Author's Note: Oh yes! Another update! Hope you all enjoy this chapter! This one is longer than the last one. LOL

Kerrowe: Yeah, I admit, the blitzball part was faster. That's because for one, god I really sucked and I always lost to those Luca Goers, and also it was difficult for me to put into words of how they would play. XD I also wanted the Mi'ihen chapter to be seperate and brand new so yeah, that's another reason why it's short.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy X.

IX. The Crusader's Road

Final Fantasy X OST – Mi'ihen Highroad

The group walked along the long path of Mi'ihen Highroad. There were people they've encountered along the way who were gracious enough to give them items that would help Yuna's pilgrimage. They've also been noticing the Crusaders running along the path recently, some of them carrying cargo, items, weapons, and other stuff.

"What's with the Crusaders lately?" Tidus began to ask.

"I've heard in Luca that there's an operation going underway here," Lulu answered.

"What kind of operation?"

"They said something about defeating Sin, but that's about it."

"Can they honestly defeat that monster though," Berkut added. "I think, it is futile to do so."

"Don't say that," Yuna said, "They're doing everything they can to help Spira rid of Sin."

"But I'm sure you know that as well…"

The summoner looked down to the ground, "Well…I…"

As they walked, a fiend charged straight towards them. It had a thick shell, one like the fiend that attacked the Luca stadium, but this one was standing on two legs. It charged at them, but it was rather slow, possibly because of its thick shell.

Tidus raised his sword. "Hah! That one looks slow."

Auron stepped in, readying his katana, "It's also tough. Let me handle this."

"No way! I can take it!" said the cocky blonde blitzer. He charged and tried slashing it, but it only made a thud and the fiend barely reacted to his attack. "What the…"

Berkut sighed. Surely after the many battles they've had, he'd been aware of what he can and can't do. As it turns out, he's still an idiot. Auron on the other hand, snorted and pierced the fiend with his katana.

"Told ya, Sir Auron is the best," Wakka said.

"Hmph, I could've done that."

"No, you cannot," said the stern prince.

The battle ended quickly thanks to Auron, and Tidus was still somewhat disappointed of his stunt earlier.

"Tidus," Berkut said again, "if you truly wish to fight efficiently, you must learn first that there are things that you can do and you cannot do in battle."

"Wha—" The blonde was taken aback. "H-Hey! I can fight just as good!"

"You can," the prince crossed his arms. "But you still haven't learned of what you can and you cannot handle. If you keep charging head on, then you will immediately lose the battle, or worse, get yourself killed. You must learn your opponent's strengths and weaknesses if you truly desire victory."

Tidus grunted, but he knew he was right. For once, he didn't have any comeback argument.

Auron chuckled. "You know Tidus, you could learn a thing or two from him."

"Auron! Come on!"

"Compared to you, he has more experience in battle," he said calmly, then continued on walking.

"He's right you know," Lulu said, walking past the blonde.

"No argument there," Wakka added.

"Don't worry. You'll get the hang of it eventually," Yuna said, trying to reassure him. Kimahri meanwhile, said nothing, he just shook his head and walked past him. As they were already ahead of him, Tidus looked a little crestfallen after all that. He then realized that he was falling behind.

"H-hey!" He said as he ran towards them. "Wait for me!"

As they walked along the long road, they passed by a ruin which looked like a tower. They have noticed that this road had many ruins along the way.

A voice from behind startled the group. It was a voice of a frail, old man. "Do you know what those ruins are from?"

They turned and saw an old man who looked like he was dressed in a priests robe, though they weren't sure if he's really a priest. His height was shorter than the rest of the group, and he looked like he could be retiring from his old age.

"Some old city?" Tidus asked.

The old man nodded. "Correct. A city most ancient! A terrible testament to Sin's power. I tremble every time I see them. Compared to Sin, humans are mere mud puppies!"

"But I believe humans are the only ones capable of defeating Sin," Yuna said in response.

