The four of them soon arrived at the crossroads of the path, where Jesse had been dropped off before.  They all gathered around, waiting for the trolley to arrive for them.

"Where are we off to now?" Jesse inquired.

"Our ultimate goal is to arrive at the place where the Temple of Rebirth lies.  However, it will take us a couple of days or so to arrive there.  So, we must first catch a trolley to the neighboring town of Encia.  Then, we head for Arjuna, the Crimson Village," Julie explained to him.

"Wow, it is a lot of traveling…" Jesse sighed.

"It's part of the pilgrimage," Andre said, "But look at the bright side of things.  You're gonna get to see the world!"

Jesse smiled to himself a bit, "You have a point there."

"The trolley has arrived," Anthony stated.

They all looked towards their left to see the same kind of carriage or trolley that had brought Jesse to the village.  After a few moments passed, the trolley stopped before them. 

"All aboard!" the brunette middle-aged driver shouted.  He stopped for a moment when he saw who was about to board.  He wasn't sure who it was at first, but had an idea.  Just as Anthony stepped up onto the step of the trolley, and was about to board, the driver asked him, "Excuse me young man.  You wouldn't be Lord Anthony, would you?"

Anthony smiled, "Yes, I am."

"Oh my!" the driver exclaimed, "It is a pleasure to have you here milord!"  He then saw Anthony's Guardians behind him.  "And you three must be his Guardians!  Please, come aboard!" he said very politely.

"Thank you so much," Anthony replied appreciatively as he stepped aboard.  Julie followed him and then Jesse. 

Andre was reaching into his pocket to pull out some money for the driver, when the driver said, "No, please Sir Guardian.  You do not have to compensate for me.  Being able to help Lord Anthony is enough for me."

Andre smiled, "Thank you sir."  He soon stepped in.

"Yah!" the driver shouted, yanking on his reins.  The horses neighed and began to head down the path, where their next stop would be the village of Encia.

As the trolley moved, Anthony and his Guardians made their way down the aisle to find a place to sit.  The other passengers awed at the sight of the Summoner.  It seemed that word of Anthony's pilgrimage had already been spread.

"Excuse me…" Anthony said politely as he made his way to a seat towards the end of the trolley.  He sat down next to the window on the left side of the vehicle.  Julie sat next to him.

There was another seat on the opposite aisle, where Jesse sat at the window and Andre next to him.

Jesse immediately noticed the other passengers staring at them, especially Anthony.  "Why is everyone looking at us?" Jesse whispered to his friend.

"It's not us, it's mostly Anthony," Andre replied, "News seems to have spread like wildfire."

"But, aren't there other Summoners?" Jesse asked, "I mean…"

"I know what you're saying.  Yes, there are a handful of other Summoners across the globe, on their pilgrimage as we sit here.  But, Anthony is the first of this region," Andre told him.

"I see now," Jesse said.

"And also…" Andre began, "Many of the priests have high hopes for Anthony.  They seem to see something in him that they don't see in other Summoners.  I think everyone believes that Anthony will be the one to finally complete the pilgrimage and save the world."

"So no Summoner has ever finished the pilgrimage…" Jesse stated, looking across to see Anthony gazing out into the window, "Well…I think he can do it." 

Anthony noticed Jesse looking at him, and began to blush a little.  He wasn't sure why Jesse was watching him, but it made him feel a bit uncomfortable.

Time had passed, and they were still on the road.  The mid-late afternoon was approaching as the cool breezes flowed through.  They would arrive at Encia by nightfall.

"Now, don't forget the magic that I have been able to teach you," Julie was telling Anthony.

"I won't, I promise," Anthony agreed with a friendly smile on his face.

"Your white magic may just be support magic right now, but as you grow and mature, so will your magic," Julie reassured him, "I know it will come in handy."

"Thank you for teaching me.  That way…I won't feel so useless…" Anthony said discouragingly.

"Useless?" Julie said, surprised.  She grabbed Anthony by his face and stared at him in the eyes.  "Useless is the one thing you're not.  You are our savior.  You…are my family.  You are anything but useless." Julie comforted him.

Anthony smiled at her, "Thank you Julie.  You really are like my sister."

Julie smiled in return, "And you, my brother."

Meanwhile, Jesse and Andre carried on in their own conversation.

"You know…Jesse, man…I'm really sorry about your family," Andre spoke in a sad tone.

"Oh…" Jesse replied, his mood changing, "…It's okay Andre."

"I know…you must miss them a lot," Andre tried his best to console him.

"I do…" he replied. 

Andre could see the tears beginning to well up in his old friend's eyes, "But, you know…!" 

Jesse looked out towards the horizon, wiping his eyes.  He didn't want anyone to see him be so emotional, or even cry.

"I want you to think of us as your family," Andre said.

Jesse turned to see him, "W-What?"

"I know it won't be easy!  But, I know we're here for you," Andre smiled.

Jesse really valued Andre's compassion, "I don't think it'll be too hard."

Andre began to clear his throat, trying to not let anyone see him be so sentimental, "Yeah, but…I've got an image to protect, so we need to keep this on the down-low."

