Of wandering guardians and summoning arts.
Chapter 1.
By: Kin-Ryu Chikara
This is a fan fiction based on the ps2 game Final Fantasy X and X-2. I have no rights to this game, names or characters from the game. That right belongs to Squaresoft. This story is based on the game and may differ slightly from the game play. But it is also a bit similar…okay, very similar sometimes. Sorry.
"Regular speech"
'thought'
Monotype Corsiva is Al Bhed translated to usual language.
(A/N: my notes during the story. Stands for author's notes)
'So, she is about to start her journey huh? The next boat to Besaid will leave in about one hour. Just enough time to get my weapons from the smith and pack my things. Well, no time to be lazy now, I'll just have to get moving.' I thought as I rose from my comforting bed in the hotel room in Luca. I dressed my self in my familiar black shirt, black pants designed for maximum movement while still being stylish. The black shoes were next and the dark equipment vest after that. The vest was filled with pockets, the lower ones around my waist was filled with medical, survival and other equipment that was useful to survive, not counting weapons.
The rest of the pockets were filled with weapons. Small knives, guns, pouches with magical sand and numerous other weapon types. On my back I had a backpack filled with the things I needed but were to big to fit in my vest or my pants that also had pockets stuffed in similar fashion. Also two swords hung from my waist, one on the left side one on the right. At that moment though, all weapons was getting fixed by a weapon smith, and I had to get them before leaving. Over the vest I had a white coat with my seal, the sword with fire surrounding it in a blazing circle with the word "Salmar" written in flame over, on my back, clearly displaying my name for all to see. All in all, once I had all my weapons again, I would look really frightening if someone didn't recognise me as a wandering guardian. That is what I am, a wandering guardian. A guardian is someone who swears to protect the summoner they are sworn to. A wandering guardian though, has no summoner and helps people and summoners anywhere they go. Summoners and guardians are respected, but people tend to look at wandering guardians with slight distrust. Maybe it is because we have no regular place to stay. We wander, as our name suggests, always on the look out for someone in need of our service, which in my case is free might I add.
After packing everything I had with me, clothes and such, and checking of everything except my weapons were in my vest and pockets, I headed of to the weapon smith. He was a nice old man which apparently trusted my kind.
"Here you go mister wandering guardian. Every piece of weapon is nice and sharp now. I also reinforced your swords. Now they won't break as easily. That will be 15 000 gil." The old man said and I gave him the money.
Normally I would have stayed and chatted with him for a bit, but the boat was about to leave, but I took my time to place every piece of weaponry into its designed pocket and to make sure all was well. I am rather paranoiac about my equipment, mostly since the habit of always knowing where I have what piece of equipment at all times has save my life quite a few times. It hasn't stopped me from living a harsh life though, and my body covered in scars.
In my face there are three scars, one over my forehead in a slightly downward fashion, one across my cheek and one across my eye. I was almost blinded when the lupine had slashed at me with its claws, but it was rather more unlucky than me. Getting cleaved in two has to be enough to be called unlucky. Oh, shit the boat is leaving in five minutes. Okay, all weapons in place, everything in order. Great, now off to Besaid Island.
The journey to Besaid was a calm one, the crew was relieved that Sin didn't attack, and I was happy to have reached my destination. I don't like sea travel much. I was a bit sick when I walked a shore, but by the time I reached the village and the temple I was back to good health.
I looked around the village and saw that everyone was exited about something. Then I saw Yuna come out of the temple. She summoned Valefor and everybody cheered. I joined the clapping while standing at a respectful distance. Valefor showed of its power a bit before sweeping its eyes over the crowd. It saw me and I felt the familiar pull towards the aeon. For some reason I felt that towards any aeon I saw, but I could explain it just as much as I could explain all the weird looks every summoner gave me, which I couldn't.
Valefor leaned in to Yuna and whispered in her ear: "Lady Yuna, there is a man with the ability to become summoner in the crowd."
Yuna looked at the aeon with wonder and asked if it could get that person. The aeon nodded, flew up and swooped down on Salmar, which at the moment was looking at the fire. When Salmar saw the aeon, it was too late and the poor guy found himself caught in its claws. Salmar tried to squirm out of its grasp, but Valefor flew back to Yuna and placed the wandering guardian in front of her.
'Okay, what did I forget this time? Hum, not passport since Besaid doesn't use it, I haven't done anything wrong, unless looking at a summoner is wrong. Okay, this is unnerving.' I thought as my eyes flew from person to person. In a semi circle around me and the aeon still holding me stood a lot of stern looking people, from the priests of the temple, to Yuna's guardians, to a blonde haired boy which I didn't recognise and Yuna herself. She was looking at me with her two coloured eyes, and it appeared as if she was staring into my soul.
"Valefor, this is the man with the potential to become summoner?" Yuna asked the aeon, which nodded. A faint murmur erupted from the crowd.
"This guy can become summoner also?" was heard and similar things.
The priests were divided between letting him train and interrogating him.
The aeon silenced everyone when it began to speak.
"This young man is quite famous between us aeons. He is a strong wandering guardian, but all the aeons that look at him can see that he has the gift to summon us. Also our summoners see that. The reason Lady Yuna can't see that yet is because she is a rookie summoner. But this man is defiantly worthy of becoming summoner, since he has accomplished a lot for only one man. Just to mention one of them, he was the one who saved the small unnamed village between Bevelle and Macalania from the Sinspawn. He is a trustworthy person." Valefor said and everyone looked at Yuna. It looked like she was the one with the final say in this. No one except Yuna and Valefor heard what I said after Valefor was done with its speech.
"At least towards the ones that accepts me"
'Now that Valefor says it, I can see something similar between mine and this man's power. And he is a wandering guardian. If I could teach him, get him to become a summoner and persuade him to accompany me on my pilgrimage, then we would have a much better chance at beating Sin. Plus from what I can see he is honest, kind and funny.' Yuna thought and sat down in front of Salmar, who looked a bit anxious.
"I have decided. If you want to, mister Salmar sir, I will postpone my pilgrimage and teach you how to be a summoner. I think you can become a good summoner from what I can see and what Valefor says." Yuna said. The priests that had been bickering looked at each other and nodded. Then their jaws dropped when Salmar shook his head.
I heard what Yuna said and a lot of thoughts ran trough my head. 'I was only coming here to offer my service as a guardian, and I find myself about to become summoner. Not that I can complain. Summoners are able to do things I can't and it would be great to have a shot at Sin and helping people further. But there is the slight problem with me not praying to Yevon.' I shook my head and said: "But Lady Yuna. There is the slight problem with me not praying to Yevon. Wouldn't that be a problem?"
Yuna looked at me thoughtfully before she said: "You don't pray? Why not?"
I smiled and said: "I think that once I start praying for strength from others, my own will faultier and I will eventually be destroyed. Also I tend to forget to pray a lot of times."
Valefor gently shook me and said: "It doesn't matter if he prays or not. As long as he doesn't do anything harmful to others, or some other sins, he can be a summoner. It is rare to have a un-praying summoner, but they have existed."
A priest stepped forward. He was apparently the head priest or something.
"Salmar sir, I have heard of you, and if half of the stories about you are true, then you would be just as qualified to be summoner as Lady Yuna. I think you should accept her offer. Although I hope the other half of the stories are false."
I thought for a bit and said: "But what about the time? As much as I know, summoner training is long and hard."
Yuna smiled and said: "Yes it is, but normally a summoner is only trained by priests. You will be trained by me and priests. And since Valefor bothered to make your potential known, you must be gifted so I don't think that would be a problem."
