Hymn of the fayth
"Fryd ec drec . . . ? Fiend!"
-An Al Bhed
Chapter III: Otherworld
He felt relief rush through him when Zanarkand came into view, dismissing his apprehension. The night was cloudless like before and the streets, from where he could see, were still vacant. Only the streetlights accompanied them. He was still alive and so was Zanarkand and its citizens!
"Hey!" The voice came to him with familiarity. "Hey!" it repeated. Twisting his head toward the garish light of the familiar advertising reel just before his home, Tidus expected to see the face of his old man. He expected to see Jecht looking over at him with contempt and insincerity. But instead, who he was watching was himself. The seven-year-old figure was standing still and he appeared to be transfixed by the blitzball rolling under his feet.
Tidus wanted to swim down to the boy, who stood before his home, and smack some sense into him; Jecht would never appreciate the boy no matter how much he attempted to surpass his blitzing skills. Instead of gracing the boy with his hand, Tidus waited above the small him and kept his distance. He wanted to swim away from the scene and recoil somewhere within the confines of his home, where there was an endless supply of tranquility and . . . breath.
Tidus realized that he was dreaming. Dreaming about the past, not about the present Zanarkand. He was dreaming about the angry and frustrated little boy he had been so long ago. He was dreaming about his father. Jecht.
Now all he could think about was how cold and damp his metal necklace felt upon his collarbone and the peculiar dream. Tidus had washed up on a wooden raft which a rock was blocking from moving. His body was unable to move and his muscles were cramping. Subsequently, his mind played back all that had happened to him. He recollected how perfect the night had been, and how everyone appeared lighthearted and cheerful as they went about their daily lives. The weather forecaster had predicted a light rain before the end of the night, but she couldn't foretell the upcoming nightmare that swept Zanarkand and left ruin in its wake.
Just the thought of what had happened coerced the teen to shake it away, but he knew he wouldn't be able to—not for a long while.
Auron had steered him away from death's grip, but was this where he was going to abandon him? In some place where water overflowed land? Tidus had no idea where he was. This wasn't Zanarkand for sure. Though it had lots of water surrounding the cities, none of it ever reached land. And the floating objects here were bricks and stone. There were no metal buildings or flashing lights. No sounds of civilization reverberated around the area. Rising silver haze obscured the distance beyond and continued to travel above the gray water. Gloomy copper clouds veiled the skies and the small drops of rain seemed to fall into place with the frequent flashes of lightening. A storm was approaching.
All that accompanied Tidus was an average-sized bird whose gray and burgundy plumage became damp under the falling rain. It sat aloft an eroding brick that had stopped drifting when it hit another.
"Anybody there?" The bird flapped its wings, then rested as if annoyed by the boy's yelling. "Auron?" The old man didn't answer. Tidus was becoming frustrated, partially because Auron was the person who brought him to this quiet place and because he was becoming lonely and scared. "Hey!" The only thing answering him back was his fading echo and the sporadic waves of thunder.
When he screamed again for someone to discover him, the moist bird took flight into the blackening skies, and that was when Tidus realized that much more rubble was all over the place. Copper brick debris floated idly by in the murky waters, and the smell was a musky scent, so thick and palpable that it seemed to cling to his skin. Tidus' eyes followed the bird's beating wings, and the direction it flew in had unraveled an eroding building akin to an abandoned mansion in the moving foggy distance.
The scars of time had reduced the building to ruin. Bricks and concrete lay scattered beside the eroded stairs which delved into the gray waters. The building seemed to beckon to him by the way it stood, high as a mountain, showing itself off to him.
Tidus' body still ached as well as his head when he moved to lift himself off of the raft. His yellow sneakers were still underwater and his feet were another thing that needed rest. Nevertheless, the blond needed to protect himself from anything and anyone in this foreign place, and that building would probably offer its protection once inside.
"Why not?" he spoke, his voice repeating itself. Knowing that he could stand and walk into the water allayed his concern about not being able to swim to the ruin. Though his limbs didn't cease their aching, the cool water made his fingers and legs slightly numb, bringing relief. He swam forward, slowly at first, keeping his head above the murky waters.
