Prompt: soul-mates, Rikku, Auron, pain, farplane, passing on pain
So, my Chibi gave me a challenge recently. Those were the prompts I had to use. Thirty-five pages and twenty thousand words later, I rather like how it turned out. And since I really am not in the mood to divide it up, it's a very long one-shot. You know the drill; R&R please! Gin
Summery: Soul-mates are two people connected in unexplained ways. What do you do when your soul-mate is hurting? Or worse yet, when they are and you have no idea who they are?
Six years have passed and all seemed regular enough. Spira was getting itself back to some semblance of normalcy. Yuna was expecting her second child now and the whole island was overwhelmed with joy. So why is Rikku feeling so depressed?
Rikku traveled all over the world trying to find the place where she felt she could feel at home. Then strange things begin to happen.
Disclaimer: I lay no claim to the characters inside this piece of fiction except maybe the three sisters. They may play an important part later, but if someone wanted to use them I wouldn't object.
…...Begin story...
The sounds of battle raged over the sands. The sun held steady directly above the fighting below. Sweat poured down her tanned face, but the green eyed woman couldn't stop, not yet at least. Someone was calling for help. Calling her.
Another fiend fell by her twin blades and she attempted to run over the top of the next dune where her name was being called from. She was almost there, just a little more and...
But it was not to be. Another fiend, this one bigger and more angry than the last glided into her way. Flames rose from the back of the elemental. She had fought these before, this one would be no different. Reaching inside for the mana stocks inside her, she released an ice spell seconds later. Her aim was true, but it had a reaction she would never have expected. The fire and ice mixed to create a fiend bigger than before in a combination that shouldn't exist naturally.
Legs created from the ice moved the creature so it snaked behind her. An arm also created of ice reached out, flames tipping each point of a four fingered claw. The claw scratched the exposed flesh of her neck and sent her flying into the hot sand below. She screamed out in both shock and pain. When she woke up, she was still screaming. Maybe camping beside the moonflow wasn't the best of ideas. The pyerflies played games with her sleeping mind.
Yet the dream had been so weird and so detailed, it was hard to believe it wasn't real. And the pain in her heart lingered for hours afterward. Who was calling her name? She could feel the desperation in that one simple word.
Thinking she just needed a distraction, Rikku made her way to the home of where her cousin and her husband lived. She packed up the few scattered belongings she owned and made the week long southern trip. No more dreams haunted her during that week. And for that she was grateful.
No one knew she was coming and so there were none to greet her as she took the first steps on Besaid shores. The walk along the path gave her time to sort through her thoughts.
Wakka spotted her as soon as she entered the village. He came running over and threw an arm around her shoulders. "Eh, you made it just in time!" He explained before pulling her over to a nearby hut.
Rikku hissed in pain before pulling herself free from his hold. He stopped walking to stare back at her in apology. "It's okay, you didn't do anything," she assured him before reaching one hand back and rubbing the spot on her neck that suddenly began to burn. She winced as her fingers made contact.
"Hey, you okay?" The red head moved behind her and pulled her exuberant ponytail aside to get a closer look. "Rikku, what happened?"
"What do you mean? I didn't do anything. I wasn't even out fighting fiends because they are so rare anymore." The shrill of her voice began to rise with each sentence. Panic rose before green eyes opened wide in fear. "No. No way! It can't be!" The dream had been from over a week ago, how could it affect her now?
Tidus came out of the hut just then looking for his friend, "Wakka, where you been? Lulu says she needs you to..." He trailed off as soon as he saw the Al Bhed, joy filling his face. "Rikku! I knew you would make it!" He was completely oblivious to the fear invading her countenance.
Composing herself quickly she smiled and followed the blonde skipping as she did so. Wakka watched her go with full intent to ask later what was going on. She was hiding something from her friends as if they couldn't be trusted. That bothered him more than the fact she had a burning rash on the back of her neck.
As soon as she entered, Rikku could hear moaning and huffing coming from the back. She pulled aside a curtain to see her cousin's round belly. Yuna saw her right away and held a hand out for her to take. Rushing over, Rikku kneeled by the pregnant woman's side.
"I'm so glad you're here," Yuna said between heaves.
Before she could get a chance to respond, Lulu was behind her reminding Yuna that it was time to push. An acolyte from the temple was at the foot of the bed giving her own words of encouragement. Rikku watched this all in awe. She had never seen a birth before.
The whole experience lasted only an hour and soon she was holding her second cousin in her arms.
"He's beautiful, Yunie." Passing the baby over, Rikku watched as Tidus entered and stood next to his wife and newborn son. She silently slipped out leaving the parents to themselves.
Once out in the village center, she remembered the pain that had started at the back of her neck. It didn't bother her now, which was quite odd. Why had it burned so suddenly before and yet normal now? She didn't dare think on the dreams she had. That's all they were after all, simply dreams. Unless they were a warning of some sort, but could someone truly communicate like that with the dreamer? She had to find out for sure. Staying here wasn't an option now. Her cousin would have enough to worry about raising two children instead of one now.
Pulling out her comm sphere she made a call, "Hey, it's me. Can I ask you a favor?"
A day later she found herself leaning over a heavy tome with Baralai reading off ancient Spiran script. So far he was having no luck and they had been searching for half a day now.
"I'm sorry, Rikku. I just can't seem to find anything. Don't your Al Bhed ancestors have any old books?"
"Maybe, but you and I both know that isn't likely. After the last attack..." She stopped speaking as she remembered the day Home had been assaulted in the desert almost a decade ago. She rubbed the tip of one boot against the back of her black pants as if ashamed to have brought up the heavy remembrance.
Blushing, Baralai glanced away as well. He understood what she was referring to. He cleared his throat before speaking again. "I don't think I can help you here; at least not without more information. What did Yuna say about it?"
Looking away herself Rikku had to admit she never discussed it with the high summoner. She didn't want to bother her since she was now a mother again. "I just don't know what to do. I wish someone could explain this to me!" She was growing increasingly frustrated and began flapping her arms to show it. As if struck by lightning, Rikku grabbed her left arm and dropped to her knees in anguish.
Baralai was huddling over her in less than a second. "What? What is it?" Unable to answer, Rikku simply squeezed her eyes tight as he pulled her hand away and removed the ribboned sleeve she wore. He gasped in shock when he saw it. From shoulder to wrist were three long deep scratches. Without wasting a moment he called forth a healing spell hoping to take away some of the pain.
Rikku screamed out as it had the opposite effect. The scratches became redder if it were possible as small trails of blood seeped out. Stopping the art, he ripped the bottom of his robe off and wrapped it around the arm hoping to stifle the flow. Tears streamed freely down her face as she sat on the floor and cried.
Not sure what else to do, Baralai called Paine. If nothing else Dr. P would have some sort of answer. Luck seemed to be on his side and she was in the city doing some supply shopping. She agreed to meet them back at the temple in an hour. Offering soothing words, the praetor led Rikku back upstairs.
He helped her to sit down once they were back in his office. "Paine will be here soon. She'll know what to do. Just bare it for a little while longer."
Nodding her head, the young woman attempted to suppress her sobs. The hurt was so much, but she was older now, wasn't she? She shouldn't be like this. People looked up to her for guidance as to what the Al Bhed could be and do. She had shown the world that her tribe didn't have to be feared and that they could actually be a help in ways unimagined.
By the time her friend arrived the pain in her arm began to subside. There was still some lingering sting, but nothing that Rikku couldn't tolerate. "So what's the verdict, Dr P?" Rikku asked as lighthearted as she could manage.
Knowing the young woman was hurting, Paine allowed the tease to go unpunished. She took hold of the arm and gently unwrapped the bandage Baralai applied earlier. She hummed in thought as she turned the arm back and forth to get a better idea. "Can't say I know. Baralai said this happened suddenly. You sure you haven't been out fighting fiends?"
"Paine," Rikku whined as she took her arm back and cradled it close. "You know that's not it. Fiends are almost extinct now, you know that."
Paine sighed as she rolled her red eyes, "Well what else have you been doing?" Tilting her head to the side and holding her chin in her hand, Paine noticed a small mark coming from the back of her friend's neck. She dropped her hands to grab hold of Rikku's head and forced her closer. "Rikku! What is this?" It was probably one of the few times panic could actually be heard in her voice.
Unable to answer since her face was currently being squished Rikku had to wait until she was released. Baralai and Paine both stared at her in horror.
Cowering, she had no choice but to explain, that is if she could have. "I, um, don't know." She went to reach one hand around, fingers stretched, to touch the burn she know without a doubt they were concerned about.
Before she could get that far, Paine roughly seized her wrist while reprimanding her. "Don't touch it! You don't even know what it is, don't go spreading it!" With a sigh a sad shake of her head, she let go of the wrist. "Honestly, Rikku."
"Do you think, maybe, that Kimahri might know? Or what if even the Guado? Yevon can't help, and my people don't have anything." Rikku suggested green eyes shining brightly with hope.
Paine and Baralai glanced to one another both thinking the same thing. "Guado."
He tried to feel, really he did, but it was almost impossible in this place. He knew he should be in agony, the scars along several parts of his body attested to the torture he had been subjected to. Yet he felt nothing.
Well nothing except the emptiness of being alone. His friends had been pulled away to some other part of...where ever this was. Someone had a vendetta against him and was going to make sure he suffered. Suffered alone with no chance of escape.
He glanced around the cell he was in making notes in case he would have a opportunity of escape. The only items in the room besides himself were the bed of straw where he lay and and a window high above his head. There was no way he would even be able to jump high enough to grab hold of the thick metal bars. And even if he did manage, then what? Was he just going to hang there until they broke?
A deep sigh escaped as he counted that idea as futile. He tried to figure how long he had been here, but it too was futile. Except for those taken when he was, no one knew he was even here. But he wasn't about to give up, not yet. He still had one option, as small (or embarrassing) of a chance it may be.
Closing his eyes, he concentrated. "Help me. Help me, Rikku."
Tromell was so focused on the documents in front of him he almost missed the soft knocking on his door. In the five years since he took over as leader of the Guado, he was starting to see things never exposed before. Jyscal had been a kind and devoted man, his son? Not so much. Lord Seymour kept much of his agenda hidden from even him.
The knocking sounded again and he stored the folder away from prying eyes before giving entrance.
To his surprise, it was a blond Al Bhed he knew well that entered first. Behind her were the praetor of New Yevon and a leather clad woman he vaguely remembered traveling with Lady Yuna several years ago. He quickly composed himself and stood to walk around the wooden desk in front of him to greet his guests. "Lady Rikku! Praetor Baralai, to what do I owe this honor?"
