THE COMING (SEQUAL TO UNITED WORLDS)
In the Corel desert Barrett Wallace looked out strange things happened the past few hours. He saw a portal open and a woman in blue stumbled out and fell to the ground. He went over to her she was alive, she took her in his arms and carried to his house. When he reached his house a little girl met him.
"Daddy!" she cried. "Who is the lady? She gonna live with us?"
"I dunno sweetie." Barrett said he deep voice gentle with his daughter.
"She kinda looks like Tifa." Marlene commented. Barrett set her down on a couch. She was dressed in blue and white with hair past her shoulders. In a way she did look like his old friend. She woke up with a moan she noticed the big man.
"Woah." Barrett said. " I won't bite. I'm Barrett, this is my daughter Marlene." Lenne nodded.
"I am Lenne." She said. "Where am I?"
"Corel." Barrett said. "A desert town."
"Am I in Tifa's world?" she asked.
"You know Auntie Tifa?" Marlene asked. Lenne nodded, she told Barrett of what happened. After she was done he rubbed his large artificial hand against his chin.
"Have been reports of someone in the desert." He said. "But if she was there too long I don't like her chances. Damn I really wanted to catch up with Tifa too it's been awhile."
"I will send her here when I find her." Lenne assured. "You have anyway I can get around?"
"I got a buggy, follow me." He left Lenne followed. She saw a big red buggy. It looked like a machina from Spira. Barrett told her how to use it, she nodded. She felt a tugging on her skirt she looked and knelt down.
"Will you please make sure Auntie Tifa gets home safely." Marlene asked. Lenne smiled.
"Of course I will." She said. Marlene hugged the songstress.
"Thanks!" she said and she left.
"Good luck." Barrett said as he came out with water and food. "You'll need this for the desert."
"Thank You." Lenne said. She then drove off waving to her new friends. The buggy was harder than she thought to operate but she got the hang of it. She went into the desert, she decided to se if Yuna was there, she thought she saw something, she drove closer and got out of the car. It was Yuna she was unconscious, Lenne turned her on her back and dripped some water into her mouth. Yuna woke up with a start. She saw Lenne and looked down almost embarrassed.
"Get in." Lenne said. "We will talk on the way." Yuna obeyed. They drove off, the first few minutes where in an awkward silence.
"Do you mind explaining why you would do such a foolhardy thing?" Lenne asked.
"I knew if I didn't do it." Yuna started. "That you would, and I would have ended up doing the same thing you did." Lenne was shocked. She laughed some and shook her head.
"Does not make it right." Lenne said. "We were all worried about you, what if you got hurt or killed?"
"But I'm fine." Yuna protested. "Tifa is the one we have to worry about, I don't know where Darkness sent her. I might have an idea though."
"Actually Yuna I have had this sensation ever since I came here." Lenne said. "It's like I know where she is or close enough so it gives us a good starting place."
"I do too." Yuna admitted. "which is why I was going to say Nibelhiem, her home town." Lenne nodded
"We will do this together." Lenne said. Yuna nodded her agreement.
The caravan was at the camp, Rimoru was awake but she was still sore. Marjorie sat in the back she needed to rest from her ordeal, oddly enough no one argued with her. With her was Hastings the moogle was still sleeping he was curled up like a pet dog. The caravan would move out soon, Marjorie got up and left the caravan. She went to the cave where they fought Darkness the previous day, she looked and found, and she lifted Millie's lifeless body in her arms. Marjorie carried her to a spot in the woods Katejina was there and a grave was already dug. Marjorie looked surprised.
"Katey?" she asked.
"I did the same think you did not too long ago myself Marj." Katejina said. "I know you would do this so I'm helping you." Marjorie set Milly in the grave and she was buried.
"She loved these woods." Marjorie remembered. "She used to tell me when she got older she would live out here, her and I. Now I wonder if that was a lie too. Why did she do it to me?! It's not fair KATEY!" Katejina put her arm around her friend.
"Life is rarely fair hon." Katejina said. "You take the good with the bad best you can and pray you learned your lesson. This is a lesson for you it's a hard one but still it's something you can learn from." Marjorie sniffled, something she's done all to often lately along with cry.
