The dim light of the moon gently reflecting off of snow white hair. Above two companies stars twinkle in the darkness of the night sky. Crickets singing a love story that will remain untold through the times to come. Crimson eyes staring intensively at the tortured soul before them. A mind recalling the familiar presence standing just feet away.

Paine can feel the agony radiating from the young Praetor. The sounds of the bell ringing in her head. It is obvious why Baralai would leave the comfort of a warm bed to sit in the cold simply watching the waves. Shuyin. Everything Shuyin had felt a thousand years ago are still fresh in the mind of the Praetor. Baralai could still feel the sadness, regret, and hatred.

After the events of vegnagun Paine had asked Baralai how he was feeling. He simply said that he was fine. Paine was and is still not happy with his replay. She talked to Nooj. Nooj said he gets flashes of his possession during pleasant dreams. It's happening to Baralai. Paine knew very well that although Shuyin was in Nooj's body for well over two years, Shuyin stayed dormant. While Shuyin was in Baralai's body Shuyin took center stage leaving Baralai to constantly see the tragic scene.

Realizing this brought a sharp to her heart. Paine can only guess at the pain that is going through her friend's mind. She wishes that she could help but knows that time is the only thing that can heal his wounds.

"Paine do you ever wonder if it is all worth it?" Baralai's words catch Paine off guard. His question simple but meaning a thousand different things at once.

"If what's worth it?"

"Life. Is life worth living if all you are faced with is pain? No matter which way you turn you run into misery. And for what you're just going to end up in the farplane." For several moments Paine remains quiet her mind forming plausible answers. There is really no way to satisfy someone with the answer that truly want. But Paine's replay came from her heart to comfort her friend who is falling deeper into depression.

"I think its the happy moments that drives people forward." Baralai made a small noise in the back of his throat other than this he gave no replay.

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The waiting room was quiet. The silence engulfed Paine, she along with Gippal and Nooj, had been sitting there for over three hours. They had yet to be informed of the damage to their friend. Healers walked throughout the halls their clothing caked with blood. Blood in which they silently hoped was not Baralai's. Citizens of Bevelle coming to visit family or leaving mournful of those loosed. Still the three sat there, praying to the fallen fayth that the worse had not occurred.

Relief warmed their hearts as a master healer approached them. They stood up to greet him ignoring the voice in the back of their heads saying not to get to hopeful. Gippal grabbed hold of both Paine and Nooj's hand not caring that his weakness was showing through. Despite herself Paine squeezed his hand tightly.

''Hello, I'm Healer Trenton. I'm the one who preformed surgery on the praetor." He shook each of their hands. Gippal momentarily letting go of Nooj the show his respect. "Praetor Baralai was shot twice. Once in his right shoulder and once on his left waist." The healer pointed to the areas on his own body. "The bullet tore several ligaments in Praetor Baralai's shoulder. We managed to patch them up without problems. But the bullet to his waist was much more serious. It tore through muscle tissue hitting nerves and a kidney." Paine listened carefully to each word the healer had spoken. With every word that slipped through the middle aged man's lips, Paine felt a jolting pain stab her heart. "We are afraid that Praetor Baralai has no feeling in his left leg. At this time we are unable to determined rather this condition is temporary or permanent. I removed his kidney, thankfully you only need one to function properly. We are going to have to keep the praetor for three to six months depending if the lose of feeling to his left leg is only temporary. For now Praetor Baralai is resting. You may visit him." Paine, Nooj, and Gippal thanked to healer for everything he had done for their friend.

When the healer was out of earshot the three released each others grip. They danced around happily. Paine was more than relieved that Baralai would live the assassination attempt but at the same time she could not help but felt remorse for his condition. Paine hoped with all of her soul that it was only temporary. The image of Baralai enduring the physical and emotional pain was not something that Paine thought she could handle.

Paine, Nooj, and Gippal each gazed hesitantly at the door which held the praetor. Paine gave a heavy sigh mentally preparing herself for sight of Baralai lying helpless. Just as Paine's hand rested on the doorknob, a boy about ten with sandy brown hair ran up to them.

"Meyvon." the boy said breathless. "I have what you asked for, sir." The boy pulled a sphere from his robes and held it out to Nooj which he accepted it.

"Thank you, Kyo." Nooj said. He concealed the sphere in his pants pocket. "I ask that you do not reveal the contents of this sphere."

"Yes. sir." the boy saluted. Then ran off, disappearing into the halls of the hospital. Paine and Gippal were curious of the sphere but dared to ask.

"You shall know in time." Nooj said before walking off to an unknown location. Paine and Gippal were left to contemplate Nooj's words.

As soon as Paine gathered up the courage she turn the doorknob. The click of the door being released from the latches rang loudly in her ears. Baralai pale face come into view as the door slowly swung up. Paine felt her heart cringe. Baralai lay flat on his back. The blanket pulled up to his chest. His right arm was in a sling to relieve stress off of his shoulder. His left leg was propped up with pillows underneath the blanket.

