Chapter 7 - Trials and Tribulations/Into The Never
It was morning before they decided it was time for them to leave the campsite. Kimarhi and Wakka had left shortly before daybreak to check for any more Al Bhed patrols. Yuna was the first to wake, seeing the other guardians lying about the campfire, which was just a smoking pile of ashes. Rikku was above them, sleeping on the branches of the largest tree. Felix was leaning against the base of the tree, his arms still crossed over his chest. His clothes were badly tattered and he would have to have them replaced when they reached a city or town. Lulu, on the other hand, was lying on a cloth skin laid out, but the skin was twisted and she was lying uncomfortably on her arm.
"Lulu," Yuna sighed, "Why can't you put those nightmares behind you?"
"Yuna, you're awake," Felix spoke, his eyes still closed.
"Felix? I wasn't aware you were up."
"You're rustling woke me," he opened his eyes and climbed to his feet, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, I guess."
"It's about Lulu," he turned to look at her sleeping, "What is her problem? She's been having nightmares every night since we left Besaid. It's unsettling."
"Lulu.... Lulu...she's been through a lot of rough times," Yuna sat down on the log looking at the dozing mage.
"Oh?"
"I better show you, it would help," Yuna reached in her dress and pulled out a photo. She handed it to Felix and he looked at it.
The photo was tattered and faded, but the people in it were still barely recognizable. Kimarhi was on the far right, Yuna in front of him smiling. Wakka was standing next to them giving thumbs up. It was odd though; they all looked a whole lot younger. Next to Wakka was a woman dressed very plainly in a white shirt and long brown dress. Her blonde hair rested slightly over her shoulders and she was pushing it back over her right ear with her finger. There was another man that Felix didn't recognize. He was dressed in the same garb as Wakka, a blitzball uniform, and had his hands around the woman's hips.
"It is from my fourteenth birthday," Yuna explained.
"Who is this, on the right?" Felix asked, sitting down next to Yuna.
"That's Lulu and Chappu, her fiancé."
"Lulu?" Felix did a double take from the picture to the gothic style black mage lying across the campfire.
"Yes," Yuna took the photo and put it back into her dress, "It was a long time ago. I don't know the details, but after Chappu was killed in Djose fighting Sin, Lulu became manically depressed and one day she just up and changed her whole look. Since then, she's been really introverted and cynical."
"I see," Felix rubbed his neck, "Has anyone ever talked to her about it?"
"No," Yuna shook her head, "We wanted to, but Wakka would stop us, saying it was the best for Lulu to just let her pains out in her dreams."
Yuna was about to speak more, but Kimarhi and Wakka reappeared from the brush. Kimarhi took his usual pose while Wakka knelt down and nudged Lulu's shoulder.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," he laughed, shoving her lightly.
For his efforts, Lulu blasted his chest with a thunder spell. The blast from the spell knocked him off his feet and onto his back. Everyone laughed a little as Lulu sat up and yawned.
"I told you not to bother me when I'm sleeping," she sneered at Wakka, helping him back to his feet.
"Let's get going," Felix took his sword and sheathed it. The blade looked even more menacing since it was exposed.
Yuna followed the group away from the campfire. Rikku followed beside her with Wakka and Lulu in front. Kimarhi and Felix led the way. It was odd to Yuna, that Kimarhi had taken a silent admiration to Felix. At first, the Ronso did not trust him, but lately, he had seemed to silently accept the warrior. As for Lulu and Wakka, their opinions had greatly changed since he had shed light on the true situation in Spira. Rikku's brother being evil, taking over the Al Bhed; it was almost as bed as the terror and deceit Seymour had sewn amongst the Guado.
Rikku, it was so hard on her, seeing her father imprisoned by her own brother. It gave Yuna a new determination to fight on, to end this new threat and make Spira safe once again. Even if there was no 'Otherworld' or way to free 'him', she had to fight.
* * *
Where was he? Was he dead? The last things Tidus remembered were Miki disappearing in the stadium then Auron telling him that the 'fayth' was in trouble. What did that mean? What was a 'fayth'?
"Where am I?" he shouted into the darkness.
No reply. He felt like he was in a blitz sphere, surrounded by an almost liquid substance. Without thought, Tidus started swimming.
My answers are out there, he thought, I have to find them.