"You'll never turn on me will you Katey?" she asked looking at her friend. Katejina shook her head.
"Not on your life." Katejina said. "Come on your beat I can tell let's get you back ok?" Marjorie nodded the two went back and Marjorie climbed in the back. She was taken by surprise when Hastings cuddled next to her, she smiled put her arm around him and fell asleep. Katejina smiled as she watched this, Shaden was the only one on Chocobo. She kept close to the group, Rimoru was next to Katejina.
"You sure you want to be up here there is room in the back for you to rest as well." Katejina offered.
"I'll be fine." Rimoru counted. "I've taken worse than a blow to the head." She paused. "Think we'll ever see them again?"
"I'm not sure." Katejina responded. "There is something Lenne didn't take into account when she went in."
"What's that?" Rimoru asked.
"Maybe Tifa wants to stay there." Katjina replied. "It is her home after all."
"But we are her friends!" Rimoru protested.
"She has friends on her world too kid." Katejina said. "think if you wound up back home would you want to come back into something like this where you might not live?"
"But we HAVE lived." Rimoru pointed out.
"Barley." Katejina said. "You, me, Tifa, Yuna have all been badly hurt. Only a matter of time before luck runs out. Only this time we might lose someone special to us." Katejina cast a glance back to Marjorie, she slept her arm around the curled up Hastings. Katejina thought she saw a smile on Marjorie's face Rimoru looked back as well she then looked at Katejina.
"Your afraid Marjorie will be killed?" she asked. Katejina nodded but said nothing. Rimoru fell silent as well she never thought of it that way, she didn't want to she hoped everyone would be ok, but she looked around. She herself was injured, Marjorie and Hastings both needed rest. Katejina needed rest but she refuses to rest. Shaden was the only healthy one left, Rimoru hoped her friends would return to her. She couldn't help though if she was hoping against all hope.
Yuna sighed as she looked around, she turned to Lenne who was just as confused and lost as she was.
"Might as well face it Yuna." Lenne said. "We're lost."
"But at least we are out of the desert." Yuna replied. Lenne nodded.
"Yes thanks to this." Lenne said patting the buggy.
"I still would like to know how you know how to use that machina." Yuna said.
"Remember I was around when Machina was still used normally. Though it took getting used to this buggy is still like the Machina back on Spira." Lenne said. "Hey look there." Lenne pointed at a Cliffside observatory.
"Think they will take us?" Yuna asked.
"It is worth at least checking out." Lenne said. "We might even get a lead on Tifa." The two went got in the buggy and went to the odd observatory. They entered what seemed to be a small town. They where greeted by a friendly man and showed to the inn by an elderly man.
"I am Elder Hargo." He introduced. "What's bring two ladies like you out here to Cosmo Canyon?"
"We're looking for a friend. Her name is Tifa." Yuna said.
"She missing?" Hargo asked.
"Yes." Lenne said. "We came here to try to know where to start looking for her."
"Perhaps Nanaki would know. Come I will show you where he is." Hargo said as he left Lenne and Yuna followed. The went up the observatory they saw a Red lion type creature talking with Shara. Shara noticed Yuna and Lenne.
"Shara?!" Yuna said. "What are you doing here?"
"Classified." Shara responded as she left. Yuna sighed, Shara knew the right nerve to pinch with her. She looked at the lion creature he was with another this one looked female she had a small cub with her.
"Greetings." The male said. "I am Nanaki but my friends call me Red, this is Nawi." The female bowed. Yuna gasped.
"Umm it's an honor." Yuna said. "I'm Yuna and this is Lenne."
"Pleasure is mine." Lenne said politely. Lenne and Yuna told Red and Nawi about Tifa. After they where done Red was thoughtful.
"She could be anyplace, though the logical place would be her birth home." Red said.
"Nibelhiem" Yuna said. "We thought of there too."
"Can you take us there?" Lenne asked.
"We can direct you." Red said. "It's to the northeast of here. In the shadow of the mountains."
"Thank you." Yuna said. "We'll get going thanks for the help?"
"Why not stay the night?" Red asked. "it's no trouble." Yuna paused for a moment before Lenne responded for her.
