Chapter 6: Summoners of Zanarkand.
When I woke up, Lenne was right next to me, sound asleep. I remembered her concern about my leg. If she cared this much for all her loved ones, I felt sorry for her. It must have been pretty stressful to worry about others so much, and not about yourself.
When Lenne arose, she found herself face-up, with a blanket covering her. I was in the kitchen, cooking some breakfast when I noticed her groggily sit up. She turned in the direction of the sound of stir-frying to see me, trying my best to make scrambled eggs with sausage slices and leek. She smiled at me and walked over. Upon seeing my creation, she gave me a peck on the cheek and asked me where my bathroom was so she could freshen up. When she left, I started humming a nice little tune to myself, moving onto making some fried rice.
Lenne came skipping back, a bright smile on her face. She sat down at the dining table right outside my kitchen and put her hands together, making herself look like an innocent little schoolgirl who was patiently awaiting breakfast. I played along, strolling in with two bowls, one for her and one for me. I strutted back into the kitchen and grabbed two pairs of chopsticks and two napkins. I placed one pair of chopsticks and a napkin in front of her, and took my seat. "Bon Appetite!" I said trying to sound like a waiter at a fancy restaurant. I'm pretty sure it came out wrong, but she didn't seem to notice so I didn't care. She took a taste test to see how well I actually cooked. When I told her my life story before, I did mention a little that I learned it so I'd be more independent just in case I didn't get married before leaving home. She pretended that it was poisoning her and I didn't realize she was kidding. "Lenne!" I yelled, mentally punching myself for killing her. She cracked up at my serious face, making it turn completely apple red. "It tastes really good. I didn't know you could cook so well." She calmly stated, trying very hard not to burst into uncontrollable laughter. I just sat down and hung my head. "I can't believe I fell for that." I mumbled lowly. All Lenne could do was giggle slightly to prevent herself from exploding.
After all was settled again, we continued eating and chatting about future plans and the likes.
When we finished, I decided to take her to Macalania, but she wanted to go back to her place first. Of course, seeing that it was a bright day out, we had to take the scenic route, for fear of fan bombardment. We got to her house and there was a notice on the door. "You have been chosen to become a summoner. You must comply..." She read the notice aloud. I had no idea what it meant, but she apparently did. "I have to go. Yu Yevon has chosen me." She said seriously. "What exactly does that mean? I don't understand. I thought summoners were trained at birth." I said, confused. "No. Summoners are chosen by Yu Yevon from a select group who have this marking and display certain traits." She told me while pointing to a symbol on the notice. It looked like a circle with a four branch lightning bolt in it and two smaller circles on either side of the bolt. "You have a birthmark like that?" I asked. "No. It is probably why I was chosen this late. My parents told me that I had acted in the same manner as most future summoners. They feared this day would come although they never mentioned why." Lenne said, her thoughts drifting back to her childhood. "You never told me this before." I was a little upset when I said this since we had both told one another our complete backgrounds earlier yet she never mentioned ever becoming a summoner. "I didn't really believe my parents about my having the potential so I didn't think I would ever need to tell you. I had almost forgotten it myself, anyway." She explained.
I decided that she should probably check it out. I mean how many people can say he or she is not just the greatest voice in all of Spira, but a summoner, as well? She thought on it carefully and shrugged off any doubts in her mind, choosing to agree with me. Together, we traveled over to where the head of the summoners, Yu Yevon, resided.
