Chapter I. The Beginning –
“Yuna. Yuna!” Lulu knocked hard on the door to my hut. “Yuna!
You’re going to be late if you don’t wake up soon!”
“Lulu! I’m already awake.” I told her, as I opened my door.
“It’s about time. The priest is wondering where you are.”
“I’m sorry.” I bowed.
“Don’t worry about it. Come on, let’s go.” She reassured
me.
“Hmm. Um, Lulu, where’s Wakka and Kimahri?” I asked her, looking
around.
“Wakka is at practice, and Kimahri is all ready inside the temple.”
“Oh.” I said fast. “Was I asleep that long?”
Lulu smiled. “Yes. You were.”
“I’m sorry.” I repeated.
We both pushed aside the heavy doors into the temple, where the priest was waiting
to greet me.
“Yuna, ah finally. Are you ready to go in?” He asked me concern.
“Yes. I’ve been ready for some time now.” I bowed deeply.
“Very well then. Go inside. Lulu, Kimahri, will you be joining her?”
They both nodded.
We descended the stair case and opened the door to the Cloister of Trials.
I remember vaguely the procedure in which we took, but within nearly one, maybe
two minuets, we arrived in the room with the elevator. As we stepped inside, I
heard the beautiful and soothing Hymn of the Fayth. I closed my eyes, imagining
what lied on the other side of that door atop the stairs.
“Yuna ready?” Kimahri asked me.
I opened my eyes and nodded. “Yes. I am.” I felt my feet glide across
the floor to the carpeted steps. I looked back at them both, and bowed once again.
I made my way up the stair case, watched the door open. Slowly but surly I walked
in.
The room was small a circular. And in the dead center of it all was a statue engraved
into a circular opening in the floor, cover with glass. I knelt down beside it
and closed my eyes. I began to pray. The Fayth appeared in front of me. I felt
it searching my mind. Then, an overwhelming power took over my body. I remember
hitting the ground, and everything going dark....
Chapter II. The Celebration -
I don’t know exactly how long I was down there when I regained consciousness.
“Hmm.” I heard arguing outside the door. I recognized Lulu’s
and Wakka’s voices, but there was a different one too. A new guy.
“Is the summoner okay?” He asked.
“Uh, who are you?” Lulu asked.
The loudness of the door opening stopped the conversation. I stumbled out. My
vision still a bit blurry. I made it to the first step, when I started to fall.
I heard Kimahri’s roar and his footsteps pounding on the stone ground. He
caught me, just before I tumbled all the way down. I regained my vision and whispered
“Thank you Kimahri.”
I stood up and dusted my skirt. I flipped my hair and opened my eyes. They fell
upon the new person. “I’ve done it. I have become a summoner.”
Lulu and Wakka seemed relieved, yet at the same time, sad. I knew why.
The next thing I knew, we were all back in the temple. I did our prayer and everyone
applauded. We descended the steps and Lulu, Kimahri, and I walked outside. The
new guy and Wakka stayed inside. As I walked out, people seemed to ask me if I
could show them the aeon, so I stepped into the platform we used for bon fires.
Wakka came outside with the blonde guy and rushed over to the area I was.
“Ready!” Wakka yelled.
“Okay.” I said softly.
I can’t explain how it happened, but, it felt as if something other then
myself was controlling my body. I felt myself move as lights appeared under my
feet, and a giant winged beast fell through the sky. This, I assumed, was an aeon.
I walked over to it, and stroked it’s neck with my palm. The crowd cheered
as it took off.
After the summoning, the crown dispersed for awhile. Lulu walked to me.
“Amazing Yuna. Simply amazing.”
I smiled. “Hey, Wakka, um, who is the new guy?” I asked
“Hmm? Oh him. I found em’ this mornin washed up at the beach. He’s
a blitzball player. Claims to be from Zanarkand, but, he just got a little to
close to Sin, that’s all, man.” He answered.
“Well, do you know his name?” I asked.
“Oh yeah. It’s Tidus.” He added.
“Tidus? That name sounds familiar some how. I’m sure I heard it before.
Somewhere.” I pondered, more to myself than to anyone around.
The rest of daylight just seemed to pass by so fast, it’s like a blur.
I remember, leaving my hut that night after I cleaned up. A fire was lit in the
pit, people were gathered around, and all shouted praises as I came out. I felt
myself blush. I never really did take praises all to well.
“Yuna! Come play with me!” Kati, a young girl, yelled and grabbed
my hand.
“Okay.” I said with a smile as my glance turned toward Tidus and the
Auroch’s.
Afterwards, after we stopped playing, I sat down with the village elders and ate
with them. Kati followed me. Tidus walked over to me.
