Here we go! Chapter Twenty-Six! Hope you'll enjoy! I hear wedding bells in the near future. ;)

Chapter Twenty-Six

~Cynyr~

Despite my request to remain alone inside Paine's room, there was a knock on the door and Auron walked in holding a tray of food and drink. I turned away from him as he entered the room, too depressed to say anything to him.

"Are you alright?" He asked as I heard him set the tray down on the table across the room. I didn't move and he came towards only to stop abruptly. I waited. I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling the tears come.

"What...happened to your wings?" He asked, panic and confusion in his voice. I clenched and unclenched my my jaw as I tried to find the right words, but there was no other way to say it.

"They're gone."

"What? What do you mean gone?" Finally, I turned and sat up slowly. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and watched as several ashen tipped feathers fell to the floor; the only thing left that remained of my wings, and I bent to pick one up.

"Shadow managed to take them from me after all."

"What?" Auron roared, outraged by this, and rightly so. "And your powers?"

"They're still there, for the most part...but it won't be the same without my wings." I said sadly as I stared down at the feather between my forefinger and thumb. I twirled it there a few times, feeling like I had lost a part of myself some how. Well, I had. Those wings had been a part of me. Figuratively and literally.

"Cynyr." I didn't look up or move. I was too drained, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Suddenly, Auron knelt to the floor, causing the feathers to flutter around us. I looked up just as he wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly to him. My heart began to beat a little faster as I felt him press himself against me and I felt his breath on my neck as he spoke.

"I still love you."

Before I could stop them, the tears flowed down my cheeks and I buried my face into his neck as I wrapped my arms around him too. He squeezed me tighter and I cried harder. I didn't want to let go; not ever. I loved him too. He was my friend, the love of my life, the breath in my lungs, the blood in my veins, the song in my heart.

"I-I love you too!" I stammered and began to sob as the sorrow inside me racked my body.

"Your wings may be gone...but you're still beautiful to me." He whispered as he pressed his hand against the back of my head. And just when I thought I couldn't...I cried even harder.

The best way I could explain it was that it felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from my chest and I could finally breath again. It was a freeing feeling and I couldn't help but feel relief as I felt my heart fill up again. Of course, I still and would always have that empty feeling inside me, that part of me that I had lost, but I wouldn't let it control me.

It was okay. Everything was going to be fine. I kept telling myself this as I hugged Auron and he remained with his arms around me for some time. Finally, after I had calmed down some, I began to pull away.

As I looked into Auron's young, handsome face I had the sudden urge to kiss him. He must have had the same feeling because he beat me to it as his lips pressed gently against mine. I closed my eyes and kissed back, relief, love, and so many more wonderful feelings washing over me.

Eventually, Auron stood and helped me to stand with him. He rubbed his thumb across my cheeks as gentle as feather might brush against your skin, pulled my hair back away from my shoulders, and smiled a small smile.

"I need you to know that you are so much more than just a solider...you're so much more than just a protector or a guardian. You're a beautiful, smart, talented, and strong woman whom I've come to love." I felt my heart swell with joy and encouragement as these words sank in.

Hearing him say this made me believe it and love him that much more. He was a man of few words, but the few that he spoke carried so much weight. I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly before I finally spoke.

"Auron...thank you." I managed a smile and he suddenly pulled me into his arms once again before leaning close to my ear and whispering.

"Stay with me. Forever. I want you to be my wife."

My heart soared and though I no longer had wings, I felt myself flying high as I grinned, laughed even, before hugging him back tightly and whispered into his ear.

"Forever."

Later that day, we joined everyone in the bar room. They had pulled two tables together in order for all of us to fit; everyone except Auron and I were already there, seated, and waiting for us. I looked up at him, confused.

"What's this?"

"A meeting." He replied simply, and we walked over to take our places beside one another at the head of the table. Tidus and Yuna sat to my left followed by Rikku, Paine, and Brother. On Auron's side sat Rin, Wakka, Lulu, Buddy, and Shinra.

