Final Fantasy X: Journey
Light.
Tida ran forward, springing lightly down the steps as she entered a large room that she quickly recognized as the room before entering the Chamber of the Fayth.
"Where is everyone?" she wondered aloud.
Tida glanced around inside the brightly lit room and was mildly surprised.
Everything in this room looked… well, perfect. The floors and walls and ceiling were unstained, the white columns were gleaming in the light from a silently glowing chandelier. The doors leading to the Chamber of the Fayth looked as though they were untouched—and had been untouched for quite some while.
In Tida's eyes, it was beautiful, most definitely the most exquisite hall she'd ever seen in a temple. It wasn't run-down or over-decorated, she noted.
"Perfect."
Tida took a step forward in the direction of the doors leading into the Chamber of the Fayth, but then stopped, suddenly uncertain. What would she find beyond those particular gates?
Echoing yells and screams caught Tida's attention and she looked up just in time to see five holes open in the ceiling, each expelling a different person.
"Whoa!" Tida leapt to the side, rolling and then coming to her feet in a starter's position, fingers on the floor to help her with balance.
Her eyes shot to the figures now lying moaning on the white-tiled floor.
"Mama! Dad!" Tida cried, bounding to her feet and racing to Yuna's side. She helped her mother into a sitting position as Yuna held one hand up to her forehead, grimacing against the ringing in her ears.
"What a fall," Yuna muttered, opening one eye and then both. Tida left her mother sitting and moved around to help the others to their feet.
Rikku groaned as Tida pulled her to her feet. She wavered, but didn't fall. "What happened? I remember the floor opening up and sliding down this chute, but—"
"Hey, where's Chappu and Zeoron?" Wakka cut in, looking around for the guardian pair.
Tida bit her lip—hard—to keep from crying and turned away sharply, picking a spot just below the ceiling to stare at as she fought her own emotions.
Yuna motioned Wakka to be silent and took a step toward her daughter. "Tida?" she questioned softly. She tilted her head slightly to the side, gazing at Tida's back.
"Cha—Chappu and Zeo are… they're—"—Tida whirled around, tears flying from her eyes to blot the floor—"they're dead!"
A sob escaped her throat and she fell to her knees and hands. "I promised I wouldn't cry anymore, but I can't help it! I'm too weak!"
Before anyone could react, Tidus was striding purposely across the floor and he seized his daughter roughly by the shoulders, jerking up enough to bring her up fully on her knees. "Tida!" Tidus's voice was sharp but it did the trick; Tida immediately stopped crying.
"Tida," Tidus's voice was very controlled, "you are not weak. No one could have done some of the things I've watched you do. The fayth would not have chosen you unless they knew you could do it. They believe in you. I believe in you."
A chorus of "I believe in you, too," followed his speech. Tears still leaking from her eyes, trailing down her cheeks. She opened her mouth and closed it.
"Chappu…" the whisper absconded from her lips.
"Tida, Cha—"
"Chappu loved you, Tida! He wouldn't want you to give up! He took the vow of the guardian and he took it to the heart! He wanted to protect you! He died for you, Tida! Don't let him to have died in vain!" Yuna broke in, both hands flinging out to the sides.
Choking back on another sob, Tida took a steadying breath before slowly rising to her feet. Tidus released her and stepped back, studying her face as Rikku, Lulu, and Wakka looked on quietly.
"I… I won't cry for them anymore."
"Good. Now, let's get Seymour!" Tidus said, punching one fist in the air.
"Hey—that's my line!" Rikku said indignantly, glaring at Tidus, both hands planted firmly on her hips and she bent slightly at the waist.
"Sorry, Rikku," Tidus said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. He offered her an apologetic smile.
Rikku shrugged. "I guess it's okay—this time," she added, jerking her head.
Tida rolled her eyes and pulled the Brotherhood out from behind her back, resting it lightly on her shoulder. Her eyes were suddenly cold with the heat of an upcoming battle. "We move, now."