Finally, Tidus reached the crumbling steps that led beyond and paused. The arch above the concrete walkway had bits of dust falling from its golden crest, tickling Tidus' nose. As he passed by the stairs, a narrow walkway pointed toward the disintegrating building, but it broke off as did the entrance of the abandoned structure. From where he could see, the entryway was lost within the water. It required some more swimming to reach it.
Tidus slowly continued down the bridge, watching the still waters below him. Maybe he had landed into another part of Zanarkand? Somewhere on the outskirts? Maybe if he slept in the mansion for a while and regained his full strength, he could search until he found civilization again? He might not even have been thrown that far from A-east.
As he looked, the serenity of the water gave him the feeling that instead, something was lurking deep within the water. He felt as if whatever it was smelled and watched him. At this thought, the boy paused again, as if taking careful precautions not to agitate whatever was in the water.
Stopping hadn't been wise. The bridge was suddenly crumbling under his weight, as with all eroding rock, and it crashed into the gray below. Tidus' body hit the liquid with force again, his head nearly contacting with a falling rock. He raised his head to the surface and gasped for breath, letting the buoyancy of the water lift his body. The feeling of being watched still lingered and his eyes were already skipping across the decaying statues where moss began to overlap the stoned figures. His eyes searched around for anything peculiar and also for the opening to the building he wanted to enter.
It was too short of time to notice any opening because something bright and rapid was headed for his legs underwater. With no idea of where the sword Auron had given him resided, the boy began his rapid swim for safety, though he didn't know where safety might be.
Sharp teeth were nipping at his ankles, and he could feel another's fins brushing against his damp skin. Tidus endeavored to keep his eyes forward, looking back would only decelerate his swim. That small glimpse of yellow tinged with orange gave him the idea that these creatures were perhaps tropical. And if so, them being in a damp and cold place such as this wasn't a healthy living environment for them, so why were they here? And why were they after human flesh? It never occurred to Tidus to study their size, he was in a desperate race for safety. Detail could wait.
When he did steal a short glance backward, large fish with overlapping lips violently competed with each other as they chased the blitzer. Another was behind the first two, and when Tidus noticed the third fish, he also caught a gleaming red glimpse of the sword Auron had presented him with.
There it was! Floating to the bottom beside the foot of an eroding underwater statue. Its hilt met the wet statue and it became still. Heart pounding heavily, the boy abruptly curved. His teammates of the Zanarkand Abes always loved when he twisted his body so gracefully in the water to disorient his opponents whenever he was about to make a goal.
Now, he hoped that the fish would lose their way when he made the sudden turn, but they were fast on his trail, their agile bodies nearly encircling him. They seemed to copy his exact movements.
The blade was just beyond reach now and with this knowledge, Tidus eluded the three creatures by traveling behind the statue which the sword leaned against. He snatched the blade up and with his nearly final breath, he propelled vertically and let his lungs refill with the damp and refreshing air. As the wind traveled throughout his chest, the fish that had been chasing him readjusted their beady eyes and continued their pursuit.
An excellent blitzer always practiced holding one's breath until they were able to stay submerged underwater for at least 1 minute, but they were also given underwater masks as a precaution. Tidus had practiced holding his own breath before and the farthest he had ever gotten was 3 minutes. He was very weary and scared now so his emotions forced him to take quick breaths and he couldn't stay underwater for long. Under normal circumstances, he could hold it for much longer.
Moving onward, Tidus dived his body back into the chilly water, his blade now securely to his side. He had nothing to fear, at least for the moment, as the fish creatures followed him again. Azure eyes studied the bottom half of the building, but he still couldn't find an opening.
Abruptly, the water-dwellers protruded forward, their bodies arching out of the water and then landing in front of Tidus. He paused and slowly swam backward. Learning that it was no use to allow the fish to continue tiring him out, the blitzer decided to face them. He began swimming back to his pursuers.
Almost ramming into the first creature, Tidus swam downward and came back up, facing the second fish. His elusive and swift moves afforded him the chance to catch the second fish off guard and pass the first easily. He used his blade to sever the head of the fish. It twirled to the bottom as crimson blood sprouted from its gashed wound. Tidus began swimming again, coming back to the first creature.
