Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ A Separate Thread ❯ Broken Threads and Scattered Needles ( Chapter 5 )

A SEPARATE THREAD

Chapter 5: Broken Threads and Scattered Needles

Back on the Mi'ihen Highroad the next morning, Tidus attempts to exit the inn, but is blocked by someone entering.

"Byntuh sa," the man states.

"Sorry?" Tidus inquires, not understanding him.

"Ah, forgive me, sir," the man replies. "I meant to say 'pardon me,' but it came out in Al Bhed."

"Oh, you're an Al Bhed?" Tidus asked.

"Mmmm hmmm. I am Rin, owner of this establishment." He continues: "Hela du saad oui. It means 'nice to meet you.'"

"Well helly doo sad wee to you, too," Tidus replied.

"If you are interested...Al Bhed primers can be located all over Spira. Finding them and learning our language might be fun. Here, let me give you one in commemoration of our meeting. Although you might want to be careful where you speak our language," Rin warned.

"Yeah, I hear Al Bhed aren't liked much. Oh, sorry!" Tidus added quickly, trying to back track.

Rin sighs sadly, then adds: "Ed ec y crysa." (It is a shame.)

Suddenly from outside a woman is heard shrieking. "Someone help! The chocobos!"

Auron enters the building. "That's our cue, let's go."

"Huh?" Tidus says as Auron exits.

Rin hands Tidus two mega-potions. "Thank you for your help. Please use this," he says.

Tidus dashes outside, where he sees Auron and Lulu. "To the chocobo corral!" urges Lulu.

Before they can get there, the ground begins to shake. Several chocobos run past the group. On top of the building, a massive fiend is perched, a chocobo clutched in it's fist. It jumps down, loosening it's grip, the chocobo flees. The fiend rushes the group.

Marina awoke that morning feeling happy and content. She was alone in the bed, but during the eight months they were married, came to learn that Auron was often up and out early in the morning. "Looks like that habit hasn't changed," she said to herself.

She hurried to dress and gather up her few belongings. She didn't want to keep the others waiting. As she reached the lobby of the inn, she heard an awful commotion. As she exited the building she saw a large fiend charging the group.

Auron noticed her and shouted angrily: "Marina! Get back inside!" She was a little peeved at his order, but knew now was not the time, so she just nods and slips back inside the building.

After the fiend is destroyed, the chocobo run around free and happy. Rin and a blonde haired woman wearing goggles approach the group.

"Have you an interest in renting some chocobos? As a token of our gratitude, the first time is free of charge. Please ask the attendant if you wish to rent," Rin informs them.

Thank you so much for saving the chocobos!" the girl gushed.

Auron saw Marina exit the building once more. Judging by the look on her face, he imagined she would have some words for him the next time they were alone. He had forgotten how head strong she was, much like himself. He could sense she wasn't happy with being sent back into the building like a child. But he just didn't want to see her hurt, not after he had been reunited with her again.

He decided it was also time to explain a few things to the others. He noticed them gathered around near the chocobo attendant. He walked over to where Marina stood near the entrance to the inn. He had to chuckle at the sour look she gave him. "I know you're not too happy with me right now. But I was only concerned with keeping you safe." She opened her mouth to argue, but he interrupted. "Now isn't the time. I promise to listen to what you have to say the next time we stop for a break, when we can be alone. Is that all right? Are we okay for now?" he asked her.

She sighed, and looked up into his face. "Damn!" she thought with frustration. She knew she couldn't stay mad at him. But she wasn't going to let him try to shelter her. She came here to help Yuna...and that was what she was going to do. But he was right. Now was not the time for such discussions. She gave him a smile. "Yeah...we're okay," she assured him. She felt her heart lift when she saw his face soften for a moment, and he smiled at her.

He took her hand. "I think it's time to tell the rest of the group a little about us," he told her. She nodded and followed him over to the others.

"I know that Yuna probably remembers this, but I don't know what Marina has shared with the rest of you about her life in Bevelle. And for the benefit of Tidus, I will tell you what I can," Auron began. "Eight months before I accompanied Braska on his pilgrimage, I married Marina. We knew our time together would be short..." he continued, then paused.

