Chapter 9: At last!
In a room of the travel agency, Carole was writing down more notes of Al Behd she heard from Rin, the one owning these agencies. She was feeling much better now. It didn't take very long until she felt better. Maybe it was a side effect of the limit break use. It was actually the first time she used it. She wanted so much to help her young friend, maybe that's when they're triggered: when people are desperate to help others or survive to keep going.
The sun was coming down when someone knocked at the door.
"Come in!" she said putting her notes aside.
She knew that Wakka resented the Al Behd. Being the only one knowing about Yuna's secret made her feel strange but also a little proud to be the keeper of this secret.
Wakka was reluctant of using this agency to rest since it was Al Behd's but everyone went in so he just followed.
The door opened and Auron came in, leaving the door open.
"Feeling better?" he asked.
Was he asking out of concern or only so they would get back on the road as soon as possible? With the glasses and the high collar, it was hard to see his face or what he was thinking.
There was still that strange feeling around him and being in a small room alone with him kind of made it even stronger. She tried to ignore it to answer his question.
"Much better."
"Good."
She thought he'd leave after that but he remained there.
"Yes?"
"I wanted to apologize for earlier."
"It's alright," Carole assured shaking her head. "In the military, I'm used to being resented."
"I didn't really meant to show you resentment, it's just that I want this pilgrimage to go on before anything else and I'm afraid that with her soft and kind attitude, Yuna might want to try and help you."
"Like earlier? The last thing I want is for her to be distracted."
"You seem kinda distracted yourself."
She brought her gaze back on her things scattered on the bed.
"It's nothing."
"You're a leader ready to hear to your team's problems but you won't share yours with them right?"
"You can say it like that."
"Reminds me of someone I knew..."
She looked up to him again and smiled.
"When I first saw you I didn't think you were the talkative type."
Auron looked away.
"I'm not."
The girl had a smile. It seemed her single presence was enough to make people feel and act different. Was it something she was saying? Doing? Or was it just because of her?
"Alright, I get it."
"Most are outside. You should go tell them you're fine maybe."
"I'll do that."
Auron left without another word. What was it with him? What was that feeling she had when he was around? That funny itching annoying feeling?
She just shrugged it aside and got up to head outside. The sun was coming down and she scanned the place around, looking for familiar faces. She saw Tidus walking towards Yuna who was seated on the edge of a cliff over the water, apparently looking at something. She decided to leave them alone and just kept looking. Zell and Rachel were playing with a Chocobo, Wakka was just resting against the fence like Auron, but Wakka seemed angry about something. Probably being around Al Behd stuff. Carole decided to look for Kerry. She wanted a little training now that she could afford it. She decided to try and leave her worries about the rest of her missing friends aside to concentrate on the ones she had now.
She didn't have to look for long, she was found before she found the one she was looking for.
"C-chan!" the little one exclaimed running towards her mentor.
Carole barely had the time to open her arms before the younger girl rammed her, nearly making her lose her balance, but also taking a laughter out of her.
"Hey, what's the rush K-chan?"
"You scared me to death! Don't ever do that!" Kerry begged hugging Carole tight.
"I can't promise you that Kerry. As I said to Squall ago, if it happens again, I'll do it again."
"Then I guess I'll have to make sure it doesn't happen again! I have to become stronger!"
"Good thinking, so what do you say we spar a little?"
"Yay!"
The girl went a bit farther and took out her twin knives while the elder one took her gunblade in hand. She closed her eyes a moment, focusing. Not being focused even during training could prove dangerous for major injuries. She washed everything aside and concentrated on her fight with Kerry. The younger one was frowning, also focusing only on the fight to come. For this fight, Carole wouldn't tell her what to do, she would let her choose her own pace of attack. She would also let her begin but Kerry already understood that.
"Yah!" she exclaimed holding her knives as she dashed the elder girl.
Carole blocked one of her knives with her blade and caught her other wrist in her hand. That was something she needed to work. She was usually holding her blade with two hands like Squall but she wished she could do it more like Seifer, only with one hand. Against an opponent like Kerry, it was necessary. While she would be busy defending against one blow, she was opened for the next one and she knew it.
"Hey, you used your hand!" Kerry complained.
"I also have progress to make!"