"Hey, glad you could finally join us!" Tidus said as he casually leaned back in his chair. Yuna smiled up at me before asking, "I hope you're feeling much better now."

"We gathered everyone here so we could discuss what happened out there." Paine added, her arms crossed.

"I'd feel much better too knowing that Isidore is gone for good. We need your word." Buddy said, his arms were crossed too.

"Cynyr?" Wakka said in an encouraging tone and I nodded before speaking.

"Ida has the Soul Stone; Isidore was successfully sealed and no one except me can release him because I am his binder." Everyone nodded and relaxed a little as each of them murmured to one another their gratefulness.

"However..." I began, the tension returning to the room as they all looked up with renewed concern, "when his soul was trapped inside, he took a part of me with him." I looked down at my hands which rested limply in my lap.

"Your...wings?" Yuna asked gently and I nodded. Everyone else gasped with surprise and horror. Wakka banged his fist on the table angrily while Tidus's chair scratched the floor nosily when he stood abruptly.

"What?" He exclaimed and I looked up at him sadly.

"No way!" He continued. "Can't you get them back? Did he really take them?" I nodded silently, again.

"It's gone, Tidus. I'm sorry...but there's nothing I can do. In order for me to get them back, I'd have to break the Soul Stone...and I don't think any of you want that over something as petty as a pair of wings."

"But those were yours!" Tidus exclaimed. "He has them now!" I shrugged.

"It's not like he can use them either. He's eternally trapped within a Stone that no one can open but me, and I've chosen to let him and my wings go. I want a normal life...a life I've longed for here in Spira for a long time." Tidus opened his mouth again to protest but I cut him off.

"Don't get me wrong...I love my gifts, I was and am very grateful for them; it's something Isidore lacked. But I won't let them control my life. I have plenty of other qualities that are just as great; I am content with what I have."

I felt Auron's hand cover one of mine and I moved to lace my fingers with his as I looked up at him. Everyone else remained silent as they took in what they had just been told.

"I was granted a second chance here on Spira," I began again, "I rid the world of another dark shadow, I have the man I will spend the rest of my life with here beside me, and I have all of my friends. What more could I wish for? Contentment; it is one of the greatest qualities you can have but the hardest to hold onto."

Yuna smiled as she nodded with agreement and looked around at the others for their thoughts. I too examined their faces. Auron, of course, agreed with me; he would have spoken had he thought otherwise. Wakka was frowning with his arms crossed, but he was nodding slowly and thoughtfully.

I could tell not everyone agreed with me, but they seemed to understand and I hoped one day they would come to realize this truth I had learned. I understood they thought it was wrong that Shadow had taken my power; I thought the same, but I was still happy. I had my life back, I had Auron back, and I couldn't wait to start our new life.

"Well..." Tidus began after a long silence had stretched on, "if you're fine, I'm fine too. So why don't we celebrate! Shadow is gone for good!" The mood immediately lightened and everyone soon had a smile on their face as they gathered around the bar for their drinks and food, talking and laughing. It was a sound that should be heard.

"I'm proud of you." I turned to Auron who was standing quietly behind me, a smirk on his face. I blushed a little before walking up to him, meeting his eyes.

"For what?"

"For what you said. I'm glad your content. It means I can be content too. I don't have to worry about you; you're a very strong woman and I respect you more for what you've done here."

This time I averted my eyes and felt the heat rise up into my cheeks, but he chuckled and planted a kiss quickly and lightly on my forehead before he headed towards the bar. I immediately caught up with him, a smile on my face. I was home.

Later that evening I sat on the roof top of the airship, watching as the sun set over the horizon. The sounds of the waves below relaxed me and I absentmindedly stroked the side of the helmet that sat in my lap. I was contemplating turning it over and looking inside, but I just wasn't ready yet.