Marina interrupted the pause. "I wanted to spend what time Auron had left with him, as his wife. There are no guarantees for Summoner's and their guardians. It took some work on my part...but finally I convinced him I couldn't be happy unless I belonged to him," she finished, her voice filled with emotion.

Auron spoke again. "I was unable to return to her, and that is all I can say for now. I thought I'd never see her again, yet here we are," he replied. "Well," he continued. "We need to move on," he informed the others. Everyone continues down the Mi'ihen Highroad, toward Djose.

Along the road, they encounter Shelinda again. "Word has gotten around about me. Now all the Crusaders are ignoring me!" she complained.

Marina walked up to the young woman, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Look...I'm not certain if what they are doing is right or wrong. But they are trying to rid Spira of Sin...and we all want that. I don't think you should give up what you believe in, but maybe...for now, you should just back down a little. I think now...the most important thing you can do is be there for them afterwards. Do you understand?"

The younger woman nodded. "Yes...I think so. Thank you," she replied.

Marina gave her a smile. "You'll do fine. I think you'll have an important purpose in the future of Spira." The group left Shelinda and headed off again.

Finally, the group arrives at the end of the highroad. They notice Dona and Barthello standing with a Crusader. Dona seems to be arguing with the gatekeeper.

"How many times do I have to tell you?" Dona complains. "I'm a summoner!"

"Sorry, ma'am! No exceptions!" the gatekeeper informs her.

"You dare impede a summoner's pilgrimage!?" Dona fumed.

"Sorry, ma'am! No exceptions!" the guard repeated.

"Useless!" Dona said in frustration.

The group approaches the two. "Oh, its you..." Dona replied in slight annoyance. "As you can see, not even summoner's can pass. But they'll call on us in the end. Just wait and see. In the meantime, I think I'll have a nap. Oh, Barthello...." she called suggestively, and walked away. Barthello followed obediently.

"Um....is it just me or do they seem somewhat closer than just summoner and guardian?" Marina asked slyly.

"Hey, hey, hey! I don't wanna know about that! Besides...what are you doin' thinkin' like that anyways?" Wakka asked.

Marina laughed and the others joined her. They went to speak to the Crusader guard as well.

"The Mushroom Rock road is off-limits to non-Crusader personnel until the end of the mission! We apologize for the inconvenience, but this road is closed!" was the only reply he gave them.

They walked over to the gate area, where the caravan they had seen the day before was parked. They notice Gatta and Luzzu speaking to another Crusader.

"Gatta and Luzzu reporting, Sir!" Gatta states to the guard.

"This is the last of them," Luzzu adds, motioning to the caravan. Tidus and the rest of the group look up into the caravan. It is actually a cage holding a fiend.

"Good to have you with us," the Crusader responds. "Go on through!"

Just then the two notice the group. "Show me how to play blitz sometime!" Gatta tells Tidus.

"Wait around. We'll have Sin beaten in no time," Luzzu adds confidently.

Tidus nods. Luzzu and Gatta salute to the guard and walk forward away with the carriage.

The group tries to pass as well, but the guard stops them. "I'm sorry, I can't let you pass," he states.

"Hey, you're a summoner and her guardians right? Sorry for the inconvenience," he continues.

"Tell us about the operation," Tidus asks.

"What, they didn't tell you?" the guard asked. "We're bringing sin spawn from all over Spira here. Sin spawn inevitably draw Sin, right? We're going to lure it into a trap! This mission, Operation Mi'ihen, is a Crusader-Al Bhed joint mission. We Crusaders lure Sin in, and the Al Bhed strike it down. You see, Al Bhed hate Sin as much as we do. They managed to salvage ancient machina. They say they're as powerful as the mighty aeons. Well, you know machina are forbidden by Yevon. Ah...on second thought, let's not go there. Better for you not to know. The Crusaders in Operation Mi'ihen have all been excommunicated. My own family won't even speak to me now. We have to beat Sin today. Otherwise, there's nowhere for us to go," he finished sadly.

"That's horrible! Surely there is some thing someone can do," Marina told him. The man shook his head no. "Well...it may not mean much, but we support you. And we wish you luck," she added.

