All those who think that I've finally won out RAISE YOUR HANDS! ...well you're all wrong! I didn't get nothing...not even a tee shirt.
I want to personally thank each and everyone of you for your continued interest in the story and all of you who have submitted a review. I cant tell you how grateful I am for each and every gushing word or criticism.
The wind blew all around them, snow coating their clothing and hair, their faces reddened and frozen. Auron's eyes scanned the snow around him, looking for anything out of the ordinary and forcing his body to keep moving against the cold. He could barely hear the sound of Jecht and Braska's boots behind him as they walked, or rather trudged through the path Gagazet had set before them. Kimarhi had been right, only the strong would survive the mountain and it was already throwing everything it had at them. He closed his eyes momentarily and gritted his teeth as a particularly cold wind slapped him in his already numb face and sent his coat billowing around him. He looked back briefly as Jecht and Braska pushed on their heads down, he looked back in front of him and through the light snow that was falling from the peaks he could see what could only be considered the summit of the great mountain. It wouldn't be long until they reached the peak. He pulled his coat closer to his body and pressed on with renewed energy, his mind reliving the last few days they had spent on this sacred mountain.
He looked for a suitable place to call the night and thankfully found one quickly. Jecht saw where he was headed and the two began searching for anything to provide a fire, but nothing. Hopes all but diminished, they entered the cave Auron had spotted hurridly and crowded inside. Auron dug through his pack until he found a few wrappers for food packets, he decided the need for a fire was greater. Bunching them together, he cast fire over them and watched them sizzle and burn quickly. Jecht searched for something to keep the fire going and his only resort was a large pile of dried dung he found in the corner of the cave. With a fire set, each pulled a bit of food from their pack and began eating in silence and letting their bodies warm up before any attempt at conversation was made. Teeth chattering and bodies shivering and defrosting, they made themselves comfortable in the small cave.
"Well...I for one...am glad for these abundance of caves," Auron said shivering slightly.
"Make that two," Braska agreed and Jecht nodded. "And the Ronso really outdid themselves on preparing us."
"I haven't seen anything to make a meal out of in the entire week we've been traveling up this mountain," Auron said and pulled his coat around him tighter.
"Would've starved if it weren't for them," Jecht said gratefully and received two agreeing grunts.
"How much longer do you think it'll take," Braska ask.
"It's hard to say, judging by the detectable decrease in oxygen we're fairly high up. How much higher we need to go is any of our guesses, only the Ronso know. Whatever's left of the mountain is still not including the path we take down to Zanarkand," Auron said thinking, "My guess is a couple more days." Braska nodded and once again couldn't help but feel a sheer overload of appreciation for the magnificent guardians that had been given to him.
"Do you think we need watches," he asked and Auron thought for a moment.
"No, I think we shall be just fine without them." Braska nodded and when their meal was done, they found space apart from one another to curl up in and fall asleep. Braska woke later that night and looked around, Auron was sleeping soundly and Jecht was snoring loud enough to keep Auron from hearing much of anything. Braska smiled and slipped out of the cave and into snow outside. He sat down a bit away from the cave and reached into his pack and pulled out a sphere. He turned it on and took a deep breath.
"Hello, Yuna. I hope you are well. I wonder how old you are, now that you're watching this sphere. You must be very beautiful, like your mother. I wish I could see you." He turned, taking another breath and shaking his head to clear the thoughts that suddenly attacked his mind. He turned back around and put a smile on his face. "Oh, by the way...Jecht and Auron send their regards. So far, our journey has been very entertaining. Of course, it is a hard journey, but I have no regrets. It is the path I have chosen. Yuna, when you have grown, you will have to find your own path. Do what you must do, the way you want to do it. Doors will always open themselves to those who do. Listen close, Yuna. Your future is yours to make. Live the way you want to. Whatever way that may be, you have your father's full support. Yuna, I will always be with you." Braska walked to the sphere and turned it off before he looked around, making sure neither Auron nor Jecht were in sight before he shoved the sphere into his pack.