"It's good of you to join us, m'lady." Yu Yevon stated softly as we headed into his office. Once we were inside, he gestured for us to take seats in front of his desk before he went to sit at his own seat. "I know this will be difficult for you at first, but with my training, you will be just as perfect as any of my other summoners." He exclaimed, eyes filled with aging glee as he thought about his past trainees. "Father." A young woman from upstairs said. I turned, followed by Lenne. The woman looked slightly older than the two of us and had long, flowing hair like Lenne's only white. I guess she dyed it. Personally, I dislike make-up of any kind so her look wasn't something I cared for. Aside from that, her clothing was a bit exotic. She was wearing pretty much a bikini, with two tassels coming from the thong. She also had this thing on her head that had more tassels. Overall, she just looked a little over-extravagant. "Ah, Yunalesca. What can I do for you?" Yu Yevon asked his daughter, leaving his seat. "I just received a call from Zaon. Um..." She began, but stopped when she saw the two strangers behind her father. "Is this a bad time?" She continued. "No." Yu Yevon put an arm around the woman's back, moving her closer. They began whispering to each other. I heard bits of broken speech. The words I heard were: Might, soon, machina, power, unimaginable. I hadn't a clue as to what they were talking about, turning my head to Lenne with a puzzled look. She returned my gaze with the same confusion. "Ahem..." The summoner coughed, returning his attention to us. "Anyway, where was I?" He continued as his daughter took off. "Ah, yes. You will have the most memorable experiences of your entire life by joining the ranks." The man boasted. I knew he was talking to Lenne, but I couldn't help but think about my life and how it would change, as well. I mean, my girlfriend was gonna be a summoner. That was so cool. "Wait. I have a question." I started. "No, you cannot be a summoner, too." He grumbled. What was his problem? "No, that isn't it." I corrected, "I just wanted to know if she's gonna be safe. I've seen those Aeon things. They look dangerous." I wasn't going to let my love be torn to bits by some dumb bird thing with no feet. "Yes, it will definitely be a trying period. However, the Aeons need not concern you. They are very tame and kind-hearted creatures and your woman is quite safe in their care." He smiled at me reassuringly. "What dangers are there then?" I still hadn't a clue. "My boy. If you truly feel a need to be her... how shall I put it... guardian, I know someone who could teach you how to become her champion. He can teach you how to wield a sword with the most grace and skill anyone has ever seen." He said, giving me an alternative from just letting her do it alone. "Fine. I'll be Lenne's guardian... Why do I need a sword? You said Aeons weren't dangerous." I questioned. "Young man, I tell you the truth about the Aeons. However, you'll need a sword for the fiends that she will have to defeat, as well as the unsent who will fight back before she will be able to send them." Yu Yevon clarified. I nodded, showing him that I understood now. I was going to have to protect Lenne from those things that I've seen outside Zanarkand. Those things looked a bit more vicious than a girl with magical powers and a guy with a sword, though. How was I going to protect her against that? Plus, unsent, I heard, were dead guys that didn't want to stay dead. I had no idea how a sword was going to beat a ghost. It sounded almost like he wanted us to commit suicide... Nah. Why would he want that, right?
Lenne and I walked side-by-side behind the old summoner, who was taking us to the training grounds. When we got there, he introduced me to the swordsman, Takuma. He would teach me how to fight. Interesting. Even if I wasn't going to be able to help Lenne with swordplay, I figured I'd still be getting another skill. Maybe I could impress the fiends and zombie guys to death with my beautiful form. I laughed to myself at the thought. "Here, take this." Takuma grunted, giving me a sword. I guess he didn't really trust me with a weapon seeing how the sword he gave me was duller than my old high school Math teacher. (Ba rump bum tssss.) "Okay. So, you want me to show you what I can do?" I asked since he hadn't made a sound since I took the sword. He cackled. Guess I was funny. He turned and waved over for me to follow him, walking towards another training ground. I started walking, turning my torso around to wave bye to Lenne before returning my focus on my "ninjeti" training.
We stopped in the middle of a place with a bamboo-made floor and bamboo support beams. "So, we start here?" I asked. Before I could even think, he spun around with his sword swinging horizontally. By pure reflex, I held up my sword to my right, closing my eyes in fear. "Good." The psycho said calmly, putting his weapon down. "WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT!" I screamed. "I tested your reflexes. You passed." He stated plainly. I just stared at him. What was he on? Why did Yu Yevon put me with this nut case? I was just about to take a deep breath to calm my nerves when, again from nowhere, Takuma attacked. This time, it was a downward, vertical slash. I quickly, I guess instinctively, held my blade up horizontally, far out in front of my face. It stopped the strike and I noticed my arm swerve the other blade to my left, with the use of the sword in its grasp. I moved Takuma's sword to his right and my weapon was freed from the clash, allowing it to continue back around its circular path, and right in front of Takuma's chest. Without a second thought, my body made me stab him. Why did I do it? I have no idea. It was like at that point, my mind shut down. It was blocked off from the physical world as it witnessed the body it used to control, perform actions it wasn't aware of. Takuma fell to the ground... with a smile? "You have done an excellent job. Your training is almost complete." He spoke proudly. I was so lost. How could this guy be smiling at me when I just killed him? How could my 'training' be almost complete? Looking at him, I realized why he wasn't worried about the big metal thing stuck in him. "You... you're... not... bleeding. H-how... how can that be?" I stuttered, utterly astounded by this revelation. I stuck my blade into his chest. Dull or not, the thing went through his skin. He was dead. "Do you see how much fight you have in you already? With a little more help from me, you'll be invincible in no time. Have you ever tried to deflect a bullet? After I'm through with you, you'll be able to do just that." He said easily, still smiling with my sword embedded in his torso. "You... you're... a... you're an unsent!" I managed to get out of my mouth. "Of course, I am, but do not be afraid. I'm here to teach you. You do want to learn how to protect your woman do you not?" He mocked. "I do, but unsent are ghosts that summoner's frag. You're an unsent. Why would you even consider being anywhere around here? I could just call Yu Yevon here right now to send you." I questioned, never for an instant moving my eyes from the supposed fatal wound I had caused. "Who was the one that assigned you to me? He knows that I am no longer of the living. However, my talents still hold value and therefore I cannot be sent." He enlightened. I had no idea that there were loopholes like this. Certain unsent were taken away from Spira to the Farplane, but others were allowed to remain. Did it work like that for fiends, too? Some had to be destroyed, but others are supposed to be around? This was a bizarre revelation. "So, are there rules or stipulations as to who stays and who gets sent?" I asked, wanting to know more. "As long as you still can serve a purpose on this plain, you must be allowed to stay." He responded plainly, "Now, if you wouldn't mind removing your weapon from my torso, perhaps I can still show you more about fighting aside from using the power of your anger."