Paine rolled her eyes as she was ignored. She wasn't offended, for she often went out of her way to blend in.
Baralai bowed low in the old Yevon prayer before speaking. "I'm sorry to bother you, but we were hoping you may have some answers for us."
Tromell took a step back. Had they found what he had? Was that why they were here? Pulling himself together he stumbled out an answer. "I-I will do what I can."
Rikku stayed silent, unusual for the bubbly girl, as Paine replied, "We wondered if you had any old books around. Anything about old legends or something." One black gloved hand waved in the air in a dismissive action before settling on her hip.
Tromell glanced at the three. They were hiding secrets. New Yevon would never show up at his door without first calling. His gaze fell on the most peculiar of the small group. Lady Rikku was standing back as if ready to run. She kept her head down to hide her face, yet he could still see the dark circles that rimmed her eyes. She held her arms across her body seemingly attempting to hide behind them.
Knowing they were not there to expose his secrets, he relaxed. Rikku backed away as he moved closer to her and gently took her chin his large hand. Her spirals darted around looking anywhere except him. Satisfied Tromell moved away giving her space once more. "You haven't been sleeping well, have you?" He questioned. "Have you tried sleeping weed?
"I did, once. Didn't work." Rikku pouted as she answered. She went on still distracted, "Had the opposite effect. I was up for days."
Baralai interrupted as he added more information, "Rikku, show him your arm."
Mumbling as she removed the ribbon, Rikku carefully pulled it off showing the three prominent gashes that trailed down the skin. They didn't hurt now, but the remnant was still there. "Don't know what the big deal is," she complained not one to enjoy being fussed over.
"The big deal, Rikku," Paine cut in impatiently, "Is that healing them made them worse!"
This caught Tromell's attention. Healing arts making wounds worse? He had a few suspicions on what was going on, but what he knew was being dispelled quickly. He moved back to the other side of his desk and opened a drawer. Inside he pulled out a set of keys. "Here, one of these will allow you entrance to the Guado library. A millennium of information is at your disposal. However, may I make one suggestion?"
Baralai paused as he was reaching out for the keys. He stared at the leader in from of him waiting for the dreadful feeling to pass. Whatever they were about to be told, wasn't going to be good.
"I would suggest you begin with soul. Whatever may be hurting Lady Rikku, I feel the answers may lie there."
"We'll keep that in mind. Thank you for your time." Paine stated before taking Rikku by the good arm and leading her out. Already she could see the young woman was withdrawing again.
Baralai bowed before taking keys in hand, "Thank you again." He crossed the office before pausing at the door. With one hand holding it open, he spoke only turning his head to look over his shoulder, "We all have secrets, Yevon included, but don't let someone else's keep you from doing what you know is right." With that advise he too followed the girls.
"Soooo?" Rikku began as she entered the Guado library. "What are we supposed to be looking for again?" She was fiddling with her sleeves making sure her arm was fully covered before someone else could see it. They had received enough stares on their way down to this room.
"Tromell said something about soul. I think that's our best bet." Paine replied before heading deeper inside and disappearing behind a shelf.
Rikku watched as Baralai shook his head and went in the opposite direction. He knew the dark clad woman would not need or want help from him. Rikku gazed around the spacious area. All four walls were covered floor to ceiling with books. Not to mention the ten or so shelves that were situated in the center area also filled with tomes.
She was overwhelmed. Where to begin? The only hint they had was to search for something about soul. Was that all there was? Taking the center area, she browsed the numerous covers hunting for words or cover pictures that may offer clues. She found about five before settling down at a long table near the door.
The pages were old and brittle, so she took her time flipping through them. Sure she was in a hurry, but there was still a thousand years of history here. There was information based on the machina war that Tidus would no doubt want to know more about. She made sure to remember that book.
As the trio worked, Rikku felt herself growing increasingly drowsy. Five hours of reading was almost more than she could handle. In the middle of a sentence, she could take no more and her head dropped into her arms.
When she lifted her head again, Rikku was standing in the middle of the Macalania lake ice. She could still smell the scent of oil in the air from the machina that was common to Al Bhed. A cold wind blew passed her and she instinctively wrapped her arms around her body to conserve heat. It came as a surprise not to feel the ribbons, halter top, and pants she normally wore. Glancing down Rikku saw that she was once again fifteen and wearing orange and green.
"What in the world?" She began as she inspected the claw and targe on her hands. The inspection stopped as she heard someone calling for her from further down the trail leading to the temple.
Snow was thrown behind her as she took off at a sprint. It was the same voice from before, and they sounded like they were in trouble. Before she could even enter the trail a behemoth styled fiend stepped into her path. It wasn't the purple skinned ones she was used to. This one was dark green as if stricken with disease. It even appeared grumpier than its normal counterpart if that were possible.
Licking her lips, Rikku took her fighting stance. She had no idea what to expect from this creature, but whatever it was, it was going to hurt. The behemoth used one claw to attempt to rake her in pieces, but she jumped back and out of its reach. It tried again, this time spinning around and slamming a long thick tail where she was standing. Snow flew in all directions and she used that for cover as she ran in to swipe at its thick hide.
The creature growled in anger searching for its prey. The sound of someone calling her name again distracted her as she followed the sound with her eyes. The fiend taking his chance swiped at her one more time. She almost missed the paw coming at her, but managed to dodge before the worse of it could get her. However, it was not fast enough. Her shirt was now shredded at the bottom leaving ugly gashes in the skin under it.
Rikku gasped in pain as she quickly covered it with her left arm. The glove she wore began to feel wet in moments. Pulling it back, she glanced down to see the article soaked in red. Shock almost made her faint as she reached into her item pouch at her thigh. A potion was all she had in there, and she drank it greedily. Almost as soon as the liquid hit her throat, the pain on her arm also choose that time to return sending her into a screaming frenzy. The snow around her began to grow crimson.
She knew this was the end for her and so allowed herself to fall. The voice she heard at first shouted her name over and over, but she was too far gone. "Get up! Rikku, get up!"
Her head shot up from its position in her arms. Baralai and Paine stood over her, both wearing expressions of worry. Baralai had one hand on her shoulder "You alright? We heard you screaming."
Blinking slowly, Rikku looked around to find out where she was. It seemed that she never left the Guado library. "Sorry, guess I was more tired than I thought. So, did you find anything?"
Baralai answered, but Paine stared at her as if she wanted to speak, yet not sure what to say. "Tromell was right when he said to search for soul. We found some information that may prove useful. It's an old legend, but the closest option we have. Have you ever heard of a soul-mate?"
Rikku had to confess. The term was new to her. Sure she understood soul and mate, but to put them together? That was a new concept completely. Her blond hair waved as she she shook her head.
"Apparently, it's two people who are connected beyond any logical reason. When one hurts, so does the other. It's like their life force is so twined together that they cannot be separated on pain of death. Or so the legend goes." Baralai opened the book he held under his arm and showed her the passage they found the information in.
Rikku glanced it over quickly, it did sound almost like what she was experiencing. Did that mean whomever her soul-mate was, they were in pain? And how was she supposed to find out who they were? It's not like she could just send out a mass message to everyone in Spira.
"Rikku, what happened to your stomach?" Paine chose that moment while she was deep in thought to make her curiosity known.
Rikku hummed in confusion. She looked down to the skin to find three scars just above the waistline of her black pants. They were red and inflamed. She touched one hesitantly, only to hiss and pull her fingers back quickly. "I-I've been here the whole time. Do you think...?" She looked to her friends with both concern and fear in her expression.
Baralai bent to have a closer look. He made sure not to touch it, but could still feel the heat sent off by the injury as his hand grew close. "I hate to say it, but we should probably cauterize them. If we leave them alone, it's likely to become infected. Since it seems we can't even use white magic or potions, it's our only option."
"I agree with Baralai," Paine said as she placed one hand on Rikku's shoulder. "We don't have a choice. If you want, we can head back to the inn so you can rest after. I'm not going to lie, it's going to hurt, a lot."
"Don't worry," Rikku tried to assure them. "I can handle a little pain. After all, I hang out with you." She grinned.
He was cold, a lot colder than he should be. His prison was no longer the stone cell of before. Now it was a temple. The floor was hard on his side as he lay in the middle of the chamber. Pushing to his feet, muscles protested as they were sore from shivering so much.
He made his way to the expansive double door that would lead him outside. Outside meant freedom. Freedom meant he might be able to find her. He could feel her presence nearby. Pulling his coat closer to himself, he tried to hide the scars that trailed down his left arm. He received them only a short time ago, yet found there was no feeling to them. It was only a reminder of what had happened at the hands of his captor.
Thinking of his captor brought him up short. What if they were watching? Were they giving him a chance to escape? Perhaps it was merely a game to break his will later. No matter the reasons, he had to reach her. Setting one booted foot in front of the other, he focused his thoughts on her presence.
He wasn't far when he felt a new sensation. He grunted in response to the pain that now resided on his abdomen. She was hurt, whatever happened, whatever was going on; she was dying. He had to reach her, but knew it was almost too late. She was slipping away, out of his reach.
Falling to the snow, he let go of the mental link he was holding onto. He couldn't save her, just like he couldn't save his friends. Despair began to fill his heart creating a vortex of swirling darkness.
When he awoke he was back in his stone cell. The room was without light, shadows filling every corner. Across the way was a shadow even darker than the rest.
"About time you came around. That was a pathetic stunt you pulled. You do realize I can see all that you do. You're lucky I decided to have mercy and bring you back." The voice was neutral, neither male nor female, with an underlining hint of smugness to it.
"I never asked you to save me," He countered. He was sitting now staring up in challenge to the unknown captor.
"What? And ruin all my fun? I don't think so." The tone was most certainly female now. It was a voice he should know well but time and age dulled his memory. "We have a lot to do, you and I." She stepped out of the shadows until a small sliver of light crossed her face before she turned away again.
It was enough for him to know who he was dealing with. "You!" He exclaimed in furious recognition.
How she wished to be somewhere else. The Guado inn was not the place to be when you were waiting on a friend to practically burn your skin. Rikku sat on the bed wringing her hands together and staring at her mid-section. Baralai was waiting out in the hall to give her some privacy. Paine had said she would have to do this while Rikku wore as little as possible just in case her clothing caught in the flame.
"You know, I really have no problem with Baralai being in here. Honest. It's not like he's thinking of me in that way anyway." Rikku was pleading with the older woman as all she wanted was someone to hold her hand while Paine did the deed.