"We would be honored too." Lenne said. "thank you." She left with Yuna. Yuna cast a glance at Lenne.
"We'll look for her in the morning." Lenne said. "Do not worry Yuna I am sure Tifa is safe." Yuna nodded.
"I hope your right Lenne." She said wistfully. Lenne put both hands on Yuna's shoulders it was plain to see Yuna was still worried.
"Yuna." Lenne said. "Tifa is a strong girl, have faith that she is ok." Yuna locked eyes with her friend.
"I do have faith." Yuna said sternly. "That's the only thing keeping me going now." Lenne smiled at her then they both went to their rooms and tried to get some rest of the upcoming day.
The caravan pulled up to Jerica early the next morning. While the others went to the inn Shaden decided to talk a walk. She walked through a fancy section of the city. She saw a house, she went up to it and knocked on the door, and a young woodelf answered the door.
"Hello Shaden." She said with a smile. "Come on in." Shaden entered the house was pretty big. "Wait afew and a hot bath will be ready for you she said as she went off. She came back shortly Shaden sat down, she looked at the woodelf. She had long dark red hair, she seemed to be in some type of robe.
"You changed Teilla." Shaden said.
"For the better." Teilla said. "I couldn't be that little girl anymore not after what happened to him."
"You still miss him?" Shaden asked.
"Every day he was my brother. I loved him so much." Teilla said. "I wondered if I would ever see you after what happened."
"I didn't know myself either Teilla." Shaden said. "He was your brother but he was also my husband. After he died I didn't know what I was going to do." Shaden stood up. "The bath ready?"
"Should be hot enough." Teilla said. Shaden nodded and went up the stairs to the bath, she took off her robe and it fell to the ground. She got into the tub where she simply sat and thought for awhile. Teilla in the meantime picked out a new robe for Shaden and got a bathrobe for her sister as well. She went in and saw Shaden sitting there she put the bathrobe on a hanging hook and left. Shaden got out of the tub she put on the bathrobe Teilla left for her she went downstairs where Teilla sat.
"You have a fresh robe waiting for you in the guest bedroom." Teilla said as she led Shaden there. Shaden saw the purple, gold, white and black Shining Metallic Robe spread on a bed. She looked at Teilla.
"You know I can't wear it." Shaden said.
"Because he gave it to you right?" Teilla asked. Shaden nodded, then looked at the robe.
"I would be remembering him if I did wear it though." Shaden admitted she took the robe up in her arms. Teilla left the room, Shaden followed afew minutes later dressed in the robe. Teilla smiled an approving smile.
"So what are you going to do now?" she asked. Shaden explained to Teilla what had happened.
"Would be nice to have to have you with us." Shaden said. Teilla shook her head.
"That's not part of my life anymore." Teilla said. "I left that behind when he died, I have no intention of returning to it."
"You would be honoring his memory by doing so." Shaden said, she wasn't sure if she was in the right but she felt it had to be said. Teilla shot Shaden a glare.
"You've worn out your welcome." Teilla said.
"Goodbye then." Shaden said as she went to the door.
"Don't bother coming back." Teilla said angrily as Shaden left. Shaden stepped out the door and heard it slam behind her. Shaden shook her head as went back to the others. Teilla watched Shaden go, tears fell down her face, she went to a suit of armor. It was the armor she donned that day he died. With an angry cry she shoved the armor to the ground it landed with a series of clangs. Teilla look out the window again. Shaden was gone, Teilla shook her head, and she went to her bed and curled up in a ball of her own agony and pity.
Morning came in Cosmo Canyon and Yuna tossed and turned in her sleep, she woke up with a start. She shook her head and got out of the bed, she was in the inn where she and Lenne spent the night at Red's request. She left and Lenne was already at towns entrance waiting.
"Going to sleep the day away?" Lenne teased.
"Not that late is it?" Yuna asked. Lenne shook her head.
"I did some checking with the locals before you woke up. We should be in Nibel at nightfall if all goes well." Lenne said.
"Then you should plan to spend a night on the road." Shara said, Yuna and Lenne looked Shara stood near the buggy arms folded.
