Disclaimer: I own nothing. Except Cressida. THONK! M.G.: Owwwwwwww, look at all the pretty stars. Cressida: You don't own me. M.G: On to the fic. Where's the ice? Chapter One: Encounters at a Tomb

I still remember my first summoning, the joy and the mental anguish racking my body for the first time. I remember the name of my first summon as well. Mateus, the Corrupt. Controller of ice. I carry the memory with pride. It was the first time that I had actually been able to help my friends. It gave me a reason to stay with them. I was USEFUL. As our journey through Ivalice continued, my companions got into the habit of letting me "bond" to each Esper we encountered and consequently defeated. By journey's end, I had 13 espers under my command. The difficult part was what to do after our journey was done.

I had journeyed with my friends, Vaan and Penelo, to free Dalmasca. We were joined by Balthier, an imperial judge turned sky pirate; Fran, a Viera from the Wood; Basch, an innocent traitor; and Ashe, the lost heir to the throne of Dalmasca. We made many friends, defeated many enemies, and faced our worst fears. I was very sad at the end, but not for the usual reasons. The journey had awoken a wanderlust in me. Even Vaan's offer of being the navigator on his new airship couldn't soothe my newly-discovered addiction. I said my goodbyes to everyone, and I departed with only the clothes on my back and the supplies in my messenger bag.

I have no clue how, but I somehow ended up wandering towards Raithwall's tomb. I walked towards the sacred place, between its many pillars, using my staff as a walking stick. Nothing on the outside had changed from when we fought Garuda and were abducted by the Leviathan. I walked up the steps, slowly approaching the way-stone. I tapped it, and I felt the familiar, eerie sensation as I am transported from one place to another entirely.

I made my way down through Raithwall's tomb, avoiding the Demon Walls by using the way-stones, however much I hated them. I eventually summoned Belias, if only to keep those annoying Seekers away. I found him oddly comforting. I suppose it made sense, since he was kept down here for Faram(1) knows how long. With every step down the many stairs, I heard the muted click of my License boards, of my many potions and ethers, along with the sharp staccato of my boots rapping upon the floor. I eventually ended up in the chamber which once held the Dawn Shard. I still remembered that original piece of Nethicite and slowly fingered the manufactured piece that lay in my trench coat pocket. I may not be able to cast any conventional spells while it lies on my person, such as cure, aero, haste, or raise; but I can always use my summons. Amazingly, they are quite loyal to me now and seem content to help me.

I walked up to the altar where the Dawn Shard once lay and I ponder... What would life have been like if Vaan hadn't decided to try to break into the Royal Treasury? Would I be who I am? For I was shaped by the journey, making the journey from child into young adulthood, a 17-year-old girl into a summoner, a so-called hero. I cannot say that I am. I only followed my heart and helped my friends. I am no hero. I turned away from the altar in disgust. How could I feel self-pity at such a time as this? Ashe was restored to her throne, Balthier and Fran had left for the skies, Vaan and Penelo had their dreams coming true, and Basch was proving his worth by guarding the new Arcadian emperor, Larsa. Peace was on its way to being restored. And yet all I felt was discontent. I began walking away, Belias following like the faithful summon he was.

"Cressida?"

I stopped and peered over my shoulder. A ghostly apparition of a woman had appeared. She was dressed in an entirely pink dress, with a scarlet overcoat. Her hair was done up in a braid, and two anxious, green eyes stared at me. I shivered. Those eyes seemed to pierce me to the depths of my soul.

"Yes?" I managed to stutter out. This must have been what Ashe felt when she saw Prince Rasler's ghost. Somewhat. I had no clue who this woman was. "Who are you?" I asked.

"My name is Aerith. I need you to help me. My world is in trouble and I cannot help it. I need somebody who can. I have heard of what help you brought to this world. My world also has new summons that you could collect. I have heard of how you seem to collect them." She smiled at that. "You will learn what you truly are little hume-child."

I stared at her. "What I truly am?" I thought. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "What're the conditions?" I asked. There were always some strings attached. No matter what. The lady seemed kind of confused, until she got my implication. She chuckled.

"There are none. Not really. All that will happen is that you will be transported to my world, where you'll have to help. Also you'll receive several new summons just for agreeing."

I dismissed Belias. I thought for a while before asking what summons. The lady... Aerith... smiled and began talking in her ethereal voice again.

"I may not be able to maintain a physical presence in my world for very long, but I can maintain it for a few minutes. The other summons are three remnants and their originator. The only condition with these summons are that they be reserved as last resorts."

I nodded in understanding. I would feel better with the summons I already possessed anyway. I asked if she didn't want me to mention her. Or the other summons. She appeared startled and slowly nodded yes. I had an unique ability of being able to tell when somebody wanted something to be kept secret. I thought of her offer, and then thought of my friends. They really wouldn't miss me. Vaan and Penelo were too busy with their new airship. Ashe was too busy with ruling her country, while Basch was preoccupied with keeping Larsa safe. Balthier wouldn't miss me, heck he barely noticed me. The only person who might miss me was Fran, but she was probably too busy trying to keep Balthier in line. I sighed inwardly. "Think of something else." I told my brain. I knew what I was going to do.

"Yes," I stated clearly.

Aerith gave me that small smile of hers and said, "Thank you." She extended her ghostly hand. I slowly reached out and grasped it. And then, the world went dark.

When I woke up, I was in an alley. "Where am I?" I asked groggily. I shuffled to my feet and began brushing off my trench coat and pants.

"You're on the world of Gaia." Aerith's voice echoed through my head. She giggled. "No, you're not going mad. I am simply talking to you in your head like any other summon does."

That certainly was true. I can't count on my hands how many times I've heard the Espers argue. Especially Famfrit and Belias. It made sense though, opposing elements do have a tendency to fight. "So what am I supposed to do?" I asked Aerith.

She replied, laughingly, "Follow your heart and you'll know what to do."

Great, I have another summon with a sense of humor. I sighed and walked out of the alley and into the city I would soon learn was called Edge.

A/n: This is my first fic. I would like to dedicate it to Lady Karai, who made it possible for anybody to read it. So three cheers for Lady Karai!! Hip Hip HOORAY!!!!!!! So you see the magical little button down in the corner? Press it and recieve a marvelous gift. An Aerith plushie!!!!! SO REVIEW!!!!!!!!