Finally, here it is…the last chapter! Sorry it took so long…*reluctantly admits she has no good excuse*  But I'm finally done.  Yeah!  ^_^  Please R/R…thanks! Chapter 6:  The Road Less Traveled

Auron sat on the cot in Rissa's tent with his head bowed while Xavier paced back and forth in front of him, the flicker of the lantern light throwing shadows across his stark features. 

"Just go back to Bevelle," Xavier said finally, coming to stop in front of Auron.  "You are not doing anyone any good staying here.  You need to return home."  Compassion and understanding shone in his eyes, and he placed a sympathetic hand on Auron's shoulder.

"I will leave tomorrow," Auron said, not even looking up at his friend.  "Tonight I wish to stay here.  I have some thinking to do."

Xavier nodded reluctantly and removed his hand.  "Just stop by tomorrow morning before you leave to say goodbye, ok?" 

"Sure," Auron replied, dully.

The Crusader threw Auron a worried look, but exited the tent, leaving the warrior monk alone with his thoughts.  Auron put his head in his hands and closed his eyes.  He had such a maelstrom of emotions surging through him he couldn't concentrate on just one.  Sorrow fought with anger, which in turn warred with frustration and a surge of guilt. 

He drew in a deep, shaky breath.  Enough was enough.  He would meditate and seek solace and perhaps he would be granted enlightenment.  Decision made, Auron rose from the cot and crossed the tent to kneel in front of the lantern.  Hands resting gently on his thighs, he stared into the dancing flame before him.  He consciously drew in long, deep breaths and resolutely chased each splintered thought from his head until his mind was quiet and focused inward.  His eyes slipped shut and in the darkness he sat and waited. 

At first there was nothing.  He was still too on edge, too likely to slip from his meditative state if he fully let his mind go.  Auron took in another deep breath and filled himself with the calming energies any monk could tap.  He felt the power ebb and flow in his body until he used his mind to shape it into a doorway.  He mentally crossed the threshold of this ethereal portal and suddenly found himself standing in a strange temple.  The heavy scent of incense hung in the air and a chill washed over Auron as he scanned the tomb-like stillness of this cold, empty temple.  A shape between two pillars caught his attention and a hard look revealed a statue.  Senses on high alert, he slowly moved toward the indistinct statue shrouded in darkness. 

As he drew closer, Auron began to pick out details.  The statue depicted a man holding a huge sword, its tip dug into the ground at his feet.  He wore a cloak with only one arm in its sleeve.  The other arm was bare, the unused sleeve hanging down the back.  Auron now stood in front of the stone statue and stared up into a face obscured by a high collar and glasses.  His breath caught in his throat as he saw that, despite changes and the concealment, the features were undeniably his.

As soon as he could tear his eyes away from the eerie sight of his aged face, his gaze fell to the bottom of the statue where he could make out faint writing in the dim light.  Kneeling down to get a better look, he traced a calloused finger over the carved letters.  The words were faded and obscure, frustrating his efforts to read them.  He could only make out "Aur…", "…uard….n" and what looked like "Sin". 

Unable to discern anything more, Auron stood to eye the statue once again, hoping he would see something he missed before that could help explain its purpose.  Suddenly a sharp breeze blew through the temple. Startled, he looked over his shoulder and saw to his amazement that the stone walls around him had disappeared. He now stood in the middle of a wide road that wound its way through a sunlit meadow before sloping down a gentle incline.  To its left was a river, and to its right lay a dark forest.  Auron strode down the smooth path while studying the forest off to the right.  All at once his attention was drawn inexplicably to a small, hidden side road.  He had almost passed by without seeing it, but something inside him prompted him to stop and study the rutted and overgrown path.  It obviously had not been used much, and it's twists and turns lead to the heart of the dense forest up ahead. 

Auron just stood there, a frown crossing his features as he gazed at the two paths. Somehow, which road he chose was terribly important.  These roads were likely metaphors for his own life, and the choices he needed to make there.  Would he take the easy path?  Or would he tread into the unknown, braving whatever obstacles and dangers, physical, emotional or spiritual, that lay before him?  Looking deep within himself, Auron realized the path of least resistance could never lead to the meaning and fulfillment he required.  He placed a heavy boot onto the side path and suddenly found himself falling into blackness.  Chaotic images danced across his mind's eye, none of them making any sense.  A blonde boy awash on some beach.  A young girl dancing on water.  A blitzball stadium in a fantastic city unlike any he had ever seen.  They flashed through his thoughts in an instant, then blackness engulfed him and he felt something inside "snap" back into place.  His consciousness had returned to the present.

