I will not bore you with senseless babbling. On goes the story! Enjoy!

Chapter 2 – Arrivals

"Auron, would you stand closer to him?" Braska asked after realizing his camera position wouldn't accommodate both is guardians and the travel agency's sign.

The young guardian sighed, aggravated that he had to bend to the will of this drunkard whom Braska had beseeched to accompany them. The man was a disgrace, deplorable and dripped of trouble. But to appease his lord summoner, he obeyed the simple request and took a few steps closer to the man stretching noticeably, as if trying to show off.

"Good, that should do it!" Braska cheered a little, the sphere capturing the awkward distance kept between the two. He knew Auron disliked his apparent misplaced trust in Jecht, but he had an inclination that Jecht was the one who was misunderstood. From a foreign world, and most likely, time, Braska felt the need to reach out to this stranger in a new setting, even if that meant putting his life at risk. Still, he felt the answers would come to the three of them somehow.

"What's wrong?" Jecht taunted with his audacious confidence, not realizing he was enticing a barely tamed behemoth to come after him. "Afraid I might bite?"

Auron groaned out the man's name, beyond amused at that point, "Jecht…"

"Hey Braska!" Jecht said, disregarding Auron's attempt to avoid their journey's first disruption. "You should take one, too! It'd make a great gift for little Yuna!"

Braska nodded, the sphere moving with him. "I suppose." He smiled, too, recalling that Yuna had a fondness for Jecht, as well. Jecht seemed to do well with children, unlike Auron who stood stiffly while the summoner's daughter tried to hug him goodbye.

"My lord," Auron interjected the summoner's reminiscent thoughts, becoming visibly nervous, his sword hand at the ready – most likely to wield against Jecht. "We shouldn't be wasting our time like this."

"What's the hurry, man?" Jecht argued, walking out of the sphere's view.

"Augh!" Auron growled in blatant disgust, intent on beating the cold reality of Spira into Jecht's thick skull. "I'll tell you what the hurry is!"

TEN YEARS LATER

Auron was almost always in a hurry – the hustle and bustle of city life bothered him to no end and he hated waiting for Sin to attack again and again. Sin was the struggle of every citizen for Spira, its colossal strength ravaging the shores of villages and terrorizing cities much like his Bevelle with never-ending spawn. Due to its size and great number of warrior monks like him, Bevelle was always able to extinguish threats like Sin spawn with relative ease, but the practice grew wearisome and he vowed to stop it over ten years ago.

Braska and Jecht, his comrades in arms once seen as trifling enemies of Bevelle… they seemed like a distant memory now. He sighed and leaned against the stone wall of the welcome center for pilgrims coming to visit the sacred Yevon temple. Thinking of the past was harder on him than he realized, as it was hard to wrestle and forge into something positive. His memories were times he'd rather forget.

But he couldn't forget Braska's willingness to sacrifice himself for Spira's sake, even when he was so rudely disregarded by the Temple and its followers, and all for marrying an Al Bhed woman? Auron couldn't shake the shame he had for being one of the warrior monks to come and announce the news that the summoner Braska had fallen out of Yevon's favor. And yet… that first time in meeting the humble and gentle man sparked something new in his, at the time, young mind.

Jecht, of course, was the one he didn't want along on this journey of two men becoming close friends. He was an intruder, ruffian and heretic, proclaiming he knew nothing of Yevon, just his Zanarkand and blitzball. The dependence on machina used to sicken Auron the more he heard it, tales of the old Zanarkand falling ill on his ears. But the more he listened and came to understand that Jecht was truly not of their world and that it wasn't just a drunk man's delusion, he accepted the man as more than a comrade. They were brothers, in a sense, and brothers gave their lives for each other every day in Spira's world.

Auron shook his head slightly to rid himself of the regret still fresh in his mind. New things were about to happen and the nearing sails off to the south-west brought him to study the present. He stood up straight and ventured a little closer to the dock, calmly anticipating seeing a familiar form appear on the deck.

When the people bustling to and fro noticed the unfurling of the vessel's flag, they immediately flocked to greet the passengers, as if knowing who exactly was coming all this way to accept Auron's invitation formally. They ignored his presence, as was typical of the Bevellian folk and gathered around the guards stationed to maintain order. A few spare sailors able to get past the crowd worked quickly to extend the wooden platform for the ship's guests to step onto solid ground, taking care in securing it before the passengers eagerly exited the floating transport.