Since he can not let them pass, the group turns back. They see Maester Seymour and his assistants approaching. Marina notices her sister is not with them. Yuna and Seymour each perform the prayer gesture.

"So we meet again Lady Yuna," Seymour greets her.

"Y-yes?" Yuna stammers.

"You look troubled. Is there anything I can do?" he asks her.

Yuna gasps. She seems to be somewhat in awe of him, after all...he is a Maester. "Well..." she begins, looking back toward the gate.

Seymour walks up toward the gate. "I see," he states. As he approaches, the guard there salutes him.

"Maester Seymour. Let me show you to the command center," the guard replies.

"Hold. I have a request," Seymour informs him.

"Yes, Your Grace?"

"I need to have Summoner Yuna and her guardians let through to the command center," he states, looking back toward the group.

"But, Maester Seymour, sir," the guard protests.

"Do not worry. I will take full responsibility," Seymour assures.

"Very well, they may pass."

Seymour turns back to the group. "It is done," he informs them.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Yuna answers, bowing.

Before Seymour turns away, he notices Marina. He addressed her. "Pardon me, but you seem somehow...familiar."

"Abra is my sister," she answers curtly.

"Ah...I see. Interesting." He turns and walks away.

Yuna is lost in thought, wondering what was behind Seymour's statement. Lulu interrupts. "Yuna, it's time to go."

"Oh! Right!" Yuna answers, embarrassed.

"Who does he think he is?" Tidus asked in annoyance.

"He's a maester. Better get used to it, ya?" Wakka stated.

The group heads through the gate. Dona and Barthello see this and look on with annoyance, then walk off the other direction.

The sky in the background is gray and cloudy. It almost seems like a dark omen. The group looks on as Seymour approaches a gathering of Crusaders. One of the guards salutes: "All hail Maester Seymour!"

Seymour addresses them: "Brave Crusaders of Spira, protectors of all of Spira. Believe in the path you have chosen, let faith be your strength! I, Seymour Guado, maester of Yevon, will bear witness to your deeds today."

"Sir!" the Crusaders salute in unison.

"What's going on? Why's Maester Seymour backing the Crusaders, eh? They're using Al Bhed's machina! They're violating the teachings!" Wakka complained.

"Even going against the teachings, they're willing to risk it for the greater good. Wakka, I think Maester Seymour sees that too," Yuna replied.

Wakka turns to Lulu and Marina. "Well…what do you think?" he asks.

"Hmmm…I can only speculate," Lulu answers.

"I…I can't read him very well," Marina replied.

"Ask him yourself," Auron suggests to the younger man.

Seymour approaches the guardians, looking first at Yuna, then Auron. "Ah, Sir Auron. It is an honor. I would be most interested in hearing what you've been doing these past ten years."

"I've got nothing to say about it," Auron replies curtly and walks away.

"I…see," Seymour responds. He looks to Yuna. "Sir Auron must be a great asset as a guardian."

"Your Grace!" Yuna exclaims, feeling nervous.

"Please, there's no need for formalities," he tells her.

"Excuse me…Maester Seymour?" Wakka begins. "Why is your Lordship…presently…present her…Sir?"

"Please, speak as you normally would."

"Isn't this operation against the teachings of Yevon? Aren't you gonna stop them?" Wakka asked.

"It's true. I should. However…both the Crusaders and the Al Bhed truly wish peace for Spira. This Operation Mi'ihen was born from that wish they share. Although it may be sacrilege to Yevon, their intentions are pure. And I, Seymour Guado--the person, not the maester of Yevon…as a denizen of Spira, I wish them well in their endeavor."

"But, using machina…that's bad, isn't it?" Wakka asked once more.

"Pretend you didn't see them," Seymour responds calmly. Everyone gasps at his words, but most especially Wakka.

"Beg your pardon, but that's not something a maester should say!" Wakka exclaimed.

"Then pretend I didn't say it."

"You're kidding!"

Seymour doesn't respond, just turns, and walks away.

