A Generation of Legacies
Chapter Fifty-Two
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X, X-2, or any of Square-Enix's characters
Last Time:
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 sense 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.
The howls of pain echoed throughout the forest, but the young man could only shout to ease his pain. The pain suddenly ceased, and Koiray could feel himself coming whole. His body had been weakened, but he still had a grip on all his senses.
He stood slowly, almost falling from rising too quickly, and observed his surroundings. The woods surrounding him were quiet and dark, with little sunlight coming through the trees. Koiray racked his brain for the answer, groaning as a result of his throbbing headache. "I shifted… I shifted just outside of Bevelle… that means… I'm in… the Macalania Woods. Oh, shit… which way is Bevelle?"
The pack from his shoulder fell to the ground, and Koiray looked through the items, not entirely sure of his own actions. From the bottom of the bag, he pulled out a round, small compass and smiled, opening it. "Oh, Cheribum, I love you, Des… A compass…"
The Deputy Crimson Knight repacked his belongings and chose a path to follow. His mind was incapable of any complex thought, and so he walked slowly in a daze.
Bevelle's skyline came into view, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He entered the outer edge of the city and made his way through the streets. For the most part, he blended in with the population, something he had failed at previously, but his exhausted state wasn't easy to hide.
He was coming upon the heart of Bevelle, and the amount of people was beginning to increase. This Bevelle had changed little since he had last seen it, but Koiray knew not to expect much change during the time of Sin. The biggest question he had was if he was in the right time.
"Be ready! Lord Sareth lives, and he will unite all of Spira under his rule!"
The words caught Koiray's attention, and he turned to see an older man standing on the side of the road. His clothes were a mess, and his hair disheveled. He had a wild look in his eye, but the people seemed to be ignoring his ramblings.
"Lord Sareth will unite Spira under Bevelle, and together we will defeat Sin!"
At the mention of Sin, Koiray perked up. For now he knew he was in a time period with Sin, but the mention of Sareth made him nervous. Where exactly was he?
He continued walking forward until he reached the temple of St. Bevelle. The sounds of a song filled his ears as he passed under the temple archway. His exhausted state fell to the sounds of it, and it filled him with wonder. His breath caught itself in his throat, and an emotion filled his gut.
"The Hymn of the Fayth rings deep to all those who hear it," a voice said. "It is the fayth's gift to Spira."
Koiray turned to see an old Yevon priest at his side who had a kind look about him. "Oh, Father," he said, immediately turning on his accent, "my apologies. I didn't realize you were there."
"Is there something I can help you with, young man? Perhaps a bed for the night? You seem a bit weary."
He shook his head. "Thank you, but no. It's been a long journey, that's all. However, if you could point me to Father Alor, I'd be most appreciative."
The priest cocked his head. "Father Alor? I'm afraid he's out training his apprentice."
"I see, thank you then, Father."
The old man took a bow and held his hands in the traditional form of a prayer. "Praise be to Yevon."
Koiray went through the motions his grandmother had taught him and found the action awkward. "Praise be to Yevon." He watched the Yevon priest walk away but suddenly called after him. "Wait, Father, perhaps you could help me with one other thing?"
He stopped and looked over his shoulder. "How so?"
"Is… Mage… Diln here today?"
The priest smiled and nodded. "Yes, I believe he is. I'll bring him out." He bowed and disappeared, leaving Koiray to his own devices.
He had to fight to stay conscious and kept his thoughts occupied as best he could. He spotted the room that had once belonged to the high priests and wondered… could Reth's secret passage still be there? Lost to time?
"I believe it was that young man who was asking for you, Mage Diln," a voice seemed to say.
Koiray turned to look and spotted two Yevon priests approaching him. The preist he had just met and Syan's father. His hair seemed a little whiter, and the lines a little deeper, but he recognized the man… and it seemed the man recognized him as well.
"Good afternoon, sir," Koiray bowed.
The mage paused but bowed his head. "Good afternoon… Koiray."
"So you know the young man," the other commented.
Diln nodded. "Yes, I do. He's a friend of Syan."
"Oh? I see." The Yevon priest bowed. "Well, I must be getting back to my work. Good day to you."
An awkward silence filled the air in the priest's absence. Diln attempted to clear his throat and grimaced. "Well… Koiray, it's been some time. What brings you back to Bevelle?"
"Just passing through, sir. I thought I could say hello to Syan while I was here, but I don't know where to find him."
"He's out in the Macalania Forest, training with Alor."
"Really?" Koiray moved to take a step forward but faltered, almost falling to the ground if not for Diln.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm sorry. I just feel light headed all of a sudden." The mage held a hand to Koiray's forehead but frowned after a moment. "Is something wrong?"
Diln shook his head but remained thoughtful. "No, it's nothing. Come, you should rest."
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"You know, I've spoken with some of my friends, including Des, and we all agree. The Mi'ihen Highroad is not the most romantic place you could have taken me for our anniversary, and to top things off, you have me climbing up ruins. Tell me something, do you just like sitting on ruins all the time?"
Koiray smiled, offering a helping hand. "As a matter of fact, I do, but I don't expect someone like you to understand that."
"Someone like me?" Hara returned. "You mean a nice, simple girl who would have been happy with a candlelit dinner?"
The Deputy Crimson Knight raised an eyebrow. "You are far from a simple girl, Hara."
They reached the top of the ruins, and Koiray motioned to a seat overlooking the water. It was then the sun began to set, and the collage of colors began to sparkle with the ripples of the water. The summoner let out a sigh of exclamation as she watched the whole valley seemingly begin to glow in the colors of the sun.