"A good reply. I am relieved to hear you say that, m'lady summoner."

"Oh?"

"Where are my manners? I am Maechen, a scholar," the old man introduced himself to the group. "At your service, m'lady. I am on a journey, studying the history of our world, Spira, seeking its stories and secrets…."

"You still travel despite your age?" Berkut said, intruiged by the old scholar. "Most impressive."

"Once you pursue the secrets of Spira, age doesn't really matter now, does it? A scholar, such as myself, don't stop seeking secrets and stories because of old age."

"If you put it that way…"

"My travels have taken me to many places," he continued, "and I am troubled by what I have seen. Fragile smiles on people's faces crumbling at the mere mention of Sin. They are counting on you, m'lady. Give them a reason to rejoice once more."

Yuna nodded. "I will." Then the old man left somewhere.

They continued walking again, Tidus mostly wondering when the walking shall end since his legs were feeling exhausted. He didn't say it out loud, since he has to prove himself that he is a worthy guardian for Yuna. He looked at Berkut. The prince didn't even look one bit exhausted. The prince caught his glance, and Tidus was the first to ask.

"Aren't you feeling even a little exhausted?"

"No?" replied the prince.

"Geez man, how can you be so…"

"As I've said before," he answered ahead, "I've been through a lot of combat training in the past. Where I come from, you would need extra stamina to walk through tough terrain. And besides, aren't you a blitzball player? Things like this should be a mere sport to you."

"Yeah, but it's different. We are trained to play, not train for battle."

The prince sighed. "You're a guardian now, Tidus. You should act like one. There are more like this in the future."

The blonde slouched. "Yeah, you're right."

They were suddenly interrupted by sounds of three running birds heading their way. They weren't just any birds, they were chocobos, the same animals Berkut saw in the Power Room of S.S. Winno. So, they can be rode on as mounts after all.

"Lady Summoner, I presume?" Said the lady in front.

"Yes, I am Yuna."

The woman made a salute, the same salute the Crusaders do. "I am Lucil, captain of the Djose Chocobo Knights."

"And I'm Elma," said the other woman who was riding another chocobo. "We've been charged to guard the Highroad."

"There have been reports of a large fiend appearing in this area," said Captain Lucil, "with a taste for chocobos. Do take care, Summoner Yuna, if you are to rent any chocobos."

"Thank you," and Yuna made the Yevon bow. "We will be careful."

"Good. We should get back to our rounds. Farewell."

"Our prayers are with you," said the chocobo knight, Elma, then all of them left. Tidus thought of an idea after what they had said earlier. "A large fiend…" he said, stroking his chin. "Let's go get him!"

Auron looked at Tidus. "Why?"

"It's the right thing to do."

"It's the right thing to do?" Auron repeated, then started chuckling.

"What'd I say now?"

"Jecht said that a lot, too. And every time he said it, it meant trouble for Braska and me." He continued chuckling.

Berkut smirked. "Like father, like son I suppose."

"H-Hey!"

They walked again, going on to their next destination. As they walked however, Yuna kept attracting anyone who passes by them because of her being a summoner. They even met a mother and her child along the way. The little girl, so innocent, yet both she and her mother has the same sorrow and fear in their eyes, all because of Sin.

"You're a summoner?" the little girl asked.

"Yes. My name is Yuna."

"I'm Calli."

"Nice to meet you, Calli."

Yuna kneeled down so she could take a good look at her. "Lady Yuna," Calli asked, "are you going to bring us the Calm?"

She smiled at the girl. "Yes, very soon."

"Yay!" Calli started running around Yuna happily.

"We're looking forward to another Calm, My Lady Summoner," said Calli's mother.

"I'll do my best."

She turned to her guardians, "And good luck to your guardians as well." She bid the group goodbye and walked hand-in-hand with her daughter, Calli.

"What's the calm?" Tidus asked after a while.

