Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ A Separate Thread ❯ Tears of the Weaver ( Chapter 9 )

A Separate Thread

Chapter 9: Tears of the Weaver

Yuna sits on a bench outside the manor, head down. Lulu begins to speak. "Yuna, the high summoner's daughter, Seymour the leader of the Guado. Married in the name of Yevon, over coming the barriers of race. It would give Spira something cheery to talk about, for a change," she mused.

"Sounds just like a passin' daydream, like Auron says," Wakka groused.

"Come on, let's just get on with the pilgrimage! I mean, marriage?" Tidus said in annoyance.

"Hmmm...Jealous?" Rikku teased.

"What? No way! We gotta defeat Sin. Romance can wait!" Tidus insisted heatedly, trying to hide his true feelings, even from himself.

"He sure picked a fin time to lay this one on us," commented Wakka.

"Maybe it is a fine time," Yuna said.

"You serious?" asked Tidus.

"If my getting married would help Spira...if it would make people happy," she paused. "If I could do that for people...maybe I should do what I can. I never imagined doing anything like this. But, I won't answer till I know what's right," Yuna answered them.

"Seriously?" Tidus asked.

"You could always just quit your pilgrimage and get married," Rikku suggested.

"I will...go on," Yuna replied. "I'm sure that Lord Seymour will understand."

"Um...I guess so..." Rikku said, unconvinced.

"I am a summoner! I must fight and defeat Sin," Yuna told her.

"Like Lord Braska before you," Auron stated.

Yuna nods. Marina notices the look of hurt and anger on Tidus' face. She is beginning to sense his feelings...his emotions are so strong she can almost hear his thoughts. She knows he is wondering why no one asked if she even liked Seymour...much less loves him. Marina knew the girl didn't love Seymour...and that her heart truly longed for the boy. She hoped she would make the right decision.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Yuna spoke again. "I'm going to the Farplane. I am going to see my father and think on this," Yuna announced.

"Go on, we'll be right behind you," Lulu answered.

The group traveled the intricate passageways to the upper level of Guadosalam where the corridor to the Farplane lay. In the corridor, and up the stone steps to a rippling bluish portal, pyreflies fly around them.

"Question!" Tidus began. "About this Farplane...when somebody dies, a summoner sends them to the Farplane, right? So their souls, or whatever they are, they go to the Farplane, right? But that's the Farplane we're going to, right? And Yuna's old man's there, too? Do dead people live there or something?' He pictures himself in a dark place surrounded by various ghosts and spirits. He shudders.

"You're thinking those funny thoughts again, ya?" Wakka asks.

Tidus laughs nervously. Lulu sighs in annoyance. "You'll see when we get there," Wakka finishes.

"Don't tease him," Marina scolded. "The Farplane is the place where pyreflies, born from a sending, gather. They appear in the shape of those who have died and passed on to the Farplane. The Al Bhed believe that pyreflies are just reacting to visitors' thoughts and dreams. But only the dead has been known to appear on the Farplane. As far as we know, no image of the living has ever been seen. Many people feel that perhaps the dead leave a bit of themselves in the hearts of the living, and that little bit borrow the pyreflies power for their image to be seen," she said. "But....while a good theory...it doesn't explain why we are able to interact with those on the Farplane, if they so wish. It's a mystery we might never know," she finished.

"What exactly are pyreflies?" Tidus asked her.

"Well, I am not exactly sure. They aren't really an insect. They are...like orbs of energy. They seem to be responsible for many fantastic phenomena. Visions of the past, spheres, fiends--these are all brought about by pyreflies. They even have something to do with aeons. The dreams of the Fayth reach through the spirit of the summoner...and that which is unreal becomes real for all to see," Marina finished, looking toward Auron, confusing Tidus. Tidus nods his head absentmindedly, pushing the thought aside.

Most of the group heads up the final stairway to the Farplane. Tidus notices Auron sitting on the steps further down. His face is turned away, looking off the walkway. Marina is to his left, sitting on the ledge of the walkway. Tidus walks back down to him, asking:" Aren't you coming?"

Auron sighs. "I do not belong there," he replies. Marina, aware of his distress, places her hand on his shoulder.

"Mmmm hmmm hmmm..." Tidus comments. "You're scared."

"Searching the past to find the future...this is all that is there. I need it not. You'd better be going," he says, gesturing up the stairs with his right hand.

Rikku walks up. "Well, have fun!" she tells him.

