A Generation of Legacies
Chapter Fifty-Four

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

Last Time:

"Lord Sareth is the true ruler of Bevelle!" the man continued. "He will defeat Sin and unite Spira!"

"Hey, you. You need to come with us," a man said.

A small detail of warrior monks had appeared, and Koiray watched them confront the soldier.

"You can't take me. I serve Lord Sareth! I serve Bevelle!"

The warrior monks surrounded him, and one pointed a finger. "Hold your tongue! You are hereby placed under arrest under the authority of Yevon!"

The soldier struggled to escape but was hit with the butt of a rifle before the warrior monks dragged him away.

Koiray turned to Syan and Alor in horror. "What the hell was that? What's going on?"

Alor pushed him back towards the residence. "Come, we'll discuss this indoors. It's not safe to be speaking about such things in the open."


"Do you guys mind telling me what the hell happened out there?"

The door closed behind Alor, and the Yevon priest heaved a heavy sigh. "I wish your visit were under better circumstances, Koiray. Bevelle is ill at ease at the moment."

Koiray shook his head, frowning. "Why was that man talking about Sareth like he was alive? And why did the Yevon warrior monks just dragged him away in full view?"

Alor motioned to the seat of his desk. "Let's see, how best to describe it?"

"A few months ago, a small faction arrived in Bevelle," Syan began. "They claimed that Sareth was still alive, and it was their solemn duty to reclaim Bevelle for him."

Alor nodded. "They believe that Sareth will return if Bevelle is won back." He sighed. "Obviously, to speak of Sareth and the old ways is sacrilege, and Yevon has been trying to hush all of it. They'll arrest anyone who is the least bit connected, but over the past few months, this… faction has been growing in numbers."

"This must be difficult for you to hear," Syan said. "Sareth was your uncle, was he not?"

"Yes…"

"Did you ever know him?" Syan asked.

Koiray hesitated but shook his head. "No. He died before I was born." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I just… I never realized how much influence Sareth still has, that's all."

Alor scoffed. "I don't think anyone truly did. At the moment, stopping these men has become the clergy's top priority, but, again, their command structure and organization is surprisingly complex. They act like an army."

"But the man who we saw arrested, he didn't look like a soldier, more like some homeless man."

"Those, we believe, are just the messengers. Those who believe as they do but do not have the ability to fight," Syan answered. "Koiray, how do you know that Sareth is dead? There are many among the clergy who believe he is still alive, but the maesters keep denying it."

The Deputy Crimson Knight swallowed hard, using the time to gather his thoughts. "Tell me what you know of Sareth, and I'll answer your question."

Syan took a breath but shrugged. "Sareth was the leader of Bevelle and took us into the war with Zanarkand. When it looked as if Bevelle would lose, he disappeared. In a way, he is responsible for Sin."

Thinking about his time in another Bevelle, Koiray sighed. "He also murdered the entire royal family and attempted to do the same to my parents. I know he's dead because my father killed him."

"That's… I see…" Alor said. "Well, at least that puts one question to rest. But what of Tynas?"

Koiray's ears instantly perked. "Tynas?"

The Yevon priest bowed his head apologetically. "I'm sorry. A man named Tynas leads them. Years ago, he was a general who served Sareth."

Koiray frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. "Do you know anything else about Tynas?"

Alor shook his head. "No, I'm sorry. Why do you ask?"

"It's nothing."

The Yevon priest sighed and nodded. "Be wary, Koiray. Do not allow yourself to be caught listening to their words. Yevon punishes those who would listen harshly."

"I'm surprised you haven't heard of this before," Syan commented. "Though Yevon has discouraged it, whispers have spread throughout Spira of what is happening in Bevelle."

The Deputy Crimson Knight laughed and waved the thought away. "I don't have time to listen to rumors; I'm too busy with my work."

Syan nodded and smiled. "I can understand that. Perhaps if my work did not revolve around finding these men, I would be oblivious to the situation as well."

"Suffice it to say," Alor said, "stay away from those men."

Koiray nodded. "I'll try, Alor, but trouble has a habit of finding me."

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"Wing, tench-hut!"

