Journey Till The End

by Queen Luana

DISCLAIMER: The characters and places etc. Appearing in this story belong to Squaresoft and are rightfully not mine. Just borrowing them. ;)

Chapter I

The dance

I closed my eyes, I could no longer see it. Pyreflies surrounded the entire town, while the summoner sent the souls of the people we had last to the Farplane. Warm tears ran down my cheek and dripped onto the ground. Beside me I could hear my mother cry over the death of our little brother. Her sobbing were heart crushing.

I eyed the other people of Kilika ; they were all in tears. The summoners guardians stood a couple of feet away from me, all carefully observing the dance. The one standing closest to me was a young main, I guessed he was near 18. His wild blonde hair waved gentle in the cool breeze. A guardian, what would it feel like being one ? Knowing the one you are protecting from death is because… he or she has to die ? I felt my stomach do a back-flip. I knew I could never.

Seeing the pyreflies flying up suddenly I could feel a strange emotion, I believe, a desire. A desire to matter. A guardian, no that was way out of my range. I would not be able to stand by a person like that, knowing I was protecting her for nothing at all. I forced myself to observe the young summoner again. While she danced her brown hair swept around, so did her long blue skirt. The sun reflected on her staf. I knew I could matter. Not a guardian.

I would be a summoner.

After the sending I left immediately, not crying anymore. My journey was set, I knew. As I crawled into my bed I kept staring at the ceiling, or at least, what was left of it. Yes, I would start my pilgrimage tomorrow. I would first recieve my very first aeon in Kilika Temple. Then I would take the ferry to Besaid and then I would travel past Luca. I wouldn’t halt there, I would bring the Calm before the end of this year. While so many ‘would’s ran through my mind, I slowly fell asleep.

I got up early, kissed my mother and left for Kilika Woods. Outside everyone was trying to rebuild our town. It would be a much more simple way if I’d just do that instead of becoming a summoner, but I kept on walking.

Killika Port was quiet. No youthlings running around anymore, no old ladies sitting on the shore, watching the broad ocean. I reached the end of our town and went into the woods. Here I’d have to be more careful. Fiends were lurking between the trees. However, this day I ran into not a single fiend, and I reached the temple in a new record of 7 minutes.

I bounded up the stairs, passing other people who visited the temple to pray. I looked out for the young lady summoner but didn’t see her. She must’ve been tired of her sending the other day. As soon as I enterred the main hall of Kilika temple, I heard the hymn of the fayth. There were four people in the temple. An old couple, praying at High Summoner Braska’s statue and a slightly younger woman who was also praying. The fourth person was the priest standing near the stairs, leading to the chamber of the Fayth. He was the guy I needed.

I greeted him with the prayer and so did he. “Goodday, Jentl,” he said warmly, his face showing even more wrinkles than it already did. “Came to pray for those we lost, have you?” This was it. I vowed my hands and shook my head, sweeping my long brown hair from one side to another. Worried he laid his hand on my shoulder. “Then what is it, dear?”

“I...” I didn’t know if I could say it. The lump in my throat was disturbing. “I want to become a summoner,” I spit out the words.

I heard a few gasps of amazement going through the hall. The old couple did their prayer and when they got up they smiled. The priest however, did not seem as delighted as they did. His hand clasped my shoulder and he gently pulled me with him towards the exit. “Let’s go have a walk, Jentl,” he muttered.

We walked around a bit in front of the temple. “Where did you get this sudden thought from?” he asked. “Was it your family?”

“No, I didn’t even tell them yet,” I mumbled, I didn’t want anyone to overhear our conversation. “It was the sending, last night. I started thinking. What if Sin returns? Then everything will start all over. I want to matter. I want to help our town.”

He sighed and observed me before sighing again. “Jentl,” he then said slowly. “How old are you now.”

“Fifteen, but...”

“Fifteen...” He shook his head in a disapproving way. “You do realise that if you really go on a pilgrimage, you’ll be one of the youngest summoner who ever lived?”

“Yesterday’s summoner was young as wel,” I protested.

“But still quite a few years older than you. Besides, the summoner you saw last night, was Lady Yuna, daughter of High Summoner Braska. She has lived for many years under the circomstances of summoners, Sin and the Calm.”

I was indignant about his reaction. What if I defeated Sin and brought back the Calm? He’d act differently if he knew what great things I would accomplish. Again he clasped my shoulders tighly.

“I’m just an old man and you’re still a young combative woman. If this is what you really want, I can’t stop you. But you do realise what a summoner’s duty is?” I stared straight into his eyes, without blinking, then nodded. He stared back and nodded as well.

“Talk to your family, find a guardian you can thrust and meet me in the temple.” I nodded letting go a little smile and ran down the stairs. “And Jentl!” I stopped and turned around. He gazed at me with a look of pitty. “Take your time.” I continued running.

I just stared at the fish on my plate. My mother had burned it a little and was still sobbing quietly while she, my older brother and I sat at the diner table. Joen, a muscular young man with long, brown, curled hair poured some water in his glass than drunk all in one time. I laid down my fork and knife, breathed in deeply and said in one breath: “I’m gonna be a summoner.”

A glass fell into pieces onto the flour. My brother’s jaw hung loose and his hand was shaking, my mother turned white. I don’t know if it was rage, or fear, probably both. I glanced at both of them and continued. “I’m gonna look for a guardian. Then I’ll recieve an aeon at the temple. And then I’ll travel all around Spira. And I don’t want either of you to stop me.” My lip thrilled. I knew what my mother had been through the last days. Saying this was as hard for her at it was to me. Don’t cry, mother, please don’t.

“Jentl,” Joen finally said after a long silence. “I won’t stop you, but please think all of this through. Just a week ago there already came a new summoner. Remember Dona? And Lady Yuna...”

“I don’t care!” I screamed now on the verge of tears. “Haven’t you heard the rumours? More and more summoners are disappearing! What if they disappear as well, then who’ll beat Sin? But I will find a great guardian, who will protect me! And I’ll make it to the ruins of Zanarkand and you’ll be proud, just wait! Entire Kilika will be beaming with pride! I’ll be the youngest High Summoner who ever lived!” I stood up and left the room. Inhaling deeply I threw myself onto my bed, afterwards I burst into tears.

Chapter II

Audax, Pyrefly and I

“Haven’t you ever thought of being a guardian, Audax?” I dropped a hint with a little blush on my cheeks. It was midday. Until now, I hadn’t find anyone who was willing to be my guardian. Most probably because I hadn’t asked anyone. Audax shrugged and dipped his pensil into the brownish paint.

“I don’t know, why?”

“Oh, just... You know,” I muttered.