'Oh heck. Why not? You only live once anyway.' I thought and said: "Alright. If you think so, then sure. I'll become a summoner. Although I think I will miss being a wanderer."
The blonde boy next to a red haired man said: "But summoners have to go on a pilgrimage. Won't that be wandering?"
I shrugged as good I could with the aeons grip still strong.
"Well then. Tomorrow you will be sworn in and training will begin. Now we celebrate Yuna and that she is finally a summoner." The head priest said and the crowd cheered again. Valefor left and I found myself being questioned by Yuna and her friends/guardians as well as the priests. They wanted to know about my abilities, morals, friends, loved ones and things I have done as a wandering guardian. It was late at night when I was left to my self. I had told them I had arranged for a place to stay, which was a lie. I enjoyed sleeping under the open sky, and didn't want to miss the stars on such a beautiful night. I regretted that when it started to rain though.
After I woke up, I just a fire element spell to dry myself before I was to be sworn in as a summoner.
"I, Salmar, swear to use my summoning abilities to help the people of Spira, and to fight Sin. I will not use my powers to hurt the innocent, and I will remain faithful." I said and the head priest nodded. Yuna looked pleased and immediately started teaching me to be a summoner. Over the next days (or weeks. I lost count) I learned how to summon, control the summon, send dead souls to the far plane, fight with the summoning, and other things an elite summoner has to know. Apparently I was learning very fast, but most of the magic not directly involved in the summoning, I knew slightly from before. But I guess I learned very quickly, but no one complained.
One day Yuna spoke to me while I was meditating.
"Salmar, I wanted to ask you…do you wish to accompany me on my pilgrimage. That way we could increase our chances…" she began. I cut her of though.
"Of course I would. After all, the reason I came to Besaid in the first place was to ask to become your guardian. So of course I would accompany you." I said. Yuna smiled and thanked me and we resumed our training.
One day the head priest wanted to give me a bit of a test and Yuna was happy to help. She summoned Valefor and had it attack me while I was meditating. Of course I knew that Valefor was summoned, since I felt the summoning itself, but I was caught of guard when it attacked. After a while of dodging, I used my staff to make the aeon stumble a bit, and hit it with two sword attacks. Not really a summoner way to fight, but until I got my own aeon I tended to slip back into my old fighting, and kind of fuse the two fighting styles.
Yuna dismissed Valefor and talked to the head priest while I healed the slight injuries I had before I picked up my staff and resumed meditating.
Every summoner has to have a staff. Yuna's was a simple one with a head made out of a circle with three stretched circles in it; one of the stretched ones formed a pint at the top of the staff.
My staff was basically a rod just as long as I am dark blue in colour with black and red markings flowing up and down it like fire. The end I used to hold onto had an area where no fire was, but a grip instead. The other end had blue flames that looked like the ones behind pyre flies.
When the priests wanted me to consider a kimono for summoner outfit, I thought they were mad. Instead I got pants in the same blue colour as Yuna's skirt and white shirt, both with the same pattern of black, red and blue fire on it. Around my neck I had a necklace with a small sphere in it. Inside the clear sphere, energy crackled. The energy looked very much like lightening. I didn't keep my vest, or my coat for that matter. Instead I had a purple belt to signify my status as summoner. When I had finished with making my outfit, the priests were pleased and said it fit my personality and fighting style.
The only thing that resembled my old clothes was the two swords on my hips. The swords were the same but with new sheets. My staff I had on my back, next to my backpack, which I had kept but re-coloured to fit the rest.
"So, Salmar. Now is the big day. You become a full fledge summoner." Yuna said. We were standing outside the chamber of the fayth, and I was preparing to go inside. The rest of Yuna's guardians were there too. Wakka, Lulu and Kimahri had offered to become my guardians as well, but I was a bit hesitant, since I was a former wandering guardian. As I watched their slightly worried looks I decided to ask them to be my guardians anyway. Yuna had told me that since we would be sharing the pilgrimage, we should share guardians also. I had grown close to the four of them, plus the blonde boy named Tidus. When Lulu discovered I was sleeping in a small clearing in the woods, she had dragged me into her hut, and made me stay with them. The six of us became really good friends after that.
"Yeah, wish me luck everyone." I said, grabbed my staff and walked into the chamber. There I was meet by the fayth of Valefor.
"So, you think he will be any good? I know he is an excellent fighter and all that, but he has never summoned am I right, and he only has been training for almost three months, ya?" Wakka said, looking at the closed door to the chamber.
Yuna looked at her friend and smiled. "Oh, he will be alright. He learned so fast, I can only conclude that summoning is in his blood." She said and continued to stare at the door. Nothing else was said.
"Finally you are ready to become a summoner Salmar. We aeons have been waiting for this day." Valefor said.
I was slightly confused. Did I have that much potential?
"Why?" I asked simply
"Because you have a kind hearth and strong spirit. Your abilities has amused us for many years now, and finally we can fight alongside the famous fire wanderer." Valefor said and smiled. I smiled back and said: "Well, now I am the fire summoner."
Valefor laughed and nodded. "Indeed. Now, I don't need to test you or anything, since I know you are good and have the ability to accept my powers, but rules are rules. I have to test your hearth. Ready?"
I nodded and the test began.
When I passed Valefor looked pleased and said: "Use my power well summoner."
Then I felt something inside me and knew it was Valefor connecting to me. When it was over, I stood up, bowed to the fayth and walked out, slightly unsteady.
The door opened and Salmar walked out, using his staff to help keep balance. The people in the room looked at him and when he smiled Yuna congratulated him while the three others bowed.
"Kimahri, Wakka and Lulu. Can I ask you to be my guardians?" Salmar asked. They were a bit surprised but smiled and nodded. Salmar swore them in just as Yuna had when she accepted them as her guardians.
The group then walked out and Salmar summoned Valefor for the first time. It was slightly different from Yuna's. Salmar's were redder, and a bit bigger. Valefor explained that it was because Salmar had more magic than Yuna and that when Yuna got stronger, her Valefor would get bigger also.
That night Besaid celebrated its two summoners who would go out on their pilgrimage the next day. It was a lot of fun, and both Salmar and Yuna pushed all thoughts of the Final summoning out of their heads.
Before going to bed, Salmar walked a bit away from the fire and looked up at the stars.
"How are you Lord Salmar?" the head priest asked from behind Salmar.
"Just fine. I just wanted to see the stars beauty. No mater how cruel this world is, the starts remain the same, shining their beauty down on us. Oh, by the way. I am eternally grateful for all your guidance, help and training. I hope that I can repay you by defeating Sin." Salmar said, turning to the man behind him.
"It was my pleasure Lord Salmar. I know you will make us all proud, along with Lady Yuna." The head priest said. After that they both stood and watched the stars in silence before Salmar excused himself to go to bed.
The next morning, two summoners, three guardians and one tag along left Besaid village and boarded the boat to Kilika and Luca. Once onboard, Tidus found a blitz ball and practised a shoot with it. Yuna saw it and recognised it as the Jecht shot.
"Hey, you did the Jecht shot. That was amazing." Yuna said as she approached Tidus.
"How did you know it was the Jecht shot?" Tidus asked. He had never told her.
"Simple. I saw Jecht do it once." Yuna said smiling. Tidus grinned back, and the two of them had a nice conversation together.
"He is hitting on her. I swear, I have to get him to stop." Lulu said as she watched Yuna and Tidus talk together. Wakka sighed while I smiled amused.
"Lulu let them have fun. It can't hurt, can it?" Wakka said. I didn't went my opinion but walked away before I could hear Lulu's answer.
Instead I walked over to the bow and watched the water as it speed by. A ball hit my head and I instantly grabbed it before it fell into the sea. I turned and saw a little boy standing behind me, looking down onto the deck. He was embarrassed over something.