"Rikku, you're twenty-three now. Isn't it about time you start acting like it?" Paine replied exasperated.
"Fine, I guess I don't need anyone after all." She complained before laying back and closing her eyes as she did so.
Paine took a deep breath to prepare. She had to be careful as she concentrated on sealing only the damaged flesh. Her gloved hands hovered over the tanned skin as she pulled minimal mana stocks. Flame flicked from her fingertips before she pushed it out. She had to hold back her shock as the fire did not burn as expected.
It wasn't as if she had done the spell wrong, it was quite correct actually. If Rikku's purr of contentment was any indication, it must have felt, well, good. The scratches closed and sealed leaving the skin as unblemished as if they were never there. Taking her chances, Paine moved until her hands were above the left arm of her friend. "Don't move, Rikku. I'm going to try something."
Green swirls watched as the fire touched her skin, smiling as the heat eased away the pain. For as scared as she was before, Rikku had to wonder what there was to even be afraid of. She tried not to think about why a spell that should have damaged had the opposite effect. As soon as her friend finished, Rikku slipped back into her black pants. She was adjusting her ribboned sleeves as Paine called Baralai back in.
He held the thick book from earlier in his hand, one finger holding the place where he had been reading from. The praetor was about to speak when he noted the older woman's expression. Guessing whatever the news was, it wasn't good. Holding open the door they headed out into the hall. "We'll be right back," he assured the Al Bhed.
As soon as they closed the door, Rikku was up and running. She pressed her ear against the wood, hoping to hear even a snippet of conversation. It was difficult at best and all she could make out were words such as 'soul' 'fire' and 'plain'. For the first time she was wishing the walls of an inn were thinner. She had to hurry back to the bed when she heard their steps coming closer.
When the door opened, Baralai was alone. His face was one of agony and despair. Rikku was about to ask where the dark clad warrior went, but he answered before she could do so. "Paine had to go check out a few leads." He refused to look at her and so turned his head to face a side wall instead. He stepped further into the room and closed the door behind him with a soft click. "Rikku, have you ever heard of the fates?"
"You mean like the fayth? They do that kinda stuff, right?"
"No, more powerful than them. I was doing some digging in this book." He sat down on the bed next to her and opened the book so that it spread over both laps. He skimmed over the words until he found what he was searching for. "Here we go," Pointing to the page he allowed her to read, "Start here."
Long ago, at the beginning of time, the fates were powerful mages. They held the life and death of every living being in their hands. They were the ones that would peer into the future and determine who the ultimate soul-mate for every being would be. They have, without fail, done this for thousands of years. They gather the life force and spin the two into a web so intricate that it cannot be undone. This allowed the couple to experience life together with a joy that is beyond explanation.
Those that defy this dedication, have paid for it with their contentment of life. The being would be miserable until they found their partner as established in times past. Those that make it through life take those feelings with them into death. The soul longs for the other half and will continue to call out. Sometimes at the cost of the one still alive. While this case is extremely rare, and perhaps unproven, records state it may be possible.
The only remedy for this rare phenomena is to find the two souls so that the dead may pass on and await the soul of the living when the time arrives. If this tactic is not taken, both parties risk death worse than death. A fitting punishment from the fates.
Rikku gasped as she pulled away from the reading. One hand covered her mouth in apprehension. It took a few moments before she was able to gather her thoughts together and speak. "So, if I don't find him soon, I may die?"
Baralai had left her alone with her thoughts. That had been two hours ago. Wherever Paine had gone, she had yet to return from. This left Rikku with no way to express her thoughts and fears and get some opinions on what to do. It was fortunate they were staying in Guadosalam. The farplane was nearby. She would go and speak to her mother. True the Al Bhed never liked the place, memories being memories and all that, she needed a familiar face.
Leaving the inn room, she shuffled through the sleepy town with one goal in mind. Climbing the stone stairs took every bit of will-power she could muster. Entering this place was never easy for Rikku. The rainbow barrier was all that stood between her and her mother now. Taking a deep breath, she walked through.
A feeling like silk covered her from head to toe before it was gone seconds later. She was now faced with a scene that was reminiscent of pure peace and contentment. Waterfalls flowed freely all around her crashing down in some unseen bottom. The pyerflies flowed freely unrestricted by hate and anger. One swooped in close and caressed her cheek before moving on.
After taking it all in, she moved to the edge and began to think of her mother. The lights gathered quickly and Rikku found a perfect image of her mother floating in front of her. She smiled in spite of her fears and began to speak in Al Bhed so that she could be understood.
"Hey, mom. I know it's been a while. I was five when I last saw you. Would you believe I'm twenty-three now? The years sure went fast, didn't they. Spira is now the world like you wanted. Al Bhed live with everyone else and are accepted. It took a while though. It's all because of cousin Yunie. You remember her, right? She is Aunt Mena's and Uncle Braska's daughter. She became a summoner like her dad.
"I was there with her. The first Al Bhed guardian! Can you believe it?" A huge smile appeared as she thought back to those days. Sure at the time it had been rough traveling with a few yevonites, but it was worth it all in the end. She had made more friends than thought possible.
"I would love to tell you all about them, but I don't think I have time. Mom, I think I may join you soon." Her cheerful posture changed suddenly. Her shoulders slumped as she went on. "Some friends of mine think that something called a soul-mate may be the reason. I think if he were alive I would have found him by now, but Baralai showed me something today. My soul-mate is dead and I am being punished by the fates for not finding him sooner." Without realizing it, tears began to run down her cheeks. Rikku used one finger to wipe them away. "I love you, mom, but I'm not ready to join you yet."
Without looking back, Rikku made to exit the farplane. She was stopped by a figure that barred her way.
She had been taunting him, mocking him with events that could never happen when she suddenly stopped mid-rant. Her eyes took on a glassy far away gaze before an evil grin appeared. A chuckle escaped as she sneered down at him. "Well, well. Guess today is my lucky day. You're just a beaten man."
He had felt it too, but refused to allow her the knowledge of knowing how her presence affected him. He felt a strength that was unknown since the days of traveling. Since the days of wandering Spira. "If you do anything..." He began in warning.
"What?" She scoffed. "You are in no position to threaten me. Your defiance is about to cost you. I will make sure you receive a fate worse than death. I know of the legends, I used them myself. I know what will happen should you two never meet." The wicked smirk remained as she glared. "You stay right here. I have some business to attend to." Tilting her head back, she scattered into a million lights and faded away.
He watched her disappear as a growl formed deep in his throat. He was tired of standing by and watching her get away with whatever evil plot she planned. He didn't care about what happened to him, but when she began to threaten those he considered comrades, she had to be stopped. Using the last bit of energy he had gathered, he broke down the door holding him hostage. It fell apart into more pyerflies.
Focusing on her presence, he allowed the mental link to be established and warped to her location.
What he saw should have shocked him, but he knew her better than that. She was fighting back. Weaponless, but not without a will to live. It was what he liked most about her. Two more people entered giving her a moment of respite.
"Rikku! You alright?" A man in long green and tan robes called as he pulled out his own weapon prepared for the battle.
The blond nodded as she caught sight of a leather clad woman. "Paine, you're here too?"
"Good thing. Looks like you could use some help. Who is this fiend?" She held her sword in front of her in a mix of offensive and defensive position.
He watched as the three of them took on his captor while he was powerless to do anything about it. He was still one of the dead after all.
Rikku conjured up a flare spell ready to cast it at the woman in front of them. She answered the last question with only a slight waver to her voice. "It's Lady Yunalesca. Remember how we fought her in the Via Infinito? Well it seems she's back for more and has a real stick up her butt."
"You vulgar girl. But no matter, once you're out of the way I will have my vengeance."
The man in robes stepped closer to Rikku as if trying to become a human shield. "Rikku, what is she rambling about?"
"Baralai, I wish I knew. She just appeared out of nowhere and began to attack me." The flare was released only to be deflected by some sort of shield. "Well, magics out. Anyone else have any good ideas?"
"Foolish girl." Yunalesca snarled. She raised one arm above her head ready to erase the blond from existence. She gathered the needed energy before throwing it forward.
He saw what was about to happen and anxiety filled his entire being giving it a solid form. He shouted out a loud "NO!" before wrapping his arms around her and rolling her to safety. The force of the impact was more than needed and they descended together over the edge.
When she awoke some time later, two sets of eyes stared down at her. She rubbed away the soreness on the back of her head as she sat up. "Oh? What happened?"
Paine replied as she moved into Rikku's line of sight. "You fell a long way. We are somewhere within the farplane. We just don't know know where that is yet." She moved back but remained close.
Baralai picked up where she left off. "You went off the cliff and we jumped after you. Can't have you thinking we abandoned you, can we?" He smiled softly and rubbed the top of her head.
Rikku whined and she covered her head with her hands. "Gippal does that. Don't you start too." She pushed herself to her feet to have a look around. Missing the worried exchange between her friends, Rikku's breath caught as she gazed out. It wasn't the view that made her pause. It was the very familiar red coat that stopped her.
He stood with his back turned as if standing sentinel over the camp. His right hand rested on top of the hilt of his sword as it was thrust into the ground in front of him. He heard her approach, eye closing in regret. He never wanted them to meet like this. True he had saved her life, but he made her friends promise not to tell her that fact.
"A-Auron?" She began wondering if this was only another dream. If it was she didn't want to wake up. Here was her idol standing in front of her, a man that taught her how to better herself. He taught her how to overcome when others put her down simply because of who she was. She never imagined meeting him like this. When he had faded away that day, she cried for the loss of mentor and friend, but here he was again. She wasn't sure what she should have been feeling.
"Are you alright?" He had meant it in the way to make sure she was alive and not hurt, but only he knew the deeper meaning behind the question. His own thoughts were racing. Why had he been calling out to her of all people? He never needed anyone before. Of course he was miserable and lonely for the last ten plus years of his afterlife. Until that last year anyway. There was a luminance that he never understood before. It was only lately at the hands of Yunalesca that he began to comprehend it.
"Hey, um?" She wasn't sure what to say. She ignored his question to ask one of her own. Truth was, she didn't know if she was alright or not. Her heart pounded in her chest threatening to break free."Do you know where we are?"
Mentally preparing himself, Auron turned. His eye gazed up and down taking in her appearance. She was taller than the last time he saw her, her blond hair grown out but still held up in a single wild ponytail. She wore tight fitting black pants and yellow tube top, with off white sleeves covered with ribbons. Her face thinned out, gone was the teenage baby fat. There was a single gem hanging from her navel, crystal in color, indicating she had it pierced not too long ago.