As he charged for the first, the third water-dweller bit at his legs and soon, his arms. Tidus used his limbs to swat the enlarged fish away. It did leave, but the creature quickly returned and continued. The first fish dodged the swinging of Tidus' sword and in its evasive effort, the creature collided with the other water-dweller.
The creatures began dueling for their meal, biting and hitting each other. Tidus swam forward and hit the first dueling creature nearest him with an underhanded cleave. The creature cried out a watery squall in pain as it fell to its death.
Tidus continued his onslaught and aimed for the last creature. But as he prepared to thrust his mighty blade into the creature, it squirmed away swiftly. A slight grin on his face, the teen chased after it, unaware of the slight tremor the water was making.
His blade nicked the fiend's radiant yellow fin, but the fish was simply faster than Tidus. Had he grown that tired now that he couldn't keep up with the water-dweller? Just before the blitzer could make a turn and pass another corroding statue, large circular red dots blinked rapidly from beneath a dark alcove.
Crumbling bricks and rocks broke away and fell, making way for a huge gray claw that jabbed aimlessly at the water. Tidus understood why the fish now swam away from him faster than before. Somehow, the unknown lurking creature that was emerging from the blackness tasted the scent of fish, and now it had prey to feast upon.
Pale orange light emitted from the tip of the thick cords of flesh that flowed from behind the creature's enormous head. It's slender beak-like mouth opened wide, allowing bubbling water to enter as it neared the fleeing fish.
Tidus could only watch as the leviathan fiend hostilely gnawed at the unfortunate fish creature. The large monster waved it's heavy and curled claws as it spit the fish from its mouth. Blood sprayed out and dissolved in the water and the dead fish floated to the bottom. Obviously, it wasn't after fish flesh.
"What . . . ?" Tidus would have said had he not been submerged under the water. He watched in awe as the thing stretched,sending violent waves through the water. Its extremely beady black eyes landed onto the blonde boy with the crimson sword.
Having a caged copper exoskeleton that was hollow and showed nothing but it's spinal cord, the creature appeared to have no internal organs, not even intestines. It's huge sternum was covered by burgundy skin that probably concealed its beating heart and gills(if it had any). As it made its slow stride toward its next opponent, four curled tentacles below its enormous circular torso supported its swim to the teen. The water monster had a tanned hue, just as the skin of the thing that had swallowed Tidus and brought him here. Was this creature the one responsible?
Tidus quickly moved backward. He had no intention of fighting the mammoth, especially in the condition he currently was in. His muscles ached as well as his head, and his skill with the sword was still amateur and premature. The blitzer swam back to the surface and filled his lungs with sweet air. He searched around again, now even more desperate to find the abandoned edifice's opening. There had to be something he was overlooking.
The creature was knocking over underwater statues as it pursued the boy before it. Tidus slightly slowed down his moving eyes, and the moment he did, a black opening came into view. The small clearing, just large enough for him to fit through, was partly concealed underwater where more debris lay.
Tidus dived back into the water after getting his feel of air. He gripped his blade and found that he had spent too much time searching, for the creature was now inescapable. Its humongous gray claw swiped at Tidus's chest, sending him astray. He floated to a statue and hit it with some force. Breath escaped him, forcing him to reach the surface again for more breath.
The creature immediately followed suit, its claws heading for him again. Tidus took another breath of air and with his heart pounding heavily, he swam for the opening again. The creature struck again toward Tidus, but his sword was there to dodge the assault. He was forced back unto another piece of debris and the creature continued to mash its heavy weapon into the sword that now began to cut into his chest. He was being pushed back, further from the black opening across. He had to find some way to elude the enormous, murderous creature.