After a few more hours of sparring, I was exhausted. Takuma just took it like it was a nice, leisurely stroll through Genusted Park. "We are finished, for now. I have more to show you, but in due time. When you are in need of it, I will show you all." He cheerfully stated, turning his back on me. "I thought you're never supposed to turn from your enemies!" I exclaimed, leaping at him with my sword held out in front of me. Takuma knew what I was attempting and easily fended off the downward slash. "Like I said, still much left to show you." He smiled. I bowed to him, cautiously, and left the sparring grounds to get back to the new summoner.
"Lenne!" I yelled, rushing over to her. She looked like she was going to collapse. "Are you okay?" I asked, keeping my voice down so that it wouldn't disturb her fragile form. "Yes. Bonding with fayth can be tiresome." She grinned at me before losing consciousness. "Lenne!" I exclaimed, blatantly revealing my worry. "She will be fine. New summoners are always removed of their strength when they first unite with a fayth," Yu Yevon stated, giving me a look of reassurance, "She just needs some rest, which I am sure you will more than happily provide." I nodded and began to leave, carrying Lenne in my arms. "I have a question." I began to ask. "I know. What are fayth? What is this bonding? And finally, why are certain unsent left as they are?" Yu Yevon guessed rather accurately, "A fayth is a spirit of one who has been lost to this world. A summoner must bond with a fayth in order to create an Aeon. An Aeon, as I'm sure you've seen, are magnificent creatures of the light. They aid us. Finally, an unsent is not a fayth. They are also departed lives and their souls linger on in the form of pyreflies. However, they cannot bond with a summoner. Unsent that bond with the living, possess them. Certain people who have passed possess something beneficial to generations to come. They are left on Spira to guide the new Spirans, such as yourself. I take it your training with Takuma was enlightening?" "Was it ever." I breathed, still recalling and recovering from the "incident." Yu Yevon nodded to me, his face in a pleasant mood. I decided I should get Lenne back to her house.
When I got to Lenne's house, I realized that I didn't have her house keys. Lenne had to have them with her so I checked her purse. I haven't a clue as to why women carry those things. The stuff they shove in gets all jumbled together and you can't find a thing. "Got it." I thought aloud, looking at the keys in my hand. How cute. She had a moogle key chain and a little fluff ball thing added to her keys. I tried each one and wouldn't you know it, the last key fit. I wonder why that always happens. I picked Lenne up again and carried her gently in.
After I got her in her bed and tucked her in softly, I looked around her room. It was the first time I'd been here. The place was filled with angels and doves. So many silvery wings. I guess most girls are like that. As for me, my room was really under-decorated. Judging by her room, she'd go crazy if she ever saw it. "I can't believe it's so plain! Do you not like yourself or something? Put up a poster, at least. Have some creativity. Put up one of those "guy" calendars even." I smiled at the thought. I looked at Lenne and decided I should stay the night. I didn't want to be away from her when the last time I saw her awake was when she fainted in my arms. I went downstairs to find a couch. I wasn't going to sleep upstairs in her room and freak her out when she woke up in the morning. Grabbing a throw pillow, I slumped onto the couch and fell asleep.