"We are in the farplane. Could you not tell?" It came out harsher than he planned, but it was better than letting her know his deepest thoughts.
She suppressed the urge to yell at him instead settling for punching him in the arm. "That's not what I meant. I knew that, Paine told me so. How do we get out of here exactly? I don't know if you noticed, but I don't exactly have a weapon right now. It's not like I can do much if faced with Yunalesca again."
He wanted to say that he would be there to defend her, that he would fight in her place, but the words wouldn't come. "Do you know what she wanted?"
"Heck if I know! She mentioned something about vengeance. Maybe she's mad at Yunie and us." She shrugged indicating that's all the information she had.
Auron knew what she meant. He also knew it was his fault Rikku had been attacked. He had been the one to lead the charge in eliminating the final summon. He was the one to enter the farplane knowing full well what he had done. How he ruined a thousand years of twisted tradition. Not that he minded doing it, but he lost his own life when all he wanted was answers.
"Rikku." Baralai was calling for her. Rikku longed to stay by the ronin's side, but a simple tilt of his head told her to answer to his call. Baralai watched the exchange with curiosity. He had heard the rumors surrounding the man, but was never able to see them in action. Yuna had told him one time how much of an honor it was to travel with her father's guardian. Well, he was about to get that chance for himself.
Travel through the farplane was difficult at best. It was slow and tortuous leading them many times to dead ends or cliffs too high to be traversed by those still living souls. Auron knew he could have easily reached it by dispersing into the pyerflies that made his current body. Though that would mean leaving them stranded.
Paine and Baralai would talk in hushed tones about what was the best way to go about protecting Rikku from harm. They could both sense a connection between the old pilgrimage comrades, so she needed not only physical protection, but emotional as well. They wondered if perhaps he was the soul-mate spoken of in legends. He seemed to be going out of his way to protect the youngest of the group, but it was more than that. There was some deeper motive.
Rikku knew her friends whispered behind her back, and she knew those whispers were about her. Yet, she found herself not caring. She was traveling again with friends. There was a feeling of completion she had not experienced in years. Her bubbly personality began to come out again. She found herself smiling true smiles that had not been seen in a long time. Her giggles and laughter filled the air.
After traveling for probably hours, time having no meaning here, Auron called for a rest. He set his katana aside and dropped to the grassy plains below. Rikku was quick to join him resting close enough to his knee she could touch it if she were to desire. She was turned away ready to go into a deep conversation with Paine when the praetor caught sight of three hidden scars protruding from just under the man's jacket.
It was the man's gasp that stopped all conversation. Rikku turned toward him with a confused expression. "What is it, Baralai?"
Composing himself quickly, he thought up a believable lie. "Sorry, it's nothing. The pyerflies were playing tricks with my eyes I guess." With a shrug, Rikku turned away, but Auron continued to stare. Indicating to his coat, Baralai made it known what he saw.
Carefully Auron pulled the article up higher on his shoulder. He had to make sure it was a natural movement. "Get some sleep," he ordered the girls, "You need to rest while you can. We never know when Yunalesca may strike."
Rikku almost whined until Paine did as ordered. The woman knew what the command was meant for. Rikku had no way of defense, she would need her reflexes in top condition in case they were called to action. Paine pretended to fall asleep as Rikku did for real. As soon as she knew it was safe, she lifted her silver head.
"So what's the agenda?" She asked quickly and to the point.
"We have to get you three out as soon as we can. Yunalesca is only out to hurt me, and in turn any she may come into contact with that defied her." Auron glanced down to the sleeping blond, emotion long thought suppressed starting to emerge. He hated to leave her, not when they were together once more. "We should find Braska if we can. He may be able to help."
"High Summoner Braska?" Baralai asked in awe. This expedition was becoming quite a tale. He was going to have some stories to pass on in the future. "Where do we find him?" He added quickly.
"That's the problem."
Paine rolled her red eyes, of course there were problems. There always were. "Let me guess. Yunalesca separated you."
Auron nodded in affirmative. "Even if I knew where to look, there is no guarantee in this place it would be the correct spot. The pyerflies have a way of changing the land to suit their moods. It's not intentional. It is simply the instinct they have been created with. That is why one pyerflie may be a part of the waterfalls and a moment later pull away and become a vision of the dead during a calling."
Before a response could be made, a dissonance from the sky alerted them of a presence nearby. Auron was on his feet and standing protectively in front of Rikku. Paine and Baralai took up arms with him. A fiend swooped in before landing in front of them. Its black body and wings extended as if to appear twice its normal size.
It began by casting a speed spell on itself before flames engulfed Paine. She gritted her teeth together but managed through the art. Counterattacking ended up angering the fiend as it began casting faster and higher tiered spells. It was Baralai that noticed the first movements of a death curse. With eyes trained on Auron, the fiend cast.
Reflexes moved faster than his brain as he shoved the older warrior out of the way and took the full brunt of the spell in his place. Paine shouted out his name in dread as she ran over to catch him as he fell, heart still being crushed in front of them. Auron picked himself off the ground before rushing in and savagely cutting the fiend in two. The pyerflies broke apart and floated away leaving him breathless were he to have breath to begin with.
Turning he stood over the pair as Paine was forcing a vial of phoenix down into the praetor's mouth. "Fool!" He began to rebuke once he saw the first signs of life. "I'm already dead, the attack would have done nothing! Did you even stop to think about what you were doing?"
Baralai coughed once as the liquid continued to do its work. "Actually, believe it or not. I did." He took one glance to where Rikku slept peacefully unaware to what just transpired. "I thought about Rikku. I could not allow her to suffer when I could do something to prevent it."
Ire cooling, Auron felt as if it had been his heart ripped from his chest. Rikku. Without trying to seem overly concerned, he kneeled next her and checked her pulse. The beat was steady under his fingertips allowing him to relax. He pulled his hand back into his coat. "Wake her up. That fiend was sent by Yunalesca. We need to press on- now." He snapped as he moved to stand on the edge of the camp.
"Of all people," Paine began before trailing off. "Didn't even apologize."
"It's fine," the other assured her. "He was worried, that's all. You saw the fear when I mentioned her, didn't you?" Baralai spoke as he tilted his chin downward.
She had to admit she did. Auron was an enigma, and one she would rather not unravel. But poor Rikku, fate had a funny way of making a bad joke. Speaking softly so as not to startle her friend, she shook Rikku awake, "Rikku, it's time to go."
The Al Bhed yawned before opening her eyes. "Hey guys. Time to go already?" They helped her rise before catching up to the ex-guardian standing afar off. "Hey, Auron! Wait up!" She ran so that she would be able to walk next to him. "Did you get any rest? Oh, wait. You don't need any, do you?"
He tried to appear annoyed, but failed once he answered. "No, the dead do not. Did you get enough?"
Rikku grinned at his unexpected concern. "Oh yes! I'm ready, I feel like I could take on Sin once again." It was with that little bit of confidence that Rikku began to take the lead.
"They defeated my Varuna? How could this have happened?" Yunalesca paced within the tower she summoned for herself. There was an endless supply of pyerflies ready for her to call on to do her bidding. Her fury began to grow enough that one swoop of her hand over the top of a wooden table sent glass bottles crashing loudly to the floor.
An older man stepped into the room and took one glance around at the damage. Waving his hand in the air, he reconstructed the items back into their proper place. "My daughter, I know you're upset, but is this going to solve anything? Think of it this way, at least you know where they are."
Silver hair flowed wildly behind her as she spun on her heel, "That's the problem! Don't you see it? There are far too close to Kohtalo. We can't allow that to happen, Father."
He cleared his throat before stepping closer to a window and gazed out. He knew the group was out there somewhere. Reaching one hand out, he concentrated and changed the landscape. "That should at least slow them down. Kohtalo should be hidden for a little bit longer. Those witches won't be found anytime soon."
Yunalesca grinned softly at the deed. "Thank you, Father. However, I still need another fiend. If I can just split them up, we can both have our revenge."
"You can leave that one to me. They may be hailed as heroes on Spira, but here, they are nothing more than playthings." Yu Yevon smirked as he stepped over to the summoned bookshelf. He pulled one down and flipped through the pages. "Ah, here we go. This one should do nicely." He began the chant that would summon his chosen creature.
Rikku was the first to feel the vibrations of what seemed to be an earthquake. She stopped suddenly almost making Auron run into her. "Rikku, if you don't mind." He growled out after composing himself.
"Sorry, but don't you feel that? How can the ground be shaking?"
"Must be Yunalesca's doing. She may be trying to scare us with a..." Baralai began to suggest but was cut short by a glare from Auron. Rikku did not know about the battle from before, and did not need to.
"I'll check it out." The oldest warrior suggested. Before they could stop him, Auron released the pyerflies that made his body and floated away.
A noise of protest escaped from Rikku's lips before she could stop it. She worried what if he never came back? What if the pyerflies were so happy being free, he couldn't be himself again?
Red eyes rolled as Paine saw the torment going through her friend's mind. She stepped up and placed one hand on the blond's shoulder. "He'll be back. He's just going to see what's up ahead. I don't think he would have done it if it meant leaving us here alone. He knows we haven't a clue about this place." After a soft thank you, she moved back to stand next to Baralai.
"You did good, Dr. P." Baralai encouraged. "That wasn't so hard, was it?" He grinned as she rolled her eyes once more. They watched as Rikku stared in the distance in eagerness waiting for Auron to come back, her hands wrung together in worry. It was only once she saw the lights come back and relax did they do the same.
The pyerflies circled around in the air in the middle of the three before swirling closer to one another and forming the missing traveler. He was slumped down to one knee and had to hold a hand up as Rikku ran close as if to wrap her arms around him.
He ignored the look of rejection while informing them what had happened. "She has changed the landscape. We will not be able to continue our current itinerary." With a grunt of annoyance he pushed himself to his feet. "However, I did see a route that is open. Be on your highest guard, it may be leading us into a trap."
"Of course it is," Paine added sarcasticly. "Why wouldn't it be anything else?" She removed her sword from its sheath and held it tightly as they moved on.
Rikku walked beside Auron as Paine took point, Baralai in rear. She had her own questions for him. "Did it hurt to do that? To come back together like that?"
"Only for a moment," He found himself answering honestly. "The pyerflies want to be free, I am forcing them to stay in the confines of this body."
"So, you're summoning them? Can't you just do what Yunalesca did and changed the land too?" Her head tilted to the side causing her bangs to cover part of her face.
"I cannot. I'm not a summoner." At her protest, he went on quickly adding, "I am only able to control this body. Nothing more. I am already defying the laws of this place in doing so. I will accept the punishment once we get you out."