* * *
"The Calm lands!" Yuna shouted, recognizing the large and vast span of grasslands came into view.
They had been walking for the past two days through the forests of Spira, avoiding major towns and thoroughfares in order to bypass any more patrols the Al Bhed may have sent looking for them.
"It's about time," Lulu voice her opinion while Felix helped her onto the grassy knoll, "We need to rest. Perhaps Rin still has an agency out here?"
"I doubt it," Felix replied, eyeing Rikku who was seemingly out of earshot, "Rin was among the first to stand against Milevan. He was killed and his business was confiscated."
"That's horrible," Wakka stated, "Makes me want to pound this guy."
"Wakka, do you ever think before speaking?" Lulu asked sarcastically.
The group walked down the knoll into the grasslands. Fiends were ripe to roam the area so Felix and Kimarhi once again took point. Wakka and Lulu followed in the back with Yuna and Rikku in the middle. 'Fiend Walking', as it was called, was the proper way to pass large areas such as the Calm Lands, which were ripe with fiends. The group would move in a defensive position with the ones with the most fighting ability in the front and back while the weaker or more valuable persons, such as women and children, would travel in the middle so that they could not be taken by surprise.
After an hour of walking, the group rested by an outcropping of rocks. Spira's sun blazed bright in the sky overhead. Felix. His still tattered shirt hanging about his torso climbed to the top of the rocks and sat watching the plains before them.
A short time passed and Lulu climbed the rocks to join him.
"You know this changes everything," Lulu sat calmly watching the breeze blow the grass at the base of the rock.
"I know," was his only reply.
"If what you've told us is true," Lulu continued, "Things are going to get more difficult for Yuna and ourselves."
"I'm aware of that."
"Do you care? Do you know the danger Yuna is in?"
"Look," he pointed, "I've been watching them since we came up here."
Lulu followed where his finger pointed to see two fiends engaged in a duel. The victor, one of the wolf fiends, quickly killed its competitor, the flying fiend, and then disappeared into the underbrush.
"I don't get it."
"Normally, a ground fiend is a disadvantage when faced with a flyer," Felix explained, "But, when faced with the situation of life or death, the fiend was able to overcome its handicap."
"You're evading my question," Lulu was starting to become angry at his diversion.
"No, I merely stated my answer. Think about it, you're a smart woman."
"You're saying Yuna has the ability to overcome the obstacles laid before her?"
"Yes," Felix nodded, "She has Braska's determination, his will to keep going. She'll do fine."
"You knew her father?" Lulu pried, hoping to gain more insight into his true character.
"Only briefly, I met him when I was young before he and his two guardians left to go on the pilgrimage. Sir Auron and the wonderful man from Zanarkand, as they were called; they attracted so much attention, it was hard to gain Braska's attention."
Lulu laughed.
"Is something I said funny?"
"I'm sorry," she apologized, "You just sound like a little child who never got to see his father."
"Hah," Felix laughed too, "That is funny."
A moment of silence passed as they sat alone, thinking their separate thoughts and watching the fiends in the Calm Lands.
"Tell me about Bevelle," Lulu broke the silence, "Since New Yevon was founded."
"It's different, I'll grant you," Felix laughed again, "There's a whole new system of government, which rules on the concept of perception, rather than faith. Machina is more widely accepted by the new government, and most people are starting to see the light that machina is not completely bad. The leader of this government, his name is Hyne."
"I've heard that name before, was he not a crusader?"
"Yes, in the times before the Eternal Calm," Felix continued, "He's a good man, the people's second choice to rule, after Yuna of course."
"She's too young to be a leader."
"I agree."
* * *
At the base of the rock, Wakka was laughing.
"Look at her," he laughed, nodding towards where Lulu and Wakka sat, "Miss fancy pants has taken some interest in this guy, ya?"
"Wakka, please," Yuna tried to calm him, "This whole ordeal has been taxing on us so far. Let her relax if she wants to."
"That's right," Rikku, added, "Besides, with those nightmares that Lulu's been having, it's good for her to talk and be open with someone."
"No, that's it," Wakka suddenly took the defensive, "Lulu has to sort out her problems on her own, not dump them on him. If he finds out everything about her, who knows what he might do, ya? I for one don't want Lulu to be hurt like when Chappu left."
