Branded as traitors
Their trek to Macalania Temple went without any further delays (well, except for Shelinda who put Tidus and his patience to a test) and they stopped at the inn to rest up before they visited the temple. There was no point in getting there now – as tired as they were.
A little break was in order. Tidus sighed a bit as he settled down on a bed. Finally, they are getting closer to the what if the truth will be too much to bear? "Seymour."
The older man glanced at him. "I know what you are thinking about. What if what we learn won´t help us at all? Or the extreme – what if the truth puts us in danger? I thought about all of that, too. But no matter what, we must put an end to this. For my father and for people of Spira."
Tidus had a bad feeling about this. "I will stay with you and guard you with all I have got. I do not intend to break my promise now."
That´s right. Tidus made a promise with him. He wasn´t alone in this. "I think we rested up more than enough. Time to meet the Fayth."
Seymour went for the door and Tidus followed him outside to the cold weather.
The interior was even much colder. Tidus regretted not having more suitable clothes, but oh well, he will live through. Seymour was greeted by some old geezer."Oh, Maester Seymour! It´s rare for you to visit again so soon. Is something the matter?" Tidus glared at the monk. What the? He knew of something or was he delusional?
Seymour vawed. "No, no, nothing like that. I think you have heard that I started a pilgrimage?"
The monk nodded. "Yes, such rumors have reached this temple as well, but I did not believe them. So, I presume this is your guardian, Lord Seymour?" The monk gazed at Tidus with a sly smirk. Something about that smile was off. His bad feeling grew even more immediate. This guy is scheming something... no way! What if Yevon and other maesters have spies everywhere and they are watching their every move?!
Chill out, Tidus told himself. Maybe he´s looking too much into this. But...
The younger man grabbed the Guado´s hand. "Enough chit- chat. We have wasted enough time already. Let´s go."
Tidus made the older Guado walk away a bit too hastily. Only when there was a great distance between the geezer and the duo, Tidus let go of Seymour. "Maybe it´s just me being paranoid, but I think that that old man knows what we´re here for." He whispered. "Yes... I sensed it, too. But we cannot turn back now."
The Trials in Macalania weren´t that bad as he thought (mainly because Seymour knew what to do) and they soon progressed to the innermost chamber in Macalania – the Fayth was just beyond the gate. Tidus observed the tall stature of his summoner.
Both of their minds were made up. Whatever the Fayth will tell them – it´s better than knowing nothing and staying ignorant of the truth.
Seymour climbed up the stairs and the gate opened up before them. The Guado walked inside and Tidus followed behind. At first, the room was very dark and Tidus didn´t even see his hands in front of him. Seymour stepped closer. "Fayth of Macalania Temple, please show yourself."
A quiet woman´s voice began singing and the room gradually lit up bit by bit. Tidus recognized the melody right away. His old man sang it and he also heard it at Besaid Temple at least... if not in Kilika, too. In a blink of an eye – a woman( technically a ghost or something) was floating in front of them. Seymour greeted her. "It´s good to see you."
The woman nodded. "You have come seeking answers. But first let me ask you this: Are you ready for the truth?"
"Yes." Seymour said firmly. The Fayth turned her attention to Tidus and stared at him. "You...are you ready for the truth?" Tidus nodded. "Yes, I am. So tell us the truth about everything. We need to know what is truly the root of all this sorrow that is paining Spira."
"Well then... Ask away."
"Who is the mastermind behind Yevon?" Seymour asked.
"Yu Yevon."
"Yu Yevon? Who is that?"
" Yu Yevon was the leader of ancient Zanarkand and also, Lady Yunalelesca's father, and the creator of Sin. Yu Yevon was once a summoner, long ago. He was peerless. Yet now he lives for one purpose: only to summon. He is neither good, nor evil. He is awake, yet he dreams. But... maybe not forever.He who crafts the souls of the dead into unholy armor. An armor called Sin. Clad in it, Yu Yevon is invincible."
This new information threw both of them off a loop. So all the time... they fought a fruitless battle?
"How do we destroy Yu Yevon?"
"First of, you will have to shatter the armor – Sin. Yu Yevon will seek another armor – that´s when an aeon is possessed and it merges with it, making itself invincible, again. That is the only way." The Fayth said.
