he is. She decided to gamble on it and pressed on. "Are you just gonna wait another couple of hundred years for someone else to find you?""I see no purpose in following Bahamut's dog," Yojimbo said coldly.Braska recoiled, and Rikku flushed in anger. "How can you say that? You're a dog owner yourself!"Koimanu whined in agreement."I don't believe you are helping our cause," Braska murmured, hastily finishing his work on the seal. "Sir, pay no mind to her—""No!" Rikku repeated, cutting him off. "If he doesn't want to help us, then he's no better than Bahamut!" She lifted her chin towards Yojimbo, challenging. "You talk big about your independence, but now you're just being lazy. If you don't do something, nothing will ever change—and you can't blame Bahamut or anyone else for that!"Koimanu whimpered, butting his phantom head against Yojimbo's leg, and the Fayth looked down. "So you, too, would agree to this nonsense?" Koimanu barked, tail wagging. With an audible sigh, Yojimbo addressed her. "I will hear you. Make your offer, child."Sucking in a deep breath, Rikku fell to her knees, trying to score some points with the Fayth. After a brief internal struggle, she even forced herself into the Yevonite bow, arms raised.Braska inhaled sharply behind her.She bowed her head. "Lord Braska will give you that purpose you're looking for. You don't need to stay a forgotten dream. He can be your vessel right now, and he can bring the knowledge of your shrine back to the rest of Spira, even without the Temples!" She looked up, trying to gauge the Fayth's reaction—no success. "You wouldn't be lost anymore. You could taste freedom again, and work on defeating Sin. Working with Bahamut doesn't need to mean conceding to him, you know? You became an aeon to serve Spira first, and Spira needs you more than ever. Don't just sleep away your time here and leave us hanging."Braska kneeled next to her, also bowing deeply. "I, an outcast of Yevon's Church, will do whatever it takes to defeat Sin. If that means being a servant of Bahamut, then so be it." He glanced up at Yojimbo, a fierce look in his eye. "I know of a monk who also threw away his pride and reputation to better serve Spira. You, too, were once a great warrior monk, were you not? You understand the weight of duty. Does your pride truly matter more than your mission?"
Wow, talk about laying it on thick.
Bahamut walked by them. He paused next to Braska. "Whatever may happen, you are no dog." Then he continued, fading away into the darkness.Braska's head dipped, his expression unreadable, before he gathered his resolve and resumed staring intensely at the Fayth."Very well." Yojimbo broke the uncomfortable silence. "I entrust myself to you henceforth, summoner. My sword shall guard you on your journey. But..."Rikku's wide smile dropped, and Braska, in the midst of bowing again, froze."... it will cost you dearly."Braska quickly scooped up a few of the pouches of gil and offered them once more. Rikku suppressed her sigh as she watched them float away and disappear with a wave of Yojimbo's hand.The Fayth looked at her. "Your impudence is not without its consequence, child. When we next meet, my price will be steeper."Rikku cringed. "Yeah, I think I figured."The Fayth disappeared, transforming into a translucent glowing orb that flew towards Braska's chest. A nimbus of light surrounded him and Braska gasped, falling forward onto his hands. After a few moments, he managed to sit up."How many more rebel aeons will we be collecting, I wonder?"Rikku thought about Belgemine's challenge and decided not to enlighten him. Maybe Auron's right. He needs to learn to do this stuff for himself. I can't always be there to hold his hand.Shaking his head, he turned towards her. "I never thought I would see the day that an Al Bhed would willingly perform a Temple bow."She shrugged and tried her best to ignore the enormity of her gesture. "Well, the ends justify the means, right?" She wrinkled her nose. "I still feel like I need a bath now, though."Braska gazed at her, his expression both soft and warm. "I didn't think you would—for me," he said.Embarrassed, she blushed, then cursed herself for doing so.Shaking himself, he gave her a firmer smile. "You have my thanks." It quickly morphed into a look of concern. "Are you well? Something happened to you again, didn't it? Was it that child's doing?""It's fine," she said, climbing to her feet with a wince. Kneeling on rock hurt a lot more than it looked—maybe summoners wore knee pads under their long robes? "I guess you figured out that was Bahamut, right? The Fayth like to do that to me sometimes, but so far there haven't been any lasting effects."Scrambling to his feet, Braska looked cowed. "I am beginning to understand why some of them rebel. I apologize—""Stop doing that. It's annoying and my knees hurt and I just sorta betrayed everything my people stand for! I wanna get out of this cave. We got what we came here for, right?"He stiffened, another apology on his lips, before he stopped and frowned. Resignation danced across his expression.The defeated look really wasn't a good one for him, she thought, trying to rein in her temper. This wasn't really his fault. "Look, it was my choice to take you here and I can deal with the consequences. Don't take on my problems when you have enough of your own.""...As you wish, then. Although I shall be the one to leading us out of the cavern, if you do not mind.""Fine, fine, I'm sure you know what you're doing, too," she said, sulking and starting toward the exit. "Not like I haven't been here before or anything, right? Just make sure you let me deal with the fiends that throw themselves at us first.""Of course," he called as she stalked away. "…But Rikku? The exit is over here."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"I'll go first." Rikku stepped forward, full of determination.A hand caught her shirt and yanked her back before she could manage a second step. "I'm invoking a Summoner's privilege," Braska said.Scowling, Rikku stepped on the edge of his trailing robe. "Hold it right there, bud!""There is absolutely no reason to allow you to use it before I!" Pointing at the glowing tile embedded into the floor, Braska gave her a stern look. "Yevon knows you'll end up on the other side of the cavern instead of at the entrance somehow. We'll be lost here for a week!""The teleport pads are supposed to make getting out of here easier," she grumbled. "But they're single-use only! With your luck, if you go first, you'll end up right in the maw of a hungry Malboro. I've got first dibs, and that's final."Braska shook his head. "I have never seen anyone fail to navigate more spectacularly than you, my dear. Might I remind you? We were aiming for Luca, and you took us to Baaj.""T-that was the fish's fault!" They traded glares for a few moments longer before she relented, scrubbing her forehead. "Look. We'll be stuck here forever if we keep arguing. There's got to be a better way."They looked down the dark, maze-like corridor that led back towards the cavern's exit. Almost at the edge of her sight, a glowing bobble bounced across one of the crossings."…I don't believe it's by foot," Braska said. Facing her, he tapped his chin. "Are you certain there is no way to make this device transport us simultaneously?"Studying the glowing tile, Rikku hummed. "Well, it's activated by pressure, I think. It never worked when we tried to do it in twos, though." She eyed Braska critically. "I guess I could put on my Berserker outfit and give you a lift. That might work…"He blanched. "I do not think that would be appropriate.""Why not?""The last time you handled me in that outfit, you broke my ribs!" He leaned on his staff. "I only have my own experiences with your Alchemist and Berserker spheres to form a hypothesis, but tell me… did you ever attempt to wear the Samurai outfit while in close contact with Auron?""Yeah. While we were in Besaid," she said. "We were at each other's throats! It was like too much of a good thing. Not to mention all the sparks that were flying since we were both thinking the same…" She trailed off, noted Braska's pointed stare, and coughed into her fist. "Yeah, so scratch that idea."She looked down at her Garment Grid, another plan beginning to form as she eyed Lenne's sphere. "I think I've got an idea." As if in response, it warmed under her touch. "Say, can you dance? I don't mean like Jecht does. Do you know any of those formal stuffy things they do at functions in Bevelle?""Naturally," he replied, bemused. "During my studies, I learned all of the classical Bevellian - wait a moment. What? No.""Come on," she wheedled.He shook his head. "No! Rikku, I'm quite serious!"One brief argument later and with all equipment properly secured, Braska looked even more uncomfortable than before. "So, I simply have to lead you through this dance? I'm not sure I understand how this will resolve anything.""Don't be a party pooper," she told him, dusting off her Songstress outfit. "If we get the timing right, the pressure pads should teleport us both at the same time." Braska still looked unconvincedm, so she sighed theatrically. "Look, it's that or fighting our way back out the way we came. Since Lenne's willing to help us out with this, we just need to practice 'til we get it right." She tapped her toe and a chime sounded. Then she snapped her fingers and lively music filled the cavern.Braska swallowed. "But surely the fiends - ""I told you before, the pattern always makes magic. It should freeze anything incoming wherever we're dancing, so stop worrying." She trotted towards him in time with the beat.He frowned. "Yes, but when you stop moving?""There are only two possible results," she said, continuing her dance. "We end up coordinated enough to activate that tile, or we give up and get chomped." Twirling, she stopped by his side. "Better get started!"With an expression that could only be described as long-suffering, he began to awkwardly emulate her movements.Laughing at his wooden motions, Rikku swung her hips. "Don't be such a stick! Loosen up, this'll be fun. I thought you knew how to do this one!""That was in the past," Braska said, even as his movements began to smooth and become more natural. "It's been years since I've practiced." He huffed as she wheeled around him."Stop talking and concentrate," she chided, coming out of her spin facing him. She planted one hand on his shoulder. "You're ready now. Let's go."Nodding, he grabbed her free hand and placed his other high on her back. And then they were off, spinning around the room in a dizzying whirl of robes and literal magic. To his credit, he managed to avoid smashing her toes as they traversed the room.When they stepped onto the glowing tile, nothing apart from a brief shine happened."We won't make it like this," she complained. "Let's make another pass!"Braska, breathless, could only nod in agreement. They stopped in the corner of the cavern, and he dipped her while glancing at the tile. She spun into the move, arching her back, and looked in the opposite direction down the dark corridor. An audience of fiends was forming, pressed against the edge of Lenne's magic barrier.
Uh-oh. Looks like all this music is attracting an audience after all.
Shaking off the attention, she nodded at Braska when he brought her back up. Skipping across the floor together, they made another pass at the tile. This time their feet hit the floor in tandem; hope rising, Rikku synced her right foot with his left as they stepped onto the tile. This time, the glow was brighter.Her heart soared—then crashed, as they continued past the tile without activating it.Turning them in a wide circle, Braska's face displayed his frustration. He was sweating in earnest, now; their dance more akin to a constant jog. He performed a few slower twirls to catch his breath."This... isn't working," he puffed."Maybe we're doing this wrong," she replied. We're not coordinated enough. We're going into this dance like it's some kind of battle. Maybe that's the problem..."Hey," she said as they drew to a stop. She leaned to the side and stretched her leg back in a dramatic pose to keep the magic going, and on his next spin she pulled away. "Follow my lead," she instructed."We would need years of training to coordinate this dance successfully," he told her bitterly, mirroring her."Stop trying so hard," she coaxed, lifting her arms and putting some swing into her steps. "Try dancing with a little less concentration and a little more soul. Have some fun for once!""Our lives may be in danger - ""This is a dance! Our dance, not some lesson in Bevellian party etiquette! Improvise! Just trust me and live a little, alright?" She snapped her fingers and slowed her steps to give him the floor. "You're a good dancer. Really. You might give Jecht a run for his money if he'd bother to learn formal dancing."Braska peered at her before kicking out into a small jig. She clapped and the tension on his face eroded.Smiling, she continued dancing with him; although a part of her words had been calculated to stoke his ego, he really wasn't that bad. In fact, if they weren't in a cavern surrounded by bloodthirsty fiends trying to eat them, she might've described the whole experience as fun.Never thought I'd feel that way about a Yevonite two-step. She giggled and took her own advice, throwing herself into the rhythm. This time, when they came together again, he grabbed her first, pulling her towards him in a tight spin."May I have this dance, my lady?" he asked breathlessly during the brief pause, and she nodded. He took off, leading her across the cavern at a lively pace.The ground seemed to fly under her feet; probably because she wasn't watching them anymore. Neither was Braska; his eyes were trained on her now, and his answering smile was bright and wide. He led her into a jaunty pivot, and she followed, laughing.He spun her around; faster and faster they turned, moving across the floor in a dizzying spiral, the music reaching a crescendo.And then, with a stomach-lurching feeling, the lights and music abruptly faded.Gasping for breath, Rikku sagged against him. Her eyes darted back and forth, taking in their surroundings. We're back at the entrance!Braska tumbled to his knees, wheezing as he dragged her down with him."We made it," she gasped, rolling off him with a delighted yelp. "Look! We made it work!" Deactivating her dressphere, she sat up and tried to help Braska to his feet, but he waved her off."This… was not… one of your brighter… notions," he groaned."But you enjoyed it, right?"He said nothing, but there was a twinkle in his eye. Then he wilted, obviously tired.Feeling guilty, she dropped her pack and fished through it, pulling out a flask of water and pressing it into his hands.After taking a long drink, he pulled off his headpiece and wiped down his sweat-slicked forehead. "Better," he breathed, settling comfortably. "I am much too old for this.""For what? Having fun?" She smirked, then drank the water when he passed it back. After gulping some down, she hummed in agreement. "But, yeah, it was harder than I thought. Can you imagine doing all that and singing, too?" She shook her head and gave Lenne's sphere a pat."I am more imagining how displeased Auron is going to be with us. He specifically told me, 'No touching.'"She choked on her next sip of water. Whoops. "…I don't think this counts, since I'm the one who forced you?" she tried. Auron loves me enough not to kill me. I hope. "We'll be fine."" 'Especially if she claims it will be fine," Braska said, voice lowered as he imitated Auron. "It will not be fine. You will not be fine.' "She cringed. "We'd be less fine if either of us ended up dead. Besides, you've got a shiny new aeon now. And, Yojimbo likes big swords too! Maybe they'll bond.""Surely," he agreed with a short laugh. "They both harbor a strong resentment against me. We shouldn't lose our heads over this. What could go wrong?""Those puns will kill me deader than anything in this cave." Groaning, Rikku stood and offered him her hand again. "Time to go?""Most definitely," he agreed, using his staff as a walking stick once he was upright.Rikku scrambled through the passage toward the exit, Braska close behind; they stumbled into broad daylight, blinking and shielding their faces from the valley's muted sunshine."Whoo-hoo, fresh air!" she cheered, stretching.Something crackled, followed by a low mechanical whine. Rikku's smile froze as she caught sight of rusty but all-still-too-operational Defender. It swayed before her, its huge knuckles creating furrows in the soil."Lifeform detected," a monotone voice buzzed from a speaker near its shoulder. "Analyzing."She looked up… and up… and up—the Defender was slightly larger than Ifrit—then gulped. "…Uh, Braska?""Species: Al Bhed," the Defender continued. "Assessment: Hostile. Execute subroutine: Eliminate." It lumbered towards her, whirring and clacking."Yikes!" She flung herself away from its swinging fist, which missed by a hair's breadth. "We've got trouble! Take cover!" she yelled at Braska, gesturing back at the cavern.Braska was gaping, but raced back into the passage at her shout; she chased, hot on his heels.They stopped when they were a good distance away from the entrance, cowering as the Defender attempted to smash through the rocks blocking the narrow path. The entire cave shuddered with each blow, the overhead shaft of daylight progressively widening."Those rocks won't hold it back forever." She growled and smacked herself before slipping her Godhand on. "Sorry. That was dumb of me to run out without checking. I was careless.""Don't blame yourself. I was also too happy to escape from this place," Braska told her, wincing as the cavern shook again. "But for now, we must focus. That… abomination is quite large," he admitted. "It may be time to test our new aeon's mettle against it.""Good idea, but…" Scrounging through her pockets, she pulled out a bag full of coins and pressed them into his hand. "You're gonna need this. And for machina's sake, don't give him the whole bag this time!"Braska took the pouch. "What am I to do with this? When I enter Rapture, it will be useless in my hands.""Just call Yojimbo! You'll see."The cavern shook again. With a quick inhale, he drew out his staff and held it before him, bending his head in concentration. Spinning green globes of magic surrounded him as he swung the staff upwards and light burst around his figure. The air warped and twisted, turning darker than the cavern itself, illuminated only by the gleam from an artificial moon.For a few moments, they were immersed in a completely different world, as cherry blossom petals fell around them like gentle rain. Yojimbo's form shimmered into view, Koimanu trailing after him. The larger aeon made a beeline straight towards Braska, each step heavy and purposeful.Braska froze, brows knitted in confusion. "There is no Rapture." He twitched, sending her a helpless look. "I can feel him. But I can't control him."Yojimbo came to a stop, towering above them."You might consider fleeing," Braska told her nervously."Nuh-uh." She stepped closer. "We're in this pickle together."After a few tense moments, Yojimbo finally shook out his sleeve, extending an open palm. Fortunately, Braska had the presence of mind to pull out some gil rather than tossing the entire pouch into Yojimbo's waiting hand this time.Sadly, he still didn't have the sense to count it.Closing his massive fist around the coins, Yojimbo let them clink together, weighing them. Then, with a nod, he threw back his cloak and strode towards the cavern's entrance. Koimanu's tail wagged once before he bounded after his master.By now the Defender had widened the passage entrance enough for Yojimbo to slip through with only a faint slouch to his shoulders. The aeon stopped just before exiting the cavern and pointed.Koimanu shot forward, slamming into the Defender and clearing a path.Unhurried, Yojimbo stepped out after them."Looks like it worked," Rikku said in the silence that followed. "You wanna follow?""...Not particularly, but what choice do we have?" Braska asked, still looking uneasy. "I've never experienced anything like this. A summoned aeon who is capable of free will? Is this truly a good thing?"Now was not the time for soul-searching questions.She stopped him. "Guardians first. Double-especially if you're going to let a bunch of philosophical questions distract you in the middle of a fight."Moving out of the cave cautiously, she scanned the valley. Yojimbo and the Defender were facing one another and Koimanu was repeatedly daigoro-ing the confused mech.She beckoned towards Braska. "They're in the middle of the field now, so I think we're good."Braska emerged behind her and inhaled sharply. "Impressive," he said, watching the fight.The Defender swept its gear-laden fist out, and Koimanu went flying; they ducked as the mountainside next to them shook from the impact. Koimanu slumped to the ground, boneless, and moments later the dog's body burst into pyreflies.Rikku winced. "Uh-oh."Braska started, alarmed. "What is it?""It's all over now. It's killed his dog."Enraged, Yojimbo raised two fingers before his face and concentrated for half a breath. Then he raced forward, unsheathing his sword in a clean sweep.A loud clang sounded. The Defender shuddered.Sliding to a stop behind it, Yojimbo reversed the blade and lunged backwards, stabbing the staggering machina through its torso.Metal screeched and groaned as Yojimbo twisted his sword, pinning the Defender to the ground. Sparks flew from the machina's ruptured metal plating and its mechanical arms flailed, sending chunks of earth and rock flying."Warning! Power levels dropping. Critical hydraulic system failure detected," the Defender announced in its robotic monotone.Yojimbo placed a foot on its shoulder and drove his blade in deeper."Leg acc-ccc-ccc-tuators disengaged," the speakers sputtered. "Mobility compromised. E-mer-mer-mer-gency maintenance required. Initiating shutdo-"Yojimbo yanked the sword out in a gleaming arc, spraying oil and metal shards everywhere.The metallic voice cut off as the Defender vibrated then collapsed, steaming and inert.Shaking his sword out, Yojimbo turned towards Braska. He bowed, almost politely, then grew translucent, fading away in an anticlimactic denouement to the ferocious battle.They were left alone with the broken husk of the Defender, leaking acrid-smelling hydraulic fluid."Well. That was unsettling." Braska cautiously approached the disabled machina and prodded it with his staff. "We are certain this thing cannot be resurrected, yes?""Of course not! It was never even really alive. Machina are just scraps of metal bolted together, running on clever programming. It can't repair itself - " A sudden, crazy idea burst into her mind as she eyed the felled machine. "... but maybe we can!"Jumping away from the Defender, Braska shot her a wild-eyed look. "It might rise again?"Grinning, Rikku launched herself towards the machina. "It sure will if I can help it!"Some time and scattered tools later, she found herself elbow-deep into the guts of the machina, sweating as she tried to reprogram the ancient circuitry to suit their needs. It was slower going than she'd expected; the old machina was complex, badly damaged, and somewhat beyond her usual scope of expertise. Still, the thought of Gippal laughing in her face at being unable to best him kept her stubbornly going. She finished connecting a few more wires then paused to take a deep breath.
How about now…?
Snapping her fingers, Rikku waited until the sparks of electricity between them stabilized. She bit her tongue, reached between the delicate wires and released the Thunder spell, then recoiled.Crackling, the Defender twitched, then stalled."I was sure I had it that time." She chewed her lower lip, eyeing the crude patch job she'd done on the machina's torso. Pulling a knife from her pouch, she dove back into its guts.Braska looked up from the rock he was sitting on. "Perhaps it's for the best that your efforts have been unsuccessful," he said. "How can you be sure you circumvented that thing's destructive elements?""Because I rerouted the energy flow directly into the secondary controls and made sure to completely bypass the combat subprocessor…" She caught herself, wiping grease off her cheek. "Uh, because I gave it a lobotomy.""... a lobotomy? In its torso?" Braska looked unconvinced."Look, it doesn't have a head, so no judging! Anyway, all it's programmed to do now is move, if I rewired my circuits right."She snapped her fingers, and the Thunder spell sparked to life once more. Leaning in, she zapped the wires and held her breath. Her multiple attempts to jump-start the machina were turning its interior charred and black; she doubted she had many chances left. "C'mon, work!"This time, the Defender managed to clumsily plant its hands onto the ground and push itself to its feet. It tottered, then regained its balance.Squealing, she scrambled up its side and slammed the casing shut. "Yes! I've still got it!" Then she vaulted onto the machina's shoulder and did a small victory dance - more of a wriggle, really, considering the space she had to work with. It sure isn't the Machina Maw, but I'll take it!Braska wasn't quite as willing to partake in her celebration; he eyed the towering machina as though it would try to smash them into paste at any moment. "I suppose congratulations are in order," he admitted after the Defender showed no indication of going on a rampage. "So… now that you've repaired it, what are we to do with it?"Rikku crossed her legs and placed her chin in her palm. "Well, it's got two shoulders, doesn't it? Get up here already!"He balked. "We are to use it as a steed?"Frowning, Rikku tapped her cheek. "No, you're right." Braska's sudden look of relief melted as she continued. "We can't keep calling my newest creation 'It.' That sounds creepy!""You're riding an ancient war machina, and you think leaving it unnamed is creepy," he said dubiously. Hiking up his robes, Braska approached the Defender and began to climb it. "I would question your priorities, but - ""I got it!" She snapped her fingers. "We'll call him, 'The Marauder!' "Hauling himself onto the Marauder's other shoulder, Braska tried to settle himself, looking uncomfortable. "I thought you said this machina would not be able to maraud anymore."Snorting, she reached down. "It can when I'm driving it!" Flipping a few switches, the Marauder listed to one side, then creaked into action. It placed one foot in front of the other, plodding towards the exit of the valley.Cheering, she glanced at Braska. He looked a little green around the gills but was hanging on gamely. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it.""Yevon, I hope not!"
.x.x.x.
Rikku peeked out from under the swath of skirt she was using as a headscarf. While the wind blowing across the Calm Lands was refreshing, the sun still beat down mercilessly. Her arm was starting to ache, too; it wasn't exactly comfortable constantly leaning over to steer the Marauder with the oddly recessed controls she'd patched together.
This thing really needs pedals.
Still… one cramping arm was miles better than slugging it out on foot. Rolling her shoulder, she blew out a long breath, mind cycling back to the worry constantly skirting her thoughts. Piloting a towering machina over the Calm Lands left her with a lot of free time to think on things other than her basic survival.Things like her too-silent companion. He wasn't mad at her anymore, at least she didn't think so, but he was acting strange. Or more correctly, he wasn't acting at all, which was pretty strange in and of itself.Chancing a glance at him, she caught Braska staring; he quickly looked away.She winced. What's his deal?He'd grown accustomed to the Marauder's uneven gait; his tight-lipped tension had eased into a milder discomfort.Discomfort, it seemed, that she was causing."So," she said brightly, "What's so interesting about my face?"He blinked, the picture of innocence. "Beg pardon?"Her arms hurt. It was hot. She didn't want to worry about Braska right now. Her patience was nonexistent. "You know, the stares?"He acknowledged her testiness with a slight nod, knuckles tightening on his handhold. "Are you certain you are quite capable of driving this thing—"She glared."—The Marauder," he corrected, "while holding a conversation?"
Maybe he's a little more nervous than he's letting on.
"Spit it out. I've noticed the way you've been dissecting me with your eyes this whole time."Braska didn't look convinced, but before he could say anything, yelps and yowls floated up towards them from below. The Marauder had flushed out a pack of Skolls.Annoyed at the interruption, Rikku chased a few of them down. "I get twitchy," she began conversationally, directing the machina to stomp on one of the unfortunate fiends, "when you start acting weird and don't explain yourself." Another Skoll was crushed with a wet squelch. "And when I get twitchy, I get creative. Oh, hang on a minute, one's getting away."She twisted the controls violently, and the Marauder jolted. There was another loud crunch, then a few pyreflies drifted by Braska, who was turning a shade of green to match them."There," she said, shifting the machina into walking mode and leaning back. "It's sort of on auto-pilot, so we can talk as long as we don't run into a cliff. Happy now?""Were you always this rebellious?" he mumbled, releasing his death-grip on his perch."Creative," she corrected with a sniff. "And what can I say? You inspire me."Though she'd meant it as a light-hearted jab, he took a deep breath. "Do you really… feel… nothing?"What? She blinked. Is he still trying to win me over, even now? "What makes you think - "Braska laid her silent with an unexpectedly harsh look. "Don't be coy," he said, curt. Then his shoulders drooped. "I apologize. But you know what I meant." He looked away. "We agreed to stop running from our shadows."She held onto an immediate flash of anger, a disproportionate response to his simple question; after a few moments, she beat back the instinct and forced herself to think. No matter what Braska does, he always pulls a reaction out of me. First sympathy… then lust… now anger.He seemed willing to wait out her answer.Her fury was subsiding, replaced by dread. I don't want to talk about this. Not now, not ever, nuh-uh. "Do I feel nothing between… us?" she clarified, cursing her mouth for moving without her brain's permission."I thought there was no 'us,' " he replied with a wry, defeated grin."There isn't!" She shivered. "I mean…"She thought of Auron, still smarting and wary even after all their time together as a couple. They'd chosen each other, but the innocent joy of their then-budding relationship had blossomed into an almost obsessive, relentlessly physical passion… rooted in part in his jealousy and her own fear of loss. How long could a relationship built on that kind of consuming, desperate drive last before it hurt them both?And, if they decided to keep trying, could they really start a family like this, with Braska still existing like a badly-healed scab between them?I'll be fool enough to pick up the pieces and keep running after you, he'd said.He didn't deserve that."I mean—" She fumbled for the right words. "I... I can't - "Braska waved her down. "Yes, I know. Auron loves you with his whole being. I suspect he tolerates my behavior in your presence because he fears I will die. That cutting your ties to me will drive me over an edge and seal my fate.""Is he wrong?" The anger returned. "Are you manipulating him? Even now?""No!" Braska's shocked retort was almost as violent as her question. "Is that truly what you think of me?" He sounded frustrated. "That isn't it at all. You must know what I am trying to say. What you cannot bring yourself to. We are bound by more than this Pilgrimage."She looked down in shame. As much as she hated to admit it, Braska was right. There was something tying them together, something that even Auron could sense. It was easy to mistake it as physical attraction, but after everything that had happened, she knew better. It was deeper; it was tied to both his power and his presence, which continued to draw her in like a moth to a flame."I cannot quit you," he continued, more quietly. "I try, but I remain drawn to you. It is… different than how it was with Raenn. My love for her was simpler.""Don't compare me to my aunt," she said, somewhat thankful for Braska's unusually maladroit slip back into reality. If he's trying to make me swoon, mentioning his wife sure isn't the way to do it. "But that's the point," he insisted.Rikku blinked. Maybe it hadn't been a slip. She shook her head. "Do you know how insulting you sound - ""I am comparing you to her," he repeated firmly, his expression stern. "I can only base my answers on that which I know. And I know I loved my wife. More than my own life," he added. "You are… different. I yearn for you. Not physically…"She snorted."Well, not only physically," he amended, somewhat sheepish. "I wish to be near you. I wish to continue to see you grow, as you have since you began this journey with us." He words grew more intense. "I love watching you reshape yourself as you redefine your own boundaries. I feel a connection to you that I cannot explain. And I know it isn't normal, or healthy. But neither can I sever it, no matter how I try."Rikku's whole face was turning bright red; she almost blurted out, "But no touching!"Thankfully he was on the wrong side of the Marauder; he couldn't have reached for her even if he wanted to, not without releasing his grip on his seat's handle."You can't be serious!" She spluttered. "Dropping a bomb like that on me when Auron's not around? That's practically like a second declaration of war on him!"To her surprise, Braska rolled his eyes; it looked almost foreign on him. I guess I'm rubbing off on him a little too, she thought, surprised."I don't expect you to answer my feelings. I am actually trying to work through my own," he added with a note of sarcasm. "Forgive me for being unable to discuss my feelings with anyone except their object without a risk of bodily injury.""You're awfully confident about that," she shot back, but without any fire."As a complicit party, it would be akin to hurting yourself," he told her smugly.Somehow, his words, though irritating, relieved her. He'd broken the tension building between them on his own this time."I am not proud of myself. I cannot explain this betrayal of my first love, or my lack of self-control." Subdued, Braska looked away from her, his face drawn and worried. "But I only wished to know… am I truly alone in this? Am I deluding myself when I imagine a connection between us?" He paused, and the wry smile returned. "Am I really the bastard you believe me to be?""... Jecht wasn't supposed to tell you that," she mumbled, embarrassed. Well, when he said he wasn't running, he sure as hell meant it. Discomfort itched at her shoulder blades; could she lie her way out of Braska's questions?"Who are you to me?" Braska mused aloud, looking at her, yet through her at the same time.I wonder… if this is how Auron felt, every time I looked at him and saw his future self? She shivered. I guess turnabout is fair play. "Hey," she said, unable to withstand his abstracted stare. "Maybe you shouldn't think about this stuff too hard." She swallowed. "Would it really be so bad to keep things the way they are now?"A ghost of a smile haunted Braska's face. "Perhaps not for you. Such a spoiled, selfish princess you are."Spoiled? Selfish-? Wait a minute! "Like you're one to talk!" she managed, half-rising out of her seat."I can recognize the traits," he said, ignoring her fluster. "I do share them, after all.""You're insane, you know that?" she muttered, sinking back down towards the Marauder's controls to correct their course. "I don't even know how you manage to get me so worked up half of the time.""Believe me, the feeling is mutual," he murmured, and she clenched her teeth."Fine," she said shrilly. "Fine, alright? Yes, there's still something going on between us. No, I don't know what it is anymore either. All I know is that it's slowly driving Auron nuts and I hate that I can't give him a solid answer about what's happening." She sucked in a deep breath. "He wants to start a family, I think. With me. That was a big step for him.""You should, after all this is over," Braska said after a moment. "You should name one of your children after me.""Jerk," she said reflexively, then stifled a laugh. "But you're right. We should."
.x.x.x.
Their journey to the Monster Arena was uneventful - the Marauder quickly trampled most difficulties underfoot. Even Braska seemed steadier on Rikku's pet recycling project.Now, however, as they stopped before the entrance to the Arena, she was the one turning into the bundle of nerves."Why in Yevon's name are you so tense?" He looked over her in concern. "You did nothing wrong on this journey. All joking aside, I am quite sure Auron -""I'm not worried about Auron!" she exploded. She grabbed her head and cringed. "It's Trema, okay? I don't want to see Trema.""Well, I've not heard much of Sir Trema before. That is more Auron's field of expertise," he said slowly. "I have heard he is something of a traditionalist, but he has worked extensively with the crusaders before. I gather you have a low opinion of the man, but are you certain he is so intractable that he'd refuse to meet with an Al Bhed?""No, it's not him, it's me." She paused and bit her lip. "Well, it's totally him, but I mean I don't want to meet him."Braska's gaze sharpened. "What is it that you're trying to hide?"She grimaced and stuck out her tongue. "Nuh-uh, not this time. My lips are zipped!"He sent her a look that was dangerously close to infringing on Auron's trademark glare. Apparently she wasn't the only one Braska had been learning from lately, either.She squirmed under it – it was shading towards solemn now – but managed to stick to her plan. "Seriously, this is for your own safety. Don't start anything with Trema. And for machina's sake, don't try to feel him out!"He smirked. "I'll have you know I am quite talented at feeling people out."She pinned him with her best menacing glare. "I mean it. He's older than you. Like, Maechen old, but he still has all his cookies in the jar, too.""Far be it from me to discriminate against the elderly-""Stop fooling around!"Something about the shrill note her voice hit managed to shut Braska up; he tilted his head and frowned. "You're quite serious, aren't you? What does this man do to you in the future?""I told you, it's me, not him," she repeated. Sighing, she shrugged. Well, if he wants the truth… "We killed him, okay? Me and my friends sent him off to the Farplane." Which wasn't a total lie. "He was past due anyhow," she added in a small voice, catching sight of Braska's horrified expression. Yunie and me aren't a pair of murdering lunatics, I swear!"...I admit, not an answer I expected," Braska said faintly. "Either way, we may be better off parking your creation out of view of the Arena as well. Sir Trema may not take kindly to this excessive use of machina.""Bingo! I'll just stay with our ride! You know… so nobody tries to steal it.""Ah. Because there are just so many people gallivanting about the Calm Lands, yes?" He gave the Marauder an uncertain pat. "I am fairly sure our vehicle can defend itself adequately against any would-be thieves."She squinted at him. "You're sounding a lot like you still want me to go in anyway. Weren't you listening?"Braska's smile was a little too bright. "Yes, but Auron may believe you're hiding from him if you don't accompany me. And I may not survive that experience.""But-!" She fell silent as Braska removed his headdress and carefully extracted the circlet from the loose swaths of fabric.He held the long hood out towards her. "Find some acceptably fashionable way to cover your most defining features with this. You're quite creative, I'm sure you'll manage.""...Thanks," she mumbled, grabbing the fabric. After considering it, she pulled off her own makeshift scarf and began to wrap it gingerly around her head, tucking her braids out of sight. After further consideration, she gathered the loose waterfall of cloth from the hood off her shoulders and wrapped it around her neck, trying to cover as much of her face as possible.The material was soft, tickling her nose; she inhaled deeply and was inundated by an unfamiliar scent. A hint of something spicy; incense, perhaps, or a cologne wafted by, drowned out by the muskier scent of sweat and their travels outside of the comforts of civilization.This… is way too personal, she thought uncomfortably, pulling the fabric away from her nose.She froze when Braska's fingers came into view; he reached towards her and tucked a few more strands of loose hair beneath the fabric. Then his eyes traveled across her face, searching. "You missed some," he said before nodding to himself. "It would be better to hide your eyes as well, but this'll do in a pinch.""Right," she squeaked, reaching under the fabric and pulling up her goggles. Either he hadn't noticed the flush staining her cheeks, or he was being diplomatic about it. Embarrassed, she adjusted her hood - and was once again flooded with Braska's scent.Just kill me now, before Auron does, she thought helplessly."Shall we?" Braska asked, and she nodded, placing the Marauder on standby and scrambling down. He landed somewhat less gracefully next to her. Without the benefit of his massive headdress, she could see how uneasy he looked.Maybe I'm not the only one anxious about meeting Auron right now. It was a small comfort, seeing Braska so uneasy after they way he'd pressured her earlier. She was sure if Auron got upset with either of them, Braska would die first."You look nervous," she said as they set off towards the Arena. It was unmanned; seeing as how Trema wasn't there, it meant that Auron and Jecht were most likely in the middle of battling something nasty."I am, somewhat," Braska admitted. "The last time we traveled alone together, I nearly tore our group apart. I'm loathe to experience that again." Then he smiled, relaxing minutely. "I do hope I comported myself with more decorum this time."Rikku bit the inside of her cheek. "For the most part, you did, actually." Then she scowled at him. "Although you ogled my chest when I cut your hair. That wasn't very nice."Braska coughed lightly. "I was simply admiring the local scenery."She glared at him, then shrugged, taking another deep breath of Braska's aromatic headdress. "And you know? Maybe if I can figure out a way to wash my hair before Auron smells me, no one will have to die today."The easy smile fled from his face. "I hope you will at least attempt to bathe before engaging in any intimacy with him.""Oh look, I think I can hear them fighting over there," she said, taking a page out of Auron's book and trotting ahead."Rikku?" Braska hurried after her, a note of panic in his voice. "I really must apologize for my behavior earlier! From the bottom of my heart. It won't happen again! Rikku? Wait!"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The unmistakable sounds of battle greeted Rikku and Braska as they made their way towards the Arena's sparring ring."Looks like the boys are having fun without us," she noted.Off to the side, she saw a stooped figure watching the fight from the sidelines: Trema, his wrinkled face lit with unholy glee as he watched his latest creation try to tear its opponents apart.Suppressing a shudder, she turned to the fierce showdown raging in the center of the field. Her heart soared as she caught sight of first Auron, then Jecht. They both seemed to be in good shape, though fully engrossed in their battle.Their opponent was a creation she'd never seen before and it seemed to be composed of many different fiends smashed together in a scorpion-like hodgepodge of limbs and mandibles, dark and foreboding. Typical of Trema. She grimaced. It towered above the boys, pincers clacking angrily as they faced off.Braska huffed in disapproval. He was studying the abomination with a look of intense displeasure."Scary, isn't it? I bet it's even meaner than it looks, 'cause they usually are. Trema likes to breed them that way."Braska expression tightened further."But don't worry," she hurried to continue, "he'll pull them out if it gets too violent. That old guy can always bring down his own creations.""While that is reassuring to hear," Braska replied, "how in Yevon's name can this sort of thing be sanctioned?""Huh?" She blinked. "What're you talking about?"Braska gestured at the monster. "Look at the thing! It's obviously a creation of magic and malice. Such a creature should not exist in this world. Fiends are the displaced souls of those passed before us. To use them in this way… to warp their existence even more so than death itself has—!" His voice was rising, confusion giving way to fury. "How could anyone with a hint of humanity prolong the suffering of those poor souls in this sickening manner? And for entertainment?"Speechless, she turned back towards the ring, Braska's indignant words echoing in her ears. "I… I never thought of it that way," she admitted, a little cowed. "I mean, they're just fiends…" She trailed off, her words sounding hollow. "People don't like to think about where fiends come from much. They're usually trying to kill us, right?""But that is my point," Braska said firmly. "We should think about them. We are striving to put them out of their misery. For they lack what we still have-compassion, intelligence, empathy. That which makes us human." He looked out over the field with a deep frown. "This entire setup is a mockery of a summoner's sacred duties to the people."It did seem a lot worse when he put it that way. She hadn't thought much about the arena back during Yuna's Pilgrimage, other than that Tidus' obsession with collecting samples of every last fiend on Spira had gotten annoying. Yunie herself had bowed out of participating in the fights early on, though she never said why. Rikku had figured Yunie was as sick and tired of collecting fiends as she was.Now, though, she wondered. Do all summoners see things so differently? She snuck a glance at Braska; he looked stricken. Well, on the plus side, at least he doesn't like Trema now, either."I can see why you didn't like him. I admit, I am also feeling slightly less alarmed at your earlier revelation now," he added, almost as if he could hear her. "If Yuna assisted you in putting an end to this travesty, then you both acted justly."Rikku scuffed her boot into the ground. Was it just if it was still murder? Wait, but was it really murder if he was Unsent?Her thoughts slowed as Trema approached them; she moved behind Braska and hunched in on herself. "Incoming.""Greetings, friends!" Trema called out. "We don't usually receive so many visitors at the same time! To what do I owe this pleasure?""A courtesy call," Braska answered politely, bowing. Somehow, between one blink and the next, he'd tucked his rage and disgust behind an airtight mask of cordiality. "I am Summoner Braska of Bevelle, and this is my companion, Rikkma," he said, gesturing towards her. "I am here to collect my Guardians, if you please.""A summoner, eh?" Trema's beady eyes narrowed. He looked at her and his probing gaze lingered over her unusual headdress.Wincing, she tugged the scarf around herself more tightly and averted her eyes. Don't look at me! Nothing to see here!With a shrug, Trema addressed Braska. "You are the leader of those two fine gentlemen, then! My arena hasn't been so lively in years." As if to demonstrate, someone shouted, followed by a crash and a mighty roar. Chuckling, Trema turned toward the field and beckoned for them to follow. "Come this way. Walk with an old man! I've got to keep an eye on things, you know. Sometimes my children get a little out of hand."Braska's mouth thinned as soon as Trema's back was turned, but he said nothing, instead following quietly.Rikku fidgeted before chasing after them. Much as she didn't want to remain in Trema's proximity, she had to see what was going on with Auron and Jecht."... quite difficult to craft my children to my exacting specifications," Trema was explaining to Braska as she caught up. Braska's face was back to his infamous placidity and alarm bells started jangling in her head. "Your warriors have been most adept at collecting sample material for me to work with, you see. Without their assistance, it would have taken me much longer to give life to these beasts.""You think of this as giving life, do you?" Braska replied, slanting an unreadable look towards Trema.No-no-no! No confrontation! Auron and Jecht's fight forgotten, she stopped out of Trema's line of sight and motioned wildly at Braska. Don't provoke him!Unfortunately, Braska now had the same glint in his eye that he'd gotten back at Djose, when he'd made his ill-planned decision to call upon Shiva during Sin's attack on the Temple.Braska, no! She stamped her foot. Now would be a great time for him to learn to read minds!Trema seemed too caught up in his own explanation to notice Braska's cooling demeanor. "Your soldiers are amazing!" he continued blithely, turning to watch the fight. "Look! Some of the finest specimens of warriors I've ever seen. That big one especially has great potential," he added, nodding towards Jecht. "They've been cutting through my collection of fiends like a hot knife through butter!""I am a bit surprised you would allow them to destroy your own children—as you call them," Braska replied, tone like ice. "Do you not value their lives?" The question seemed innocuous, but the delivery caught Trema's attention.Dropping her arms, Rikku stifled a groan. Now he's done it!Trema looked Braska over. His lips stretched into a mocking grin. "I see it now. Their skill, their passion, their drive… of course, it makes perfect sense that they would be Guardians. Quite a pity. Really. Quite a pity."A frown appeared on Braska's face."I would love to keep those two with me as assistants… perhaps, even as my pupils. They've been quite invaluable to my research, you see. It would be a shame to waste such talent on an endeavor doomed to failure."Rikku's blood ran cold, then hot. You'll never get your claws on Auron, you undead freak! She opened her mouth to object, but Braska beat her to it."They are called to a higher purpose than what you would misuse them for," he said.Trema barked out a laugh. "You have the gall to claim I'm the one using them?" He shook his head again. "You're hardly one to talk, Lord Summoner. Or, do you mean to say you could complete your Pilgrimage without relying on the crutch of your Guardians?"Braska stiffened. Knowingly or not, Trema had aimed right at his sore spot.She slipped to Braska's side and caught the edge of his robe, tugging his sleeve. "Braska—""My Guardians serve me of their own free will," Braska replied, shaking her off. "It is their choice. I do not use them, as you imply, and certainly not for purposes as twisted and impure as creating those travesties." He canted his head towards the gigantic scorpion creature—now missing both of its claws, she noted—his eyes never leaving Trema."Pretty lies you summoners spin." Trema smirked. "That's the problem with your kind. So passive, hiding behind your aeons while you let the real warriors carry your burdens. It's no wonder none of you can ever defeat Sin without our help."Bristling, Rikku couldn't help herself. "Summoners aren't weak," she spat. You'll learn that one day... when it's too late."Still hiding behind a Guardian! And a woman at that," Trema laughed.She stepped forward, teeth bared. That's it. I'll kill him twice!"Rikkma." Braska pulled her back and shook his head, an unspoken command to stand down. He regarded Trema thoughtfully and his next words sounded sincere, even if spoken through gritted teeth. "It is obvious we have a difference of opinion on this matter. Perhaps I am letting my own prejudices cloud my judgement. But I ask you, is all this needless violence and cruelty really necessary?""Cruelty? Isn't it more cruel to let your Guardians march to their death, unprepared to face the reality that is Sin?" Trema clasped his hands behind his stooped back. "Without me, their futures will be… limited."A chill ran down her spine. Braska may have thought Trema spoke in abstraction, but she knew he understood the secret of the Final Aeon, and the sacrifice necessary to defeat Sin. With his uncanny ability to understand and create fiends, he might even have figured out just what Sin's new armored body was created from every time it was reborn. How could he not, after eight hundred years of being Unsent?"Yes. I do believe summoners are weak, for you are only as strong as your Guardians," he continued. "They are the factors which determine how far your Pilgrimage can progress. And I am doing you the favor of training them. How privileged you summoners are, to be blind to something so obvious!""It is not the Guardians who defeat Sin," Braska retorted. Clearly, he felt slighted that Trema had slapped away his olive branch."In the past one thousand years, it hasn't been the summoners, either!" Trema replied sharply."Then you should be thankful that you'll finally experience an Eternal Calm in your lifetime.""A boast!" Trema beamed, delighted, but the sudden shift from derisiveness to glee made Rikku refuse to trust it on principle. "You've got a bit more spine than most of the summoners who've made it this far, I'll give you that. You truly believe you'll be the one to defeat Sin?"Braska only smiled faintly in return, and Rikku knew his smugness came from his knowledge of the future-not that Trema needed to know that.Huh. Looks like Braska can play Trema's game pretty well too, she thought. It was—admittedly—a little weird being the only one present who could fully understand the real meanings behind their jabs."Such confidence! Do you wish to enter my arena and prove those strong words? I must warn you, my Ultima Buster is not a creation to be taken lightly." Trema waved towards the field and grinned. "In fact, it seems your friends are having a bit of trouble with it right now. Perhaps I'll let you be the one to rescue them this time, Lord Summoner." His tone darkened. "If you think you're up to the task, of course."Distracted by Braska and Trema's faceoff, Rikku had forgotten about Auron and Jecht's fight. She whirled to assess it and sucked in her breath.Somehow, Trema's Ultima Buster had regrown its missing limbs. It was hissing, enraged. Jecht was on one knee, panting, and Auron didn't look much better off, sagging against his sword, which he'd stabbed into the ground blade-down.Braska's eyes widened. "I will protect my Guardians," he said, brandishing his staff. "In doing so, you may even be enlightened.""Be my guest," Trema replied, pulling open the Arena's gate. "Your arrival seems to have brought your two companions unfortunate luck." He slammed the gate closed before Rikku could follow, his creepy smile returning. "Ah-ah-ah, not you, young lady. Your summoner said he could do this himself. Let's see if there's any merit to his words, hmm?""Braska!" she yelled, but he was already striding out of earshot, casting as he walked.Auron's head whipped over as he reclaimed his sword and Jecht leapt to his feet, charging forward and yelling—his battle cry, apparently. With a crack of his blade, one of the Ultima Buster's tentacles dissolved into pyreflies.Wow… he destroyed it in one hit. Maybe coming to the arena hadn't been all negative—Jecht seemed more comfortable channeling the power of Sin's Fang."And stay gone!" Jecht yelled as he scrambled away from the flailing fiend.Auron rushed toward the creature's remaining limb and landed a punishing blow at the joint, causing the limb to dangle uselessly. A solid hit, but it was clear that his non-Celestial Weapon could only manage surface damage.The creature swiped at him with its elongated neck; rather than trying to dodge, Auron lunged forward and buried his sword into the fiend's head. He hung on as it reared back, lifting him into the air. Keeping his death-grip on the hilt, he swung and planted his feet against the Buster's scaled body, then wrenched his sword out.Jerking, the fiend threw Auron off of its body, sending him flying overhead. As gravity took hold Auron whirled, dropping like a deadly stone and severing through the dangling limb with brute force. The ensuing explosion of pyreflies nearly masked his duck and roll when he hit the ground, retreating out of the Buster's range of attack.Show-off. She grinned. Celestial weapon or not, I guess he just can't let Jecht beat him."Auron! Jecht!" Braska called out. He held his staff level and cast buffering spells on them. "I've informed Trema that I would handle this thing myself!""The hell?!" Jecht rushed in for another quick hit with the Fang and managed to push the fiend back."You can't be serious!" Auron agreed. "It's still dangerous!" Even as he spoke, the Buster launched itself forward on tiny forelimbs, trying to slam into Braska with its massive chest. Auron rushed in to guard, protecting Braska from the blow.Jecht leaned back, hefting his sword.Rikku blinked. Wait a minute, is he actually gonna-Skipping forward, Jecht threw his weapon like a spear straight towards the Buster.
Doesn't he remember what happened when he tried that with the Espada?!
The Fang lanced cleanly through the Buster's head. Rather than continuing its flight upward, however, the sword froze in mid-air, then began to spin.She gaped. What?It glowed brightly against the crisp blue sky. The sword's rotation stopped abruptly, point down. Then, with a sharp whistle, it plunged towards the fiend and hewed off the rest of the Buster's head.Jecht leapt and caught his sword, which dulled to its strange silvery-black sheen as he touched it.What just happened? Besides the fact that the Ultima Buster was still moving without a head, that was. Even Braska seemed at a loss, though Auron appeared unphased as he pressured the fiend with another attack. She wiped her goggles, then squinted at the scene. How did Jecht learn to do that with his sword?"Quite the potential indeed," Trema remarked at her side, and Rikku jumped, having forgotten about him. "If it wasn't for his handicap as a Guardian, he'd make a fine apprentice. A pity, really. That boy should've become a proper crusader. He even looks a bit like Mi'ihen, don't you think?""Uh," she managed. "As long as you're not looking at his face, I guess?""Well, yes," Trema admitted with a loud cough. "Still, it seems your summoner won't keep his boast. As I predicted, those Guardians have already done the lion's share of his work."Gritting her teeth, she tried to ignore Trema's withered, mocking smile and focused back on the fight.Seriously crippled and angered to boot, the Ultima Buster waddled towards the three men."Here it comes," Auron yelled, dropping to one knee and holding his sword protectively in front of him."Duck and cover, B!" Jecht added, adopting a similar pose to Auron.Braska also dropped to his knee and held his staff forward, though he didn't look away from the Ultima Buster as the other two did.There was a burst of light, and a piercing whistle screamed through the air; one Rikku was all too familiar with.Lulu had made sure none of them ever forgot it, especially when she'd gotten mad enough to trance."Ultima?" she screamed as the light became too blinding to look at. She whirled on Trema. "That thing can cast Ultima?""Why do you think I named it the Ultima Buster?" Trema replied, still with his ghoulish grin.Even from the edge of the field, the air around her compressed from the force of the spell. Her ears popped, and the wooden fence began to splinter and groan under the extreme pressure. Then, like the eye of a malevolent storm, a sudden silence descended. It was the only warning before the spell exploded, rupturing everything within its radius. Eyes watering despite her goggles, she blinked until the spots faded and she could make out the figures on the field again. Jecht had been completely knocked out by the spell, sprawled next to his sword. Auron was down on one knee, panting; weak green lights from a burgeoning Cure spell withered and died around him.The Buster advanced, preparing to deliver a final punishing swipe with its foreleg."Auron!" she screamed, one leg already half-flung over the fence. For a moment, seeing death careening toward her boys, she forgot. Forgot that this was the past, that this Trema hadn't been driven murderously insane by Sin's defeat. That this Trema still genuinely believed in his cause.An answering roar rocketed from the center of the field with almost enough force to bowl her off her perch. Right before the Buster's attack could connect, it was stopped by a meaty shield.Ifrit roared again in fury and shrugged off the attack, drawing his arm back for a powerful punch that sent the fiend staggering away.Auron finally completed his spell and stumbled to his feet. He rushed after the fiend, landing a heavy blow against its armored chest and shattering the strange carapice. For a moment, it seemed like Auron's strike might fell the creature; it swayed drunkenly, then stilled.Scowling, Auron prepared to hit it again when, without warning, pyreflies coalesced into two scorpion-tail-like limbs that burst from its torso. They waved, solidifying and replacing the ones that had been destroyed earlier."That's my baby!" Trema cheered.She crossed her arms and settled further on the fence, glowering. "Aren't you supposed to be rooting for the humans?""Of course I wish for your companions to win-but the unenlightened are doomed to fall," he said easily. "Your Lord Braska needs to learn his place."Rikku bit back her reply, then chewed on her lip when Auron continued his attack rather than retreating in the face of the new menaces. He hacked at the nearest arm, striking it with several quick hits until it was once again lopped off, disappearing almost as quickly as it had come.The Buster attacked again. Its other limb drove clean through Ifrit—who exploded into pyreflies—and slapped Auron across the field. He flew straight into Jecht, who had just begun to sit up, and was promptly knocked back down with a loud grunt.What's Braska even doing? She scanned the field, spotting him standing just out of the Ultima Buster's long reach; he'd retreated after recovering from the spell blast, and though his face was calm his eyes simmered with anger. Yikes. Trema really pissed him off.He made a dignified bow to the fiend.Is he insane? "You don't have time to be formal!" she screamed. Auron and Jecht must have thought the same thing, for they were both struggling to their feet to defend Braska. Auron staggered and caught himself with his sword, one hand clutching his side where he'd been hit. Jecht only made it a few paces further before dropping to his knees.Braska reached towards the sky and it erupted into a sea of swirling black chaos. Everyone froze as thick black smoke bubbled and oozed from the ground around him.Pushing back her nausea, Rikku tripped off the fence post as Anima was pulled out from the boiling earth. The aeon's great size and unholy bloom of flesh and bandages dwarfed the Buster. Her lone eye turned towards the fiend, almost lazily blasting away its remaining limb."Oh my," Trema said, smile dropping. "Now this is something I've never seen before…" His brows furrowed, as though he were trying to puzzle out how Braska might have obtained a Final Aeon without dying.The Ultima Buster roared again, shattering the ground beneath it as it rushed at Anima.Anima simply closed her petals, effortlessly brushing off the brunt of the attack. Then the petals unfolded, and Anima's single eye gleamed.A yawning black hole opened under the Ultima Buster—the largest one Rikku had ever seen, as if even Anima was affronted by Trema's unnatural creation—and swallowed it whole.The field went silent for a few excruciating moments, broken only by the clinking of Anima's chains as she swayed.With a putrid splurt, the mangled remains of the fiend resurfaced. A few of the Buster's limbs twitched, even as pyreflies drifted from the bulk of its corpse. Some still-intact pieces of shell wormed towards one another, trying to reform into a new body.Before it could regenerate, Auron and Jecht weaved nearly-drunkenly through the field on injured legs, hacking with their swords.It was over in moments; all that remained of the battle was the scorched earth and Auron's visible injury.Without bothering to wait for Anima to disappear, Rikku leapt over the fence, activating her dressphere. Magic surged through her as her outfit changed, but she spared little thought to the show she was offering Trema, instead reaching into her Alchemist's pouch as she ran toward the others. Braska was in Rapture and Jecht still hadn't risen from an abrupt faceplant into the ground.Auron was listing, his face ghostly pale. His coat looked wet, and she had a brief, hysterical thought—maybe this is why they force warrior-monks to wear red—as she dug out her potions and hurled them at her boys.Jecht and Auron grimaced under the barrage of the strongest healing agents she could find in her pouches." 'Ey! Blondie!" Jecht yelled, swiping the mess from his face. "Why didn'tcha come in and help us?"Auron gripped his side as he completed a healing spell. "You could have simply handed those potions to us rather than throwing them at our hea-" He wheezed as she threw herself into his arms and ran her hands anxiously up and down his side.She scowled when he winced, pulling his coat away to inspect his injury. "I wouldn't have to throw things at you if you'd stop bleeding to death!" She drew out another potion and dumped it over his wound, which was still slowly oozing thick, red blood.Jecht rolled his shoulders, eyes pinched in pain. "Look, I know it's been a while, but could ya wait to have your happy reunion until we ain't in the middle of a public arena?""Shut it! Do I look happy?" she shrieked, still examining Auron. Until she was convinced he wasn't going to bleed out in front of her, they weren't moving.The Buster's final hit had punctured straight through his armor; although her potions had healed the torn flesh, there was no hiding the ugly, jagged new hole in his breastplate. He seemed fine now, but—She pulled Auron's head down towards her and planted a savage kiss on his lips."Mmph-" After recovering from the surprise attack, she felt him smile against her lips, before pushing her back gently. "Rikku. I'm fine." His eyes warmed as he gazed at her, then gathered her into his arms.She rested against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Still alive. Her jumbled thoughts refused to form anything more basic than those two words, matching each thump of his heart."Satisfied?"Nodding, she allowed him to pull away; instead of releasing her, he dropped his head against her neck, his breath hot against her skin. "Thank you," he murmured. Then, more quietly: "I missed you."She hiccupped, trying to calm her own racing heart, and deactivated her dressphere. "Yeah, me too," she murmured back. Then she blinked when he drew back from her attempt to nuzzle him."What in the- those goggles are uncomfortable," he said, looking her up and down in surprise. "Is that a new look?" He focused on her new headdress. "... isn't that Braska's?""Uhh… remember, I just saved your life!" she blurted. "Oh, and ixnay onyay ethay Ikkuray, eyhay? I'm going incognito here so Trema won't recognize me."Auron paused, then ignored her attempt at pig latin with the practiced air of experience and continued frowning at her outfit. "So I see.""Yo, B!" They both turned to see Jecht raising a hand, waving at Braska's swift approach."Are you injured?" Braska sent a healing spell at Jecht despite the other man's protests. He strode quickly towards Auron, worry evident on his face. "I saw that last strike the fiend made. Your side-""I'll live. Rikkma made sure of that." Auron squeezed her hip."Heads up! That old fart's comin' to join the party," Jecht interrupted, nodding at Trema as he hobbled towards their group. He cupped his hands around his mouth. "Hah! Eat that, you rat bastard! We did in your stupid monster after all!"Trema waved back jovially, which looked even weirder considering that his creepy grin had returned as if it was fixed in place."Jecht hasn't been getting along very well with Trema," Auron explained."Really? Trema just told us he wanted to turn him into his protégé.""No way, man." Jecht spat. "That old geezer is seriously messed up! He's got a mouth fouler than anything I ever heard in the Abe's locker rooms!"Coming from Jecht, that was saying something."Every time we got beat down, that bastard had some smug little answer for us." Jecht raised his voice, tone annoyed and impossible to ignore. "Well, look who's crawlin' back now, bitch! Yeah, that's right! We got us some aeon power!"Some of the tension on Braska's face eased away, and the smile Rikku caught him directing towards Jecht was full of gratitude. It would've been easy to stop thinking about it there, but she found herself wondering if Jecht's loud response to Trema was as clueless as she'd initially assumed. If there was one thing Auron had drilled into all of them over the course of the Pilgrimage, it was to "Maintain situational awareness during a battle," something that hadn't come very easily to either her or Jecht at first. But after the uncharacteristically antagonistic and attention-seeking performance he was giving... How much, if any, of Braska and Trema's argument on the sidelines did Jecht see while fighting against such a powerful fiend?"Technically, we always had aeon power." Auron's dry response jolted her out of her thoughts; she sighed as he adjusted his tattered coat to cover his armor."Shh! Don't shoot one into our own goal!" Jecht stage-whispered.Trema finally reached them, clapping slowly. "You've made your point, summoner," he said by way of greeting, eyeing the destruction of his field. "Strange, though. That's an aeon I've never yet encountered. Where did you obtain it?"Rikku froze and Auron went tense a moment later. Trema with his disturbing power fetish didn't need to know anything about Anima.Luckily, Braska seemed to have taken her caution to heart. Either that or he was still holding a grudge from their earlier confrontation; his relaxed expression shifted to something more guarded. "Perhaps there is more to summoners than meets the eye," he replied evenly.Auron tensed further, shoulders squared as he untangled himself from her and placed himself at Braska's side. "Is there a problem here?"Trema continued to regard Braska with some hostility, despite his smile widening. "Of course not, sonny! You're a couple of good boys." He was using the same patronizing tone that he addressed his fiendish creations with, and Auron stiffened. "I just wanted to see if your master had any other new tricks hidden up his sleeve."Rikku winced. There was no mistaking the mocking lilt to his words."Guardians are not a summoner's dogs," Auron ground out, his eyes narrowing."Watch your tongue, good sir," Braska added with a tone so frosty it could have frozen lava."Oh, suck it up, ya old bastard," Jecht said, crossing his arms and mirroring Auron near Braska. "Somebody beat your punk ass for once, so now it's our turn to gloat! You can just stand there and eat it.""Jecht!" Rikku hissed, feeling her blood pressure spike. Rusty gearbuckets! Are we actually going to get into a fight with Trema right now? "Could you maybe play nice?""Playing nice, my ass. I'll do that when he stops treating us like trash," Jecht replied with a shrug, shouldering his blade and marching towards the exit. He paused at Trema's side, using his greater height to loom, then grinned. "For now, we earned this." Then he leaned forward, stuck out his tongue and pulled one eyelid down. "In your face!"To her surprise, Trema burst out into a loud laugh, his frosty smile melting into something more genuine. "You've got guts, boy. I like you." He gave Braska another assessing glance, clasping his hands behind his back. "I suppose there must be something to you after all, if someone like him is so loyal. You and your fellows can go if you wish. Consider this last battle on the house, since you beat my child, fair and square.""Cheapskate," Rikku muttered. Technically, he was supposed to give out prizes for beating his nightmare creations, not rebates."Thank you for allowing us to train here," Auron said judiciously after a long, stilted pause that said more about their true feelings than words ever could. "It's time for us to take our leave.""It's a pity, though," Trema said querulously to Braska, ignoring Auron. "Your Guardians would have continued to grow under my tutelage. Who knows what heights they might have reached?"Braska clasped his hands together and tilted his head. "They will still grow under mine.""So you say," Trema said in a sing-song voice."You have our thanks." Braska valiantly ignored the old man's jibe. "I do hope you will reconsider your practice of desecrating the souls of the dead here, however. I would be loathe to have to pay you another visit in the future."Well, that was pretty direct, even for Braska."You have some guts too, summoner." Trema snorted; it seemed Braska's threat was the first good impression he'd made on the old man. "Tell you what. Come back to the office with me and I'll let you have a little something for proving me wrong." Turning away, he began his slow shuffle back towards the arena's headquarters. "Your boys deserve that much. They did you proud."Rikku smirked. At least Braska's backbone finally convinced Trema to cough up their arena rewards. Considering the atmosphere between the two men, it was akin to squeezing blood out of a stone."Thank you." Braska trailed after the old man with Auron close by his side."You should be thankful, if you're smart enough," Trema groused loudly enough for Braska to hear.Sighing, Rikku jogged to catch up and linked her hand with Auron's. She gave it a quick squeeze, hoping he didn't notice her nervous sweating.Auron smiled distractedly at her, but his hawk-like gaze stayed on Braska and Trema; he was just as worried as she was in his own way, it seemed. His hand jerked against hers. "Braska! A word.""What is it, my friend?" Braska asked, his tone decidedly warmer than the one he used to address Trema."I should warn you… Trema's office…" Auron trailed off.Rikku jumped, nails digging into the top of Auron's hand. Of course! She skipped to Braska's side, dragging Auron with her as she lowered her voice. "What he's saying is that Trema's totally gonna try to freak you out. I know you don't like the way he abuses fiends, but he... well… the door to his place is kinda…""He keeps a gigantic wyrm in some kind of stasis as a doorframe," Auron concluded. "You'll need to step on it to enter his lair."Braska frowned."He enchanted it to squawk every time you do, too," she added.Auron smiled. "I will fondly remember Jecht's initial reaction for many years to come." The smile disappeared. "If you don't want to go down in the annals of history being compared to Jecht, try not to react when you pass it."Braska paled, although whether from the potential comparison or from the knowledge of what awaited him, she wasn't certain. "I'll… keep that in mind."Breathing in, Braska squared his shoulders and marched stoically towards Trema's office. He didn't even spare a glance at the gigantic lizard that began to shift as he approached, though he did duck when its erratically-waving tail came a touch too close to his head.Auron leaned in, releasing her hand. "I'm going after him," he said. "I don't trust Trema, nor this open hostility he shares with Braska." He jogged forward, then paused and turned back. "Don't do anything foolish."Her mouth dropped open. "Hey! Rude!""And remove those goggles for a moment," he added. "I want to see your eyes."Her indignation was quickly replaced by a pleased flush. She tore the goggles off.Auron tilted his head, then gave her a small but heartfelt smile. "Much better." He turned and hurried after Braska, pausing only to allow Jecht—who was shouldering his pack through the narrow door frame—to exit.The decorative wyrm squawked, and Jecht looked down and showed the trapped fiend his middle finger. "I hate that thing," he grumbled as he passed her and continued toward the canyon's exit. "Come on."She scrambled after him as they made their way down the arena's narrow path towards the exit to the Calm Lands. "Hey!" Rikku huffed. "So, how's it going? It's so nice to see you too, Jecht!" She picked up her pace. "What's the big idea?""Man!" Jecht finally burst out, dropping his pack and leaning on his knees. "Sorry Blondie, but I was dyin' to get outta that hellhole! 'S a good thing Auron took point protectin' Braska, 'cause if I had to spend another minute around that slimeball, I dunno what I woulda done." He straightened and gave her a bear hug.She gave him a few cursory pats. "Good to see you, too—""It's good to be around someone who ain't lost their freakin' mind!"She knocked his arms off with a scowl. "Hey! Auron's sane!""He ain't sane," Jecht corrected, leaning over to pick up his things. "That stiff actually liked gettin' his ass beat. Said it was good trainin'." He shook his head. "Trainin' his White Magic, if ya ask me. We got our asses handed to us so many times back there, I'm surprised we still got cheeks.""Huh. Is that why you weren't panicking when he was, you know, bleeding like a stuck pig during the fight?" She directed Jecht towards the mountainside where she'd parked the Marauder, which was still out of sight."First off," Jecht said loftily as they walked, "If I ever let Auron know I worried during a battle, he'd kick my ass, and I've gotta take care of my own butt first or the whole thing just falls apart."It sounded like he was trying to quote some lesson he'd learned, but she was pretty sure that wasn't the way Auron had phrased it."Second of all, Trema had us covered. That old dog might look like a pushover, but he is one messed up guy. I think he can do everything. Includin' emergency resuscitations." Jecht shuddered. "Creeped the fuck outta me, with those smiles and all the squintin'. He kept on lookin' at me like he knew somethin'.""Like… he could tell you were different?"Jecht paused, then gave her an uneasy nod. "Auron kept sayin' it was all in my head, but Trema... he took a shine to me." He shuddered, then tapped his temple. "That old geezer ain't right up there. I spent half my time wonderin' if he was gonna drag me away in the middle of the night and use me as one of his experiments."
He's probably closer to the truth that he'd want to know.
Jecht continued to speak rapidly, as if he'd been holding it in and a dam had burst. "And speakin' of the fiends… did you see that thing we fought? Holy shit, Blondie, everything here looks like that! He's got nothin' but nightmare fuel down in them underground pens!" His breathing picked up and his eyes widened, adding to the wild look he was beginning to sport."Woah, calm down!" she said, ushering Jecht to a stop. "You're safe now, right?""Safe? Sure." Jecht laughed bitterly. "I ain't stupid, Rikku. He was showin' us all them things for a reason, right? Whatever Sin's got waitin' for us is worse, ain't it."She twitched, unable to deny it, and instead pushed him back to a walk, taking the lead. "Well, at least you learned something, right? You're gonna have to tell me all about what you did with your sword at some point! Later, though," she added hastily. "First, your pal Rikku has something that's guaranteed to make you feel better!""Ain't nothin' that could make me feel better other than a long bath and a memory wipe.""You can get the bath on Gagazet. They've got hot springs," she singsonged. "But I wouldn't recommend the memory wipe. What if you forget why you hated this place and came back one day?""Hell to the no!" he said as he rounded the corner of the jagged mountain and the Marauder came into view. He dropped his pack and whipped out his sword, dropping into a battle crouch faster than she could blink. "Get back, Blondie!""Wait!" She grabbed onto his sword arm. "That's the surprise! Don't attack my baby!"Jecht stopped in his tracks; he'd been dragging her along as he'd moved to attack, despite her dangling attempts to halt his progress. "What the hell is that thing?" Then, as he lowered his sword, he squinted. "It ain't got no head!""Everyone's a critic." Releasing him, she rolled her eyes. "I call her the Marauder! Braska and I fought her down and I reprogrammed her to be our ride." Preening, she strutted out in front of the machina and hauled herself up onto it. "Isn't this great?""Her? It's a machina, ain't it? Why're ya callin' it a she?""I reclaimed her, fair and square, I get to name her what I want. And besides, she can pound anything Trema might decide to send out after us, so don't worry. You're in good mechanical hands!" Fiddling with the controls, she dipped the Marauder into a victory pose—one massive arm raised to the sky, the other angled behind its missing head.Jecht rubbed his chin. "Y'know, it ain't so bad, when you put it like that. I like her style." Then, with a grin, he mirrored the Marauder's pose.Auron and Braska chose that moment to round the mountain."But why a flower—Braska! Take cover!" Auron shouted as he shoved Braska back, swiftly taking a defensive posture."Now, Auron—" Braska tried."Hey, Aurie!" Rikku said, waving sheepishly. It was a pet name she'd tried on him a few times in private, but even their most vigorous encounters together in the Calm Lands had never managed to sell him on it. Hopefully it would shock him out of doing any permanent damage to her Marauder. The delighted snort she heard coming from Jecht was a little worrisome, though.Auron did a double-take and frowned, hand loosening from its sudden grip on his sword's hilt. "Rikku, what is- and why is Jecht- no, never mind," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I see you and Braska have been busy."Jecht came out of his pose and waved. "Yo, Aurie!" Rikku made the Marauder copy his movements."I told you never to call me that again," Auron grunted to her, leveling both of them with a Look Mark III."Come down from there," Braska ordered with a small grin. "Trema gifted us with a most interesting prize.""Gotcha!" she said, jumping off of the machina and gathering around Braska with the others."You gotta be kidding me," Jecht said. "Another girly artifact?""Don't knock it," she said, pushing past him to stare at the ornate metal circlet sitting in Braska's hands. It was a work of art; silver and gold filigree decorated the entire length of the crown, forming intricate, swirling floral patterns."Is this the treasure we were seeking?""It has to be," Braska said, stroking the crown carefully. "It feels very similar to the scepter that Belgemine gave us. I believe this must be one of the keys to Remiem Temple.""You believe right," she said, straightening. "Now that you have both, you can finally face her again.""Remiem shall be our next stop then," Braska said, packing the crown away.Nodding, she skipped back to reclaim control over her machina." 'ey, anyplace that ain't here is fine with me," Jecht grumbled. "I'm half expectin' that old geezer to come back out and chase us down, ya know?""He wasn't that much of a fan of yours," Auron said sourly. "I'm surprised you didn't sign a blitzball for him.""Bein' a Superstar ain't always what it's cracked up to be," Jecht answered seriously. "Now let's mosey! C'mon, c'mon!"Braska glanced back towards the canyon, the corners of his mouth twisting downward in distaste. "I am fully on board with this plan." He moved to the Marauder, gathered his robes, and climbed back onto his seat.Auron shrugged, then nodded. "As you say. This was a good learning experience, but I, too, am ready to move on." Then he looked up at the Marauder. "So, we're riding that? Why does it lack a head?"She pouted. "It was a design decision, okay! Now are you gonna get up here or what?""Hnn," Auron said, climbing and then settling next to her. He wrapped one arm around her waist. "You'll need to tell me how you managed this one. Although somehow, I'm not surprised.""This has gotta be the strangest lookin' car ever," Jecht said as he pulled himself easily onto the machina's shoulder and seated himself next to Braska. "Gotta say, Team BARJ knows how to travel in style, though.""You betcha!" With a giggle, Rikku set the machina in motion. It took a lumbering step forward and Jecht let out a loud whoop that startled Braska."Remiem Temple, here we come!"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"We're here," Rikku said, bringing the Marauder to a stop."Huh?" Jecht surveyed their surroundings. "Where's here?" He winced, rubbing his butt. "And couldn't ya have built some cushions in? This baby's gotta be the most uncomfortable thing I've ever been on.""Seat cushions? Out of what, grass? Fiend fur? Get real," she scoffed, standing and stretching her sore arms. "I worked with what I had.""Be thankful you didn't have to walk," Auron added, even as got to his feet and suppressed his own wince. He sighed as Jecht stretched and twisted instead of dismounting. "Move.""In a minu-AAH!"Auron booted him off the machina, and then jumped down himself.Braska also stood, studying the cliffside she'd brought them to. "Jecht is correct. I don't see any hints of an ancient temple here. Should I be praying to Yevon that you've actually found our goal this time?""Ha ha, very funny," she groused, aiming a half-hearted kick at his shin. He wobbled and she relented, crossing her arms. "No, this is definitely the easiest way to get to where the temple is. I just… haven't quite figured out how we're gonna do it."Eyebrow raised, Braska pursed his lips. Then he shrugged. "I have faith that you will think of something. However, nightfall is approaching and we could all use some rest." He nodded at her, then climbed down.He has faith in me? Turning, Rikku squinted at the cliffside towering above them with a sinking feeling. Getting the team here had been one thing. Getting them in was an entirely different headache. "No pressure or anything," she mumbled."Rikku?"Pasting a sunny smile on her face, she waved at Auron. "Coming!"They made short work of setting up the campsite. Between the Marauder's huge metal frame and the steep wall of the cliff, it was easy enough to create a cozy shelter from the windswept plains."I wonder," Braska said once they'd all settled comfortably around the small fire, "what secret Lady Belgemine is harboring in Remiem?" The Blossom Crown and Flower Scepter both rested in his lap. "Keys to the Temple imply that something was locked away." He looked up at Rikku. "It seems fair to assume that another aeon awaits."She picked at her fingernails, avoiding Braska's gaze."You might have another battle with Belgemine as well," Auron added. "Are you certain you're prepared?""I would feel more confident if I knew what I would be facing," Braska replied, continuing to stare at her.She hunched under the searching weight of his attention but refused to look up. "This has to be your fight, Braska. No cheating."He sighed audibly. "Well, it was worth an attempt.""Cheer up, B!" Jecht clapped a hand on Braska's shoulder. "You got your own surprise for her up your sleeve, right? That big fella with the dog?""Yojimbo," Braska replied with a smile. "And yes. Although he is rather… temperamental."Rikku rubbed the back of her neck, embarrassed; all things considered, she'd been responsible for the biggest insult to Yojimbo from her near-destruction of his Fayth stone."Come now," he told her with a note of amusement, noticing her sudden mortification. "That was not purely your doing. I am as much to blame for his ire, considering the manner in which I handled the negotiation.""Now this, I gotta hear," Jecht said, leaning forward. "You actually managed to piss off an aeon, Blondie? What the heck did ya do to it anyhow?""Nothing Braska couldn't fix," she answered sullenly. "It was an accident, okay? I just tripped and-""There's no need to explain yourself." Braska waved her off. "Yojimbo is an unusual aeon, and he was acquired through an appropriately unusual process.""But I wanna hear the full story!" As Jecht and Braska began to banter, Rikku glanced towards Auron, who'd remained silent throughout the entire exchange. His eyes were like chips of stone, glued to Braska's face."Hey," she whispered, nudging him with her elbow. "What's the matter?""You've grown closer to him again," Auron said, pitching his voice equally low. His lips tugged downward. "What happened?""Honestly? We fought like… well, an Al Bhed and a Yevonite half the time," she answered truthfully."And the other half?" he pressed."... We got along surprisingly well," she admitted, forcing herself not to shy from his sharp, probing look. No running, she repeated. She grabbed Auron's hand and laced her fingers through his. "Nothing happened. We just got… tired of fighting each other, I think. And we had to work together to make it to the shrine anyway, so we learned to cooperate. Like friends, this time.""You two are more than friends," he said, his hand flexing against hers. "He trusts you implicitly now." He paused. "You were wearing his clothes.""He was just trying to keep me from being spotted… and I already gave it back!""He let you wear it even after you defaced his robes. He allowed it because he trusts you."She felt the weight and warmth of Auron's hand against her own. She looked up and saw Braska's eyes flicker to their joined hands briefly, then the summoner smiled broadly at Jecht and launched into another conversation.Braska knows about the future. Her fingers tightened around Auron's. We understand each other's pain."It's because we have a connection," she said slowly. "It's like… he sucks me in whenever we're alone together, even when he's not trying to. I can't just cut him off. It's not even romantic anymore." She made sure to meet Auron's gaze unflinchingly. "It hasn't changed the way I feel about you, you know. Wanting to be with you, to start a family together…" She trailed off. "Are you mad?""I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know," Auron replied after a long pause."Yeah, but that doesn't answer my question.""I'm…" He struggled. "I'm jealous. Yes. I'm angry. I feel like you aren't completely mine alone when I hear you speak of Braska like that." He huffed, self-loathing in the sound. "It makes me feel as if I am losing you."Twisting their joined hands, Rikku pulled Auron close and settled against his side. Something about the way he'd said it bothered her, like losing to Braska was a little too familiar."I'm not going to leave you. But you know..."Auron's older, silhouetted form superimposed over the younger image. Pyreflies flickered through his worn red coat and tufts of short, silvery hair.This is your world now. She closed her eyes and continued. "...even if I wasn't by your side, life would go on. When you talk like that, I worry. Don't-" Be like Braska and I. "-break if something ever happens to me.""I won't let you disappear."No. Auron was better than both her and Braska. She couldn't lead him down their path. "Even if I did, I'd want you to keep on going without me," she stressed. "You know that, right? I used to think that being in love meant having one and only for your whole entire life. But it's not really about having anything, in the end." She stroked his cheek with her free hand, earnest. "It's about giving."His face only got stormier the more she spoke. "You aren't going to die," he whispered fiercely. "Don't be so fatalistic."She scoffed, wondering if he was being purposely obtuse. "I'm not being morbid! It's not like I'm asking you to forget about me if something happened! I just don't want you to forget about living your own life, too."He flinched, then laughed shallowly, shoulders drooping. "You sound exactly like Braska." Before she could freeze up and somehow try to explain away that, his arms wrapped around her. "Fine. I promise to do my best to keep living no matter what happens to either of us. Although you're a fool if you believe I'm letting you go anywhere."She snuggled close. "Don't worry, I'm right where I want to be.""Alright, break it up," Jecht said loudly."Let them be," Braska protested. "After their separation, they've earned some time together. Don't stop them on my account." He smiled at Jecht. "Get some rest, my friend. I'll have the first watch tonight.""You sure?" Jecht asked. "You don't normally take first.""Rest." Braska stood, stretched, and collected his staff. "And for pity's sake, leave those two lovebirds alone."Peeking out, she saw Auron watching Braska with an unreadable expression. "... Thank you," he said as the summoner passed them.Braska paused. "You're a lucky man," he said to Auron before turning to her. "And you chose wisely." Before they could get a word in edgewise, he retreated to the far edge of the camp and settled against the Marauder."Huh," Jecht said. "He's changed a little, hasn't he?""Hnn," Auron agreed, his brow furrowed.Rikku turned her head back into the warmth of Auron's embrace. Haven't we all.
.x.x.x.
Morning dawned too soon; Rikku was awake before the others, staring at the tall mountain before her and trying to figure out how to get inside. I can't believe I'm actually missing Clasko right now…Auron eventually found her; after a brief hug and kiss, he joined her study of the unremarkable cliffside. "Are you sure it's here?""Pretty sure." She glared at the rock face, for all the good it did. "We need a way to scale this mountain.""Rock climbin' first thing in the mornin', eh?" Jecht joined them, munching on a hard biscuit. "Didja wanna have breakfast first, at least?""I'll eat when I've figured out how we're gonna get up this thing," she said stubbornly. Without any chocobos in the Calm Lands, it made no difference whether they jumped down from the ledge leading towards Remiem's hidden valley or climbed up from below; both seemed equally impossible from her vantage point. She stomped her foot. "Why aren't there any handholds?""Couldn't ya make some?" Jecht pointed at her belt. "Y'know, fire up the ol' black magic and Pow! Pow! Pow!"Braska arrived, straightening his robes. "Jecht. It is much too early to be speaking of explosive landscaping via black magic." He eyed the cliff. "I suppose I could have Bahamut lift us…"Jecht rubbed his head. "What 'bout having Shiva build us another staircase?""Would that work here?" Braska rubbed his chin. "The Calm Lands are much warmer than the ocean surrounding Lake Macalania. I'm not certain it would be safe.""Any other ideas?" Auron asked.Silence fell.Squeezing her eyes shut, Rikku let out a long breath and stepped away from the others. "I maybe kinda have an idea," she said, reluctantly."And that idea is?" Auron pressed."Like Jecht said, we make our own staircase this time." Rikku sighed."You truly wish me to summon an aeon to carve a path into the mountain?" Braska said doubtfully. "I suppose Ifrit might be able to manage it by cutting into the wall…" He didn't seem to like the idea very much, and with good reason - the disturbance would draw every fiend for miles around straight to them."Exactly, B! Go on an' do your thing!" Jecht said, crossing his arms, oblivious to the danger."No-no-no! I didn't mean that!" Rikku cut them both off. "I was thinking we should make something less like a staircase and more like… a ladder."Auron's brow furrowed. "A ladder? With what raw resources?""The only one we have," she said, feeling glum. "It was nice having her while it lasted, I guess."Braska blinked, then looked back at their camp - and the towering machina lying next to it. "You mean to use your machina?" He frowned. "The cliffside is at least three times its height. Even if you were to raise its arms, we would still fall short of the plateau above.""Are ya plannin' on havin' that thing toss us up there?" Jecht shaded his eyes and glanced upward, as if trying to judge the distance. He grimaced. "Don't sound too comfortable.""No. Besides, how'd we get back down then? What I meant was we could cannibalize the Marauder for parts and build a sort of ladder out of it.""Oh," Jecht said, catching on. Then he frowned. "Well, that's a let-down."That's not even the half of it, she thought with a pang as she approached her machina. Riding it had made her feel just a little less homesick; her own miniature Machina Maw, reclaimed in this world and reminding her of where she came from. She'd even bestowed a name on it Not that anyone seemed to get it.
