Author's Note: Time again everyone, for the next chapter. I'd like to begin by addressing Devil Theory's comment about this fic being 'bloodthirsty' and how I was carving my way through the FFX-2 cast too quickly for this to have any hope of being an epic. Well, let me straighten this out. I have carved my way through specific FFX-2 characters in order to carry on with this story. Rikku, Vidina, Shinra, they all hold an important role in the future of Annihilation. What that role is you'll have to stick around and find out for yourself. Next, I'd like to give my token of appreciation to the comment left by my new reviewer Syncopative. And if you can manage to reel in a few other reviewers for me, I will consider making this into a trilogy. IF you can get me more reviews. Well, that's all. Here's the next chapter.

Chapter 9- Influence (( Yuna's POV ))

"Your wounds are deep," I whispered as I kneeled myself down to the level of this mysterious stranger. He lay before me on the bed of Lulu and Wakka's hut, staining the quilts with blood. He had suffered terrible afflictions from whatever predicament he had found himself in before or during his arrival on Besaid, and was just inches from the grasp of Death's cold fingers. Beyond reach for the time, though not for long if something wasn't done to attend to his injuries.

"Can anything be done to heal them?" His response was a faint one, so faint I could hardly hear his words. I could still feel, however, the intensity of the pain he suffered through voice alone, and understand the concern he held. For one to endure such would undoubtedly lead to thoughts of death, concerns that they would die. I had heard that in the voices of so many in the past, when the monstrosity known as Sin ravaged Spira, though it was not something I had heard in a long time. Hearing it now merely resurfaced old memories, and reopened old wounds.

"If I concentrate hard enough," I began with a pause, placing my hands above his chest, "I may be able to repair any fatal injuries you may have received. Though as far as your arm goes…I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do.

To my surprise he laughed as I said that, a laugh that developed into a cough, and a cough that resulted in even greater blood loss as he hacked up a blotch of it from his throat. "I expected as much. You're a v-very skilled healer, from the information I had gained through rumors, but I h-hadn't began to believe y-you'd be capable of remedying this arm problem."

"All I can do is take away some of the pain, and put an end to the blood flow." I closed my eyes as I said this, my mind focusing on drawing the magical power I needed to cure him from within. "Now stay still, I have to focus."

Warmth flooded through my fingertips as I felt the magical energies surging through my arms and to my hands, my chest heaving up and down with every breath I took. It felt dreamy at first, this feeling. The magic made the whole of my body tingle, delightfully shudder. And I didn't need to open my eyes to known the curative energies where taking affect and gradually sealing up the wounds through his body. His breathing and heartbeat was stabilizing, while my own heart quickened and my breathing grew heavy. The prolonged use of this magic was exhausting my power, and taking it's toll on my body. Though I could continue for some time, I had only prayers to aid my hopes that this would be enough to regenerate enough tissue on his stump of an arm to put an end to the bleeding at last.

"It's done," I managed through a deep inhale of breath as my head became light, letting my hands fall away. The magic consumption was by no means small to carry out the task of healing I had just performed. It would take time before I could attempt anything magic related again.

"Thank you, High Summoner Yuna."

I focused my eyes upon the stranger's own, and he did the same with mine. For many moments we just stared at one another, our words passing silently through our eyes. It was said that the eyes of one were the window to that person's soul. By peering through them, one could see the truth in lies, see the emotions they tried to hide, and see the pain they disguised through fake smiles. What I saw in his wasn't pain, it wasn't joy or relief, but fear. A fear I could have never detected, had it not been for his silver hues that without a doubt scavenged through my soul.

"The boy, Tidus," he began, breaking our gaze by turning his head to the side, "has gone to Luca."

'To kill…' I whispered inwardly, my heart cracking at the very thought. I was doubtful of this being real, but I had seen what I needed to see through this man's eyes, and held the truth in my fingers now, even though it burned my skin. Like a flame that incinerated all it touched, the truth was doing the same.

"Why?" I questioned, my voice weak, breaking as I struggled to fight off tears.

"To carry out his end of the deal."

"What deal?"

He was quite for a few seconds. It made me frustrated that he hadn't responded straight away. And just as I drew close to breaking, at last he voiced whatever he had been thinking.

"My name is Iiden, Yuna" he began with a pause," I know…many things. And this, what I prepare to reveal to you, is a knowing I regret to hold."

I clinched my hands into balls as tears stung my eyes, my teeth grinding, body shaking. I couldn't stand this, I didn't want to any more delays. "Tell me why!"

My scream echoed out through the small hut, and without a doubt beyond it, as my heart gave way to the pressure of despair. I wanted to know why Tidus would have gone to Luca, why he would kill the people there. This man's name, whatever his past was, it wasn't relevant at the time. Introductions could come later, the present was what he needed to focus on!

Then he breathed, and began. "For 3 months now, you've been battling against the dark force known as Oblivion. And ever since the day of his resurrection, Tidus has endured physical and mental changes, that not only affected his life, but the lives of everyone around him. He grew dark, different, and developed strength above that of which many could possess. Strength only recruits of SHADOW hold in their hands. Do you know why?"