Rikku didn't know what to say. Here he was helping them, at a major cost. She stared at her feet watching as she placed one in front of the other. She wondered if maybe there was some higher being out there, some deity, that she could appeal to. It wasn't fair for him to be punished just for helping her!
Baralai shouted out a warning at the same time a fiend roared from further on the path. Those that had weapons took defensive positions. Auron stood as a shield in front of Rikku. "Stay back."
"No way! I can fight too, you know! Lulu taught me some magic since you've been gone." She argued back while preparing to cast.
He humphed in response. "Just don't do anything foolish."
Rikku didn't get a chance to reply as he took the first opportunity at the fiend. His sword swung quickly slicing into the hide of the beast before he moved out of range. Baralai fired a few shots off with his firearm trying to blind it before Rikku could get a chance to throw the Demi she was concentrating on.
She knew it had to be weakened before they could really plan to defeat it. The dark magic swirled over the head of the fiend before crashing down leaving it weakened, but still kicking. Paine nodded in approval before she used her sword to slice into the other side where Auron had not attacked previously. She was not able to move away fast enough and was caught off guard as a horn hit her side sending her crashing to the ground.
Rikku cast a quick cure in her direction before she focused once again to the monster in front. The battle raged for close the five minutes before the fiend made one last ditch attempt to crush them all. It jumped high in the air before crashing down creating a rift in the land and sending shock-waves in all directions splitting the party up into two groups.
Rikku screamed as she fell, Baralai right behind her.
Paine took one glance down into the crevice and wondered if her friends truly were alright. It was so dark and deep she had no idea where the bottom could be. Rikku's scream has lasted for a while before she was too far away. She trusted Baralai to take care of them and to keep Rikku in line, but that did not let her worry less.
"Do you want me to go find them?" A deep voice from behind questioned. He sounded unhappy about having to do it, but knew it was the only way to alleviate any concerns they had.
Paine took a deep breath before shaking her head. "No, it's fine. I'm sure they made it. We can meet up later. Rikku would never let me live it down knowing how much pain it causes you."
Auron paused internally. He never thought about worried Rikku might be. He only offered because he was concerned himself. He wanted, no, needed to know if she was alright. The sound of her voice and the fear that filled it tore at his deceased heart. Pulling all emotion inside, he pulled his coat up higher to hide his face and began marching, "Let's go."
Paine just shrugged and mumbled under her breath, "Least we'll know if the others are hurt or not."
Rikku stared at the expanse around her. Her fingers absently ran through the white stands that rested in her lap. She knew they had fallen a long way, yet there had been no pain upon landing. Baralai was knocked unconscious, but she bet that was probably because he wasn't used to the change this place caused on his body. Shuyin used him to travel, but as soon as the shadow left him, Baralai collapsed.
She sighed as she waited for him to wake. Auron had told them time flowed differently here, but that did not make the waiting any easier. The scenery around her almost looked the same as where they just came from. It was weird really once she thought about it. They had fallen a long way inside a hole, and yet it was almost as if they never fell at all.
That wasn't what bothered her most. Rikku looked up trying to see if she could make out the top, but it was nothing but darkness. Her heart sank knowing that she was separated from him. Auron had been her rock since the first time she saw him here in the farplane. He was what kept her going when she wanted to give up. If it weren't for the fact he would be highly displeased with her, she would have gave up and died when first fighting Yunalesca.
A low moan escaped from the person in her lap and she pulled her fingers back as she allowed him to sit up. "Oh. Rikku? Where are we?"
"Not a clue. Guess all we can do is keep walking. Maybe we can meet up with the others soon." She gave him an overly large smile.
He saw right through the act, but choose not to verbalize his thoughts. "Right. We were headed in..." He glanced around quickly before deciding. "That way," He pointed with one hand. Pushing himself away from her and to his feet, Baralai offered his hand before they began the trek that would hopefully lead them to the others.
They encountered minimal resistance, as the fiends were nothing more than common Spiran lesser beasts. The only problem they ran into was a dog like fiend that caught Rikku on the leg with one of its claws. She jumped away in surprise, but noted that there was no discomfort at all.
Baralai took one last shot before running over and grabbing her leg. Rikku blushed as she looked away. "Are you hurt? Maybe I should heal it?"
She sprung back both embarrassed at how close he was, and annoyed to be inspected. "I'm fine. Nothing to worry about. Come on, let's keep going."
Baralai nodded, but vowed to keep a close vigil on her.
Meanwhile, Paine had taken point only to realize she was not being followed. Turning to see what the problem was, she saw Auron motionlessness on the ground. Running back, she dropped next to him to see what the problem was. The first thing she noticed was the grimace on his face as if he were hurt. After that was the slight movement of his hand rubbing circles on his leg.
"What is it?" She had a dreadful feeling, but waited until knowing for sure.
"It's nothing. Just a little scrape I'm sure."
Rolling crimson eyes, Paine retorted, "Look, if you were anyone else I would believe you. But you and I both know what is really going on. You're dead, it's not like the dead can feel pain. I experienced this with Rikku before we entered here. She was receiving what seemed to be random attacks by an unknown cause. I didn't tell her, but I found some information on what was going on. Cures fail to heal when a soul-mate is deceased. Just like healing a zombie defeats them, so does healing the non-deceased soul-mate."
Auron could take no more, he didn't want to be Rikku's soul-mate. He didn't deserve someone so full of life and joy. However, he found just a bit of that joy rubbing off when he was simply near her. Not like he wanted others to know that. And now, hearing her friend talk to him like he was a child did not bode well on his nerves or sanity. He could feel the agitation brewing below the surface. "I think you got your information wrong." He grit his teeth together as he rose to his feet. "Now, let's keep going." Without looking back, he stepped past her.
Having her fill of stubbornness, Paine prepared a spell. She waited until he was the right distance before releasing the fira hitting him square in his back and sending him to the ground. She knew with them being separated Rikku would be feeling this too, and for that she was sorry, but it needed to be done. For both their sakes.
Auron roared as he face planted the ground. He jumped to his feet ready for a fight. "What is wrong with you, woman?"
"What does it matter? You're the only one being hurt, or can't you feel it?" She snapped back just as loud. She cast another fireball aimed at his feet. "Admit it! You can't feel it!"
Auron ignored her and prepared his own attack. He may not feel it, but she sure would be. He didn't care if this was supposed to be an ally or not. A lesson needed to be taught. Swords clang loudly as they battled. Each time the strikes were harder and faster. Neither one gave the other a chance to defend for long before another attack was made. Auron felt like he could go forever like this. He was dead, he had unlimited energy taken from the pyerflies. Paine on the other hand could feel her energy dwindle quickly. She ignored the weakness of her limbs as she continued her assault.
His denial to the circumstances that brought them here needed to be dispelled. Paine knew this, but still couldn't figure out how to get him to see and accept it for himself. Just as she was about to admit defeat, a shrill voice called out to them.
Rikku's figure jumped between the feuding duo with arms outstretched. "Stop it! Why are you fighting?" Her voice was doing all it could not to break as she held back tears.
Auron diverted his swing and thrust his sword into the ground. He could see faint bruises formed along her side and a few small scrapes along her shoulders. He could place each one as times Paine struck him when his guard was down. "Rikku?" She turned to face him sadness filling her green eyes. "W-where did you get those bruises?" He found himself sick to his stomach when she confirmed his thoughts. He mentally cursed the fates for this.
Before anyone else could say or do anything, two figures began to emerge and come closer to the rag-tag group. "Well, well. Seems you people are more sturdy than I gave you credit for. No wonder you were able to ruin Spira."
Auron growled Yunalesca's name out under his breath, but it was Rikku who confronted her accusations. "We ruin Spira? I think you got it all wrong lady. We weren't the one going around killing innocent people."
"Oh? You hear this, Father? She thinks they were innocent." Yunalesca laughed sardonicly.
"Al Bhed heathen wouldn't know anyway. Mankind only lives to war. War is a crime. Crime must be punished. Sin was that punishment. Only once Spira understood that fact, could it truly live in peace."
Paine had stood by and listened to this long enough. She had been trained to fight because Sin was in the world, not to be used against humans. "That's enough!" She shouted earning confused glances from everyone. She was not one known to display emotion. "I am a fighter because that's all I know. And it's because of Sin that I have been trained. So you're telling me that I have trained for nothing! I don't think so! I fight because I must!"
Yu Yevon raised his right hand, "If that's the way you feel, than allow me to treat you to your punishment."
Paine raised her sword ready for whatever onslaught was about to come her way. She needn't been worried though as yet another figure appeared in front of her and took the attack. Her red eyes looked up to see a man dressed in heavy armor. Her lips moved, but no words could escape.
"Zaon! What do you think you are doing?" Yunalesca hissed. "Get out of the way! These infidels need to be dealt with."
"My lady, you know I love you and support your aspirations. But I will not stand by and watch you go down this path any longer. The fayth are worried about you." Zoan spoke softly hoping to appeal to her human side. The side he fell in love with.
"Ah, my dear sweet loyal husband. Ever the dreamer, aren't you? Father, what should we do? He thinks we should stop."
Yu stared at his son-in-law with false humbleness. "Well, my daughter. Maybe we should listen to him. I mean if the fayth are worried after all, we can't let that happen."
Rikku would have relaxed at this point if she didn't understand false pretenses from the hands of zealous Yevonites growing up. She bit her lip and she hunted around for a chance of escape. Pyerflies began to swirl closer before taking shape. The short stature and purple hood gave away that this was Bahamut. He did seem to be the speaker for the fayth, so it only seemed natural for him to be there.
No one even took note of his presence except Rikku. She watched as his bare feet shuffled through the grass never bending even a single blade. He made his way until he was standing in the middle of the fighting group before raising one hand palm out. In an instant all was silent in the valley. He gave a short nod before lowering his hand and turning to the blond.
Rikku blinked as she seemed to be the only one unaffected by whatever spell he cast. "W-what's going on?" The boy didn't answer instead he glanced over to where Auron stood as motionless as the others. Rikku, fearing for his safety called out, "Wait! Don't take him away yet, please. I-I need him him to get home." Her hands were held clenched tightly together in front of her chest.
"Do you doubt that I and the other fayth could do the same? Do you think we are powerless now that we have awoken from our long slumber?" He stepped closer to the ex-guardian as if in preparation to scatter the pyerflies of his temporary body.
Rikku dropped to her knees as tears ran down her face. "I'm sorry. I don't doubt you. I just..." She was unable to finish her thoughts as the words became stuck in her throat.