Stop pouting, Rikku. As if you could have kept it! I'm just getting too sentimental is all. Maybe it's for the best that I do this.
"It'll be fine. Machina were made to be used, right? With a little ingenuity, you can always find a way." She tried to sound cheerful about it. "You guys should pack up your stuff… I'm not sure how long this is gonna take me. I need to do some tweaking before we go.""Are you sure?" Auron asked her, clearly catching onto her unusual lack of enthusiasm."Yeah. It's not like we could take her all the way up Mount Gagazet anyway, right? The Ronso would skin us alive." She did her best to hold back another disappointed sigh."True. But this machina was important to you." He caught her eye. "Thank you for being willing to sacrifice it for us."Somehow, the look of understanding on Auron's face eased the sting a little. He might not have understood the significance of a named machina to an Al Bhed, but at least he could still read her sadness accurately. Her smile grew firmer, and she nodded at him. "Maybe you guys should catch something for lunch. There isn't much to hunt besides monkeys where we're going.""Fine." Auron's gentle tone vanished, replaced with his business voice. "Jecht, you stay with Rikku and guard her while she works. Braska, you're with me.""What?" Braska faltered, clearly surprised. "But I had that duty last night -"Auron's tone was reaching new levels of no-nonsense. "You'll be facing Belgemine soon. You're going to train up until that moment.""Train?" Braska squawked. "With you, again?""Yes. With me. Again." She could almost hear the smile hidden beneath Auron's determination; she stifled a giggle as she got to work."I feel sorry for him," Jecht said as he settled next to her. "Auron's a tough nut.""So's Belgemine," she told him distractedly, opening a panel on the Marauder to fiddle with the wires there. "This'll be good for him." She paused, then glanced up at Jecht as he settled in and made himself comfortable, resting his chin on one palm. "Uh… you know, this may take a while. You might get bored just waiting like that.""Hah!" Jecht scoffed. "Just 'cause you don't think I have a big attention span don't mean I can't learn."She smirked. "Stolen anything from a fiend lately?""Look. That's less about learnin' and more about losin' your damn mind, Blondie. Most fiends have teeth! An' claws! An'… pointy shit!""Sure, whatever you say," she hummed, amused. "Well then, go ahead and watch, if you insist." She turned her attention to the delicate wiring, plotting the best way to disconnect the intricate circuitry. These Yevonite machina really are something else.Half an hour later, her amused smile began to drop.Another half-hour later, despite having donned her Alchemist dressphere for an extra Al Bhed boost, her frustration was growing. She had to spend just as much time concentrating on ignoring Jecht - who was, as predicted, growing increasingly bored - as she was on rewiring the Marauder.Another hour later, she was still tinkering with the same wires, muttering curses in Al Bhed and Spiran with every breath. Sweat beaded on her brow and a pounding headache was building behind her temples, throbbing in time with her heart as Auron and Braska returned."She's still at it?" she heard Auron ask Jecht, and she groaned."Yeah man. I can't even tell what she's tryin' to do," Jecht complained."Rikku." She heard the rustle of cloth as Auron drew near, but kept her eyes glued to the machina beneath her hands - it was a particularly finicky piece of circuitry she was trying to circumvent, and it was taking much longer that she'd thought it would.Humiliating."Is everything all right?" he asked.
No. No it's not all right. I'm destroying the Marauder, and I can't even do that properly. Nothing is all right!
"I'm busy," she snapped instead, feeling a part of her close up inside, unwilling to share. Damn it. If only I had Gippal's stupid brain! She could almost hear him laughing at her, boasting about how he would've gotten the job done an hour ago.When Auron next spoke, his voice had turned chilly. "I was merely asking if you needed any help."Can you get me a brain transplant or a couple of books on Yevonites and their stupid ancient machina? "Nope. I'm good," she said, sullen.Braska sighed and dropped to the ground, looking like he'd gone ten rounds with an ogre and lost every one. "Best not to disturb her. Believe me, this could take all day."Thanks for the vote of confidence, Braska! She severed another wire. It crackled and popped, burning her fingertips, and she cursed richly in Al Bhed."That's something I never heard before," Braska said with a hint of amusement. "I didn't think one could actually fit that particular object into an orifice of that size.""Quiet! Unless you want an active demonstration of that phrase!""Ooh," Braska replied, unruffled."Enough chatter," Auron cut in sourly. "I'd be the one carrying out those threats anyway," he added with menace."As I said, let's all do our best not to disturb her," Braska repeated, sounding perfectly innocent."As she wishes," Auron said bitingly before he stalked away.Jecht whistled lowly. "Look, Blondie. Maybe you should take a break. I been watchin' you mess around the inside of that thing, and you don't seem to be gettin' nowhere." He crossed his arms and peered into the wiring over her shoulder, as if he'd be able to make sense of the electronic puzzle she'd been struggling with all morning. "What'cha tryin' to do anyhow?"She bared her teeth at Jecht, trying to ignore her audience and Auron's pointed huffs and sighs as he stomped away from the campsite. "You're blocking my light! Buzz off! Bzzt! Shoo!"Jecht moved, scowling. "You're the one who's takin' forever to do… whatever it is you're doin'. You could stop bitin' our heads off!"When Jecht starts making sense, you know you've made a terrible mistake. Throwing down her tools, she slumped backwards from the smoking machina and deactivated her dressphere. Some of her mounting stress subsided and she pulled her goggles off, exhausted. "Sorry, guys. I didn't mean to take it out on you, it's just… ugh, so much harder than I thought it would be.""That dressphere may have hindered more than helped in your efforts," Braska observed mildly.Rikku flushed, shoving her aching fingers into her mouth.Braska raised an eyebrow, pointedly not offering to heal her.Jecht grunted. "An' the day started so well, too. Damn." With a gusty sigh, he squatted next to Rikku, poking at the Marauder's metal hull. "Seriously, what were ya doin'?""'M mus mryin' moo memarame meh mharm," she mumbled around a mouthful of fingers."Well maybe you should let someone else take a shot at it," Jecht replied. "Don't look like you're havin' too much fun goin' at it alone."Pulling her fingers from her mouth, she scowled. "Of course it's no fun! Would poking a hole in your favorite blitzball be fun for you?"Braska interrupted. "Wait, you understood what she said?""Course! Ya mean ya didn't?""No, Jecht. Enlighten me, please.""She's tryin' to get that thing's arm off," Jecht said. "And all I'm sayin' is to catch a break for now," he added. "Chill and talk to your angry boyfriend before he takes it out on the rest of us.""I can't stop," she protested. "No one else can manage this but me! It's my responsibility!""I been watchin' you for hours, Blondie. It ain't happenin' your way.""Jecht's right. You're tired and not thinking clearly, which cannot be aiding your attempts." Braska tilted his head in the direction Auron had left. "Go find him. He has been distracted all morning and your interaction surely hasn't helped improve his mood.""But -""Auron," Braska steamrolled over her protest, "no longer shares his burdens with me, so perhaps you should try to listen to them. It will be good for the both of you." His smile, coupled with his firm tone made it clear it wasn't a request."Roger that," she replied, giving him a quick salute before heading out. A niggle of worry smothered her frustration as she walked away from the machina. I really was too hard on him, wasn't I?Slightly past the main camp, a flash of red caught her eye. Further out on the plains, he was sitting on a few jutting boulders, facing the sea of grass. His posture was stiff with tension, and the loose sleeve of his red coat whipped in the breeze.As she waded towards him through the tall grass, her stomach fluttered in guilt. He'd only been trying to help, but she'd overreacted - even more than usual, thanks to that dressphere - and needlessly shut him out despite his concern.Usually it was Auron who would approach her first, whether to scold or offer his shoulder when she fell into a funk. Maybe it's my turn to listen a little."Hey," she said softly as she settled beside him. His legs were folded into a meditative pose, hands resting on his knees. He tilted his head slightly in her direction, the only sign he'd noticed her clomping through the grass toward him. "I'm sorry," she said.The fierce frown melted off of his face into something gentler, though he still kept his gaze away from her. "Hey yourself," he said. "Have you made any progress?""Mmm," she hummed noncommittally. "I'm taking a little break right now. Waiting for inspiration to strike.""You'll work it out. You always do," Auron replied, closing his eyes and visibly straining to loosen his muscles as part of his partial meditation.She watched him. Chewed on her lip. Stared out at the horizon. Finally gave into the silence. "You know, that's the most tense meditation style I've ever seen. I thought it was all about… I dunno, relaxing and stuff."Auron's brow twitched, but he kept his eyes shut."I'm not sure how much inner peace you're gonna find when you're working that hard to cramp up your hands. Aren't you supposed to be letting go of all that stress?"With an explosive sigh, Auron's eyes - and fists, she noted - flew open. "Could you keep your ongoing mental conversation with yourself private? It's unhelpful.""I deserved that." She squirmed a little closer to him, undaunted. "Turnabout is fair play. Still, ignoring you didn't work for me... so maybe talking about whatever's bothering you might be more productive?" She curled her knees to her chest and rocked a bit as she examined Auron.Auron snorted. "Braska sent you." It wasn't a question.After a moment of fidgeting, she caved. "I mean, yes, okay, but I am worried, too! I know I was kind of a bitch back there.""Don't call yourself that," he said immediately. Then he sighed. "You were under some stress as well. I didn't want to trouble you, but apparently my concern only made everything worse.""Even if I snapped at you back there, I actually didn't really mind it. I like it when you pay attention to me. And if you're trying to say you don't like it when I 'trouble' you, I'm not buying.""You are trouble." Auron smirked.She bumped her shoulder against his. "Well, let's switch today. You spill the beans and I'll listen and nod wisely. Then you'll be the one who feels better after venting it all out!""Will I now?" Auron asked as some of the tension leaked back into his expression. He faced the vast expanse of grass stretching before them. "I feel… powerless," he eventually admitted. "I've never questioned my goals or my purpose in life until recently. And I've managed to hold on to my sense of duty, but.." He trailed off."Is this about me?" she asked in a tiny voice. "What did I do?""It's not always about you," he said curtly."Ouch." Still, there was a giddy rush of relief at his rebuke. Not my fault this time! "So, what is it about then? Care to share?"Rikku wanted to kick herself even as the words popped out of her mouth. It was clear their little spat at the camp wasn't the real reason Auron was upset right now. Of course, she just had to try and tease it out of him with her usual fast talk, though. She wondered if he was going to snap closed again in response to her glibness. He'd had a whole lifetime of training doing just that, after all.Auron remained silent, and the vain hope that her presence alone would be enough to make him open up started to crumble."It's about Braska. And Jecht, I suppose." He ground those few words out with difficulty, surprising her. "It is… not easy for me to talk about this," he continued haltingly, his frown deepening. "Perhaps that is the problem, though. The others… they've come so far on this Pilgrimage. Changed.""People can grow and evolve, though, right? We're all different now.""Have I changed, though?" Auron looked at her, worry in his eyes. "I am floundering. I have always been a warrior. A soldier, following commands. But now, Braska is no longer…""Your master?" she prompted.Auron ducked his head in agreement."Look," she continued. "He's always wanted to be your friend first, you know. He even admitted to being kind of stupidly happy that you were able to get so mad at him after Baaj.""Don't remind me," Auron grunted. "But that's not-" He sighed. Gritted his teeth. "Honesty, right," he muttered, then scrubbed a hand down his face. "Yes. Yes it is. Part of me wants to wipe his relationship with you away from his memory. Every time he makes a lewd joke, I really just want to punch -"She pressed her lips together, trying to make herself invisible while devising a strategy to deal with Auron as he erupted into expletives and aired old grievances about the Baaj Incident. Do your best to look cute! And thanks for taking the fall this time, Braska!"- and the constant innuendos!" He glanced down at her and stopped his tirade abruptly. "... But you already know this. And it isn't the primary issue bothering me," he finished. "So relax. And wipe that expression off your face. You're a terrible actress."Indignant, she forgot about maintaining her maximum cuteness pose. "I totally am not! Besides, I didn't egg him on! I'm innocent!""You? Claiming innocence, after that thing you did with your tongue last time?" Auron's tone had changed from censure to amusement, at least.She blushed, then preened. "Yeah, that was pretty good, wasn't it?""Stop distracting me. I'd ask you to do the same to Braska, but that man is incorrigible. Who wouldn't be, I suppose, considering the subject of his attention." Now he sounded smug."Flattery will get you everywhere, you know." Rikku scooted even closer to Auron, inwardly relieved. Her silly ploy to distract him had worked… letting out at least part of his anger seemed to have cleared his head, and his expression smoothed out."Braska has become more… fallible to me as of late. I'd always thought I understood him, but now I wonder if I ever did? Maybe he was right all along. Were we ever friends? Or was I just worshiping a false image of a Summoner? Why was I never able to see beyond the surface?"He drew a long breath."I think… that wasn't merely Braska hiding himself. It was also my failure. My desire to follow orders. To be a good soldier, but never a true leader. Wen was right about me all along."Rikku bit her lip. The jokes and play were fading away, and what she was seeing was a rare thing: Auron's vulnerability. It made her heart ache to see someone as capable as him assessing his own worth… and coming up lacking.
You can analyze a battle better than anyone I know, but when it comes to yourself… why are you so blind?
"I think you're underestimating yourself. You two are definitely friends - in fact, you're kinda all he had, before Jecht and I came along.""I was loyal even after his split from Yevon, yes. But friendship?" Auron sighed. "I strove to uphold and push for goals I thought we shared. I believed he was a man so pure and holy that through him, Sin could be defeated once and for all."She grew quiet. Self-doubt was the most insidious sort of fiend to battle… it attacked from within, and there was little anyone watching could do to stop it. As much as she wanted to wrap her arms around Auron and reassure him that he was mistaken, she knew this wasn't a battle she could fight for him no matter how she felt. Auron must've known it too, considering how reluctant he was to share his struggle at all.He barked out a bitter laugh. "Such a myth. It was machina we saw, machina, just like your Marauder, in Yevon's most holy temple.""You're thinking of that now?""Had Jecht already realized it in Bevelle, too?"She winced, and with the sudden tension in Auron's shoulders, that was answer enough for him. "But," she hurried to say, "you and Braska weren't ready for the truth back then!""Perhaps, considering I'm not sure I'm ready now." Weighty silence settled between them as Auron presumably gathered his thoughts. The susurration of wind blowing across the plains almost swallowed his words when he finally spoke again. "But what bothers me more is that I'm not sure if Braska was ready then, either." Hints of the worry lines that would define his future features were forming between his brows. "He was ready enough to marry an Al Bhed, even with the teachings. And I thought, after her death, that his mourning was a temporary distraction from his greater mission. That he'd still want to save the Al Bhed from their sinful ways.""... And then you met me?""And then I met you." He sighed. "I no longer want or need the Church's redemption and forgiveness. Did Braska ever? Was I the only one all along, blindly pushing that man towards his death for my faith?" His fists clenched, then unclenched. "I thought I was his loyal servant, but I've only been serving myself.""That's not true-""I know that Braska can make his own decisions and I'm likely crediting myself with too much influence over them. Still -"This is it. She stilled. This is the heart of the matter, isn't it. It had nothing to do with the Marauder, or Remiem, or even Braska's infatuation with her. It was the Pilgrimage itself. She was witnessing the slow emergence of the Auron she'd first met when she was just fifteen, and it struck a cold lance of fear through her heart. How didn't I see this coming?Auron continued, unaware of her internal distress. "I no longer need Yevon. Braska… Braska never has. Not in a spiritual sense," he added. "So then why… Why does he continue? There's no holy ordained destiny guiding him or protecting his life anymore. He's no longer driven by mindless grief to commit suicide. So why?" His eyes slid shut, his near-shout dying down to a murmur. "Why can't I stop him?"Maybe spending so much time training with Trema hadn't been the best idea after all. She thought back on Jecht and his explosive growth in talent, particularly after gaining possession of the Fang. He was a lot like Tidus in that way; maybe it really was because they were both aeons. Still, Jecht was doing the impossible: catching up to Auron's lifetime of rigorous training in just a few months.Or maybe it was observing her and Braska return with their strange new truce. She was, after all, the newcomer that had split the two men's bonds right down the center - and again, only in the space of those same short months. Even if it wasn't so much that Braska was changing as showing his true colors, it was still a hard blow for Auron.Rikku swallowed. Even if she was only guessing, she knew she was responsible for this, in some way - this slow erosion of everything Auron had ever held to be true, of his core beliefs, values, and confidence in himself. Was it the cost he paid for accepting her love of him?She knew she owed him answers. Explanations about the Pilgrimage. About why it had to happen. About Jecht, and his son. About his own possible death. She caught herself opening her mouth, struggling to let out her own insecurities, to unleash the dam of denial she carefully kept to hold back her own anguish.How was she supposed to tell him that this was the bond between she and Braska? That what she shared with the other man wasn't love, it was misery. Someone was going to have to die, and she had inexplicably put herself into the position of being able to influence who would make that sacrifice. Rikku wasn't sure anymore if it was a desire to actually protect Auron, or just her own sheer selfishness that kept her mouth shut.Stopping the Pilgrimage was never possible… but those answers aren't mine to tell, she rationalized. Then she thought of Jecht and all the secrets they'd kept from him; a horrible, muddled feeling settled in the pit of her stomach.A fundamental rift was growing inside of herself. Was she betraying Auron right now? Again, but this time with her silence?
No! Who would be thankful for being told they were gonna die? Or that nothing he could do would stop his best friend from killing himself? How could I do that to Auron, when he's already questioning himself?
Nothing could trump Braska's desire to protect the future of Spira, his own daughter, and perhaps even Auron's life. And her own thin hope for Auron's future was riding on Braska's commitment.A terrible, haunted look stole over Auron's face as the silence stretched between them. He was someone who needed orders, a definite purpose and a clear goal in life. I pulled the rug out from under his feet, and he's looking for direction from the one place he's always found it… but Braska's leaving him behind. Putting another mask on and trying to cut him off, so they won't die together. And I don't want to stop it. Unable to stay silent any longer, she blurted out the first thing she could that seemed safe. "None of this is your fault!""It is. I've misjudged Braska from the start. I've idolized him, and I've demonized him, but I've never understood him. And that is why I can't stop him."Ever the strategist, even while questioning himself; she wondered how accurate Auron's assessment really was. "If you try to understand him," she said weakly, "it might break you.""Maybe I've misjudged myself, too, then." He laughed wryly. "I see now why Braska appreciated Jecht enough to keep him in the dark about the truth of the Pilgrimages. But in the end, Jecht didn't need his protection. Jecht is really the strongest one of us all.""Jecht?" She blinked, thrown by the abrupt shift. "Are you serious?" Sure, anyone could see that Jecht was growing stronger, but she was certain that without his Celestial Weapon he'd still be toast against Auron. "You're the one that taught him everything he knows about a sword!""I taught him how to handle a sword, but I didn't teach him that innocence," Auron replied. "I thought he was merely naive.""Jecht's got his own demons too, you know," she replied, thinking of her conversation with the Blitzer in Luca. His home world had thought he wanted to kill himself, or so he'd said. I guess being a superstar in Zanarkand wasn't that easy."But his demons do not cripple him," Auron replied. "He learns a hard truth, then carries on as usual, never losing his joy for life despite it all. If anything, Braska is the one learning from him.""...You know," she began slowly, "I'd never thought about why Braska started hanging out with Jecht so much lately. I thought he was just running from… you know. Us.""He should be," Auron said reflexively, his scowl returning. It faded just as quickly. "Still… am I the only one who's remained static? If even Braska can -""Stop right there!" She held up a hand. "You haven't stopped growing, even if you don't see it yourself. All you're doing is questioning your purpose. It's the proof that you're changing, just as much as everyone else has. That's called being human, duh. Welcome back to the human race, iron man."Auron's eyes flickered; he opened his mouth to reply but was cut off as Braska called their names from a distance.He was racing through the grass towards them, waving his hands wildly. "Rikku! Come quickly! It's Jecht, he -"She and Auron sprung to their feet and faced Braska as he finally reached them, almost completely out of breath."He's what? Did he hurt himself?" Worry made her voice shrill."... He's trying... to help you!" Braska gasped out, leaning on his knees."Help? Help me with wha-" Over Braska's shoulder, a glint of afternoon sunlight reflecting off of metal momentarily blinded her."What is he doing with the Fang?" Auron asked, confused.Rikku let out a cry of dismay. "Wait!" She raced for camp, trying to save her Marauder from Jecht's misguided, heavy-handed techniques. "Stop! You can't-"Jecht's blade swung down as if in slow motion, and the sharp sound of splitting metal filled the air as the Celestial Weapon cleaved through the machina with envious ease."Done!" Jecht leaned back, a triumphant smile on his face. "These weapons can do anything!"Rikku swallowed a scream and raced towards her baby. Once there, she shoved Jecht aside to leap for the Marauder's controls, then forced it to rise unsteadily upright. "Stand clear!"" 'ey! What's the problem?" Jecht asked. "You said you wanted that arm off, now it's off!" He squawked, scrambling out of the way as she swung the Marauder's remaining arm down to scoop up the severed limb."You chopped it off, you idiot!" she yelled, struggling to direct the lumbering machina towards the cliffside. It was already starting to list dangerously, becoming sluggish to her commands. Grease and hydraulic fluid spewed everywhere from Jecht's crude amputation as the machina slowly collapsed.Giving up on the manual controls, she leapt off of the machina before she could be thrown and hit the ground with a painful thump. Ignoring the stinging of her legs, she fumbled for her dressphere.She activated the Songstress sphere, stepping into the familiar dance-the same spell that had powered both the Al Bhed laser cannon and the damaged Love Boat-even before the light had faded. As expected, her steps were clumsy and heavy, lacking the grace indicative of a successful cast; the Marauder was already damaged beyond repair. "If you won't move, I'll make you!" she swore, forcibly weaving the spell through the faltering machina.Shuddering, the Marauder righted herself. Rikku struck out her foot; the Marauder copied the move. Another step followed, and then another; it was like trekking through waist-high mud, with every movement fighting against her hold. Slowly, the Marauder moved until it was standing flush to the cliffside, dragging the severed arm behind it. She lifted her arm, twirling it, and the Marauder also raised its broken limb, gripping it by the shoulder joint in its gigantic fist."Come on," she moaned, sweat beading down her forehead. Her arm shook from the effort of holding it up against an invisible weight; she shuffled her feet, sparking the magic through the Marauder and forcing her to again move beyond her capacities.Metal screeching, the machina leaned back, then threw the arm forward, smashing it into the mountain. Chunks of broken rock sprayed from the impact.Rikku crooked her fingers, and the severed arm drove its finger joints even deeper into the cliffside. When the dust cleared, the limb was securely embedded into the smooth stone.She released the spell with a relieved groan, deactivating the dressphere and clutching her burning arm, which dangled limp at her side. As she tried to move it, her muscles screamed in protest, the after-effects of the dressphere still reverberating through her bones. Her legs had given up any sense of stability, trembling violently before tossing her on her butt. "Ouchie…"The soreness in her limbs was nothing compared to the one in her heart as the Marauder let out a shuddering whine and powered down completely. The machina dangled from her own severed arm as her posture sunk into the limp state of abandonment. Sparks of magic dissipated from the frame until she was nothing more than a lifeless husk of metal."Oh!" Jecht stopped next to her and squinted at the cliffside. "So that's what ya meant by makin' a ladder, huh?""Heh," she murmured, bangs shadowing her eyes."Rikku?" Auron asked after brusquely elbowing Jecht out of his way."Heh heh..." She giggled, the sound a shade away from despair."Heh heh what?" Jecht mimicked, elbowing Auron right back. "You're creepin' me out, Blondie!""Good!" She whirled on him. "Chopping off her arm? I'd have asked for your help if it was that simple, you bonehead!""Hey," Jecht protested, although he had the good sense to look cowed. "I got the arm off, right?""That's not-" she railed.Understanding washed over Auron's face, and he stopped her before she could continue, rubbing his hands over her arms in slow, soothing strokes. "Calm down. He didn't realize. … I didn't, either. I'm sorry.""Realize what?" Jecht asked. "What's the big deal? So I broke it. She can fix it, right?"Braska, who'd also joined them-doing an enviable job of modulating his panting-cleared his throat carefully. "The Al Bhed cultivate special relationships with the machina they recover. By bestowing a name upon it, you could say Rikku had… inducted it into her clan, I suppose.""Inducta-wha? It's just a damn machine," Jecht insisted, though he shrunk back when she hissed at him."Think of it as a pet, perhaps," Braska tried again, visibly uncomfortable.Auron's suddenly firm grip prevented her from throwing herself at Jecht to make him realize what he'd done. "You killed her! You big stupid oaf! You drained her dry!" She stopped struggling against Auron's arms and deflated, looking instead at her machina. "She's dead now.""Ya mean you can't fix it?" Jecht said, sounding more uncertain. "But you're Rikku! You can fix anythin', right?""She wasn't a Shoopuf," she replied. "You can't just cast a spell and heal a broken machina! You need parts, and tools, and-and, knowledge…" Maybe if I was Gippal, or Shinra, I could come up with something. But… A sudden sense of loss and homesickness welled up in her as she looked at her broken Marauder, leaning against the cliffside.
But I can't fix everything. These are my limits.
"The Church tried to reverse-engineer those machina for years," Braska said gently, as if sensing her thoughts. "You couldn't have expected to single-handedly trump all their research in a day, even with the help of your dressphere. You were pushing yourself too much.""But I could have tried harder!" she protested. "She'd still have been usable afterwards, maybe."Auron gave her arms a light squeeze. "We wouldn't have been able to bring her into Gagazet," he reminded her. "The time for parting would have come eventually. Jecht just made it easier for you. Don't be so angry at him.""Naw," Jecht cut in, subdued. "Don't sugar-coat it, Auron." He faced Rikku, squaring his shoulders and setting his mouth in a determined line.And oh, so that's where Tidus got it from, she thought absently as he opened his mouth."I messed up. I get it. I'm sorry. Didn't know how much that thing meant to ya." He rubbed the back of his head, unable to meet her gaze. "I shoulda, though. You're a traveler. Like me, right? And that machina was your lil' piece of home." He shifted his weight from foot to foot. "I fucked it up.""But you acquitted yourself admirably once you realized your mistake," Braska interjected, placing his hand on the blitzer's shoulder. "I think Rikku understands that." His blue eyes landed on her, firm and expectant.She knew what Braska wanted, but he could've at least given her some time to sulk about it and lick her wounded pride.She buried her head into the familiar comfort of Auron's chest plate, inhaling deeply. "Sometimes I really hate being an adult," she muttered. Still, Braska had made his decision to shield Jecht from her anger; even Auron was trying to help him, too.Maybe they aren't wrong, she told the part of her that wanted to give Jecht a piece of both her mind and the Godhand. Taking a deep breath, she freed herself from the security of Auron's embrace."Yeah, it's fine, I guess. Like Auron said, I would've had to give her up sooner or later." Unable to quench the flare of spite despite Braska's order, she added, "It would've been nice to have had the choice, though.""She died for a good reason," Auron told her.Rikku lowered her head, unable to meet their eyes, afraid of what might pop out of her mouth unbidden. "I'd… like to have a little time alone here. Do you mind?"The others quietly began to move off, but she caught onto Auron's coat and tugged him back. "Not you."He faced her silently, never a man of unnecessary words, though his expression was open and waiting. She wondered what he was expecting her to say. Wondering if he was gearing up to handle her slew of complaints.
He probably thinks I'm going to cry a little or maybe yell about Jecht being stupid. And he's not wrong, but… it's not always about me, right? This… is more important than the Marauder.
"You have changed," she said quietly, reaching for his hand to weave their fingers together, struggling to pick up the thread of conversation that they'd dropped at Jecht's untimely interruption. "It's a good change. Have you listened to yourself recently? You've grown more than you think."He frowned, clearly confused. His gaze sought out her own, as if he thought he could make sense of her words if he peered deep enough. "...If you need some time to vent, you don't have to hold back your frustration on my account."Grow up a little, Rikku. "Fine. Jecht's a butthead. Where's the news? There, I'm done."Auron sighed and then bent to rest his forehead against hers. "It's very magnanimous of you to forgive Jecht; I probably wouldn't, if I was in your place. Once again, you are all showing me how little I've changed."Annoyed at how her attempt to comfort Auron backfired, she grit her teeth. "You're as big of an idiot as Jecht sometimes, you know that? You were the one who defended him first. You human shield… you'll defend everyone but yourself, huh? I should really be yelling at you, not Jecht, you know?"As she batted at his chest half-heartedly with her fist, he caught her hand and shushed her before she could speak again. "We judge ourselves more harshly than anyone… and I've always been a harsh judge. But I suppose, whether I chose to believe you or not…" He lifted her chin and looked at her, his face grave. "Maybe it's time for me to move forward."She smiled, but the unease in her heart wasn't wiped away by the look in his eyes, or the proximity of his body next to hers. His presence still made her heart race, but after spending so much time with Auron, she was beginning to be able to see beyond her own feelings… and read his. And worryingly, his tone lacked its usual determination.Auron may have had the ability to inspire confidence in others, but it seemed he couldn't use that same arresting magnetism on himself. What had happened to the confident man who, at the start of the Pilgrimage, couldn't push them towards Zanarkand fast enough?His arms circled around her, in his usual attempt to comfort her, and to assure her that he would be there to protect her - to protect them all, no matter what demons he was facing down."You don't always have to do things by yourself, you know," she muttered, clapping her hands around his face and pulling him in for a kiss. She drew back, but didn't release him. "We're a team now. All of us. And wherever we're going, we're getting there together. So even if you don't think you can believe in yourself anymore, believe in us. In me. You're just as strong and capable as you always were, and you don't need the Church, or Yevon, or Braska, or even me to be that amazing person. It's inside of you," she swore. "It always has been. No matter what happens, you keep pushing yourself forward, and bringing the rest of us along with you. That's what makes you who you are. It's why I fell in love with you the first time, too.""Hnn," Auron said, though his arms tightened around her.She didn't bother trying to smile at him to cheer him up; they were beyond that now, and there was only so far she could go with the Marauder still smoking right next to them. But she hoped it was enough to stop Auron from second-guessing himself. She leaned into the hug and turned her head to observe the now-silent machina.
I won't let that happen to you. I'm not going to let you get destroyed… not by Yunalesca, and not by your own doubts. I'm your Guardian, too, now.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"It's too quiet here."Jecht groaned loudly. "C'mon, man! Nothin' good ever came outta kickin' off things with those words."A brief look of annoyance crossed Auron's face before he continued. "But it is. The plains below were teeming with wildlife and fiends, yet we haven't even seen a single Nebiros here."Braska stopped to tilt his head, lips parting as though he was tasting the air itself. "There's very strong magic about.""But wouldn't that mean there should be lots of magically mutated super-powerful fiends waiting for us up here?" Rikku double-checked the strap on her Godhand. Granted, she hadn't remembered anything of the sort when she'd visited the place with Yunie. Then again, Yunie's team had been seven strong, and she'd been more than a little distracted at the time trying to come up with a plan to divert Yuna from her course.Auron was right, though; after slogging their way through the constant danger of the Calm Lands, it was more than a little unnatural to be left completely alone on the path to Remiem. So far their journey towards the hidden mountain alcove had been suspiciously uneventful. She was half-expecting one of Trema's creations to come swooping down to stop their progress."The magic feels different here," Braska replied. "Ancient. Such as that found in the presence of the Fayth stones. Perhaps that is why.""Whatever," Jecht said with a careless shrug. "You guys are paranoid! There ain't nothin' here that's gonna jump us, so relax." A moment later, he let out a high-pitched scream as a blur of grey fur flew out of nowhere, landing on his face."Holy shit! Arrrrgh! My eyes!" He stumbled, drawing his sword and waving it in clumsy, panicked arcs. "Get it off, get it off!"Rikku stifled her snicker as the others put away the weapons they'd reflexively pulled out at Jecht's outburst. "It's just a monkey. Give it a fruit or something."Jecht's wild flailing stopped, although the string of invectives pouring from his mouth continued unabated. After some effort, he managed to dislodge the chittering creature, throwing it towards the ground. "What the hell are monkeys doin' in a place like this? I thought I was done with those little bastards!"The monkey glared at him, then scampered off - probably to call for backup."They still like you," Auron observed. "Perhaps they recognize their own." Ignoring Jecht's scowl, he pointed at the retreating monkey. "We should follow it. It had to come from somewhere.""And it shows that we've nothing to fear from fiend attacks here," Braska added. "I, for one, am reassured by this sign of life.""You would be," Jecht muttered under his breath. "That thing wasn't tryin' to make you bald."Conversation died abruptly as they squeezed through the tight canyon passage that opened up to Remiem Temple."What is this place?" she heard Jecht murmur in awe. The others also stopped to marvel at the sight before them - the ancient temple of Remiem, the oldest still-intact temple in existence to Rikku's limited knowledge."A floating temple…" Braska said, struck by the sight before them."It's standing on stone pillars," she pointed out.Auron strode to the edge of the bridge and peered into the bottomless chasm below the temple. "That is not the work of any human engineer," he observed. Then he stepped back and looked at the temple itself. "It's… different."She had to agree with Auron; unlike most of Yevon's shrines, this one looked like a proper temple to her. It was nearly all spikes and spires, austere yet beautiful. And it was completely untainted by any sign of modern civilization - no waving banners of Yevon were being flown to greet them. The temple was just too old for any ornamental trappings. Organic matter had long since rotted away, leaving nothing but wind-blasted stone in its place. Nor was there any sign of life other than a few lonely monkeys, scrambling back and forth across the suspension bridges connecting the cliffside to the temple proper."Like a bridge to the past," she murmured under her breath. Not her past; a past as ancient as the aeons they were chasing after. Without the chocobos making their home on the stone paths below, the temple carried with it an air of solemn loneliness. It took her a few moments to realize why it all felt so familiar.Someone nudged her side, and Rikku started." 'ey… you good?" Jecht was observing her with some concern. "Looked like you were spacin' out there for a minute. Ya notice something weirder than normal about this place or what?""... It reminds me a little of the Farplane," she admitted quietly."That a good thing?""I… I don't know," she admitted, confused by the sudden and overwhelming wave of homesickness that washed over her. She remembered Yuna's soft, breathy gasp of surprise when she first saw the temple, and Kimahri's refusal to let Yuna approach it before he'd swept the area. Then there was Tidus, whooping as he raced his chocobo down one of the stone paths to the chittering of excited monkey spectators. She could almost hear his shouts riding on the thermals that breezed up from the temple's depths. And Lulu, so full of exasperation at her and Wakka's inability to understand the historical importance of finding the lost temple. Rikku had bonded with Wakka on that one, while Auron took Lulu's side, the traitor. That last thought brought a wry twist to her mouth. I miss them. I miss them so much."Ah, hell…" Jecht, who obviously wasn't aware of her sudden trip down memory lane, looked terrified at the sight of her watering eyes. He waved at a rapidly approaching Auron and backed away from her. "It wasn't me, man! I didn't do nothin'!""Hnn," Auron grunted with a fierce stare, driving Jecht off as he reached her side. "Rikku?""That was mean," she chided, grasping Auron's offered hand. "He really didn't do anything. I just… got caught up in my memories for a minute there.""Bad ones?" he asked, his arm circling around her.She looked up at him with a weak smile. "Kinda the opposite, actually.""You don't have to do this," Auron told her. "Jecht and I are perfectly capable of guarding Braska if you want to stay back."Guilt flooded her at Auron's look of worry, and she leaned up to give him a reassuring peck on his cheek. "I'll be okay. Let's just focus on helping Braska right now."With a light squeeze of her hand, Auron gently pulled her towards the others. Braska was still standing wonderstruck in the shadow of the temple, while Jecht cautiously tested out the suspension bridges connecting the rocky path to the building proper."I think it's safe, B!" he yelled. "Least so long as yer not afraid of heights!""This," Braska breathed. "This… is incredible. Do you realize that we four are making history? The Lost Temple of Remiem, the shrine of legend…" His eyes were beginning to sparkle with excitement. "Look at the statues surrounding the temple. They're nothing like we've seen before! Are they summoners, or are they warriors? There is a theory that the summoners, priests, and warrior-monk castes were once closer than we realized, but the Temple has always denied any connection between the orders. But how could they deny this? We finally have definitive proof! This temple could change everything! Think of the significance of -""Braska," Auron murmured. "Even if you found validation for your theories here, the Church wouldn't acknowledge them.""... ah," Braska sighed, some of his excitement evaporating. "But of course. Still, this temple is quite the find. If there was anything capable of restoring us to Maester Mika's good graces, this would likely be it." He tilted his head at Auron. "Something to keep in mind for the future, should you need it. Knowledge is always power.""Then you should use this place as a bargaining chip for yourself and Yuna when we're finished," Auron countered."Yes," Braska agreed, much more subdued this time. "When we are finished." Gathering his robes, he stepped quickly onto the bridge, following Jecht.Auron fell silent, a small frown appearing on his face, but followed, still grasping her hand and pulling her along with him."Don't look down, it's a monkey infestation below!" Jecht called out as he reached the other side of the bridge. "I knew the lil' bastards were devils. Look, see? They won't even touch holy ground!"Braska eyed the ramp leading up towards the entrance to the temple. "The magic is concentrated most strongly inside. Perhaps they've grown sensitive to it over time.""Huh. Well, I don't feel nothin'. I also don't see how we're gonna get past those doors with them keys you got," Jecht said, pointing behind him towards the massive stone portal. "There ain't no keyhole.""I don't believe those doors are locked," Braska answered after a moment of study. "I can feel the pull of the magic drawing me towards them. I suspect they would open readily for any summoner. Let's just see what happens when we approach."Sure enough, when they neared the doors the air around the temple shivered and a low chime sounded. Three symbols lit up in rapid succession; Rikku recognized the seals of the Magus Sisters."What were those?" Auron asked suspiciously as the doors rumbled and slid open, his hand reaching towards his sword."Incredible," Braska breathed. "Not one, but three lost Fayth? Did I see that correctly?" He strode past them despite Auron's grunt of protest, eager to explore the cavernous interior of the temple."Braska!" Auron chased him in with a look of displeasure. "Control yourself!"Rikku loitered behind; she knew there wasn't anything really dangerous in the temple, at least not for a summoner's party, and it was a relief to have some time to process her own feelings without the added guilt of making Auron feel bad."That was too easy." Jecht crossed his arms and leaned towards the door, listening to the sounds of Auron and Braska arguing."You think carving your way out of Trema's arena was easy?" Rikku asked, raising a brow. "Braska put in a lot of effort too, beating Belgemine when she challenged him. Think of this as our reward for working hard!""Point taken," Jecht replied. "Still, the shit we meet keeps gettin' weirder the closer we get to Zanarkand. You sure it's safe for B in there?""Well… I guess it depends how good he is at handling Lady Belgemine," she replied. "It's safe enough for the rest of us, anyway." She strolled in and Jecht trailed after her. "Besides, I can sort of understand how Braska's feeling," she continued, taking in their surroundings. "Just look at this place. I don't even like Yevon but this is still pretty impressive."Braska, ever the historian, was even more excited, much to Auron's consternation. He looked like a child in a Blitzball shop, turning first one way, then the other as he tried to take in everything in the temple at once. "Look at the scrollwork in the gallery! There really are no statues of High Summoners Yocun and Ohalland! It coincides with the theories we've had of when this temple was lost. By Yevon, look at the artistry on the piers! These couldn't have possibly been crafted by human hands alone!"In his excitement, he overlooked the diminutive woman standing in the shadows of one of the alcoves, an amused smile on her red-painted lips."Umm…" Rikku coughed loudly. "Braska, aren't you missing something here?"Auron, approaching them, was already pinching his brow in complete frustration. "When he's like this, he won't listen to anyone," he muttered. Then, looking up, he glanced at Belgemine and grimaced. "Braska! Surroundings!" he barked, jolting Braska out of his moment of bliss."Welcome, Lord Braska," Belgemine greeted, stepping out of the shadows. "Pay no mind to your Guardians. It's quite flattering to have someone who can truly appreciate the beauty of my home. It spent many years lost after the battle with Sin, after all.""My apologies," Braska said, finally facing her and dropping into a polite bow. "I didn't mean to slight you, but I must admit I am overwhelmed by the wealth of information here. This is very much like a dream," he murmured, his eyes turning upwards to soak in more of the temple's architecture. "Its very existence is proof that mankind is more than the fractured remains of a broken civilization. That we were once whole and capable of things greater than ourselves… that we allowed ourselves to dream.""My, such optimism." Belgemine smirked, placing one hand on her hip. "This world has always been fractured, Lord Summoner. That is the reason this temple exists, after all. The history of war and division are tales as old as Remiem itself."Braska's smile dimmed. "Returning this temple to civilization would be a gift to the people of Spira. Perhaps it would even help relieve tensions between the competing factions. The crusaders and the Temple have no need of the distance time has created between them. Why do you keep this knowledge hidden?""Because this is the place to test a true summoner's resolve. The Church of Yevon would misuse the power contained in this temple and twist it for their own purposes, just as they have with Bevelle. No," she sighed, straightening. "There's no history for Spira to recover here. The only purpose this temple now serves is to rewrite it. This temple was lost, and it shall remain lost so long as Trema and I remain to guard its secrets. You, my lord summoner, are a rare and honored guest.""So I see." Braska finally directed all of his attention towards Belgemine at her sharp tone. "It seems you are no student of history, but of war.""You should understand by now that the study of one inevitably leads to the other," Belgemine said, looking even more amused than before. "You're correct. In days past, I was once a warrior. But I was also a summoner. Bevelle doesn't like to allow their priests to multitask." Her smile widened into a vicious one. "The Maesters rightly fear that such a concentration of power would be a threat to their precious order. Imagine a summoner who needed no Guardians. Why, it would ruin Yevon's perfect symbiosis."Rikku couldn't help but think how similar Belgemine and Trema's philosophies sounded; she wondered if Braska had taken note as well. It wasn't so surprising that those two were working together, now that she thought about it."So the history of Remiem is purposefully repressed," Braska said, sounding resigned."Like so many other things," Belgemine agreed. "But as I said, we are here to rewrite history. Are you prepared to face my challenge?""Will this be a challenge like the one before, in Macalania?" Auron interrupted."In a manner of speaking." Belgemine grinned. "I was going easy on you then. But now, Braska must complete this challenge alone. No help from you Guardians this time." She turned her head and winked at Jecht, who took a step backwards."Belgemine won't hurt him," Rikku whispered to Auron. "But Braska has to pass this trial on his own now. We can't… and I guess we shouldn't help him.""I am ready to face this challenge," Braska agreed, putting down his pack and shifting his grip on his staff. "I've even unlocked the secret to your Yojimbo," he added confidently."Have you now? Congratulations," Belgemine said warmly. "But as you may have guessed, that's not the only secret I have. Remiem's greatest power was buried here, with me, over 400 years ago.""The seals of the other Fayth we saw on the door outside," Braska agreed. Then he straightened, the grip on his staff becoming white-knuckled. "400 years ago? But then, you are-"Belgemine continued to smile as the pyreflies rose from her body, circling around her. "Don't send me just yet," she laughed."This!" Auron's hand flew back to his sword, but Rikku was quick to stop him from drawing."I told you, she won't hurt him!" she hissed. "Trust me on this one!""The Unsent were never meant to linger," Braska said in reply, his eyes sharp."Much less summon," Belgemine agreed, dry amusement in her voice. "Just imagine what Maester Mika would say, if he knew."I'll bet, Rikku thought with a private snort."One such as myself can't hope to defeat Sin, not anymore," Belgemine admitted. "But you, Braska. You are still flesh and blood, hopes and dreams. You still have that power. And I? I can still teach you. But will you learn? Whether you believe me or not, I am here to help you." She crossed her arms and waited.Braska spent a few moments pale faced, his hands clenched tightly around his staff. He looked a lot like he had when he'd thought she was an Unsent, as though he wanted to be sick on the spot. Jecht and Auron seemed to be taking it better the second time around."Told you," Jecht declared to Rikku. "So this is like Braska's own personal arena, and he literally has to spar with a ghost? Weirder and weirder.""Those who should be helping us want to undermine us, and enemies we have been trained to fear and loathe come to our aid." Auron shook his head, the tension easing from his shoulders. He released his sword. "Braska," he called out. "You cut your ties to the Church. You have no duty to Send her.""This has nothing to do with Yevon's duties. The Unsent have no business meddling in the affairs of the living.""Well, Lord Braska? I was only intending to challenge you as a worthy summoner. Are you going to turn this into a battle of life and death? Do you think you can win?" Belgemine's calm smile hadn't changed at all; she didn't even seem worried by Braska's hesitation."Life and death?" Braska sounded bitter. "The only life being risked here would be my own."Belgemine's smile dropped. "You chose this path, summoner. You understand full well what awaits you at the end of it. But know this: if you cannot beat me, you will never beat Sin."Braska's shoulders curled, then sagged. "You're correct. My fight isn't with you, and…" He paused, then let out a low sigh. "I'm no longer certain that all Unsent are truly bent on destroying the world of the living. I've come to question so many things during this Pilgrimage.""Rising above our own ignorance is a painful journey on its own," Belgemine agreed. "It's good that you've managed to do that while still living. Some of us didn't have that ability.""If I defeat Sin, may I come back and grant you eternal peace?" he asked.Belgemine laughed, rich and throaty. "I like you," she finally said. "I can't decide which boast is more audacious - whether or not you will return, or the idea that peace can ever be eternal. Now then," she said, turning serious. "Do you accept my challenge?""I do," Braska said, bowing to her. He turned to face them. "You three should probably step back.""Good luck," Auron said, backing away from the center of the temple."You're gonna kill it!" Rikku cheered, confident that Braska could defeat Belgemine. "And don't forget to pay Yojimbo a little extra!" she added as an afterthought."What? Are you guys crazy? You mean we're stayin' for an all-out aeon battle? We do that and we're gonna turn into casualties!" Jecht squawked. He wheezed when she planted her elbow in his stomach. "Uh, I meant, go B, we got your back!"Braska grinned briefly at Jecht's antics and waved them off. "Thank you. I'll do my best," he promised. Then he faced Belgemine and took a deep breath. "I am ready. Let us begin."
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The air grew heavy. In an instant, the darkened temple lit up as both summoners reacted. There was no formal start to their engagement; Belgemine and Braska simply began summoning as quickly and quietly as they were able, with barely any motion to give away their intentions.Rikku was used to Belgemine's austere summoning style, but it always surprised her to see Braska - who was once so dependent on the ritual of dancing to aid his technique - kneel and remain just as still. She knew he'd gotten much faster at summoning, but usually when he did it, she was too busy fighting to really observe him.It was a far cry from his style at the start of the Pilgrimage - she guessed Auron had encouraged him to take a lower profile during their training. But other than that, there was little fanfare that surrounded him as he focused on calling an aeon, other than the multiple swirls of light around his body.Belgemine still beat him to it; 400 years of experience was probably hard to trump. Cold air filled the temple as Shiva silently floated down from the ceiling, throwing off her icy cloak with her usual air of indolence.The chill was blasted away by blazing warmth as Ifrit rose from the ground with a roar."Hnn," Auron grunted in approval, folding his arms and settling against a decorative ledge on the far side of the temple. "A good choice."Rikku blinked in surprise. Had Braska made a tactical decision to wait? Maybe Belgemine wasn't faster after all. "Did you teach him how to hold off while summoning so he could bring out a specific aeon like that?" She pulled herself up onto the ledge and swung her feet."Of course not. I'm no summoner, I have no idea how he does that. He taught himself. I merely pointed out that he could save some time and effort by assessing his opponent before choosing a specific weapon." He smiled as the aeons circled each other. "This should be interesting. Braska has been working on many new strategies to improve his aeons."Noticing that Jecht was still standing, Rikku patted the stone next to her. "C'mon, sit down and enjoy the show with us!"Jecht shook his head and sank to the floor instead. "Interestin'? I can't believe you guys wanna stay. This is gonna be the battle of the titans! You ever heard of collateral damage?""Oh, shush," Rikku scolded, watching as Shiva finally charged forward, swinging around for a kick. "Just because we can't help out doesn't mean we should abandon Braska completely. We're his moral support!"They all ducked as a wall of ice erupted past them, followed by a blast of fire that melted it just as quickly."Moral support," Jecht added, brushing some ice chips from his shoulders. "Sure, whatever."Rikku focused her attention on the battle; it looked like Shiva was using her greater speed to attack Ifrit mercilessly with swift flying kicks. Cornered, Ifrit hunkered down and lowered his head. As Shiva flew forward to deliver another punishing blow, the fiery aeon stood his ground and took the hit, only to reach forward and grab two fistfuls of the ice aeon's thick blue braids.Shiva tried to rear back, her features distorting with displeasure at the unorthodox attack. Rather than breathing a flaming meteor at her, Ifrit pulled Shiva forward and delivered a powerful headbutt instead. The ice aeon staggered backwards, but Ifrit refused to let go. He turned, still clutching her braids, and dragged her forward, impaling her on the jutting blades of his shoulders. Then he leapt into the air and turned before crashing back-first into the ground in a spray of flames and rock. Shiva's body shattered into pyreflies on impact.Rikku blinked and rubbed her eyes. Then she looked at Auron. "That's what you've been teaching him? No holds barred wrestling? This is what you did to our sweet, gentle Braska?""Brutal, man. Brutal." Jecht added from below.Auron winced. "That was not - I merely taught him that he should always try to win. This was entirely his own interpretation!"Ifrit leapt away, and a moment later Braska stood up. He dusted his robes off and smiled at a swaying Belgemine."Interesting," Belgemine said, rubbing her forehead with a wince. "You've grown. But let's see how you fare against a new opponent, shall we?" Her head bowed, and shortly after, lightning crackled through the temple. Ixion landed on the floor, hooves clattering. He stopped and pawed the ground with a snort.Braska returned to one knee; ice crystals formed, and Shiva stepped out behind him. Unlike Belgemine's version of the summon, his Shiva chose to retain her icy cloak, drawn up high over her chin."C'mon man! Why ain't Braska given' us the full ice show? Shiva's the hottest aeon he's got!" Jecht complained loudly.His question was answered as Ixion charged forward and Shiva gracefully sidestepped, throwing her cloak off towards Ixion like a bullfighter. It wrapped around the unicorn's head, and his horn pierced straight through the gauzy fabric without splitting it, trapping him. Shiva's cloak immediately solidified and formed into a block of solid ice.Energy built up around Ixion's body, blowing off the ice in chunks, but Shiva was already in motion, her hands deftly whipping the long cord attached to her belt through the air. She lashed out, winding it around Ixion's neck like a noose, then tugged.Ixion reared. Braska's Shiva wasn't nearly as strong as Belgemine's, and the aeon was jerked into the air. Rather than crashing to the ground, however, Shiva flipped and landed - directly on Ixion's back. Her two hands came together above her head, and with a cruel smile, she plunged the thick spike of ice that formed between them directly into Ixion's neck.Screaming, Ixion bucked a few times before sinking to his forelegs, turning translucent as the pyreflies escaped. Shiva leapt off of the unicorn's back and landed neatly on both feet, and Rikku couldn't stop herself from clapping in appreciation."10 out of 10 for style! Girl power!"Shiva tossed her braids over her shoulder and rolled her eyes, before fading away.Braska rose to his feet with another triumphant smile, and Belgemine was doing her best to not look surprised. "That was… something," she said in confusion, the usual note of mocking confidence disappearing from her voice. "You've grown much more interesting. How refreshing!"Braska inclined his head and held a hand out to her, inviting her to start the next round."Y'know, you're a pretty good teacher," Rikku admitted as she watched the air inside the temple churn. A gust of clouds spit out Valefor. "He's less about the show and more about the results now. That's pure Auron coming through right there.""You finally noticed?" Auron retorted, though his hand snaked out to rest on her thigh.She put her hands on top of his and squeezed. "Well, I always knew it. I mean, you even managed to turn someone like Jecht into a badass, so I guess it's only natural.""Oy! I was always a badass!"Rikku ignored Jecht. It was easy to do, considering that clouds continued to swirl along the temple's ceiling despite Valefor's appearance. Moments later, Bahamut descended with a crash. Most notably, he planted his clawed feet onto Valefor's back as he landed, squashing her to the ground with his mass. Rather than taking the time to stretch and flex, as Rikku liked to call Bahamut's signature move, he pumped his leathery wings and rose into the air, still clutching Valefor in his long, curved toes.Valefor screeched as Bahamut tossed her upwards and reached back with his fist. Before she could gain her wings, the dragon's punch slammed her straight into the temple wall, which shook and cracked under the pressure."... I guess brute force works as a strategy too," Rikku observed, raising an eyebrow at Auron as Valefor dissolved into the air behind them. She paused as Bahamut delivered a triumphant roar and finally performed his signature flex. "Although, isn't pitting Bahamut against Valefor a little bit of an overkill? What kind of a strategy is that?""A sound one," Auron countered stubbornly. "As long as his goal is to defeat Belgemine, his strategy will always be the right one.""Overkill," Rikku repeated. "He should've saved Bahamut for something stronger."Belgemine came out of Rapture, shaking her head. "Well! This hasn't happened in quite a while," she said, smiling. "But you are running out of aeons, my friend.""As are you," Braska replied gently, dusting off his robes. "Are you sure you wish to continue this challenge?"Belgemine's smile widened. "The question is if you can continue to keep up this pace?" She waved her hand and stilled, and the ground rumbled. Ifrit rose, shaking his horns and punching the ground impatiently.It was only the slightest of movements, but Rikku caught it. From the way Auron tensed, he must have seen it too. Braska's hand twitched, as if he'd wanted to clutch his staff; to dance again. After his previous resounding successes, it was, at least to her, a pretty clear tell… he didn't have a plan to deal with Belgemine's powerful fire aeon."This is bad," she whispered to Auron."Wait," Auron replied resolutely, staring as Braska finally raised his staff and fell into Rapture. As he did, Ixion pulled himself from the portal of lighting that formed behind the summoner, lowering his head into a charge as soon as he hit the floor.Ifrit opened his mouth in a silent laugh, muscular arms spreading wide as if to welcome the charging steed with a hug. At the last minute, Ixion weaved, brushing past the fire aeon and jolting him with tiny bolts of lighting as he passed.Fur singed, Ifrit let out a furious roar and tore at the ground. A chunk of stone came up in his palm, and Rikku winced as the beautiful floor mosaic crumbled. She felt a little bad watching it happen; the well-preserved temple was aging rapidly under the repeated aeon assaults.Both summoners paid the destruction no mind, bent on defeating one another. Ixion finally stopped circling around the fire aeon, planting his feet solidly into the ground. He wheeled around, hind legs kicking out and sending flying bits of stone and debris towards Ifrit in a deadly flurry.Belgemine's brow quivered at the unorthodox attack, but her face remained impassive. Ifrit, in return, lowered his massive head and punched his fists together, the familiar shield of fire forming around him. The wall of flames seared the flying projectiles into dust before they could strike true."It's lookin' a little too hot for B," Jecht observed, wincing as the wave of heat blasted his hair away from his face.The sound of hooves clattering against stone pulled Rikku's attention back to the fight. Ixion was charging, head lowered, directly towards Ifrit. It looked like he was going to try to impale the massive aeon on his horn."That's never gonna work," Rikku cried out. "Ifrit's so much stronger than Ixion, he'll just stop him in his tracks!"Even as she spoke, Ifrit reached out and grabbed Ixion's lowered horn, holding it between both palms and sliding backwards as he stopped the unicorn's charge."It worked," Auron contradicted her, his severe expression easing even as Ixion began to crackle.Static energy filled the air; Ixion's horn was glowing pure white. Sparks of energy jumped from his body, and forks of lightning shot out in every direction, causing both her and Jecht to scramble for cover. The air was charged and heavy, and she saw a moment too late what Auron had already guessed: Ixion had lured Ifrit in a trap - a suicide attack."Sometimes, you need to sacrifice something to win," Auron said grimly.The room filled with blinding white light as the crackling from Ixion's horn turned into a low white. There was a moment of silence, and then an explosion which consumed both Ifrit's roar and Ixion's scream as both aeons disintegrated in the light.Spots danced before Rikku's eyes as she tried to adjust to the sudden change in light; somewhere, a stone dropped and clinked across the ruined floor."... You might just have the resolve," Belgemine said to Braska as she straightened, recovering from the attack. "But we both know that wasn't a victory."Braska stood as well, his expression grim. "It's still my win. And I will do whatever it takes to reach my goal."Belgemine tipped her head forward in acknowledgement. "Then continue to show me that you can be the one to change history." She lifted her arm as she spoke, and cherry blossom petals swirled into existence around her.Braska blinked as Yojimbo stepped out of the shadows and took a stance behind Belgemine, waiting. "You… don't pay him?" he asked, incredulous."We have an understanding," Belgemine said smoothly.It was only a slight movement, but a twitch in Yojimbo's cloak made Rikku suspect that maybe Belgemine didn't have quite as much of an understanding as she thought she did with the ornery aeon. She glanced at Braska, but he was entirely focused on his opponent."Summon your aeon, Lord Braska," Belgemine said, bowing her head as Yojimbo stepped forward.Braska took a deep breath, then kneeled. Clouds roiled overhead; Vaelfor dove out of the sky, landing in front of him and spreading her wings.Auron sucked in a deep breath. Even Jecht peeked out from behind his cover, scratching his head."I don't get it," Jecht said. "Auron?""... Hnn," Auron grumbled, which, in her opinion, was a pretty damning answer."Interesting," Belgemine said, flicking her wrist at Yojimbo.There! Rikku tensed, seeing the slight shake to Yojimbo's head. "He's gonna use his dog!" she stage-whispered to the others.Sure enough, the lion-dog bounded towards Valefor, tongue lolling out. Valefor took to the air with a screech, but the dog had already launched itself for the full body hit. Claws extended, Valefor trilled in pain when the two aeons connected, sending her flying backwards."Ooooh, that's gotta hurt," Jecht said with a wince as the temple walls shook from the force of the impact.Then Yojimbo straightened, eyes flashing. His dog wasn't returning. Instead, it thrashed against Valefor's unrelenting two-clawed grip. Valefor took to the air, wings beating powerfully. She struggled against the additional weight, but both aeons rose higher and higher into the air as everyone else watched incredulously."Did he just... steal Yojimbo's dog?" Rikku asked, tugging on Auron's sleeve. There was no answer; she looked down just in time to see Auron tucking his pouch of gil even deeper into his coat with an exasperated expression.Yojimbo seemed similarly unimpressed. The huge aeon whistled again, and was met with an answering whine. The dog stopped struggling against Valefor's grip, as if finally realizing being dropped from the temple's height was not an optimal outcome for it. Valefor let out another shrill screech, clutching onto her hostage defiantly."... Yojimbo! Finish this!" Belgemine commanded. There was a hint of censure in her voice, and Rikku grinned.
Yojimbo isn't anyone's servant. … And he really, really likes his dog.
Yojimbo looked over his shoulder at Belgemine, eyes narrowed. Then he whistled again, and the lion dog began to fade from existence. Flipping his long cloak over one shoulder, Yojimbo turned around and stoically marched past Belgemine, not even stopping to look down as he also disappeared, pyreflies training in his wake.Valefor trilled. It sounded almost smug, and matched the look on Braska's face when she disappeared and he rose to his feet. "This round is also mine."Belgemine's hands clenched into fists, but her smile remained in place. "You do realize it's very difficult for the Unsent to make money in Spira?" she said conversationally."I wouldn't know," Braska replied, just as pleasantly.Belgemine's red lips twitched. "Let us continue." She raised her hand, and then brought it down swiftly. The temple darkened ominously, and with a roiling crack, Bahamut exploded out of the ceiling, landing heavily on the temple floor. His tail lashed back and forth eagerly.Braska smiled; the pyreflies rose around him, but he wasn't frozen; instead, he reached for his belt as cherry blossoms rained around him.The look on Belgemine's face was stiff as Yojimbo strode out and stopped next to Braska."That was inexcusably rude of me," Braska said as he lifted a heavy coin pouch off of his belt and held it out towards the aeon. "I hope your faithful companion wasn't too badly frightened by the experience. Here. This token of my appreciation is the least I can do to apologize." He bowed as Yojimbo reached down and pocketed the money, nodding slightly at Braska.There was an audible sigh of despair from Auron, and Rikku tore her attention away from the aeon battle to give him a little nudge. "C'mon, Braska's actually doing pretty well! You should be proud of your student! Besides, it's just money. Some things are more important than gil, right?""Tell that to Yojimbo.""Whoa!" Jecht interjected, wincing as the sound of exploding rubble echoed through the building. "Damn, that looked like it hurt! I didn't know you could do that with a sword!"Rikku looked up to see Yojimbo tossing his katana into the air. "Oh, hey, isn't that -""How much money was in that pouch?"She winced and turned on her best 'distract Auron' smile. "...Sometimes it's better if you don't ask!"The sound of a singing blade filled the air, and they both turned in time to see Yojimbo slide to a stop, his katana extended. Behind him, Bahamut slowly toppled over, hitting the ground heavily and spraying pyreflies.Yojimbo shook out his sword, sheathed it, and marched away."That guy's even cooler than you," Rikku breathed, earning a snort from Auron."I've passed all of your challenges." Braska's voice rang out, echoing through the empty temple. "Will you reveal to me the secret of Remiem at last, Lady Belgemine?"Belgemine's smile was relaxed. She folded her arms and regarded Braska, her eyes narrowed. "You haven't passed all of my challenges, Summoner. But I will show you the secret of Remiem. How will you defeat me, I wonder, without any aeons left?"Jecht growled. "Oy, lady! That ain't fair!""Do you always expect your battles to be fair?" Belgemine responded sharply. "How did you come this far suffering under such childish illusions?" Her expression softened marginally. "None have ever made it this far. I will not hold it against you if you fail here, summoner."As she spoke, three sigils bloomed around her, growing into enormous, luminescent flowers. They carried a faint scent in the air; of mist, and water, and something intangible.Rikku caught herself leaning forward and inhaling deeply. This… is the scent of the Farplane.The flowers unfolded, revealing their contents - the Magus Sisters, the three insect-like aeons who worked together as one, and were just as willful and uncontrollable as Yojimbo. Sandy was as haughty as ever - tall, swift, and dangerous with her red arm-scythes. Cindy, her sister, petulant in her wide stance and heavy, ladybug-like armor. And Mindy, sleepy and sullen, buzzing unsteadily against the weight of her wasp-like stinger.Braska stared at each of them, obviously captivated by the three aeons. "Incredible," he breathed. "How is it even possible - three aeons, called by one summoning?"The sisters stood, waiting, and Rikku shivered. Then straightened her spine. "Braska!" she yelled, cupping her hands over her mouth. "This is still a battle! Take notes later!"Her moment of bravado over, she reached out blindly for Auron's hand and found it. "Here we go…"Braska blinked, and glanced over at her, a look of concern briefly passing over his face. But he didn't stop, instead, reaching for the ground and closing his eyes.The sisters staggered Braska fell into the rapture, the ground boiling and seething beneath his hands as he pulled Anima out. The newest aeon trembled, swaying as it rose, higher and higher, nearly filling the temple with her enormous size.The three aeons trembled as they were faced with Anima's raw power. The floor was already blackening below them, dark mists swirling higher and faster as it wrapped around all three of the Sisters' ankles, trapping them in a dark morass."You're not the only one with secrets," Rikku said aloud, holding Auron's hand in a white-knuckled grip.The screams of the Sisters were lost as they disappeared below the ground; an ominous silence reigned, before the mists finally cleared, spitting up the mangled remains of the three, pyreflies swirling around their collapsed forms as they faded away. The addictive scent of the Farplane faded with them, leaving only Anima's noxious gases in its wake, and Rikku had to stifle a gag.Anima turned her baleful glare onto Belgemine, staring for a long and breathless moment in which Rikku wondered if Braska was actually going to try to weaken and Send her after all. Then, with a shudder, the enormous aeon faded away, chased by a few lurking tendrils of shadows in her wake.Braska stood up, opening his eyes."That… that is enough," Belgemine said, staggering. She leaned forward, face pale, and took a few slow breaths, before glancing up sharply at Braska. "You! So you know…" She trailed off, her brows rising, then looked over at Auron, Jecht, and Rikku. "Yes. You are worthy of Remiem's secret.""So there was another aeon here after all," Auron said finally, shaking out his hand. "The more we discover, the less we know."Jecht was scratching his head. "Forget that, man. Ain't it gettin' crowded in Braska's head already? How's he supposed to fit another three in there, anyways?""I don't think that's how it works," Rikku mumbled."Hold," Braska said, raising his hand. "I've earned your two keys," he continued, reaching for the scepter and the crown. "But I would know your story first."The ghost of a smile graced Belgemine's expression; but it seemed more like a grimace. "First? Before what, summoner? You Send me?"Braska's expression hardened. "That's a definite possibility. I want to know why you're hiding these aeons here from the rest of the world. Why do you set up these impossible challenges? It would take a miracle to overcome them. Fortunately my friends and I have made a habit of making the impossible possible. But why do you think the rest of Spira can't handle the existence of these three aeons? Are they truly so terrible?"Belgemine's laugh was hollow. "It is not the aeons that are terrible, summoner. It is the faltering will of a failed High Summoner… and a mother.""High Summoner…" Braska's eyes widened. "You… you created the Final Aeon. These three-"Belgemine waved her hand, cutting him off. "The price was too high. My children…" She stopped, and something in her cool, stoic facade cracked, as did her voice. Pyreflies slowly swirled around her, circling her body as she struggled to speak. "Sandy, Mindy, and Cindy. Even after their sacrifice, I couldn't bear to use them against Sin once I knew the truth. No mother can condemn her child to that." She wavered, inhaling deeply. "Now, it is my eternal duty to protect them, as they tried to protect Spira."It was as if her own words brought her back from the brink. The pyreflies disappeared, and Belgemine's cold composition returned. "Only someone worthy of bearing them may appeal to them. You are the first, Lord Braska. The first in 400 years to have passed every test."Rikku was left speechless by Belgemine's revelation. Seymour had sacrificed his mother, while Belgemine had sacrificed her children. She wondered if Belgemine's sense of duty to protect her children was the only thing that prevented her from wandering down the same path of madness Seymour had, after his death."Once… you knew the truth?" Braska asked, not as easily distracted as she was. "What truth?"Belgemine's cheshire smile revealed nothing. "When you meet her, she'll tell you."There was a silence, and then Rikku felt her stomach drop when Braska turned to stare at her. Belgemine's eyes followed his gaze, and her red smile widened."Not that one." Belgemine turned her head slightly and looked at Jecht. "Nor that one, either." She smirked. "Such strange bedfellows you keep, Summoner Braska."Jecht frowned, crossing his arms and rising to his full height. "Y'aint scarin' me, dead lady," he snorted. "Why're ya starin' at me an' Rikku, huh?"Belgemine shook her head. "It's time for you to accept your reward, Summoner Braska. The world is in your hands now." As she spoke, the stone door behind her leading to the Chamber of the Fayth shifted and opened, finally recognizing the presence of another summoner.Braska stepped towards the door, his frustration at Belgemine's refusal to answer his questions clear. He stopped next to her."Oh? Are you going to send me?""It goes against everything I believe to allow you to continue to live in this half state," Braska replied. His mouth shut with an audible click as he clenched his teeth.Belgemine only laughed. "You are gravely mistaken. I don't live; I wait. As do my children." Brazen to the end, she turned her back on Braska and walked away, unafraid to leave them alone in the temple. She stopped at the doors and looked over her shoulder. "Are you the one who will finally end my waiting? I wonder."A soft wind blew through the open door of the Chamber; it carried the faint smell of musty flowers. Braska watched Belgemine exit the temple, shoulders drooping."You did the right thing," Rikku said, coming closer and patting him on the back. "She's trying to help you, in her own way."Braska nodded wearily. "I can't afford to wonder like she does. I need to be sure." He faced the Chamber. "Wait for me," he instructed them, stepping through the door. "I won't be long."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku squinted; the sun was just a little too bright. She considered shading her eyes with her goggles, then scoffed.
I’m going soft.
Skipping outside, she grinned at the monkeys playing across the suspension bridge, then tripped to a halt as she caught sight of Belgemine, waiting at the foot of one.“You’re still here?”Belgemine turned around slowly. She folded her hands into her voluminous sleeves. “I should ask you that. You don’t belong here. What are you, girl?” She placed one hand over her mouth, her eyes thoughtful. “Where are you?”Rikku opened and shut her mouth, caught flat-footed. “... I’m right here?”Belgemine’s head tilted to the side, and her eyes narrowed. “No, you’re not. You’re not from this world. But moreover, I can feel it...” She trailed off, her eyes critical and searching, stopping on Rikku’s garment grid. “Something has slipped through with you. Something which should not be here. That belt allows you to harness powers that aren’t really yours, doesn’t it?” She stepped closer.Rikku took a reflexive step backwards, her hand coming up to cover the grid. How did Belgemine know? Was it because she’d been Unsent for so many years? Or because she was a summoner? Braska had always seemed to have a sixth sense about her, but surely this Belgemine couldn’t know about the future... “The power of a summoner,” Belgemine finished.
“Well, yeah, I mean, I can turn myself into these alternate versions of other peoples’ skills, but it’s just Al Bhed tech! It’s not--”
“No,” Belgemine said, pushing Rikku’s arm away and peering at the spheres on her belt. Her hand stopped, hovering over a dressphere, then drew away quickly. “Not something. Someone.”
Lenne? “Why do you want to know?” she asked suspiciously, feeling protective of the other woman.“You carry a being very much like me with you. Older, even. Perhaps more powerful,” Belgemine mused. “Neither it nor that belt should be here. The ghost that rides with you lends you its power, and you use it to feed off of other peoples’ dreams.” Her eyes rose to meet Rikku’s. “But then, do you even know what you are?”“Look! I know I’m a little special, but I don’t like what I think you’re getting at here,” Rikku said hotly, feeling pressured and confused. “Why do you Unsent like to talk in riddles so much anyway? I’m totally not like you! For one, I’m alive, and I --”“Do not lie!” Belgemine’s eyes met hers, cold and hard. “Summoner Braska said this was a party of miracles. I can see why. You and the other one; you are both not possible, yet here you stand. The only true guardian Braska has is the warrior-monk.”Rikku hissed, teeth clenched. “How dare you!” she seethed, seeing white. “Jecht and I, we’re just as much his guardians as Auron is! You don’t know what we’ve been through together! Maybe Braska should’ve sent you after all, you sore loser!”Through the anger, though, there was the ever-present pulse of doubt fueling her bitter diatribe. She couldn’t deny that Belgemine was on to something; that the woman quite possibly knew something which Rikku herself couldn’t.
Still, Rikku realized she wasn’t completely in sync with this world of the past, no matter how hard she tried. Maybe it was the dissonance of time travel and knowing the future; she still didn’t know the reason the Fayth had the ability to communicate with her. Control her, even, when they wanted. But she thought back on her last dream of the future; of her conversation with dream-Tidus.
You need to finish up and come back home soon.
A shiver ran down her spine. That… that was a dream, right? He wasn’t really Tidus, just an overactive figment of her imagination, or a manifestation of her homesickness, like Yuna and Paine had been. He couldn’t have been real. Because if he was…A memory tickled at her. Of pain. And then nothing. And Auron, white hair gracing his temples, kneeling in a field of flowers, reaching. Not yet, he’d said. Not yet.
Belgemine was still watching her. “You don’t want them to know, do you, Dream Eater? That you are wrong here. But you feel it, just as I can. That the spiral of death can only be stopped when we stop the dreaming.” She backed away, and some of the tension left Rikku’s shoulders.“You’re the one who’s wrong,” Rikku replied, though she reached out and grabbed the edge of the bridge. Her knees felt like they would give out beneath her.“I am not your enemy,” Belgemine said after a long moment. “I also wish to remain here for just a little while longer. I want to see the end. To know that my sacrifice had purpose. But it gets harder to leave, the longer you stay.” She reached out and placed a gentle hand on Rikku’s shoulder. “You’ve chosen an interesting path, girl. The King grows desperate, if you are his gambit. I wonder if he’ll succeed.”Rikku started. “I’m… I’m not Bahamut’s pawn,” she protested. It sounded weak, even to her own ears. Then she smiled, a tired smile, and brushed off Belgemine’s touch. “No wonder Yojimbo worked with you for so long. You’re against Bahamut too, aren’t you.”“Spira should not belong to the deathless. But I have caused you distress. Maybe you were not ready to hear the truth.” She turned her head slightly, looking back at the temple. “So I will give you some advice, as an apology. Your large friend with the mark on his chest should be careful. That one… no matter what happens, he will unfailingly draw Yu Yevon’s attention.”Does she know about Jecht? “Do you know the future?” Rikku couldn’t stop herself from asking, the words tumbling out in a rush. There was fear behind them, and also hope. Can I finally talk to someone about everything? That fleeting hope for a connection, one she hadn’t even realized she’d wanted so badly, crumpled when Belgemine shook her head.“I can’t see the future, but I do know the past. And when you have lived as long as I have, you begin to realize they are not so different from one another after all.” Belgemine’s smile was sympathetic, rather than cruel. “Once again, I am sorry.”“Yeah,” Rikku whispered, swallowing her disappointment.The sound of the stone doors scraping open made both women turn. Auron stepped out, holding a hand up to shield his eyes from the light. He spotted them, and frowned at Belgemine as he approached.“You’re still here?” he echoed, and Belgemine laughed.“I am done with many things here. I only wished to say goodbye. Until we meet again, Guardian,” she said to Auron, bowing deeply. Rikku half-expected her to fade into nothingness and pyreflies, just like her aeons, after that, but instead, Belgemine simply turned and left for the bridge, walking away at a stately pace as any normal person might.“That woman is disturbing,” Auron murmured, watching Belgemine leave.“You don’t know the half of it,” Rikku agreed, rubbing her arms. Auron, of course, noticed the motion.“What did she say to you?”“N-nothing important. She noticed Lenne, that’s all.” It wasn’t really a lie if it was partially true, right? “Maybe summoners all have this sixth sense for each other, even if they’re dead.”“Then the fact that Lenne chose to stay dormant under her scrutiny means it was nothing truly important,” Auron replied, drawing her close. His arms were warm and comforting, as were his words, but she couldn’t shake the core of coldness that had settled in her chest.
Dream Eater.
Shuddering, she buried her face in Auron’s red coat, breathing in deeply. His warm, musky scent surrounded her, and her heart slowed. She put on her best smile, looking up when she felt ready.“Is Braska almost done?”“Jecht is keeping watch,” Auron said absently, though his gaze was sharp. His eyes tracked her face, as if memorizing every microexpression she was making. “Rikku --”
“It’s fine,” she said softly, putting her finger up to stop Auron from continuing. “Like you said, she’s creepy. I’ll shake it off by tomorrow.”Though he still looked disturbed, Auron gave her the faintest of nods. “We’ll have larger problems to deal with by then anyway.”“Well, with Braska’s new army of aeons, we should be able to steamroll right across the Calm Lands now, right?” Rikku said.“The Calm Lands aren’t the issue. Our next destination is Mount Gagazet. We will have to scale that mountain.” He blew out a low breath. “They call it the granite altar upon which summoners are sacrificed,” he murmured, glancing back at the door to make sure Braska and Jecht weren’t in earshot. “And that is before we factor in meeting the Ronso.”“Maybe the Fangs came home already. The Blitz season’s over, right?”“I wouldn’t count on it. Exhibition games not only make a lot of gil, but also act as training camps. The Fangs took the cup this year, so they’ll need all the practice they can get to make next season’s expectations. They’re probably not going to have you and Jecht to lean on, either, and they know it.”“Well… one problem at a time. Kelk became a Maester so they shouldn’t be hostile to us. And I mean, Braska still has his reputation from Djose. I don’t think the Ronso will be a problem,” RIkku declared. “Especially not for you. They love the strong, silent types.”“That may be true. But the mountain judges everyone equally. It’s going to be difficult climbing it,” Auron said. He trailed off as the sound of the doors opening echoed, and Jecht came out, supporting Braska.“‘Ey! He did it!” Jecht yelled at them, waving with his free arm.“As if there was ever any doubt,” Braska mumbled, though he looked even paler than normal. Still, he pushed Jecht away and managed to stand on his own two feet. It still looked like a stiff burp from Jecht could knock him over, though.“Look! If Braska can keep on collecting aeons like that, the rest of us can climb a mountain. We’ll manage somehow,” Rikku promised.“I hope you’re right.” There was something in Auron’s voice that made her glance back at him, but his face gave away nothing as he stared at Braska. She thought about pushing, but he’s given her space when she asked, and he obviously wasn’t feeling like talking. We’re building walls between us again. It was pretty clear why, though. Gagazet was the harsh final test, before reaching Zanarkand. It was where reality had to be faced, for each of them. Auron’s growing desire to abandon the Pilgrimage and live with everyone; Braska’s resolve to see Sin defeated at all costs, even his life. They’d grown completely separate goals, and were competing with each other to reach them -- and she had a personal stake in both of the men’s fates. And Jecht, their wild card, devoted to one thing above all others -- rescuing his son from the prison of Zanarkand. “We can rest here. There’s no hurry to get to Zanarkand, and this place is as safe as it’s going to get,” Auron said when they regrouped.“I’m in no rush,” Braska agreed, leaning on his staff. “Mount Gagazet will still be there regardless of our pace.”“An’ Zanarkand after that, huh,” Jecht said, his eyes distant as he scanned the horizon.Rikku tapped her boot into the ground uncomfortably. “We made it this far, right?”Jecht snapped out of his melancholy first, giving her a grin. “Ain’t no stoppin’ us now!”Braska raised a hand. “Hardly, Jecht. I am stopping us right now. We should set up camp in the temple. Do you know how hard it is to convince three aeons to join you at the same time? I do.” “Take all that energy and go find us something to eat,” Auron interjected, coming to Braska’s aid. “The monkeys have to live off of something here.”Jecht’s enthusiasm deflated at the mention of monkeys. “But Rikku’s quicker--”
“You can bring Rikku if you want, but they like you,” Auron repeated. “So you’re going.”Jecht let out a little whimper, and Rikku giggled a little, giving Auron a thumbs-up. It doesn’t matter if we’re not all being truthful… we’ll get through this. We always do. She smiled at her boys, the comfort of their friendship melting away more of that cold hardness Belgemine had left inside of her. Like Braska said… if we need miracles, then we’ll make them happen. “C’mon… let’s go, monkey boy!” Rikku cheered, grabbing a reluctant Jecht by the elbow and dragging him towards the bridge.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Leaving Remiem was easier than getting in; the Marauder's remains were still where they'd left them and the climb down wasn't as hard as getting up had been. They began the journey to the base of Mount Gagazet immediately. Of course the Calm Lands remained as deceptively named as they were filled with fiends. Despite that, the group made good time across the plains - crossing seemed to get easier each time they did it.Braska only tried calling upon the Magus Sisters once. As with Yojimbo, summoning the aeons didn't send him into Rapture. Even so, they'd simply done as they pleased no matter how he tried to negotiate with them, to his dismay. The three aeons had minds of their own, and seemed to find little value in fighting unimportant battles for the rest of them. They weren't even interested in money as a bribe, and so they remained a mystery. Or, as Braska liked to call them, 'flowers yet to bloom.'Rikku figured the sisters were saving their energy for Sin. Or that they were sulking because their long rest was finally being disturbed. Either way, even though they were obviously powerful, they were even more unreliable than Yojimbo - whom Auron had forbid Braska from calling on, except in case of 'emergencies.'This time when they reached the foot of the mountain, Braska led them up the rocky path. It was nearly as cold as it had been at Lake Macalania. Snow littered the ground, drifting continuously downward from the mountainside's strong winds, and long shadows cast by the ancient pillars lining the path darkened the journey.Rikku watched Auron from the corner of her eye; it was rare that he'd let Braska take the lead in unknown territory. He said nothing, however, keeping his eyes on the ground and a scowl on his face."We should stop here," Braska said when they crossed the final stone gate signifying the start of the long path to Zanarkand. "It's time to don our gear. This wind will only get worse the higher we climb."Jecht was already halfway into his pack, pulling out every article of clothing he still owned in an attempt to layer himself into warmth. "Yeah, so I thought the Ronso lived here," he said as he searched for his cloak. "Where the hell are they? … An' where the hell's my thermal underwear?""The Ronso will reveal themselves if - or when - they feel it's necessary. It wasn't too long ago that the Ronso were considered little better than a race or beasts by the Church. That caution won't fade overnight," Auron grunted, also digging through his pack. "But they have never hindered a Summoner from completing their Pilgrimage. The mountain does that all on its own."Shivering, Rikku pulled her cloak tighter around her arms."Rikku. I need your help." Braska's voice cut through her thoughts, and she looked up to see him watching her closely."Me?" She pointed at herself, and Auron and Jecht stopped rummaging to look between them."Why?" Auron asked, curt.Braska looked away. Then he met Auron's fierce stare. "I want to make a recording. For Yuna." He turned back to Rikku. "Will you assist me?""S-sure," Rikku mumbled, her hands going to her pack to sort through her spheres. Passing over the Berserker one - yikes - she finally settled on a sphere and prepared it for recording. "So, umm, where do you want to do this?""One place is as good as the next. Though I'd like her to have a view of the sky." Braska looked up against the blustering winds, and the clouds hanging heavy and low to the earth. "Well, what little you can see of it here." He cast about, finally deciding on a spot and pointing. "There, perhaps? It might provide some shelter from the wind.""Hmph," Auron said, dropping the frosty stare. "Send her my greetings, then," he said after a moment. A muscle in his cheek jumped, and he turned and strode away quickly, crossing his arms and looking out over the mountainside.
He loves Yuna too. And he knows… This is Braska's last goodbye.
