So I sent out some reviews and whatnot. I hope they made it through. Site's acting up once more. I'm just now getting alerts from things that are over two weeks old. Well, like last time and every future chapter, story is mine, characters are not. They belong to the wonderful people at Square-Enix.
Be prepared. This chapter most certainly fits the T rating. It's the one thing I know many of you have been waiting for. But that also means this story is drawing to a close. I know, I know, I hate to see them end too.
--
Auron held her out at arms length staring. Had she just said what he thought she did?
"Auron, kill me, please?" She repeated softly.
He sighed deeply as he let her go and turned around to face the sky once more. "I can't do that."
"You must!" She urged. "If I am allowed to live Spira will be destroyed."
"Rikku, you cannot destroy Spira. Nothing you say will change that fact."
"I carry Sin." She replied.
Auron spun quickly. Nothing, except that.
--
Yuna and Tidus were doing their best to try and make Cid feel better. After the very short conversation on deck with Rikku, Auron had stormed off to talk to the leader. He now stood to one side watching the teens attempting to comfort him.
Lulu and Wakka were busy talking to Rikku in her cabin. She was sitting on her bed unemotional. It was disturbing to say the least.
"Rikku, what you have said simply cannot be true. Perhaps you are mistaken."
"Ya, everyone knows Sin can't come back, right?" Wakka added.
Rikku glared at them. She stood from her bed and used one finger to point at them as she yelled. "Is that so? Fine, where's Seymour? Tell me what happened to him. Where did he go, huh? I know what I saw and heard."
"But Rikku, Lady Yunalesca died one thousand years ago, ya."
"You think I don't know that! But she was there! And then she changed Seymour into something else."
"A ghost?" Lulu questioned in thought. "We did fight some as we made our way through the stadium. Maybe Rikku isn't so wrong after all. Whatever Seymour planned, wasn't thought up in only the few minutes he was there. I'm sure it took him many years for it all to fall into place."
Before Rikku had a chance to say more, there was a knock on her door. Wakka moved to answer it.
"Hello, Wakka, Lulu." Yuna greeted as she entered. "Might I talk to Rikku alone for a moment?"
"Sure thing, ya." "Of course." They answered at the same time.
Rikku watched confused as they left and Yuna waited until the door was tightly closed before speaking.
"Why?" One word, but Rikku knew exactly what she was asking.
"I'm scared, Yunie. I'm a summoner too, but not like you. I carry Sin. Do you know what that means? I have the ability to destroy Spira if I am allowed to live."
"We won't let that happen. Can't let it happen." Yuna told her as her tone was filled with determination.
"Yunie, can I ask you something?" Rikku looked to the floor as if she were afraid to be laughed at.
"Anything. What's on your mind?"
"Do..can aeons... talk to you?"
"Mine do. They helped me as we tried to rescue you. They see things we cannot. So with their help, we were able to know where Seymour was going."
"I see." She hung her head before falling to the floor at Yuna's feet and wrapping her arms around her legs. Tears began pooling in her eyes before falling down her cheeks. "I don't want to die!" She cried out.
Yuna gasped before dropping next to the young Al Bhed and wrapping her arms around her. "We won't let you."
The door opened once more as Auron entered the room. He had heard Rikku's last words from outside in the hall. His heart broke as he noticed how scared she appeared. He stood in the doorway waiting to be noticed. Yuna lifted her head after several moments and noticed him standing there. She pulled away from Rikku. "Rikku, I have to go now. I'll be back later, okay?"
"Wait, Yunie." She tried to protest. Yuna stood anyway and that was when she saw Auron. Quick as she could, Rikku tried to dry away the tears on her cheeks.
The door closed as Yuna left and Auron entered into the room. "You don't have to try and be strong now. You will break if you do." He advised in a whisper.
"What about you? You're always strong, no matter what."
"And I am a broken man."
They stared at one another until Rikku had to look away. "How's pop?"
"He will recover in time. The man has been through a lot. He is no stranger to pain."
"Auron?" She struggled to pull herself to her feet. He did not help her knowing she wanted to do this little thing on her own. "You know what you must do now, don't you?"
"I do."
"Then I want you to promise me something." Suddenly it wasn't as if she were a sixteen year old girl anymore. Rikku began taking on the qualities of someone much older. Someone who had been though much more then she should have. "I want you to promise me that no matter what happens, you won't give up on life."
He was silent as if thinking about her request. "I can't make that promise, Rikku."
She looked away. She should have known he would say something like that. "I understand, I guess. Then could you do me one favor before we stop?"
"Name it."
She stalled unsure if he would even grant her request. If he turned her down, she could live with it, but it would not be easy. "Could you...maybe, show me what it's like to truly be loved?"
He didn't say anything. Rikku held her breath as she waited for his answer. She closed her eyes next not wanting to see the disappointment on his face by her question. She was about to turn away when a pair of lips covered her own. They were very gentle allowing her to take control if she desired. She did so as one arm snaked around the back of his neck pulling him deeper into the kiss.