"Sorry mister summoner sir. I didn't mean to hit you." The boy said. I smiled and said: "Ah, don't worry kid. I've been trough worse. Here, let me show you something."
I crouched down in front of the kid, placed the ball on my index finger and spun it. The ball kept spinning as I moved my hand this way and that.
"Wow, how do you do that?" the boy asked with awe in his face.
"Here, I'll teach you." I said and placed the ball on his index finger. After about an hour of try and fail, he got it.
"Good work. You are a natural. Now, practise a lot and become really good, okay?" I said to the boy. He was beaming with pride and I couldn't help but smile widely.
"Yes summoner sir. I am going to become at least as good as you." He said, and I ruffled his hair before he ran over to his mother to show her his new trick.
"Hey, you are quite good at teaching." Tidus said from behind my back. I turned to him. Yuna was also there, amused at my touch with children.
"Yea, it is a good way to stop kids from running when they see you. Before I started teaching simple things like that, kids who saw me would run and hide behind a corner, watching me as I walked by. I think they were scared of me, but fascinated also. Must have been the swords and scars." I said and shrugged. Yuna giggled a bit while Tidus smiled. I turned to see what they were looking at. The boy was trying to teach his father how to do the ball spin. I laughed when I saw that.
"It seems that one was quite popular. Oh, by the way. Do you play blitz?" Tidus asked, turning almost serious for a minute.
I shook my head and said: "No, I don't. I have never been able to learn it."
Tidus looked a bit down at that. I smiled and said: "Hey, you can always play with Wakka."
It was said in a teasing tone. How ever, Tidus thought I was serious.
"Yeah, that is a good idea. I'll do just that. See you two later." With that he waved and left Yuna and me staring after him.
I shook my head and walked over to the railing. Yuna followed and said: "I'm glad I have you with me Salmar."
I looked at her and turned to face her, leaning against the railing.
"Oh, why is that?" I asked. Mostly playfully.
"Because I have someone to talk to who understands. We are in the same situation, and we both have the same responsibility. Lulu, Wakka, not even Kimahri understands the way you do." Yuna said. She was about to continue when I interrupted.
"I know what you mean. We are summoners, destined to lose our lives against Sin. And I am glad to be by your side Yuna. It comforts me, and even though I have a more dangerous job now, I can't help but feel grateful towards you for teaching me. Before I was always alone, wandering from one place to another, seeking fiends to kill and people to help.
Now, I have friends who travel with me, and someone who understands my situation. That is great comfort, and if I can support you in any way, then say the word and I'll do what I can." I said, looking into her eyes. She smiled and nodded.
"Oh, by the way. Who has first priority?" Yuna asked suddenly.
"What do you mean?" I asked puzzled.
"Who goes into the chamber of fayth first, and who leads in battle. Who performs sendings, and so forth?" Yuna said. I thought hard for a bit.
"I have an idea. We switch on going into the chamber first, switch on leading in battle, and perform the sending together. The tasks we can do together I suggest we do together. Two summoners are better than one." I said. Yuna's face lit up and she nodded.
"That's a great idea. That would mean less strain on either of us. So, you think we can perform a sending together. We would have to dance together in perfect harmony." Yuna said and I chuckled lightly in return.
"Yes, I believe we can. We just have to practise. It can't be that hard. Come on, let's go practise. Is your cabin or mine more suited?" I said cheerfully.
"Let's use yours. Lulu would blow a circuit if I messed up the room." Yuna said. I nodded and we went to my cabin and practised dancing together.
"You are a pretty good dancer. I think we know each others movements well enough now." Yuna said, slightly sweaty from dancing several hours on end.
"Yeah, we probably were able to synchronise our movements so well because of the training. Now let's go get some food. I am starving." I said, equally out of breath. Yuna laughed at me and we went to eat. When we found Lulu, Wakka and Kimahri we sat down with them and just relaxed.
"So, um, Salmar. I forgot to ask you, but how old are you?" Wakka asked, rubbing the back of his head.
I laughed and said: "I look that old?"
Wakka waved a hand in front of his face and said: "Nonono. No, it wasn't that. I just wondered. The wandering guardian Salmar is pretty famous, ya? So I wondered how old you are."
"I am seventeen." I said, and looked up at the sky.
"Hey, that means you are just as old as I am" Yuna said. I looked at her and shrugged.
"It doesn't matter how old you look. It is how old you act that counts." Lulu said.
"Then I must be at least fifty sometimes." I mumble softly to myself. The others heard, but didn't press the issue.
A little later, Yuna and Tidus were standing at the railings, talking to each other. I was meditating when suddenly the ship started rocking back and forth. Everyone lost their balance, and I saw Tidus grab Yuna's hand to stop her from falling overboard. When their hands slipped apart, I jumped and grabbed them both. Yuna gasped and said: "You jump just like a Ronso."
"I have picked up a few traits." I said. "But never mind that, just hang on."
Sin surfaced and the crew of the ship rushed back and forth. Sin just passed us and continued towards Kilika. Two of the crew went to two harpoons and was about to shot.
"Stop. If you stick a harpoon in Sin, we'll get dragged under." Wakka yelled.
"Sin's headed for Kilika. Our families are there, we got to distract it. Forgive us lady summoner." One of the crew said to Yuna. She nodded and they fired their harpoons. One hit, while one missed.
"Load the harpoon again." I barked and one of the crew rushed to comply. Before he could shot, water rushed in and knocked us back a bit. Tiny Sinspawn came raining down on us and we had to fight them. We also attacked the fin which the harpoon was stuck in, but progress was slow to say the least.
"How many of these are there?" Tidus asked as he killed another Sinspawn.
"Just focus on beating them back." I said and threw another fire spell at the fin. Then Sin started to move faster and I saw the harpoon was about to break.
"Damn, it's getting away. I'll see you in Kilika. Don't be late." I yelled, rushed over to the loaded harpoon, climbed on it and fired it, desperate to hold on.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Yuna yelled after me. I could barely hear Wakka yell: "BUT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT YOU!"
I smirked at that. 'To protect a wandering guardian you have to be a lot faster Wakka' I thought. When the harpoon hit Sin, I cut the rope to stop the ship from being dragged under.
As I stood on Sin's back, fighting an endless stream of Sinspawn, I could see we had reached Kilika. Almost without effort, Sin ripped the port to shreds; people were lifted of the ground and throw around like dolls. I saw a kid fly past me, still alive. I jumped, grabbed the kid and landed in the water as far away from Sin I could. When I hit the water, I began to swim right away. 'Have to get away. Can't die yet. Have to get away' I repeated in my head. The kid held on to me for dear life.
After what seemed like eternity, Sin turned and went away. Almost nothing was left of Kilika port, dead bodies floating everywhere. After a while, survivors gathered and I tried to find the kids parents. I found someone he called "Aunt" so I left him with her. I began to help heal the injured, and gather the dead in the bay. An old man walked up to me as I gazed over the dead bodies lying on the bottom of the bay.
"My Lord summoner, would you be so kind as to perform the sending?" the old man asked. I looked at him and said: "No, not yet. I am a rookie summoner and don't know if I can handle such large amount of people to send. But on the ship arriving there" I said, pointing to the ship arriving at the only pier standing, "is another summoner. I can perform the sending together with her." I finished and turned back to the sunset.
"I understand. I'll bring the summoner here then." The old man said and hastily limped away.
"Greetings, I am the summoner Yuna from Besaid Island. If there is no other summoner here, please allow me to perform the sending." Yuna said while she bowed to two people standing in front of her.