Tidus knew what was coming. "What about the Final Summoning?" Seymour asked her.
"It´s a sham. Yunalesca is Yu Yevon´s daughter and was influnced by him. Once a summoner reaches Zanarkand, where she remains – she will ask of the summoner who shall be made into a Fayth – the Final Summoning. However, once the Final Aeon battles Sin, it will become possesed by Yu Yevon. It´s an endless cycle. I... we have been dreaming for so long... please, put us to rest..."
"We will free you... and other Fayths soon enough. But... tell me one last thing. Did Yevon kill my father?"
"Yes. He learned about the truth from the Fayth in Bevelle... and he was killed for it. You too, will be hunted from now on... you will be in constant danger... ."
"It may be dangerous, but at least we know what we are up against now. Right, Seymour?"
"Yes. I finally know the whole truth. Spira is ruled by heathens and unsent... how disturbing. We must put an end to it."
The Fayth of Ice silently gazed at them. "I sense someone... they know of you."
"So soon? Damn it. We´ll have to run for it, it seems." Tidus said.
"Our pursuers are outside of this chamber. We should escape. That´s our top priority right now."
The Fayth of Ice started to vanish slowly. "Remember that our dreams are your dreams. If we vanish, they will vanish, too. Are you sure about this?" She asked Seymour a question.
"Yes. You and other Fayth deserve rest. We will stop Yu Yevon and save Spira. That, I promise."
She looked at him thoughtfully. "I believe you. But remember that the path is thorny and many obstacles will get in your way. However... you are not alone. My and others prayers are with you, young Guado. Save us. Save the world." With the last world she vanished completely.
Seymour and Tidus made they way outside the chamber, ready for anything.
But they weren´t prepared to see another Maester in front of them, smirking. "Kinoc!"
The man grinned arrogantly. "Shut up, you little brat. You and your master have caused quite an upheaval inside Yevon´s structure, you know?"
Tidus chose to ignore his comments. "Make me!"
Kinoc stepped closer and with a hand signal he called two guards to his aid. Seymour wanted to talk with him. Maybe not all Maesters were in this together. Maybe he didn´t know... as he didn´t.
"Kinoc... tell me. Did you know?"
"About what? Of your fool of a father that sticked his nose where he shouldn´t and got himself killed? Or about Yu Yevon?"
This statement confirmed it all for Seymour Guado. Kinoc was guilty. "You... have killed my father?"
That sly smirk again. "What of it?" The nonchalant tone angered Tidus to the point that he wanted to kick that fat bastard´s ass right now, but he was apprehended by Seymour, who stopped him. His hand was shaking.
"Why have you come here?" Seymour asked Kinoc, albeit his voice was cracking with raging emotions.
"My, I came to arrest you. Like father like son, I guess. You know too much and that could endanger Spira. So you will be... removed."
Tidus grasped the tilt of Brotherhood tightly. "Why you! You and your sick ideals are the only dangers threatening Spira!"
Kinoc´s sly grin only widened. "What a cheeky brat. I will enjoy tormenting you. Well then, if you really want to fight so badly, my guards will happily oblige you." He nodded and his guards approached the blonde and Guado. Seymour readied his wand. "Maester Kinoc. I trust Tidus with my life, but he´s also my friend. I will not stand by and watch him get hurt- I will fight you, too!"
Tidus couldn´t help but smile. Seymour called him a friend. "Alright! Let´s kick their asses!"
Kinoc´s grin disappeared and was replaced by an angry grimace. "So be it."
His guards casted Protect on themselves and Kinoc casted Shell. Tidus was no fool – they were trying to kill Seymour and all evidence tied with him. That also meant that eventually, they would go after Yuna and others. And he didn´t want them to get hurt. "You may be a maester, but I will still fight!" He said.
Tidus stole a Hi Potion from one of the guards and Seymour rammed the same guard with a Multi – Blizzara. He was defeated. The other guard casted Shremedy of Tidus and Seymour had to cast Esuna to cure him. Meanwhile Kinoc casted Multi – Thundara. Thank goodness they were still equiped with thunderproof accesories.
Tidus had enough of this back and forth. He casted Hastega on himself and Seymour and he stole another Hi Potion from the remaining guard. Seymour casted Multi – Fira and now Kinoc was left standing alone.
