Disclaimer: I own nothing! Only my characters and my stuff.
Just want to thank ALL my awesome reviewers! You are so awesome for thinking my story is awesome! XD I'm really glad you guys like Cynyr. I was afraid you wouldn't...or somehting.
But, anyways, this story is only just beginning. There is a LOT more to come. Lots of unexpected scenes, suspense, drama, eventually romance, action...alot of it too.
Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Hostage
I stood shivering, wringing my hands nervously as I stood close behind Auron. We had come to a stretch of land, after getting off the snow sliders, that was two feet wide with a twenty foot drop on each side. This would lead us to the temple, but I was afraid to cross.
"We'll cross." Auron began to say and he took a step forward, but I didn't move. I was scared stiff, although I tried not to show it, he could see it on my face.
"Don't be afraid."
"How can I not?" I exclaimed as I hugged my arms against a cold breeze. I stood there glaring at Auron and he walked towards me.
"There's no way I can cross…I'll fall."
"No you won't. I'll make sure you don't."
"How?" I asked with a shrug.
"Either I can go first or you. We'll say close together. That way if you start to fall, I'll catch you." He explained, and I pondered on this a moment. If he goes first…I'll be behind him, so if I were to fall he wouldn't have near enough time to catch me. If I were to go first he could keep an eye on me…but how do I know the road won't turn?
"I…I think I'll go first." I said slowly. "But how will-"
"I'll guide you." Auron replied before I could ask my question.
"But-" I began again.
"Cynyr." I quickly shut up.
"Do you trust me?"
My heart skipped as the memory of the D'jose road came to my mind. Then, I smiled a small smile.
"Yes."
"Good." He said with his own smile, and I began to walk forward. As soon as I stepped out on the land bridge I heard Auron stand close to me and I relaxed a little. Just a little. He didn't say anything and I slowly began to make my way out on the bridge.
The entire time I felt as though I might just step right over the edge, or when my feet touched ice, I thought I might slip and fall. Just…calm down. Auron's behind you. He'll catch you…
I trailed off as I suddenly got a mental image of Auron grabbing me around the waist as I was about to fall. I immediately began to blush, my face hot as the cold winds blew my hair about my face. I was just glad he couldn't see me.
"How much farther?" I asked.
"We've only gone five yards." I bit my lip in embarrassment and lowered my head a little.
"Oh…"
I heard him chuckle with amusement and I felt my face get hot again, so I tried to walk a little faster.
"Turn a little to the left." Auron suddenly instructed, and I quickly moved my feet in that direction. We continued on in silence.
At least Auron doesn't have to worry about slipping and falling and dying…he's already dead. I swallowed hard at the sudden thought of dead. The more I thought about it the more sorrowful I became. He's dead…and he hasn't told anyone. Not even me. Why…why does he have to be dead? I licked at my dry lips and tried to push the thoughts from my mind.
Suddenly, my foot slipped on a patch of ice and I felt empty air beneath it. I gasped as I held my hands out in front of me and my stomach flipped with a sickening feeling. Then, felt strong hands grab me around the waist. My own hands immediately shot up to grab hold of his as he carefully brought me away from the edge.
My heart was pounding so fast inside my chest I thought it would burst. My eyes wide in fear as I stood frozen in front of Auron.
"Are you alright?" Auron asked close to my ear. I flinched, not expecting this and he immediately drew away, letting go of my waist. I spun around to face him.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't realize-"
"It's fine. You didn't know there was a patch of ice there."
I immediately grew quiet. That wasn't what I had been about to apologize for, but in any case I just nodded and turned back to the road.
"We're almost there." Auron assured me as we continued on.
"Thank you…for catching me."
I heard him smile, but that was all and several minutes later we reached the end of the land bridge and had finally come to the temple. I sighed in relief and Auron began to walk past me. I quickly caught up with him, sticking close behind him so I wouldn't trip over something and fall on my face.
He's been really nice to me lately...
Suddenly, Auron stopped without warning and I bumped into him immediately. I stumbled back and rubbed my nose as I glared up at Auron in slight annoyance.
"Um…ow." I heard him turn to me and I turned my head up so I might be looking at his face.
"Add something else to your promise. Warn me when you're about to stop." I said as I crossed my arms.
"Huh. Why do you stand so close?"
I was caught off guard and for a moment I became flustered. Then, I glowered.
"Do you want me to trip and fall on my face every ten seconds?"
"Humph." With that, he turned and I began to follow him again, but not so close as before. Wait, why did he stop anyway?