"Wakka," Yuna took a sip of water from her canteen, "Felix asked me about that this morning, about Lulu and Chappu. I showed him the picture."
"You didn't!" Wakka stared at her dumbfounded, "I can't believe you did that! What'd he say?"
"What's the big deal anyway?" Rikku asked, "What happened?"
"It's in the past," Wakka stood up and started walking away from the group; "Best to leave it there."
"Wakka!" Rikku hopped to her feet and took off after him.
She chased him through the plains of the Calm Lands as he started running. Her mind was racing almost as fast as her legs were. Wakka was in great physical shape, better than Rikku, and was easily able to out pace her.
Rikku gave up about a mile from the outcropping where they had stopped. She sat down and tried to catch her breath.
Jerk, she thought, Why can't he just get along with people?
"Giving up?" Wakka shouted from a distance away.
He started laughing while Rikku stood up and started chasing him again.
* * *
It felt like he had been swimming forever, but the darkness stretched on indefinitely. Tidus stopped, floating in the blackness.
Why are you stopping?
"Huh?" Tidus spun around, startled at the voice, "Who's there?"
Why are you stopping? Thought you were going to find her?
"Whoever's there," Tidus shouted, "Show yourself!"
She's waiting for you; can't you see she's in pain?
"Shut up!" Tidus screamed, clutching at his hair, "Leave me alone!"
Why? You'd just give up without me.
"Show yourself!" Tidus shouted again, "Why won't you face me?"
Why do you want to see me? You can hardly face yourself.
You don't even know if you really exist.
"I am real!" Tidus beat on his chest, "I'm real!"
No you're not, you're a dream, a lousy stinking dream.
And dreams are forgotten....
"No!" Tidus shouted, "I won't be forgotten!"
He waited for a few moments and the voice did not reply. The darkness was silent again except for the sounds of his breathing.
"I am real," he repeated in a whisper, "And I'll prove it!"
With renewed vigor, he started swimming again, not knowing if the path he would be taking was one that would lead him out of the void or not.
* * *
The sun began to descend into the Scar as Felix yawned.
"Tired?" Lulu asked.
"A little. I'm not used to sitting around and wasting time," he replied.
They had not moved from the campsite for a couple hours. When they were ready to go, an Al Bhed skimmer was spotted crossing the plains and they were forced to take cover. As luck would have it, the Al Bhed contraption has stopped and set up camp, obviously waiting for Yuna's party to pass through.
"What are we going to do about them?" Lulu eyed the Al Bhed camp.
"We must pass to reach Gagazet," Kimarhi explained.
"Taking the camp is the only option," Felix offered, "We'll never be able to sneak by unnoticed. And chances are, they've noticed our camp too."
"Act quickly, decisive," Kimarhi agreed.
Felix drew his sword and motioned for Kimarhi and Wakka.
"Lu, stay here and protect Yuna."
"Okay," the mage nodded, "Don't get hurt."
"What about me?" Rikku hopped to her feet.
"I can't ask you to hurt your people," Felix shook his head, "It's too much of a risk."
"But I want to help stop my brother's evil!" Rikku protested, "Doesn't that count for something?"
"Rikku," Wakka put his hands on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes, "It's dangerous, and we don't want you getting hurt. Trust me, we'll be fine."
"Okay, I guess I'll stay here," Rikku lowered her head in disappointment.
"Relax, ya?" Wakka picked her chin up and laughed, "We'll be back before you know it, eh?"
The trio left the outcropping crouched over in their advance so the underbrush would conceal them. Kimarhi led, his Ronso senses allowing them a better way to sense the motions coming from the camp. Felix had his sword, his only remaining weapon, drawn and at his side while Wakka clutched his battle-custom Blitzball underneath his arm.
"Kimarhi not like this," the Ronso whispered, "Too quiet."
"Maybe they asleep, ya?" Wakka whispered back.
"No," Felix shook his head, "They should have sensors, scouting machina, something."
They crept forward more until Kimarhi perked his head up.
"Kimarhi smell blood," the Ronso stood up, "Al Bhed blood."
They quickly ran to the edge of the camp until the sites they saw made them stop.
"By Yevon," Wakka gasped.
