Chapter 3: Professor Solomon's wall

"So you came finally", the balding gray-haired man commented as he sat back in his well-worn green leather chair wiping lint off of his gray argyle sweater.

"I had no choice", she responded with a deep sigh as she carefully studied the very old bound books that lined up on the wall behind him.

"Well, it was a good choice. I knew that our paths would soon meet again. You have always had an interest in the unusual even as a student I could remember you having an interest in the aeons and Yevan", his smile appeared as if his face would crack. He was very correct in that assumption. Though he was an active participant in Anthropography he was also a very aware professor, learning as much from his students as they had from him. He seemed too pleased that one of his "odd" but best students was making an abnormal visitation.

"I have a few questions doctor.I thought that you would be the best person to contact", hesitation resounded heavily in her voice as she started to pull items out of her backpack. After laying them on the table the elder scientist pushed his glasses up higher on his face and quickly grabbed an item.

"My goodness, I haven't seen one of these in quite some time", excitement entered the gray-haired man's voice as he held the sphere gently in his palm.

"That was an item that I had around the house, I didn't mean to pull it out", she commented dryly as she attempted to change his attention towards the bangle in her hand.

"Do you know what this is?", the professor quizzed as she squinted between the small sphere and Eowan's face.

"No, it did give me an idea though", she shook her head.

"This girl, is a key", the professor gained a broad smile upon his face as he attempted to peer through the sphere..

"So it is .", she found a stifled grin escape from her. With little thought she then handed over the bangle. To her surprise she received a very different response. His face became almost ashen as he shakily looked at the lettering on the item then suddenly rose from his chair.

"You will have to excuse me for a moment Eowan", he quickly handed the bangle back to her.

"This is the reason I came. I thought that you might be able to tell me something about it...if maybe it has a magical origin", concern suddenly showed upon her face.

"That we will learn soon enough, first I have to check one of my records", the elderly man sluggishly started moving towards another section of the room. After turning on his electric registries he managed to quickly go through several files. "Please bring the bracelet over", the professor stated as he beckoned her to come near. Without hesitation she quickly handed it over to him once again.

"Great Yevan.this is it, where on earth did you find this item Eowan?" the professional quizzed with sudden excitement.

"On a recent research outing. It was washed upon the beach among rubble. It was found near a broken chest, believe me I checked the area to see if there was anything as unique but there wasn't", she attempted to explain.

"I know you are familiar with the stories of Sin and the Summoners and the guardians who helped destroy it", the professor looked up at her as if he stated the obvious.

"Yes, I have read a great deal about the guardian forces as well. Does this item have any significance?", hope glimmered inside of her.

"This item belonged to a woman by the name of Rikku who happened to be both an Al Bhed and a guardian for a summoner by the name of Yuna. Are you familiar with that name or that period?" the professor quizzed, heaviness resounding in his voice.

"Yes, vaguely doctor.I had heard that she was magical, at least legend stated that", Eowan chose to be careful with her words.

"Do you still believe in magic?", the professor studied her. Her face became ashened as she found herself not sure how to respond.

"Yes professor I do, I know that sounds like a very odd thing to say especially in this day of age but I have always hoped that the legends were true in some aspect", a large lump sat at the base of her throat.

"Good, part of being a good scientist is having an open mind and as for the answer to your question.yes, she was known for having a special kind of magic. You are not alone in your beliefs Eowan. Though there are very few scientists like myself who would like to believe magic exists there are many who dismiss it with logic and the miracle of ancient mechana.. This item that you have here is very special. It more than likely has magical properties. Many of the bangles, bracers and shields that the guardians carried often enough had some form of protection added on and it was always in the form of magic. Rikku was known to carry a variety of items. You were very lucky to find an item such as this...and by a scientist who believes in magic", a twinkle showed in his eyes as a warm smile enveloped his face.

With little thought he began to overwhelm her with additional facts about Rikku and the members of her party. His stories seemed so human as he started to give detailed recollections of each of the guardians and the young summoner that they supported. Soon following afterwards he beckoned for her to follow him, which she did with unknowing trust down a hall. Giving a small push on the side of a living room wall, the wall suddenly partially popped out. Eowan's eyes widened as she noticed the small wall segment becoming a door to an unknown room. He turned on a side switch and then gestured for her to follow.

"This is where I keep the info regarding the summoners and the guardians. I have so much that I know you would be very interested in", the elder scientist spoke as he quickly went into the small room and started rummaging along a shelf. With caution she walked towards the room's entrance and watched the hunched over professor sort through various books and items. After pulling out several cases he found one that caught his eye and handed it towards Eowan. Not satisfied he found another box and placed it carefully on a nearby table.

"Come, I have some special sphere's to show you. Just as we have the picture scopes that we have now memories were often saved inside magical spheres. There are very few of these around any more, actually I think I am one of 3 people who have any of these at all especially from the period of the summoners", the professor pointed out as he carefully unwrapped one of the globes and sat it carefully upon the desk.

"Surely these are items that belong in a museum", Eowan squinted in surprise but realized that she did not want to upset the man who was so willingly interested on giving her a history lesson.

"You are quite right Eowan.but in this case I think you will understand for I am a long distant descendant of Lulu one of the most noblest of guardians and of course Wakka. In that aspect, these are rightfully mine to keep", the man replied with a parched voice. Eowan's eyes suddenly widened in surprise. She now knew why Dr. Solomon was such a believer. He was very proud of his heritage.

"I am sorry." Eowan's face was flushed as she looked between him and the sphere.

"It's alright and an understandable response. You see, all the items that we have found regarding the summoner era have been kept by descendents. Some earlier periods have been lost unfortunately but thankfully much of the recollections of Sin have been recorded. One summoner specifically kept a very researched record and because of that we now know a great deal.. this particular sphere features Summoner Yuna and her guardians during a more jovial period sharing thoughts and having fun. I have often enjoyed viewing it. It makes me realize after all how much we still have in common even in this day of age.", the professor appeared to caress the back of the sphere which in turn caused pictures in motion to appear. The pictorial was not what Eowan had expected. Instead of seeing serious and dignified individuals she felt as if she was viewing a school project.

"They were so young", she noticed as clowning and joking was very evident on the footage.

"Yes, the one in black was Lulu, the young gent next to her his name was Tidus. Over to the right over here are Wakka and Rikku.", Dr. Solomon continued to point out.

"She was beautiful, professor.it's just so amazing that they are so very young", Eowan shook her head realizing that many were much younger than herself, accomplishing so much at such a young age. "All but this gentleman", Dr Solomon pointed a slightly graying man wearing a long red coat. "His name was Auron, a very important guardian for 3 summoners", the professor answered an unasked question. Eowan's eyes studied each of the guardians and noticed how Sir Auron was the only one who was serious among the group. She wondered if perhaps he was the only one truly aware of what was to happen. She found herself wanting to know more of the story especially his.

After the sphere was completed Dr Solomon pulled out another turning it on in the same manner as the sphere before it. The view on this sphere was different. It showed the summoner Yuna giving a solemn speech of what she had hoped would occur after Sin was vanquished. The view then panned to the others and then onto a rather large gray-blue cat-like creature that spoke in broken common.

"That is a Ronso named Kimahri. His tribe is believed to be unfortunately gone, killed off by a unknown virus. Many of the creatures of this time period are extinct shamefully including the beloved chocobo", a sad tone came to the professor's voice. Once again the view showed the grim Sir Auron and after hearing his reflections it was easy to feel the heaviness in the air. She knew that she could not begin to comprehend how it was to live in that period of time. The voices and words of each of the guardian and Yuna would haunt her for days to come.