I woke up feeling water around me. "Huh?" I mumbled, opening my eyes. A cage? I was in a cage! The cage was partially submersed in water. "Hello? Where am I?" I shouted in a weary voice. No answer. LENNE! Where was she? I looked around my prison, frantically searching for her. I noticed that the water I was in was some murky water. I guessed that I was in the local jail or in some POW cell somewhere outside Zanarkand. Both possibilities seemed ridiculous. Jail? I hadn't done anything wrong so there wasn't any logic. A POW cell? That couldn't be either since Zanarkand hadn't been in a war for centuries. "Lenne?" I called out, seeing if she was anywhere close by.
The sound of gunfire directed my attention behind me. I saw a dark, cloaked figure. It was holding some kind of bladed rifle. It must have been that person who fired, but why and at whom? "Hey! Who are you? Can you get me out?" I asked, attempting to get the aid of this stranger. It didn't respond. Then, I noticed something next to it, lying in the water. Something was wrong. What was it that was in the water? It didn't look like it was alive. I strained as much as I could in the dimness of the prison to try and figure out what was floating in the water. NO! NO!! It couldn't be. "YOU BASTARD! WHAT DID YOU DO!?" I screamed, seeing what it was that was floating lifelessly. It was Lenne. She was face down in the water, her blood reaching my feet just then. "ANSWER ME! WHY DID YOU KILL HER!?" I screamed again. "IF I GET OUT OF THIS CAGE, YOU ARE SOOO DEAD! DO YOU HEAR ME?! DEAD!" I roared, tears falling down the sides of my face. She was gone. That damn bastard took her away from me. I felt my rage boiling in my veins. My eyes were not working right anymore. All I could see was the color red. She couldn't be gone. It couldn't be over like that. "Why... Why did you kill her?" I shouted, my voice losing its ferocity as a new emotion took its place; despair. The woman I thought I loved was shot dead. She was gone. I cried uncontrollably, my tears blinding my vision. I couldn't let it see me like this. This wasn't the time for grief. It was time for revenge. I just needed to get out of this stupid cage. "LET ME OUTTA HERE!!!!!!" I shrieked.
The cloaked figure walked slowly towards me. It laughed, causing me to shiver. The laugh wasn't a human laugh. It didn't sound at all like it came from a man or a woman or even a beast. The creature continued to laugh as it pulled off the cloak. What?! The figure was... Areth? The star player of the Bevelle Jowiles killed my Lenne? It explained the smirk from before. That... that... "SON OF A BITCH!!!" I barked, throwing myself against the bars of the cage. "I'll KILL YOU!!!" I screamed, my voice cracking from so much abuse. He just gazed at me with a hideous grin. He shook his head and waved a finger at me, mocking me. Slowly, he began to walk towards me again. When he reached me, I moved my arms out through the bars of the cage and grabbed his neck. I squeezed hard. This jackass was going to suffer for what he did. I didn't care if it would mean I'd be trapped in this cage. I wanted him dead. "How could you?" I grumbled, my sobbing throwing off my anger. He smiled at me, a smile I'd never forget. I grasped his neck harder, having a hard time snapping it. I knew I wasn't stopping myself, but his neck wasn't cracking. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my gut. Did he kick me? No. This pain was more of an incision. I looked down at my waist. He stabbed me with his rifle.
I winced as he began to pull the blade upward. "I'll... kill... you... FIRST!!!" I growled, squeezing that much more. It still wasn't working. His neck was unbelievably reinforced. "Dammit... DIE!" I breathed, losing my strength as the blade inched its way closer to my heart. He fired. The bullet hit my stomach at such a close range that it tore straight through my body, escaping from my back. I coughed blood into Areth's face. He just stared at me with that grin. Roughly, he shoved me to the ground, back into the murky water I woke up in. I couldn't get up again. My strength was exhausted. I failed. Lenne couldn't be avenged. I lost my life in trying to get her justice.
I looked up at Areth. My vision was beginning to cloud, but I could still make out a relatively clear picture of him. He aimed his weapon at me again, this time pointing it higher on my body. He was going to shoot me straight in my face. I tried to close my eyes, but for some reason, they remained open. I saw him glare at me, still baring that sadistic grin that he hadn't removed since taking off that cloak. I saw the gun's barrel staring at me in the eye. I saw the bullet leave that barrel almost as soon as I heard the blast when he pulled the trigger. I saw that bullet coming towards me, laughing at me and the pain and fear that I was experiencing. The bullet got within a hair's distance and...