Jesse laughed, and as he did, saw Anthony and Julie conversing next to them.  It brought up a question.  "Hey, Julie, Anthony…" he began.

"Eh?" Julie wondered, stopping her conversation.

"What is it Jesse?" Anthony wondered.

"There's something I've been wanting to ask you.  When I was back in Orlami…I didn't see you say goodbye to your parents," Jesse said, "Did they move away like Andre's family?"  Jesse glanced at Andre to see his face deeply pained.  He turned to see Anthony and Julie, to see the same look upon their faces.  Jesse feared for the worst answer.

"My family…was killed by Sin just a few months after you left," Julie said in a pained voice.

"And Anthony…?" Jesse asked, hoping for a better answer.

Anthony shook his head, tears in his eyes, "Sin attacked the coast near Orlami just after you had left.  My family wanted to go to the beach that day.  I couldn't go with them because of school and I told them I'd meet up with them later…"

Jesse listened attentively, showing so much empathy.

"When I got there later that day…all I found…were dead bodies all around the beach…" Anthony was so choked up with pain and suffering as the tears fell down his rosy cheeks. 

Andre gritted his teeth.  He couldn't bear to reminisce on that day.

"And since there was no Summoner…they turned into…into…" Anthony began to sob.

Jesse couldn't quite understand what Anthony was trying to say, but still felt so much sympathy for him.  He understood his feelings completely.  "Anthony, I…" Jesse began.

Just as he was about to speak, the trolley came to a sudden halt.  Everyone was whip lashed forward.

"Anthony, are you all right?" Julie asked, as she held him during the impact.

"Yes…I'm fine," he replied.

"What the hell happened?!" Andre shouted.

"Aaahhh!!!" the driver screamed from outside, "Somebody help!!!"

"Huh?!" Jesse gasped.

"SINSPAWN!!!!" the driver yelled.

"Sinspawn?!" Julie exclaimed.

The other passengers rushed to their windows to see what was going on.

The four heroes got up from their seats and hurried out the door.  They all gasped at the very sight.

The horses reared up and tried to release themselves because of their immense fright.  In front of the trolley was a large group of dark colored creatures.

The creatures were no taller than a large dog.  They had two sharp-clawed feet, and fangs to boot.  On their small backs were two wing-like parts that protruded through.  They were rounded at the top and had spikes covering its edges.  The creatures were as scaly as any creature could possibly be.

"What are those?!" Jesse shouted.

"Those are Sinspawn!" Andre answered him.

"Sinspawn?" Jesse wondered.

"Yes!  They are creatures born from Sin!" Julie added, "They are extremely dangerous!"

"We must protect the passengers of the trolley!" Anthony pleaded.

"You're right," Andre agreed and looked up towards the driver, "Listen!  Get inside and leave this to us!"

The driver nervously nodded in agreement and did as he was told.

"All right!" Andre shouted as he pulled out his long weapon, "Julie, come with me!  Jesse, stay here and protect Anthony!"

Jesse took out his sword and stood as ready as he could with the fear that he felt inside, "I will!"

"Be careful you two!" Anthony told them.

Andre and Julie rushed over towards the horde of Sinspawn.

The small predators began to lunge up at Andre.  Andre fended them off with his weapon.  He twirled his swift lance while slicing down upon the Sinspawn.  Every time he killed one, its body would dematerialize into a group of small colored comets that would ascend towards the sky. 

He turned around as more approached him.  He began to run forward and then, using his lance, leaped into the air like a pole-vaulter.  While simultaneously in the air, he lifted his might lance.  It began to glow an orange light as he began to approach the oncoming Sinspawn.  "Breaking Slice!!!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.  As soon as he was reaching the ground, he sliced down with his lance, lunging the orange energy into the ground below him.

The energy broke through the ground, heading towards the Sinspawn, and then exploding as it destroyed each and every one of them. 

Andre landed, twirled his weapon and stood in a fighting stance.

A Sinspawn leaped up at Julie.  She swiped it away with her arm.  And then lifted the same arm into the air.  "Fire!!!" she cried, her voice echoing, as she struck down her hand.  Immediately, flames combusted upon that very same Sinspawn. 

It wouldn't be the last of them though.  Three more ran towards her.  She didn't make another step.  She put out both of her arms in front of her, with her index and middle fingers pointed outward.  She closed her eyes, concentrated, and incanted the spell, "Blizzard!!!"  A rush of ice-cold wind struck through the three creatures, freezing them.  Julie took this opportunity into her own hands.  She raised her arm into the air, her palm facing the sky.  Her voice echoed throughout as yelled, "Thunder!!!"  Out of thin air, three bolts of lightning struck each Sinspawn.

Meanwhile, Jesse was fending off for himself and for Anthony.  Some Sinspawn managed to get past the other two Guardians and over to their area.  Anthony stood behind Jesse, as he slashed down on every Sinspawn that got close.

Jesse sliced down on one, and then sideswiped another.  "This sword is lighter than I thought…" he thought to himself.

"Jesse, watch out!!!" Anthony cried.