Now sure this was what she really wanted, Auron's arms wrapped around her waist as he carefully led them over to her bed. He brought one hand up and cupped the back of her head as he lay her down. Yet the kiss was never broken. He felt as his coat was pulled back from his shoulders. He moved to make it easier for her to slide it off of him.
The shirt was next to go. They had to break away as she pulled it over his head. He took the opportunity to ask his question. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
Breathless, but smiling, Rikku answered him. "Never have I been so sure in my life."
With a nod, Auron continued kissing her. He moved away from her lips and down the side of her neck. He grinned to himself when she let out a husky moan. His hand reached up and grabbed hold of one breast through the clothing. It was not enough though, and he found himself reaching into the shirt to get to the soft skin underneath.
Rikku removed her own shirt giving him more access to her body. She could tell he was moving slow for her sake, moving slow enough for her to be in control. It was something new that she never was able to experience before. Seymour was always the one that decided what was to be done.
Pants were removed next, and Auron took note at how she seemed to know just how to pleasure him in ways that he would have never thought himself. He supposed it had to do with the time she spent with Seymour. He himself was more then happy with the role he had taken up. By temple standards, monks were not allowed to engage in activities such as this. His first day included a vow of chastity. Yet, here was a girl, much younger then himself showing him what to do. He almost laughed at the idea. Instead he leaned over her taking in the view of her now nude form under him. He closed his eyes as he took one breast in his mouth and rolling his tongue over top of it.
More moans escaped from the woman under him and he felt as her hips were thrust closer to his own. His hand trailed down her side and stopped between her legs. Her breath hitched for a moment at the feeling of pleasure that exploded from his touch. She pouted for only a moment as the fingers were removed and he took her lips with his own as he carefully entered her.
He heard her whisper his name several times as he thrust within her, each time a melody he never thought he would hear. Her nails dug into the flesh on his back as she peaked leaving little crescent shaped scars were she touched. He winced for a moment before she let go panting but smiling. But they were not done yet. Twice more she dug in as pleasure overwhelmed her small frame.
He collapsed on top of her tired and worn out from the activity. He was not yet ready to move and it seemed as she was not yet ready to let him go. She placed feather light kisses along his jaw as she whispered a quiet 'thank you' into his ear.
--
They stopped in the Calm Lands to rest. After everything that happened they all needed the break.
"Don't you kids go too far now." Cid warned them as the began leaving the ship. "Once we are done refueling we are going home."
Every head nodded at his warning, but no one noticed the youngest of the group slip off the ship at the first chance she had. After her lovemaking with Auron, she couldn't take the taunts from the aeon that lived inside her. That was why she had asked her cousin if her aeons talked. During the time alone with Auron, she was able to block out his words because the pleasure and joy she felt overrode them.
But now that it was all over, it was not so easy. She saw the open fields in front of her and her long legs began to run.
"You cannot hide. Wherever you go, I am a part of you. I will always be there."
"Stop!" She shouted not caring is she sounded crazy by the fact she was shouting to the air. "I won't let you destroy us."
"You can't stop me. I will be Sin, and you will have been the one to help." Seymour knew that if he could push her just a little more, she would summon him if only to rid herself of him. And once she did that, he would travel Spira gathering pyerflies to make himself stronger.
She was on the edge now. Both mentally and physically. All she had to do was look down, and sharp rocks and cliff lay below her. "If I jump, you come with me. My death means yours as well." She warned.
"I would advise against that." She could have sworn it sounded like he was hissing at her. But Seymour never hissed, did he?
"And what can you do about it?" She stood on the edge slowly moving closer inching along. Her fists were held straight at her sides, a picture of anger and frustration. "As long as you are trapped inside me, you can harm no one."
"Is that so?"
Pain like she had never felt before took hold of her. Her hands flew up to grab hold of the sides of her head. It was a pounding, pulsing pain. Her vision began to swim, and she had trouble finding up from down. "What...what did...you..do?" She managed to whisper out.
"Simple. Start with one part summoner, add another dark summoner turn aeon, and you have pain." She could almost hear him laughing at her inside her mind.
She rolled over onto her back and stared up at the sky. It was blurry at best. It was time to end this. She attempted to roll back over and crawl for the edge, but every time she did, he would send more spasms of pain at her. Unable to take any more, she struggled to her feet and began the motions to call him. It was the only was to release herself from his grip.
Lights circled her as they raised upward to the sky. They turned blue and began to form a long lean body. The head was formed first closely followed by a long neck. The top of his head was adorned with two large horns that protruded to either side. A little farther along his body where one would picture shoulders to be, was a short set of arms. Each arm ended in five long talons. The body continued and on his back was a set of wings that glistened when hit by the light of the sun. Finally the end of the body was formed. A sleek tail of green and blue ended the beauty that was called 'The Final Summon'.
He turned his head to Rikku and she gasped when red eyes stared down at her. "What have I done?" She cried in horror.
As if to answer her, he reached down and picked up her small body.
--
Cid and Auron sat outside in the shade of the airship. Auron had tried to explain the new relationship he had started with the leader's daughter. Cid had yet to answer on how he felt about it yet.
"Why her? Why my little girl?" Cid finally asked.