As it turned out, the fires burning in the camp were not from the camp, but rather fires created from the burning machina and equipment. It had been a slaughter, plain and simple. Whatever had hit the Al Bhed, had hit them hard and fast.
Eight bodies was the final count after they had gone over the site with a fine-tooth comb.
"How could something like this happen?" Wakka wondered, shaking his head.
"They were taken completely by surprise," Felix pulled a machina weapon from the dead Al Bhed's hand, "They didn't even get a shot off."
"Aagh!" they heard Rikku shout from across the plains.
"Rikku!" Wakka shouted, running away from the camp back towards where they had left the girls.
"Let's go, Kimarhi!" Felix drew his sword and started running after them.
Felix saw it rising over the horizon; an Ochu had attacked their camp. Felix and Kimarhi joined Wakka in attack positions.
"Wakka, help!" Rikku cried.
She was floating in the air; the long deranged tentacle of the Ochu was wrapped tightly around her body. Even from the ground, they could see the pain and misery in her face. Yuna was also suspended, screaming at the top of her lungs as the Ochu's tentacle was crushing her.
"Let them go!" Wakka hurled his blitzball against the Ochu, the razor sharp blades of the ball digging into the side of the oversized living plant.
Felix leapt into the air, his sword coming down slightly over the Ochu's mouth. Green fluids spurted from the wound Felix made, covering his already damaged clothing. The acidic substance began to burn the remaining fabric and Felix quickly discarded the shirt.
"It burns," he warned the others, "We have to free them quickly."
"On it," Wakka gave thumbs up before unleashing his Blitzball again. The ball tore the sky, cutting deep into the tentacle that was holding Rikku. The tentacle fell to the ground after being sliced off, it slowly unwinding and Rikku falling out.
Kimarhi raced forward and caught the Al Bhed girl before she hit the grassy ground. Felix took the next attack, leaping into the air and slicing the tentacle that held Yuna. His agility however, allowed him to claim the former summoner as he was in the air. He landed a short distance away from them before turning to Kimarhi.
"Now, Kimarhi!" he shouted, cradling Yuna away from the beast.
Kimarhi nodded, handing Rikku to Wakka. He slammed the butt of his spear into the earth underneath his feet and started channeling his energy. They could see the energy coming from the ground as Kimarhi prepared to finish off the monster. His eyes glowed a bright green as the rage filled his every vein. When his energy was at its peak, Kimarhi roared, pulling the spear out of the ground and charging the Ochu. He leapt into the air and brought the final blow down. The energy he channeled was released through the spear, slicing into the Ochu and tearing a mortal wound into the horrifying beast.
It collapsed to the ground and started to fade as Felix carried the shivering Yuna to where Wakka was tending to Rikku.
"Wait!" Wakka jumped to his feet, "Lulu!"
"Where is she?" Felix spun around looking for the mage.
"The Ochu...." Rikku grasped Felix's leg, "It swallowed her.... save her before it disappears."
Felix took a moment to look at Wakka before sprinting to where the slain Ochu lay. Kimarhi was on a knee when Felix passed him, recovering his strength, but followed him towards the dead fiend. Felix drew his sword, slashing into the Ochu, cutting the layers away. The pyreflies started floating into the sky, meaning they wouldn't have long to pull Lulu out before she disappeared with it.
"Lulu!" Felix shouted, seeing a part of the black dress protruding from the green Ochu skin. He pried the skin away and grasped Lulu's arm, pulling her coughing from the Ochu's innards. Her hair was a mess and she was covered in the sticky green substance.
"Felix!" Lulu coughed as he helped her to her feet.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I..." she looked at him. A moment passed before she collapsed to her knees again, "I've failed."
Lulu stayed there, her head buried in the dirt sobbing.
"Not again!" she cried, pounding the ground, "I've failed again!"
Felix didn't know what to do. He turned to Kimarhi who shook his head. It was the first time he had ever seen the usually ice-cold mage outright cry.
"Useless," she growled, "I'm completely useless."
"Lu?" Felix knelt down beside her.
"Is she at least okay?" Lulu sobbed, sitting up to look at him, "Is she...?"
"Yuna's fine," Felix put his hands on her shoulders, feeling her shiver, "You look like hell, Lu," he guided her back to her feet, "Let's get you cleaned up."