He walked back into the cave, his pack hitting the wall slightly and the sphere bounced out. It rolled down the path slightly before it spun like a coin on it side and made itself comfortable hidden from view in a niche. Braska was glad to note no change in either of his guardians as he settled back in for the night, he would give his pack to Auron and Jecht before the battle with Sin. They would take it back to Bevelle with them, one of them was sure to notice the sphere and possibly be curious enough to watch it. Braska only hoped that one of them would give it to Yuna at an proper time, probably Auron since he was to take her to Besaid after all of this was done. He sighed, he knew Auron would take good care of her and raise her well. He would miss his daughter dearly but knew he left her in good hands. He drifted off to sleep with those comforting thoughts and sighed softly.
In the morning they melted some snow for their morning toiletries, had their coffee, ate and were off. This day was no easier than the last seven had been. Ice was becoming more of a problem the higher up they went, especially on narrow paths. Once or twice, hearts were racing as one of them nearly slipped to his death over an icy path and they took a moment to recover before resuming. Eyes were darting back and forth for fiends and stray patches of ice, bodies were again shivering, snow plastered on their clothing and in their hair, faces red and numb. They stopped for the night and on the ninth day, they finally reached the summit of the great mountain.
Each man slightly breathless and freezing as they regained their breath. They looked at each other and felt pleased with themselves, they surely thought if they many fiends they encountered didn't kill them they would likely freeze to death. What they wouldn't give for a fire to thaw out, but they luxery would have to wait. For now, they would enjoy finally reaching a check point in the never-changing terrain around them.
Braska walked to the edge and let out a low gasp, glancing at one another Auron and Jecht went to his side. Their eyes went wide and jaws were nearly dropped as they took in the sight before them. The sight from above was far better than down below, it held a greater impact to the devastation. The thousand-year old city of Zanarkand. Jecht's eyes swept over the ruins of his old home, his heart felt like lead as it dropped to his stomach. His home was gone, it really was just ruins. There was nothing left of his little blonde haired boy who wanted to out do his father nor his beautiful caring and sweet Ashra, they only existed in his Zanarkand where he could never return. His eyes caught sight of several buildings he may have recognized and his throat tightened, he could just picture the house he had been living in where the ocean line was...and it wasn't there anymore.
Auron looked at the city in wonder but something felt off in his center. He felt as if he could barely breathe, finally setting his eyes on the holy city had sent him taking reality for a ride that it was really happening and there was nothing he could do to stop it. In the days to come they would really walk along the path of the High Summoners before them, they would enter the place where Lady Yunalesca would guide them to getting the final aeon, they would face Sin together, and Lord Braska would really depart from this world. He was torn between staying in place out of loyalty to Braska and the want to turn and run as far away from this place as he could. Loyalty won over and he remained where he stood, even though he didn't want to. He wanted to haul Braska over his shoulder and carry him back to Bevelle, bring him to Yuna and tell him to bring him to Besaid instead of him. He felt as if his entire being was being split in two from the two very different wants he had building inside of him and it was all he could do to stay put, he had to, he was a guardian and he gave his oath and promises. He would see them to the end, that's just the kind of person he was.
Auron looked at Jecht and saw the deep pain in his friend's eyes and heart, he understood completely. His own home had been destroyed, he had only gone to see it once and could barely stand looking at the destruction even though he hadn't known it as his home. Jecht was keeping a strong façade on the outside, standing straight with his arms crossed over his chest. Auron knew inside the intense pain Jecht was feeling, inside he was crying though he'd never admit it. His respect for Jecht grew ever more, he had even begun to admire him where he once hated him. He wasn't the man he took him for originally. He put a gentle hand on Jecht's shoulder and they looked at each other for a moment, complete understanding in just the gesture and each other's eyes. That's all that was needed before they both turned as Braska did and they followed him further along the trail. Jecht turned once and gave his home a last glance before he cast it out of his mind and followed Auron and Braska down a narrow pathway.
"What are they," Jecht suddenly said and Auron and Braska's attention snapped to the large wall of what looked like people and a cascading waterfall.
"I have no idea," Auron said looking at the wall cautiously, he didn't know what it was or what purpose it severed and he was a little edgy to go anywhere near it. Braska was silent for a moment as he stared at the wall.