"There is another summoner here. He has sent me to bring you to him. He said he wanted to perform the sending together with you since the amount of dead people is too big for him to handle." The old man I spoke to earlier said, and guided Yuna to where I was.
"Salmar. You survived. I thought you were dead for sure" Yuna said, surprised to see me and she gave me a quick hug.
"No, not me. Although I was close. But we don't have time for that. We have our first sending to perform. You ready?" I asked and Yuna nodded.
We walked down to the edge of the water and spoke with the old man while Lulu explained to Tidus what a sending was.
"The sending takes the dead souls to the Farplane, where they may rest in peace." Lulu said.
"Summoners do this?" Tidus asked and Lulu nodded. They turned to see me and Yuna walk onto the water and begin our intricate dance.
The two summoners began to twirl and pirouette around each other, their staffs twirling and spinning. They perfectly mirrored each others movements, but neither had their focus on each other. Their focus was held on sending the dead souls. Soon balls of light with tails made out of all the rainbows colours, the pyre flies, floated out of the dead bodies. A mushroom of water grew under the two summoners, and their intricate dance continued for quite a while. The people of Kilika cried, taking their final farewell to their loved ones. The kid Salmar saved laid a rose on the water for his dead father. His mother had barley made it, thanks to the summoner who healed her.
A magnificent sight it was to see two summoners dance around each other on a mushroom of water with pyre flies flying around them, or it would have been if it wasn't for the reason why they were dancing.
When Yuna and Salmar walked back to the crowd after finishing the sending, Tidus said to Lulu: "It must be tough being a summoner."
"They both chose this path. Both Yuna and Salmar knew from the beginning what it meant. All we can do is protect them along the way. Until the end." Lulu said softly.
"Until the end?" Tidus asked confused. Lulu didn't answer.
"What's the end?" Tidus asked a bit too loud since everybody turned to him and Lulu sighed.
"Until one of them defeats Sin" Lulu said, walking away.
Yuna rushed up to Lulu.
"I hope…
I hope I did okay." She said anxiously. Lulu laid her hands on Yuna's head and shoulder, trying to comfort her.
"You did very well." Lulu said. She was proud of Yuna, which had done her first sending flawlessly.
"They reached the Farplane by now. But…no tears next time, hm?" Lulu said.
"Tears are important. To keep tears locked on the inside will corrode the body and soul. Even we summoners have to cry sometimes. It is better to let it flow than to shut it inside. We summoners are expected to show a brave face, but even we cannot destroy our feelings. If we did, we would be no better than Sin. Remember people of Kilika. Never hide your feelings. If you do, you will eventually end up as fiends. Let the tears flow and mourn. Don't bottle them up. Take my advice, not as a summoner, but as a twelve year wandering guardian who has seen a lot more than he should." Salmar said, and the crowd nodded. Yuna smiled and Lulu looked surprised. Tidus looked puzzled.
"Twelve year wandering guardian. What's that?" he asked.
"Wandering guardians are fighters who travel around Spira, protecting people. They see much pain and suffering. The twelve year part shows how many years a wandering guardian has been a wandering guardian." Salmar explained.
Lulu looked at him and said: "But that can't be right. I have only heard of six tops seven year olds."
"That is because we, or should I say them now, see so many things that they usually quit after six or seven years, if they even last that long. I was a wanderer for twelve years, making me a legend among the wandering guardians. Apparently I hold the record for longest active duty. But not any more. Now I am a summoner, and my wandering guardian days are over." Salmar said. Before anyone could ask any more questions, he excused himself to go take a nap, saying he felt tired.
"Yuna says she wants you with us." Lulu said to Tidus. He and Wakka had just caught up to the rest of us on our way to the temple.
"What do you mean?" Wakka asked.
"I want you to be my guardian." Yuna said to Tidus who looked honoured and shocked.
"It's too early in the morning to tell jokes Yuna. He may be a blitzball whiz-kid, but against fiends, he's just a newbie." Wakka said. Yuna turned to him and said: "Not a guardian then. I just want him nearby."
I stepped forward and said: "I disagree with Wakka. Tidus, I would be honoured if you would want to be my guardian."
Tidus spun at me and gawked. "Are you serious?" he asked.
"Yes. I see some good fighting potential in you, and besides, Yuna said she wanted you close by right. Since we are taking the pilgrimage together, you being my guardian would grant that wish as well." I said smiling. Wakka was about to say something when Lulu stepped forward and said: "We are all going to the temple anyways. Can't this wait till later?"
I nodded and we started walking.
Once we reached the temple, Wakka started speaking about some blitzball summoner. I didn't listen, since history never really interested me. However, when the Aurochs proposed a race, I joined. But the race was interrupted by a Sinspawn. We rushed in to defeat it quickly.
The fiend was inside some kind of shell, and had two tentacles out to fight.
"Yuna, you summon Valefor. I'll be backup" I yelled at her and she nodded. The Aeon came down and was able to defeat the tentacles. The fiend came out of its shell and we attacked it. It was nearly beaten when I jumped back, grabbed my staff and started spinning it in my right hand.
"Tidus, step back" I said as he prepared to rush at the fiend. I jumped over the fiend, once again showing that I could jump just like a Ronso, and pointed the staff down at the fiend. It didn't see me and when I hit it on its head, the staff let out a fire beam downwards, killing the fiend.
As we got our breath back, Tidus complained about how tough being a Guardian actually was, Wakka complimented him how he handled himself, saying he had talent.
Yuna walked up to me and placed her hands on her back, leaning towards me. "How did you jump like that Salmar?" she asked. I blinked a few times and then understood the question.
"Oh, you mean like a Ronso? It's not really that difficult. Just requires a lot of training. I was once trained by a Ronso, who taught me how to jump like that." I said. Kimahri didn't say anything, but looked interested.
Half way up the stairs, Wakka and Tidus talked about Zanarkand and Wakka told us his theory about Sin not killing people, but carrying them trough time. Then Lulu started scolding him about his brother being dead, and no replacement for the people being dead. Lulu started to walk away, but suddenly faced a sword.
"Talk like that one more time, and I will show you why I am called "demon Salmar"" I growled. Lulu swallowed. "Why are you so upset Salmar?" she asked, anxious to get the sword away.
I pulled away, sheathed the sword, turned away from the black mage and started walking away. A few steps away I said: "The ones, who crush hope like that, deserve no hope themselves. Hope is something no one should lose." Then I walked away. Tidus, Wakka and Yuna exchanged glances and Yuna went to help Lulu, who had slumped to the ground.
"Are you okay Lu?" Wakka asked. Lulu nodded weakly and said trembling: "His eyes. They were so cold. Why did he react like that?"
"Probably because he has been trough more than you can ever imagine." A voice said. An old priest walked up to them and continued. "Lord Salmar's reputation precedes him, although as a wandering guardian, not a summoner. He has seen fights and horrors no one should. Normal wandering guardians retire after six-seven years, and even they can go mad sometimes. Probably the only thing that kept Lord Salmar sane was hope. So he protects hope as much as he can."
Lulu looked after Salmar in shock, while the other talked a bit with the priest.
I was at the temple when the rest caught up to me. Priests and other people gathered around me. The cold look in my eyes that Lulu had seen was gone and replaced by a smile as I talked to the people. Yuna came over and joined me, also talking to the people.
After a while we tried to go into the temple, but some blitzball players came out and started talking trash with the Aurochs. When they were about to go away one of them saw me and stopped. He was apparently the leader.
"Hello my Lord. Do you play blitz?" the red haired man said. I shook my head and said: "No, and you won't either if you continue to abuse people's hope like that. Let me give you fair warning. Those that put people down and try to make the lives of others as miserable as possible, are trash in my eyes. Trash that deserves nothing."
