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The Final Summoning
Chapter 2: Kilika
I stood on the deck of the S.S. Liki, watching the eastern horizon. The sun had finally risen, filling the clear sky with splashes of orange, red, and pink. Besaid was out of sight now, but the island of Kilika was just becoming visible, a long dark blur between the sky and the sea. Every once in a while, I would see a marine animal leap out of the water as if in greeting.
I found myself smiling in spite of my mixed emotions. It was a beautiful morning; the sea was calm, the air was warm, and I hadn't suffered one bout of motion sickness. Besides, I told myself, going on the pilgrimage did have one very nice fringe benefit: this was the first time I'd ever had the chance to travel the world. It would also be my last, but I tried not to dwell on that fact. Join Yevon, see the world . . .
"Hey, Braska, heads up!"
Thinking I was being attacked by a fiend, I whirled around, swinging my staff in front of me. Instead of connecting with a fiend, though, the staff hit Jecht's blitzball, which bounced wildly off to my left. Jecht snared the runaway ball with his foot, looked at me in surprise – and erupted in laughter.
"Slick moves, Braska!" he chortled. "You play much blitzball?"
"I played some when I was a child, but I'm what you'd call a non-athlete."
Jecht suddenly looked smug. "Yeah, I kind of figured."
"How?"
"Everything about you, man! Muscle, for example. You don't have any." He flexed his arm, revealing an impressive set of biceps. "Are all you summoner types this . . . wimpy?
"Yes, we're not known for our great strength."
"Hmph. Well, don't worry – we'll take care of that." He clapped me on the back, nearly knocking me overboard. "So. What do you people do on these trips?"
"The summoner and his guardians journey to each of Spira's sacred sites – the temples – and the summoner, after passing through the Cloister of Trials, enters the Chamber of the Fayth to pray and receive the aeon."
"What, you go in and say, 'I want your aeon,' and they say just say okay?" Jecht grunted. "Sounds easy enough. So why'd it take you three hours to pick up that one in Besaid?"
"The fayth must judge the summoner's character first – make sure his intentions are pure. If they have any doubts, they will refuse to grant the summoner their powers. They need assurance that they won't be used for evil." I smiled slightly. "They're especially particular with new summoners, those who have never bonded with an aeon."
Jecht looked ready to laugh again. "You mean, you spent three hours bonding with a statue?"
"No, not the statue. The spirit inside it. You see, Jecht, the fayth –"
"SIN!"
I spun around to look out over the ocean. I spotted it immediately: an ugly, shapeless mass, much larger than I had expected, heading directly toward the ship.
"Lord Braska!" Auron's voice came from behind me. "You should go below. You'll be safer."
I shook my head, tightening my grip on my staff. "I'm staying up here in case anyone gets injured. Also, we may need Valefor."
Auron nodded once, then turned to Jecht. Before he could say anything, a huge wave rocked the ship, sending everyone sprawling across the deck. While Auron helped me to my feet, Jecht raced across the deck, right toward Sin.
"How'd you like a blitzball up your – WHOA!"
A small army of Sinscales had landed on the deck, nearly surrounding Jecht. He kicked a few overboard before launching his blitzball at Sin. Picking up his cue, I began knocking Sinscales into the water with my staff, while Auron and Jecht concentrated on Sin itself. Jecht scored a good shot with his ball, and Sin thrashed about in the water, sending another mighty wave across the ship's bow. This time several people went overboard, including Jecht. Auron dove toward him, catching him by the wrist. The remaining ship's crew closed in to fight in my guardians' place.
"Wait!" I shouted. "Move aside – I'm going to summon!"
The crewmen quickly moved a safe distance away. I lowered my staff in front of my face, then raised it and shouted, "Valefor!"
The great bird immediately descended from the heavens. I pointed my staff toward Sin, and Valefor immediately swooped in to attack. With Valefor's assistance, the battle ended quickly; soon Sin sank back into the waters and left the area. I dismissed the aeon and sank to the deck, exhausted. Several well-meaning crewmen rushed to my aid.
"Lord Summoner, are you ill?" one of them asked anxiously.
"Just tired. My guardians – your men –"
"Your guardians are safe, Lord Summoner. They're helping our crew back to the ship, sir, a little wet but all alive and well."
"That's excellent news," I replied, right before I passed out.