"They're Fayth," he said and Auron and Jecht both looked at him. Braska just smiled, "I have my resources." Further confused looks from his guardians sent him chuckling as he walked away, "The aeons and I have a special link, we are able to communicate sometimes."
"Communicate," Auron asked as he followed Braska and Jecht wasn't far behind.
"Yes, little voices every now and then. They talk about all sorts of things."
"Like what," Jecht asked.
"Well...like you two for example." Auron and Jecht looked at each other.
"Us," they asked at the same time.
"Yes, the fayth know much and they are particularly interested in you Jecht."
"Me? Whatta they interested in me for?"
"Ah I'm afraid I don't really understand fully Jecht. Although I can tell you it's to do with you coming from a different Zanarkand."
"Hey! If you've known about that all along then...tell me if there's a way back!"
"There isn't...not that they know of anyway." Jecht growled.
"I bet it's got somethin to do with Sin." Auron looked at him and nodded, Braska seemed to agree. They walked in silence as they entered a large cave, their boots sounding loud among the quiet that surrounded them. Auron looked around took note of everything, especially the split in the path. He looked between the two paths and sighed.
"Which way do you think?"
"I say left," Jecht said.
"Why left?"
"Dunno...just thought we should." Auron and Braska looked at each other and shrugged, well why not? They all proceeded down the left path until they were stopped like a pool of water.
"Well now what," Auron asked becoming irritated already, he knew things were going to get harder and more frustrating and calmed himself to think clearly.
"Ain't it obvious? We go swimming," Jecht said grinning and Auron looked at Braska who glanced back at him, "What? Don't tell me you forgot how to swim Red."
"No not that...it's just...what if we are required to hold our breaths? I can't hold mine for very long..."
"Nor can I," Braska said and Jecht looked between the two of them.
"Hmmm...I see yer point." Jecht looked back at the water, "Maybe the other path had a non-water-filled path." They backtracked and followed the right path...right to a dead end. Auron sighed and looked around, trying to see if there was anything he could find to indicate another way or even possibly that this very large rock wall in front of him was actually a door. He found nothing of the sort.
"Looks like the water was our only way," he said sighing.
"Well...I sure don't want to risk being all alone in the pool...there's probably fiends there."
"Most likely," Auron said grimly and sighed.
"And none of my aeons are-wait a moment." Auron and Jecht looked at Braska and waited for him to speak. It was long moments before he finally said, "Auron and I shall wait here, and Jecht shall take an aeon with him." Now it was Auron and Jecht's turn to look at him.
"But...My Lord, all of the aeons are quite...unfit for swimming in the water." Braska's eyes twinkled and a smile formed.
"All but one, and one neither of you have seen yet." Auron and Jecht glanced at each other before they stepped back and Braska began summoning. Ice suddenly crashed behind him before Auron and Jecht's mouths dropped, their eyes wide. In the ice slid one of the most beautiful women either had ever seen. She slid perfectly into the eyes before her body became solid and the ice was crushed around her leaving her with her solid body as the only decent garment she wore flew into the air and draped over Braska's shoulders. Braska stood grinning at the expresssions of his two guardians. Jecht all but drooled, his body stiff, eyes popping, jaw dropped and hanging wide open. Auron stared at the aeon, his mind spinning, and his jaw also dropped, which Braska found far more amusing than Jecht's reaction. Auron's almost always stoic facade had been stripped completely leaving the man an open-jawed staring idiot.
"This is Shiva," Braska said holding back chuckles as one of his two guardians regained their composure. Shiva regarded both of them, gaining amusement. Human males were so easily pleased with looks.
"You're sendin me off...into the water...with her," Jecht asked looking between Braska and Shiva.
"Remember you have a job to do, so don't get distracted."
"Says the man who was openly gaping," Jecht muttered and Auron's face flushed as he cleared his throat. Shiva walked gracefully pasted both of them and enjoyed watching both tense uncomfortably. She looked at Jecht and beckoned him to follow and he did. Auron exhaled deeply as Braska looked at him and burst out laughing which only made his face flush with embarrassment as he looked away from the summoner.