"Didn't I already told you this back in Besaid?" Lulu sighed, and answered again. "The Calm is a time of peace. It comes after a summoner defeats Sin, and lasts until Sin reappears."

Tidus just tilted his head in confusion. "Eh…huh?"

"Sin dies, and is reborn," Yuna simplified.

"I get it. I thought it was weird. Yuna's dad defeated Sin ten years ago, right? But Sin's still here! Didn't make much sense till now."

Wait, Berkut remembered what Lulu said to him back in Besaid about the Calm, but he certainly didn't remember being told about Sin being reborn. Now that he thought about it, Auron was a guardian before to Yuna's father, and he remembered all the statues they visited in the temple. They all defeated Sin…but in the end it was reborn. What does it all mean…?

"If it just comes back…" Berkut said, though his voice is low, "Doesn't that mean that all this is…"

"Don't say it isn't worth it…" Yuna cut him off. "Because it is."

He just stared at Yuna, who was trying to defend her statement. He did give an oath that he would protect Yuna at all costs, but something about all this…wasn't right. He wasn't sure at first, but for now, he just went along, hoping his ill feelings were just mere hunches. "Don't say it isn't worth it," she says. There was truth to those words. A person can sleep without any fear, even if it was just a fleeting moment. Things like that are worth anything.

Along the way, they met the two Crusaders from Besaid, Luzzu and Gatta, who were guiding a wagon, then took a break beside the road.

"Hey, we saw the game!" Gatta said. "You guys were great!"

"Congratulations, Wakka," added Luzzu, and Wakka laughed sheepishly. Before they could say anything else, Elma and Lucil, the two chocobo knights, approached them. "Hey! Stop loafing around!"

"Uh…" Gatta stammered. "The lady summoner and her guardians…"

"This mission requires our full attention," Lucil said in a stern tone. "We've no time to waste! Understood?"

The two crusaders stiffened and made a salute. "Yes, ma'am! Apologies, ma'am!"

"Carry on." And the two left again. After they left, Luzzu turned to Gatta, who was still stammering. "See? Keep your head down, say "sir" a lot, and you'll do fine."

"Right…sir." Yuna couldn't help but chuckle at the scene.

"Hey, Yuna," Luzzu added, "Even though Yevon rejected us… we still believe in you. That won't ever change."

"Thank you, Sir Luzzu, Sir Gatta. But, you know… It's not too late for you to go back to Besaid, and…"

"We should be going, sir!"Gatta cut her off, and the two ran off to the caravan which was moving without them. Yuna stared at the two with worry. Her efforts of stopping them in this operation and letting them go back to Besaid safely were all in vain.

Just a few meters ahead of them, they saw someone who seemed to be a female Acolyte arguing with one of the Crusaders.

"We'll defeat Sin any way we can!"

"But Yevon's teachings say…" the girl struggled.

"Enough!" And the crusader stormed off.

The young Acolyte was left, looking rather crestfallen. "I-I only meant to…"

Yuna felt sorry for the girl and walked over to her. "Are you alright?"

"Lady Summoner…?"

"Yes. I am Yuna." She did the Yevon bow.

"It is an honor, my lady," she also did the bow in turn. "My name is Shelinda. I am a disciple of Yevon."

"What was all that about?" Wakka asked. "The Crusaders' operation?"

"You mean the one Gatta and Luzzu were talking about?" asked the blonde blitzer.

"Mm."

"I heard they were to use forbidden machina!" Shelinda said. "I had to stop them."

Tidus only looked at her in confusion. "Huh? Why?"

"The use of machina is strictly forbidden by the Yevon priesthood," Lulu explained.

Oh please, not this again, Berkut thought. But then he thought to himself, since this is Spira, of course there will be more like this in his future.

"That's bad, ya?" Wakka turned to Auron.

"Let them use whatever they want," he only said, looking away. "They still won't defeat Sin."

"But, it's not about defeating Sin!" Shelinda said again in turn. "The teachings of Yevon must be upheld!"