Auron slowly opened his eyes.  He was back in Rissa's tent, the lantern warm and welcoming.  He found that he had been holding his breath and he let it out gradually.  Leaning forward he blew out the lantern and made his way through the dark back to the cot.  Divesting himself of his clothes, he lay down on his back and stared sightlessly up into the darkness, his thoughts still occupied by what his meditation revealed. 

His destiny lay down the road less traveled, that much was clear.  Fear and uncertainty would journey with him along that path, but Auron felt a curious sense of relief.  He would not marry Tashira, despite the repercussions this decision would bring.  He now knew without a doubt that his destiny lay elsewhere.  He would dedicate his life to trying to destroy Sin, although he had no idea how he would accomplish this.  Time, however, would surely bring him answers. 

*          *          *          *          *

Auron arrived in Bevelle at dusk.  He had traveled hard, barely stopping to eat or rest, preferring to press on.  When he had informed Xavier the following morning of his decision to break off the marriage with Tashira, his friend gave him a hard look, but had asked him only one thing:

"Are you doing this because of what happened with Rissa?"

Auron had not even hesitated in his reply.  "No." he had told the Crusader truthfully.  Rissa's death may have been the catalyst that caused him to seek answers, but in the end, his decision was based on his life and the faith he gained that marriage was not the right path for him.

Xavier had raised an eyebrow, but then nodded in acceptance.  "If you need to," he told him, "you know you always have a place here with us."  Auron had smiled and grasped his hand. "I may take you up on that," was all he said.

Now Auron's footsteps echoed off the stone streets as he strode purposely toward Tashira's home.  At this time of day, both she and her father should be there, probably eating dinner.  Auron felt it was best to confront both of them together, if possible, so he would not have to endure separate hostile reactions.  This way he could get the unpleasantness over with all in one go.

Just as the sun sunk below the horizon, Auron knocked on Tashira's door.  Shadows crept up the street as Auron waited impatiently for someone to answer his knock.  He was about to pound on the door again when it suddenly opened to reveal Tashira.  He noted the succession of expressions that flitted across her face; irritation, surprise, calculation, and finally a facsimile of joy.

"Auron!" she gushed, grabbing his hand and pulling him inside.  "It's so wonderful to see you!"  She closed the door after him and frowned slightly when Auron did not return her ebullient greeting.  Instead of gracing her with a smile of welcome, he merely disengaged his hand from hers and said, "I am here to see you and your father regarding our marriage."

Tashira cocked her head with one hand on her hip and looked up at his grim expression.  "Why would a discussion of our marriage cause you to look so wroth?" she asked peevishly.

Auron chose to ignore her question.  After all, what could he say?  She would soon hear much that did not please her.  He had no desire to explain himself twice, so he simply pushed past her in the torch-lit hall and headed towards the dining room. 

"Auron!"  Tashira's voice behind him held a tone of warning. "How dare you ignore me!"  She caught up with him as they entered the dining room, where Grevin had risen from his repast, obviously overhearing his daughter's indignant words. 

"It is good to see you alive and well, Auron." Grevin said, sketching out the sign of Yevon, which Auron automatically returned.  "What brings you to my home?"  The man's words were polite, but Auron sensed the impatience behind them.  Impatient himself, he decided not to play around with diplomatic speech.

"I am here to break off the betrothal to your daughter," he said simply. 

"What?!"  Tashira screeched.  Neither her father nor her former fiancé looked at her.  The two men were too intent on each other. 

"Would you care to tell me why you wish to dishonor my daughter and disgrace yourself?"  Grevin's voice was thick with quiet menace.

Auron did not flinch at Grevin's tone or look away from the High Priest's angry gaze.  "I never wanted to marry your daughter," he said, ignoring Tashira's outraged gasp, "but I was willing to do my duty to Yevon.  But since my agreement to the betrothal, Yevon has shown me that this is not my duty.  My destiny lies elsewhere." 

Grevin's gray eyes bored into him, as hard as granite.  "And what path, pray tell, did Yevon set you on?"  His tone clearly indicated that he thought Auron to be an arrogant fool to presume to know Yevon's Will.  Auron knew that nothing he said would appease or placate the old man, but he tried to explain his decision anyway.

"I am a warrior," Auron told him, "and I cannot commit myself to Sin's defeat and a family.  I will be constantly fighting, putting myself in danger to kill fiends and ensure other families' safety by the destruction of Sin.  That is my path."