When I woke up, Lenne was right next to me, sound asleep. I remembered her concern about my leg. If she cared this much for all her loved ones, I felt sorry for her. It must have been pretty stressful to worry about others so much, and not about yourself.
When Lenne arose, she found herself face-up, with a blanket covering her. I was in the kitchen, cooking some breakfast when I noticed her groggily sit up. She turned in the direction of the sound of stir-frying to see me, trying my best to make scrambled eggs with sausage slices and leek. She smiled at me and walked over. Upon seeing my creation, she gave me a peck on the cheek and asked me where my bathroom was so she could freshen up. When she left, I started humming a nice little tune to myself, moving onto making some fried rice.
Lenne came skipping back, a bright smile on her face. She sat down at the dining table right outside my kitchen and put her hands together, making herself look like an innocent little schoolgirl who was patiently awaiting breakfast. I played along, strolling in with two bowls, one for her and one for me. I strutted back into the kitchen and grabbed two pairs of chopsticks and two napkins. I placed one pair of chopsticks and a napkin in front of her, and took my seat. "Bon Appetite!" I said trying to sound like a waiter at a fancy restaurant. I'm pretty sure it came out wrong, but she didn't seem to notice so I didn't care. She took a taste test to see how well I actually cooked. When I told her my life story before, I did mention a little that I learned it so I'd be more independent just in case I didn't get married before leaving home. She pretended that it was poisoning her and I didn't realize she was kidding. "Lenne!" I yelled, mentally punching myself for killing her. She cracked up at my serious face, making it turn completely apple red. "It tastes really good. I didn't know you could cook so well." She calmly stated, trying very hard not to burst into uncontrollable laughter. I just sat down and hung my head. "I can't believe I fell for that." I mumbled lowly. All Lenne could do was giggle slightly to prevent herself from exploding.
After all was settled again, we continued eating and chatting about future plans and the likes.
When we finished, I decided to take her to Macalania, but she wanted to go back to her place first. Of course, seeing that it was a bright day out, we had to take the scenic route, for fear of fan bombardment. We got to her house and there was a notice on the door. "You have been chosen to become a summoner. You must comply..." She read the notice aloud. I had no idea what it meant, but she apparently did. "I have to go. Yu Yevon has chosen me." She said seriously. "What exactly does that mean? I don't understand. I thought summoners were trained at birth." I said, confused. "No. Summoners are chosen by Yu Yevon from a select group who have this marking and display certain traits." She told me while pointing to a symbol on the notice. It looked like a circle with a four branch lightning bolt in it and two smaller circles on either side of the bolt. "You have a birthmark like that?" I asked. "No. It is probably why I was chosen this late. My parents told me that I had acted in the same manner as most future summoners. They feared this day would come although they never mentioned why." Lenne said, her thoughts drifting back to her childhood. "You never told me this before." I was a little upset when I said this since we had both told one another our complete backgrounds earlier yet she never mentioned ever becoming a summoner. "I didn't really believe my parents about my having the potential so I didn't think I would ever need to tell you. I had almost forgotten it myself, anyway." She explained.
I decided that she should probably check it out. I mean how many people can say he or she is not just the greatest voice in all of Spira, but a summoner, as well? She thought on it carefully and shrugged off any doubts in her mind, choosing to agree with me. Together, we traveled over to where the head of the summoners, Yu Yevon, resided.
