I do not own Final Fantasy 7 or Final Fantasy 10

Chapter 3

Luca

The next day

Cloud gave a small hint of a smile as Rin and he worked out a game involving spheres. It seems the entrepreneur was going to attempt to branch out into the entertainment business, and well it was kind of backfiring on him still in the initial stages. Needing another person to play with to help him find any drawbacks to this game, Cloud had found himself volunteering to help him out.

So sitting there that morning, he could found in the pleasant quietness as Rin, looks thoughtful over the latest maneuver that the blonde man had done. Cloud stiffens though as a voice speaks. One that seems different and tingles at his senses...

"Interesting sword."

Gripping the hilt now out of habit that he has long since thought he had forgotten, Cloud turns to find a grey haired man looking at him from behind dark glasses. Wearing a red coat, and holding some sort of jug on his side. Cloud took note of the sword of equal size upon his back.

This man was the first he has seen to wield one of equal size to the Buster in a long time. "Yours to...."

Rin having finally looked up as he noticed his partner was not playing, the Al Bhed's eyes widened as he recognized the figure in the coat.

"It is good to see you up and walking Sir Auron."

"And you as well Rin, how is business going?"

"Good... It has been a long time has it not, since I found you at the mountain. I did not think one who had such a wound as yours would make it. I am glad."

This time Cloud is curious, Rin had told him of the man he had found at Mount Gagazet as he had been there scouting for a store in the area of the Calm Lands. The man had been mortally wounded or so Rin had thought.

Overnight after Rin had dragged him to a series of tents to be looked after. The man or Auron as he now knows as his name had vanished. This had saddened the blonde as he was worried over the man because of injuries that he had endured apparently while on the mountain.

It was only as news of Sin's defeat that time, when the blonde had put it together that Auron was a guardian. And that his disappearance was something of a mystery for many years.

"I had some place I had to be, it was to keep a promise to an old friend."

"Promises..."

Murmuring the word, Cloud does not see the studied expression of Auron. The latter looking to Rin, the Al bhed businessman had already moved to the side to allow him to join their table in the inn.

"You have a story to tell do you not?"

Surprised by the offer to speak, Cloud finds himself staring at the man in the red coat. A quiet silence between them passes as something is shared.

"And you as well. The name is Cloud...Cloud Strife and you are?"

"Auron..."

The names exchanged, Rin as he is leaving as he gathers the game in hand. Enough notes written down, he has one of his employees bring the two men drinks as he beckons one over. Knowing what it is to come, stories will be told and perhaps a new friendship will be born. If not that, may it be a camaraderie based purely on the understanding of one warrior to another.

Not many can say that save for those in Yevon and even then. The way Cloud fights as he has seen on those rare occasions it will be hard to find one who can equal or even surpass. What lives in the world today is nothing compared to what he lived through then.

Those monks will never fully truly reach the level that his friend is at simply for that reason.

Only one even now stands the potential to truly understand as he thinks about it and that is Auron. As a guardian to High Summoner Braska, it was reputed that the now former Warrior Monk was a swordsman of great skill. Even now as he looks at the two men speaking to one another briefly, the way the sit and the way their weapons were strapped to their bodies are quite similar.

"Sir...do you think that they will do something."

Shaking his head Rin reassured his employee as he simply comments. "No, neither one is the type unless duly provoked Naoli. And even then, knowing these two men, it would take a lot more to provoke them."

That said, Rin went on and left the inn. Business after all waits for no one. Not even an Al Bhed in days such as this. With Sin being active again, people were wary and possibly even hesitant to move.

For those that did, his inns and shops also served as way stations for those afraid and need time before they move on to the next town. He was actually becoming one of the few Al Bhed that the Yevonites liked because of this.

He charged only mild prices for rooms, and all his shops had uniform bargains that were mostly equal if not better to the ones here in Luca.

This made people happy over all as it eased a little bit of the worrying as they traveled. With Sin to attack at any time it feels like and anywhere, they want to be safe. And the Al Bhed business owner made an effort to give them that sense of feeling.

It was because of men like Rin, that little moments of peace were offered in Spira.

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Two hours later

Auron was quiet as Cloud told him his story, already he can tell certain parts were left out and for which the guardian can not blame him for. To lose ones that were closest to you and not able to see them was something even he would not desire.

"Your story is a long one."

"Yes..."

"There is no end though is there."

Reluctantly, Cloud nods his head. "No...It never does. That is my story...and it continues on."

Accepting the pain in his voice to be true to what he spoke. Auron was quiet and thoughtful. Standing up, he placed money on the table and then a reassuring hand on the shoulder of the blonde in front of him. "Come...allow me to tell you mine."

"What is it about?"

"About three of the most unlikely of friends..." Auron chuckled softly and with mixed emotions. "And the promise that two had the remaining one make."

"Which was?"

"To protect their children."

Curious, Cloud admits that he desires to hear it. Nodding his head, the blonde pays for his share of the drinks and the two leave side by side. To those who watch them go, the people sense a kinship form between the two men.

The one in red has an almost paternal attitude toward the one in black. Both were forbidding in their stance and choice of weapons, as it told that they were indeed powerful and yet weary of that which rides upon their shoulders.

Life...and the means to protect it... Or take it away...

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Kilika

Yuna stepped into the cloister with a gentle flair. She was admittedly still annoyed that Dona had been rude concerning her friends, whom were her guardians as well. To have so many was a blessing and not a testament to her being weak.

Although she does admit she is not as strong as she would like to be. Yet what she lacks there, she knows she can trust in others to provide. Kneeling down the young woman begins to pray.

It is not long before the image of a man emerges from within a spark of flame. Dressed in shades of red and orange, he had black hair and vivid green eyes that stared with a burning intensity.

"Summoner...are you willing to brave the very fires of my soul if I was to lend you my power?"

"Yes" Yuna answered quietly. Her voice soft and kind, it held a spirit of determination within its gentle tones.

"Then answer this, why do you do so?"

"Why do I do so?"

"Why would you choose to become a summoner? Yuna, daughter of Braska, knowing what is to come should you go all the way to Zanarkand. Why do you seek to do so?"

"To protect life...even...even if it came at the cost of my own." She stated with determination and yet shakily with fear. "I admit I am afraid. I admit I am not strong. But I believe I can do it. I believe I will beat Sin. If it takes everything I have...I will defeat him!"

"Those are brave words young Summoner. And as you have faith in those around you, I will as well. You and your friends have a journey ahead of you Yuna, daughter of Braska. Accept that which is offered to you is the only advice I am allowed to give."

Nodding her head in acceptance, the Fayth bows to her and flies toward her body with purpose. Its fire as it enters burning her with its heat, she buckles a little bit in pain as it settles down to soothing warm heat. The process long and tiring as she fights the urge to scream for those who wait outside...

Able to get up then, she stumbles out of the door leading from the Chamber. Unaware of the boy in purple robes watching alongside the faintly glowing figure of the man whom was there but moments before.

"She is stronger then what she thinks."

"Indeed my old friend. Is it true? Have you located the other long lived one?"

Before vanishing, the boy who is known as Bahamut nods his head simply. "He sleeps as he waits..."