The flames of the bonfires raced across the night lit sky. The stars and the crescent moon seemed to radiate even more with the blazing flames. There were several bonfires around the entire village. Many of them had wooden tables where the village people sat together, socialized, and of course ate. Other bonfires were used for dancing. Many of the citizens circled around the fires while jumping and spinning to the beat of the drums, acoustic guitars, and other percussion instruments in the background.
Julie was standing upon a small wooden stage, singing to the beat of the music. (The actual song is Kiseki no Umi originally from Record of Lodoss Wars) She held both of her hands close to her chest, with her eyes gently closed, while singing to the people. It almost seemed like she was also singing to the stars themselves. Her voice was so soft and tender.
Jesse had a plate of some food in one hand, and was standing just across one of the bonfires, staring through the flames as he watched Julie sing. He was definitely impressed and almost mesmerized by her voice. He was really enjoying himself. He doesn't remember a time when he enjoyed himself this much.
"Hey man!" Andre ran over to him, patting him on the shoulder, "Having a good time?!"
Jesse laughed, "Yeah, of course! And Julie's singing…it's wonderful!"
Andre smiled as he watched her as well, "Yes, Julie's a great singer. But, we've still got to have a good time, you know?!" He ran over to one of the dancing bonfire circles and joined in. He waved to Jesse to come join in as well, "Come on!"
Jesse giggled, embarrassed, "N-No thanks…I'm just a bit reluctant…" He turned his gaze behind him and over towards the staircase that led up to the Orlami Temple. He could see a small campfire and people surrounding it. One of these people was the young Summoner. Jesse was intrigued and wanted to speak with him. He put his plate away and headed towards the stairs.
As he was going up the stairs, he could hear the voices of Anthony and other people.
"Lord Anthony!" a little girl's voice shouted, "Are you really, REALLY leaving tomorrow?"
Anthony giggled caringly. He couldn't help but notice how cute she was, "Oh Keila…You knew that this day was going to come, right?"
Jesse finally made it up the stairs and eavesdropped on the conversation.
Anthony, and a young girl, who seemed to be seven or so, sat around the fire talking to one another. There was a middle-aged woman with them, who seemed to be the girl's mother. Also, two guards similar to that of Andre's stood around them.
"I knew this day was going to come, but…but…" Keila began to cry, "…I don't want you to go!"
"Oh, Keila…" her mother said compassionately.
Anthony, without hesitation, embraced the young child, "Now, don't you worry about a thing." Anthony had his eyes closed, biting his lip, and trying to fight back the tears. "I am going to be back here before you know it," Anthony tried his best to smile as they broke their hug, "And I am going to bring you the most beautiful jewels and spheres in all the planet!" He wanted to cheer her up at least a little bit.
Keila wiped the tears from her eyes, "Promise?"
Anthony nodded, "I promise!"
Jesse couldn't help but smile warmly at the touching scene.
That's when the guards noticed his presence. They ran over to him, crossing their spears one on top of the other to form an X-shape.
"Stop there!" one spoke.
"Whoa, whoa…Didn't mean any harm," Jesse reassured them as he backed away.
Anthony saw who it was and stood up, "Do not worry. Let him pass." He smiled.
The guards backed off and returned to their original positions.
Keila and her mother got up onto their feet and walked past Jesse. Keila stopped just before going down the steps to turn to Anthony, "Lord Anthony?"
"Yes, Keila?" he asked.
"I'll see you tomorrow, bright and early!" she said cheerfully.
Anthony smiled, "Tomorrow it is!"
Keila ran off, laughing and giggling to herself.
Jesse walked over towards him, "I see why people like you so much."
"She is a sweet girl…" Anthony said softly, "I will miss her…and so many other familiar things…"
"That's right. Your pilgrimage starts tomorrow," Jesse realized, "Are you scared?"
Anthony thought about it for a second, "Yes, very…But…I have Julie and Andre with me. It will not be that difficult with them by my side."
Jesse smiled, not really knowing what to say.
Anthony looked at him for a moment, analyzing him, "You know…you've really grown since I last saw you."
