Disclaimer: I do not own FFX nor FFXII.
Author's Notes: Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews!
Chapter 7: Sending the Parted
As they neared Kilika, the sun had starting to sink beyond the horizon, painting the sky pink and purple. Ahead of them, was Kilika, the now destroyed Kilika. Sin had already left, but its destruction remained behind. Everyone on the boat was quiet, looking at Sin's destruction, seemed to suck all speech away from those who witnessed it, or saw the aftermath.
"I will defeat Sin… I must." Ashe vowed defiantly as she looked forward.
Balthier was still resting on her lap, he too, was looking ahead to what they were approaching. Fran, Basch and Vaan were all standing near to Ashe, they too were quiet.
Kilika Port, Kilika.
Somehow, the port had managed to stay intact enough for the ship to dock. Ashe got off the ship quickly and faced the people who had gathered. Basch got off afterwards, staying nearby.
"I am Lady Ashe, from Besaid, if there aren't any other summoners, I would like to perform the sending." She said as she did the prayer.
Balthier was watching from on top of the ramp that lead off the boat, Vaan was standing beside him, and Fran had joined Ashe and Basch on the dock. The group of people started to lead Ashe away.
"Come on, let's see what we can do around town."
Vaan said as he ran down the ramp. Balthier followed him, they headed towards what used the be the middle of the town.
--
People were gathering near the edge of the water, people had gathered the deceased to that area. Ashe was taking of her boots, as Basch held her staff. Balthier walked over to Fran, and stood beside her, he folded his arms.
"What's a sending?" He asked her quietly.
She sighed. "Just how much have you forgotten because of Sin's toxin?" She asked, looking at him with her red eyes.
"Vaan told you?" He asked, avoiding her question,
She nodded and looked back out to where Ashe was, she had her staff and started to walk on the water, towards the area the bodies were gathered. She can walk on water? He was impressed.
"The dead need guidance, especially if they died a violent death." Fran began. "They become jealous of the living, and soon hate the living, out of jealousy for what they lost. And that hatred, is what turns them into fiends. The sending, sends them to the Farplane, where they can rest in peace."
Balthier nodded his understanding, and watched as Ashe came to a stop over the bodies. She began to dance, twirling her staff around her as she danced in circles. The water below her feet began to rise, she rising on top of it, and continuing to dance. Pyreflies began to rise out of the water, he had asked what the dancing lights were that came from fiends after they had been killed. From what he remembered, they were the "souls" leaving the bodies and going off to the Farplane. As Ashe danced, more and more came out of the water, and danced through the air, beginning their journey to the Farplane. It was beautiful, yet sad at the same time, and Balthier wasn't sure which it was more of. As the last of the Pyreflies left the water, Ashe stopped dancing, and stopped twirling her staff. The water gently brought her back down and she walked back onto the broken dock, which was halfway into the water. She had tears running down her face. Fran walked over to her.
"Did I do well?" Ashe asked.
Fran nodded and hugged her.
"They've reached the Farplane by now, you've done well." She released her from her hug and wiped a tear from her eye, "Just, no tears next time."
Ashe nodded, soon Basch and Vaan were there as well, conforting and praising the young summoner they guarded. Balthier felt very out of place. There was so much in this world he didn't know, he wondered how much there was left for him to discover… Though he hoped that he wasn't going to be in Spira for much longer, he did want to return to Ivalice.
Vaan noticed that Balthier was standing on his own, and walked over to him.
"Something tells me that you haven't seen a sending before."
Balthier shook his head. "It was… An interesting experience." Interesting… he had a feeling he was going to use that word often.
"Yeah." Vaan said solemnly. "C'mon, let's get checked into the inn, it somehow managed to stay intact."
Vaan started walking away, and Balthier followed, taking one last glance at Ashe, who was once again surrounded by people.