Both jumped backward and this time, it was Carole's turn to attack before Kerry recovered. She just had the time to cross her knives in front of her to block the gunblade. Against Kerry, she never used the trigger. She didn't want to hurt her after all.
"Yes, you do have progress to make, C-chan!" Kerry teased.
"I'm still your teacher," she said suddenly extending her leg to make Kerry trip.
The girl heavily fell on her back and Carole held her gunblade with two hands and never raised it, she knew it would leave her open.
"You play dirty!" Kerry said sulking as she got back up.
"Kerry, we are trained in fair fights but with my... personnal experiences, I know enemies never fight fair so you have to know when to go beyond your training."
The others were now looking at the training in progress and Tidus, done talking with Yuna had to fight the urge to rush in and ask if he could participate. She said she would fight him, she would. She was the kind to keep promises or so he thought.
Zell and Rachel turned from the Chocobos to the fight and Rachel frowned.
"Silly..." she simply said.
"Why?" Zell asked confused.
"She does this only to try and not think about Squall... When will she be true to herself?"
"I guess it's her way to ease the pain," someone cut in.
"Hey Adam," Rachel said turning her head.
"You know I miss Rinoa a lot but I think Carole must be feeling something close to paranoia."
"Why?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Dave cut in with Quistis holding his hand like a scared little girl.
"They went through so much! It took them a while just to reveal their feelings to each other then they lived in constent fear of losing each other so now that they're apart..."
"Oh..."
She looked back at her sister and looked at her a different way. True she was very close to Squall while she was sick. He entrusted her the command of a whole group of SeeDs during the Great Battle and she was ready to sacrifice her life for him but then he still ended up dying which she wouldn't have been able to deal with, Rachel was sure of it. She was the kind to hold on to somthing real hard but if it falls, so is she. At the moment, she really hoped they would find him soon.
The sound of blades falling on the ground was heard and Kerry was facing the tip of Carole's gunblade. She lost, it was over. Carole's twisted strand of hair was sticking on her face with sweat but she wasn't breathing fast which meant that she didn't really had a hard time to win this one. She was just giving Kerry some opportunities to allow her to improve. Defeating her too quickly would only have caused her to feel shame and not show her anything.
"You beat me again!" Kerry said in an angry tone although she was smiling.
"The problem is that when you always fight with the same person, you tend to guess that person's moves. Some are always following the same attack pattern but there are exceptions. Some are improvising which can confuse their enemy but themselves as well. When you know an opponent's attack pattern, you know that if you do something, you know what he'll do next so then you have to think of something different then what you'd normally do. It will surprise the opponent and give you an advantage.."
She extended her hand to Kerry who took it and got her knives back where they belonged.
"Where has she learned all that?" Quistis asked.
"In Garden, silly!" Rachel answered.
But Quistis didn't seem to agree with that. In Garden, they were usually taught with rules and warnings, it was true they were told to pay attention to an enemy's attack pattern but the way she said it was something she never heard while she was a Candidate herself. She guessed that maybe she learned from her own experiences. Since she contributed in the change of some Garden rules, she should have her own ways at fighting as well. Maybe she could be a better instructor than she was.
"It's getting late," Carole told Kerry. "You should go to bed, I worn you out enough don't you think?"
"I hope I can be as good as you someday, C-chan!" Kerry exclaimed hurrying to the inn.
Carole traced her leaving.
"I hope you'll become better than me, stronger. My strength means nothing at all..." she said looking at her hands.
Kerry kept saying she was strong, everyone was amazed at her strength but she wasn't that strong. Her will was strong but her heart was weak. The slightest thing could cause her pain and make her lose her will.
She turned to the setting sun in the horizon and it reflected on the tears coming to her eyes. Then she lowered her head and closed her eyes holding Squall's necklace resting on her chest.
"I am not strong, not at all," she whispered. "Squall, I need you..."
I would throw everything away in a heartbeat to give you back your sight and hearing, even my own life...
Carole opened her eyes with surprise at the sound of those words. She remembered he said them to her some time ago but it sounded more like he really said it not like some memories. But her mind must have been playing tricks on her because Squall was nowhere. He was not here.