Marina had noticed Auron bristle at Seymour's question. She watched him walk away, and decided to follow him. She came up beside him and placed her hand on his arm. "Are you all right?" she asked softly.

"It's just…difficult, dealing with questions."

"I understand. I'm here for you…if you want to vent," she told him.

He turned to her, and touched her face. "I know. Thank you. Well," he said, looking back to the others. "We should join the others."

She grabbed the empty sleeve of his robe, stopping him. "Wait…I have a bad feeling about this. I don't think it's going to end well."

"I don't either," he replied. He turned, and headed off toward the other guardians. She followed.

As they head out along Mushroom Rock road, Clasko stops them. "Excuse me, Lady Summoner Yuna?"

"Yes?"

"The command center…Maester Seymour requests your presence there, ma'am."

"Thank you," she replies.

"Take that road to the command center. It's not far. We're still in the midst of preparations this way. Sorry," he apologizes, pointing to a road behind him.

After a fairly long trek down the road Clasko had sent them on, they neared the command center. There they saw Luzzu and Gatta arguing.

"Why only you, sir? I want to fight too!" Gatta complains.

"Orders are order," Luzzu explains.

"I'm not a cadet anymore, sir! Let me go with you, and I'll prove it to them!"

"Guarding the command center is important too, you know," Luzzu reminds him.

"But I came all the way from Besaid to fight Sin, sir!"

"I know, but an order is an order. To your post, Crusader!" Luzzu orders.

"But sir!" Gatta complains once more, but turns and runs away.

The guardians approach Luzzu. "They let you through, huh?" he asks them.

"Gatta deserves better," Tidus starts to say, but Wakka interrupts.

"At least there's no chance he'll get hurt. Why are you guys fighting, anyway? Aren't the almighty Al Bhed machina enough?" Wakka asks angrily.

"They still need some time to get them ready," replied Luzzu. "Our job is to keep Sin at bay till they're done."

Wakka is not at all happy with Luzzu's answer. He turns away from the older man and crosses his arms.

"Wakka…" Luzzu begins nervously. "I might not get another chance to say this. It's about your brother."

"Luzzu, no!" Lulu warns.

"What?" asked Wakka.

"I'm the one who convinced him…to enlist," Luzzu replies quietly.

Wakka looks at Lulu, who gasps and hangs her head. Wakka steps forward to face Luzzu.

"I'm sorry," Luzzu said.

Wakka stands in shock for a few moments, until the anger overtakes him. He belts Luzzu hard in the face. Luzzu falls to the ground, and Wakka moves in to keep attacking, but Tidus grabs a hold of him from behind.

"Wakka! That's enough, Wakka!" Tidus shouts. Wakka stops struggling and Tidus releases him. Luzzu is still lying on the ground.

"When we used to play blitz together, Chappu used to say…He'd say that-when we won the cup, ya?--he'd propose to Lulu. And then one day…he goes off and becomes a Crusader. Just like that," Wakka remembers sadly.

Luzzu stands up, touching the side of his face gingerly. "Chappu also said to me…that being with your girl is good…but keeping Sin far away from her is better."

Wakka turns and faces Lulu. "Lu, you knew?"

"Luzzu told me…before we left," Lulu replied.

"She hit me, too," Luzzu remarked.

Lucil interrupts, riding up on a chocobo. "All Crusaders in the vanguard are to assemble on the beach!" she informs.

"That's my cue," Luzzu tells them as he starts to walk away.

"Luzzu! Don't die out there," Wakka yells to him.

"So you can hit me more?"

"Lots! Lots more!" Wakka agrees.

Luzzu stares at him for a moment, then continues walking. Yuna gasps and steps in front of him.

"Sir Luzzu, please! Please don't go!" she begs.

"I have to, Yuna," he responds.

Auron steps in. "Let him go. The man has already chosen his path…as you did when you became a summoner."

Yuna reluctantly steps out of the way…allowing Luzzu to continue on.

Marina suddenly grips Auron's sleeve. "He isn't coming back," she says ominously.

He just stares at her. "Her power…it must be increasing," he muses. He takes her hand and they follow the others onto the lift that will take them to the command center.