The guardians of Besaid stood assembled in the main plaza of Besaid, just in front of the Temple of Suzaku. Over one hundred and fifty guardians stood at attention as Deputy Crimson Knight of Besaid Koiray and Crimson Knight of Besaid Baed stood before them.

"I, Crimson Knight of Besaid Baed do hereby resign my seat on the Council of Guardians. Per the orders of Guardian Headquarters in Bevelle, I place the wing of Besaid under the jurisdiction and authority of Crimson Knight Octavyn."

Baed waited for Koiray to post to his left and then turned around and saluted another man. "Sir Octavyn, Besaid wing reports as ordered."

The man saluted back and nodded. "Put your wing, at ease."

Crimson Knight Baed turned to yell over his shoulder. "Wing, at ease."

The guardians of Besaid assumed a more relaxed form and waited to hear what the Crimson Regent had to say. "Guardians of Besaid, thank you for welcoming me into your city. I'm glad to be here. Besaid is, and always has been, one of the best guardian wings in Spira. I won't deny that being your Crimson Regent is a daunting task, but at the same time, I feel immense pride to have been chosen to command you. I was Crimson Knight of Luca for my share of years, but I know that there's still a lot to learn. I'm sure all of you, Sir Baed, and Sir Koiray will help me in that pursuit." Octavyn sighed and smiled. "Sir Baed, bring your wing to attention."

"Wing, tench-hut!"

The guardians snapped to attention, and Octavyn offered a nod. "Take control of you wing and carry out the orders of the day."

Baed held up a salute, and Octavyn returned the gesture before taking a step back. The Crimson Knight nodded to Koiray, and the Deputy Crimson Knight turned to face the wing. "Sector Commanders, take control of your sectors and carry out the orders of the day."

The Sector Commanders all saluted and received a salute in return. A chorus of Sector Commanders falling out their sectors was heard, and the guardian wing disbanded. Koiray remained behind Baed who approached the Crimson Regent with a smile and a handshake. "Congratulations, Octavyn."

Octavyn nodded with a smile. "Thanks. But now it's time to see if I'm in over my head."

"You'll be fine," Baed answered. "When's the final ceremony?"

"Next week. I'll be placing Region I under Sir Xieron after the other Crimson Regents are done with their Regions."

"Is Bevelle as much of a mess as I think it is?"

Octavyn laughed. "Probably more. Fier and Xieron are running around with their heads cut off. It's actually pretty entertaining to watch. Then we have Myken taking up the reigns of Crimson Knight of Bevelle, and he's a nervous wreck. I'm sure the Council of New Spira and the Council of Summoners are laughing at us."

"No, sir," Koiray said. "The Summoners' Guardians are laughing at us."

The Crimson Regent nodded with a smile. "They would, wouldn't they? I can think of a few of my friends who would be laughing at us running around like this. It's Koiray, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"You don't need to call me sir unless we're doing something formal. Just Octavyn." He paused. "I saw your fight at the Tournament of Guardians. It was one for the record books."

Koiray shrugged. "Jassen wouldn't go down without a fight."

Octavyn wore a grin. "They never do. I'm curious to know what you think about our new structure."

"Well… it makes sense. The Guardian Wings of Spira are growing larger every year and reporting to Crimson Knights just isn't going to cut it anymore. I think this will work for the time being."

"Only for now?" Baed asked.

"It's an entirely new system," Koiray said. "We're structured like an army, but Spira hasn't seen an army in a thousand years. There are problems that are going to come up that we never expected."

The Crimson Regent smiled and nodded. "You're right. I don't think many guardians realize that the next few months will be pretty rocky." He let out a chuckle. "You've got a sharp one, Baed."

The Crimson Knight nodded in agreement. "He comes in handy."

A guardian appeared and whispered to Koiray, and the Deputy Crimson Knight nodded. "Sir Octavyn, we've prepared a reception for you. If you'd like to go?"

Octavyn nodded, and the trio moved towards the guardian building. Baed sighed and looked to Octavyn. "Would you mind giving my best to Fier? I've been so tied up here, I haven't had a chance to talk to him lately."

"I doubt Fier has had much free time, but I'm sure he'll be glad to hear from you." Octavyn scoffed. "Crimson Centurion Fier. I should have known he was up to something when he resigned."