"Hey, it's about time." Tidus exclaimed as we entered the temple. "What'd you guys do, argue on the way here?" I immediately shot Tidus a look and he took a step back as Wakka's laugh rang off the stone walls.
"You guys just gave the same look at Tidus, ya!"
"Wakka. We're in a temple." Lulu hissed and Wakka immediately shut up.
"Oh. Oops…sorry."
She sighed and I had to stop myself from laughing. Then, we all began to walk toward the stairs that would lead us to the Cloister of Trials. Just as we reached them, though, there was a loud bang and we all turned to a woman who began to cry out.
"A sphere of Lord Jyscal in Lady Yuna's room!" Auron immediately sauntered in the direction the room was as the rest of us quickly followed.
"Why would the lady summoner have such a thing?" I heard the woman whisper as I walked past. Sounds more like you're a nosy person.
Nonetheless, our questions were all answered once we reached the room and listened to the sphere. Upon hearing the words, "killed by my own son," and "my son has become twisted and will surely bring destruction to Spira," we all found this rather disturbing, yet not very surprising.
"Wonderful." Auron said sarcastically.
"Will Yunie be alright?" Rikke asked in a timid voice.
"Huh, without us, no." Auron then walked out of the room and we began to follow quickly and quietly. Wakka, Lulu, and Tidus stayed behind, saying something but I didn't stay to hear.
We got to the stairs and soon the others were following close behind. A guard that stood by the door suddenly asked us to halt, but before the guard to say anymore Kimahri growled and shoved the man out of the way. Pushing the door open, Kimahri fled through and the rest of us quickly followed into the icy room.
I heard some of the others pass me up and I suddenly stopped as I heard Auron speak from behind me.
"We will protect Yuna from anyone. Even a maester."
Wakka began to laugh nervously.
"Ugh, this can't be happening." Then I heard the rustle of Lulu's skirts as she stopped in front of them.
"If he is truly at fault, it must be done." There was a long silence, and then we turned to walk down the rest of the hall to another set of doors.
Upon entering, I heard footsteps run forward then abruptly stop.
"Seymour!" Tidus shouted from the front.
"Please, be silent!" Seymour spoke in an irritated voice, "Lady Yuna prays to the Fayth."
"Make me!" Tidus retorted, and then Seymour turned and I could hear his quick footsteps as he walked down a set of stairs and towards Tidus.
Nice going Tidus.
Before either man could say or do anything, the doors to the Fayth room opened and Yuna emerged with a gasp.
"Yuna!" Tidus shouted.
"But, why?" She pleaded before walking down to us.
"We saw Jyscal's sphere."
"You killed him." Auron growled.
"What of it?" Seymour retorted nonchalantly, "Lady Yuna, surely you knew of these things, did you not?" Yuna seemed to nod and Seymour spoke again.
"Then why did you come?"
"I- uh- I came to stop you." Yuna said nervously as she turned to face Seymour.
"So, you came to punish me then." Slowly, he began to turn to face us again and when he had Yuna suddenly took a step back. What's going on?
"Such a pity." Seymour said rather irritably. At this we immediately stepped up around Yuna protectively.
"Ah, of course. Protect the summoner even at the cost of one's life. The code of the guardian. How admirable." Seymour smirked. "Well, if you're offering your lives…I will have to take them." There was several footsteps as I heard some of his guards step up towards us and we all immediately withdrew our weapons.
"Maester Seymour!" Yuna suddenly began in a stronger voice. We turned a little and listened as she spoke. "I trust my guardians with my life, but they are also my friends and I won't stand by and watch them be hurt." Suddenly, she pulled out her staff
"I will fight you to!" She exclaimed.
"All right!" Tidus said with excitement.
"Maester Seymour!" Wakka suddenly cried out in a pleading tone. Ugh! Shut up Wakka! You're embarrassing yourself!
"So be it!" Seymour seethed, ignoring Wakka's outburst. With that, we engaged into battle. Kimahri, Yuna, and Tidus went up first.
"You may be a maester, but I will still fight." Yuna exclaimed.
"You're eyes!" Seymour suddenly began, "they burn with resolve…beautiful." He said this in a deep and hushed voice, causing us all to be disgusted.
"I knew you were bad news the first time I saw you!" Tidus shouted.
"Oh, my sincerest apology!" Seymour said with sarcasm.
"Maester Seymour!" Wakka cried out again, "we must stop this!" Seymour was silent and Wakka growled with frustration in his throat.