He slowly and carefully painted a beautiful flower on my upper shoulder, then decorated it with lines and bows. Audax was the newest member of our beloved Kilika Beasts. He was keeper and was darn good at it as well. He was slightly muscular and half a year older than me. He always wore a short and a loose white shirt, different from all the other players of the Kilika Beasts. I was friendly with all of them, but I had a special place in my heart for Audax. And, so I heard, so did he with me.

He softly blew on my shoulder. “There, done.” I looked at it and smiled.

“Thank you.” Then I gazed at the calm ocean.

“You seem a little absent, today,” Audax suddenly declared.

“I – uh – don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mumbled.

“Come on, what?” he said stabbing me with his elbow.

“No I...”

“Eeeeey! What are the two love birds talking about, huh?” Audax grinned.

“Shut it, Isken!” he said. Isken just laughed loudly and wrapped his arms around the both of us.

“Love is in the –aiiiiir!” he sang to the melody of the hymn.

I slapped him in the face. “Leave it, we’re not a couple. I need to tell him something.”

“You wanna kiss him?” Isken grinned and pouted his lips.

This time Audax slapped him. “Get lost.”

“Oh come on! All of your most erotic secrets are safe with me,” Isken dared us. “Just tell your uncle Isken, baby!” He pulled me tightly against his chest.

“I don’t want to!”

“Come on, Jenny!”

“I don’t...”

“Show it to the world!”

I pushed him off. “I’m going on a pilgrimage!” I screamed irate.

They both turned pale. I could not look at them anymore and turned away.

“Jen, geez, I’m so sorry,” Isken whispered. After those words we were all struck dumb.

“W-When?” Audax finally stumbled.

“I don’t know,” I sighed pressing my eyelids closed with my hand. “I mean, I’m not even a summoner yet nor do I have a guardian but my decision is made, I’m leaving.” Isken clapped his hands and stood up after Audax had looked at him.

“I’m just gonna, you know, inform the guys...” After that he ran off. We were silent for a while. Then Audax turned to me.

“Jentl, I know you for a long time now and, although I am aware that ones you’ve found your guardian you leave, I’d be honoured, Jen. And with your approval, I’d like to be your guardian.” I didn’t know anything to say in response. I wanted him with me, that’s what I had been thinking of all day. My long pause made him think I turned him down. “Uh, if you don’t want me to be...”

I grabbed him at his shoulders. “Of course I want you! I want you more than anyone in all of Spira!” I quickly released him.”But what will your parents say?”

“What did your’s say?”

I swallowed away the lump and stared at my feet. “They weren’t that happy.” He slightly nodded. “I’m sorry.” He hugged me and I closed my eyes. Something comforting went through me as he gently hold me in his arms. He’d be with me through all the hard times. Till the end.

Audax paced up and down in front of the stairs leading to the chamber of the Fayth. I had been in there for hours and he was slowly getting tired of waiting. Wait... Step step step, his footsteps echoed through the room. What time would it be? Near sundown? Step step step. He threw one look upon the door of the chamber the continued. Step step step. He ran up the stairs till the center, then ran down again and continued pacing. Step step step. He heard a soft rumble en then the door of the chamber slid open.

It was as dark back in the hall as it had been inside the chamber. The only light came from four torches, each placed in the corners of the room. As I staggered inside, everything turned in front of my eyes. Vaguely, I could see Audax standing near the stairs. I sank down onto my knees, all energy had been drained away, since that Fayth flew straight through me. I heard the heavy steps of Audax striding up the stairs and soon I felt his hands around my shoulders.

“Jentl? Can you hear me?” I threw my arms around his neck happily.

“I did it, Audax, I did it. Now I’m a summoner. Now I can make Kilika proud.” Then I dozed off in his arms.

As the light outside the temple shined on my face I smiled. Audax supported me while we walked across the courtyard. He kept mumbling something in the way off:

“You can’t handle this, Jentl, you’re too young.” Hell, I wasn’t! I was a summoner, if I had been too young I was probably still inside praying. People ran to me and prayed.

“It’s okay,” I whispered and stood on my own legs. It was my first day as a summoner and already everyone adressed me with ‘Lady Jentl’ or ‘Lady Summoner’. I smiled and prayed for them as well. I was so happy. Never before had I been that happy in my entire life.

“Lady Jentl.”

An old lady approached me with unsteady steps. She held a long light blue staf in both her hands with at the end a round ball. She held it out to me.

“It was my daughter’s. She wanted to become a summoner just like yourself, until Sin came.” A tear ran down her cheek and she closed my hand around it, tightly.

“I want you to have it, Lady Jentl, please show us your summon.” I eyed the staf and then turned to Audax. He just nodded and I knew what to do.

Everyone slowly backed off as I raised the staf. This was my moment, my pride. I swept it around and a large red glyph appeared on the ground, shining brightly. I kneeled and the ground was torn appart by a huge beast. It roared mighty as I was thrown into the air. I did not show any fear, there was no need to be afraid either. This was my aeon, my very first aeon. He was firy red and had large black horns. As we came down he carefully placed me on his shoulder and we landed on the ground he put down and roared again. Some younger kids ran of in fear. I caressed his head.

“Your name will be Mammoth.” He roared terrifying and the people surrounding us prayed. Only Audax didn’t. That did it. That was the start of my pilgrimage.

The whole town came to see us off. I was surprised, but most of all touched. They did care. Even my mother and brother came. Although mum was still very sad and actually didn’t want me to leave, she made me a shoulder bag of Coyote leather and stuffed it full of Potions and Phoenix Downs and Remedies. I promised her I’d send her a sphere every time I stayed the night at a town. I was wearing what I found the best outfit for going on a pilgrimage. Firm mountain boats and a long dark reddish cape with a cap. White top and sand-coloured shorts. Beside Audax, I wasn’t travelling alone. Our dog which we named Pyreflywould go along on my pilgrimage. And the Kilika Beasts would go along till Luca, where the Blitzball Season was about to begin.

“All aboard!” the captain yelled. All the habitants of Kilika started waving and shouting.

“Travel safe, Lady Jentl!” “Good luck!” “May fiends stay away from your path!”

I waved when the first tears burned in my eyes. This was it. This was the last time I would ever see the town where I grew up. I prayed for them. Some kids jumped into the water and tried to swim after us but soon their mums called them back. It only took a few minutes, then Kilika went out of sight.

Chapter III

Besaid

We arrived at Besaid rather quickly. A priester came to greet us when we set foot on the shore. “Welcome to Besaid, Lady Summoner,” he greeted and prayed.

“My name is Jentl,” I prayed. “I wish to visit your temple.”

“Of course, Lady Summoner.” Pyrefly saw some kids play on the beach with a Blitzball and quickly left to join their fun. Meanwhile, Audax and I went to the town of Besaid. We encountered a few Coyotes on the way, but arrived safely without any need of Potions nor Remedies.