Jecht, not catching any of the nuance, brightened at Auron's words. "Oh hey yeah! Tell your lil' girl hi from me too!"Braska smiled faintly. "Of course, Jecht. Now, if you'll excuse us… I would like some privacy." He beckoned to Rikku, and trudged towards his chosen spot.Chewing the inside of her lip, Rikku followed after. Working quietly with Braska, she positioned him against the mountainside several times until she found a spot where she could catch most of the terrible light. There was nothing she could do about the wind, but Braska waved away her concern."She will understand," he said. "Let's begin."Pressing down on the sphere control, it winked into life, and she looked up at Braska and nodded.His posture stiffened and a bright smile crossed his face. "Hello, Yuna! We've reached Mount Gagazet, finally. Auron and Jecht have been taking very good care of me, and I -" He stopped, and his shoulders sagged. "Shut it off," he said, turning away.She did as he asked. "What's wrong?""Everything." Braska gestured helplessly around him. "This is all fake. I want to leave something behind for Yuna which is real." He looked over at Auron in the distance, the guardian's back ramrod straight as he stood against the stiff winds."I… should try harder," he said after a moment. "This may be my last chance to be honest with her. Honesty. That is my greatest weakness, isn't it." He barked out a dry laugh. "But she is my daughter. I want to leave something better for her than my castles of sand." He turned around and straightened his robes. "Let's begin again.""Just be yourself this time," Rikku said, manipulating the controls. "Yunie will understand what you mean. And you're good to go."Braska unfolded his arms and looked directly into the sphere. He took a deep breath. "Hello, Yuna. I hope you are well." His eyes settled on Rikku, and crinkled in a silent smile that didn't reach his lips. "I wonder how old you are, now that you're watching this sphere. You must be very beautiful, like your mother. I wish I could see you."Something caught in his voice, and he stopped speaking, turning away from the sphere instead.
Is he… gonna cry?
He seemed to focus on Auron, drawing strength from his friend's unmoving figure. Then he turned back and faced her."Oh, by the way… Jecht and Auron send their regards. So far, our journey has been very entertaining. Of course, it is a hard journey, but…" He paused, eyes closed. When he opened them again, his voice was firmer. "I have no regrets. It is the path I have chosen."His eyes flicked to Rikku again, and he nodded at the sphere. "Yuna, when you have grown, you will have to find your own path. Do what you must do, the way you want to do it. Doors will always open themselves to those who do." Fervor seemed to fill him, and his voice was laced with intensity. "Listen close, Yuna. Your future is yours to make. Live the way you want to."Exhaling deeply, he leaned back, as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. "Whatever way that may be, you have your father's full support. Yuna... I will always be with you."He gave the sphere one last, sad smile, and then walked forward. Quickly, Rikku shut off the recording."I think that came out good," she told him, handing him the sphere for inspection.Braska shook his head. "That is for Yuna, not me. I want you to give it to her, later. That's why I asked for your help," he said in a low undertone, grabbing her hand and squeezing it. "Can I entrust this to you? Please, Rikku. It's very important to me."Rikku nodded, feeling the full pressure of Braska's desperation and resolve. "I… I'll make sure she gets it," she promised. "Oui ryja so funt."*Braska smiled at her, releasing her hand. "Thank you. Now go, before Auron gets too jealous."I don't think jealousy is what he's feeling right now, she thought, her eyes straying to Auron, who still hadn't moved. But she nodded at Braska anyway. "Go on, get ready. I'm just gonna pack up."She waited for Braska to leave before looking around in the snow. Spotting a crevice, she carefully nestled the sphere deep against the rock, scooping snow over it to ensure the winds wouldn't blow it off the mountainside.."Tidus… be sure you show this to Yunie later on," she whispered as she patted a bit more snow over Braska's message, completely obscuring the soft glow of the sphere.An exclamation drew her attention back to the others; Jecht was standing beside Auron now, who'd actually moved. They were both pointing at something. Scrambling to her feet, Rikku rushed over towards them. "What's up?" she asked, checking her wrist to make sure the Godhand was in place."There's some kinda fight goin' on down there!" Jecht said, pointing below. Peering over the cliff, Rikku squinted. Then her eyes widened.
Kimahri?!
"Those two bastards are totally pickin' on that lil' guy!" Jecht growled, forgetting that he was still bare-chested in his righteous indignation. "That's bullyin'! We should go down an' help him-""Ronso take care of Ronso matters," Auron said, pulling Jecht back. "They might take offense to us even witnessing this battle. You don't know who started that fight, either. It's best we don't get involved.""Oy! But look! Those two are decimatin' him! If we don't do somethin' -"There was a sharp crack, and everyone fell silent.Oh, Kimahri, Rikku thought with a wince. He was smaller, to be sure, and he didn't even have his full beard yet, nor the signature wings strapped to his back. But she could still see the fierce pride in him. Or more accurately, see it seeping out of him as Biran's laughter echoed against the mountainside."Weak Ronso should know their place!" Biran roared as he held the broken half of Kimhari's horn over his head."Hornless!" Yenke, the other Ronso, sneered, his words reverberating through the canyon.Biran closed his fist, and Kimahri's broken horn splintered into several pieces in his palm, which he then threw over Kimahri's prone form with obvious disgust."Mountain hate the small and weak," Biran spat. "Kimahri no true Ronso of Gagazet. You live with shame forever."The two larger Ronso stalked away, their tails waving pridefully as they laughed. Meanwhile, Kimahri lay face-down in the snow, motionless."Oy," Jecht said, though all the heat had left his voice. "That lil' guy…"Auron sighed. "Leave him," he said, turning away, and stopping short when he met Braska's disapproving look directly behind him."Would it be so wrong to show a little mercy and compassion to someone in need, Auron?""C'mon, man, they just broke his horn!" Jecht added. "We gotta see if he's okay! If he doesn't get up soon, he's gonna freeze to death out here, fur or not!""You don't know Ronso law, Jecht. Their horns are a point of pride. If this was a matter of honor, we may do more damage by interfering than not. That Ronso down there may well rather die than have outsiders witness his shame."Rikku fished out a healing potion from her pouch, and pressed it into Auron's hands. "Would you really be okay with leaving him there to die, though?" she asked him. "That would be the Ronso's way of taking care of him. We're outcasts too, remember? Maybe he won't mind a helping hand.""Yeah, well, you do you, 'cause I ain't waitin'," Jecht declared, already trying to make his way down the cliffside."Wait," Auron groaned, taking the potion from Rikku's hand. "Jecht, get back here. Put your winter gear on or you'll join that Ronso in the snow once exposure gets to you." He turned to Braska. "Wait for me here, my lord. I still think we shouldn't overwhelm him with our presence." He glanced at Rikku, the apology clear in his eyes.Rikku raised her hand and shook her head. "No, I get it. Al Bhed on the holy mountain. I won't add insult to injury," she insisted. "Just help him out before something bad happens, okay?"Auron smiled briefly and leaned in for a quick kiss, then turned and began to step-slide down the cliffside."Now then. Auron is correct, and that Ronso will certainly not appreciate gawkers when he comes to," Braka said briskly. "Jecht, don your clothing. Rikku, back away from the edge, if you would."They made themselves scarce, and Rikku listened intently for the sound of Auron's voice, as he brought Kimahri back to consciousness and informed him of what had happened. She settled against the snow, goggles over her eyes, and peered at the scene below.Auron helped Kimahri sit up, speaking in low tones. He gestured at Kimahri's head, and the young Ronso's hand flew to his forehead, reaching for the horn that was no longer there. There was a brief, piercing, and mournful howl of loss, and Rikku buried her face in the snow, ashamed of having witnessed it.Auron was right… we shouldn't be here, she thought. The Kimahri she knew was stoic and expressionless; much like Auron, this younger version of himself hadn't yet learned to control his emotions. She'd never seen despair on a Ronso before, and it felt like she'd intruded on a moment in her Ronso friend's life that was his alone.Shimmying back from the cliffside, she joined the others further along the path, subdued by the revelation."Is everything all right?" Braska asked her softly."Auron's safe, but I don't think that Ronso's very happy right now. I also don't think he'd want us to see him," she said, eyes downcast."Auron is a man of honor. I'm sure that Ronso will understand it, eventually," Braska replied. "At the least, we saved a life today.""I just wish we could do more," she mumbled, turning as they heard the sound of Auron's heavy footsteps approaching."... His name is Kimahri," Auron told the others. "He was the one who challenged the other two. I don't think he expected it to escalate to this. But you never know, with the Ronso. He seems to think losing his horn will mean exile." He paused. "He may be right. I told him to find the Fangs in Luca, but I'm not sure he'll listen. He certainly didn't want to come with me." He frowned. "We've done all we could for him. What happens from this point on is his decision alone. That is the Ronso way."Rikku nodded, still feeling cold. "It's a dumb way," she muttered under her breath."Change comes slowly," Braska replied, giving her a comforting pat on the back. "Perhaps one day, the Ronso will emerge from their lairs and allow us to greet them. Maybe this Kimahri will be the one to bring them out, and this is the catalyst. Not every dire situation has to lead to a hopeless conclusion."Auron growled, low in his throat, and stalked away."What's up with him?" Jecht stared after Auron, crossing his arms. "He's been grumpier than usual since Remiem.""Give him his space. Except for you. If there's anyone who can convince Auron to believe in the impossible, it would be you," Braska said, directing the latter half of his command to Rikku."Yeah," she replied with a smile she didn't really feel, and Belgemine's warning chasing after her.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Cold and lonely; it was the best way to describe Mount Gagazet. Even in her time, without the constant snow, the mountain had been a place sphere hunters shunned. The Fayth Scar kept most people away even without the threat of Kimahri and the remaining Ronso guarding the mountain's sacred ground. And what the Scar and the Ronso couldn't do, the mountain's steep climbs accomplished all on its own.Rikku was reminded of that painfully as the wind bit into her skin. Her goggles were lowered, helping her see, but her braids were crusted with ice, and she was fairly sure her lips were turning blue. The cold was bad, but it was nothing compared to the gusting wind. Everyone's pace had slowed down to a crawl, and even Auron in all of his gear looked miserable.The graves of the Summoners who had tried and failed to ascend the mountain weren't exactly encouraging, either. Marks of their passage lay strewn across the path, if what they were traveling could even be called that - swords, discarded and dulled by time and the elements. Staves and rods, broken and splintered against the dark mountain stone. The lucky ones had stones with names inscribed into them. And the unlucky ones were the occasional snow-covered lumps that looked suspiciously like they'd been frozen while trying in vain to take shelter from the elements.Through it all, Braska kept his head down and marched forward, Jecht helping him along the steeper parts of the icy climb. Rikku knew she was supposed to be scouting, but it was so hard to run against the unforgiving wind. The fiends they ran into were just as bitter and unrelenting as the mountain itself; echoes of the creatures they'd fought before, but hardened by their isolation.
So many failed Pilgrimages. So many unfulfilled desires, gathered in one place. They're all so angry. And alone.There was motion in the snow; her thoughts were a jumbled mess as she activated her sphere grid, feeling the change overtaking her. The anger that fueled her thoughts warmed her body and cut through the numb confusion, even though a part of her knew it was only temporary. Still, she was strong enough as a Berserker to charge forward through the deep drifts of snow. Her claws came down, cleaving the Bandersnatch that had tried to ambush them in twain. She cartwheeled backwards, holding her claws up in triumph, only to duck and screech when Auron surged past her, sword out."Look out!"He slashed wildly at the Ahriman swooping down upon her from overhead; the winged fiend with the enormous eyeball cackled and flapped out of his sword's reach."Hnn." Auron grinned grimly as he landed. A flash of silver chasing his jump overhead. The Ahriman's mad laugh was cut short as Jecht's sword bisected it, swivelling in the air before returning to the other man's outstretched hand.Deactivating her sphere grid, Rikku shivered, then shook some snow out of her hair. "I'll never get used to that," she said, rooting through the snow where the pyreflies were fading to see if the monsters had dropped anything useful. "It's a sword, not a blitzball.""I ain't complainin' if it hits 'em," Jecht said, whirling the Talon around expertly before sheathing it.Auron straightened, also sheathing his sword. "What were you doing? You left yourself wide open there," he chastised her.Rikku pulled her hood up. "I didn't see the flier, okay? Sorry," she muttered, feeling ashamed at her lapse.Braska joined them, his eyebrows nearly white from the snow collecting on his face. "We are all exhausted from this relentless climb. Perhaps we should rest and gather our strength before we venture forward. It only gets more dangerous when we try to push ahead in this state.""If we stop out here, we die," Auron countered, looking pointedly at yet another nearby summoner's grave that they were passing.Rikku scratched her cheek. "There… there may be a place nearby where we can rest comfortably. It's gonna be hard to reach it, though," she mumbled.The three turned to her, and she glanced at Jecht and winced.
I can't take him past the Fayth Scar. It's not a scar yet!
They were going to have to take the hard way in. Damn it, why hadn't she ever been good with directions? She held her head, trying to align her memory of Gagazet with the current snow-covered peaks. "Look… I've been here before, but everything's different. I'm not sure if we could even reach it. It might just be a big waste of our time…""We're gonna end up like the other summoners here if we don't risk it," Jecht said "'Sides! I ain't gonna let no stinkin' mountain beat me. I still got plans!" He grinned at her. "So tell us yours.""Weeeell… see, we have to go this way," Rikku said, and she pointed up. Straight up.All three balked."Are you sure it isn't on the path?" Braska asked, shading his face against the falling snow as he traced the path up the mountainside that she pointed at with his eyes.Rikku shook her head. "No can do." To be honest, there was a way from the path, but it was too soon to face the Scar. She knew the mountain was pockmarked with tiny holes and paths that led deep into the interior. They could find a way in. Probably."We can go a little further, but then we have to leave the path and start climbing. If it was easy to get to, everyone would use it," she said, taking the lead. They had already managed to get pretty high on the mountain; grateful for that, Rikku began comparing the snow-covered landscape to the sun-soaked rocky ruins she'd scrambled over as a sphere hunter. Even then, the climb had been daunting. But back then, the only thing at stake was LeBlanc's syndicate uniforms. Now, this was about Braska's life.The thought filled her with determination, and she scanned the cliff face dutifully for any sign of one of the hidden entrances to Gagazet's depths. Every now and then, she felt the stirrings of familiarity, but so much of it was frozen and dark, unlike her sunlit memories. Finally, she stopped, staring at a set of stacked rocky outcroppings that were just too familiar to be ignored."Here," she said. "We have to start climbing here.""Impossible," Auron said, staring at the iced-over rock. "No human can climb that." He wasn't wrong, but Braska pushed him back."Then what we need isn't human," Braska said, kneeling before the wall of ice.There was a low rumble, and the ground shook as Ifrit landed behind him, flames flickering in the strong wind. The aeon stood and roared, then stomped towards the mountain, drawing a flaming fist back. He began punching, repeatedly, flames chasing each strike of his massive fists. The snow melted rapidly under the aeon assault, revealing the bare stone below.Ifrit leapt upwards, landing on the platform he'd just cleared, and gave the next outcropping the same rough treatment."That's one way to do it," Jecht said, watching Ifrit work."We have to move quickly, or this will ice over again before the aeon is finished." Auron had already doffed his pack and was handing it over to Jecht to carry. "Rikku, Jecht. We need to lift Braska."Springing into motion, they helped Auron hoist Braska up onto his back, trying not to jostle the summoner as they secured the two men together."Are you sure you can carry him up?" Rikku asked doubtfully. "I could just put on my Berserker-""No," Auron grunted, shifting Braska's dead weight. "We climb.""Ohh-kay," Rikku hummed, flinching away from Auron's determined, flinty glare. "Got it. Just be careful!""I'll pull up the rear," Jecht reassured her. "Don't worry, Blondie, I won't let anythin' happen to either o' them. 'Sides, you gotta take the lead. Ain't like Braska knows where he's goin'."As in agreement, Ifrit was looking down from the next rocky outcrop at her, waiting for instructions."I'm coming, I'm coming," Rikku groaned, taking a running start and hauling herself up the mountain. The winds blasted at her as she climbed, and several times she stopped to look down and check on Auron with her heart in her throat. He was stubbornly clinging to the mountain like a squat beetle, Braska still tied to his back.It was slow going, with her stopping frequently to point out the next area Ifrit had to defrost while trying to press herself against the stone and keep from being blown away. Eventually, however, they reached an iced-over crevice that looked very familiar."H-h-here," Rikku shivered, her teeth chattering. Obligingly, Ifrit reached a hand into the crevice and began to melt the ice that sealed it shut. When the hole was big enough for a human to squeeze through, Rikku waved her hands and gave Ifrit a thumbs up.Ifrit snorted, and then leapt clean off the cliff face, dissolving in mid-air as Braska coughed back to life, pale-faced and tired."In here! Quick, you guys!" Rikku said, pointing at the opening and waiting as the men scrambled in, Auron still unceremoniously hauling a fully-conscious Braska along with him. She slid in last after them, the rough rock cutting into her skin as they hit the cold cavern floor inside, surrounded by darkness."Whew! At least it's a little warmer here," she said, sitting up and running sightless hands over her waist, feeling for her garment grid.There were a few curses as Auron and Braska untangled themselves, and a few more as Jecht ran into a low shelf of stone while trying to stand up, before Rikku managed to push back the encroaching darkness with a brightly-lit sphere."Where are we?" Auron asked, straightening as he squinted at their utterly black surroundings. The small circle of light provided by her lantern did little to illuminate the depths of the cave, sealed off from the outside world by the storm raging outside."The heart of Gagazet," Braska said as he dusted his robes off. "I've heard of this. The Ronso manage to live on Gagazet by finding such cave pockets in the face of the mountain, and making their communities within them. Protected from the elements, hidden from the rest of the world…a perfect retreat to survive in this harsh environment. Bevelle has never had the privilege of gaining access to the Ronso's tribal communities, however. They are still a closely guarded secret."Auron inhaled deeply. "This isn't one of them," he concluded. "There's no scent of Ronso in the air." Then he made a face. "Though Jecht is pungent enough for an entire tribe.""'Ey! You climb a mountain without sweatin'!" Jecht complained. "You ain't smellin' like roses now either, Red!"Rikku took a few cautious steps out into the darkness, holding her makeshift lantern high. She stopped short when she saw a dark chasm looming. "Watch your step here," she warned them. She waited until they were all nearby, then held the sphere over the chasm."Whoa! Don't drop it!" Jecht warned, eyes bulging."Na," Rikku said, squinting and inhaling deeply. The faint scent of sulphur wafted up from the depths, and she heard the gentle lapping of water. "It'll be fine." With that, she released the sphere, eliciting gasps of surprise from the men.They watched the light travel as the sphere dropped, illuminating the sides of the cavern. And then it dampened briefly as it hit water, before slowly floating back to the surface, bobbing in the hot springs below."See?" she said, her grin widening as she lit another sphere. "I told you so."Jecht was already standing up and preparing to dive. "Can we just jump down?" he said eagerly, his eyes sparkling in the faint light."No!" Rikku screeched, pulling him away from the edge. "It's not that deep, stupid! Besides, you'll crush my sphere!" Pulling out multiple spheres from her belt, she activated them all, giving one to each of her companions so they'd have light. "Just climb down the hard way, geez! It'll be worth it, I promise."Grumbling, Jecht scrambled down the rocks to the pool below, managing easily with his monkey-like agility. Auron went much more slowly and cautiously, helping Braska with his voluminous robes on the way down. Rikku followed them down last, letting out a sigh of relief as they reached the bottom of the cavern and setting her pack down, before wading straight into the warm water to retrieve her floating sphere. Even with the multiple spheres lit and running, the cavern was still overwhelmingly shadowed in darkness; she couldn't even see to the other end of the pool, and she mostly knew the others were still behind her by the sounds they were making."Set your spheres up on the rocks. It will at least keep us from running into the walls," Auron instructed the others, carefully mounting his sphere into a secure nook. They got to work, and soon, had created at least enough light to see dark reflections bouncing off of the steaming water."How in Yevon's name did you find this place?" Braska asked as he kicked off his shoes. "No one would ever think to look.""Well, it's a lot sunnier in my time," Rikku said, shrugging. "Less snow and more light, so it's not really all that bad, though you still have to be lucky to even find it at all. We only managed it by accident."Braska smiled and nodded, satisfied with her explanation, but she noticed Auron watching them."Sunnier," Auron said slowly. "The storm clouds surrounding Gagazet are perpetual. How is that possible?""Auron," Braska interrupted. "Is it so hard to believe that Spira could change, just as we have?""You guys are overthinkin' this," Jecht complained, already stripped down to his swimming trunks and wading into the water. "It's a hot spring! Get in here an' enjoy it already! This water is somethin' else," he groaned, flipping over onto his back and letting the waves carry him away into the darkness."Good advice," Braska said, wriggling out of his heavy robes and following Jecht into the water, clad only in his shorts. It was hard to see where they disappeared to in the darkness, but she could hear the soft splash of water and their voices, Braska's low and Jecht's loud, as they swam away from them."They did that on purpose you know," Rikku said, kicking off her shoes and kneeling next to Auron. "They wanted to give us some time alone together. You've been… different since we came to Gagazet." She reached for his cloak that he wore around himself like a turtle's shell and gently drew it off his shoulders. "Don't do this. Talk to me."Auron dropped his head, unable to meet her questioning look even in the dim light. "Every step brings us closer. Closer to Zanarkand, and the end. But I haven't thought of a solution yet. Every day carries us to a future that we can't reverse." His shoulders shuddered under her palms."We can't stop now," she said, carefully working on the buckles of his armor and freeing him from the heavy chestplate. "You know we can't find the answers anywhere else…""... but in Zanarkand," Auron agreed, finally lifting his head to watch her while she pulled off his boots. "I don't know if I can do this, Rikku."She froze for a moment, before carefully placing the shoe in her hand next to its mate. Then she scrambled up next to him, her hand reaching out. His fingers interlaced with hers; they were cold despite the heat from the spring."We can do it if we're together," she said. "But let it all go for now. Enjoy the hot springs with us. Because…" Her fingers squeezed tighter around his and her throat closed. "B-because… this might be the last time. The last time we can smile together and pretend like none of it matters."He drew her in close. The kiss he gave her was searing, edged with desperation. She let it swallow her, wrapping her arms around his neck and encouraging him, throwing her body against his. They broke apart only when breathing became an issue, gasping into the darkness."I want it to matter," Auron whispered, his voice full of anguish. "Everything. The Pilgrimage. The suffering all of Spira has endured. The countless summoners who have come before us. I can't pretend that everything will be fine just because you're here," he said, buying his forehead into her neck, still shaking. "I can't cling onto you and let go of everything else. But I want to."Rikku gripped him just as tightly, as if he were her anchor. We're too similar, you and I. "I know," she managed to choke out. "We all know. Every one of us knows, Auron.""Then you're all better actors than I." Auron's hands traveled to her side, drawing her in. "Sometimes I hate what you have done to me," he whispered, his hands telling a different story than his lips. "I was a better Guardian before you taught me how to lie to myself. You… you and Braska both… you are my suffering."Rikku allowed him to lose himself in his search for comfort, staring up into the darkness with a bitter smile while his fingers and lips roved over her body, each touch burning the guilt into her skin like brands. I eat dreams, she thought, before releasing the thought with a flutter, succumbing to his ministrations.Some time later, Auron left her side, draping a blanket over her before wordlessly entering the pool. She lay against the cold stone floor, feeling it press uncomfortably into her back. The passion of the moment had died away, leaving behind only the uncomfortable bruises of reality. She felt hollow, rather than satiated. The sound of water rippling as someone came out of the pool made her rise to her elbows. She sank back down when she saw it wasn't Auron, her eyes refocusing on the darkness."I never wanted this," Braska murmured, coming to a stop by her, and she knew - she knew - he must have been watching them.She grit her teeth, and he hung his head, but even that emotion faded too quickly. The weight of the journey was just too heavy for her indignation. Droplets of warm water splashed against the top of her feet, cooling all too quickly."I never meant for either of you to become like me."Rikku continued to stare at nothing. "Don't you dare say you're sorry. Not now," she warned him. "I won't be able to make it any further if you say you're sorry, too. We've gone too far for regrets."She felt Braska's eyes on her, then looked down at him when she heard him shift. He was bowing to her, Yevon-style."Then thank you, instead." He met her questioning look. "Everything we ever lose always returns to us in another form. I'm sure it will be as true for you as it has been for me." He moved away, fading into the darkness.Rikku turned away and threw her arm over her face, breathing out slowly. "I can't stop here either." Rousing herself, she pulled on enough clothing to be decent. Then she stood and made her way to the edge of the springs, wading into the water. It was warm, like a gentle embrace. She opened her arms and accepted it, diving under and letting the dark water envelop her and soothe the aches and bruises on her skin.I don't know what to do, she thought as she drifted through the darkness. But I've never given up. Not back then, and I'm not gonna start now. Not ever. She broke the surface, taking a deep breath. "I'll find us a happy ending," she mumbled, slicking her hair out of her face. Belgemine was wrong, she had to be. If I can't see a path to a good end, I'll make a new one. And I won't step on Auron's dreams to find it.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
They didn't exit the springs the same way they'd entered; crossing the mountain was significantly easier when you could go through it rather than around it, after all. Even without using her belt - something she was becoming more and more reluctant to do after Belgemine's 'warning' - Rikku was still able to cast enough magic to melt them back out into the harsh cold of the mountain's exterior. Lulu had taught her at least that much even before she'd acquired her garment grid.The shock of cold air greeting her upon exit was nothing compared to her surprise at seeing the tall pillars rising along the uneven path. Had she really brought them out this close to the Scar? Realization came upon her all at once. Turning, she held up her hands to the others, eyes wide."Umm, I think I brought us out the wrong way! Probably got turned around inside the mountain, 'cause we definitely-"Braska wasn't listening, his eyes trained on the pillars. As if he could sense it.And worse yet, Jecht was behind him, pushing past. "The hell ya talkin' 'bout, Blondie? Look at them stones! We're in the right place!" He stopped to look at Braska, still and silent, and then turned to stare down the path. "Somethin's here. I'm goin' first."
No. No!
"Jecht, wait -!" Rikku yelled, chasing after him. Maybe that was what really gave it away. He looked over his shoulder, saw her panic, and broke into a run.
Cred!
She was right behind him. Jecht was fast, but she was faster, damn it! She latched onto his arm, digging her heels into the ground.Jecht tore out of her grasp and skidded to a stop just as the path opened wide into the Eternal Summoning. Eerie blue light covered everything, shifting and wavering just like the water tumbling down from Gagazet's peak. The water collected into the pool beside them, swirling and shifting with the magic sheen of the summoning to fill the entire area with its soft glow. Not even the crashing of multiple waterfalls could mask the siren song of the pyreflies that danced through the air. But not a single mote of light was in sight.Of course not; how could they be, when they were all being converted into the massive, twisting bridge of water being siphoned away into the clouds above? The slowly rotating pillar rose straight into the sky, even higher than Mount Gagazet's peak. It continued well past the low-hanging storm clouds overhead, wisps of blue light trailing off of it in every direction like an enchanted mist.Below that, much more obvious, were the Fayth. Wedged tightly between brightly colored murals, they were embedded into the side of the mountain by the dozens. Each person was trapped, twisted and frozen into the rock. Not a single face could be seen among the masses. Some were curled in upon themselves, as if in agony. Others had their arms outspread, caught in ecstasy. No matter the position, they were all piled unceremoniously one over the other, a sea of things once-human, crawling over the entire rockface. Sheer numbers robbed them of their individuality and made them look like macabre tapestry of flesh. Occasionally over the ambient sound of water and pyreflies, something like a sigh could be heard - low and deep, or high and wistful, just as varied as the countless Fayth themselves. The whispers of the dead chased around the small recessed pool, echoing unnaturally.Jecht froze, open-mouthed. His trembling hand reached out, and Rikku slapped it away. "Don't touch it!" she whispered furiously, remembering Tidus's collapse.He looked at her in a daze, his expression lost. Realization dawned because she couldn't keep a poker face even if she tried. And then he gave her a tired, shaky half-smile."Are ya tellin' me I can't touch myself?"Her breath left her in a rush. "You're joking about this now?"He stepped away from the wall of Fayth and rubbed the back of his neck. "What else am I gonna do? Sit down an' give up? S'not like I didn't know already." His hand stilled, and he stared up at the Fayth, as if trying to pick out individuals from the morass. "Jus'... when ya meet the truth, an' it's all up in yer face like this…" He trailed off, the weak smile dropping away. He ran his hand down his face, stopping to cover his eyes. A few painful, still moments passed, neither of them moving.Then, abruptly, he spun on his heel and stared intently at the pillar of water."Jecht?" When he didn't answer, she took a tentative step forward and risked poking him gently with a finger. "Jecht!"He turned on her, and the look on his face made her pull her hand away and take a large step backwards."I found him. I finally found him!""Rikku?" Auron's voice interrupted them; he stepped onto the path slowly, eyes wide. There was a beat of silence as he took in the wall, and the pillar, and then his gaze landed on her like a targeting beacon.Her vision doubled. Auron was still there, but he had shades keeping his eyes hidden, and the collar of his red coat was pulled up high. She was sixteen again, full of suspicion and anger and that familiar panic that she thought she'd left far behind."This is your journey, too."She'd been furious for about all of two seconds, and then crushed by his answer. She'd thought he was missing his heart, and was ready to tell him so right then and there, until Tidus stopped them all and defended Auron."What is this?" Auron asked her, his voice a mix of wonder and horror as his gaze strayed back to the wall, shaking her out of her memory."Fayth," Braska answered, walking in slowly behind them. "And they are dreaming."Silence reigned. It wasn't that anyone in the group was particularly slow on the uptake, but with Jecht standing there, glaring at the pillar of water as if he wanted to dive right in and swim up it, Rikku was fairly certain that everyone had at least an idea of who was being summoned.I should be able to do something. Shouldn't I? Helplessness gnawed at her, as well as a sudden, visceral understanding of exactly how helpless Auron must have felt when she confronted him all those years ago.
Age… time… they don't bring anyone answers, not really, not when you're faced with something like this. But I did learn one thing by now, at least… It sucks to face the truth alone.
She traded a glance with Auron and Braska, then scooted herself beside Jecht, leaning into him. He twitched, then grunted when Auron flanked his other side and Braska came up behind him to place a hand on his shoulder.Rikku kept her eyes firmly on the undulating waves of water when Jecht began to shake. His irregular breathing and raspy, shuddering breaths made it pretty clear he was 'not crying', of course. Eventually, the tremor in his shoulders subsided, and he brought his hands to his face again, scrubbing it clean. She risked a glance at his face."You okay?""Can it," he sniffed. "I ain't cryin'. It's all this damn mist from the water." He cleared his throat, then crossed his arms. "Well, we sure as hell ain't swimmin' up that, so might as well keep goin'," he grunted."Jecht… are you sure?" Auron asked, sounding almost… concerned, for once."Naw, but whatever, man," Jecht replied gruffly, shaking off their concern and walking down the path. His feet slowed by the wall of Fayth, but he resolutely turned his chin in the other direction and kept walking. "Let's get goin'. Sin ain't gonna wait for us forever, right?"They trailed after him along the precarious cliffside. Rikku tried to ignore the endless Fayth lining the path, but it was hard to stray far from them without risking a fall into the creepy summoning-water below. She kept her eyes focused on the back of Auron's coat, her eyes trained on the bright phoenix down twisting in the breeze. It looked unnaturally bright and out of place against the rest of their cold, dour surroundings; a little scrap of life, in a mountain so thickly steeped in death.Blinking, she glanced over her shoulder and noticed Braska was falling behind. "Hey, Braska! Keep up!"He looked away from the wall of Fayth he'd been staring at. The blue of the summoning light caught against the blue of his eyes, which seemed to be glowing with the same intensity in that moment. She bit back her yelp of surprise; it was as if one of the Fayth had moved, turning away from the mountain to stare back at her."Yes, of course," he said, breaking the spell. He gathered his robes and picked up speed. Rikku pressed her back closer to the Fayth to let him pass ahead of her. A tingling chill traveled down her shoulders.Too close!As soon as she could she pulled away from the wall, chasing after the others into the dark cavern ahead with no small amount of relief.
.x.x.x.
The cave of trials was much warmer and more welcoming than the rest of Gagazet. Maybe it was because there was finally some relief from the harsh, bitterly cold wind. Or maybe it was just the lack of dead people lining the walls. Either way, everyone seemed to be relieved to have left the Scar behind them.The path forked in two before them, but Rikku tugged them away from the steep upwards climb."This is kinda like a Cloister of Trials," she said, pointing at the rocky downward path to the submerged passage. "Only Jecht and I can solve it, though."Auron stopped, already halfway down the rocks at her instructions. He looked up at her, bemused. "Why?""Because the rest of you can't hold your breath long enough to solve the puzzle," Rikku informed him, pushing past him to point at the reflective surface of the water close to his boot. The others might have even missed that it was a pool, if not for her prior knowledge of the area.Multiple glowing stalactites broke through the surface of the dark water. When that water lay still and unmoving, it appeared as though the cavern was deeper and darker than it was, and peppered with softly-glowing dripstone columns. Fortunately, the stalactites provided enough light to see by. Unfortunately, the deceptive formations had probably led many a summoner's Pilgrimage to an unexpected end when the less fortunate fell into the fiend-infested water unawares."Amazing," Braska said as he stepped closer, kneeling to put one hand in the underground pool. Its glass-smooth surface broke, spreading ripples further than anyone could see in the dark cavern. "It's warm, at least.""Might not want to do that," Rikku warned Braska. "There's splashers and worse in there. They'll bite your fingers right off!"Jecht did a double-take. "... Ya expect me to go swimmin' after sayin' somethin' like that, Blondie?"She rolled her eyes. "They're fish, Jecht. We can take 'em!""Ah huh," he said, still eying her warily. Then he sat down, checking to make sure the ends of his wetsuit completely covered his ankles."We'll be relying on you," Auron said as he stepped back from the water. "You know what you're doing?""Mostly," Rikku said, dropping her pack by Auron's side and tiptoeing to give him a light kiss. "We'll be back before you know it!""Yeah, yeah. Let's get goin'. Man, fish ain't supposed to have teeth that big," Jecht complained as he eyed one of the tiny fish swarming near the surface - Braska's disturbance hadn't gone unnoticed.Cheerfully, Rikku reached into her pouch and tossed a gem into the water. There was a crackle and a loud bang when the jewel hit the water with an accompanying bright flash of light, causing a chain reaction of cringing and swearing from the men. When it faded, the dark forms below were already floating towards the surface, belly-up and leaking pyreflies the entire way."I got you covered! Besides, the ones with the mouths are easy. It's the ones that don't have mouths or eyes that you have to watch out for!"Jecht didn't look entirely heartened by her assessment, but grimaced. "C'mon, let's go 'fore they come back." He took a deep breath and dove below the water."See you soon!" Rikku said, waving before she followed after him.
.x.x.x.
The trip to the cavern's puzzle and back was easier than Rikku remembered. Maybe it wasn't fair to Tidus, but Jecht was kinda better than his son when it came to maneuvering underwater. He also had pretty good aim with that flying sword of his. Of course, Rikku personally thought that the translucent cage protecting the sphere that would unlock the rest of the path to Zanarkand would have shattered upon being hit by a Celestial Weapon, but Jecht's blitzball pride kept him from testing out her theory.All in all, the worst part of the trip, besides beating back the aquatic fiend life, was seeing how many discarded weapons and items had piled up along the bottom of the passage from Pilgrimages that had ended in there in the water.When they broke the surface, Auron and Braska were nowhere to be seen. Jecht climbed out after her, shaking himself off like a wet dog."The hell did they go?" he asked her, confused.A cavern-shaking roar answered his question. Trading a look, they raced up the rocky steps, only to find Auron and Braska facing off against a Behemoth."Holy crap! That's the biggest cow I ever saw!" Jecht looked up, and up, and up, at the angry fiend that dwarfed them. The behemoth seemed to take issue with Jecht's comparison, because it charged straight at him, horns lowered."Whoa!" Jecht yelled, scrambling backwards. Braska waved a hand quickly and the fiend staggered and crashed face-first into the stone, sliding forward to stop at Jecht's feet. It let out a loud snore, a line of drool escaping its mouth between the rows of wicked teeth."I almost feel bad killing it when it's sleeping like that," Rikku said, crouching down and peering into the Behemoth's peaceful face."I don't," Auron said, swinging his sword around and stabbing it through the back of the neck without ceremony. Pyreflies rose around him. "Were you successful?""No problem!" Jecht said, crossing his arms. "So, we conquered this mountain yet or what?""Not quite," Rikku replied, leading them deeper inside the caverns. "We have a little more swimming to do. And we need to use that remote-controlled sword of yours again. That thing's really handy, you know?""Ahh, c'mon, I hate piranhas!" Jecht groaned, though he trailed her to the next darkened pool of water."Even more puzzles?" Auron wondered, staring into the dark water. This time, a carved stone stairway led below the surface, clearly indicating the path they had to follow. "This is no temple proper. How should Summoners prepare for Gagazet's trials without this knowledge?""Perhaps that is the point," Braska said, seating himself on the steps that weren't submerged. "If a Summoner can't adapt to the unexpected, then they are likely to be unable to defeat Sin. It is anything but predictable, as we've seen.""Well, just wait for us here. It's not much of a trial anyway, by Temple standards," Rikku scoffed."By Temple standards, it's rather extraordinary to have both an Al Bhed and a Blitzball player as your Guardians," Braska replied. "Just because these challenges aren't difficult for the two of you doesn't mean that they are not difficult.""Huh. I never thought of it that way," Rikku admitted. She crouched by the water, considering the dark, dangerous shapes circling around the dripstone columns. There weren't actually that many people who could fight well underwater, even if they could swim. "Lucky us, I guess." She looked up at Jecht, who gave her a nod."Then let's do it, an' prove we're the most bad-ass team of Guardians to ever walk Spira," Jecht said, pumping his fist into the air.Giggling, Rikku stood up and lowered her goggles. "Back in a jiffy!"
.x.x.x.
The final climb towards the exit of the cavern was the steepest. They went slowly, carefully making their way over the newly-summoned rocks revealed by passing the trial's tests. At least that's what Rikku told herself, her steps getting slower and slower, until even Braska in his long robes was climbing faster than her.Reaching the top of the path, he turned around to face her. "Is something wrong?"Sweating, Rikku leaned on her knees and nodded. Her stomach clenched. "I know what comes next."Auron and Jecht were waiting at the top; Jecht waved at them impatiently, while Auron was watching them with the closest thing she would call to a nervous look on his stone-chiselled face."... I see. It must be unpleasant, to make you drag your feet this much.""You're not gonna like it."Braska folded his hands together. "If you wish to tell me, then tell me. Standing here, shedding sweat and obtuse clues about an unknown danger does none of us any good. We have come too far to turn back in any case."Rikku shifted her weight. "Weeell," she hummed, feeling rotten. "I mean, you're not gonna like her."Braska's eyebrows went up. "Her? What her? Does someone actually live up here? How?""Living might be overstating it," she mumbled, cringing when Braska's face went white."Even more Unsent? By Yevon, just how many restless souls are walking around Spira right now?" His face was going from white to flushed, and he opened his mouth to continue."It's Yunalesca!" she near-shouted to stop him before his indignant tirade began.That worked, by the way his mouth opened and closed a few times."Lady Yunalesca? The First?" Braska repeated, staggering back.Rikku nodded miserably. Auron was already marching back down to them, the nervousness on his face already full-blown worry."What's going on?" he asked, looking between her and Braska."Lady Yunalesca awaits us," Braska replied faintly. He closed his eyes and let out a bitter laugh. "A Church built on lies, from its very foundation. No wonder the spiral of death draws us all in. Are any of the Teachings true, I wonder?"Auron was similarly stunned. "She remains here? An Unsent?""Yeah." She winced.All things considered, Auron was taking it pretty well. He'd drawn his sword and was smashing it into the side of the cavern, cleaving a few new sword-sized chips into the walls, teeth grinding together."'Ey, calm down Red!" Jecht yelled, jogging back down the path to join them. His shout did make Auron stop redecorating the cavern. "I don't know what you guys are doin' down here, but I blame Blondie.""Thanks, Jecht." She gave him a flat stare."No problem. Anyway, if ya keep on makin' that much noise, you're gonna make the thing waitin' outside come in an' get us," he added helpfully, pointing a thumb over his shoulder.A low, dangerous grumbling drifted in from the exit."Yeah, so I took a lil' peek while y'all were losin' yer shit in here, an' there's a big-ass dragon waitin' ta fight us outside." Jecht added."Um, yeah, so Yunalesca sent it, kinda to test us," she explained. "Only the strongest and all that."Auron swore under his breath.Jecht, however, smacked a fist into his palm and cracked his neck. "Yeah, whatever. Wanna get it together an' kick its ass?""It's the third trial of Gagazet." Braska sighed, collected himself, and gripped his staff tightly. "We haven't much of a choice."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The memories were coming back faster and more vivid than before. A back, ramrod straight, striding out to face her destiny, just like Braska was now. Both of them certain of their fate, and doing nothing to turn away from it: father and daughter, more alike than ever before. And Auron… Rikku half-turned to face him.
They’d given him a wide berth, once he’d started screaming wordlessly and taking apart the cavern with his sword. He stood there, bathed in sweat, his hair disheveled, panting. Never before had the first Auron she’d met looked so different from who he was at this moment. This man who still lived and breathed was a volatile mix of desperation and disillusionment. He looked… just like Tidus had, she realized. Minus the tears. Jecht, at least, was waiting for Braska at the cavern’s exit. He traded a glance with Rikku, his eyes pinched and worried. You got him under control? he seemed to be asking.That almost made her giggle. Jecht, of all people, taking responsibility for Braska’s safety! Even now, even with the weight of the Scar and his son being close enough for him to feel. After meeting his own creators, long lost and dreaming, he finally knew with certainty that Tidus – that all of his old life – was decisively unreachable. Maybe… faced with the realization of having lost his real family, Jecht was holding on to the fraying remains of his found one with everything he had.He really is the strongest one, she though disjointedly. He’s doing so much better than the rest of us.She wished she could be half as certain and answer Jecht with a confident nod. She wished she had that power; that she could just say yes and grab Auron, ground him with a kiss or a hug or a soft touch, and pull him out of his misery. She wished she was enough. But all of her talks with him couldn’t stop the erosion of his beliefs. Auron loved her, but he was starting to realize that just as he could no longer live for Braska’s Pilgrimage, he also he couldn’t live just for her in its aftermath. He’d paved this route for them with his own hands, and there would be no escape from that truth, with or without her.
Besides… even if he could accept it, Rikku wasn’t even sure she could handle that responsibility, not when she hadn’t shared the truth about the future with him. She’d shared fragments of her reality with each of them, but never a whole picture. And the biggest fragment of that truth, of Spira’s future, was held by Braska alone. Whose fault was it that they were falling apart? It would be so easy to blame him for being so stubborn, yet so brittle. He looked like a madman, tearing up the cavern like it was Sin itself. That anger at the lies, the corruption of death that met them every step of the way, at Yevon itself… it was just as much anger at himself, for having let the Pilgrimage come this far. She knew it was her time now; her chance to support this broken man and reassure him that everything they’d done, everything they’d achieved thus far had a point. He was, in his own way, actively seeking her comfort. He’d dreamed about starting a family with her, and she’d agreed to it. But they weren’t connecting, not like before. It was as if he could sense the wall she’d put up between them when he needed her the most. He was still jealous of Braska, but it wasn’t for fear of losing her body or even her heart.
“You… and Braska both… you are my suffering.”
Some part of him must have understood that he was being betrayed by the two people he loved on a more fundamental level. His foundations were crumbling just as fast as the cavern walls he’d destroyed, and that was her fault. His steel and sharpness, everything that had attracted her to him, had turned brittle and was shattering under the collected weight of the deadly truth resting just beneath her own lies. I’m not the cure, she realized with a sinking feeling. I’m the reason. Even now, Auron didn’t hear her, still staring wild-eyed at the wall.Dream Eater. That’s what Belgemine had called her.
“You have to choose what you love more in the end…”
Rikku had thought the Farplane Auron’s question was one she had to answer, a question she was still wrestling with. But now, as she watched Auron fall apart, she realized she’d been answering it all this time. And the answer… hadn’t been Auron.
Why did he ask me, if he already knew?
Auron raised his sword again, and she couldn’t stand by and watch anymore; it hurt too much. So she threw herself at him. It was as pathetic and desperate a move as she felt, but flinging herself into the unknown was what she did best. Even though witnessing this Auron turning into a closed-off stranger again sent prickly spikes of pain into her soul. Her hands closed around his chest, and she pulled back with all her strength. She pulled him away from the darkness and rubble, forwards towards the twilight sunset that framed both Jecht and Braska.“Please,” she gasped, because he was heavy, and he wasn’t willing – “please, Auron! Come back. We need you! Braska needs you!”That finally stilled him. He turned to face her, dark eyes wide against pale skin. “Why?” he asked, his voice cracked and ragged. “We should stop. Coming here… it was a mistake!”She leaned against him, resting her forehead on his back. “We’ve gotta see it to the end, though. You know it. Mistake or not, we can’t just stop anymore.” She swallowed. “You and I can’t keep the future from coming.”He was silent for a long while. Then he shrugged her arms off. She opened her eyes when she heard the ring of his sword sheathing. “We could have at least tried to push it back.” He brushed past her, falling back onto his familiar crutches of duty and devotion – the tenets of his life that had always held him together. By the time he neared the other two he was holding himself nearly as stiffly as Braska and had smoothed out the dust and pebbles from his hair.“So,” he said, pressing himself to the side of the cavern walls. He peered out to view the creature waiting for them outside. “Lady Yunalesca not only lives, but sends us fiends to test us? I shouldn’t be surprised anymore, and yet here we are.”“’Ey,” Jecht said uncomfortably, forgoing his usual nicknames for Auron. “Are you alright, man?” He spared a glance at Braska and made a face, then edged closer to the summoner to block his path towards the exit. Judging from the way Braska’s shoulders twitched at the motion, Jecht’s next words were bald-faced lies. “We don’t gotta do this right now if you ain’t ready, Auron. We got all the time in the world. That thing out there don’t look like a walk in the park.”Auron spared a brief, honest look for Jecht. “I’m never going to be ready. But it looks like Lord Braska can’t spare us any time.” His gaze settled on her. “At least you can make us less of a sacrifice than we already are.” The words were biting, even though the accusation wasn’t really directed at her. Still… it was the first time he hadn’t waited to see if she would offer any information. His patience was frayed; this time, he demanded an answer.Guilt moved Rikku to comply. “It’s Yunalesca’s Sanctuary Keeper—” “You shouldn’t speak to her like that,” Braska interrupted, almost too softly. “This Pilgrimage has never been Rikku’s decision. Nor was it ever yours, Auron.”Forgetting about the dragon, Auron pulled himself off of the wall and bristled.Fortunately, Jecht stepped in before their tensions evolved into an actual fight. “Uhh….” He shuffled even further forward, blocking Braska from Auron’s bleak glare. “Maybe save some o’ that vibe for the thing outside, yeah? Blondie, little help here?”“Right!” Rikku squeaked. “Yunalesca sends it to test the strength of the Pilgrimage. Even though it’s not particularly strong, it’s a lot smarter than other fiends. Oh! When it raises its wings to the sky, we all have to take cover. But when it starts glowing and opening its mouth, well…”She tried to block out the memory of painfully coming out of a stupor only to see Tidus flat on his back from one of her frag grenades, and Auron glaring at her with his fist planted squarely in her stomach. He’d turned around and eaten the fiend’s mana breath right after, dropping at her feet. If it hadn’t been for Kimahri and his White Wind, Yuna’s Pilgrimage might have ended right there.“… yeeaaaah, it wasn’t good,” she continued, shaking off the bad memories. Really not looking forward to doing this again. “So if it’s looking at you, take cover. I’d like to say they’re all powerful mana attacks, but… its claws are just as deadly as its breath.” She shivered. “Just focus on healing yourselves and hitting it until it drops. Trying to outsmart it in a magic battle isn’t really... well, I mean, I guess you can bring out Anima or Yojimbo if it gets bad,” she said lamely to Braska.“… A challenge worthy of the First,” he said after a few moments. “Well… I have never backed down from a challenge. Shall we?”Jecht was holding his fingers up in the familiar box, squinting at the Keeper, which was pawing the ground impatiently outside. “S’too far to get a good read on it,” he cursed. “Well, when in doubt…” Magic flared to life around them as Jecht’s spell slowed the world down to a crawl. “Then we hit ‘em first,” he said, hefting the Fang over his shoulder and dropping into a crouch.
The dragon tensed, as if it could taste the magic energy Jecht cast into the air, and Rikku broke into a cold sweat. The Sanctuary Keeper was smart; it was the culmination of fiendish intelligence that had been sharpened on countless failed Pilgrimages that had made it this far up the mountain. Unlike most other fiends, it seemed to have an almost human mind, as well as a uniquely human cruel streak when it attacked. Knowing what was coming, she made her feet move. They skipped over the rocky ground with a speed that outmatched even Jecht’s Hastega, driven by the celestial power of her Godhand.She slid to a stop before it, dwarfed by its size. The Godhand sparked, crackling with energy, and she drove her hand through it, parting its scales easily. The Keeper roared in pain despite her quest to reach into its very soul because her weapon stayed solid, tearing through tough outer scaling and biting into the flesh below. Her fingers closed around an incorporeal memory: Yunalesca, masked by the long shroud of her white hair, tears streaming from her eyes as she kneeled before her husband’s Fayth stone. Rikku was overwhelmed by feelings of pity, jealousy, and... satisfaction. A priest, then, who’d loved the High Summoner… and still served her faithfully a thousand years later. Her hand closed around the object, ripping it out as the Keeper let out a wounded, keening cry.The Turbo Ether glittered in her hand, the beast’s power made real as she pulled it back into reality. She’d hurt it, and it swiped at her even as she ducked away. Massive claws scraped harmlessly over her back, and Rikku shifted her weight, turning her fall into a twist while she brought the Godhand up against its palm, smashing through a few of its meaty bones in a counterattack that punched straight through its paw. The momentum of her spin brought her out of its range, stumbling and gasping, even as she fumbled her prize into her belt pouch.“Shit, I think you made it mad,” Jecht yelled as he finally caught up with and then passed her. When he was close enough, he stopped and leaned back, tossing his sword towards the floundering fiend like a lance. His eyes narrowed in concentration as he held his hands out, seeming to will the Fang to move. It struck at one of the massive wings, severing a few of the tendons connecting the stringy mass together, before spinning and catching a few more on the way back. Leaping, Jecht pulled his sword out of the air like a boomerang, and then let out a yell of surprise as the Keeper lunged forward at him, jaws snapping.He wasn’t fast enough, and the Keeper’s maw closed around his lower leg. Jecht howled in pain, but his hand dropped at the same time, swinging the Fang down in a powerful swipe that knocked the dragon off of his leg before it could be severed by the fiend’s bite. “Damn, it’s fast!” he gasped, rolling away from it and favoring his uninjured leg.Braska’s healing magic descended over Jecht in a wash of color and light, closing the wounds as he joined them. “How can something of that size move so quickly, even against our magical speed?” he asked, eyes wide. His answer came as the Sanctuary Keeper took two steps back, head lowered, and let out a roar. Magic washed over its body as the familiar warm light of the Haste spell it cast ended the illusion of their own speed and instead made it seem as if merely the rest of the world had slowed down around them all.“Take cover!” Rikku yelled, trying to gain some distance from the others even as she saw the Keeper’s hide ripple. Its wings rose towards the sky, humming with power. There was a deceptively quiet puff as a wash of light erupted from its back. Rikku barely had time to raise the Godhand over her head before the rain of energy blasted all around her, shattering rocks and clouding her vision in a burst of dust and raw pain. Her skin was on fire and her lungs burned from the scorching light; she felt the sting of gravel biting against new wounds as it flew through the air and settled against her. But the Godhand was burning hotter, as if in warning, and she swung it in a wild arc despite being unable to see a thing.The back of her hand met resistance, and reflexively, she pushed against it. The dust cleared and dimly she saw she’d knocked away what turned out to be the Sanctuary Keeper’s claw in her blind attack. Stumbling backwards, Rikku flailed, realizing that her loss of sight was persistent. She fumbled in her pouch for eye drops, thankful that she at least hadn’t fallen into a stupor from the wing attack.The moment of distraction nearly cost her; her vision cleared, and she saw Auron running interference before the Sanctuary Keeper could follow up and snap at her. He blocked another attack coming at her with the broad side of his sword, grunting as he deflected the creature’s leg to his side. Spinning, he flipped the Ashura into both hands and leapt, bringing it down in a powerful stab that cut through the fiend’s scales like they were paper. He managed to arch away from the answering swipe and held his sword at the ready, his feet slowly pacing around the fiend.The Sanctuary Keeper roared in answer, and four rotating circles of arcane script flickered to life around its jaws as it inhaled. They glowed brightly when it let out its breath, releasing a furious beam of pure mana than lanced directly through Auron’s chest. It threw him back several feet, shattering the shield of protection Braska had placed around him. He rolled to a stop, limp like a ragdoll, only to rise again as the telltale flicker of Braska’s magic brought him back to his feet immediately, bruised and swaying.She saw the fiend reaching for him again, drawing its arm back. “No!” she screamed, her fingers closing around a smoke bomb that she hurled at its face. Jecht had the same idea, and rushed in with a series of swift sword strikes on the heels of her bomb, the Fang flashing around him as he tried to distract it from reaching Auron. Incensed, the dragon raised its wings again. Rather than diving for cover, Rikku activated her Garment Grid. The familiar light that surrounded her was much less painful; her worries lifted and she felt light on her feet as she snapped her cards around herself. “Ohh… enough already!” she groaned as the Sanctuary Keeper’s wing attack buffeted her, again. This time, though, she fanned her cards out and swept them down with an impatient flick. The heat of the blast still made her feel like a broiled duck, but her luck held as she shrugged off the disabling effects, blowing the negative energies she felt swirling behind the attack away with the simple motion. A quick glance told her that the others weren’t as lucky; Jecht was stumbling, a look of confusion across his face as his blind eyes stared blankly over the field. Auron was down on one knee, and Braska… he seemed to be stunned into a stupor, his staff hanging limply in his hands and his eyes half-closed.The Sanctuary Keeper was turning, planning to sweep them all off the mountainside, apparently, with its massive tail. “Well then… let’s play,” Rikku cooed, putting her hand to her grid and feeling Lady Luck’s flightiness leave her. The warm sweep of Auron’s power rapidly took over. Her steps stumbled a bit; just as he’d faltered on Gagazet, she could feel the strength of her own costume wavering. Still, her hand tightened around the sword handle that materialized; there was no time for doubt.She flung herself into the path of the dragon’s tail, her Ashura already in hand, broad side out. With a grunt, she blocked the tail sweep, her feet skidding against the rock as it pushed her back.When it spun around, furious, and attempted to rake her sword away, its claws met no purchase. She’d switched costumes already. Now, Braska’s power supplemented her own strength instead. She threw her head back and let out a loud, angry howl, simply absorbing the force of the strike against her forearm and using it to channel her fury, not really feeling the damage she knew it was doing to her body.The Keeper backed away from her, opening its mouth as the concentric rings flickered to life. “Just try it,” she snarled, rushing it head on as it powered up. One leap and mid-air twist brought her out of the path of the blast, and the landing foot she smashed into its snout forced its energy beam to tear a swath into the ground instead, shattering some of the mountain behind her. When the fiend raised its head, incensed, she used the momentum to jump towards its back. With her claws extended, she hooked the stringy flesh that made up the posterior wing Jecht had already damaged into a bundle against her elbow on the way up. Gravity swiftly brought her towards the ground, and she waited until she’d slid closer to the fiend’s back – where the joint of the wing held it in place – to pull her elbow tight to her chest, snapping the grisly bundle at an odd angle away from the fiend’s body with a grunt. Her landing took care of the rest, severing the remaining bones so that the one wing hung uselessly at the fiend’s side, dragging along the ground.“How do you like me now?” she laughed as the dragon thrashed and whirled around to face her, eyes wild. It attempted to swipe her with a claw, but Rikku was already back flipping away from its reach. She landed in a crouch beside Auron, who in the process of casting an Esuna over Braska.The Berserker costume faded and she panted, trying to catch her breath from the rapid chain of costume changes. The boys’ impulses to act independently were reverberating through her bones, even though she was herself again. No matter how close they became as friends, it was undeniable: Jecht, Auron, and Braska still fought entirely differently from one another. The resulting clash made her feel like she wanted to vomit on her shoes right then and there.“It shouldn’t be able to wing attack us anymore,” she wheezed, watching Braska slip out of his stupor next to her.
“Wha—?” he mumbled, gasping as Auron pushed him against Rikku.
“Take care of Jecht!” he yelled, seeing a break in the Sanctuary Keeper’s defenses as it tried futilely to bring its broken wing to bear for another area attack. His sword was a flicker of steel; he twirled it around and began to slice mercilessly at the fiend, not giving it any chance to counter his strikes.Grabbing Braska by the shoulders, Rikku turned him in Jecht’s direction – the other man was wandering dangerously close to the cliff’s edge all on his own, still confused and blinded. She felt Braska chanting another Esuna, and left him to spin around and send an Al Bhed potion hurtling towards Auron’s back. It smashed against the back of his head, and as it dribbled down his neck, his shoulders straightened and his sword flashed. The ring of bone armor surrounding the Sanctuary Keeper’s head shattered under the weight of the blow.“Jecht!” Auron yelled, backing away even as the fiend turned on him, eyes blazing and claws lifted.It didn’t even see Jecht coming from behind with a raised sword. Jecht leapt into the air and with one final, mighty sweep, severed the Sanctuary Keeper’s head from its neck, sending it into a bouncing roll off of the cliffside. The dragon’s body sluggishly came down on all fours and stepped to the side.Everyone jumped back, but it merely collapsed, its legs folding underneath it as it erupted into an enormous fountain of pyreflies. Eventually, the light faded, leaving the four of them sprawled across the ground, panting and spent.“Yup,” Rikku wheezed, letting out a laugh that turned into a wet cough. “That was nuts.” Then, giving in, she rolled over, pushed herself up on her hands, and lost the contents of her stomach. She felt a little better afterwards, and wiping her mouth, sat up and looked over her shoulder. Jecht was sitting on the ground, his sword laid out by his side. He was inspecting the new set of teeth marks on his calf with a grimace, waiting his turn for Braska to have a look at them.Braska was standing over Auron, who had fallen, once again, to one knee. The wounds on Auron’s body were more apparent now that he was no longer moving. Soft green light enveloped him from Braska’s magic; the summoner’s eyes were closed in intense concentration. That wasn’t what caught Rikku’s attention, though.It was the look on Auron’s face as he watched Braska’s. Realization, mixed with terror. His expression was a wound rawer than anything the fiend had torn open. The idolization of his Summoner, his blind faith in Yevon’s teachings, all of that had died a slow and final death over the course of their travels together. Even their friendship had grown frayed, tested by both herself and this Pilgrimage. But underneath that all, Auron’s love for Braska remained, no matter what had happened.Her heart clenched in her chest, and Auron’s expression closed as the magic faded away.“How are you feeling?” Opening his eyes, Braska smiled at Auron – unintentionally cruel, and the other man swayed. “Auron?!”“I’m fine,” he grit out, pushing Braska away and coming to his feet. His eyes met hers as he made to leave, and he froze. Then he turned his head away from her, his jaw set. “Look after Jecht.”Braska murmured in soft assent, turning his attention to the other man as instructed, and Rikku watched Auron stalk off to the side of the cliff to survey the ruins of Zanarkand.The battle against the Sanctuary Keeper had been the easier part of all of this after all. She crept behind him and shielded her eyes against the setting sun that glinted over the ruined domes. If she squinted, she could almost imagine it whole again; it was just a brief illusion in the fading light.“Thank you for fighting for us,” she whispered into his back, clasping onto his robe and giving it a soft tug. “Even though I know you don’t want to anymore.”“Your bond with Braska,” Auron replied ever-so-softly, not turning to face her. “It’s this. It’s your future. The one you can’t…” His voice cracked, and he turned to look at her. “Or won’t change. You both know. You… you’ve always known. One of you will die. And Braska would never let it be you.” He stared, and she could swear he could read her. The way he’d always seemed to be able to read her, from the first time they’d met, on the first Pilgrimage. The distance between her two memories of Auron crumbled a little more; it was like watching the younger one disappear, albeit slowly. “You’re letting him do this. And you won’t tell me why.”For you, she wanted to say. I’m doing this for you. “I want my future…” she managed. And I want to save you, she left out. “And Braska… is the price.”“And he is fine with this, of course. As I now need to be. A Summoner’s privilege.” He turned away and laughed softly, without mirth. “Some Guardian I am.” The unspoken accusation, the one his love couldn’t bring him to bear against her, echoed between them; that she was supposed to be a Guardian, too.“Yeah,” she echoed, her fingers fisting into his robe, unwilling to let him go. “I’m sorry.”His jaw worked, and a pained sigh escaped him as his arm scooped her close to his chest. He dropped his head into her mop of blond hair. “I don’t know what to do,” he whispered, his grip around her tightening. “But I can’t do this, Rikku. I can’t.”“You have to,” she said, squeezing her eyes shut, feeling the fragile future and the knife’s edge she was walking all around her, even in Auron’s touch. “We all do.” And she felt herself lose just a little more of her grasp on him as she spoke. He was slipping through her fingers like Bikanel’s sand.His arms dropped away from her. “Yes,” was all he finally said, and he turned away from her to watch Zanarkand fall into darkness. “When Braska is ready.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The rocky path leading towards Zanarkand was harrowing. It narrowed at the peak of the mountain, providing a breathtaking view of the ruined city. It also, however, provided winds that blew strongly enough to threaten to knock any sightseer right off of the narrow trail and into the steep drop to the city below.They wormed their way gingerly down the mountainside in a single file, gusting winds fighting them every step of the way. On the bright side, the difficult terrain and height made fiends scarce, providing a much-needed reprieve in their journey.Considering all of the effort it had taken to battle their way through Gagazet this far, it was all the more surprise when they ran into a familiar figure on the path nearing towards exit to the city streets.“Gramps?” Rikku yelled at Maechen. He was hunched in a corner against the rocks, one hand holding his tall hat down and the other trying to keep his glasses affixed to his nose.“Sir Maechen,” Braska said. “What an unexpected surprise!”“If it isn’t Lord Braska!” Graciously, Maechen performed a deep bow, losing his hat in the process.With a quick snatch, Auron caught it as it blew past them. He stepped forward, handing the hat back to the old man. “Here.” He eyed Maechen suspiciously. “And just how did you survive? We saw you fall off of the Pualu when Sin attacked.” Fully trained Crusaders had died in that attack, and yet here Maechen was, frail and doddering as ever, and seemingly none worse for the wear.“Oh,” Maechen mumbled, carefully adjusting the hat back onto his balding head. “I’m sorry, but I really don’t remember. Perhaps Sin’s toxin?” He chuckled. “Or more likely my memory failing once again.” Rather than attempting to explain himself further, he leaned forward and wrapped his hands around Braska’s. “But you, my Lord… A Summoner, here in Zanarkand! You are here to see the Lady Yunalesca, are you not?”“Why, yes,” Braska answered, clearly uncomfortable as the old man’s grip tightened. “We only recently discovered that she still resides in Zanarkand.”“But of course! For this is her home,” Maechen said, his eyes clouding with memory. “On the eve of Zanarkand’s destruction, Lady Yunalesca fled to safety with her husband, Zaon. Later, the two used the Final Summoning to defeat Sin. It was a fair trade,” he mused. “To defeat Sin in order to preserve her lord father’s honor.”“Her… father’s honor?” Braska asked, confused. “I’m afraid you lost me…?”Maechen practically glowed with excitement, perfectly in his element and eager to provide an explanation. “A thousand years ago, there was a war,” he began, his voice pitching into his typical sing-songing cadence of storytelling. “A war between Zanarkand and Bevelle. The seat of all machina was in Bevelle, of course. Surely you must have seen it, below their Temple. A marvel of technology, that. Zanarkand, the city of Summoners, could hardly stand in their way. Yet stand they did.”This wasn’t news to Rikku; she sank to a squat, resting her chin in her hand and preparing for another long-winded story. The others, however, had fallen silent. The Church generally didn’t allow anything other than the glorious love story of Yunalesca and Zaon, saving the world from Sin, to be told from those times. Only relics as old as Maechen still knew just why it was Yunalesca who’d needed to do the saving, or who Yevon really was. Maechen shook his head. “Zanarkand wished to stop Bevelle with a Grand Summon. A thing no Summoner had ever attempted before, or has since. For their leader, the peerless Summoner Yevon, called upon the entire populace of Zanarkand to power his dream.”Everyone started at Maechen’s casual explanation of Spira’s thousand-year history of sorrow.“He was the absolute ruler of Zanarkand, you see,” the old man continued blithely, still refusing to release Braska. “So none could refuse his request. But during the Rapture, he lost control. Using the power of the entire populace he created Sin, the ultimate armor. The poor fool lost himself in the process, unable to tell friend from foe, madly seeking mindless destruction. After he destroyed his own city, the rest, as we say, was history.” Finally, he released Braska’s hands, looking at the other man with a glint in his eye.“And so his daughter, in order to restore the honor of her family, created the first Final Aeon. It was a fair trade. Lady Yunalesca granting us the power to defeat Sin, in exchange for her lord father’s hallowed name. Who would have ever guessed that Yevon was the enemy of Bevelle? The evidence,” and he gestured at the ruins, “has been lost to time.”“Not if you’re telling it to us,” Auron said guardedly. “Just who are you?”“I am but a mere historian, and one with a terrible memory at that,” Maechen said, folding his hands behind his back. “I only mean to wish your Summoner good luck.” His rheumatic eyes fixed onto Braska. “The Lady Yunalesca was a summoner like no other before her. You will need it.”“Thank you,” Braska replied, clearly unsettled by the story. “But where will you go from here? The journey back will be difficult for one of your age—”Maechen was ignoring him, however, already shuffling his way along the path they’d come from. “Don’t trouble yourself over an old man,” he wheezed. “I shall manage to make my way through. It’s much too exciting to stop now. History is in the making!” His steps slowed at Rikku’s side, and confusion marred his face.“Have we met, young lady? I do apologize, but my memory isn’t what it used to be.” He leaned in, squinting at her.Rikku sprung to her feet, windmilling her arms. “Heeey! I was on the ship with you!”Maechen continued to peer at her restlessly. “Yet you seem more familiar than that…” He shook his head, his eyes unfocused. “Forgive this old man. I get confused so easily.”She smiled hollowly and wondered how everyone had missed it before. Here, in Zanarkand, she could almost see the pyreflies twisting through his Unsent body, held together only by his devotion to history and his amnesia. The edge of his frayed smock was turning translucent in Zanarkand’s odd light.“I’m sure we’ll meet again, Gramps… and you can remember me then,” she said with a pained smile.“Oh… yes, yes of course,” Maechen replied, nodding absently as he turned back towards the path. “Until then, my dear child.”“Creepy old man,” Jecht said, watching him go. “Still, I’ll feel bad if he bites it on the way back to Gagazet. You sure we don’t gotta look after him?”Auron continued to bore holes into Maechen’s retreating back, his eyes knowing. Maybe he was seeing the same thing she did, now. “He survived an attack from Sin. I have a feeling he’ll manage that journey back with no problems, either.”“There’s something unnatural about him,” Braska agreed, looking discomfited. He folded his hands back into his robes, unwilling to vocalize the unsaid thought floating between them all: that they’d met yet another one of the dead. “We cannot let anything distract us from our purpose anymore. Let us move on.”Auron’s jaw twitched, but he said nothing, waiting for Rikku to pass so he could bring up the rear.They resumed the trek down the precarious path. Eventually, the rocky footholds widened enough to level out to the rough ground of the city floor, and Rikku breathed out a sigh of relief.It was short lived, though; too soon, they were approaching the bridge that would take them towards the center of the city.“Huh,” Jecht observed as they walked. “So the old Blitz stadium is what became you guys’ Temple. Man, is Yevon’s church weird. Machina… Blitzball… everything’s been twisted backwards. How d’ya think they manage to keep squarin’ it up so the people don’t notice?”“They do, eventually,” Auron answered him. “That’s why people like Kinoc and the Crusaders exist.”Rikku’s steps slowed when Braska motioned for the rest of them to stop. He was taken by the sight of Zanarkand’s ruins across the water. Pyreflies gathered in such density that they lit up the city from within. It was hard to imagine that something so beautiful could create such deadly fiends; the motes of light drifted together, singing, to create a stream of pure light. It twisted through the city like a river of stars fallen directly from the sky, following an unknown current. The pyreflies sent strange, flickering shadows over the broken shell of the streets and buildings. Combined with the shadows cast by the fiends prowling the streets below, it almost gave the illusion of life.“This would be a good place to camp,” Braska said, turning to face them. He moved back from the water, finding a spot that was sheltered from the wind to settle against, while Jecht began collecting what scraps he could to start a fire.Auron didn’t help. His face was closed in frustration and anger, and he stalked around the perimeter of the camp, looking hungrily for a fiend to vent his aggression on. But he stopped when she did, clearly confused as to why she found the small lump of broken ground some ways from their campfire as interesting as she did.He waited, but when it became clear she wasn’t going to tell him, he let out a loud sigh of exasperation, and stomped back towards the campfire to join the others.Wincing, she crept up to the mound. “I’m back here again, Yunie,” she whispered. “I know you loved this place, but I never did.” She crouched and touched the ground. “There were seven of us, but the three of you knew you weren’t coming back… and you were the only one who ever told the rest of us about it.” She squeezed her eyes shut; Tidus and Auron had guarded their secrets much more closely than she ever had. But they both must have known, at that point. Known that there was no turning back for either of them; that even if Yuna was saved, they couldn’t be. She resisted the urge to look over her shoulder at Jecht; she didn’t have to. She knew he felt it too; he’d realized the same thing about himself the moment he’d seen the Scar.Unwilling to face what was coming, she stood brushed herself off, shaking off the memories. When she looked up again, she let out a small shriek.The formerly-empty mound was abruptly studded with a mix of familiar weapons. Tidus’s sword, Wakka’s blitzball, Kimahri’s lance, and Yuna’s staff.“How?!” She reached out to grab the staff, but her hand passed cleanly through it. The sharpness of the image wavered, then disappeared in a burst of light and a few pyreflies dispersed, keening sorrowfully. The pang of pain and regret that followed them didn’t vanish quite as rapidly, though, and her hand opened and closed over the dark, empty space.Rikku felt as lost as she had back then, not knowing what was right. How could she save anyone? It was just like last time; they were already here, and she was still clueless. She kept her back to the warmth of the fire, feeling like she didn’t belong with the others; she was a stranger once again in this time. The song of the pyreflies grew unbearably loud around her, as if answering her confusion and helplessness.“Rikku?”Auron’s voice reached her. But she knew he wasn’t looking at her. In fact, she knew exactly what he was looking at, because she was watching it too.Paine had materialized by her side. Her first thought was that she was having a private waking dream, just as she had so many times before while sleeping.“Who the hell is that?!”Jecht’s loud question dispelled the notion, though. Everyone could see Paine. Her mind flashed to the weapons that had appeared before her. Which meant…The other girl’s image was slightly translucent and studded with twisting pyreflies. Paine’s red eyes were open wide with shock, as if she was looking at them, too. But her image was only a memory. My memory.Rikku looked down, knowing what she’d see: blue ankle boots, gangly knees, and the yellow pouch and khaki skirt of her sphere hunting outfit. She stepped away and turned, feeling like a spirit separating from her body. And then she was watching herself from three years ago. “Whoa,” Jecht said, staring up from the fire at both versions of her. “Now that’s trippy…”Rikku took a good look. Her seventeen-year-old version was still hyper-energetic, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet as she stared off at the spot where Maechen had stood, so long ago. It was her fascination with the unsent historian that had made her miss what had really happened here… memory-Yuna, facing the fire, staring with wide eyes directly at her father.“Father?!” she said, and Braska whirled towards her, mouth opening in a gasp of surprise.“Yuna?!”For a moment everything stopped. They were together there, looking at one another. A father and daughter, bound across time.Then, Yuna’s mismatched eyes crinkled. She smiled at Braska, one half of heartbreak, and one half of hope. “So people really are connected,” she said softly to him, her voice echoing.Braska lunged towards her, arms outstretched. “Yuna!” he cried, but his arms closed around emptiness, and the image faded. He stood there for a moment, his eyes wide. Then he lowered his arms slowly and looked at Rikku, lost.“Pyreflies hold memories,” she tried to explain. “They hold them forever. There are so many here, and sometimes… sometimes they just play back, like… like this whole place is a big sphere full of memory water!” She ducked her chin. “I didn’t know they’d hold mine, though.”Braska blinked, and she could see his eyes shining in the dim light. “I… I didn’t think I’d ever get to—” He stopped, and brought his hand over his eyes, shuddering. Then, heedless of Auron’s gaze, he stepped up to her and drew her to his chest, hugging her tightly. She could feel the wetness of his tears as he pressed his cheek against hers, his body shaking.“Dryhg oui,” he whispered. “Dryhg oui.”She squeezed her eyes shut. “No,” she said. “No, please, don’t—”But it was too late. Even as she pushed Braska away, the guilt overwhelmed her. She heard the thump of Auron jumping from the ledge, and she stepped back, suddenly aware of the danger.No… my secrets… my future…The Al Bhed had always warned against this. This is why we stay out of the Farplane. Memories were private… they were supposed to be hers alone. And like the Farplane, Zanarkand was a place where pyreflies gathered. Memories grew thick and close to the surface here.Jecht was on his feet now, too, closing in on her. “Blondie, what’sa matter? We all kinda figured Yuna was on the Pilgrimage with you too, y’know. Why are you so scared o’ us seein’ it? She grew up to be an awesome Guardian!”It was easy to see how he might have thought that; in her Gunner outfit, Yuna looked every bit the warrior she had turned into. But they all still didn’t know her most precious, tightly-locked secret. Because that wasn’t our Pilgrimage.“Don’t,” Rikku moaned, taking another step back, but Jecht wasn’t listening. He grabbed onto her elbow. Maybe he was listening, and listening too well. She knew he wanted just a little of what she’d unwittingly given to Braska for himself. He didn’t realize the enormity of what he was pressing her to reveal.“I bet my boy is too!” His eyes shone with a crazed, determined light, and he kept talking, more quickly now. “My Tidus, he’s gonna grow up to be a chip off the ol’ block…”“Jecht! Stop it!” Auron warned, reaching out to pull the other man off of her, but he froze, his words dying on his lips.Like the enormous sphere playback dome that it was, the pyreflies reacted to her strongest memories, her choking emotions, and crystalized into images in the air. This time, she couldn’t forget the memory of a campfire; a last, desperate and collective attempt to deny and delay fate. That campfire had revealed too much back then, too.They were only memories, but they cut to the bone. She saw herself cowered by the phantom fire, just fifteen and breaking under the weight of carrying an adult’s burden. Lulu and Wakka sat next to her, one staring into the fire as if it could give answers, and the other up into the sky. Kimahri flanked her other side, his uncomfortable shifting speaking louder than any words he’d ever formed.Auron – the real one – stopped at her younger self’s back, staring at what she’d tried so hard to hide from him. Her memories could tell him what her lips never could, though.I always loved you. Because I always knew you.His older self didn’t look up, head bowed, even as Auron passed through her image, through the fire, to stop before himself. He stared, hypnotized, at the man he would become.Jecht and Braska were no better; their shock at seeing Auron was only eclipsed by the sight of their own children.“Your Pilgrimage,” Braska breathed. “This was your Pilgrimage."“No,” Rikku bit out. “Not mine.”And then Tidus stood up to turn away from the fire. Yuna tracked him with her wide eyes. When Tidus stopped to rest a hand on her shoulder, her head dipped towards him and her eyes slid shut. The tenderness between them was almost palpable; not even time and memory could distort the meaning of their gestures.After the image faded, Braska was the first to speak.“No,” he said, understanding finally dawning. “Not this,” he repeated, his voice becoming stronger, and tinged with a hint of panic. “I never meant for this!”“Face it, B. Your girl’s just like her old man,” Jecht said, folding his arms across his chest. He breathed out loudly, then turned and trained his eyes on the ruins of Zanarkand across the water. “Looks like everybody loved her. An’ everybody followed her.”Braska fell to his knees. “Your Summoner… your Summoner was Yuna.” His head bowed, and he let out a soft, sorrowful laugh. “At least—” he whispered, his voice catching. He began again. “At least what I do will mean something to her.” Even in that desperate utterance, she could hear the lie he was telling himself. It was thin at best. Because now Braska knew. Even if Yuna had succeeded and brought the Eternal Calm, even if they’d saved her in the end somehow: it didn’t negate the journey she’d undertaken to get there. He’d robbed Yuna of so much that she had also chosen death once, just as he had; she’d nearly walked the same path of destruction that every Summoner before her followed. “Like father, like daughter,” Braska murmured. Then he bowed over, low enough that his head touched the ground, and his laughs turned into soft, wracking sobs.For once, Jecht left Braska alone, facing the same truth. His child would follow in his footsteps, too, seeing the real world and feeling its pain. Sniffling, he swiped at his own suspiciously moist eyes. “My boy. He made it. He really made it.” Then he spared a look at Rikku. “Y’know, you’re still her Guardian. Looks like you been doing this way longer than any o’ us, Blondie. Plus you had all them friends with ya the first time. Here, you didn’t have nobody. It musta been hard, tryin’ to protect B’s little girl alone all this time.”Somehow, the wild beating of her fearful heart slowed at Jecht’s words. Guardian, he’d called her. Not a Dream Eater, but a Guardian. Maybe not Braska’s Guardian, but a protector of dreams all the same.She hadn’t known how badly she’d needed to hear that.Something in her crumpling face made Jecht panic. “Oh. Oh, shit. No, no, c’mon, Blondie, c’mere.” He moved to fold her into a bear hug, and she bit her lip to keep the pathetic wail from rising in the back of her throat, even though it burned to be released.Expelling his breath in a loud whoosh, Jecht patted her back repeatedly, trying to calm her down, his own version of an awkward apology for the chaos he’d wrought in his simple desire to see a memory of his own son. “Just a kid,” he swore softly. “Y’all were just kids. What kind o’ bullshit world does this to kids?” Finally, he pushed her back and knocked her chin up with a knuckle. “No wonder you can’t settle this thing between Auron an’ Braska. Your heart’s out there, in the future,” he said, gesturing expansively at the pyreflies in the distance. “I get it, though. That future don’t look half bad, not with my boy in it.” A wry smile twisted over his face. “An’ even the Stiff made it out, huh?”He wouldn’t say it, not when he was trying to keep her from falling apart, but she knew he was too quick to not spot the incongruity. To see that of them all, only she and Auron had been there for Yuna in the future.Rikku shook her head. “I’m sor—”“Can it,” Jecht said, waving her off. “I ain’t looking for an apology from you of all people. ‘Sides, you got a more important talk to have. An’ I wanna be with my boy right now,” he said, pushing her away. She turned around and saw that Auron hadn’t moved. He was still staring directly at the spot where his older self had appeared. She approached him cautiously.“Umm… Auron?”“You already knew me. I was never a replacement, was I.” Then he looked up at her, and beyond her to Braska, still huddled on the ground. “There never was a future for us. Any of us.” He already knew that his older incarnation wouldn’t have done anything to her fifteen-year-old self, not after his own scarred childhood. His gaze returned to her, steady. “The Teachings missed the mark by so much. There was always only the now.” Pain still colored his voice; it reverberated with the evaporation of his dreams: starting a family in Besaid and living a life with her where he would no longer need to fight.But now he, too, knew what was at stake. It was easy to give up the abstract idea of an Eternal Calm in a distant future for a concrete chance at happiness with her in the present. Harder, though, when the face of that Eternal Calm was the closest thing he’d ever had to a daughter.And, Rikku realized as she reached for Auron and buried her face into his chest, he’d always been a better father than Braska.“I was selfish,” she murmured. “I wanted too much.”Auron’s hand stroked the back of her head, and she nearly cried in relief as she leaned into him; the tension fled her so abruptly that he had to catch her when her knees buckled.His touch had always told her more than his words. Despite his rigid posture, he couldn’t stop his fingers from threading through her hair, gentle and forgiving. The wall that had been building between them melted away under that soft, insistent touch; it wasn’t love or passion that had finally broken the barrier. It was the truth, even if that truth hurt. He drew her closer, as if their own wounds could heal one another.“We’re all selfish,” he chided. “Even I. I didn’t understand you, Rikku.” His grip tightened.“Yeah, well, I didn’t want you to know,” she choked out with a laugh. Auron traced down her arm until he found her hand. He laced his fingers through hers. “If we break under this, then we’ll break together.” He dropped his chin on the crown of her head. “I don’t know how I become that man, but I’m sorry.”“What? Why are you the one apologizing?” she asked, drawing back to look at him.He cupped her face with his other palm, staring at her intently. “Because I stole your future. You should have never come here. You should have never made me love you. You should have stayed where you were and found someone else to build a life with. There’s nothing for you here, is there?”“You’re here,” she said, shaking her head. “You’re not nothing.”His grip tightened slightly, and a hint of the desperation and denial of the inevitable conclusion to Braska’s Pilgrimage shone through. “I’m not so sure anymore. But I’m selfish, too.” He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against hers. “Since you’re here anyway, stay with me until the end. Don’t leave me by myself.”“I don’t know if that’s up to me,” she admitted, even as his fingers tightened around hers. “The other aeons… they call me the King’s pawn. Bahamut brought me here. I guess he’s the one that can send me back. I know I can’t leave without his permission… but I don’t know if I can stay without it, either.” She pulled back and smiled miserably. “I don’t know if I get a say in any of this, really.”“Things are changing… ending,” Auron said lowly. “I don’t want us to be one of them.”“No matter what happens, no regrets,” she agreed, letting him hold her for a moment longer. “I’m not sorry about any of it.”“Hnn,” he murmured in agreement, and for a moment – just a moment – they basked in the memory of their time together, treasuring it for what it was: more than what most other people ever got.How did Yuna do this? She wondered fleetingly. Not the Pilgrimage; she’d been there for that part. But how she went on afterwards, holding her breath and learning to swim and sphere hunting, with the gaping hole that was her connection to Tidus missing all the while. Maybe it had helped that Tidus hadn’t told her he was leaving, not until right before he’d jumped clean off the side of the Celsius. More likely, though, was Yuna’s steadfast belief in her ability to bring him back and make him real.She held on to Auron like a lifeline and he hugged her back. Above them, the pyreflies sang their wistful dirge, beckoning them onwards to the city of memories. But for the moment, Braska’s Pilgrimage didn’t matter. Auron knew her now, knew almost everything about her story, and wasn’t running away.It was only a small comfort in the midst of the final chapter of their story, but – it was enough. “Dryhg oui,” she repeated into his shoulder, feeling freer than she’d ever been. “Dryhg oui vun ymfyoc paehk oui.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The broken highway leading deeper into Zanarkand seemed to stretch endlessly before them. Ruins of shattered buildings jutted out of the water and loomed over the path like silent sentinels, markers of a distant past. Jecht led the way in; once Rikku explained that the “Temple” was really just Zanarkand’s old blitzball stadium, he seemed to know exactly where to take them. “There’s little differences here an’ there,” he mused as they walked. “But it’s the same as my Dream Zanarkand. Right there!” he said, getting excited as he pointed to a mound of rubble that to Rikku’s scavenger’s eye looked perfectly unremarkable. “That place served the best chili dogs around! Man, I wonder if it was as good here as it was back home.” Every now and then, he would stop and stare at a building, seeming to recognize it. Sometimes he’d shake his head; sometimes he’d laugh. If someone was close enough to listen, he’d share an anecdote. Most of the time, though, he’d squint and the corners of his mouth would tighten before he moved on.Braska hadn’t argued at the sedate pace Jecht set, merely following along. More often than not, his gaze would drift up to the pyrefly sky overhead. It had taken him a long while to pick himself up off of the ground after seeing Rikku’s memories back at the campsite. He hadn’t sought anyone’s company or comfort afterwards; he’d just stood up and said the only thing that mattered:
“It’s time to go.”Other than contributing the occasional odd hum to Jecht’s sporadic chatter he kept his own counsel, his eyes distant and haunted.By comparison, Auron thrummed with nervous energy, increasingly more ill-contained the closer they drew to their goal. He was in constant motion, patrolling for fiends relentlessly. Rikku was hard-pressed to keep up with him; at the moment he’d separated himself from the group, who were further back along the road.“Slow down,” she gasped, nearly running into his back when he stopped unexpectedly and drew his sword. She peeked over his shoulder; standing in their way was a trio of Unsent monks, each wielding some type of exotic machina weaponry. They were fallen soldiers of Zanarkand, still guarding the city while trapped in their endless war. There’d been more than just a few of them blocking their path towards the dome. The sight of these masses of mindless, malicious Unsent had stopped shocking Auron after the first few times he ran into them; he quickly learned that the city was still teaming with the memory of life, and all of it was hostile.“I can’t,” Auron answered her, unslinging his sword and rushing at one of the monks before it could pull out a flamethrower. He decapitated it neatly and then followed through, spearing its undead neighbor in the torso.
