Feedback is my friend. Booyeah. Feedback was so nice, you get two chapters in
one night. Isn't that nice?
Chapter 25 Revelations
Rikku cried.
Hunched over Auron's still form, she prayed, her tiny fingers clutching the silver
feather. Auron's breathing had slowed to almost nothing, barely clinging to life, or
at least existence upon Spira. To Rikku, it made no sense that a dead man could
be dying, but it seemed to be the case. His head rested motionless in her lap, his
eye closed for perhaps the final sleep. Rikku prayed harder than she ever had
before over her lover's still body. Please… The party of the Summoner Yuna had
encircled their fallen, Rikku centered at the head. Not a breath, not a sound
emerged except Auron's final, strangled gasps. Each said a prayer to his or her
god, and waited.
A frozen wind erupted through the caves, it's howl tearing across the party's
ears. When the guardians looked upwards, the silver Phoenix stood calmly
before them, wings folded at it's sides. The bird was slightly smaller than a
chocobo, yet far more sculpted and a hunter in build. It's sharp black beak and
cunning eyes stood out against it's brilliant shining feathers. The creature looked
to be some magnificent ice carving come to life.
It began to stride forward, the bird's regal gaze flowing across the party. It's long
feathered tail flowed behind it's body like a cape, yet not dragging on the cold
stone floor. It's dagger-like claws scratched the ground as it approached the
circle. Wakka and Kimahri immediately stepped aside, allowing the beautiful
creature access to the one holding it's feather.
Rikku began to shake when the phoenix approached. It's piercing gaze fell to
Auron's now still chest. It lay a wing upon his pectoral, then looked to Rikku.
"I cannot bind him, this you know," Spoke the creature. The guardians gasped in
disbelief, but Rikku locked eyes with the bird.
"What do you mean?"
"I am a Lune, an… echo of the farplane. Our brethren guard the farplane and
those who reside there, the dead." The creature's beak did not move, his it's
multi-toned voice resonated in the minds of the party before it. "I cannot bring this
man back to life, child."
"But…" Rikku felt her resolve slip, "But you healed Kimahri!"
"He was newly ripped, his body and soul just broken. I mended those wounds.
This man… he is long overdue his rest at the farplane. His rift…" The bird
paused, "His soul and body had long since been separated. The longer one
holds their dead body to this world, the harder it is to keep it alive. The rift
deepens… this man has held himself here too long. As strong as his desire to
exist upon Spira is… he simply cannot will his body to live any longer. It was only
a matter of time."
The others gasped in realization of Auron's condition while Rikku's mind whirled.
"But! Why, why did you leave your feather?" Rikku cried, tears dripping down her
face.
"Child, I left my flesh for you, so that you might be healed. There is still time for
you… you can rejoin the living. We lunes felt that you died in vain, it was not your
time."
Rikku ignored the stares of disbelief from her comrades. "I… " The girl started, "I
don't want to be healed or brought back. I want… I want to be with Auron. I want
to save Yunie and help Spira by defeating sin once and for all, and I… I want to
do it with Auron by my side. It doesn't matter if we go to the farplane eventually…
just… not yet."
Her words were quiet as she gazed upon the still face of Auron. The bird
regarded Rikku for a moment.
"Brave child, you are strong. Very well, I shall do what I can. He will not last long,
but perhaps… perhaps it shall be long enough," the phoenix whispered in their
minds, and unfolded it's large, moonlit wings in the darkness of a moonless cave.
It folded itself across the fallen guardian, it's head and beak brushing across
Auron's chest. That bright light was emitted yet again, and all was forced to look
away. When the light faded, this time the bird was still there.
It sat stiffly between Auron's spread legs, regarding the swordsman with interest.
Rikku held her breath, her hands cupping Auron's face. The guardian let a small
groan escape his lips as his eye fluttered open.
