Chapter 25: The howl of the mountain

            A tunnel opened in front of the group. They walked through it, hearing the wind blowing strongly and feeling the temperature drop. The tunnel exited on a snowy mountain path slightly going up with stone pillars on each side of it. It was snowing lightly, the rare flakes carried around by the wind. Everyone climbed up the rocky path. It led them into a large opening. There was nothing around but Kimahri seemed uneasy. The ones closest to him noticed right away. His uneasiness found a reason when a large and tall yellow Ronso suddenly jumped in right in front of them, startling the group. From behind him arrived two more Ronso. One of them seemed older and looked familiar with his long green robe. It was none other than Kelk Ronso. The other was Yenke.

            "Summoner Yuna and guardians, leave here at once!" he commanded in a deep voice.

            Surprised, everyone looked around. They found themselves surrounded by Ronso gathered on top of the mountain walls. Wakka was standing next to Yuna with his arms folded, not the least bit impressed while Kimahri was on her other side, not showing any fear at all. Behind them, the SeeDs reached for their weapons but Squall waved his arm out at them, signalling them not to do anything.

            "Don't; they might take it as an act of aggressiveness," he advised in a low voice.

            "Gagazet is Ronso land, sacred mountain of Yevon," Kelk continued. "The mountain will not fear the footsteps of infidels!"

            The yellow Ronso who was in fact Biran they came across before, raised a threatening hand. Everyone stood on guard, trying their best not to jump on their weapons. They had no enemies upon the Ronso and nobody wished to make them enemies. They were vastly outnumbered and the Ronso were twice, some even three times their size.

            "Enemy of Yevon is enemy of Ronso!" he growled. "Leave, traitors!"

            "I have cast aside Yevon!" Yuna exclaimed. "I follow the temple no more!"

            "Then you will die by those words!" Kelk replied.

            That was the signal for the others to take their weapons out.

            "So be it," Yuna answered, not intimidated at all. "Yevon has warped the teachings and betrayed us all!"

            "Nothing but a bunch of low-down trickling, eh?" Wakka added, unfolding his arms.

            "Yeah! Yeah!" Tidus approved behind Wakka, throwing a fist in the air.

            "Yeah! Yeah!" Rikku mimicked him.

            "We have no regrets," Yuna said with a nod.

            "Blasphemers!" Yenke exclaimed angrily, stepping forward with spear in hand.

            Kimahri stepped in front of Yuna with an arm out and advanced towards the two Ronso. He stopped face to face with Biran who had more than a head over Kimahri. He was a lot larger too. Kimahri was not impressed, staring right back at him.

            "A summoner and her guardians…," Kelk trailed off behind Biran.

            "Lord Kelk Ronso, if I may," Lulu interrupted behind Kimahri. "Have you not also turned your back on Bevelle?"

            "But still, you guard Gagazet as a Ronso, not a maester," Auron added. "Yuna is much the same."

            Angry, Biran turned around.

            "Elder Kelk! Let Biran rend them asunder!" he demanded as Yenke came to his side.

            "No escape!" Yenke swore, amused. "Not one!"

            "No, we will not flee!" Yuna stated shaking her head. "We will fight, and continue on."

            "You have been branded a traitor," Kelk said, surprised. "But still you would fight Sin? Lost to the temple, hated by the people, yet you continue your pilgrimage?"

            He seemed confused and surprised, not knowing what to think anymore.

            "Everything lost! What do you fight for?" he inquired.

            Yuna lowered her gaze for a second then looked back at Kelk with a peaceful smile.

            "I fight for Spira," she answered. "The people long for the Calm, I can give it to them. It's all I can give. Defeating Sin, ending pain… this I can do."

            Touched by her words, Kelk lowered his head and shook it slowly.

            "Even sacrificing yourself?" he asked in a low tone.

            He turned around and walked a few steps before stopping.

            "Ronso," he called. "Let them pass!"

            All Ronso turned their heads to him, staring, bewildered. Hearing this, the SeeDs immediately lowered their weapons with approving smiles on their faces.

            "Summoner Yuna, your will is stronger than steel. Tempered steel that even the mightiest Ronso could not hope to bend."

            Lulu turned to Yuna, watching her with pride.

            "Yuna, we bow to your will! Now go!" Kelk urged, turning back to them.

            He raised his hands to the sky.

            "The sacred heights of Gagazet welcome you."

            Yuna bowed.

            "We thank you."