"Now who says I can't be romantic?" Koiray asked, placing a kiss on her exposed neck.
Hara sighed. "I never said you weren't romantic, Takoire, I just… I never realized how pretty this place was."
"…when are you going to stop calling me Takoire?" he asked in an annoyed manner.
She smiled. "When you aren't in love with me anymore."
"Darn… I guess I'm stuck with it because I can't ever picture that day."
He met her in a kiss just then; a kiss that was soft and tender, filled with love. Koiray cherished every moment he had with her, and moments like these made life truly worth living.
Hara pulled away but placed a hand on his face. "I love you."
"I love you." The Deputy Crimson Knight turned her hand and placed a kiss on the inside of her wrist. "You have no idea how much I love you."
She looked out onto the water. "Almost as much as you love climbing these ruins?"
"Of course not," Koiray answered, "I love the ruins way more."
It was then she pushed him away mockingly. "I don't know why I put up with you."
"Because I'd be lost without you," he said, whispering in her ear. Hara felt something slip onto her wrist, and she glanced down to see a silver bracelet with scattered green gems embedded in the metal.
"Cheribum… Koiray… Where…"
"Happy Anniversary, sweetheart."
Hara smiled and admired it but pulled out a small box of her own, offering it to him. He took it in his hands and found silver ring with the image of the ocean underneath a sun and moon merged as one.
"What's this?" he asked.
"I thought that since you're practically a summoner, you should have something that displays your brand and reminds you of where you came from."
"Thank you," he answered, slipping it onto his ring finger.
"Happy Anniversary."
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"Diln, what was so important that you had to call us back from the training exercise?"
"See for yourself, Alor."
Yevon Priest Alor and his apprentice followed Diln into the open room, a guest room intended for summoners on their pilgrimage. On the bed sat a young man, quietly sipping his water.
An older Alor followed by an older Syan appeared. Alor's bright red hair was no longer as intense, and smile lines were evident on his face. He wore the same vestments Koiray had remembered. Syan appeared somewhat differently than he had remembered him. He stood taller and was no less prim and proper. He wore, however, the robes of a Yevon clergyman, though not quite as elaborate as Diln's or Alor's. His dark purple hair was cut short and was swept back in a typical style. Both their expressions immediately brightened at the sight of him.
"Koiray, is that you, you son of a fiend?"Alor asked.
"It's me, Alor."
The Deputy Crimson Knight wearily stood and met him in a hug. "What- What are you doing here?" Alor asked. "Is everything all right?"
"Everything's fine. I'm just passing through, and I wanted to say hello. That's all."
Syan stepped forward, wearing a smile of disbelief. "Koiray…"
"It's been some time."
"Yes, yes, it has." Syan answered, meeting him in a hug. "Praise be to Yevon… Koiray, I can't believe it."
"I'm sorry, but I must be off," Diln interrupted. "There's always work to be done, and I should leave you all to catch up."
"I'll see you at home, Father," Syan said with a bow.
"Tonight then. Alor, Koiray, you must join us for dinner tonight."
Alor bowed his head. "Until then."
The mage-priest exited the room and disappeared down the hall.
"So, Koiray, what brings you back here? Uncle Alor told me that you had worked everything out with your parents."
Koiray nodded and smiled, immediately allowing his accent to drop. "I did, but I wanted to come by and say hi. It's been awhile." He finished his sentence by looking to Alor, and the Yevon priest picked up the ball without a qualm.
"Yes," Alor agreed, "two years is a long time."
"I see," Koiray laughed, "it feels more like three."
The expression on Alor's face made it clear he had understood, but Syan remained ever oblivious. "So is everything all right? You seem to be a bit ill."
Koiray shook his head. "No, I'm just tired. It's been a long trip." He smiled. "So, how are you guys? What have you been up to?"
Syan smiled and shrugged. "I'm… I'm Uncle Alor's apprentice now."
"You're going to be a Yevon priest?"
He let out a small laugh. "Yes, but there's a reason why I chose to be Uncle Alor's apprentice."
Alor pat him on the shoulder. "He's a fine apprentice, and to be honest, he's more than I expected in a fight."
Koiray's brow wrinkled as he struggled to remember. "You don't still use that staff, do you, Syan?"
The young man nodded. "I do. I seem to have a knack for it as you said."
"That's great," Koiray said. "That's really great."
"But what of you, Koiray? Surely you must have been busy in the past few years. Have you completed your apprenticeship?"
The Deputy Crimson Knight nodded. "Yeah, I'm… I'm a guardian."
"Really? To whom?"
"A summoner from Kilika. His name is Kaben."
Syan paused, gathering his thoughts. "I'm surprised to find you separated from him."
Koiray shrugged. "He only passed the fayth's test a few days ago, and he wanted to spend some time with his family before embarking on his pilgrimage."
Alor nodded. "It would make sense. Sin was defeated only last year, and there is no rush to complete a pilgrimage." He caught Koiray's eye. "Now, Koiray, where do you plan on staying while you are in Bevelle?"
He looked around and held up his arms. "Syan's dad offered me the room for as long as I need it."
"That's good," Alor answered. "At least we won't have to worry about finding you accommodations." He paused and sighed. "Perhaps we should leave you for now, you should get some rest before dinner."
Takoire III nodded reluctantly. "I am pretty tired."
Syan smiled and shook his head. "Uncle Alor and I have reports to file anyway. I'll come get you when we leave."
Author's Notes: Let me know what you think. I'm looking forward to your reviews. Until next time!