"I'm not quite sure of that answer myself. Perhaps it began as something akin to pity. But for some reason, I gave everything I was up to protect her. At the time I tried to assure myself it was because of what I could not do for her years ago. Rikku is... She is a remarkable young woman in many ways."
"You got that right." Cid agreed. "But she is sixteen, an adult now. I suppose she is old enough to make her own decisions. Truth is, you kinda grew on me as well. And if Rikku found you trustworthy, I suppose I can too. Just one thing..." He trailed off waiting for Auron to respond.
"And that would be?"
"She's been through a lot. Don't hurt her."
"You have my word."
"Good! It's settled then!" Cid stood content knowing that his daughter would be in good hands.
A scream brought them running to the other side of the airship before they could do anything else.
"What? What's going on?" Cid shouted to the people gathered in the agency.
A woman pointed into the distance where they could see something flying towards them at high speeds.
"What is that?" Yuna asked as she ran up to see if there was something she could do.
Auron concentrated on looking deeper. A pained "No." slipped past his lips.
"Sir Auron? What is it?" Lulu had approached with Wakka at her side and heard him first.
"She has done it. Rikku has called upon Sin. We must fight!"
"You can't be serious, ya?" Wakka protested. "Look! It's holding something!" Wakka pointed to the aeon that was steadily coming closer.
All eyes turned to see what he was talking about. Cid shouted first. "Rikku! That monster has my little girl!"
"Yuna, aeon. Slow him down." Auron took charge of the battle seeing as he was the tactician of the group. "The rest of you, gather your weapons quickly!"
They all nodded before running into the ship. It only took a moment before they came rushing back out. Bahamut was already fighting the Seymour/aeon and starting to weary. Rikku had been dropped to the ground seconds into the fight, forgotten.
"Yuna, dismiss him before he is beaten."
Yuna turned and nodded at the command. Bahamut leaped backwards and disappeared. Wakka, and Lulu ran up next to Yuna. They began to cast spells and attack right away. Seymour seemed to weaken and Tidus cheered thinking they would have an easy victory. But Auron and Cid knew better.
He was hesitating. Auron called the front line back and told Tidus to run up as he joined him. "Overdrive, now!"
"You got it, Boss!" Tidus squatted down before running in. "I've been saving this one for you!"
Auron shook his head. Where the kid came up with things like that was beyond him. However, the attack was not enough to defeat Seymour/aeon. He backed away and began flying in the direction of Gagazet.
"We have to stop him!" Tidus yelled.
"Alright, everyone back in the ship!" Cid ordered, but one person stayed behind.
Auron sheathed his sword on his back and strolled over to where Rikku lay in the grass. She wasn't moving and he doubted she was even breathing. He dropped to his knees next to her. "Rikku? Rikku, can you hear me?"
No response.
--
Seymour felt the wind as it passed over the scales of his body. His mouth pulled back in a smile revealing rows of sharp teeth. Gagazet was so close. Once all the Ronso who lived on the mountain were dead, he would absorb the pyerflies and create an armor for himself. The battle in the Calm lands hurt him, but not so much that he was unable to escape.
Ronso gathered below him ready for the ensuing battle. They were warriors, they would not run in the face of death. That was what he was hoping for. It did not last long, and the Ronso didn't stand a chance. Even before Cid's airship could arrive, the mountain was long dead.
Cid and the crew watched in horror as he gathered the floating pyerflies to himself and they began to build a hard shell around his body.
Auron strode onto the bridge as everyone was leaning against the window as if it would help them to see what was going on better. Yuna heard his approach and turned before gasping. In his arms he held the body of a dead girl. Pyerflies were already trying to escape from her body.
"Oh, Sir Auron." She ran to his side and cried over Rikku's body. The others were quick to join her. Even though everyone else was surrounding him shedding tears for the young woman, Auron found himself unable to do the same. He lifted his face to the Al Bhed leader seeing Cid in the same situation as himself.
"We don't have time for grieving like this." Auron stated. Perhaps when he was alone, when no one was near, he could show his grief. But right now he knew they had to stop Seymour.
Cid nodded. "That's right. Scanners say he's headed over the mountain and heading for Zanarkand. We have to hurry if we are to catch up with him."
"Agreed. We should reach Zanarkand within twenty minutes. If we fail, it won't be for lack of trying."
Tears were wiped away as they knew now was not the time to cry. They would mourn for Rikku after all the battles were over. By the time they arrived, Seymour was steadily making his way to the center of the city. The borders didn't stand a chance. Pyerflies rose up as he gathered them together to further shield himself. By now they could see his armor starting to take shape. And it was huge, about fifty times the size of himself. Two sets of transparent wings sprouted from his back Instead of hands, the armor had claws and there was a barb at the end of a short tail.
Auron spun to face a crew member who had been standing nearby. "Take Cid's daughter and lay her down inside his cabin." He ordered.
The man hesitated for a moment. The sight of pyerflies making him afraid.
"Don't force me to repeat myself."
The member jumped to listen. "Yes, sir. Right away sir." He saluted before taking Rikku. Auron watched her with a far away gaze in his eyes. His attention was brought back to the task at hand when Tidus shouted.
"Alright! Let's do this!"
--