A Generation of Legacies

Chapter Twenty-Five

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X, X-2, or any of Square Enix's characters

Last Time:

"Ah, Kokon!"

He bowed, and Retig followed suit. "Lord Cephor."

"What can I help you with?"

Kokon straightened and looked to Master Bevle's senior most summoner. "I must take an extended leave of absence, my lord."

Cephor moved back in his chair. "I see. Can you tell me a timeframe, Kokon?"

"I cannot."

"May I at least ask what's spurring this decision?"

"It is a personal matter, my lord," Kokon continued.

The old man cocked his head. "You're acting quite curiously, Kokon. I cannot even recall you ever asking for a leave of absence before this. What is it that could pull High Summoner Kokon from Bevelle?" He remained silent. "When do you intend for your leave to begin?"

"Immediately, Lord Cephor."

"I see… Well, if that is all?"

"I would appreciate if you would arrange a ship to take me to Besaid from Luca."

"Besaid?" Cephor questioned. "An interesting choice for a destination but very well. Consider it done."

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The outskirts of Bevelle's outer territory were sparsely populated. Bevelle was still young and had just begun to expand into the surrounding areas. The area had been cleared of fiends, and the beginnings of additions to the city had been built in preparation. There were those who lived in these beginnings who recognized someone of High Summoner Kokon's rank, bowed deeply, and offered assistance in any form available to them. Kokon had returned them with a polite smile and a nod.

The two hadn't spoken since they had departed from the temple-palace hours earlier. The silence between them was awkward for both, but neither would ever admit it.

Someone had come and woken Koiray in the early hours of the morning with instructions to meet High Summoner Kokon and to change into a provided set of clothes. Apparently, his were much too formal for travel. Koiray met the high summoner at the entrance of the main temple while Kokon's guardian had glared at him, but nothing more.

"You don't trust me, do you?" Koiray finally said, breaking the silence.

Kokon continued to walk. "Frankly, no."

"You don't believe me."

"I don't know what to believe."

"Why?"

Kokon looked over his shoulder as they walked. "Why? Because I find it hard to believe that I would have descendents leading to a thousand years in the future with the ability to travel through time, especially since I have no desire to have children. Also, there is no human being in all of Spira who knows of my unique existence whereas you appear, seemingly out of nowhere, claiming that you can shift through time and that you are aware that… that I am the Cheribum. So, going to back as to whether or not I trust you, no."

Takoire III frowned. "Hm… my parents gave me the impression that you were a lot nicer."

"Then tell me," Kokon answered, "what did your parents describe me as?"

"Well, my dad never really met you, but sometimes he mentions that you're a meddling idiot, and my mom said that you didn't meddle enough even though she met you once."

The high summoner scoffed. "Oh, really? I could have sworn a moment ago you claimed that I had a much better temperament than it would appear."

Koiray smiled. "If you put all that aside," he continued, ignoring Kokon's remark, "the biggest impression I got from them was the fact of how unbelievably grateful they are."

"Grateful?"

"Yeah. My dad and my mom were separated by at least a thousand years. If it hadn't been for you, neither of my parents would have existed, let alone have met. As much as no one wants to think of their parents that way, my parents love each other. My dad spent years just looking for her… just to see her face." Koiray scoffed. "I doubt few people can claim they went through what my parents did to be together."

Kokon suddenly became quiet, and as they walked farther and farther from Bevelle's reach, the high summoner stopped to turn to Koiray. "Who are your parents?"

Koiray smiled. He was starting to get in. "The Summoner of Yore Lenne and the Guardian of the Ages Takoire II."

"I'm sorry," Kokon answered, "what did you say?"

Koiray shrugged and began to walk again. "I know as the Cheribum in human form you have a limited knowledge of what you used to, but even you have to remember that you're the one who gave Maester Bevle the prophecies."

The high summoner frowned uncomfortably. "There are only a few select details that I am aware of. What I know of the prophecies is only what any other Bevelle summoner would know, nothing more."

"What do you know then?" Koiray returned.

"Enough."

"Okay… then why are we going to Besaid? Are you going to send me back?"

"No."

The Deputy Crimson Knight frowned. "Then why are we going to Besaid? Why can't you just send me back now?"

"Because I cannot."

"What do you mean you can't?"

"Since you seem to be having trouble comprehending me, let me spell it out for you. When I said enough, I meant that the only things I know are what my original being is and how to change back. This body has no extraordinary abilities; I can do nothing for you. In fact, I know not even how to help you if what you say is the truth," Kokon said neutrally.

He stopped. "You're kidding, right?"

The high summoner shook his head. "I am not."

"Then what are we doing?"

"Traveling to Besaid."

"But-"

"Know this," Kokon began, "when I took this form, I wished to be just as any other human being in Spira. No one was to know my true self; the repercussions of such a thing would be limitless. But you, sir, threaten my very existence."

Koiray paused in disbelief. "I get it now. You want to be normal."

"Pardon me?"

"You want to be just like everyone else," Koiray jeered.

Kokon remained silent.

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It was more than a month after the first dinner, and since then, the two had lost count of how many times they had enjoyed each other's company. What had started out as a stroll during one of Koiray's breaks had turned into something much bigger.