"Why's that?" Yuna asked. "The sooner we find Tifa, the sooner we can get back to Ivalice."
"The dead haunt Nibelhiem now." Shara said. "The town is a ghost town now, and not a very happy one."
"How do you know?" Lenne asked.
"I can hear them." Shara said. "They are pretty noisy, some are victims from when Sephiroth attacked the town others well lets not get into that it's not pretty."
"What happened?" Yuna asked.
"Sure you two want to hear it's not pretty and I don't want you two to soil yourselves." Shara said.
"I think we can handle it." Yuna said sounding alittle annoyed. Shara nodded.
"A cult has settled in Nibelhiem, they are said to not be of this or any others worlds connected here. That they are aliens from what I have heard from the spirits they aren't the kindly aliens either. The call themselves the Legions of the Horde, they are also said to be from where Darkness and Brimstone came from. However they like to come out at night so going through that town after darkfall would be suicide." Shara explained.
"Ok so what is your advice?" Lenne asked.
"Take longer." Shara said simply. "Tifa is fine the spirits told me that too. For some reason they leave her alone. She's asleep."
"But if these Horde things are here shouldn't we deal with them?" Yuna asked.
"Yes and there would be two more bodies to bury." Shara remarked. "You asked for advice I supplied it do with the rest what you wish." Shara went off and Lenne sighed as she shook her head.
"So Yuna what do we do?" Lenne asked.
"We go in as planned." Yuna said firmly. "We find Tifa and leave."
"Simple plan." Lenne said as she got in the buggy. "Lets go." Yuna jumped in the buggy. The two drove as directed by Red the previous night. They reached Nibelhiem about dusk time. They entered the town was deserted.
"Lets just go find Tifa and get out of here." Yuna said. Lenne nodded as she shivered. The went up the path leading to Mount Nibel, they found Tifa laying in front of an odd fountain. Lenne went to her.
"Just as Shara said she is ok just in a deep sleep." She said. Yuna nodded she was about to say something when she saw a Shadow followed by an inhuman shriek. Yuna looked up and went pale a huge mutated beast on four legs towered above her. It wielded a huge hand cannon and a massive sword.
"Must be one of the horde." Lenne said. "Split up give it multiple targets." Yuna ran behind it, Lenne ran to the side. The creature cried out and fired at Lenne the blast missed her but the flying rubble hit her in the midsection. Lenne winced in pain, the creature rose its sword but cried out as an arrow was in its throat. Shara stood there by Tifa, she picked up Tifa and put her over her shoulder.
"Get to the mansion in town it's the only safe place!" she ordered. Yuna and Lenne nodded they both ran as fast as they could the creature hot on their tail. They went into town they saw something by the mansion it was large and blue toting a huge gun. It shot as Lenne, Yuna and Shara as they dashed inside the mansion. Once inside Shara set Tifa down as Yuna and Lenne closed the doors.
"Ok we are safe right now, they won't enter here." Shara said. "But who do you think you two are ignoring me like that! I know what I'm talking about remember that next time."
"You don't seem all the special to me." Yuna snipped. "Only bossy and very rude! You don't have to be so mean about everything!" Shara snorted.
"Well looks like you do have a temper." Shara replied. "Well you two are on your own I have work I need to do."
"How did you know this place was safe?" Yuna demanded. Shara looked at Yuna.
"It's enough I did." Shara replied. "Now excuse me."
"Where are you going?" Lenne asked. "You can not possibly think of leaving here. You said yourself It is suicide."
"Well thanks for the thought." Shara replied. "but unlike some I can handle myself." Shara then left letting the door slam behind her. Yuna went to Tifa who lay on a couch. Tifa moaned softly, Yuna gently took her hand she thought she felt Tifa squeeze weakly.
"I think she'll be ok." Yuna said. "We should both get some rest."
"Are you ok Yuna?" Lenne asked. Yuna looked at Lenne in shock.
"I think so." Yuna said. "Why do I seem sick?"
"I think you caught something." Lenne continued. Yuna looked worried.
"Not too bad I hope." Yuna said now pacing. Lenne shook her head.