The things Isidore had said to me haunted my mind. His father...his mother, Ida. It was still hard to believe, but Ida had confirmed it herself and I wondered if the other High Fayth knew about it as well. I imagined they did, otherwise, she wouldn't be ranked Regent. She was an honest woman, even if it took her some time before she actually told a person the things they needed to hear.

"If they trust her...so will I." I said to the wind as it blew my hair back behind me, my voice going with it.

"Who are you talking to?" I spun around and saw Auron walking up behind me, a small smile on his face. I had begun to notice that when he was around me, his expressions were softer instead of that stoic, stern look he always had. It made me feel special, because I was the only one he would show that side of himself to.

"Oh...I was just thinking aloud, I guess."

"May I join you?" He asked, gesturing at the ground beside me. I grinned as I looked back up and said, "join me talking to myself aloud or to sit beside me?" He snorted at this and I laughed, so he sat down cross legged and kissed my cheek.

I had also noticed he was only so affectionate when it was just the two of us. He didn't much care for an audience so he would revert back to his usual non-indulgent self. This always struck me funny, but I never said anything about it. That was just who he was. As long as I knew he loved me -and he did- I didn't care whether he kissed me in front of others or not.

Slowly, my smile faded as I let the last of the relaxing silence between us end with my next words I had been dreading to say.

"There's still another mystery yet to be solved, Auron."

He turned his head to look at me, curious but patient as he waited for me to continue. I looked down at the helmet in my hands, the shadows inside it masking what was etched just at the back. My heart began to race. Did I really want to know? Right now? What if I put it off a little longer; but did I really need to put it off? Wouldn't that just make me go crazy with curiosity and wonder?

"You seem to know where to find the answer...but you're afraid of looking." Auron suddenly said and I looked up, startled.

"How did you know?" He grunted with amusement.

"Because you're easy to read." I stuck out my bottom lip and huffed as I turned away from him defiantly and he chuckled lightly.

"Why are you afraid?"

"I just...don't know if right now is a good time to find out the answer."

"Care to let me in on it? I could probably help you a little better if you did." I smiled a small smile, silently agreeing.

"Well, to be honest, this helmet holds the name of Ida's late husband. He died a long time ago...she said he was a great, smart man, but power, greed, fame...a lot of things turned him into a different person. Just like Isidore...her son." Auron straightened with surprise, his eyes locked on mine.

"I didn't believe it at first either," I quickly replied, "but he told me...while we were out here." I motioned down at the airship before continuing.

"When he saw the helmet he said, 'that was my father's,' and that's when he became outraged and almost killed me right here." I sighed and Auron frowned as he looked out over the ocean at the sinking sun, thinking.

"Let me guess,: he finally began, "his father has a link to you."

I swallowed as I sat there silently. I had thought about it for a long time and had come to that same conclusion. He had to be linked to me in some way, maybe not biologically, but because of how Ida had given me the choice to find out for myself made me think that once I did look I would know him immediately...and I would probably be shocked.

"Ida didn't tell me because she wanted me to make that choice. I assume he does have some sort of a link to me...but she must also have known that it would also surprise me. Perhaps I wouldn't have believed it then had she told me herself back in the Farplane. Maybe it'll be different now somehow..."

"Well..." Auron replied with his own sigh, "there's not much light left...so if you're going to make your decision, do it now." I looked back down at the helmet, gripping it tightly between my fingers as I considered it one last time.

Finally, I breathed out a heavy sigh and stood up. Auron remained seated, watching me curiously as I walked to the edge of the airship with the ocean crashing against the shore down below. The waters were deep; I was sure. It was the same waters that swallowed up my armor I had flung down into two and half years ago.

I looked back down at the helmet and raised it high above my head; I had a feeling I might regret this later. Slowly, I tilted it slightly so that the last rays of the sun hit the inside on the back of the helmet where a name was etched into the metal.

For a long time, I just stared at the letters, my eyes growing wide at first as my brows knitted together. Then, I slowly lowered the helmet to my side and quietly watched as the sun disappeared behind the horizon. Auron remained silent behind me but I could tell he was curious and anxious to know what was written there as well.