Tidus looked at her from the entrance of the Agency, guessing it wasn't the proper time to ask for a match. He wished he could go to her but he didn't know what to say. He couldn't think of anything. Maybe he could just tell her to come in and go to bed.
He decided to give it a try and walked to her, towards the edge of the cliff Yuna was sitting on earlier.
"Hey, you should have some rest," he said not sure if it was right. "They said that a monster is around to attack chocobos so... Maybe he could attack you, you should go in."
Carole turned to him and smiled.
"You're not concerned for my physical safety rather my mind's well being aren't you?"
"Well..." Tidus trailed off wondering if it was that obvious to tell.
He scratched the back of his head and gave an uneasy smile.
"Don't worry, I'm not giving up yet. I know I'm gonna find Squall!"
I just wish I'd know when...
"But you're right, I should get some sleep. You never know what could hit us tomorrow!"
She walked passed him and towards the inn. Tidus traced her.
"What a strange girl... She keeps pretending to be cheerful even though her heart's racing in her chest. She is strong no doubt about it in my mind! What she lacks may be to know when to talk to friends about what bothers her, but I can't force her to it, can I?"
Receiving no answer, and not expecting one either, Tidus followed the girl inside where they would have to try and get some sleep.
The sun just came into view when a scream broke the silence of the inn.
"Kya! The Chocobos!"
The SeeDs, always sonly half sleeping as they were trained to, got out of their room soon after the scream stopped echoing in the halls, fully dressed. The others followed not too much later.
"What's going on?" Tidus asked around to his friends all gathered at the entrance.
"A monster attacking Chocobos!"
"Then let's defeat it!" Tidus exclaimed pumping his fist.
"Hmph! Your father said the same thing in the past."
"Are we going or not?" Zell asked punching his palm with his fist, showing a wide smile. "That's gonna do for morning exercise!"
"Are your people always fighting?" Wakka asked shaking his head.
"The only time we're not is when we're sleeping!" Audrey said.
"Speak for yourself!" Carole said. "I'M fighting even in my dreams... but I'm not always winning... I'll have to make sure my dreams don't come true!"
The SeeDs took their weapons out and all ran outside, boosted with adrenaline.
"I can't understand these people..." Lulu said shrugging and shaking her head.
"Well no point in trying to figure that out, why not join?" Tidus asked taking Brotherhood out.
"I'm coming, ya!"
"I will fight too!" Yuna said.
Lulu followed the summoner she was guarding along with Kimahri and Auron was already outside.
A big creature with two huge and long arms was standing on the top of the inn. One of it's hands was holding a chocobo, desperately trying to get free, letting out screams.
Kerry slapped her hands in front of her mouth with horror.
"Oh, no! The poor thing will be eaten alive!"
"Oh, no it won't!" Adam exclaimed releasing an arrow towards the monster's hand.
It jumped down and dropped the chocobo which quickly ran away. Then the creature turned to the group of people who dared to interrupt its meal. It seemed pretty mad for some reason.
"Let's take it down!" Tidus said swinging his sword backward.
"Hmph, show me action and talk less!" Auron advised.
"I'll show you action!" Carole said frowning with a small smile.
She was ready for action, she always was. She took a quick look of her companions to see if everyone was fine. Yuna seemed nervous but Lulu, Kimahri and Wakka were staying close to her. Kerry was standing next to Carole who herself was next to Tidus. Auron wasn't far, behind were Rachel, Zell, Dave, Quistis, Audrey, Selphie, Irvine and Adam (phew, that's a lot of people! Hope I'm not forgetting anyone!).
The monster jumped forward, pushing part of the gang closer to a cliff right behind them and going all the way down to an ancient now rarely used road. The one who got hit were in this case, Tidus, Carole and Kerry. They got up quickly, back in place to fight.
"Are you alright?" Yuna inquired with concern.
"We're fine, but we have to get this thing away from us until it pushes us down this cliff!" Carole said. "Who knows how long it would take to get back up here!"