Rikku raced past him, leading with a punch that took out the final zombie before it could finish loading its gun. “If you keep racing ahead like this, they might surround you!” Pulling one of the candles she’d managed to grab out of another of the soldiers, she lit it and held it under Auron’s nose. “Breathe,” she instructed, pressing it into his hands. “These are pretty hard to steal, but they’ll protect you a little from all the soldiers here.”
She pulled another one out and, after a moment of consideration, lit up the small black candle and fanned the flame towards her face. It didn’t smell like much, but the unsettling green smoke it released as it burned offered a small measure of protection from the myriads of warriors roaming the city, turning their eyes and sometimes even their blades away. But they were so hard to steal… the souls here were aided by the strength of the pyrefly river floating above and held onto their memories tenaciously. The paltry handful of candles she’d managed to obtain was rapidly dwindling under the quick pace Auron kept.“Thank you,” Auron mumbled, though his face was still pinched with worry. He glanced back at Jecht and Braska, who were both moving too slowly through the ruined city as though it was a tour, and let out a frustrated sigh. “But we cannot stop doing this. Look at those two. They’re in no shape to help.”Sparing a glance at the other two wandering dreamily through the city, Rikku could only agree. Jecht might’ve been able to pull himself out of memory lane quickly enough if a fiend sprang up on him, but Braska’s distracted mien clearly told her that he was lost to the dangers of the city.“We’ll keep them safe,” Rikku said.Auron snorted, brushing past her. “Will we now?”Rikku flinched, and he stopped and sighed roughly, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. I know… I know we have to continue. But I don’t have to like it.” He gave her a weary look, and it wasn’t just mental fatigue. He really was fighting hard; they both were. The fiends and Unsent in Zanarkand were tougher than anything they’d faced traveling through the Calm Lands, but their battle participants had been cut down to two. She and Auron were working overtime to clear the path, particularly for Braska, who seemed to have checked out completely since seeing Yuna.She wasn’t helping Auron as much as she should’ve, either – she couldn’t help but watch Braska holding himself together by fraying threads, insensible to the dangers surrounding him. It had fallen to her to flit back and forth between Auron and Jecht to set Braska’s pace or change his trajectory while Auron did the bulk of clearing the path of deadly obstacles.“We can’t keep this up,” Rikku complained as she finished dousing herself in the sickly green candle smoke. “Someone should talk to Braska.” She grabbed onto a sleeve of Auron’s coat to keep him from moving away. “We won’t even reach the stadium like this! All the Unsent haunting here will do us in first.”“Or the fiends,” Auron agreed, pushing her back behind some rubble and dropping to a crouch. “Speak of the devil. Look out, it’s another one of those Behemoths.”“Ugh,” Rikku swore, hunching down before the enormous Behemoth King could spot her. They held their breaths as it stomped right by the crumble of stone they were hiding behind. For one heart-pounding instant, it stopped and reared up onto its hind legs, inhaling deeply. A low rumble rolled from its throat, tail lashing in frustration at being unable to find anyone to hunt. Thankfully, the nearsighted fiend hadn’t seemed to notice Jecht and Braska in the distance behind them, either. After a few tense moments, it chuffed, dropped to all fours, and moved on.Slapping Auron’s shoulder rapidly a few times, Rikku let out a wheeze. “This is so stupid! I’m going to talk to them. And you should come with.” Stomping back towards the others, she marched straight up to Jecht and whacked him in the unarmored shoulder.“Oww!” he yelled, grabbing his arm. “The hell was that for!”“Get a grip! I know this looks like your Zanarkand, but this is insane! If you two keep getting distracted in here, Auron and I are gonna bite it!”That started Jecht out of his stupor. He scowled at Rikku. “’Ey. That ain’t funny, Blondie.”“Neither is this mental vacation you and Braska are taking! What the heck, Jecht?! We’re surrounded by fiends, if you haven’t noticed!”“Oh! I, uh…” Jecht stopped and rubbed the back of his head, blinking. Then he drooped. “Yeah, sorry. I guess I didn’t really wanna see,” he admitted lowly. “Might be that I know some of them faces, right?”“None of these Unsent are half as ugly as you,” Auron grumbled, joining them. “But it would be far easier to deal with them if you would stop acting so irresponsibly.” His tone softened as he looked at Braska, who was once again studying the star-studded sky. “Though I can hardly blame you. You’re being led by example.”“Lay off it, Auron.” Jecht lowered his voice and peeped at Braska. “The man just found out his lil’ girl tried to kill herself. He needs some time.”A muscle in Auron’s jaw ticked, and Rikku reached up and touched his elbow. “We know, Jecht,” she cut in. “But this is definitely not the place to do any sort of soul-searching. I mean hello, look at it! With this many pyreflies around, we’re practically in the Farplane!” Her voice carried a little more than she’d wanted, because Braska noticed and drew closer to them.“My apologies. I know I have not been at my best here. I will… try to focus,” he said, too quiet. His gaze settled on Rikku, and she flinched. He smiled slightly at that. “I promise you. I will not falter any longer.”Auron swore under his breath and turned away. “How close are we?” he asked Jecht after a moment.Jecht crossed his arms, looking uncomfortable. “Oh… it ain’t far from here. You’ll see once we get up there,” he added, pointing at a steep incline where the road had fractured and pushed up into a small hill. “The stadium was the main attraction o’ Zanarkand, and this was the highway leadin’ straight in.”“You can hear how close we are,” Rikku agreed, closing her eyes. The pyreflies were always singing, and of course their unearthly, sorrowful cries echoed through the city alongside the stream of light that flowed overhead. But the closer they drew to the dome, the louder the song got. For a moment she swayed on her feet; their cry echoed painfully in her ears. They reverberated inside her head, not just singing the Hymn, but also chattering. A thousand voices overlapped one another, speaking to her all at once. Her head throbbed as she tried to separate them. So many whispers… but she picked out one that sounded strangely familiar.
‘Rikku. Hey, Rikku! You’re taking too long.’
“-ikku? Rikku!”Disoriented, Rikku opened her eyes with a jolt and looked left and right in search of Tidus’s familiar mop of blond hair. She zeroed in on Auron, whose was clutching her close to his chest. “Huh?” When did that happen?“… We thought you might be having another seizure.” His dark eyes traced her face, worried and solemn. “Is it Bahamut?”Shivering, she noticed that the others were staring at her too.
Just how long was I out?
“No… I mean, I don’t think so. But I traveled through the Farplane to get here, and well… this place does have lots of pyreflies.” She placed a hand on her Garment Grid uncertainly, shivering when she realized Lenne’s sphere was warm. “Maybe stopping this far in isn’t a great idea.”“Then let’s continue,” Braska urged. He looked so tired, but at least he seemed to have come back into his own body. This time, he led them forward. When he crested the top of the path, he let out a low breath. Climbing over the broken concrete next to him, Rikku stopped and grimaced at the stadium’s sudden proximity. “This… is our destiny,” Braska said. He didn’t allow himself to gawk, instead taking the lead down towards the final Temple at a quick pace.“’Ey, wait up!” Jecht slid after Braska, jogging to catch up to him.Rikku stood there, fists clenched, and tried to clamp down on the dread the sight of the dome brought to her. She felt Auron climb up behind her.“You haven’t told us everything yet,” he said softly. “What else can there possibly be?”“Oh, you know… Yevon’s Temple is always full of surprises.” She let out a tiny, uncontrollable laugh. “Though I bet my stupid open sphere playback of a brain is going to tell you before I can come up with a solution to them.”He shuddered. “And what if there is no solution? What are you going to do?”She grabbed onto his arm and squeezed it so tightly she might have hurt him without his gauntlet. “Improvise,” she said with false bravado. Jecht and Braska were still jogging away from them. “Geez, for being such slowpokes, you’d think someone lit a fire under their butts now. We better catch up. C’mon.” She took off at a run, pulling Auron along behind her.They rejoined Braska and Jecht in the wide courtyard full of rubble before the crumbling entrance to the stadium. There was a figure emerging from the interior of the archway, and Auron swore under his breath, pulling his sword and preparing to sprint.“No no, wait! This one is friendly. Sort of,” she mumbled, watching as the elderly priest dressed in ancient robes approached Braska.“Journeyer of the long road, name yourself,” he called out.Braska straightened, but didn’t bow. “I am the summoner Braska,” he said clearly. “I have journeyed from the city of Bevelle to obtain the Final Aeon. Are you in need of a Sending, sir?”The old man chuckled. “Not quite, my lord. I serve the Lady Yunalesca, and thus, all Summoners who call upon her here. Well then, show me your eyes. Let me see the long road you have traveled.” He crept closer to Braska and Auron tensed, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.The priest did nothing, however, other than stare intently into Braska’s eyes. After a moment, he leaned back, stroking his beard. “Yes… a gaze more worthy than most. The road you have traveled has shaped you into what you are now. Go to the Lady. She will surely welcome your arrival. Go, and bring your Guardians with you.” Smiling, he folded his hands behind his back and walked past Braska, his body fading and scattering into pyreflies as he passed them.“Creepy,” Jecht said, staring at the spot where the priest had been. Then he looked inside the stadium. “But that’s creepier. It looks more like a corpse more than an arena, if y’ask me.” He stepped inside after Braska, who hadn’t bothered to wait for them.“Why is he in such a hurry to die?” Auron stood there, hanging back and staring after them.Gently, Rikku prodded his back. “We can’t leave him, y’know.”“I know.”They entered together, and Rikku stopped when she saw older memories taking form for Braska and Jecht. Before her, a familiar scene played out. She looked to the corner, seeing the hint of her younger self cowering on the ground. From his soft intake of breath, Auron had spotted her too. She glanced at him, and was surprised. Behind him, the memory of his older self stood. She hadn’t seen it back then; she’d been scared witless by the memories the dome summoned. Now, though, she saw that Auron had been watching her then, his face hidden by his collar but his brows drawn low in consternation. After a moment, the memory-Auron grimaced and spun away, putting his back to her younger self’s fearful shudders.Jecht and Braska didn’t notice any of that, though. They were enraptured by a much brighter, louder memory playing before them.
“If it might benefit the future of Spira, I would gladly give my life. It is the highest honor for which a Guardian might ask. Use my life, Lady Yocun, and rid Spira of Sin.”
“Was that… Lady Yocun herself?” Braska breathed while the image of the two women faded.Jecht crossed his arms again, a pensive scowl on his face. “Sounded like that was her Guardian to me.” Rikku was actually thankful for the movement she spotted behind them; it kept her from having to offer any explanations about the vision they’d experienced. “Get down!” she hissed, pushing Auron back against the pillar. Jecht reacted to her warning instantly, grabbing Braska and pulling the summoner low alongside him. Loud, heavy clunks filled the air as an ancient machina - a Zanarkand Defender, nearly the same size as her Marauder – lumbered by in the distance. Its singular yellow eye glowed eerily in the half-light of the dome, and its armor, while rusted, still looked functional enough to be problematic, if not deadly. “This place has more residents than just the fiends and ghosts,” she whispered hastily. “Some of the ancient war machina is still active! You have to be careful. Sneaky-like!”Braska watched it retreat at a snail’s pace. “Or fast,” he replied, standing up and brushing his robes off. “At the rate it is moving, I think we could outrun it.” He surveyed the group. “What do you say? Are you ready?”Rikku shook her head wildly. “No! No, I’m very not ready!”Auron looked exasperated as he adjusted the blade on his back, preparing for a run. At his side, Jecht was already stretching and leaning over to touch his toes. “Does it matter?” Auron said gruffly when he finished. “You’re going to do as you please regardless.”Braska grinned, tipping his head. “Of course.” He glanced over his shoulder to make sure the Defender had retreated completely. “Make haste!”The sprint through the ruins was nothing short of madness; it was dark in the dome. The drop to the ground if they lost their footing was far enough to break bones or drown, depending on where they fell. The terrain was rough and uncertain, being little more than the crumbling remains of the machina that powered the former sphere pool. At least, being the fastest, she was able to pull ahead of the rest of them and guide them down the safest path through the ruin.Plus, it provided her with the benefit of blasting right through the memory of Seymour’s traumatic childhood as he confronted his dying mother without having to see it play out before her again. She crossed her arms before her and barreled through kid-Seymour the moment he opened his mouth. Keeping up a quick pace forced the others to follow her so they couldn’t watch. Still, the memories continued their play behind them, trapped in time.
“There is no other way. Use me, and defeat Sin. Only then will people accept you.”
She heard Braska stumble when he heard the familiar voice, and Auron’s curse as he picked the other man up. He’d obviously recognized Anima’s human avatar once again.“Rikku, was that—?” he asked. She heard Auron and Jecht struggling to move him as Seymour continued to sob and protest hopelessly.
“I don’t have much time left.”
“Lemmie go first,” Jecht demanded, shouldering his way past a frozen Braska and chasing after her. “We’re gonna lose Blondie. Auron, make sure he don’t fall!”“No time to waste. Let’s go!” Auron growled with urgency as the unmistakable sound of the Defender’s clunky footsteps sounded, drawn by the noise they were making.Everyone ran like their lives depended on it – which it possibly did, Rikku thought grimly as she took out a few more Unsent monks waiting for them at the platform leading to the inner sanctum. “Hide,” she hissed, and the boys scattered, each making themselves scarce behind what rubble they could find as the Defender made another appearance, trudging towards the doorway.It came dangerously close, jerking unsteadily and sweeping the platform with its machine gun for intruders. It continued to pace back and forth across the platform for several minutes, scanning menacingly for a target. Her legs were going numb; something needed to be done before one of them gave themselves away. When it turned its back to her, Rikku leaned out and tossed a frag grenade as far as she could into the open ruins, then ducked back down and covered her ears. The explosion made dust and silt shift and fall inside the dome, and the Defender’s screeching siren of warning pierced the air. It turned and stomped back down the path with unexpected speed.They all scrambled to their feet. This time, though, it wasn’t Auron who held back when Braska tried to step through the archway into the dome’s depths.“Hey, Braska…” Jecht stared at his toes. He spared a glance at Rikku and Auron, then sighed and looked up at Braska. “You don’t have to do this.”Braska paused mid-step but didn’t turn to face them. “Thank you for your concern.” It was clear from the tone of his voice that he wasn’t going to stop.Scowling, Jecht kicked at the ground angrily. “Fine! I said my peace.”“Well I haven’t!” Auron jumped past her, vibrating with anger. “Lord Braska. Let us go back! I don’t want to see you die!” His voice almost broke.Braska’s shoulders rose slightly. “You knew this would happen, my friend.”“Yes, but I-” Auron stared at ground, his jaw working. “I cannot accept it!” His head shot up when Braska responded with a soft laugh and finally looked at Auron.“Auron, I’m honored that you care for me so. But I have come to kill grief itself.” Auron flinched; Braska might as well have been talking about himself. He still looked tired, Rikku realized, and older than ever. Braska’s features were perpetually youthful, a gift he’d passed straight on to Yuna with her baby-face. But now she could see his age settling around his shoulders like a mantle. The blazing blue of his eyes was muted in the darkness of the Temple, and the smudges on his face below them enhanced by the lengthening shadows. It wasn’t so much his appearance that had changed, but rather the vitality that he’d left behind somewhere at the campsite, next to the memory of his grown daughter.He looked so fragile as a hint of the affection he held for Auron broke through; of the bond they’d created over those lost years spent together after Bikanel, being punished by the Church while trying to raise Yuna as outcasts. It was a fleeting look of wistful longing for a life that had slipped through his fingers in his refusal to move beyond his own grief.She realized abruptly how simple Braska’s desire really was: he wanted to be the half of another’s whole. He’d loved Raenn with all his heart, but when she had died his all-consuming love had left him broken. But how could a man who’d defined himself by his importance to another not have noticed how Auron idolized him over all those years? He’d fallen in love with Auron, too.It was in that smile, of a scar long healed, that she saw it. Auron had never understood; as devoutly orthodox as he’d been raised, he could never return Braska’s voracious love. She wondered if Braska had ever even told him. Auron saw himself first as a vassal, and then as a friend, but never as a soulmate; no matter how much he cared for the other man, he didn’t share the same intense, passionate, all-consuming desire that Braska did. Braska had tried to swallow her in that same desire as well when he’d fallen apart in Baaj; he’d wanted to become her meaning for her existence in this past time; to be her anchor, so she could be his. Unwilling to betray Auron, she’d turned him away as well. In the process, she’d become another wound on his heart instead. So it wasn’t just once. Three times he’d had his heart broken; that was his mask and his grief; the source of his desperation, and the reason for his despair.And now that he was here and it was too late, he finally saw the truth through her eyes and her traitorous memory: that he’d always been the recipient of complete and unquestioning love and devotion. Maybe it wasn’t the sort of love he’d wanted, but it had always been right there in his arms. He’d merely been too selfish to see how Yuna, too, idolized him and patterned her life after his, right down to his death.His regret was almost tangible; he’d ignored what he’d had while chasing after a dream that continuously fled from his grasp. And now, he was apologizing by trying to grant his daughter a different destiny from his own. He was choosing to be the one thing he could still succeed at, despite it all: a Summoner.“Please understand, Auron.” He smiled faintly, his mask slipping back on, and turned away. His measured steps brought him further into the Temple, leaving behind an agonizing silence.Jecht, blissfully ignorant, stopped by Auron and put a hand on his shoulder. “Look, man. We tried. C’mon.” He stepped into the ruined hallway beyond, following Braska.“No!” Auron spat out, looking up. She wondered if he’d understood what Braska had revealed in that moment of weakness; he must have sensed something, because he didn’t pause to wait for her. With a haunted look, he chased after his Summoner. “Braska! Wait!”Rikku watched them run ahead of her, her past bleeding into her future. Glancing over her shoulder, she wasn’t surprised to see Tidus standing behind her. He looked just like he had all those years ago, wearing his old blitzball uniform with his arms crossed. He was translucent, just like all of the other memories, but he was watching her with an uncharacteristically solemn look. Or was he just her own memory, watching their Pilgrimage in the future? Either way, his stare bored right through her. “I… I’m going,” she whispered, nearly tripping as she backed away from him. Tidus smiled at her faintly; it was a sad smile. The sudden lance of fear that he was here and actually looking at her sent her spinning and scrambling for Auron. She was abruptly afraid that the three men would be gone, lost to the dome as nothing more than memories. Her fear abated when she saw that they’d stopped before a large, ornate door decorated with the Church’s tell-tale symbolic script, and were having a completely ordinary conversation. “Are the trials ahead?” Jecht asked, crossing his arms.“Probably,” Braska answered, straightening up from one of the ancient signs he’d been inspecting before the stairwell.“Here too, huh? Gimmie a break!” Jecht sagged over, looking disgusted. “I was expecting, y’know. Parades! And fireworks!”“You can ask for them after I defeat Sin,” Braska replied, sounding amused as he climbed down the steps.“Really?” Auron asked Jecht sourly. “Parades?”Jecht shrugged. “What? I figure it’s the least they could do, considerin’ that we’re gonna beat Sin, right?” He skipped down the steps after Braska. “’Ey B! Wait up!”“Is this a game to them?” Auron grit out. He glared at Rikku, noticing her arrival. “And where were you?”“I got a little lost, okay?” she hedged defensively.His answering look was one of pure disbelief. He took one glance down the short hallway, which was a straight shot to the ruins outside, and then back at her, an eyebrow rising. “Where?”Rikku glanced over her shoulder for any sign of Tidus; thankfully, there was nothing but pyreflies and crumbling stone behind her. “Look, I’m not that bad at directions, okay? I just… I have a lot more memories here than you guys do. It’s hard to move forward. Or… backward? I don’t know anymore!” she wailed, grabbing her head. “It’s confusing! I hated this place the first time, and it’s only gotten worse now!”Auron softened at her breakdown, reaching out to grasp her arm and guide her closer to his side. “Then stay with me.” He gave her a brief, pained smile. “I can’t lose everyone down here, can I?”Arm in arm, they made their way down the steps. It opened into the familiar front room of the Trial; Braska and Jecht were watching an ancient sphere screen flicker to life.“—even more machina,” Braska was saying. “Perhaps the more ancient the temple, the more advanced—”“Shh, somethin’s happenin’!” Jecht shushed him.The buzz of static faded, and several different blocks of color formed into puzzle-like shapes on the screen. Auron and Rikku joined them as they waited, but nothing else happened.“So what’s this all supposed to be?” Jecht asked, stepping onto the path. Immediately, a low, musical chime rang through the room while the small segment of the floor lit up beneath his feet. “Whoa!” Jumping, he landed a few floor tiles away and set off another, deeper chime. “… Huh, so the floor’s like a big piano or somethin’?” Grinning, he dragged his feet across the entirety of tiled floor, filling the room with discordant chimes and a headache-inducing light show at irregular intervals.“Will you stop prancing around like that?” Auron said sourly as Rikku covered her ears. “You don’t even know what you might be doing to the cloister!”“Well someone’s gotta find out, right? Ain’t that what we Guardians are here to do?” Defiantly, he stuck his foot out and brought it down on another tile – then let out a loud yelp as he saw a monkey watching him intently.
“Get it away!” he screamed, making an impressive leap straight off the tiled floor and back onto the platform they’d entered from. He grabbed the ends of his hair defensively. “The hell is one o’ them devil-monkeys doin’ down here?!”“I don’t think it’s real,” Rikku giggled, covering her mouth. Her smile turned into a wince as the pyreflies picked up on her memories. Paine reappeared, striding past Jecht with a pained look. “I can’t believe we’re chasing lovesick monkeys.”Shivering, Rikku saw a ghostly image of herself follow and stop directly next to Auron, dancing in place. “Aww! Can’t you see it’s true love?”The two girls chased after the translucent monkey that had scared Jecht, fading out of sight.Rikku scratched her chin. “Sorry, Jecht. The monkeys moved in during my time. Hey, at least they were more fun than the Trial?”“Says you,” Jecht grumbled, sticking his foot out to stomp on one of the musical tiles petulantly.“Stop,” Braska said suddenly, raising his hand.“What? Everyone’s a critic!” Jecht complained, throwing his hands into the air.“No…” Braska blinked and frowned. “I mean, I believe I know what I must do. Please, all of you, step aside.”Rikku hid her smile. Yunie’d figured it out pretty quickly back then, too. They cleared the floor for Braska, who carefully stepped his way around the chiming tiles in solemn, measured footsteps. He held his staff loosely in one hand, arms at his side. Then, with a deep breath, he lifted the staff and swung it in a low arc around himself.Everyone knew Braska’s dance. He’d performed it far too many times not to know.The staff swung high and Braska reversed his spin gracefully, twirling the staff in a practiced motion. He leapt forward, and a chime sounded as his foot struck another tile. Auron stilled. “The Sending,” he said quietly through another chime ringing, slowly piecing together the Hymn.Rikku felt herself still as the power of Braska’s dance flowed through the room, releasing the pyreflies from their entrapment in the dome. But it was only a temporary reprieve; Braska could’ve danced endlessly in that chamber and still hardly make a dent in the thousands of souls who were trapped in Zanarkand’s ruins.“… The King’s Gambit,” she said softly. “The answer was always what the Fayth asked their Summoners for. They want to stop dreaming.”The floor lit up in a soft white light when Braska finished his dance. The absolute silence of the Sending’s cleansing faded and the pyreflies slowly crowded back in, refilling the room with their ever-present hum.They watched as the walls shook and panels lifted, exposing sphere pillars that slid out onto the floor. At the back of the room, another door slid open, revealing another passage into the depths of the Temple.Almost everyone joined Braska in the center of the room; Auron, however, chose to go right by them with his sword out, passing through the new doorway.“So we all go that way then?” Jecht asked, making to follow Auron through.“Not yet,” Rikku said with a sigh, walking up to a pillar. “Look. Do you recognize this?” Leaning in, she shoved the pillar back with a grunt. It slid easily enough, and when it hit the alcove it had been hidden in, a symbol sparked to life above it.Braska leaned in to look, then nodded. “I see. It is the symbol of Kilika.” He paused, eyeing the pillars. “Then each of those must represent one of the Temples of Yevon.”Auron came back into the room. “It’s clear,” he said gruffly. “But you did something, didn’t you? There’s another sphere screen. It turned on when I entered. The floor is similar, too.”“Hell yeah! I haven’t watched a real screen in ages!” Jecht took off for the other room at a run. He’d already planted himself by the sphere screen in the next room by the time the rest of them entered, and was inspecting the image on the display. “’Ey! This looks like that Kilika thing, too.”“Then I believe I know the answer to this riddle as well. I will simply need to dance— oh,” Braska stopped and surveyed the new room, his eyes drawn to the enormous pit in the center. “That… might make it a bit more difficult.”“It’s too dangerous,” Auron said, gesturing at the hole. “Just tell us the movements of your dance and we can activate the tiles for you.”“No. This, of all Trials, I have to complete on my own. Wait here.”And so, standing precariously close to the pit in the middle of the room, Braska began to perform the Summoning for Ifrit. It had been a long time since Rikku had seen him bother to dance to summon an aeon; he’d long since abandoned the practice in favor of efficiency. This time he wasn’t channeling the power of the aeons; he was just moving his feet over the floor in practiced steps, recreating the movement to set off the charmed floor tiles in the proper order.It was still beautiful to watch. Just like Yuna, he’d always put his heart into each of the dances he performed. Several times Auron reached out and stilled a warning as the sweeping turns brought Braska uncomfortably close to falling over the edge. But Braska’s movements never slowed in the slightest. He wasn’t even looking; he was dancing with his eyes closed, letting his belief in the Fayth carry him.Eventually he came to a stop, and one of the hexagonal tiles around the pit began to glow softly with the symbol of Kilika’s temple. Opening his eyes, he smiled and then looked up at Rikku. “If you would do the honors?”“You sure don’t want to rest?” she asked, stalling for time.“Quite sure.” He returned to his starting position, holding his staff out and waiting expectantly.Sighing, Rikku ducked back into the other room to activate another pillar. When she came back, Braska had already begun dancing again, recognizing the symbol on the screen. Auron was blocking her view, so she moved to his side to watch the graceful whirl of staff and robes as Braska circled around the room.A soft noise made her glance over, and then she bit her lip. Auron was watching, too. His face was too pale, and his lips were pressed and white. He’d stifled a hoarse murmur of distress, but his face still radiated agony. Apart from that small, singular noise, held his suffering in check, his eyes tracking Braska’s movements. Rikku looked back at Braska and realized what he already had: this would be the last time they would ever watch him perform those dances.It struck her more sharply than any weapon, and left her with tears in her eyes.Time stretched on as they watched Braska in silence, but for the noise of pyreflies and the swish of his robes. After every dance he would take only a brief moment to ensure that the corresponding symbol lit up on the floor, before gesturing at Rikku to continue. By the second dance, his brow was beaded in sweat; by the fourth, he looked ready to collapse. He kept going, though, five dances for the five official Temples of Yevon.His only break was when he stood before the final challenge, staring in consternation at the sixth hexagonal tile that lay dormant.“Are you sure you don’t wanna stop?” Rikku asked, shifting nervously from side to side.Braska carefully stepped towards the center of the floor again, looking exhausted. “There are only five sanctioned Temples of Yevon currently in existence. And there are only five dances that are taught to all Summoners. But there is one that still officially exists in our public records. I believe I know which Temple this final challenge is meant to represent.” He looked up at Rikku searchingly. “Are you asking me to rest for my sake, or yours?”Rikku bit her lip. “Why not both?”He looked away from her in shame, and she ducked her head. “Yeah… you guessed it right. Just hold on a sec,” she mumbled, brushing past a bemused Auron to activate the last pillar. When she came back, everyone was looking at the strange symbol that had appeared on the screen. “I never seen that one before,” Jecht said. “You know which Temple it is, B?”“Indeed,” Braska replied, watching Rikku instead.“It’s Baaj,” she said quietly to Auron. He looked down at her, and then back to Braska, frowning. Rikku stepped in front of him and met Braska’s gaze. “You never danced for her before,” she pointed out.“I expect this one must be created from my heart, then,” Braska replied. “Or can you help me?” he asked wryly.Auron expelled a slow breath beside her and held himself very still. He only relaxed when she reached out and grabbed his hand.“Maybe,” she answered. “Baaj did have a dance. But it was always a little different from the others. I guess even before it got destroyed, Baaj was always a temple dedicated to destruction.” She thought of Anima and Yuna’s fraught connection to Seymour. “It was the same for Yunie.” Closing her eyes, she forced herself to remember the first Pilgrimage; how Yuna had stood in the same place Braska had, clutching her staff to her chest, pale-faced and reluctant.Braska let out an audible gasp, but Rikku didn’t have to look; she had her memories. She knew exactly what the rest of them were seeing: Yuna sweeping around the room, spinning and weaving between the tiles in the chaotic pattern than formed Anima’s summoning call.Still, she opened her eyes and watched Yuna’s translucent form gracefully moving through the room. Braska followed his daughter, intently focused. His steps were sure; wherever Yuna walked, he was right behind her. Rikku was reminded of the dance she’d shared with him in the Cavern of the Stolen Fayth; this time, though, there was no discordance in the pattern, no bumbling first attempts. Somehow, she knew he wouldn’t get this dance wrong. This time, he was the one who trailed after his daughter, following in her footsteps to chase the only connection he could still have with her.When it was over, the chimes sounded, and the final symbol lit around the pit. The room thrummed with power.“… Uh, is somethin’ supposed to happen?” Jecht asked after a minute. He turned to look at the screen, but it had shorted and was showing only static. “’Cause right now we got a big fat nothin’ goin’ on here.”Braska frowned, pacing slowly around the now-glowing pit. “Clearly, we have activated at least some part of this cloister successfully. But how do we advance?”“Perhaps we don’t.” Auron stepped forward. “It could end here.” He sounded hopeful.“But it won’t.” Braska stared at Rikku. “I’ve managed to bring us this far. Now, show us the rest of the way.” His voice was soft, but it was clear that he wasn’t asking… this was a command.At his side, Auron matched Braska’s stare towards her and shook his head slightly.The pyreflies surrounding her made the ethereal voice in her head almost real. You’ll have to choose what you love more in the end.“Don’t,” Auron pleaded with her softly, his eyes burning. “Don’t choose this.”“You will,” Braska said with a knowing look. His eyes told her the truth. You love Yuna, too. You love her and your future more than you love me… or Auron. Helplessly, Rikku looked between the two of them. “I don’t want to do this,” she said in a small voice, hunching over. A shrill whistle made her look up.“Game’s on. But this is your call, Blondie,” Jecht told her, crossing his arms and waiting.That was what shocked her out of her paralysis, in the end. Jecht, standing between the two demands of her heart and waiting patiently, as he always had, for her to decide on her own. Maybe, considering who and what he was, he was the best positioned to know just how important it was to be able to choose.It’s not just about Yuna and the future of Spira, she realized. It was also about Jecht and Tidus, and their ability to escape the dream. She thought of Tidus’ sad smile, and she knew what she had to do.She took small steps at first, moving beyond Auron and Braska, and then past Jecht, all the way to the flickering sphere screen. Reaching out, she removed the two unobtrusive spheres quietly powering the cloister. The room buzzed and then fell into near-total darkness, surprising the others.Rikku was glad; that way, she couldn’t see either Auron or Braska’s faces as she slunk back into the other room and slotted the spheres into the last two remaining pillars with a sense of dread.
The answering rumble of the cloister unlocking and ancient machina being set into motion filled her with terror.
There’s no turning back now.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Light flooded the cloister, emanating from the pit in the center of the room. Rikku hurried to rejoin the others just as it gradually began brightening. “Oh, rats,” she muttered.“What’s happening?” Auron asked, shielding his eyes from the now-painful illumination flooding into the chamber. Rikku pushed him onto one of the glowing hexagons Braska had activated. “Everyone, get on a tile!” She scrambled towards one for herself. “Yunalesca’s sending another one of her pets to test us!”The room began to shake even while she was speaking, and Braska and Jecht each hurried towards a glowing hexagon.“By Yevon!” Braska swore as the rest of the floor dropped away just moments after he stepped onto his platform.“Am I hallucinatin’?” Jecht yelped. He dipped an experimental toe over the edge of his tile. His foot passed through where ground should have been and into the empty, starry space that was quickly spreading all around them. He pulled back in surprise. “There was a floor there two seconds ago!”Auron had dropped to a crouch to keep his balance, his eyes narrowed as he placed a hand on the glowing symbol beneath him. It flared slightly at his touch. “This… it’s just like the moving Trial in Bevelle. Stay on the runes or you’ll fall through!”“Not exactly like Bevelle,” Rikku corrected, releasing her Godhand and scanning the void for any sign of movement. “Yunalesca’s undead dragon can control these runes.”“Dragon?!” three voices chimed in simultaneously.Rikku winced. “Umm, yeah, so we’re gonna have to keep moving while we fight it. Especially if your runes turn purple, because then boom! And summoning here is—”She wasn’t able to finish her sentence because a reverberating growl interrupted her. The massive head of the Spectral Keeper rose between them, its eyes glowing malevolently. It drew its elongated, scaled body upwards on tiny wings. “Hell of an ugly dragon,” Jecht muttered.It whirled around with a snarl and lashed out at him with the massive stinger on its tail.“Touchy!” Jecht taunted as he leapt out of the way of the fiend’s swipe. His landing was off, though, and he circled his arms wildly to try to regain his balance on the edge of his tile. The fiend tossed its head as though laughing at him and the runes under his feet shifted to a deep purple. “Crap!” He took off at a run and leapt for the hexagon next to his, barely avoiding the explosion that erupted from the rune he’d been standing on. Pyreflies and flames coursed wildly through the atmosphere, and when the billowing smoke cleared the rune was dark.“It’s not safe to stand there until it lights up again!” Rikku yelled at Jecht, hopping towards her neighboring tile in an attempt to get closer to Braska. She wasn’t worried about Jecht and Auron, but she wasn’t sure Braska would be able to react in time if his rune exploded, not after all the dancing he’d been doing.
She was so focused on moving around the fiend that she didn’t realize it was tracking her until it swiped a claw at her, mid-jump. Its talon hooked around her ankle painfully and she shrieked when it flipped her, changing her trajectory. The rune she’d been intending to land on spun away from sight.Thinking quickly, she activated her Grid as she fell, tapping into Jecht’s wellspring of luck. It did nothing to stop her plummet, though; her playing cards trailed after her in a flustered arc. “Help!” she screamed, reaching for a handhold, anything to hinder her uncontrolled pitch into the starry void.Salvation came in the form of an arm that hooked around her waist; her descent was stopped violently. Auron grunted as he caught her, bearing the brunt of her full weight. They swung precariously from the edge of a rune that he’d managed to grab with his other hand; his sword was nowhere in sight.“Climb up,” he grit out, trembling from the strain of holding on to both of their weights with just one hand. She didn’t need to be told twice, scrambling easily over him and onto the top of the rune. It was much more difficult pulling him up after her.“Your sword!” she yelled as she hauled him up by the back of his robe. “Somebody has to hit that thing!”“It’s not going to be us,” Auron said, grabbing her again and leaping for the next tile when he noticed theirs turning purple. They split, nearly falling off the hexagon again, when the Spectral Keeper’s tail slammed between them.Reprieve from the monster’s onslaught came in the form of Valefor, who swooped down to pluck Braska off of his own similarly glowing hexagon just before it exploded. She deposited him safely on the tile next to Auron and then flew away. With a high-pitched screech, the Spectral Keeper gave chase, focusing solely on the aeon. That bought Rikku enough time to switch into her Berserker dressphere, but she cursed her way through the entire transformation.“Lemmie go,” she growled, tearing herself out of Auron’s grasp. “I told him not to summon! That thing goes after aeons like the monkeys go for Jecht!” This time, powered by her unnatural strength, she barreled back across the platforms easily, sailing right over their blacked hexagon with a long leap. She hit the tile hosting Auron’s dropped weapon in a roll and dug in one claw in to stop herself from sliding over the edge while her other grabbed his sword. “Catch!” she yelled, tossing Ashura across the void. He caught it easily in one hand and spun into a low slash to keep his balance, crouching low with an arm out. “It comes!” he yelled at her. Braska gasped out of his Rapture, looking up. The Spectral Keeper returned amongst a rain of pyreflies, shrouded in the remnants of Valefor’s dissolving body. Its claws were outstretched, as if it were seeking to capture Auron and Braska together in a deadly embrace.“Heads up!” Jecht yelled as he landed on top of fiend’s head, throwing it off course. Its talons sailed harmlessly by Auron and Braska and it let out an indignant screech. Holding himself fast to the fiend by a horn, Jecht delivered a solid whack to the side of its head. “This explodin’ floor game is for losers!” He brought down his sword down again in another rough swing, hacking away at the fiend’s neck as it bucked and writhed in an attempt to dislodge him.The Spectral Keeper tried to take to the void again. She and Auron had the same thoughts as they both leapt from their platforms, trying to beat the fiend back down between them before it could carry Jecht too far away. Auron’s sword reached it first; he slammed the blade into its side, punting the Keeper towards her. “Now!” he yelled.
Rikku smashed one foot into the side of the Spectral Keeper’s jaw, snapping its head back. Using the pushback, she twisted in midair, raising her other leg high and bringing her heel down on top of its head to drive it back down between the hexagons. “Get off it, you dummy!” she shouted to Jecht, flipping to land on the platform next to Auron.“On it!” Jecht took one last swing at the thrashing fiend before throwing himself towards a platform. Just in time; Braska’s chant finished, and a multitude of twinkling lights descended and circled around the fiend. The low whine of compressed magic filled the air, and then the Holy spell exploded, purifying the monster in a blaze of radiance.The Spectral Keeper keened and whipped its body wildly in its death throes, leaking pyreflies. It sunk into the abyss, dissolving at the same rate as the starry field surrounding them. Slowly, the more mundane cloister reappeared beneath their feet, fully powered and undamaged. It was as if nothing had changed, but for the pulsing tiles around the pit.Jecht fell over and hugged the floor, while Braska sagged to one knee. After wiping some sweat from his brow, Auron straightened shot her an exasperated look.“A little warning next time?” he said dryly.Deactivating her dressphere, Rikku winced. “Sorry? Not everything’s the same, so I was kinda hoping that thing wasn’t going to be here again.”Everyone fell silent when the tiles brightened and activated a rune in the center of the pit; the symbol of Yevon they created pulsed and dropped out of sight. Then, once again, the floor shook; this time, though, only an elevator rose to the surface. It rumbled loudly, having seen little use in many years. By the time it came to a stop, everyone was on their feet.It waited there, flickering with power, but no one moved to board it.“Below must be the Chamber of the Fayth… where I will obtain the Final Aeon,” Braska finally said. He looked at each of them. “Thank you for coming with me this far. But for now, please wait for me –”“Nuh-uh,” Rikku cut in. “We all go in.”Auron shifted. “Are you sure?”Jecht nodded, crossing his arms. “Whenever you enter the Chamber of the Fayth uninvited you freeze up on us, Blondie.”“No, I’m sure.” Rikku dropped her head. “It’s because of Yunalesca. We all have to be there.” She squeezed her eyes shut, the adrenaline of the battle slowly seeping out of her and letting her dread creep back in. “I… I don’t think I have to tell you anything anymore. You’ll see soon enough. Let’s just go,” she said miserably, wanting to get it over with.Braska nodded. “Very well, then. We go together.” The trip down was made in stilted silence; Jecht had adopted one of Auron’s perpetual frowns on his face, while Auron had wrapped her in a hug, hiding her from Braska while she tried to control her shivers. She shuddered when the platform came to a halt, and only left Auron’s embrace when she heard the summoner walk away.Beyond, past the short path inside, Zaon’s Fayth stone awaited. But there was no Hymn sounding around it; the impressive statue below them was silent and dark. Braska already knew before he kneeled to pray, his hands reaching out to trace the place where ancient symbols should have surrounded the smooth stone. “The light of this Fayth… is artificial power coming from spheres,” he said sharply. “It’s all a trick. This is a mere statue that has been made to look like a Fayth. But there’s nothing really here.” He looked up at Rikku. “What is this deception? Why is there no Final Aeon here?”“Huh? Whaddaya mean no Final Aeon?” Jecht pounded the wall. “What was all o’ this for, then?!”The priest from the temple materialized beside them, and Jecht jerked in surprise and struck at him instead. His fist passed cleanly through the calm priest, catching a few pyreflies. “Damn,” he swore. “I knew Braska shoulda Sent you.”“A meaningless endeavor, for there are many more who would take my place,” the priest replied amicably. “But wouldn’t you rather know about the Fayth?” Braska rose, and the priest chuckled at him. “You are incorrect, my Lord. That statue is Lord Zaon, the first Fayth of the Final Summoning. It merely lost its power a thousand years ago. What you see before you is all that remains of him. Lord Zaon… his soul is gone.”“What do you mean, ‘gone?’” Auron said slowly, the answer already dawning on him.“Fear not,” the priest continued. “Lady Yunalesca will show you the path. The Final Aeon will be yours.” He raised his arms to the ceiling, his expression morphing into one of ecstatic rapture. “The Summoner and the Final Aeon will join powers. Go to her! Go now, inside! Quickly, for the Lady awaits.”Bringing his hands down into the bow, he smiled at them and faded away.“… Screw that guy,” Jecht spat. “Blondie, what the hell? You kne-” He stopped speaking as another voice overrode his; another memory.“You knew this was gonna happen, didn’t you!” A faintly translucent Tidus swung his arm out in a wide arc, glaring at another Auron.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” her fifteen-year-old self pleaded. For the first time, the older Auron met her younger image’s gaze.
“If I had told you the truth, would that really have stopped you from coming?”
Silence reigned over the fading memory, broken only when Jecht swore softly and turned around, hands on his hips and shoulders hunched.“… I did this,” Auron said slowly. He looked at her, miserable. “I did this to you first.” She could see him trying to understand; not just what was happening here inside the dome, but their entire journey together. He was rapidly deconstructing her initial prickliness, as well her unavoidable obsession with him. “Why? Why did you—no. How could you have possibly forgiven me?”Rikku bit her lip, then hid her flaming face behind her hands and turned away from him, feeling like embarrassment personified. “Because… because I was already in love with you back then, you jerk! You just never noticed!” She swayed nervously, unable to hold herself still. “I never stopped, y’know. All those years later, Yunie figured it out the first time I wore your costume.”Braska let out a soft, self-depreciating laugh. “You ladykiller,” he murmured to Auron with a faint look of amusement.“Stop it,” Auron shot back at Braska. When she peeked between her fingers to look at him, he was still staring at her – but now there were faint splotches of color dusting his cheeks. He cleared his throat uncomfortably. “… Thank you,” he mumbled. “I think.”After a moment, Braska sighed. “It’s time to find out the truth.” He turned and passed through the archway, which buzzed softly.“I guess we’re doin’ this,” Jecht said. He took a half-step after Braska, then looked back at Auron and Rikku. “You guys… y’know you don’t have to come with us. Yeah, yeah, I know what we’re seein’ in your head,” he said to her, waving a hand. “But maybe them memories will change if you don’t go. I bet me an’ B can make your future happen even without you two taggin’ along.” He looked at Auron. “You still got a chance at a life out there. Might be that you gotta leave the woman you love behind if you come with us, through.” He gave the other man a pained smile. “Nothin’ can prepare you for that kind of trouble. Nothin’. Think about it.” Turning, he ducked through the door.Rikku walked up to Auron, who was staring at the fading glow from the archway. She cupped her hands around his face and turned him to look at her. “I’ve always thought this was about what I had to do, and what I had to choose.” She leaned up on her tiptoes and placed a gentle, lingering kiss against his lips. She savored the rough feel of the stubble on his chin, the warmth of his breath against hers, and the smooth feel of his hair under her fingertips. She drank in how alive he felt beneath her hands. She tried not to think of it as a goodbye.When they parted, her smile was uncertain. “But this is about what you want to do, now. This is your choice, too. Your story.” She smoothed her hands down the front of his chest, stopping and crossing both of them over his heart. “I’ll follow you anywhere. I already have. And I always will.”He closed his eyes, cupping his own hands over hers. After a moment, he drew them to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly; a motion full of tenderness, but also courtly courtesy. “I love you, Rikku. I love you more than I have ever loved anything in this world.”He fell silent, and she smiled even though her heart quailed, because she knew his answer.“But I never realized,” he finally said, still gripping her fingers. “I did the one thing I swore I never would. I hurt him. I thought Raenn made him this way. I can’t… I can’t leave him now.” He opened his eyes. “Will you forgive me again?”She nodded. “You forgave me for loving him. Why would I hold it against you?” Pulling his hands towards her, she returned the motion, kissing his fingertips. “It’s the only thing he ever wanted from either of us, after all. I won’t leave you, either.”The chamber beyond the veil was nearly untouched by time; pyreflies danced through the air more thickly than ever before, but the inner sanctum was free of any visible decay. Rikku wondered how much of Yunalesca’s sanctum was truth, and how much of it was a reality created by the surrounding pyreflies, much like the star field they’d just fought on. She hung back, waiting for Yunalesca to appear. The ornate double doors at the top of the staircase rumbled open, and a faint gasp escaped from the image of her younger self that popped up, hunched over and scared. “Someone’s coming!”Yunalesca emerged from the darkness, walking towards them in slow, measured steps. Her bright eyes gleamed with the weight of a thousand years of knowledge. Though she was nearly naked, she wore her long, silver hair like a cloak; it streamed out all around with a life of its own, constantly moving as the pyreflies ringing her lifted and draped it in ever-changing patterns across her body. She descended the steps, carrying herself with even more self-assurance than Maester Mika despite her youthful appearance.“Welcome to Zanarkand,” she said with a smile that didn’t touch her eyes. “I congratulate you, Summoner,” she said as she looked at Braska. “You have completed your Pilgrimage. I will now bestow you with that which you seek. The Final Summoning will be yours.” Her hair suddenly fanned out behind her in a silver stream, her arms stretched wide. “Now. Choose.”Braska’s grip on his staff tightened. “First explain yourself, my Lady. What happened to Lord Zaon’s Fayth?”Yunalesca smiled as though she’d been expecting the question. And she answered it as she always must have. “You must choose the one whom I will change… to become the Fayth of the Final Summoning.”The room went deathly quiet, but for the cry of the pyreflies.“The Final Summoning embodies the bond between the Chosen and Summoner,” Yunalesca explained, breaking the silence. “Husband and wife. Mother and child. Even friends, if that bond is strong enough. Together, your light will conquer Sin. A thousand years ago I chose my husband Zaon. Our bond was true, and I obtained the Final Aeon.”She dipped her head towards Braska, and a long tendril of hair snaked out and stroked under his chin. He visibly recoiled, and Yunalesca’s smile widened.“I can see that you are filled with love for this world, Lord Braska. You’ve poured forth all of your feelings, haven’t you? Your cup is empty, and your Guardians overflow with the depth of them.” Yunalesca looked triumphant as Braska’s eyes slid closed. “You need no longer keep any secrets. You have nothing to fear, for you will not fail. You, too, will obtain the Final Aeon, and finally be freed of all of your sorrows and pain. For once you draw upon that bond of love, your life will end.” A tendril of hair caressed his cheek. “And have you not always sought for death? It will become your ultimate liberation. Of course, I am not cruel. Take your time, my dear lord, and choose wisely. Which of your lovers shall accompany you into eternity?” When she released Braska, he swayed in place, his eyes squeezed tight in agony. Auron scowled and reached for his sword, but Yunalesca didn’t so much at blink at him, clearly unintimidated. Instead, she surveyed them coolly, one by one, starting with him. When her piercing gaze drifted Rikku spun around, not wanting to feel the scrutiny of the powerful Unsent she’d once helped kill. Part of her was afraid the other woman would somehow be able to sense what she’d done and burst into her final form to kill them all right there and then. Her back stiffened when she heard Yunalesca let out a soft, uncharacteristic gasp. “Ugh!” Jecht’s exclamation of surprise spun her around, though; it wasn’t her presence that Yunalesca was reacting badly to. “Damn spooky ass dead people!” Jecht swore, backing away from a snaking tendril of Yunalesca’s hair that was trying to grasp onto him. “Get away from me!”“You,” Yunalesca said, shock stealing across her face. “What are you doing here?”“Hah! Wouldn’t you like to know!” Jecht shot back, pulling out the Fang and sliding into a battle stance. “Final Aeon or not, if you don’t get your skank-ass snake hair outta my face I’m gonna give you a buzz cut!” He brandished his sword at her.Yunalesca pulled her hair back with a snap, her face closing down and her eyes narrowing. “Hmm,” she murmured. “I was mistaken.” Her eyes slid over to Braska, who was just as surprised, but she offered no explanation. Instead, her face hardened. “Choose, and bring your Guardian to me.” Turning, she ascended the stairs. The doors slammed closed behind her.Auron took a few paces forward. “What just happened? Did she recognize Jecht?”Jecht snorted, sheathing his sword and stepping behind them. “As if. I ain’t never seen someone like her in my Zanarkand.” He shifted his weight onto one leg and looked at the floor. “So, uh. Braska? ‘Bout what she said with the Final Aeon an’ all…”“No!” Auron took another step forward. “It’s not too late! Let us turn back!”Braska dropped his head. “If I turn back, who will defeat Sin? Would you have even more Summoners and their Guardians go through this, and risk changing our fate?” He looked at Rikku helplessly. “Isn’t it enough that we end our journey here, and leave our hope to the future?”“There must be another way!” Auron shouted, losing his composure. “I won’t let you throw away your life!”He tried to close in on Braska, but Jecht grabbed him and pulled him back roughly.“This is the only way we got now.” He spared a look between Rikku and Auron, his brow scrunching in disappointment. Then he shoved Auron towards her, making a decision. “Fine. Make me the Fayth. I been doin’ some thinkin’. My dream is back in the other Zanarkand. I wanted to make that runt into a star blitz player. Show ‘im the view from the top, y’know. But now I know there’s no way home for me. I’m never gonna see him again. My dream’s never gonna come true.” He hung his head, hiding his eyes from them. But he didn’t wallow in self-pity for that long; it wasn’t his style. Instead, he stepped up to Braska, putting both of his hands on the summoner’s shoulders. “You know it can’t be anybody else. They got their whole lives ahead of ‘em. So make me the Fayth. I’ll fight Sin with you, Braska.” His smile was sardonic. “Then maybe my ‘life’ will have meaning, y’know.” Unable to contain himself, Auron grabbed onto Jecht, trying to pull him away. “Don’t do this, Jecht!” He tugged, but Jecht grunted and set himself against the other man, refusing to budge.“There may be another way! We’ll think of something, I know!” Desperation laced Auron’s voice.“Believe me, I thought this through.” He turned, finally, to look at Auron, a weary smile on his face. “Besides, I ain’t getting’ any younger. Might as well make myself useful.”Auron let him go. Guilt and anger warred across his face; it thinly hid his sorrow at the prospect of losing another one of his only friends. “You… were never a burden,” he choked out, unable to look up.Jecht clucked his tongue and laughed. “Don’t start lyin’ now.” Then he made a fist and rapped his knuckles across Auron’s chest. “Auron. You’ll be alright.”“Jecht?” Braska stepped up behind him, bemused. After all of Yunalesca’s talk of love and bonding, it wasn’t surprising that he looked so confused at his volunteered choice. Jecht, of all people, had obviously been the last person he would’ve considered asking after Yunalesca’s grooming.Rikku knew, though. It wasn’t out of a sense of generosity; Jecht wasn’t just being stubborn and fatalistic, either.“What! You’re not gonna try to stop me too?” Jecht said irately, glaring at Braska for questioning him.“Sorry. I mean… thank you,” Braska quickly corrected, knowing full well he had no right to contest Jecht’s decision.“Yeah, I know,” Jecht grumbled, crossing his arms and turning away. He caught her eye as he did so, and stopped. “Blondie,” he began, walking towards her.She raised her hands and shook her head. “Hey, I’m not crazy enough to try to stop you.” Then she stepped towards him with a knowing look. Drawing closer, she whispered, “Because I know what you want. And I know what you’re trying to do.”Jecht had his back to the other two. His eyes widened, and then he scowled, warning her to keep her mouth shut. Don’t you tell them ‘bout my plan, he told her with that look. He hadn’t given up on his dream, not really; he knew it had already come true. And he wasn’t afraid of using Auron and Braska’s emotions, already strung high, to get what he wanted.It was because Jecht had always loved someone more than anyone else in the world, too. And unlike Braska and Auron, he had no scruples about going for his goal. If Braska had paved the path for Yuna to walk to her death, Jecht was determined to do the opposite for his own son. He was just making sure he’d see Tidus become a real boy, even if it meant his own death.Well, she’d always known Jecht was craftier than he let on. “Star player of the Zanarkand Abes, huh?” she mumbled instead. He softened when he realized she wasn’t going to tattle on him, and pulled her in for a hug. “I can kinda picture you as that now,” she said as she buried her head into his chest, sniffling. “You know, you’re just as bad as Tidus. He totally got that stubborn streak from you.”“Don’t you start cryin’ too,” Jecht said, his voice thick as his arms tightened around her. “You’re gonna make them two sticks in the mud back there turn on the waterworks. An’ then we’ll never get anywhere.”Rikku hit his chest with her balled fist, laughing through her tears. “Stop trying to pass the buck, you big crybaby.” Then she pushed him away. She swiped at her eyes a few times, managing a watery smile. “We’ll see each other again, you know. Well… I won’t. Know, I mean.”“Then I’ll remember for the both o’ us,” Jecht said, holding out his hand. “To victory, Blondie.”She grinned through the pain and slapped her palm against his as hard as she could, savoring the sting that traveled up her arm. “That’s right!”Turning around, Jecht watched Auron standing by Braska’s side, trembling and on the verge of breaking. Sighing, he walked over.“Braska still has to fight Sin, Auron.” He put a hand on Braska’s shoulder, giving it a heavy pat. “Guard ‘im well. Make sure he gets there.”It was too much for Auron, who couldn’t answer them. Instead, he let out a loud, wordless cry; a sound of pure pain, of loss for the two men he’d come to see as his family over the course of their journey.Jecht looked at him with pity, then shook his head. Grimacing, he slapped a fist into his other palm to pump himself up. “Well… let’s go.” He turned Braska towards the stairwell and marched them both forward, leaving Auron behind.They only made it a few steps up before Auron spun around, furious. His voice came out in a hoarse shout. “Lord Braska! Jecht!”Jecht whirled towards him, looking put out. Rikku knew it was just because he’d made up his mind; he wanted to get it over with, like ripping a bandage off quickly so that he wouldn’t have to dwell on the hurt he was leaving behind. “Whaddaya want now?” he growled.It wasn’t enough to stop Auron, who chased after them, grabbing on to the edge of Braska’s robes. “Sin always comes back. It comes back after the Calm every time! The cycle will continue, and your deaths will mean nothing!”Braska turned at that. “Auron. You know that’s not true.” His hand came up, carefully working Auron’s fingers free and pushing them away. “There’s a real chance this time that we can end all of this, finally.” He looked at Rikku, nodding at her. “That she can. You know it’s worth trying.”Auron stood behind them, frozen. “You will both still die!”Even Jecht winced, hearing Auron’s anguish. Finally, he relented a little, unable to watch both of his friends fracturing right beside him. “I understand what you’re saying, Auron. I’ll break the cycle.”“You… you have a plan?”Jecht sighed and rubbed the back of his head, looking away instead of denying it. “Damn it.”Braska looked up quickly, frowning. “Jecht?”Growling, Jecht struggled under the weight of their hope. He seemed to know they’d never agree to the plan he’d actually cooked up. Finally, he threw back his head and laughed loudly. “Trust me, I’ll think of something! Just you wait!” Turning, he continued up the steps confidently and pushed open the door.Rikku covered her face, trying not to laugh. It wasn’t funny, not really, but… he and Tidus were just like each other. Most of them hadn’t realized Tidus was going to disappear, either, not until he did.“That jackass,” Auron choked out, his eyes rimmed red as he stared at the open door.Braska chuckled, then looked at Auron for a moment longer. “I’m sorry, my friend,” he said quietly. “But this must be. Stay here, with Rikku, and let us do what we must.” He followed up the steps after Jecht, passing through the doors. They swung shut behind the two men slowly, leaving her alone in the room with Auron.“Hey,” she said softly. “This was their choice, too.”Auron shook his head mutely, his eyes screwed shut. He fell to his knees, gulping in air loud, wheezing gasps. When the strangled roar sounded behind him, he didn’t even flinch. His eyes stayed shut, oblivious while the older Auron rushed forward with the Masamune in hand, swinging it wildly through his body. He did finally shudder, though, when he heard his own voice confirm his worst fears:
“And… the cycle went on.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Auron rose to his feet slowly. He looked over his shoulder at Rikku, his eyes burning. “I won’t let them do this. I have to stop them.”“I don’t think you’re gonna be able to change their minds. Braska became a High Summoner, and got his statue put up in all of the temples. And you and Jecht became his legendary Guardians. You inspired lots of Crusaders and Guardians afterwards, you know. You became a hero.” He flinched. “I don’t feel like a hero,” he said lowly. “I feel like a coward and a hypocrite.”Rikku sighed, drawing close enough to grab one of his hands. “I know this isn’t want you want. But… if you stick around here moping about it, you definitely won’t change history. Nothing will ever change if we don’t even try. Besides…” She squeezed his hand tightly. “I don’t want to give up either, not just yet! So… I think we should go after them.”He loitered at the bottom of the stairwell, torn. “And what if we succeed… what of you?” He looked at her intently. “What will happen to you if the future you know changes?”“Hey!” Rikku swayed back and forth on her heels, smiling brightly to bolster Auron’s confidence… and her own. I won’t be scared. I refuse! “You told me to stick to you like glue. I’m not gonna disappear on you now.” She looked up the steps, and her younger self looked down at them, dancing nervously.“What are you waiting for?” the memory called out to them.Memory-Tidus stepped through them, looking up at young Rikku, and then turning around to face them. Rikku thought she’d never get used to that; the feeling that Tidus was present, and really looking at them. She felt a bit better to see Auron was just as taken aback as she was; he jerked back from the image in surprise.
“No doubt.”
Auron relaxed marginally when his older incarnation appeared, proving the blond to be just another memory trapped in the dome.The memory-Auron strode up the steps confidently. “No hesitation.”Rikku tugged at Auron’s arm. “You heard the man. Everyone else is putting everything on the line here! It wouldn’t be right for us to just sit it out because we’re afraid. Let’s do it!”With a quick intake of breath, Auron grabbed onto her arm and charged up the stairs before his doubt could rattle his resolve, racing by her fading memory of their future selves. She let him lead the way. He didn’t stop when they crested the steps, crashing into the closed doors with a yell and shouldering them open.They stumbled to a stop at the entranceway to the strange, floating platform of Yunalesca’s domain. Only a few crumbled ruins overgrown with odd, twisting vines remained of the walls from what must have once been her private chambers. It hardly looked like a room at all, though; a familiar expanse of vertigo-inducing cosmos had completely replaced whatever might have been the chamber’s boundaries. Millions of stars twinkled distantly in the blackened sky. If she stared at them for too long, Rikku felt like she might fall upwards into them. Her fingers tightened around Auron’s sleeve, hoping he’d ground her, and her heart pounded in her chest.
Am I changing the future?
Her eyes dropped to Yunalesca, who was standing in the center of the platform, and she gasped. Auron released her, drawing his sword with a snarl.Braska was standing before Yunalesca, loosely entangled in her arms. A few of her long tendrils of her hair had even snaked around him, coiling over his ankles and arms. But Yunalesca’s smooth face revealed a slight wrinkle between her brows; it was as if she smelled something unpleasant. The most likely source of her displeasure was Jecht, who was also trapped on her other side. Unlike Braska, though, he was struggling fiercely against his bonds. She hadn’t been as kind to Jecht; the other half of her mane of hair imprisoned him so completely that he looked like a mummy. The only thing he could still move freely was his mouth, and he was making full use of it by yelling profanities at his captor.“Ah,” Yunalesca said when they entered, looking relieved. “You’ve finally come.” Braska, who’d up until that point seemed calm, snapped his head towards them, his eyes widening in dismay for a fraction of a second. “Lower your guard, Guardian,” Yunalesca continued soothingly, beckoning for Auron to come closer. “I mean your Summoner no harm.”“Oh yeah? An’ whatabout me, huh?” Jecht snapped, writhing even more fiercely. “You better watch out for this bitch, Red!”Yunalesca’s hair shifted and tightened its grasp around Jecht, sealing his mouth and muffling his shouts. “Dogs should know better than to bark at their masters!” she spat, livid. Her expression softened as she turned back to Braska, caressing his cheek with a tendril of hair in an unnervingly intimate gesture.Rikku shivered in sympathetic chills, but Braska didn’t react to Yunalesca’s touch other than to frown. “Jecht is not my servant, my Lady. He is my Guardian, and I humbly ask that you release him.”“Ah, but are you certain?” she cajoled. “You have only one true Guardian. Look at how loyal he is, rushing to your side to serve you.” She eyed Auron like a slab of meat. “Admirable, isn’t he? Would you allow that yapping beast to speak in your stead?” she scoffed, lifting Jecht off the ground and giving him a shake. “You are the one who must choose who is to become the Fayth. And he is the most suitable.”Auron took a half-step forward, growling. “What is going on here? And why me? I haven’t volunteered!”Yunalesca looked amused. She drew Braska closer and then faced him towards Auron, draping her arms over his shoulders. “You are the Summoner; you wield the power,” she crooned to Braska. “It is a Summoner’s Privilege to select his chosen one.” Her lips drifted closer to his ear. “Did you know that your predecessor, High Summoner Dysley, also brought along such a spirited companion who shirked her holy duty? Yet he was still able to form a bond with her and achieve the Final Aeon. If your will is strong enough, you have the power to make anyone yours.” Her voice was low and sweet, enticing Braska to grasp whatever he wanted; everything he’d been denied in his life, he could have in death. “So I ask again… who will you select? Who should become your Fayth?”Jecht somehow managed to work his mouth free of Yunalesca’s grip, still fighting. “Oi! I said I was gonna do it! Me!”Some of Yunalesca’s carefully-crafted equilibrium dissipated at Jecht’s crude interruption, and she narrowed her eyes. “Ignore that thing. He and the girl are unusual cases. At least your other hound is well-behaved.” She spared Rikku a dismissive glance, turning her attention back to Braska.Rikku let out an enraged gasp. “Excuse you!” she screeched. But then she stopped. “Wait a sec, why am I an unusual case? What do you mean?” Her anger was quickly being replaced by fear. Obviously, Yunalesca could sense she was different. It wasn’t that surprising; every Unsent she’d ever spent any amount of time talking to seemed to be able to notice something off about her. But… Yunalesca didn’t look like she actually knew anything. If she’d had any inkling Rikku would help kill her in the future, she’d definitely be doing a lot more than just tossing out insults, after all.Yunalesca’s fingers stopped the path they were tracing under Braska’s chin, and she looked back at Rikku, her eyebrows rising. Then the chamber filled with her tinkling laughter. “Ah, I see! My Lord, does she not even know? You didn’t tell her?”Braska’s eyes widened marginally; to Rikku, he seemed just as confused as everyone else was. Even Jecht stopped struggling, looking between her and Yunalesca.“No, my Lady,” Braska said smoothly after a moment, his eyes trained on her. “It was one of my few pleasures on this journey. Ignorance made her easier to control.”Rikku managed to keep her jaw from falling open at Braska’s brazen lie. He’s playing her! she realized, and knew he was stalling for time for her benefit, trying to determine if she wanted him to squeeze more information out of the ancient Unsent. Even Auron got it, nudging her slightly with his elbow. She met Braska’s eyes and gave him a tiny nod of permission, just as curious to know what Yunalesca meant as everyone else.“I think it would be best to allow you to enlighten her,” he continued, leaning in to Yunalesca’s caress. “That way, she will suffer no illusions about my choice of Fayth. Please,” he said, gesturing to Rikku. “Tell her the truth.”“Oh, you are delightful! A thousand years ago, I would have made you into one of my priests. Such a pity that you were born into the wrong time.” Stepping away from Braska, Yunalesca tossed her head. Her hair whipped Jecht forward, sending him flying into Rikku.Like bowling pins, they went down in a tangle of limbs behind a surprised Auron. As soon as Jecht regained his balance, he cursed and pulled his sword out, rolling to his feet. Rikku was up just as quickly, hanging on to his arm to keep him from chucking the weapon at Yunalesca. “Jecht! I need to know this!” she hissed under her breath.He lowered his sword marginally, but still looked ready to murder the Unsent. “Fine! But that patronizin’ carcass needs some schoolin’,” he grit out.“Your bodies aren’t real,” Yunalesca said as she paced towards them, her melodious voice carrying. “You have already been transformed. If either of you are turned into the Final Aeon, there may be unforeseen consequences. For neither of you are capable of creating a Fayth stone. It is impossible.”Jecht bristled beside her. “S’not like I didn’t come to terms with what I am already! So just do me, ya rotten cadaver! Or are you too scared to try, huh?”“Wait wait wait wait,” Rikku said, pushing him out of the way and taking a step forward. “What do you mean, impossible? I’m a real person! Braska even tried to Send me once and failed! Hello?”“Is that what you think, girl?” Yunalesca broke out into peals of laughter. “This is wonderful! I haven’t been so amused in centuries.” She turned to Braska, clapping her hands together. “Truly you are unique, my Lord. Bringing with you not one, but two aeons.”The hum of the pyreflies echoed across the suddenly silent floor. For a moment Rikku felt like she really was falling into the void, because she couldn’t feel the floor under her feet. Her heart thundered in her ears, drowning out all other sounds.
What?
Awareness prickled; everyone was looking at her. And Yunalesca was laughing. Rikku came back to herself with a snap, anger sparking. “No way! Don’t tell me you believe her!” She pointed a finger at Yunalesca. “You’ve got it all wrong!” Adrenaline spiking, she began bouncing on her heels, preparing for a fight.Yunalesca sighed. “Such ignorance. I see that Bahamut has been taking liberties in my absence. I shall have to find a way to punish him later,” she mused. “This is why I detest it when children are turned into Fayth. They never lose that spark of petulance.” Her bright eyes turned towards Rikku. “Yes, even you, my poor, lost child. Look at the fire in your eyes. I can see what you’re thinking. How you long to attack me and deny your truth. Shall I show you the extent of your power?”Yunalesca’s arm came up in a sudden motion, and the cry of the pyreflies swelled.“Aaah—!” A familiar pain and shock descended on her; fire raced down her spine as her muscles locked and time slowed. It felt like a thousand burning needles were piercing her skin, trying to tear her apart. Pure, raw magic flooded through her; she was going to disintegrate right before everyone, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. This time was much worse than any of her experiences in the Chambers of various Fayths; this was more akin to the first time she’d donned her Garment Grid in Bevelle. It was pure agony.Yunalesca snapped her fingers, lowering her arm, and Rikku collapsed. She would’ve ended up as an insensate heap on the ground if not for Auron, who caught her as she sagged.“No,” she whispered, blood roaring in her ears and panic setting in. “What did you do?” she gasped, staring at Yunalesca in real fear through the black spots speckling her vision. “I did nothing, child,” Yunalesca replied imperiously, crossing her arms. “But it matters little who summoned you. I am the Lady Yunalesca Yevon, the second greatest Summoner in all of Spira’s history!” Her lips slanted into a cruel smile, and she flicked her gaze towards Jecht. “You should both consider that carefully before you make any further pathetic attempts at rebellion.”The threat was hollow, because the fight seemed to have seeped out of Jecht at Yunalesca’s revelation. He kneeled and looked at Rikku knowingly, his eyes pained. “Oh, Blondie. You ain’t a time traveler, are ya.”She shut her eyes and shook her head in denial. Auron’s arms tightened around her, but she couldn’t look at his face; she didn’t want to see Braska’s, either.
I can’t be a Fayth. I can’t be. I’m real!
“Time travel?” Yunalesca’s voice was an unwelcome intrusion, but she continued to flay Rikku open with her words relentlessly. “Time is linear. A physical body can only move forward through it. You, an Al Bhed of all people, believing in such fanciful lies? Your kind prescribes to no superstition. You are a descendent of the Bedohls, Bevelle’s finest machina warriors.” Yunalesca’s tone was acidic; she made the description sound like an insult rather than a compliment. “If nothing else, your tainted blood should know this best.”Every fiber of her being strained in denial. “I… I have a real body! I had a mom! I still have a dad! Friends, family!” She hated the desperation she heard in her own voice. “I have a whole life of my own!” She wanted to die for sounding so weak. No, she wanted to kill Yunalesca again. Yunalesca towered over her, silver hair fanning out behind her and blocking Rikku’s view of the stars. “That life ended the moment you were summoned here, girl. You are but a dream, and your body the fuel to power it. You will have no Fayth stone here, because you already are one.” She stalked back over to Braska. “Now, my Lord, you understand why I believe those two are unfit. Your bond must be formed from the strength of real flesh and blood. None other could have a hope of defeating Sin. Allow me to grant you the power of the Final Aeon with your one true Guardian.” And like that, she was dismissed from Yunalesca’s awareness… just like any other summon.“Rikku,” Auron said, his voice low and desperate. “Rikku, look at me. Please.”She couldn’t; her eyes were locked on the woman who’d just ruined her life. Was it even a life?Braska didn’t seem to share Auron’s concern; he continued acting unsurprised, ignoring her just as easily as Yunalesca had. It hurt a little, but she knew better than to accept his nonchalant demeanor at face value.“Shall we begin?” Yunalesca asked, smiling at Braska.His answer to her was hesitant and slow. “I’m honored by your favor, my Lady, but first… is there truly any hope of the Final Aeon defeating Sin?” Yunalesca pursed her lips, her expression tender. “Hope… is comforting. It allows us to accept fate, however tragic it might be.”She’s lying. She’s lying about everything! Rikku opened her mouth, trying to make a sound, but all she could do was wheeze. The remnants of Yunalesca’s vicious control echoed through her body; she shivered violently, her breath coming shallow, rapid pants.“Take it slow,” she heard Jecht saying, feeling his fingers wrap around her shoulder. “You gotta keep breathin’, Rikku.”“Must I truly die?” she heard Braska ask even more softly.Auron’s arms tightened around her.Yunalesca’s pitiless eyes remained a hard contrast to the deceptive gentleness of her voice. “If you wish to defeat Sin, it is inevitable.”“Then…” Braska’s steps sounded across the stone floor. He was coming closer to them. A new, different fission of fear passed through her. She tried to shield Auron with arms that wouldn’t fully cooperate, her movements clumsy. No. No, you can’t choose him!Jecht released her and stepped in front both of them. “Don’t do it, B.” He slammed his blade into the ground like a wall between Auron and the two summoners. But Braska wasn’t looking at either her or Auron. He stopped in front of Jecht, appraising him. “You’re a good man,” he finally said, losing some of the tension in his posture. “Thank you for protecting them even now. Rest assured, I’ll honor your wishes.”Yunalesca stopped, her pleased expression dropping. “What?”Even through her pain, Rikku viciously savored the other woman’s look of disgruntled surprise.Braska kept his amicable mask still firmly in place. “My Lady. You told me if my will was strong enough, I would have the power to make anyone mine.” He smiled at Jecht, this time more genuine. “Well then, my friend. Are you still willing to accompany me on this, our last journey together?”“No!” Yunalesca screeched, her hair lashing out in agitated whips. “You would choose that… that… thing as your bond? You defile the sacred ritual with your blasphemy!”Braska turned to look at Yunalesca evenly. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve defiled the Church, my Lady. Furthermore…” His knuckles whitened around his staff. “Jecht is not a thing. He’s my Guardian. And I choose him as my Fayth.” His voice was firm and rich, and in it, Rikku heard the truth. That he didn’t care. Not about Jecht’s origins… nor her own. For Braska, Yunalesca’s revelations had changed nothing.It was glorious and terrible, all at the same time.Jecht's mouth opened and closed, and then he shrugged, blooming into a smug grin. “Yeah. I accept, Braska.” He smirked at Yunalesca. “Got that? It don’t matter if I’m real or not. Only if he thinks so. Now are you gonna eat them words about bein’ able to make Final Aeons, or are all you dead people nothin’ but talk?”Yunalesca’s eyes darted to Braska and she grit her teeth, her hair continuing to lash out and send chips of stone flying wherever they struck. “You…” She closed her eyes, and abruptly the cries of the agitated pyreflies grew quiet. She settled herself, her hair winding docilely back around her body. “Very well. I can see your determination. But,” she said, her voice growing sharp as she flicked a wrist at Auron and Rikku, still huddled together on the floor. “Those two must leave. The ritual is sullied enough. I will not allow it.”Her gaze towards Rikku was filled with malice, and instinctively Rikku pressed herself against Auron, her tremors returning.“Let’s go,” Auron whispered, lifting her to her feet. She let him pull her along with him, away from Yunalesca’s burning gaze.The exited and the heavy doors shut behind them with a sense of finality. Rikku took another deep breath, then let out a soft sob. “Sorry. That was—well, whew, right? I guess I ruined it. Your plan to stop them, I mean. I suck. I didn’t know. I didn’t even realize what I was! I should’ve guessed, though. What normal person freezes up in the Cloisters? It’s so unfair, right? I messed up your whole plan, and I’m not even real or anything! Does that make me a fake? I don’t think I’m a fake because I didn’t think fakes would feel stuff. And I am definitely feeling some stuff right now. Lots and lots of stuff.” A crazed giggle escaped as she gasped for breath. “I didn’t even come here on my own! Someone brought me! I was summoned here! I’m nothing but a big lie—!”She stopped babbling when Auron sealed his mouth against hers, swallowing her words. She froze in his arms, and then, when he refused to release her, melted against him. He didn’t stop kissing her even then, instead parting her lips with his tongue. It was only when she was starting to grow light-headed and tingly from lack of oxygen that he backed away. They both spent a long moment gulping in air in deep, needy breaths.“Uh,” she started.“Do you think I care?” He cut her off, sounding angry, and grabbed her shoulders to give her a frustrated shake. “Did you think anything I ever said to Jecht about it wouldn’t apply to you as well? I love you.”She felt an apology forming on her lips, but realized he’d probably blow up if it actually manifested. “I- I know,” she amended lamely. “I mean, I love you too!”He laughed and leaned against her, letting his arms drop around her sides. Then he let out a low sigh. “I failed.”“You tried,” Rikku said, returning his loose hug. She wanted to soothe him, but her thoughts were still churning, unable to accept Yunalesca’s words. In the middle of her attempt to be an understanding audience for Auron’s own problems, her mind kept whirling back into maddening circles about herself. “I’m an aeon?” she blurted suddenly, unable to contain it. “What the heck?!”Auron let out another laugh, even though his expression was laced with frustration. “You never change. And it doesn’t matter. You’re real enough to me.” He looked at the door, just as unable to focus on her problems as she was on his. “What should we do? Do we wait? Is Jecht… was that it? I didn’t even say goodbye to him.”“I don’t know,” Rikku admitted, huddling closer. “I’ve never done this before, either. This,” she said, waving her hand abstractedly at the chamber. “This was never part of Yunie’s Pilgrimage.” Was I ever part of Yunie’s Pilgrimage either?Auron sighed. “Then all we can do is wait.” He latched onto her hand. “Stay with me?”Rikku ducked her head and nodded, clutching on to Auron like a tether to sanity as he led her down the stairs.
.x.x.x.
