Yeah, yeah, I know it's been a while, but I have others fics too. Still, I
apologise for the wait. Also I finally got my grammar sorted out (thank you
my English Literature teacher!). Now I write these things properly!
Very good point about the reviving thing. Square never really explains how
someone becomes unsent. For this fic, I'm going to assume it comes from
some sense of purpose or strong emotion that makes someone remain in Spira.
The body moves, the brain thinks, but the soul, the spirit, is gone.
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Darkness Falls Chapter 4: Let Me Help You
Rikku stood at the entrance to the Farplane gate, and her heart would have been beating, if she had been alive. She had been hanging back from the others, trying to think up a good reason why she couldn't go to the Farplane. By the way, you didn't save me at all, I'm dead, and I'm not ready to go yet, didn't sound like an excuse she wanted to use. She found though that desperately trying to think of an excuse only guaranteed that she wouldn't. She was unsent. She'd gotten over that pretty much, all she was worried about now was what happened after. She wasn't going to go to the Farplane yet, that was for damned sure! Unfortunately, the Al Bhed hadn't been able to find a book in the Guadosalam library called; Things To Do In Spira When You're Dead. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she nearly didn't notice that they were there. She looked up from the ground to see Lulu in front of her. She heard Auron talking, and looked at the Guardian in time to hear that he was not going. She noticed something to his left, and looked up to see the Gate to the Farplane. It was a good job that she was behind everyone else, or they might have seen that her face had gone white. After a few seconds she tore her gaze away and tapped Lulu on the shoulder. 'What, the hell, is that?' she whispered. Lulu turned slightly.
'It is the doorway to the farplane.' She noticed Rikku staring, and took it to be amazement. It was, just not the kind Lulu thought. 'Beautiful isn't it?' she said. Rikku looked at her incredulously, then asked Lulu something else.
'What does it look like?' she asked the Black Mage. Lulu raised her eyebrows. 'Please?' Rikku said. Lulu sighed, and described the colours, like oils on water, and the clouds beyond the stairway, leading through the gateway. Rikku looked back, and as hard as she tried she couldn't match up what Lulu was saying to what her eyes were seeing.
She could see the archway but that was where to Rikku similarities ended. It seemed to be covered in some kind of black, impenetrable haze, and if she looked closely she could swear that she could see things moving beyond the gateway. She shivered, and looked away, focussing on the small circles of pyreflies on the walls next to the gateway.
'Terrible, isn't it?' a deep voice spoke behind her. Rikku spun around, and came face-to-face with Seymour Guado. 'I believe we have not yet met,' he said. Rikku looked startled, then managed to recover most of her composure. 'Rikku,' she said, holding out her hand. The Yevon Maester took it and, to her surprise, raised it to his face and kissed her on the palm. She resisted the urge to giggle. Auron grunted, and got up to walk by her.
'Why terrible?' he asked, not really curious at all. The thing with Auron was, he was grumpy to everyone, and he seemed to be able to get away with it. Being known as a legendary guardian seemed to have that effect on people. Seymour just looked blank.
'All the dead, gathered in one place. Everyone Sin has made suffer, all are here. We Guado have to watch over this place, and sometimes we imagine we can hear their cries for vengeance.' He suddenly turned to look at Yuna. 'That is your task my Lady,' he finished. Yuna nodded, but Rikku still felt cold. 'Are you going to speak to lost loved ones?' the Maester asked.
'We are,' Auron said shortly. 'We leave soon,' he added pointedly. Seymour did not seem to care. Auron gestured to Yuna and the others to go ahead, and when questioned said something about memories staying where they were, and sat down on the side 'railing', well away from Seymour. Tidus turned to Rikku when she did not move.
'Are you coming?' he asked. Rikku shook her head. 'Why not?' he said, confused. To her surprise, she didn't need an excuse, only what she believed.
'The pyreflies aren't the dead, just your memories of them. I keep my memories in here,' she said, patting her hand over her heart. She gasped slightly as she felt the shard of metal in her chest grate against her ribcage, and quickly withdrew her hand. Lulu moved forwards to help, but Rikku waved her off. She looked unconvinced, but moved through the doorway. It took all of her self-control to prevent herself from screaming at them not to walk through that black cloud. She move to sit down, but instead felt Seymour's hand on her shoulder. She turned back to face the Maester.
'You see it don't you?' he asked. Rikku's eyes widened.