With that I walked into the temple with my friends behind me.
Wakka and Tidus were praying while a summoner and her guardian came out and said to Yuna: "A summoner are you?"
Yuna walked over to them while I stood by a few feet away.
"My name is Yuna, from the island of Besaid." Yuna said. The summoner turned to me and said: "And you?"
"My name is Salmar. Where I come from is of no concern, but I was trained in the summoning arts in the temple of Besaid." I said, crossing my arms.
"Dona." The summoner said arrogantly. "So you are High Summoner Braska's daughter. What a name to live up to. And all these people are your guardians? My, what a rabble!"
"These people are my guardians also." I said. Yuna stepped forward and said: "We have as many guardians as there are people we can trust. I trust them all with my life!"
"Of course I would never question your ways either, so Lady Dona, I ask of you: please leave us in peace." Yuna said.
Dona was about to say something when I stepped forward and laid a hand on Yuna's shoulder.
"What Lady Yuna is saying kindly apparently is lost on you, so I'll say it plain and simple. Leave us to our ways, and we leave you to yours. Now get out of my sight before I become angry" I said. Yuna looked up at me and I smiled to her. (A/N: Salmar is a little over a head taller than Yuna)
Dona sad something I didn't catch and left. We walked over to the elevator down to the cloister of trials and stepped on. Tidus also came, but was pushed of by Kimahri.
"Hey! What gives?" Tidus asked angrily
"You're not a guardian yet." Lulu said.
"We'll be back as soon as we can, okay?" Yuna said and we rode the elevator down.
When Tidus came trough the cloister of trials, Wakka and Lulu was angry at him and said Yuna could get excommunicated.
"No she won't." I said. Everyone turned to me and I sighed.
"He is going to be my guardian, not Yuna's. Remember. All he needs is to be sworn in and he is a guardian. If someone's is to suffer the consequences, it would be me. So shut up and let's hope Yuna is okay." I explained and faced the chamber of fayth again.
Wakka and Lulu explained about the fayth and Tidus fell silent.
Ones both me and Yuna had gotten our new aeon, we walked out of the temple. I and Yuna were instantly surrounded by people, asking how it went. As we walked back to the port, Yuna and Tidus talked and suddenly Tidus screamed really loud. Everyone whirled around. Wakka, Lulu and Kimahri were puzzled while I roared with laughter.
"That's right Tidus. Don't keep it inside you." I said and continued walking, chuckling all the way.
On the ship to Luca I sat in the mast and meditated all the time.
Upon arrival in Luca, Tidus had a little speech about how the Aurochs where going to win before people ran towards another dock yelling Maester Mika is here. We went over to meet him.
The huge Yevon ship was as impressive as ever. First Maester Seymour walked of, people mumbling about him. He turned and bowed towards Mika who stepped down the ramp.
"People of Spira, I thank you for your generous welcome. Rise Maester Seymour, and all of you as well. I present to you, the son of Maester Jyscal Guado, who departed for the Farplane a fortnight past. As some of you already know, he has been officially ordained a Maester of Yevon." Mika said as Seymour rose and bowed to the crowd.
"I am Seymour Guado. I am honoured to receive the title of Maester." Seymour said and Wakka told Tidus to bow his head. Seymour looked at Yuna with a funny gleam in his eyes. As Mika was about to walk away, he saw me and turned. "Bring that man to me" he said, pointing at me. His guards tried to grab my arms, but I shook out of their grip.
"The Maester wants to see you. Show some respect." One of the guards said. I looked at him and said: "I could hear that, but people try to grab my arms. I don't like that. Either back down, or lose a limb or two."
The guard growled and launched himself at me.
"Stop" Mika yelled but the guard already pulled out a sword and swung at me. I blocked, twisted and broke his arm.
"I told you. Back down before something worse happens." I said and walked over to Mika. Yuna, Tidus, Wakka and Lulu were surprised but followed a little behind. I bowed down in front of the Maester, who chuckled and said: "Rise my friend. Haven't I told you not to bow down to me?"
I stood up and said: "Always keep up appearances Maester."
Mika laughed and laid a hand on my shoulder. "Good to see you again my boy. But what is this? You are a summoner now?" he said a bit puzzled.
"Yes. I came to Besaid to offer my help to Lady Yuna, but she saw talent for the summoner arts in me and I trained at the temple." I said smiling.
"So, no longer Salmar the demon?" Mika asked amused. A shadow feel over my face and I bowed my head.
"Oh, no worries my young friend. I know you, and those stories can't be true. But why did you become a summoner? You could have stayed a wandering guardian." Mika said, first cheerfully then seriously.
"You know my wish Maester. So you should know my reason." I said, still head bowed so no one except the Maester could see my expression.
"You mean…? Salmar, that isn't the way. Please tell me that isn't your only reason." Mika said, really serious.
"My reason is to defeat Sin. The rest you know." I said, lifting my head and showing eyes of steel determination.
Mika sighed and removed his hand. "My boy. Three years have passed. Isn't it time to let go?"
"No, Sin will pay for all the people he has killed. Never should anyone be made to experience what I have." I said sadly but with my head held high.
"I never imagined the demon among the wandering guardians to be so emotional." Seymour said. I looked at him and said: "Appearance can be deceiving. Anyway, that is in my past. I am no longer that person. I am a summoner now, sworn to protect Spira."
Seymour looked amused.
"Well Salmar, I must go now. I hope you can accompany me in my lounge during the tournament." Mika said.
I shook my head and said: "No, I cannot. I will watch with my friends. Sorry Maester, but you will have to do without me."
Mika smiled and said: "Of course. Well then, I hope to see you later my friend."
With that he and the rest of his company left. I turned to my friends who were gawking at me.
"What?" I asked.
"You are friends with Maester Mika?" Wakka asked.
"Yeah, why shouldn't I? After all, I did save his life." I said and started to walk towards the stadium.
"Wait, what? You saved Maester Mika?" Lulu asked.
"Yes. He and a convoy he was part of were attacked by Sinspawn once. I destroyed the Sinspawn and saved Maester Mika's life. Since then we have been friends, although I haven't exactly visited often. But can we go now?" I said and started walking again.
Tidus ran up to me and said: "What was all that demon talk?"
I stopped and turned to my friends. "That is part of my past. I'll tell you later, but not now." With that I walked towards the stadium for the third time.
"Salmar, Yuna has been kidnapped." Lulu yelled at me as she, Tidus and Kimahri ran past me. I followed and helped them destroy some machina. When we came onto the ship Yuna was on, a big machina came out.
"We can use this crane." Tidus said
"But it's out of power." Lulu said.
"We'll launch lightening attacks on it. Come on Lulu" I said and we got to work. The crane moved and ripped the top of the machina. After it was destroyed, Yuna came out and an Al Bhed slumped down onto the ground behind her.
"I hope you hurt them." Lulu said.
"A little." Yuna said and I laughed a bit.
Wakka won the match after Lulu sent up a flare to tell him Yuna was alright.
After talking to the Aurochs I, Yuna, Lulu, Kimahri and Wakka walked to the stands and sat down, prepared to watch the match.
The game was good. The Aurochs surprised quite a few people, and despite his injuries, Wakka played on, and they won the game.
"We won!" Yuna yelled. Lulu smiled. I grinned and shook my head.
Wakka lay in the arena floating as Tidus swam up to him. But screams filled the stands, and fiends emerged. The two of them fought to get out of the sphere of water, while the rest of us were busy trying to protect the people in the stands.
Then Seymour summoned his aeon and defeated all the fiends.
"Wow, that is one powerful aeon." I said to myself.