Kerry took a peek behind her and wished to get as far away possible from that cliff as she could. She dashed the monster and cross-slashed it. She ducked to avoid one of the hands reaching out to her and rolled far to safety. Adam shot an arrow at the monster's head to distract it and that's when Carole, Tidus and Rachel decided to attack all at once. Auron not too far from the monster, decided to join the yougsters into a squared quadraple attack. Coming from four sides, the monster didn't know which one to strike back but decided to go against Rachel. It swung it's arm and threw her away next to Yuna who reacted quickly into casting a cure spell on the girl. Her guardians decided to act as well, Lulu casting spells, Wakka throwing his ball and Kimahri swinging his spear around. Dave entered the battle as well, followed with Audrey and Selphie, Irvine shooting from afar. The monster could almost be pitied being attack from everywhere at the same time. Would it even have tried, it wouldn't even have been able to do anything anyways.
Dave was the one to deliver the finishing blow with a shot of his sword. The monster fell and disappeared in a thousand blue and green lights.
Kerry put away her knives and placed her fists on her hips.
"Well that wasn't so tough!" she exclaimed.
"Look at us!" Adam said waving around the place. "There are enough of us to take down any monster!"
"Which could be a problem," Auron stated.
"Huh? Why?" Tidus asked turning to him.
"We're sticking out... We could accidentally hurt someone from our team if we're too close to each other during a battle. Attacking all at once like that..."
"Yeah, I figured it wasn't such a good idea," Carole agreed sheating her gunblade and taking an elbow in her hand.
"What should we do then?" Quistis asked.
"Separate in smaller groups but still travel close to each other in case something happens," Auron suggested. "This way, each group can still fight its own battles and will be able to call for help in case of stronger monsters."
"Get separated?" Audrey exclaimed like this idea was totally wrong. "We were separated before and we could have never seen each other again and now you want to get separated again?"
"Not go in different directions, Audrey," Carole explained. "Only get in smaller groups, but we'll still go the same way!"
"I don't know about that," Irvine said. "Audrey may have a point. Veronique could take advantage of the situation..."
"What did you say?" Wakka suddenly exclaimed with such strength evreyone was startled.
"Don't bother," Carole tried to calm him. "It's our problem and you've got yours."
In the corner of her eye, she noticed Auron nodding in approval. But Wakka didn't seem to want to drop the subject.
"You said Veronique, ya?"
"Wakka..." Lulu started.
"As I said," Carole insisted with a firm tone. "Don't bother... We have to keep going!"
"Arrgh! I guess so..."
He still seemed pretty upset and Carole wished she'd know why. She promised earlier not to get them involved in this and she would keep that promise.
As the gang went back in front of the inn, the girl who called for help for the chocobos was waiting for them.
"You saved them! As a token, I'd like to offer you a free chocobo ride. You'd get accross the highroad much quicker for whatever business you have! Please accept!"
Everyone looked at each other. Even though they just had an early fight, they were still feeling a bit numb to walk a long way so spending time on a Chocobo's back could be good. That would also save them the trouble of being separated since chocobo riders were never attacked by monsters, too fast.
Most of the gang climbed on top of the big yellow birds but Auron and Kimahri decided to go by foot. Perfectly understandable for Kimahri. Poor chocobo! Kimahri was almost the same size than it, maybe even bigger! As for Auron, he just didn't feel as cheerful as his younger comrades.
"I'll join you on the other side of the road. To the gates of Mushroom Rock."
"Don't be late, old man or we'll leave without you!" Tidus joked.
"Hmph! Don't get too slow or I'll be there before you do."
He started walking down the road with his sword on his shoulder and Kimahri followed him after a last look at Yuna. There were enough people around her to protect her until she'd join him again.
Carole turned to Kerry.
"Ready?"
The girl seemed a little worried and scared.
"I... I never..."
"No problem, just hop on mine with me. It's stronger than it looks! The two of us together shouldn't be much heavier than Wakka alone."
"Hey!" The blitzer replied offended.
"Just kidding, Wakka!" the SeeD assured with a smile.
Carole pushed Kerry on the Chocobo's back which let out a nice 'kweh!' and tilted it's head to Kerry.
"Scratch it, that'll show you're a friend."
Kerry raised a shaking hand to the bird's head and started scratching the back of the head lightly but seeing the chocobo seemed to enjoy it a lot, she gained more confidence and scratched it a little more. When she stopped, the chocobo jumped up a few times with happy 'kwehs' along. Kerry held on tight not to fall but she laughed. It was better than anything she ever did before.