Tidus tried hard to push against the creature's claw, but it was in vain. The thing's mighty claw weapon overpowered him. The brick behind Tidus began to crack until it eventually broke away under the pressure, allowing the boy more room to back away. Tidus was freed from the monster's grip and he quickly swam away, not bothering to look back. The creature crashed into a nearby statue as it lost balance over the sudden jolt forward. It then let out a mighty cry and chased the blitzer again. When its claws could not reach Tidus, the thing began to open its slender mouth, its large and empty stomach sucking in the now twirling water. Tidus hurried to the opening, his fingers desperately stretching forth.
He felt the suction of the creature's swallowing. Water was pushing him back into the beast's mouth, but as he continued flailing his feet and arms as far and hard as he possibly could, the opening was becoming closer and closer. He could feel the cold and hollow breath of the creature on his back, his neck, in his ears.
Was he going to die?
Then, with a loud clank of armored bone, the suction ceased and more water spewed into the blackness before Tidus as he hurled forward with vehement force.
He slammed into bricks situated a upon a hard surface. Rubble flowed in with the rushing current of water and the entrance was sealed from the screaming creature.
Minutes that felt like hours passed and the noise of clanking and thrashing came to a stop. Pure silence bellowed throughout the damp place with the occasional drop of dripping water.
He was numb and he couldn't feel a damned thing. Tidus' body refused to move even an inch. His mind ached and he couldn't think of anything but closing his eyes. When he did, another dream of Zanarkand came into view.
Conditioning for blitzball with its grueling and impossible practice tactics had given Tidus the ability to rejuvenate quickly after a few long hours of rest and sleep. His muscles were still numb and a bit swore, but the headache had dissolved. He could stand with ease, but now his skin felt chilly against the cold air traveling about the dark inside of the building.
Tidus wasn't sure how much time had passed since his dream of seeing Zanarkand back to normal again. It felt as if he had been fighting those ugly fish creatures years ago, even though he knew it probably had taken place hours or even a day ago.
As the seventeen-year-old pushed a few rocks obscuring another entrance further into the abandoned structure, he could make out the wet carpet below his sneakers. It smelled of mildew and it had the color of vermillion tinged with gold at the ends. By the looks of it, perhaps there was an ancient civilization that had dwelled in these walls thousands of years ago? The embroidered symbols looked archaic and it would explain the condition of his deteriorating surroundings. As these thoughts came to mind, images of ghouls and ghosts flowed around Tidus' head. But such myths as that couldn't frightened him now, not after all he had been through.
A soft glimmer of firelight entered the black hallway beyond as he pushed the last of the rocks obstructing entrance away from the broken brick steps. He was relieved to find light within the pitch black as he took careful steps to one of the many lamp posts that encircled the room. Maybe someone else got stranded in this place as well, seeing as the flames from the posts were still bright and young. How else could he explain them being lit in such a damp and abandoned place? He wouldn't believe in spirits; not until he was found. He didn't want to lose hope, so he thought of nothing more than returning home to Zanarkand and being rescued within a day or two. . . .
When he neared the center of the underwater hall—which again rubble and broken debris littered the corners—thunder crackled with the chain of flashing electricity. He then noticed a statue having the face of some God or deity or something. Its bulging eyes watched Tidus, having flaring and wide nostrils. A red crown lay nestled between its protruding ears as its teeth, sharp and slender, showed through opened lips. It's body was square, having the shape of a beast, and it was holding a red flag.
Rain began to pelt down unto the outside of the building, and Tidus reacted by looking above him. He saw the circular balcony running along the spacious and hollow room. An opening could be seen on the far end above, and he began to grow curious.
". . . So cold . . ." he shivered, watching the miniature waterfall that cascaded from above the balcony. "Need fire. . . ." He searched around the rubble and quickly skipped over to the torches. Dropping his blade to the ground, Tidus prepared to be warmed. But when he stood near one of the torches, waves of comforting warmth did not flow from them. Perplexed, Tidus continued his search and slowly moved away.
That had done it. First, his home was destroyed by a strange entity, then he was confronted by peculiar monsters that seemed to lurk in every corner, and now he had experienced fire that didn't generate heat. What world had he been dropped into? Where was Auron when he needed questions to be answered? Even if the old fart was with him, would he know where it was Tidus had landed himself in?
An entryway wasn't far from where he was standing. Tidus passed over to the cold and wet door and when he tried to open it, nothing would budge.