Instantly, weapons were drawn and out. Tida nodded her head and shifted to the front of them, her eyes locked solidly on the décor doors that led to the Chamber of the Fayth.
Tida reach forward with her left hand and then drew it back, one eyebrow arching as she grinned suddenly and stepped back lightly on her left foot, her right leg coming up swiftly as she tilted to the side in a graceful kick that knocked the doors open with a bang.
She looked back over her shoulder with a slight shrug. "I've always wanted to do that." She turned around to the doors once more and squared her shoulders.
Tida stepped through the frame.
* * *
Tida felt her jaw nearly drop but took quick notice that what lay before them had not even fazed the group now standing behind her.
This was no Chamber of the Fayth but a void. A set of stairs stood before them, leading up to a large platform above. The steps were covered in a blood-red carpet with golden lining and golden silk trailing down from the sides.
Tida felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle and she managed to stifle the shudder that tried to follow. She allowed her eyes to take in all the blackness around them, lit only by what appeared to be stars.
And the pyreflies. Thousands of them were floating about, winking and swirling around the company. Tida closed her eyes, silently giving a moment for the souls who had not been sent to the Farplane when this city had been drowned within the waters of the Moonflow.
Slowly, Tida spun, head bowed and eyes still closed. She gradually raised her head, eyes opening to reveal soft orbs glowing with light.
"Let us face destiny… together," she murmured, Nirvana suddenly shimmering in her hands. Tida grasped the staff firmly but gently.
She turned and began ascending the stairs, one sturdy step at a time.
One step at a time, Tida, she thought, her eyes staring straight at the top of the stairs, her gaze never once wavering from its target.
They reached the top and Tida took a few hesitant strides forward, her eyes darting around for a sign of life besides herself and her friends.
"Seymour!"
Tida's voice bounced off invisible walls. She bit her lip and tightened her grip on Nirvana; ready to swing off into a summoning the second Seymour showed signs of arriving—and attacking.
"Come on, you murderer," Tida hissed through gritted teeth.
Tidus took one of the corners, Wakka finding another one to stand guard at. Lulu took one as well, leaving the final corner to Yuna and Rikku.
Tidus had Caladbolg out, ready to spring; the blue-green sword nearly glowed with legendary power. Wakka was poised, ready to let loose with the sharply spiked World Champion. Lulu was clutching her Onion Knight, the other free hand every now and then flickering with flashes of lightning. Yuna had her guns out, fingers on the smooth triggers as her eyes darted around. Rikku was rocking back and forth, the Godhand clicking along with her movements, the pointed claws set to tear whatever they caught on.
Tida looked at each in turn, receiving approving nods. She moved her arms straight out in front of her, Nirvana held flawlessly vertical. Tida took a deep breath; her eyes grew fierce.
"I summon forth the Shadow, created by Seymour's commands. Come forward, Seymour! Come face me, you coward!" Tida yelled, swinging Nirvana upward. She brought the staff down rapidly, and like a sword, it sailed smoothly through the platform floor, lightning shooting up from the hole it fashioned and along the cracks that shot out from it.
"Face me!" Tida screamed.
White light engulfed everything; everyone shielded their eyes and was forced to take a step back as winds began to rage and howl around the dais. Yuna and Rikku went to their knees, eyes tightly shut as they gripped at the floor as best they could, trying to hang on.
"You wish to challenge me, then? Very well."
The gusts stopped and when the light had faded, Seymour stood leering at one side, facing Tida, who had somehow moved to the other, Nirvana clutched rigidly in both hands. She was quivering slightly, her friends noticed.
"If you offer your life so willingly, I suppose I will just have to take it from you," Seymour said, sighing as if it were nothing more than killing an ant. He raised his hand—
"Tida!"
Time itself seemed to stop; Seymour's hand remained still in the air, his eyes moving from Tida to the two figures running out of a portal that had appeared just off to the side of Tida.
Disclaimer: All belongs to Squaresoft. Tida, Chappu, Aeon of Light, etc., are mine.