            The others settled down, relieved while Tidus was punching Wakka's stomach for some reason. Wakka punched the air over his head. Maybe they were simply releasing the anxiety.

            Many of the Ronso left, not showing any hostility towards the visitors anymore. On the other end of the large opening, Kelk Ronso was standing by a pillar by the path going up Gagazet. Everyone scattered around to calm down before they would start climbing.

            "Gaah, my neck's hurtin'," Wakka complained in the corner, rubbing his neck.

            "Zanarkand's on the other side, huh?" Tidus asked him, feeling a little nervous.

            Wakka turned to him, arms folded.

            "Yeah… your home, ya?"

            "As if you believed me," Tidus replied with a hand on a hip, waving his other hand.

            "Maybe I do. The one on the other side here's probably just a pile of rubble, ya? But somewhere out there is your Zanarkand. Somewhere, ya? Yeah, you'll be home soon enough!"

            "I… hope you're right," Tidus said scratching his head.

            "Yeah! Cheer up! Let's do this!"

            Even though Wakka was telling him to cheer up, Tidus was still nervous. He was not really sure if he wanted to see Zanarkand anymore, to see just a bunch of ruins where his home used to be. But even if Zanarkand was in ruins, it was still Yuna's destination, so that was where he would go.

            The SeeDs were also scattered all over the place. Kerry decided to stand with Rachel and Zell when she noticed Squall wanted to talk to his girlfriend again. Rachel smiled at her, understanding.

            "Are you cold, Kerry?" she inquired.

            "A little, but it's not as bad as Lake Macalania."

            "I heard ya," Zell said with a nod. "That place was freezing."

            "Well when we start moving we will warm up."

            Rinoa was talking with Quistis and Dave while Adam went to talk with Lulu a little. Seifer was leaning against a wall with his arms folded, Audrey resting against his shoulder. She was staring at him, noticing he was watching Squall and Carole.

            "Since when have you become so caring for Squall?" she asked with a teasing smile.

            Seifer immediately looked away.

            "What, I can't care?"

            "Sure, you can, but what caused it?"

            "Bah, I guess I'm getting soft."

            She noticed he avoided giving her a straight answer and decided to trust him. She was certain he had a good reason for not telling her. She rested her head against his arm, pressing herself closer. He unfolded his arms and opened his coat for her to get under it with him. She quickly did. Not too far, Selphie saw it and without asking, she crawled under Irvine's coat, surprising him.

            On the other side of the area, Carole rolled her sleeves back down.

            "How's your head?" Squall inquired.

            She turned to him but did not look at him.

            "I'm fine, when I woke up it was gone."

            Squall frowned. She suspected it and looked at him briefly. It has been a while since the last time she saw him frown.

            "Why are you lying to me?"

            "I don't want you to worry about me, that's all."

            He stood in front of her and grabbed her shoulders.

            "When you lie to me, I can tell. It makes me worry even more because then I wonder what you're trying to hide."

            She shook him off.

            "Well stop it, okay? It will go away, it always does. I did not sleep so good. I had a hard time falling asleep because of the headache and when I did it was late. I did not have enough sleep. It's still not as bad as it was, the cold air is helping."

            The young man kept quiet a moment, looking at her. He slowly closed his eyes, sighing.

            "All right. Just promise to tell me right away if it gets worse, okay? Don't wait until you collapse. We're about to climb a mountain, I don't want you falling off."

            She smiled to reassure him.

            "Of course."

            He bent over her and brushed her lips with his.

            "How are you?" Adam asked Lulu.

            "Yuna's… grown stronger."

            "Well a lot has happened. She really wants to help everyone."

            "That's why she's strong. She's still pressing forward. When weak people are driven they can't go far before they break. She keeps going because she is strong. And I… All I can do is try and keep up with her."

            "I think you're handling that pretty well," he assured with a smile.

            "Hmmm. Let's get ready for the climb."

            Tidus watched Auron standing away from everyone as usual and noticed he seemed thoughtful. He was looking around like he came to a conclusion.

            "It is as I thought," he said mostly for himself.

            "What is?" Tidus asked coming closer.

            "Yevon is in turmoil. Mika tries to keep it whole but it crumbles around him."

            "Look, I couldn't care less what happens to Yevon," Tidus stated.

            "Because you are not of this world. To those who truly believe in the teachings a time of much pain is coming."

            He looked up towards the summit, lost in thoughts and memories.

            "Ten years ago, I looked up at Gagazet from where we stand now."

            "My old man say anything?" Tidus inquired, curious.