* * * *
When I woke up, I was lying in a soft, warm bed, a stark contrast to the cabin Auron, Jecht, and I had shared on the S.S. Liki. I tried to remember where I was and exactly how I'd gotten there, but I drew a blank. Slightly panicked, but not wanting to show it, I sat up and called out to the nearest passerby.
"Excuse me, miss . . . could you tell me where I am?"
"You're in Kilika, Lord Summoner." The lady gave me a pleasant smile, reminding me of Yuna. "You were unconscious, so your guardians brought you straight to the inn. Are you feeling better now?"
"Much better, thank you."
She smiled again. "Glad to hear it. Please, stay and rest as long as you like."
"Thank you. Oh, miss . . . "
"Yes, Lord Summoner?"
"Are your people in need of my, ah . . . services?"
"No, no. You and your guardians beat Sin off before it had a chance to attack Kilika."
I nodded in acknowledgment, and she continued down the hallway. I stood up, took a long gulp of water from a jug next to the table, and headed outside. Auron was leaning against the wall, drinking from the jug he always carried with him. Seeing me, he stood up straight and returned the jug to its spot on his belt.
"Ah, Lord Braska," he greeted me. "Are you well?"
"I am, and you can call me Braska."
His eyes crinkled slightly: was he making fun of me? "Very well . . . Braska."
"Did I miss anything?"
"There was a large Sinspawn near the temple. Jecht and I took the liberty of destroying it without you." His eyes crinkled again: he was definitely making fun of me. "I hope you don't mind."
"Absolutely not," I replied mildly. "I avoid Sinspawn every chance I get. Where's Jecht?"
"He was complaining that he was bored and that our supplies were running low, so I sent him to get more."
As if on cue, Jecht came jogging down the wooden walkway, carrying my pouch. "I don't know how, but somehow everything fits in here. More Spiran magic, I suppose." He tossed me the bag, grinning broadly when I caught it.
"Thank you, Jecht." I pointed up toward the temple. "Let's go."
* * * *
An hour later, I stood in the Chamber of the Fayth, perspiring profusely; the warm atmosphere, combined with the challenge of the temple's Cloister of Trials, had taken a toll on all of us.
I stepped up to the fayth-statue and knelt to pray, my eyes closed, struggling to ignore the stifling heat and clear my consciousness. At last, the fayth appeared, the shining, translucent ghost of a man not much older than myself.
You are Summoner Braska.
"Yes."
Make your request, Summoner.
"I come to receive the power of your aeon, that I may defeat Sin and bring the Calm once again."
The fayth stepped closer to me, studying me intensely. I lowered my head, unnerved at the thought of meeting the spirit's gaze.
You have many doubts, many fears, the fayth noted accurately. You are a competent summoner; you have already bonded with an aeon – yet you have an intense fear of failing the pilgrimage. Why is this?
"I . . . I fear for my daughter. I fear what may happen to her if Sin is not stopped. I want her to grow up in a world without Sin, without sorrow." I closed my eyes again, holding back the tears that threatened to spill forth. "I don't want her to be afraid."
A long pause followed. The doubts and fears the fayth had mentioned immediately rushed through my mind: He's not accepting me. I've failed. The pilgrimage is over . . . Spira is doomed . . . Then, finally, the fayth spoke.
Many people allow their doubts to paralyze them. They allow themselves to drown in their fears and sorrows rather than face them directly. The fayth paused again, briefly this time. You have great determination, Summoner Braska. You have the courage to face your fears, to allow them to motivate you without haunting you. I grant you the power of Ifrit.
The fayth rested his almost-solid hands on my chest. A sudden burning sensation flared through my body, and I fell to the floor, barely holding on to consciousness. I heard Ifrit's voice whispering in my brain.
Your pilgrimage has only just begun, Summoner Braska. I wish you success.
I rose on shaky legs and stumbled out of the chamber. I nearly collapsed again, but Auron caught me.
"Whoa," Jecht observed. "You look bad, man."
Auron frowned at him, then turned his attention to me. "Perhaps we should rest again before we leave."
I shook my head. "Our time is limited. Let us proceed to Luca."
@}--- ---
WHEW! That was long. *wipes sweat from brow* Maybe now I can get to bed at a decent hour, except I really can't, since it's 11:30 p.m. now. Curse daylight savings time.
I just couldn't resist the opportunity to speculate on what goes on behind those closed doors, when it's just the summoner and the fayth. I probably won't include those little chats for every temple, unless you the readers ask me to. I do play for my public. *grins*
Yunalesca78