Once the chocobo stopped jumping up, Carole rubbed it's neck then climbed behind Kerry. The others were already riding, only waiting for her.
"Set?" she asked her friend.
The girl nodded quickly, unable to wait any longer for the chocobo to start moving.
"Alright, let's go!"
The many chocobos started moving one after the other at great speed so the people had to hang on tight. Most of them never rode a chocobo before. The SeeDs tried it often as part of the training, but the others including Adam, Dave and Kerry, never had that chance. They were nervous at first, but like Kerry, gained confidence in their chocobo and relaxed. The bird was trained to carry people and also to assure them a safe trip so they would not make unnecessary moves that could cause their rider to fall.
The chocobos were 'kwehing' all the way with joy like it's been ages since they last gave rides to people. They jumped small cliffs as if they knew their riders were in a hurry. Carole was hanging on the feathers in the chocobo's neck, pressing against Kerry to keep her from moving at all. Kerry had to keep her eyes half-closed because of the wind blowing in her eyes. She turned her head up to her older friend and saw that she didn't seem to have that sort of trouble.
"Don't your eyes hurt C-chan?"
"Not at all," Carole answered still looking in front of her. "I'm used to that and you'll have to be too. Getting blinded by wind or the sun during a fight could be a fatal mistake. I wear lences anyway but I'll have to put something on them later or they'll get dry. That could be bad for my eyes."
"I see."
Kerry seemed to never get tired of hearing Carole speak. Like she always wanted to learn something more. Since she was young, it was perfectly understandable but in fact, she was only curious to know a bit more of her mentor. She didn't know she wore lences.
"You wore glasses before?"
"Yup! But when I changed by clothes, I changed the whole, letting my hair loose for example. That's what I like about chocobo rides: it's being blown back. I really like that."
She closed her eyes a moment to let the wind carress her face but it only reminded her of Squall's hands so she opened her eyes with a serious face to hide her nostalgia and focused on the road ahead.
Another chocobo came next to hers.
"Hey!" a voice called.
Carole and Kerry turned their head aside and saw Tidus waving at them.
"Hey!" Carole waved back.
"Slow down or we're gonna lose everyone!" Tidus said with a giggle.
Carole looked behind her and noticed the others were a bit far back. Since most were experimenting chocobo riding for the first time, they were still in the taming phase.
"Oups..." Carole said a bit shameful.
She gently pulled on the chocobo's feathers to slow it down. It complained a bit like it wanted to go fast but it obeyed it's rider. Tidus slowed down as well to keep up with her.
"This isn't your first time, isn't it?" Tidus asked.
"No, we also have chocobos in our world."
"We're not that different, aren't we?"
"That's true. But it is your first time, am I right?"
"How did you guess?"
"You're holding it too tight. You're gonna hurt it or make it mad."
The chocobo did seem a little upset. Like it had enough of this squeezing, it suddenly stopped and jumped with an angry 'kweh!'
"Woah!" Tidus barely had the time to exclaim before being thrown down the bird.
Carole stopped hers and went back to him. The chocobo was sulking and Tidus was rubbing his behind.
"Ouch," he complained.
"I told you!" Carole said burying a laugh. "It's a living thing so you have to be gentle.
She started to disembark but Kerry did before she could and walked to Tidus's angry chocobo.
"Watch it, K-chan! It can really get mad sometimes."
Kerry didn't respond and just walked to the bird, both hands up.
"It's alright," she said to the chocobo.
The big bird looked at her with an angry face but didn't do anything seeing she wasn't threatening. Kerry walked slowly with swift moves, never quick not to scare it.
"Easy," she said with a soft voice.
The chocobo turned to her completely and looked at her curiously. She raised one of her hands, palm first to the bird's head.
The other riders arrived in the meantime and Carole signalled for them to keep quiet and still, never leaving her eyes off the scene. It was almost hypnotizing.
The chocobo raised it's head first and Kerry stopped. Carole was holding her breath, thinking what she would do if the creature would decide to bite her hand off.
Kerry looked at the chocobo right in the eyes, allowing it to see her thoughts. The bird and her seemed to be breathing as one for a moment, then the chocobo lowered it's head and allowed her to rub it with a happy 'kweh!'
"Wow..." Tidus trailed off.
