Chapter 2: The Lionheart and the Blitzball Star
He could see a city on a cliff in the distance. Hundreds of lights danced brightly before him and he was drawn to them. His whole body ached for sleep and food. He had been wondering for days aimlessly, trying to put all of the pieces into place. But, nothing made sense. He didn't know where he was.
The city hung out over the ocean. He stood on the beach below, marveling in the fact that there was civilized life in this world after all. He gathered up all of the strength he could and jogged up the rocky terrain toward his destination.
He entered at the edge of the town where a few quiet houses stood. He wasn't looking to draw attention to himself. He didn't know how well he'd blend in. His head hurt from trying to analyze his current situation, but he couldn't stop thinking about the series of events that had occurred over the past few days.
I was done. I knew it was the end for me. I had no choice, but technically not existing means you have no choice to begin with. I hope she understood how I felt about her. I didn't want to leave. I was fading. My whole world was ceasing to exist, and then.......SLAM! I'm waking up here. Where am I? Was it all a dream? No, then what would this be called? I'm sick of not fitting anywhere!
He began to jog again to keep his mind off of these questions and the increasing hunger pains. He came to a street that seemed to contain some life. Light poured out into the darkness from various shops, restaurants, and bars. He debated whether or not to go into the closest restaurant. The people inside were laughing and talking exuberantly. He feared his wardrobe would attract too much attention.
A man with long, brown hair and a scar across the bridge of his nose, brushed past him, almost knocking him off balance, and entered the restaurant. He glared at him as the door shut.
What is his problem?
He watched the man take off his leather jacket and hang it up beside a booth before sitting down. He noticed an unusual weapon attached to his side.
Is that a gun and a sword?
Starving, he finally gave in and entered. He walked up to a counter at the back and sat down on a stool.
"What will you have?" A man behind the counter asked, as he looked him over with a curious expression.
"Anything this much will buy." He placed a few coins on the counter. The man picked one up and raised a brow. "What are these? Sorry. We don't take foreign currency."
"Come on, man! I'm starving. Can't I wash dishes or something?"
"Sorry," the man ended the debate.
Groaning, he started to get up from his seat when he felt a heavy hand grasp his shoulder.
"You aren't from here are you?" He heard the man from before ask.
"No. I don't even know where I am?"
He was then forced to his feet and shoved backward.
"What the-?"
"Outside," the man with the scar ordered.
"What? I'm not looking for a fight."
The man with a scar grabbed his jacket from the booth hook and left the restaurant.
Should I follow? He reminds me of Auron.
He ran a hand through his shaggy blond hair and followed the man into the street. The second he exited the building, the man with the scar, drew his gunblade and pointed it at him.
"Who are you?" the scarred man asked
"Whoa, whoa. Calm down. I'm Tidus, and I have nothing against you."
"Where are you from?" the man inquired.
"What, is it a crime to order food?"
"Just answer the question. Judging by your armor and the sword you are carrying, you must not be from around here. So, where are you from?"
"Zanarkand."
"Where?"
"It's in Spir....uh..look, I'm just not from here."
The man lowered his weapon and looked up at the sky.
"I'm not from here either. Do you know anything about the Center Plane?"
"Uh, no. Why?" Tidus was trying hard not to run.
"I have to get there. That is all I know. Have you ever heard of Esthar, Balamb, or Galbadia?"
"No," Tidus answered honestly.
The man sighed and turned to leave.
"Hey! Wait! Where are you going?" Tidus called after him. Just a minute ago he wanted the man to leave, but now he found that he wanted to stay with someone who was 'in the same boat.'
"Home," the man answered.
"I thought that you said you weren't from around here," Tidus responded.
"I'm not. But I do have a place here," he answered as he walked away.
"Hold up. I'm coming with you," Tidus told him.
"What?" The man seemed slightly annoyed.
"Come on. We both aren't from here. Maybe I can help you find your Center Plane, or whatever the heck it is."
"I don't think so," the man responded and he left without another glance back. Tidus slumped down beside the brick building behind him and knocked his head back against it a few times. Some of the businesses were locking up and turning off their lights. He kicked childishly at a large stone in the street until it came loose and skidded away from him.
This sucks
The sound of feet raucously pounding the stone street suddenly became his center of attention. He looked up to see a woman in a torn blue dress running toward him. A look of pure panic was upon her face. She stopped before him and rested her hands on her knees. Her breathing was coming in short, ragged gasps.
