Chapter 1: Apprentice

It had been a long day, but Yocun felt it had not been quite long enough. Since sunrise, Yocun had been in training. Actually, since before the sun had even begun its day, Yocun was already taking down the nocturnal fiends that ran rampant in the Calm Lands. Yocun did not let her endurance bother her. She couldn't afford to let such a minor thing bother her with her journey coming soon.

Yocun was a summoner, charged with the task of vanquishing Sin, the bane of Spira. For years, Yocun had fought Sin as a member of the Crusaders, even having control of her own regimen of troops. A year prior, however, Sin came a little too close to Macalania, Yocun's hometown. It was then that Yocun could see the futility of the Crusaders' mission. She knew she needed to do more.

Not long after the event, Yocun spoke with the priests at Macalania temple and began her training to become a summoner. Lady Yocun proved herself to by a very difficult student.

Summoners generally come from a religious background, or are at least familiar with many of the practices that the clergy does. Most are monks or priestesses prior to becoming summoners. Yocun set a record for being the first Crusader to become a summoner. On top of that, Yocun had little knowledge coming in about the duties of the clergy, and she did not wish to cloud her mind with such trivial matters.

As a matter of fact, Yocun found many of the duties charged to summoners and other members of the clergy to be a waste of time. In her first lesson, Yocun was given a staff to use. Yocun immediately returned the staff, citing its unfamiliarity. The clergy at Macalania Temple insisted that she use it, as it was required of a summoner to use a rod. Yocun continued to refuse to use the rod, and began to research the history of using rods to build a defense against using it. Yocun found that the use of a rod for a summoner's purpose was mostly traditional. As long as an item in magically inclined, it can be used to perform general summoner tasks such as summoning aeons and sending the fallen.

After a while, the clergy conceded defeat, but then challenged Yocun to find a magically inclined item that she could use as its replacement. They reminded her that her answer had to match her previous argument: that the rod was unfamiliar. Therefore, any item that was equally as unfamiliar could not be selected. Yocun had only wielded one thing in her lifetime: a sword. Yocun found numerous different documents than gave slightly different definitions of the word "magically inclined" until finally finding out its root in an old scroll that had been forgotten in the temple library: "Weapons having been blessed by an ordained member of the Yevon clergy is considered to be magically inclined." With this knowledge, Yocun demanded that her sword be blessed.

That was not the only part of the summoner's training that Yocun found pointless. Yocun found that learning white magic was essential to becoming a summoner. Yocun refused to learn white magic. The clergy argued that such a dangerous and perilous journey would require someone with skills of a white mage, but Yocun found more textual evidence that a white mage was not required, only recommended. Once again, the clergy had no choice but to relent to her decision. However, they made it perfectly clear to her that they reserved the right to cancel her training if they found it necessary. Yocun took that as a threat, and did not change her decision.

Unbeknownst to her, the clergy began to take steps in canceling her training. Specifically, Yocun had purposely put off selecting anyone to serve as her guardian. She was never close to anyone growing up, and she only saw her comrades in the Crusaders as coworkers. When she announced that she was becoming a summoner, almost every single Crusader that served under her offered his or her service as guardian. They were all the same to her: soldiers with the same training she had, only less. What would they bring to the pilgrimage that she couldn't already do?

That is how a rookie soldier named Barton managed to make himself stand out amongst the rest. Barton lived in Macalania, but never knew Yocun until he met her as a Crusader. Barton was immediately smitten with her and did everything he could to stand out among the rest, but he never did. His skills with a sword were less than average. Some would even say pitiful. Barton considered his chances of being selected slim until he overheard a conversation between the monks at the temple, about how Father Zolono had already filled out the necessary paperwork to cancel Lady Yocun's training simply on the basis that she refused to study white magic.

Instinctually, Barton jumped into the conversation and asked if she would be able to continue her training if she had a guardian proficient in white magic. The monks discussed it and agreed that it would be allowable for one of Yocun's guardians to be the team's white mage rather than her. Barton took a leave of absence from the Crusaders and began to take the lessons in white magic that she had forgone. Once the clergy deemed Barton had learned enough white magic, Barton approached Yocun with the news that they were planning to cancel her training and that the only way to prevent it from happening was to take him on as her white mage for the party. Yocun accepted immediately, realizing that she had put off selecting her guardians for long enough.