The temple of Besaid wasn’t as large as the one back at Kilika. But it had nearly the same structure. The Cloister of Trials didn’t earn it’s name. All we had to do was move one sphere and we already reached the hall leading to the Chamber of the Fayth.

“So uh, guess you’re going in again huh?”

I turned to Audax. “Yes.”

“What actually happens in there?”

I sighed impatient. “Can’t this wait?”

“I’m just curious.”

“So, it can wait,” I said and walked up the stairs. “Jentl!” I stopped.

“You were so, exhausted, last time. What happens?”

I smiled. “It takes lots of energy.” “Oh...” He stared at the ground.

“Anything else?” He shook his head. I turned and enterred the chamber.

After obtaining my second aeon, Aero, we stayed the night in the boat. Then I remembered what I promised my family and left the boat. With the sphere in my hands I took shots of all Besaid. The shore, the temple, the waterfall. Plus I summoned my newest aeon for them. Then I found a nice quiet spot near a lake where I took my time to talk.

“It’s great out here, Besaid is really beautiful and the people are so nice,” I told. “But, although it’s only a day, I already miss you. I also now just realise I can tell you whatever you want, you’ll never answer. But, maybe it’s best that way. I... I don’t wan’t anyone to distract me from my duty. I must finish my pilgrimage.”

We left Besaid at daybreak. That’s one town, how many yet to come? I counted on my fingers. Djose, Macalania... “Something’s up?” Audax asked as he leaned over beside me to watch the ocean.

“Four more,” I said. “Including Zanarkand, four more temples to go.”

He sighed. “You’re really looking forward to it, aren’t you?”

I looked at him as if he had just wished for Spira’s end. “Of course I am, once it’s over the Calm will come.”

“You do realise that’s not all?” he asked. I casted my look on the calm water. “Yes.”

“And that doesn’t matter to you?”

I glared at him. “You know, Audax, the moment you asked to be my guardian I thought that would mean you’d be at my side and approve my decisions.” Ashamed he looked away. “Actually I didn’t want you to go on a pilgrimage at all. I just came along because, well... I wasn’t able to say goodbye that early.”

I sighed irritated. “I don’t believe it! That’s all?” He nodded. “That’s just great! I thought you were really for me!When the time comes, you’re even gonna try to stop me, aren’t you?” I cried. The Kilika Beasts noticed my outburst. “That’s just great, Audax! That’s great!” I breathed fast, tired of shouting. The following moments, niether of us were able to speak.

“Trouble in paradise,” Deim muttered to his comrads. I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind by listening to the rushing of the ocean.

“I promise...” I glanced at Audax. “I won’t stop you.”

My tongue ran over my lips. “You mean that?”

He looked at me, his face red of tears. “Do I look like I don’t mean it?” he yelled and whiped his tears away. I went quiet and heard him weeping silently. I didn’t know what to say. What could I say? I wanted him with me, but he was, emotionally, not ready to be a guardian. But seeing him like that brought a lump in my throat, yet again.

“Jentl, I’m sorry,” he shrieked. “But I mean, you’ve been my best friend since I came to Kilika Port. And now knowing you’re leaving. The Calm will be so strange without you. While you were in the chamber of the Fayth yesterday it only reached my mind, what after you beat up Sin?” “Nice wording,” I smiled. He didn’t confirm it funny.

“Well, what do I do afterwards? Enjoy the beginning of the Calm?” I had no answer to it.

“I never ordered you to become my guardian, I didn’t even ask,” was all I could say, and I assumed it was enough.

Chapter IV

On our way to Luca

It took us quite a while to arrive at Luca. After one night we still weren’t there. Audax and I barely spoke. I wondered what was to become of us, a guardian and his summoner arguing wasn’t right. I just waited alone in my room, till we would finally arrive at Luca. From there, it would just be Audax, Pyrefly and I.

I woke up at noon, then I went for a walk on the deck. Beside Audax, the Kilika Beasts, Pyrefly and I there were barely people on the ship. I wondered whether I would once have the pleasure of meeting Lady Yuna again. She was, just as myself, a young summoner, someone who would understand how I felt. Till then, I was the only one who did. When I was gazing at the wide open sea, Audax also walked by. We glanced at each other for a moment, then he proceeded walking without saying anything at all. The Kilika Beasts were practicing some shots on the deck. At least they were having fun. Since I had lots of spare time I spend it watching them and cheering.

“Let’s do that Volley Shot again, right guys?” Kuluka proposed.

“RIGHT!”

It was quite a sight seeing three of them performing the Volley Shot at the same time.

“Go Kilika Beasts!” I screamed. “Woohoo!”

They smiled and bowed. I laughed. “Isn’t Audax practicing with us?” Deim suddenly said.

“No, I believe he and the summoner would better go straight on to Djose Temple,” Kuluka stated. I bit my nails. Of course, the tournament.

“Then who will be keeper?”

I stood up and quietly walked inside. I found Audax downstairs, practicing. He bounced a Blitzball on his knee, then on his chest, tapped it with back of his heel and back on his knee. I went down the stairs and covered his eyes. The ball dropped onto the flour and slowly rolled to the other side of the room. “Guess who?” He smiled and pulled my hands away.

“Oh, I thought it was Isken.” I gave him a friendly smack on the shoulder.

“That’s mean,” I mumbled. He grinned then wrapped his arm aroun my shoulders.

“We cool again?” I smiled and nodded.

“They’re waiting for you outside.”

“Huh?”

I smirked. “You guys are never gonna win the tournament if you don’t even practise together.” He beamed and kissed me on the cheek.

“Thanks, Jen!” He bounded up the stairs and I heard the door fell shut. All I could do was rub the cheek he had kissed. I closed my eyes and pictured him touching me, holding me, kissing me. I quickly woke from the fantasy. What was I thinking! He was my guardian, my friend! It was almost like betraying him, betraying my duty as a summoner. I liked him, but that’s all!

Chapter V

Walking the Mi’ihen Highroad

Not long after Audax and I made up, we moored at Luca, where some speechers introduced us. “They had a rough time back home, and still they’re here to entertain us! Give it up ladies and gentlemen for the Kilika Beasts!” Proud and full of triumph our beloved Kilika Beasts set foot into Luca. I smiled.

“This time that trophy goes back to Kilika!” Audax shouted and they all let go yells of agreement. I just clapped my hands. Audax turned around and smiled at me. I just waved.

“The first match is the Al Bhed Psyches versus the Besaid Aurochs,” Isken informed while they were in their dressing rooms.

“Besaid Aurochs? I heard they sucked last year,” I said sitting down next to Audax on one of the benches.

“And the years before that,” he grinned. I laughed loudly.