He knows, she thought to herself. He can't know. But then why did he tell you that? 'What do you mean?' she said, holding in her breath.
'You see the dark do you not?'Rikku nodded her head. 'It is the cries of the souls in the Farplane. They desire revenge on Sin. It is invisible, but we Guado can see it. As can those who lack a soul,' he finishes. Rikku's heart jumped into her mouth, and her breathing went out of control. 'And you don't have to do the pretence either,' he said.
He knows.
'I know, Rikku,' Seymour whispered.
How?
'We Guado are attuned to the Farplane. We see clearly where others stumble sightlessly.' He actually smiled at her. 'No, I'm not reading your mind, but your thoughts are clear enough. You should stop that before you fill the room with fog,' he said. Rikku stopped breathing. And didn't start again. 'You see? You no longer have to rely on such things as lungs,' he said.
'How do you..?' Rikku finally managed to ask. Seymour smiled softly at her.
'You are not the first lost soul to wander through here. Most come here to die, but others find strength, and continue travelling, until they seek peace, then they return to end their existence,' he said. He glanced at Auron, but Rikku missed it. Seymour continued. 'What happened?' he asked. Rikku took a deep breath, and told him. She didn't know why, but she found herself trusting this man, Maester or not. After she had finished, she shivered, and turned to see Auron's gaze on her and the Maester. She could tell that he didn't trust the man. Seymour noticed her looking, and looked back at Auron, who locked eyes with him. They stared at each other for about a minute, and then Auron turned away, and returned to his silent contemplation. Seymour looked back into Rikku's eyes, his normal blue ones meeting her green swirls. he put his and on hr shoulder. When he spoke, it was barely a whisper. 'Death is a tragedy. For one so young as you, it is worse. If will not be able to ease the pain when it begins, but I may be able to help you find peace,' he said. He stopped, and turned. 'Your friends return,' he spoke in his normal volume. Rikku turned to see Yuna and the others walk out. She turned back to thank the Maester when she heard a shriek, and whirled back to see a ghostly form advancing on her friends. She made to run up the stairs, but felt Seymour's hand on her shoulder. She turned to protest, and the Guado shook his head and gestured to watch. She turned back in time to see Yuna draw her staff, and suddenly Rikku felt sick.
Yuna began whirling the her weapon, performing the sending for the Guado (had to be Guado). Then the sickly feeling in Rikku's stomach intensified, and turned to an unpleasant tugging sensation. She felt Seymour's hand grip her shoulder harder. The tugging turned into a burning feeling, and Rikku whimpered slightly. Yuna spun the staff faster, in more elaborate curves, and the burning turned to a feeling that her heart was being plucked from her chest. The world began to swim ,and Rikku felt the need to sleep. She was about to drop off when a sharp pain on her shoulder snapped her back to reality. She looked up to see Seymour, still gripping her shoulder. 'Be strong,' he whispered. Then as soon as it had begun, it ceased. Yuna ended the summoning, the Guado disappeared, and Rikku stopped feeling like she was being torn apart. 'The soul longs for the conscious mind to join it in death,' he whispered, 'it will become worse the longer the two are separated.' Rikku groaned slightly. It got worse than that? Seymour let go of her shoulder, and walked off. Before he went, he whispered one last message. 'Remember what I said. I will always be here.' He walked off, and left Rikku with the others. Immediately Auron walked over.
'What did the Maester say?' he asked. Rikku just shrugged, mind working frantically.
'He asked for my opinion about the pilgrimage,' she replied, then congratulated herself. Go Rikku with the good excuses! she thought.
'And what did you say?' he demanded.
'You know what I think about the pilgrimage,' she said. Auron did not look convinced, but didn't press the point. The turned to see the others walking off and ran to catch up, hearing snippets of conversation about the spectre of the dead Guado and something to do with some guy called Jyscal. She didn't listen though, her mind still running through the conversation she had with Seymour. He wants to help! And something else, that was small now but would get bigger as they prepared to leave. The Thunder Plains. Rikku cringed slightly at the mere thought of that place, and now she was going through it! She remembered that the Guado shop had sold lightning-repellent equipment, and made a mental note to stop in before they left.