"It's her! It's the high summoner's daughter!"

"Oh, I've always wanted to meet the child!"

"Let me see!"

Auron groaned in frustration as the people were far too quick to gather around the poor girl just arriving into port, desperately wanting to get off the rocking boat and onto solid ground.

Nervously, she tried to politely ask for admittance. "O-oh, I'm flattered… truly! May I please pass and answer your questions shortly?"

The crowd's cheers and questions drowned out her own plea and she sighed in defeat, but the towering presence of her bodyguard overwhelmed the people and forced them away in a hurry. Kimahri glowered at them and shunned them with his stare, finally granting the space they needed to walk along the platform and reach the safer portion of the dock. Still, the crowd swarmed about her, badgering her with questions of her presence in Bevelle and where she had been for ten years. She felt terrible not being able to answer with the complete truth, but did answer a few as best she could. Why did everyone have to show up now, though?

"Miss Yuna, what's it like being the daughter of the man who defeated Sin?"

"Well… it's no different than being the daughter to any father… I'm just as proud-"

"Lady Yuna! What brings you to Bevelle? Are you here on a pilgrimage?"

"I… well, yes… sort of…"

"Who are you traveling with? Just this Ronso? Is he your guardian?"

"Umm…"

"Yuna is here on official business to the Temple of Bevelle. She can answer your questions later." Auron interrupted the pestilence that was the mass of people, dividing them like tall grass on the Mi'ihen High Road. "It is imperative that she get there as soon as possible and you are impeding on that engagement. Move aside – Yuna, I will escort you to the Temple."

With great gratitude and relief, she accepted the gloved hand that reached to take her from her "adoring fans" and out of sight, Kimahri following close to keep any stragglers from tagging along. Yuna sighed liberally once she was a safe distance away and spoke, "Sir Auron… I thank you. I wish I had more control over my apparent popularity."

"Develop a stronger backbone and that will change someday," he advised, letting go of her hand and just allowing her to follow him through the considerably less crowded streets. Most of the people were at the dock, apparently, having heard that she was coming into port that morning.

"I'm sorry if I answered any of their questions with too much information," Yuna continued, still shy and uncertain of her actions. "After living in a place like Besaid where everyone knows everything about everyone, you're kind of used to telling them everything, even if it's considered personal."

Auron gave a half-smile for her naïve, but simple ways. "It's all right. You've been accustomed to that for some time now and you will learn on this journey to begin keeping things to yourself."

"Yes sir… I understand," was her humble reply. It was hard to believe that she was in the presence of the man who was last known to have seen her father alive. She felt it akin to meeting a celebrity. Well, technically Auron was a celebrity among Spira, but to her surprise, the people didn't flock to him like they did to her. Was that because they were used to seeing him in Bevelle, or was there another reason?

"I hope you don't mind, but Kimahri chose not to join us." Yuna added, their strides not stopping. "I read your letter to him, as well, but he was quick to decline the request. I'm sorry if this disturbs your plans."

Auron remained placid. "That is all right, as well. In fact, I figured he would say 'no'. However, I was glad to see that he joined you for the voyage here. I wouldn't have recognized you had he not been with you."

Yuna seemed to blush and giggled lightly. "Have… have I changed that much?"

"You're most certainly not seven years old anymore." Auron replied, not glancing at her. He knew she was blushing. He could sense it. That was a feeling he remembered a little too well…

"Oh… well, yes… I have grown up, you see. I wish I knew if I looked more like my father or mother, though."

Auron chanced a glimpse of her; the familiar light brown hair of Braska was evident, the dual blue and green eyes were obvious, and the way she carried herself… gracefully, much like her father. She was just as determined as Braska before her.

"I never had the chance to meet your mother," he said, slight remorse in his tone. "But according to Braska, you looked more like her than you did him. He talked about the both of you all the time."

Yuna found herself smiling brightly, instant cheer at the genuine praise her father was receiving from his former guardian. She had known Auron for a short time before he left with Braska on their pilgrimage, but saw from her youth that the two men were as close as they could be. Auron swore everything he had; his rank, his future and his life to the safety of his lord summoner, and she knew from the beginning what her father was meant to do in the end.

She bit her lip in curious thought, fending away those nagging questions on the tip of her tongue. She wanted so badly to inquire more about her father's final days. Did he cry in the end? Did he tell stories about their family life? Did he mutter her mother's name before he died? But she chose to not engage in such conversation so early when this was meant to be a happy occasion, though she found it somewhat curious as to why Auron was keeping it so quiet.