“And after that it’s us versus... oh-oh...” Isken slowly turned pale. “The Luca Goers.” There were several groans.

“Those guys always win!” Deim cried.

“I heard they went to Kilika temple to pray for some competition, show offs,” Audax muttered and kicked hardly against the blitzball, causing it to fly across the room. He peeked at me. “It’s probably best you go get yourself a seat. It ain’t that easy to get one.”

I jumped to my feet and walked over to the door. “Okay, good luck guys!”

“See yah.”

Almost entire Spira was there to watch the Blitzball Tournament. Even Maester Seymour, one of the Four maesters, was there. I found myself a good spot. From where I was sitting I had a clear view on the sphere. Speaking of which... I quickly held out one from my shoulder bag and turned it on at the moment they started filling the sphere with clear blue water. First came the Besaid Aurochs which, to my greatest surprise, was under command of one of Lady Yuna’s summoners.That oughta mean she was there too! I looked around the stadium but it wasa meaningless effort. There were far too many people. However, the Besaid Aurochs strangely enough won the game from the Al Bhed. Everyone cheered went they went back to their dressing rooms.

“What a surprise, ladies and gentlemen! The Besaid Aurochs won and are going to the finals! Next round, the Kilika Beasts versus our very own Luca Goers!” I cheered harder than anyone in the stadium when the Kilika Beasts under the lead of Kulukan swam into the sphere.

“Come guys! Yeah!” I screamed and whistled. I saw Audax waving at me and as soon as his team mates sawme they joined in. Audax took his place near the goal and everyone split up, so did the Luca Goers. “Everyone in their places? Three, two, one... BLITZ OFF!”

The ball shot up and was immediately caught by Isken, who quickly made his way to the opponent’s goal.

“As you might know, the Kilika Beasts have a new keeper! We’ll see how that guy’ll keep up!” Isken dodged incoming tackles from the Luca Goers and headed straight for their keeper. “And Isken of the Kilika Beasts is approaching the goal, he gets ready to shoot and... AW! Venom tackled by Bickson and he takes the ball! That’s gotta heart, people!” There was a loud groan heard among the audience and even I clenched my teeth in pain. “And Bickson is making his way to the Kilika Beasts’ goal.” I crossed my fingers. Come on, Audax! “He shoots!” The ball shot at an amazing speed towards our goal and almost all supporter’s of Kilika jumped up. Audax reached out and easily caught the ball in the palm of his hand.

“Great save by Kilika’s new keeper!” There were loud cheers heard and he threw the ball back in the game. “We’ll be seeing more of that young man soon but oh-oh, Bickson doesn’t look that happy! He’s picking a fight with Kilika’s keeper!” I could see Bickson pushing Audax hard in the chest in a threatening way. Audax swung his fist at him. That did it. In less than a second he and Bickson were at each other’s throat.

“Hey!” I let go a yell. “Knock it off!”

No one’s attention was with the game anymore; everyone was looking at the battle between Bickson and Audax. Bickson smacked Audax in the face but Audax immediately thumped him in his stomach, causing him to collapse with pain. The other Luca Goers now joined the fight. I knew Audax was a though guy, but when I saw Graav and Balgerda interfiering, I knew he was in trouble.

“Aw! The Luca Goers are really giving that guy everything they got! Aw... that’s gotta hurt!” Their were gasps of horror between the people of Kilika, but loud cheers and applause at those of Luca. And before you could say Blitzball, the audience was beating each other up as well. But I couldn’t keep my eyes off of Audax. He was injured badly. One more knock would floor him. It did. After Graav hit him ain the face ones more his eyes fell shut and he slowly sank to the bodem of the sphere. I gasped for breath, my face turned white of rage and fear. I couldn’t think clear anymore. Before I knew what I was doing I had already raised my staff and summoned Mammoth.

I jumped onto his back and together we strode to the sphere. Audax had already fallen out of it and was lying unconcious on the ground bellow. Roaring, Mammoth kept people away from us. I searched my bag for Potions. God, I only had four with me! I quickly poured a first one down his throat. Nothing. Then a second. “Audax? Can you hear me? Say something if you can!” He just groaned quietly. “Mammoth lay him on your back.” With his strong paws he lifted Audax from the ground and threw him over his shoulder. I pulled him along at his necklace. “Come on, to the lockers.”

“I’ll – be fine...”

“No you won’t! Forfeit the game!” I ordered Isken.

“Then we’ll lose!” Audax cried. I clapped him on the shoulder and he almost faded of pain.

“Fine, if you wana play, go ahead, but Audax stays here!” There was moaning amongst there group and I scowled at them. “You want him to die in there or something?” All they could do in response was moan again.

“Will the Kilika Beasts please report back to the sphere? If you are not here within three minutes, you’ll lose the game.”

“We can’t play without our keeper!” Deim cried. “Please!”

“No,” I said cooly. “He’s staying here, period.”

“Kilika Beasts report to the sphere, please.” They moaned ones more, begging for mercy, then turned around and left the room.

Audax slowly pulled himself up. “Thanks a lot, Jen, thank you very much! Aw!” He clasped his arm in pain and I pulled out another Potion.

“This is my last,” I said as he drunk all. He coughed a little. “I’m still feeling lousy.” He closed his eyes and lied down on the bench. I smiled. “Hey, guardian.”

He looked at me and laughed a little. “The summoner who has to look after the guardian... Nice.”

“Yeah, I guess you realy ARE lousy.”

He smiled and closed his eyes again. Pyrefly who sat next to him, whined and licked his face. He smiled and petted him. “That bastard Bickson...” I nodded showing I understood. “After this I’ll be your guardian for good. I’ll just Blitzball after... ah... you know...” I held his hand. “Thank you, Audax.” I put the sphere I recorded early on my lap and smiled. “Wanna see how badly you got beaten up?” He sat up. “Bring it.”

We all stood at the stairs leading to the Mi’ihen highroad. “This is where our roads part,” Kulukan sighed. I nodded. “Too bad you guys lost.”

“Ah, we’ll do better next year,” Deim smiled. “Next year we won’t be so stupid to put Isken in the goal as a replacement.”

“Wha-“

We all laughed. They prayed for use. “Good luck, Lady Jentl.”

I prayed as well. “A safe journey back home.” Audax, Pyrefly and I walked up the stairs.

“Goodbye, Lady Jentl!”

Soon we found ourselves walking the sandy path of the Mi’ihen Highroad. The sun rose high above us at the cloudless sky and burned our skins. “I think I’m gonna burn to ashes here,” I sighed, waving my hand to create some sort of alternate fan. Sweat was dripping off of my chin. I could of course just summon Aero and use him as a sun-block, but that would look pretty weird, wouldn’t it? I laid my staf over my shoulder and peeked at Audax. He had no need of carrying a weapon, since he enhanced Black Magic. I on the other hand needed my staf to summon aeons and perform sendings. Till now, I had no need of doing the second but that time would soon come.