"It is called loyalty for those around you." Lenne finished, Yuna stopped and looked at Lenne.
"That's mean!" Yuna exclaimed. "I thought I was really sick!" Lenne giggled.
"Not at all Yuna." She said. "I am proud at how you did not back down from Shara. Even though she acted like she did not care it did sting her."
"What she does is wrong." Yuna said. "she could stand to be nicer about it." Lenne giggled again.
"Always out to improve others are you not?" Lenne asked.
"Well, I guess, but I really guess it's none of my business." Yuna stammered.
"Yuna, it is nothing to be ashamed of." Lenne said. "I for one would be deeply touched if another cared so deeply about me." Yuna smiled, she then cast a glance at Tifa. Her friend was in a deep sleep.
"I'm starting to know why Tifa stood up for you against Katejina and even got into a fist fight with her." Yuna admitted. Lenne simply smiled at cast a glance at Tifa.
"I never did thank her for what she did." Lenne said. Yuna placed a hand on Lenne's shoulder.
"You can thank her when she wakes up." Yuna suggested. "In the mean time maybe it's best we get some rest." Lenne nodded.
"I think there are bed rooms on this floor." Lenne went down the hall Yuna followed, they found two bedrooms on opposite sides. Lenne took the left one, Yuna took the other one. The two said goodnight to each other and went in the rooms. Yuna fell on the bed she was so tired, but something caught her eye. A picture the woman in it looked very familiar, the picture was a brown haired woman sitting it was obviously a portrait. Yuna looked at it for a short time before the tiredness took hold and the young gunner was fast asleep.
The morning came along with the morning the horrors that roamed Nibelhiem dispersed. Tifa moaned in her sleep and woke up, she rubbed her head as she sat up. She looked around she was in the Shinra mansion, the same place they found Vincent Valentine four years ago, the same place Sephiroth lost his humanity. Tifa shuddered and went out into the town, it was deserted, and the well was still in the center. She sat on the edge of the well, she looked around the town, and no one was around.
After the town was presumed destroyed the Shinra Corporation his actors to live in the town. It was fake, the town she knew died the same night her father did. Yet her memories of the town where still real. Her forcing Cloud into the agreement to save her when he became a SOLDER. For her the memories where the only thing left of the old nibelhiem. Tifa heard a voice in the wind it was soft it sounded familiar.
"Tifa." It whispered. Tifa looked in shock.
"MOTHER?" she cried.
"I am here." The voice whispered. "We both are. We are so proud of you."
"Mother, Papa!" Tifa said. "Where are you?"
"Here with you always darling." The voice said. "We are so proud of how you've grown you're a mature lovely young woman."
"Please." Tifa pleaded. "Don't leave me again."
"We are always with you Tifa." The voice said. "We love you our darling dear daughter." The voice then faded, Tifa looked around hoping for something, and she got nothing. Tifa went into the mansion again she heard something moving she went to check. It was Yuna she went to her she starred at a picture. Tifa gasped in recognition.
"Mother!" she said breathlessly. Yuna looked at her.
"This person is your mother?" she asked Tifa nodded, she went to take the picture down. The picture slid out of Tifa's hands onto the floor. Tifa gasped she grabbed the picture oddly enough it wasn't damaged, something stuck out. Yuna plucked it out and handed it to Tifa. Tifa looked it had her name on it, she opened it, she saw a pendant, like the one her mother had on in the picture. Tifa held it in her hand looking at it, she then put it on. It hung over her heart, Tifa smiled it was a sad yet joyful one. Yuna looked to the door and saw Lenne standing there she had seen it as well.
"You going to be ok?" Yuna asked. Tifa nodded with a smile.
"I'll be fine." She whispered. "Even better now I know that they are with me. I'm ready to go back."
"After you visit your friend Barrett." Lenne said. "And his little girl. I gave my word you would stop by."
"Thank you Lenne." Tifa said. "Let's go there then before we head back home." Yuna and Lenne both nodded and proceeded to the buggy and they went back to Corel.
In Jerica Marjorie woke up, she noticed Katejina sat in the corner, she went to her.
"How you feeling?" she asked.
"Better." Marjorie said, she looked around. "Where is Hastings?"