            "I do not remember. All I could think of was… how I might keep Braska alive."

            Everyone had something on their mind. Veronique was standing close to Wakka, a little nervous to find herself alone with him. Even though the others were not far, they were still busy amongst themselves, not paying her any attention.

            "Everythin' okay?" Wakka inquired, startling her.

            "Y…yes, yes."

            "Look uh…" he started nervously rubbing the back of his head. "I'm glad you're still alive. Glad you're here now."

            She stared at him with eyes wide with surprise. She was not expecting it, but hearing those words meant a lot to her. It was hard to believe not so long ago she was only trying to find ways to amuse herself and perhaps even get revenge on the brother who drove her off.

            "Those guys are different too, ya? And they're not bad people. I wish I would've understood that sooner."

            "Wakka…"

            Her throat was squeezing, a feeling she did not experience in a long time. She could not find the words to actually tell him how happy she was that he thought so.

            When Zell grabbed Rachel and held her close to keep her warm, Kerry felt out of place and went towards Kimahri, looking around with a frown as if he was searching for something.

            "Is something wrong, Kimahri?" she asked with a slightly trembling voice due to the cold.

            "Biran and Yenke gone," he said scratching his head nervously.

            "I wonder what they're up to."

            "Biran is hero of Ronso. Yenke is powerful warrior."

            "Oh, but so are you, Kimahri!"

            "Kerry is stronger too."

            "You think so? I still wouldn't want to have to fight those two."

            "Kimahri must fight. Kimahri must win."

            "If you must fight, I know you will win!"

            The others started gathering together again. Some checked out the stock of a Ronso standing close to the path they arrived from. He was selling some items and the SeeDs gladly restocked.

            Nervous, Yuna was realizing Zanarkand was getting closer. She knew it was her destination when she left Besaid, but getting closer to it was another thing.

            As the group was set in motion, they walked past Kelk.

            "Summoner Yuna's words, they ring clear in my soul. Small voice, small frame, but a will that towers over Gagazet's peak. The path to the sacred heights is steep, and lined with the dens of fiends. Strong guardians, be prepared, and guard your summoner well. Guard your summoner with all your heart."

            "We will," everyone assured.

            They started climbing the path to come across another Ronso who wanted to give them a warning.

            "Quarrel between Biran and Kimahri started ten years ago," he explained. "Young Ronso fight each other to show strength. Biran beat Kimahri, but Kimahri never admit losing. Not once. Angry Biran broke Kimahri's horn. Kimahri could not bear shame and left sacred mountain. Kimahri talk less after horn broken."

            "Must have been hard," Kerry supposed looking up at Kimahri.

            "Kimahri has always been there for me," Yuna said with a smile to the Ronso. "I trust him with my life and I was never ashamed of him."

            Kimahri placed his protective gaze on Yuna, his face showing no emotion except maybe a little bit of pride being praised by her.

            "Everyone ready?" Yuna asked turning around to face the group.

            As each one of them either nodded or raised a thumb, she realized she was truly blessed to count so many people as friends. Even if she was to die at the end of her pilgrimage, she would have very little regrets.

            The group started moving up the trail at a good pace. They did not make it very far before a voice sounded, stopping them.

            "Halt!"

            Everybody stopped moving. Some felt hostility in this simple word and immediately reached for their weapons. Others simply stood on guard, ready. Biran and Yenke arrived from further ahead, blocking their way.

            "Haven't you bothered us enough?" Tidus asked, annoyed.

            "Summoner may pass. Guardians may pass," Biran stated. "Kimahri not pass! Kimahri shame Ronso brothers. Kimahri forget his birth."

            "Forget his people," Yenke added. "Forget his mountain. Little Ronso! Weakling Ronso!"

            "Mountain hate the weak, hate the small. If you will climb…"

            "Then I must prove my strength!" Kimahri finished.

            "Think you will win?" Biran asked in a mocking tone. "You not forget who took your horn! Never forget!"

            "Kimahri never beat brother Biran," Yenke added. "Never win!"

            "This time, I win," Kimahri assured, confident as he walked past Tidus who turned to him. "I will win!"

            "Why, you…!" Tidus exclaimed towards Biran, losing patience.

            Kimahri held his arm out to stop him.

            "This some kind of Ronso thing?" he asked.

            "Kimahri problem."

            Yenke got in fighting position and Biran gestured as an invitation. Kimahri took his spear out and jumped in front of the two bigger Ronso, ready to fight them.

            Kerry made her way to the front and placed her hands each side of her mouth.