The others were all speechless. She tamed an angry chocobo! No one could claim ever doing that!
Carole dismounted and slowly walked to her pupil.
"How..." she started unable to continue.
"I always had that gift with animals. I guess that's why our own didn't get mad at me."
"It's amazing! Can you do that with any animal?"
"Nearly. Only monsters are off my reach but sometimes, I wish I could talk to them, understand them. I pity them even though I know they attack humans."
"Are we going to spend the rest of the day here?" Lulu interrupted. "That's fascinating but if we don't hurry, Kimahri and Auron are going to be there before us."
"You're just mad because you're not comfortable on your chocobo," Yuna giggled.
With her heavy dress and the many belts covering the skirt, it wasn't easy to move. Like Yuna, she had to keep her legs on the same side of the chocobo, not allowing it to go very fast and with the weight always pulling her down, she was constantly afraid of falling.
"Are we in that a hurry?" Tidus asked getting back on his chocobo after thanking Kerry.
"We must reach Djose soon, ya? Another temple to visit. While we waste time here, Sin destroys other towns."
"I guess you have a point... I'm sorry boy," Tidus said scratching the chocobo's neck.
It seemed to have forgiven him.
"Let's go then," Carole said helping Kerry back on the chocobo before climbing behind her.
The chocobo riders started moving again on the road.
The day was going by when they reached a gate guarded with two people. They disembarked and the chocobos almost reluctantly went to a fence and then to some food a chocobo handler gave them.
There was a carriage in front of the gate and some nasty noises coming from inside.
"What's in that thing?" Selphie asked.
"Who knows?"
"That's a shame!" someone exclaimed from the gate.
A woman and a big guy were facing a guard who seemed to keep them from going through.
"Sorry m'am. No one is allowed to pass until Operation Mi'ihen is over."
"You would dare to interrupt a summoner's pilgrimage?"
"Sorry m'am, no one may pass."
"Foolishness!" the woman said before turning her back on the guard and going aside to the fence.
Then she caught sight of Yuna.
"They won't even let summoners through," she said.
"Who's that?" Carole asked in a whisper?
"That's Dona," Tidus answered in a whisper as well. "She's another summoner and that muscle head is her Guardian, Barthello."
"Just him?"
"Yeah, she made fun of Yuna in Kilika temple for having so many Guardians."
"Mmph... I don't like her..."
"It seems you like to surround yourself with a lot of people, Yuna," Dona started.
She scanned the crew and frowned.
"They look like cold-hearted killers to me."
"What the hell?" Zell started raising a fist.
Rachel stopped him from doing anything rash.
"And short-tempered as well. Where are your Ronso friend and sir Auron?"
"Right here," a voice cut in.
Auron walked forward with Kimahri right behind. Kimahri went to Yuna's side and folded his arms.
"To have so many guardians... Maybe you'll be lucky enough to make it to Zanarkand but how many will be left?"
"We're not her guardians," Carole interrupted. "We have our own quest it just happens that we're going the same way."
"They're my friends, what is wrong in travelling with friends?"
"The only thing wrong is wasting time talking to that stupid girl and her no-brain guardian!" Tidus said. "Let's see what we can do with those guards."
He went towards the gate as Dona was tracing him with a mad frown.
"Some of your guardian should know their place..."
She walked away with Barthello behind.
"What's with her?!" Selphie asked.
"I like her outfit," Irvine joked.
"Irvy!"
"Come on, you know you're the only one for me!"
The rest of the group followed Tidus. The carriage moved through the gate with the nasty sound ringing again inside. The guard caught sight of Yuna. She stepped forward with her guardians while Carole and her crew stayed a bit behind.
"Hey, you're a summoner and her guardians, right? Sorry for the inconvenience."
"Could you tell us about this operation?"
"Saw that carriage?"
"What was in it?" Wakka asked.
"A Sin spawn."
"A what?" Tidus exclaimed.
"We are gathering spawns here to lure Sin here since Sin always comes back for it's spawns. Then we have Al Behd firing a huge cannon at it! The Crusaders are participating as well."
"Al Behd?!" Wakka exclaimed.
"Defeating Sin is our common goal," the guard said. "They are proving themselves useful."
He pointed the guard next to him.