"O...okay..." she nodded slightly.
It was morning before they decided it was time for them to leave the campsite. Kimarhi and Wakka had left shortly before daybreak to check for any more Al Bhed patrols. Yuna was the first to wake, seeing the other guardians lying about the campfire, which was just a smoking pile of ashes. Rikku was above them, sleeping on the branches of the largest tree. Felix was leaning against the base of the tree, his arms still crossed over his chest. His clothes were badly tattered and he would have to have them replaced when they reached a city or town. Lulu, on the other hand, was lying on a cloth skin laid out, but the skin was twisted and she was lying uncomfortably on her arm.
"Lulu," Yuna sighed, "Why can't you put those nightmares behind you?"
"Yuna, you're awake," Felix spoke, his eyes still closed.
"Felix? I wasn't aware you were up."
"You're rustling woke me," he opened his eyes and climbed to his feet, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, I guess."
"It's about Lulu," he turned to look at her sleeping, "What is her problem? She's been having nightmares every night since we left Besaid. It's unsettling."
"Lulu.... Lulu...she's been through a lot of rough times," Yuna sat down on the log looking at the dozing mage.
"Oh?"
"I better show you, it would help," Yuna reached in her dress and pulled out a photo. She handed it to Felix and he looked at it.
The photo was tattered and faded, but the people in it were still barely recognizable. Kimarhi was on the far right, Yuna in front of him smiling. Wakka was standing next to them giving thumbs up. It was odd though; they all looked a whole lot younger. Next to Wakka was a woman dressed very plainly in a white shirt and long brown dress. Her blonde hair rested slightly over her shoulders and she was pushing it back over her right ear with her finger. There was another man that Felix didn't recognize. He was dressed in the same garb as Wakka, a blitzball uniform, and had his hands around the woman's hips.
"It is from my fourteenth birthday," Yuna explained.
"Who is this, on the right?" Felix asked, sitting down next to Yuna.
"That's Lulu and Chappu, her fiancé."
"Lulu?" Felix did a double take from the picture to the gothic style black mage lying across the campfire.
"Yes," Yuna took the photo and put it back into her dress, "It was a long time ago. I don't know the details, but after Chappu was killed in Djose fighting Sin, Lulu became manically depressed and one day she just up and changed her whole look. Since then, she's been really introverted and cynical."
"I see," Felix rubbed his neck, "Has anyone ever talked to her about it?"
"No," Yuna shook her head, "We wanted to, but Wakka would stop us, saying it was the best for Lulu to just let her pains out in her dreams."
Yuna was about to speak more, but Kimarhi and Wakka reappeared from the brush. Kimarhi took his usual pose while Wakka knelt down and nudged Lulu's shoulder.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," he laughed, shoving her lightly.
For his efforts, Lulu blasted his chest with a thunder spell. The blast from the spell knocked him off his feet and onto his back. Everyone laughed a little as Lulu sat up and yawned.
"I told you not to bother me when I'm sleeping," she sneered at Wakka, helping him back to his feet.
"Let's get going," Felix took his sword and sheathed it. The blade looked even more menacing since it was exposed.
Yuna followed the group away from the campfire. Rikku followed beside her with Wakka and Lulu in front. Kimarhi and Felix led the way. It was odd to Yuna, that Kimarhi had taken a silent admiration to Felix. At first, the Ronso did not trust him, but lately, he had seemed to silently accept the warrior. As for Lulu and Wakka, their opinions had greatly changed since he had shed light on the true situation in Spira. Rikku's brother being evil, taking over the Al Bhed; it was almost as bed as the terror and deceit Seymour had sewn amongst the Guado.
Rikku, it was so hard on her, seeing her father imprisoned by her own brother. It gave Yuna a new determination to fight on, to end this new threat and make Spira safe once again. Even if there was no 'Otherworld' or way to free 'him', she had to fight.
* * *
Where was he? Was he dead? The last things Tidus remembered were Miki disappearing in the stadium then Auron telling him that the 'fayth' was in trouble. What did that mean? What was a 'fayth'?
"Where am I?" he shouted into the darkness.
No reply. He felt like he was in a blitz sphere, surrounded by an almost liquid substance. Without thought, Tidus started swimming.
My answers are out there, he thought, I have to find them.