            "You can do it Kimahri!" she cheered.

            More determined then ever, Kimahri stared right back at Biran and Yenke, never letting them out of his sight, barely blinking.

            "Biran rend you asunder!" the yellow beast swore.

            "Hornless! Hornless!" Yenke taunted.

            Kimahri did not lose his focus and slashed at Biran with his spear. Biran did not seem the least bit impressed.

            "Herh! This is the strength of Kimahri!" he laughed.

            He used Mighty Guard on himself, causing his defense to rise substantially. It gave Kimahri an idea. He used Lancet on Biran, learning Mighty Guard himself and putting him in a position to use his overdrive right away. He immediately used the new technique he had just learned. This was going to even the odds a little.

Kimahri decided to attack Yenke this time, but next to him, Biran had quick reflexes and jumped in front of his partner, taking the damage for him. Ready for the attack, he was in a defensive position and barely got hurt at all. Upset, Kimahri tried attacking Biran, but this time, Yenke jumped in front of him in defense position, barely getting any damage at all. Kimahri realized he had to separate them if he wanted to have a chance at defeating them. As long as they would be side by side, they would defend one another. He waited for an opportunity. It came when Biran rammed him and kept going to avoid a counterattack. Kimahri gritted his teeth from the damage, but he got what he wanted. He had Yenke in front of him and Biran behind him. That one was the biggest threat. He was going to take him out first.

            Using all his strength and knowledge of fiends' techniques, he managed to triumph over Biran. He went down on a knee, unable to continue fighting.

            "All right, Kimahri!" Kerry cheered again.

            "You will pay for this!" Yenke exclaimed, angry.

            He cast haste on himself, enabling him to attack more often. Kimahri attacked and was able to use his overdrive again. He used Fire Breath, burning parts of Yenke's fur. Angry, Yenke punched Kimahri hard across the face. Kimahri staggered but quickly got back to his senses and slashed at Yenke. He started getting weaker and it showed. Kimahri took advantage of that. He slashed again, and again, and again. Finally, Yenke went down as well.

            "You… win," he stated.

            Kimahri put his spear away and everyone behind him started cheering and clapping. In front of him, Biran was on a knee and Yenke had a hand to his chest.

            "Strong is Kimahri," Biran said. "Biran is happy."

            He got up and turned around, taking a few slow and heavy steps. He stopped and looked up.

            "Sacred Mount Gagazet!" he called, his voice echoing on the mountain walls. "I honor the name of strong warrior who defeats Biran. Remember always, Gagazet! That name is Kimahri!"

            "Mountain knows Kimahri strong," Yenke told. "Kimahri may pass."

            "Summoner!" Biran called, startling Yuna.

            Biran turned back to face the group.

            "We Ronso will stop pursuers from temple."

            "Truly?" Yuna asks hopefully.

            "All right!" Zell exclaimed.

            "This should buy us some time," Squall said.

            Kimahri standing next to Yuna folded his arms.

            "Penance for breaking Kimahri's horn, long ago," Biran explained.

            "We crush enemies following behind," Yenke promised with a fist on a hip. "Kimahri crush enemies standing before."

            "You are most fortunate summoner," Biran said.

            "I thank you," Yuna said bowing with her arms straight on each sides of her body.

            Biran started walking away.

            "Ronso will shine your statue brightest," Yenke swore.

            "Thank you," Yuna said nodding her head. "But I fear no one will make a statue for a traitor such as I am."

            "Then Ronso will make!" Biran assures, stopping in his tracks and turning his head.

            "With grand horn on head!" Yenke added.

            "That… would be wonderful," Yuna said with an amused smile.

            Dave frowned.

            "Strange image…" he trailed off.

            "I suppose but it must be an honor since the horn seems to be a symbol for them," Quistis explained.

            Biran and Yenke walked ahead. The path cleared, the others started walking as well. Tidus remained behind, thinking.

            I want to see Yuna's statue, too. But I want to see it with Yuna by my side.

            Determined, he followed.

            As the group started climbing the rocky path once more, Biran came back on an upper level on the side of the road, looking down on the group.

            "Summoner Yuna!" he called.

            Everybody froze and turned to the side, looking up at Biran.

            "What is it this time?" Tidus asked folding his arms in utter annoyance.

            Biran started singing the Hymn of the Fayth, followed by Yenke who suddenly showed up on the other side of the path. Then more Ronso showed up, singing along. Nobody said a word; they simply listened to this honor the Ronso were presenting them.