Wakka's hand bawled into a fist. "Yeah! Right!"

"The way I see it," Berkut suddenly chimed in. "Which does matter the most? Defeating Sin, so the people of Spira won't suffer, or just follow the teachings while living away in fear? Even if they can't defeat Sin, at least they know they tried, and actually done something to help Spira." With that simple question, Shelinda stammered and so did Wakka.

"Whoa, man," Tidus said. "Calm down."

He grunted and looked away. "I only said what I think."

"But, you don't understand!" the Acolyte retorted. "If we use forbidden machina, then catastrophe will surely follow!"

The prince sighed. It was useless reasoning to someone who just blindly follows these ridiculous teachings. "Do what you will."

"But the Crusaders won't even listen to me! And that's because," she looked down, "I'm just a lowly Acolyte."

"Don't say that," Yuna assured her, and she gasped. "Well, I haven't been a summoner for very long myself, you see. Still, I can't put myself down every time I fail. People are depending on me. They're depending on both of us!"

"Yes! Yes, you're right, my lady. Absolutely right!" She said with a renewed hope. "Thank you so much, Lady Yuna! Now I feel I have the courage to finish my training."

All this time, this operation was about using forbidden machina to defeat Sin. Though Berkut can see their intentions were pure, he can't help but feel this is a futile effort.

After their long walk in the Mi'ihen Highroad, they stopped by an Al Bhed inn which says, "Rin's Travel Agency" to rest after a long day. Wakka however, scowled at the idea of resting on this place.

"Finally!" Tidus said, happy to see an inn.

"We rest here," Auron said.

"But," Wakka said hesitantly, "this is an Al Bhed shop!"

"Is that a problem?"

"They don't believe in Yevon, and in Luca they…" he tried finding another counter argument for them not to stay in an Al Bhed inn. "They kidnapped Yuna!"

"Where were her guardians?"

Nobody could argue at his point. Tidus just whistled innocently as if he had nothing to do with all that since at that time, he wasn't really a real guardian.

"Sir Auron's just concerned about your health," Yuna said, trying to reason with the red haired blitzer.

"I'm not tired one bit," he said stubbornly.

Without another thought, Auron kept walking towards the inn despite Wakka's hesitation. "Well, I am."

The rest of them followed. They all made their payments for their rooms and each one of them rested. Wakka was still annoyed at first, but in the end, he relented and slept as well. Berkut was on his bed, and realized that he too was tired. He closed his eyes for a bit, then shortly after that, drifted to sleep. He wasn't sure when they would rest like this next time.

He opened his eyes, and he saw himself back outside the inn. What's this? He could've sworn he was sleeping inside. What's more, there weren't any people around, and there was no sign of Tidus, Yuna, or anyone for that matter. He was alone except for the pyreflies that were flying around.

He stared at the beautiful sunset over the ocean. It was calming, but why is he seeing this? What's going on?

"Berkut?" said a voice. It was a familiar voice, one that he hadn't heard in a while. The last time he heard it was when he was dying. He turned around, and to his surprise, it was Alm!

"A-Alm?"

"N-No way!" Alm said in turn, looking shocked. "You can hear me?"

He shook his head. "This cannot be. Are you truly Alm? Or are you just a person from my memories…?"

"I could say the same to you," he retorted. "Are you truly Berkut? Or just someone from my subconscious…?"

They both just stared at each other in confusion. So, wait, is this really happening? Are they communicating each other in a dream?

"So…are you really…" Alm said slowly.

"I am. But, how is this possible…?"

"I don't know either," he smiled. "I'm just…glad to see you again, even if it were just a dream."

"You are…? Even after all those times I tried to kill you?"

Alm chuckled. "It's all in the past now, Berkut. You're still my cousin after all. We're family."

"Hmph. You're still as naïve as ever." Even though he said that however, he couldn't help but feel happy.