Soon I would hear of ‘Operation Mi’ihen’...

Chapter VI

Operation Mi’ihen

Halfway on our way across Mi’ihen Highroad, we encountered some Chocobo Knights. I overheard something about an operation involving machina, but most important, Sin. Then they ran off.

“You heard what they were talking about?” I asked Audax who looked as the three knights disappeared out off sight.

“They said something about luring Sin, then beating it with machina.”

I looked at him full of disbelieve. “But machina can’t beat Sin, only the Final Summon can!” I said confidently. He nodded, placed his fist at his mouth and thought deeply.

“I think we oughta go check it out.” He strode after the Chocobo Knights and I followed with quick small steps. I had a bad feeling about this...

We didn’t get that far. At the end of the Highroad we were stopped by a Crusader. “I am awfully sorry, Lady Summoner, I cannot let you pass.” Two Chocobo Knights arrived.

“Lucil and Elma reporting for duty.”

“Sir!” the Crusader said and opened again. Between the time they opened and closed I could see many machina standing at each side off the road. And somewhere in a far distance saw a couple of chocobos pulling along a larg cage. Audax saw it too.

“Listen, I demand to know what takes place behind this gates.”

“Ha-Has no one informed you either, Lady Summoner?” He sighed deeply. “Behind this gates the Crusaders and the Al Bhed are preparing for Operation Mi’ihen, my lady. The Crusaders lure Sin in, the Al Bhed beat it.”

“But how will you lure him? You can’t order an enormous creature like Sin?”

“We are bringing Sinspawn from all over Spira. Sin will be attracted to them without any further trouble.”

I was disgusted. Mighty disgusted. “What are you thinking!? Luring Sin in, the idea only!” I cried throwing my looks at the sky. “It’s sick, that’s what it is! A suicide mission!”

“With all do respect, Lady Summoner,” the Crusader said, a blush of anger on his cheeks. “The Al Bhed managed to come up with ancient machina, just as powerful as the mighty aeons.”

“Nothing is as powerful as the Final Aeon! Nothing!” I cried slightly insulted.

“I must ask you to leave, Lady Summoner!” the Crusader spoke through clenched teeth. “I cannot let you pass!” Audax pulled at my shoulder. “Jentl, come on. We’re not going through.” After throwing a final dirty look at the Crusader, I let Audax take me back.

When we arrived back at the travel agency, I was still ranting and raving. “It’s the sickest idea I ever heard off! As powerful as the Final Aeon, puh-lease!” I sulked. “Did that guy even realise what he was talking about? I mean – did he even have the slightest idea?”

“This is gonna give entire Spira major problems,” Audax sighed. We checked in and then sat outside a while, talking.

“I thought machina were forbidden by the teachings,” I said. “They are blinded by their foolish believe they can handle Sin,” Audax mumbled.

I looked at my side. Because of the cliff I couldn’t see what was exactly going on back at the camp where Operation Mi’ihen was almost starting.

“Their campain is futile,” Audax sighed again. I pulled out some straws of fresh green grass and smelled it. It smelled great. Audax rose from the ground and slapped the dust from his pants. Then he paced up and down as he did so many times. I petted Pyrefly’s head, who was lying on the ground next to me. He moaned quietly. “God, Audax, I can’t take this any more! I have to know what’s going on out there!”

He grabbed me at my shoulders his face reeking with fear. “What? Are you crazy? It’s mighty dangerous out there! You’ll get killed if you set one foot near those machina!”

“I can’t just stay here wondering of, ‘what’s going on?’, ‘has Sin arrived yet?’, ‘how many people are dead?’.” A single tear ran down my cheek. “They’re all gonna get killed! Every single one of them!”

“I – I...” There was nothing he could say. He shook his head firmly. “I know! I know! But there’s nothing we can do! We can’t save them.”

I pulled my staf out of the dry ground and threw it over my shoulder once more. “I’m going, you can’t stop me. But as a guardian, it’s your duty to protect me.” I turned my back on him. I had nearly reached the bridge when I finally heard his footsteps approaching me, gaining on me. In the far distance, I could hear fainted screaming.

Till that moment, I had never had to run with staf and shoulderbag. It was hard, when I reached the gate I was exhausted, my feet were aching but still I forced myself to keep running. The screaming grew louder, closer, more horrifying... Then I saw it. For the first time in my life I saw it. Then I stopped. It was so far away from me, yet so dangerously close by. My staf clattered onto the ground. “Sin...” He was monstrous, enormous. Awful. He had an uncountable number of eyes on his forehead, below it the most enormous jaw any creature alive could ever imagine, and that’s all it was. That was Spira’s fear. That was what everyone dreaded so badly.

Lowering my eyes, I saw hundreds of Crusaders fighting on the beach, struggling for Spira’s existence, Sin’s death. Huge canons fired at Sin, not able to hurt him at all. All they could was giving the Crusaders down there an even harder time than they were already living. Everytime they hit Sin, more fiends came of. On the solid ground on which we stood I saw several Sinspawn crawling around. It was a faillure already, and the battle hadn’t even ended yet. Once more, Spira would lose.

It was a dilema. I knew there was no chance of winning, yet I couldn’t quite simply stand there watching. “What should I do?” I cried softly. Audax supportingly laid his hands on my shoulders.

“There’s nothing you can do, right now. It’s best for all of us, if you stay alive and complete your pilgrimage.” I nodded slightly and stared at the ground. “There must be something I can do...” He shook his head.

“No.”

I cried bitterly. So many people were dying. And all I could do was wait until it had ended. I closed my eyes, hoping it would be over soon. Hoping Sin would leave, giving the survivors one more chance. Audax squeezed my left shoulder. “Something’s happening.”

I forced myself to open my eyes. My jaw hung loose. Sin created some sort of barrier around his huge body. Some sort of energetic field. “I don’t like the look of that,” Audax mumbled, not letting go of my shoulders. Pyrefly started barking loudly. Then he yelped and ran of. “I don’t like it at all.”

At that moment the field extended. I screamed in terror. It crushed everyone who was still standing on the beach, fighting for their lives. One moment, then they were gone. I saw it extending more, approaching us at terrifying speed. “We’re to close!” I stumbled backwards and bumped into Audax. He quickly pushed me onto the ground as I heard a loud noise as if some sort of wind blew straight into my ears. “MIGHTY GUARD!”

That was all I heard before the shield hit us. And all I could do was scream.