"Next room." Katejina said. "You better about Milly?"
"I guess." Marjorie said. "I never guessed I would have to kill my friend."
"If it helps, I felt the same when I killed Jade." Katejina said. "Though I did so to help Yuna, I still felt guilty."
"Jade deserved it for what she did to you." Marjorie said bitterly. Katejina looked in shock and Marjorie looked down Katejina grabbed Marjorie by the shoulders.
"How do you know?" she asked. Marjorie didn't meat her gaze she looked down. "MARJORIE! How did you know what Jade did to me?!"
"I was there." She whimpered. "I saw you go in so I decided to follow, I wanted to talk to you, then I saw it. I saw her put an arrow in your throat, I hid until she left. I went to you, your where unconscious, I was able to heal you and I alerted Tifa and Yuna to where you where." Katejina was in shock about that time was when she first met with Yuna and Tifa, she always assumed it was Yuna who healed her. Katejina looked at Marjorie.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked.
"I thought at the time you still hated me." Marjorie responded. "I was so awful to you." Katejina embraced Marjorie.
"Never." She whispered into her friends' ear. "I never hated you, you're like a sister to me." Marjorie smiled as she let go.
"I should have never judged you." Marjorie said.
"It's the past." Katejina said simply. "Let go of it." Marjorie nodded.
"So what now? What about Yuna, Tifa, Lenne and Shara?" She asked.
"Can't wait for them forever." Katejina stated. "And I'm afraid if we want to travel any further in the right direction we have to go through Tribal area's."
"What are those?" Shaden asked as she entered
"The tribal area's aren't all that friendly to outsiders." Marjorie said. "They are ruled by Tribal Viera's. Unlike like me and Kate these Viera's are more wild, who knows what they will do if they see trespassers."
"Is there another way around?" Shaden asked.
"The Forbidden Zone." Katejina replied. "Name speaks for its self no one to go there has ever returned."
"So we have a choice." Shaden said. "Either hostile Viera's or a deathtrap. Talk about a raw deal."
"Maybe we should ask the Priestess' opinion." Katejina said noting Rimoru, who stood in the corner, she seemed to be listening but it wasn't like her to listen this long without input.
"Tribal area's are the best bet." She replied. "We might have a chance of avoiding the Viera tribes."
"Wishful thinking." Marjorie said. "Their hearing is even better than ours, they would hear us the minute we stepped foot onto the lands. Not to mention their vision, they can spot an ant from five miles away!" Marjorie then gasped as she ran from the room she went into where Hastings was. She stood there her sword drawn, Hastings was still asleep. Katejina and Shaden followed, Shaden's keen eyes scanned the room. She saw something by the window it was female and a Viera she could tell that but less mass than Marjorie and Katejina. She saw it jump down in the blink of an eye. It was gone from the room.
"Another Viera." Shaden said. "She seemed smaller than you and Kate."
"Tribal." Marjorie said as she checked on Hastings. "She didn't seem to hurt Hastings." Hastings woke up, he was filled in, and he shook when the Tribal lands where mentioned.
"Kupo. The tribal lands are very unkupo, but the Forbidden Peak is even more unkupo." He whined. They joined the others.
"So what do we do?" Rimoru asked. "It would be smart to wait for Tifa, Yuna, Lenne and Shara. At least then we are at full strength."
"How long would you want us to wait?" Katejina asked looking at Rimoru sharply. "For all we know they might never come back."
"Look at us." Rimoru replied. "Your still injured and I am too, you really think we can take on abunch of Viera? With the others back we might stand a chance." Katejina sighed as she sat down.
"Fine." She said. "They have 3 days if they aren't back by then they will simply have to play catch up, sound fair." The teenage priestess nodded. I was then agreed though some had reservations about it, none spoke up.
Tifa drove the buggy that day, she amazed herself with how little she forgot, and she was able to get to Corel quicker than Lenne would be able too. It was approaching dusk when the group pulled up. A large black man in a silver jacket met them. Tifa starred for a minute then she recognized him and shot forward and hugged him.
"BARRETT!" she cried as she hugged him she then looked up. "You've changed, an artificial hand, no more beard and dreadlocks?" Barrett chuckled.