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Seymour walked off after the ghost of his father had appeared. That old fool, still trying to Do The Right Thing, even in death. No matter, he thought. Jyscal could do no more than watch now. Seymour thought about the conversation with Rikku, and smiled. The girl was crying out silently for help, and the only one who was even half-qualified to do so had his own demons to bear, and would not bear another's. That left him. She was on the way to trusting him already. When he and the summoner had faced down Yunalesca, and he was reborn as Sin, he would be alone, trapped as the armour of Yu Yevon, and he had no particular wish to do so alone. His mother had died so that he might gain acceptance, leaving him alone as a abnormality in a world that shunned the abnormal. He didn't want to be alone anymore.
When Jecht had fallen, and he had risen to take the man's place, Rikku would be there with him.. It was only a matter of trust.
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Rikku stood at the entrance to the Thunder Plains, no amount of experience able to hide the terror she felt about having to cross that barren wasteland of light and noise. The others were no help. 'Fine, nice knowing you,' Auron said, and ran to the first tower. Rikku thought him crazy to run out there, but he made it safely, and waited for the others to catch up. Khimari looked at her questioningly, and she looked back.
What can possibly hurt you girl? she asked herself. Was she not beyond harm now? The thought gave her comfort, and saw ran to the first tower. She could have swore Auron smiled at her, but it was hidden by that damned hood of his. She turned and waved back at the others cheerfully. Tidus grinned, then gaze a battle-cry as he ran out into the open space. He got about ten paces before...
Zap!
Rikku cringed as Tidus flew backwards, the recipient of a vicious bolt of lightning. He sat up and looked around. Rikku could have sworn his hair was actually spikier than before, if that was possible. The others fell down laughing, and even Auron gave a chuckle. Tidus got up and started to complain, forgetting the one rule of this place; Don't stand still.
Zap!
Another bolt landed at his feet, somehow missing his head. That was all the hint he needed, he dashed towards the tower, and didn't stop until he was under it. Rikku could smell scorched cloth. She grinned, and Tidus turned to her. 'And just what is so funny?' he asked. Rikku pointed to where Yuna was casting NullShock spells on everyone else, and they crossed slowly, lightning slicing down on them, only to be reflected away by Yuna's shields. The summoner looked at Tidus apologetically, then burst out laughing. The young blitzer looked to stunned to be annoyed. Rikku grinned along with the rest.
Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
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Ye Gods. This is my first FFX fic, and I'm struggling to remember key scenes here. Yes they're short, but I really don't have much to go on. One chapter in this fic will correspond to one of the scenes from the game, and some new ones added in as well. Oh, and will someone please review my other fic, Through Heaven and Hell to Home? I took ages on that, and no-one seems to care. FFVIII fans only need apply.
Darkness Falls Chapter 4: Let Me Help You
Rikku stood at the entrance to the Farplane gate, and her heart would have been beating, if she had been alive. She had been hanging back from the others, trying to think up a good reason why she couldn't go to the Farplane. By the way, you didn't save me at all, I'm dead, and I'm not ready to go yet, didn't sound like an excuse she wanted to use. She found though that desperately trying to think of an excuse only guaranteed that she wouldn't. She was unsent. She'd gotten over that pretty much, all she was worried about now was what happened after. She wasn't going to go to the Farplane yet, that was for damned sure! Unfortunately, the Al Bhed hadn't been able to find a book in the Guadosalam library called; Things To Do In Spira When You're Dead. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she nearly didn't notice that they were there. She looked up from the ground to see Lulu in front of her. She heard Auron talking, and looked at the Guardian in time to hear that he was not going. She noticed something to his left, and looked up to see the Gate to the Farplane. It was a good job that she was behind everyone else, or they might have seen that her face had gone white. After a few seconds she tore her gaze away and tapped Lulu on the shoulder. 'What, the hell, is that?' she whispered. Lulu turned slightly.
'It is the doorway to the farplane.' She noticed Rikku staring, and took it to be amazement. It was, just not the kind Lulu thought. 'Beautiful isn't it?' she said. Rikku looked at her incredulously, then asked Lulu something else.
'What does it look like?' she asked the Black Mage. Lulu raised her eyebrows. 'Please?' Rikku said. Lulu sighed, and described the colours, like oils on water, and the clouds beyond the stairway, leading through the gateway. Rikku looked back, and as hard as she tried she couldn't match up what Lulu was saying to what her eyes were seeing.
She could see the archway but that was where to Rikku similarities ended. It seemed to be covered in some kind of black, impenetrable haze, and if she looked closely she could swear that she could see things moving beyond the gateway. She shivered, and looked away, focussing on the small circles of pyreflies on the walls next to the gateway.