"What, you're not going either, Rikku?" he asks.

"I like to keep my memories to myself. Memories are nice, but that's all they are," she explains.

Tidus turns and walks away. He approaches the portal, taps it cautiously, as if testing it, then slowly enters it. Rikku moves off to the side, sitting on the opposite side of the walkway, away from Auron and Marina, sensing they might want to be alone.

Marina leans closer to Auron. "Are you all right?" she inquires. He doesn't answer. He doesn't even look at her.

She sighs. "I can feel your turmoil, you know...." she says softly.

"It's...difficult being here," he replies.

She looks at him silently for a moment. She wanted to ask him...but she was afraid. She took a deep breath and gathered up her courage.

"What you said, searching the past for the for the future, and... how you didn't need it, what...what did you mean?" she asked with worry.

He sighed wearily. "I only said what I could, under the present circumstances. It is not time for Tidus and the others to know about me. And my future....Dammit!" he exclaimed angrily. "Does..." he paused. "Does it really even exist anymore?" he asked angrily.

"Auron...you are my best friend and my forever love. And there is Aurowen. Even thought she hasn't met you, she loves you. She is always asking for stories of you, and the time you and I had together. She loves to watch the sphere of our wedding. And when I found out I was expecting her, and Kimahri told me you were gone, well...Kinoc gave me a few other spheres, of your time together, training for your duties as part of the warrior monks. He wanted your child to know what a strong and honorable man you were. I think those are some of her most treasured possessions. And hopefully..." she continued wistfully, " you have the child we created in Mi'ihen. We need you...you are very important to us. I want your daughter...your children, to know you," she finished softly.

He sat for a moment, mulling over what she said. Finally, he spoke. "Yes, that is our future. We will not find it there," he replied, with a gesture toward the Farplane.

Her hand reached into his collar, cupping his chin as she lifted his head, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Thank you," she told him, smiling.

"For what?" he asked.

"For saying you didn't belong there. I know it's more because you can't go there, because..." she paused. "But it meant a lot to me that you said it, in that way. I mean..." she said flustered.

He took her hand from his face and brought it to his lips, kissing it.

"I understand what you are trying to say. Before I saw you, standing there in Luca, I only had one goal in mind--fulfill my promises to Braska and Jecht. And then my reason for being here would be over. After seeing you, everything changed. I still intend to fulfill those promises, but now I have another goal--to be with you for the rest of your life, to be here for my family. I am bound to you, Marina. You have my heart, my soul, my very being," he told her softly.

"I don't know what to say...I've never heard anything like that from you before," Marina said in surprise.

"Well...death does that to a person," he replied quietly, so as not to be overheard. "It teaches you not to put off telling your thoughts and feelings to the ones you love," he explained.

She nodded. "I had no choice in finding another, you know," she told him. He looked at her intently, confusion showing on his face.

"What you gave up to marry me...to follow your heart, it's more than I could have ever asked for. And then your resolve to follow Braska, to protect him no matter what the cost. You stood by him, when others turned against him because of his love for Brina. There aren't many men like you," she explained to him.

He started to protest, but she interrupted him. "I know, you don't agree with me. But it is the way I feel. No one could love me like you. You don't like to show it...but you love with a fierce strong determination. You fight for and protect the ones you love...you always have. You may think I am crazy, but I haven't wanted anyone else but you. I love you, so very much. You are my heart," she told him, emotion filling her voice.

"I love you as well," he said. He stood, pulling her to him and his lips met hers. They kissed, letting all the love they felt for each other be expressed through that one kiss. Rikku, ever curious, watched them; a smile on her face. It was nice, seeing love like that in such a time of turmoil and pain. She turned away as they parted, standing side by side, waiting for the others to return.

As Tidus entered the Farplane, he noticed he was walking on a large stone platform. He looks around.

"What the…?" he exclaimed in surprise.

He sees Wakka, looking at an image of a young man with red hair, wearing clothing much like Wakka's. Tidus realized that the man must be Chappu, Wakka's younger brother. He looked to the other side of the platform, where Yuna stood watching an image of her parents. The images are transparent, ghost-like, floating in the air just off the edge of the platform.