Chapter VII

Drowning in sorrow

Thanks to Audax’ mighty guard, the shield had less effect on us. We both got blown backwards, me still screaming my lungs out, tightly gripping Audax’ hand. We fell down and I saw, fear cluthing my breath, Audax banging hard with is head against a rock. His eyes fell shut. I fell onto him and laid there for a while. In a distance, seeming so far, being so close. I could hear a connon firing, Sin roaring. Another explosion and the ground trembled. I forced myself to get up, looked at my hands and screamed. They were covered with blood, but not mine. Warm soft blood, dripping off my hands and soaking through Audax’ shirt. I shook my head. “No...” I raised my hands. “CURA!”

A bright light covered him, but he didn’t respond. “No! In the name of Yevon, work! CURA!” The same effect. “CURA CURA CURA!” I cried. “CURAAAA!” I laid down my head on his chest, sobbing loudly. I cried, then screamed. I screamed his name, screamed for him to come back, to hold me, to comfort me. I screamed as if it were the only thing I could do. It mostly was the only thing I could do.

Strong arms grabbed my shoulders and pulled me back, but I would not let go of him. Desperate I clunged to his shirt, still crying. But the hands pulled mine open and pulled me up. “No – no, my guardian!” I cried. I turned around and clasped the man’s collar. “You must help him!” It was a young man, and by the looks of it, a Crusader. He had a patch of black hair on top of his head and his face was bleeding on several places. He pointed at two other man. “You two!” They saluted. “Sir!” “Take him to Djose temple, do whatever you can to save him!” “Yes, sir!” They lifted Audax carefully off the ground and carried him away.

My sight was blurred with tears. “I thank you, sir! How can I ever...” “Are you a summoner?” I clammed up. A Summoner... Without Audax at my side I would have to give up on my pilgrimage. He was the only guardian at my side, except for Pyrefly, but Pyrefly. A couple of feet away from me I saw my staf, jammed between a couple of rocks.

“Yes, I – I am.”

“Lady Summoner, please, many of us have died. Knowing that they will become fiends would only increase our grief and...”

“Yes, I’ll send them,” I said quietly before he could end his sentence. I pulled my staf from the piles and followed him.

As we walked further and further down Djose Highroad, I slowly started feeling a burning pain down my leg and found it difficult to stand on. Not willing to complain I kept on limping, as he led me to the beach, where already another summoner was waiting, staf clutched tightly in her hands. “Lady Yuna,” I said surprised. She hadn’t changed a bit since I last saw her at Kilika Port, only now, her face was overrun by even more sorrow. As our eyes met, the only thing we were able to do was nod quietly, then turn our eyes away. We both had too many things on our mind to talk. While we both took our place, I scanned the beach and was struck with horror. Hundreds of bodies were lying on the sand and the water was coloured red of the fresh blood. I held my staf tightly looked down and saw my hands too were covered with blood. I closed my eyes and started dancing.

Turning around and sweeping my staf, all I could think of was Audax. What were they doing to him right now? Would he be okay? When I opened my eyes once I could see the pyreflies twirling and rising towards the clouded sky. On the verge of tears I continued dancing, carefully putting on foot next the other turning and sweeping from side to side. In the corner of my eye I could see Yuna doing the same thing. Warm tears ran dow my cheeksand I sobbed quietly. My very first sending. Already I was hoping it would be my last.

The sending took all night. After everyone on the beach had finally left off for the Farplane, we still needed to send those who had been struck down by the Sinspawn. Exhausted, Lady Yuna and I went to the Djose temple. I didn’t want to go. Every step I took brought me closer to the truth. Was Audax dead, or did he make it out alive? God, please be fine. Halfway the bridge I fell onto my knees. A little rock had cause me to trip and fysically and emotionally drained I found no strength to stand up. I just sat there, until footsteps approached me and someone crouched at my side.

“Come, you need rest,” Lady Yuna’s soft voice whispered. I weeped and brought my hand to my face.

“I can’t... I can’t go to Djose temple...” I whispered. “My guardian... He was close to death when I last saw him... They brought him there... What if... if...” I broke down again, sobbing extremely loud now.

She held my shoulders and slowly helped me up. “Sometimes you must face your fears. You can’t run from it. Many people lost ones precious to them today.” Her words somehow comforted me.

I nodded and together we approached the temple. It was an incredible sight. The temple was huge itself, but aside that, giant rocks were floating near it’s peak, lighting slashing between them. The amazing sight stopped my tears. Lady Yuna let go strode towards the temple. “Lady Yuna!” She stopped and turned. I swallowed. “I must ask, who was the brain behind ths masacre?”

She was silent for a moment. Then she sadly shook her head. “The only blame is to Sin.” Then she went inside. I just stood there thinking. Sin... I would beat him, I would.

Two Crusaders passed me, carrying another wounded with them. I watched the temple, then settled myself down behind a rock. I could not, not yet.

“Sir!”

“And, did you count them?”

“Y-Yes, sir.” I listened.

“Well, how many?”

“W-We are still looking for further survivors sir. But, right now, we’re missing 1056 people, s-sir.” I stopped breathing. 1056... that were more people than we had on Kilika Port... Only now I saw my leg was bleeding heavily. I turned to the temple. I had to go in there sometime. I slowly limped inside.

The temple was lighted the same way like back in Kilika and Besaid. Four tourches in the main hall, and a stair leading to the Cloister of Trials. I saw several field beds installed around the main hall, and priesters and other women taking care of the people lying in them. Screams filled the room. “I’m dying, I’m dying!” “Aah-ah...” “GEMM SA!” What was I doing in there? I could quite simply cast a cure spell, right? I raised my hand. “Cure...” Nothing happened. I had wasted to much magic on trying to cure Audax.

I dropped my staf. A women rose from another patient. “Lady Summoner!” She pushed me down onto an empty bed. “Let me see that leg.”

“No, I-I’m fine, look after the other people...” “No m’lady Summoner, we have done everything we could to help them.”

“M-My guardian... what about my guardian? Audax! AUDAX!” I heard no answer, there was too many noise.

“You need rest,” she whispered and casted a sleep spell on me. I flaked out before I could protest.

When I woke up, the fire of the torches had dimmed and I could barely see. I could hear a soft whisper a couple of feet away from me.

“Drec fyc y sycylna, y bina sycylna...”

“E ghuf. Tysh Kinoc...”

I groaned and sat up straight. My leg was still stiff but the wound was heeled. I saw two Al Bhed who had been talking. They went silent as soon as they saw she was awake.

“Ec cra y summoner?”

“E raynt cra cahd dra baubma fa mucd dukadran fedr myto Yuna. Cu cra sicd pa, pid cu ouihk...”

I sighed irritated. “E cbayg Al Bhed, kuuvc!” I snapped and they made a small jump into the air.

I bet much more people thought I was too damn young to be a summoner, but they didn’t have to talk like that in my presence. I could speak Al Bhed for years. My grandmother was Al Bhed, she thought me how to speak Al Bhed when I was a little girl. I slid of the field bed. The room turned for a moment but then I stood firmly.