The first thing he saw was two tearing emerald eyes gazing into his with such
intensity, he almost looked away. Her eyes looked beyond his to something in
front of him. What? What was going on? His head was swimming, and he stifled
a moan of exhaustion. His eyelids were like lead and he wanted nothing more
than to slip to silent and peaceful slumber, but something about Rikku's eyes…
Taking great quantities of energy, Auron lifted his head to find himself half-naked,
with a large bird between his spread legs. He was in the center of a circle,
surrounded by the others. What in Yevon?
"You are… temporarily bound. You will be weak… I do not know how long you
shall stay, guardian. Spend your time well, it was paid for with great… love," The
bird sang in the minds of those watching the dramatic scene, a very confused
Auron now included. With that, the phoenix stood tall and simply… disappeared,
along with the feather in Rikku's hand.
Rikku wasted no further time in pouncing Auron, her face leaning over his while
her hands wrapped around his neck. Yuna and Tidus each grasped an arm as
both Lulu and Wakka grinned widely to each other. Auron was shocked at the
display of affection towards his prone form… Something had happened here,
something that he had missed out on. Apparently it had been nerve-wracking for
Rikku, because a seemingly endless flow of tears fell from her bowed head to his
brow. He reached up a trembling hand to her face, and she grasped it with such
enthusiasm he thought she could break bones.
"Wait… stop, please. Tell me what's going on," Auron pleaded, his voice
somewhat clogged. Rikku just held him as if never to let go. It was Yuna whom
helped the confused man to a sitting position while the others went to re-start the
fire and prepare a meal. Auron reclined against Rikku, whom just wrapped her
arms around his shoulders and held on. An hour later, Yuna had explained all
events prior to his current state.
"Sir Auron… why didn't you tell us you were unsent?" Yuna asked with wide
eyes. "And you too, Rikku!" Both looked to the ground.
Yuna gave a dramatic sigh, embraced the startled Auron and left the two to
themselves. Rikku still trembled in stress and shock against his much-cooler
back.
"Rikku… how… why? You could have lived again…" Auron's voice was low and
depressed, his gaze lowered to the ground. "And this, I… I don't-"
Rikku shushed him with a kiss to his bare neck. "It would not have been life
without you, Auron. It would have been… existence, nothing more. It would have
been a lifetime of waiting to see you again," she whispered, her voice laced with
emotion.
"But, I'm not worth it, Rikku. I'm just an old man doing his duty-"
"You are everything to me," Rikku whispered in his ear. "And I love you."
Auron froze at her words. He stood still, his mind struggling to grasp what she
had said. He twisted himself to her, his shoulder pressing into her chest instead
of his back. He gazed up to her face with tears in his eye. Her own spiraling
pupils were drenched in tears, an after affect of the morning's events. Auron
raised a large, comfortably warm hand to her face, his rough forefinger touching
her cheek as if feeling her for the first time. That simple touch sent her stressed
and exhausted mind over the edge. She broke down, bawling. She fell
backwards to the bedroll, Auron falling as well. He lifted himself and pulled his
body to her side, enwrapping her in a fierce and protective hug. Two people, both
clinging for dear life to a world that had condemned them to death, they clung to
each other in tears and a newfound joy. The pilgrimage seemed a mere obstacle,
something that could be dealt with in time. Now, Auron immersed himself in her
scent, her touch while Rikku clung to his waist, burying her head in the throat of
the one she'd come too close to loosing.
The laid like that for hours, Yuna never protesting in the temporary halt of the
pilgrimage. With no sunlight and no way to know, time seemed to stop for a little
while, awarding precious hours to lie in a mutual embrace.
After the sun had set for a second day in the caves, Tidus and Yuna hesitantly
went to Auron's bedroll. Auron had almost fully recovered from what must have
been a simple illness that his weakened body could not fight off. He lay on his
stomach and side, half-burying the smaller Al Bhed below him. Rikku's face, or
what could be seen of it, was peaceful and content, as was Auron's. Their
breaths were calm and even in the darkness, save for a soft sigh from Rikku or
Auron every once and a while. Yuna knelt and covered the two with the forgotten
blanket, tucking it in under the bedroll. She stood with a sad smile on her face,
her thoughts drifting to what would come. Tidus slid his hand in hers, and they
left Auron and Rikku to dream in peace.
