DOORS TO TOMORROW

Chapter I: New Life

A young man staggered down the mountain trail, clutching a bleeding wound at his side. His red kimono swirled about his in the frosty air as he jammed his fist deeper into his wound to stop the bleeding, trying not to think about what he was touching. He knew he would be dead soon but he must keep going, he owed at least that much to his friends. He willed his stiffening legs to move beneath him and carry him farther down the snow- blanketed mountain, his labored breaths materializing before him in clouds of steam. It was so cold, so deathly cold.

Before him, he could see through his fading vision a blue form moving slowly down the path. What was a Ronso doing so far down the path? Their village was much higher up the mountain. Perhaps this person would help him.

Ignoring the searing pain, the young man hastened his steps and shifted his kimono, trying his best to cover his wound.

"Why so far from the village, Ronso?" he asked when he was in speaking distance of the blue form.

The creature stopped, pulling itself up to its full height. Through the falling snow, the young man could see the long, shaggy blue fur hanging in braids and adornments off the human-like creature. The creature turned to face him fully, showing the facial features of a lion and a proud horn, the unmistakable mark of a Ronso.

"Kimahri has shamed himself," the creature said, shaking his head sadly and motioning with a clawed hand. The young man could now see, though the world now seemed to swirl around him, that the Ronso's horn had been broken.

A broken horn for a Ronso was dishonorable and this one, Kimahri, obviously intended to leave his village on Mount Gagazet and search for a new life elsewhere in Spira.

"Where do you intend to go?" the young man asked, pulling further at his clothing to hide his wound from the piercing yellow gaze of the Ronso.

"Kimahri does not know. A place where no one will mock Kimahri for the shame he has brought on himself."

Perhaps I could still keep my oath, the young man thought.

"My name is Auron and I am going to die soon," the young man said. The Ronso, Kimahri, seemed to shake himself out of his despair and finally notice the wound decorating the young man's kimono, his eyes widening slightly in shock. "I know of a young girl in Bevelle who has no father or mother. I have sworn to take care of her but, as you can see, I am no longer capable of such a task. I realize I am a stranger to you, but my time is running short and you are the last person I can request this of. Will you fulfill my oath?"

Kimahri crossed his arms, thinking. Bevelle, the capital of Spira, was a very crowded city. Surely his broken horn would be recognized as a mark of shame and mocked. "Kimahri wants to help, but he cannot go to Bevelle."

"You don't have to. Take her to Besaid and bring her up there. Besaid is secluded, I'm sure no one there has ever seen a Ronso."

Kimahri seemed to consider silently for a moment, before nodding his head shortly. "Kimahri will help you."

"Thank you, my friend. Her name is Yunalesca, daughter of High Summoner Braska. I believe she is in the care of the priests at Bevelle Temple. Here," Auron breathed, painfully reaching for a leather pouch at his waist and holding it to the Ronso. "Here is all my Gil. Take it and use it to care for her."

Kimahri shook his head. "Kimahri will care for the girl but he will not accept your gold."

Auron shook his head violently, fighting to keep himself standing. "I am dying! I have no need for my gold! Please.... please take it."

The Ronso seemed to fully realize the gravity of the situation and gingerly reached for the pouch before tying it onto his armor. "Let Kimahri take you to the village..."

"I do not need your help, I will be dead soon. Please, hasten to Bevelle."

Kimahri spared the dying young man one final glance, before turning to leave him to die in peace. "You are a good man," Kimahri growled over his shoulder. "Kimahri swears to bring the girl up to be good, like you."

Auron nodded and watched the Ronso pad away through the falling snow, before falling to his knees in pain. He held his side tightly while turning to look back behind him, where drops of his blood stained the pure snow.

He shook his head, feeling the world begin to swim. I can't die here, he thought. I have to live.... for Braska and Jecht. I can't let their deaths be in vain...

Auron sat there some minutes before he felt his strength leave him and he slumped into the snow, watching the winter sky through his cold, glazing eyes. I cannot fail them, he thought, as his limbs began to stiffen. He felt himself shudder, but he knew it was not from the cold around him. He was dead.

And just like that, the pain was gone.

Auron sat up and padded his side with a suddenly renewed strength. Though his kimono was hard with frozen blood, the skin underneath was completely healed. All that remained as evidence of his death was a scar, deep under his robes.

As if on cue, a voice intruded into his thoughts.









Auron barely surpressed a smirk.









The voice then grew sadder, almost wistful.





Auron looked up, seeing a glowing, swirling abyss materializing over his head.





The light from the abyss grew to consume Auron from where he stood on the mountain trail, and he welcomed it with open arms. One day, he would return to retrieve his sword, to find Summoner Yuna and aid her on her quest for the Calm, to be a beacon of hope and knowledge to light a path for change in Spira. But for now, his life was just beginning anew.

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Author's Notes: i hope you all enjoyed that. this is just the exchange i pictured happening on mt. gagazet between kimahri and auron. what did you all think? i hope to get plenty of reviews. And fear not, there will be many more chapters to this story. next chapter: kimahri takes yuna from bevelle temple and learns more about her past.