Below the platform is a massive formation of clouds. A large whirlpool of clouds is off to the side. As the clouds part, mountains with trees can be seen, and a lush field of red, purple and yellow flowers, with pyreflies flitting around them. Beautiful rushing waterfalls are in the distance, also with more pyreflies. The stone platform lies above this massive waterfall and flower fields. Farther off in the distance is a large body of water with huge tunnels of water flowing into the sky. Tidus watches Yuna, who is looking at her parents. Yuna's mother is a beautiful young woman with blonde hair and the Al Bhed green eyes. Her father is dressed like the statues of himself seen in Yevon's temples.

"I can't stop thinking about Yuna…" Tidus thought to himself. "Her parents--they look so happy together. But, maybe seeing them together will make Yuna really consider Seymour's proposal," he worried.

He turns to Wakka, who is speaking to his brother. "Yo, Chappu!" Wakka greets the vision of his brother. "Meant to come see you earlier, ya? Sorry…" he says with a bow. The vision begins to speak, but is interrupted by Wakka. "I know you don't hold it against me."

"Whoa!" Tidus exclaimed. "They can talk?" he asks in surprise.

Wakka looked to Tidus. "Ya, sometimes. It depends. On the person you come to see. Your relationship. Sometimes they got nothing to say. Sometimes it's better to figure things out on your own," Wakka answered.

He turned back to Chappu. "I gave up the game. I'm a guardian from here on, you know?" The image tried to speak again, but Wakka stopped him. "Wait…let me just talk right now, ya?" The image of Chappu nodded and Wakka continued. "This guy here--he looks a lot like you, ya know? He just showed up one day. Traveling with him, hearing his story, I thought maybe…" he pauses, "you were still alive somewhere, ya? But then…here you are on the Farplane. Guess your place is here," he finishes softly. He smiles then. "Oh, I gave him, Tidus, your sword. He likes it."

"Huh?" Tidus remarks when he hears this. He lifts the sword up and looks at it. "Whoa…" he states in odd.

"So how you been?" Wakka questions. Tidus turns away from the conversation, allowing the two brothers to talk in private. He joins Lulu.

"Hey…aren't you gonna talk to him?" Tidus asks.

"He is dead…and I am still alive. Coming here really makes that clear. I should focus more on what I have to do now. Not worry so much about the past. It's time I make peace with that," she answers as if trying to make a point to herself. She laughs self-consciously.

"What?" Tidus asks.

"I'm not even sure of what I am saying," she replied.

"Don't you mean that you should leave Chappu behind? I am sure he was a great guy, but there'll be others. I think he would understand," Tidus answered, trying to sound reassuring.

"Hmmm…that's a possibility," she said, thinking.

"How about…Wakka?" Tidus suggested.

"What, me? With Wakka?" she asked incredulously, looking at him as if he were crazy.

"Yeah, you two get along great!" he exclaimed.

"Getting along isn't enough. Not even close," she stated.

They look back at Wakka, still talking to his brother.

"Oh sorry, my mistake," Tidus apologized.

"You'd do well to remember that. Knowing a bit about women might come in handy some day," she told him.

"Yeah, I'll remember" he replied.

"I won't be forgetting either. Goodbye Chappu…" she said looking back at his image. "You always said I looked grumpy. But those were the happiest days of my life," she said wistfully.

Tidus leaves her with her thoughts, and goes to join Yuna, who seems to have finished her talk with her parents. "So…Yuna?" he asks nervously.

"I've decided," she tells him.

"Oh? Really? That's good…" he states uncertainly.

"I remember, when I was only seven years old that day in Bevelle. My father had defeated Sin, and the whole town was out in the streets. Everyone was laughing. They all seemed so happy. If I defeated Sin, that would make everyone happy…wouldn't it?" She asks, pausing. Tidus starts to answer, but stops, unsure of what to say.

"I must do what everyone wants, not just what I want," Yuna replies. She doesn't sound so sure.

"Let's go back. You gotta tell Seymour," Tidus exclaimed.

"Before that…call Sir Jecht. Give it a try," she said.

"Huh?" asked Tidus, confused.

"Don't worry. He won't come," she assured.

"Trying not to think about my old man made me think about him, of course," Tidus thought to himself.

"See! I told you!" She said, interrupting his thoughts.

"He isn't here because he's not dead. He's Sin," he thought.

"That means he's alive, you know?" she said.

"What if my old man really is Sin? What will I say to Yuna…heck to everybody in Spira? Wait, why should I have to apologize for him anyway?" he thought angrily.

"I'd rather never see him again," Tidus remarked quietly.

"What makes you hate him so?" Yuna asked.