"I've had enough of this!" I exclaimed loudly, and before anyone could do or say anything I ran forward with my sword raised high. Then, I swung hard at Seymour, my blade crashing against a force field he held up with his hand and I glared up at him.
"Ah, Cynyr…you were such an…interesting woman." Seymour said slowly as I bared down on him.
"A pity you couldn't follow simply orders." Seymour smirked before suddenly throwing an invisible force upon me, knocking me to the ground.
"Cynyr!" I heard both Yuna and Tidus shout, then Tidus ran up to me and grabbed my arm. I quickly stood and lifted my sword up, but instead of attacking him again, I spat in his direction.
"You disgust me!" I hissed, then turned away as Tidus charged forward next. Seymour laughed and blocked Tidus, then Kimahri ran forward and attacked one of the guards. This killed the Guado and it fell before dispersing into a puff of Pyerflies.
Now, it was Seymour's turn and he immediately cast Blizzera on Wakka and Tidus. The two of them were hit and weakened but Wakka pulled out, replaced by Lulu who cast Thundera on the other guard. Then, Tidus pulled out, calling Auron's name and he took his place.
I heard Auron attack Seymour, actually wounding Seymour and the rest of us took this advantage to attack as well. First, Lulu cast Thundera, Tidus took a hit, Wakka threw his blitzball, and Rikku jumped over to steal a few items from him.
"You will all die!" Seymour exclaimed before healing himself. Now, I ran forward, struck and then struck again followed by the sounds of Seymour's groans of pain. Music to my ears. Suddenly, he shot his hand towards me and tried to dodge him, but he had grabbed me around the throat.
"Got you!" He laughed. I grabbed at his hand, trying to pry his claws away, but he continued to squeeze me. I gasped for breath but my lungs remained empty as my heart pounded in my chest and lights danced in front of my eyes.
"Let her go!" I suddenly heard Auron shout, and I heard him run at full speed towards Seymour. Then, his sword struck Seymour and I felt him loosen his grip on me as he screamed in agony. As soon as he did I kicked at his stomach and he doubled over as I quickly escaped.
"Thanks." I breathed as I passed Auron, and rubbed my neck as I took my place back in line. Yuna healed me and the rest of us before finally stepping up herself.
"I'm summoning." She called, and we all stepped back as she began to summon her newest Aeon, Shiva. A cold wind suddenly blew in from everywhere at once, and the Aeon appeared next to Yuna. She was as silent as soft snow flakes falling on the ground. Then, she began to attack Seymour, who screamed in pain.
"That's it!" He exclaimed, "come Anima!"
Suddenly, the ground shook and there was the sound of chains as they were being cranked upwards. We all took a step back and braced ourselves as the ground continued to shake and then there was loud roaring scream as the Aeon emerged from the ground, chains clanging together around it.
"Kill them!" Seymour shouted angrily, and Anima roared before attacking Shiva. She was wounded and Yuna had her attack again, only differently. I heard Shiva jump into the air, spin and then land as several large objects pierced the ground like giant shards of glass at Anima.
Anima roared in pain, but Shiva wasn't down yet. With a snap of her fingers the crystals exploded and Anima was weakened and wounded immensely. Yuna let Shiva go and the rest of us returned to the front to finish Anima off. It didn't take long either.
Seymour was outraged by Anima's defeat and began to attack us all at once, several times. Most of us wounded now, Yuna quickly cast Cura on us and then an immunity shield.
She backed out, and Tidus ran forward, angrily slashing out at Seymour. He cried in pain and stumbled before slumping forward in agony. Now, I ran up and gave the final blow to his head.
He fell to his knees and Yuna, a little surprised, began to run towards him, but stopped.
"Yuna…you would pity me now?" Seymour said quietly. Argh! Just die already. Yuna didn't reply to him, so he fell back upon the floor with a loud thud. Finally! Now, Yuna ran to his side to kneel beside him, checking to make sure he was really dead.
I half expected him to open his eyes and shout, "boo!" or something. Fortunately, that didn't happen.
"Oh man, I can't believe we just killed a maester of Yevon." Wakka said in shock.
Good riddance!
"He's dead." Yuna said with a small nod and began to rise from the floor.
Yes!
Suddenly, the doors burst open and in came several Guaodo, including Tromell.
Crap.
"Lord Seymour! W-what happened here?" Tromell asked with shock as he started for his fallen maester.
"W-what have I done." Wakka muttered.