“E fecr du caa so guardian, Audax.”

“Guardian?”

“Yes, guardian. Stop pretending like you don’t get what the fuck I’m saying, I wanna know what happened to my guardian!” I screamed. To my surprise, no one woke up. Later on I found out I was the only one still alive in there.

I didn’t know whether they understood plain English, but they did understand my outburst and on turned to another: “Ku ycg fryd rybbahat du y kiynteyh po dra hysa uv Audax.”

“Nekrd yfyo.” He left the room and I sat down again. Please be alive, please...

“Cu, ruf umt yna oui?” He really couldn’t get off the topic how young I was.

“Vevdaah,” I muttered. “E mavd Kilika yvdan Sin yddylgat.”

“E raynt ypuid ed. Cunno.” I shrugged and waited.

Two minutes later the man enterred again. “E ycgat.”

I jumped up. “Yht?” He smiled.

“Drao cyet ra'c nacdehk ib eh dra dnyjam ykahlo uidceta dra dasbma.”

I screamed of joy and jumped into the man’s arms. “Dryhg oui! Dryhg oui cu silr!” I said and kissed him on the cheek. Then I ran outside, barely noticing I was on my bare feet. Storming inside a few sleeping Crusaders woke up, looking alarmed, noticed it was me and fell asleep again.

“I’m looking for a man named Audax, they said they brought him here,” I asked the lady behind the reception desk. After blinking a few times she pulled out a key and led the way to Audax’ room. My hands were trembling when she opened the door with a click.I shuffled inside, then she closed the door again. I couldn’t let a smile spreading on my face.

He was lying in a bed, breathing peacefully. He had hardly any scratches at all. I sat down next to him and caressed his hand. He didn’t wake and I let him sleep. I was so happy. He was alive and well. I laid down next to him and placed his warm soft hand on my cheek. Yet, a tear rolled from the corner of my eye. Now I could complete my pilgrimage.

Chapter VIII

Goobye sphere

I woke up with a hand stroking up and down my arm. I yawned and pushed the hand away. “Mum... Leave me...”

“Why thanks.”

I jumped up with a yell. Audax laughed and I chuckled slightly. After the laughter stopped we gazed at each other for a moment. I kneeled down in front of his bed. “Glad you’re okay,” he mumbled.

I smiled. “Idem dito.”

We stared into each other’s eyes for minutes, without saying anything. I know you might think that’s almost impossible, but for the two of us back then, it wasn’t. “Well I uh...” he mumbled after a while. “I can’t get up because of the dizzyness yet, so, I guess we won’t be leaving very soon.”

“That’s fine with me,” I whispered. I closed my eyes and laid my head on the bed. “What time is it?”

“Almost 2 o’ clock in the afternoon.”

I groaned. “You’re joking.”

“Not really. You slept all morning.” I laughed quietly.

“You know, you saved my life, Audax. If there’s anything I could do for you.”

“Quit your pilgrimage.”

I stood up and sighed. “I can’t, you know why. Weren’t you there yesterday?” He stared at the ceiling and I rubbed my eyes. “I overheard two Crusaders talking. They lost over one thousand people.” My lip thrilled. “I almost lost you. I can’t afford losing you again.”

He closed his eyes and hummed. I sat down on a chair thinking of what I would be doing at that moment if he would’ve died. Crying, probably.

“You know...” Audax said all of the sudden. “I just realise how selfish it is.”

“Selfish?”

“Yeah, your pilgrimage. You’re acting like my death would mean the end of Spira for you.” He glared at me. “I’m actually gonna go through that with you.” I had been wanting to say something but closed my mouth again. And he just lied there, looking at me.

“Don’t act like it’s a selfish thing to do. I will save Spira!” I snapped at him. “If I would’ve started my pilgrimage earlier, I would’ve brought the Calm before... before... before all this!” Tears ran down my face. He sat up straight and beckoned me. Still crying I sat down next to him and he carefully pulled me against his chest. I sniffed and heard him crying quietly as well.

“I have to continue my pilgrimage, Audax, I must,” I whispered. He said nothing.

The beach was right back in the state it had been before Operation Mi’ihen. Clean, and quiet. I sat down on the edge of the Djose Highroad and watched the endless ocean. Sin must’ve been hiding somewhere in its depts. The Highroad was empty again. There were no cannons anymore, no cages containing Sinspawn, no Crusaders nor Al Bhed. Just me. And so I sat there, doing nothing, just watching the sun set.

I wished Audax could be sitting here beside me, but he still had to rest. He could barely leave his bed. Everytime he tried he had to sit down again because else he would just bang onto the ground. So I was alone. I stayed with him as much as I could, but I had to get out sometimes. Besides, I had to do something for him as well. He had saved my life. If it wasn’t for him, I would be dead no. That I ever doubted his abilities as a guardian. He was the best a summoner like me could wish for.

I heard a distant barking and turned around. “Pyrefly!” I had almost forgot about the little guy. Pyrefly jumped barking loud against my chest, knocking me onto the ground. His furr was wet and dirty and above his left eye he was bleeding. “Oh, Pyrefly, I’m so glad you made it out of there alive,” I smiled scratching him behind his ears. He wagged his tail for joy and licked my face. I laughed and took him back to the travel agency.

“Look who turned up,” I said as we enterred the room. Audax looked up.

“Hey,” he laughed as Pyrefly jumped on the bed and offered him a face-lick as well. “Man, Pyrefly, you sure need a bath.” Pyrefly yelped and jumped off again. I laughed and sat down on the chair.

“So, how are you feeling?”

“Well, I can make it to the other side of the room buuut...”

“Not back?” He rubbed the back of his head in pain. “Nope.”

Pyrefly laid down on the ground and fell asleep quickly. I smiled and rubbed my eyes. “Slept all morning and still I’m beat,” I mumbled. “I better go ask for a room downstairs.”

“You can sleep here,” he said and somehow sounded a bit disappointed.

“I believe we both need our privacy,” I smiled and shook my head in a sad way. “So...” I opened the door.

“You got any gil left?” he asked before I went out.

“Yeah, don’t worry about it.”

Downstairs I rented a room and immediately stocked up as well. I bought a couple of Potions, Remedies, but most of all, Phoenix Downs. You had to act quick with those, but you never knew.

“Will that be it?” the lady asked as she put everything into a paper bag. I checked the list I made before and then nodded.

“Oh, no wait!” I said quickly, something suddenly reaching my mind. “You haven’t got any spheres by coinsidence?” She nodded and pulled out a sphere. My hands trembled slightly when I payed her and took the bag upstairs.