Just as I thought...

I finally turned to Auron who was now standing, a grim expression on his face as he seemed to be bracing himself for what I was about to say.

...Ida will never cease to surprise me.

"Yu Yevon."

~Ida~

My husband was a great and powerful man...a truly great summoner of Zanarkand. He was respected by everyone. But once the war started, he began to show a different side of himself. It got worse as the war progressed and Zanarkand's slow defeat wasn't helping as it became very clear that we were losing the great machina war.

He had many followers during this time and no matter what idea he came up with, millions walked right behind him even if it meant failing or dying. There was an unbreakable trust between him and those who listened to him. As his followers increased, it became harder and harder to persuade him as his ideas became more and more dangerous and monstrous.

Finally, one night after I had been badly injured by one of the enormous machina he had created, due to a malfunction, he vowed to never again use the dangerous machines because he could not bear to see the ones he loved so dearly hurt by them, or worse. He then proposed a new idea; he called it Dream Zanarkand.

Although it was a ludicrous idea, Yu Yevon had a silver tongue and soon had everyone in on his plan. Soon after, they began to destroy all the machina in the city, proclaiming it did nothing but bring hatred and destruction; they would be the first to stop its madness and become the stepping stone to a new and improved world.

Thankfully, I managed to save and hide his helmet before he could destroy it too. It was the last gift he had ever received from a good friend of his who had crafted it himself; an Al Bhed. With all honesty, I also kept it because it was the only thing that took me back to the days before the war and insanity.

His Dream Zanarkand became a reality as Bevelle threatened to destroy the entire city with their machina. On the brink of destruction, Yu Yevon encouraged us to turn into fayth to begin the process of the Dream Zanarkand and faithfully, they did as they were told.

Although I didn't completely agree with his plan, he was my husband and I his wife. So I and our children obeyed his orders, ignorant of what his true plan was. After we turned ourselves into fayth with the help of Yu Yevon, he summoned up the very creature Spira would come to know as Sin and gave the monstrosity the orders that would begin the eternal cycle of death, and he started with Zanarkand.

Because of his hate of machina, he destroyed it, but because of his greed for power and fame he created something far worse than machina that would forever bring about the death and the very hatred he loathed. When the reality of his insanity set in for me, I began to spiral downward emotionally and mentally; I was slowly becoming an unrest and I almost welcomed it.

Thankfully, one of the fayth; a small boy by the name of Bahamut, came to me with five others. Three sisters, a very young girl, and a woman dressed in blue garments. Together, we started the High Fayth Reign -Bahamut as our Regent- and began to rule over the Farplane. We made it our duty to watch over those who came to the afterlife and helped those who were close to unrest like I had once been. Over time, the High Fayth grew and we soon became a family.

However, after hundreds of years in the Farplane and watching the destruction Sin poured out on Spira, we began to bring ideas to the table about how we could end his reign on Spira once and for all. We saw how the Summoners worked so hard to become strong enough to defeat Sin, but it wasn't enough; they were still only mortals after all. Not only that, but Spira needed someone who could come in and help even if he or she could not defeat Sin. They needed a hero; they needed hope.

That was when we came up with the High Fayth Soldier and, at the time; my son, Isidore was on board with the idea. He was among us as a High Fayth and he was more than willing to become the first soldier. Of course, this plan failed painfully and in the midst of trying to figure out how to stop him...Bahamut found Tidus and proposed a new idea.

Regardless, we still firmly believed in our High Fayth Solider. So, while Tidus's story was set in motion, we began a new search for a new solider. This time, however, we searched among the living for a young and compassionate soul.

And that...was how it all began.

How'd you like that little twist! Now that at least deserves a review, right? Right? ;) Well, this isn't The End yet; there is still more to come, but I fear this story is coming to an end soon, so prepare yourselves! And don't forget to review. I love reviews. :) They're awesome, just like you! :D