"So, where is this?" he asked. "Is this the afterlife or something?"

"No. This is Spira."

The green haired boy tilted his head. "Er, Spira?"

Berkut nodded.

"I'm a little lost. Since both of us are dreaming, why don't we have a little chat for now? We are the only ones here along with these….flying lights."

"They're called pyreflies," Berkut corrected him.

"Oh… It's really pretty though…"

This was the first time both Alm and Berkut were side by side, talking and not fighting with each other to the death. Berkut told him about his journey; how he ended up here, meeting the guardians, how he first witnessed Sin's attack, to going to Luca and watch the sport blitzball, which Alm was now intrigued about the sport, and up to the part on him now becoming a guardian and are now heading towards the temple of Djose. Alm also spoke in turn and told his own tale of how he and his comrades defeated Duma, and then he was made king of the now One Kingdom of Valentia. Berkut was most impressed. Maybe at first he would object of Valentia becoming one, but since Alm said that things were going smoothly back in his homeland, he had nothing to fear.

"Wow…" Alm said, amazed after hearing his tale. "You've been through a lot."

"I could say the same thing to you. Did you…really defeat Duma?"

"Yeah. It was tough, but we did it."

"I had a dream before about you, battling the mad god. Was that really…"

"I…did feel a presence like someone was watching me at that time. Was that you?"

Both of them couldn't believe what they were saying. So all this time, they've been seeing each other, though at first neither of them heard each other.

"Strange," Alm said while watching the sunset. "I've been dreaming about this stuff ever since you gave this ring to me…" He showed the ring Berkut gave him on his ring finger…and to their surprise, it was glowing. Some of the pyreflies were gathering around them, as if there was some kind of force that was attracting them.

"The ring…" Berkut said, still looking at it.

"What…could this mean…?"

"It means that some of your essence is in that ring."

They both turned and saw a young boy, the same boy Berkut saw who helped him transport to Spira.

"It's you!" The prince said in surprise.

Meanwhile, Alm was just there, confused. "Berkut, who is this?"

"This was the same boy who transported me here," he explained. "Anyway, what are you talking about?"

"As I said," he said calmly. "Your essence is inside that ring, which is why you two can see each other like this."

The two looked at each other, still couldn't understand. The boy explained again.

"When there is a certain object that a person is attached to, when they pass on, they leave some of their life essence in it. In your case, Prince Berkut, just before you passed away, you left your life essence in that ring. And since you're here in Spira, where pyreflies can even make dreams a reality, the pyreflies here reacted to it strongly."

"Okay, I understand that," Alm said. "But how come we can see each other like this?"

The boy shrugged. "Dreams are mysterious. Not even mankind who has all the technology and power in the world, are able to solve this. With that said, as long as both of you are dreaming simultaneously, you can see each other like what is happening now. But if neither one of you dreams, you will not be able to hear each other."

Alm turned his gaze to Berkut. "So, that's why you couldn't hear me before…"

This is certainly a strange, new phenomenon they've recently discovered. So somehow, in some way, they have in touch of each other thanks to Berkut's ring.

The boy walked closer to Berkut. "The journey ahead is still long, and your story still goes on."

Berkut knew what the boy meant, but Alm didn't. "Story?"

"Everyone has their own stories to tell in their lives, just like you did when chose to fight for your kingdom." Alm was surprised that he knew about the events that transpired before. "And yours still go on, until the day you die."

Before Berkut could ask more questions at the boy, he cut him off. "I know you have a lot of things to ask me, but I assure you, that time will come. For now, you must play your own role in your new story." And with that, everything started to fade all around him, but he still heard Alm yelling his own name.

And then, he woke up.

When he woke up, he looked outside the window next to his bed. It was already night time. The other guardians were already in their rooms resting. After that dream he had, he decided to go outside of his room to check on some things. When he got out, there were few people in the lobby. He felt relieved; so all of it was just a dream, however, it was more than just a dream. Did he really talk to Alm? And that boy again, just who is he?