"Because he shared a piece of his soul with Gallant," I began, "So when Gallant's body and soul was overcome by Oblivion, Tidus was affected by it, too."

"Wrong!"

I blinked, watching Iiden sit up from the bed, the strain from exhaustion displayed through the expression on his face. "It's far more than that. Tidus, he came into this world as a dream. 2 years ago he left this world as a dream, and again was reborn into it the same. The Fayth were the one's dreaming him, so when Oblivion returned, and the Fayth gone, could they still continue dreaming if they didn't exist? Tidus should have faded, but by sharing a piece of Gallant's soul he clings to reality by a thread. Oblivion is that thread. They share a link to another, just as he did with Gallant. Severe that bond, and neither one of them can exist."

"That doesn't answer why-"

"I'm getting to it," he cut me off with a sigh, his eyes staring ahead, "Similar to Sin's toxin, Oblivion's power can have devastating affects on the body and mind of one even if exposed for only a moment. Exposure to this power for an extended period of time can mean the physiological and bodily breakdown of that person, gradually leading to death. However, in Tidus's case, it's much different. He was directly EXPOSED to Oblivion's monstrous power, creating an internal disruption inside his body. To create a balance, his dream-like form adjusted, shifting itself to stabilize the radical power flaring within him. The strength he received from Gallant was a power focusing on brute force. The power he holds now is more concentrated, boosting his speed and intelligence that overall are more devastating than you could begin to fathom. But against SHADOW, against Collust, victory cannot be achieved with just that alone."

"If that's true, answer me this: What was the deal he made? And who did he make it with?"

And like a knife cutting it's way into my heart, my soul, his response tore me apart. "The deal was thus: In exchange for your safety, Tidus sold his flesh to the Oblivion himself."

My world shattered like glass at that moment. His words smashed it to pieces, and ripped my heart out. This didn't seem real. Then again, rarely did things as of late. But this, this was nightmarish. And if it was a nightmare, a dream, I couldn't wait to awake.

"No," I muttered while backing away, the first of many tears sliding down my cheek, "it's a lie. Your lying to me. It's impossible for you to know!" And before I knew it, I had drawn my gun, pointing at him in my rage. He was a liar! "Your lying!"

"Stop it, Summoner!" I felt myself go numb without warning as his shout smacked my eardrums, a pressure building in my head of such intensity I nearly collapsed. I grew light headed, for a reason unknown, and found my eyes held by Iiden's iron glare. "Shooting me won't change the fact that everything I've revealed to you is true. Tidus has gone to Luca to seal the agreement in blood by massacring that whole city's population! Will you go to stop him or merely wallow in your own despair?"

'P-please…d-don't let this be true…'

"Answer me, Summoner!"

He wanted an answer? How cold. How cold he was to expect me to be fully capable of handling this information, and rush forward without emotion. He had told me that my lover was basically going to massacre an entire city with his own hands, the man I loved, and he believed I'd be unaffected by it?

"Put your emotions aside.' At the time when I would have turned away, he rose and approached, the iron gaze fading to a sympathetic smile, his voice no longer hard, but soft. I was surprised, but revealed as well. "Go to him Yuna, before he slips too far into the darkness to be saved. When he's back in your arms, that will be the time for emotions. Right now, Luca is in it's darkest hour, and it's population needs the only living High Summoner."

I nodded while forcing back my tears, shoving aside the despair in my heart with the help of Iiden's words. There was something special about him, something different, something I couldn't identify. But that difference was there, I was certain of it. "Thank you, Iiden. I'll go to him."

"I imagine," Iiden began, extending his hand forward, as though offering, "that the ones piloting the airship will be returning. But we don't have the time to waste waiting for them. Take my hand, Yuna. And I'll take YOU to him."

'Wakka, Lulu,' I began within my mind while slowly lifting my hand to meet his, 'Don't worry for me. I'll be back, with Tidus.'

My body began to feel light as our fingers locked around each others, a sensation of warmth rushing over my body. I was fascinated by it, whatever it was. And while I was startled, Iiden was not. He merely watched me calmly, the soft smile never leaving his face. Then I noticed something else. Green orbs, small, beautiful, began to gather around our bodies in small numbers that soon increased to greater ones, with them sending a cool draft to rise up against my hair. At one point in my life I may have been afraid of this, or maybe I still would have been, if not for the smile Iiden offered me. It was reassuring, calming, relaxing. And it made me forget my cares for a moment, just that.

"Yuna!"

Suddenly, I heard Paine's voice. Reluctantly I took my eyes away from Iiden's own, and watched as Lulu and Wakka appeared in the doorway, rushing to Paine's side. She was fearful, I could tell it by the look in Paine's eyes. But she didn't have to be. I was safe. And to make them see, wordlessly, I smiled and nodded my reassurance.

Then Paine lunged, her hand stretched out for me, before a blinding flash flooded my sight.