Baed grinned. "100 gil says Fier and Xieron will want to be Crimson Knights again before the end of the month."

"I wonder how much sleep they're going to get the night before the ceremony…"

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With the cloth of his sleeve, Koiray wiped the apple and took a bite, trying to stop the juice from dripping down his face. He stood outside the temple in the main square, waiting for the arrival of Syan and Alor.

He had browsed through the local vendors and saw a particularly appealing apple. He had paid eight gil for it and now stood enjoying it. It appeared he had wrapped himself up in his snack as he failed to realize exactly who had approached him from behind.

"Good afternoon, Koiray."

The Deputy Crimson Knight turned and immediately offered a small bow. "Mage Diln, good afternoon."

"May I ask what brings you here this afternoon?"

Koiray looked to the temple. "Syan said to meet him here. I believe there was a lecture he had to attend."

Diln nodded. "Yes… It would appear the rebels are gathering for something…" He paused. "Well, I don't expect he'll be long."

"Thank you, sir."

"So… Koiray, you're originally from Bevelle?"

"Yes, sir, but I have barely spent any time here. Sometimes I find myself in Djose one day and then Luca the next."

"I see… And your parents, I assume, are also native to Bevelle."

"Yes, sir," Koiray answered, attempting to hide his discomfort.

"Who are your parents?" Diln questioned, maintaining a calm aura. "Perhaps I know them?"

"My father's name is Tidus, and my mother's name is Yuna. My father is a merchant."

"A merchant, you say?" He paused. "I see… Syan tells me that you're a guardian. Is such a position common in your family? Perhaps a summoner in your ranks?"

Koiray shook his head. "No, not that I know of. My family are simple folk."

Diln nodded but continued. "Tell me, do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"No, sir. I'm an only child."

"Koiray, does the name Mayara mean anything to you?"

"I'm sorry, no. Why?"

Diln sighed. "No reason, really."

The Deputy Crimson Knight took a breath and internalized all his emotions. Why was Syan's father interrogating him like this? What had he done to earn such distrust? He hoped his answers had satisfied the mage, but it didn't appear to be the case.

"These rebels are proving to be an issue for Yevon. Unfortunately, Syan may have little time to spare," Diln said.

Koiray scoffed. "It's my fault for not letting him know I was coming."

The man nodded, stroking his beard. "This is a most troubling time for Bevelle. The fact these rebels are led by General Tynas is even more worrisome."

"Yes. We can only hope that a resolution is found soon."

The mage was waiting for Koiray to say something, but for what he couldn't say. And why had he brought up the issue of the rebels? Koiray had assumed from Alor and Syan that for Yevon to speak on such matters was forbidden.

"General Tynas was once a skilled general in the service of Lord Sareth. It has proven difficult to find the rebels and their supply lines. Yevon has little experience fighting armies."

"I'm sure we have little to fear," Koiray said. "There's only so much a group like that can do to evade capture for very long."

"I hope that is the case," Diln said. "Lord Sareth's name stirs unrest in the hearts of all who hear it."

The mage caught his eye, and Koiray attempted to keep his composure. What was Diln looking for? What had he done to garner this distrust?

A figure walking out of the temple caught Koiray's eye, and he hoped the figure would notice him.

As luck would have it, Alor approached them and offered a bow. "Good afternoon, Diln, Koiray."

"Good afternoon, Alor," Diln answered.

"Good afternoon, Alor," Koiray said, catching the Yevon Priest's eye. He hoped Alor would read what was reflected in his eyes and that he would be pulled away from Diln's prying.

"What brings you here, Diln?" Alor asked.

The mage smiled and turned to his friend. "I was running out for a bite to eat when I ran into Koiray here."

Alor pat him on the shoulder and offered a sympathetic look. "Well, I'm sorry to cut your lunch short, but they're looking for you inside."

"Of course." Diln bowed. "Good afternoon, Alor, Koiray."

The Yevon Mage walked away, and as he disappeared, Alor turned to the Deputy Crimson Knight. "Would you like to explain why I just sent Syan's father on a wild chocobo chase?"

Koiray shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. "We need to talk."


Author's Notes: The snowball's rolling whether you realize it or not. Have fun. I love to hear your thoughts and predictions. Drop me a review! Until next time!