A bonfire crackled merrily in the corner of the room, fed by bits of torn tapestry and broken wooden statues. It was ruining the solemn ambience of the sanctum and completely destroying the decor, which was exactly why Rikku had made it so disproportionately large.“Do you think the ritual failed?” Auron asked, his heel tapping nervously against the floor. He was leaning against the wall, his eyes glued to the double doors at the top of the steps. “How long is it supposed to take?”“Don’t look at me!” Rikku chided, pacing around the fire. “I mean, if it’s anything like obtaining a normal Fayth, it could be hours. It used to take that long in the beginning for Braska and Yunie. And well… I mean, I guess this one is harder than normal? Maybe?” She kicked her feet over the stone floor. “I wonder where all the Fayth stones went, though? Yunalesca’s been making Guardians into Fayths for a thousand years now, right? They’ve gotta end up somewhere.”The sound of the double doors creaking open had Auron scrambling to his feet and Rikku whirling to face it with matching expressions of dread.“… Wow. Geez, don’t look so happy to see me or anythin’,” Jecht said as soon as he caught sight of them.Auron sank to his hands and knees, sagging in relief. Rikku’s feet were faster, carrying her up the steps. She barreled into Jecht’s arms, hugging him with a loud wail and sending him staggering back – right into Braska, who nearly fell over. Rikku grabbed him and pulled him in for a group hug.“H-how?!” she sobbed, holding onto both of them as though they’d disappear if she let go. “How come you’re both still here?”Jecht gently plucked her off and helped Braska – obviously weakened – down the steps towards Auron, who was picking himself up off the ground. “Hell if I know. The dead chick said the same thing to me ‘bout already bein’ stoned. Which I guess is why I’m still here.” He stuck a finger in his ear and cleaned it out it a profanely disgusting human gesture. “Y’know, I don’t think she likes me much.” He flicked his finger into the chamber with a rude smirk. “So you mean the ritual did fail!” Auron said, hope rising in his voice as he grabbed Braska and enveloped him in a tight embrace.Surprised at the open display of affection, Braska was slow to return Auron’s the gesture, though his arms eventually did tighten around the other man. He spent a few moments just holding on. Longer, maybe, than Auron was comfortable with, but neither of them made a move to break apart. Looking over Auron's back, Rikku watched Braska’s face betray him. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut and she finally knew just how panicked he’d really been under all of that calm, fearing that Yunalesca was going to transform Auron even without his permission. Finally, he let go and stepped back.“It didn’t,” Braska said quietly. He brought a hand to his chest, grasping at his robes, and Jecht’s hand mirrored the motion in perfect sync. “We succeeded. But as Jecht said, Yunalesca was unable to trap his body in stone.” He smiled at Jecht. “Your unique nature saved you, my friend.”“Yeah, well,” Jecht said, rubbing the back of his head. “Being a dream’s got its perks I guess.” He stopped and crossed his arms, looking serious. “But it ain’t all roses. I’m a part of Braska now. I can feel him, y’know? Like… we’re connected somehow.” He grimaced. “I think… once Braska calls on me, I’m gonna change. Don’t know how. She didn’t either,” he said, tilting his head towards the double doors. “Maybe I’ll never be able to go back. Guess we’ll find out, huh?”Auron scowled. “How can either of you be fine with any of this?”Braska sighed and Jecht reached for him, supporting his weight. “Because it’s necessary, Auron. This is what it takes to defeat Sin.” He gave Jecht’s arm a pat and straightened. “I’ve no wish to stay here in the presence of that woman. Let’s leave; we can talk outside.”He stopped and regarded Rikku. “And you? Are you –?”“I don’t know. How are you supposed to feel when someone tells you you’re not real?”“Like shit,” Jecht answered for her, raising a hand. “But I mean, only for a little while. It’s your life, right? Mopin’ around about it is like lettin’ all the haters win. So what if we’re dreams? Dreams are awesome.”“Well, yeah,” Rikku said, feeling warmer from his words than from any fire she’d made. Lifting a hand, she danced in place. “I’m not gonna let some thousand-year-old dead woman stop me now!”“It still raises more questions than it answers, though,” Braska said as he led them towards the exit. “Who really summoned either of you? Who can maintain that sort of power for so long? Is the future you’re convinced of even real? I’d question it, but…” He squinted, and didn’t say what they were all thinking; her memories of Yuna, Tidus, and Auron seemed entirely too detailed and accurate to have been complete fantasy. “The answer must lie in your own time. Perhaps someone sent you to us for a reason.”“I bet Bahamut knows,” Rikku said, gritting her teeth. “He could have warned me about any of this!”Braska shook his head. “Would he though? You’ve been called his pawn, even by our own allies.”“Perhaps you were sent to us to change history,” Auron said fervently. “To keep any more Summoners from being sacrificed in the final battle. You said it yourself. Jecht is unique. Maybe Braska won’t die if he summons Jecht.” “Auron, give it a rest,” Jecht groaned, climbing back into the dilapidated outer chamber. He stopped on the steps, crossing his arms. “Look. Say Yunalesca’s right, and I end up biting it when Braska calls on me. Can I ask you one last favor? Uh…” He opened his mouth, then looked at Braska and thought of something, wincing. “Nah… Never mind.”“Out with it!” Auron growled impatiently.“Okay.” Jecht sighed. “Listen good. Take care of Tidus. My son, in Zanarkand. He’s such a crybaby. He needs someone there to hold his hand, see? Take care of him, will you?”Auron stopped in surprise. “What?”Jecht scowled. “Look, everyone can see you did a real good job with Yuna already. Plus, you’ll have Blondie on your side. You could be like... the best badass team my boy could ever have on his side. Nobody’ll mess with that crybaby with you two around.” He grinned faintly, obviously thinking of Rikku’s vision of the future by the campfire. “Or better yet. Just bring him along so he can meet Yuna.”“But how am I supposed to go to Zanarkand?”Jecht’s eyes gleamed, and a bit of that maniacal devotion to his plan, the one that made him brazen enough to challenge Yunalesca, shone through. “Hey! You said it yourself! There must be a way to get there, right? You’ll find it.”Auron stared at Jecht in disbelief, and then shook his head. “All right. I will.” He looked up, entirely serious. “I give you my word,” he swore. “I’ll take care of your son. I’ll guard him with my life.”“Thanks, Auron,” Jecht said, hearing the gravity of Auron’s vow. His eyes misted slightly, and he leaned forward, pulling Auron into a bear hug. Rikku stifled a fond smile at Auron’s surprised expression; he’d probably been hugged more times today than he had in his entire life, going so far as to even initiate one with Braska. He was so far out of his comfort zone that it took him a moment to return Jecht’s gesture.“You were always such a stiff,” Jecht laughed, pounding Auron on the back. “But that’s what I liked about you.” He let Auron go, catching sight of the other man’s dismayed face, and threw his head back and laughed.Stifling a smile, Braska turned and continued down the hallway. “We will have to return to Gagazet. The best place to challenge Sin would be the Calm Lands; we’re less likely to incur casualties if we battle it there.” He paused at the entrance to the sphere dome, glancing out warily for any sign of the Defender that had harried them on the way in. “Of course, we will have to make it there in one piece first.”“But how are we supposed to get Sin to come to the Calm Lands?” Rikku asked, and Braska looked surprised.“Hmm? Do you mean Yuna didn’t fight it there?”Rikku scratched her cheek, trying to think of the best way to break the existence of airships to the others, then shrugged it off. “Uh, well, we didn’t. It’s complicated, but Sin… it came to us, not the other way around.”Rather than looking surprised, Braska nodded slowly. “Yes… Yunalesca hinted that much might happen. Sin is drawn to powerful aeons. Traditionally, it would appear if a High Summoner were to call upon their Final Aeon and wait. And that is why Summoners always wait in the Calm Lands.”“Huh,” Rikku said. “I never knew that.” Her mind began turning, processing the new information Yunalesca had provided. When Jecht had turned into Sin, they’d been able to lure him by using the Hymn. This Sin, however, wasn’t Jecht. There was no guarantee the same tactic would work even if they could get the populace of Spira behind them for the greatest flash mob concert of all time. But of course there had to have been some other way the other High Summoners had done it before; they’d been battling against Sin in the Calm Lands for a thousand years. Her heart began beating fast as she considered their options.“Maybe…” She stole a glance at Jecht. “Maybe you don’t have to use Jecht as the bait to do it, then. Maybe you don’t have to summon him at all.”Jecht frowned. “Blondie –”“No, I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out first!” She glared at Jecht, knowing full well that he was secretly hoping to obtain a body that could travel to Dream Zanarkand when Braska transformed him. “I know why High Summoners die when they call the Final Aeon. And it’s not calling the Final Aeon that kills them.” She thought of Seymour, standing proudly in Luca while wielding Anima like a weapon. He hadn’t even been dead that time! “It’s battling Sin that kills the Summoner. I think it wouldn’t even really matter what aeon Braska used if he fought. Because Sin… isn’t Spira’s real problem. ”“Rikku? What are you trying to say?” The hope in Auron’s voice scared her; it was asking her to carry the weight of two worlds, even if he didn’t realize what he was doing.
Maybe… if I’m not real, then this is what I was made for.
“See, Yunie and Tidus, they figured out Sin’s secret. Why it always comes back. It’s because Sin is an aeon, too. An aeon that forms armor around its Summoner.” Even though she’d shut her eyes, she could feel them watching her; feel the two timelines she’d lived through converging and the pressure building to save them both. “Sin is the creation of the greatest High Summoner in Spira, Yu Yevon.”“Yunalesca said she was the second greatest Summoner,” Braska said slowly. “Lady Yunalesca Yevon.”Rikku nodded. “He’s her father. And he’s still… well, definitely not alive, but still continuously summoning inside.” She carefully left out what he was summoning, letting them all believe what she’d implied – that it was the enormous flying fiend-whale that the rest of Spira had named Sin. The weight on her back grew heavier. “Maybe destiny does exist,” she murmured, sinking to her knees and wrapping her arms around them, knowing she was making what she thought was the least bad choice out of no real good ones. “I believe it’s Yunie’s destiny to defeat Sin and bring the Eternal Calm, and not die while she’s doing it,” she continued, louder so that they could hear her. “That’s already history in my time. It’s something I don’t want to change.”A feeling of faint hope twisted itself around a heavy anchor of pain. Her mind wouldn’t stop calculating the possibilities, though; she forced herself to keep going.“So maybe I just need to change how we get to that point. Maybe there’s a way to do this without anybody dying.” She kept her voice light and eyes closed, because it was a lie. The mother of all lies, and one she couldn’t afford to let them know she was telling. Auron knew her too well. And Braska was both a consummate liar and an unusually perceptive lie detector. But most of all, Jecht could never find out. He didn’t have anything tying him to Spira, not the way Tidus had Yuna. And Jecht loved Tidus more than anything else in the real world; if he knew the truth, it’d make him dangerous. It was a cruel choice she was making to ensure Auron, Braska, and Yuna’s happiness, because she couldn’t change the price of the sacrifice that would be required to bring the Eternal Calm. Killing Yu Yevon meant ending Jecht and Tidus’ existence; they were both inexorably bound to Spira’s fate. Ultimately, all she could do was mitigate the damage. She could try to save Auron and Braska, and give Jecht the chance to be a father to his son, even let Tidus to fall in love with Yuna all over again. It wouldn’t change the fact that Jecht and Tidus – and maybe even herself – were doomed to disappear with the advent of the Eternal Calm. But if Dream Zanarkand was going to be destroyed anyway, Rikku was willing to force it to carry the entire burden of the sacrifice in place of the summoners of Spira.At least, that’s what she told herself. Deep down, she knew what she was really doing. She’d spent enough time around both Jecht and Tidus to know they were real. Heck, she needed to believe she was just as real, too. After all, Jecht’s Zanarkand wasn’t an abstract dream of the Fayth; it was a place with real people who lived and died in it, all with their own hopes and dreams and thoughts and feelings. If Tidus could love Yuna and if she could love Auron… she knew perfectly well that she was making a choice to destroy an entire city of people. And she was lying to Jecht to do it. The only one of us who never deserved to pay this price. Her shoulders twitched; she felt miserable. But she thought of Yuna, and kept the smile on her face when she opened her eyes.Braska was looking at her. “But how?” he asked softly, unwilling to yet put his faith completely in the fragile thread of hope she was spinning for them all.“We’ve already destroyed pieces of Sin before by piercing that armor. Usually, only a Final Aeon is strong enough to do that by itself, but we had Keyakku helping us with his machina gun back then. And that’s the point! You don’t need a Final Aeon to destroy Sin’s body… you just need enough power.”She rocked on her feet, her words gaining momentum. “And we’ve already got that power! You have two Final Aeons, right? So what if they’re not yours! We could just use them to lure Sin to us instead of Jecht. I think if we don’t try to touch Yu Yevon and just hurt his armor enough, it’ll take him a while to rebuild it into a new ‘Sin.’ No one in Spira would know the difference as long the attacks stopped. It’d be… like… a fake Calm! And eventually, when Sin came back… then… then maybe Yunie would still go on her own Pilgrimage.”“So you’re sayin’… Braska don’t need to change me at all?” Jecht said slowly. “I can stay human?” He obviously had mixed feelings about that, considering how he’d hung everything on a chance to evolve into a form that could pierce into Dream Zanarkand. “Why can’t we just kill that Yu Yevon bastard ourselves then?”“I don’t think Sin would let us do that so easily,” Rikku huffed.“Wha, I thought you said Sin was just a big Yu Yevon suit,” Jecht scoffed. “Why stop at breakin’ his gear?”Rikku tapped her chin. “That’s the thing. Sin isn’t gear, Jecht. Sin’s an aeon. It might have been corrupted by Yu Yevon, but it was once human, too.”“It’s a Guardian,” Braska, said, comprehension finally dawning. “The High Summoner’s chosen Guardian becomes the Final Aeon. And then High Summoner dies when Yu Yevon breaks the Rapture and steals the Final Aeon to replace his broken armor. That is why the cycle always continues.”“Wha?! Waitaminute,” Jecht said, eyes popping open and looking alarmed. “I didn’t sign up to become the next Sin!”“There must be a catch,” Auron interjected. “In a thousand years, not a single High Summoner has ever managed to kill Yu Yevon, then, even if his armor was defeated.”Steeling herself, Rikku carefully began weaving the lie that would trap Dream Zanarkand in its fate. “It’s because Yu Yevon isn’t really human anymore either. Not like Yunalesca, at least. You already saw that hair of hers, right? Her dad’s worse. The only thing that could touch him would be a powerful aeon. Nothing else will work. But if you face him with an aeon out, well then… Sin comes right back. It’s a never-ending spiral. There’s never been a pair of High Summoners before. It’s always just one Summoner doing all the work with one aeon.”Jecht rubbed his chin. “So y’mean you just wanna knock ‘im out an’ not kill ‘im. That way, nobody dies while we’re doin’ it… ‘cept the people Sin attacks to let the world know he’s back in action a few decades down the road.” She could feel the disapproval laced through his critique.“This is not the place to have this discussion,” Auron said as he watched her, sensing something off. He glanced out into the sphere dome. “We’ll return to Mount Gagazet first. Nothing good can come of staying in the city of the dead.”They nodded in agreement, and Rikku welcomed the respite. Still, she was glad when Jecht chose to attach himself to Braska’s side, helping the weakened Summoner through the rest of the ruins. Auron stayed beside her, guiding her through. Grateful as she was for it, it still felt a little too much like she was picking sides.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Somehow, they made it out of the dome. It was mostly a blur to Rikku; her limbs felt sapped of strength from Yunalesca’s attack. After the first few times she stumbled and nearly fell, Auron lifted her into his arms and carried her across the broken rubble. She felt ashamed of her weakness, but the thought of trying to activate her Garment Grid to loan herself some power filled her with nausea. Even Braska was doing better than her, though Jecht was practically dragging the summoner behind him.They all knew they couldn’t keep fumbling their escape through Zanarkand; it’d been hard enough getting through the first time. Halfway through the dome, Auron diverted them towards an underpass to hide.“This is too difficult,” he told Jecht. “Neither of us can fight and carry them at the same time. We have to stop.”“I’m sorry,” Braska said, leaning against the rubble. “I simply… need a moment to catch my breath.”The echo of phantom footsteps running through the dome punctuated by gunfire sent them into a tense silence; they all drew as far back into the shadows as they could.“We can’t stay,” Auron said after the danger had passed. “Those Unsent soldiers appear and disappear just as randomly as the memories that play back over time. Between them, the fiends, and the machina, we’ll be torn apart if we try to rest here.”“Wait,” Rikku said, feeling ashamed. Some aeon you are. “Maybe I should try using my Grid.” She placed her hand on her belt, but Auron pushed it away.“You are in no shape to attempt that.”“But I feel so useless!” she protested. “And my costumes could really help us out here.”“No-” Auron began, shaking his head, but Braska stood up.“She’s right, Auron. We should use her powers.” He moved to their side and kneeled, looking at Rikku. “Do you trust me?”Suspicious. She eyed Braska warily. “Why’re you asking?”Braska held out a hand, his palm open. “Your belt. It helped us survive in Baaj.”He wasn’t wrong. Braska had always been the one person capable of squeezing the most power out of her Garment Grid. Still, given his personality… “Don’t you dare activate your own sphere,” she warned him, fumbling with the clasp of her belt. The underlying thrum of magic energy the Grid provided vanished, releasing a tension inside that she hadn’t known she’d been holding onto. She let out a breath of relief, slackening against Auron’s chest.Auron frowned with dismay, though he did help her remove the belt completely. “I’m sure this plan will go flawlessly," he deadpanned, handing it over to Braska. “It may be pointless to ask, but could you at least try to control yourself?”“Whatever do you mean?” Braska looked pleased as he donned the Grid. He stilled for a moment, his eyes closing, then opened them again and flexed his palm, acclimating to the supplemental magic power. “Whoa,” Jecht said, shifting uneasily on his feet. Once again, his own hand mirrored Braska’s motions. “Damn, B. That thing’s got a lotta power. Even I can feel it.”“Yes. It’s a strange experience every time,” Braska mused. “Still, I believe it will be a great help to us. Thank you, Rikku.” He stood up, stretching his arms over his head. “I feel stronger already.” More noise echoed over the walkway above them, and he sobered. “We should proceed.”“You sure?” Jecht asked uneasily, still watching Braska like a mother hen. At Braska’s confident nod, he sighed. “Auron, you ready?”Rikku let out a squeak and wrapped her arms around Auron’s neck as he hefted her into a princess carry. It was sweet… and also concerning, since it meant he wouldn’t be fighting at all. He read some of the worry in her face and gave her a fleeting smile. “Trust me.” It dropped away when he looked at Jecht and Braska. “And I trust you both, too.”Braska smiled and Jecht gave Auron a salute. “So, lemmie go firs—B? Oi, B!” Braska brushed by Jecht, the smile on his face widening. He stepped out from the underpass, and light bloomed as he activated one of her dresspheres.Jecht froze. “Uh-oh.” He looked down; the pattern forming around Braska’s feet was being mirrored under his own. His eyes widened. “Take it back! Take it back!” he yelled, dancing not-entirely-willingly after the summoner.It was too late for that; Rikku covered her face and tried to stifle her laugh as Braska’s Songstress incarnation took to the stage. His patent leather pants were indecently tight, and the bright crop-top shirt and leather jacket he was wearing over rode up as he snatched his microphone out of the air, exposing generous amounts of skin. “Everybody look at me! Me! I walk in the door, you start screaming!”Auron’s jaw was working; he looked annoyed and regretful all at the same time. “Subtlety—” he began.“Is not happening,” Rikku finished, still snorting. Floodlights exploded across the entirety of the former sphere pool and a sensuous beat sounded with each step he took. He flipped his head back, tracing a hand down his chest and abdomen seductively and gyrating his hips. Even better yet, Jecht was mirroring his motions with a dismayed look on his face, much like a backup dancer.Auron dropped his head into her mop of hair with resignation, shielding his eyes from the bright light. “I knew I was going to regret this.”“Uh, guys?” Jecht called out as everything that moved and some things that shouldn’t have turned in their direction. “If anythin’ in didn’t spot us before, they sure as hell have now!” He made a few pointed pelvic thrusts at their building audience. Undeterred, Braska continued dancing towards the onrush of fiends scrabbling over the ruins to meet them. A few of the ancient machina made it first: a pair of YAT-97 cannons easily flew over the rubble. The dual barrels of their guns sparkled with energy, preparing to fire. Hopping behind them came their YKT-11 bodyguards. Rikku had less-than-affectionately dubbed the combination patrol ‘The Rockettes’ during Yuna’s Pilgrimage. “Maybe you should put me down and get out your sword,” she said nervously, patting Auron’s chest. “Those things kinda hurt when they kick you.”Braska sunk into a low crouch and swayed, pointing his finger and sweeping his arm out at all four of the machina rushing towards him. “Come on, everybody, what you here for? Move your body around like a nympho!” As he pointed, tendrils of his magic snaked out and wormed their way through each of the machina. They stalled, shaking in place. Then they slowly spread out to form a perimeter around the group.“Oh?” Jecht sidled his way to the front. Even though he was still dancing, he managed to pull out the Fang. “Oh!” he repeated, catching on with a grin, his sway turning into something more like a battle crouch.“Everybody get your necks to crack around! All you crazy people, come on, jump around,” Braska sang, flicking his fingers at the machina cannons. There were a few deceptively soft pops, and then the dome filled with the roar of gunfire as the cannons laid into the Unsent monks and fiends trying to approach. Jecht began his own dance, weirdly in sync with Braska’s, taking care of what made it through the defensive line with his sword. They started inching forward, one melodic step at a time.“I can’t believe this is actually working,” Auron said, keeping well out of Braska’s way as he followed after the entourage.“He’s a lot better at using the Grid than I am,” Rikku explained, watching as the magic took hold of another approaching floating cannon, forcing it into their machina vanguard. “Uh-oh,” she said as the Defender that had been chasing them earlier lumbered into view.Unphased, Braska continued singing, though he stopped moving forward. Instead, he swept his hand out at the huge machina. “I wanna see you all on your knees, knees,” he demanded, his finger pointing towards the ground. Metal screeched and groaned in protest. The Defender, struggling, fell to one knee. “You either wanna be with me, or be me.” Braska snapped his finger, and the magic encased the huge machina completely. It lumbered to its feet, then charged into the Black Element that was fast approaching them, smashing it out of the air with a huge fist.“Come on, now!” Jecht cheered when they started moving again, this time more speedily with the Defender clearing the path for them. As they made their way towards the exit of the dome, though, Rikku’s giggles died out; Braska was still singing, and she heard every word he was saying.“Dream Eater, make you work hard, make you spend hard, make you want all of her love! She’s a Dream Eater, make you see stars, make you fall hard, wish you never met her at all…”Even at the quick pace they were traveling, she felt Auron stiffen. “He still wants you that much,” he said lowly. “Do I even have the right to be angry at him?”“You doin’ anything to keep her by your side, because she said love you, love you long time,” Braska sang.Auron grimaced and Rikku hid her face against his chest, embarrassed. She wasn’t able to answer his question, either. “Maybe we can decide how we want to feel about that after we’ve dealt with Sin.” She pressed her fingers into Auron’s neck. “Together.”They made it out of the dome in one piece; Braska left his subjugated machina inside to continue dealing with the remaining fiends and undead. They hurried down the broken highway, finally stopping near some ruins that provided enough cover to hide from the wandering fiends on the streets. Panting, Braska released his hold on the dressphere. He fell over almost immediately, the excess energy provided by Lenne’s spirit leaving him as quickly as his costume did.“Well,” he said, rolling onto his back. “We made it.”Jecht plopped down next to him, arms crossed. “Damn it, B! A superstar like me ain’t supposed to be playin’ second fiddle!” He shifted over to help Auron settle her on the ground.“Don’t worry, you still had some nice moves.” Rikku patted Jecht’s arm soothingly. “I thought you were the best out of all his backup dancers!”Jecht grunted sullenly. “I was the only one with all my arms an’ legs.”Auron joined them, rolling his shoulders and wincing before he sat. “Enough banter. We have more pressing problems to deal with. Should we rest here or continue out of the city?” He eyed Braska, who was still lolling over the ground in a wide sprawl.Rikku dropped her chin onto her knees, drawing herself into a ball. “It’s not that much safer out here than in the Dome. Less dead people, but a lot more fiends. And they’re bigger, too! I don’t think we should stick around.” Privately, she dreaded the thought of airing her precious memories in the pyrefly-laden city more than any chance meeting with a wandering fiend, but they didn’t need to know that.Auron prodded Braska in the side with the toe of his boot. “Can you move?”“I would prefer not to,” Braska groaned, though he did pull himself upright. “But I think I will manage, so long as we keep a sedate pace.” They took a moment to rest and drink before rousing for another journey. Auron moved to pick her up again, but Rikku pushed him away. “No,” she said, taking his hand instead and standing. She swayed for a moment before finding her balance. “I want to walk out of here on my own two feet.”Auron regarded her for a moment. “Then Jecht and I will lead and clear the path.” He looked at their joined hands and sighed. “And Braska will protect you.” “Hey! I’m supposed to be the Guardian here!” she protested, but he gently pulled her forward and released her hand into the crook of Braska’s elbow, who seemed just as surprised as she was.“Auron? With the black magic in this belt, I could be Jecht’s support instead.”“Hnn,” Auron snorted, drawing his sword. “You’ll both be moving too slowly regardless. This is more efficient.” He looked at Rikku again. “Be safe,” he murmured, the back of his hand brushing against her cheek. Don’t leave me, he didn’t say, but she heard it anyway.“You too,” she whispered back. They set out slowly, Auron and Jecht soon pulling far ahead on the highway. From time to time, she’d see bursts of pyreflies indicating their battles; if not for the irregular light shows, though, it might have simply been a peaceful stroll through the ruins, linked arm in arm with Braska.“Would you like to talk about it?” Braska said carefully after some time.Rikku bit her lip. She thought of how he’d kept his unflappable cool when Yunalesca dropped her bomb.‘You didn’t tell her?’ Yunalesca had said.“Did you know?”Braska sighed, dropping his head. His other hand came up to cover hers. “I’ve always known there was something different about you and Jecht, from the first moment we met in Bevelle’s dungeons. But no, I wouldn’t have been able to name why specifically. It was more… of a feeling. A Summoner’s sensitivity, perhaps. I don’t know.” His fingers tightened on hers. “I am sorry. Perhaps I should have shared that with you. It might have softened the blow.” She giggled. “I don’t think there’s any softening that kind of blow, Braska.” Her smiled faded as they continued to walk slowly; the sun was rising, bathing Zanarkand in the soft pink of muted dawn light, fractured by the sea of pyreflies still moving sluggishly overhead. “I’m sure I was real at some point, though. My future definitely is. But… what happened to me? Who sent me here? And…” She fell quiet as a faint image of a younger Yuna on Pilgrimage appeared by the side of the road, her hands folded in front of her. “… can I ever go back?”“Did you still want to?” Braska asked, stopping to watch his daughter.“I don’t know. I guess it doesn’t matter anymore, right?” “I’ve found that what I want always matters.” Braska brushed his fingertips over her knuckles and then let his hand drop away.Yuna’s image faded, and they resumed their walk down the broken highway. “So,” she said carefully. “Do you really wish you’d never met me at all?”His answer came without any hesitation. “In some ways.” He laughed when she tripped, catching her before she could fall. “I owe you absolute honesty, at the least. My life… all of our lives, actually, would have been much simpler had you not intruded upon them.” He sighed. “But would we have even made it this far without your help?” He shrugged. “Besides. In a life filled with regrets, what’s one more?”“So I’m Auron’s suffering and your regret. You guys sure know how to make a girl feel special,” Rikku muttered.He laughed at her. “You could still choose to be my lover instead of my regret.”Rikku tripped again, and he laughed even more as he caught her. His fingers lingered at her side before he set her on her feet and released her. “I can settle for making you tongue-tied instead,” he relented.“Well, how about you then?” she asked when she recovered her dignity. “Do you still wanna die?”“Strangely enough, not anymore. I believed I was ready… but then you showed me Yuna.” He grew pensive. “You showed me what I’d given up in this mad quest for revenge and self-fulfillment. But… I don’t want to hope anymore, Rikku. I don’t recover well from my disappointment when those hopes are dashed.” He looked at her, his blue eyes bright. “If your way could work… if there’s a chance that I could be with Yuna, to watch her grow into that young woman… I would take it, and not look back.”“You think my plan might not work?”“If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the course of this Pilgrimage, it’s that plans rarely do. But I want you to know that if your way fails… if I need to sacrifice my life in order to see your ideal future become a reality… I would do so without hesitation. It would not be your, nor Auron’s, nor anyone’s fault. Nor would it be because of my regrets. I fight in my own way, even if it’s not as Jecht and Auron can. Everything I do will always be my own choice, and by my own will.” He stopped walking and drew her in, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “So don’t put such pressure on yourself to save us all.” He drew back and locked eyes with her. “You’re not the weaver of my fate, no matter what knowledge you think you hold about the future. To me, you’re just a person trying to do your best. As we all are.”“Thanks,” she mumbled, grabbing back onto his arm and settling into a comfortable silence as they continued down the road.
.x.x.x.
They scaled the path from Zanarkand back up to Mount Gagazet’s peak; entering the caverns inside was much easier without Yunalesca’s twisted fiend to hinder the journey. By the time they exited the dripping caverns of stagnant water to exit to the Fayth Scar, Rikku had mostly regained control over her body.Jecht loitered by the Scar when they passed it, his faced pinched. He searched the twisting sea of frozen flesh, as if he was looking for something – or maybe someone. “… Do you need some time?” Braska asked Jecht.“Huh. Yeah, go on,” Jecht said distractedly, crossing his arms. “I’ll catch up at the springs.” He noticed Rikku staring and waved her off. “Yeah, yeah, don’t touch it. Don’t worry, I won’t.”“Let’s go,” Auron said, guiding her towards the passage they’d melted through the mountain the day before. It had already shrunk by half from the cold winds and whipping snow, and he frowned. “We’ll need to widen this again so we can pass through safely.”“Stand back,” Braska told them both, raising his hand. Auron backed away a few paces, and Braska looked over his shoulder, then raised an eyebrow at Rikku. “Oh boy,” she said, grabbing a confused Auron and pushing him even further back, putting the bend of the mountainside between themselves and Braska.“Why?” he asked as she covered her ears.The answering blast of Braska’s super-powered firaga shook the ground. When they emerged, Braska was wiping soot off of his face, the rock was smoking, and the slim crack had widened enough to become a large passage that let the light flood into the darkened cavern of the hot springs.“That’s why,” she told Auron. “Are you still in one piece?” she called out to Braska.“I will need to make use of those springs,” he coughed, spitting out some soot.“Well, at least there’s no danger of Jecht be trapped outside,” Auron said, waving away the smoke to pass into the cavern first. After a moment, he emerged again. “Still no fiends. It’s safe enough for now.”Together, they descended towards the steaming springs. Rikku relaxed as the air grew warmer and humid, easing the mountain’s chill from her bones. She started stripping down to her undergarments as soon as she was in reach of the hot spring and waded in, moaning in relief as the water heated away the last of the soreness in her body from Yunalesca’s attack in the Dome.There was a crash, and she looked over her shoulder to see Braska picking himself up from where he’d been trying to place a glowing sphere along the rocky shelf. He dusted off the fallen sphere, placed it with exaggerated care, and then smiled at her, studiously keeping his eyes from dropping to her chest.Oh, right. She dropped back into the water in a crouch. Cruud.“Apologies,” he managed to say. The smile he couldn’t keep from lifting the corners of his lips was saying something else, though: Tease.She shifted her gaze to Auron, who was rubbing his temples. He caught her eye and crossed his arms, grimacing. He was saying something entirely different: Why did you do that?Pouting, she crossed one hand over her chest and raised the other, pinching her fingers together and releasing them in frustration. I forgot, alright? I can’t help it if Yevonites were raised to be allergic to skin!Auron scowled and swept his arm out towards Braska. Yevonite prudity? Please. You know exactly how he is.Braska, for his part, finished placing another sphere on the rock shelf to provide some light, then cleared his throat delicately. “This intense conversation you two are having with your eyes might be more productive if you used your mouths instead.” Then he waggled his eyebrows at Auron. Besides, I already saw.“Arg,” Rikku said, pulling on her goggles. “I’ll deal with both of you later.” Ignoring the two men completely, she flipped over and dove underwater, making full use of her Al Bhed lung capacity. She focused on taking slow, purposeful strokes, working out the kinks in her joints and making sure she could move freely again in the safety of the water’s warm embrace.She turned when she reached the bottom of the pool and let herself sink, watching what little light that shone through from the outside waver and fade into an indistinct speck.
I’m a dream of the Fayth?
Her fingers probed her abdomen, trying to see anything felt different, maybe more intangible. The solid resistance of skin still stopped her fingertips, as she expected. She let the current pull her hands away from her body. Then, clasping her fingers together, she gathered her courage and repeated her monster mantra.
Pyreflies, pyreflies, pyreflies. Only pyreflies!
She struck herself in the chest, trying to delve deeper as she searched her own memories: deeply rooted ones from Yuna’s first Pilgrimage; her sticky adolescent years with Gippal; even as far back as her own childhood with Cid, Brother, and Keyakku, when her family was still happy together.Rather than feeling her hand pass cleanly through and latch onto something solid, she knocked the air out of her own chest with the force of the self-inflicted blow. Choking, she managed to avoid gulping in the sulphurous water by force of will more than anything else and shot up to the surface, her lungs screaming for air. She broke the water violently, tossing her head back with a loud gasp that devolved into hacking coughs as her hands slapped the surface.“Rikku!” Auron sounded panicked; his sword was already in his hand and he’d waded into the springs to his thighs fully clothed. His eyes scanned the water intently for fiends.“N-no,” she coughed, holding out a hand and pounding her chest. “It’s fine! I did this to myself!” After a few more coughs, she ripped off her goggles and winced, looking down. “That’s gonna leave a bruise.” He waded through the water and stared, finally lifting a hand and placing it on the reddened patch in the center of her sternum. A Cure sparked to life, easing away the mark, but his hand stayed put, resting heavily against her chest. “Why did you hurt yourself?” he asked quietly.She scratched her cheek and looked away, putting her hands on her hips. “I was just… testing something out.”He leaned over and took his red coat off, draping it over her shoulders and tugging it closed. “You’re not any more an aeon than Jecht is,” he told her as he carefully worked long strands of her soaked hair free of the collar. “Don’t doubt who you are. Just continue to be yourself.”She traced the lazy whorls of steam rising from the surface of the pool with her hands and listened to the lap of water against stone. “… I always said stuff like that to Jecht, too.” Her fingers clutched at a few ephemeral tendrils rising from the water. “It’s not as easy as it sounds, though.”Auron pulled her in under one arm and walked her out of the water. Braska was watching them with tense concern; he only put his staff aside after reading Auron’s reaction. “Are you alright?” he asked her.“Solid enough,” Rikku answered with a tired wave.Braska nodded, not pressing the issue. He took in Auron’s soaked pants and sighed. “You’d best remove your clothes and let them dry.” Then he dropped his head and laughed, a low, genuine sound. “To think, it only took an entire Pilgrimage to get the both of you pantless before me.”Auron groaned as he sat down and pulled off his boots, and for the first time she noticed that he was sitting closer to Braska than usual; that hadn’t happened since he’d become aware of Braska’s attraction to her. “Oh, umm… did I interrupt something?” she asked suspiciously.“We were simply talking,” Braska answered lightly. Which of course meant that they’d been talking about something serious. Well, considering that Auron didn’t look like he wanted to decorate the cavern with Braska’s internal organs, it probably wasn’t about her.She also noticed the slight look of embarrassment on Auron’s face as he dug through his belongings for a spare set of clothing.“Oooh,” she said, comprehension dawning. They must’ve been talking about Braska’s feelings for Auron. She felt herself grinning; it was nice to be the observer for once, instead of one of the parties under scrutiny. Then, just because Braska had exercised such exquisite subtlety inside of the Dome, she decided to copy him. “So, umm, should I get back in the water so I won’t be the third wheel?”“No!” Auron shouted, fumbling to pull a new set of pants on too quickly. “That is… ” He took a look at her, then covered his face with one hand. It didn’t help; she could still see his ear turning red. “Put on some clothes, Rikku.”“Mm-hmm,” she said, meeting Braska’s amused glance and bursting into giggles. It was just too much fun making Auron, usually so tight-lipped, embarrassed. “Don’t worry so much! I don’t think Braska’s going to jump your bones.”Auron sat down stiffly between the two of them, shoving Rikku’s traveling outfit into her arms. “I don’t know where you get that confidence from. I’ve known him for far longer than you have. Now put your clothes on, please.”Braska shrugged innocently and turned away towards the water to grant them some privacy.After squeezing into her clothes, Rikku settled down on the sandy floor and leaned into Auron’s side. “So… I’m having an existential crisis, you’re processing Braska’s crush on you, and Jecht’s communing with his son outside. I’m kind of thinking facing down Sin will be a walk in the park after this.”Braska hummed, twisting back around to face them. “Do you know anything about that summoning outside?” he asked.Some of the weight crept back onto her shoulders as she shook her head. “Just that we call it the Scar in my time.” Because it’s a wound that had finally closed. “It’s been there since the beginning, a thousand years ago. I think it’s better if we just leave it alone.”“I see. ” Braska nodded, sensing the way she closed off that avenue of conversation. He didn’t relent, though, instead, trading a glance with Auron. “And did you find what you were looking for down there?” he asked, gesturing at the water.She opened and closed her hands, glad that they were empty; that her memories were all still inside. “Not really… but maybe that’s a good thing.” She pursed her lips. “And well… not that we’re in enough of a triangle already, but what about this thing between you and Jecht? He feels everything you do now or what?”Braska sighed, his hand coming to his chest again. She imagined Jecht, somewhere outside, copying him.“Not quite. I can feel his presence in me. As if I am holding on to the thread of his life, and if I were to tug it, I could snuff it out. It’s less an emotional connection and more like a burden I’ve chosen to carry. He feels my pain, and I… I feel the weight of his existence.” He looked unhappy. “It’s not an equivalent exchange. I wonder if it would have been if I and Jecht had felt for each other the way I do about either of you.” Then he shook his head. “But honestly, I am a little relieved that I will never find out.” “Are you sure Jecht is fine with this new reality?” Auron asked, worried. “He placed much importance on his freedom before.”Braska frowned. “It’s strange, but it’s almost as if Jecht wasn’t just willing, but eager for this to happen. He seemed to be enthusiastic about it.” He sighed. “Even with this bond, I still can’t tell what he’s thinking.”He’s thinking he’s gonna grow a pair of wings or a dolphin tail or something and swim all the way up to Dream Zanarkand by himself, Rikku thought privately. At least this one was Jecht’s secret to tell, rather than hers. Then she thought of him, sitting outside, still trying to find some sort of connection with his son after learning that maybe Braska didn’t need to turn him into anything after all.“Maybe I should go get him,” she said suddenly, jumping to her feet.“Did you think of something?” Auron asked, but she waved him off.“No, I just think he should be here with us. We’re like a weird little family now, right?” Springing to her feet, she grabbed her weapon and hooked it around her hand. “I’ll be back in a sec!”“Be careful!” Auron yelled after her as she scrambled up the rocks and back out the exit. She found Jecht seated cross-legged in front of the Fayth Scar, still staring at the sea of people who’d once made up the summoning population of Zanarkand. “Hey,” she said, settling down by his side. “What’s up? Everyone’s getting worried about you inside.”Jecht shook his head wearily. “Naw, it’s nothin’. Ya just blocked my play, is all.”“Turning into a monster that can’t talk isn’t much of a play,” she replied. “Don’t you think Tidus would like you better this way?”Jecht sighed and ran a hand through his hair, scrubbing at his head in frustration. “I just… I want to get my boy, Rikku. I want ‘im to be real. I bet everythin’ on this an’ now you say it ain’t happenin’.”Rikku curled herself into another tight ball, squeezing her arms around her legs in a self-hug. “You’re not mad at me, are you?”“Hah,” Jecht said, cuffing her on the shoulder. “No, I ain’t mad. You been through enough today. ‘Sides, you’re doin’ this to save Braska. Can’t argue with that.” He looked back at the wall longingly. “There’s gotta be a way,” he muttered, more to himself than her.“You can think of it someplace where the fiends won’t get you. Come inside,” she coaxed, reaching out to poke him with a finger in the cheek. “C’mon, turn that frown upside-down!”“Yeah, yeah,” he said, rolling to his feet and cracking his neck. “’Sides, I was takin’ my time ‘cause I thought you an’ Auron might be goin’ at it like chocobos again.” He smirked at her.“Wha— no way!” She shot to her feet, face burning. “Braska’s down there too you know!”“Uh-huh,” Jecht said, sounding smug. “Like that’s ever stopped you before.” He stopped as they rounded the bend and approached the crevice to the springs, tensing. “Uh, hey. Don’t, uh,” he started, sounding uncharacteristically uncertain of himself. “Don’t go an’ tell ‘em what I’d been plannin’. I can’t throw Braska under the bus just to try an’ get my boy now. ‘Sides, I think it’ll make B feel bad ‘bout the whole thing if he knows why I did it.”“My lips are zipped,” Rikku said, her shoulders slumping just a little more as Jecht proved her wrong, once again.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku leaned back against her pack, watching the sky lighten through the cleft above. The passage Braska had blasted open was beginning to show signs of frosting over. After a day and a night spent relaxing by the hot springs, she knew their break was coming to an inevitable end.The light crept in like a thief, slowly unveiling the rough texture of the high rocky walls. Faint echoes of the Fayth Scar could be seen near the ceiling, the power of Yu Yevon’s summoning warping the stone even this far into the mountainside.She lifted her hand above her face and parted her fingers, breaking the soft stream of sunlight into flickering shadows. She focused on the darkness of the back of her hand. Still as solid as ever.Her head turned slightly to look over the boys through the gap of her fingers, still poised before her face. Jecht was sleeping on his side; he was curled around his pack like it was a stuffed animal. Or his son, Rikku amended. With his features slack and unguarded, he looked vulnerable and lonely. He’d always been honest about missing his family, but had never forced his troubles upon anyone else, choosing to keep them as private as her own memories. She brought her fingers together, blocking him from her sight.
I’m sorry.
Her gaze shifted to Braska, also still sleeping peacefully. She made a circle with her thumb and forefinger, framing his face. He’d removed his headdress, and his short brown hair was strewn around him like a cloud. His breathing was deep and even; it was the most relaxed she’d seen him in a while, in fact. It was as if meeting Yunalesca and ending the Pilgrimage had relieved him of the great burden he’d always carried inside. She was certain that relief was at least in part due to being able to tell Auron the truth, after so many years. Seeing Yuna as a grown woman, though, had also seemed to settle him; as if he’d finally realized, only now, that he still had someone to live for.She twisted around, looking for Auron. Always an early riser, he was sitting with his back against a rock, watching her. Opening her palm, she held him in her hand. Can I keep him? Really? He reached over his shoulder, grasping the tassel with the phoenix down she’d tied to his coat so long ago. Raising it to his lips, he kissed it. Then his eyes opened slowly and met hers.
I will always love you, the way you have always loved me.
How much of that intense devotion would survive into the future? Her memories of Auron from her youth had been revisited so many times in her mind, over and over again, that they’d lost their sharp edges and turned cloudy, like sea glass. Had he ever looked at her like that during Yuna’s Pilgrimage? Like she was his sunrise? She’d always thought it was with barely contained irritation. She wondered now how much he’d learned about hiding his feelings from Braska. Her fingers closed around him, trapping him in her fist.Finally, she dropped her hand and allowed the first rays of light to spill over her face, wondering if that Auron was even real anymore. To an unknown future, she thought, rolling to her feet.
.x.x.x.
When they reached the base of Mount Gagazet, Braska didn’t detour them around the Ronso village as he had when they’d stumbled across Kimahri losing his horn. Of course Kimahri was nowhere to be seen this time, but fortunately neither were Biran and Yenke. Instead, they were greeted by the rest of the sparse Ronso population that lived there, led by a very familiar figure.“Gagazet greets Summoner Braska and his Guardians.”“Kelda? I thought the Fangs were still in Luca!”“’ey!” Jecht called out to the Ronso blitzer, waving smugly. “How d’ya like the taste o’ victory, huh? You’re welcome!”Kelda, now dressed in traditional Ronso garb rather than her swimming gear, crossed her arms, her tail twitching in irritation. “Malik stay in Luca. Kelda return home. Guard mountain from trespass by infidels.” She bared her teeth in a snarl, staring fiercely at Rikku and Jecht.Auron’s face darkened and he put a hand on the hilt of his sword. Diplomatically, Braska cleared his throat. “Ah, but surely you must know that we came here on Yevon’s most holy mission.”Kelda’s tail lashed a few more times, her posture still tense, her eyes now trained on Auron. “Ronso protect Sacred Mountain for many generations.” Finally, she bowed her head to Braska, relenting almost unwillingly. “Summoner Braska speak truth. Ronso observe Summoner Sign appearing over summit two days ago.” Rikku frowned. Summoner Sign? She thought about the lightshow the Sanctuary Keeper had provided with its photon wings when they battled it. “Uh, well,” she mumbled, swaying thoughtfully. “We did pass by there two days ago.”Kelda bowed even more deeply, and the rest of the gathered Ronso followed her lead. “Then Lord Braska is High Summoner now?”“Indeed,” Braska answered, returning the bow respectfully.Raising her head, Kelda’s gaze shone with a new admiration that was reflected in her changed tone as she addressed them. “Ronso honor High Summoner. Feast tonight! You join with other guest.”“Other guest?” Auron probed, his eyes darting around the Spartan Ronso settlement.“Yes. Old historian. Teach Ronso youth way of Yevon.” Kelda didn’t seem particularly impressed with the effort; then again, she’d always been prickly to change. At least Braska’s success ascending the mountain had brought with them a measure of respect she hadn’t displayed in Luca.“Don’t tell me…” Auron’s eyes narrowed, picking out the familiar sight of a pointy hat rising barely above the throng of Ronso youth surrounding it. “It’s Maechen,” he said, an edge to his voice.“So he really did make it.” Braska followed Auron’s gaze. “Let it be, Auron,” he coaxed in an unusual bout of charity. “He seems harmless enough.”Kelda’s tail twitched again; she seemed to disagree about Maechen’s cultural invasion being harmless. Still. Ronso deal with Ronso problems, Rikku reminded herself. It’d taken this long to get on Kelda’s good side; she wasn’t eager to spoil it by picking a fight over a dead guy.“We will gladly take you up on that offer,” Braska answered Kelda. “Though I’m afraid we cannot stay long. We must reach the Calm Lands soon.” As he began the ritual formalities necessary to ensure their stay was a comfortable one, Rikku broke off and drifted closer to Maechen, curious to see him again. From the way he was droning on in the center of the crowd, Rikku could already tell the old man was well in the Zone.“There is a legend, you know…” his thin voice quailed over the heads of the very tall children. Jecht stopped next to her, crossing his arms and watching. “So we’re just gonna let that guy be, even though he’s… you know.”“I don’t think he remembers that he is.” Rikku shrugged. “He keeps on going just to spread Spira’s true history around for the rest of us. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. It’s not like he’s repeating the Church’s propaganda if it’s the truth.”“Huh,” Jecht said, sounding unconvinced.“When the armies of Bevelle attacked Mount Gagazet, they heard a song echoing across the snowy slopes,” Maechen droned on. At least the Ronso seemed captivated by his story; being as reticent as they were made them unusually good listeners.“So… those were your people?” Jecht muttered, unwilling to admit that he was listening just as much as the children were. “Them Bedohls came here first an’ started this whole war thing?”“Yeah,” Rikku sighed. “Our proud Al Bhed history, I guess.”“’Tis a song from an Otherworld,’ they said,” Maechen continued.Jecht frowned. “An Otherworld…?”Rikku stopped swaying. “Hey,” she said, tugging on his arm. “We’ve listened to that old man enough for now. We’re still Guardians, right? Let’s catch up with Auron and Braska.”“Yeah,” Jecht said distractedly, still looking at Maechen as she dragged him away. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” He was uncharacteristically silent for the rest of the evening, though.The Summoner’s Feast was held in the largest cavern in the village; it was nothing like the southern islanders’ celebrations that they’d experienced in Kilika. Instead, it consisted of a lot of solemn drum pounding and obscure Ronso yodeling as they were served platters of dripping, barely-cooked meat while kneeling before a flat stone outcropping that doubled as a table. Admittedly, though, it was better than the rations they’d been subsisting on since traveling to Zanarkand. Even Braska dug in with just as much gusto as the Ronso themselves, heedless of the bloodiness of their repast.They spent a comfortable night in another one of the Ronso cavern-dwellings that had been carved into the mountainside, ensconced in piles of furs that were as equally warm as they were pungent.“Who said we’re gonna need to lure Sin anywhere?” Jecht grumbled, tossing and turning in his makeshift bedsheets. “That thing’ll find us by our stench.”“You should relax and accept the Ronso hospitality,” Braska chided as he settled down into his own bed. “What we find as exceptionally odorous is how the Ronso people identify and accept members of their own clan. There’s a saying amongst the people here that one should only trust what one can smell.” He took a deep breath to illustrate his point. “Being invited to stay here like this, to mingle the scent of our own bodies with that of their people, is one of their highest honors we could be granted and exceedingly rare.”“In other words, don’t complain in front of them or I’ll make you regret it,” Auron grumbled from his own pile of fur. “Now go to sleep before I knock you out myself.” “Huh,” Jecht said again, this time more thoughtfully as he lowered his nose to the furs and took another sniff. Then he made a face and flopped back with a groan. “I get it, I get it. I’ll be good,” he mumbled, though he still threw an arm up under his nose.
.x.x.x.
They left early in the morning, seen off by nearly the entire Ronso population. Privately, Rikku was thankful that there was no sign of Maechen; he seemed to have doddled off somewhere during the night and was probably halfway across the Calm Lands by now.Which… was their next and final destination. She shivered. “Are we sure we don’t want to stay here just one more day?” she whispered under her breath as they marched down the mountainside, the watchful gaze the Ronso prickling against her back.“If we delay, we will lose their respect,” Auron murmured back to her. “They show Braska such deference because he embodies the promise of Sin’s defeat. If he shows any sign of running or delaying, it will be taken as cowardice and weakness, and all of that hospitality will evaporate.”Rikku gulped. “Wow… you know a lot about the Ronso, don’t you!”“Braska was the first missionary to finally convert the Ronso to the worship of Yevon. Much like the Al Bhed, not all of them were appreciative of his efforts.”Rikku thought of Kelda, nodding slowly.“But they honor their decision, as long as the Summoners honor their pact. In that regard, nothing has really changed for hundreds of years. The Ronso wish for the Calm just as much as anyone else. Traditionally, their ownership of Mount Gagazet has never been within the purview of Church of Yevon anyway, and there are some among their kind who still see it that way.”“… Aren’t we kind of cheating them, then? I mean, we’re not actually planning on beating Sin this time, right?”Auron put his hand against the small of her back and pushed her forward. “All the more reason to leave quickly,” he agreed.All too soon they’d crossed the canyon gorge and stood before the great Steppe, winds rushing down from the mountainside and making the tall grass that extended before them twist and bow in greeting, lit by the mid-morning light.“We’re… finally here,” Rikku said, falling to a crouch, her stomach doing flip-flops. Even knowing that Braska wasn’t about to summon one of the Final Aeons and cause Sin to appear right then and there, she still felt herself tensing in anticipation and dread. “This is our last stop.”Braska nodded, his face placid. “Our journey together ends here, one way or the other.” Then he turned his back to the Calm Lands and faced them. “I want each of you to know—”“No goodbyes!” Auron cut him off brusquely, his face fierce. “We will not say goodbye here! It’s not over yet!”Braska laughed. “All things come to an end eventually, Auron. Whether we succeed, and bring a temporary Calm to Spira… or fail, and die ignobly trying… it’s over, now.” His smile was relieved. “It’s finally over.”Auron hung his head, trembling.“Jecht,” Braska said, performing his deepest bow to the other man. “You are a man of extraordinary talents. A superstar indeed,” he said fondly. “I admit I had thought you a braggart at the start, but traveling with you has shown me the truth. That touch of greatness in your soul—”Jecht twitched at that, rubbing the back of his neck.“— comes not from your status or your capabilities as a Blitzball player, nor the growth you’ve shown as a Guardian. You are special because your heart is pure. Somehow, unlike the rest of the world around you, you retain your child-like innocence, seeing things as they are, and unafraid to question and challenge others when they are not as they should be.”“C’mon, B, you don’t gotta say all that,” Jecht muttered, clearly uncomfortable with the sort of praise Braska was doling out. “I ain’t any more special than the rest o’ ya.”“I know you don’t see it that way,” Braska said, throwing his arms around the bigger man. “And that’s exactly why you are. Thank you for everything, my dear friend. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.”“Yeah, yeah,” Jecht mumbled, returning the hug. After a moment, he shoved Braska away and turned around, rubbing at his eyes. “Go bother somebody else, B. Got somethin’ in my eye here.”Braska walked before Auron next. Auron kept his head bowed, his eyes on the ground, fists clenched. “I said no goodbyes,” he muttered angrily. Then he looked up, his eyes bright. “You are not going to die.”Braska reached up and locked his hands behind Auron’s head, bumping their foreheads together. “You are the best friend I have ever had in my entire life,” he said, closing his eyes. “You alone have always treated me with utter and complete honesty, even at my lowest. You were with me even before I met Raenn, and you have stayed by my side every moment since then. You took it upon yourself to care for Yuna when I was too selfish to do it myself. And you persistently ascribed to me more greatness than I ever truly possessed. I am the man I am today because you pushed me to be better, Auron. You. Always, with your unyielding expectations and belief in me. I… I can’t tell you just how much I still cherish that. I don’t know what I might have become had you not been by my side all this time.”“Braska…” Auron’s voice was tortured, and Braska finally dropped his hands and stepped back.“I want you to stop feeling guilty. Stop blaming yourself,” Braska said, forcing Auron to meet his gaze. “You can’t change your nature any more than I can change mine. That’s also why I loved you, and still in many ways do. Take pride in what we will achieve here, because all of my accomplishments are also your own. Stop serving others and pursue your own happiness when this is over. Be as selfish as I am, for once. That is what I wish for you the most.”They stood there for a few more moments, a decade’s bond stretching between them, before Auron nodded mutely, and Braska relaxed.“Thank you, Auron.” Finally, he turned and walked slowly towards her. Rikku sprung to her feet, nearly losing her balance. “Umm,” she said when he stopped before her, her heart pounding.“Auron,” Braska said, eying her. “Turn around.”“Hnn,” Auron grunted, though he actually did turn his back to them, folding his arms together and glaring up at the mountains.Braska grinned. “Love might be blind, but at least friendship tries not to notice.” He grabbed both of Rikku’s hands, lifting them to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly. “Rikku. I’ve been in love many times. My life has taught me that there’s no such thing as an eternal love.”Rikku looked at their joined hands; her fingers were clutched tightly around Braska’s own, as if she could keep him from slipping away from them with her grasp.“Still… I want to love you forever,” he murmured, also watching their joined hands and returning her grip just as fiercely.Rikku gasped; it came out as a sob.Braska pulled her in to a tight embrace, cradling her in his arms. “Shh. Perhaps this won’t be goodbye. And you will always have Auron’s love, to buffer you from whatever this life throws at you.” He pulled back and cupped her chin, his eyes tender as he searched her face. One thumb brushed away a tear.“But I can’t help but be pleased that you’re sad,” he whispered softly, his thumb continuing to trace over her cheek in soft sweeps. “Purge me from your heart with those tears. It’s only after you’ve pulled up the tangled and twisted vines that I’ve left behind that Auron’s love can seed and grow there fully. It’ll be better that way. He is better.”“B-but I love you, too,” Rikku whispered, grabbing his hand and leaning into his touch. “What if you die?”Braska smiled, then leaned down and kissed her. A real kiss this time; not the chaste, cautious thing he’d bestowed on her in Zanarkand. This time he pressed his lips against hers yearningly, as if he was trying to leave a part of himself within her. She acquiesced, and he parted her lips and drew her closer, his arms clutching around her sides as tightly as he’d gripped her fingers while hers rose to cup his back.After what seemed to be an endless moment, he finally drew back, breathing deeply, and rested his cheek against hers. She felt the soft puffs of his breath, gradually slowing as he regained control of himself. Then, carefully, he moved his hands to her arms and pushed her away.“How lucky I am,” he murmured, searching her face, “to find it so difficult to say goodbye.”He stepped away, keeping ahold of one of her hands until both of their arms were fully outstretched before he finally let her go. Then he raised his voice, calling out to Jecht and Auron to follow as he continued his way down into the plains.“It’s time. Shall we, then?”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“So the plan is to just wait here or what?” Jecht said, leaning against the strange, pointed stone outcropping near the edge of the gorge. He eyed the drop. “How deep d’ya think that thing goes down, anyhow?”“You wouldn’t want to find out,” Auron replied, his eyes scanning the fields behind them for any fiend movement. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Jecht leaned over to look at Auron.“Ah. He means that the Scar is where the dead are interred,” Braska explained. “This enormous rift in the ground was created when High Summoner Gandof defeated Sin more than four hundred years ago.”“Sin an’ a Final Aeon did all that?” Jecht looked at the gorge again with a new, wary respect. “Fine, okay, but why don’t anyone wanna know how deep it goes?” He waited for a moment, but when no explanation was forthcoming, he clucked his tongue and looked at Rikku expectantly instead.“Uh. Well. For one, Summoner Gandof died down there. Most people who come to the Calm Lands are either Summoners or Crusaders. You know, people trying to fight Sin. So… when they die, there’s usually nobody left to Send them. Survivors toss the bodies over the edge to keep Unsent from overwhelming the plains.”Jecht paled. “Hell. You serious?”Auron spun around. “Yes. This place is the graveyard of every failed Pilgrimage that ever took place. The lucky ones ended up in the Scar. The rest…” He turned back to the fields, watching a few Malboros crossing in the distance.“Sorry I asked,” Jecht muttered. “So… uh… All we gotta do is get under Sin’s skin to make sure we don’t end up like that, right?”Braska sighed. “Yes.” He took a deep, bracing breath, poised with his staff extended before him. “I’m beginning now.”Jecht and Rikku rose to their feet, and Auron turned around.Closing his eyes, Braska spread his arms wide and looked up to the sky. Light bloomed around him, quickly turning into a swirling river of pyreflies that ascended into the clouds above the gorge. There was a twinkle overhead, and then three motes of light winked in the distance, closing in rapidly. They fluttered to the ground like seeds blown in the wind, landing gently around Braska’s feet and blooming into bright, enormous flowers, their petals delicately closed. And then, in a violent eruption of pollen, the flowers burst open, spewing out the Magus Sisters.Jecht and Auron stared, taking in the sight of the three odd, insect-like sisters more closely, now that they were no longer in the dusky temple of Remiem. Rikku took a step backwards, less impressed; they’d always been temperamental even when Yuna called upon them. She wondered how they were going to react to Braska.Braska lowered his staff and bowed deeply to the three sisters. “Greetings, my ladies. Thank you for coming. I hope you will lend us your strength, for we intend to face Sin.”The red mantis at the forefront of the group looked unimpressed. With one hand on her hip, she flicked her head and her antennae twitched.“That one’s Sandy,” Rikku whispered to Jecht and Auron. “She’s the leader of the three, and well… she makes Shiva look nice. She usually prefers hand-to-stingblade combat.”The rotund ladybug smacked a fist into her palm, looking pleased. “And that one’s Cindy,” Rikku whispered. “She’s kind of like the healer of the group, except when she gets pissed. Then she’s a pretty decent black magician, too.”The smallest one, fluttering in the air like a wasp, buzzed uncertainly between the other two, who were waiting expectantly. “And that one’s Mindy. Don’t let her size fool you, she’s a nasty black caster, plus she can really pack a wallop when she attacks with her stinger.”“What exactly are they doing?” Auron murmured as Braska held up a placating hand to the three girls.“They’re trying to decide whether or not to listen to Braska. They kinda do whatever they want after they’re summoned. They’re even weirder than Yojimbo.”Finally Mindy floated unsteadily towards Cindy, plunking down by her side and mirroring the ladybug’s stubborn cross-armed pose.“Looks like they chose to listen to Braska,” Rikku observed as Sandy rolled her eyes and then shrugged. The three aeons turned eerily as one to stare at Braska, waiting to take his command.“Ah,” Braska said. “Why don’t you just… do as you will?” he asked them.The sisters looked at each other, grinning. Leaping in unison, they took to the sky and then dove into the gorge, disappearing in streams of twinkling light.Braska crept towards the edge of the steep cliff, peering over it. “I think… they are fighting the Unsent down there,” he said after a moment, his brows drawing together.The faint sound of roars floated up from the bottom of the canyon, and then he stepped away rapidly as a prismatic sheen of light blasted upwards, the faint after-image of a triangle fading in its wake. An explosion rocked through the gorge, intense enough to shake the ground from where they stood.“Wow, they’re really going crazy down there! I think that was a Delta Attack!”“A Delta what?” Auron asked as another explosion sounded, followed by a few more blasts of light.“Well… they just combine their powers to attack things,” Rikku said. “Y’know… they’re like three mini-Animas in one big package. So when they feel up to it, their most powerful attack is like three Final Aeons blasting something at once.”Braska paled. “And that wasn’t enough for Lady Belgemine to defeat Sin the first time around?”Rikku scratched her cheek. “That’s the thing. They’re just really powerful kids. Sometimes they throw tantrums, or refuse to attack things, or stalk off and just argue with each other. I’m guessing they’re feeling cooperative because they haven’t been let out to play in a really long time.”“That don’t look like playin’,” Jecht observed, taking a large step back as another blast of light shone out of the canyon. “I kinda see how this might get Sin’s attention, though,” he muttered as the first few pyreflies began to stream upwards. They were followed by more, their numbers slowly thickening until they filled the air with their keening cries.The Sisters continued to wreak havoc below while everyone waited tensely at the canyon lip, bathed in the rainbow glow of the dissipating pyreflies. There were so many that they were beginning to transform the normally-harsh daylight of the Calm Lands into the strange, otherworldly glow of the Farplane.Braska was the one who felt the change in the air first. “… I think it worked,” he said, scanning the horizon. “Do you feel that?”They all fell silent as the familiar nausea rolled over them in waves.Sin, Rikku thought, gagging while the enormous aeon rose up into view. The displaced ocean ran off of its crystalline wings in massive waterfalls. It began to meander slowly towards them, unhurried in its quest to gather even more pyreflies within its gravity field.“We will do as we discussed,” Braska said, clutching his staff tightly. “We need to get inside of its main body. We cannot hope to chip away at that armor from outside, or we’ll be annihilated by Sinspawn first.”Sin still consisted of entirely too many eyeballs, but it was heartening to see that several of them remained glassy and frosted over from the encounter with The Love Boat. Beautiful, hardened crystals replaced each one of Sin’s damaged limbs; they’d grown slightly larger in size than when Rikku had seen them last. She battled past her own feeling of sickness and studied the crystal formations with nervous energy. “Huh… I don’t think we’re going to be able to punch inside from where we hurt it before. Those crystals look too strong and they’ve gotten bigger!”“There has to be a weak point,” Auron muttered, drawing his sword and watching Sin approach them stoically.Jecht held up his hands in the familiar box, casting Scan. It was useless at this distance, and likely useless on something as large and logic-defying as Sin anyhow, but he still twisted the vision-enhancing spell into a crude version of binoculars, moving carefully on along the outlines of Sin’s enormous body. He stopped at its bulbous head, squinting. “… What ‘bout that? Looks like there’s a city growin’ outta its head.”Auron nodded, clutching his sword in a white-knuckled grip, the only sign of his apprehension. “Buildings have doors.”Rikku swallowed and wished she could stop her legs from trembling; no matter how many times she faced Sin, the sight of it approaching always filled her with cold, numb fear. Sin hadn’t even crossed the gorge yet, but it was drifting through the air towards them like the world’s least aerodynamic airship. A swirl of clouds trailed after it, pulled along after the enormous monstrosity like a gauzy cloak. “We need to get up there first before we can bust in.”Braska nodded. “Leave it to me,” he said, closing his eyes. Lights bloomed around him once again and in the place of the Sisters whom he'd dismissed, Bahamut hurled himself out of the sky. The aeon landed with a solid thud behind them.Rikku eyed Bahamut’s dragon form warily, still miffed that the Fayth hadn’t once let a single clue slip about the nature of her existence. The dragon, however, chose to ignore her glare, instead dropping to one knee.“Woah, that’s… weird,” Jecht said, more distracted by Bahamut’s appearance than Sin’s slow, ominous flight path towards them. “… He wants to carry us in,” he continued after a moment, moving to Braska’s side. He picked up the enraptured summoner easily and stepped into Bahamut’s waiting hand. “I’ll ride with B. You guys go in his other claw.” Then he made a face. “C’mon man, who says ‘skedaddle’ anymore?”“You… can communicate with Braska like that?” Auron asked, sheathing his sword and grasping Rikku’s hand.“Yeah… it’s real weird. Not direct, like. But I can kinda feel what he’s doin’ to that other aeon,” Jecht said uncomfortably. Bahamut’s clawed fists closed gently around each of them.“Hold me up,” Rikku said to Auron, squirming and wriggling until her chest and arms were free from the dragon’s clutches. Activating her Garment Grid, she felt some of her fear dissipate as Jecht’s boundless confidence washed over her as Lady Luck. “If getting there’s gonna be the luck of the draw, then I’m stacking the deck,” she declared, blowing a kiss up to Bahamut that showered the aeon with rose petals.“Here we go,” Auron said lowly when Bahamut crouched. His fingers tightened around her waist when the dragon leapt into the sky, wings beating powerfully.Rikku’s trilling laugh of excitement changed into a battle cry as she switched dresspheres, feeling her fear return full-force. It was tempered by her absolute fury at Sin’s existence, though. Digging through her Alchemist belt, she pulled out a potion and one of the Lunar Curtains she’d managed to steal from the ancient machina in Zanarkand, weaving them together in a glowing mix that she smashed into Bahamut’s claw. “Time to bust out!” she yelled, bringing her gun up to her shoulder and watching Sin through narrowed eyes as the bright sphere of a defensive Wall of magic bloomed around each of them.They soared over the seemingly bottomless pit of the gorge, but there was no time to contemplate the potential fall because Sin loomed above them. It sent an advance guard to greet them in the form of its shedding scales. They rolled and dropped off of its body, unfurling into flying monstrosities, their long tails whipping sinuously behind them. Sharp claws and mouths with far too many teeth screeched, flapping their way towards them.Rikku cursed; the Spawn were still too far away for her gun to reach, and they’d be sitting ducks amidst the aerial assault if she didn’t come up with something fast. She began speeding through her grids, feeling a queasiness that wasn’t entirely just Sin’s toxin as she rapidly shifted through costumes, much to Auron’s dismay.“What are you doing?” he yelled at her, his words snatched away by the buffeting winds as Bahamut flew them closer towards madness.She didn’t answer, too focused on keeping her cookies from tossing, before she returned to her Alchemist sphere. The belt was warm to the touch now, though, and faintly glowing as the energized dressphere gates activated its hidden power. Swallowing thickly, she shouted her answer: “It’s just about time to start conflagrating!”Feeling the power thrumming through her, she clasped her two hands together, forming a finger-gun. “Pew,” she whispered, eyes narrowing. It was easier this time, than on Mushroom Rock; she’d grown stronger since then. The spell was still taxing, but she felt like she was better able to harness and control the raging power of the unlocked Grid.The Flare spell shot out like a lance, exploding against the nearest Sinspawn, sending it spiraling into a mass of pyreflies.“Pew-pew-pew!” she yelled, grinning smugly as three more Spawn went down. Bahamut changed his angle slightly, speeding them through the dissolving pyreflies. They were in the thick of it now, though, and Rikku felt sweat beginning to form on her brow. The activated Grid was still ravenous; as much as she’d grown, she could feel each Flare spell draining her of her precious energy. She tried to aim one more at a fiend, but Auron grabbed her hand and forced it down.“Enough!” he shouted at her, seeing the waxiness of her complexion.Grunting, she downed an ether, feeling some of the dizziness evaporate, and then pulled out her gun and began firing at the Sinspawn buffeting Bahamut. It wasn’t nearly as effective as her black magic, but the bullets were still powerful enough to knock some of them away from the fist holding Jecht, who’d curled around Braska’s frozen body protectively. Her heart was in her throat even as she shimmied upwards and leaned further out, kept in place by little more than Auron’s iron-fisted hold around her hips and his determination to keep her from falling out of the aeon’s grasp. She tried to anticipate and stop any of the spawn from hitting Bahamut in a way that would knock Braska out of his Rapture; they were so far up in the air now that it would have meant certain death for all of them.Thankfully, the Sinscales were mindless, attacking every part of Bahamut’s body with equal fervor, unaware of the delicate burden the aeon carried. Despite that it wasn’t enough; after a few moments of being swarmed by relentless assaults by the Sinscales, Bahamut roared and changed direction, charging straight up into the sky to escape the ceaseless attacks.Even a thousand papercuts could fell the King of the Aeons, Rikku thought, desperately mixing potion after potion and smashing them into Bahamut to seal his wounds even while Auron chanted out what little curative magic he knew.The multitude of Sinscales following them twisted like a vortex, chasing after the dragon’s rapid path upwards.She heard Auron swear, his fingers tightening painfully around her as the pressure of their sharp ascent threatened to tear them all away from Bahamut’s grasp. The aeon broke through the clouds winding over Sin, leaving long trails of swirling mist in his wake. Cresting, Bahamut roared; the clouds below parted from the following swarm, still giving chase.Somehow Rikku managed to hit her Grid, strength flooding through her bones as she donned the Samurai dressphere. A desperate resolve to live flooded through her, banishing her doubts. She watched the swarm that threatened to engulf them approach. They had to make it to Sin. There was no other way, because the alternative… was unthinkable. She gripped Bahamut’s clawed finger tightly, then whispered a fierce invocation under her breath: “Hayate!”Bahamut’s wings folded and he dove, head-first, towards Sin. She wasn’t sure if she screamed, because the wind tore all sound from her throat. Still, she held on fast to Bahamut, her absolute belief in their success flooding into the aeon through their shared touch. The dragon hurtled through the Sinspawn, blowing the few that he didn’t manage to avoid apart with his sheer speed and mass. They blasted through the cloud-cover, rapidly approaching the half-formed city growing out of Sin’s crown faster than any of the Sinscales could keep up. In fact they were approaching too rapidly; Rikku grit her teeth, knowing they couldn’t stop in time. Bahamut wasn’t even trying to. “No Fear,” she whispered, tears streaming out of her eyes as the last vestiges of her magic surrounded her in a protective bubble. Just before impact Bahamut twisted, flipping his massive body over and cradling his passengers to his torso as he slammed into the half-formed city rising out of Sin’s back. A few buildings rumbled and fell over from the swath they carved through the streets. Pyreflies screamed all around them and Bahamut’s body dissolved.Suddenly held aloft by nothing and traveling at speed, they each went rolling. Still in her Samurai costume, Rikku clung to Auron just as tightly as he held onto her and fought with him to take the brunt of the impact as they flew through the streets. They both hit the side of a building with a loud crack, and her protective spell shattered. Stunned and bruised they fell apart… but somehow, were still alive.Drained, Rikku released her hold on her dressphere and let out a groan of pain, trying to sit up.Auron was similarly battered, his hand already on his forehead, pumping white magic into himself to stop the flow of blood running down the side of this face. He shook his head once to clear it, and then grabbed her, hitting her with a Cura. “Are you—”“I’m fine,” she managed, pushing an Al Bhed potion towards him and downing one herself. It took a moment to overcome her gag reflex and keep it down, the nausea from everything still roiling through her stomach. But after a moment, the world stopped spinning and she managed wobble to her feet. “Jecht and Braska,” she said, already reaching for another potion as Auron cast more restorative magic over himself and staggered to his feet, unwilling to wait.The “city” Jecht had spotted was only a macabre imitation of life up close; the forms of recognizable buildings took shape, but their texture and material was entirely organic. Everything was composed of the same pulsing, warm flesh that was Sin’s main body. More concerningly, there wasn’t a single door or window to be seen. The path of destruction Bahamut’s landing had left bisected the fake city with an open, pyrefly-oozing wound.“Where are they?” Auron asked, his voice tight with worry as they reached and then raced down the makeshift avenue of destruction their landing had made, looking right and left for any sign of Jecht or Braska.The answer came in the form of an inhuman scream; rising over the tallest of the fleshy buildings was Anima, her eye glinting dangerously. Below them, they heard the rumbling of Sin’s bellow as Braska’s aeon tore into it, trying to blast her way past the thick armor.“I never thought I’d be so glad to see that thing,” Rikku muttered as she raced ahead of Auron, drawing short when she saw Anima up close. The aeon was hacking away relentlessly at Sin’s tough hide; every hit was melting the flesh away in twisted bursts of agitated pyreflies.The Scales had finally caught up with them, though; Jecht was doing his best to shield both Braska and Anima as the aeon worked, eye bleeding as she shot Pain after Pain through Sin’s hide. Thinking quickly, Rikku donned her Alchemist dressphere again, swaying. The costume flickered before taking hold. She didn’t have the luxury of time to second-guess herself, mixing together her strongest healing agents. A driven desire to keep Braska and Jecht alive while they tried to force their way through powered her shaking hands.Auron ran past her, winds whipping around him as he unsheathed his sword. He spun to a stop, gathering the maelstrom, and slashed his sword into the pit Anima had already carved out. Tearing the jug from his waist, he hurled it into the abyss. A tornado of fire exploded and as it cleared, and a wall of pyreflies more dense than any they’d seen yet screamed away, nearly blinding in their intensity.“We did it!” Rikku shouted, recognizing the transient state between the puncturing of Sin’s armor and the crystalline feather-like growth that would emerge to cover it. “Jecht, we gotta move! Hurry!”Jecht looked at Braska, and abruptly Anima dissolved as the summoner came out of Rapture, gasping. They hurried towards the edge of the pit, still beating away Sinscales that peppered their path, but Auron stopped them at the edge.“It’s too deep to just jump,” he warned them, squinting into the darkness below.“But there’s no time!” Rikku told him, kicking at the crystals forming along the edge of the hole.Braska went down to one knee, summoning rapidly again; suddenly, Ifrit rose behind them, roaring and tearing at the ground they stood on. Jecht leapt for Braska and pinned the summoner down, realizing what was happening first. Auron reacted just as swiftly, driving his sword deeply into Sin’s body and dropping to one knee. He reached out a hand towards her. “Rikku!”Ifrit tore the patch of skin cleanly off, carrying them with it. Rikku leapt to grab onto Auron’s hand just as the aeon prepared to hurl the fleshy ledge – and its passengers – into the depths of the hole they’d blasted open. And then gasped with disbelief as her fingers missed; a Sinscale slammed into her, sweeping her off the platform and back onto the edge of the ravaged city.“No!” Auron’s eyes were wide as he slipped away into the depths.Rikku twisted, smashing her Godhand into the fiend on top of her and destroying it. Even that cost her too many precious seconds, though; she scrabbled after them futilely, watching Sin’s crystals weave their way over the gap more quickly than she could leap in. She still tried to follow, pounding the Godhand into the crystalline lattice. It shook but didn’t break, instead continuing to thicken despite her repeated blows.“Hu!” she screamed, furious and exhausted. “No, nope, no way!” Each shout was punctuated by another fist driving into the crystal. But she stopped when the chittering of fiends surrounded her. Glancing over her shoulder, she groaned as even more Sinscales thumped to the ground in rapid succession, their teeth snapping and their wings glowing with eerie energy. “This is not how it’s going to end!” she yelled, still shell-shocked as she staggered to her feet.Apparently Braska agreed, because a series of familiar sigils burst into the sky overhead. Valefor shot through them, snatching Rikku away from the danger with one clawed foot. They ascended rapidly, away from the agitated spawn. The aeon turned, beating her wings to hover and flipping her braid before opening her mouth.The Energy Blast shook the surface; Rikku heard more than saw the massive crack the attack had created. Without hesitation, the aeon dove into it, shattering through the barrier – and smashing her own body into pieces, in much the same way Bahamut had.Rikku didn’t care; Valefor had brought her through. Even while she was falling, she could see the hole resealing and blocking her exit to the outside world.She turned, the familiar, giddy sensation of rapid freefall reminding her of the Farplane. Too deep to jump, Auron had said; she activated her Grid again. For a few heart-stopping moments it flickered, and she was afraid the costume wouldn’t find enough energy within herself to take hold. Then, somehow, drawing on her last dregs, she pulled out the Berserker, feeling Braska’s reckless power fill her.“Not dying today,” she growled, turning her fall into a series of twists as she searched her surroundings for anything at all. One flailing foot struck something hard and she reacted instantly, digging her toes in and jackknifing her body towards it. Both claws slammed into a solid surface and she hung on, her nails screaming in pained protest as she tore a ten-fingered trail down the face of the rocky wall she’d latched onto. She was still descending too rapidly for comfort. Below, she could see Auron, Jecht, and Braska standing on the shattered remains of Ifrit’s platform, already fighting a Sinspawn that had attacked them the moment they hit the ground. It was an enormous Adamantoise, rising several feet above them.Convenient landing pad, she thought with a smirk, letting go of the wall – her abused fingers ached in gratitude for that – and angling herself to stick the landing.She hit the fiend’s back fist-first, her momentum and weight sending it sinking into the ground a few inches and splitting open the carapace protecting its back. Clouds of rubble from where she’d torn apart the wall followed, raining all around her. She forced her trembling legs, throbbing from the impact, to push off of the fiend’s back. What should have been a perfect landing, though, turned into a tumble and ungraceful skid on her butt across the ground as her legs gave out from under her.Auron charged the fiend, furious, and swung his sword in an arc so heavy that it bisected the Adamantoise’s neck. The enormous turtle buckled, then collapsed into a blaze of pyreflies. He didn’t stop to watch, instead throwing himself at her and grabbing onto her shoulders, his eyes wide.Rikku coughed and smiled at him. “Still alive,” she said victoriously, every part of her body aching. The dressphere flickered and faded from view, and she blinked, feeling the last of the artificial energy drain away. A surprised “Oops-” was all she managed before blacking out.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
A raging headache and a mouth drier than cotton were the first things Rikku felt as she came to. The first things she heard were two familiar voices debating overhead.“I mean, parts of it look like Zanarkand, but somethin’s off about that whole thing,” Jecht was saying.“You’re right.” That was Braska. “I think I might—”“She’s coming to.”She blinked open bleary eyes to Auron’s concerned face. Her head was propped up in his lap, and a potion was in his hand.“Drink this,” he told her quietly, holding the vial to her lips.The cool, bitter liquid trickled down her throat, soothing the burn there and reducing the headache slightly. She’d barely finished swallowing when he pressed another against her mouth. Raising her eyebrows, she tried to push it away, but the fierce stare he gave her cowed her into drinking that one, too. Finally, when he was satisfied, he let her sit up.“You were suffering from severe mana depletion,” Auron told her. “Braska can’t heal that.”“Oopsie?” He leveled her with a severe look that told her he wasn’t buying it, so she drank the third potion he passed over without argument. “I’m fine now, really,” she promised him afterwards, taking in their surroundings. A cloudy sky filled with millions of twinkling stars spanned overhead. Cold stone was beneath her feet. Everything was dark and eerily abandoned, save for the distant cries of fiends that occasionally echoed between the alleys.“We’re inside the city of dying dreams,” she said in stilted recognition.“You are familiar with this place?” Braska asked.Rikku nodded slowly. “I think. But it looks different than how I remember it.” The last time the city had clearly been Zanarkand, all domed high-rises and sharp-cornered buildings. This time, she wasn’t too sure. Everything seemed a little bit more familiar – the architecture too curved and modern and the roofs too sloping – to mesh with the memories of any Zanarkand she’d even seen.“Hah!” Jecht said, crossing his arms and looking smug. “I told ya! This ain’t Zanarkand.” Getting up, Rikku snooped around the small alley they’d retreated into, taking the chance to shake the aches and pains out of her joints. From the lack of any visible bruises on her skin to the state of her pristine, unlacquered fingernails – which were all there – it seemed that Braska had healed her quite a bit while she was out. “Umm… thanks, by the way,” she said to him. “For sending Valefor after me.”Braska shrugged, as if it was self-explanatory. “I couldn’t bring my right arm and leave my left behind.”Jecht glared at Braska. “’Ey! What am I then, dog food?”“You’re the pain in his ass,” Auron supplied without bite. “Though we should thank you as well. Braska would never have noticed in time had you not told him.”“Yeah, well,” Jecht grumbled, rubbing the back of his head. “Whatever. Next time be more careful, alright? Like I’m always sayin’, Blondie, you gotta keep your eye on the entire field if you wanna make the play.”“We made it inside, and that’s all that matters.” Auron looked at Rikku. “But where do we go from here? How are we supposed to destroy Sin’s armor? Are we to level this entire city?” he asked, gesturing at their surroundings. “Even combining all of our powers, that would take a lifetime.”“We have to find the heart of Sin. What I mean is the original Final Aeon that this armor is built around,” she told them. “If we defeat that, everything else here will fall apart.”“Well where do we find it then? “ Jecht asked.Rikku took another look at their surroundings, feeling lost. “If we were in Zanarkand I would’ve said the Dome, since blitzball is at the heart of every version of Zanarkand.”“But this isn’t Zanarkand,” Braska said, staring at the walls thoughtfully. “I believe I know this place.”Auron joined him, pacing around the street. “You’re right.” The two men traded a knowing look. “So? Spill the beans!” Rikku said impatiently, swaying from side to side.“This is Bevelle,” Braska answered. “Or more like a shadowy memory of it. We’re on the very outskirts. The slums, if you will.” He chuckled. “In fact, this is quite near our old neighborhood.” The smile slid off of his face. “Then… the heart of Bevelle would be…”Auron grimaced. “Bevelle has never had a heart. But its core would be the Palace, which was the culmination of all of the Temple’s politics and plotting, and the seat of the government.” He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “If this city mirrors the real Bevelle, then we will need to travel a ways to reach the city center. It would be fastest to take the Highbridge there.”“You mean we gotta cross Highbridge?” Rikku squeaked, instantly disliking the idea. “We have to walk all the way there? Through all these fiends?!”“Another journey, then.” Braska sighed. “I will admit, this is not what I was expecting to find inside of Sin.”“So what were you expecting?” Auron asked.“Blood an’ guts!” Jecht answered.Braska laughed and shook his head. “I thought it would be something more abstract. Fury. Madness. Hatred so cloying it would taint us or drive us insane by its very proximity.”“What, them fiends we been runnin’ into a lil’ too soft for you, B?” Jecht asked. “They seem plenty upset to me.”“Yes,” Braska agreed, bothered. “But they’re a symptom and not the disease. This,” he said, rapping a knuckle against one of the stone walls, “Is the heart of the matter. This is not a creation borne of anger.” His palm smoothed against the wall. “This… is a manifestation of loneliness and sorrow.” He looked around at the stark, barren buildings with pained familiarity. “A longing for something which was once lost. Yet no matter how memory tries to recapture it, it can never be the same again.” He sighed. “Is it strange? To be feeling… pity, for a being that has wrought so much destruction and havoc over Spira for the last thousand years?”“Yes.” Auron sighed. “But that’s who you are.”“Yeah, and it’s not like Yu Yevon has the right to make everyone else miserable for all eternity just because he is!” Rikku said, stomping her foot.“I feel pity,” Braska clarified, dropping his hand. “Not forgiveness.” He looked at Auron. “Well. Lead the way then.”They traveled slowly through the city, sneaking from building to building and trying to avoid confrontations with most of the strange amalgamations of fiends that roamed through the streets. Sometimes the creatures looked familiar, similar to others they’d fought during their journey. Most of the time, though, they were supersized, several times larger than their Spiran counterparts. It was as if each fiend was swelled with the unbridled malice of the dead; not only were they larger, they were denser and more armored than ever before. Even the walls of the city itself would come to life sometimes, shuddering monoliths that swallowed up anything traveling too close to the wakened stone only to spit them out partially, twisted into a newer and even more grotesque-looking creation. They’d nearly learned that the hard way, when one had latched onto Jecht. Afterwards, Auron had needed to chip him out of the stone painstakingly, like a living fossil.Occasionally they would have to fight against those horrors. In Rikku’s opinion, the worst of them all were the Wraiths; souls that had striven to retake physical form once again and failed miserably. They twisted together into malformed parodies of human bodies that haunted the streets. When they were lucky, the fiends looked like desiccated, floating corpses adorned with horns and claws. More often, though, many differing souls would meld together into something larger and exponentially more disturbing: multiple faces stretching and screaming to be released across the entire surface of a single humanoid body. Sometimes that body would be missing limbs, and sometimes it would come equipped with far too many.Braska held back in those fights, supporting them with magic rather than trying to call upon his aeons. The encounters were hard, harder than anything they’d faced before, and Rikku was fast gaining a new appreciation for Yuna’s wisdom in gathering a seven-member Pilgrimage.Still, their long months of having traveled and trained together also became clear as they pushed further inwards. It felt like they’d reached the culmination of a plan – likely Auron’s – that had been long in the making. Working seamlessly as a team, Auron would defend Braska and weaken their enemies with his relentless strength and endurance. She and Jecht flitted around him like buzzing bees, striking and retreating, whittling away at their opponents until the fiends could be safely felled. All the while Braska shielded and healed them constantly under a watchful eye. It was still exhausting work, though, and they stopped to rest several times, not rushing their journey through the city of nightmares.Auron herded them into an empty building for one such stop; the interior had the look of a cheerless café, complete with lonely tables. She slid into a grey, colorless seat next to him, sipping at the water he’d handed to her. “How much of that do we have left?” she asked quietly, tipping her bottle at him.“We have a week’s worth of food,” he replied. “Water, however…” He sighed. “No more than three days left. Four, if we ration strictly.”She nodded. “I kinda figured. Well… you know, this always was a one way trip. Either we bust out of here or we become part of the local fiend population.”“We will make it out,” Auron said firmly, gripping her hand. “I will make sure of that.”“You gonna tell them, though? About the water?” she asked, leaning over Auron’s shoulder and looking at Braska and Jecht, who were sitting at the next table.Auron’s face grew pinched. “Not until I need to. Braska has enough to worry about, and Jecht… is distracted,” he said, looking at the other man critically.Sure enough, Jecht was staring out into space, a blank look on his face.“Jecht?” Auron called out, to no response.Rikku leaned over, frowning. “Hello? Spira to Jecht?”Braska leaned over and physically took Jecht’s arm, shaking the man out of his stupor. “What is it?” he asked.“Oh, uh…” Jecht looked embarrassed at being caught woolgathering. He hung his head and crossed his arms in front of him, leaning on the table. “I was just thinkin’. ‘Bout Otherworlds. I just figured, if this’d been Sin’s Zanarkand, then maybe my Zanarkand…” he mumbled, circling around the truth.Rikku took another swig of water to hide her nervous swallow. Keeping his eye on the entire field was something Jecht seemed handy at. She breathed a sigh of internal relief that this version of Sin wasn’t nearly as obsessed with Zanarkand as Jecht had been; it was throwing him off his game.“The thing is that this isn’t Zanarkand. It’s Bevelle, which might be even worse,” she said dramatically. “But, well, that Highbridge isn’t gonna cross itself.” She slid out of her seat, surprising Auron with her eagerness to continue. “Let’s get moving!”“Yeah, yeah, I’m comin’,” Jecht said, downing the last of his water as well and rising to his feet.As stealthily as they’d attempted to cross the city, Rikku soon realized it was a lost cause when they reached the entrance to Sin’s version of Highbridge. There was nowhere to hide or take cover on the long, narrow, and horribly exposed path; they were just going to have to make a run for it and hope for the best.Assessing the tower on the other side of the bridge, Auron turned to face them, taking the lead. “There will be no racing,” he said immediately, looking squarely at her and Jecht. “We stay together and travel at the pace I set. Are we clear?”“Yeah, yeah,” Jecht said. “No showin’ off, I got it.”“Ready steady!” Rikku said, dancing in place.“Yevon help me,” Braska murmured, staring at the stretch of bridge before them, but he nodded at Auron nonetheless.“Jecht,” Auron commanded, turning to face the bridge.“Yessir,” Jecht replied, casting Hastega over all of them.“We move!” They set out at a surprisingly quick jog that soon had Braska huffing for breath.“I thought… you said… no racing,” he complained.“If you have enough breath to talk, we can pick up the pace,” Auron warned.Braska grunted, but wisely didn’t argue.Strangely enough, the fiends seemed to be steering clear of the Highbridge; that, or Auron’s decision to move at a quick but steady clip to avoid attracting undue fiend attention really was working. Still, the further along they got without being attacked, the more Rikku’s nerves jangled.At the halfway point Auron held up a hand, slowing their pace. When they neared the exit, he brought them to a stop.“This is suspicious,” he said, turning to look back across the fiend-free bridge. “I don’t like it. The fiends must be staying away from this section of the city for a reason.”“Do you mean to say we might have walked?” Braska wheezed, doubled over with his hands on his knees.“No. Catch your breath.” His eyes were trained on the large doors ahead of them that would lead to the Palace interior. “Something awaits us there.”Everybody straightened and readied their weapons and Auron moved them cautiously forward, one step at a time. When they neared the door the sky darkened ominously, stars winking out of sight.“Oh boy,” Jecht said, looking up.“Wanna run?” Rikku asked, watching the orb of swirling darkness grow larger and larger as it descended from the sky, hovering directly over the door to the Palace.The bottom of the orb burst open with a wet squelch, sending heavy, viscous drops of dark goo splattering against the ground. A clawed toe oozed its way out, followed by a long, sinuous demonic body. Oily, slick black wings slowly unfolded, ichor dripping off of them into pools as the fiend strode forward. Sickly yellow eyes gleamed at them with keen intelligence. It pointed at them and then smiled, exposing a mouth crowded with elongated, needle-like teeth. Then it drew a thumb slowly across its neck.“Uhh… I ain’t never seen no fiend that looked like that before.” Surprise didn’t stop Jecht from raising his sword, though, bouncing on his heels.Rikku swallowed. She had seen something like that before… a being of pure resentment, birthed from Trema’s strange experiments in the Monster Arena. This one, however, felt different. More powerful. “I think it’s a caster,” she warned them, activating her Grid. Her Alchemist costume slipped over her skin quickly, and she felt a bit of her shaken confidence return.“Go!” Auron commanded, springing forward with his sword raised. Braska lifted his staff and shells of protective magic bloomed to life around each of them. Jecht was also casting, speeding their steps with another Hastega. Rikku’s hands reached into her pouch, pulling out the strangest, strongest objects of desire she’d collected from other fiends’ souls and coaxed them together, counting the seconds it took for the mixture to catch.“You place too much trust in your magics!” Auron shouted, the Ashura crackling with blue energy. The creature didn’t even try to dodge as Auron slammed the sword into its side. Though he managed to push it back slightly from the force of the blow, it effortlessly shrugged off the magic break accompanying the strike. Auron stepped back a few paces, visibly displeased at the failure, but the creature didn’t attempt to retaliate.Instead, it pushed off the ground, leathery wings flapping. Its mouth opened into a wicked, silent laugh. With a lashing tail, it raised both hands to the sky. Glowing celestial symbols sparked to life directly above them, radiating holy magic. Simultaneously, demonic slashes appeared on the ground, pulsing dully red and filled with dark malice that surged upwards. As the two opposing powers met midway they clashed violently, resulting in an explosion that caught the entire group in its wake.Rikku reeled backwards, ears ringing. The blast knocked her flat to the ground. Braska’s protective spells took the brunt of the blow, but still shattered under the sheer sustained pressure of the gravitational power that nailed her to the floor. Even Jecht’s Haste spell slid off of her, stripping her of almost all her defenses. Rikku managed to lift her head up enough to see the others weren’t faring any better. Jecht was flattened face-first on the ground, his hands fisted as he repeatedly tried to get up only to be pushed back down as though from an invisible hand. Braska was on his back, his expression pinched and drawn as he struggled to cast, even prone as he was. He was partially successful, because she saw the telltale sprinkle of healing magic rain over him. Only Auron was able to make it back to one knee, fighting against the heavy gravitational pressure that tore at his body.The eerie light faded, and there was a collective gasp as the crushing pressure dissipated and allowed them all to breathe again. Rikku sprang to her feet, wasting no time in hurling the bundle of collected desire she’d managed to smush together towards the demon. Her vial hit the fiend in the chest, shattering.The demon uncrossed its arms and looked down in confusion at the mess, which seemed to do nothing other than leave a small wet stain that was dribbling down its torso. Slowly, though, the memories she’d collected and mixed together stirred awake. They were silent, deadly, and so very, very hungry, desperate to return to what had once been their human lives.Feeling the change, the demon clawed at its chest frantically. The green splatter turned into a multitude of ghostly fingers, probing, pulling, and finally clawing at its essence, yanking out whatever they could with famished greed. Magical power and life force were ripped out of the fiend, released by the spectral fingers into a tidal wave of energy that washed over Rikku. Rather than knocking her down, she heard their ghostly whispers of glee as strength flooded back into her legs and her dizziness cleared.The creature – Abaddon, Trema had called his – snarled and pointed a finger at her, and the tell-tale whine of a Flare spell glowed to life under her feet. It wasn’t faster, however, than the sparkling green sphere of Braska’s magic that cocooned her.The black magic slammed against her protective bubble and bounced off it, smashing back into the demon who’d cast the spell. “Just hit it as fast and hard as you can so it doesn’t have time to cast!” she yelled. “Jecht!” Auron barked, circling the fiend warily with his sword extended.Jecht hurled his weapon at the flying demon, trying to damage its wings and bring it down. The Fang struck true, slicing across its back in a glancing blow that ripped through the webbed membranes of both of its wings.When the fiend dipped towards the floor, Auron lunged. He struck it with the flat of his blade, hammering it towards the floor. As it staggered, he planted one foot against its massive thigh and leapt high. His other knee smashed into its horned head and brought it down completely, abandoning finesse for brutality. The Ashura struck low in a floor-sweeping blow when he landed, knocking the demon’s feet out from under it.Jecht was already right behind him, almost like they were playing tag-team. He cartwheeled, yelling as he brought his sword down heavily right over the fiend’s chest, smashing it into the ground so hard that the stone cracked under its body.“Get away from it!” Rikku yelled, pointing upwards. Her most powerful Blizzaga crystal formed over her own head, falling. It hit Braska’s green shield and the magic bounced, gaining power. Both men scrambled away just in time as the wildly growing shards of ice encased the fiend, freezing it against the floor.Auron closed in. “Farewell,” he growled roughly, raising his sword in both hands and plunging it through the demon’s neck.The fiend jackknifed, its clawed fingers and toes scrabbling noisily against the ground as it gurgled out its final death throes. Its strength ebbed away along with Rikku’s ice crystals, and its twisted flesh melted back into the same black ichor it had been born from. In mere moments, the fiend faded completely into fleeing pyreflies.Rikku sank to her knees, releasing her hold on her dressphere. “… Wow, you two,” she said, giving Auron and Jecht a thumbs up. “I didn’t realize you could work so well together.”Auron made a face. “Only in life and death situations,” he grumbled. “That thing was a little too similar to the fiends Trema made us bring down in the Monster Arena.” He twitched at the memory.Jecht just laughed loudly, slinging his sword behind his back. “Oi, B, you okay there?”Braska nodded, joining them with a noticeable limp. Rikku handed him a potion, which he downed gratefully before answering. “Surely we must be on the right path.” He looked towards the darkened doorways. “This may be it. Once we enter that passage, given no unpleasant surprises, the stairway inside will ascend to the Palace. And there, we will reach the heart of Bevelle.” He paused. “Of Sin.”The euphoria of victory slid away quickly as the reality of Braska’s words registered. Rikku sat down, weariness washing over her. But Auron said we had three days. Maybe four! “Can we just… wait a minute?”“While it would be wise to tend to our wounds,” Braska said, standing next to her, “Don’t tell me you’re losing your nerve now? This is your plan, after all.”“No pressure or anything,” Rikku mumbled. She leaned into Auron’s shoulder when he settled next to her.“Believe in yourself. This will work,” Auron told her.“Yeah.” Rikku reached for her usual confidence but found only trembling uncertainty. She banished it by forcing her twitching fingers to root through her pouches for the healing supplies, handing out her potions and elixirs like they weren’t worth the small fortune she knew they were. “Let’s be prepared for anything though, okay?”If they lingered a little too long at the entrance to the Palace, spent a few moments more than necessary savoring their elixirs, for once, no one brought it up.