'Terrible, isn't it?' a deep voice spoke behind her. Rikku spun around, and came face-to-face with Seymour Guado. 'I believe we have not yet met,' he said. Rikku looked startled, then managed to recover most of her composure. 'Rikku,' she said, holding out her hand. The Yevon Maester took it and, to her surprise, raised it to his face and kissed her on the palm. She resisted the urge to giggle. Auron grunted, and got up to walk by her.
'Why terrible?' he asked, not really curious at all. The thing with Auron was, he was grumpy to everyone, and he seemed to be able to get away with it. Being known as a legendary guardian seemed to have that effect on people. Seymour just looked blank.
'All the dead, gathered in one place. Everyone Sin has made suffer, all are here. We Guado have to watch over this place, and sometimes we imagine we can hear their cries for vengeance.' He suddenly turned to look at Yuna. 'That is your task my Lady,' he finished. Yuna nodded, but Rikku still felt cold. 'Are you going to speak to lost loved ones?' the Maester asked.
'We are,' Auron said shortly. 'We leave soon,' he added pointedly. Seymour did not seem to care. Auron gestured to Yuna and the others to go ahead, and when questioned said something about memories staying where they were, and sat down on the side 'railing', well away from Seymour. Tidus turned to Rikku when she did not move.
'Are you coming?' he asked. Rikku shook her head. 'Why not?' he said, confused. To her surprise, she didn't need an excuse, only what she believed.
'The pyreflies aren't the dead, just your memories of them. I keep my memories in here,' she said, patting her hand over her heart. She gasped slightly as she felt the shard of metal in her chest grate against her ribcage, and quickly withdrew her hand. Lulu moved forwards to help, but Rikku waved her off. She looked unconvinced, but moved through the doorway. It took all of her self-control to prevent herself from screaming at them not to walk through that black cloud. She move to sit down, but instead felt Seymour's hand on her shoulder. She turned back to face the Maester.
'You see it don't you?' he asked. Rikku's eyes widened.
He knows, she thought to herself. He can't know. But then why did he tell you that? 'What do you mean?' she said, holding in her breath.
'You see the dark do you not?'Rikku nodded her head. 'It is the cries of the souls in the Farplane. They desire revenge on Sin. It is invisible, but we Guado can see it. As can those who lack a soul,' he finishes. Rikku's heart jumped into her mouth, and her breathing went out of control. 'And you don't have to do the pretence either,' he said.
He knows.
'I know, Rikku,' Seymour whispered.
How?
'We Guado are attuned to the Farplane. We see clearly where others stumble sightlessly.' He actually smiled at her. 'No, I'm not reading your mind, but your thoughts are clear enough. You should stop that before you fill the room with fog,' he said. Rikku stopped breathing. And didn't start again. 'You see? You no longer have to rely on such things as lungs,' he said.
'How do you..?' Rikku finally managed to ask. Seymour smiled softly at her.
'You are not the first lost soul to wander through here. Most come here to die, but others find strength, and continue travelling, until they seek peace, then they return to end their existence,' he said. He glanced at Auron, but Rikku missed it. Seymour continued. 'What happened?' he asked. Rikku took a deep breath, and told him. She didn't know why, but she found herself trusting this man, Maester or not. After she had finished, she shivered, and turned to see Auron's gaze on her and the Maester. She could tell that he didn't trust the man. Seymour noticed her looking, and looked back at Auron, who locked eyes with him. They stared at each other for about a minute, and then Auron turned away, and returned to his silent contemplation. Seymour looked back into Rikku's eyes, his normal blue ones meeting her green swirls. he put his and on hr shoulder. When he spoke, it was barely a whisper. 'Death is a tragedy. For one so young as you, it is worse. If will not be able to ease the pain when it begins, but I may be able to help you find peace,' he said. He stopped, and turned. 'Your friends return,' he spoke in his normal volume. Rikku turned to see Yuna and the others walk out. She turned back to thank the Maester when she heard a shriek, and whirled back to see a ghostly form advancing on her friends. She made to run up the stairs, but felt Seymour's hand on her shoulder. She turned to protest, and the Guado shook his head and gestured to watch. She turned back in time to see Yuna draw her staff, and suddenly Rikku felt sick.