Once at the top, they see several Crusaders standing among a dozen or more cannons. Wakka walks up to one. "Curse these!" he complains as he kicks one, managing to only hurt his foot.

"He really hates them, huh?" Tidus asks.

"Chappu…He left the sword Wakka gave him in Besaid. And he fought with an Al Bhed machina weapon instead," Lulu answered.

"That's got nothing to do with it! I just hate these sacrilegious contraptions!" Wakka insisted.

As they move on, Yuna and Wakka look over the ledge; several Crusaders, some riding chocobos, are lined up. They salute.

In another area, the carriage that Luzzu and Gatta accompanied is opened, and two Crusaders attempt to move the fiend out of it. It jumps out and enters a massive cage to join with other fiends held there.

"It won't work anyway," Wakka insists.

"Don't say that. It might be a hopeless campaign, and it might mean defying Yevon…but the Crusaders and the Al Bhed--they're doing their best to defeat Sin. They want to rid Spira of Sin forever. And that's what we want, too, isn't it?" She turns to Wakka. "Isn't it?" she asks quietly.

"Hmph! All right, all right! But I still think machina are bad news! They're forbidden for a reason!" he argues.

"Lady Summoner! There you are!" Lucil says as she appears. She points toward an area near the edge of the cliff. "The command center is that way. Maester Kinoc is also there."

"Maester Kinoc, too?" Yuna asked.

"Yes. Please hurry, my lady," Lucil added.

At the entrance to the command center, they find Gatta there, guarding it.

"The operation will begin shortly. Please check all of your equipment," he states unenthusiastically.

"Um…you all right?" Wakka asked concerned.

"Of course not! I am here to fight Sin! But they stick me here!" he fumes.

"If you want to prove yourself…" Auron suggested, "first you must complete the tasks you are given."

Gatta hangs his head in contemplation and embarrassment.

As they enter the command area, a pudgy man in a light orange robe comes up and hugs Auron. Marina smiles, sensing Auron's extreme discomfort with the man's actions. "I'd heard from Seymour, but I didn't know if we'd actually meet. Good to see you, Auron! Ten years, is it?" Kinoc asks with a laugh. He turns to Marina next, hugging her as well.

"And you too, Marina? I certainly didn't expect to see you here. How is Aurowen?" he inquired.

"She's doing fine. She really loves the spheres you gave her…thank you for caring so much," she told him.

"Think nothing of it…it was the least I could do," he replied.

As this exchange went on, Lulu turned to Tidus to explain. "That's Wen Kinoc, one of the four maesters of Yevon. He leads the warrior monks and also commands the Crusaders."

Just then, Gatta runs in. "All troops ready to move at your command, sir!"

"Good. Dismissed," Kinoc informed him.

Gatta exits, with Wakka and Yuna following behind him.

"Tell me, Auron," Kinoc continues. "Where have you been the last ten years?"

"We don't have time for this now, do we?" Auron replies in annoyance.

Kinoc doesn't answer him, instead changing the subject. "This plan won't work, you know that. We'll just let them dream a little longer."

Tidus, who had overheard him, asks "What?" in confusion.

"Lord Kinoc," Seymour warns.

"Oh yes. Proceed," Kinoc states.

Auron, speaking to Marina, remarks sarcastically: "That Kinoc, a maester?"

"I heard that, Auron," Kinoc chided. "A lot has happened the last ten years. What were you doing, and where?"

"Fulfilling a promise I made to a friend. I still am."

"Just tell me one thing: Have you seen Zanarkand?" Kinoc asked.

Auron replies with a "hmph," choosing to ignore his question, and walks away, taking Marina with him.

He led her off to the side of the entrance, in a back corner where they were alone. "I won't try to keep you from your duties as guardian…but please, promise me you'll be careful," he requested.

"I will…the same goes for you, as well," she said with a hint of a smile. He nodded, and they both headed over to where the others had gathered.

As they all gather round, one of the Crusader captains speaks: "It is time at last. We must tell the Al Bhed waiting outside to begin the operation. The fiends may break through. This place is not safe. Make sure you're prepared to defend yourselves. Tell me when you're ready."

They assure him they are prepared. "Maester Kinoc," the captain responds.