"Help," she managed to get out.
Tidus was to his feet before she had arrived and he quickly went to help her sit down.
"Is he here?!" She asked him, her eyes were so full of fear. "The slayer. The Lionheart!"
Tidus didn't know who she was talking about. A high pitched wail filled the air and the woman covered her ears and crouched down to the ground.
"It's too late. They're here!" She took off running, leaving behind a very confused young man. Tidus stood up and watched with awe as the shop keepers and residents on the street started to pull down barred gates over their windows and doors. He could see many residents running for their homes. One man was standing outside his door ushering his children into the building while loading a shot gun.
A siren went off in the distance and Tidus felt a sudden uneasiness flood through him.
"Are you crazy?" He heard a boy ask from behind, "They'll tear you apart. Get inside!"
"What will?" Tidus asked, but the boy was already running away.
A low growl entered Tidus' ears and he turned around. His eyes met with a creature unlike anything he had ever seen before. It looked half metal, half organic. It was massive and looked to be about nine feet tall when on all fours. The entire front half was covered in long spike like hairs. It had the front legs of a lizard and the back of a lion. It had one metal wing and one large white feathered wing folded back across its back. Its yellow eyes stared out at him from a metallic mask placed over its outlandishly large jowls. Two tusks protruded cruelly from the sides of its face.
The creature stared at him, the growl in its throat starting to rise. Tidus moved his hand to his sword and slowly unclipped it. The second it was free, however, the beast charged him. It let out an unearthly below and lowered its head to gore him. Tidus dodged the attack, and the creature slammed into the building that Tidus had just been standing next to. He could hear some people scream, and he stared in horror as the beast picked itself up out of the massive amount of rubble it had created. The entire front of the building was destroyed by the brute force of the monster.
The people who had been hiding in the restaurant backed away from the newly created hole in the wall. Tidus could see the fear on their faces as they screamed for help. The creature was about to attack them. He had to do something.
"Hey, ugly! We weren't finished," Tidus taunted. The beast backed out of the restaurant and faced him.
What am I doing? That THING is going to kill me.
It opened its mouth and screamed in rage. The sound it made caused Tidus to hold his ears to block it out. The creature ran at him again. Tidus held out his sword and readied to attack. The creature was upon him, but suddenly it reared up and screamed. Tidus looked up and saw the man with the scar on top of the creature. His sword was buried deep into the flesh between its two wings. The creature tried to throw him, but he continued to rip out his gunblade and plunge it back into the flesh. All the while, unloading bullets. Each gunshot was followed by a anguish filled cry from the beast.
It finally threw him. The man flew forward, his arm catching on one of the spikes. He somersaulted and landed on his feet, his back to both Tidus and the monster. The creature stumbled forward a few steps then collapsed heavily upon the ground. Tidus stared at the scarred man in amazement. It was quickly replaced with the realization that he had just had his ass saved.
"I could have handled it!" Tidus remarked, trying to restore his ego.
The man pulled the tip of the spike embedded in his arm out slowly, and threw it back at the monster.
"Whatever," he said, as he started to tear off the bottom of his shirt to bandage the wound. Tidus threw up his hands in frustration. This guy was a real piece of work.
"Let me guess. You are the Lionheart. The slayer," Tidus commented.
The man didn't answer, and Tidus shrugged. He kicked the creature in the side as he passed it.
"Later, then." he said as he walked away. More wailing found its way to Tidus' ear and he froze. "There are more of them?!"
The man with the scar smirked and pointed to Tidus' sword. Caladbolg was giving off a soft blue light. The blade was made from water.
"Can you use that?" the man asked.
"Can I use this? You didn't even give me a chance!"
The man turned toward an alley that lead to the next street.
"Now is your chance."
"You want my help? Alright!"
The man laughed to himself at Tidus' enthusiasm
"What is so funny? You don't think I can do it?"
"No, that's not it," the man replied, "You remind me of someone."
"From your world? Is that a good thing?"
"Let's just focus on the task at hand."
"Give me your name at least. 'Cause I'm not calling you, the slayer." He said the last two words like the woman who had used them before. Dramatically and desperately.
The man shook his head, "They gave me that title. Don't look at me." He started down the alley. "My name is Squall Leonheart"