The next day, Wakka told Yuna he was her full time guardian again. Yuna welcomed him back. After a slight talk about Tidus, who were talking to Auron, a guy who were Braska's guardian, Wakka came over to me. "I'll also assume my duties as your full time guardian, if that's alright." He said. I smiled and bowed. "Of course Sir Wakka. It would be an honour." I said.
Then Auron and Tidus came walking up. Yuna, Wakka and Lulu turned to him and bowed. "Sir Auron" Yuna said.
"I wish to become your guardian, Yuna." Auron said. Yuna gasped and said: "But why?"
"You refuse?"
"No, not at all. It would be an honour. But why?" Yuna said, bowing again.
"I promised Braska." Auron said.
"My father?" Yuna asked. Auron nodded, and took Tidus's hand and pulled him in front of him.
"This one comes as well." Auron said and added: "This I promised Jecht."
"Sir Jecht. Is he alive?" Yuna asked. Auron shrugged and said: "Can't say. Haven't seen him for ten years."
Then Auron was about to say something but stopped once he saw me. He turned and looked at me.
"Is that who I think it is?" Auron asked Yuna.
"Depends on who you think it is Sir Auron." Yuna said cheerfully.
Auron walked up to me, studied my face and drew his sword, pointing it at my throat.
"You wouldn't by any chance be the demon among the wandering guardians would you?" Auron asked. He still pointed his sword at me.
"Sir Auron, please. What has he done?" Yuna said.
"He has slaughtered indiscriminately, both humans and fiends." Auron said and swung. The sword stopped, blocked by one of my own.
"Everyone keeps bringing up my past these days. But yes, I suppose you are right, I am Salmar. But I have left the wandering guardians, and have become a summoner. Nice to meet you Sir Auron." I said boringly, sheathed my sword and crossed my arms.
"What? Slaughtered people? What does he mean Salmar?" Yuna asked.
I looked at her and sighed.
"It looks like I have to tell you a lot sooner than I thought. Very well. I am called Salmar the demon partly because I would never leave survivors behind of my attacks. When a pack of fiends attacked a village, I killed as many of them I could. If a band of bandits attacked innocent people, then they would die by my hand. Or so the legend goes. The truth isn't quite as bloody, though it isn't nice. One day about 5 or 6 years ago, I stumbled over a camp set up by a bunch of bandits. They had raided a village and kidnapped two little girls. They were going to rape and kill them. I killed the bandits. One of them, the leader, escaped and was able to tell someone before I reached him and killed him too. After that, I brought the girls back to the village, or the remains of it and left. But about a year later, I passed the same area, and a pack of wolves attacked the same village. I joined in on the fight against the fiends and killed more wolves than the crusaders fighting alongside me. Again one was able to almost escape but I caught up and killed it. From there this myth about a demon wandering guardian who slaughters his opponents and never leaves a survivor has risen. Some look at me with awe because of it, while others run away. But it is rather over exaggerated. I am not the bloodthirsty beast the myth makes me." I explained. Once I was done, Tidus and Wakka gawked at each other, Lulu and Yuna looked a bit sad for some reason, Kimahri looked just like normal and Auron looked like he understood.
"Well, that explains why you are a summoner now. No evil people have become summoners, so I guess I should apologize." Auron said. I waved a hand and mentioned towards Lulu.
"I think you should ask Lulu about that. I think I scared her a bit earlier." I said seriously. Lulu shuddered at the memory, but regained her composure quite fast.
"Oh, Lord Salmar is a good person. No doubt, just don't go putting other people down and crushing their hope in front of him. I think I was just a second or two from decapitation." Lulu said. Auron looked back at me with wonder and said: "so that part is true after all."
I was puzzled. "What part?"
"The part about you having strong morals, and never going against them." Auron said.
I rubbed my head and said: "Well, that's true. I don't go against my beliefs, at least not when I can help it. But are we going to stand here all day, or are we actually going to travel." I was getting a bit impatient. It this kept up, they would be asking more about my past. I don't want that.
"I have an idea. Auron, why don't you become Salmar's guardian also? I already am." Tidus said. Auron looked at him and said: "You are?"
"Yes, and so are Wakka and Lulu. Kimahri I'm not sure of though." Tidus continued. He stopped though when he saw my face.
"No, I won't accept him. I have no need for a guardian who does not trust me. Thus I have no need for Auron as a guardian. Sorry Tidus." I said irritated. Then Auron began to chuckle.
"You know, we saw you once. Braska, Jecht and me. We saw you fight. You are good with the sword, so why do you have so many guardians anyway?"
I looked at him, and everyone froze as my eyes changed from their warm brown to the cold steel look. Even Auron felt uneasy and slightly scared.
"I have as many guardians as I can trust. To me a guardian isn't just a person who follows me around and makes sure I am safe. That would smother me, and make me unhappy. No, a guardian to me is someone I trust and travel with. Kind of a very loyal friend. You, no matter how strong or good a guardian you are, have no place among that group. I don't trust you, since I can sense you hold back a lot of information, you force me to talk about things I still have nightmares about and generally show distrust. So no, even if you wanted to, you will not become my guardian." I said my tone so cold Lulu began to wonder if I cast a blizzard spell.
Auron shook a bit before he said: "That has to be the most arrogant summoner speech I have ever heard. I saw your skills ten years ago. Unless you have become much more powerful, you can't beat me and…"
"What does that have to do with things? If I am able to beat you or not does not matter with me not wanting you as a guardian." I said impatiently. Also I could see that Yuna wanted us to stop.
"Well then, why don't we have a little spar to see who is better? The demon or the legendary guardian." Auron said mockingly. I nodded and he drew his sword and readied himself. I took out my two swords, looked at them and said: "This is the last time I use both at the same time. These swords are the only thing connecting me to my past as a demon. I think I will destroy them once I show this arrogant bastard who is better."
With that I jumped while Yuna screamed "stop" to us. I swung down and Auron blocked easily. "Is that it?" he asked.
"I hope you have strong ribs, idiot." I said as I dropped underneath Auron's sword, and smashed my swords into his ribs in a scissor motion. Auron's eyes widened and he feel down, clutching his ribs.
"Usually that move is administered with the blade side, not the dull side. If I had been serious, you would be dead now. Here, a hi-potion." I said and gave him the medicine. He drank it and got up as I sheathed my swords.
"How did you move so fast? And how did you get so strong?" Auron asked amazed.
"Ten years, and you think I would keep the same strength. Fool. I won't even bother explaining about the technique. Anyways, these swords are done."
With that I smashed the swords together and shattered the blades.
"See that Auron? That is the last piece of Salmar the demon wanderer being destroyed right there. From now on I will fight with my staff." I said and used a fire spell to melt the metal of the swords into a puddle.
Yuna looked at me before she said: "But Salmar. Why? Those swords were part of who you are."
I walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Auron looked at my swords to confirm his suspicion about me being the demon. Also they were a part of my past yes, but a past I want to forget. I have wanted to get rid of them for a long time, and now I had the excuse." I said and walked up the stairs to the Mi'hen Highroad. What I didn't see was Wakka and Tidus helping Auron while Yuna gathered what remained of the molten swords.
The walk across Mi'hen highroad wasn't all that exiting, but I was happy. 'Finally some peace.' I thought. Then of course it didn't last long. Three chokobo knights stopped us and told us about a big fiend hunting chokobos. 'Great. Not what I wanted today. A chokobo eater. Damn.' I thought and continued walking while Auron told us a little about Jecht and Braska.
By some ruins we meet a summoner. She introduced herself as Belgemine and asked who we were.
"My name is Yuna." Yuna said and bowed.