Kinoc steps forward, on to a platform hanging over the ledge.

"Will Sin come?" Yuna asked.

"Sin always returns for its spawn," Kinoc answered. "To make sure, we're going to encourage them to call out to it."

"You won't have to. It'll come," replied Auron.

Tidus stood there, remembering what Auron had told him earlier. "Sin is my old man. Sin is Jecht," he thought.

The ground shakes, as the cage of the fiend is electrified. Everyone is watching closely, on their guard. The ground trembles again, and the largest fiend escapes. The Crusaders are occupied on the shore, so Yuna and her guardians are forced to battle the fiend.

**************************************************************** ************************************

On the beach a shadow covers most of the sand. The shadow rises; it is Sin. Chocobo Knights are lined up on the beach.

"Let's go!" Lucil shouts.

Sin sits, looming massively. The Al Bhed cannons are fired. Each hit cause chunks of Sin's skin to fall to the ocean below. Once they hit the water, they become jellyfish-like fiends. Lucil leads the charge of the chocobos forward, they all storm the beach line.

"Look out!" Auron warns with a shout.

Sin appears fully, as it drops its outer skin of fiends. A large energy barrier surrounds it. The barrier extends outward. In the shallow waters near the shore, Crusaders battle the sin spawn. When the energy burst reaches them, they are instantly disintegrated. Most of the people on the cliff above are knocked unconscious.

Yuna awakes, face down on the ground. She looks up and discovers the fiend they had just battled is once again alive and attacking. Seymour is there alone, trying to hold the sin spawn back. With a combination of strength and magic, he is able to push the fiend back. Yuna stands up and looks around. Auron is also there, and heading toward Seymour. She joins him.

"Stand back, Lady Yuna, " Seymour warns her.

"Y-yes," she answers.

**************************************************

Afterwards, Yuna looks around frantically. "The others?" she cries with concern. She runs to the edge of the cliff, watching Sin.

The Al Bhed weapon powers up. In the watch tower of the weapon sit several Al Bhed. They take aim at Sin, and the main operator slams his fist down on a large button, firing off a beam of energy. The beam strikes the barrier around Sin, which remains strong. The Al Bhed attempt to send out a stronger beam, but that just causes a portion of the barrier to jab forward, smashing the watch tower. The tower blows up and Sin's barrier disappears. Sin submerges and swims away. Yuna looks on in shock and horror.

A loud rumbling is heard. On the beach, debris and broken bodies are scattered everywhere. Among it, Tidus lies face down. He struggles to raise his head. When he does, he sees the destruction all around him. He gets to his knees, and then stands up, and begins searching the beach. He eventually finds Gatta, crouched and rambling incoherently.

"What's going on? Why? What? What's going on!" he screams.

Sin sinks into the water and starts to swim away. Tidus sees this and begins to shout at it. "Don't you run away from me!" He runs into the water and dives in, swimming after Sin.

Yuna, watching everything, begins to shout: "Everyone, stand back! I'll summon!"

"You won't hurt it. Your powers are still…too weak," Seymour tells her.

"But I must do something!" she argued.

Seymour shakes his head. Yuna turns away and begins twirling her staff.

"You can't!" Seymour yells.

Back in the water, Tidus swims swiftly after Sin. He realizes it is useless and stops.

"I have no idea what I was thinking, running after Sin. But here I am, chasing him down like a thief at market. I don't know if I am just angry, or if I just want to go home. I keep thinking of Zanarkand, and my old man," he thought.

Under the water we see a strange scene appear; a big grayish tree looms in the background, as do several other smaller trees and shrubs. Behind them, the "sky" flashes with constant streams of blue light. Several faded images of people are seen walking about; one of them is Luzzu. He stands in the middle of it all, shaking his head sadly. Among all the faded images, one person is solid, a mysterious child-size person. He walks up, shakes his head and steps aside. A blitzball is left in his place. The blitz ball moves forward, and one of Tidus' memories is seen.

It is night time as the child Tidus stands on the deck of his families house boat, staring out at the sea.

"What?" Jecht asks in annoyance.