"Wait a minute! It's not our fault at all!" Tidus shouted. "Seymour struck first, he's the bad guy."
"Y-you did this?" Tromell asked as he turned to the rest of us.
Great job you two.
"Yuna, send him." Auron finally said as he began to walk away. I turned my head a little in his direction. He's always walking away when she has to perform the sending…if he stayed he would surely be sent as well. I thought bitterly.
"No, wait! Stop!" Tromell shouted in a shaky voice, and we all turned to him in surprise.
"Stay away from him, traitors!" He spat and then began to walk out, the guards dragging Seymour out behind him. As soon as they left I heard Yuna fall to her knees.
"Traitors!" She whispered to herself.
"We're finished, ya." Wakka added.
"Now wait just a minute!" Tidus began angrily, "Seymour's the bad guy, right? So, we'll just explain to everyone what happened!"
"It won't be that easy." Auron pointed out. "Lets get out of here." With that, we left through the Cloister of Trials and then on down the stairs in the main part of the temple. There stood the Guado and Tromell.
"Give us a chance to explain." Auron asked.
"No, there's no need," Tromell began, "I already know what I'll tell the other maesters."
"You're not letting us go." Tidus said from behind him.
"Let you go?" Tromell asked in amusement, "Lord Seymour would never forgive us if we did."
"Wait! Jyscals sphere!" Rikku shouted, "we can show it to them!"
"What, you mean this?" Tromell suddenly held up the sphere and there was the sound of glass shattering and we all gasped in surprise.
"The Guado take care of Guado affairs."
"Away!" Kimahri growled as he swung his spear around towards Tromell.
"Run!" Auron shouted and we all immediately did as we were told, pushing past all the guards roughly as we exited the temple, our footsteps crunching loudly in the snow. As I ran with everyone else I suddenly slowed when I remembered the land bridge and the others quickly ran past me.
I can't cross it alone!
Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm from behind and I gasped in surprise.
"Got you!"
I spun around and was immediately grabbed by another guard.
"Hey! No, let me go!" I shouted as I tried to pull away, but they held me fast.
"Tie her up." One said, and before I could protest my hands were forced behind my back as they were tied tightly together.
"Untie me, now!" I shouted even louder, hoping someone might hear me and come back for me, but I heard no one come. Have they forgotten about me? I thought frightfully as I struggled to get free of the Guado.
"Ah, how convenient." I heard Tromell's voice from afar and I stopped to turn my head in his direction. I heard his footsteps approach and then I gasped as I was grabbed by the hair and pulled closer to his face. He laughed a deep throaty laugh as he stared down at me.
"My, my…it appears that we've caught ourselves a blind mouse." I growled with anger and spat at his face. He reared back, letting go of my hair and I was grabbed again by one of the guards and roughly pressed against him as I glowered in Tromell's direction.
"Ugh, you nasty creature!" Tromell exclaimed in disgust, wiping at his face.
"Nasty? Creature!" I screamed. "You're the nasty creature! You're a nasty, vile, idiotic, revolting piece of shit! Let. Me. Go. NOW!" Tromell ignored me and turned to the guard who held me. Tromell scowled.
"Cover her mouth. She'll attract fiends." As they were about to gag me he suddenly spoke again.
"Oh, and…take her sword. We wouldn't want her getting any ideas." He laughed and then my head was forced back as one of the guards quickly tied a gag around my mouth and the other took my sword. Now, I tried to kick at them, but this was immediately stopped as I was suddenly picked up and thrown like a sack of potatoes over the Guado's shoulder.
No! This isn't fair! Where is everyone?
"Let's move!" Tromell ordered, and the guards began to follow Tromell across the land bridge. Frightened immediately by the bridge, I quickly stilled as they crossed, fearing if I struggled I would fall from his shoulder and into the deep ravine.
Where is everyone? Why didn't they hear me? Are they okay? Could they have been attacked by fiends? I thought worriedly as we crossed the rest of the way across the bridge. When I heard them walking normally I began to struggle again, but they held me too tightly for it to succeed. Suddenly, I began to hear voices and recognized them to be my fellow guardians.
"There she is, ya!"
"Hey!" Tidus shouted.
"Let her go!" Auron practically roared.
"Yeah!" Rikku agreed.
"Lady Cynyr!" Yuna gasped as I was thrown harshly to the ground.
"Oh, we'll give her back," Tromell began, "on one condition." I heard the others shift as they stood ready to attack at any minute.
