A Generation of Legacies
Chapter Fifty-One

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

Last Time:

"Crimson Knight Koiray has a nice ring to it," Ro added.

"What do you think, Uncle Garren? Do you think I should take it?"

Garren nodded, wearing a smile. "You should."

Takoire III smiled sheepishly. "It'll make me the youngest Crimson Knight in Spira."

Ro looked at him skeptically. "As opposed to being the youngest Deputy Crimson Knight in Spira?"

"I haven't been the youngest in two years."

"I think what Ro's trying to say," Jessara added, "is that we all agree. You should take it."

Koiray took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. "For now, I'll take one thing at a time."


"I think that went well," Jassen said, walking towards the Guardian Headquarters Lobby.

"Me, too. I think they liked what we had to say."

"Thank the Cheribum," Jassen answered with a smirk. "I would have hated to do all that work and have it ignored."

The lift carried them down, and the two exited out towards the front entrance. From across the way, a young woman sat waiting before a smile appeared on her face. She walked to meet them and greeted Koiray with a quick kiss. "Hey, how'd it go?"

"Pretty good," Koiray answered.

"That's great," Hara returned.

Jassen nodded. "The Council said they would start implementing some of the changes within the next three months. By the time you get back, Koiray, you might not recognize your guardian wing."

"Let's hope it doesn't change too much." Koiray stopped towards the side and looked out towards the street. "But I think this is where we part ways."

The Summoner's Guardian grimaced and held out his hand. "Good luck, Koiray. I hope you find what you're looking for."

"Thanks." Koiray reached for his hand and shook it.

With a small nod, Jassen looked to Hara. "I'll meet you at the airship port tonight. Good luck again, Koiray."

The two watched Jassen leave, and as he disappeared from view, Koiray led them towards a wing of offices. "Did you bring my clothes?" Koiray asked.

"Yeah." She handed him a pack.

"Thanks." Koiray stopped at one door and placed his hand on the security sphere.

The door slid open, and the computer spoke overhead, "Welcome, Sir Koiray."

Hara looked around, and a crinkle formed in the bridge of her nose. "Whose office is this?"

"Baed's. I asked him if I could borrow it to change." Koiray reached for a divider in the room and placed himself behind it. "Do you know if my parents and Des are here yet?"

The summoner nodded, looking around the room. "Yeah, they were on the airship Jassen and I were on." Projected on the wall was an image of Sir Baed smiling in his full dress uniform with his arms wrapped around a smiling woman dressed in a formal wedding gown. Her fingers, of their own accord, touched the image, and it flickered before restoring itself. "They're uh… They're going to meet us out there."

The Deputy Crimson Knight emerged from behind the screen. He pulled on the last layer of clothes, a formal looking jacket, and found a mirror. He pulled a comb from his pack and brushed his hair to the side in a neat and conforming style. He smiled and shrugged. "I don't look too bad if I say so myself."

Without a word, Hara pulled him towards her, catching him in a passionate kiss. Koiray could feel the multitude of emotion pouring out: love, lust, tenderness, and passion. His hand rested at the base of her neck as he revealed the same amount of emotion Hara had shown him.

She pulled away without warning, and Koiray looked at her with a soft expression. "Well… what was that for?"

Hara offered a half-hearted smirk. "One for the road, I guess." She buried her face in his shoulder and pulled him close. "Koiray, you better come back… because if you don't, I don't know what I'll do."

"Sh, it's all right. Everything's going to be fine," Koiray soothed, cradling her close. "I can still stop. I don't have to go."

Hara shook her head, attempting to gather up all the emotions she had unleashed. "No, you should go. Just… promise that you'll come back to me."

"I promise you," he answered. He reached to lift her chin up and offered a smile. "I have to come back, there are things we have to talk about when I get back."

"Like what?"

Takoire III suppressed his initial thoughts. What he wouldn't do to ask her now… but his dad had his ring, and he wouldn't tie her down if there was a risk he wouldn't be coming back. "A lot of things… how do you feel about moving to Djose?"

Hara eyed him skeptically. "Djose? Why would we move to Djose?" Koiray chose not to answer, and instead, allowed Hara to put the pieces together. "Does it have to do with Sir Aelozo?" Silence. "Wait. You didn't- He couldn't- Koiray, were you offered Crimson Knight of Djose?" He nodded, and the summoner smiled widely. "That's great!"

Koiray nodded. "I haven't given Aelozo an answer yet, but I just want you to think about it. If you don't want to move, I won't take it."

"I love you. I'll follow you anywhere," Hara stated simply.

"You say that now," he answered, placing a quick kiss on her lips, "but what if I took you to Arashiven?"

The summoner smiled, placing a hand on his face. "You're right. I wouldn't love you anymore."

Koiray held her close once more and sighed. "Good thing I didn't take that post in Arashiven… Hara, I love you. I could never leave you for long. I have a life, and it's here with you."

"I wish I could go with you."

"Me too, but it's too dangerous. I don't even know if I could take someone with me," he admitted. "Just trust that I'll come back to you."

"I trust you." She paused. "Only the Cheribum knows why, but I trust you."

He grinned. "I'll be sure to ask him if I ever run into him again."

The summoner swallowed hard and reached into her pocket, revealing a silver necklace with a silver plate. In the metals of a chokin it displayed her summoner's brand: a sword implanted in the ground underneath a starry sky. "Here, I had this made for you."

Koiray allowed her to place it around his neck. "What's this?"

"To remind you what's waiting at home for you."

He held it in his fingers and admired it. "I'll keep it with me always."

----------

The streets of Besaid were alive with their typical activities. People came and went, on their way elsewhere. Along the street were tables and chairs placed for walkers' leisure. The Deputy Crimson Knight of Besaid found himself in such a position while Sector Commander Teyh sat across from him.