.x.x.x.
Rikku had never really taken the steps leading up to the Palace of Bevelle before; going up was Baralai and Yuna’s territory. Usually, she went down, towards the Temple, if she had any reason to be there at all. Of course, there was that one time they’d gatecrashed Yuna’s wedding from the sky. But walking up the long red carpet, so high above the rest of the city, surrounded by an endless void of stars… That was a new one.She watched Auron’s back, wondering what awaited them at the top. A human figure, like Jecht had been? A monstrosity, like the enormous flaming giant Jecht had turned into? Fear curdled in her gut.“Don’t summon. No matter what happens, don’t summon anything,” she said tightly.Behind her, Braska kept his silence, and she grit her teeth.All too soon, they stood at the edge of the platform where Yuna and Seymour had celebrated their ill-fated wedding. And standing there in the middle was, to Rikku’s surprise and guilty relief, a very human-looking woman.Her back was to them, one hand on her hip; long, blonde hair cascaded to her thighs like a golden waterfall. She dressed smartly; somewhere between the propriety of a Warrior Monk and the practicality of a Crusader. When she turned to face them with cool grey eyes, Rikku blinked and said the first thing that popped into her mouth. “Wow, you’re gorgeous!”The woman’s face was like smoothed marble, not reacting to Rikku at all. Instead, her eyes narrowed in annoyance. “So you’re the pests who’ve been chipping away at my body,” she said.That was enough to knock Jecht out of his stupor. “Look now, you don’t gotta put it like that,” he said uncomfortably, staring at her rather well-endowed ‘body’.Auron recovered next, shifting his hold on his already-drawn sword. “If you looked anything on the outside like you did in here, there would have been no need for our hostility.”“You…” Braska said, stepping forward. “You are the Guardian of High Summoner Dysley, are you not? Lady Yunalesca told me of you.”If anything, the woman’s expression became even frostier. “Intriguing, how High Summoner Dysley’s name has gone down in history as a hero, yet my own is forgotten.” She tossed her hair, a look of bitterness stealing across her porcelain features. “Am I not the one who provided the ultimate service to Spira? Am I not the one whose name should be sung in praise for the sacrifice I made?”Braska immediately dipped into a low Yevonite bow. “I apologize my lady. I have forgotten my manners. I am High Summoner Braska of Bevelle. And you are…?”A muscle on the woman’s cheek jumped, but she humored him. “Jihl. Jihl Nabaat.”“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Nabaat,” Braska said, bowing again. “I wish you to know that I honor the sacrifice that you made to ensure the safety of Spira. And… I am sorry, that it was not your own choice. I know my apology does little to alleviate the suffering you must have endured these past thirty years, but you were the victim of a great injustice.” He straightened. “I hope to remedy that, and prevent it from happening ever again.”Jihl’s smile was crooked and her eyes flashed. “How kind of you, High Summoner. Or should I say… how presumptuous? You and Dysley, you really are one of a kind.” She shifted the hand at her hip, and for the first time Rikku noticed the wickedly sharp rapier resting there. “I do not wish for a final rest, my Lord. There is no misery to relieve me of.” She paced around the platform, drawing her weapon and tapping it into her palm in a steady rhythm. “You see, I have chosen to become one with Sin.”Her beautiful features contorted with an uglier emotion as her tone turned dark. “I was betrayed by my own Summoner. My liege and my lord! He threw me into this fire as his pawn, but my sacrifice was not willing! I died as I lived, resentful and unappreciated.” She took a deep breath. “But no more. If this is the role I was meant to serve, then I shall make my Lord Dysley proud.” She regained her composure. “Indeed, I will be the best at it that was ever seen. None shall survive the judgement I will bring to Spira… once I’ve dealt with you parasites.” Jihl smiled, a sharp, wicked smile, and Rikku had an inkling of why Sin had managed to grow so large and powerful in just thirty short years. “After I’m done with you, I think I’ll return to Luca. I do so hate missing the tournaments there.”Jecht hissed between his teeth, and Jihl laughed at him.“What? Are you so surprised that Sin would be a fan of blitzball? It is, after all, Spira’s last ray of hope.” Her smile lengthened, becoming cruel. “It’s only fitting that I be the one to extinguish it.”Braska brought his staff before him, his own expression hardening. “Then we shall be the ones who stop you.”“Umm. You know all that madness and hatred you were looking for?” Rikku murmured. She hummed and flicked her fingers at Jihl’s form. “I take it back. She’s not beautiful. She’s the ugliest fiend I’ve seen here yet.”Jihl laughed, striking a dueling pose with her rapier as her hair whipped around her, forming into sharp metal chains. Multiple laughing mouths broke open over her face and the exposed skin of her hands. “Ah, my dear child. I have never felt more beautiful than ever before.” All of her mouths smiled at them, creepy with their perfect shining rows of pearly white teeth. “Now come, and worship at my altar,” she said, her voice deepening as the glow from her skin faded, solidifying into gleaming chrome. “For you stand in the temple of Spira’s new Goddess, Sin.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jihl fluidly twirled her rapier with one hand. Raising the other, she dropped low and pointed the sword at them, smiling. With all of her mouths.“Okay, now that’s way too many teeth,” Jecht muttered.“Split up,” Auron said, his eyes locked on the figure that was obviously waiting for them to approach. “She’s a trained swordsman. And that is a dueling stance. I’ll need to take point.”“Quaint. But you needn’t fret. Come at me all at once, if you desire,” Jihl taunted, rocking back and forth on her feet.“But she isn’t really!” Rikku bounced up and down nervously. “She’s not actually a swordsman! She’s Sin! She won’t be playing fair! And...” Her hand hovered over her Garment Grid, conflicted. “I don’t know if it’s safe to use this in front of her.” She felt suddenly woefully unprepared without the support of her battle costumes, like she was walking into the hardest battle of her life nearly naked. “What if it’s just like summoning?”“Do your best as you are. You are more than the sum of your equipment,” Braska told her knowingly. He must have felt the same way, unable to call upon his greatest cards, his aeons. He brushed his knuckles against her back in an encouraging bump. “You will manage.”“I said split up,” Auron hissed, growing impatient. “Surround her. Attack while I keep her sword occupied.” He didn’t bother to see if they were listening, taking a few slow, purposeful steps forward. He stretched his arms, extending the reach of his sword warily, testing the waters.“Right,” Jecht said, breaking to the left side of the platform and throwing out a Hastega. The sigils for the spell hadn’t even finished forming before Jihl’s winding hair rose around her to form an intricate counter-pattern. Jecht’s magic broke apart, dispelled before it could land. It didn’t stop his run, though his loud swearing rang out clearly.Rikku, in the meanwhile, sprinted for the right of the platform; she lobbed the reagents she’d been mixing together towards Auron, surrounding him in a protective shell. Unfortunately, that caught Jihl’s attention in the worst possible way.“An Al Bhed?!” Her voice rang out with disbelief and outrage, her hair beginning to writhe around her in agitated rings. She whipped her head towards Braska. “Summoner! You would bring heresy into my sacred temple?”Braska didn’t answer; he hadn’t actually moved as Auron had instructed. Instead, he finished chanting and pointed his staff at Jihl. The crackle of Holy magic filled the air as the familiar points of glowing light encircled her. Auron jumped back to avoid the blast radius, and Braska’s magic exploded. Even more intense than the blinding light was Jihl’s high shriek of pain. When the spell faded, however, she looked more angry than hurt. Her chain-like hair had fallen limply to her back again at least, no longer acting like it had a life of its own.“I see you’re too much of a coward to summon your aeons, my Lord,” she hissed as she recovered her stance, her many mouths contorting and flicking their tongues at him in mockery. “Eventually you’ll yield, when you see me reduce your trusted companions to broken shells of their former selves. And then, I will devour you as well.”Auron wasn’t one to waste a monologue. He’d closed the distance during her posturing and struck like lighting, thrusting his blade forward.But Jihl, rather than being impaled on Auron’s sword, abruptly bent out of the way. With a nimble twist of her arm, her rapier sinuously wound around the length of the Ashura. She countered with her own precise lunge while they were still tangled. The edge of her thin blade caught Auron’s sword arm, splitting open his red coat and drawing a sharp red line along the length of his exposed skin all the way up to his shoulder. He retreated immediately into a defensive guard, sword high and eyes narrowed.Jihl smiled. She wiped her rapier against one of the mouths on her hand, licking the blade clean of blood. “You’re very skilled,” she complimented him. “But I am better.”With a sinking feeling, Rikku realized the other woman might not be wrong. Auron was the best swordsman she’d ever seen. His style, though, was one of power – slow, heavy, and deliberate. Despite her odd metallic appearance and multitude of mouths, Jihl hadn’t actually used any superpowers to counter Auron’s strike; the twist and the lunge that had landed her own blow had been pure technique.A real sense of danger silenced their usual banter; everyone, even Jecht, sobered at Jihl’s display of sword prowess. Braska showered a healing spell over Auron, closing the arm wound. The real damage had already been done, though, and Jihl observed it with her sharp eyes.“Oh, I see. Never before defeated in a duel, were you Sir Guardian? You should know that I, too, was the finest swordsman of my age. That was the entire reason I was selected to become Lord Dysley’s Guardian after all,” she crooned. “Allow me to grant you a new experience, then.” She flicked her rapier upwards and sprung at him. “On your guard!”Auron hurled himself out of the way of her first stab, but Jihl’s movements were fluid and graceful. Witnessing her pressing the attack, Rikku knew that she was the only one who had a chance at keeping pace with Jihl’s blistering speed. With that rapier’s reach, though, she’d likely be speared through before she even got a knuckle in edgewise. So she aimed a Blizzaga towards Jihl instead, hoping to slow the woman down and keep her off of Auron.Jihl leapt into the air, arm extended, and shattered the ice crystal forming over her head. The magic unraveled, dispelling once again before it could hit. She landed in a smooth roll that did nothing to slow her assault. Instead, she transitioned seamlessly into a series of steps, ducks, and even hops to drive Auron further and further backwards. He managed to dodge or parry most of her rapid-fire strikes, his protective spells flaring bright when he couldn’t. Deftly, he angled his retreat so that he drew her away from Braska. It was still a clear and uncontrolled loss of ground that brought him dangerously close to the edge of the platform, though, and his chest rose and fell heavily from the effort of blocking her. The last time Rikku had seen anything like it was in the early days when Auron was still training Jecht. Back then, he’d only used it as an intimidation technique to force Jecht to concentrate on their lessons. Unfortunately, Jihl’s use of that tactic still produced the same effect. Jihl relented as the heel of his boot hit the edge of the steep drop to the city far below. “Impressive. You managed to maintain your stance.” Taking a step back, she lowered her weapon and appraised Auron with a thoughtful look. Without any warning she lunged, rapier fully extended.“Yaaarg!” The blow that might have pushed Auron over the edge never landed as Jecht slammed into Jihl, shoulder-checking her off course. The tip of her rapier smashed into the ground, sending chunks of stone flying everywhere. The wrath in her eyes was replaced by surprise when the Fang cleaved into her head, though.“Nobody said it had to be a fair fight!” Jecht grinned, pulling the enormous sword out from between her eyes out with a wet slop. His smirk soon turned into dismay as Jihl, even split as she was, lifted her rapier. The chains of her hair wrapped around her head, pulling her metallic skin back together again. There was a new jagged crack running down the center of her face, and the look of fury in her eyes made him take a stumbling step back. “Uhh…”“Never interrupt a duel!” she screamed, spinning into a roundhouse kick that planted her heeled shoe into the center of Jecht’s tattoo.He grunted from the force of the blow, going airborne and sailing over the side of the platform, arms wind milling. Somehow, he managed to reach out and grip one of the ornamental pillars lining the falls before he could follow the water tumbling down over the edge. With a swing, he wrapped his legs around the column and fought to pull himself back up, bleeding profusely from the puncture wound in his chest. His Celestial weapon wasn’t so fortunate, though; the Fang fell towards the city, the first casualty of the battle. Braska rushed towards Jecht, intent on pulling him back to safety, and Jihl clucked her tongue.“Ah ah ah! Summoners are for dessert,” she said, dancing away from Auron’s retaliatory strike and flicking her hand at Braska. Wickedly sharp pillars of crystal burst out of the floor, slicing into the summoner’s skin and entrapping him. Jihl’s hand formed a fist and the pillars expanded explosively, staining the interior of his crystalline cage with ominous splatters of red.Heart in her throat, Rikku raced towards Braska. There wasn’t the time for a mix, judging from the pool of red gathering around the base of the pillar formation. Instead, she grabbed her strongest healing potion to try to stop him from bleeding out. Even though he was trapped, she could hear Braska chanting under his breath with fervent intensity, his eyes trained on Jecht. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, bright and terrifying against the paleness of his skin. Finishing the chant, a powerful Curaga washed over the Jecht, closing the blitzer’s chest wound and giving him the strength to scrabble back onto the safety of the platform. Exhausted, Braska sagged against his prison.“Heal yourself!” Rikku yelled, frustrated at his lack of self-preservation. She smacked her potion into the closest exposed skin she could find, his outstretched hand.Auron surged forward at the same time, trying to catch Jihl off-guard. When Rikku looked over her shoulder to track Jihl’s movements, she drew in a sharp breath.She’s too fast! She’s way too fast! “Auron!” she tried to warn him. Jihl raised her rapier, fully ready to receive his attack.Jihl was indeed fast; she changed trajectory at the last minute and shot towards Rikku instead. “How sickeningly sweet! Two star-crossed lovers, destined to die together!”Rikku threw herself into a backflip, feeling the metal of the rapier skim her abdomen rather than disembowel her. She hit the ground in a roll and immediately skittered backwards to avoid being skewered. And then her heart froze.
It was a feint!
Jihl hadn’t been trying to skewer her at all; she’d used Rikku as a distraction while Auron was charging towards her. Because of course Auron, ever the Guardian, would try to intercept Jihl’s attack to protect her.Quick as a hypello in water, Jihl leaned backwards and twisted the rapier into his unsuspecting charge. The Mighty Wall Rikku had layered him in deflected the weapon enough to sending it scraping along the right side of his face rather than clean through his eye socket, though it shattered under the force of Jihl’s blow. Auron howled in pain as the sword’s tip scored his cheek and caught on his eye, blinding him. He staggered, blood splattering at his feet.Braska chanted quickly, trying to repair Auron’s ruined eye as the other man doubled over and covered his bloody face with his free hand. Auron continued to swing blindly to keep Jihl from following through with a fatal attack, retreating. He managed to straighten out of his pained curl as the tell-tale wash of Braska’s powerful magic rapidly started healing the wound, closing his split skin.Jihl snarled. “I said wait your turn!” She slashed her hand downwards and the crystal prison expanded once again, this time embedding Braska completely from head to toe before he could complete his spell.The green thread of curative magic dissipated and Auron stumbled backwards, his hand dropping away to reveal a recognizably scarred face. He tottered, trying to regain his sense of balance despite his sudden loss of depth perception.No, Rikku thought, her fear crystalizing into something solid. His half-healed eye was already scarred over. Even if Braska were to try again, it was too late to restore it; Auron’s loss of vision was permanent. But I’m changing the future! She slid to Auron’s side, steadying him. This wasn’t supposed to happen! Not again! “Stop it!” she screamed at the other woman, her hands shaking as she tried to mix something, anything to give them an edge.“Time to die,” Jihl purred, scraping her rapier back and forth over the stone menacingly and stalking forward one slow step at a time, her heels clicking ominously against the stone floor.“Time out!” Jecht roared, his foot snapping Jihl’s head back in a flying kick. She reeled and then twisted, slinging her rapier towards him. Jecht cartwheeled expertly out of the way – and landed on his sword. Which was no longer lost in the depths of Dream Bevelle.Even panicking as she was, Rikku blinked in disbelief. “Huh? How?!”Jecht ignored her, sweeping his hands towards the sky. The sword spun upwards in a wild spiral that took him out of the reach of Jihl’s rapier. Bending his knees to keep his balance, he crouched low on the broad side of the Fang, using it like an aerial surfboard. “Later, Blondie! I’m concentratin’!”She’d seen him do it before; controlling the thrown blade to fly where he wanted it to. Apparently being forced to fight against Sin’s human incarnation had pushed him to perfect the talent.Jihl was just as dumbfounded as the rest of them, her mouths dropping open. Then she screeched at him, the sound deep and vibrating as the noise emanated from her entire body. Impossibly high crystalline stalagmites exploded out of the ground, chasing after Jecht in the sky. He weaved in and out between them expertly, similar to how he dodged attacks underwater when playing blitzball. “Die already, you insufferable cockroach!” she shrieked, forgetting about Rikku and Auron for the moment as she focused on Jecht.Rikku’s fingers closed around the grenade fragments she’d been mixing and hurled them at Jihl’s upturned face. The fiery explosions slammed the other woman back across the platform multiple times, blasting her towards the edge in much the same way she’d forced Auron back.“We gotta level the playin’ field,” Jecht growled, casting another Hastega over all of them as he circled overhead. This time, Jihl wasn’t able to counter their spells and Rikku nearly wept with relief as she felt her limbs growing loose with augmented speed.“Augh,” Auron gasped, his shaking hand coming up to cover his eye once more. “Get Braska out before he suffocates!” he yelled, raising his sword and running towards Jihl, who was still staggering. He leaned back and slammed the Ashura into her side, lifting her off of her feet and throwing her over the edge.Rikku knew they hadn’t killed her, but it didn’t matter. Braska’s skin was turning the same shade of blue as his cage. Everyone raced to chip away at the crystals surrounding the summoner. One particularly hard crack across the top of the prison by Auron was enough to split the crystal around his head. Braska gulped in deep, wheezing breaths as soon as his face was freed, and Rikku and Jecht continued to pry chunks of crystal off the rest of his body. Auron caught him when he fell, mumbling curative magic over the worst-looking parts of Braska’s red-stained robe.“Rrrng,” a low, deep voice growled from below, filling Rikku with dread.Here it comes… the real challenge, she thought. They weren’t at their best; Braska was barely conscious, and Auron was still trying to adjust rapidly to the loss of his vision – and precision. The edge of the platform cracked under a large, clawed hand that grabbed the edge. Jihl pulled herself up slowly, but her form had changed once again. She was much larger than before, and her smart Crusader garb had disappeared. She wasn’t naked, though; instead, her chrome-like skin had blacked to dark iron and the many mouths that really did cover every bit of her body melded into gold sigils of Yevon that each chanted the Hymn in a discordant symphony, burning with fiery light. Her long hair, now glowing with energy, lifted from her back and shoulder blades like wings. She rose to her full height, revealing a prehensile tail that ended in multiple talon-stingers. At least her rapier was nowhere to be seen; it was a small comfort when she was three times the size of them now, though.“That’s Dysley’s Final Aeon,” Rikku said, watching her with wide eyes. “We have to beat her!”Auron struggled to rise to his feet, sword in hand, but Jecht pushed him back down. “You had your turn, Auron. Take care o’ Braska now.” Scowling, he hefted the Fang over his shoulder, copying his mentor, and then ruined the effect by swaggering forward, his other hand fisted against his hip. “Oi, mouthbreather! Your fight’s with me!”The aeon whirled, smashing her tail down in the center of the platform, but Jecht avoided it by leaping up and holding onto his sword, dangling himself in mid-air.“Bad aim, too,” he sighed, shaking his head. He dropped when her tail retreated, landing in the smashed rubble. “Well, gotta set up my game now,” he groused, falling into a wide fighting stance.Roaring, the aeon rushed towards Jecht, claws extended. He met her rush, clenching his armored fist into a ball and leaping into an uppercut to her chin that sent her reeling backwards. He followed it with a side kick before she could recover, and then brought his sword down in a jumping vertical slash across the length of her body. The many mouths screamed in pain as the Fang opened up wounds that shone like fire everywhere it struck against her darkened body.She slashed at him with her claws, snarling, and Jecht brought the Fang up before him, bracing it against himself like a shield to absorb the hits. As she drew back another fist, though, he dropped the sword and cocked his arm backwards, slinging a powerful haymaker into the side of her knee that made her crumple to the ground on one leg. He met the downward trajectory of her forehead with a head-butt, and then bounced her off the floor with another vicious strike of his sword.“When did he get so good?” Rikku gaped, watching Jecht mercilessly beat the Final Aeon, combining Auron’s sword technique with every single dirty trick and brawler punch he knew.Auron laughed self-depreciatingly, still rubbing at the tender scar running above and below his bloodied right eye. “Jecht doesn’t fight for honor or glory. He doesn’t need the forms or the stances. He just fights to win.” Then he smiled a tiny, proud smile, despite his pain. “Jihl was wrong, after all. I have been beaten in a duel before.” He tilted his head towards the fight.They watched Jecht use his flying sword to pull the aeon up into the air, and then spike her back into the ground like a blitzball. “That was for Braska!” He flipped onto it and rode the hilt guard downwards, driving the business end of the Fang into her abdomen and pinning her to the ground like a tacked bug. “An’ that one’s for Auron!” He tumbled forward as soon as he’d driven his sword through her deeply enough to keep her locked down. “But this here, this one’s all for me!” Kneeing on her shoulders, he drew his fists back and punched her repeatedly in the face, giving her no chance to recover.By the fifth punch, his unarmored knuckle was raw, but the aeon went limp beneath him. Smirking, he rose to his feet and put one foot on the hilt of his sword, pushing it in further. Then he leaned on his knee, panting for breath. “The game’s over,” he said grimly.True to his word, Jihl’s body grew translucent, swirling with the multi-colored hues of escaping pyreflies.“We did it. We got her!” Rikku scrambled to her feet. “Now we just have to get out before Sin’s body collapses on us!” She turned and glared at Braska. “No matter what happens, don’t summon now! We’ll find a way out of here on our own, so let’s go, go, g-”Jecht let out a yelp and hopped off his sword as more than just pyreflies flitted away from under his feet. “The hell is that thing?!” He skipped away from the black, wavering cloud that formed above their heads.“That’s Yu Yevon,” Rikku said. The squid-like creature flitted around wildly, its tentacles writing as it searched for a Final Aeon to latch onto. It grew more and more agitated as nothing was found, and Rikku clenched her fist. “We gotta go right now—!”“No,” said Braska, standing up and holding his staff out. “It can end here. All of it. Yuna will never have to go on Pilgrimage. Spira will never have to suffer senseless deaths again. A thousand years of people just like us, reliving the same pain over and over again – we can finally stop that.” He looked at Rikku, and then gave her a gentle smile. “Not by fighting him.” His gaze lifted to Yu Yevon, who’d stilled above them, pulsating eerily in the dim light. “By Sending him.”Auron’s arms wrapped around her. “Rikku,” he said, trembling, torn between the obvious truth in Braska’s words and his attachment to her. “Everything you know will change. But… stay,” he begged her, his one good eye seeking hers. “Find a way to stay…”The tightness in her throat rose. But it wasn’t Auron’s fear of her disappearance that flooded her. It was Jecht, crossing his arms and watching Braska begin to dance, ignorant of its meaning.No! No, I was supposed to buy him ten more years! She opened her mouth, searching for a reason to stop the Sending, but no words came out. Braska was right. It was the simplest solution; the obvious and easiest one. He didn’t know that Sending Yu Yevon meant destroying Jecht. She did, though, and she couldn’t help it. She met Jecht’s eyes. He’d always been able to figure things out when he needed to.“A song from an Otherworld,” Jecht mumbled, watching her and finally making the connection. “We’re the song. All o’ Dream Zanarkand.” He turned back to Braska, his eyes going wide. “Tidus!” he yelled, lunging for the other man and grabbing his staff, stopping the dance mid-way. “Don’t!”Surprised, Braska tried to draw back, but Jecht wouldn’t release him, instead trying to pull the staff out of Braska’s hands. “Jecht! Why?” Braska asked, confused. He hung on tightly to his weapon despite being shaken like a rag doll by the larger man.Jecht didn’t have time for an answer, though, because Yu Yevon focused on their struggle. It swooped low, and Jecht released the staff, pushing Braska away as he fell backwards, both of them narrowly avoiding being hit by the strange undead.“It’s attacking us?!” Auron said, releasing Rikku and bringing his sword up. He shook his head and focused, trying to track Yu Yevon’s erratic flight with his blade. “Why?”Rikku’s eyes widened. “Because… he needs an aeon to survive!” She looked at Jecht, who was reaching for his sword, horror dawning. Jihl hadn’t realized, but the thing in the air stalking them wasn’t Sin… it was the greatest Summoner of Spira. We failed, because… “He wants the most powerful aeon nearby! Jecht! He’s going after you!”“Huh?” He looked up and saw Yu Yevon turning to bear down on him, realization dawning. “Shit!” he yelled, falling over and backing towards them on his butt. Auron leapt in front of him, swinging his sword into the writhing black mass and slamming it back up into the air before it could latch on to Jecht. Yu Yevon wobbled a bit, but then continued its frenetic motions, circling them again like a cat stalking a mouse. Its tentacles shivered, pulsing with glowing energy.“You have to Send it!” Auron yelled, preparing to bat it away again. Jecht jumped to his feet and grappled Auron’s sword down.“Don’t hurt it!” he yelled, his eyes wide. “Killin’ that thing will kill my son!”Yu Yevon swerved back towards them and Rikku grabbed Jecht, trying to pull him out of the way. “Don’t do this, Jecht! Don’t let that thing take yo—”Her breath left her in an abrupt gasp as something hit her. Her eyes dropped to her chest.Ten glowing tendrils pierced through her, wriggling like worms. A weight settled against her back, and the tendrils contracted, fingers on a hand grasping something inside of her, sinking below the surface of her skin.“N-no,” she laughed shakily, feeling a burning sensation between her shoulder blades. She met their eyes, just as confused as they were. “No, he always goes after the most powerful aeon…”She wasn’t able to process their looks of shock as she fell to her knees; she felt pretty much the same, after all. Well, except for the fire in her spine that was rapidly spreading to her chest, eating her up from the inside. The world grew fuzzy, and then faded away completely into a grey nothingness. Thoughts foreign to hers flooded her head.
How can I rest? How can I be at peace? What shall become of us, when I am dead? No! The end of mortality shall never overtake us… Never! Zanarkand… will live… forever!
She felt it; felt Yu Yevon’s single-minded desire ringing through her head. Even as her soul writhed in agony, she found herself repeating his mantra unwillingly in her mind, over and over again. Zanarkand will live forever. She was slipping away, being pulled into the depths of a silent ocean with a relentless undertow. Falling into darkness, and this time there would be no end.Something stopped her. Her eyes cracked open briefly; there was nothing to see, in that deep, dark pit with her consciousness hanging on by a thread. She closed them again, giving up, but the pressure increased. In a world numbed of nearly all sensation, she felt it. Something around her wrist. It pulled insistently, and she tried to ignore it. So tired. The grip tightened, bringing pain back into her consciousness. Blearily, she forced her heavy eyelids open to take a look.An enormous fiend’s claw was wrapped around her arm, dwarfing it. If it squeezed her any more tightly, she was sure her arm would snap off at the elbow.
That… should be concerning.
It didn’t matter; she was too tired to fight. Instead, her weary eyes followed the claw up a patch of rough scales, to a tuft of feathers and spikes, jutting out in every which direction. Strands of hair, white as snow, came into focus, and a pair of glowing yellow eyes watching her. I should really be scared right about now, shouldn’t I? She squinted, feeling coming back into her heavy limbs as she was pulled upwards, upwards, through the thick, cloying darkness that was reluctant to release her. The depthless black night receded into grey clouds. There was still a thick pain in her chest, like someone had ripped her heart and lungs out, but there was also enough light to see now, and she had enough energy to keep her eyes open. She blinked away her grogginess and took a good look at her savior.The creature turned again, and her eyes fell to its chest. There, in white, blazoned across it was an unmistakable symbol. She lifted her eyes and he smiled at her, tilting his head; in this strange space in-between, where gravity didn’t seem to exist, the red bandana swayed slowly alongside the motion of his white hair.He couldn’t speak anymore; a bony protrusion extruded from his throat and had wrapped itself around his chest, protecting and silencing him at the same time. His scarred face still retained its humanity, though, and his eyes crinkled as he smiled at her, gentle despite the fact that his teeth were long and wicked.
No hard feelings, Blondie.
Rikku burst into tears.Jecht sagged a bit, then shook his mane of white hair out and continued to pull her up through the misty grey clouds, swimming as though he was underwater. His toes were as clawed as his fingers now, and unsettling bone spurs protruded from his legs at regular intervals, acting like armor.Pull it together, Rikku! She used her free hand to wipe her eyes dry, trying to stop the feeling of the crumbling dam in her chest. They’d done this for her; she couldn’t turn into dead weight now, of all times. “What’s going on? What happened?” she asked, struggling to salvage the situation. Then she gasped and clawed at her chest, feeling something inside of herself move.
Zanarkand will live forever!
Jecht’s face turned into an ugly scowl; he was looking at something on her back, and Rikku had a pretty good idea what it was. Shuddering, she kept herself from clawing at her Yu Yevon backpack and instead focused on Jecht’s bright-eyed stare.“Can you show me?”He looked discomfited, and then put his other hand over his forehead, concentrating. Slowly, the grey mists cleared. She saw herself floating above the Palace of Dream Bevelle, looking down at the scene of the final battle they’d just fought. It felt a bit like watching a viewing sphere, seeing Jecht’s memories replayed for her in the same way she’d shown them hers at the Dome. Strangest of all was witnessing her own body sprawled over the ground, her face pale and her green eyes wide open yet unseeing. She looked dead. There was no sign of Yu Yevon anywhere.Auron was clutching her in his arms, holding her where she’d collapsed. His head was bowed and his shoulders were shaking. Jecht was sprawled next to him; it looked very much like Auron had knocked him to the ground and the still-very-human Jecht hadn’t moved to get up afterwards. Braska stood over them all, a look of horror on his face. It passed quickly; Braska’s eyes landed on Auron for a moment, and then turned to Jecht, burning with bright intensity. He put his hand over his chest. “I know what I promised,” he said quietly. “But they… are my life. Just as your son is yours.”Jecht met his gaze, matching the motion. A look of real fear passed over his face, and his fingers clenched. It smoothed away into resignation, and he nodded. “Yeah,” he said shakily. “Yeah. This was always the only way.”The tense look eased off of Braska’s face. “Auron,” he said.Auron looked up from her body, his face stained with tears.“I will save her. No matter what it takes.” He bowed his head, and lights bloomed around him, the tell-tale glow of summoning.“No,” Auron said thickly, realizing what was happening. “No! Jecht–!”His words were lost as magic sigils appeared all around them, matched by the glowing sphere of light expanding outwards from Jecht’s chest.“See ya ‘round, Auron,” Jecht said roughly, a wane smile on his face. Then, shuddering, he doubled over and let out a sharp cry of pain that gradually faded. His body cracked and reformed, turning dark as his hair went light, washing out into white. Skin reformed into hardened ridges and sharp protrusions, changing texture and, in the case of his armored arm, even size. When it was over, he rose slowly to his feet – only slightly larger than life, and still mostly recognizable as the man he’d once been. His eyes glowed a dull fiendish yellow, though. He stood limply, head hanging, all armor and claws, as Braska slid into Rapture.After a moment, Jecht animated and looked around. He kneeled by Auron and silently pushed the other man away from Rikku’s prone body. Flipping her over, he placed his hands on her shoulder blades. Then, eyes flaring bright, he snarled and pushed. She recognized the technique; she’d taught it to him herself. His hands sunk into her back, disappearing in much the same way Yu Yevon’s body had, searching for memories to grasp onto that weren’t her own. The memory of the Palace faded, and Rikku looked up at Jecht. “That’s how you got here? So we’re inside of my head? But… then what about Yu Yevon?”Jecht smirked, then reached over her back and grappled onto something. He began tugging, his face contorting in exertion.Rikku heaved as something tore inside of her, and the world exploded into bursts of color.The mists cleared suddenly, as did the pain. Her surroundings solidified, taking form and color – and she recognized it instantly. The bustling streets of Zanarkand, the ancient metropolis. She’d seen it once before, when Seymour had shown it to them. Somehow, though, she knew this version was real; at least as real as she was in this strange, other space.
This… isn’t my mind anymore. So then it must be…
She looked down at the heavy weight around her chest, as if someone had pulled her in and was giving her a too-tight back hug. She took in the heavy, robed arm holding her close, and then looked up over her head. Her eyes widened, and she let out a gasp.“Jecht?!”He looked down at her, his familiar red-brown eyes narrowing. His dark face was unscarred and clean-shaven, and his thick brown hair was neatly bound in a low ponytail, with only a few unruly strands escaping. “Don’t presume, Bedohl scum!” he boomed, glaring. His forearm tightened around her neck painfully, lifting her feet off the ground. Legs kicking in fear, she grabbed onto his arm and tried to hold herself up, gasping for air.
Definitely not Jecht! Jecht wouldn’t try to kill me!
“The hell, Blondie!”Something whizzed over her head and cracked loudly. She crashed into the ground, coughing. Her arm twisted painfully behind her back when she tried to get up, and she fell to her knees. The man with Jecht’s face was scowling and rubbing his chin, but he hadn’t released her completely – his hand was still clamped around her wrist.Jecht – the very familiar, human, scarred, and bare-chested one – bounced on his feet, shaking out his knuckle. “You really think I got anythin’ in common with this prick?! I keep tellin’ ya, I look like that Lord Mi’ihen guy, not this loser!” He stopped bouncing long enough smack a fist into his palm and crack his neck. Then he looked his body double in the eye – simple enough, since they were the same height. “Listen, we can do this the easy way or the hard way, but you’re lettin’ her go anyhow,” he warned.“You...!” The man wearing Jecht’s face looked surprised. Then his eyes softened. “I see. You… are my creation.”He released Rikku, and she scrambled away from him, rubbing her throat. “You’re Yu Yevon?” she rasped, looking between the man in the ornate, high-necked Summoner’s robes and the sparsely-clad blitzball player. The physical differences were there, but only slight; Yu was just as familiar and foreign to Jecht as Shuyin had been to Tidus. “I can’t believe it! You absolutely made yourself into the biggest superstar of your own dream world!” she gaped, marveling at his ego. It was somehow offensive.“Yevon schmevon,” Jecht scoffed, tugging her behind him. “I’m the superstar, not some thousand-year-old mass murderin’ asshole with a chip the size o’ a whale on his shoulder.”Yu’s face twisted. “This ruffian… is a superstar?”“Star blitzer of the Zanarkand Abes,” Jecht couldn’t help himself from boasting.Looking between the two, Rikku couldn’t help but notice the differences between them, even more pronounced now that they were interacting with one another. Both had striven to be heroes to their people; if Maechen and Lenne’s telling of history was correct, however, Yu Yevon had clearly failed. Rather than the loving adoration of the masses, he’d enforced compliance – brutal enough to have created Shuyin’s unstoppable hatred and betrayal. He’d pressed an entire population of summoners, willing or not, to become his Fayth. Ultimately, he’d even destroyed his own city, murdering everyone within it in the process.Jecht was Yu Yevon’s perfect dream; his own creation indeed. A man who was beloved by all of Zanarkand, to the point of making even his own son feel inferior. He was a respected hero, not a tyrant; just looking at them side by side, anyone could tell he was more laid back, relaxed, and self-confident than his counterpart. Above all other things, though, Jecht was a genuinely nice person underneath his rough exterior.“You… you wanted to be just like Jecht,” Rikku said, finally catching on. “That’s why you made him like that. Because the you in the real Zanarkand was his complete opposite.”“Huh?” Jecht said, neither understanding nor really caring about her attempt to analyze the ancient summoner. “Why’s that matter? So long as he ain’t lettin’ you go, he’s just another asshole I gotta beat down in the end.”“What manner of nonsense are you spouting, girl?” Yu said, his scowl tightening. “My existence allows Zanarkand to live forever. My own wants and desires play little role in that! My purpose is greater! As is yours, now!”“You’re just like Shuyin,” Rikku complained. “I like the summoned versions of yourselves better, you know. The real ones are jerks!”Yu’s expression spasmed. “Shuyin? You know of that imbecile?”“Who the hell’s Shoe-in an’ what’s he got to do with anythin’?” Jecht asked her.“Shuyin. He’s… kinda like the body double of your son. Yunie, Paine and I went on a wild goose chase hunting him down while he was trying to destroy Spira, until we finally figured out he wasn’t the same person as Tidus.”Yu’s lip curled in distaste. “Shuyin was a fool boy who defied my authority because of a temper tantrum. Bevelle did us a favor when they executed him.” He glared at Jecht. “It would only be fitting that something like you would have a copy of that deviant as your spawn.”As the summoner spoke, Rikku felt her waist growing hot. Looking down, she saw Lenne’s sphere, whirling and glowing angrily. You and me both, Lenne, she thought.“Hah,” Jecht said, his grin widening. “That only makes me ev’n prouder of my son. Like I always say, think for yourself an’ question authority,” he sneered. “Looks like my boy came from better roots than I did.”Yu’s face turned ugly. “Enough. Leave us,” he said imperiously. “I have made my choice, and much as it pains me, the Bedohl girl stays. When I’m done with her, then I’ll come after you and put you back in Dream Zanarkand. Where you belong.”“Why? So you can keep living your dream vicariously through Jecht?” Rikku said, her hand closing over the sphere. “You did it so well even your own summon hates you,” she growled. “You’re a sick, obsessed old man, and you need to learn to let go!” Yu tensed, his face darkening as the bustling city streets slowed, the crowds of people freezing all around them. A sense of imminent danger pressed in from all sides and Rikku shivered, glad that she’d at least materialized with her Grid intact. She didn’t even need to activate it; Lenne stepped out all on her own, flooding her limbs with new strength and determination. She swayed on her feet, tapping her toes to a nervous rhythm as her Songstress costume formed around her body.“You heard the lady,” Jecht laughed, his grin growing feral as he crouched down, arms extended, his sword materializing in his hand. “You an’ me. Let’s see which o’ us is the real one, yeah?”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Yu Yevon stared at them in disbelief. “You… would presume to fight me?”In reply, Jecht leapt forward with a yell and swung his sword downwards.Lip curling, Yu raised a hand, and a woman frozen in the crowd next to him animated. She flung herself in front of the summoner. There was a sickening crack of broken bone when she took the brunt of the Jecht’s blow. Rikku let out a small, shocked cry, her hands coming to her mouth.“The hell?” Jecht stepped back in shock, watching the woman collapse in a boneless heap at their feet. Her body quickly turned translucent, fading away.Laughing, Yu waved. The people frozen on the streets turned to face them as one, their features slack. “This is my world. My Zanarkand. And these have always been my people. The arrogance! To believe you, my own creation, could touch me here.”He dropped his hand, and the people rushed towards Jecht – men, women, even children, dead-faced and heedless of their own safety. They swarmed over Jecht like ants, sweeping him away from Yu and trying to tear him apart with their bare hands.Jecht knocked his attackers away as best he could with punches and kicks, but his face was pinched. Even knowing they were only figments of Yu’s overactive imagination, it was still impossible for him to land proper blows on what were basically civilians. They looked just like the ordinary citizens of his own Dream Zanarkand.“That’s not fair!” Rikku shouted, stomping her foot. I’ve gotta stop this! Heavy, rhythmic music filled the streets as the pattern she’d have to dance flared to life before her, and for a moment, her feet stopped. “Wait a minute!” The beat stuttered… and then kept on stuttering, purposefully. “Lenne? This is…” Insane, she finished, hopefully in the privacy of her own mind. She’d never seen a pattern so complex before. It flickered before her in challenge. Before she could second-guess herself, though, Lenne threw her into the dance.Confidence, Lenne demanded, just as imperiously as Yu. Her body moved towards Yu; she sucked in an apprehensive breath that was at complete odds with the arrogantly pointing finger and disrespectful shrug she aimed at him. Her feet skipped aggressively over the ground. She didn’t feel half as assured as she looked, but the people of Zanarkand were still throwing themselves at Jecht rather than her at the least. Lenne weaved her smoothly in and out of the building crowd to a pulsing, hip-hop beat. It was actually kind of terrifying, feeling them press around her. Just ordinary people acting like zombies, their eyes devoid of any emotion and their movement violent and jerky, intent on causing harm.Move like you mean it! Lenne snapped at her, sensing her distraction. Rikku was beginning to think overconfidence was a trait common to everyone from the Zanarkand of a thousand years ago, but she forced herself to focus on the dance as soon as Lenne dropped her out of her toprock and into a dizzying back spin. She knew from the way her limbs were moving without her accord that Lenne wouldn’t hesitate to snap her tendons, tear her muscles, and even fracture her bones, as long her body could keep up with the magic being performed. The complex floor work circled her around Jecht. As she moved, the crowd overrunning him parted, slowing down. And then she threw herself into a flip and never came out of it, freezing in place while balancing on one hand, legs extended. The sea of people around Jecht froze with her, some even stopping mid-attack. Lenne locked her limbs in place, not allowing even the slightest tremble in her arm. Sweat dripped down her brow and her voice came out tremulously.“Move, Jecht!”“Freaky,” Jecht grunted shakily as he extracted himself from the frozen mob. “But thanks!”Her arm was screaming, and she nearly wept in relief when Lenne pushed her legs into a slow, controlled drop to the floor. The relief was short lived, though, because then she started breaking in earnest in a widening ring around Jecht.Yu’s face twisted in displeasure as she wrested control of his puppets. He raised his hand before his eyes, summoning more and more denizens of Zanarkand to surround them. It was hopeless; Lenne, still furious at him, took it as a challenge. The music swelled and Rikku’s feet moved even faster, the radius of her breaking widening, freezing every opponent he tossed their way.Jecht rushed towards Yu, this time unhindered, and slammed an armored fist into his face, ending the summoner’s concentration and sending him backwards, reeling.“Stop sendin’ me stand-ins an’ fight me yourself, coward,” Jecht sneered as he brought the flat of his sword around and whacked Yu in the back, forcing him to his knees.The crowds of frozen people vanished as Yu rolled across the ground. He stopped and came to his feet shakily, wheezing. His furious glare was directed at Rikku rather than Jecht, though. Or more accurately, Lenne. “You brought Shuyin’s little summoner with you,” he snarled at her.Lenne dropped her into an insulting pose and flipped Yu off.“Very well!” Yu yelled, looking back and forth between her and Jecht as he backed away. “I don’t need those pathetic sheep to ward off the likes of you!” He clapped his hands together and bowed his head.Zanarkand shook, bits of stone and rubble shifting off of the buildings. The earthquake grew in size, and soon Rikku and Jecht were fighting to keep their balance on the street. She lost her footing during a particularly violent rumble, her Songstress dance magic dissipating. Privately, she wept in relief as Lenne’s iron hold over her body broke. Her arms and legs were on fire from performing trick moves that should have only been physically possible in her Berserker or Samurai costumes.There wasn’t time to catch her breath; the ground had risen high enough that she was slipping backwards in an uncontrolled slide. With a sinking feeling, she realized that Yu didn’t need people to fight them off for him. The street roiled under their feet like an ocean wave, lifting them up and pushing them backwards rapidly. Yu had dreamed up this headspace, and now, their opponent was Zanarkand itself.“How are we supposed to face down an entire city?” she asked Jecht hopelessly, struggling for balance.“He ain’t gonna win,” Jecht swore, trying to claw his way forward. “No way I’m lettin’ a bastard like that share my face!”Abruptly, Lenne’s scorn ran through her like lightning. Believe in yourself. Yu Yevon is but a bitter shell living in a self-serving dream. Why are you afraid of anything he does? These are nothing more than stagnant, pathetic memories!Zanarkand was crumbling all around them; still, as terrifying as it was to be trapped in the midst of an apocalypse, she noticed that Yu Yevon himself kept backing away from them, never attacking directly. At her side, Jecht took a giant leap forward, only to have a street sign bend and smack him so hard that he landed behind her in rough roll.“Damn!” he yelled, getting up and shaking his head, before trying again. This time, he slid low, slicing through the poles of all the street signs as he fought his way forward, determined to make his way past any obstacle Yu threw at him.Yu Yevon’s nothing at all like Jecht, she realized, her confidence returning.The earthquake intensified, so she materialized her microphone and started singing. “I put my armor on, show you how strong I am! I put my armor on, I’ll show you that I am—” The magic swirled around herself and Jecht, shielding them from the razor-sharp shards of stone, brick, and asphalt that exploded all around. “—unstoppable, I’m an airship with no breaks! I’m so confident, yeah, I’m unstoppable today!"Yu growled, lifting his hands higher, and whole chunks of buildings began to tear themselves away, flying towards them.Jecht ran in front of her, swiping the Fang back and forth, batting the smaller projectiles to the side and smashing through the larger ones with his celestial weapon. They continued their relentless advance on the increasingly anxious summoner.“Impossible!” Yu yelled, his eyes flashing. “You’re nothing more than a dream! Stay back!” He raised his arms. Water burst out from between the cracked rubble of the city streets and buildings, blasting towards them in jet-powered streams.Rikku changed her tune immediately. “Thank you in advance, I don’t wanna dance,” she sang, dodging a blast of water from a manhole. “I’m feelin’ untouchable, untouchable!” From the corner of her eye, she saw Jecht cartwheel out of the way of a water whip. “I’m feelin’ nah to the ah to the no, no, no!” They continued stylishly sidling their way up to Yu despite his repeated attempts to strike them down.“I’m going for it,” Jecht warned her when they neared Yu, his muscles tensing.Rikku flipped her microphone to her other hand and began swinging her hips. “This is how I roll, animal print, pants outta control!” She blew Yu a kiss just as Jecht sprang. “When I walk in the spot, this is what I see! Everybody stops and is staring at me!” He barreled into Yu’s chest, knocking him to the ground, and all the water whizzing through the air fell in harmless splatters around them. “I got passion in my pants and I ain’t afraid to show it – I’m sexy and I know it!” she crooned as Jecht stood up, grabbing the front of Yu’s robes with one hand.Jecht drew his fist back. “Man, you gotta learn to just give up sometimes,” he growled, then slammed it into Yu’s stomach.Yu coughed out a pained wheeze and sagged, his legs folding.“Right,” Jecht grumbled, holding Yu’s limp body aloft by his robes. “Well, that was underwhelmin’. Thanks for the assist,” he told her, dragging Yu behind him.A flush of satisfaction ran through her, and then Lenne’s presence faded, leaving her feeling tired and surprised. Around them the city was flickering, fading away, their surroundings just as weakened as Yu Yevon himself.“Why…” Yu rasped, finally stirring as he looked up at them. “Why do you fight against your fate? If you defeat me, you will die too. I only…” His head hung low. “I only wanted to save Zanarkand. To create a world free of pain and suffering. A glorious city that would never sleep, never fade, and shine more brightly than any star in the heavens.” His hands wrapped around Jecht’s arm, and he looked up, tears glimmering in his eyes. “Why? Why would you want to destroy that, when I’ve worked so hard for it? Sacrificed everything and everyone for the perfect, never-ending dream?”Jecht stared down at his creator with a look of mingled disgust and pity. He sighed. “You failed,” he finally said. “I felt it ev’n when I lived there. That it wasn’t real, y’know. I was on top o’ the world, but I still wasn’t happy.” He smiled wryly. “I can’t even hate you, man. I am you. An’ I think you made me because you knew it too.” He waved a tired hand at the ruins of the city around them, which now looked just like the real Zanarkand in Spira. “None o’ this here is real. You were just too chocobo-shit to admit to yourself that it was all hollow. That you wanted it to end. So you made me to do it for you.” His fist tightened in Yu’s robes, his eyes turning bright with his own unshed tears. “Just… why?” he said lowly. “Why’d you have to make me able to feel, huh?”Yu hung his head miserably. “Because I needed you to be perfect.”“Jecht?” Rikku whispered, reaching out a hand.He looked up and caught her motion and flinched away.She pulled her hand back, hurt.Jecht’s eyebrows rose and his expression softened. “Naw, Blondie. Don’t touch.” He lifted Yu a little, dangling him between them. “It was hard enough gettin’ this guy off o’ you the first time.” The city around them began to ripple and waver, fading slowly. “Listen, I know what he’s tryin’ to pull here, but he ain’t gettin’ his way just yet.” He smiled at her, wide and bright. “You’re gonna have a great life, y’know? Bringin’ Spira the Eternal Calm with Yuna and my boy. I’ll keep Yevon in check ‘till then. That way everybody can get their happy ending, right?” He hauled Yu to his feet and pulled him away from her. “Now get lost before this asshole decides to start fightin’ again,” he said gruffly.The city faded away completely, Jecht and Yu disappearing with it. Rikku blinked. She was back in the nebulous grey space Jecht had pulled her into, but she was alone now. Overhead, a bright light shone, beckoning her forward. Trembling, she pushed her way towards the surface.She came awake with a gasp.
"Rikku!"
The tightness in her chest this time was warm and comforting; it came from Auron, who was hugging her to himself like she would disappear if he lost his grip on her.
"Auron! I'm… I'm okay, I think," she said, returning his embrace. Turning her head, she saw Jecht standing next to them. He was still in his white-haired aeon form as Braska's summon, towering over them both. The now-limp squid that was Yu Yevon was gripped in one of his hands. A little behind him, Braska was kneeling, propping himself up with his staff while still in Rapture.
Auron released her and turned to look at the two men. "Thank yo-" he began, relief and warmth coloring his voice as he spoke.
Jecht didn't reply, instead bringing Yu Yevon to his chest and lifting the Fang high, its blade glowing bright with runes. Then, with a grunt, he drove the celestial sword through both of them. The black mass sunk inside of him along with the weapon, which didn't emerge from his back. Jecht didn't stop, trembling with effort, until the hilt of his sword was completely swallowed and the glowing crack he'd created in his chest sealed shut. He staggered, his skin momentarily turning as black as the being he'd trapped inside of himself.
There was a soft pop, and Rikku looked down. The Lady Luck sphere on her belt cracked; memory water was running down from it in rivulets. Then, with a musical tinkle, the sphere shattered completely.
Braska's eyes opened as he came out of Rapture with a gasp. "Oh-!" He looked at them, surprised, and then toppled over. The soft thunk of his body hitting the floor reverberated through the empty chamber.
Auron was frozen only for a moment. "No!" he yelled, lunging for Braska. The way the other man's body rolled limply in his arms when Auron lifted him was answer enough. "NO!"
Rikku put a hand over mouth, shock reverberating through her. This isn't real. It can't be! He'd been right there just a second ago, breathing and talking to us! She felt light-headed, disconnected from her own body. "I can't have failed. I can't." She wanted to deny it. He wanted to live after seeing Yuna, right? He was looking forward to watching her grow up! Braska… The tortured cry from Auron's throat grounded her spiraling thoughts.
"Auron—" Rikku reached for him, but stopped and let out a sharp gasp. Her hand flew to her chest as sudden, sharp pain lanced through her. There was another pop on her belt and the Berserker sphere shattered. She couldn't focus on that, though, because something else had shifted. Something inside of her. Strength leeched out of her limbs and she fell forward to her elbows, unable to speak. She looked up, panting.
Auron, she thought, wanting to reach for him, but her arms wouldn't move. Auron's back bowed over Braska's body, shaking it. He was shouting something. She couldn't hear what he was saying, though. Her fingers scratched at her sternum, and her eyes widened as a pyrefly drifted past her. Out of her. One, and then the next.
"You can't stay here." The voice was crystal clear, and with effort, Rikku turned her head. She blinked, seeing two small, brown feet. Lifting her head, she took in Bahamut's Fayth. His eyes were shadowed and hidden under his purple hood. "You have no anchor anymore," Bahamut told her softly.
Anchor? Her eyes fell to Braska's slack face.
'You are my temple here. You are my Fayth. I wish to worship you.'
Her head spun. She'd thought he'd sounded obsessed, back then. His soft words of longing had fallen across her ears back then like a hypnotizing chant. A hymn.
'Please. Let me love you.'
She managed to push herself back on her heels, numb. Auron whirled around, Braska's body still in his arms, and saw her. The look he gave her shook Rikku more than the pyreflies escaping from her body. He was terrified, and Auron was never scared. His eyes shot to Bahamut's Fayth, clearly able to see the boy this time. "Who is that?!"
"Ba…hamut," Rikku managed to say, clasping both of her hands to her chest, as if she could stop herself from dissolving. Her hands were turning into strange, glowing glass; she could see the floor through them. "I… thought… I was… your pawn."
Bahamut's head dipped. "Braska was a brilliant summoner. Just as Yu Yevon was. And just as Yuna will be. They all have had the power to summon their hearts' desire… and the strength to give those desires free will. It was an opportunity we have waited all these long centuries for. It was our only hope."
Bahamut was Braska's favored aeon… or maybe, Braska was Bahamut's favored summoner. Her eyes dropped to Braska's pale, lifeless face. Above all of the other confused, jostling emotions struggling to take the front, a feeling of intense betrayal flooded her. The bond between a Fayth and their summoner had always been sacred. Inviolable. She looked at Bahamut again, this time with building anger. "He trusted you!"
"I know. I'm sorry." Bahamut shook his head. "But now, you can't stay any longer."
"I… can't leave yet!" Rikku met Auron's eye. She remembered how he'd left them the first time. The pain, the years of never being able to let go afterwards; the way it'd changed her. But her burning desire wasn't changing the fact that she was losing the ability to speak. "Not… without saying… goodbye. Not… like this," she said, her heart aching for him. "He… can't… lose us… all!"
Bahamut was silent for a moment. Then he reached out and placed his hand on Rikku's forehead. "For Braska's service to us, I accept your price," he said. His touch brought instant relief, and she let out a soft sigh as her body solidified and stopped leaking pyreflies.
"But we can't keep you here for long. The answer has always and only ever been death. Anima brought you close once, against my will. But it was too soon."
"What do you mean?" Auron asked Bahamut hoarsely.
Not yet, another Auron's voice had whispered into her ears. Not yet.
"Go now," Bahamut told Auron, ignoring his question. "Sin is collapsing. If you stay here, you'll die." He turned his head to Jecht. "Can you still take them?"
Jecht, who'd been standing stock-still behind them, tilted his head in acknowledgement. There were strange protrusions growing all over his body; they looked like dozens of tiny blisters, or warts. A whisper of a future to come.
He kneeled by Auron, gently pushing Braska's body further into the other man's arms. Standing, he grabbed onto them both with one hand, cradling them securely against his chest. He picked her up much more unceremoniously with his other arm. It wrapped around her waist and lifted her off the floor, leaning her against his side like she was a blitzball. Then he began running down the platform, dragging them both with him.
Rikku's breath caught as Jecht leapt over the edge, sending them sailing off of the platform and over the long drop into Dream Bevelle. They never got a chance to fall, though, because the city suddenly exploded into a dense, glittering stream of pyreflies all at once. It was painfully bright, so she closed her eyes. Golden light flooded the back of her eyelids, and for a moment, Rikku was dazed.
When the light faded, her eyes opened wide and her stomach leapt into her throat. They were high in the air, the atmosphere thick with pyreflies, and hurtling towards the Calm Lands below at a breakneck speed.
Jecht's massive arms tightened around them, lifting them high. When they hit the ground, they jolted painfully in his grasp, but he held them safely aloft, his armored legs steady as he smashed through the grass, cutting a deep trail behind. He hopped a few times to gain his balance, and then came to a stop. Carefully, he deposited them onto the ruined field.
Auron slumped down, easing Braska's body to the ground, and looked up at Jecht.
The aeon straightened, blank and emotionless. Still, he lingered by them silently for a few moments longer, before turning around. He staggered.
"Jecht?!" Auron asked, reaching for him.
Jecht turned his head, looking at them both with bright, glowing eyes. Then he hunkered down and took off at a run, thundering down the grassy field towards the cliff side. The sky cleared and some of the bright sunlight – now seeming like a cruel mockery – broke through the pastel curtain of pyreflies drifting aimlessly through the atmosphere.
It was because they were trailing after Jecht, she realized. Sin's gravitational pull had already begun, drawing in the pyreflies that had remained after they'd destroyed the old body. He sped up, his new aeon form eclipsing the limitations of his human one, but still the pyreflies drifted after him, slowly and inexorably. With a kick, he dived off the side of the cliffs and towards the distant ocean below, escaping them for the time being.
But as she watched the cloud twist and weave lazily after Jecht's trail, she knew that one day, they'd catch up.
A brittle laugh at her side made her glance over. Auron was kneeling by Braska's body, both hands on his knees. He, too, was watching the cloud of pyreflies spill over the cliff towards the ocean. Another sharp, mirthless laugh erupted out of him. He turned to look at her, his one eye dark and wounded, and smiled a broken smile.
"And what am I to do now?" he asked her helplessly.
.x.x.x.
Jecht… had dropped them off on the wrong side of the Scar. Rikku stood, surveying the other side of the Calm Lands with a sense of helpless despair. "Auron… I don't think it's doable," she said quietly.
"I don't care!" Auron's answer was sharp and biting, his temper frayed. "I am not consigning him to become a fiend in that death pit!" he snapped, arranging the few bits of shrubbery he'd managed to gather around Braska's body. He leaned back from his work, looking up at her. "Can't you use your belt?"
Rikku flinched, turning around and joining him. She placed her own bundle of kindling next to Auron, noting how woefully inadequate it was. The sun was setting and they'd been gathering for hours. Soon, it would be too dark to try collecting anything more.
It still wasn't even remotely adequate to burn hot enough to make a funeral pyre. There just weren't any trees in the Calm Lands.
"I could try mixing some reagents to help, but…" Her hand drifted to her Grid. It was feeling as broken as she was; she didn't even have enough spheres left to activate the powerful Flare magic that would have incinerated Braska's body cleanly. "I just don't have enough magic power," she whispered.
"Then I'll do it myself," Auron growled, reaching for her belt. She caught his hand, stopping him with a shake of her head.
"You have even less magic power than I do. You can't do it either. Only Braska could." And he can't do anything anymore. She couldn't take her eyes off of Braska's pale face.
Auron made a low noise in his throat. His hand gripped hers. "What if we try together, then?" he asked after a moment, sounding broken. "I can't leave him like this."
If she was being honest with herself, neither could she. Reaching into her pouch, Rikku fumbled around her dwindling supplies, finding what she was looking for. She sprinkled her mix over Braska's body, and then mechanically unclasped the hook on her belt, stepping a few paces away.
Auron watched her work silently, rising to his feet when she beckoned and standing by her side.
"I need your arm," she told him, grabbing his bare wrist. Carefully, she wrapped the belt around both of their arms, stretching it so that the clasp closed. It felt like a wedding ceremony gone horribly wrong, joined together as they were, with Braska lying before them like a sacrificial offering. She felt the thrum of magic energy reappear, and Auron did as well from the way he straightened. His fingers wrapped around hers.
Her grid hummed, and she saw Lenne's ghostly hand slip over theirs as well. Her disembodied voice, sweeter than Rikku's could ever be, drifted over them as they lit the pyre with magic.Place your hand in mine
And close your eyes…
With a kiss on your eyelids,
Let me heal your pain
Go to sleep, take your time…
The fear of loss envelops everyone
With the same sorrow and hesitation
I want to feel powerful…
If everybody becomes aware of the futility
Of conflict, a glittering sun will rise
Until then, I will pray…
Lenne's image faded, and they held on to each other in the silence, bleeding the magic out of their bodies. Together, they pushed and held the flame until only ashes were left behind.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The sun rose slowly; Auron was sitting by the still-warm ashes, meditating. Braska’s staff lay across his thighs.Rikku watched him taking in slow, even breaths. He almost looked peaceful, though the cut over his eye was red and angry. He couldn’t bring himself to finish the job Braska had started and she could tell it wouldn’t heal well. It was likely he’d have difficulty opening that eye ever again once the scar set.That scar wasn’t just his, either; looking at it was a reminder of her own defeat. She’d thought she’d tried hard enough, that her plan to beat Jihl would have kept Auron, Braska, Jecht, and even Tidus alive. That together, somehow, team BARJ could forge a new way into the future. She could have lived with her memories or even herself disappearing if everyone else would make it to the Eternal Calm.Now, though, everything was wrong. History was careening down its pre-ordained path. Jecht was gone – alive still, maybe, but no longer himself. He’d been her first friend here, and rescued her in the end – even knowing that she’d held back the truth about Dream Zanarkand’s origins.And Braska… he’d known, somehow. She’d felt it when he’d wished them goodbye, here in the Calm Lands; he’d inherently understood that defeating Sin would always come at a price. He’d been readying himself to pay it for their entire journey. But that look of surprise on his face before he died would haunt her – knowledge hadn’t prepared him for that moment any more than their ignorance had. She was glad, in a way, that he hadn’t realized she was bound to him. At least it had saved him from the suffering Auron had gone through on the way to Zanarkand.But she felt his absence keenly; he and Jecht both. She was gutted, like their departure had torn away the warm, human parts of herself that she’d come to take for granted. All she had left now was Auron, and he’d retreated into a tightly wound ball of grief, unable to give her comfort any more than she could reciprocate. Even her presence was a wound to him, now; he’d seen Bahamut’s Fayth and knew she was dying, too. She studied Auron’s scar, knowing exactly how it would look when it healed. History was reaching out to claim him, too, and she was being pulled right alongside him.Rikku turned her face into the rising sun. It did little to warm the chill inside her. At first, she’d thought it was sorrow. She’d been content let it fester inside of her; a punishment for failing both Braska and Jecht. But it wasn’t just her misery or the bite of the night air. Lifting her hand, she could see faint rays of sunlight shining through her skin. She was losing substance again. She hadn’t realized Bahamut’s favor would be so short.Sucking in a deep breath, she stilled, unwilling to stir Auron from the only rest he’d managed to find that night. It was strange, spending the evening with him in such complete and utter silence. She missed how much the four of them had chattered together whenever they made camp. It felt… lonely.I’m disappearing. She wished she had the courage to reach out and shake Auron. Maybe it would be better if he woke and she was already gone, though. Then he wouldn’t have to suffer through the process of watching her leave him, too.“You aren’t alone,” a quiet voice whispered in her ear. Jolting, Rikku looked at the hand on her shoulder; brown skin and calloused fingers. She looked up and saw a Crusader staring down at her, finely muscled from his rigorous training and dressed in his full armor. His short hair was a surprising shade of brilliant honey blonde. He didn’t smile at her, but his look was sympathetic. He felt familiar.“Aren’t you—” she asked, and he squeezed her shoulder, his eyes brightening until flames licked out from them. Strength flooded through her, and she held up her palm to the sun again – completely solid.Ifrit nodded at her. “I will walk with you as far as I can go.” He moved behind her, his other hand settling on her opposite shoulder. They felt like twin furnaces, filling her with warmth.She looked up at Auron, who’d opened his one eye. He stared at her. “Who were you talking to?”Ifrit remained silent and still, his grip on her shoulders keeping her from floating away. Rikku realized Auron couldn’t see him. “My memories,” she said, unwilling to place her burden on his already buckling back.He looked at her, breathing slowly in and out. “How long will it be before Sin returns?”“Ten years… give or take a few months,” she replied.He exhaled softly. “How did Yuna manage to do it? Why did she succeed, when we failed? What was the difference?”Rikku dropped her head. “Jecht. Jecht is the difference.”Auron shifted minutely, the only sign of his surprise. “You mean…” You knew.It lay there between them; a heavy accusation, unspoken, because Auron couldn’t – or didn’t want to – hold her accountable.“I mean Yuna never made a Final Aeon,” she blurted in a rush. “She never became a High Summoner. When we met Yunalesca, she and Tidus… they rejected her. And then we killed her. We killed Yunalesca and sent her to the Farplane. So there’d never be any more Final Aeons, ever again.”“Then what about me?” Auron asked her harshly. “What about my destiny? You said this was supposed to be my story. But you never told me what my role was in all of this. In yours.”Rikku bit her lip. “You were….” Bitter. Broken. Tired. Dead. Only the last didn’t apply right now, and she wondered how long she could keep that from happening. Auron was the one who’d asked her not to leave him first. She felt the weight of Ifrit’s hands, and knew she was going to break her promise to him sooner or later. Did she even have the right to ask him to stay behind, to try to live on by himself, when she couldn’t do the same for him? The silence drew out, and Auron’s lips thinned. “You told me the man you loved died defeating Sin.”Rikku flinched and looked away.“It was always me, wasn’t it.” His dry laugh was hoarse. “So even this is denied to me. We won’t all die together.” She felt his gaze burning into the side of her face. “Were you ever going to tell me the truth?”She bit the inside of her cheek so hard she tasted blood. He still didn’t realize. He thought he was going to die fighting Jecht. “Some truths are too hard to say,” she whispered. Ifrit’s fingers tightened around her shoulders.There was a soft rustle of cloth; then the heavy thunk of his boots as he stalked away.She looked up and saw Braska’s staff. He’d left it behind. After a moment, she sprung to her feet and grabbed it, unwilling to let go of that last piece of Braska. Then she gave chase. “Auron! Wait! Where are you going?”He didn’t answer her for a moment, his jaw working. Then he looked over and sighed, seeing her clutching the staff to her chest. “We need to find a way to cross the Scar.” He pointed ahead of them, in the distance. “It’s narrowest to the north. We’ll make it by the midday if we hurry. The fiends are smaller on this side.”The marched in silence for a while after that, dispatching what few fiends they came across easily. It was still strange and uncomfortable, though; battling their way through without the assurance that Jecht and Braska would be right behind them, backing them up. Her spectral companion, Ifrit, stayed with them throughout, a silent observer, his hands periodically coming to rest on her shoulders whenever she stilled. Auron remained unaware of their silent tag-along.“Are you mad at me?” she eventually worked up the courage to ask.Auron shifted, then turned his good eye down towards her. “No. Why?”“Because you’re… different.” Closed off. Cold.“I’m angry,” he said carefully. “But I’m not angry at you.” He grimaced. “It would have come to this with or without you here, wouldn’t it? This is all because of the false hope that the Church of Yevon was built upon. From the beginning, all Summoners were destined to fail. Yunalesca expects it. Revels in it.” He huffed out a low breath, his eye narrowing. “But at least there’s still something I can do for them.”“You mean get back to Yunie and take her to Besaid?”“After. My first duty is something I can handle here and now.” He turned his head to look at her. “I should thank you for giving me the answer on whom to point my blade at. Mika always wanted me to be a killer. I can try to meet his expectations just this once.” He came to a stop, looking at the gorge. “This is it.”“Wait wait, what do you mean point your blade at? You aren’t seriously thinking of going back up there and confronting Yunalesca, are you?”Auron’s gaze thawed as he looked at her. “You don’t have to come with me. You seem… weaker,” he said. “It will be dangerous as it is, and she’s already demonstrated that she can control you. Maybe you could wait at the base of Mount Gagazet. The Ronso would welcome you as a hero now and…” He swallowed, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. “We don’t know how fragile Bahamut’s gift will end up becoming, if you fight by my side.” Don’t leave me, he told her with the gentle press of his fingertips.She couldn’t argue with him, not when Ifrit’s hands lay heavy across her shoulders. Auron didn’t seem to realize, though, that whatever Bahamut had done to restore her inside of Sin wasn’t a permanent fix. “But first, we cross here.” He gestured at the narrow split in the gorge. Rikku squinted. It was true; the gap was the narrowest at the point he indicated. It still looked to be nearly twenty feet across. The bigger problem was the cliff wall on the other side of it, though.“How are we supposed to cross it here and not just fall off?” she asked, daring to look down the ravine. The drop was still so steep that she couldn’t see the bottom. “Even if we made it across, that’s a wall on the other side!”Auron rolled his shoulders. “It won’t be a problem. I’ll go first and help you up afterwards.” He was terse and focused, acting as though they still had a schedule to keep.“Aren’t you scared of falling?” she asked him. “And why are you in such a hurry?”He paused at that, and looked at her. “All my worst fears have been realized. What’s left to be scared of?”She clutched the staff tighter to her chest. “You sound like Braska, you know,” she whispered.He turned to her and put his hands on her forearms. “If I stop now, everything will catch up to me. And then I won’t be able to move at all.” He shook his head. “I won’t let it end here. I won’t let despair take me and I won’t become one of the fiends that wanders these fields. As long as I have a goal, I can push on.”Carefully, he took the staff out of her hands and pulled loose the colorful Kilikan scarf around her waist. “There,” he said as he bound the weapon securely to her back. “You’ll need your arms free to climb the gap. When this is all over, we’ll take Yuna to Besaid. We can think about how to reach Jecht’s Zanarkand while we’re there. We’ll have ten years.”She wondered if he could hear the lie he was telling himself. It was in the finality of the smile he gave her, the brevity of the kiss he planted on her forehead. He was already dying, at least on the inside. Both of them knew that he wouldn’t be able to wait peacefully in Besaid for ten years, pretending ignorance and counting the days until Jecht returned as a terror rather than a hero. He might have even guessed that she wouldn’t be able to stay by his side for that long. But his fingers still lingered against her skin, savoring the touch, and he let those comforting lies fall from his lips.She smiled up at him. I taught you too well, didn’t I? “Yeah,” she told him, nodding. “We’ll have all the time we need.”He looked at the gap, then the fields behind them. “I’ll need a running start,” he said. There was an awkward silence as they both processed Jecht’s absence.Rikku put her hand over her belt. “I might be able to help there,” she told him, activating her Songstress sphere and moving a few paces away from him. “Just don’t fall.” She traced the quick dance steps that would speed up Auron’s movement.He backed away a good distance from the edge of the gorge and crouched. When her magic took hold he set off at a run, barreling straight up to the edge of the cliff side. He swung his arms up as he jumped, pulling in his heels, and Rikku danced even faster, willing him to clear the divide. His feet hit the sheer edge of the wall and he scraped his boots against it in a vertical run, giving his arms just enough of a boost to reach the high ledge. Grabbing on, he hung from the edge for a moment, catching his breath and balance, before scrambling up and rolling to safety.Rikku stopped dancing, relief flooding through her. “That was amazing!” she shouted, waving at him. When she abandoned the Songstress costume, though, the exhaustion hit her like a fully-powered machina punch. She sank to her knees and tried to control her breathing. “Huh,” she puffed. “It wasn’t ever this hard to dance before…” Ifrit kneeled beside her, one hand on her shoulder. “If you keep using that, you’ll burn out more quickly,” he warned her. “I can’t carry you much further.”“I won’t make that jump,” she huffed, eying the gap. Ifrit helped her to her feet.“Rikku!” Auron called from the other side. “Jump over! I’ll catch you!” He leaned over the edge and held his arms out, beckoning.Taking a deep breath, she crouched low. I won’t be left behind! Then she launched herself into the same run. The moment her foot left the edge of the ledge, though, she could tell she didn’t have enough power to reach Auron’s outstretched arms.
I’m gonna fall!