* * *
"The Calm lands!" Yuna shouted, recognizing the large and vast span of grasslands came into view.
They had been walking for the past two days through the forests of Spira, avoiding major towns and thoroughfares in order to bypass any more patrols the Al Bhed may have sent looking for them.
"It's about time," Lulu voice her opinion while Felix helped her onto the grassy knoll, "We need to rest. Perhaps Rin still has an agency out here?"
"I doubt it," Felix replied, eyeing Rikku who was seemingly out of earshot, "Rin was among the first to stand against Milevan. He was killed and his business was confiscated."
"That's horrible," Wakka stated, "Makes me want to pound this guy."
"Wakka, do you ever think before speaking?" Lulu asked sarcastically.
The group walked down the knoll into the grasslands. Fiends were ripe to roam the area so Felix and Kimarhi once again took point. Wakka and Lulu followed in the back with Yuna and Rikku in the middle. 'Fiend Walking', as it was called, was the proper way to pass large areas such as the Calm Lands, which were ripe with fiends. The group would move in a defensive position with the ones with the most fighting ability in the front and back while the weaker or more valuable persons, such as women and children, would travel in the middle so that they could not be taken by surprise.
After an hour of walking, the group rested by an outcropping of rocks. Spira's sun blazed bright in the sky overhead. Felix. His still tattered shirt hanging about his torso climbed to the top of the rocks and sat watching the plains before them.
A short time passed and Lulu climbed the rocks to join him.
"You know this changes everything," Lulu sat calmly watching the breeze blow the grass at the base of the rock.
"I know," was his only reply.
"If what you've told us is true," Lulu continued, "Things are going to get more difficult for Yuna and ourselves."
"I'm aware of that."
"Do you care? Do you know the danger Yuna is in?"
"Look," he pointed, "I've been watching them since we came up here."
Lulu followed where his finger pointed to see two fiends engaged in a duel. The victor, one of the wolf fiends, quickly killed its competitor, the flying fiend, and then disappeared into the underbrush.
"I don't get it."
"Normally, a ground fiend is a disadvantage when faced with a flyer," Felix explained, "But, when faced with the situation of life or death, the fiend was able to overcome its handicap."
"You're evading my question," Lulu was starting to become angry at his diversion.
"No, I merely stated my answer. Think about it, you're a smart woman."
"You're saying Yuna has the ability to overcome the obstacles laid before her?"
"Yes," Felix nodded, "She has Braska's determination, his will to keep going. She'll do fine."
"You knew her father?" Lulu pried, hoping to gain more insight into his true character.
"Only briefly, I met him when I was young before he and his two guardians left to go on the pilgrimage. Sir Auron and the wonderful man from Zanarkand, as they were called; they attracted so much attention, it was hard to gain Braska's attention."
Lulu laughed.
"Is something I said funny?"
"I'm sorry," she apologized, "You just sound like a little child who never got to see his father."
"Hah," Felix laughed too, "That is funny."
A moment of silence passed as they sat alone, thinking their separate thoughts and watching the fiends in the Calm Lands.
"Tell me about Bevelle," Lulu broke the silence, "Since New Yevon was founded."
"It's different, I'll grant you," Felix laughed again, "There's a whole new system of government, which rules on the concept of perception, rather than faith. Machina is more widely accepted by the new government, and most people are starting to see the light that machina is not completely bad. The leader of this government, his name is Hyne."
"I've heard that name before, was he not a crusader?"
"Yes, in the times before the Eternal Calm," Felix continued, "He's a good man, the people's second choice to rule, after Yuna of course."
"She's too young to be a leader."
"I agree."
* * *
At the base of the rock, Wakka was laughing.
"Look at her," he laughed, nodding towards where Lulu and Wakka sat, "Miss fancy pants has taken some interest in this guy, ya?"
"Wakka, please," Yuna tried to calm him, "This whole ordeal has been taxing on us so far. Let her relax if she wants to."
"That's right," Rikku, added, "Besides, with those nightmares that Lulu's been having, it's good for her to talk and be open with someone."
"No, that's it," Wakka suddenly took the defensive, "Lulu has to sort out her problems on her own, not dump them on him. If he finds out everything about her, who knows what he might do, ya? I for one don't want Lulu to be hurt like when Chappu left."