"Teyh, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me what it is I'm looking for."

"Chill, any second now."

"You said that half a mark ago."

"Just a little longer."

"I can't just sit here doing nothing, Teyh, I have things to do-"

"There! Shut up!"

Across the way, two emerged from the Narika Sphere Company Building. A young man, dressed in formal business clothes, yelled in the direction of his counterpart emerging from the door, a young woman of modest dress. Their words were indistinguishable, but Koiray looked on keenly. The young man wore dark blue hair while the young woman had unmistakable, pale blond hair.

The argument continued for a few more minutes before the man stormed away, and the woman retreated back into the building.

"Teyh, how did you know that was going to happen?"

The Sector Commander sighed and leaned back in his chair. He ruffled his hair and crossed his arms. "It happens whenever Des gets back from a business trip."

"Why?"

"Des got promoted above Rong a little while ago, and ever since, they always get into an argument whenever she holds a conference here or whatever it is she does. Now, I know it's none of my business, but, Koiray, I can't help but want to do something."

Koiray frowned and shook his head. "Unless she asks for our help or things start really getting out of hand, we can't do anything."

"I just… I just don't like him, and it's not just because I'm her brother."

"Then why? A hunch isn't going to cut it."

"Well," Teyh returned, obviously ill at ease, "he's smug. It's like he thinks he's better than everyone else."

The Deputy Crimson Knight shrugged. "Some people call that confidence."

"What about what he had to say about the aeons? That didn't bother you?"

"Do I agree with it? No. Does he have a right to his own opinion? Yes."

The Sector Commander groaned in anguish. "Koiray, you're supposed to be on my side."

"Teyh, I don't know what it is you want me to say. I don't have the highest opinion of the guy, but that doesn't mean he isn't a good guy. He's smart and polite; and if Des wants to be with him, it's not our place to say anything."

"But-"

Koiray held up a hand. "Do you want Des to get mad at you?"

"No."

"Then unless you have proof that he's a bad guy, I'm telling you to shut up and do nothing."

Teyh frowned. "And what happens if I turn out to be right and Des gets burned in the end?"

"Then you were right. Do you want me to give you a ribbon for it?" Koiray moved to stand and straightened his uniform. "Sometimes, Teyh, people need to make their own mistakes and learn for themselves."

"I'm not the only one who doesn't like him, Koiray. Ro and Maru both agree with me."

"But as long as Des likes him, none of you can do anything about it. Trust me on this one. Stay out of it."

----------

A distance away, Koiray could see three people waiting on the outskirts of the city. He walked hand-in-hand with the Summoner Liaison Hara, and the distance between them closed. Koiray could see his parents smile, and he smiled back. Desa waved, and the two parties came together as one.

"Hey, Mom, Dad, Des." He greeted each one with a hug and consciously kept his demeanor calm and neutral.

"All set?" Takoire asked.

Koiray smiled and shrugged. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Desa handed him a pack with a small smile. "A little something from my parents, Teyh, and me. Just in case you ever run into any trouble."

The Deputy Crimson Knight threw it over his shoulder and nodded. "It's like my birthday. I should leave more often."

Lenne rolled her eyes and handed him a sphere. "You only get one thing from us, and it's not for you."

"Who's it for?"

"For Alor," Takoire answered. "It's just a few still-spheres and a letter."

"Okay. Anything else you want to give me? Pass on a message?"

Takoire shook his head. "No, I think that's about it. I think it's just the sendoff at this point." Koiray smiled and nodded, and Takoire embraced him in a final hug. "Take care of yourself. Stay out of trouble."

"I will." The Deputy Crimson Knight turned to Lenne and kissed her on the cheek before hugging her. "Try not to miss me too much, Mom."

Lenne sighed and shook her head. "I know I shouldn't worry and that you can take care of yourself, but I can't help it. It's my job as your Mom."

"Then I wouldn't have it any other way." He turned to Desa and smirked. "I'll see you later, Des. Try not to work too hard."

Desa rolled her eyes and gave him a quick hug. "You just worry about yourself. I'll be fine. Teyh and Maru told me to pass along a good luck."

Koiray suddenly frowned and grew serious. "You better keep an eye on those two. I don't want to come back and find my wing in mass chaos."

"I'm sure Baed won't let it come to that," Desa assured him. "Have a safe trip, Koiray, and get back quick before Teyh's ego grows out of control."

"I will." The Deputy Crimson Knight turned to the last person, and he smiled his charming smile. "Now remember, all you have to do is-"

"-feed your fish," Hara finished. "I got it."

"Just checking…" Koiray used two fingers to lift Hara's chin and met her in a soft kiss. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. He could see the warmth and love reflected there and smiled before pulling away.

He took a few steps back and gave a wink to Hara before he closed his eyes. He cleared his thoughts of all else and focused only on Syan and Alor. He could feel something beginning to stir within him… something he hadn't felt in years. The power within him was growing stronger, and Koiray was beginning to feel his senses enflame. The pain was also beginning to take hold, and Koiray fought to keep his thoughts focused.

He steadied his breathing; he could feel the power flowing through his veins. His senses hit overdrive, and he unleashed a cry of pain, falling to his knees.

"Koiray!" Hara moved to catch him, but Takoire held up an arm and shook his head.

The Deputy Crimson Knight squeezed his hand tightly into a fist but kept his thoughts on Syan and Alor. It was then his power consumed him, and he disappeared from sight.



Author's Notes: I'm looking forward to hearing your comments about this week's chapter. Next week's chapter should be interesting. Let's shake up Koiray's life, shall we?