"If you have any spare money, we'd accept a donation to help us."
Carole stepped forward and handed some gils to the guard. It was the same money they were using and she still had plenty left from her last payment.
"Thank you very much," the guard said. "Your money will be put to good use."
Yuna turned from the guard to her guardians.
"We can't get through so I guess we'll have to wait..."
"Let them through!" a voice said.
Everyone turned to the gate and from the other side of it, a familiar face was coming to them.
"Isn't that Seymour we saw in Luca?"
"Yeah, that's him..." Tidus said frowning.
He didn't like Seymour at all, neither did the SeeDs. All felt that he shouldn't be trusted.
"Maester Seymour!" the guard exclaimed.
"Lady Yuna and her friends are my guest. I'll take them to the Command Center."
The guard bowed to the Maester of Yevon and let the crew pass to join Seymour. "Come with me, this way," he said.
They took a separate road going down to the left while the main road was going further.
"Operation Mi'ihen is really important for both Yevon's children and the Al Behd..."
"But... The teachings! They're using Machina!"
"Pretend you didn't see it."
Yuna and her guardians appeared in shock.
"Maester Seymour! Should you say somethin' like that?"
"Pretend I didn't say it then. We all have the same goal: defeat Sin so why not work together to achieve it?"
"I can't believe it!" Wakka exclaimed.
Seymour smiled and walked forward.
Carole frowned. From what she knew, Yevon and Al Behd were not good together but Seymour seemed to think it wasn't bad, that it was right. Personnaly, she agreed, but others didn't seem to.
"I guess we have no choice, I'm going." Carole said.
She walked after Seymour, holding her necklace. There was something, a strange feeling that didn't want to go away. She couldn't tell what it was. Was it a warning or the feeling that this was it? That she would finally find him?
"I'm going too, C-chan."
Carole never doubted that. She felt like Kerry would follow her to hell if it was needed. She just hoped it would not happen.
The rest of Carole's friends followed their leader. Yuna walked in as well, with her guardians but Wakka seemed reluctant. Then he followed as well, not forgetting his role as a summoner's guardian.
The rock road was hard under the feet of people not used to it but the group still managed. Rachel was thinking her sister was going faster than usual. She was always fast but she seemed nervous.
"Wait up Carole, there's no rush!"
Kerry had a hard time to keep up with her but she tried. Carole stopped all of a sudden, nearly causing Kerry to bump into her. The SeeD shook her head.
"Sorry about that, I was..."
She wasn't sure what's gotten into her. She felt dragged to that place wherever it was, and called as well, but the call wasn't coming from the same way she was being dragged to. What was happening to her, she had no clue but she wanted it to stop quickly before it would drive her nuts.
"What's wrong?" Audrey asked. "You look weird!"
"I'm sorry I just... I feel like I'm gonna..."
She shook her head.
"Nevermind, let's get going!"
She started walking again at a slower pace and Kerry could finally slow down as well.
They walked in separate groups once more. Carole in the front with Kerry, Tidus and Audrey, worried for her friend, but also hasty to see if they would find their remaining friends soon. Adam joined in as well. Yuna and her guardians were in the center and the others in the back: Dave, Quistis, Rachel, Zell, Irvine and Selphie.
Along the way, they encountered some monsters easily dealt with, and Crusaders giving them some stuff that could be useful to them.
They climbed on rising pillars with Yevon signs on it, they climbed hills, fought more monsters for a while until they noticed Luzzu running in front of them. They arrived next to a Machina that looked like an elevator to the SeeDs and their friends. A bit farther, Luzzu was standing.
Yuna and her guardians went to him since he was a friend. The others remained a bit aside. They started talking about the past. Then Luzzu decided to say something he kept for himself for too long.
"About your brother," he told Wakka. "I was the one who convinced Chappu to join the Crusaders that day."
"Luzzu!" Lulu exclaimed.
Wakka clenched his fist and hit Luzzu across the face so hard he lost his balance and fell.
"Ouch!" Zell said.
"Chappu said... That after the tournament, he'd propose to Lulu..."
Lulu was looking away with sadness, her hands together on her skirt.
"But he also said," Luzzu started getting up. "Being with your girl is nice, but being able to keep Sin away from her is better."