"Everything he does just makes me mad. It was his fault that me and my mother…" he pauses with a gasp as an image of his mother appears. "Mom? It's her!" he exclaimed.

"She's very pretty," Yuna replied. Tidus is silent for a moment.

"But…" he begins softly. "Wait. No one ever preformed the sending for her."

"She must've accepted death while she was still alive," Yuna replied.

"Whoa there, that's my mother you're talking about," he remarked heatedly.

"Oh…I'm sorry…I didn't mean…" Yuna said quickly trying to apologize.

"Nah…it's okay," Tidus said. A realization dawned on him. "Ah…I think I just…figured something out."

"What?" Yuna inquired.

"Why I hate my old man."

Tidus begins to remember. His mother and father are standing on a balcony at home, looking out onto Zanarkand.

"See? So I told him what I thought of him, right there!" Jecht was telling her.

"Wha...? Really?" she asked in disbelief.

"'Course!" he exclaimed.

"I suppose, but…" she began laughing softly.

"Mommy…" a very young Tidus called.

"Just a sec, dear."

Tidus begins to explain, still lost in the memory. "Whenever my old man was around, my mother wouldn't even look at me," he said bitterly. "Maybe that's when I started to resent him, even hate him. When he left us…." He pauses, seeing Jecht fade away in the memory…like he had faded away in life, leaving his mother all alone.

"Mom just lost her energy," he finishes, as another memory surfaces. This time it's Tidus as a little boy, standing out on the outer deck of his home, looking out to sea.

Auron's voice is heard. "Is she all right?"

"Why should you care?" Tidus asks spitefully.

"If she dies, I wouldn't know what to do…" Auron replies, his voice filled with concern.

"Don't say Mom is gonna die!" the child yells.

"I apologize," Auron replies strongly…still not sounding sure of the future…but wanting to calm the boy. He walks away as the young Tidus runs off.

"The old lady next door told me," Tidus continued telling Yuna. "When a love bird dies, the one left behind…it just gives up living so it can join its mate. It was just like that with my Mom. I hated my old man even more. But really, my old man…" he said softly, remembering again…and realizing the truth, as the first memory came to mind again.

"Mommy…."

"Just a sec, dear."

"Ah, go to him. He'll cry if you don't," Jecht told her. The memory fades. He has realized that in his own bumbling way, Jecht didn't want to come between him and his mother. Maybe he even realized how the boy felt.

"Oh man…" Tidus says regretfully, his head hung down. "I must sound so stupid."

"I don't think so," Yuna assures him softly, turning to look at him. He can see the care in her eyes.

"How embarrassing!" he exclaims.

Lulu and Wakka walk up behind them. "Well…need some more time? Wakka asks.

"No, I'm ready," Yuna answers.

Lulu looks at Yuna, then Tidus, and back to Yuna. She senses something has happened between them, but isn't sure what. "Did I miss something?" Lulu questions.

Tidus laughs nervously. They leave the Farplane, joining Auron, Marina and Rikku.

"Thanks for waiting, everyone," Yuna says as they join the others. "I'll go give my answer to Maester Seymour."

Several Guado that are now near the portal entrance gasp. The group looks up toward them, to see a ghostly being beginning to emerge from the portal. The Guado standing there begin to back away in fear.

"Lord Jyscal?" one asks in shock.

"Lord Jyscal!" exclaims another. The being moans.

"He does not belong here," Auron states sternly.

"Why?" Yuna asks, referring to Jyscal's appearance.

"Yuna…send him," Auron orders, his voice sounding strained.

Yuna walks back up the steps to the portal. Auron staggers, his arm lashing out and falls to his knees, groaning in pain. No one but Marina notices this…the rest of the group is too focused on Lord Jyscal. Terrified, she kneels beside him, her mouth open to question. He stops her. "Not now…" he whispers roughly through clenched teeth. She nods…determined to question him about this when they are alone. She places her hand on his shoulder, and his hand moves up to take hers, accepting this small form of comfort from her.

"Lord Jyscal…" Yuna begins.

"He is Lord Jyscal no more. Send him now!" Lulu commands. As instructed, Yuna performs the sending and he vanishes in to pyreflies, but not before dropping a small, blue sphere, which Yuna retrieves.

Auron slowly gets to his feet, with the help of Marina. "Talk later. We leave now," he replies in a tone warning against protest.

They quickly exit the main chamber to the Farplane, and while walking down the corridor back to the main part of Guadosalam, they speak of what has happened.