Meanwhile, At Luca… (( Tidus' POV ))

Once more our blades meet in a display of sparks. Baralai never sensed to continue amazing me with his strength, speed, and determination, as we stared into each other's eyes. For every blow I struck he continued to evade, and for every counter I made, he countered that as well. It was a constant battle, seemingly endless. The longest a mere human had ever held against me, in this form at least. He had been training during his position as Third Leader of SALVATION, that was obvious.

"It seems you've managed to bridge the gap in our skills," I whispered while pushing forward, forcing Baralai back step by step. "Somewhat, at least. You're still not quite up to MY level just yet."

"It seems I'm the only one who has dealt a blow," Baralai responded with a smirk, regarding the cut on my nose he had dealt by luck.

"I was off guard." I couldn't help but laugh at him. Did he really think he was currently winning? He had dealt a blow, no doubt, but I had kept him going for several minutes now. And already I could tell he was growing exhausted after fighting at this level of intensity for such an extended period of time. "Can you keep this up, Baralai?"

He grunted as I pushed him further back, his feet skidding across the pavement. "I don't need to exert myself much longer. A few more seconds is all I need to put you at an end!"

With a yell, he pushed forward, breaking the contact of our blades and swinging the other end of his double-headed sword to strike me. I merely launched myself back, the blade smacking against the area in which I had stood moments after. It was time to put an end to this.

"Don't think I haven't acknowledged your skills, and been impressed by them," I began while slowly moving forward, swinging Caladbolg out to the side by extending my arm, "For a human you're truly an admirable fighter. However, that is where your flaw lies. You ARE human, and no human can defeat me."

"So you belittle your own kind, Tidus?" He inquired while matching my movements and proceeding forward while twirling his blade gracefully in hand, "Or have you forgotten that despite whatever changes you've gone under, whatever new form your body or mind has taken, your just like me?"

My anger flared at his words. So he sought to label me 'just like him', did he? Ignorance. He couldn't comprehend or even imagine what I had become. Not even his nightmares could provide the faintest of ideas, no matter the horror of it. "You're mistaken, Baralai. I'm far above 'human' status. Which means, a fool like you, is far below me!"

Wordlessly, he stopped, his eyes narrowing at my comment. Then he positioned himself, his trademark stance, signifying he was prepared. Slowly he brought the tip of one end of his sword down, scrapping it across the pavement, a screech running through the air as the wind rolling off the ocean slapped against his back, bristling his platinum hair.

"It seems I have no chance but to put an end to this here," Baralai spoke out, baring his gritted teeth from beneath his lips, "Then so be it. I'll show you how mistaken you are, Tidus! I'll make you realize your place, if you somehow manage to survive."

Suddenly, his body exploded with energy, a blue aura surrounding his figure as his pupils dilated and faded from sight. What was this, I found myself asking. This energy wasn't something mere humans were capable of releasing. What's more it was concentrated. Even if a human was to create such an aura, it shouldn't been so controlled. In anything it should be wild, lashing out at everything, but it wasn't. He held it still, perfectly.

'What…is this?'

"Yah!" Baralai screamed suddenly, the aura falling away. Then I noticed his sword that continued to grow just as bright. And then I realized it. A technique that held similar qualities as Excalibur was all it was. The energy around him wasn't released from his body, it was released from his sword. A result no doubt of transmitting a large quantity of magical power into his blade.

"How clever," I commented with a laugh, continuing to progress forward step by leisure step, "You must have been channeling your MP the entire time during our battle. That explains why it is ultimately such a powerful aura. Not only have developed your melee skills, but your magical power should closely rival that of Yuna's herself. Congrats."

"Enough," he shouted, flexing his arm as he spread his legs farther apart. Then he bolted himself forward, his twin-headed weapon glowing as bright as the sun. "It's time to end this! Kansuu Kyuuten, Pierce the Heavens!"

"But what took you so long to create," I whispered while briefly closing my eyes, channeling my own magical powers through my arm, my fingertips, and into my blade, "I can create…In moments!"

And then, just as he drew close enough to strike me, blade rising, I finished channeling a significant part of my MP to match him. Our blades met just as his reached mid-fall.

The result was as I had predicted…

And it was HE that failed…

Fragments of his broken blade danced around me as they fell, my sword tearing easily through one end of his own. I didn't even need to press forward, for the momentum he gained from his dash was ultimately what sealed his fate, and he fell into my blade, shoulder punctured by Caladbolg's tip.

"You failed," I chuckled, twisting my wrist, causing the blade to turn in his flesh which made him wince in pain. "I told you, Baralai. Your out of your league," With a tug the blade pulled free, Baralai collapsed on his knees before me as blood spewed from the wound in his shoulder, his weapon falling from his grasp. The match had reached it's conclusion.

"It's over.."

"TIDUS!"

'That voice', I turned in the direction from which the voice had come from, that familiar voice. The voice that could belong to only one: Yuna. And there she stood, watching me, from across the platform. But she wasn't alone.

'So, it seems you've come,' I spoke in my mind, letting my arm fall as I turned away from Baralai. 'And…. you've brought a friend along for the ride..…'