"Byntuh sa," said a voice.

The prince turned. "Huh?"

"Ah, forgive me sir," said a man. He has tan skin and shoulder length blonde hair who wears goggles on his head. "I meant to say "pardon me," but it came out in Al Bhed."

"Oh? So you're an Al Bhed?"

The man nodded. "Mm-hm. My name is Rin, owner of this establishment. Hela du saad oui."

"Excuse me?"

"It means, "nice to meet you."" He examined Berkut with fascination. "You look very unique from everyone else. Where do you come from?"

"I…" He knows the fact that he just couldn't say where he actually came from out loud.

"Not to worry. You don't need to say it. Do you wish to go outside? Be careful you know. There are fiends that would attack you with hesitation."

"I won't be far."

"Okay then. Good night."

After talking to the Al Bhed, Rin, he went outside the inn. He went closer to the ocean now overlooking the moon, and the ruins from afar made it all the more breathtaking, peaceful, compared to Kilika. This was where he and Alm had a conversation in his dream, with pyreflies flying around them. His mind then, went to what Alm had said in his dream, about the One Kingdom of Valentia. It was rather strange at first; he never imagined both Zofia and Rigel could merge. He somehow wished he was there to see it all, to see how much Valentia had changed now that Mila and Duma were put to eternal slumber.

Just a few meters away from him, near the inn, he heard sounds of grunting and sword swinging. Thinking that maybe it could be a fiend, he readied his lance and slowly made his way to the sound. He was then surprised to see Tidus, who looked like he was practicing his sword play. Tidus, in turn, was surprised to see him.

"Ah! You're here?" He lowered his sword. "Didn't expect you'd be here."

"Practicing your sword play?" The prince asked.

He nodded. "I've thought about what you said….while we were on the road earlier. You were right, I couldn't deny that." He raised his head up, looking at the night sky. "When I became a guardian, I thought that…I was already strong enough to handle anything. But as it turns out…after that battle earlier," he looked down at his sword, "I've still got much to learn. If I am like this all the time then…I wouldn't be able to protect Yuna." He turned and looked to Berkut. "So, do you think…you could…"

"Teach you?" He said, completing his sentence.

The blonde nodded slowly.

"I could, but, know this," he said. "Know that I wouldn't be taking things lightly."

"I know."

"Now," the prince said, raising his lance. "Ready your sword."

Fire Emblem Echoes OST - Pride and Arrogance

"Wha—" Before Tidus could react, Berkut immediately charged towards him, striking him with his lance without any hesitation. Tidus was quick enough to block his attack with his sword, but he was still caught off guard from his sudden attack. "Whoa!" He pushed back and manage to put a distance betweem him and himself. "Geez, man!"

"Don't complain," the prince said, the tip of his lance pointing at the blonde. "Now, show me what you've got."

"All right, you asked for it!" Tidus began sprinting towards him. I gotta be fast enough to catch him off guard! He started attacking with his sword at his front, to which Berkut just parried with his lance. One, he mentally counted. Another attack coming from behind. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. He ran back and forth, but none of his attacks even touched Berkut, since he all deflected his attacks with his lance.

"Is that all?" the prince taunted.

"No way! I'm using a sword! You're using a lance!" Tidus yelled, feeling infuriated. "You have the advantage over me! It's not fair!"

"Not all battles are fair! If you keep complain like this, you'll only get yourself killed!" He charged again, and Tidus did the same, their weapons now touching against each other. "Do you honestly think you can defeat me?"

"I won't know until I try!" He distanced himself once again and jumped high using Berkut's lance which somehow surprised him. Once up in the air, he gathered energy from his sword and shot it at Berkut. "Get a load of this!"

The prince dodged to his right and Tidus landed, but he didn't stop there. He performed a number of quick slashes to his weak spots. Good. He's playing defense now. He quickly served to his back hoping he would finally manage to catch him off guard. Berkut on the other hand, saw this and twirled, his lance on his right hand, blocking his attack. No way! He distanced himself again.