He decided to look at the ground, unknown symbols were inscribed into the beige, stoned flooring and it led up to a small patch of burnt shrub in the center of the circular hall. It looked like the remains of a dead campfire that had been started recently. Tidus knelt down to the cold ground and examined the pile.
The tinder was more of ash than wood and if Tidus wanted a fire, he needed to find more. Standing from the ground, the blitzer rubbed his gloved fingers together. He began to walk over to the double stoned door to his left. As he neared, the figure of an angelic symbol was displayed unto the double doors. Golden and tattered wings protruded upward from the slender figure, as if imploring Tidus to enter.
Both of his gloved hands pressed against the doors and with a deep roaring protest, the stone opened forward. Gusting wind hit Tidus's damp hair and his face, and he squinted at the cold. Walking further in, more of destroyed stairs led up to brick pillars that blocked whatever was beyond. A damaged bureau lay to its side and it was placed next to other tumbling debris to the left. Water fell from the cracked and vaulted ceiling above, huge droplets hitting Tidus. There was a storm outside and he was grateful to be in this building, though it was damp and cold.
A small stone window, whose crimson draperies were heavily tattered, spewed into the room dense rainwater and violent winds. Tidus stepped onto a pillar that lay just below the intact window. He looked out and saw the gray waters and skies beyond. A heavy mist still lingered. He couldn't see if that beast was still waiting for him underwater. He was pretty sure that it still lurked out there somewhere, waiting for his flesh.
Tidus stepped back on the wet floor and maneuvered toward the broken desk beside him. He searched for a handle that usually was attached to all desks. A rusty knob shaped like a flower was pulled open with little force and two small flint slid forward. He was thankful that the grainy grayish-green rocks weren't in the least bit damp like everything else. Tidus slipped the rocks into his black overall's left pocket and quickly left from the cold room.
Another foyer stood across from one of the burning torches. With that notion, Tidus entered to find more cracked stone walls and debris everywhere. It was a bit darker, and he could barely see anything. Cautiously moving to his left, where the wall seemed to curve upward. Tidus suddenly stumbled upon a wooden object. He fell backward and soon noticed that a carmine chest having golden embroidery lay in his way. The opening was left ajar, and from what he could see it wasn't empty. Using his numb fingers to open the diminutive chest, a tiny bottle lay nestled within the cottony insides.
Tidus took the unfamiliar object from the chest and examined it closely. It resembled the drink Auron had given him during their plight for safety. The contents, this time, was a bright blue. He wasn't very thirsty, nor did he have any desire to waste the liquid. He put the bottle into his pants and moved on.
Staggering over broken pillars and craggy wall again, Tidus flailed his arms to keep his balance, but he found himself crashing into the other side of the wall beside him. Something contacted his skin sharply when he fell over, to his thanks. He didn't need any deadly injuries. The boy faced a lilac vase that was engraved unto the stone wall. Inside the pottery was a dead and withered bouquet. The image of fire and the bouquet instantly clicked. Before he could even register the thought that he had found everything needed to start another fire, Tidus had already taken the bouquet and, staggering along the way, was back into the circular hall again.
He rapidly sat on the ground, pulling his findings from his pockets. Tidus dropped the withered flowers unto the pile of ash. He then reached for the flint and began scraping the two rocks against each other. Sparks flew, growing greater as he used more frictional force. After a few seconds of the same movements, the spark finally reacted with the dried wood and his fire was started. Oh! How he loved chemistry! He wished he could run back to his 11th grade instructor and thank him.
Tidus fell to the ground and expelled a deep sigh, basking in the sleepy warmth of the fire. His eyes traveled above him to the roof. It was the first time he had taken notice to the dome shaped ceiling. Rain water leaked but did not fall on the fire he had made. Contented with himself and how he survived everything that was thrown at him thus far, Tidus closed his eyes.
He had fire and he had warmth, but now his stomach growled. He needed a nice and good meal. Rubbing his starved stomach, again he sat up.
"I need food!" he complained to no one. His voice echoed back to him. After a while, he lay back down, closed his eyes, and this time, they didn't open again.