I went to say good night to Audax then went to my own room. I tossed the contents into my shoulder bag and lied down on my bed. After thinking deeply I stood up again and pulled out the sphere. I twisted it around in my hands as if it was the first time I saw one. With a big sigh I placed it on the table and sat down in front of it. After staring at the blue bulb for a while I turned it on.

I forced a smile on my face. “Hi everyone, it’s me, apparently. This will probably be the last thing you’ll seeof me and... uh... I’m only halfway my journey, but, I do believe that if I wait any longer it’ll be too hard.” I smiled sadly while the first tears started to burn in the corner of my eyes. “I’m just gonna talk too each one of you at a time, so, beginning of course with my family. Mum, you’ve always been my number one. Whenever I was sad you comforted me and cheered me up. You’ve been my tower of strength since I was just a little girl.”

I swept some tears away. “Sorry I’m crying, I just can’t believe I’m actually doing this.” I paused for a while, catching my breath and calming down. “Okay, snif, I’m cool. I’m just gonna leave it there. I love you mum... It’s best if I keep going, so, Joen. I’ve always looked up to you, to my big brother. In my eyes you could do nothing wrong. Great at blitzball, great at beating up fiends. I owe you one big time.Well, now we’re on the same subject, Kilika Beasts.” I smiled my tears away. “You rock! I don’t care what happened at the blitzball tournament, you just had bad luck. And bad losers as competition.” The smile disappeared from my face. “And then that leaves us with another person. Audax.”

“I uh – I wanna thank you. If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have been able to get this far. You saved my life and I don’t know how many times you’ll save it again. And everything I said about you – not being that much of a guardian – I’m sorry. Truely, I am. And I’m sorry I won’t quit my pilgrimage, cause well, when you see this. That’ll mean you weren’t able to stop me, but... It’s better this way, Audax. For everyone. And once again I’m sorry.” I sighed and stroke my hair behind my ears. “I don’t know what else to say...” I mumbled. I looked at the sphere like I would look at him. The words slowly reached my lips: “I love you.”

I could not say any more. I turned off the sphere and burst into tears. After almost half an hour, I cried myself to sleep.

Audax knocked on my chamber door. “Jentl? Are you awake?” He checked the door. I had forgotten to lock it last night and he slowly pushed it open. “Jentl?” He found me sleeping with my head in my arms on the table. He smiled pitiful. When he laid his hand on my back I groaned for a moment but continued sleeping. “Jentl, time to wake up, it’s past ten already.” He softly rubbed my back. “Jentl.” I woke by his gentle voice and looked at him. “Hey.” He smiled. “Hi, how are you?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Wha?” He stroke away the hair from my face. “Why did you cry?”

I touched my cheek and realised my face was probably terribly red. “Oh, I – I just... I miss home.”

He nodded understandingly. “I know you do.” He pulled me next to him onto the bed. “Come here,” he said and swung his arm around my shoulders. “You can go home if you want to. And this is not a way to stop you, Jen, it’s just a suggestion.” I looked up at him, fighting back tears. “You can go back for a while and afterwards you can continue your pilgrimage.”

I sadly shook my head. “You know I can’t, it-t-t w-will o-only m-make things – harder...” I stuttered.

He pushed my head against his chest. “Hush, it’s okay... Just cry away...” I tightened my arms around his waist. I had to continue my pilgrimage. I had to beat Sin, else, one day, I would lose everthing precious to me. Including him.

CHAPTER IX

Kidnapped by the Al Bhed

Whiping away my final tears I stood up from the bed and grabbed my staf from the floor. When I turned Audax stroke through my hair. “You must know this, Jentl. You can always go back, no matter what happens. You can.” I closed my eyes and laid my hand on his. No matter how far we would get, no matter what we would or what would happen. I knew he would always try to talk me out of it. And yet, somehow, he was failing. Knowing he cared so much about me made me stand up straight and continue fighting. He was my strength, my faith, my everything.

He pulled his hand away and our eyes met. “I’m sorry I keep doing that, I know you won’t stop, no matter what.” I nodded and he as well closed his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t appologise,” I smiled. “It’s my fault you keep doing that, not yours. Please, forgive me.” All he did was smile.

The hymn of the Fayth calmed me. It was somehow comforting. “You know what I heard some Al Bhed saying?” I said as Audax replaced a glyph sphere.

“What?” he said puzzled and approached the other side of the room taking another sphere from it’s place and putting it back again, irritated.

“They said Kinoc was behind Operation Mi’ihen.”

He turned to me. “Maester Kinoc?”

“That’s what they said.”

“How could a Maester of Yevon do this?” I took the glyph sphere he had just returned into the hole.

“The machina were forbidden by the teachings, right? So, it would’ve been a very easy way to get rid of the, hem, traitors.”

“That’s what this was all about? Killing those who didn’t obey the teachings?”

“It does seem so.” I sighed and inserted the sphere in another hole, opening the door leading to the chamber of fayth.

As I walked op the stairs, Audax once again stopped me. “Is it just me? Or have you too lost respect for Yevon?”

“Yeah, kinda. But even more for the maesters.” I breathed in deeply and all of the sudden I noticed the empty sensation deep inside. I could not quite tell what it was, so, assuming I was just hungry, I slid the door open and walked inside.

The next morning, we left Djose temple at day brake. Audax bought a map at the agency and was now studying it while we were walking. Pyrefly trotted happily behind us. “So as soon as we reach the Moonflow we ought to turn left and cross it to reach Guadosalam.” I was stroding over the path and Audax had trouble keeping up.

“Hey, slow down!” he said after folding up the map. He handed it over and I tucked it away.

“We mist four days, to be precisely, four days. All because of that idiot Operation Mi’ihen.”

“Idiot that’s new,” he smiled and started sumarizing everything I had called it already. “Pountless, useless, terrible, awful, dreadful...” I stabbed him hard with my elbow.

“Stop it, it’s not funny. If we had gone straight along we were at the Thunder Plains already!”

“I don’t mind,” he smiled and slowed down.

“Well I do,” I snapped hasting even more. He stopped. I did as well. “That’s not funny,” I said, grabbing my staf. I opened my mouth but he was way quicker.

“STOP!”

I froze on the spot. I saw Audax bursting into laughter and Pyrefly running up to me, sniffling my pants and yelping quietly. “She’s fine Pyrefly,” Audax smiled and approached me. “You’re in a foul situation, right now, aren’t you?” he mumbled. “I could just leave you here as a pray for some hungry fiends.” I wanned to glare at him but couldn’t, the surprised look remained on my face. He raised his hand. “Esuna.”

I felt a short cold running through my veins then shocked and stumbled backwards. I was mad but he couldn’t keep smiling. Pyrefly started barking loudly but I only looked daggers at Audax. “You had no right to do it,” I whispered bitterly.