Bahamut stepped away from his target and closer to where she sat on the ground. He patiently held one hand out waiting for her to take. As he helped her to her feet, Bahamut spoke. "Do not worry. We fayth are not that cruel. We understand your heart. Braska told you to search for Kohtalo, correct?"
Not bothering to even try and figure out how he know, Rikku simply nodded her head. She was sure they had their ways and would not explain them to a heathen such as herself.
"Follow the lights, they shall lead your way." He offered her before fading away. She protested begging for him to explain before he could disappear completely. Instead all action around continued where it left off.
Rikku wasn't sure what to do. Had what she saw really happened? Was Bahamut really talking to her? And most important, what did he mean by following lights? This place was nothing but lights. As soon as that thought entered, as if summoned, pyerflies began to gather close by. Auron caught her eye before glancing over and seeing their way of escape. With a small nod, he grabbed Paine's arm while Rikku took hold of Baralai. Together, they jumped through the pyerflies' portal before Yunalesca or her father could stop them.
Rikku was quiet as she marched them forward. Every interrogation was met with a sad gaze and shake of her head. Baralai thought maybe it may have had something to do with their meeting with Lord Braska before catching up with the others.
"Rikku, who is that?"
She looked up hoping it wasn't another fiend. She was already in pain from more random bruises. Instead, the sight that was in front of her was like a sweet oasis in the desert. "It's Uncle Braska!" She cheered before running to him.
His robes swayed backwards as she crashed into his open arms. "My now. You're not Cid's little Rikku anymore, are you? You sure have grown since the last time I saw you. How's is my daughter and your friend doing?"
Rikku quickly gave him a run down on life in Spira before Baralai softly cleared his throat reminding her that he was there. With a blush filling her cheeks, Rikku introduced the praetor. It was at this point she explained why they were alive and lost in the farplane.
Braska listened intently without saying a word until her story was done. His brows rose at the mention of Auron traveling with them, but that was the only clue to his inward thoughts. When she was finished, he spoke, "You should travel to Kohtalo. You will find the answers you seek there. But for now, I think I can help you with at least one problem." He took note to the bruises that covered her sides and shoulders. Little could be done for them at this point. Braska brought one hand up in front of his face, ring and pinky fingers down, thumb turned to his face. He closed his eyes in concentration as pyerflies gathered nearby. "This bridge will take you where you need to go. Just think about someone, and the pyerflies will react. When you find them, don't let go."
The white haired man narrowed his eyes in thought. Braska had told her not to let go once she found who she was looking for, so why was she so downtrodden now? Not letting her previous dismissal be the end of it, he walked faster so that he was walking at her pace. "Ok," he whispered figuring she didn't want a certain someone to know. "What's got you so worked up?"
She shifted her eyes to see him before focusing front again. "Nothing."
"You and I both know that's not the case. You are not the type to stay silent for a long time like this. Does this have anything to do with our meeting with Lord Braska?"
She sighed before slowing ever so slightly. "Yeah, I guess so. Baralai? Can I ask you a personal question?"
"Depends on how personal."
Taking her chances, Rikku began her inquiry, "Have you ever been in love? Not like a crush, but true love?"
He sucked in a breath not expecting that to come out of her mouth. He thought deeply. Had he been in love like that? Was there ever a time when he would have given everything up just to spend it with that one special person? Perhaps it was this whole soul-mate issue. If that was on her mind, no wonder she would be thinking this deeply on it. "Maybe once, or so I thought. Sin took them before I could know for sure."
"Sin really is the cause of so much hurt isn't it? I can see now why Auron was so eager for us to keep moving all those years ago. He wanted Yunie to vanquish Sin forever. He wanted her to fight, stay alive, and make everyone happy. We live in a world free from Sin, and yet I'm still not happy. It's like there's this hole in my heart that nothing can fill, you know. Maybe, just maybe..."
"You think you need love to fill it?" He finished for her.
Auron was at the back of the group deep within his own thoughts. He had defied death to bring happiness to Spira. Yet here was Rikku, the most cheerful of all, looking most depressed. He watched as the man of Yevon walked next to her both of them conversing in whispers. He thought he heard the word 'love' escape the praetor's lips, but couldn't be sure. He didn't trust him much. Yevon had left a bad taste in his mouth. Not that it mattered much, he held no dominion on who she could date.
He must have been scowling without knowing. For when the object of his recent affection turned his way she made an 'O' with her lips before pausing and waiting for him to catch up. She held her hands behind her back just like he remembered her doing back during their pilgrimage days. The tan ribbons bounced with each step she took. "Auron?" He hummed once to let her know he was listening. "Have you ever heard of a place called Kohtalo?"
The word sent a chill down his spine, but damned if he knew why. He had never heard it before in either life or after. There was a stirring that told him he should though. "Where did you hear that?" He asked in response never answering her own question.
Rikku shrugged. "Just something I heard around. I was hoping maybe you knew how to get there. Guess I have no choice." He would have speculated all day what she meant if he had not seen it for himself.
Lights, contrasting in form from the pyerflies began to come together. They circled around them as the four gazed on before finally resting to suspend in midair. They had formed a line leading to the right from where they halted. The closest shone brightest and dimmed the further away they hung.
Auron heard Rikku whisper something about following lights before she took off at a sprint. The others had no option but to follow the crazed Al Bhed.
(((Life- Vita, latin
Death-Mortem, latin
Afterlife-Oltretomba, italian
Destiny- Kohtalo, finnish)))
Someone was behind her calling her name, but she was too focused to worry about who it could have been. Suddenly a hand was slapped on her shoulder with enough force to pull her back and almost knock her down.
"Will you slow down for a moment? We have no idea what you are about to run into. How can you know it's safe without a weapon to defend yourself?" Paine was hissing the warning in her face, but it wasn't enough to discourage the blonde.
"Paine, I know what's in there. I can feel it." Rikku defended. "Please, you have to trust me."
Rolling her eyes, the warrior let go. "So help me if this kills us all, I will haunt you for the rest of my afterlife."
"Did someone call?" The door to the small hut burst open as an old woman who appeared to be over a hundred called out. Her hair was pure white from age, and her face had wrinkles on top of wrinkles. Her back was hunched over and she needed a cane just to be able to look at their feet.
All four travelers gasped in shock at the sight. Three of them grasped onto weapons ready for a battle if need be.
"Oh will you people relax," A brown spotted hand waved in the air before its owner stepped back. "We have been expecting you. Please, come in."
Rikku was all too eager while the others stared at one another not sure if they truly wanted to trust this person or not. Auron ended up without a choice when Rikku marched back, grabbed his hand, and pulled him behind her. "You're the oldest, show us kids how not to be afraid." She said as they entered the door.
Baralai and Paine shrugged before they too followed. They found Rikku looking around in astonishment with her mouth hanging open slightly. Auron stood close to her ready to protect should the need arise. Two woman, both younger than the first, were hard at work. One sat behind a colorful weaving loom hands moving almost so quickly it was hard to see them at all. The second stood over her with a pair of shears in her hand watching and making cuts every so often. The third, the one that invited them in, entered behind her own loom and seemed to work as well. What amazed them was that there was nothing there. Nothing at all. Her fingers moved with a grace that defied her age, but her mind must have snapped.
"Who are you?" Rikku was the first to find her voice and asked her question as she moved closer to see the tapestries for herself.
The woman with the shears looked up at her before using her shears and making a cut and then answering. "We are Vita, Mortem, and Oltretomba. In your language you might call us Fate. We are the ones responsible for all life and death in Spira."
The four of them took in the woman. She was middle aged, probably about forty-five or so. Dark hair covered her head, with a few gray streaks settling in. Her face was youthful with only minimal wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. She was average build, and average height wearing a long robe of blacks and grays tied around the middle by a dark gray belt.
The youngest had striking features. Hair of deep black, no gray to be seen at all. Her face held no traces of blemishes, and she was slim wearing a short black dress that showed off her toned legs. She painted her lips a bright red and lavender shadow covered green eyes.
"Braska sent you here, did he not?" Mortem questioned as she made another cut. They all continued to work during the conversation as if they could not be bothered to stop for any reason.
Baralai stepped closer to see the tapestry for himself. "He did. But I do not understand why." He watched them work for a moment before asking the question that was plaguing him, "Why do you destroy such amazing threading? Surely it destroys the fabric?"
Vita laughed softly, her voice barbed. "Silly child. We have not ruined anything. Can you not tell? It is the fabric of life that we create." She stopped moving long enough to point out one thread of brilliant greens and tans for him. "See here, this is you."
"Amazing," he whispered in awe. "What a wonderful piece of life. What about the other? Why can I not see it than? It looks like an empty loom to me."
Oltretomba answered the question voice crackled with age, "That is because I weave life after life. You are fully alive and so cannot see what lies beyond death." She laughed merrily yet hauntingly. "You sir, however, should be well aware of the threads I weave." She added indicating Auron.
"Indeed I can." He replied simply giving no other indication to his thoughts. He glanced to his comrades seeing Paine and Baralai admiring the work of life. Rikku was biting her lip, a trait he knew to be one of worry for the Al Bhed. He moved in close and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "What is it, Rikku?"
"Huh? Oh. I was just thinking." She bit down on her lip even harder going deeper in thought.
"You're as poor a liar as your cousin." She tried to argue back, but he silenced it all with a simple placement of a gloved finger to her lips. "These are the fates. You should go talk to them and see what you can learn." He tried to sound prospicient, but his voice was clipped instead as it was hard to be so close to her and not be able to act upon it.
Her hands clenched tightly into fists at her sides. How dare he act like he cared and then to chase her off like that? After all they went through, after traveling together before his sending and again now, it was so hard to keep her feelings suppressed. How was she supposed to respond to him? Letting anger take over, she raised one fist and punched him right in the jaw. The sound of her knuckles hitting his flesh made a satisfying smack as they connected. Unprepared for the onslaught, Auron tumbled to the floor.
Paine spun on her heel at the sound and watched as if it was all happening in slow-motion. She could not move fast enough to save the man before he reached the ground. Rikku would have continued her attack had Baralai not stepped in and pulled her away. Alternatively Paine choose to help the man back onto his feet. "What was that about?" She whispered.
"Rikku is young and prone to outbursts of emotion. Sometimes they get the better of her." As he rubbed his jaw, Auron happened to glance over to the fates. They had stopped working and were huddled close together seemingly in deep conversation.
Oltretomba leaned back before her wrinkled face was pulled back into a grin. "Passion is a tough emotion to understand, is it not?" Her hands returned to the loom in front of her.