"Wha…what was that just now? That really Lord Jyscal?" Wakka asked.

"I don't understand how a man like Lord Jyscal could die and not be sent," Yuna mused.

"I would think that he was sent once…but he stayed on Spira. Something, a powerful emotion could have bound him to this world. Such things happen," Lulu remarked.

"That's against the rules, isn't it?" Rikku asked.

"It means he died an unclean death," Auron stated solemnly. Fear grips Marina's heart. Auron feels it, and knows she is worrying about his decision to stay with her. He sends out his love to her, trying to assure her he doesn't regret his choice.

Back in the main part of Guadosalam, the group gathers at the door of the manor.

"I will go…meet with Maester Seymour," Yuna tells them, turning to leave.

"Yuna!" Auron calls, getting her attention. She turns to look at him. "Jyscal is the Guado's problem, not yours."

She just nods, unsure, and turns again…entering the manor. Everyone heads off in different directions.

Tidus joins Lulu. "Um…." He begins.

"What?" she asks.

"So…what do you think about Yuna getting married?"

"As long as the pilgrimage continues, either way is fine," she states.

"That's it? What if she doesn't even like the guy? Is that okay?" he asked angrily.

"People marry for many reasons," she said to him.

"What's that mean?" he asked with annoyance.

"Sometimes marriage doesn't require love, you know? Defeat Sin, and bring joy to the people of Spira. Get married, and bring joy to the people of Spira. For Yuna, they are just two ways down the same road. All you need is determination. If you have that, you don't need love," Lulu remarked.

"I don't know…" Tidus says, sounding unconvinced. "Mmmm…I just don't get it."

"Listen, if Yuna gets married, then I…" she pauses.

"What? That again?" Tidus asked.

"Yes. If she is to marry, I would want her to marry for love," Lulu remarked.

"See?" Tidus stated.

"But if Yuna said she wanted to marry the one she loves, I would have to object," she stated firmly.

"Huh?" Tidus asked, confused. "Uh…you're not making much sense."

"I know…" she said. She already suspected that Yuna was in love with Tidus, and for some reason it concerned her.

"Lulu…" Tidus began.

"I've talked enough about that," she responded firmly.

"What?" he asked defensively.

"I'm sorry, just forget about it," she tells him.

"Jeez! Grumpy!" he grouses.

"You'll understand one of these days. I just don't want to give it words. Not yet." She begins to walk away, but stops, turning back to him. " I shouldn't have to say this, but don't fall in love with her," she warns.

"Too late," he tells her.

"I see. But…" she pauses. "You must keep your feelings inside until the pilgrimage is over," she informs him. They part ways.

Tidus attempts to leave Guadosalam, but is stopped by Shelinda.

"My…was the lady summoner not with you?" she asks.

"No, she's at Seymour's place," he replies.

"That's Maester Seymour or Lord Seymour," she corrects.

"Oh, I'll be careful. Sorry," he apologizes, not really meaning it.

"That's all right. Maester Seymour left Guadosalam a short while ago," she informed him.

"You serious?" he asked in surprise.

"I believe he went to the temple in Macalania. Maester Seymour is also the high priest of that temple."

"Whoa…I gotta tell the others!" he says and starts to leave.

"Wait…" she says, stopping him. "Is a Lady Marina with your group? I am to tell her that her sister, Lady Abra, has left with the Maester. Will you pass it on to her?"

"Sure," he replies, and heads off to find the others.

Yuna stands alone in the manor, looking at Jyscal's portrait. "Lord Jyscal, please tell me. What can I do to help?" she implores of him. She hears Rikku calling to her: "Yuna, lets go!"

She performs the prayer to Jyscal's image, and then leaves the manor to join the others.

"Shelinda said Seymour went to Macarena Temple," Tidus tells her.

"Macalania Temple," Wakka corrects.

"Yeah," Tidus agreed.

"What I don't get is…why would the Lord Maester head off without a peep to anyone?" Wakka asked.

"Maybe he wasn't expecting Yuna's answer so soon," Rikku remarked.

"Ah, that's probably it," Wakka agrees.

Yuna laughs nervously.

"Yuna, what is it?" Auron asks with concern.

"Oh nothing," she says, trying to avoid him.

"Hmm…you're a poor liar," he comments.

"It's true. It's nothing," Yuna insists. "Come on, let's go," she says, changing the subject. They head down the tunnel that leads the way out of Guadosalam.

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