“You won’t,” Ifrit whispered, and she felt him grab her under her arms and fling her across the gap.“Aaah!” she screamed, limbs wind milling, not only clearing the distance but also soaring over a surprised Auron by a good few feet, who twisted to watch her tuck and roll onto the ground behind him.She sat up breathing heavily, her heart pounding. “Ifrit?” she whispered, looking around. But the Fayth was gone.Auron kneeled next to her. “Are you injured?” he asked, noting her pale face.“I thought I was gonna end up at the bottom of the gorge!” Auron snorted, offering her a hand, which she took gratefully. “You’re being too modest.” He pulled her up. “I should thank you for waiting long enough to find a point where I could cross.”Rikku dropped her head. “Not really,” she muttered, trying to tell him why she’d succeeded. The words caught in her throat, and when he turned away from her the moment was lost.“Let’s go.” His eyes were focused on the distant peak of Mount Gagazet. “We can be at the Ronso settlement before nightfall.” He led the way forward, pushing through the grasslands towards the base of Gagazet in land-eating strides.Swaying for a moment on her feet, Rikku felt like she was going to be sick. Pushing it down, she rushed to keep up with him.
.x.x.x.
As expected, they were hailed as heroes upon returning to the Ronso village. Everyone had seen the light show created by Sin’s destruction. They’d already sent runners to Bevelle, in fact. Thankfully, the Ronso seemed to understand more than any other race in Spira that Sin’s defeat wasn’t only a cause for joyous celebration. The entire village greeted Auron and Rikku with a deep bow; even Kimahri was present this time. As they marched past the rows of Ronso bending to them, the villagers broke out into a solemn, chanting Hymn. Not a song of victory; an honorable send-off for Braska, who was no longer with them.They were taken to the same cave they’d rested in two nights previous. Rikku had to cover her mouth when she saw the pelts still there, lying in the same four piles of bedding they’d left behind. Auron didn’t comment when she crawled into Braska’s pile, holding his staff tight against her chest, and curled into a ball. He pulled another pelt over her and sat by her side, his hand a comforting weight on her shoulder as she finally let herself weep into the musky furs.She drifted into a restless sleep, lulled by the stroke of his fingers threading through her hair and gently working out the tangles. She dreamt of Jecht surrounded by his very own creation of Dream Zanarkand, arms crossed as he turned to greet them. She dreamt of Braska wandering the Farplane. She dreamt of Auron, grey-haired and restless, kneeling amidst clusters of ethereal flowers. Finally, she dreamt of Tidus picking her up off of the ground and wrapping his arms around her with a heavy sigh. She wailed and beat at his chest. “This is why I told you to come back sooner,” he scolded, sounding sad.When she woke, dawn hadn’t yet broken and Auron was gone. Drying her wet cheeks with the back of her hands, she grabbed the staff and used it to propel herself upwards. Staggering, she noticed that her legs reflected the dim light in a way that they shouldn’t have. Then, leaning heavily on the staff, she limped her way out of the cave. Only Kelda stood guard at the base of the mountain’s ascent. She gave Rikku no indication of acknowledgement as she passed. Rikku wasn’t sure if Kelda was merely being her usual stubborn self, or if the Ronso truly couldn’t see her. But she couldn’t stop to find out; she was already too far behind Auron.The climb was grueling, but she was aided by the fact that the fiends all but ignored her, just as Kelda had. At some point, she noticed that she wasn’t leaving behind any tracks in the deep mountain snow. Auron still was, though, and she followed them doggedly up the mountainside, her fists tightening around the staff every time she saw scuffled snow from a battle or a splatter of blood indicating that he hadn’t come out of an encounter unscathed.When she caught sight of him, he looked almost like a fiend himself. He was a man possessed, slashing his way through the fiends foolish enough to challenge him with a vicious ruthlessness that he’d never displayed to her before. She struggled to catch up to him, but he was always just two steps ahead of her.As they climbed higher, the wind blew more harshly. Rikku felt it might catch her and blow her off the face of the mountain like a scrap of cloth. She used Braska’s staff to dig into the snow, anchoring herself; it, at least, remained solid and real.She tried to call out to Auron, who was pulling further ahead of her again, disappearing into the snowstorm. But she was scared; scared that if he saw her like this, he’d only leave her even more quickly. Or maybe, she was more scared that he wouldn’t see her at all. Her hands tightened around the staff and she drooped and swayed.A pair of muscled arms encircled her before she could sink into the snow, and Rikku’s head shot up. “Auron?!”The huge man who’d caught her glared. Then he pulled Braska’s staff out of the snow and pushed it against her roughly.“You should take that with you,” he snorted.Rikku blinked. His skin was dark tan, weathered from too many years under the sun. And he was shirtless, dressed in attire more appropriate for sailing in the balmy south than any snowy mountain trek. A gauntlet similar to Auron’s ringed one forearm, identifying him as a swordsman. His long white hair, divided into four low ponytails, seemed impervious to the whipping winds.“Which one are you?” she asked as he leaned forward, placing two meaty hands against the side of her temples.“The one you fear.” Lightning sparked to life between his hands. When Ixion electrocuted her, it jolted feeling back into her extremities. She looked down; her legs were solid again, and buried deep into a snowdrift.“C-c-cold!” she yelped, leaping out of the snow and dancing in place.Ixion crossed his arms and glared at her. “Follow him. Or don’t. I’ll help you as long as I’m able.”She nodded and scurried away from him, heart pounding. Ixion didn’t give off the same warm, companionable air as Ifrit had. The nape of her neck prickled and she felt his eyes on her back. Somehow, she knew he wasn’t going to be helping throw her across any cliffs anytime soon. Which was probably a good thing, considering that they were halfway up Mount Gagazet already.She wasn’t certain how much time she’d lost in the snow, unraveling until Ixion pulled her back together again. The Fayth followed her silently through the dank caves, occasionally jolting her when her steps slowed. More evidence of Auron’s passage was scattered about; discarded vials from healing tinctures and ethers, marking the path he’d taken. She tried to visit the hot springs again, hoping that Auron had taken a moment to rest there. The entrance had already reduced itself to a narrow crack, though, much too thin for him to squeeze through. Continuing her walk along the Fayth Scar, there was still no sign of him. Her hand hovered over the backs of the people prolonging Jecht’s suffering and keeping Tidus alive, and she shivered.She made her way down the path to Zanarkand; it was sobering, with nothing but the wind and Ixion’s stony face to keep her company. She stopped by the campsite, her memories swirling to life, and saw Braska kneeling behind Yuna’s hunched back, weeping for everything he’d left behind. Jecht was standing shoulder to shoulder with Tidus on the promontory. And a younger Auron was looking down at an older version of himself. She moved on.There weren’t many fiends on the path to the Dome, and she was faster than all of them. The pyreflies streaming above her head were the only company she had, though her mind would often supply her with glimpses of the others running along the same path with her. A flash of Lulu’s long skirt trailing behind her. Jecht stopping to stare just a little too long at a pile of rubble. Kimahri holding his hand up, and then beckoning her forward. Braska staring overhead at the river of pyreflies with a resigned smile. Tidus stopping and staring at Yuna’s back, his mouth drawn tight in pain. And Auron, pushing them forward, always, no matter what his appearance was.When they reached the dome, Ixion slowed down, his ever-present scowl deepening. He grabbed Rikku by the shoulder and jolted her once more, this time with what she thought was unnecessary force. She spun to look at him.“Hey, what was that for?”Ixion looked up at the Dome, then back at her. “I can’t enter with you. She’s too powerful. This is as far as I can bring you.” His scowl softened slightly as he pressed his hand against her sternum and sent another blast of lightning through her. “Strength, child.”Rikku shivered, nodding. Then she turned and crept her way inside.She heard the sounds of fighting on the far end of the dome; she was close. But as she stepped in, the pyreflies’ cry strengthened, and her legs met resistance. It was like she was moving through thick, clotted motor oil. Gritting her teeth, she forced one foot in front of the other, fighting against the resistance.From the sounds he was making, Auron was drawing every fiend and piece of ancient machina in the vicinity to himself. It was lucky for her; she didn’t think she could fight anything even if she wanted to. But it also struck a deep, fearful nerve deep within. They’d had a rough time breaking through as a group; how was Auron making his way past all those fiends by himself?Her foot crunched on another vial, and she shivered. Healing potions could restore physical injury to a body, but not even they could prevent exhaustion from taking hold and setting in. If the evidence he’d liberally littered behind him was any indication, he’d be running out of them soon anyway.She fought her way forward, despairing when she looked over her shoulder and noticed how slow her progress was despite her best efforts. The sound of the fight was fading and soon the patrolling machina and restless undead would come for her, too.This time, when she reached baby Seymour wailing for his mother, she didn’t have the energy to tear through him. She lowered her head and concentrated on moving past him, ignoring his heart-rending sobs. So when the soft, white hand reached out to touch her, she let out a scream and nearly fell off of the platform.“Anima?!” she said, looking up into the pale woman’s dark eyes. “But… you don’t work for Bahamut. Why are you helping me?”Anima’s Fayth straightened up and clasped her hands in front of her. “Your Summoner earned my respect. He has accomplished what my son wouldn’t.” Reaching out, she grasped Rikku’s chin in her hand. “Here, in this Dome, I will lend you my strength.”Heart pounding, Rikku tried not to flinch away from her touch. When Anima released her, though, she was able to stumble backwards and catch herself, no longer physically hindered by Yunalesca’s heavy presence.“T-thanks,” she stuttered, still fearful of the Fayth who’d nearly killed her. Turning, she ran, flying after Auron. He was slowing down; he had to be. She fled past ghostly images of Braska and Yuna, dancing in the cloister, and let out a groan of dismay when she reached the central pit. The platform was well out of sight, rumbles echoing from the depths. Rikku paced the cloister nervously, waiting for the elevator to return and trying to ignore the melted stems of black candles and broken glass shards strewn across the floor. Trying to pretend the dark streaks across the stone underneath them were just dirt.Yuna’s guardians waited with her, watching the platform nervously. When she finally managed to take it down, she was vibrating with impatience. She leapt off of it before it even hit the ground, barreling her way back into Yunalesca’s outer sanctum. The corner she and Auron had destroyed with their makeshift fire was completely restored; the room looked as pristine as it had the first time they’d visited.Rikku trembled, the outer room itself whispering of Yunalesca’s formidable power. The staff felt slick in her hands, but she raced forward. “Auron!” she screamed. The doors at the top of the stairs were open. “Auron, wait for me!”“Hurry,” Anima whispered.Rikku ran faster than she’d ever before. Beyond the double doors, she heard Auron shouting.“No! Where is the sense in all this? Braska believed in Yevon’s teachings and died for them! Jecht believed in Braska and gave his life for him!”And Yunalesca’s cool reply. “They chose to die… because they had hope.”She burst through the door, her face white, just as Auron rushed Yunalesca. It wasn’t a memory she saw, this time, when Yunalesca’s hand rose high, blocking his charge. He flew backwards, his body twisting through the air like a limp rag doll, and he hit the ground hard, his sword clattering a few feet away.“No!” she screamed as the Samurai sphere on her belt cracked. But… it didn’t shatter.Yunalesca stepped forward, her pupils elongating into reptilian-like slits as she stalked towards Auron. “I told you to offer yourself to Braska,” she chided him softly. “At least then, your death would have had meaning. Truly, what a waste,” she sighed, her hair rising around her into vicious, pointed spikes.“Don’t touch him!” Her Grid activated on its own and Lenne stepped out, taking control of Rikku’s body. She held Braska’s staff aloft, twirling it expertly in one hand.
Lenne? What are you doing?!
Yunalesca’s advance stopped, her eyes flicking over to Rikku. “Oh. It returned.” Then they narrowed. “And it brought with it the idol singer.” Her surprise morphed into disgust. “What a foolish death you died, girl. You should have performed your duty to my father.”Lenne was a still a Summoner, Rikku realized as her body dipped into a dance, ignoring Yunalesca’s jibes. And suddenly, the swoops and the swirls as she swung the staff low and then high, twirling gracefully, made perfect sense.Yunalesca’s face contorted into rage as pyreflies began to drift away from her skin. “You would dare to Send me?” she hissed, raising her hands. She snapped her arms downwards abruptly, a shockwave pulsing out from her body that cracked the stone underfoot.Rikku’s feet caught and she stumbled, losing hold of the power.Yunalesca strode forward with an ugly look on her face. “You forget that I am a Summoner too,” she hissed, wresting the staff out of Rikku’s grasp. Kicking Rikku backwards, she began to perform a Sending of her own. The pyreflies were still leaking out of her, too, as she danced. The look of absolute, incandescent outrage in her eyes made it clear that she wasn’t going to stop, though.Rikku staggered as Lenne trembled and released her hold on her body, even forcing her to drop the Songstress costume. She fell to a knee, for the first time feeling the raw pull of the Sending’s power now that she no longer belonged in this time. She felt it rip Lenne out of her sphere, dissipating her presence. The masses of pyreflies in the dome allowed the songstress to project her original form one last time, her long hair flying as she tumbled away from Rikku on her hands and knees. Lenne met her eyes. Her motivations were opaque, and she was sometimes cruel, but she’d always helped them in the end. Though fading quickly, she managed to smile at Rikku: the bright, polished smile of a professional. “Goodbye.”Yunalesca twirled and swept the staff up, and Lenne burst apart, pyreflies keening softly before they faded. When she heard the soft pop, Rikku didn’t have to look to know that her Songstress sphere had shattered.Yunalesca didn’t stop dancing when Lenne faded, though. Her eyes were focused on Rikku, burning with anger. She whirled the staff again, and Rikku felt the Sending’s pull tug at her own body, ripping even more pyreflies away from her. Yunalesca was damaging herself as well; the more she danced, the more she abandoned her humanity, her features becoming alarmingly serpentine. The summoner seemed determined to tear Rikku apart before she stopped, though.The soul-rending pain peaked and then ebbed, and Rikku caught her breath, gasping. She looked at her hands, which were still there – they even started to solidify again. Confused, she scrambled to her feet, strength pouring back into her. The flood of pyreflies exiting her body slowed and then stopped, even though the speed of Yunalesca’s dizzying Sending never let up. Yunalesca eventually gave up, scowling, and lifted her arm. She looked surprised, and tried it again. Then she looked from her hand to Rikku. “What sort of an abomination are you?” she hissed.Abruptly, Rikku realized that Yunalesca had been trying to stun-lock her again, as she had the first time. The reason why it wasn’t working appeared as a pair of pale hands which touched Rikku’s elbows, pulling her to her feet. Two long, slender arms wrapped around her chest, and a curtain of dark hair pressed against her cheek.“Don’t touch what is mine,” Anima murmured, smiling at Yunalesca. She pulled away from Rikku, her hands sealing wounds Rikku hadn’t even realized the Sending had torn into her. Her body felt solid, real, and powerful again, and her exhaustion evaporated.“You? You would betray your creator?” Yunalesca hissed at the Fayth, shaking from side to side, her hair rising up like an agitated cobra’s hood. Their ends twisted into spikes, pointing directly at Rikku. Her smile was cold and confident. “Well then. It shall be my duty to unmake you both.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rikku sunk into her battle crouch. Her Godhand opened up and crackled with electricity, mirroring the adrenaline bubbling through her veins. “Drop that staff and get away from Auron,” she warned lowly, bouncing on her heels. “I won’t let you kill anybody else!” “You should have never returned,” Yunalesca hissed, tossing the staff away and lashing out at Rikku with her long whips of hair.Throwing herself into a roll, Rikku ducked, weaved, and dodged her way around the deadly strands spearing towards her. It was anything but graceful; more of a sweaty, undignified scramble to keep herself from being impaled. She remembered how Auron had fought against Jihl and tried to copy him, making a mad dash for the opposite end of the platform to turn Yunalesca’s attention away from Auron’s prone body. Notice me, only me, she prayed fervently, her Godhand sparking as she deflected another deadly whisk of hair away from her neck. There were so many; it was dizzying trying to keep track of Yunalesca’s attacks. She miscalculated and a stray strand of hair shot out and scored her along her waist.Her balance lost, Rikku spun around and was knocked back by several more lashes of Yunalesca’s hair. She felt shallow cuts opening across every inch of her exposed skin.This isn’t working! Her thoughts raced feverishly; on her own, she was at best able to dodge the deadliest of Yunalesca’s attacks. Without teamwork, she was grossly under-matched for a one-on-one battle with the ancient summoner. She placed a hand over her cracked sphere, debating. One of the hair whips snapped a little too close to her eyes, and desperation forced her decision.
I need to go on the offensive.
Light surrounded her, and Auron’s red robe settled over her shoulders. The edges were tattered now, and her right eyelid drooped, protesting when she forced it to stay open. It wasn’t enough to stop her glare towards Yunalesca as she whirled the sword before her in a swift circle.The ring of deadly hair-spikes that were rushing towards her dropped to the floor, momentarily stunned by her Dismissal. Rikku didn’t wait, launching into a run and letting her injuries power the strength behind her sword.“I will end you!” she shouted, slamming her weapon into Yunalesca. Her anger shattered right through the Protect spell Yunalesca had surrounded herself with. The Unsent let out an inhuman shriek of surprise as Rikku’s sword cleaved heavily through her collarbone, opening a deep wound that oozed black, fiendish blood. Yunalesca pulled herself free and her hair whipped back to life, encircling Rikku and flinging her away.Rikku only had a moment of satisfaction to note that the blow she’d landed had managed to bring Yunalesca to one knee before impacting against the remains of a crumbled wall. It knocked the breath from her lungs and more than a few of the wall’s stones free. They spun off wildly into the void of space, and she was abruptly thankful for having smashed against a solid surface despite the pain. Shaking it off, she rose to her feet, dragging her sword behind her.Yunalesca snarled at her, revealing elongated fangs, and Rikku reached deep into her sleeves and hurled the bag of Gil she found directly into the summoner’s mouth. There was a loud crunch; she grinned when the heavy sack took Yunalesca’s overextended fangs with it. Auron really had managed to hoard up a lot of money. Reeling, Yunalesca held her bloodied mouth, swaying back and forth in shock. Not much of a challenge without Zaon to protect you, huh? Rikku thought smugly and rushed in for the kill, lifting her sword.Eyes flashing golden, Yunalesca leaned forward, dropping her hand and spitting. Blood mingled with noxious black venom, splattering across Rikku’s face and chest. She stumbled, blinded by the poisonous spray, and in that moment of distraction Yunalesca’s attacks finally found their purchase.Rikku yelled hoarsely as sharpened points of Yunalesca’s hair sliced through the flesh of her arms and flung her backwards, nailing her to the ground her like stakes. Every second counted, so she forced herself to move. Grunting, she ripped her sword arm free. Her already hindered vision swam black, but she fought through the pain and swung blindly at her other arm, severing the hair tethering her in place. Then, shouting with the effort of it, she kipped up to her feet. Somehow, her grip on her sword remained firm despite both of her shaking arms being stained as red as her robe.Things were starting to go fuzzy so she waved a hand before herself, drawing on Auron’s powers to cleanse the poison eating away at her skin and blinding her eyes. The view when her vision cleared wasn’t great; Yunalesca loomed over her, just as beaten and bloodied as she was, but poised for victory. “Let me be your liberator,” she hissed maliciously, preparing for a final strike.Behind Yunalesca, a dark shadow rose. Auron staggered back to his feet looking murderous, the Ashura raised high over his shoulder. Yunalesca realized he was there seconds too late, caught in a half-turn to face him when he brought the sword down with a furious roar. In one clean strike, he decapitated her.Yunalesca’s head bounced off the platform, her mouth open in a cry of surprise, before rolling into the void. The now-limp strands of her long, prehensile hair slithered over the edge after her. The body she’d left behind swayed and then fell over with a soft thunk, growing translucent and then disappearing in a burst of pyreflies.Panting, Auron dropped to his knees, leaning heavily on his sword. They stared at each other for a moment, each bloodied and bruised from their ordeals, catching their breaths. Then Rikku shed her costume and flung herself forward, wrapping herself around him. “You big meanie! Don’t you ever leave me behind again!”“We did it. We defeated her.” He sagged against her, leaning into her arms. “Somehow,” he said, sounding utterly exhausted. Rikku’s giggle of relief faded when she noticed that he didn’t have any strength left in his legs; she sank to the ground with him, too drained to hold up his weight. “Auron?” Her fingers rooted through her pouches, pulling out one of her last healing potions and forcing it down his mouth. He’d taken and used the bulk of their supplies just to reach this far on his own, and her fingers grew cold as she realized her potion was doing little to actually restore him. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, his eyes closing. She laid him across the floor when he went completely limp in her arms, slipping into unconsciousness. “You pushed too hard,” she scolded softly, smoothing her fingers over his chest. “Now how am I gonna get you out of here, you absolute unit?”The cry of the pyreflies grew louder, and her hands stilled. Reluctantly, she raised her eyes and saw light shining from void under the same edge Yunalesca’s head had rolled off. “I don’t like this one bit,” she whispered to Auron, struggling to her feet and stepping in front of him. She poured potions over her mangled arms and then flexed her fists, making sure her limbs were still working well enough to fight. Dread filled her as she recognized what was happening.Tendrils of Yunalesca’s blade-like hair rose over the edge, followed slowly by her severed head. Her eyes were serenely closed, as if she was resting. More disturbing was that her head was attached to a body, and that body wasn’t even remotely human; it was a mass of writhing tentacles, and the higher it rose, the more familiar it looked.“This can’t be happening…” She sucked in a deep breath and took a step back as two huge, glowing emerald eyes opened and zeroed in on her. The oversized mockery of Yunalesca’s face peered out at her from the bottom of the malignant mass, surrounded by skull-headed snakes for hair. They twisted around the malevolent face, scenting the air and hissing menacingly. The enormous head opened her mouth and licked her lips with her long, forked tongue, her fangs glistening. “You didn’t truly believe it would be that easy, did you?” she sibilated. “Sorrow cannot be abolished, but Fayth can be broken!”Staring into those eyes and knowing exactly what Yunalesca could do to them in that form, Rikku felt it in her bones. She and Auron were going to die here together after all. She lifted her Godhand anyway, determined to protect him. “Bring it on,” she declared more bravely than she felt.
“No!”
Rikku jumped at Tidus’s loud shout. Her memories caught up with her, standing in defiance to Yunalesca.
“Your fate is in your hands!”
Auron was pushing her to resist with his impassioned rally. Kimahri growled in agreement.Even her younger self was shouting, “Well, I’m fighting!”— as if she hadn’t been scared witless back then, too.“Gimmie a break!” Wakka complained, swiping at his nose.“You can always run,” Lulu replied, a hard glint in her eye.“Now let’s see this thing through together!” Tidus shouted hotly.Yuna’s pale face was set in determination, nodding. Rikku smiled, even though they were just memories; having all of her friends surround her one last time lifted a little of the hopeless fog that had descended over her. “Thanks, guys,” she whispered, tightening her grip on her weapon. “At least we won’t die alone.”The memory began to fade, but Yunalesca’s smile dropped. Her eyes opened wide, and she bared her fangs… and not at Rikku.“Who said we’d be dying anyway?”Rikku froze, turning her head so swiftly her neck cracked, her jaw dropping.“Rikku! Long time no see,” Tidus beamed, giving her a wave. Unlike the others, he’d solidified instead of disappearing. He looked just like he had during Yuna’s Pilgrimage, except in his hand was his unmistakable celestial weapon, the Caladbolg. “You really need to learn how to listen better.” He glared up at Yunalesca. “Geez. She’s as ugly as I remember.”“Who are you?!” Yunalesca screeched, snapping at Tidus, who scooted out of the way with a shout.“Whooaaa! You really pissed her off!”Shaking her shock off, Rikku did the first thing she could think of. She shrieked. “WHAT?! I mean, why—no, how did you—look out!” They both dodged as Yunalesca sent her hair-snakes whipping after them, cracking the platform dangerously close to Auron’s prone body.Tidus, agile as ever, leapt over the snake separating them. He stabbed downwards with his sword, eliciting a pained scream from Yunalesca. But rather than landing and taking up his battle stance, he kept running, tearing past her to slide to a stop by Auron. Grabbing one arm, he started dragging the unconscious man towards the doors. “Little help here! He’s not exactly light!”Rikku threw her questions to the wind and dove after him, grabbing Auron’s other arm and pulling for all she was worth.Auron’s weight doubled in her arms when Tidus abruptly dropped him and whacked a few of Yunalesca’s attacking snake-heads back… a move Auron had taught him during Yuna’s Pilgrimage. He took a running start and kicked away another hair extension, then rebounded off of a broken pillar and twisted in the air, energy gathering around his sword.“Too late to beg for mercy!” he yelled at Yunalesca, slinging the blade down to rain blasts of power that damaged multiple locks of her hair. Hitting the ground, he skipped back and helped her push Auron out the door while Yunalesca was stunned.Unfortunately, Yunalesca recovered from his attack quickly. With a wild scream of fury she rushed towards them, green eyes glowing ominously like a fiendish nightmare. Tidus yelped and slammed the double doors shut, wedging the Caladbolg in the handles. There was a loud thump from something impacting against the other side. The closed doors shuddered, and dust and stone rained down all around them. Still, after a few more hits, they relaxed minutely. Both the sword and the doors held fast, stopping Yunalesca’s charge.Backing away, Tidus held up his hands triumphantly. “I won’t go so easy on you next time!” he bragged. Then he dropped them awkwardly. “Because… I won’t. I mean, like for real. I’ll kill you next time.” And then he removed all doubt as to who he really was, because he put his hands on his hips started laughing at his own joke.Rikku barreled into him, nearly knocking him over. “Tidus!” she screamed, simultaneously hugging him and shaking him furiously. “What the heck are you doing? How’d you even get here? Did Bahamut send you to help us?!”“Whoa! Calm down!” Tidus wheezed, extracting her hands from around his neck and pushing her back.They both jumped as the doors shuddered again, and Tidus winced. “Why don’t we get a little further back before we have a happy reunion?”“But your sword?” she asked.Tidus waved her off, leaning down to scoop Auron off the floor. “Naw, it’s fine. Celestial weapons are just a part of your soul anyhow. I won’t lose it,” he reassured her.“Huh?” Rikku slung Auron’s other arm around her shoulders and helped Tidus carry him down the stairs.“I mean, how else could your Godhand have followed you all the way out here?” he asked. “They’re kind of tied to their wielders, you know.” Conversation petered out as they huffed and puffed Auron out of the sanctum, past the cloisters, and back out to the ruined hallway leading to the trial, just to be safe. Tidus was strong, but Auron was pure muscle with body armor packed on top.“Stop… we need to stop here,” Tidus wheezed, and Rikku’s legs buckled under her in relief.“I thought I was gonna die,” she groaned, covering her face. Then she dropped her hands and sat up, looking at Tidus searchingly. “What’s going on here, anyway?”Tidus gave her a long look up and down, and then leaned over to observe Auron, who was still out cold beside her. He grinned and ignored her question. “So it’s true! Yuna told me, but I didn’t believe it at the time.”Caught off guard, Rikku frowned. “Told you what?”“That you loved Auron,” he said, drawing his knees up and leaning against them. “You know… with the whole Samurai costume thing. Didn’t think someone like you’d spring for that stodgy old man.”“He’s not old!” Rikku shot back immediately. Then she sighed. “And… it wasn’t love. Not real love, anyway. Because Auron never let me in back then.” She looked down at the Auron by her side, carefully brushing a lock of hair from his face. “I know what being in love really feels like now,” she said softly.“Well, I mean, you still felt strongly enough to throw yourself into the past at least,” Tidus pointed out, gesturing at their surroundings. “I’d say you were pretty obsessed.”“Huh? What do you mean threw myself? I didn’t send myself anywhere! I thought it was Bahamut who did all this! Bahamut and—” She stopped, a sharp pain in her chest, unable to say Braska’s name out loud.“I mean you threw yourself back in time,” Tidus repeated, now pointing his finger at her. “I’m guessing Braska helped get you here somehow, but he’s just a summoner, you know. You’re the aeon.” He grinned. “You’re kinda like me now.”“Yunalesca already told me that,” Rikku admitted. She looked down at her hands… solid, despite all the fighting she’d done. Anima’s vast powers were still sustaining her. “I didn’t want to believe it was true… not really. But then Yu Yevon tried to possess me.” She closed her eyes, feeling the guilt overwhelm her. “I’m sorry about Je—”“Don’t finish that,” Tidus interrupted her. “My old man knew what he was doing. Once he got an idea in his head, he’d just keep chasing after it until it became reality. If he wanted to become a Final Aeon, you wouldn’t have been able to stop him.” He shrugged. “Besides… I like being with Yuna. So I’m grateful, actually. Because of what you guys did, I get to be more than just a forgotten dream.”Rikku closed her eyes and let Tidus’ forgiveness settle around her like a cloak. It still didn’t ease the raw ache of losing Braska or her churning worry for Auron, who still hadn’t woken up. Knowing that both Jecht and Tidus didn’t hate her lightened some of the guilt, though. Shaking her head, she looked up at Tidus.“Okay, but how? You still haven’t answered my question. What are you even doing here? Why didn’t you show up and help us out earlier if you could travel back in time too?”Tidus laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head – a gesture so familiar it sent a pang through her heart. “I don’t think you get it. I’m not really here. Well, I mean, I can be, but only here here,” he said, gesturing at their surroundings. “You’re the one who opened the way here, so I’m stuck. Inside this Dome. It’s the only place the pyreflies are concentrated enough to make me.” He smiled at her. “And only so long as you remember.”“You mean… you really are just my memory?”Tidus nodded. “Kinda. I’m still me, but this body I’m in is all you. I mean come on, I haven’t worn my hair this short in years,” he said, running a hand through his wild hair. Then he leveled her with a serious look, the smile dropping from his face. “We’re not like normal people, Rikku. We’re aeons. Dreams. Other peoples’ dreams. You have to understand what that means.”“So you’re alive because Yuna’s dreaming about you?” she asked, and Tidus laughed.“Weeell,” he drawled, leaning back. “Yuna called me back. But I’m not just one person’s dream. We can live because we’re part of everybody’s dream,” he said. “As long as someone in Spira holds a little bit of those dreams in their heart, we can keep on going.”Rikku put her hands in her hair, shaking her head. “I don’t get it. What are you then? What am I? I feel more like a nightmare than a dream these days.” She looked at her hands. “And I’m disappearing.”“Because you’re in the wrong time,” Tidus said, as if it explained everything. Seeing her face, he sighed. “Okay, look. You’re not exactly like me. I’m…” He searched for words for a moment, his face drawing in thought. “If Yojimbo is Spira’s greed, then maybe you could say I’m Spira’s hope. Or maybe… joy? I’ll always come back as myself, even when Yuna’s gone. I’ll be around until this world gives up.” Rikku let her hands drop from her head. “Then what am I?” she asked slowly.“You?” Tidus snorted, his eyes crinkling in laughter the exact same way Jecht’s had. “Yu Yevon didn’t make a mistake when he tried to possess you, Rikku. You can be anything you want to be. That’s why you’re the most powerful aeon. You’re potential.” He grinned. “You don’t even need to look like that if you didn’t want to. The only thing you have to remember is to not lose yourself, or there’ll be no going back to the ol’ Rikku once you change.”Rikku rocked in place, trying to wrap her mind around Tidus’ words. Despite his explanation, she didn’t feel any stronger. All she felt was a deep, churning confusion as Tidus ploughed through what she’d thought of as her life and turned everything upside-down. “Am I dead?”Tidus looked uncomfortable. “Technically… no? But you fell into the Farplane. It’s not a place for the living. Nobody really survives that.” He held up his hands as her face paled. “I mean, you’re not really dead though! Auron found you while you were dying, and Braska made sure you didn’t.”She reeled. Braska, in the future? “But… he died! If he’s in the Farplane, then he’s not an Unsent. How even… did Braska have that kind of summoning power?”“Well, Bahamut is the King of all Aeons. I get the feeling it was a joint effort there.” He smirked. “And Auron’s been guarding you all this time, waiting for you to come back. He’s still mad at you for bringing Lenne along. She’s the one who pushed you, you know.” He shook his head. “Yuna never should’ve given you that sphere.”“What? Lenne? But she’s been helping us! And she died fighting Yunalesca—”“No! Lenne died a thousand years ago,” Tidus scowled. “What makes you think a thousand-year-old Unsent obsessed with love ever had your best interests at heart? How many thousand-year-old Unsents have you met so far that weren’t totally messed up in the head?”“Well…” Technically, he was kind of right. Still, she latched on to something more important. “Wait, Auron’s waiting for me? Does that mean…” She looked down at Auron and felt her throat constrict. “Does that mean he still has to die here?”“He already is, and you know it.”No. She shied away from it, even though she’d seen it in Auron’s eyes. In his mad dash up the mountain. In every crushed vial and discarded candle she’d passed. In the lies he’d told her when they’d crossed the gorge. Auron was determined, talented, unstoppable… but still only human. Even if Yunalesca hadn’t attacked him, he’d already burned his body out forcing his way into Zanarkand alone; maybe his soul had left even earlier, along with Braska and Jecht.For once, her nervous movements stilled. Tidus was finally forcing herself to accept the obvious. “Nothing… nothing really changed. Nothing I did here mattered. Everyone… everyone still died in the end,” she whispered. “What was it all for?”“The future. You know, the one you helped make… back then, and even now.” Tidus shifted, scooting closer to her, and threw an arm over her shoulder. “Rikku… Your gig’s supposed to be all about the future, not the past. You need to think of time like a big river, flowing in one direction. What happened here is already done, no matter how much you might want things to go differently.” He gave her a squeeze. “You’re strong, but not even you can change history. You can only witness it happening.”She couldn’t answer him; she reached out and grabbed Auron’s bare hand, digging her fingers into his skin. “You mean I’m gonna have to watch him leave me first again,” she said brokenly.Auron stirred, and Tidus shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah… about that. Listen. I have to get going… and you should come with.”“Huh? But why?” She felt a sense of impending panic. “You’re leaving?”“This isn’t my story,” he replied with a shrug. “I’m just a memory here. The real me is in the future.” He looked at her pointedly. “Where you should be, too.”Auron’s eyelid fluttered, lost in a lucid dream made from his own exhaustion. She traced her fingers over his forehead, and down the bridge of his nose, and then cupped his cheek. The stubble growing on his chin prickled against her fingertips. “I’m not just a witness to any of this. I’m a part of it,” she said softly. Then she tore her gaze away from Auron and looked back at Tidus. “So I’m not going back. I’m not done yet,” she said. “Tell Yunie hi for me. And… tell her not to worry.”“Wait… you’re not coming back with me?” Tidus crossed his arms. “Auron’s gonna to die whether you stay with him or not, Rikku. You’re just making it harder on yourself.”“I know,” she said. “But this is my story. And I’m seeing it through to the end.”Tidus sighed, clearly displeased. Then he grumbled. “Alright. I get it. I’ll clear the way for you. But I can’t stay any longer than that.” He squatted by her and gave her a friendly punch on the shoulder. “Don’t forget what I told you. Remember who you are, and you’ll be able to make it back home.” He stood, and the Caladbolg materialized in his hand. “Time to get serious. If I’m leading, you need to carry Auron, and you can’t do it like that.”Rikku nodded, putting her hand to her Grid. Light flowed over her, and her eye slid shut as the tattered red robes reappeared. Leaning down, she scooped Auron up, mirroring the way he’d carried her out of the dome the first time. “Let’s move.”
.x.x.x.
She made it outside, Auron’s weight heavy in her arms. He was breathing more quickly now and his body was growing hot. He’d stir in her embrace from time to time, groaning incoherently, but never truly coming out of his fevered stupor. Part of her was afraid that he’d never open his eyes again, but she refused to leave him to die in the wastes of Zanarkand, surrounded by Yu Yevon’s broken dreams.Tidus had waved at her from the entrance, his grin bright like the sunshine before he rippled away. Anima hadn’t shown herself again, but Rikku had felt the Fayth’s power leave her abruptly the moment she cleared the Dome’s threshold.Surprisingly, Ixion was still waiting for her beyond, catching her as she stumbled. His face dropped in displeasure when he saw her, and he jolted her with energy, pulling her back to her feet.“You’re using my power too quickly,” he noted, glaring at her red overcoat from her still-active Grid.“I thought you didn’t like me,” Rikku gasped, pushing forward in determined, measured steps down the highway. It stretched out before her, impossibly long, and Auron’s weight dragged heavily against her still-injured arms.“I don’t. You’re too greedy,” was all he said. Then he placed his palms against her back and pushed her forward. Together, they jogged down the highway, Ixion frequently sending bursts of power into her whenever she faltered. The fiends stayed away from them, as if they could sense the grumpy aeon behind her. Or maybe they just couldn’t see her anymore.She didn’t want to think about it, instead focusing on carrying Auron with her the same way she’d hauled Braska’s staff in. When they reached the campsite at the end of the highway, Ixion stopped and dropped his hands.Rikku turned to look at him.He crossed his arms and shook his head, and she noticed that his body was already mostly translucent. The Fayth she’d seen generally didn’t show much in the way of emotion, so she wouldn’t say Ixion looked tired. But from the way he seemed to be on the verge of disappearing, she guessed she’d drained him of more power than she’d realized.“Umm… thanks,” she said awkwardly. Maybe Ixion didn’t dislike her as much as he let on.He chuffed and nodded at her, fading away with a scowl on his face.She turned and looked at the long hike up to the peak of Gagazet, and her knees shook. “How are we gonna make it all the way back by ourselves, Auron?” she asked softly. His head bumped against her collarbone, and she grit her teeth, feeling fiercely protective of him. He’s not dead yet. Shifting his weight in her arms, she began marching up the steep path.The wind blew harshly, making it difficult to keep her balance. By the time she crested the hill that overlooked Zanarkand, she was soaked in sweat and beginning to seriously worry that her arms would dissolve and she’d accidentally drop Auron over the edge of the cliff.The thought of him falling to his death spurred her to move on with her head down; she stumbled when she hit something hard, though. Blinking, she saw a pair of furry paws next to her shoes.“Arf!” Koimanu stared up at her, tail wagging.“Why are you doing this?”She raised her head slowly and looked into the man who’d stopped her; it was a slim Crusader dressed in full battle regalia. His arms were crossed, and his eyes were completely obscured by his helmet. Yojimbo leaned his weight onto one hip, looking so utterly different and unintimidating compared to his aeon form that she couldn’t help but laugh, tired as she was.“I could ask you the same thing. You don’t serve Bahamut either,” she countered. “… But your dog’s cute.”Koimanu’s tail wagged.Sighing loudly, Yojimbo uncrossed his arms. “You do an honorable thing now for your fallen soldier,” he said reluctantly. “There is no benefit to you. You could leave here and you would be fine, yet you stay and choose to suffer.”Rikku dropped her head against Auron’s, closing her eyes. “I love him. And Auron deserves better than to be left here. His life meant something. I won’t let him die alone.”“You won’t be able to carry him the entire way like that,” Yojimbo pointed out, making no move to help her.“Thanks for the boost,” she muttered dryly, shouldering past Yojimbo and continuing on towards the caves.Koimanu kept pace with her, and eventually, Yojimbo’s voice needled her back. “You know, you could just make it easier on yourself. Unlock your potential, and I will help you.”Her tripping gait slowed to a stop. “Unlock my potential?” She looked up at Yojimbo, who was circling around her. “Why do insist on becoming him when you aren’t?” Her exhaustion tore at her, making her sway on her feet. Auron felt heavier by the minute; she could feel his life ebbing away in her arms. Suddenly, she felt fiercely resentful of Yojimbo’s well-meant advice. “Because I’m strong enough to do this on my own!” she snapped at him. “I don’t need your help! I don’t need anyone else! I don’t want anyone else—”
To suffer.
Her words caught in her throat as the fury died out. She looked at Auron again closely, her heart stuttering. “Oh, Auron,” she whispered, closing her eyes.“You should be yourself,” Yojimbo said gently. “That is where your true strength lies.”Rikku sank to the ground, her knees finally giving out, and released her hold on his dressphere. The red robes faded, and Auron lay across her lap, a heavy, immovable weight. His skin was flushed and sweat matted his forehead.She leaned over him and cried softly. “What strength? I couldn’t even stop him from repeating history.”Yojimbo squatted next to her. “History? You’re no warrior-monk. You’re a Bedohl. Or have you forgotten where you came from already?”“Al Bhed,” she corrected fiercely, suddenly annoyed by the way everyone seemed to be pigeonholing her into a past she’d never experienced. “I’m not a Bedohl, I’m an Al Bhed!”“Are you? It looked like you’d forgotten.”Huh. Putting her hand over her grid, she realized that he was right. There was only one sphere left on her Grid that wasn’t damaged. Her own. Tentatively, she activated it.Light swirled and her Alchemist costume surrounded her, filling her with confidence. “I’m not broken. I’m smart, and capable, and I can fix any problem I face as long as I take the time to think my way out of it,” she declared. She reached into her pouch and downed a few of her conjured potions, feeling her own wounds sealing shut. She sprinkled a few more over Auron, but, just like the first time she’d tried, they had little effect on him. There weren’t any wounds hurting his body any longer; he’d simply broken himself more deeply than any healing agent could repair. “I think in the back of my mind, I always thought you were infallible,” she murmured, squeezing her eyes shut and resisting the urge to hit him. “Stupid… stupid,” she choked out, feeling hot tears building behind her eyelids as she hugged him to her. As if her arms alone could lower his fever and restore his vitality. After a moment, she realized he was shivering, even though his skin was still burning up.
We’re running out of time.
Forcing herself to move, she scooped her arms under Auron’s legs and tried to lift him. “Urg,” she groaned, pulling against his weight. He didn’t budge, but she kept trying. “You’re… coming… with me, buster!” she ground out, straining to lift him into her arms.“This is the way,” Yojimbo told her, and she felt his hand on her shoulder, felt the rush of power flood through her. Something gave and then, the light of her sphere transformation activated even though she wasn’t trying to change costumes. Was her dressphere evolving? Suddenly, Auron’s weight became bearable. She rose to her feet, tottering and catching her balance from nearly overcompensating for his bulk.Koimanu nuzzled her ankles, and Rikku looked down. “Did I just get… chonkier?” she asked, looking at the bands of dull golden metal that had wrapped themselves around her legs and thighs. She bent her arms, finding the same armor plating there, studded with dull red spikes. It all looked strangely familiar. “Koimanu and I will guide you for as far as we can,” Yojimbo said, bowing to her respectfully.“What is this?” Rikku breathed, taking an experimental step forward. The whirr of gears turning sounded as her foot lifted and thudded into the ground heavily. It took a few more steps before she got the hang of moving somewhat comfortably in the heavy suit of armor. Recognition dawned. “This is my Machina Maw, isn’t it?”Koimanu barked, and Yojimbo shook his head. “It is who you want to be.”Rikku looked down at Auron again, feeling the exosuit expand, armor sliding up the back of her neck. “I want to be strong enough to protect you this time,” she said softly to him. She shifted her hold on Auron, making sure he was resting comfortably against her chestplate. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop it. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be enough,” she said, leaning over to brush her lips across his forehead. “But I’ll stay here as long as you still need me.”Looking up, she took a deep breath and began her long march down the mountainside, Yojimbo trailing silently behind her.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
By the time she reached the base of Mount Gagazet, Yojimbo had left her with as little fanfare as he’d arrived. With Auron in her arms and dressed in her strange, unmistakably machina-enhanced outfit, Rikku decided to avoid the Ronso village completely. She laboriously climbed over the detour they’d originally taken around the settlement.In contrast to the rocky terrain of the mountains, it should have been simple to traverse the Calm Lands. Instead, it felt harder than ever; she could feel her energy flagging the further she pushed through the tall grass. It was getting familiar, the feeling of slowly disappearing, but never any easier. With Auron’s weight in her arms – she refused to call him dead weight – she’d enter an almost meditative state of contemplation as she pushed her feet to keep marching.
Did I really change anything? Would all of this have happened without me? Would Auron, Braska, and Jecht been better off if they’d never even known me?
And yet, no matter which of the answers her meandering thoughts would lead her to, she’d look down into her arms at Auron’s flushed, vulnerable face, and know that she didn’t care. Like Ixion had said, she was too greedy; she’d chased after what she wanted doggedly until she got it. Overthinking it this much was making her realize it was a maybe-just-a-little-bit destructive trait she’d shared with Braska. With, she considered as she felt her extremities losing their feeling, much the same results when she reached her goal.They were nearing the border to Macalania, but even with the help of the evolved Machina Maw her steps were growing choppier. She already knew what she would look like, had there been anyone to see her; glassy limbs, slowly going translucent. Maybe they wouldn’t even see her at all; maybe she and Auron were as invisible as the pyreflies she felt coursing all around her. If there was one thing being constantly made and unmade was teaching her, it was that pyreflies were everywhere, even when they weren’t visible to the naked eye. The soul of the world ran through everything, and most of humanity wasn’t sensitive enough to feel it.Maybe that’s what made a summoner different; perhaps their hands brushed the surface of the fabric of the world more closely, sensing what lay underneath. As for aeons… Rikku came to a standstill.
We’re fully submerged.
She tried to move her feet, but they stayed planted amidst the swaying grass. “Is it time to rejoin the planet right here?” she asked Auron tiredly. She pulled him close, and his soft breath puffed against her neck. He wouldn’t last much longer. She wondered if it could be considered romantic, turning into pyrefly-dust together with Auron in the middle of the Calm Lands. A Divebeak cawed somewhere close by, and Rikku jumped out of her stupor. It wasn’t romantic at all; Auron was still human. A dying human, but flesh and blood all the same. There’d be nothing romantic about leaving his body to the elements here. Besides, he’d been adamant. “I won’t become one of the fiends that wanders these fields.”“I won’t let you,” she told him, and there was that greed again, that single-minded determination to reach Bevelle with him. “At least one of us needs to keep our promises... and you were always better at that than me.”He heard her; stirring, his eye cracked open, and he looked up at her. But he didn’t see her, not really, not caught as he was in his fever-laden hallucinations. His hand came up to her cheek, his lone eye burning bright. “You’re safe,” he said, and he sounded so relieved. “You’re still safe.”She tucked her face into his hand and managed to return a smile. “Yeah. We both are. You don’t have to fight anybody anymore.”“Good,” he said, closing his eyes and leaning against her. “That’s… a relief.”Her feet wouldn’t respond to her command to move, and Rikku dropped her head. “We’re almost there, Auron,” she murmured, feeling faint. “We almost made it.”A small hand reached up and patted her arm. Opening her eyes, Rikku looked down to see a young girl with a short bob of hair as red as Wakka’s. Her skin was ruddy and tan, too, just like his. She couldn’t have been more than 14 years old at best, and her eyes were gentle. A Besaid native, through and through.“You can do it,” the girl whispered. Then she stood on her tiptoes and kissed Rikku’s cheek. A gust of wind circled around them, and Rikku felt strength return to her arms.“Thank you,” she told Valefor.“I’ll protect you,” the Fayth promised, gently holding Rikku’s elbow. “So you can finish what you started.”Together, they walked silently through the great expanse of the Calm Lands, the breeze stirring the tall grasses all around them into a living sea of green. Sometimes a fiend would roar in the distance. Once, Rikku spotted a team of Crusaders escorting a priest to the base of Mount Gagazet. Likely they were going to confirm what the world would soon realize: that the Calm had descended once again. Soon the celebrations in Bevelle would begin.Rikku made sure to steer well away from the entourage, feeling bitter.When they reached the edge of Macalania’s crystalline forests, Valefor released her elbow. “Be strong,” she whispered before disappearing.“Easier said than done,” Rikku murmured, feeling the loss of Valefor’s support acutely. Every step she took was getting harder with her dressphere constantly active. Five paces later, she knew she wouldn’t be taking Auron anywhere without any more help. “You there.”Rikku looked up; a priestess was waiting for her. From her garb, it was clear the woman was an accomplished black magician. Her lengthy brown hair was bound in the same tell-tale loops and braids as Lulu’s, and the impressive bangle on her wrist indicated that she had some skill at the craft. She took a few mincing steps forward, her skirt trailing on the ground behind her, and crossed her arms.“You overstay your welcome,” the woman said, her breaths crystalizing into puffs of frost.Rikku stopped before her. “I know,” she murmured, too tired to argue. “Will you help me anyway?”Shiva turned her head slightly, looking down at Auron. Her cold blue eyes flicked back up to Rikku. “Even in death, you both run hot-blooded. Enough. I will guide you through my forests, and no further.”One perfectly manicured fingernail stretched out, touching Rikku between her eyebrows. A cold, numbing feeling spread through her forehead, working its way through the tips of her teeth and continuing as a chill down her spine. She felt like she would freeze from that single touch alone, but it was enough to bring her back into the present, as solid and real as she could be.“You won’t make it far like that,” Shiva added, gesturing at Rikku’s mechanized bodysuit. “Bevelle will not let you approach.”Rikku nodded slowly; an Al Bhed heretic in a machina suit, carrying Mika’s failed pet project who was fast on his way to becoming a legendary hero of Spira. Kinoc would’ve had a field day with it.She looked down at Auron again; she couldn’t leave him amongst the very human fiends of Bevelle any more than she could have dropped him in the Calm Lands. He’d want to keep his promise to Braska, though; it was probably the real reason he was still clinging to life, despite his body’s rejection of it.“Where won’t you turn into a piece of political propaganda?” she mused. Shiva sighed impatiently behind her.The answer came to her simply. I’m an Al Bhed.“Girl. If you have no destination, then do not waste my time,” Shiva sniped.“I’ve got it now.” Rikku straightened her spine. “If Bevelle won’t let us come close, then I’ll just go somewhere we can!” She cradled Auron to her chest and started marching down the path towards Macalania Temple instead of Bevelle. “Don’t worry,” she told him, even though he’d fallen back into an uneasy sleep. “You’ll protect Yunie.”The air chilled as she made her way further through the forest; soon, its crystalline beauty faded into the crisper crunch of ice and snow. The frozen fields were blanketed in almost painful shades of blue and white. The travel agency Rikku was looking for stuck out like a sore thumb, a riot of Al Bhed color against a monochromatic backdrop.She stopped when she spotted a tuft of white feathers against deep blue fur; Kimahri was there, holstering a small pack on his back. It seemed like he’d decided to leave Gagazet on his own after performing his last duties to the High Summoner’s party. He looked up at the garish sign of the Agency, then hung his head and shook it. After a moment’s hesitation, he pushed open the door and disappeared from her sight.Auron breathed another sigh against her, and Rikku’s fingers tightened against him. “Kimahri will take good care of you. He’s like that,” she whispered, letting her eyes drink in Auron’s scarred face. “All protective, you know. Just like you.” She approached the agency and carefully laid him on the ground, propping him up against the side of the wall. Her costume slid off as soon as she had him settled; a last ditch attempt to stay a little longer by his side. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, leaning down and pressing her lips against his. He was too far gone to respond to her touch, but she held herself there stubbornly. As it turned out, trying to keep her heart from breaking apart was a lot more painful than her body. She fell back onto her haunches and waited, watching Auron breath fitfully. The low murmur of voices, muffled behind the Agency doors, grew louder. Bouncing to her feet, Rikku ran back, skittering over the slippery rocks until she was hidden from view. Behind her, Shiva crossed her arms and waited.The door swung open violently, and Kimahri stepped out again. His tail was lashing, and he looked upset. He might have walked right by Auron, except the force with which he’d slammed the door caused Auron to topple over slowly, landing with a thump in the snow at the Ronso’s feet.Startled, Kimahri dropped to his knee and turned Auron over. His golden eyes widened minutely, and his mouth opened in a low, dismayed rumble. “Guardian?” When Auron didn’t respond, Kimahri scooped him up and stood, turning towards the door.It flew open, nearly hitting them both, and a familiar face peered out. Rin was so much younger, the lines on his face not nearly as prominent as they’d been in her time. The Al Bhed merchant looked flushed, as if he’d been caught in the middle of a vigorous argument.“Kimahri Ronso!” he yelled, his heavy accent giving the anger in his voice a strange, musical lilt. “A horn cannot be the only measure of—” His words died out as he looked at Auron hanging limply in Kimahri’s arms. “—oh? What’s this?”“Guardian of High Summoner,” Kimahri growled, shouldering past Rin. “Need help.”Rin pushed the door open wider, taking a searching look out over the empty snowfields, and Rikku ducked back behind her rock. She peered out again when she heard the soft click of the door; Auron was gone.“Are you done here?” Shiva asked.Rikku settled into a crouch, wrapping her arms around her knees. “Just a little longer,” she said.She heard Shiva’s soft huff of exasperation, but the Fayth stayed by her side even when night descended. Rikku kept her eyes on the door of the Agency, refusing to move even when the sun set. The thick, heavy snow clouds blocked the sky completely, and the night soon turned pitch black. Rikku kept her eyes wide open, straining her ears for any sound. All she heard, though, was the soft rustle of the wind, and the tinkle of Shiva’s bangle whenever the woman would shift and push the chill back into Rikku’s bones.Dawn was just starting to break when the doors opened again; Kimahri exited the building, his pack tied back against both of his shoulders now. He walked a few paces from the door and hesitated. Turning around, he faced the Agency and lifted an uncertain claw to his broken horn. It lingered there for a moment, before the Ronso shook his head. He crossed his arms together and formed the bow of Yevon, bending deeply and holding the pose for as long as he had for Braska. After a moment, he puffed out a breath and turned, striding purposefully down the path. He passed close by to Rikku’s hiding place, but didn’t see her at all, not even when she stood up.Twisting around, Rikku noticed that Shiva had disappeared. Collapsing back into a crouch, Rikku wrapped her arms around her legs and rocked slowly. “Guess it’s just me now,” she murmured, feeling the slow but steady pull of the pyreflies around her. Her eyes fluttered closed.She must have been dozing; it was hard to tell how much time had passed in the dull, muted light of Macalania’s overcast dawn. A soft pop woke her. At first she wasn’t sure what had happened; then she looked down and saw the shards of glass scattered at her feet. The Samurai sphere had shattered. She dropped her hand into the snow, feeling the jagged edges of glass cut against her fingertips, and closed her eyes.
Goodbye, Auron. The bite of Macalania’s eternal winter was just starting to fade from her numbed fingertips when she heard crunching in the snow behind her. It stopped, and she cracked open an eye and looked back.A pair of heavy boots and the bottom fringe of a red overcoat greeted her. She sprung to her feet and turned around, eyes wide.Auron stared back at her, the scar over his eye no longer red and swollen.“How’d you get out here?” she blurted.“I didn’t,” he answered, and tilted his head towards the Agency. The faintest trace of white was starting to frost his hairline at his temples.She blinked and looked down, unable to meet his dark eye. Words bubbled up in her throat; apologies, declarations, or maybe regrets. They faded after a while, each inadequate to express the complicated tangle of feelings seeing him standing there brought out in her. He was stone-faced and silent, and she was scared to find out if death had turned his love into hatred. So she chased after the one thing to connect with him that she knew he’d still hold dear: duty.“Kimahri will take care of Yuna,” she said softly. “Whatever you said convinced him.”“It was the last wish of a dying man,” he replied gruffly. “As a Ronso, he’ll feel honor-bound to keep his oath. Yuna will be in good hands.” A long silence passed between them; he didn’t move, and Rikku couldn’t lift her head. “But you already know this.”She couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m sorry.”He said nothing for a while. Likely coming to grips with becoming the very thing he’d always hated. When he did speak, his voice was cracked; rustier than it had been a moment before. “As am I.” It was funny; both of her feet were still firmly planted on the snow like leaden weights, even though she was hollow inside. It felt like she was floating away, though; drifting with nothing to hold her down anymore, ready to evaporate on the wind.She felt his calloused fingers close around her hand and came crashing back down into her own body. Threading her fingers through his, she tightened them and he pulled her in, bringing her forehead to rest against his neck. She turned her head, able to feel the thrum of pyreflies under his skin. They moved restlessly, unable to provide the warmth of blood or the steady rhythm of a beating heart; his skin was cool to the touch.In that cold embrace, the sorrow between them took shape; forming around words that Rikku couldn’t speak, or the hurt would become too real. She wondered who was holding back more in that quiet regret: Auron, cool and stoic as ever, or herself, biting down on her burning tongue. In their mutual silence, she heard the eulogy for their shared dream. Of a life in Besaid, of black-haired children with bottle-glass green eyes romping over the sand. Of that place where Auron could finally bury his sword as a relic of his painful past and find the peace he’d so desperately searched for in her arms. Of happiness, of finding a way into the future together.“I love you,” she told him, for the first time hearing how inadequate those words sounded for everything she felt for him. “It hurts.”“You’ll learn to bear it.” His arms betrayed those harsh words, circling her and pressing her tightly against himself. There was no warmth left in his body, but the fine tremor that ran through him as he held her stripped his secrets bare.She sagged against him, equal parts of regret and relief. She wondered if Braska had felt that way, saying his goodbyes to them at the Calm Lands. The worst had rolled over them, left them broken and changed, but somehow still standing together. Time was still dragging them towards that bright future.Auron pulled away from her first, and she finally managed to look at his face. The streaks of white had wound their way further through his dark hair. “I can’t stay here,” he said haltingly. “I… promised Jecht.”She smiled, dismissing his concern by tracing her fingers along the streaks in his hair and mussing it playfully. “Don’t apologize for being who you are. And don’t try to change yourself to suit me,” she said, thinking about Yojimbo’s advice. “You’ve always been everything I wasn’t. Putting your duty first, even if it hurts you. I admire that. I probably shouldn’t, but I do.” Then she leaned forward and kissed him, secretly relieved when he responded to her touch. “I’ll help you.”He looked conflicted and his brows drew together, so she put her thumb on the line that formed between them and pressed hard until it vanished. “Your face’ll stick that way if you keep on doing that,” she teased.He sighed in exasperation, pulling her fingers away. “Do you know how to reach Zanarkand?”Dream Zanarkand, he meant.She nodded, looking up at the cloudy sky. “It’s above us. Actually, it’s over Mount Gagazet, not here. The mists surrounding the top of the mountain… that’s from the summoning,” she explained. “The Fayth Scar powers Dream Zanarkand. That’s where you need to go to find Jecht’s son, Tidus.”“A floating city in the sky.” His disbelief was evident. When she nodded in confirmation, he laughed dryly. “Another impossible task then? Because the last one went so well for us.”She knew he was being cynical; she couldn’t blame him. He was dead now, after all. Still, she zeroed in on what he’d said, feeling warmed by his assumption. “Us,” she repeated, squeezing his hand.So what if it was a city in the sky? You are potential. You can be anything you want to be.“I know how to get you there,” she told him.His eye widened. “How?” He looked overhead. “Is that why Jecht wanted to become Braska’s aeon?” he mused, finally making the connection. “That idiot. What would be the use of getting there if he couldn’t be with his son afterwards?”Rikku shook her head, biting back a manic giggle. I can’t be with you afterwards either. “Maybe he just thought getting there was the most important thing.” She felt something in her chest stir and was reminded that she didn’t have enough time left if she really wanted to help Auron. “Come on,” she coaxed, taking his hand and leading him around the snowy glacier.He let her draw him in, climbing higher and higher. The cold didn’t affect Auron anymore, she noticed; even buffeted by the wind, he gave no sign of shivering or slowing down. The cold wasn’t affecting her as much either; she was losing feeling in her limbs. This time, he noticed.“Rikku, your skin…” he said, looking at her legs. Her steps slowed, and her hand spasmed against his. “I can’t stay here either.”Auron ground to a stop. “What?”“I can’t… help you raise Tidus. And I can’t stay behind and watch over Yunie.” She felt him staring at her, staring through her, maybe, in the places she was going translucent. “I don’t belong here anymore. This is my limit.”The silence returned with a vengeance. She felt his hand in hers, but suddenly, irrationally, she was afraid he wasn’t there anymore. She spun around, her mouth open, and snapped it shut when she saw him.The white had extended to the crown of his head. When she saw his face, she finally understood. “You look older than before.”It was his regret; now that his body wasn’t real anymore, his feelings were shaping him. She thought about how old he’d looked when she first met him; he’d been the same age as Braska back then. The lines creasing his face carried more weight when she realized she’d been a part of the hands that had carved them onto him.She leaned in and kissed him; the only apology she could give for becoming another one of the burdens he’d ended up carrying with him into the future.He clutched at her. “Don’t leave me,” he gasped, tortured.She let him go first this time, gently untangling his arms, trying not to see the pain etching itself into his face. “We’ll meet again,” she promised, activating her dressphere.He stepped back, his eye widening as the machina suit climbed its way up her body, sealing her in a casing of heavy armor. “What are you doing?”“I’m taking you to Zanarkand,” she said, smiling when the transformation stopped. Then, she put her hand on the dressphere. “I’ll get you there, no matter what.” The light flared again, and the suit evolved, climbing higher and higher, sliding over her face.Don’t forget who you are. Tidus’ warning rung clear in her ears. She pushed further; she had to, and she wasn’t surprised when she heard the soft pop. She felt Auron latch onto her when the Alchemist sphere shattered. Don’t forget, or you can’t ever go back.It didn’t matter now, because Auron needed to fly. She strained, feeling her joints stretching as she leaned back. He was hanging onto her now, trying to peel off the layers that kept forming over her body. Her back arched, arms extended over her head, and a view screen flickered to life. Impossible feathers exploded outwards; she flexed her fingers and her wings extended, then folded downwards to encase her torso. Her legs fused together, and she felt Auron’s red coat billowing out behind her; an afterthought in this new, mechanical body she’d built herself into.“What have you become?”The screen flickered, and she saw his face; tears tracked down from his good eye. Distantly, she understood the answer. She was the real thing now; a true aeon. She knew it, because she couldn’t answer him anymore. So instead, she bowed before him, lowering her now-broadened back.
“Rikku!”
Static buzzed across the view screen, shielding him from her view.Temporal anomaly detected. Processing…
“Stop this!”
Error. Reverting to original parameters…Error. Unable to synchronize. Reverting to original parameters…Error. Unable to synchronize. Reverting to –
“Don’t leave. Please… not you, too. Don’t leave me here alone.”
Manual override activated.Resynchronizing. Paradigm shift: Flight Mode activated.Processing…Processing…Processing…Machina-EX has been successfully upgraded!Activating primary designation: EDENOnline.Scanning…
“You’re… you’ve become… Can you even feel—?”
Lifeform detected. Designation: User.Analysis complete. Awaiting input.
“Why?”
Syntax Error. Unable to process command.Reverting to previous directive.Processing…Command Accepted. Safety protocols engaged. Rider secured.
“I’m sorry. I… you… I didn’t want… this.”
Flight path mapped. Meteorological variances within acceptable parameters.
“What is that? No… it couldn’t be. By Yevon… it’s impossible. It can’t be—!”
WARNING! WARNING!
“Aaarg!”
Auxiliary safety protocols engaged. Rider secured.
“… Hah … Hnn… Thank you. Not my finest moment.”
Scanning. Target identified. Destination locked.
“Incredible. It’s an entire city. It really is Zanarkand…”
WARNING! WARNING!
Energy levels fluctuating.Rerouting power supply…Error.Rerouting power supply…
“Rikku? Rikku!”
Critical failure. Rerouting power supply…
“Stop! You can’t do this!”
Error: Cascading System Failure. Initiating System Shutdown.
Must… complete… mission.
The static cleared; wind rushed in her ears.
I’m falling again? Am I in the Farplane?
There was something wrapped around her. A pair of arms. Howling winds all around her.“Rikku!”
That’s my name!
Rikku’s eyes flew open. She was falling out of the sky, and those were Auron’s arms around her.He didn’t seem to care much, from the way he was clinging to her. The wind tore the words from his mouth, but his lips were so close to her ear that she heard them anyway; heard the immense relief in his voice, even though they were falling to their second deaths.“Thank Yevon. You’re back. You came back.”Trying to reorient herself, she realized they were blazing a bright trail through the sky. Pyreflies, she thought distantly; pyreflies from my own body. She was disappearing; worse yet, she hadn’t made it to Zanarkand, and now Auron was falling with her. They were careening towards the ocean, and there weren’t any aeons left who would, or could, prolong her time in Spira anymore.But I just want to save Auron, she thought, feeling her frustration punch through the emptiness, bringing tears to her eyes.Below them, the waters surged and churned. An explosive geyser sprayed upwards towards them, and Rikku’s teeth clacked as something stopped their fall. The force of it might have broken their necks, if either of them were still human. As it was, they were both fully conscious to look up into the unmistakable face of the creature that had caught them.“Jecht?” Auron barked in disbelief.Jecht crushed them together in his massive arms and Rikku yelped in pain, because it hurt – her body was solidifying again. He eased up, and she realized he’d gotten bigger since they last saw him. He had a tail now, and his arms were even larger and longer than before. He looked upwards from where they’d fallen, his glowing yellow eyes full of longing. Then they dropped to Rikku.She swallowed, then nodded. “Yeah. We’ll make it this time,” she promised him.Auron met her eyes. “Don’t lose yourself. You… you were something else. Someone else. Please, Rikku. I don’t want my last memories of you to be…”She ducked her head, suddenly ashamed of what she’d become; what she’d shown she could do to Auron. “A monster?” she whispered.He grabbed her, and pulled her closer, his gaze fierce.“A sacrifice. No more sacrifices, Rikku. Never again.”Her breath caught, and she felt whole, as if the pieces of herself were finally falling into the right places. She reached within, hearing the siren call to transform into Eden singing through her blood. She caught the thread, crushing it and reshaping it. Light flared, and the exosuit began climbing up her skin again; Auron’s lone eye reflected his fear. No, she decided. Not his fear. His love.“What are you doing?” Auron asked, concern still lacing his voice as he watched her body continue to morph and change.“What Jecht gave me won’t last long. We’ve gotta get to Zanarkand fast. So I’ll need some wings… and jets.”She stopped the transformation of her Machina suit, instead shaping the excess metal pieces painstakingly into bladed wings. Jecht pushed her away to give her the space to modify the design of her suit, and she prodded and twisted until the mechanical wings whirred and rotated in a circle behind her, granting her the power to hover in place.“Thanks,” she told Jecht, lifting Auron out of his arms. Auron seemed surprised that she could handle his weight so easily and she grinned. “Better hang on, because we’re gonna move faster this time,” she promised.
Jecht was already sinking back into the ocean, watching them with his glowing eyes. She gave him a thumbs up, and then turned her face towards Auron. “You ready?”He nodded, his arms tightening around her waist.They shot upwards, faster than before; faster than Bahamut diving towards Sin. Jecht quickly became nothing more than a tiny speck below. Soon, even the ocean was lost under a floor of swirling clouds. When they broke through the mists over Mount Gagazet, the impossible city spread before them. This time, Rikku was able to savor the sight of the giant metropolis rising into the sky. She crested them high over the skyline, hovering near one of the enormous arcing loops of water shaping Zanarkand’s edges.Lights twinkled below them; the city was vibrant. The amphitheater in the center exploded with light; apparently, there was a blitzball tournament going on. They were too high up to hear anything but the rushing of the wind; Rikku slowly flew them over the sparkling high-rises.“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, taking in the dizzying network of buildings, streets, and lights, all teeming with life. In a strange way, it reminded her of Spira… her Spira, the one in the future that was slowly recovering from a thousand years of living under the burden of Sin.Auron just stared. Eventually, she realized he was looking at her and not the city below. She met his gaze.“I can’t do this without you,” he said quietly, reaching out to stroke her cheek.Rikku smiled crookedly, feeling the telltale shift that warned her that Jecht’s power was waning. She lowered them towards one of the higher skyscrapers in the city. “This isn’t goodbye, though. You’ll see me again,” she promised.Auron dropped his head against hers, chuckling softly when their feet touched solid ground. “You’ll be a child.”She turned into him, feeling the texture of his face, already older than he should have been. “I know. But still… whenever you see me, I want you to see hope, when everything else seems lost,” she murmured.“Hope,” he sighed, his lips brushing against her cheek as he spoke. “You’re asking me to do the impossible.”“Just don’t give up,” she whispered, knowing she was giving him the heaviest burden of all. Her most selfish request. “Don’t ever give up.”“Death twists everything,” Auron told her. “That might not be my choice to make. I’m not even sure if the dead can love anything.”She pulled away and looked into his one good eye, still smiling. “Maechen sure seems to love history in any time I’ve met him. He loves it so much he doesn’t warp it. Are you telling me you can’t compete with that old man?”“I’m part of the cycle now,” Auron warned her. “I’ll change. I’ll become someone you won’t recognize. You shouldn’t love me,” he chided, even though they both knew it was futile. “I’ll only hurt you.”“What cycle? Don’t believe everything Yevon tells you,” she scolded him. “I know you. I know every part of you now, even the ones you don’t yet. You never stopped loving, Auron. You loved Yuna, and Braska, and even Jecht. You’ll grow to love Tidus, too. And you’ll always love Spira. That’s why you saved it.” She moved to brush the hair from his eye and sighed a little when his bangs didn’t shift under her translucent fingers. “Just… save a little for me, too, okay? You don’t even have to tell.”The city lights were starting to dim so she concentrated, focusing on Auron’s face. His gaze grounded her, holding her in place.“I love you,” he whispered.“Thank you,” she said as she released him. Her words were lost in the soft hum of the pyreflies that twisted away, taking her with them in pieces.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
White. Everything was so white. She opened her eyes slowly and blinked a few times; the painful brightness receded slowly, shapes and forms coming together. The song of the pyreflies surrounded her, and a familiar pastel sky took shape. Hesitantly, she held a hand before her. Solid and human. Very human. And, she noted as she sat up, she was wearing her Gullwings traveling gear; the same outfit she’d donned for her visit to Guadosalam in what felt like a lifetime ago. She wasn’t surprised to see she was sitting in a field of multicolored wildflowers, surrounded by waterfalls; it was the Farplane alright. She spun around, searching for Bahamut. And stopped when she saw Auron instead, kneeling at her side.“You’ve returned,” he said, watching her from behind his dark sunglasses.She folded her hands into her lap, suddenly nervous. This wasn’t the Auron she’d come to know during the course of Braska’s Pilgrimage; the man she’d passionately loved and shared all her secrets with. No… this was Tidus and Yuna’s Auron; their guide and teacher, distant and reserved. His face was weathered and craggy, and silver peppered his dark hair liberally. She couldn’t read him; his expression was hidden behind that enormous cowl he wore.She picked at the fabric of the bows on her sleeves, almost afraid to look at him. Had it all been a dream? A wild flight of fancy and wish-fulfillment? Well… he was here right beside her in the Farplane, being plainly dead, and she wasn’t screaming her head off. That had to mean that something had fundamentally changed within herself, at least. After a few strained moments, she reached for her long scarf and tugged it high over her reddening cheeks. Only when she felt as safely masked as he was did she meet his steady gaze.
C’mon, Rikku. He’s dead, and you might not be human. Just do it!
“So, umm… ” she said, swallowing around the lump in her throat. Was any of it real? What do you remember? Are you still in love with me? Of course, what pushed itself out of her dry mouth was something entirely different. “… Long time no see?”“Yes,” he sighed, leaning back and settling on the ground next to her. “It’s been a very long time.” He sounded tired.She squinted in frustration; that told her just about nothing! Exasperated, she kicked out with her feet, and hit something hard.“Careful,” Auron said sharply, and she looked down. Then she sucked in a deep breath. “Is that—?”Auron nodded at her. “Yes. That’s you.”Her initial horror faded quickly into fascination. The stone at her feet was large, and pulsed softly with energy all around its runic edges. Carved in relief below the glass casing was a startlingly accurate likeness of her body. She could see every strand of hair in her ponytail, every plait in her braids, every curve of muscle in her back. Her arms were stretched over her head, and surrounding her were white wings and a circular disc full of runes. She ran her hand over the stone, shivering. “So it was real. I really… I mean… I’m Eden, now.”“You are Rikku,” Auron said vehemently, with more feeling than he’d shown since she’d woken. He shook his head, some of the tension leaving him as he chuckled. The sound was rich, low, and made her belly do nervous flip-flops. “Of course, only you would turn yourself into an airship,” he concluded, his one eye meeting hers with a spark of dry humor.Carefully, she inched closer to Auron’s side. “So… you remember?” she asked, feeling her pulse pounding rapidly against her throat. Which was strange enough, because she wasn’t entirely sure she should have still had one in her current body.He turned his gaze onto the Fayth stone, not meeting her eyes. “Yes,” he said. “I remember everything.”“Then why—” she began, but bit her lip and cut herself off. For her, seeing Auron last had been a matter of moments. For him… it’d been years.
Maybe he really didn’t love her anymore. Time was a cruel mistress that dulled everything. Carefully, she reached a hand out. His eye shot to her face, but he didn’t move. She lowered her fingertip slowly, placing it at the start of the scar on his temple. She traced a light path over his eye, and then his cheek, pushing his cowl down. He didn’t flinch, and she could feel his gaze burning into her. “Have you been guarding me this whole time?” she asked.He shifted slightly, leaning in to her touch. “Hnn,” he grunted. “I promised to protect you.”Her palm smoothed against his cheek and then cupped his face, the sudden release from her uncertainty leaving her in a rush of lassitude. “Then why are you being like this?”Auron held himself still, granite against her soft, probing touch. “It’s been… a very long time,” he repeated. “I’ve returned as second-hand goods.” He finally turned so she could see his entire face. “While you… have remained untouched by time.” Something caught in his voice, and his hand reached up to finger one of her long braids. “I’ve been used and broken. Old man is right. The living are waiting for you to return to them. To that vibrant life you were destined to have in the real world. Without me.” He caught her hand and gently removed it from his lined, leathery face. “You need to go back and forget about-”She jumped him. As it turned out, she’d inherited Auron’s intolerance for monologues, and being somewhat more action-oriented, went straight for his lips.He went rigid with shock, and then a little bit of panic as she knocked him right over onto her Fayth stone, her mouth sealed against his. He tried to push her away, so she reached up and grabbed the tufts of his silver hair and yanked them back, forcing his head down while her legs worked their way around his waist, straddling him. His mouth parted in shock and she went on the offensive, coaxing him into the kiss with slow, determined sweeps of her tongue until she felt him responding.It was only when his hands circled to her hips, fingers flexing, and his head raised to chase her lips that she relented, releasing her tight grip on his hair. But not too much, because she immediately settled her weight on his torso, trapping him below her.“What was that you were saying?” she hummed, crossing her arms over his chest and glaring at him. “You’re not second-hand goods. And the only thing you’re leaving untouched is me. What’s going on, Auron?”His chest rose and fell, his one eye wide and dark. Then he turned his head away from her. “I am many years dead, Rikku. And you are not.”“Well I’m not exactly normal either, am I?” she protested, pounding the stone beneath them. Despite his mortification, Auron caught her hand on the second try, stopping her from hitting… herself, she guessed. She flipped her palm in his grip, wrapping her fingers around his. “What gives?”He sighed. “I’ve lived a lifetime without you, Rikku. I’ve had time to think. About us. About you. About myself, as well.” He caught another one of her braids and let it slip out of his fingers. “You said you knew me better than myself. But do you really?”“Of course, I—” she started.“I cared for Jecht’s wife,” he said abruptly. “Did you know that?”Her mouth snapped shut, her eyes going wide. There was a creeping, cold sensation in her chest; a sharp stab of jealousy, and then the dull, bleeding ache of betrayal.Auron grimaced. “I’m sorry. I forget… that you haven’t lived in the same space of time as I. Anne was not your replacement. In fact, she was nothing at all like you. We were both hurting from loss, and like recognizes like.” His fingers clenched around hers involuntarily. “She never returned my feelings, though. She was as devoted to Jecht as he was to her. A couple so perfect that she withered away and died when I told her the truth: that he’d never return.” He sounded bitter. There was a whole story behind his words. A different world – an entirely different universe – that he’d lived in that she wasn’t a part of. She’d traveled to the past… and he’d continued on into the future. “Why are you telling me this?” she managed to say.“Because I want you to understand,” he growled. “My life should have ended long ago, but still I kept going. I’ve watched you grow up. Shaped you in ways that I never should have, not with the knowledge I held. I clung to the memory of you, and your adolescent self fell in love with me.” He gave a frustrated sigh. “And history repeated itself. I’ve lived a full and long life, and it’s time for me to rest. But you… you’re just beginning. You have the longest road ahead of you, and you can’t spend the rest of your days tied to the curse of my memory.” He reached for his cowl to pull it back up. “My story is done; my life is over. Yours is just beginning.”Her hand shot out and caught his, yanking his cowl back down. “You’re still blaming yourself after all these years?” she asked him incredulously. “Auron… we all made our own choices. And admittedly,” she said, thinking with a flush of embarrassment about how obviously she must have mooned over him when she was fifteen if he’d noticed, “some of them were bad.” Then she leaned in, glaring. “But not this one! I don’t regret one moment we spent together. Not back then, and not now.” She wrinkled her brow. “You know, you called me your suffering once. Rude, by the way! But the feeling isn’t mutual. You’re the love of my life, and I already promised I’d follow you anywhere.” She spread her hands, gesturing at the stone he was sitting on. “Well, here I am! And you’re not getting rid of me this time!”Auron was staring at her like she’d grown a second head. It wasn’t a totally ungrounded fear, she figured; she was still new to this whole aeon business. “You are making a mistake.” He said it like it was final, but she could see that something had softened in that tough exterior after her bold declaration.Well, there was nothing like doubling down. She placed both of her hands on his face and stroked his cheeks, staring at him intently. Then her eyebrows went up. Wait, something’s different. Realization dawned. She dragged him in closer, turning his head slightly to the right and then left, inspecting him; he allowed it, bemused. Releasing him, she sat back. “You died when you were twenty-six, right? Everything else, all of this…” she said, waving at his face. “That’s all your doing. We’re made of pyreflies, Auron. We can look like anything we want to. You’re the one who’s choosing to look like an ancient bag of walking regret.”He looked surprised, but she pressed her hands against him and kept stroking his face with light, cautious touches, careful not to back him into a corner again. “You big dummy.” Her tone softened, growing as light as her constant, gentle touches. “Living all those years thinking it was your fault. That you were to blame for what happened to any of us. Or that you ruined me somehow, and that this wasn’t meant to be. I already told you, I made my own choices too. You can’t control that, so you just have to live with them. And my choice is that I still love you. Then. Now. Always.”He closed his eye and thumped his head back against her stone. Encouraged, she leaned down and peppered small kisses across the line of his jaw, the curve of his cheek, the tip of his nose, both of his eyelids. Her fingers worked through his hair, massaging his scalp and reveling in the smooth silk of his hair, only slightly coarsened by age.“Also, your older voice is liquid sex,” she said conversationally between her ministrations. “That burr should be illegal. I’m gonna get you to say my name until you wear it out. And then I’ll get you to say it backwards.” She tickled his neck. “And I like your hair. Very debonair. Not so stiff and formal like when you slicked it back during the Pilgrimage,” she added, trailing a finger down his chest plate. “You could stand to lose the cowl, though. It makes you look old.”“You’re incorrigible,” he finally managed, circling his arms around her. “Nothing I say will convince you to rethink this terrible mistake you’re making?”His gloomy prediction might have had more impact if she wasn’t so skilled at picking out the sliver of hope in his gruff voice.“Not a chance,” she said, grinning against him. When she reared back to look at him, he’d changed again. His hair was a little darker; still shot through with silver, especially at his temples, but, like the deep, textured lines on his face, the streaks had faded. He still didn’t look as young as he had on Braska’s Pilgrimage, and the scar over his right eye remained a constant. Losing Braska, Jecht, herself, and, she thought with a twinge of pain, whomever else he’d met during their years apart had indelibly changed him, chiseling his features into a permanent solemnity. But he no longer looked like a worn-down relic of a brutal, too-long life.“Rikku… I’ve missed you, too.”She leaned down to kiss him again, and this time, he met her willingly.
.x.x.x.