"Hey I can change can't I girl?" he asked with a smile. Tifa then heard a squeal. Marlene ran out
"Auntie Tifa!" she yelled Tifa went to one knee and hugged Marlene. Marlene then looked at Lenne. "She promised to bring you back Auntie Tifa!" Tifa smiled at Lenne who returned it. Marlene then glanced at Yuna, but went back to Tifa.
"Oh I almost forgot." Tifa said embarrassed. "Barret, Marlene this is Yuna, she's my friend." Yuna nodded with a smile, she then turned her head Lenne looked too a figure staggered forward, and it was odd looking almost like someone with rabbit ears. Yuna ran out of the figure fell. Yuna got to it, she could tell it was Shara she lay face down, she turned her over, and she clutched her side. Oddly enough Shara smiled.
"I found a worthy opponent." She whispered. Tifa noticed and ran over telling Marlene to stay in town, Barrett went with Tifa. Tifa gasped when she saw the wound.
"Who did this?" she asked.
"Didn't have time to ask a name." Shara replied. "All I know is that he had long silver hair." Tifa filled with dread.
"No, please not him." She whispered. Shara then lost consciousness. Barrett checked her out. Shara was taken into the town by afew townspeople
"Well, she ain't hurt that bad." He said. "Let's get her into the inn. You three might as well stay the night too."
"Thank you." Yuna said. "It's very kind of you."
"Hey any friends of Tifa are friends o' mine." Barrett said. Yuna nodded with a smile. She went to where Shara was, Lenne and Tifa where there already and Shara was already awake, Yuna went to her.
"Shara." She said. "What did you mean when you said you found a worthy opponent?" Shara looked at Yuna.
"Means I can fight him and if he does kill me I can die with no shame." She said. "he's worthy of my challenge, this is what I live for."
"You live to seek death?" Lenne asked. Shara nodded, Yuna frowned another deathseeker. On Spira Nooj was like that was he was with the Crusaders, he was so wrapped up in his own despair he sought death as a release. Even after the Crusaders he was more than willing to let himself die to save others, Yuna never understood it. Now Shara talked of the same thing, only there was no noble intention behind this only selfishness.
"How can you be so selfish?" Yuna heard herself say. Tifa and Lenne both looked at her.
"It's my life princess." Shara replied. "Mine to do with as I please."
"Yours to throw away?" Yuna asked the anger in her voice becoming more obvious.
"Now listen here.." Shara started.
"No you listen!" Yuna said. "Since we met you we have tried to be understanding to you. We have tried to extend out friendship to you but you want none of it. Everything we say you turn negative, everything we do you have no positive comment for. It's tiring to hear how we are failing all the time…"
"Well then.." Shara started.
"Shut up and let me finish!" Yuna cried. "Your not getting the last word this time I won't let you. If your going to do something so stupid as finding death then do so just don't expect us to go out of our way to help you! I'm through with being nice to you since I only get shot down in the process! As far as I'm concerned you can go!"
Yuna sighed as if a huge weight was lifted off her chest. She then looked around at the shocked looks she got from her friends. Yuna blushed and then quickly left the room too embarrassed to do anything else. Tifa and Lenne exchanged glances and Tifa followed yuna out. Shara looked at Lenne.
"Emotional isn't she?" Shara said.
"She has a point." Lenne said. "We do not need you, if your going to do deathseeker. I for one do not need your negative aditude around here either, things are tense enough as is. You almost seem to enjoy stirring the pot, and that Shara is something we do not need." Shara snorted and simple lay there saying nothing, Lenne left the room. Alone Shara smiled.
"Just needed to light the fire under your ass." She whispered to herself.
Tifa looked around Corel for Yuna, she sighed to herself yuna took off like a bat out of hell. She finally found her sitting near the edge of town she went to her.
"Please." Yuna said her voice distant. "I know I was out of line, but I won't apologize, I meant every word." Tifa sat down next to her.
"I know you did Yuna." Tifa said her voice comforting. "You're a passionate woman. I know Shara pushed you to the edge, it's not like you to spout off like that. But I'm glad you did and I'm proud you finally said something."