Wakka turned to Lulu and she looked up to him.
"You knew?" he asked.
"Luzzu told me before we left Besaid."
"She hit me too," Luzzu said with a laugh.
He walked towards the elevator.
"Hey Luzzu!" Wakka called.
Luzzu spun around.
"Don't die out there!"
"So you can hit me more?"
"Lots, lots more!" Wakka said punching his forearm.
"Aww, that was so sweet!" Selphie said on the verge of tears.
Carole understood the feeling only too well. The guy sacrificed his life for the one he loved, she would do the same if there ever would be a need. She'd give her life away for any of her friends, like she said during her exam what seemed like so long ago.
Once they were done putting themselves together, they stepped on the elevator to be brought up. Then they disembarked and walked through a bunch of cages containing Sin spawns and some small cannons scattered next to a cliff. Wakka walked to one of them and kicked it hard.
"Damn Machina! Ow!"
He started jumping on a single foot, holding the one he kicked the Machina with. He still couldn't believe this was happening. The Crusaders and Al Behd teaming up for the same goal: defeating Sin.
They were all looking around, wondering if it would work. Quistis held her chin in her palm, not so sure about it. They had a quick look of Sin on the vessel to Kilika and it seemed too big to be defeated by such small weaponry.
As they were looking around, they could see Al Behd working on the cannons.
"Wait... huh... Feyd!" a familiar voice said to someone else.
The SeeDs and their friends all widened their eyes and looked at one cannon in particular where an Al Behd was working with a young man wearing a grey trench coat.
"Oh Hyne!" Quistis whispered.
"Seifer!" Audrey exclaimed running towards the young man.
Seifer looked up and his face lightened up as his jaw dropped when he saw the group and the girl running to him. He stood up and opened his arms to the running girl who jumped into them. He held her tight as she was burrying her face in his chest, tears rolling down her eyes.
The others quickly joined her with smiles and exclamations of joy. Left behind, Yuna and her guardians were looking at the reunion.
"That should only leave two left," Tidus thought outloud.
"How did you find me?" Seifer asked.
"We followed a summoner and her guardians and we ended up here! Oh I missed you so much!"
Seifer looked up at the others.
"It's so good to see you again! And I know someone who's gonna be glad to see you, Carole."
The girl held her necklace on an impulse and felt her heart beat a bit faster with hope.
"Everyone!" A female voice called.
They all turned around and saw Rinoa running to them.
"Adam!"
"Rinoa!"
The two jumped into each other's arms and held tight before kissing. Carole had a smile but also felt a bit of pain. He should be here as well, but where?
"I thought I'd never see you again..." Adam said holding tight.
"I was sure I would see you again, that you would not leave me!"
"What are you doing here?" Zell asked the two.
"We appeared around here and we were completely lost. These people called the Crusaders took us in and shared food with us with the condition we'd help," Seifer explained. "They were more than kind, the Al Behd as well but I hear they're not welcome anywhere."
Carole was on the verge of bursting up as she was looking around. Veronique said they were together and there were Seifer and Rinoa so there was only Squall left. Where was he?
Rachel turned her head and suddenly she froze. Her face took a surprised expression then a smile appeared.
"Carole..." she said to attract her attention.
The girl turned to her sister and followed her gaze. Then it was her turn to freeze. Her head started buzzing and she felt the heat get stronger and stronger she feared she would faint. There he was, just around the corner of those cloth panels. He was looking at her almost with the same expression she had except he had a smile of relief. Her feet felt like stone, they refused to move, her heart was pounding she thought it was shaking the ground. All her friends were looking at her feeling happy for her. Finally after what seemed like so long to her, he was there. After she felt so lonely even though she was surrounded by friends, there he was to make it all better, like nothing ever happened. She had to move, she had to go to him, but it was as if her soul left her body from the overjoy.
"Squall..." she whispered.
One or her foot finally moved but too slow, like she was disconnected from it. Her face changed for a wide smile as tears filled her eyes and flowed down her cheeks like she has been keeping them in for a very long time.
A/N: That will be enough... hehe... sorry it took so long to write this one but I got confused and lacked inspiration for a time... But now it's back and lots of action is coming! Turned of events as well! I'll try and make it fast! Oh and don't forget to review!