"Wakka," Yuna took a sip of water from her canteen, "Felix asked me about that this morning, about Lulu and Chappu. I showed him the picture."
"You didn't!" Wakka stared at her dumbfounded, "I can't believe you did that! What'd he say?"
"What's the big deal anyway?" Rikku asked, "What happened?"
"It's in the past," Wakka stood up and started walking away from the group; "Best to leave it there."
"Wakka!" Rikku hopped to her feet and took off after him.
She chased him through the plains of the Calm Lands as he started running. Her mind was racing almost as fast as her legs were. Wakka was in great physical shape, better than Rikku, and was easily able to out pace her.
Rikku gave up about a mile from the outcropping where they had stopped. She sat down and tried to catch her breath.
Jerk, she thought, Why can't he just get along with people?
"Giving up?" Wakka shouted from a distance away.
He started laughing while Rikku stood up and started chasing him again.
* * *
It felt like he had been swimming forever, but the darkness stretched on indefinitely. Tidus stopped, floating in the blackness.
Why are you stopping?
"Huh?" Tidus spun around, startled at the voice, "Who's there?"
Why are you stopping? Thought you were going to find her?
"Whoever's there," Tidus shouted, "Show yourself!"
She's waiting for you; can't you see she's in pain?
"Shut up!" Tidus screamed, clutching at his hair, "Leave me alone!"
Why? You'd just give up without me.
"Show yourself!" Tidus shouted again, "Why won't you face me?"
Why do you want to see me? You can hardly face yourself.
You don't even know if you really exist.
"I am real!" Tidus beat on his chest, "I'm real!"
No you're not, you're a dream, a lousy stinking dream.
And dreams are forgotten....
"No!" Tidus shouted, "I won't be forgotten!"
He waited for a few moments and the voice did not reply. The darkness was silent again except for the sounds of his breathing.
"I am real," he repeated in a whisper, "And I'll prove it!"
With renewed vigor, he started swimming again, not knowing if the path he would be taking was one that would lead him out of the void or not.
* * *
The sun began to descend into the Scar as Felix yawned.
"Tired?" Lulu asked.
"A little. I'm not used to sitting around and wasting time," he replied.
They had not moved from the campsite for a couple hours. When they were ready to go, an Al Bhed skimmer was spotted crossing the plains and they were forced to take cover. As luck would have it, the Al Bhed contraption has stopped and set up camp, obviously waiting for Yuna's party to pass through.
"What are we going to do about them?" Lulu eyed the Al Bhed camp.
"We must pass to reach Gagazet," Kimarhi explained.
"Taking the camp is the only option," Felix offered, "We'll never be able to sneak by unnoticed. And chances are, they've noticed our camp too."
"Act quickly, decisive," Kimarhi agreed.
Felix drew his sword and motioned for Kimarhi and Wakka.
"Lu, stay here and protect Yuna."
"Okay," the mage nodded, "Don't get hurt."
"What about me?" Rikku hopped to her feet.
"I can't ask you to hurt your people," Felix shook his head, "It's too much of a risk."
"But I want to help stop my brother's evil!" Rikku protested, "Doesn't that count for something?"
"Rikku," Wakka put his hands on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes, "It's dangerous, and we don't want you getting hurt. Trust me, we'll be fine."
"Okay, I guess I'll stay here," Rikku lowered her head in disappointment.
"Relax, ya?" Wakka picked her chin up and laughed, "We'll be back before you know it, eh?"
The trio left the outcropping crouched over in their advance so the underbrush would conceal them. Kimarhi led, his Ronso senses allowing them a better way to sense the motions coming from the camp. Felix had his sword, his only remaining weapon, drawn and at his side while Wakka clutched his battle-custom Blitzball underneath his arm.
"Kimarhi not like this," the Ronso whispered, "Too quiet."
"Maybe they asleep, ya?" Wakka whispered back.
"No," Felix shook his head, "They should have sensors, scouting machina, something."
They crept forward more until Kimarhi perked his head up.
"Kimarhi smell blood," the Ronso stood up, "Al Bhed blood."
They quickly ran to the edge of the camp until the sites they saw made them stop.
"By Yevon," Wakka gasped.