"It's good of you to join us, m'lady." Yu Yevon stated softly as we headed into his office. Once we were inside, he gestured for us to take seats in front of his desk before he went to sit at his own seat. "I know this will be difficult for you at first, but with my training, you will be just as perfect as any of my other summoners." He exclaimed, eyes filled with aging glee as he thought about his past trainees. "Father." A young woman from upstairs said. I turned, followed by Lenne. The woman looked slightly older than the two of us and had long, flowing hair like Lenne's only white. I guess she dyed it. Personally, I dislike make-up of any kind so her look wasn't something I cared for. Aside from that, her clothing was a bit exotic. She was wearing pretty much a bikini, with two tassels coming from the thong. She also had this thing on her head that had more tassels. Overall, she just looked a little over-extravagant. "Ah, Yunalesca. What can I do for you?" Yu Yevon asked his daughter, leaving his seat. "I just received a call from Zaon. Um..." She began, but stopped when she saw the two strangers behind her father. "Is this a bad time?" She continued. "No." Yu Yevon put an arm around the woman's back, moving her closer. They began whispering to each other. I heard bits of broken speech. The words I heard were: Might, soon, machina, power, unimaginable. I hadn't a clue as to what they were talking about, turning my head to Lenne with a puzzled look. She returned my gaze with the same confusion. "Ahem..." The summoner coughed, returning his attention to us. "Anyway, where was I?" He continued as his daughter took off. "Ah, yes. You will have the most memorable experiences of your entire life by joining the ranks." The man boasted. I knew he was talking to Lenne, but I couldn't help but think about my life and how it would change, as well. I mean, my girlfriend was gonna be a summoner. That was so cool. "Wait. I have a question." I started. "No, you cannot be a summoner, too." He grumbled. What was his problem? "No, that isn't it." I corrected, "I just wanted to know if she's gonna be safe. I've seen those Aeon things. They look dangerous." I wasn't going to let my love be torn to bits by some dumb bird thing with no feet. "Yes, it will definitely be a trying period. However, the Aeons need not concern you. They are very tame and kind-hearted creatures and your woman is quite safe in their care." He smiled at me reassuringly. "What dangers are there then?" I still hadn't a clue. "My boy. If you truly feel a need to be her... how shall I put it... guardian, I know someone who could teach you how to become her champion. He can teach you how to wield a sword with the most grace and skill anyone has ever seen." He said, giving me an alternative from just letting her do it alone. "Fine. I'll be Lenne's guardian... Why do I need a sword? You said Aeons weren't dangerous." I questioned. "Young man, I tell you the truth about the Aeons. However, you'll need a sword for the fiends that she will have to defeat, as well as the unsent who will fight back before she will be able to send them." Yu Yevon clarified. I nodded, showing him that I understood now. I was going to have to protect Lenne from those things that I've seen outside Zanarkand. Those things looked a bit more vicious than a girl with magical powers and a guy with a sword, though. How was I going to protect her against that? Plus, unsent, I heard, were dead guys that didn't want to stay dead. I had no idea how a sword was going to beat a ghost. It sounded almost like he wanted us to commit suicide... Nah. Why would he want that, right?
Lenne and I walked side-by-side behind the old summoner, who was taking us to the training grounds. When we got there, he introduced me to the swordsman, Takuma. He would teach me how to fight. Interesting. Even if I wasn't going to be able to help Lenne with swordplay, I figured I'd still be getting another skill. Maybe I could impress the fiends and zombie guys to death with my beautiful form. I laughed to myself at the thought. "Here, take this." Takuma grunted, giving me a sword. I guess he didn't really trust me with a weapon seeing how the sword he gave me was duller than my old high school Math teacher. (Ba rump bum tssss.) "Okay. So, you want me to show you what I can do?" I asked since he hadn't made a sound since I took the sword. He cackled. Guess I was funny. He turned and waved over for me to follow him, walking towards another training ground. I started walking, turning my torso around to wave bye to Lenne before returning my focus on my "ninjeti" training.
We stopped in the middle of a place with a bamboo-made floor and bamboo support beams. "So, we start here?" I asked. Before I could even think, he spun around with his sword swinging horizontally. By pure reflex, I held up my sword to my right, closing my eyes in fear. "Good." The psycho said calmly, putting his weapon down. "WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT!" I screamed. "I tested your reflexes. You passed." He stated plainly. I just stared at him. What was he on? Why did Yu Yevon put me with this nut case? I was just about to take a deep breath to calm my nerves when, again from nowhere, Takuma attacked. This time, it was a downward, vertical slash. I quickly, I guess instinctively, held my blade up horizontally, far out in front of my face. It stopped the strike and I noticed my arm swerve the other blade to my left, with the use of the sword in its grasp. I moved Takuma's sword to his right and my weapon was freed from the clash, allowing it to continue back around its circular path, and right in front of Takuma's chest. Without a second thought, my body made me stab him. Why did I do it? I have no idea. It was like at that point, my mind shut down. It was blocked off from the physical world as it witnessed the body it used to control, perform actions it wasn't aware of. Takuma fell to the ground... with a smile? "You have done an excellent job. Your training is almost complete." He spoke proudly. I was so lost. How could this guy be smiling at me when I just killed him? How could my 'training' be almost complete? Looking at him, I realized why he wasn't worried about the big metal thing stuck in him. "You... you're... not... bleeding. H-how... how can that be?" I stuttered, utterly astounded by this revelation. I stuck my blade into his chest. Dull or not, the thing went through his skin. He was dead. "Do you see how much fight you have in you already? With a little more help from me, you'll be invincible in no time. Have you ever tried to deflect a bullet? After I'm through with you, you'll be able to do just that." He said easily, still smiling with my sword embedded in his torso. "You... you're... a... you're an unsent!" I managed to get out of my mouth. "Of course, I am, but do not be afraid. I'm here to teach you. You do want to learn how to protect your woman do you not?" He mocked. "I do, but unsent are ghosts that summoner's frag. You're an unsent. Why would you even consider being anywhere around here? I could just call Yu Yevon here right now to send you." I questioned, never for an instant moving my eyes from the supposed fatal wound I had caused. "Who was the one that assigned you to me? He knows that I am no longer of the living. However, my talents still hold value and therefore I cannot be sent." He enlightened. I had no idea that there were loopholes like this. Certain unsent were taken away from Spira to the Farplane, but others were allowed to remain. Did it work like that for fiends, too? Some had to be destroyed, but others are supposed to be around? This was a bizarre revelation. "So, are there rules or stipulations as to who stays and who gets sent?" I asked, wanting to know more. "As long as you still can serve a purpose on this plain, you must be allowed to stay." He responded plainly, "Now, if you wouldn't mind removing your weapon from my torso, perhaps I can still show you more about fighting aside from using the power of your anger."