The day had come. There was no more training. There was no more preparation. Yocun was ready to become a summoner, but she was still filled with the heart and energy of a warrior. To the last day, she continued to train near the sunken cave on the northern most point of the Calm Lands. On the day her pilgrimage began, she was there, instead of at the Calm Lands where the Crusaders awaited her. "They're waiting for us," Barton said impatiently. Barton had prepared for the day differently than Yocun had. He shaved, he got a haircut, and he purchased a new set of clothing and armor. Being equally as unfamiliar with a rod as Yocun had been, Barton had a pair of fingerless gloves blessed for the purpose of performing white magic.

Yocun, however, was still fighting the fiends in the area until they finally learned to stop coming at her. They would never win. "Are we done? I'd really like to get on the road now. If we leave soon, we can make it to Macalania before nightfall."

"You worry too much, Barton," she said as she holstered her weapon. Yocun had the ability to soothe the soul with her smile. He walked over to Barton and grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him further down towards the sunken cave. "Do you know the story behind this cave?"

"Yes, I do," he replied. "Somehow, I think I caught onto it from the million times you told it to me."

Yocun ignored his reply. "Legend has it that a thief broke into an ancient temple and stole the fayth from inside. His objective was to prevent summoners from being able to complete their pilgrimages, so that their terrible fate does not befall them at their journey's end. Barton, I want to see that fayth."

"That fayth doesn't exist," Barton assured her. "It's a myth and like all myths before it, it's not actually true. People have gone down there and found nothing."

"They haven't searched it well enough."

"When people try to do that, they don't come back."

"I don't always follow tradition," Yocun replied. "Come on. They're waiting for us." Barton followed Yocun out from the ravine and across the bridge towards the large expanse known as the Calm Lands. Even from a distance she could see a large regimen of Crusaders waiting to bid her good luck on her journey. She didn't want a parade waiting for her, but she knew she would get it.

As soon as she and Barton were in view, troops on chocobos began the fanfare. Yocun sighed and blushed in embarrassment. She continued to walk forward and as she did, the fanfare grew. She began to wonder if the entire army had come out to see her off.

At the forefront, she could see a woman waiting to greet her. She was Silva, captain of the Djose Chocobo Knights. On top of that, she was Yocun's second guardian. Yocun did her best to ignore the fan fare and greeted Silva. She wore light armor similar to what Yocun wore. Yocun and Silva were actually very similar in appearance. Yocun wore her hair longer, just passed her shoulders, and was a blonde. Silva was a red-head and her hair was barely noticeable passed her helmet. It only came down to right above her shoulders.

They shook hands. "Lady Yocun. It is good to see you again."

"Likewise, Lady Silva."

Silva had nothing else to say. She had a habit is simply turning away when she felt the conversation was over with. It wasn't rude for her. It was just practical. The fanfare suddenly shifted direction. There three of them looked to see an elderly man in priestly garments come walking down the aisle. They all recognized him as Maester Dammen, leader of the Crusaders. Even in his old age, Dammen was known for his skill. Had he not been a maester, Yocun would have asked for his services as guardian before anyone else.

He came forward and stood directly in front of Yocun. Yocun and her guardians bowed. "You are only a few hours away from become a full-fledged summoner. Do you have what it takes to defeat Sin?"

Yocun slowly drew her blade and held it as if ready for battle. "Yes. I will defeat Sin."

"Then I am to assume the two standing at your side are your guardians?"

"Yes."

"Then I would like for you to present yourself as well as your guardians, so that the Crusaders can recognize who will be the next vanquishers of Sin."

Dammen motioned for the fanfare to cease. Yocun stepped forward, with the eyes of hundreds of Crusaders, Chocobo Knights, and even many civilians upon her. "My name is Yocun. I am an apprentice summoner from the city of Macalania. One year ago, I made a conscious decision to leave the Crusaders and become a summoner. Now, my training has ended. I will pray to the fayth at Macalania, receive my first aeon, and become a full-fledged summoner." The crowd cheered for a few seconds. She continued as the noise died down.