"That was good. Well done," he said, but he wasn't done just yet. He raised his lance, and it began glowing. Mist started to gather around him. "But not good enough."

"What's going on…?" The mist around them became thicker. Tidus was slowly losing his sight of him. "Concentrate," said Berkut's voice, while Tidus still frantically looking around for him. Then, silver light came from behind the blonde, making him do a back flip. Another flash of silver light to his left side, which made him almost lose his balance. "How is he doing this," he muttered to himself. Stay calm, Tidus. Stay calm. He raised his sword, preparing for an incoming attack.

He now noticed the mist starting to dissipate, but for a single moment, he lost his concentration. That single moment made Berkut attack him head on and disarmed him, his sword flying up in the air, and then landing on the ground. The impact of the attack also made him stumble; the tip of Berkut's lance now close on the blitzer's face.

"Your swordsplay is remarkable, but you lack the proper stance," he lowered his lance and held out his hand to help him get back on his feet. "Keep practicing and you'll eventually be able to defeat me."

Tidus grabbed his hand and got himself back up. "Thanks. Man, I'm beat."

They both looked at the beautiful scenery. The moon reflecting on the water, the starry sky, and the ruins from afar were all they needed after their little practice earlier. "Say, Berkut…"

"Hm?"

"What're you going to do…once the pilgrimage is over?"

Good question. What will he do indeed…Will he wander in Spira perhaps, trying to find a new purpose? Or build a new life and settle down…but he will be lonely without Rinea at his side.

"I am not sure," he answered. "What about you? Will you find your way back to Zanarkand?"

He sighed. "I don't know either. Yuna said that now, it's just nothing but ruins, and that's where we will be heading for her Final Summoning. I…couldn't be sure if it's my Zanarkand but…I have to make sure and see it for myself."

"Is it really possible though…being able to go back home?"

Tidus looked down to the ground. "I want to believe so… Aren't you eager to go home too?"

"I don't think I can…. My situation is complicated."

"Well, if you aren't sure then," he suddenly looked at Berkut with a smile, "then you can come with me to Zanarkand!"

Berkut stared at him in confusion. "What?"

"I mean, everyone can go! You, Yuna, Auron and the others, we can all go! You can all watch me play blitzball, and then we can stroll around Zanarkand! And then… uh, then I'll teach you how to blitz!"

Once again, the prince just looked at him dumbfounded. "M-Me? Play blitzball?"

Tidus nodded in enthusiasm. "Yeah! You've been helping me, so I figured I should help you too! You're going to have fun. I just know it!"

Though Berkut felt happy about his sudden enthusiasm, he simply can't imagine himself playing blitzball. He still felt that going back would be a big impossibility, but he still felt happy nonetheless. "Thank you, Tidus."

"Hey, that's what friends are for, right?" He held out his hand. Friends… Before he would usually deny it, but now, after everything they've been through, he couldn't deny it now that he was feeling that way as well. He held his hand and the two shook hands. "You know," Tidus said, "you've changed. Back then, I hardly see you smile, and you were always so arrogant. Now, you seem a lot…nicer."

"Hmph. I could say the same thing to you. You were always so childish and annoying…well, maybe you still are somewhat, but I can tell you're growing."

Tidus wasn't sure whether he would be flattered or a little insulted. "Er…thanks?"

They both went back to the inn and got a good night's sleep, since they all knew, it was going to be another long day tomorrow.

Another Author's Note: For those who didn't get Berkut's skill, it was called Mistdancer, and I tweaked it. There's another Fire Emblem reference I made lol but I know for a fact it's not in FE Echoes. Can you see what? XD Well, hope this chapter didn't drag...ok maybe somewhat because I admit, going through Mi'ihen Highroad in the game was a drag for me...well except for Operation Mi'ihen of course. PEACE!