“You heathen!”
“Stay away from the summoner!”
“You’re a bad man!” Kati said to him.
I stood up.
“Lady Yuna, be careful.”
“Hmm. But, it was really my fault to begin with.” I confessed.
I remember that night, I talked to him for the very first time. I didn’t
know it then, but, I was slowly falling for him.
“I’m Yuna.” I told him. “Thank you so much for your help
earlier.”
“I’m sorry about that. Wasn’t that...Wasn’t I not supposed
to...Guess I...kind of overreacted.” I liked his voice.
“Oh, no. I was, overconfident.”
“Um, I saw that aeon thing. That’s amazing!” He said enthusiastically.
“Really? Do you think that I can become high summoner?” I asked Tidus
nodded. Kati came up to me
“Lady Yuna, come play with me some more.” She said.
I nodded to her, and turned to face Tidus. “So, tomorrow, then.”
“Tomorrow?” He asked.
“We’re going on the same boat, aren’t we?” I questioned.
“Oh, really?” He said.
“We can talk more. You can tell me all about Zanarkand.” I smiled
and walked away.
“Kati, I’m really tired. I’m going to go to bed now. Okay?”
I said to the little girl.
“Hmm...okay.” She seemed disappointed.
“Goodnight.” I walked up to the door to my hut, and saw Tidus walking
into the crusaders lodge. But, just before he entered, he turned around, and found
my eyes on his. He smiled, I smiled back, and walked inside.
Chapter III. The Journey Starts –
“Lady Yuna, do you want some help carrying that?”
“Hmm, oh no. I...I can get it.” I said struggling to get my case outside
of the temple.
“Are you sure?” The priest asked me.
“Yes, I can get it.” I finally got it outside. I started pushing it
down the stone floor of the outside. It crashed near the steps.
Lulu heard the commotion and turned to me. “You really don’t need
all that luggage.”
“They’re not really my things. They’re gifts for the temples
we’re to visit.” I replied.
“Yuna, this isn’t a vacation.” Wakka turned to me as well. Tidus
was standing beside them, hold a sword.
“I guess...I guess you’re right.”
I continued to walk down the stairs and approached them. “Okay! Off we go!”
Wakka said.
Everyone walked ahead of me, as I turned around and looked at the temple, and
the town which had been my home for the past ten years. I knew I would never see
it again. I smiled weekly and joined the others.
We walked down the path to the Besaid falls, stopping at an ancient rune. I remember,
looked at the small village from up high. This, I knew for a fact would be the
last vision of it I would ever get to see.
“Take your time.” Lulu consoled me.
“Hey! Let’s get going man!” Tidus said. I forced a small smile
on my lips.
“We’re gonna wait.” Wakka said.
“Why?” Tidus asked.
I walked up between them, and Wakka asked me “Are you ready?” I nodded
half heartily.
“What’s going on?”
I stood behind the rune, Lulu next to me, Wakka in front me. Tidus came up to
us.
“It’s an ancient custom.” He said, before Tidus could get another
question out. To tell the truth, I never really found out why it was an ancient
custom. I never understood why people would pray to that stone, but, I did anyway.
I didn’t want to upset Wakka. “People leaving the Island pray here
for a safe trip. Chappu, didn’t pray that day. Said he’d miss his
boat.”
Tidus did the prayer as well, “That should do it.” Wakka finished.
We continued along our path through the ancient machina that used to be a great
city here. I never told Wakka that I’ve always been fascinated with machina.
Then again, I never told him a few things. Those, he figured out on his own.
I noticed that Tidus had fallen behind, and Kimahri hadn’t shown up yet.
“Wakka, Lulu? Do you know where Kimahri is?” I asked.
“I just assumed he was already at the boat.” Wakka.
Then, a loud roar ripped through the silent air. “That Kimahri!” I
yelled as I started running back. Wakka and Lulu followed me. We stopped when
we saw Kimahri fighting Tidus.
“That’s enough!” Wakka yelled.
Kimahri walked away. “What’s with that guy?” Tidus asked, out
of breath.
“Kimahri Ronso. Of the Ronso tribe. He’s learned the fiends way of
fighting.” Lulu added her two-sense.
“Ugh, that’s not what I meant.” He replied.
“He’s another of Yuna’s guardians.” Wakka informed.
I giggled. “Sometimes we don’t understand him either. Kimahri doesn’t
talk much anyway. But, he has protected me since I was a child.” I said.
After that little scene, we made our way to the beach. People followed as we boarded
the ship. Kati was down there and wiping away tears as she waved goodbye. I did
the prayer sign for them, and waved them goodbye as the ship set off.