"With me are two people I will trust with my lives. Barton. Please step forward." He came over and stood next to Yocun. "Sir Barton, I would like for you to become my guardian. Do you accept?"

"Lady Yocun, I accept."

"Silva. Please step forward." She came and stood on the opposite side. "Lady Silva, I would like for you to become my guardian. Do you accept?"

"Lady Yocun, I accept."

Once again, the cheers and fanfare restarted, but Yocun's eyes were keen on something else. She saw swift movement coming from the East. It didn't look like any fiend that was common to the area. She would know, having trained in the area for years. "Silva," she whispered. "Do you know if Sin has been in the area recently?"

"There was a sighting about two days ago," Silva replied. "It did not attack, so not much precaution was taken. Why do you ask?"

"I saw something move. Fast. Too fast to be an ordinary fiend. I think it might be a sinspawn."

Silva slowly moved her hand behind her shoulder to grab the spear she had holstered on her back. She kept it in hand, but did not remove it. "I do not see it."

"It's hiding," Yocun remarked. "There are too many people here. Sinspawns seem to be getting smarter these days. It's going to wait until the party dissipates. It can't attack anyone while they're all grouped together like this."

"We need bait, then," Silva whispered back.

"Barton!" she yelled. Barton had been speaking with a Crusader only a few feet away. Her turned and smiled at the Lady Summoner. "Barton, I need you to do a favor for me." He smiled again, indicating he was willing to accomplish whatever task she needed of him. Yocun whispered again to Silva. "How good is your aim?"

"Impeccable," she replied without hesitation.

She turned back to Barton. "Okay. I need you to take a few steps back."

Barton nodded and began to walk backwards slowly before stopping after a few steps. "How's this?"

"Farther," Yocun yelled.

Barton nodded and continued to walk backwards. He stopped again. "How about this?"

Yocun shook her head. "Just keep going until I tell you to stop." Barton sighed and continued to cautiously move backwards. With each step, he took an even smaller piece of movement until he was just barely inching away. He was getting tired of moving. The entire company was a good distance away and he could barely make out the people, much less what they were saying. He couldn't even tell is Lady Yocun had told him to step yet. He was probably too far to hear her.

He stopped. Just as he thought. He couldn't hear her. Was she even saying anything? She was. She was talking to Silva. What were they talking about? If he didn't find out soon, Barton was going to start walking back. He would give them the benefit of the doubt for a few more minutes.

He could see Silva slowly take out her spear. None of the other Crusaders took any notice to it, or at least they made no notable reaction to it. Barton was staring at it intensely. As a guardian to an apprentice summoner, Barton felt it was his duty to be aware of everything around him.

He wasn't doing a great job of it so far.

As he paid attention o Silva's spear, the ground below him began to shake. He wasn't able to move, having planted himself in the position for far too long. The ground directly behind him opened up and the creature, a sinspawn with four arms, blue fur and a menacing snarl that would back even the more feared of men shiver in fear, came up with a deafening roar that caught everyone's attention. Silva was passed the point of attention. The spear was already in the air as the sinspawn's arm was coming down on Barton, the spear pierced it, causing the creature to fall back in pain.

Finally, the Crusaders were catching on. "Sinspawn!" someone yelled. "Crusaders! Ready! Attack!"

Now, hundred of Crusaders had their weapons at the ready. "Wait!" came a new voice. It was at this point that Yocun realized there had been someone, a young blond man with a twisted, yet sincere smile standing next to Maester Dammen. He had been there the whole time, but Yocun was finally noticing him. "The Lady Yocun and her guardians noticed the creature and did not find it necessary to inform the rest of us. I suppose the Lady Summoner thinks she and her guardians can handle the situation on their own. Maybe we should allow them to do so."

"This is not the time to test the summoner's strength, Maldus."

"Perhaps this is the best time," Maldus replied.

"I accept Sir Maldus' challenge," Yocun interrupted.

"This it is settled," he replied. "If things are to get out of hand, then I will have a regimen at the ready to come in and save you, should you need it."