"Ah, you are the high summoner's daughter. I have heard much about you. And you?" Belgemine said and turned to me.
"I am Salmar. Nice to meet you Lady Belgemine." I said and bowed also.
"Oh, the former wandering guardian. I have heard much about you too. But you are still fresh with being a summoner, are you not?" Belgemine asked, quirking a eyebrow.
"Yes, we are." I said and Yuna bowed her head slightly.
"I might have a few things to teach you two. Let us see which are strongest. My aeons or yours. A one on one match, not to the death of course. What do you say?" Belgemine asked
I looked at Yuna and said: "Sure. Which one of us do you want to fight?"
"Both, although not at the same time. I suggest Lady Yuna goes first" Belgemine said and Yuna nodded and stepped forward. The rest of us retreated slightly.
"I'll do my best!" Yuna said and readied her staff.
Belgemine started by summoning Ifrit. Yuna summoned Valefor.
Yuna's Valefor was stronger than Belgemine and her Ifrit. After a long battle where both sides got hit a lot, Yuna won.
"Stop. That is enough. You show promise. I underestimated you, but with a little practise, you could defeat Sin." Belgemine said happily.
"Thank you, but I think you might defeat Sin before I am able to." Yuna said.
Belgemine shook her head and said: "I had my chance. I was not able to, but enough of that. It's your turn now Lord Salmar."
I took Yuna's place in front of Belgemine and we started. Again she summoned Ifrit while I summoned Valefor. Now Ifrit is, or should be, stronger than Valefor, so I had to plan how to fight this battle.
'From what I saw just now, she has Ifrit attack with it's claws and it's Meteor Strike. I have to block the Meteor Strike and try to counter the claw attack. Ah I know.' I thought and jumped beside Valefor.
"You have a plan?" it asked me. I nodded and whispered to it: "That Ifrit attacks with it's claws and Meteor Strike. When I tell you, use your shield. Then right after, use your Energy beam. Try to focus it straight on Ifrit and not the ground."
Valefor nodded and I jumped away again. Ifrit immediately launched it's Meteor Strike.
"Now!" I yelled and Valefor threw up it's shield. Then when the attack was over, Valefor blasted Ifrit with it's Energy beam. Valefor focused the beam around Ifrit instead of on a large area. It worked and Ifrit was beaten. I walked over and scratched a tired looking Valefor. She looked at me and nodded before vanishing again. (A/N: from now on I think I will have the aeons either female or male. It is so weird referring to them as "it" all the time. So Valefor is a female now while Ifrit is a male. Ixon is a male while Shiva is female. Bahamuth and Yojimbo are males, Anima and the Magus sisters are females. Now back to the story.)
"This can't be. You beat my Ifrit with one attack. That shouldn't be possible with Valefor. I see you are as gifted as summoner as you were rumoured to be as wandering guardian. If anyone is to defeat Sin, it will be one of you two. Support each other and train hard. We will meet again." Belgemine said and walked away.
"Wow Salmar. That was awesome. I had no idea you were this good." Tidus said while nearly jumping up and down in excitement.
"I guess I handled myself well, but I still need more training. Well then, shall we continue?" I said and we started walking again.
A little later we meet a little girl and her mother. The girl introduced herself as Cali and asked Yuna if she was going to bring the Calm.
"Yes, soon." Yuna said cheerfully. Cali squealed in excitement and ran around Yuna a couple of times. Her mother explained that they were looking forward to another Calm and the two left us. Tidus then asked what a Calm was, and Lulu explained.
"Oh, I get it now. Now everything makes sense." Tidus said. I raised an eyebrow and said: "Everything? Than explain to me how we are to defeat Sin permanently."
Tidus's good mood was effectively killed and he said sourly: "Not absolutely everything, just the bit about why Sin is still here even though Yuna's father beat it."
We laughed a bit and continued walking.
We arrived at a travel agency and Auron said that we should rest here. Wakka didn't like the idea. "But this is an Al Bhed shop." He said.
"So?" I asked. Wakka turned to me and was about to say something when I cut him off.
"I have had dealings with the Al Bhed before. They haven't done anything to me before so there is no need to worry." I said
"But they don't believe in Yevon and in Luca they…they kidnapped Yuna." Wakka said.
"Where were her guardians?" Auron asked. Wakka hung his head.
"Sir Auron is just concerned about our health." Yuna said
"But I'm not tired" Wakka said. Auron turned and walked to the agency. His parting comment made me smile slightly. "But I am."
'I may not trust Auron, but he sure makes great entertainment sometimes.' I thought and followed into the agency.
I was sitting with Wakka and Auron when Tidus walked over to Yuna and they started talking. Wakka nudged me in my ribs.
"What?" I asked as I rubbed the spot he had hit.
"Yuna and Tidus sure is getting close. Wonder what will happen?" Wakka said playfully. I snorted. "Yuna is a big girl. She can handle herself. I have no business with their privacy." I said. Auron nodded and said: "But still. I can sense some feelings growing between them. I don't know if that is good or not."
I waved a hand and said: "Relax Auron. Yuna won't do anything stupid. Although I kinda wish Tidus and I switched places. Damn this emotional barrier business." The last part I said in a low murmur so the two men with me didn't hear. Although Auron smiled in a weird way afterwards.
We watched the two for a bit before I stood up. "I wish you the very best Yuna." I said softly before I jumped away, heading into the woods behind the agency to train. Wakka was about to go after me to guard me, but Auron held him behind. "No, let him be for now. I think that would be the best." He said. Wakka looked puzzled before he agreed and sat down.
In the clearing I found, I summoned Valefor and worked with her on our fighting. Then I summoned Ifrit and did the same with him. After I dismissed Ifrit I sat down and thought for a while.
'I know my summons get stronger when I get stronger. So I should train my body and my magic as well as my summoning. Alright, this is just like training before master Shan left. Okay Salmar, you can do this. Just train every day and you can beat Sin.' I said to my self and began the training I had done under my mentor with the wandering guardians.
Flashback:
"Salmar, you are skilled, but no matter how skilled you are, if your body is bad then you won't be able to do anything. That is why I want you to train with me for now. Start with fifty push ups, then fifty sit ups, fifty squats, fifty jumps, fifty fire spells, fifty water spells, fifty thunder spells, fifty ice spells, fifty rounds around this area before you go to rest okay?" master Shan said to me. I nodded and did as he said, knowing that if I said anything against him, he would add to my training routine.
End flashback.
After remembering how it was training under master Shan, I started doing the exercises he set up for me. I found them to work just as well as a summoner as they did when I was a wandering guardian. But instead of using the lowest elemental spells like master Shan had instructed, I used the highest I knew. About two or three hours later I was finished and walked back to my room in the agency. I was pretty sweaty but not as much as I should.
'Tomorrow I better increase the amount of repetitions from fifty to sixty. But now to take a shower before heading of to bed. Hopefully Valefor and Ifrit become stronger from this as well.' I thought and went for the showers.
"Where did he vanish to last night? Damn it, if he hasn't come back yet. I knew we should have followed him. I'm supposed to be his guardian, and now he's gone. What should we do?" Wakka rambled on. He, Lulu, Tidus, Yuna and Auron stood inside my room. It was of course deserted.
"Calm down Wakka. Let's go outside and look for him. Maybe he is returning here as we speak" Yuna said. Wakka nodded and they went outside. The looked around a bit and saw me sitting by the cliffs, watching the sun.
"Lord Salmar." Wakka exclaimed and ran over to me, with the others in tow.
I looked up and waved. "Hello. Good morning." I said cheerfully.