"Oh…well, so have you," Jesse replied.
Anthony couldn't help but blush just a little. He knew he had to hurry and change the subject quickly. "Andre was really sad when you left," he said.
"I know…" Jesse sighed sadly, "So was I."
"And then, when he heard about the Plate Rip…he really feared the worst. He was so worried. To be completely honest…we all were," Anthony explained.
"I'm glad to be back…even though so many have things have changed," Jesse said.
"Yes, many things have changed…but not people, not friends," Anthony told him, insinuating something.
"Huh…?" Jesse wondered. He was shocked about how right he was. "Oh…" he said, "Guess you could tell then, huh?"
"You do not need to worry. Yes, many years have passed since you left. But…Andre cares for you very deeply. That I do know. Your friendship is one that many wish they could have. It is something to cherish," Anthony said to him in a gentle tone, "A friendship like yours'…is one that time cannot alter."
Jesse smiled, "Thank you. Now, I really do see why Andre is your friend and Guardian."
Anthony smiled in return.
Jesse began to yawn, showing a bit of sleepiness.
Anthony giggled, "Oh, my! I think you should retire for now. You have done much today."
"Yeah…I suppose you're right," Jesse said very groggily.
"You may use Andre's residence. I know he will not mind," Anthony told him.
"Yes, thank you," Jesse said as he began to walk off, "Good night."
"Oh, Jesse…!" he began.
Jesse turned to see him, "Yes?"
"You…" he started once again, "You…haven't been forgotten."
Jesse really appreciated his support and sentiment, "Thank you, and good night."
"Good night," Anthony smiled.
The celebration had already ended, and everyone outside was cleaning up all of the mess that was left behind. The crickets were chirping as they all swept away all of the mess.
Jesse was inside of Andre's home. He lied down on the long sofa, staring up at the ceiling. He had so much on his mind.
"Hmm…" he said, "…In a way, he's…different. He doesn't seem to be the same guy I remember him being. But, even still…there's just something…" He shook his head, trying to snap out of it. "Forget about it!" he told himself, and then he realized, "Looks like I came back at a bad time. Andre's already leaving tomorrow, and so is Anthony. Maybe I shouldn't have come back…but, I really have no other place to go…"
At that instant he heard a voice speaking from outside of the house, "You must be joking!" It was Julie's voice.
Jesse slowly got up and headed towards the door. He opened it slightly, looking through the crack of the door. He could see Julie and Andre speaking to one another.
"But, Jules…" Andre began, "He's my best friend! He's like a brother to me!"
"And that makes him cut out to be a Guardian?" Julie replied snidely.
"Not necessarily, but…" Andre stuttered.
Julie walked away for a second, turning her back to him, "Don't you see that this duty is not about our safety, but of Anthony's? Our duty is to protect him and aide him on his pilgrimage. You know that."
Andre looked away sadly, "But, Jesse came back to stay, I think. I can't leave him alone here."
Julie turned back to see him, walking back, "It's just that I know Anthony won't decline. He'll think of you and your bond with him. You know how selfless he is."
"I trust Jesse…" Andre told her sincerely.
"It isn't just about trust, you know?" Julie responded. She then remembered the feeling she had when she met Jesse for the first time. "There's just something strange about him…" she mumbled.
"What's that?" Andre wondered.
"No, nothing…" Julie said, "Besides, Andre…what makes you think that Jesse will want to become Anthony's Guardian?"
"I'll do it!" Jesse shouted from the door, for he had already walked out.
"Jesse…" Andre said.
"I want to! I want to become a Guardian!" Jesse shouted determinedly. He was being impulsive, but he knew this was the right thing to do.
Andre smiled at him, pleased with his answer, "All right."
"We'll dub him tomorrow morning then," Julie stated, "I'm sure the priesthood will not mind. Until then, get some sleep. We start at dawn." She walked over to Andre and whispered into his ear, "I hope you know what you're doing…" She continued off and towards the village.
"Don't worry," he replied. He walked over to his friend as they both began to enter the house, "You and me have got to talk."