Paine moved to sit in the chair beside his bed never taking her eyes off Baralai. Paine had never thought that such a strong warrior such as Baralai could so helpless. Paine brushed a lock of white hair from his eyes. Baralai frowned slightly. Paine wondered if Shuyin was evading his dreams.

Paine's gaze at his handsome features. She had always thought Baralai to be cute but would dive off of Mount. Gagazet before admitting that to anyone. Paine looked at his closed eyelids wishing they would open to reveal that sensational hazel look of his. The look that sent shivers down her spine every time they met her crimson glare. She remembered when his gaze used to hold an innocence and a yearning to learn. His eyes were always staring at the spectacular scenery that Spira beheld.

Paine felt tears stinging her eyes. She could hardly breathe for the lump in her throat. Paine let out a shaky sigh and covered her face in her hands. Paine longed to be back in the Crimson Squad laughing and joking with the guys. Tears feel as Paine tried to recall the sound of Baralai's laugh. But nothing came. It had been over two years since she had last heard his laugh or seen him smile. This brought more tears to her eyes.

A warm hand touched Paine's shoulder. Paine looked up to see Gippal. She had forgotten of his presence. But he was there, hand embracing her shoulder in an attempt to soak up the sadness that had befell Paine. Paine placed her hand on top of Gippal's. They both comforted each other as they silently watch Baralai dream.

The two jumped with a start as the door bolted open. Nooj stood in the doorway with sphere in his hand. Worried flourished throughout Paine when she noticed the look of aghast in Nooj's eyes. Gippal seem to have realized this as well because he was now right in front of Nooj taking the sphere from him.

"What is it?" Paine asked almost frightened. Not once had she seen Nooj react to something like this. Whatever the sphere contained had to be horrifying.

"You two need to see what's on the sphere." Gippal stood as dumbfounded as Paine.

"What could be so bad that-" Gippal started to say but Nooj cut him off.

"Just watch the sphere." Gippal nodded. Paine moved closer to get a better view as the sphere began to play.

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A small park area was surrounded by colorful temple walls. Benches were placed on the sidewalk for people to sit and enjoy to peaceful view. A small fountain stood in the middle of the court yard with water being thrown into the air and looping back into a man made pound. Temperate trees and rose bushes were rooted symmetrically into the grass which was by far to beautiful to walk on.

Two men stepped into the sphere recording's range. One of the men had snow white hair that was pushed back from the man's tanned face and held up with a blue head band. This man was unmistakably the young praetor of New Yevon. The other man seemed to be several years older than the praetor. He had brown hair that was thinning at the top. He wore an elegant green and white robe. There was a sash around his waist that indicated the position of chairman.

"I know that you mean well Praetor but I don't believe that the followers of New Yevon are ready to process machina." The chairman said clasping his hands together. The praetor nodded understanding the chairman's rein of thought.

"I understand fully well what you're trying to tell me." Baralai said crossing his arms. "But I believe that if I don't do this now then the people of Spira will forever stay victims to sin." The praetor spoke with a wisdom far beyond his years. "I will not install the machina at a fast rate. I will ease in a new type of machinery every so months in hopes that the citizens will eventually become accustomed to the idea."

"I fully understand your plans but I have doubts of how the followers will react. There is going to be resistant groups forming. If not already formed."

"There is nothing to worry about, Chairman." Baralai said in his most reassuring voice. "I will deal with them when the time presents itself."

"You are wise, Praetor." said the chairman. "Although, wisdom alone cannot be the only factor to calm the resistant groups. You'll need strength as well." Baralai chuckled.

"Strength I have." A shot was heard. A pot full of lilacs shattered. Baralai and the chairman looked around. Baralai countered up a spell quickly releasing it just in time to freeze a bullet before it collided with the chairman's head. The chairman stood horrified. Baralai mouthed another spell as a third shot was fired. The bullet slowed as it reached Baralai. His hand made a small jester that would not have been seen if not looking closely. Blood spilled out of his right shoulder. Baralai grasped his shoulder in pain before stopping another bullet headed straight for the chairman. There was more than one shooter. A fifth shot was fired and again Baralai's hand made the small jester and his lips mutter unintelligible words. The bullet ripped through the flesh on Baralai's waist. His blood painted the sidewalk. Baralai collapsed form the lose of blood. The chairman was hit once in the gut and immediately fell to the ground. The shooting subsided and people rushed out of the temple to see what all the commotion was about. The sphere went black.

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Paine could not breathe. The mere sight of Baralai's blood made Paine sick to her stomach. Blood had never had this effect on her before. Why would Nooj had shown her this? She wanted to ask him but the words would not form. Gippal was speechless as well.

"You saw it didn't you?" Nooj asked them. Gippal nodded wordlessly.

"Yeah." Paine answered. It was quite obvious.

Baralai had done this to himself.