Grevin blinked and snorted in disbelief.  "Your arrogance astounds me.  Do you think you will actually have any hand in the destruction of Sin?  Your delusions have no place here nor at the temple.  You are no longer entitled to wear the robes of a warrior monk.  Remove them."

Auron had expected nothing less, but the actual words still stung.  He unfastened the ties on the monk robe and let it pool to his feet.  He glanced over at Tashira and did not know if her emerald eyes were bright with anger or pain. "I am sorry, Tashira," he said.  Irregardless of his personal feelings towards her, she did not deserve to be jilted. 

Nothing more needed to be said.  Turning his back on Grevin and Tashira, Auron strode resolutely down the hallway, but he could not escape the High Priest's parting shot.

"You are unwelcome in my sight," the old man barked.  "You will not set foot in my temple again, and I will personally see to it that news of your dishonorable act will spread through Bevelle and beyond.  You will rue your foolish vanity and the insult to my daughter for the rest of your remaining days!"

The finality of the High Priest's statement lost its impact to the finality of the front door slamming as Auron shut it on Grevin and his daughter with an odd sense of relief.  He was well and truly committed to his path now.  He headed off through the darkened streets to his own home with a sense of purpose.

*          *          *          *          *

Auron stood in the doorway of his room, his gaze sweeping across its spartan contents.  His deep russet eyes came to rest on an old wooden chest tucked into a corner across from his bed.  Feeling compelled on a level he did not understand, Auron walked over to the chest, knelt, and slowly opened it.  Within the trunk's confines, a long-forgotten swath of crimson greeted his eyes.  He gently removed the scarlet cloak from the chest.  The color was still vivid and the purple trim edged with white remained bright.  As he knelt beside the old chest absently stroking the heavy fabric, he closed his eyes and finally allowed himself to remember his father placing it in there many years ago. 

"Your mother made this for me," his father had told him, a child just barely seven years old.  "She said she always wanted me to stand out in a crowd."  His father had smiled sadly as he had folded the cloak and put it away.  "Now your mother is gone and she can no longer see me, regardless of what I wear."  Sighing gently, he reached out to ruffle his son's hair. "I am sure that one day, Auron, you will become a man that stands out from the crowd.  When the time is right, wear this cloak with pride and remember the love of your mother…and me." 

That was the last time he had seen his father.  Shaking away the bittersweet memories, Auron stood up and resolutely donned the cloak, securing it with the wide belt and adding the tasseled gold shoulder plate.  All that remained in the chest was his father's sake jug.  Auron took this out as well and fastened it to his belt with the beaded loop.  Reaching for his sword with his gloved right hand, he hefted it over his shoulder and turned to leave.  He didn't have any clear idea of where he was going or what he was going to do, but staying in Bevelle, at least, was not an option.

Just as he reached his front door, a knock broke through his tumultuous thoughts and when he opened the door he was surprised to see Braska standing there.

"Hello, Auron," Braska said quietly.  Silent understanding filled his eyes as he took in his friend's attire and he suddenly smiled.  "I see you are ready." 

"Ready for what?"  Auron asked warily.  Seeing Braska caught him off-guard and he was unsure of how the summoner would react to his disgrace.

"Why, the pilgrimage, of course," Braska told him cheerfully.  "I am about ready to begin my journey to find the Final Aeon and destroy Sin."  He gestured to Auron's attire and sword.  "Since you will accompany me as a guardian, I am glad to see you are ready and eager to go." His lips quirked with amusement as he watched Auron process this.

Auron's eyes widened.  "You wish for me to be your guardian on this pilgrimage?  But why me?  I am in disgrace; an outcast monk.  Yevon would not sanction my company on a holy pilgrimage!"  Even as Auron argued, hope blossomed.  If only he could accompany Braska on his pilgrimage…this is what he had been searching for…this would be his road to follow.

"You are held in disgrace by arrogant people who do not know any better," Braska said earnestly, "not by Yevon.  He has given you a difficult path to follow, but I have never seen anyone so able to take up the challenge." He held out his hand to Auron.  "Please say you will come and help me free Spira of Sin."

Auron looked at the hand offered to him and without hesitation grasped it tightly.  "I will be honored to accompany you on your pilgrimage, my lord" he told Braska, a fierce elation coursing through him. 

The summoner just shook his head and smiled.  "No.  The honor is mine…Sir Auron."

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The end! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it…I want to thank everyone who read my story, and a special thanks to everyone who reviewed it.  And an extra-special 'gracias' to my supporters at GameFAQS (you know who you are!).  Without you guys, I would never have written this.  Long live Auron!  ^_^