*** Spazgotobednow.
-Spazkit
one night. Isn't that nice?
Chapter 25 Revelations
Rikku cried.
Hunched over Auron's still form, she prayed, her tiny fingers clutching the silver
feather. Auron's breathing had slowed to almost nothing, barely clinging to life, or
at least existence upon Spira. To Rikku, it made no sense that a dead man could
be dying, but it seemed to be the case. His head rested motionless in her lap, his
eye closed for perhaps the final sleep. Rikku prayed harder than she ever had
before over her lover's still body. Please… The party of the Summoner Yuna had
encircled their fallen, Rikku centered at the head. Not a breath, not a sound
emerged except Auron's final, strangled gasps. Each said a prayer to his or her
god, and waited.
A frozen wind erupted through the caves, it's howl tearing across the party's
ears. When the guardians looked upwards, the silver Phoenix stood calmly
before them, wings folded at it's sides. The bird was slightly smaller than a
chocobo, yet far more sculpted and a hunter in build. It's sharp black beak and
cunning eyes stood out against it's brilliant shining feathers. The creature looked
to be some magnificent ice carving come to life.
It began to stride forward, the bird's regal gaze flowing across the party. It's long
feathered tail flowed behind it's body like a cape, yet not dragging on the cold
stone floor. It's dagger-like claws scratched the ground as it approached the
circle. Wakka and Kimahri immediately stepped aside, allowing the beautiful
creature access to the one holding it's feather.
Rikku began to shake when the phoenix approached. It's piercing gaze fell to
Auron's now still chest. It lay a wing upon his pectoral, then looked to Rikku.
"I cannot bind him, this you know," Spoke the creature. The guardians gasped in
disbelief, but Rikku locked eyes with the bird.
"What do you mean?"
"I am a Lune, an… echo of the farplane. Our brethren guard the farplane and
those who reside there, the dead." The creature's beak did not move, his it's
multi-toned voice resonated in the minds of the party before it. "I cannot bring this
man back to life, child."
"But…" Rikku felt her resolve slip, "But you healed Kimahri!"
"He was newly ripped, his body and soul just broken. I mended those wounds.
This man… he is long overdue his rest at the farplane. His rift…" The bird
paused, "His soul and body had long since been separated. The longer one
holds their dead body to this world, the harder it is to keep it alive. The rift
deepens… this man has held himself here too long. As strong as his desire to
exist upon Spira is… he simply cannot will his body to live any longer. It was only
a matter of time."
The others gasped in realization of Auron's condition while Rikku's mind whirled.
"But! Why, why did you leave your feather?" Rikku cried, tears dripping down her
face.
"Child, I left my flesh for you, so that you might be healed. There is still time for
you… you can rejoin the living. We lunes felt that you died in vain, it was not your
time."
Rikku ignored the stares of disbelief from her comrades. "I… " The girl started, "I
don't want to be healed or brought back. I want… I want to be with Auron. I want
to save Yunie and help Spira by defeating sin once and for all, and I… I want to
do it with Auron by my side. It doesn't matter if we go to the farplane eventually…
just… not yet."
Her words were quiet as she gazed upon the still face of Auron. The bird
regarded Rikku for a moment.
"Brave child, you are strong. Very well, I shall do what I can. He will not last long,
but perhaps… perhaps it shall be long enough," the phoenix whispered in their
minds, and unfolded it's large, moonlit wings in the darkness of a moonless cave.
It folded itself across the fallen guardian, it's head and beak brushing across
Auron's chest. That bright light was emitted yet again, and all was forced to look
away. When the light faded, this time the bird was still there.
It sat stiffly between Auron's spread legs, regarding the swordsman with interest.
Rikku held her breath, her hands cupping Auron's face. The guardian let a small
groan escape his lips as his eye fluttered open.
The first thing he saw was two tearing emerald eyes gazing into his with such
intensity, he almost looked away. Her eyes looked beyond his to something in
front of him. What? What was going on? His head was swimming, and he stifled
a moan of exhaustion. His eyelids were like lead and he wanted nothing more
than to slip to silent and peaceful slumber, but something about Rikku's eyes…
Taking great quantities of energy, Auron lifted his head to find himself half-naked,
with a large bird between his spread legs. He was in the center of a circle,
surrounded by the others. What in Yevon?