Vita laughed again, dark and sinister in tone. It was a sound burdened by the cares of life. "Oh, stop teasing. Little Rikku, come over here. I want you to see this." She reached one hand out in a loving manner hoping to appeal to the hurting young woman.
Rikku grumbled, but did as requested. She pouted with her arms across her chest.
"See this thread here?" Vita pointed and Rikku nodded in response. Vita went on, "This single line represents the living dream. See how intertwined it is with the white one here? Those two are soul-mates, chosen by the fates." Her delicate finger traced the thread almost until it reached the top of the loom. "We have given them a long and happy life. It was full of missing pieces before, but together they are stronger than ever."
"It's Yunie and Tidus," she voiced in realization. When the fate nodded, Rikku began searching. "Where am I?"
Something akin to pity filled the fate's face. She looked away before pointing out a thread green in color, but horribly disfigured. It was short and partially severed near the top. Red thread was twisted in a small section before it appeared to have been ripped away without care.
"Wait, I don't understand. What's wrong with it?" Panic creeped into her voice as her bottom lip began to tremble. "It's like some of it is missing. Is that why I can see the other loom? There has to be some mistake! That can't be me!"
The middle aged fate stepped in and wrapped one arm around Rikku's shoulder. "Little one, fate does not make mistakes. I severed the thread. However, it is not time yet to cut it off completely."
Gasping for breath, Rikku shoved the arms of Mortem away and ran from the hut. Tears could be seen streaming down her face as she fled. Auron called out to her without effect.
Paine could take this no more. She unsheathed her sword and held it out in front of her ignoring Baralai's warnings. "That's enough! Haven't you done enough to her? Fix it! Weave her a new story!"
"That is not how fate works I'm afraid." Mortem said evenly as the other two sisters watched on. "You only have one thread in life. Her story has already been woven. I will soon cut the end of it." Vita nodded and Oltretomba giggled.
Baralai wrapped his arms around his friend worried for her safety. One did not defy the fates and live to tell the tale. "Paine, stop this foolishness now." He wrestled for the weapon in her hands. He finally managed to rip it from her and threw it to the floor out of her reach. "We came here for answers, whether they be good or bad. We cannot allow ourselves to get caught up like this. Now, Dr. P, what should we do?"
Shaking free from his hands, she stepped back. "Fine," Paine conceded. Turning to the fates, she began her question. "So why is Rikku's life thread so mangled? And how can we fix it?"
Outside, Rikku had taken cover on the side of the hut. She needed a chance to free herself from the lingering emotions caused by the rejection she experienced. Sliding her back down the side of the hutch she sat on the ground and pulled her knees close to her chest. She was so withdrawn that she failed to notice a set of black boots stop next to her. It wasn't until a red coat joined her that she lifted her face.
"What do you want?" She snapped.
"I came to offer my apologies. It was not my intention to mislead you as I have." He was far enough away that she didn't have to feel threatened by his presence, but not so far that she couldn't reach out and touch him if she wanted. "I am...sorry."
"Me too. Sorry, I mean. I shouldn't have hit you like I did. That was kinda mean of me, wasn't it?"
"Perhaps." She scowled at his short answer until he went on. "Did it make you feel better?"
Dropping her head back into her knees, she had to confess it didn't. Truth was it made her feel worse. "I just. I just want to understand why my life is such a mess. I thought I was happy after we saved Yunie, but I could never find that peace that she has. I was jealous for a long time. Did you know she has two kids now? Lulu and Wakka have Vidina and Chappu. Even Kimahri has a little pup. I feel like I've been left behind. The only time in my life when I felt complete was back when I was sixteen and on that boneheaded pilgrimage."
Sympathy from deep down began to grow inside him. Auron moved just a fraction closer still giving her a chance to run if she wanted. Instead she lay her head against his shoulder. "And now? How do you feel at this moment?"
Rikku smiled despite herself. She could feel the rumbling of his voice reverberating within her own chest. It almost had a soothing effect. "I think, I almost feel that completeness from long ago. I never intended to be here traveling inside the farplane again, but I'm glad. Auron?" He hummed letting her know that he was willing to listen to whatever it was she needed to say. "Would it be alright if I..." She began before loosing her courage. "Never mind."
"Than allow me to ask a question of my own." He lifted his shoulder forcing her to move before turning so that he could see her better. His face began to move in closer, his voice dropping as he began, "I know I'm not alive like you, but would it be alright?"
Rikku didn't wait for him to finish. Knowing he wanted the same goal as she did, she lifted her lips so that they were only millimeters apart. There was no breath coming from him, not that she expected it. Her own began to intensify before her eyes slid shut and she closed the space between them. Kissing Auron was not like anything she ever felt before. Euphoria spilled out and she tried to convey it through her lips. All thoughts and sense of awareness left except for the feeling of his lips on hers. They were much softer than she would have hoped-for, and he tasted of spice and rum. One of his hands snaked out and wrapped around the back of her head gently forcing her closer. Not sure what to do herself, she grabbed hold of his lapels and pulled him nearer to her body. She needed to touch more than just his lips on hers. She needed his body next to her own.
By the time she pulled away, her breaths were coming out in rapid gulps. She licked her lips once before covering his once again. When they pulled apart this time even Auron almost seemed like his breath was taken away.
"That-that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be," Rikku joked when she was able to find her voice again. He glared playfully at her, but made no other response. The tiredness of crying began to catch up with her and so Rikku leaned against him once more. He shifted so that she could lay on his chest and he could wrap his arms around her. "Before I came here, did anything strange happen to you?"
"You mean like random scars and bruises? Yeah, several times. You can thank the fates for that."
He had sounded so displeased about it, that Rikku turned her head up only to be faced with the bottom of his chin. "Is it because of that soul-mate thing? We are so woven together that our souls feel the pain of the other?"
He would have answered had he been able to. His gaze caught the movement of a form in the distance. The fog of the farplane made it hard to distinguish for sure, but he was pretty positive it was Yunalesca. "Rikku, go inside." He released her from his arms and armed himself.
"Is that who I think it is?" She demanded instead of running off.
"Yes it is. Now go! Go!"
She was about to heed his order when another shape appeared in her path. "Leaving so soon?" The male voice of Yu Yevon ridiculed. He lifted one hand and grabbed Rikku around her throat. Using that as leverage, he jerked her body so that it was against his own, hand still in place. "I would advise you to think carefully about what you are going to do, Sir Auron. As of this moment your heathen is still alive. However, that can change without warning."
Auron held his sword out in front of him ready to be used as Yunalesca came closer. "It's a shame that we didn't get here sooner. Kohtalo has many warding spells to keep people away. I'm surprised you managed it. Now, Sir Auron. Put that sword away and let's act like civilized people, alright?"
"Not until you release her." He growled with a snarl to his lip. His eye darted back and forth between opponents. What surprised him most wasn't the arrogance of Yevon, it was an expression of serenity on Rikku's face. It was as if she was ready and willing to die at that moment. He shook his head, frightened for the first time in a long time.
Rikku could feel the crushing hand at her throat, each moment Auron waited was a moment closer to her death. If that meant she would be able to join him, than so be it. She was prepared. She moved her lips to mouth 'I love you.'
A deafening shot rang out echoing across the plains. Baralai stood in place beside the hut, smoke still smoldering from the tip of his barrel. Paine stood beside him sword in hand and ready for battle. "That was just a warning. The next time this gun is fired it will not miss. Now, step away from my friends."
"Little boy, you think a mere bullet can hurt me?" Yunalesca taunted before flipping her hair back. "You forget your place."
"I know my place. This gun pulls from the air around it to shoot. I don't need bullets. The pyerflies can hurt you more than they can anyway. Now, I said step away."
The younger Yevon raised her chin in resistance, but took a careful step back. She knew they had the advantage since her father was still holding the life of one nuisance in his hand. "You can do what you want, but it still won't change the outcome. Once we take this girl's life, I will simply cut her thread from the tapestry of death and be gone. When we have accomplished that, our vengeance will be complete. Sir Auron will suffer all eternity for the moment of insolence he had on Spira. That's all we desire."
Pyerflies began to gather in a group far bigger than ever before. Rikku thought maybe Bahamut was going to make an appearance again. She wasn't too far from the truth. Bahamut stood center with two more forms on either side of him. They were the five great fayth that all summoners knew of. Actions did not cease like before so all present were able to see the fayth in full glory.
The one known as Ifrit stepped closer and they could almost feel the flames of anger as they pooled off his body. "You will do no such thing. Lady Yunalesca, we gave our lives for the sake of Spira.."
"And you have twisted the pure motives of that sacrifice." Valefor chimed in picking up where he left off.
Ixion was next, "This mortal simply followed as our desires were centered. We wanted to be free."
Shiva moved away from the five and closer to were Yu was strangling the life from Rikku. "And so, we fayth shall grant his desires as well." One hand was raised and Yevon found himself too weak to resist the pull on his arm.
Rikku dropped to the ground coughing and pulling oxygen to her lungs. Paine was beside her in a flash consoling and rubbing circles on her back.
"I made you! You said you wanted to save Spira, and I gave that to you!" The Lady's eyes flashed as she began to call the pyerflies into her body. Her father gave up those that constructed his body and joined in. They molded and grew and changed shape until they became a creature towering above them all. It was a beast with a hide deep crimson in color, three heads all full with mouths of razor sharp teeth. One head appeared similar to Zaon indicating he must have lost their last battle. Great claws as big as Rikku herself, ended the feet of the creature.
Auron cursed loudly as he took one glance to were Rikku and Paine stood. The fayth gathered together in a huddle before a foot large enough to cover them all crashed down. Rikku screamed out as she watched them being crushed. A voice spoke from her right.
"You needn't worry. We are the pyerflies themselves. Our will is stronger than that." Bahamut was beside her hood still covering his face, but a smirk could be seen in the lower half. "She cannot hurt us, or Sir Auron for that matter."
Shots were fired before Baralai joined them. "That's great and all, but what about us?" The beast snarled and walked closer to them forcing him to take another shot hoping to blind it at the very least. "We are quite real and can be hurt."
"We will do what we can, but it is up to the fates to decide." The boy answered before breaking up and joining the others who were already in deep combat with the beast.
"Well isn't that just helpful?" Paine snapped. "He could have at least told us what we could do."
"He did!" Rikku exclaimed brightly. "Come on, follow me!" She broke free from her friend's arms before running around to the front of the hut. Inside the lady fates were still busy hard at work. She ran over to the loom Oltretomba worked and stared intently.
"Rikku, what is this about?" Paine sighed. "There's nothing there."