Yuna began whirling the her weapon, performing the sending for the Guado (had to be Guado). Then the sickly feeling in Rikku's stomach intensified, and turned to an unpleasant tugging sensation. She felt Seymour's hand grip her shoulder harder. The tugging turned into a burning feeling, and Rikku whimpered slightly. Yuna spun the staff faster, in more elaborate curves, and the burning turned to a feeling that her heart was being plucked from her chest. The world began to swim ,and Rikku felt the need to sleep. She was about to drop off when a sharp pain on her shoulder snapped her back to reality. She looked up to see Seymour, still gripping her shoulder. 'Be strong,' he whispered. Then as soon as it had begun, it ceased. Yuna ended the summoning, the Guado disappeared, and Rikku stopped feeling like she was being torn apart. 'The soul longs for the conscious mind to join it in death,' he whispered, 'it will become worse the longer the two are separated.' Rikku groaned slightly. It got worse than that? Seymour let go of her shoulder, and walked off. Before he went, he whispered one last message. 'Remember what I said. I will always be here.' He walked off, and left Rikku with the others. Immediately Auron walked over.
'What did the Maester say?' he asked. Rikku just shrugged, mind working frantically.
'He asked for my opinion about the pilgrimage,' she replied, then congratulated herself. Go Rikku with the good excuses! she thought.
'And what did you say?' he demanded.
'You know what I think about the pilgrimage,' she said. Auron did not look convinced, but didn't press the point. The turned to see the others walking off and ran to catch up, hearing snippets of conversation about the spectre of the dead Guado and something to do with some guy called Jyscal. She didn't listen though, her mind still running through the conversation she had with Seymour. He wants to help! And something else, that was small now but would get bigger as they prepared to leave. The Thunder Plains. Rikku cringed slightly at the mere thought of that place, and now she was going through it! She remembered that the Guado shop had sold lightning-repellent equipment, and made a mental note to stop in before they left.
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Seymour walked off after the ghost of his father had appeared. That old fool, still trying to Do The Right Thing, even in death. No matter, he thought. Jyscal could do no more than watch now. Seymour thought about the conversation with Rikku, and smiled. The girl was crying out silently for help, and the only one who was even half-qualified to do so had his own demons to bear, and would not bear another's. That left him. She was on the way to trusting him already. When he and the summoner had faced down Yunalesca, and he was reborn as Sin, he would be alone, trapped as the armour of Yu Yevon, and he had no particular wish to do so alone. His mother had died so that he might gain acceptance, leaving him alone as a abnormality in a world that shunned the abnormal. He didn't want to be alone anymore.
When Jecht had fallen, and he had risen to take the man's place, Rikku would be there with him.. It was only a matter of trust.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
Rikku stood at the entrance to the Thunder Plains, no amount of experience able to hide the terror she felt about having to cross that barren wasteland of light and noise. The others were no help. 'Fine, nice knowing you,' Auron said, and ran to the first tower. Rikku thought him crazy to run out there, but he made it safely, and waited for the others to catch up. Khimari looked at her questioningly, and she looked back.
What can possibly hurt you girl? she asked herself. Was she not beyond harm now? The thought gave her comfort, and saw ran to the first tower. She could have swore Auron smiled at her, but it was hidden by that damned hood of his. She turned and waved back at the others cheerfully. Tidus grinned, then gaze a battle-cry as he ran out into the open space. He got about ten paces before...
Zap!
Rikku cringed as Tidus flew backwards, the recipient of a vicious bolt of lightning. He sat up and looked around. Rikku could have sworn his hair was actually spikier than before, if that was possible. The others fell down laughing, and even Auron gave a chuckle. Tidus got up and started to complain, forgetting the one rule of this place; Don't stand still.
Zap!
Another bolt landed at his feet, somehow missing his head. That was all the hint he needed, he dashed towards the tower, and didn't stop until he was under it. Rikku could smell scorched cloth. She grinned, and Tidus turned to her. 'And just what is so funny?' he asked. Rikku pointed to where Yuna was casting NullShock spells on everyone else, and they crossed slowly, lightning slicing down on them, only to be reflected away by Yuna's shields. The summoner looked at Tidus apologetically, then burst out laughing. The young blitzer looked to stunned to be annoyed. Rikku grinned along with the rest.
Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
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Ye Gods. This is my first FFX fic, and I'm struggling to remember key scenes here. Yes they're short, but I really don't have much to go on. One chapter in this fic will correspond to one of the scenes from the game, and some new ones added in as well. Oh, and will someone please review my other fic, Through Heaven and Hell to Home? I took ages on that, and no-one seems to care. FFVIII fans only need apply.