"You are… temporarily bound. You will be weak… I do not know how long you
shall stay, guardian. Spend your time well, it was paid for with great… love," The
bird sang in the minds of those watching the dramatic scene, a very confused
Auron now included. With that, the phoenix stood tall and simply… disappeared,
along with the feather in Rikku's hand.
Rikku wasted no further time in pouncing Auron, her face leaning over his while
her hands wrapped around his neck. Yuna and Tidus each grasped an arm as
both Lulu and Wakka grinned widely to each other. Auron was shocked at the
display of affection towards his prone form… Something had happened here,
something that he had missed out on. Apparently it had been nerve-wracking for
Rikku, because a seemingly endless flow of tears fell from her bowed head to his
brow. He reached up a trembling hand to her face, and she grasped it with such
enthusiasm he thought she could break bones.
"Wait… stop, please. Tell me what's going on," Auron pleaded, his voice
somewhat clogged. Rikku just held him as if never to let go. It was Yuna whom
helped the confused man to a sitting position while the others went to re-start the
fire and prepare a meal. Auron reclined against Rikku, whom just wrapped her
arms around his shoulders and held on. An hour later, Yuna had explained all
events prior to his current state.
"Sir Auron… why didn't you tell us you were unsent?" Yuna asked with wide
eyes. "And you too, Rikku!" Both looked to the ground.
Yuna gave a dramatic sigh, embraced the startled Auron and left the two to
themselves. Rikku still trembled in stress and shock against his much-cooler
back.
"Rikku… how… why? You could have lived again…" Auron's voice was low and
depressed, his gaze lowered to the ground. "And this, I… I don't-"
Rikku shushed him with a kiss to his bare neck. "It would not have been life
without you, Auron. It would have been… existence, nothing more. It would have
been a lifetime of waiting to see you again," she whispered, her voice laced with
emotion.
"But, I'm not worth it, Rikku. I'm just an old man doing his duty-"
"You are everything to me," Rikku whispered in his ear. "And I love you."
Auron froze at her words. He stood still, his mind struggling to grasp what she
had said. He twisted himself to her, his shoulder pressing into her chest instead
of his back. He gazed up to her face with tears in his eye. Her own spiraling
pupils were drenched in tears, an after affect of the morning's events. Auron
raised a large, comfortably warm hand to her face, his rough forefinger touching
her cheek as if feeling her for the first time. That simple touch sent her stressed
and exhausted mind over the edge. She broke down, bawling. She fell
backwards to the bedroll, Auron falling as well. He lifted himself and pulled his
body to her side, enwrapping her in a fierce and protective hug. Two people, both
clinging for dear life to a world that had condemned them to death, they clung to
each other in tears and a newfound joy. The pilgrimage seemed a mere obstacle,
something that could be dealt with in time. Now, Auron immersed himself in her
scent, her touch while Rikku clung to his waist, burying her head in the throat of
the one she'd come too close to loosing.
The laid like that for hours, Yuna never protesting in the temporary halt of the
pilgrimage. With no sunlight and no way to know, time seemed to stop for a little
while, awarding precious hours to lie in a mutual embrace.
After the sun had set for a second day in the caves, Tidus and Yuna hesitantly
went to Auron's bedroll. Auron had almost fully recovered from what must have
been a simple illness that his weakened body could not fight off. He lay on his
stomach and side, half-burying the smaller Al Bhed below him. Rikku's face, or
what could be seen of it, was peaceful and content, as was Auron's. Their
breaths were calm and even in the darkness, save for a soft sigh from Rikku or
Auron every once and a while. Yuna knelt and covered the two with the forgotten
blanket, tucking it in under the bedroll. She stood with a sad smile on her face,
her thoughts drifting to what would come. Tidus slid his hand in hers, and they
left Auron and Rikku to dream in peace.
*** Spazgotobednow.
-Spazkit