"I will not," she said, "but thank you." Yocun bowed and drew her sword. Barton was still at the far end of the Calm Lands, watching the creature as it desperately tried to get the spear out from his hand. As he tried unsuccessfully, Yocun arrived and immediately impaled him on the side with her sword. The creature appeared injured but at the same time, appeared to have become even angrier.

The situation seemed tense. Yocun feared pulling the sword from his side. It would only infuriate him. Silva could not attack. Her only spear was lodged in the creature's hand. Barton had nothing with which to attack. They had to do something, but had nothing with which to do it with.

"You ran into battle unprepared," Maldus said. He was now standing next to Silva, much to her surprise. "You're at a stalemate and can not figure out any way to pull yourself out. It's quite a conundrum, really."

"I will figure this out," Yocun replied.

"Figure it out quickly. That Sinspawn will not remain idle for long. I will have my men mobile within the next minute. It is better for you to lose your dignity than your life, right? Well, I suppose that one is debatable."

"I will figure this one out," she repeated. The creature was still motionless, but it was evident from his eyes that he was not intent on staying that way forever. She spied the spear lodged into the cavity of his lower left hand, and came up with the only solution she had: Retrieve the spear by healing the hand.

"Barton. I need you to move in closer and heal his hand. Keep your distance, but I need you to do it so that the spear comes free. Silva. Stand ready to retrieve it when it comes loose."

"Yes, Lady Yocun," they said together. Barton inched forward, with more reservations in his face visible than he wanted to show. As soon as he was close enough, he began to pray. "Okay. Yevon. I know that healing a sinspawn isn't exactly your forte, but it's actually good in the long run. You understand, right?" As he spoke nonsense to himself, the hand gradually healed and the spear gradually came free.

The last tip popped out, and Silva ran and caught the spear before it even hit the ground. She rolled out of the way, just as the creature slammed his fist onto the ground. It had sat around idly long enough. Silva jumped back, dodging another slam onto the ground.

"His hide is thick," Silva observed. "If we stab, out weapons are likely to get stuck in his hide. The best course of action would be more of a slashing motion." With the creature already irate, Yocun withdrew her sword and jumped back to dodge the counterattack. She nodded in agreement with Silva and began to slash at the hands whenever the creature tried to grab or slam his fist down. Eventually, the creature ceased using the injured hands and began to use the auxiliary hands. Soon, these were in the same inured condition as the previous.

Yocun was tired, noticeably breathing heavily. Barton came from being her and began to heal her, muttering nonsense as a way to keep calm. The creature could not move. Silva stood next to Yocun. Together, they lifted their weapons and impaled the creature in the chest. It growled one last yelled before collapsing and disappearing into a flood of pyreflies.

Tired, the three returned to the group of Crusaders, who were nothing short of impressed. "The Apprentice Summoner has vanquished the sinspawn!" one yelled. "If she can do that as an apprentice, just imagine what she'll do once she gets an aeon!" came another. "And when she gets the final aeon? They'll be no stopping her!" "The Calm is near! I can almost taste it!"

The only person not cheering was Maldus, his twisted smile gone. "You did well," he said, "but you acted irrationally. Your pilgrimage will be cut short if you continued to battle like you did now."

"The sinspawn has been defeated," she said. "I see no problem in what I did."

"Your actions are a surefire was to get to the farplane, and fast," he chided.

"Oh come on," Barton intruded, "You're just jealous that you didn't get to send your troops in to defeat the creature. You're just mad that we're so good that we did it ourselves." Maldus did not reply.

"I hate to interrupt this conversation," Silva said, "but night will be upon us in a matter of hours. We should get moving if we wish to get to Macalania Temple before nightfall."

Yocun nodded. "Well, Sir Maldus, it has been a pleasure meeting you. I hope to see you again."

"I pray that meeting does not occur in a morgue, Lady Yocun," he replied bitingly. He bowed to her sincerely and walked off.

"What's his problem?" Barton questioned. "Anyways, it's not our problem. Our goal is to get to Macalania Temple and to get that aeon."

"Yes," Yocun replied. "Our journey begins. Sir Barton. Lady Silva. Are you ready?"

"Yes Lady Yocun," they replied.