Chapter I of Balthier Flare's birthday present!
Final Hikari: My first Final Fantasy X fanfiction! The pairing is Tidus x Yuna, of course. XD Although late, I'm glad to know your PC is working again and I hope you enjoy reading, Balthier Flare! :D This will be posted in three parts, due to technical difficulties on the part of my word processor.
Tidus: You know, the computers in Zanarkand almost never crashed…
Final Hikari: But of course; they're a dream, of course they're perfect.
Tidus: Hey! They weren't always a dream…
Final Hikari: Suuuure. Anyway, it's been a pretty long time since I played FFX, so feel free to point out any inconsistencies or mistakes I make. -sweat drop- Also, thanks go to Dr. Meh for editing around her stringent school schedule!
Yuna: The Final Hikari doesn't own anything from Final Fantasy X.
Kilika Nights
Chapter I
Thoughts of the Sacrificed
Summoner Yuna walked out of the small Kilika Inn silently, careful not to disturb anyone resting in the makeshift shelter. As soon as she was outside, she took a deep breath of the fresh night air. It was quite a bit cooler than it had been earlier that day, undoubtedly a side effect of proximity to the ocean.
The only sounds that pierced the tranquil quiet of the dark were the tree frogs chirping their tuneless songs and the soft lapping of the waves against the poles holding the many docks and buildings above water. The sound was relaxing and routine; the peacefulness hung over the town like a veil, almost making it impossible to guess at the atrocities that transpired merely hours before.
She started toward to the far side of the dock road, eyes falling to the second, smaller dock that branched off. The boat that managed to survive an attack from Sin - in far better condition than Kilika was - still remained at the dock, its crew all asleep in the cabins. Some of the homeless civilians had also been welcomed aboard, and sometimes offered homes in the Isle of Besaid.
Her expression was distant as she walked over the uneven boards. Many were differing in length and the fasteners, either metal, wood, or a very strong and resistant type of braided straw, were a combination of recycled supplies and what was kept in reserves on land. She'd been sheltered on Besaid for so many years, she only had a vague idea of how many times this had happened to Kilika.
Additionally, much of the wood resembled weatherworn driftwood rather than carefully cut planks. But despite the many shortcomings, the docks were sturdy, absent of precarious shaking. The carpenters were skilled and careful; they wanted their homes to be strong and last.
Unfortunately, they were also in very frequent need. Kilika was directly on the coast, leaving it as an unprotected and frequent target of Sin. It had been decimated and rebuilt far too many times; but the citizens never hesitated when the choice to stay or leave was made. They remained in their waterborne homes, always waiting for the Calm to come and hoping that one day, it would be eternal.
The term sounded almost dreamlike to her, as her father had given his life up just to bring a Calm that lasted only a few years. It was still the salvation of everyone - but the idea of an "Eternal Calm" seemed so much more meaningful. Like every Summoner, she could only pray that she would be the one to bring it.
She stopped at the edge of the dock where the spectators had watched her perform the Sending earlier that evening. Though the rest of the group found it relatively easy to rest after such a chaotic day, she hadn't been able to repress her thoughts enough to fall asleep so simply.
The last remnants of the twilight sun had disappeared, but the impregnable darkness of night had yet to set in. It just served as a painful, bittersweet reminder of all that had happened since they left Besaid. She sat down on the edge of the dock, dangling her legs over the water.
Her thoughts kept straying to the evening's less than welcome events. Oddly, she found herself reflected on Tidus' encounter with Sin more than anything else. I know that it's being dismissed as the Toxin messing with his memories…but what if there really is more to it…? Surely such a thing could be possible…if Sir Jecht is his father.
She leaned back and turned her head skyward to see the stars slowly blinking into existence in the seemingly endless sky above. Today…when we were attacked before Sin reached Kilika…that was his third encounter with Sin. Most people - even other Summoners and Guardians - don't survive even one.
Many people here in Kilika are ill from the Toxin, and most of them can barely be called sane. They don't even make sense when they talk. I suppose stories of Zanarkand could be dismissed as the same, but I just know he isn't lying. There has to be more to it. Not to mention most of the people here who were as close to Sin as he was are the ones that I had to…
She shook her head slightly, trying to dismiss the thought. Of course…there are many Summoners who never so much as see Sin with their own eyes until they obtain the final aeon… It's unlikely that I'll ever see it again until the end.
Her gaze strayed back to the town of Kilika - or rather, what remained of it. "I have to persevere…," she said softly to the deceptively innocent stars. "Just like these people and everyone else who became High Summoner, I have to continue this Pilgrimage with a smile."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Hikari: -cough- That was short. -coughs again- But never fear, the next chapter shall be much longer! This was more of a prologue, but doesn't think well of prologues. XD
Yuna: -slight frown- It wasn't even one thousand words…
Final Hikari: Anyway, quick note about the mood of this chapter! Things will get much more light hearted once it switches to Tidus' POV. Wait and see, readers! I wanted the introduction to seem serious, since it's a bit of symbolism to how the course of their relationship runs. Though cheerful and optimistic, Yuna is a very serious character; part of the reason she and Tidus get along so well is because he's light-hearted and (sorry, Tidus XD) a bit clueless sometimes. He doesn't have any idea about the severity of Sin's defeat, the significance of the Pilgrimage, and all that during this part of the game.
Tidus: -.- Was that a blond joke?
Final Hikari: I'm afraid you're - at times justly - the victim of many. -grave nod- Reviews are very appreciated! Next chapter will be out very soon, around Halloween.