"They say you don't practice anymore, that you're gonna retire," Tidus states.

"Let them talk. I'm still the best."

"They say you're no good 'cause you drink all the time."

"I can quit drinkin' when ever I want!" Jecht argued.

"Then do it now."

"What did you say?" Jecht insisted angrily.

"You just said you can!"

"Heh. Tomorrow, maybe."

"Why not today?" the young Tidus asks.

"Why do today what you can leave for tomorrow?" Jecht replied.

The child vision of Tidus vanishes.

"There he goes again…crying!" Jecht complains.

Auron searches for Marina, hoping she didn't end up thrown off the cliff. Relief floods his heart when he finds her sitting near the entrance of the command area.

"Are you hurt?" he asks with concern as he kneels beside her.

Marina looked up at him and smiled, hoping to reassure him. "I'm fine...just a bit shook up. The others?" she asked worriedly, always the mother.

"I haven't found them yet...let's go look," he informed her as he helped her to her feet, and they head off toward the shore.

Tidus finds himself on the beach again, sitting...thinking. "I thought I sensed my old man there, somewhere...Or maybe it was just Sin's toxins playing tricks on my mind. How many people died today?" He watches as Yuna performs yet another sending. Circles of light and energy surround her.

"People die, and Yuna dances. When will she stop dancing? When will it stop? Yuna won't stop dancing--not until Sin is gone."

Marina stands off to the side, up near the cliff, watching Auron walk over to Tidus. She can hear him as he addresses the younger man.

"I see you're still here."

"Huh?" Tidus asked confused.

"Many stories ended here today...but...yours goes on I see," Auron replied, and then walked away, leaving Tidus alone...pondering.

He jumps up and follows a few moments later...stumbling into a conversation between Auron and Kinoc.

"A swift retreat. Satisfied?" Auron asked in annoyance.

"What do you mean?" Kinoc inquired.

"Those who turned from Yevon died, while the faithful live on."

"These past ten years have changed you, I see," Kinoc observed as they parted ways.

Marina is just about to approach Yuna when Seymour joins the younger woman. Marina stops, just far enough away to seem unobtrusive...but still able to hear their conversation.

"You do not look so well. But now more than ever, you must be the people's strength, their confidence," Seymour reminds her.

She looks as if she is about to cry...and Marina is annoyed with Seymour for his callousness.

"Anyone else would be expected to show their sorrow. But you...are a summoner. You are Spira's hope. Until Sin is defeated, you must not relent. Do you understand?" he asks.

"Yes. I understand."

"Are you afraid?"

She smiles at him, trying to assure him.

"Yuna, take me as your pillar of strength. As Yunalesca had her Lord Zaon."

Anger and shock flashed through Marina as she heard his last words.

"Lady Yuna. Until next we meet, farewell," he wishes her. She gives him the sign of prayer as he walks away.

Meanwhile, Tidus has joined up with Auron again.

"Sin is Jecht," Auron states as the younger walks up beside him.

"Yeah. For a while there...I thought I could feel him. But that doesn't mean I believe you," Tidus remarks.

"Sin is Jecht. He came for you," Auron insisted.

"So he killed all those people just for a chance to see me?"

"That's what Sin does. He wanted to show that to you. Do you know why?"

"How am I supposed to know?" Tidus asks with annoyance.

"So you would kill him. As long as he is Sin, Jecht will keep killing. He wants you to stop him."

"You gotta be kidding. How do you know all of this, anyway?"

Auron laughs and begins to walk away.

"I'm not done talking to you! Don't you run away!" Tidus yells after him.

"You're the one running," Auron answers as he heads over to Marina.

Tidus catches up to them as they join the others, waiting for them back up on the cliff. Everyone starts back down the road toward the Djose temple...all but Kimahri and Tidus.

Yuna notices this and shouts back to them "Hey, you two! Hurry up!" as she heads down the road.

"She's awfully cheerful," Tidus remarked.

Kimahri is ahead of Tidus, but stops and turns to face Tidus. "In dark times she must be. She must shine bright. Now are dark times. Yuna tries hard," he states.

"We should help her then," Tidus replied.