"This is your last chance, Kinoc! Let us through and we will let you pass by this time!" Tidus made a proposition.
Kinoc gritted his teeth. "Shut up, brat! This is far beyond your comprehension!"
The door busted open and Dona rushed in. "Ah, there you are. I hope you´re ready, because these brats are putting up quite the fight."
Dona avoided Seymour´s gaze. "So I was right. You are working for Yevon..."
"...I have no choice. They took Barthello into custody! If I don´t cooperate, they will kill him! Forgive me, Lord Seymour!" And she summoned Ixion.
Tidus understood well her circumstances. If they treatened to kill Seymour... or Yuna or anyone from his friends... he would act the same. But they can´t just surrender here, after they learned the truth! There has to another way...
"I empathize with your situation, Lady Dona... however, now that we know the whole truth... we must continue and let the world know about Yevon´s dirty secrets. They are the treat that has been corrupting Spira for so long. I cannot surrender." Seymour´s firm voice was full with determination.
Tidus saw him in a new light as he summoned Anima.
The battle was short – Dona´s Ixion didn´t even stand a chance. When the pyreflies disappeared, Dona dropped to her knees, defeated. Tidus felt bad for her...
But this was no time for idle chats. "What do you propose we do?"
"We have to run. No use getting arrested here. And..." Even without finishing his sentence, Tidus approached Kinoc and put his blade towards his throat. "You will come with us for a while, I hope you don´t mind."
"You will be punished for this! Do you KNOW who I AM?!"
Tidus snorted. "A sorry excuse for a human and Maester?"
"Why you!"
Seymour slapped Kinoc hard across the face. "You should stop speaking if you wish to live, Kinoc."
Tidus held him down and Seymour left the other summoner on the ground.
"We are leaving. Right now. We will free everyone from Yevon´s clutches."
Dona looked up at them, her eyes watery. "Please..."
Tidus understood what she was going to say. "We will. I suggest you find a safe place for hiding, Dona..."
She gathered herself up from the ground and ran without a second word. Seymour waited until she was relatively far from them and then turned to Kinoc. "If you threaten any more summoners... you won´t have anyone doing your dirty work, right, Kinoc? Too bad for you that you will have to escort us out from Macalania."
Tidus forcefully moved Kinoc towards the exit, his blade still dangerously close to Kinoc´s throat. "One false move and I will kill you, got it?!" Kinoc laughed. "As if you would kill you ticket outside of here. Do you take me for an idiot?"
Seymour grabbed his shoulder painfully. "Do not underestimate my guardian. If you try anything, in that second your miserable life will be cut short."
Kinoc didn´t believe Seymour´s words. They are just playing the bad guys. These goody two shoes would never kill him.
Oh, how he was wrong.
Tidus pressed the blade even harder and drew droplets of blood. "It is past the time for hollow threats. Move it, you bastard!"
Tidus forcefully dragged that fat bastard outside with Seymour on the other side, not giving Kinoc the opportunity to escape. They were finally out from the Chamber of Trials and they finally made it towards the exit...
Where they met with a high resistance. More guards came to stop them from escaping. Tidus measured their chances. They either make a run for it or get caught. The first choice sounded as the best option. It seemed like Seymour read his mind and created a massive Protect barrier on them. Tidus threw Kinoc at his guards and they stumbled all to the ground, creating the perfect scenario of chaos that was needed for the to run away.
Both summoner and guardian sprinted at the same time and in the middle of the ice bridge something undearneath them cracked. They increased their pace. The ice under them cracked at a rapid speed and soon it began to crumble. In that moment, both Seymour and Tidus realized that the ice will break up soon and they will fall, too if nothing is done. But what could be done? The bridge was awfully long...
Suddenly, the cracking stopped and Tidus felt an ominous presence behind them. He turned his head slowly, terrified of what they will see. His fear became a reality when he stared at the stature of Sin. Sin just floated there, doing nothing at all. Then Tidus stopped in his tracks to listen into the Fayth´s singing. It stopped completely...
Sin became agressive and shot a black ball at the ice bridge. Before they could move even and inch, the bridge collapsed and they fell with it. The last thing Tidus remembered was how Seymour closed his eyes, as if he was embracing their coming death.