Chapter Fifteen: Reflections of the Past
Pietro and O'aka talked through the night, telling each other what they had gone through since last they met. Pietro told his friend about his travels through the Thunder Plains and the peaceful forest of Macalania. He filled in the stout man about the sights that he beheld in the Calm Lands and his exploits in training his faithful chocobo, Miaka. When he got to the point where he met with the Crusaders hiding amongst the hidden valley between the Calm Lands and Mount Gagazet, O'aka stopped his companion.
"There are still Crusaders who want to continue battling Sin. Why? I thought that they woulod have learned from the mistakes that were made during Operation Mi'ihen," he said suddenly.
"Yes, there are still a handful of them left. They do understand what went on at Mushroom Rock, yet they still fear for their families' lives. The few that I talked to told me that the reason they fought was to protect those dear to them. Even if it was to cost them their own precious existence." Pietro looked to his roommate and continued, "That is when I realized that I was meant to protect someone, myself." The man looked down at his hands that were resting in his lap and clenched them into fists. "I didn't figure out who that person was until later."
"You can tell me that when the time comes, please continue."
The former crusader proceeded to tell of his journey back across the savannah and the thoughts that ran through his mind. The reflections of all those that he had met during his travels were spoken with heartfelt joy. The way Rin had helped him when he was struck by lightning. The flowery speech that Isaaru gave about protecting others from the wrath of the monster Sin. The pain that he felt when he talked to Luzzu about Gatta's death. The friendship that sparked between the two men sharing the room, and the unknown feelings that pierced his heart at the mere thought of Shelinda, all these brought a smile to Pietro's face as he told his story.
"You were attacked by wolves when you were about to leave the Calm Lands. And due to this, you ran into a woman residing in a old temple," O'aka interrupted the man.
"Yes, and during my stay at the temple, I had a dream so real that it scared me. I didn't remember it, I was shrouded in the darkness that was the cave I was walking through as I was leaving. I was running around this city, looking for someone. The streets were deserted as I ran, then I came upon a crowd of men and women gathered around the towering edifice that is the main sanctuary of Yevon. I made my way to the front and peered through the barred gate. I noticed a priestess talking among her brethren. That is when I came to the conclusion of who it was I needed to protect." Pietro again looked at his friend in the eyes and stared. "I needed to protect the one person that cared about me from the start of this journey, Shelinda."
The two men gazed at each other for a moment. The silence was deafening, until O'aka could not take it any longer. "So you decided to grant a woman your protection, could it be that you fancy her a bit. Is it possibly that you want to return that care she gave you with your love?"
"My love, what do you mean?" Pietro asked.
"You obviously have some feelings for this young lady. You kept on saying that all the people that you met wished to guard their loved ones from the pain and agony of death. If what you say is true, then you must consider this Shelinda dear enough to give your life for," came the man's reply.
"You read into things a little too much, my friend."
"Really, or is it that you do not read enough into things? Let us go to bed, now. We still have a few hours left until dawn. We both have a hectic day ahead of us. Good night, Pietro, and may your thoughts dwell on what I said to you." O'aka leaned back onto the bed and placed the blankets over his body. He was soon fast asleep.
"Good night to you." Pietro rested his won head against his pillow and drifted off into slumber. No dreams would come to the man, though. His mind was too busy wrestling with the thoughts and images of a certain woman. What was this feeling lingering in his heart? Was is possible that it was love?
To be continued…
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A/N: I know that this is pretty much a rehash of what went on in the previous chapters, but I felt the need to summarize it to give a better understanding for the final chapter (I know I've been saying this for the past three chapters) and the final arc. Now Pietro has to deal with his emotions and the sway that they will hold on his actions.
I have an idea for the title for the next part, "The Story of a Guarantor." To those who do not know the definition, a guarantor is a person that gives a promise, assurance, or pledge. I remembered hearing the word in a speech Obi-Wan gave to Luke in "A New Hope." I think that it will fit the next arc, that should give some idea as to what I'm leading up to. Tell me if you like it.