"I'll gladly give back your little blind pet…so long as you surrender and go on trial without argue or question." I heard their feet shuffle hesitantly and I slowly moved my head upwards.
"If not…" Tromel continued, but trailed off as he suddenly grabbed another hand full of my hair and yanked me up roughly. I cried out in pain then gasped as I felt cold, sharp metal press against my throat. "We'll kill her." Tromell smirked with triumph next to me and I heard the others drawing out their weapons.
"That's stupid!" I heard Tidus shout. Tromell shrugged.
"An eye for an eye."
"I won't let you." Auron growled as he took a step closer.
Auron...
Suddenly, I was shoved back and quickly grabbed around the waist by one of the guards behind me. I gasped in surprise as they tightened their grip around me. Tromell chuckled as he threw the knife in my direction, the guard catching it to press against my throat threateningly.
"Do we have a deal?" Tromell asked again.
"Hell no!" Tidus shouted as he waved his sword. I clenched my teeth in determination as I shifted my weight to one foot.
"So, you would rather kill her?" Tromell was saying with slight surprise. With all my weight on one foot I used my other to kick up and behind me at the knee of the Guado. His knee buckled. "Hey." He growled, but before he could do anything I did the same to his other knee. He was on the ground in seconds.
"Grab her!" Tromell shouted angrily as I brought my tied hands up over my legs. I heard another guard run at me, swinging my sword towards me in a downward motion. I ducked as I ran towards him and stopped just under the blade as I held my hands up. In seconds the rope was cut and my hands were freed.
"Thanks." I smirked, then kicked the guard hard in the stomach.
"Cynyr. Catch!" Tidus shouted from behind me. I listened as his sword whistled through the air, but I didn't know when to grab it, so I waited for it to hit the ground. Suddenly, I heard footsteps from behind me and quickly turned to him instead. I swung my fist at his face, but he quickly caught it in his hand and I immediately kneed him in the crotch.
As he fell to the ground I heard Tidus's sword sink into the ground beside me and I quickly grabbed it while ducking as another guard ran at me. I heard the others behind me immediately take action and I heard the guard in front of me swing a sword at me. I ducked again and realized it was the same one who had my sword.
Now, the air was filled with battle noises as swords clashed, spells were cast, grunts and groans, shouts, and cries echoed around us.
Finally, I knocked my sword out of the guard's hand and pointed Tidus's sword at his chest. The Guado cried out in fear and quickly turned and fled. I smirked as I bent down and took my blade, then, I called out to Tidus.
"Your sword!" I shouted.
"Throw it!" Tidus called back. I hesitated at first, but then I swung the blade hard in his direction and- he caught it.
"Nice catch!" I shouted.
"Nice throw!"
Now, it was just Tromell and us. He stood with his knees knocking, fear in his voice as he spoke.
"Stop! Don't hurt me!" I couldn't help but laugh as I pointed my sword at his chest.
"Why not?" Tidus asked with a snort. Before Tromell could answer he suddenly turned and fled while we just stood back and watched- well in my case, I listened.
"Dirt bag!" Rikku called after him.
"Rikku!" Auron snapped, causing Rikku to squeak in fright then quickly shut up. Then, from behind us there was an enormous roar and the ground began to shake violently.
"Whoa!" Both Rikku and Tidus exclaimed as we all turned with our weapons ready.
"What is it?" I asked.
"It's the Abominable Snowman!" Rikku shouted in awe.
Right…
The beast roared again and came stomping through the snow towards us. We immediately stood in our battle stances and began to fight. Auron, Lulu, and Rikku ran up first, giving the beast all they had. Lulu casting spells, Rikku stealing from it and using some of her techniques, and Auron wounding it with his large katana.
"Hey, I got a lot of stuff!" Rikku suddenly exclaimed after stealing from it.
"Rikku, pay attention." Lulu scolded.
"Sorry!"
Then, Lulu began to cast Thundera upon the beast and it growled loudly in pain, reminding me of a bear. Auron was about to take the next hit, but paused when the beast suddenly stumbled back and growled low in his throat. We tensed up as we waited for what it would do next.
Suddenly, with a huge fist, it pounded the ice beneath us, breaking it immediately with a loud crack. We all gasped as we felt the ground fall away from under us, then immediately went down with it.
I really enjoyed writing this chapter for some reason. :) So, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.
I loved the part when Wakka starts laughing in the temple and Lulu scolds him. It reminded me of a little kid at church or something. Haha
Anyways, please review what you think. I love to hear what everyone's opinion is. :)