The dawn sun had lifted over the land, and over Orlami Village. Andre and Julie stood at the very top of the stairs leading to the temple. There, a group of priests lined up in front of Jesse, who knelt down before them.
Chuna stepped forward towards the kneeling young man, "Rise Jesse Villegas…and take your solemn vows."
Jesse slowly stood up, and proudly looked on.
Andre couldn't stop smiling. He was absolutely ecstatic.
As for Julie, she wasn't sure how to feel. Should she feel happy for Jesse, or more worried? Nevertheless, she supported him, for he was Andre's best friend after all.
"Your duty, as Guardian to a Summoner…is to put your own life before his. The Summoner will embark on the Pilgrimage, and it is up to you to make sure he completes it. You will not let anyone stand in his way. You will not let any emotions get involved in your duty. You will be his aide and his protector," Chuna told Jesse, "Is this agreed upon?"
Jesse nodded his head in affirmation.
"Very well then. Jesse, you are now officially a Guardian, under the eyes of Yevon," Chuna smiled.
Jesse smiled along with him, "Thank you."
"However, just as we have given Lord Anthony a gift…" Chuna began. Another one of the priests, dressed in the same attire, walked over to Chuna and handed him a long object wrapped in a withered burgundy cloth. Chuna took the cloth off to reveal a sword.
The sword was as silver as any metal could possibly be, and shined with the sun's rays reflecting off of it. The blade's edge was lined in a metallic red color.
Jesse was very impressed, and very appreciative, "Thank you so much."
Chuna smiled, while handing him the sword, "Please use it to protect Lord Anthony. We, as priests of Yevon, know that you can carry out our wishes."
Another priest handed Jesse a leather case for the sword, as Jesse placed the sword in it and strapped it onto his waist. "I promise you…I won't let you down," Jesse reassured them all.
"You'd better not!" Andre laughed, as he put his hand on Jesse's shoulder, "Welcome to the team!"
Julie performed the Yevon prayer, "I'm sure, with your help, we can succeed."
"Thank you Julie," Jesse replied.
"Now then…you all must be off. The next temple awaits you, as does the next Aeon," Chuna told them. He and the other priests performed the prayer to bid them farewell.
Jesse, Andre, and Julie did the same.
The three of them then began to walk down the stairs, spotting Anthony in the distance. He was speaking with Keila.
"Well, Keila…this is it," Anthony told her in a gentle tone, "But, don't say goodbye."
"Why not?" Keila asked innocently.
Jesse and co. arrived, witnessing the farewell.
"Because…you only say goodbye to someone you might not see again," Anthony said optimistically, giving her a wink.
Keila smiled, "Okay! Instead, I'll wish you good luck!"
The two of them embraced one another.
"Take care Keila," Anthony whispered.
Keila ran off, then waved to him before going off into the village.
Anthony then turned around to see his Guardians, "Oh! Good morning!"
"Good morning," Jesse smiled.
"What took you all so long? Is everything all right?" Anthony wondered. He then saw Jesse's sword and grew a bit suspicious.
"Well…" Andre began to say, "The truth is…Jesse was being dubbed by the priesthood today."
"Dubbed…?" he began to ask, "Oh my! Then, Jesse…"
"I'm your new Guardian!" he said proudly.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" Anthony asked him.
"It is!" he said, "Andre's my best friend, and, well…I know I can help out!"
Anthony nodded in agreement, "I know you can."
"Now, we must get a move on. We don't want to miss the next trolley," Julie stated.
"Yes, of course." Anthony agreed.
The four of them began to walk off towards the entrance to the village. Anthony stopped for a moment, and turned around to see the village. He looked all around it, taking everything in. He didn't want to forget anything. It was very difficult for him to leave, for this was the only home he's ever known.
He closed his eyes, thinking to himself, "I have been chosen to do this…but, I am doing it for all of you…Even if I won't see you again…"
Jesse walked over to him, "Hey, it's okay. You'll come back here soon enough, as a hero!"
Anthony looked away, seeming a bit sad or distraught about what Jesse said.