After a few more hours of sparring, I was exhausted. Takuma just took it like it was a nice, leisurely stroll through Genusted Park. "We are finished, for now. I have more to show you, but in due time. When you are in need of it, I will show you all." He cheerfully stated, turning his back on me. "I thought you're never supposed to turn from your enemies!" I exclaimed, leaping at him with my sword held out in front of me. Takuma knew what I was attempting and easily fended off the downward slash. "Like I said, still much left to show you." He smiled. I bowed to him, cautiously, and left the sparring grounds to get back to the new summoner.
"Lenne!" I yelled, rushing over to her. She looked like she was going to collapse. "Are you okay?" I asked, keeping my voice down so that it wouldn't disturb her fragile form. "Yes. Bonding with fayth can be tiresome." She grinned at me before losing consciousness. "Lenne!" I exclaimed, blatantly revealing my worry. "She will be fine. New summoners are always removed of their strength when they first unite with a fayth," Yu Yevon stated, giving me a look of reassurance, "She just needs some rest, which I am sure you will more than happily provide." I nodded and began to leave, carrying Lenne in my arms. "I have a question." I began to ask. "I know. What are fayth? What is this bonding? And finally, why are certain unsent left as they are?" Yu Yevon guessed rather accurately, "A fayth is a spirit of one who has been lost to this world. A summoner must bond with a fayth in order to create an Aeon. An Aeon, as I'm sure you've seen, are magnificent creatures of the light. They aid us. Finally, an unsent is not a fayth. They are also departed lives and their souls linger on in the form of pyreflies. However, they cannot bond with a summoner. Unsent that bond with the living, possess them. Certain people who have passed possess something beneficial to generations to come. They are left on Spira to guide the new Spirans, such as yourself. I take it your training with Takuma was enlightening?" "Was it ever." I breathed, still recalling and recovering from the "incident." Yu Yevon nodded to me, his face in a pleasant mood. I decided I should get Lenne back to her house.
When I got to Lenne's house, I realized that I didn't have her house keys. Lenne had to have them with her so I checked her purse. I haven't a clue as to why women carry those things. The stuff they shove in gets all jumbled together and you can't find a thing. "Got it." I thought aloud, looking at the keys in my hand. How cute. She had a moogle key chain and a little fluff ball thing added to her keys. I tried each one and wouldn't you know it, the last key fit. I wonder why that always happens. I picked Lenne up again and carried her gently in.
After I got her in her bed and tucked her in softly, I looked around her room. It was the first time I'd been here. The place was filled with angels and doves. So many silvery wings. I guess most girls are like that. As for me, my room was really under-decorated. Judging by her room, she'd go crazy if she ever saw it. "I can't believe it's so plain! Do you not like yourself or something? Put up a poster, at least. Have some creativity. Put up one of those "guy" calendars even." I smiled at the thought. I looked at Lenne and decided I should stay the night. I didn't want to be away from her when the last time I saw her awake was when she fainted in my arms. I went downstairs to find a couch. I wasn't going to sleep upstairs in her room and freak her out when she woke up in the morning. Grabbing a throw pillow, I slumped onto the couch and fell asleep.