“I can’t believe you gave Yunie advice instead of me!” she complained as Auron led her through the fields. “It’s not like Vegnagun went easy on the rest of us, you know!” “And I can’t believe you kept Lenne close after everything you’d been through!” he snapped, scowling at her. “You’re almost as gullible as Wakka.” He paused, and then smirked. “Besides. Yuna has better aim.”“Look here, buster—” she started hotly, but her argument tapered off as she noticed where he was leading her. The ground rose steeply beneath her feet, and the massive waterfall tumbling down over the path was sending clouds of mist billowing into the air around them. “… Where are you taking me, anyway?”Auron sobered. “There’s something you need to see.” Squeezing her hand, he turned and walked them through the falling water.The world misted white, blinding her, but she stayed dry, and the pressure that pressed against her body wasn’t from falling water. When the light cleared, she was alone in a brightly lit cavern. Crystals reflected soft, dreamy light that came from no discernable source over the entire cave. A thick carpet of wildflowers covered the ground, impossible as they should have been. There was no waterfall; no exits, even. “Auron?” she asked uncertainly, looking around.“Hello, Rikku.”She froze.Braska stepped forward, dressed as he had been at Baaj: in tattered rags. His hair, long once again, was bound in the thick braid that ran down his back. It was tied off with one of her bows.“You’re here,” she breathed, afraid that if she moved too quickly or made any sudden moves, he’d just… disappear.“Cunno,” he said quietly, his smile as fragile as her cautious movements. “You have questions.” After a moment, Rikku managed to make her legs work and closed in on him.“Why’re you sorry?” she asked, drinking in his presence and shying away from the relief she felt.He shook his head. “I’m sorry for what I did to you. For turning you into my Fayth. I never intended to make two, you see.”Rikku jerked back, surprised. “I’m a Final… wait, you did me like Jecht?”Some of that stiff, cautious formality melted out of Braska as he laughed. “No! Although, when you put it so tantalizingly like that…” he trailed off, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement.“Get your mind out of the gutter!” She socked him in the arm, but it didn’t stop his laughter. “But what really happened? How’d you manage to make me into… into… this?” she asked, gesturing at herself.“That… is somewhat complicated,” he murmured, sinking into the flowers. Somehow, Rikku found herself following. “Creating a Final Aeon requires giving another a piece of your soul. It’s no simple feat.” He leaned against her, his eyes going distant. “Time is strange here. It flows in all directions. You can have a vague sensation of what once was and what will be, if you stay long enough. Most don’t.”Rikku watched him carefully. “Not you, though.” Fifteen years had passed since Braska’s Pilgrimage ended. That meant he’d been here even longer than Auron. “You weren’t waiting for me, were you?”Braska shrugged. “I felt incomplete. Drifting. I only understood why when Auron sought me out and brought me back. He was desperate to save you.” He smiled. “And I did have help. Bahamut is fond of you; you and Yuna did him a great service twice over. It’s not easy to put the King of all Aeons that far into your debt. And since he’d already granted Yuna her greatest wish, that left only you. You might say the perfect opportunity presented itself when you slipped into our realm.”Rikku bit her lip. “But you’re dead. And I don’t mean Unsent. You’re… well, you’re here.”Braska’s tiny, knowing smile raised the hairs on the back of her neck.“You wanted your own all-consuming love story so badly that even your companion, Lenne, felt it. I know you were searching for Auron, but I’m afraid it was I who offered what you sought,” he said, leaning against her. “We forged our own connection well before you arrived in Bevelle.” His arm lifted, tucking her in by his side. “You made your wish in the Farplane, and I made mine in Baaj. We both strained to reach a love that we were certain we’d never obtain.”Like recognizes like, she heard Auron saying. Suddenly, Rikku was ashamed of the swell of anger and betrayal she’d felt at Auron’s confession. Pot, meet the kettle.“Bahamut allowed our greatest wishes to touch by opening the doors between our wounded hearts, even through time.” He smiled wryly. “Perhaps he wanted to deal with two problems at once. Maybe he even thought he was granting his pet summoner a boon. Most aeons do not have a fine grasp of… nuance.”For the briefest moment, she wrestled with the idea that she didn’t have free will, not really. It was a train of thought that was immediately amputated by the sheer presence of Auron in her life. “But… you didn’t get what you wanted in the end,” she pointed out. “You didn’t get the girl.”“A perfect love is not something one crafts solely from one’s own desires. The feelings born from that would never be honest or real. They would only be hollow, self-serving lies. I believe Yu Yevon discovered that the hard way.” He buried his face into her hair. “That was never what I wanted to find, and never what you were created to be. You are still yourself, Rikku. But you are also my soulmate. Nothing more, and nothing less.”Soul-what? “Hang on now! That was Raenn!” Rikku pushed him off, feeling unsettled. Something wasn’t right. Where was Auron? Where was she? She looked around, confused. “Why isn’t Raenn with you? Isn’t the Farplane the place where you can go and get your happy ever afters? You could be with your wife again! Why are you with me?”“Raenn has already moved on,” Braska said, shaking his head. “You know now, don’t you? Spira is saturated with pyreflies. They’re not just souls – they’re life itself, the flesh and blood of this planet. And all life returns, over and over again, to sustain its creator. It was only Yu Yevon perverted that cycle with Sin for far too long, freezing the souls of the dead into a stale dream from which they couldn’t awaken.”“But then… why didn’t you move on, too, when you got here? To find your second chance with her? It’s been fifteen years!”“There’s no guarantee that two souls will ever meet again in life,” Braska chided her. “Besides, the nature of love is more expansive than that. Those feelings aren’t tied to single persons. Each and every one of us comes to this world as bits and pieces that have been remade, combined anew every time we enter the cycle. This is how life continues in Spira; by constantly recreating itself from our shattered fragments. We break apart in death. And when we come together to be reborn, we create a new soul, a new chance, a new life each time. To remain static, unchanging, eternal… that is the anomaly.”Rikku digested the information slowly. “But then you and Auron… you’re both still here.”“Auron,” Braska sighed, “was anchored here by his guilt and his duty. Even here, in the Farplane, he couldn’t bear to see you die. Now that you’ve relieved him of that burden, I suspect he will be moving on as well.”She felt the sudden spike of fear; that the hazy, pastel bliss of her return was all just a fleeting dream. “And you too?” Rikku whispered, wondering why she couldn’t feel Braska the way Jecht had said he could.“I won’t disappear,” Braska said, gathering her into his arms and falling back into the wildflowers. The ground gave way, and they kept on falling, surrounded by the soft, velvet press of flower petals and a riot of color. “I can’t, because we succeeded. There’s so little left of my soul to give back to the world. Part of me will always stay with Jecht. And the other part will always be with you.” She felt him smiling against her. “I wished for an all-consuming love, and I so found it.”His hand raised, and she realized her palm was pressed against his, perfectly synchronized. The flowers closed in on her, pushing against her skin like beating water. “It isn’t what you expected, is it? Having a soulmate. It doesn’t mean to be with the one you love forever. It means to be two halves of the same whole. To be one person, you and I.” He drew her in. “We never met along the way, Rikku. We were in each other all along.” He kissed her.But he didn’t; he couldn’t have, because there wasn’t anyone else there with her. Maybe there never had been.The pressure faded, and she realized she was still walking; Auron was holding her hand, leading her out from the other side of the waterfall. Her feet slowed to a stop. “Auron,” she said slowly.He turned to look at her. “Yes?”“Did Braska— was he here? Did you call him to save me?” she asked.Auron stared at her for a long moment. “I did,” he finally said. “But he…”
Dream Eater.
Reading her expression, he pulled her in. “He exercised his Summoner’s privilege,” he said firmly. “As you pointed out… we all made our own choices. I’m sure he wants you to accept his.”Rikku hugged Auron, and a moment of doubt chased her. She tightened her hold on him and decided she didn’t care if the feelings threatening to overwhelm her were her own or Braska’s. What does it matter? We both love Auron. “Braska told me you’d be moving on soon. That’s not fair, you know.”“You won’t be staying here either,” Auron chided her. “Tidus has been heckling you to return to the land of the living for some time already, hasn’t he?” He was about to continue, when a shout echoed through the valley. Auron’s head twisted around, his gentle expression morphing into one of annoyance. “Oh, for the love of Shiva’s frozen –” he swore. “’EEEEY! Rikku!” Jecht – a very, very human Jecht – was thundering up the hill towards them with a huge grin plastered over his face. He was closing in fast, and he grabbed Rikku’s hand as he passed them.“Lookin’ good, Auron!” he yelled, yanking her away. “I promise I’ll bring her back real soon, so hang tight!”“Jecht!” Her happy exclamation turned into a scream of surprise as he flung them off of the edge of the path, tumbling down towards the endless flower fields in the valley below.“Jackass!” she heard Auron’s faint call carry over from the hillside.They hit the ground in an explosion of flowers – surprisingly, it didn’t hurt at all. Jecht rolled around laughing, coming to a stop on his back. Rikku picked herself up off the ground, blowing some flower petals from her mouth, and flipped her hair back so she could see. “What was that for!”“Aww, c’mon. I missed ya!” Jecht said, sitting up and brushing the flowers out of his hair. “An’ don’t tell me that wasn’t fun. Did you see Auron’s face?” He snickered. “’Bout time that guy lightened up. Five straight years of Auron’s special brand of happy an’ you’d do it too. It wasn’t easy hangin’ out around him while he was actin’ like he was some kinda old fart the whole time.” He shot her a grateful smile. “Glad you got him to come correct, Blondie.”She leapt over and hugged him tightly. “I didn’t know you’d be here,” she admitted, sniffling a little.He hugged her back, then pushed her away, looking uncharacteristically serious. “You guys did it. You made my boy real.” The blinding smile returned, but tempered this time with gratitude. “I… ain’t got no words, Rikku. I been waitin’ to thank you since forever.”“Me too,” she said suddenly, feeling very small in his presence. “I mean, thanking you. I just… I treated you like dirt towards the end, and you just kept popping up and helping me anyway, even after you got… well… aeonified. The stuff I did to you… that’s not what friends are supposed to do to each other.”“Hah!” Jecht said, rolling back into an easy squat, hands on his knees. “I get it, though. I mean, you were tryin’ to stop that bloated alter-ego o’ mine from squashin’ everythin’ for another thousand years. I think you get a pass for that. It all came out right in the end anyhow,” he said easily, as if it had always been a foregone conclusion.“Jecht... you’re too good for this world,” she told him fondly. Surprisingly, that was what broke his smile. “Yeah, I guess,” he mumbled, picking at the flowers.“Wait… you’re moping now?” she said, scooting closer. “I was just trying to compliment you!”“Well you ain’t wrong.” He fell back into the flowers, then wriggled his arms and legs around, making a flower-angel. Pyreflies sang indignantly and drifted away where he’d packed down the wildflowers. “I never was real, so I ain’t got no soul. There ain’t nothin’ to be reborn out there. I’m stuck here.”Rikku quieted. “I mean… don’t you have some of Braska’s soul in you too now?”Jecht nodded companionably. “Yeah. Just like you. That’s why I can be here at all, see? You feel like Braska too, y’know.” He put a hand to his chest.Rikku copied his movement, and felt the pulsing warmth in her own chest, like their hearts were beating in sync. “Yeah,” she said, smiling at him. “You too. You feel… comfortable,” she said, and it was true. “Like if I ever needed anything, I know you’d always be there to back me up.”“Same,” he grinned. It faltered, though. “But I ain’t like Tidus an’ you. You got people waitin’ for you up there,” he said, tilting his head towards the vast expanse of pastel sky above. “People who really care. They want you back, so you got a way out.” He sighed, sitting up and clasping his wrists, doing his best to look like he’d made his peace with the eternal flower fields. “Nobody up there loves me enough to bring me back into the real world.” He shrugged. “Ah, well. This place ain’t so bad either. We got plenty o’ flowers, at least. Tidus comes by on the regular, too. Keeps me up to date on stuff.” He gave her a sharp look. “You better, too. Don’t be a stranger when you leave this place.”Rikku frowned. “What do you mean no one? Tidus is up there, you know.”Jecht shook his head. “Tidus is up there ‘cause the rest o’ Spira is carryin’ him. He can’t do it by himself.” He looked over her shoulder; Auron was stomping his way back down towards them. “Y’know, I think I’m gonna miss that bastard,” he said fondly.Rikku sat back on her heels, frowning fiercely. “That’s not right. You gave up more than most of us. How can you be stuck? They don’t even have blitzball down here! That’s just wrong!”Jecht winced. “Way to rub it in, Blondie.” Then he shrugged. “We can’t all be Al Bhed Princesses,” he teased. “Guess I just ain’t superstar material in the real world. It’s fine, Rikku. I had a good life. I’m okay with this. It’s… comfortable, I guess.”“It’s not okay!” she said hotly, springing to her feet and pacing. Jecht and Auron were legendary guardians in her time. They’d commanded respect, Auron doubly so when the word had gotten out that he’d come back for another Pilgrimage. But it was true; after the Eternal Calm descended, it was almost as if all of Spira had been caught in a mad rush to forget the pain of the past… and its heroes, as well.She stopped, and looked at Jecht, doing his best to pretend not to be moping in the flowers. “You’re wrong,” she said suddenly, and with absolute certainty. “You’re not trapped here.”Auron caught up with them. He looked like he was about to open his mouth and verbally eviscerate Jecht for his stunt, but stopped when he heard her. He frowned. “Is this why you’ve been unbearable lately?” he asked Jecht.Jecht stood up and crossed his arms defensively, huffing and turning away from them. “Well, ‘scuse me,” he drawled sarcastically. “Sorry if I got them feels just ‘cause everybody’s leavin’ now.”“Stop being such a drama queen!” Rikku said, stomping her foot. “I already told you! You’re not stuck here! There’s a whole community of people who love you enough to wish you back to the real world.”Jecht and Auron turned to face her, and she shook her head.“The world’s only ever had one Hypello hero. And I hear their tribes have long memories,” she said, grinning at Jecht. Then her smile dropped. “Oh geez. I think you might actually become the literal god of Blitzball if you decide to go back.” She clasped her hands together and bowed her head. “I’m so sorry, Spira.”Jecht stood there, looking dumbfounded. But it melted when Auron marched up to him and – unbelievably – crushed him into a hug first. “So I can stop worrying about you now?” he said, pushing Jecht back and giving him a shake. “You always were an endearingly blind fool.”“Ya got younger,” Jecht said distractedly, blinking at Auron. Then he broke into a wide grin. “Uh. I mean, yeah! You know you love me, man,” he said, knocking Auron in the shoulder.Rikku covered her mouth and smiled; again, catching glimpse of a sliver of their world, their own lives in the present that she hadn’t been a part of. This time her ignorance didn’t hurt, though.“Stop smilin’ like that an’ get over here, Blondie!” Jecht demanded, drawing her into their group hug.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Auron was leading her back up the steep path again at a sedate pace.“You think we’ll ever see him again?” Rikku asked, swinging Auron’s hand in her own. “Actually, do you think he’ll come back as a human? It’s not humanity that’s waiting for his return.”“He’ll be human. I have full confidence in Jecht’s ego, if nothing else.” Auron huffed. “As for seeing him again…” He shrugged. “Maybe.”She sobered at his tone, studying their joined hands. Auron’s maybe really meant probably not, at least for him. It reminded her starkly that his moving on would mean something different from hers. As Braska had said… she was the anomaly, as permanently frozen in her dream-state as Tidus – and now, maybe even Jecht – would be. Maybe she’d disappear like the spirits of Macalania if the world ever stopped believing in potential.Auron didn’t have that problem, though. He’d disappear much sooner.“I was hoping we’d have more time together,” she said, her feet coming to a standstill.Auron stopped and turned to look at her, his eye crinkling in a silent laugh. “Two lifetimes weren’t enough for you? You really are a greedy thief.”She grabbed onto him, and his arms came up around her. “I don’t think I’m going back the same way you are,” she mumbled into his coat. “I think… I’m going to keep on being me, forever. But you aren’t going to keep on being you, once you go.”“Sorrow is what held me together for this long,” Auron told her. “If I stayed on as myself into eternity, it would change me for the worse. The old man that I was might come back with a grudge.” He shook his head. “Hanging on too tightly to the past warps all souls, eventually. Even the best-meaning of them.” He drew back from her.“I know. It’s just… hard to say goodbye all over again.” She thought about what Braska had told her… what she’d discovered about Spira’s true nature. The world was a spiral. Just not of death. Still, even with hope restored, it continued to spin Auron out of her orbit.“I pledged myself to you,” he said solemnly. “If you wish us to be together in all things, I…” He hesitated. Then, with a deep breath, he looked her in the eye. “I can destroy your Fayth stone. Braska gave you his soul, but if I remove the anchor you both left behind, you’ll have the freedom to make the same choice as the rest of us. To rejoin the cycle. And to eventually return… as a human again. We could leave the Farplane together. Be reborn again, together.” His grip on her arms tightened, and his expression wasn’t pleased.“It still sounds like you’d have to kill me first, though,” she said shakily. She imagined Auron standing at her Fayth stone, raising his sword. The Masamune, a piece of his own soul. Using it to fracture hers. She imagined him aging again with each strike, his hair turning whiter, the lines creeping back over his face as he destroyed her body to release her soul.“I don’t want to,” he admitted lowly. “If you asked that of me, I would do it. I would do anything for you. But I’d rather you tried to live your own life first.” He backed away from her slowly, and his gaze was kind. “I meant what I said. Perhaps… with a little less personal recrimination,” he added, seeing her glare heat up. “But you deserve to live a life that is not defined around my existence. What Lenne wanted for you was wrong. And Braska didn’t bring you back to be my lover. He brought you back to be yourself.” He turned and began leading her back up that steep path, where the wildflowers thinned out and the sound of rushing water grew louder.“Take your chance to live a little, Rikku. To enjoy the Spira that we made. All of us, together.”Rikku looked up, suddenly realizing where Auron had been leading her all this time. “This is the way back,” she said, wondering how she hadn’t noticed. She turned towards him, fear licking at her. “What kind of a life will it be without you in it?”“It will be a good one,” he told her, confident. “Your life will be what you make of it.” He sighed, and looked at their hands. “I can wait here for your return. When you’re satisfied with what you’ve experienced. I can wait until you’re ready to let me leave.” He smiled and kissed her knuckles. “For you, I can be patient.”She swallowed. “But you won’t be out there, living that life with me.” “There are others who will be.” He looked beyond her and sighed. “Like your suitor.”She blinked, then frowned. “What? Who?”He turned her around. “Watch,” he instructed her. “As I have been, since you fell in.”So she looked. There, on the Farplane plateau, she saw someone hunched over, sitting on a rock. His hands were crossed over his forehead, which was lowered to nearly his knees. He looked… exhausted. “Oh,” she breathed out, genuinely surprised. “What’s he doing there?”“A good question,” Auron rumbled, putting his hands on her shoulders. “Al Bhed don’t visit the Farplane.”Footsteps sounded, and Rikku’s mouth fell open when she saw Yuna and Tidus appear.Yuna’s soft voice broke the silence. “Gippal?”Gippal sprung to his feet, his shoulders straightening in surprise, before dropping back into his trademarked casual slouch with a smirk on his face.“Hah! Couldn’t resist my company, could you Yuna?”Tidus glared at him, moving closer to Yuna. “Hey! Back off, man.”Yuna’s concerned expression didn’t change, though. “Gippal, it’s been nearly a year now. You’re the only one still here, and Leblanc’s starting to think about charging you rent.”“Now isn’t that more than just a little greedy of her?” he scoffed. “That woman drips money. She doesn’t need any of mine.”Rikku shook her head, backing into Auron. “No way. He’s chasing me because Cid’s been trying to set us up. He’s just using me to legitimize himself as the new leader—”“This isn’t about Leblanc and you know it!” Yuna’s raised voice cut across the plateau like a whip, and Rikku turned in time to see Gippal flinch. “The Machine Faction is destabilizing the longer you spend down here! Rin and Nahdala can only do so much while you’re…”“Sulking,” Tidus provided helpfully.Yuna shouldered Tidus. “Be nice,” she hissed, before addressing Gippal again. “If you don’t come back soon, Cid’s going to reestablish the Pollendina dynasty again, and—” She quieted down, obviously unwilling to badmouth her uncle, but the look on her always-expressive face was telling. Tidus jumped in to rescue his girlfriend. “Even Brother doesn’t want that,” he said. “Come on. You already saw what he did to Zanarkand. There are still traditionalists left in the Al Bhed too, Gippal. You need to take charge before they band around Cid and make a move you can’t counter.” His voice was bright and he was arguing passionately for Yuna’s sake, but Rikku could see real anger behind those easy words.Tidus was mad, and Gippal knew it. Get your shit together before they drag my girl back into it.Gippal hung his head and turned away from Yuna… which resulted in him facing them. Rikku watched his eye squeeze shut and his mouth flatten out; it was a vulnerable face, one she’d never seen him make before. He looked up, schooled his expression, and then put his back to them, addressing Yuna.“You’re her cousin. Family. Don’t tell me you’ve given up on her too?”Yuna dropped her hands. “No,” she said quietly. “I miss Rikku. And… I have to believe she’ll come back someday. She hasn’t appeared on the Farplane yet. That means… we just have to wait until she’s ready.”“And that’s what I’m doing! Waiting! Unlike the rest of you hypocrites!” Gippal yelled, losing his cool.Auron let out a soft, amused huff. “He reminds me of you.”“That’s not very funny,” Rikku said, her hands still on her cheeks as she tried to process this new information. Gippal… actually cares? Then she clenched her hands into fists. “Wait! You mean to say it took him thinking I was dead and gone before he got serious about me?” she seethed.“As I said. Very much like you,” Auron repeated, sounding even more amused.That took the wind right out of her sails. She refocused on the conversation between the others, and realized Yuna was leading Gippal back into Guadosalam.“Hey, Yuna? I’ll catch up. Got some people I wanna see here first,” Tidus called after them. She waved, and he watched Yuna and Gippal until they disappeared before turning to face them, obviously able to see them both. “Auron! Looking good,” he said, raising an approving eyebrow. “Nice to see you’re finally back too,” he added, grinning at Rikku. Then he frowned. “… Where’s my old man?”Auron huffed. “I bet you’ll find out soon enough. Don’t worry about Jecht.”Tidus blanched. “You saying it like that only makes me worry more, you know.” He rubbed the back of his head. “Anyway, Rikku. Are you ready for your big comeback yet? I know Yuna was acting all tough there, but she’s just as heartbroken as Gippal. She just knows how to smile and hide it better than he does.”“You see?” Auron told her. “You have a life waiting for you to be lived.”“Y-yeah,” she said shakily. “But, I, um.” She turned around to face him, her head spinning from all of the possibilities spanning before her. Potential, she thought, cataloguing her many choices. To stay in the static stillness of the Farplane, trapped forever with Auron. To die with him and be reborn, leaving her old life behind. To come back and take control of her old life again, and send it in a new direction… one that wasn’t always looking over her shoulder, at her memories.“Do you truly want to continue to be trapped in the past with a memory of me?” Auron asked her softly. “I know you, Rikku. You’re stronger than that. And as much as I want to be with you… I will never be able to be that selfish and destructive. Not to the woman I love.” He leaned down and nuzzled her neck.“Ugh! Alright, alright, I’m going,” Tidus said, sounding disgusted. “But I hope you think about coming back this time,” he added, his voice softening. “We miss you, Rikku. Don’t forget about us.”Rikku waved Tidus off, then turned into Auron’s embrace. “You tell me to leave, and then you kiss me like that…” she murmured.“I died in Macalania a long time ago. This,” he sighed, leaning into her, “Isn’t what love is supposed to be, Rikku. It’s not about throwing away your future to live in the past. Braska understood that too late. But he gave you the chance to escape his fate.”“Won’t you be lonely here?” she asked him. “Don’t you want to move on?”“I still have my duty,” he told her. “Your real body lies below, in the Farplane. And I am your Guardian now. I can at least wait for you to live out this lifetime.”She closed her eyes. “I don’t want this to be the end of our story.”He smiled. “One day, you’ll find me again.” He drew a slow breath, obviously savoring her presence in his arms. “No. I will find you.” She heard the promise in his voice. “When I do, write a new one with me then.”“It’s time.” They drew apart, looking at the child-form of Bahamut, who appeared before them. “Are you ready to leave now?” Bahamut asked her.Rikku swallowed, and Auron stepped back. “Yeah,” she said shakily, her eyes glued to Auron.“I hope you have a happy life,” he told her, his smile pained… but also proud.“Thank you,” she said, watching him. “For being my world for so long.” He was disappearing; the white was returning, along with the sensation of falling.“Find your way,” she heard his voice echo in her ears. “I know you will.”“Auron—” He disappeared, and there was only the soft rush of wind, the cry of the pyreflies, and the sound of beating wings.
.x.x.x.
Rikku woke up disoriented, a crush of arguing voices surrounding her. Her head hurt. Cracking her eyes open slowly, she winced and regretted it immediately. Even the dim light of Guadosalam stabbed into her eyeballs like knives. A soft groan escaped her.“Hey.” There was a whisper near her ear, so low that only she heard it. “Are you ready?” “Nnng… nope,” she groaned again, trying to turn her head away from Tidus and block the world out. “Go away.” She felt him stifle a laugh, heard the rustle of cloth as he leaned back.“I think she’s awake!” he yelled over the din of the room, both to silence her audience and as payback for not cooperating. Muzzily, Rikku reached for a pillow and considered chucking it at him, before deciding to settle it over her face instead, her ears ringing. “Can you all tone it down a notch?” she begged, her voice muffled.The pillow was ripped away unceremoniously, and Rikku shrieked. A strong arm caught her before she could roll away, giving her a perfunctory slap on the cheek.“OUCH!”“Paine!” Yuna’s voice sounded shocked.“What? She’s being a brat,” Paine shot back, slapping her other cheek. “Rikku. Stop it. Wake the hell up, everybody’s worried about you.” Despite her harsh words, Rikku heard the undercurrent of worry in Paine’s voice.Sighing, she shook Paine off and sat up, holding her head. “Ugh! It feels like my eyeballs are trying to crawl out of their sockets,” she moaned. She cautiously opened one eye and took in the room.Yuna kneeled by her bed, her mismatched eyes wide and wet with tears. She had her hands over her mouth, an uncontrollable smile beginning to emerge from beneath them. Behind her, Tidus was grinning at her knowingly, his arms crossed. Sitting by her side, Paine was glowering at her, looking for all the world like she’d hit Rikku again if she tried to escape. Paine shifted abruptly when Brother pushed her out of the way. “RIKKU!” he yelled, knocking her back against the bedrest with a hug. He was weeping openly, emotional enough that he’d even forgotten to be nervous around Yuna. “E druikrd oui fana kuha! Vunajan!” he yelled, crushing her so tightly that her breath left her in a whoosh and she tried to tap out on his shoulder repeatedly. “You do not do that again! NO FARPLANE!” he sniffled wetly, giving her another squeeze.“Rao, rao!” she wheezed, shooting Paine a look of relief when the other girl peeled Brother off of her. “Crr. E’s rana huf. E’s rana,” she said, ruffling her brother’s Mohawk as he scrubbed at his eyes.He continued to sob loudly even when Paine hauled him off the bed and handed him over to Tidus. “Go dry your man-tears on the guy who’s used to getting soggy,” she said irately.“Well, this has been quite the show,” a shrill voice cut in. Leblanc kicked away from the wall she’d been leaning against, fanning herself. “I’ll report this back to Nooj,” she said, closing her fan with a loud snap. Then she sashayed towards the door, stopping in front of Gippal, who was leaning against the other side of the doorframe. She hit his chest with her fan, looking annoyed. “I might even tell Baralai, so the boys can know when to expect you back.”Gippal shrugged, though his eye was glued on Rikku, the smirk on his face threatening to turn into a full-blown smile. “Don’t tell me you’re kicking me out already. I haven’t even said hi to Cid’s girl yet.”“Hah!” Leblanc arched an eyebrow and opened her mouth, looking annoyed that he wasn’t even bothering to make eye contact with her. “It’s high time you freeloaders—” She stopped when the silent figure next to Gippal pushed himself off of the wall.“We stay.” Kimahri crossed his arms and loomed over Leblanc, doing a much better job at staring her down from over his nose than she did, particularly with the way he towered head and shoulders above her. “Until Rikku tell us to go.”“Hmpf.” Leblanc sent a cool glance towards Rikku over her shoulder. “Well. I suppose I might let you inconvenience me for a few more days.” Her eyes narrowed. “But no more. You people are terrible for tourism.” She flounced out of the room in a swirl of robes and perfume.“Alright, alright,” Tidus said loudly, still wrestling with her teary-eyed brother. “I think we’re all being a little overwhelming here. Why don’t we let Rikku catch up with Yuna first?”“Yeah,” Rikku said, looking at the crowd gathered around her, compressed into the tiny hotel room. It wasn’t even everyone who would’ve worried about her, she knew instinctively. Her heart warmed as she looked at them.
How could I have ever forgotten? I had a life here, too.
Tidus was busy shooing everyone but Yuna from the room. Soon, she was left alone with her cousin.Yuna leaned forward and gave Rikku a hug, much more gentle than her brother had, but with just as much emotion. “You’re back,” she breathed.“Yeah,” Rikku said, leaning into the hug, weary and relieved.They separated after a moment, an unusual awkward silence filling the air between them. Normally, Rikku would have filled it with her non-stop chattering.“You’ve gotten quieter,” Yuna observed with a faint smile.Rikku picked at her fingernails, blushing. “Umm… yeah. Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make everyone worry so much, Yunie.” Yuna grabbed Rikku’s hands and separated them. “You were gone for a year,” she said softly. “You just… disappeared. I was so worried at first, but then Tidus…” Her hands flexed and squeezed Rikku’s fingers. “He told me everything would be okay. That he just knew. And then a few months after we lost you, Kimahri brought me this.” She released Rikku and reached into her pouch, pulling out a sphere. It wasn’t centuries old, from the looks of it, but still a little dusty and worn. Yuna set it on the bed between them, fiddling with the switches. The sphere flickered, then buzzed to life.
“The secret to my success?” A loud laugh sounded. “Well I gotta admit – them sweet rolls really are somethin’ else!”
Rikku’s eyes widened, and she leaned down. Jecht was laughing at a large crowd; a familiar reporter was needling him.
“Seeing an Al Bhed in the middle of those Ronso Fangs was a real shock! Do you have anything to say about your decision to play for the newest team in the league?”
“No comment.” Even with her voice pitched low, it couldn’t have fooled Yuna. They watched the recording play out to the end of the painful interview.
“Luca has its eyes on you, Rikkma!”
Yuna shut the sphere down. The silence loomed between them.“… Does anybody else know about this besides you and Kimahri?” Rikku asked after a moment. “Tidus hasn’t seen this, but I think…”“Oh, he knows,” Rikku answered for her.Yuna nodded. “He’s the one who carried you out of the Farplane. He said… you just appeared.” She twisted her hands together. “You didn’t just fall. What… really happened to you, Rikku?” “Oh, Yunie… you’re never gonna believe this,” Rikku said, taking a deep breath, and let the dam burst.After a torrent of words, some time, several tissues, and a few slices of Leblanc’s Triple Love Chocolate Mousse Torte, Rikku finally finished telling Yuna the abbreviated version of her story. Well, most of her story, she amended, thinking about how she’d omitted the parts about falling in love with your hot playboy dad, nearly sleeping with him, and then stealing his soul. And also that little thing about being an aeon who could turn into a giant airship. Some things were better left unsaid, even between family. She had a suspicion that Yuna knew a little more about that last one than she was letting on, given that she was living with Tidus, but her cousin tactfully avoided digging deeper.“I don’t know,” Yuna said, licking the last of the chocolate off of her spoon. “It’s still kind of romantic, don’t you think? Auron’s waiting for you in the Farplane. You might be even able to see him if you went back!”Rikku shook her head. “I bet Brother won’t let me get close to the Farplane for years and years,” she said with a laugh that died out slowly. “Besides… I think I finally see what Auron meant when I woke up to all you guys fussing over me. Going back now would be like rejecting his last wish. He wants me to be here. And I’m starting to think he’s right.” “Hmm,” Yuna said. “You… umm. You didn’t really say so, but… it sounds like you became friends with my father, too.”“Mm-hmm,” Rikku hummed lightly, feeling her heart race.“I don’t really remember you visiting us in Bevelle…” Yuna continued slowly.“I did spend a lot of time on the roof arguing with Auron!” “… but I don’t really remember that much about my father, either,” Yuna finished quietly. “It’s silly, isn’t it? I still remember Auron. And Jecht, showing me the Mark III,” she giggled. But when she stopped, Rikku saw the fragile look in her eyes. “But all I remember about my own father is his leaving.” She lowered her gaze. “He called Bahamut, and I was so impressed. But… I also wished… that he could’ve taken me with him, instead of that dragon.” She looked up at Rikku, her face full of yearning. “Can you… tell me a little about my father? I… I want to get to know him.”“I…” Rikku’s heart clenched. And then she leaned over and hugged Yuna. “He was wrong, Yunie. He was totally wrong about a lot of things. But there was one thing I’m sure of that never changed, no matter how many mistakes he made,” she said, feeling it in her soul. “He loved you. And in the end… he wanted to be with you. To be a real dad for you. Sin… just got in the way.”She felt Yuna shudder against her and closed her eyes, feeling the slow thrum of her heart beating in her chest. “I’ll tell you all about him, I promise,” she whispered, drawing her fingers through Yuna’s hair comfortingly and kissing the top of her head, just as Braska had always done. “Anything you want to know, for as long as you need.”Yuna’s soft cries subsided, and she turned her cheek onto Rikku’s shoulder. “Thanks.” She laughed sadly. “It’s… almost like I can feel him here with me.”Rikku huffed out an unsteady breath, blinking away her own tears. “Yeah. I know.”
.x.x.x.
The parade of meetings, explanations, sphere calls, and general assurances that yes, she was okay and no, she hadn’t gone crazy in the Farplane took all day. She was exhausted by the time night settled in Guadosalam, feeling completely wrung out despite not having fought a single battle at all.It felt weird, walking through the quiet, empty streets without watching for fiends or a weapon in hand. She imagined exploring Guadosalam with Auron, Braska, and Jecht; marveling at the enormous tree roots and trying to get Jecht not to stare too much at the Guado. She lingered at the Farplane gates, watching the pyreflies slowly twist and twirl behind the stairwell.“You’re not thinking of going back in, are you?” Tidus jogged up, stopping beside her and putting his hands on his hips. “After all the trouble it took to get you outta there!”Rikku shook her head. “Not really. I have a promise to keep to Yuna now.” She side-eyed Tidus, then poked him in the ribs with an elbow. “I dreamed about you while I was there, you know. It was like you were talking to me from the future. Were you?” she asked.He gave her a goofy smile and a small nod. “We’re all connected now. So how’s it feel, being the last two aeons left in Spira?”Three, she thought, but decided to let Jecht surprise Tidus on his own. “Kinda… normal? I don’t feel like an aeon at all.”“Yeah, about that,” Tidus sighed, rubbing the back of his head. “Listen… you need to remember to look the part.” He gestured at his hair, which hung in shaggy strands below his ears. “Change your hairstyle every few years. Put some wrinkles in when you notice Yuna or Paine start having them. Maybe a new scar or two somewhere where they can see. If you never change, you won’t blend in.”Rikku processed that, looking at Tidus in a new light. “You mean… you’re aging just for Yuna’s sake?”“Mm-hmm,” he said. He didn’t seem bothered by it, crossing his arms behind his head and leaning back.She turned and sat at along the ledge of the staircase, swinging her feet over the side. It felt nostalgic. “Doesn’t it bother you that Yuna will eventually die and move on without you?”Tidus paced behind her with slow, thoughtful steps. “I’d be lying if I said I was fine with it. But, well…” He sighed. “She brought me here. I don’t want to disappoint her or make her sad. So that’s why I’m gonna try my best to be exactly what she wants me to be: a normal guy, living a normal life.”Rikku snorted. “Not a blitzball superstar?”“Naw,” Tidus laughed. “That was my old man’s thing. I don’t mind playing, but Yuna’s more important to me than any game.” He shrugged. “I’m looking forward to it. Staying by her side, hopefully growing old together too.” A shadow passed over him. “I guess I’ll still be here when she goes. But… I’m not gonna spoil my time with her right now worrying about what might happen in the future. I deserve some happiness! And Yuna does, too.” He said it so casually, declaring his complete and utter devotion to her cousin; it was like it had never even occurred to him to be any way else. Rikku felt a sudden jolt of fondness for him. “You’re just like your dad,” she giggled.“Hey! If you’re just gonna insult me, then I’m leaving,” Tidus huffed.“Go run back to Yunie,” she laughed at him. “I’ll be fine. And Tidus?” “Yeah?”“Thanks for the advice.” She grinned at him, and he tipped his fingers at her. “No problem. It’ll be our secret!”“You two trading little secrets already?” Tidus turned around, scowling. Gippal strolled up behind him, his grin wolfish. “Didn’t think you had it in you, Tidus!” he needled. “Wonder what Yuna would think if she heard you canoodling with Cid’s girl like that?”Tidus fumed silently, glaring at Gippal. He turned back to Rikku, stabbing a finger at her. “You,” he declared, “Have awful taste in guys. I’m leaving before whatever’s wrong with you rubs off on me. See ya!” He ran off, snickering to himself.Gippal stared after Tidus, confused. He swung around to look at Rikku. “What was all that about?”Rikku was too busy covering her cheeks, which were burning red from both embarrassment and indignation. Did Tidus say that just because I used to date Gippal? Or was it because I was seeing Auron, who was kind of like his foster dad? Huh, or maybe he figured out that I kissed Braska, who’s technically his father-in-law… Realizing she was only digging herself a bigger hole, she gave up and focused on revenge instead. I’ll make him pay later! Belatedly, she noticed Gippal was strolling up to her, acting like he hadn’t been camping out in Guadosalam for a year and pining after her like a lovesick puppy.“It’s an inside joke,” she grumbled. “What do you want, Gippal?”“Whoa,” he said, taking a step back and holding his hands up. “What’s with all the heat, Cid’s girl? I was just stopping by.” He was definitely going for casual in front of her, but she’d seen his face when he’d thought he was alone.
Do I really have to do this now?
She looked back at the Farplane, thinking wistfully of what it might have been like to grow old together with Auron. After talking with Tidus, the sting of never having had the chance cut deeply. If she closed her eyes, she could still taste Auron’s lips on her and feel the weight of him in her arms. And on top of that, she was reeling from the force of Braska’s desire; that his consumption with the idea of being in love had resulted in her co-opting his actual soul.Whatever Gippal was feeling for her felt foreign and unwelcome, like a child playing at the idea of love. The weight of two Pilgrimages had changed her; she knew the matchstick Gippal was trying to light would be burnt to a crisp by the inferno she’d already immolated herself in.No wonder Auron was so rude to me the first time around, she thought with a wry smile. It tapered off into a feeling of abstract sadness; even the scorn and impatience she was feeling right now she’d learned from him.“My name’s Rikku. I haven’t been Cid’s little girl for a long time,” she said to Gippal tiredly. “And you’re not just stopping by. This is the Farplane, if you hadn’t noticed. I know how you feel about it.”He bristled. “Well, I thought I knew how you felt about it too, but then you went and threw yourself into it for an entire year!” He stopped himself, then growled. “This isn’t what I— look. I’m just trying to say, I’m glad you’re back. I was…” His face flushed. “Worried. People were saying you were gone.” He looked down at his shoes, scuffing the tip of his boot into the rock. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you’d died.”She crossed her arms, eying him. “Thanks,” she said, and was surprised to find she meant it. “But you still shouldn’t have abandoned the Machine Faction. You are the Faction! Spira needs you now more than ever.”Gippal groaned, throwing his arms up. “Great. Not you too! Can’t I worry about you even just a little bit without getting grief for it?”Rikku rolled her eyes and smirked. “You never worried about me before. Why start now?”He glared at her, his mouth working, before he snapped it shut. “Yeah, whatever,” he growled. “I don’t know why I even bother. You never take me seriously.”Rikku tensed, looking at the swirls of the pyreflies behind the gate. She felt older now, and wiser. And this time, she heard the hurt in his voice. Had it always been there, when they’d verbally sparred? Maybe; she’d just never bothered to listen for it before. The nature of love is more expansive than that, her soul whispered to her. Those feelings aren’t tied to single persons.Just because she didn’t understand or want Gippal’s love – that didn’t make it, or the hurt he was feeling, any less real.“Sorry,” she said, walking up to him. He reared back, surprised by her sudden proximity, but she reached out and grabbed his hand. “I do take you seriously. You’re the best mechanic I know. You’re a good friend and an even better teacher. You took our people and gave them something to work for, something to be proud of. The Machine Faction is changing the way everyone sees the Al Bhed. We’re no longer Spira’s boogeymen. I love what you’ve done so far. And I even really did love you once, too.” She felt the tremor in his fingers at that. “But I’m not ready for whatever it is you’re trying to tell me now.” Not when I’m still filled with the sight and the sound and the taste of Auron’s memory.She smiled up at him, squeezing his hand. “Thank you for caring, Gippal. Maybe someday I’ll be able to answer your feelings seriously, too. But not today. Of course,” she said, releasing him and stepping back, swaying on her heels. “If you’ll settle for having me as your friend… I can try to be a better one, this time around.”Gippal stared at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. “You’ve changed,” he said, sounding surprised. “You’re all grown up now.”Her grin widened. “Well, it had to happen sometime.”“Huh.” His eyes narrowed shrewdly. “You’re right. I should be getting back to the Machine Faction. You wanna come with? Being Partners in Crime sounds a lot better than being a Gull-girl.”“Hmpf! Negotiate my release of contract from the Gullwings with Brother first. Then we’ll talk,” she said, smirking. Turning around, she looked back at the Farplane and put a hand to her lips, blowing out a soft kiss.
Can you see me now, Auron? This is my story, and I’m gonna try my best.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"I didn't think I'd see the day the Al Bhed would be defending Bevelle," Tidus said conversationally.Rikku laughed and was about to reply when another explosion shook the airship. Stumbling for balance, she swung around, worried. "You guys!?"Yuna picked herself up and grimaced, then went for her dressphere. "They can't knock me off if I can fly." Light shone, and then crackled and exploded, revealing Yuna in all of her white-haired, flower-petal glory. "I've got this one covered!" she yelled bravely, rising into the air.Tidus let out a happy sigh watching his wife don her Floral Fallal costume, his eyes going dreamy. Rikku rolled her own. "Brother! Ra haynmo kud ic! Byo yddahdeuh!" she yelled, shaking her fist.The Fahrenheit's speakers crackled, and Brother's voice rolled over them. "I KNOW! They try to hit Palace! We dodge, tower go boom!""I won't let you destroy our peace!" Yuna yelled, rising higher into the air, the petals of the enormous flower she summoned whipping in the wind as her feet rose higher and higher off the ground. Sweeping her arm around, she conjured a barrage of pure magic that concentrated into fierce, whirling discs before her outstretched hand. Beams of energy shot out, one after the other, slamming into the Celsius above them.The airship rocked and veered off course, smoking."Nice hit, Yuna!" Gippal called out, kneeling as he aimed his mortar and added to the fire. "I think we got 'em running!"Rikku squinted, watching the thick, black smoke spurt from the old airship. Its spinning wheel was starting to slow down, and her eyes widened. "We hit it a little too good!" she said, running towards the edge of the ship and looking over the side. Bevelle stretched before her, well on its way to becoming a proper metropolis in the decades since the Eternal Calm. "They're gonna crash!""Aww, shit," Gippal said, noting how the Celsius had changed its trajectory. It was on a collision course for Bevelle's Palace. "They wanna go out with bang," he swore. "Brother! Warn Nooj and Baralai! They have to evacuate, NOW!"The speakers crackled. "No time! Paine! Paine is-"Yuna gasped, losing her dressphere and falling towards the deck. Tidus caught her.They watched Paine stride out onto the platform, lights swirling around her, surrounding her in her graceful, crane-like Full Throttle costume. Swords whirled over her head, arranging themselves in a diamond-shaped array before her."That's not a defensive dressphere!" Rikku said, her breath catching in her throat.True to form, Paine went on the offensive, flapping her wings and sending shards of ice shooting towards the Celsius.Tidus squinted as Paine sent wave after wave towards the burning missile in its kamikaze dive. "She's not trying to stop the Celsius! She's just trying to keep it from exploding!""We gotta stop them!" Gippal was on his knees, his eye wide, no trace of humor left on his face. "Nooj! Baralai!" he yelled hoarsely."Paine! No!" Yuna screamed, twisting in Tidus' arms.His face contorted in pain, watching her suffer. "Yuna," he said, making his decision and letting her go.Rikku saw them all, these people that she'd grown to call her family, fighting for their lives yet again. Maybe not to save the world this time, but at least themselves and the new peace they'd worked so hard to build.There was Tidus, just like before, ready to give up his life as a human and sacrifice himself for Yuna's happiness.Gippal was pounding the deck, swearing, and with each hit she heard how much he loved them: Nooj, Baralai, and Paine. How he believed he was going to watch them all die because he'd failed to protect them.And Yuna, crumpled against Tidus, weeping because someone she cared about was slipping out of her grasp, once again.There wasn't really any time for nostalgia, though; the Celsius was on a crash course with the Palace, after all.She leapt and caught Tidus before he could jump off of the Fahrenheit. "Sit this one out," she said, shoving him back down next to Yuna.He understood instantly, his face filling with shame-faced gratitude for the continued chance she was granting him to stay with his wife. His arms wrapped around Yuna. "Sorry…""What? What're you doing?" Yuna asked, her eyes going wide as light flared around Rikku.It was understandable; Rikku hadn't worn a dressphere in her Garment Grid since her return from the Farplane, so many years ago. There shouldn't have been anything to activate, but still, her exosuit was climbing over her skin, encasing her in the armor she hadn't used since she'd carried Auron across half of Spira in her arms.Gippal finally noticed; his mouth dropped open. "Rikku?""I love you, Yunie." She smiled. "Say… sorry to Brother and Paine for me, okay?" Then she jumped off the deck. The mechanical wheel forming on her back turned, and she shot after the falling Celsius, feeling her limbs stretch and lock, her body distending and reshaping itself into Eden's larger, winged form. She wondered, with a faint sense of misplaced vanity, if she was making a striking impression on everybody else. Then she hit the Celsius and it didn't matter anymore. Metal screeched against metal and she shuddered in pain, feeling her limbs bend and groan from the shock of the impact. She twisted them as they fell, narrowly missing the tower. She caught a fleeting glimpse of Paine's surprised face, before she was fighting again, fighting for clearance, fighting to keep the Celsius from hitting the densely populated city below.They took out the tops of a few of the higher skyscrapers before, with one last heave, she managed to push the ice-encrusted, smoking Celsius into the sea beyond. When they hit the water, the Celsius exploded, and her view screen blacked out, her metallic body disintegrating from the force of the blast.
.x.x.x.
When she opened her eyes again, it was to pastel skies, and the soft hum of pyreflies singing overhead. Sitting up, she stretched and rolled her shoulders. "Huh," she said, testing her limbs. "I thought dying would hurt a little more than it did.""You know you're not actually dead. But try the real thing sometime, you might be surprised.""Auron!" She jumped up when she saw him, unable to stop her smile from blooming. "I missed you!" She threw herself at him.He caught her and spun her around with a laugh, settling her gently among the wildflowers, and leaned over to kiss her."Mmm," she mumbled, melting into him. "I missed this," she breathed as he dug his fingers into her hair, pulling her tight."As did I. Rikku," he said, breathing her name like a benediction, a soft release of longing, devotion, and desire.They spent some time entangled together, in the endless stillness of the Farplane. A moment, or maybe a lifetime? She couldn't tell and didn't care, and neither did he, from the feel of it.When he finally drew back, she smiled wistfully at him. "It wasn't the same without you there. I never did manage to fall in love that hard ever again, you know. You ruined me for everybody else!"He shrugged, but she saw a touch of pride in the motion. "Regardless. You had a good life.""I did," she sighed, latching onto his elbow and leaning into his shoulder. "I'm glad I lived it. It felt... good. Even when it got hard sometimes. It was worth it.""Hnn," was all he said, his fingers resting on her arm.She turned her face into his shoulder. "You must be tired now."There was a brief silence, and then a grunt of assent. "I am."She squeezed his hand. "Then go now. I'll keep an eye out for you," she promised."Thank you," he said. "I love you."She smiled, releasing him. And then he was gone, and she was sitting alone by her Fayth stone, watching the wildflowers gently bob in the absence of any breeze.
.x.x.x.
Boredom was the main reason Eden materialized on the plateau. Jecht and Alexander were beginning to wear thinly on her nerves; they were always exhorting her to keep pace with the world of mortals. Usually they'd come at intervals, each invested in living their own very human lives outside of the Farplane every so often. Still, it was a rare occurrence that the two would disappear at the same time, leaving her completely alone. It was likely because Alexander had felt something, or maybe seen something out there. He'd left unexpectedly, as prone as he was to flights of fancy. He always seemed to be chasing after the certain color of a soul he'd grown fond of.Of course, there were still the other mortal souls who passed through the Farplane. Their company was fine enough, but inevitably fleeting. When their stays weren't, usually heroes would appear and call upon their aid to make sure those stubborn beings moved on, willing or not. It was the way of things; it kept Spira from sliding into decay. That had actually happened once long ago; they'd all taken part in correcting it. She could hardly remember.So she waited, and watched. Mortal souls passed in and out of the Farplane like flower petals being blown along the wind; entertaining and pretty, but never lasting. Her two aeon companions were her only constants, and she found herself growing lonely without their company.After a long, solitary while of considering their advice, and with the feeling of moving muscles left long dormant, she stretched and brought herself back. It took a moment to remember what being human felt like; a faint memory of Alexander insisting on change being the most human thing of all prompted her to dig deep.She gave herself wild, blonde hair, piled high in a ponytail atop her head. Green eyes; those had always been hers, she knew. After some consideration, a bright orange tube top, held in place by two wide straps, and a pair of green shorts felt appropriate. The rest came rapidly after that; a scarf, some stockings, a pair of gloves… A flight of whimsy had her weaving a phoenix down into one of her braids.Her boots hit the ground and she blinked, taking the time to get used to the new, smaller dimensions of her adolescent body. Wriggling her fingers, she grinned. Life outside of the Farplane was always so much brighter and more tactile than she remembered; she enjoyed the intensely physical feel of it, swaying on her feet and soaking in the sensation.
I wonder how many years passed since I was last here…?
There was a droning voice behind her; half-turning, she spotted an old man, steeped with age, dressed in archaic robes. He was relaying parts of Spira's long history to an audience of tourists of all ages. Some looked bored, others listened in rapt attention."…They say the pyreflies are just reacting to visitors' thoughts and dreams. But only the dead appear on the Farplane. No images of the living have ever been seen. It's a great mystery! But maybe… the dead leave a bit of themselves in the hearts of the living. And that little bit borrows the pyreflies' power for their paranormal performance! Or maybe not. Who knows?"She squinted; he sounded familiar. Shrugging, she took his words to heart and turned to look over the Farplane, searching within herself. Blurred figures misted before her, never truly taking shape. She had the faint impression of them, though, tickling at her memory. Three men who shared her features. Family? She smiled fondly at the one with the spiked hair, her tongue catching on a name. Brother.They shifted, changing. A woman in a long black dress and… her husband, yes. Large, loud, red hair. The teenager between them sharing his father's red hair and his mother's pale skin. And there… a blue lion? Ronso, her memory provided, and the image solidified a little more. He wore a stately white beard and bore an unusual, broken horn."Ah! I see, you are thinking of the Last Pilgrimage!" The old man's voice cut across her thoughts, dissolving the images. She turned to look at him more closely, her eyebrows rising.Not what you seem, old soul, she thought. But the usual stench of decay and maliciousness wasn't there; odd. Well. It wasn't her place to interfere unless the heroes of the age called upon her, and this creature seemed largely harmless."The Lady Yuna brought to Spira the Eternal Calm, with the help of her six Guardians!"That brought a jolt to her; much closer and much more familiar. "Yuna," she whispered, and it sounded wrong on her tongue. She tuned out the old man and looked at the Farplane, trying hard to remember. Something within her stirred hotly; of course she couldn't forget Yuna. She could never forget."Yunie," she said, her voice sliding back into its proper register. Her image refused to form, even though Eden's memory was clear.She thought suddenly of Alexander. And squinted. Not Alexander. Tidus. He, too, remained unsurprisingly absent from her Farplane wishes. "Still in love with her, aren't you," she murmured, feeling her lips stretch into a warm smile.In love, she thought, and was surprised to find a different image forming. Blue eyes… familiar ones. A summoner, in long, sweeping robes."Ah, High Summoner Braska," the old man said. "The Lady Yuna's father, who had also defeated Sin. It is said he set her upon her fateful path, joined by his legendary Guardians."She placed her hand on her chest, knowing why he was there. He stared at her, a half-smile lighting his kind eyes, and it felt like she was looking at herself. Of course, neither she nor Jecht appeared next to him. But… there had been another, hadn't there.She felt her heart stutter; a growing awareness of an absence that she hadn't realized was there. A sense of panic that she'd forgotten, forgotten something very important.There was a third. But no matter how her mind grasped for it, he wouldn't appear."You should stop trying," a young voice told her. "Nobody knows what they look like or remembers their names."A memory surfaced. "Intriguing, how High Summoner Dysley's name has gone down in history as a hero, yet my own is forgotten." She felt a chill run down her back."It's amazing that you even got one of them to appear. They still have a few of those old statues of him around, though. You must've seen them! Maybe that's what he looked like after all.""No, I'm sure," she said, crossing her arms and looking back at Braska. "That's him. That's Lord Braska."A snort. She turned her head to look at the boy a few years younger than her speaking, and had to keep herself from taking a step back. "Yeah, right. He's got my eyes. You probably just saw my face and pasted it onto him."Braska's bright blue eyes were glaring at her. But it wasn't Braska – her mind stuttered, trying to match those eyes to the boy's stocky build. His black hair was a little unruly, but he'd tried to tame it into a short ponytail, at least. It didn't stop a few stubborn strands at his forehead from falling loose to frame his face.She felt another twinge in her chest, a flutter of memory. She had to catch herself before remembering how to respond."Big talk coming from somebody younger than me," she told him, crossing her arms. "It's not like you know what Braska really looked like either! Someone's a little full of himself. And why would I take your face anyhow? I could be getting my inspiration from anywhere. How would you know? Huh? Huh?"He scowled at her, matching her pose, and then looked back up at the image of Braska she'd summoned. The scowl slid off his face gradually. "… No. You're right," he sighed. "I don't know why I said that. I guess I just felt protective of his memory. It doesn't seem right… that people are forgetting them," he trailed off more thoughtfully. Then he shook his head and met her eyes, contrite. "I shouldn't have picked a fight with you. I don't usually go around insulting random girls I meet on the Farplane." He looked at the ground and scowled again, more at himself than her. "Especially since it's hard finding people who still care about ancient history these days. ... Sorry."That fluttering feeling in her chest knew even before her mind remembered his name.
It's you.
"It's… okay." She swallowed around the tightness in her throat, and managed to ask, "What's your name?"He looked up, surprised that she still wanted to talk to him. "Aaron." He winced and hunched his shoulders. "Don't laugh. My parents are historians. They wanted to name me after one of the legendary guardians, but like I said... nobody really remembers who they were anymore. So I got stuck with this weird name. It's probably a mistranslation.""There's nothing wrong with it," she said softly. "That's just your name. It's who you are inside that counts."He met her gaze at that, surprised. The scowl softened into genuine curiosity. "Uh. Right. What's your name?"She hesitated. It'd been so long since anyone had called her anything but Eden. But Rikku was long gone, and so was Auron. This was the beginning of a new story. A new beginning, for both of them. Together, this time."Rika. My name's Rika. Nice to meet you," she said with a sunny smile.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
ANNOTATIONS
All About Aeons
It's probably obvious already, but Tidus' aeon form is called Alexander (FFIX). I know, it seems like he'd be a Leviathan, it makes sense and there’s even fan art for that, but Leviathan already existed before Tidus did in this Spira.Jecht's aeon form is still called Jecht. Go figure, because he's Jecht! Less facetiously, he was created with Yu Yevon’s entire massive ego, so I think he’d keep his own name through the ages.About aeons that survived the destruction of Yu Yevon: in this story, they’re able to continue existing because they’re sustained by the collective consciousness of Spirans, and they didn’t fight and get consumed by Yu Yevon. That means every aeon that Yuna brought to the final battle with Sin should have permanently died. Game canon messes with this theory, though, by repeatedly bringing especially Bahamut back as a narrative element. This story quietly assumes Yuna found every optional aeon, absorbed them, and then used them in the final battle. But technically… no one ever had to actually pick up the optional aeons to finish the game. If you want to imagine Yuna never bonded with the three optional aeons (Anima, Yojimbo, and The Magus Sisters) even after finding them, then they’d still be around. Also, it could be that Braska and Yuna never found all of the hidden aeons that Spira created over the course of nearly a thousand years, so there may be even more than three aeons left in Spira. Who knows if Phoenix, Carbuncle, Kujata, Titan, Fenrir or any of the other possibilities still lie sleeping in wait for someone to find one day?In the canon game, the major aeons all have nicknames as the “God of [something].” I took this and ran with it as a reason for them to gain the powers they had, because it was something all of Spira believed in. Bahamut’s ability to transcend death might be related to the attribute I gave to him for this story; canonically, he’s only referred to as “The King of All Aeons.” But in my opinion, his attributes are Space / Time, which is why he’s able to transcend his own death somewhat and facilitate Rikku’s time travel. The rest are as you might expect. Some of these attributes are game canon, and some I just extrapolated: Ifrit is Fire, Shiva is Ice, Ixion is Thunder / Lightning, Valefor is Wind, Anima is Pain / Suffering, Yojimbo is Greed / Ego, the Magus Sisters are Innocence / Will, and Leviathan was Water / Memory. Leviathan’s loss was a bigger blow to Spira than anyone realized! All of these aeons held pieces of their original summoners’ souls to be able to continue existing in Spira. The only ones we know about in this story, though, are Belgemine and Seymour. One might guess that Bahamut is possibly holding a piece of Yu Yevon or Yunalesca’s soul, too, but that’s a whole other can of worms, isn’t it?What is sustaining our last three known aeons in Spira?
First we have Tidus, who was brought back by Yuna. He’s able to exist because Yuna gave him part of her soul, and able to stay in Spira because he is sustained by Hope / Joy. Alexander is basically a fortress with angel wings, and in every game he’s appeared in, he basically defends something with his holy power, which is why I thought it was an appropriate match.
Then we have Rikku, who was brought back by Braska. She’s able to exist because Braska gave her a part of his soul, and she’s able to stay in Spira because she’s sustained by Potential / Possibility, as stated in the story. She’s not the strongest aeon (that would be Jecht), but she’s considered the most powerful aeon in the story because she’s the only one who is able to continue to develop, grow, and change like a human being would, even as an aeon. I like tying her to Eden because she’s an Al Bhed, and also because nothing speaks to me more about possibility than space travel.Finally, we have Jecht, who was brought back by the Hypello community. He’s able to exist because Braska gave him a part of his soul, and he’s able to stay in Spira because he’s sustained by Battle / War. Rikku joked in the story about Jecht coming back as the God of Blitzball, but honestly… he’s always been a warrior to me, only he fought his battles on a sports field. It’s a bit dark for a personality as sunny as Jecht’s was, but he’s had his moments of darkness, too. Particularly the ones covered in the canonical game, where he strategically chose to stop holding back Yu Yevon’s destructive tendencies to show Tidus that they needed to be killed. Of course, I also noticed that no-one ever Sent Jecht after he got taken down by the party. Which is why in this story, with his unique non-human constitution, he actually lived and was able to come back to Spira as an aeon.So what happened to Auron, Braska, and Jecht?
I know I wasn’t very explicit about their ultimate fates, and I do enjoy letting readers imagine what might have happened in between the spaces of the story I wrote. But after reading some feedback, I’m putting here what I imagine happened to them during and after the final battle with Sin.
Auron survived the battle with Sin, though he did lose his eye. He even survived the battle with Yunalesca. What he didn’t survive was overextending himself by using curatives when his body needed rest. That almost happened to Braska once early on at the beginning of the story en route to obtaining Shiva, but Rikku managed to prop him up using her dressphere alchemy. Auron literally died from overworking himself, because that’s how he dealt with his grief at his perceived failure to protect everyone. And then he came back as an Unsent to work some more! Tired doesn’t even begin to describe how he must have felt after all that time.
Unsent Auron joined Yuna’s Pilgrimage and acted as a guide to the rest of the party, much the same way Rikku did for Braska’s Pilgrimage. No, he never got nasty with 15-year-old Rikku even though she was crushing on him. For one, he’s a good guy. For two, he himself was taken advantage of by an older woman when he was 16, and he knew exactly what it was like to be traumatized in that way. So no, he didn’t perv on child-Rikku, he just suffered. I’m sorry, Auron. (Not really.)I’ve been asked whether or not Braska came back after splitting his soul two ways. While I like to leave that open to interpretation – after all, Aaron had Braska’s eyes – in my head, he is the only character who actually died a true death. There might have been bits and pieces of him left to join the “cycle of reincarnation” in Spira, but for the most part, his soul really was destroyed when he spit it two ways, which was one too many. It’s a cruel fate, and I’m sorry to all the Braska fans out there who were hoping he’d somehow end up with Rikku. I have mixed feelings about the Braska I wrote – I enjoyed him as a character, but I never really stopped thinking of him as a little bit selfish and obsessed, even if no one else recognized those traits. It is in part because he worked hard on his image to counter them, but in the end… he still chose himself over his family when he decided to become a summoner. I’ve noticed a trend of the greatest geniuses doing that in the real world, refusing to sacrifice their ambition / work for the sake of their personal lives and family, and I think Braska fits in well with those people. That doesn’t mean he was a bad person; if anything, I’d imagine he was a bit like Hayao Miyazaki and Yuna was his Goro. (And for the record, I think Goro Miyazaki has talent, too, even though he’s not his father.)As for Jecht… well, what is there to say? According to the poll I took, he’s everyone’s favorite character by a large margin, and I’m quite okay with that. As Yu Yevon said, he created Jecht to be “perfect.” If the readers still think he’s the GOAT of this story, then Yu Yevon must’ve done it right! If I had one major regret about how I wrote Jecht, it’s that I didn’t mention the rest of his family enough. Sure, we all know intimately about Tidus, but Anne was just as important to him. She never really fit into the narrative, though, and more importantly, by focusing on Jecht’s determination to save Tidus, I felt it was a nice contrast to Braska’s inability to be a father for Yuna. Also I regret not being able to give the explicit shout-out to Shadow Hearts by mentioning Jecht and Tidus’s last name, which was Hyuga. The one minor regret I have about writing Jecht is that I feel like I didn’t research alcoholism enough to properly represent his character when he still had an addiction, and how he dealt with his recovery afterwards. That’s a dark place to tread, though, and there’s more than enough dark drama in this fiction to deal with.
If you’ve got questions or theories about this unique version of Spira, feel free to share them with me! I spent nearly 20 years thinking about this place, after all. I enjoy nerding out about it! And thanks for reading with me all the way to the end. You guys are the best. <3
APPENDIX
Alexander (cameo, FF13)
A little-known aeon taking the form of a mobile fortress.Angeal Hewley (cameo, FF7 Crisis Core)
Captain of the crusader flagship "Mi'ihen's Pride."Anima
A Final Aeon created by Seymour; the Fayth is Seymour's own mother. She is cold and arrogant, and does not seem to hold any allegiance to Bahamut. She was created in Zanarkand, but her Fayth stone was secretly transplanted into Baaj.Anne Hyuga (cameo, Shadow Hearts)
Jecht's wife in Dream Zanarkand. She hasn't been explicitly mentioned by name in the story yet.Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca (cameo, FF12)
A skilled Al Bhed technician aboard The Love Boat.Auron (unsent)
An Unsent who takes the age of a 35-year-old man (and the appearance of someone pushing 50). During Yuna's Pilgrimage, he was a brusque but supportive member of the party. He never appeared to note or return Rikku's affections during that time.Auron (young)
A former highly-ranked warrior-monk of the Church of Yevon, and currently a 25-year-old Guardian to Braska. While he served in the warrior-monks, he was often unwillingly employed as an assassin, and in direct competition with Kinoc for the position of the next Maester. At the start of the story, he is disillusioned with the Church and still angered by his dishonorable discharge from the warrior monks. He is ostensibly the most responsible and disciplined member of Braska's party.Bahamut
One of the very first aeons to ever be created by the ancient summoners. His Fayth form is that of a young child. He seems to be able to manipulate time and reality on the Farplane, and is Braska's first and favored aeon. He is known as "The King of all Aeons." His Fayth stone can be found in Bevelle's main temple.Barkeep
The hypello who tends the bar on the Celsius, Brother and Rikku's airship.Bartello
Future Guardian of Dona, currently a bit of a teenaged loser in Kilika.Bayra
Avian spirit musician of Macalania forest.Beatrix (cameo, FF9)
Yuna's babysitter / nanny in Bevelle.Belgemine
Ancient Unsent summoner who roams Spira, testing the mettle of summoners on their Pilgrimage by challenging them to duels. At the start of her journey, Rikku claims that she was formerly a Guardian to Belgemine on her first Pilgrimage to conceal her real identity.Braska of Bevelle
A 35 year old Priest of Yevon and former missionary. He was key in the efforts to convert both the Guado and the Ronso, but fell out of favor with the Church after marrying an Al Bhed during his last mission. Like Auron, he too was slated to become a Maester before falling out of favor. The death of his wife caused him to take up the path of a Summoner. At the start of the story, he seems to be kind and even-tempered, but he suffers from severe depression.Brother Pollendina
Rikku's brother and captain of the Celsius. He seems simple-minded and excitable, and is actively engaged in a bitter feud with Cid, his father, thanks to his identity as second fiddle to his father's most favored son. Though on the surface antagonistic, he cares greatly for his little sister. He just may have been the first Al Bhed to ever use magic.Buddy
Navigator of the Celsius, and good friend of Rikku.Celes Chere (cameo, FF6)
Amourous resident of Kilika and part of the unwitting fuse that sets Auron off.Chappu
Wakka's younger brother and boyfriend of Lulu. He's an avid fan of blitzball, but prefers to watch his brother play from the sidelines.Cid Pollendina
Rikku's father and leader of the Al Bhed. He's brash, loud, and unreasonable, much like his daughter. When Braska eloped with his sister, he flew into a rage and tried to have him imprisoned in Bikanel. That ended badly for everyone. His mood swings after the loss of both his wife and his favored son eventually broke his remaining family apart.Dona
Future summoner, and currently the teenaged leader of the Kilika branch of Sir Jecht's fanclub.Donga
Frog-like spirit musician of Macalania forest.Eden (cameo, FF8)
A little-known aeon taking the form of an airship.Galenth Dysley (cameo, FF13)
The last High Summoner to defeat Sin 30 years before the start of Braska's Pilgrimage.Gazna Ronso
Captain of the Ronso Fangs and midfielder. He is tough, but knows how to compromise.Ginnem
A summoner-in-training of Besaid; she's a friendly and vivacious young woman, but committed to avenging her little sister's death. She is infatuated with Braska, the first real summoner she has ever met. In the future, Lulu becomes her Guardian.Gippal
Leader of the Machine Faction, and resident thorn-in-the-side of Rikku in the future. They once were childhood sweethearts, but grew apart thanks to his philandering ways. Both Rikku and Gippal still seem to care for one another to some extent. Gippal is responsible for teaching Rikku some of her mechanical skills, and in general to think differently from most Al Bhed when engineering solutions to technical problems.Godo Kisaragi (cameo, FF7)
A summoner of Baaj in the distant past; he died while in Rapture when the Fayth stone in Baaj was cracked during one of Sin's attacks.Ifrit
A minor aeon known as the God of Fire, native to Kilika. He takes the form of a muscular dog-like creature, and is a servant of Bahamut. He seems to have taken a liking to Jecht, perhaps as a kindred soul.Irga Ronso
Defensive back of the Ronso Fangs. She stays with the team even after Rikku and Jecht join.Ixion
A minor aeon known as the God of Thunder, native to Djose. He takes the form of a powerful unicorn and is a servant of Bahamut. He also serves as the decorative cover to Jecht's Little Pink Friendfiction Book.Jecht Hyuga
A 27 year old Blitzball star from Dream Zanarkand. At the start of Braska's Pilgrimage, he is an alcoholic, and also unaware that he is an aeon. He is the only member of Braska's party that has no preconceived notions about Rikku, which makes it easier for him to befriend her. While he doesn't always openly display his real feelings, he deeply misses his wife and child in Zanarkand.Jihl Nabaat (cameo, FF13)
The current incarnation of Sin and former Guardian of Summoner Dysley. She was the best swordsman of her time, and was drafted into serving as a Guardian. She was forced to become the Final Aeon against her will.Jimba and Bobba
The two grating radio announcers for Blitzball tournaments in Luca. They lack both taste and discretion when publically analysing the various Blitzball teams, both in the past and the future.Jyscal Guado
Seymour's father and leader of the Guado people. He became a Maester of Yevon after the conversion. He sacrificed both his son and his wife in his quest for power by revealing to them the secret of the Final Aeon and encouraging them to take that step.Kelda Ronso (original character)
Unfortunately xenophobic left forward of the Ronso Fangs, she leaves the team after Jecht and Rikku join. She becomes the primary leader of the Ronso Clan at Mount Gagazet afterwards.Kelk Ronso
Leader of the Ronso people, and on the fast track to becoming the first Ronso Maester of Yevon. He foils Rikku's attempt to storm Bevelle's temple by physically stopping her charge with his fist.Keyakku Pollendina
Rikku's older brother; he is 17 at the start of the story. In the future, his death is the final reason for the disintegration of Rikku's family. Rikku idolized her brother and attempted to follow in his footsteps by researching machina salvage and repair extensively.Kimahri Ronso
Yuna's Ronso guardian. His horn was broken off by fellow Ronso clan members Biran and Yenke during Braska's Pilgrimage; he was 'rescued' after the attack by Auron.Leblanc
Daughter and heir to the Leblanc Syndicate, her family were originally successful business owners in Luca. In the future, she is desperately in love with Nooj. When she transferred the family fortune into sphere hunting, she became the nemesis of the Gullwings.Lenne
A thousand-year-old summoner whose life is somewhat preserved in the Songstress Dressphere. Though not technically an Unsent, her overly-long of "life" has rendered her cruel, even if well-intentioned. She has never hesitated to take advantage of her mortal hosts to achieve her own goals, whether that person was Leblanc, Yuna, or Rikku.Leviathan (cameo, FF7)
A minor aeon known as the God of Water, native to Baaj. It was destroyed when Sin attacked the Temple and cracked its Fayth stone.Locke Cole (cameo, FF6)
Amorous resident of Kilika and part of the unwitting fuse that sets Auron off.Lulu
Native of Besaid, accomplished Black Magician, sister-figure to Yuna, and mentor to Rikku. She dated Chappu when she was a teenager, and later became both Lady Ginnem and Yuna's Guardian. She eventually married Wakka and bore a son named Vidina.Maechen
Thousand-year-old Unsent scholar. He is rather long-winded, but his obsessive focus on recording history has not only kept him from returning to the Farplane, but also prevented him from warping into a malicious fiend. He's generally helpful to Rikku and her cause in any time period, albeit very forgetful.Magus Sisters
A Final Aeon created many centuries in the past by High Summoner Belgemine; the three beings that create the Summon are Belgemine's daughters. Because they act independently of their Summoner, they do not send a Summoner into Rapture when called.Malik Ronso (original character)
Unfortunately xenophobic right forward of the Ronso Fangs, he leaves the team after Jecht and Rikku join.Maqui (cameo, FF13)
Al Bhed technician who bears little love for Auron. He makes a short-lived attempt to date Rikku on The Love Boat.Nhadala
Top administrator within Gippal's Machine Faction, in charge of the desert salvaging teams. When she was younger, she had a fling with Gippal which ultimately caused Rikku to give up on him.Nooj
Commander of the Youth League and former leader of the Crimson Squadron. Both Paine and Leblanc are deeply in love with him, although he only reciprocates Paine's affections.Ovelia Atkascha (cameo, FF Tactics)
Older Priestess of Kilika Temple, she holds very few prejudices against Braska's misfit Summoner's party.Paine
Former member of the Gullwings and Rikku's good friend. She was once the record-keeper for the Crimson Squad; currently, she's an author who travels the world with Nooj. She has a no-nonsense attitude and skill with the sword that is very reminiscent of younger Auron.Pukutak
Mouse-like spirit musician of Macalania Forest.Raenn Pollendina (cameo, FF8)
Sister of Cid, Aunt of Rikku and wife of Braska. She eloped with Braska and made a spectacular escape from Home to live in Bevelle. After giving birth to Yuna, she attempted to return to Bikanel to repair relations with the Al Bhed side of the family, but was killed when Sin unexpectedly attacked her ship. (Yes, I misspelled her name, sort of on-purpose.)Rikku Pollendina
The protagonist of the story, and a playable character in both Final Fantasy X and X-2. At the start of the story, she's 20 years old. Rikku is a happy, impulsive, intelligent, and witty girl who can also be somewhat immature. She tends to obsess over things that concern her and sometimes acts thoughtlessly towards others, but her heart is in the right place. She falls in love with Auron, both in the past and in the future, which sometimes puts her in a bit of a mind bender.Seymour Guado
Son of Jyscal Guado and summoner-priest of Yevon. He is on the fast track to becoming one of the youngest Maesters in history, but his troubled family life has warped his personality. Rikku loathes him because of the role he played in killing her older brother as well as destroying her Home in Bikanel. Oh, and the whole undead marrying her cousin and trying to destroy the world thing too.Shinra
Young Al Bhed genius inventor of the Gullwings. He is responsible for the creation of Garment Grid technology. He's also inadvertently responsible for the sphere hunter rush in Spira after his creation was stolen and marketed to the public by Leblanc.Shiva
A minor aeon known as the Goddess of Ice, native to Macalania. She takes the form of a humanoid woman, and her powers are what sustain Macalania Forest. She seems to dislike Rikku, perhaps because they have opposing personalities.Tidus Hyuga
Son of Jecht, partner of Yuna, and good friend of Rikku. Despite the events of FFX, he still has a stilted relationship with his father. He is also an aeon, and seems to be able to communicate with Rikku in the past.Tio (original character)
Hypello pastry salesman in Luca and unexpected savior of both the Ronso Fangs and the crusaders. All in a day's schweet roll.Tobli
Strange boy who has close relations with the spirits of Macalania Forest. He convinces the Gullwings to take part in a farewell concert for the dying spirits in the future.Trema
Former crusader and caretaker of the Calm Land's Monster Arena. The Gullwings defeated him the Vio Infinito, but his existence in the past gives Rikku nightmares.Valefor
A minor aeon known as the God of Wind, native to Besaid. She manifests as a large bird, and her Fayth form is that of a teenaged girl. She seems to be infatuated with Jecht.Wakka
Star blitzer of the Besaid Aurochs, brother of Chappu, and husband of Lulu. He started playing Blitzball when he was just thirteen to overcome the grief of losing his parents to Sin. While he and Rikku did not get along at first due to his prejudice against the Al Bhed, eventually they became friends.Wen Kinoc
Member of the crusaders and rising star within the Church of Yevon. He is jealous of Auron's success, but also protective of their friendship. He has an intense dislike of Braska and the Al Bhed in general.Yo Mika
Grand Maester of Yevon, and secretly Unsent. His plots and schemes are causing the Church of Yevon to slowly erode with corruption from within. Braska and Auron opposed him and were stripped of their power within the Church. He is currently trying to manipulate Braska's Pilgrimage to the Church's advantage.Yojimbo
Independent Fayth who has broken away from Bahamut's leadership. He sustains his existence through the world's consistent worship of greed. Because he acts independently of his Summoner, he does not send a Summoner into Rapture when called.Yu Yevon
Yunalesca's father and the core and Summoner of Sin and Dream Zanarkand (meaning Jecht and Tidus). He created Jecht to be a more perfect copy of himself in Dream Zanarkand.Yuffie Kisaragi (cameo, FF7)
High Summoner of Baaj who defeated Sin in order to avenge her father, Godo's, death.Yuna of Besaid
High Summoner of Besaid who defeated Sin once and for all, and didn't die in the process. She later joined the Gullwings and became a successful sphere hunter, defeating the evil Unsent Shuyin and the ancient mechanized weapon Vegnagun in the process. She also brought Tidus back from the unsummoned through her willpower and determination. She is Braska and Raenn's daughter and Rikku's cousin. At the start of the story, she is only 7 years old and still living in Bevelle.Yunalesca Yevon
High Summoner of Zanarkand who was responsible for creating the Final Aeon capable of defeating Sin. She is also a thousand-year-old Unsent; in the future, she kills Auron. Much later, she is killed by Yuna and her Guardians, thereby ending the destructive practice of the Final Summoning.Zamzi Ronso
Goalkeeper for the Ronso Fangs. Although he is xenophobic, he sticks with the team after Rikku and Jecht join and learns to appreciate the other races.Zaon
Husband of Yunalesca and the first Final Aeon ever created. He is also called back to life by Trema in the Vio Infinito, and is beaten down by the Gullwings (but ultimately defeated by Trema himself. Killsteal bastard!)Zev Ronso
Jack-of-all-trades of the Ronso Fangs. He has a rebellious streak as long as he is short. He stands up for Rikku and Jecht's attempts to join the team from the beginning.
WEAPONS AND ARMOR
Ashura (FFX, Auron)
Garment Grid (FFX-2, Rikku)
Godhand (FFX, Rikku)
Lure Bracelet (FFX-2, Rikku)
Masamune (FFX, Auron)
Nirvana (FFX, Yuna)
Sin's Fang (FF Dissidia, Jecht)
Twin Daggers (FFX-2, Rikku)
DRESSPHERES (Personality)
Alchemist (Rikku)
Berserker (Braska)
Lady Luck (Jecht)
Samurai (Auron)
Songstress (Lenne)
Thief (Rikku)
Machina Maw EX (Rikku)
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Ad Vitam Aeternam
Chapter 1: Besaid
A warm russet gaze regarded her with fond intensity. It pierced into her very soul; its owner knew her inside and out. The skin at the corner of his good eye creased as he smiled at her; a small detail that hadn’t existed when he was younger and smooth-skinned. Now, though, bits and pieces of his older appearance remained, such as the tufts of white in his unruly hair and his myriad of scars. They were reminders of the long adventure he’d had in Spira, much of it on borrowed time.“I hope you have a happy life.” Rather than using his mouth, he smiled at her with his voice, grown rich and deep with age like a fine wine. The slight tilt to his lips was the only hint of the expression on his face, other than that searing look. “Find your way. I know you will.” She sucked in her breath sharply, a lance of longing and regret chasing through her after it.“Rikku? You daydreamin’ again?”
Blinking, Rikku caught herself and smiled widely at Wakka. “Sorry! I’m all here, really!”Wakka frowned and gave her a sidelong glance. “You sure? You looked a little funny in the head for a minute there, ya? If you’re not feeling so good, you don’t need to do this right now. S’not like he and Lu are goin’ anywhere soon, y’know!”Rikku shook her head rapidly, her beaded braids clacking against her cheeks. The sting brought her completely back to the present. “No, no, I’m good! Take me to him!” she said, raising a hand and dancing in place.Wakka beamed proudly and ushered her past the colorful hanging curtain and into the darkened hut. The cool air inside was a relief from the humid heat of Besaid. Lulu looked up from the bed, her tired eyes glinting as she smiled. The bundle in her arms shifted.“Is that him?” Rikku breathed, creeping closer, her eyes wide.
Lulu gave her a soft nod, pulling back the swaddling blanket to reveal a ruddy, round-cheeked cherub. A tuft of bright red hair sticking straight up from the top of the baby’s tiny head made Rikku giggle. “Aww… you look just like your pops, Chappu!” she cooed, reaching out with a finger and gently smushing the baby’s nose.“Got that right,” Wakka said proudly, folding his arms over his chest and preening. “He’s gonna be just as good-lookin’ as his old man.”“Right down the chubbiness!” Rikku added for good measure, this time eliciting a chuckle from Lulu and an indignant sputter from Wakka. “I’m just kidding,” she added, stroking little Chappu’s cheek, and feeling another twinge in her chest as the baby’s eyes popped open to stare at her. “You’re gonna be even better looking than your dad. You’ve got your mom’s eyes.”“You’re both wrong. He looks like me,” a high voice chirruped. Vidina stepped out from behind the bed, hands on his hips and a wide, gap-toothed grin on his face. The boy looked down at his newborn brother proudly, as if he’d personally played a part in Chappu’s arrival. “Magic or blitzing, I’m gonna make sure my little brudda is the best at whatever he does!”“It’s a little early to start talking about blitzball, don’t you think?” Lulu said sternly, pulling the baby close to her chest.“No way!” Wakka and Vidina shouted at the same time, causing Chappu’s eyes to fly open and a loud wail to erupt from his mouth.
“All right. That’s enough. The both of you, out,” Lulu ordered with practiced sternness, the weariness leaving her eyes for a much sharper look. Both Wakka and Vidina jumped and started edging towards the exit. “I just remembered I gotta help out at the temple,” Vidina said. “Later, ma!”Wakka’s face screwed up as his son made a hasty escape, clearly having had his own excuse stolen. “Yeah, well, I, uh, I’m gonna make sure Dina stays outta trouble,” he fumbled. He did pause at the curtain, looking back over his shoulder fondly at his wife and child. “You just send Rikku after me if you need anythin’, Lu,” he added, his voice suffused with warmth.
“Go on,” Lulu told him, suppressing a tiny smile. “We need to have some girl time.” She tilted her head down and rocked Chappu, soothing the wailing baby back into a contented doze. “You don’t mind, do you, Chappu?” she asked, her voice softening into the cadence of motherhood.Rikku sat back on her heels, watching them and tamping down on her urge to fidget.I wanted this, she thought, a brief flash of jealousy grasping her. It left as quickly as it came, leaving a lingering aftermath of pain in its wake, the tingle of an old wound stirred. There wasn’t any use dwelling on it, though. Six years was a long time to be nursing a grudge, and Auron hadn’t asked for her to spend her time being bitter. Still, even thinking his name made something inside her ache with regret.“You know,” Lulu said as she gently laid the slumbering baby to rest in the wicker crib. “Yuna’s been worried about you. I can’t blame her. You’ve been… distracted.” Lulu’s voice was soft, careful not to wake the baby, but some of the steel returned as she sat back and directed a thoughtful look towards Rikku. “You’re not a child anymore, Rikku, even if you act like one.”“Hey! Are you calling me immature?” Rikku shot back, her fierce words completely neutered by the subdued tone she relayed them in, mindful of the sleeping baby. “I’m twenty-six already! I do not act like a child!”“Really,” Lulu whispered, amusement sparking. “Then why are you always competing with Vidina to see who’s the better blitzer? He’s ten, Rikku. There’s no glory in besting a ten-year-old at a game.”Rikku felt her lower lip jutting out in a pout and quickly sucked it back in. The smirk on Lulu’s face told her the other woman had already noticed, though. “He’s good for a ten-year-old, you know? It’s not as easy as you make it out to be. Dina really could have a future in Luca!”“I’m aware, and I try not to think about it,” Lulu sighed. “But I didn’t ask you to come here to discuss my oldest son’s prospects as professional blitzball player.”“Yeah, I thought you asked me to come here to meet your youngest son,” Rikku said, staring at Chappu with a wistful gaze. “He’s beautiful.”“Thank you,” Lulu smiled. “And I did. But I also wanted to ask you why you’re still here.”Rikku leaned back on her stool, tearing her attention away from the baby to slouch and fold her arms over her chest, giving Lulu her best unimpressed stare. “You want me out that badly? Is that it?”Sighing, Lulu folded a patterned blanket over her son, swaddling him tightly. “Nothing of the sort,” she said as she worked. “You’ll always be welcome here.” She glanced up from Chappu to peer at Rikku. “You’re family.”