"Right?!" Jesse asked him, waiting for a cheerful response.
"R-Right!" Anthony smiled, trying to cover up his true feelings with that smile.
"All right then!" Andre shouted, "Come on! Let's hurry!"
"Yes!" Anthony replied, as the four of them headed out of the village.
The group of heroes walked along the same dirt path, surrounded by a meadow of wildflowers that Jesse had taken to reach Orlami Village. Just as it was the day prior, the sun was shining brilliantly and the rainbow of flowers brightened the day.
Everyone was quiet, for the moment. Anthony walked slightly next to Julie, but still kind of ahead of her. Jesse and Andre were only a few steps behind.
Jesse pulled out his sword and admired it. He had never held anything like it in his entire life. The sunlight really made it shine and glisten.
"You're going to need to learn how to use that," Andre told him.
"I-I can do it," Jesse tried to say confidently; even though he had never held a weapon of any kind before, "Still…"
Andre put his hand on Jesse's shoulder in friendly comfort, "Don't worry about it. The sword isn't a hard weapon to learn how to use. And, especially one like yours."
"What do you mean?" Jesse wondered.
"This sword was blessed by the priests back at the temple. They blessed the sword with the power of Yevon. It has…I guess you could say…a bit of magic to it. Innate abilities that only the wielder can bring out in it," Andre explained to him.
Jesse was really impressed, "Is your weapon…blessed?"
Andre smirked and then pulled out his lance from his back, twirled it in the air, and then pointed it forward. He did it so rapidly, that Jesse couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Yeah!" Andre answered, "My weapon was blessed too. But, since I've been training for a while, I've already been able to acquire some of its abilities." He then put his weapon back.
"Will I ever be able to do that?" Jesse asked him.
Andre smiled, "I think so."
Jesse nodded, "Cool." He really wanted to be just as good a Guardian as Andre and Julie. He didn't only want to do it because he wanted to prove something to himself, but to be able to protect Anthony from any danger.
He looked on ahead at the young Summoner, walking with his head a bit low. He seemed sad, which was understandable since he was leaving his home. Jesse immediately noticed the silence once again and wanted to try and liven everyone's spirits. He hurried over towards Anthony and Julie.
"Cheer up!" he said optimistically, "You shouldn't have a long face like that!"
Anthony looked at him, a bit stunned by Jesse's outburst. However, he was appreciative and smiled, "Thank you."
"Well it's true, isn't it?" Jesse stated, with a bit of kick in his step, "You are a Summoner, you know."
"He…does have a point Anthony," Julie spoke up, not wanting to admit that Jesse was right, "You are a Summoner. You are fighting for the people's freedom and their peace. You can't let them see you like this, right? It would discourage them."
Anthony nodded, "I know you're right, but even still…I'll miss Orlami."
"That's why you should try and cheer up," Jesse told him, with a sincere look in his eyes, "You're fighting for everyone in the village! You're fighting for the priests, and your friends, and…and Keila too."
When Jesse mentioned the young girl's name, that was what affirmed Anthony's confidence and his goal. Anthony's disposition changed immediately, holding his head up high. "You're right, Jesse…" he said softly. He then leaped forward and turned to his Guardians. With his hands behind his back and a gentle smile he said, "I know that with all of your help, this will all be possible!"
Andre nodded, "That's right."
"You have my utter support," Julie smiled to him.
"Me too," Jesse agreed.
Anthony giggled a bit and nodded, "All right then. We should hurry over to the trolley stop!" He turned around and started to run a bit down the path.
Julie walked over to Jesse. "You've already done your first duty as a Guardian…" she said, "You support him. Maybe you won't be so bad after all." She gave him a short smirk and then picked up her step to catch up to Anthony.
"You've done more than that, my man…" Andre told him, "You've gotten Julie to kind of like you even after what happened back at the village. You're already on your way."
Jesse laughed, "I'll take your word for it!"
"Now, come on! I'll race you!" Andre shouted as he sped off down the path.
"H-Hey, wait!" Jesse yelled as he ran after him.