I woke up feeling water around me. "Huh?" I mumbled, opening my eyes. A cage? I was in a cage! The cage was partially submersed in water. "Hello? Where am I?" I shouted in a weary voice. No answer. LENNE! Where was she? I looked around my prison, frantically searching for her. I noticed that the water I was in was some murky water. I guessed that I was in the local jail or in some POW cell somewhere outside Zanarkand. Both possibilities seemed ridiculous. Jail? I hadn't done anything wrong so there wasn't any logic. A POW cell? That couldn't be either since Zanarkand hadn't been in a war for centuries. "Lenne?" I called out, seeing if she was anywhere close by.
The sound of gunfire directed my attention behind me. I saw a dark, cloaked figure. It was holding some kind of bladed rifle. It must have been that person who fired, but why and at whom? "Hey! Who are you? Can you get me out?" I asked, attempting to get the aid of this stranger. It didn't respond. Then, I noticed something next to it, lying in the water. Something was wrong. What was it that was in the water? It didn't look like it was alive. I strained as much as I could in the dimness of the prison to try and figure out what was floating in the water. NO! NO!! It couldn't be. "YOU BASTARD! WHAT DID YOU DO!?" I screamed, seeing what it was that was floating lifelessly. It was Lenne. She was face down in the water, her blood reaching my feet just then. "ANSWER ME! WHY DID YOU KILL HER!?" I screamed again. "IF I GET OUT OF THIS CAGE, YOU ARE SOOO DEAD! DO YOU HEAR ME?! DEAD!" I roared, tears falling down the sides of my face. She was gone. That damn bastard took her away from me. I felt my rage boiling in my veins. My eyes were not working right anymore. All I could see was the color red. She couldn't be gone. It couldn't be over like that. "Why... Why did you kill her?" I shouted, my voice losing its ferocity as a new emotion took its place; despair. The woman I thought I loved was shot dead. She was gone. I cried uncontrollably, my tears blinding my vision. I couldn't let it see me like this. This wasn't the time for grief. It was time for revenge. I just needed to get out of this stupid cage. "LET ME OUTTA HERE!!!!!!" I shrieked.
The cloaked figure walked slowly towards me. It laughed, causing me to shiver. The laugh wasn't a human laugh. It didn't sound at all like it came from a man or a woman or even a beast. The creature continued to laugh as it pulled off the cloak. What?! The figure was... Areth? The star player of the Bevelle Jowiles killed my Lenne? It explained the smirk from before. That... that... "SON OF A BITCH!!!" I barked, throwing myself against the bars of the cage. "I'll KILL YOU!!!" I screamed, my voice cracking from so much abuse. He just gazed at me with a hideous grin. He shook his head and waved a finger at me, mocking me. Slowly, he began to walk towards me again. When he reached me, I moved my arms out through the bars of the cage and grabbed his neck. I squeezed hard. This jackass was going to suffer for what he did. I didn't care if it would mean I'd be trapped in this cage. I wanted him dead. "How could you?" I grumbled, my sobbing throwing off my anger. He smiled at me, a smile I'd never forget. I grasped his neck harder, having a hard time snapping it. I knew I wasn't stopping myself, but his neck wasn't cracking. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my gut. Did he kick me? No. This pain was more of an incision. I looked down at my waist. He stabbed me with his rifle.
I winced as he began to pull the blade upward. "I'll... kill... you... FIRST!!!" I growled, squeezing that much more. It still wasn't working. His neck was unbelievably reinforced. "Dammit... DIE!" I breathed, losing my strength as the blade inched its way closer to my heart. He fired. The bullet hit my stomach at such a close range that it tore straight through my body, escaping from my back. I coughed blood into Areth's face. He just stared at me with that grin. Roughly, he shoved me to the ground, back into the murky water I woke up in. I couldn't get up again. My strength was exhausted. I failed. Lenne couldn't be avenged. I lost my life in trying to get her justice.
I looked up at Areth. My vision was beginning to cloud, but I could still make out a relatively clear picture of him. He aimed his weapon at me again, this time pointing it higher on my body. He was going to shoot me straight in my face. I tried to close my eyes, but for some reason, they remained open. I saw him glare at me, still baring that sadistic grin that he hadn't removed since taking off that cloak. I saw the gun's barrel staring at me in the eye. I saw the bullet leave that barrel almost as soon as I heard the blast when he pulled the trigger. I saw that bullet coming towards me, laughing at me and the pain and fear that I was experiencing. The bullet got within a hair's distance and...