Rikku smiled as she began to explain, "That's because you are not tied into death. It's faint, but I can just make the threads out. I can see them both, life and death."
Baralai stepped up, "So what does that have to do with the battle outside?" A roar sounded shaking the small room they were in letting them know it was far from over.
Mortem came over shears in hand. "If I sever life after death, they will be no more. It cannot be undone."
"I understand. Destiny is in your hands. Do as you will." Rikku announced with a wisdom no one expected her to have. She was the baby of the group, the bubbly blond free from worries of life. Free from the pain most of Spira seemed to have hanging over their heads. Her life seemed to be one of excitement of fun, never knowing how to be serious. In the end, she shocked them all.
With a nod Mortem lifted the shears. She looked like she about to snip when they faded from view. The hut disappeared leaving the three living souls outside in front of the raging battle. "What happened?" Baralai asked confused.
Paine took up the explanation. "It seems no one is allowed the know what fate has in store." She took up arms ready to participate. Baralai quickly followed her cue.
Since she had no weapon, Rikku could only stand by and watch. She was too far away to be of any magical use, but she could see Auron weakening. Yunalesca was strong, and she was pulling at the pyerflies that made up his body. She was about to run in and help when a huge paw landed in front of her sending her flying backwards. She was laying face down one arm outstretched in front of her. It seemed to be the end of him, and that tore at her heart as it felt like it was being ripped from her chest at seeing him in such distress.
Auron felt when Rikku went down. The anguish she felt, he experienced it too. That was when a light more warm and soft than he ever knew began to fill him. There was a raw power inside that he never knew existed. Using that power he charged forward, loud outcry escaping from his lungs. He thrust his sword deep into the hide of the Yevon fiend striking the heart and piercing it. As the power still flowed, he held tight to the hilt of his Nodachi and ripped downward leaving a scar as long as he was tall. The beast began to fall disintegrating into lights before they withered away leaving no trace to their existence.
Not bothering to watch, Auron turned his attention to his blond partner. She was draped in Baralai's arms, no sign of life within her. Paine stood off to the side, shoulders slumped, and back turned to the scene. Dropping to his knees, Auron took the girl into his own arms. There was no beat to her heart, and no breath coming from her lips. These were the same lips he had kissed not too long ago. They had been moving and talking to him, and full of life. Nothing like they were now.
"What happened?" He asked no one in particular.
Baralai was about to answer when another voice did the deed for him, "She saved you, Sir Auron." He was about to ask what that meant when Shiva kneeled next to him. She used one hand to gently push hair out of the blond's face. "She gave a piece of her life for you. May the fates honor her sacrifice for your sake." She stood and turned to go.
Holding Rikku close, Auron was about to let the fayth depart. His irrational side of mind took over though. "Her sacrifice?" He shouted. "How can you possibly say that? Rikku will never grow old and die as she should. She will never marry and raise children like all denizens desire!"
Paine came back and gently placed one hand on his shoulder. "We know how you feel. None of us wanted this to be the outcome when we came here. Rikku means a lot to us as well."
It was the Praetor that made the observation that all missed. "Rikku, can't be dead. We are in the farplane. She should have broken away into pyerflies immediately. The teachings state that a person cannot stay with a form unless the soul or will wish it."
Shiva heard this and smiled softly. Bahamut walked passed her and to the small group of friends. "That is correct." He kept his head down as he spoke. "The fates have not severed her threads yet. There is still a chance."
Hands moved quickly before the threads were gone for good. Once that happened, there would no opportunity to try again. She giggled to herself as she worked. The whole experience was making her giddy.
Green eyes rolled in frustration. "Oltretomba, must you laugh so? It's annoying."
"Oh, Vita, will you calm down?" The old fate teased. "I haven't had this much fun since that old fart created those fayth youngsters."
Mortem moved between the two making peace as needed. Vita was serious most of the time, that was true. The cares of worldly life plagued her more than her sisters. But Oltretomba could act like such a child when seriousness was needed. Sure the afterlife was one free of cares, there was nothing holding her back from enjoying it when possible.
"I swear, Mortem. You almost cut beyond what I can fix. Look at this mess you made." Mortem moved behind Oltretomba to see what the problem was. The dark green thread was much lighter than it was when it began, but it was still vibrant in color. The red that twisted around supported the weak spots that had been severed earlier.
"Oh, it's fine. You and I both know you can work miracles. Like I told those kids, we don't make mistakes." Mortem moved back behind Vita before cutting another thread sending it over to where Oltretomba weaved it into her tapestry.
A low moan came from the other side of the room. Mortem pulled her hood over her head before gliding over. She glanced over her shoulder as if to say 'told you.' The young soul on the bed slowly opened her eyes revealing green spirals.
They blinked once before taking in her surroundings. "Where am I?" They stopped moving when she landed on the figure beside her. "Death? Have you come to take me over?"
Mortem shook her head negative before holding one hand out waiting for the woman to take it. Rikku did so slowly. The skin was cool to the touch leaving her feeling almost chilled to the bone. Leading her outside the hut, Mortem carefully guided the Al Bhed through a portal where she could see three people hovered over a lifeless body. Rocks and dust encircled where they gathered.
Rikku let go of the hand holding her own and moved to try and see more clearly. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to focus. They opened wide in surprise an instant later. "Wait! That's me!" She spun to face the hooded figure.
Death nodded and pointed to the group. As Rikku turned to see what she meant, Mortem reached into a pocket and pulled out a piece of thread. The red and green were so tightly coiled together not even the fates would be able to pull them apart. She brought the piece up to her lips and whispered, "What we have woven together, let no man rip asunder."
Rikku gasped as a warmness began inside her chest and spread through out her body. She stood motionless just enjoying the feeling that so overwhelmed her. Closing her eyes, Rikku allowed herself to fall backwards before free falling into the void. When she opened her eyes again, there were three sets all staring down at her. "What?"
Paine and Baralai laughed at her innocent question, but it was Auron's soft smile that caught her attention. "You're back." His deep voice resonated causing Rikku to grin back at him. "The fayth told us to wait here. It wasn't easy."
"Yeah, that hooded kid said fate had more in store for you and that your time wasn't over yet." Baralai added.
Rikku laughed before pulling the three of them into a huge group hug. "I'm so happy to be back, I saw death and survived." She gasped before pulling away. "Death! Auron!" She spun and centralized her attention to the man in question. She was about to speak before stopping and getting a good look at him.
He still wore the same attire she had always known him to have, but something was changed. He awaited as her hands reached up and touched his face running down the right side where his scar would be. They next moved and glided to hold his hand within her smaller before moving on. He held his breath as it lowered down to his chest and stopped. He held back a smile as she blinked in surprise before placing her ear to his chest. "Do I pass?" He questioned knowing she would understand what he meant.
"Y-you're alive? How?"
Paine moved closer as if to explain, but Baralai hovered one hand in front of her in indication that this was for the couple only. With a nod of agreement, the two of them turned and exited out the rainbow barrier.
"The fayth and fate seemed to have a different idea of what I am supposed to be doing besides floating around here for all eternity. During the battle you gave selflessly of yourself so that I might win. You gave me a piece of your spirit. It is now your heart that beats in my chest."
Rikku reached out once more to cover the spot before pulling back and resting it over her own. "Than how do I still have it?"
"Because we share it. We share the same pain, anger, fears, and love. Our hearts are as one now."
"And that makes it twice as strong," She replied before leaning up and pulling him into an intimate kiss.
The return to Besaid was met with excitement and cheers. Yuna rushed out to meet her friends before insisting they had to stay for at least a week so she could hear all about the adventures they had. And she knew it had to be a major one, for trailing behind was the legend himself.
Auron seemed less cross than he was before his passing, as a tender smile was plastered to his face every time he gazed at the blond Al Bhed. She took note of the slight variation in his appearance, only a faint scar remaining from his battle with Yunalesca.
Tidus trailed behind her holding an infant in one hand and pulling a toddler forward in his other. He seemed happy if a little weary. Yuna rushed over to relieve him so that he could approach and talk to his mentor.
"Hey, old man. Must have been something important you did for them to send you back too." He looked around seeing smiles on everyone's faces and the freedom from worry within them. "I'm glad."
Auron chuckled as he replied, "Honestly, so am I. While I can't say I remember much, the farplane was not all it's cracked up to be."
Rikku was talking to Wakka and Lulu when she noticed Auron wasn't around. She spotted him talking to Tidus and excused herself. She threw her arms around him as soon as she reached him. "Whatcha talking about? How sexy I am?"
Tidus choked on his saliva ready to see the doom of his friend. If he hadn't seen the passion in the man's stance before, he would have surely fainted by the laugh that came from the tease. "Oh man. You guys are worse than Yuna and me." He rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Well, if you show up tonight you can see it all you want." Rikku hinted as Auron looked away not sure if he wanted to laugh or run in shame.
"Yeah," Tidus agreed before grinning and joining his wife once more and taking one child from her.
Auron looked down at the bundle of energy currently trying to make her home inside his coat before speaking. "I may be alive again, but that does not mean I plan to make it a show for those around us."
"Oh, I know that. But you got to admit, it would be fun." She wiggled her eyebrows teasingly.
While he didn't deny it, Auron wouldn't give her the satisfaction of letting her knew she was more correct than she thought.
Later that night, after all the children of the village fell asleep, Auron sat in front of the bonfire enjoying the life he was granted once again. Rikku was using his leg as a pillow, eyes closed and probably more asleep than she was awake. He gently ran his hand through her hair as Paine sat beside him.
"That was some adventure, huh?" He hummed in agreement as she went on. "I wonder if there is someone out there for me like you are for Rikku. Never would have believed it until now, but I think she cared for you even before I met her."
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
"To put it in Rikku's words, 'Just a hunch'."
Auron chuckled as he replied. "Well than. I have a hunch of my own. If you go out and have an adventure of your own, you may find what you're looking for." Paine scoffed, but he retorted as he wasn't finished yet. "And I suggest that adventure begin with that man over there." He nodded his head to the other side of the fire.
Paine glanced to where he indicated. She saw Baralai deep in conversation with a temple priest. As if sensing her gaze on him, he turned his head and waved to her. "Maybe I will." She smirked before standing and crossing over to him.
A single green eye cracked open and stared up at him. "Did you just set up two of my friends?"
Auron laughed again, a sound she will never get used to but always love. "Maybe I did."
Rolling her eyes, Rikku joined in with his laugh before pulling herself up and kissing him soundly. When she pulled away she whispered, "Guess we just have to leave it to the fates."