Soft hair in my fingers, firm lips against mine, gentle touches, it all seemed too real. When I opened my eyes I expected to see him beside me, peace lining his beautiful face. All I received as a bright patch of sunlight where he should have been. I sighed and pushed myself out of bed, when was I going to learn? He was miles away, he would be beside me when I saw him come home. I didn't know when that day would come, but I hoped it was soon. I was beginning to have a deep need for him, I felt like something was wrong. There was something different going on and I was scared, I wanted him beside me. Sitting alone I began having moments of deep depression, feeling like the world was crushing me. I didn't know what to think about these sudden feelings.
I went to get my morning shower, nausea again flooded my being. I had been getting these spells for quite a while, I thought maybe they would pass but sometimes they seem stronger than other. I sighed and relaxed as the water felt good, but everything good has to end and it was with reluctance I began my day. I went into the kitchen to find Paine cooking breakfast and I became alarmed.
"Paine, you know you're not supposed to use the stove without my supervision!" Paine just gave me what I realized was a stare Auron used to give me, a blank look with a slight annoyance in their eyes. A pang hit me in the heart as I recalled those days and I missed Auron even more.
"I was hungry and I didn't want to wake you," she said and went about her business, "besides, I know how to cook." I watched her and she finished making breakfast and sat at the table. I blinked in surprise.
"I'm sorry..."
"It's ok," she said and began eating, "I made some for you too." I looked at the stove where there was some breakfast left and smiled.
"You know I thought I was supposed to be taking care of you."
"Sometimes we need others to take care of us," Paine said, such wise words from a child. I had to smile, she reminded me so much of Auron sometimes. The way she looked at something, her expressions, the way she spoke sometimes.
"Well that's what family is for," I said smiling and returning to my normal happy self. Paine just stopped and looked at me.
"Family...I only...kind of remember what that is."
"Tell me about it."
"I remember...my dad was killed one day...my mom never quite got over it but she would always keep a smile on her face. We would always go out and do something, always do something together. She...could bring a smile to my face even when I was sad, she was always there. I rememeber my dad a little, he was always smiling and happy. I got my hair from him and his eyes, the rest I look like my mother. Dad always use to take us to the river and we would go swimming or fish. Is that what family is?" I nodded, "What was your family like?"
"Well...my mom and pop were two completely different people. Mom was always happy and laughing and pop was...just pop. My mom and I got along great, brother was more towards pop. Me and my mom would always go do something together, often getting into trouble. Pop would always tell her she was a bad influence and then we would make fun of him and laugh...that was before a machina went on a rampage and killed her. Then I was just left with pop and Brother. Pop was always keeping us from fighting while maintaining the Al Bheds, he was their leader. I don't exactly remember how I ended up in Bevelle...but that's where I met your Uncle and lived with him for a long time...until we both left on the pilgrimage." Paine nodded as she listened.
"Uncle...must have been really lonely..."
"I don't know, you'll get the chance to learn all about him later."
"I guess so," she said and I nodded. We fell into silence and I looked out of the window and at the city.
"Are you afraid to talk to him?"
"Kind of..."
"Kind of?"
"Well...he's really tall...and kind of intimidating...he also looks...a lot like mom...except like a male version."
"I'm sorry for asking...but what was your mother's name?"
"You don't even know that," Paine asked looking at me surprised but then she thought that maybe Auron didn't know either, "Her name was Kera Loraine Farris...before she began Kera Loraine Bates." I nodded and she watched me.
"What's your full name?"
"Paine Kera Bates." I nodded and tried to picture what Kera looked like, "Wait right here." Paine said before she ran to her room and came back with a photo. She handed it to me, "I remember the nuns gave me a few photos my mother had...but...maybe this one should belong to you." I took it and looked at it and felt the irresistible urge to make cutesy noises. I took in the picture of a young girl with raven black hair and dark brown eyes, with a cute little pink dress on, holding a raven haired infant, dark and long lashes covering his eyes as he slept, only his baby face peeking out of the bundle of blankets. I couldn't help but smile, Auron was so cute as a baby...and if I brought it up his face would turn as red as his coat. Maybe I would pinch his cheek just to annoy him, I would get a swat for that.
"This is your mother?"
"Yeah, she told me she was about five when my uncle was born...I'm guessing that's him?"