"It was a bad call you made," Auron proclaimed. He stood from Tidus' sofa and placed the glass of lemonade back unto the glass table before him. His familiar dark sunglasses were covering his eyes. "Your team lost because of you. You were all offensive, and no defense." Auron then picked a blitzball from the floor and tossed it to Tidus. He prepared to leave.
"You came to tell me that?" Tidus retorted.
"It's been . . . ten years. I thought you'd be crying." Tidus watched Auron leave. He then plopped onto his sofa. Auron was right. His team had lost by one point because of him. Leggus had intercepted Tidus, catching him off-guard. Tidus had told his team to prepare for a straight-line defense and it left little guard for the goal. Leggus had easily scored and the Abes were booed off of the court.
Tidus was standing again in his home when the little boy dressed in purple appeared. He pointed at the blitzer, as if reminding Tidus that everything was his fault. That his father leaving his mother and himself ten years ago was somehow his fault. Everything. Everything was Tidus' fault.
The boy's lips opened, "You cried," he said.
He woke with a start to find that his hair had dried as well as his clothes. Everything was calm and he realized that he wasn't back in Zanarkand. His team hadn't lost; they hadn't even completed the game. His father was still dead and he was still in this place. The miniature waterfall descending from the balcony floor had ceased as well as the rain. When he faced forward, his campfire was dying. Jolting onward, Tidus opened his eyes widely.
"N-No! No, don't go out on me!" he pleaded, smoke of the dying fire entering his nostrils. He stretched his fingers, already searching around. "Just hold on! I'll find more wood. Damn!" When he rose, the only image in his mind was the draperies. Hopefully they had dried out and were starchy enough, just as his clothing did, so he could use it for the campfire.
Tidus raced over to the door where he had found the flint, but before he could even push it open the sound of claws rapidly hitting brick sounded. He faced the source to find a black figure running horizontally along the balcony's banister. Its swift movements made the shape appear to be nothing more than armored feet and a blur for a body.
When it stopped, a red gleam from its beady eyes told Tidus that it had spotted him. The fiend jumped from its lofty post and crashed into the boy's pile of a dead campfire. Remembering that he had left his blade standing against a lamp post beyond the creature, Tidus slowly walked forward. He cursed himself for keeping his blade so far away.
The thing appeared to have the body of a huge and deformed spider, having four legs instead of eight and only hard black skin. Its shelled feet were very slender having a sharp tip that prodded at the ground. Its black tail, just above its backside, lifted upward and curved down.
Tidus ran for the sword. As he did so, the creature snapped and thrust its sharp claw at Tidus. It's pointed feet opened into a paw and charged. Tidus rolled to the ground, evading the blow and continued forward. Grabbing his crimson sword, he had just enough time to stop another talon from slashing his face. The creature recoiled and charged again. This time, holding his sword as if it were a bating tool, Tidus lunged the blade forward with all the strength he could muster. The weapon and the fiend's face collided.
The arachnid-like fiend flew back and hit the ground. Tidus followed with his sword tightly gripped. He was prepared to sever the creature while it was still disorientated. As he neared, the creature's hind legs shot forward and they hit Tidus, with perfect precision, in the chest.
When the creature rose with a roar, Tidus shook his head after taking the blow and quickly scrambled to get out of the way of the charging and agile beast. The monster's claws cracked the ground from where Tidus was thrown back. It recovered and followed the boy.
"Damn . . ." Tidus muttered as he flipped forward to escape another hit. Tidus quickly spun back around. He used the hilt of his sword to lift the blade over him. Using his weapon as a makeshift boomerang, Tidus tossed the blade over to the running creature. Its feet were soon caught in the spinning of the sword and it tripped, crashing into the ground.
Tidus moved around the fallen beast and as he was just about to grasp his blade again, the door that had been locked to his left before exploded. Overheated molten metal went flying from the entryway. Tidus slightly ducked at the light of the powerful explosion.
"Now what," he mumbled. He was beyond annoyed now and the fear of death began to cloud his mind.