"The way you and Lenne looked at me I thought I was going to be locked away." Yuna said. "I was so embarrassed, I never meant to do that it just came out in such a flood I couldn't stop it." Tifa giggled.
"Yuna." She said. "Your still used to being a High Summoner, where you had to chose your words carefully. There was nothing wrong with what you said or did back there. It's called human emotion, and Yuna your human. Remember that Yuna." Yuna nodded and giggled.
"You know I never fully knew until just now why you went at it with Katejina." Yuna admitted. "Now I know, it was a great release, I just felt so stupid after spouting like that." Tifa put her arm around her friend.
"Welcome to the world Yuna." She said with a smile. They heard something they looked up and saw Lenne.
"You know Tifa I never did thank you for earlier" she said. Tifa looked confused.
"What do you mean Lenne?" she asked.
"Back in Colatia." Lenne explained. "When you confronted Katejina. I never did thank you for it." Tifa smiled.
"Your welcome." She said simply. Lenne smiled and looked at Yuna.
"You ok now Yuna?" she asked. Yuna nodded.
"Yup, a lot better." She replied. Just then Barrett came to them running.
"Hey Teef!" he said. "found this and it starting making noises." Yuna took it from Barrett.
"My mini COM sphere!" she exclaimed. "I got it from Rikku last time she was here. I completely forgot about it!" Yuna looked into it she saw Rimoru, the girl looked panicked.
"Yuna?" she asked. "You found Tifa?"
"Yes." Yuna replied. "What's wrong?"
"For some reason Tribal Viera's are after us they jumped us!" Rimoru explained frantically. "Please hurry back we need you!" she was cut off and all Yuna saw was static.
"RIM!" she cried. Yuna looked around she saw the portal it was closer than before she thought. Shara came up she held her side.
"You heard?" Tifa asked. Shara nodded grimly, for once there was no snide comment or put down. Tifa thought for a slight moment that Shara was actually afraid. The group went to the portal. Tifa turned to Barrett and hugged her old friend.
"Sorry Barrett." She said. "Duty calls."
"It's cool." He said. "Just remember we're here ya dig?" Tifa nodded as she left followed by Lenne, Yuna and Shara.
The four appeared in the middle of Cove of Honor, people where in a panic. They all saw smoke and they saw Viera's. These were different, wild, almost savage, they wielded spears and crude bows, some had blow dart guns. Yuna looked around she saw Rimoru laying not too far off. Yuna then heard Lenne cry out she fell to the ground a dart in her neck Tifa then fell.
"Knock out darts." Shara observed. "they seemed to have forgotten about Rimoru, grab whoever is closest and drag them to where she is." Yuna grabbed Lenne, Shara grabbed Tifa. The brought them to where Rimoru was, Rimoru was unconscious yuna saw cuts on her.
"She'll live." Shara said. Yuna nodded uncertain. She saw a Viera come down at her. Yuna was fast to dodge the spear, the Viera thrust again, and she was amazingly fast. Shara noticed two more Viera only these carried Katejina and Marjorie.
"Keep her busy." Shara ordered and left. Yuna sighed but had to keep on the defensive.
"Why are you here?" she cried hoping to reason with her attacker.
"The heretics and their friends must die!" the Viera responded. Yuna backflipped she was covered in lights when it faded she was in the thief sphere. She landed in a graceful crouch, She and the Viera engaged again only this time Yuna had the advantage. Yuna hit a series of strong punches and kicks followed by a kick to the head. The Viera slumped to the ground where she lay still. Yuna saw Shara return.
"They took them." Shara said. "Most of your friends are their prisoners. As much as I hate to admit this I'll need help."
"Good luck." Yuna said with a nod. She was shocked when Shara grabbed her arm.
"You're the help." She said.
"Why me?" Yuna protested. "You don't even like me!"
"Look around girl." Shara said. "We have no choice. Lenne and Tifa will awaken shortly they can take care of the girl." Yuna nodded she didn't want to go with Shara but she truly had no choice. The two went into the woods east of the city into the tribal areas. Who knew what awaited them there.
END CHAPTER 1