"What do you mean good morning? We have been worried about you. Wakka said you vanished last night and we didn't find you this morning. What happened?" Lulu said slightly angry. I looked at her puzzled and said: "I went of to train. I trained by myself for a couple of hours before heading to bed, sleeping for a few hours and getting up again. I only sleep two, tops three hours a night. It's a habit I picked up during my days as a wandering guardian, to keep from getting caught of guard as easily. I didn't know I had a curfew, or and obligation to stay in bed until you fetch me."
Wakka, Lulu and Tidus looked a bit embarrassed after I said that. Wakka mumbled a sorry while Yuna looked curious.
"What did you train on?" she asked me.
"Summoning, as well as build my strength, magic and other attributes. You should too you know. The aeons get stronger when the summoner gets stronger, so we should both train ourselves just as much as we train on summoning." I said and Yuna nodded.
"The next time you go to train like that, please take me with you." She said. I nodded and was about to say something when I saw something on top of the agency.
"Say, is that the chokobo eating fiend?" I asked, pointing at the fiend. Then a woman screamed something about chokobos and help.
"That's our cue." Auron said and we nodded. We rushed at the fiend, who jumped down and attacked us.
"Yuna, I'll call Ifrit." I yelled at her. She nodded and I performed the summoning. Ifrit came up of the ground under me as always. This time though I could sense something different. And see it too. Ifrit looked slightly bigger than usual, and his flames were slightly darker.
"Ifrit, what's wrong? You look different." I asked him. He looked at me and said: "You started training last night. I look different because I am more linked to you now, since you understood that you need to train your body trough training, and not only battle, like most summoners do. So I get stronger as you do, but the difference is that before I would get stronger at a certain pre cent of your power increase. Now on the other hand, my power increases just as much as yours. It is a great advantage over other summoners."
The explanation was simple and logical. I nodded and said: "okay, but right now I think we should fight this fiend. I want you to use your Meteor Strike first. The fiend looks like if doesn't have much balance, so we will try to flip it over. When it is on its back, use hellfire and destroy it."
Ifrit nodded and attacked. While Ifrit attacked, Auron, Yuna and Lulu attacked. Wakka, Tidus and Kimahri followed up and was able to almost knock the fiend over on its back. Normally a summoner stands behind his summon in a fight. I found that I didn't have to do that.
"Hey, I can move. That's new as well." I said, but didn't stop to think about it. Instead I rushed at the unsteady fiend. It saw me, and tried to hit me. Ifrit stopped the punch and I was able to use my staff to trip the fiend. The Ifrit launched his most powerful attack. The fiend was alive afterwards, but two or three attacks from us afterwards and it was gone.
After the fiend dissolved into pyre flies, chokobos ran around exited. Rin, the Al Bhed who owns the travel agencies around Spira, came and told us he would rent us chokobos for free as a token of appreciation.
I didn't listen though. I and Yuna were having a conversation with Ifrit.
"So, when I realised I had to train my body in order to make my summons stronger, I made our connection stronger and now I can move around while having you summoned. Also you become stronger at the same pace I do, instead of at slightly slower speed?" I said. Ifrit nodded and said: "A normal summoner summons and has to stand in one spot to let the summon stay there. It is because the connection between the summoner and the aeon is made in that spot. You on the other hand have so strong connection with us that you can move around, but not much. You can't move farther away from me than about forty meters I suppose. That distance will grow as we get stronger though."
"So, how do I do the same? Start to train my body also?" Yuna asked. Ifrit nodded and said: "Yes, if you start to train outside of battle as well, just as Salmar has, then the same change will happen to you, although I suggest you don't tell other summoners." Ifrit said.
I was puzzled at that. "Why not?" I asked.
"Because this is your advantage. Some summoners are bad, even evil. If they could do the same thing, it would be bad for Spira." Ifrit said.
"Wait, evil summoners? I thought summoners couldn't be evil. Lulu said something about it." I said, even more puzzled now. Ifrit shook his head and said: "No, some summoners are evil. They summon what is called dark aeons. They are basically the same aeons, but are evil and filled with evil power. They are few, but exist. Be careful. You have to fight them, as they want the same thing Sin wants, namely death and destruction."
With that, Ifrit left. Yuna looked at me and said: "We will keep this information to ourselves and train so that the two of us become strong enough to beat those dark aeons."
I nodded. "I agree. We have to train hard Yuna, but I would want to keep our friends out of our training sessions. If there is something I know about evil, it is that it has no pride or mercy. If they found out our guardians knew the secret to our new strengths, they would torture them for the information. Even Auron would break under the correct torture, so I suggest we just tell them we go to train. Even Kimahri can't come. You understand?"
Yuna nodded, and I smiled as I put a hand on her shoulder. "Relax. As long as we keep this secret, they will be safe. I hope." I said, and she smiled back at me.
After finishing talking to Rin, we rented a chokobo and headed of to the Mushroom rock road. I suggested we go down to the old road and fight some fiends to grow stronger. The suggestion was meet with enthusiasm from Tidus, and a slightly calmer version from Yuna.
On the old road we encountered a lot of fiends, and beat them. Tidus almost got killed as a Floating eye lifted him up into the air and dropped him. Yuna saved him by summoning Valefor. I was almost killed when a Dual horn tried to break my neck. Tidus managed to sever the Dual horn's spine before it could break my neck though.
All in all, when we walked towards the gates leading to Mushroom rock road, we were tired, but stronger. We had spent the night in the old road, and Yuna and I had trained together during the night. Yuna did the same exercises as I did, although not as many repetitions.
"This kind of training is hard. You did this every day?" Yuna asked me as we were walking back to the camp.
"Yes I did. Although I don't think you need to train quite as hard as you did. If I were you I would focus on my magic. You are more naturally disposed towards magic, while I am more towards pure power. Besides, if you gain too many muscles, you will just ruin you cute looks." I said. I took exactly two and a half steps before I realised what I had said and that Yuna wasn't following. I blushed furiously and hurriedly said: "Although that isn't any of my business. I just…"
"You think I am cute?" Yuna asked looking into my eyes. I looked back and swallowed.
'Oh shit. Damn me and my tongue. Oh well, now I better say the truth then.'
"Yeah. Well, no and yes. I mean I think you are beautiful but cute at the same time. I mean, oh damn. I'll just shut up now." I said and lowered my head. What I didn't see was the smile on Yuna's face.
"Thank you." She said and I looked up at her puzzled. "No one has ever said that to me." Yuna said. I couldn't believe that was true.
"That can't be right. Someone so pretty as you should hear that every day. Are you sure no one else has said that to you?" I said gently, desperately trying to keep my voice steady.
Yuna thought for a bit before she said: "Well, father told me all the time. But no one outside of family." With that she smiled at me.
"Oh, I see. That's strange though. I really think you are beautiful though. But I think we should go back now, before I embarrass myself further." I said, the last bit was said jokingly.
Yuna giggled and said while holding back a huge laugh: "Okay, although one bit of me wants to stay and hear more praise from you."
I shook my head smiling. "Oh, you'll hear. Just not now. But don't let praise get to your head, okay? That would be dangerous." I said. Yuna nodded and we walked the last bit back to camp.
"There you are. We were starting to worry." Lulu said as we came back. Yuna and Lulu stayed up and talked for a bit. I went straight to bed. I had a suspicion about what their conversation would be about, and did not want to hear it.
When I awoke three hours later, I got up and started training again. I tried to stay close in case some fiend would attack, but also so much away that they didn't see how I trained. When I heard them starting to awake, I went back and helped make breakfast. The first thing I noticed when Lulu got up was that she gave me a funny look and smile before sitting down to eat.
'Oh man. Stupid loudmouth. When will I learn to keep my mouth shut?' I thought and mentally groaned.