When the light dissipated into a mere flicker, five figures appeared from the doorway, four bearing hi-tech rifles—rifles that were somewhat similar to Zanarkand's artillery—all pointed at him. The fiend jumped back from the hot metal pieces of the door.
The figure standing in the front had no rifle nor any weapon. Being noticeably smaller than the four behind, Tidus could easily see that the figure was a girl, besides her curvaceous body. The five moved forward. As the girl knelt down to grasp Tidus's sword, she faced her men behind her and lifted a hand as if telling them to not shoot.
The girl stepped forward, handed Tidus his blade, and provoked the fiend to charge for them.
"Who are you?" Tidus queried. He noticed that her attire very much favored the look of the Zanarkand Duggles' blitzing uniforms. The rubbery leather was wound tightly around her shapely and slender body. Its bright colors, consisting of red, vanilla, and green straps contrasted with the dark surroundings of the room. The girl lifted her gray goggles from her emerald eyes. Was she from Zanarkand? Tidus wanted to ask her, but the creature before them charged and hit, causing the two to separate.
Focused again on the fiend, Tidus saw that it was headed for the girl. He went to create a diversion, but was forced back along with the fiend due to another explosion. Tidus quickly rose from the ground to see the girl holding a grenade within her small hands. She lifted the small and camouflaged object to her face and grinned as if knowing she had the upper hand. The girl swatted her free right hand to the side, using her body language to tell Tidus to move from where he stood.
The blitzer faced behind him and quickly fumbled to the ground as another claw went swiping for him. He backed up, using his blade as a shield against its claws. Another grenade exploded into the bleeding beast's side. It lifted its weight from Tidus and recoiled, writhing and screaming.
Tidus rose from the ground and charged. His blade entered the fiend's spinal cord and it pierced through its chest below. The fiend fell to the ground, dead. The leather-wearing team nodded their heads in approval.
"Whew! That was too close. . . ." Tidus admitted. He sank to the ground, catching his breath. The girl continued to stare at him as if he had said something inappropriate. Her slender hands rose, calling her men forward.
A bald man stepped forward and grasped the blonde hair of Tidus. He lifted the boy to his golden beard. Tidus squirmed when the middle-aged man pushed him forward, his grip tightened.
"Hey, lemme go!" the boy protested. Another came from behind and snatched Tidus's only protection; the sword Auron had given him. Barrels of guns instantly clicked and were at eye level with Tidus. He immediately shushed, seeing as these men weren't in the least bit joking.
"Fryd ec drec?" the man queried with concern, his gun poking at Tidus' back.
"Wha–" the teen said. He didn't catch a word the man was speaking, if they were words.
"Y fiend! Eh risyh teckieca!" Another replied incoherent words. He sounded alarmed however. What the hell was going? Were they speaking in code or something? They sounded like newborns learning their first words.
"Oac! Ed ec cu!" the first spoke again. It sounded as if they were panicked. A masked man lifted a sharp hand-knife to Tidus' adam's apple and screeched,
"Fa gemm ed?" he asked, his grip threateningly tighter. Were they debating on whether to kill him or not? He wasn't sure. The blitzer eyed the girl before him, his blue eyes pleading for her to tell them to let him go.
"Fyed!" she exclaimed, her feminine vocals reverberating around the room. "Fryd ev ed ec risyh?" She stepped forward, speaking with the man who had the knife. Her eyes seemed to be pleading as well.
The knife flipped forward, away from Tidus' throat and it faced the girl. "Drao yna dra cysa eh taydr," the man declared.
"E vunpet ed! Fa pnehk ed fedr ic." The girl's emerald eyes watched the ground as she spoke. The man who possessed the knife let Tidus go free, almost unrelentingly. The peculiar girl placed her goggles back over her beautiful and radiant eyes. She placed her arms behind her and shifted her weight from side to side.
Walking up to the blitzer, she hugged him to her. Embracing him firmly, the girl whispered into his ear, "Cunno. . . ." and a mighty jolt crashed into Tidus' empty stomach. He gasped and fell to the ground, his last image being the strange girl and her crew walking from him, then Zanarkand again.