"I don't know who else it would be." Paine nodded and went to go get the other pictures. We went through the pictures, some of them were of Kera's home which included several of Auron getting into trouble. His expression priceless as he was caught breaking his sister's doll, his little face saying, 'who me? I was just...surveying, I don't know how it broke...honest.' Others were of Paine growing up and I smiled as I looked through them. Kera really did look like Auron once they were grown up, both had very feminine roots in their faces though Auron was growing out of his, both had the same face structure, dark eyes, raven black hair. Paine told me some stories of the pictures of her older and I smile at how happy they all looked, and then I noticed the change in Kera and I could tell that her husband had died. I sighed and shuddered to think how I would react if Auron died, no I was not going to go there. Auron was not going to die under any circumstances.
"So...what shall we do now," I asked trying to push those thoughts away. Briefly my old memory came back to my and I saw a very irritated looking man with a scar down the right side of his face scowling at the source of his perturbance.
"Mmm...can we play a game?"
"A game? Like what?"
"Hide and seek." I smiled and nodded as Paine went to go hide and I began counting.
Jecht winced as one of the fiends slashed into his arm. Shiva sent an ice chunk through the fiends head and it stared open-mouthed at her before it vanished into a stream of pyreflies. Jecht downed a potion when they resurfaced and he took a few deep breaths and looked at Shiva.
"So...thanks for all your help. You're a great fighter." Shiva stared at him and he became uncomfortable. He waited a little longer and she said nothing so he dove back down and continued. He swam quickly until they were stopped again by fiends. He mentally growled and wished they could just continue unbothered. He drew his sword again and struck the closest fiend which howled in anger and retaliated. He only just swerved out of the way and blocked another attack with his sword like he had seen Auron do a few times. He grinned as it worked, he should pay attention more often. Jecht looked over at Shiva and realized he was the only one fighting and became annoyed.
"Hey! A little help please," he said, his voice muffled by the water slightly. Shiva looked at him and lazily cast an ice spell at a fiend and Jecht realized that she was toying with him. He growled again and finished off the fiends as they surfaced, "What is your problem anyway? You got somethin against me? Did I offend ya?" Shiva said nothing and swam away and Jecht frowned and followed before they dived under again and followed the path until they came to a dead-end.
Jecht surfaced and took a long breath as Shiva came up and looked at him, his breath caught and he looked away before he looked around at where they had come up. He shook his head as he swam around in circles, aware of the aeon just watching him. He sure wished she could speak, her silence was a little unnerving and was growing on his nerves. He looked around and had no idea what to do, puzzles were Auron's thing, Jecht was good for humor and breaking and killing things. He sighed before his eyes focused on a spot on the wall. It glowed softly and he swam towards the wall and looked up. How in Spira was he going to get all the way up there? Maybe he had to hit it, he looked at his sword and he briefly thought of using it as a javelin but decided not to in case it got stuck in the wall. He sighed before he remembered Shiva was there and he turned to look at the aeon.
"Hey...uh...'sxcuse me...Miss...Shiva?" Shiva looked at Jecht and smiled sweetly.
Yes human?
"Wait!? You can talk?"
Well of course I can.
"Well if you could speak this whole time then...oh never mind, hey, do you think you could hit that spot on the wall?"
I might. Shiva looked at the wall and her eyes narrowed before a large chunk of ice embedded itself in the wall and the entire cavern shook. Jecht looked around wild-eyed and afraid the ceiling was going to come down and he had the slightest idea that Shiva wouldn't protect him. Just then, the wall to their right slid up to reveal a very surprised looking Braska and a disheveled looking Auron who had presumably been leaning against the wall and jumped when it moved from behind him. Braska gave a slight chuckle and Auron scowled before Jecht ran to them and grinned as he saw another pathway open. Shiva looked at Braska who nodded and took her lave and Braska smiled as he looked at Jecht.
"Had trouble with Shiva did we?"
"What...how did you," Jecht spluttered and Braska laughed.
"Apparently she wasn't completely flattered and swooned by the Magnificent Jecht," Auron said grinning and moved out of Jecht's way to avoid a playful smack.
"Will all of ya just shuddup," Jecht growled and moved forward with the sound of two men laughing behind him.