Until next time, farewell. ^_^
Pietro and O'aka talked through the night, telling each other what they had gone through since last they met. Pietro told his friend about his travels through the Thunder Plains and the peaceful forest of Macalania. He filled in the stout man about the sights that he beheld in the Calm Lands and his exploits in training his faithful chocobo, Miaka. When he got to the point where he met with the Crusaders hiding amongst the hidden valley between the Calm Lands and Mount Gagazet, O'aka stopped his companion.
"There are still Crusaders who want to continue battling Sin. Why? I thought that they woulod have learned from the mistakes that were made during Operation Mi'ihen," he said suddenly.
"Yes, there are still a handful of them left. They do understand what went on at Mushroom Rock, yet they still fear for their families' lives. The few that I talked to told me that the reason they fought was to protect those dear to them. Even if it was to cost them their own precious existence." Pietro looked to his roommate and continued, "That is when I realized that I was meant to protect someone, myself." The man looked down at his hands that were resting in his lap and clenched them into fists. "I didn't figure out who that person was until later."
"You can tell me that when the time comes, please continue."
The former crusader proceeded to tell of his journey back across the savannah and the thoughts that ran through his mind. The reflections of all those that he had met during his travels were spoken with heartfelt joy. The way Rin had helped him when he was struck by lightning. The flowery speech that Isaaru gave about protecting others from the wrath of the monster Sin. The pain that he felt when he talked to Luzzu about Gatta's death. The friendship that sparked between the two men sharing the room, and the unknown feelings that pierced his heart at the mere thought of Shelinda, all these brought a smile to Pietro's face as he told his story.
"You were attacked by wolves when you were about to leave the Calm Lands. And due to this, you ran into a woman residing in a old temple," O'aka interrupted the man.
"Yes, and during my stay at the temple, I had a dream so real that it scared me. I didn't remember it, I was shrouded in the darkness that was the cave I was walking through as I was leaving. I was running around this city, looking for someone. The streets were deserted as I ran, then I came upon a crowd of men and women gathered around the towering edifice that is the main sanctuary of Yevon. I made my way to the front and peered through the barred gate. I noticed a priestess talking among her brethren. That is when I came to the conclusion of who it was I needed to protect." Pietro again looked at his friend in the eyes and stared. "I needed to protect the one person that cared about me from the start of this journey, Shelinda."
The two men gazed at each other for a moment. The silence was deafening, until O'aka could not take it any longer. "So you decided to grant a woman your protection, could it be that you fancy her a bit. Is it possibly that you want to return that care she gave you with your love?"
"My love, what do you mean?" Pietro asked.
"You obviously have some feelings for this young lady. You kept on saying that all the people that you met wished to guard their loved ones from the pain and agony of death. If what you say is true, then you must consider this Shelinda dear enough to give your life for," came the man's reply.
"You read into things a little too much, my friend."
"Really, or is it that you do not read enough into things? Let us go to bed, now. We still have a few hours left until dawn. We both have a hectic day ahead of us. Good night, Pietro, and may your thoughts dwell on what I said to you." O'aka leaned back onto the bed and placed the blankets over his body. He was soon fast asleep.
"Good night to you." Pietro rested his won head against his pillow and drifted off into slumber. No dreams would come to the man, though. His mind was too busy wrestling with the thoughts and images of a certain woman. What was this feeling lingering in his heart? Was is possible that it was love?
To be continued…
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: I know that this is pretty much a rehash of what went on in the previous chapters, but I felt the need to summarize it to give a better understanding for the final chapter (I know I've been saying this for the past three chapters) and the final arc. Now Pietro has to deal with his emotions and the sway that they will hold on his actions.
I have an idea for the title for the next part, "The Story of a Guarantor." To those who do not know the definition, a guarantor is a person that gives a promise, assurance, or pledge. I remembered hearing the word in a speech Obi-Wan gave to Luke in "A New Hope." I think that it will fit the next arc, that should give some idea as to what I'm leading up to. Tell me if you like it.
Until next time, farewell. ^_^