Arc Two

Prologue

It was still dark out when Neirana and Kecci found themselves at the wharves by the Luca blitzball stadium. The only illumination was from the stars and the moon, bathing everything in a silvery-blue glow.

The girl shifted her weight from foot to foot nervously. She was wearing her normal blue jean shorts with her lightweight, semi-transparent beige top, both designed to provide the least physical restriction possible. As a guardian, she would have to battle, and having loose clothing that could catch on obstacles wouldn't do. Her slender hand was resting on her sword hilt, as it dangled from her waist, cold mercury in the moonlight. Neirana was carrying a green sack over her shoulder, carrying all of her personal belongings that she would be taking with her.

Neirana bit her lip softly, looking anxiously over at her best friend. Compared to her nervousness and anxiety, Kecci was filled with a serene calm. His dark face was placid, relaxed, in total acceptance of his path. The boy had ditched the long white robes of the Healers in favor of a green tunic, tied around his waist with a black belt. He wore loose white pants as well, comfortable and cool in the heat of the summer of Spira. Yet most of Kecci's outfit was concealed by the earth-colored cloak draped over his shoulders. In his right hand, he was carrying a finely carved oaken staff, with a golden headpiece shaped like an eye. All of his other possessions were all in the black bag that was lying at his feet. That was all he was bringing. He wasn't planning on returning.

To anyone else, the young summoner-to-be was the very picture of serenity. Yet Kecci's best friend could see certain signs that revealed his inner turmoil, from his unusually stiff stance to his white-knuckled grip on the staff he was holding. Kecci's dark eyes met her emerald ones, and he exhaled, giving a short laugh under his breath. The shorter boy gave an empty smile. "If we're like this right now, imagine what it'll be like when we get to Zanarkand."

"Yeah…" Neirana half-heartedly laughed, the hole in her heart growing greater. She swallowed, and then took a step closer to Kecci, her hand slipping into his. Her friend squeezed and held it. Neither of them really wanted to leave. Neirana found herself looking back at the familiar bulk of the giant blitzball stadium, and the reassuring Luca skyline. These were things she knew, things she loved, things that comforted her. Ahead, all she could see was the blocky outline of the ship that would take them to Kilika, where Kecci's training to become a summoner would begin. There was virtually nothing there, just an emptiness, an uncertainty. And it frightened her.

She was disturbed from her reverie by the staccato beat of someone walking towards her, and turned around. Her father was standing here, holding a square package that was barely bigger than his hand.

"Dad, we said good-bye already… please don't make this harder for Kecci and me…" Neirana whispered, fighting the pain that swelled up in her. The shorter boy squeezed her hand again, trying to reassure her. The two of them had said a tearful goodbye to their parents and had left, not wanting to drag the painful moment out any longer than it had had to be.

Masa Sutir shook his head. "I was thinking… I want to give this to you." He handed the package out to her, and she took it hesitantly. "You should have this… it won't make any sense to you right now, but you'll understand later." Masa started to back away. "I'll see you when you come back through Luca on your way to Djose… I love you." With that, he turned so his daughter could not see the tears on his face, and left.

Her father's eyes weren't the only ones that were wet at that moment. Neirana wiped her arm across her face, brushing the tears away. "I love you too, Daddy…" she mouthed silently to the stars.

At that moment, a loud creaking and then an even louder thud split the air as the gangplank of the ship was lowered to the docks. A man, the captain of the ship, walked down the wooden ramp, a slight limp in his step. He was middle-aged, with the scruffy beginnings of a beard on his face. His features were hawkish and sharp, with a long sickle-shaped nose. The man was by no means attractive, but his hazel eyes sparkled with cunning and intelligence.

Taking a deep breath, Neirana stepped forward, Kecci at her side, as they cast themselves into the unknown.