"If we worry, she tries harder. Do not frown." Kimahri turns and begins to walk away. Tidus follows.

"Don't worry, be happy?" Tidus asks.

Kimahri stops and faces Tidus again. "Kimahri try, too."

"Smile! Let me see," Tidus tells him.

Kimahri crosses his arms and tries smiling. His smile makes his mouth look more like a hissing cat.

"Sad..." teases Tidus.

As Auron and Marina walk together, they talk.

"I sensed anger and shock from you a moment ago. What's wrong?" Auron inquired.

Marina stopped and turned to him. "What?" she asked, a bit surprised.

He laughed. "Our link, remember? Can't you feel it growing stronger?" he replied.

"Oh...yes. I have noticed it. I was just so overwhelmed by all that had happened...the pain and sorrow I felt form everyone...I didn't think about you sensing me."

"Well?" he asked again...in reference to his earlier question.

"I--I can't really talk about it here. Not yet, but I promise to share it with you soon," she replied.

He nodded, accepting her answer. He felt he couldn't very well push her...knowing his own tendency for secrets.

"How are you dealing with all of this? All the questions...trying to keep the past ten years hidden?" she inquired. She had sensed his unease under Kinoc's questioning.

"It's difficult. But having you with me helps," he answered, as they moved on.

Further along the Djose highroad, they stop at a fork in the road.

"Hey! How much longer till Zanarkand?" Tidus asked.

"Still a ways," answered Wakka. "First down the Moonflow to the Guado City of Guadosalam...then we cross the Thunderplains to the temple of Macalania."

"Oh boy," complained Tidus.

Marina interrupts. "In Guadosalam, may I have a little time to talk to my sister?"

"I think that will be fine. But before that, we get to pray at the temple in Djose!" Yuna exclaimed.

"We can't just skip all that...can we huh?" Tidus asked,

"I have to pray to the Fayth in every temple in order to earn the Final Aeon."

"That's a summoner's training. She's gotta prepare mind and body, all just to get ready for the Final Summoning," Wakka replied.

"Must be tough, Yuna," Tidus remarked.

"I'll be fine with you here!" she assured him.

Everyone heads down a path toward the Djose Temple. Auron and Marina bring up the rear, following behind Tidus. Auron calls out to the younger man, stopping him. "Hey new guy."

"Uh…me?" Tidus asks.

"Who else?"

"What can I do for you, boss?" Tidus inquires almost teasingly.

"Don't tell Yuna you know about Sin and Jecht," Auron begins but pauses when he sees the worried glance Tidus was giving Marina. Auron laughed softly. "Don't worry…she knows. Anyway, you know Yuna…she would…distance herself from you. We do not want that."

"I see. I think. Yeah, but even if I did say something. No one would believe me, you know?" Tidus replied.

"Yuna would," Auron stated. Marina nodded in agreement. She knew that Yuna was growing close to Tidus…and she tended to trust easily.

"Ah…you have a point. Come to think of it…did I really have to know about Jecht? What about my feelings?" Tidus asked.

"Better than you finding out at a critical moment, becoming emotional."

"What? Me, emotional?" the younger man protested.

Auron starts down the path, Marina beside him. "I heard you were quite the crybaby," he called back as he walked away.

Along the path to the temple, they meet up with the three Chocobo Knights they had met the day before. Only this time…there was only one chocobo with them.

"Yuna, it is good to see you and your companions are well," Lucil remarked.

"Yourselves as well, Captain. We were worried. Praise be to Yevon!" Yuna replied.

"We escaped with our lives, but our troops were decimated," Lucil continued.

"Of all our chocobos, only this one made it," added Elma.

"We make a pretty poor Chocobo Mounted Forces without chocobos," Clasko responded.

"We turned our backs on the teachings…and cast away our faith. This…this is our just reward," Lucil remarked sadly.

Marina walked over to the distraught woman and placed her hand on her arm. "Don't say that. You chose to fight because you wanted to end the suffering of Spira. That is a noble thing. The deaths…the destruction…that isn't punishment for making that choice. It happened because Sin is just too strong. Please don't blame yourself."

Lucil nodded…and watched as the group continued on their journey.

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