"We're almost there. Don't make eye contact with any of the monks or priests you see until I say so." Auron advised abruptly, causing her to turn her gaze down towards her feet. Sensing this, he chuckled and reached to grasp her hand for a brief second. "You don't need to hide your smile, just your identity for now."

Yuna laughed nervously and followed his lead quietly, not asking any more questions until they reached their destination of the Bevellian Temple. It was as large as she remembered, but the structure seemed more radiant today, the sun's rays bouncing off the glorified roof and casting out a golden road leading down the High Bridge, as if only for the Sent to travel on.

They passed many priests and warrior monks on the way, but at Auron's behest, she didn't make eye contact with them, though she retained her smile, therefore keeping things simple and clean. Auron meant for them to blend in and not appear suspicious. No one in this part of town should have recognized the matured form of Yuna, Auron was a local, and Kimahri was just too intimidating to approach. So they kept moving on.

Stopping at a secluded entryway near the back of the Temple, Auron moved to step forward. "Wait here," he said simply to the two that accompanied him. He then approached the high-collared man, much like his own strange collar, and shook hands with him. "Father Zuke…"

"Sir Auron, so is it time, now?" The man replied, voice slightly familiar, but Yuna couldn't place it.

"After ten years, yes. You know Yuna, I presume?" Auron said, stepping aside a little to allow the man to see his entourage.

"Yuna, it has been about a year, wouldn't you say?" Zuke said, giving the sign of prayer to the young woman.

When she recognized the shaved head and gentle eyes, Yuna gasped. "Father Zuke! Of course! Yes! You reside in Bevelle now, sir?"

Zuke nodded. "After my failed pilgrimage, I opted to serve the priesthood instead and hopefully repay the debt I owed to Yevon for my failure. Perhaps you will go farther than I did, though as I recall, Wakka and Lulu seemed grateful for my decision."

"Forgive me, your grace… but, I was glad, too… when they both returned to Besaid so soon." Yuna said shyly, but still smiled. It was true – when her two childhood friends had left Besaid to begin Father Zuke's pilgrimage a year ago, Yuna had cried selfishly for them to change their minds and stay on the island. Upon their return, she cried even more.

The man laughed to her surprise. "As I figured you would be. They both seemed too attached to life with you than accompanying me on my journey anyway."

"Oh dear! I'm so sorry if I caused-!"

"No, no it's all right." Zuke comforted, raising his hand to stop her pleas for forgiveness. "My own faith in myself was wavering when I took my first steps into these very trials you are about to face. My time as a summoner was short, and my pilgrimage was even shorter, but I shall place my faith in the two of you instead. Sir Auron? Shall we begin?"

Auron chuckled. "I see you got everything prepared for us. Normally this would take days to arrange."

Zuke went to open the door and laughed as well. "It did take days, Auron. But that is fine. Let's go and present you to the Temple priest."

As the group stepped inside the narrow entrance to approach the center of the temple, Kimahri refused his invitation and opted to stand outside. So the three went deep into what looked like the underground mole path of the temple, sparking curiosity once again to speak for Yuna.

"May I ask… why we are taking this route?"

"Because going through the 'front door' isn't a good idea for this temple." Auron told her plainly. "Having lived here in Bevelle for some time now, I am still seen as a retired monk. No one but Father Zuke knows what I've been doing with my time."

"Which came as quite the surprise, to be sure." Zuke laughed. "There is one problem going this way, though."

Yuna, nervous, clamored for her question. "And… that is?"

"To once again avoid leaving the obvious way, you may have to exit through the Via Purifico. This pathway is nowhere near the Cloister of Trials, but there is a secret path to get out of the cloister once you have prayed to the fayth, and it leads through the Purifico." Zuke informed them, reaching in his robes to pull out a glowing blue orb to hand Yuna. "Here, this is the sphere you will need to exit with. You'll know where to use it."

Taking the shining object carefully, she stared at it in wonder for a moment before tucking it away in her small travel pouch for safe keeping. But again she was wondering – why was Auron keeping this such a secret? Didn't he want the people to know of his decision? It may have caused the people to rejoice more than ever before.

A guardian turned summoner.

I hope you enjoyed the second installment of this story! I'm enjoying myself and look forward to continuing! Do leave a review if time allows you and thank you!

47thlight