As it turned out, the fires burning in the camp were not from the camp, but rather fires created from the burning machina and equipment. It had been a slaughter, plain and simple. Whatever had hit the Al Bhed, had hit them hard and fast.
Eight bodies was the final count after they had gone over the site with a fine-tooth comb.
"How could something like this happen?" Wakka wondered, shaking his head.
"They were taken completely by surprise," Felix pulled a machina weapon from the dead Al Bhed's hand, "They didn't even get a shot off."
"Aagh!" they heard Rikku shout from across the plains.
"Rikku!" Wakka shouted, running away from the camp back towards where they had left the girls.
"Let's go, Kimarhi!" Felix drew his sword and started running after them.
Felix saw it rising over the horizon; an Ochu had attacked their camp. Felix and Kimarhi joined Wakka in attack positions.
"Wakka, help!" Rikku cried.
She was floating in the air; the long deranged tentacle of the Ochu was wrapped tightly around her body. Even from the ground, they could see the pain and misery in her face. Yuna was also suspended, screaming at the top of her lungs as the Ochu's tentacle was crushing her.
"Let them go!" Wakka hurled his blitzball against the Ochu, the razor sharp blades of the ball digging into the side of the oversized living plant.
Felix leapt into the air, his sword coming down slightly over the Ochu's mouth. Green fluids spurted from the wound Felix made, covering his already damaged clothing. The acidic substance began to burn the remaining fabric and Felix quickly discarded the shirt.
"It burns," he warned the others, "We have to free them quickly."
"On it," Wakka gave thumbs up before unleashing his Blitzball again. The ball tore the sky, cutting deep into the tentacle that was holding Rikku. The tentacle fell to the ground after being sliced off, it slowly unwinding and Rikku falling out.
Kimarhi raced forward and caught the Al Bhed girl before she hit the grassy ground. Felix took the next attack, leaping into the air and slicing the tentacle that held Yuna. His agility however, allowed him to claim the former summoner as he was in the air. He landed a short distance away from them before turning to Kimarhi.
"Now, Kimarhi!" he shouted, cradling Yuna away from the beast.
Kimarhi nodded, handing Rikku to Wakka. He slammed the butt of his spear into the earth underneath his feet and started channeling his energy. They could see the energy coming from the ground as Kimarhi prepared to finish off the monster. His eyes glowed a bright green as the rage filled his every vein. When his energy was at its peak, Kimarhi roared, pulling the spear out of the ground and charging the Ochu. He leapt into the air and brought the final blow down. The energy he channeled was released through the spear, slicing into the Ochu and tearing a mortal wound into the horrifying beast.
It collapsed to the ground and started to fade as Felix carried the shivering Yuna to where Wakka was tending to Rikku.
"Wait!" Wakka jumped to his feet, "Lulu!"
"Where is she?" Felix spun around looking for the mage.
"The Ochu...." Rikku grasped Felix's leg, "It swallowed her.... save her before it disappears."
Felix took a moment to look at Wakka before sprinting to where the slain Ochu lay. Kimarhi was on a knee when Felix passed him, recovering his strength, but followed him towards the dead fiend. Felix drew his sword, slashing into the Ochu, cutting the layers away. The pyreflies started floating into the sky, meaning they wouldn't have long to pull Lulu out before she disappeared with it.
"Lulu!" Felix shouted, seeing a part of the black dress protruding from the green Ochu skin. He pried the skin away and grasped Lulu's arm, pulling her coughing from the Ochu's innards. Her hair was a mess and she was covered in the sticky green substance.
"Felix!" Lulu coughed as he helped her to her feet.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I..." she looked at him. A moment passed before she collapsed to her knees again, "I've failed."
Lulu stayed there, her head buried in the dirt sobbing.
"Not again!" she cried, pounding the ground, "I've failed again!"
Felix didn't know what to do. He turned to Kimarhi who shook his head. It was the first time he had ever seen the usually ice-cold mage outright cry.
"Useless," she growled, "I'm completely useless."
"Lu?" Felix knelt down beside her.
"Is she at least okay?" Lulu sobbed, sitting up to look at him, "Is she...?"
"Yuna's fine," Felix put his hands on her shoulders, feeling her shiver, "You look like hell, Lu," he guided her back to her feet, "Let's get you cleaned up."
"O...okay..." she nodded slightly.