Ahn had already been introduced to most of the family in Besaid but as nothing more than a friend. She stopped by the guardian building nearly everyday to have lunch with him, and he appreciated the company.

She had a quiet type of personality and was the exact opposite of his more outspoken friends. It seemed that she had just moved to Besaid with her father, a summoner of Suzaku and Byakko who had recently been assigned to the city. Ahn already had an idea of what it was like to be a city guardian with two older brothers stationed in Mushroom Rock.

Koiray held her hand in his as they walked. The streets were quiet, and there was no one left to bother them.

"You still need to meet my Uncle Garren and Aunt Jess," Koiray said.

With a smile, Ahn rested her head on Koiray's shoulder as they walked. "I will." She paused. "I still can't believe how close your family is. You, Teyh, and Desa are so distantly related, and yet you're all like siblings."

"I guess it's because of everything our parents went through together."

"How often does everyone get together?"

He sighed. "Not often, but my mom's festival is coming up soon, and everyone's always in town for that. You know," Koiray unexpectedly added, "when the festival starts, I have to stand with my parents greeting people for what seems like hours."

Koiray felt her nod. "I know. I've been to the festival two times already. I've seen you there. I think you and your parents even greeted my dad, brothers, and me before."

"Really? Wow, I don't remember at all."

She laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised. How many people do you have to meet? And you probably didn't have time to go out of your way to remember one girl's name. You're too busy being the only son of High Summoner Lenne and Sir Takoire and winning tournaments in front of all of Spira."

"Oh? Is that why you put up with me? So you can be seen with some famous guy?" he joked. Ahn didn't answer. "…right?"

She laughed again. "I'm joking, Koiray. You didn't really think that, did you?"

"Naw," he answered, "I just thought that you'd fallen head over heels for me." The two stopped just outside of a medium sized house, and Koiray turned to face the young woman. "The reason I brought that up was because I wanted to know if you'd come with me to the festival… and… stand with me… while me and my parents…"

"In front of all those people?"

He scratched his head. "Well, yeah. You'd have to stand there for awhile, but that sounds about right. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I'd really like it if you would."

Ahn smiled. "Sure."

"Really?"

Looking up at him, she nodded. "Really."

Koiray's face cracked into a wide smile, and without realizing it, he drew his face nearer to hers. As the realization slowly sunk in, he brought up a hand to graze Ahn's face and closed the gap between them.

The kiss was soft, and Ahn offered no resistance as she kissed him back just as softly.

Pulling back, Koiray smiled.

Hara who?

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"Sir," someone whispered, shaking him softly. "Sir?"

"Mmmm…" he groaned and rolled over.

"Sir," the unknown woman repeated, "Lord Kokon sent me to wake you. He says to meet him on the deck. We will be docking in Besaid shortly."

Koiray mumbled but nodded. "Thank you."

As he opened his eyes, the woman had disappeared, and the Deputy Crimson Knight noticed no sunlight pouring into the lower level of the ship. Moving from his bed, Koiray moved to the tiny bathroom across the hall and reached for the faucet, turning it to cold and splashing it on his face. The cold water refreshed him, and he made his way up the stairs, towards the deck.

As the cold air hit him in a rush, Koiray observed the lack of stars scattered across the night sky and Kokon facing the shore from the bow. The high summoner had a peaceful aura about him with his arms behind his back.

With a small smirk on his face, Koiray turned to move away but was stopped.

"I am told that we will be reaching Besaid shortly. I can see the coast from here," Kokon began abruptly. "It seems we will just make it."

"Make it?"

"For the sunrise. Tell me, Koiray, are you a particularly fast runner?"

He smiled to himself softly. "I think so, yeah."

"Good."

"Are we going to be running?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes."

Koiray frowned. "Uh, can I ask why?"

"Let us say that we are on time constraints."

The coast became closer and closer, and Kokon moved towards the side of the ship where it would dock. Koiray finally felt the bump of the ship against the wooden structure, and the high summoner turned to one of the workers.

"Tell your captain to wait for us here. We shan't be here for more than a day."

The worker bowed. "Yes, my lord."

Kokon turned back to Koiray. "Come."

The man known as Lord Kokon jumped onto the dock and into a run with Koiray close behind. Takoire III could see the city of Besaid just waking up on the cliffs overlooking the ocean as they ran although moving away from it. There was a rugged path laid out for them, but Koiray could see it was infested with fiends. Pulling out the pistol at his side, the Deputy Crimson Knight began to clear the way. Every now and then he was forced to reload, but by the time he looked up, Kokon had already taken care of the renegade fiends.

Koiray spotted a clearing up ahead, with the sun just beginning to tint the sky.

Kokon came to a stop just before the massive temple. Three colossal towers looked over the landscape surrounding the holy structure. The main color scheme of the temple reflected its aeon with a deep and rich red.

The high summoner turned to look at Koiray. "Well, I suppose this is where we find out if you're telling the truth." He moved back to face the temple. "Suzaku, come forth!"

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Author's Notes: I'm sorry it's been awhile since I've been updated, but as usual, life's been a little hectic. Things should be slowing down for me so with any luck (and a fair amount of reviews) I'll try and update within the next ten days max. So until then, R&R!