Jesse was caught off-guard when a Sinspawn leaped at him like a rabid dog.  He was pushed down as the Sinspawn stood on top of his chest.  Jesse used the sword to protect himself, as the creature had its fangs enveloped on the blade.  Jesse tried his best to push it back.

Anthony was left a bit defenseless as a few Sinspawn made it towards him.  He backed up a bit, not really knowing what he should do. 

"Anthony…!!!" Jesse yelled, as he struggled.

The group of Sinspawn leaped towards Anthony.

In that split-second, Anthony pulled out the staff that was given to him.  He knelt down quickly and struck the staff into the ground, shouting, "Protect!!!"  A hexagonal grid made of blue light, surrounded him.  The Sinspawn hit the barrier, and could not harm him.

Jesse managed to slice straight through the Sinspawn that had pinned him.  He got up and hurried towards Anthony.  "Are you all right?" he asked concernedly.

"Yes, but even still…" Anthony began.

The group of Sinspawn began to circle around them.

Jesse looked beyond them to see Julie and Andre still battling the remaining Sinspawn.  "We have no way out!" he yelled, frustrated.

At that moment, something that was said to Anthony came to him:

"I am here to assist you Summoner."

"Step back Jesse!" Anthony shouted as he stepped in front of him, "I know now what I can do."

Jesse wasn't really quite sure what he meant.

Anthony held his lunar staff, with both hands, in front of him, as he closed his eyes.  He then pulled his arms separately away from another; the arm with the staff held high into the air as the other pointed forward.  In that instant, four round violet colored magic circles appeared, rotating around him.  Magic was emitting from the ground below him.  Out of the four circles, four comets shot up straight into the sky, coming together as it hit the clouds.  They created an opening in the clouds, where an immense being flew downward.

Valefor came hurling down from the sky.

Julie and Andre stopped battling as they saw the Aeon descend.

"It's Valefor!" Julie shouted happily.

"Anthony summoned him!" Andre added.

The winged Aeon landed next to its Summoner.  He looked towards the side to see him and said, "I am here to assist you."

Anthony nodded, "Valefor!  Perform the Overdrive: Energy Ray!"

"Very well…" Valefor nodded.  Valefor lifted into the air, back somersaulting.  He pulled his head back, as beams and rays of purple and golden light began to come together within his beak.  He then jerked his head forward, releasing an immense beam at the Sinspawn.  A huge explosion occurred, leaving the Sinspawn annihilated.

Valefor landed back next to Anthony.

"Thank you Valefor," Anthony smiled.

"Do not be afraid to call on me again," Valefor replied, as he flew back into the air and straight into the clouds.

Julie and Andre ran back towards Anthony and Jesse.

"That was amazing!" Andre yelled excitedly.

"Yes, it was!" Julie added.

"Thanks for helping us," Jesse smiled.

"I guess…I'm really not so useless," Anthony giggled.

Jesse continued to smile, until he looked behind Anthony to see one remaining Sinspawn.  "Anthony, look out!!!" he shouted.  He stepped in front of Anthony, pushing him back a bit.  And in that moment, a sudden rush or sensation came over Jesse.  Without thinking he leaped into the air, pulling his sword back at his side. 

"Wha…?!" Andre gasped.

"Gusting Wave!!!" Jesse yelled.  He spun around once, swinging his blade, and releasing a wave of intense wind at the Sinspawn.  The Sinspawn had no defense, and immediately dematerialized into the colored lights.

Jesse landed on the ground, a bit surprised at what he had done.

"Wow!" Anthony smiled as he ran towards Jesse, "Jesse, thank you!"

"Without any training you already unlocked one of your weapon's abilities…" Andre said in disbelief, "…That's unheard of."

"I don't know…what came over me," Jesse said in bewilderment.

Julie smiled to him, "It really doesn't matter.  You protected Anthony.  That is duty # 2."  She gave him a friendly wink.

"I'm worried…" Anthony spoke up.

"About what Anthony?" Andre wondered.

"Those weren't just any Sinspawn," he said.

"Yes…they were Sinscales." Julie added.

"Sinscales?" Jesse inquired.

"They were actually apart of Sin.  It's almost like how a snake sheds its skin.  Except, these scales of Sin are dangerous.  And it can only mean one thing if they're around," Andre explained.

"Sin cannot be too far away," Anthony stated.

Those very words struck fear into Jesse's heart.  He did not want to have another run-in with the Bringer of Destruction.

The orange sun was beginning to set in the horizon.  The sky blended colors of blue, red, and orange due to the sun's passing.   The silver crescent moon was starting to show itself, but only slightly.  It was still transparent in the high reaches of the sky.  And all around it, high above it all, the stars knew that their real time to shine was soon near.

The trolley had gotten back onto the road and continued onward towards its destination.  The passengers onboard were a bit shaken up after what had happened earlier, but felt more secure having a Summoner and his Guardians to look after them.

Andre and Julie had gone to sit with a young woman and her newborn baby.  Andre sat next to the dirty blonde, blue-eyed girl and her young infant, wrapped in a blue cloth.  It seemed it was a boy.  Julie sat just behind them.

"You have a beautiful baby," Julie complimented her.

"Oh, thank you," the young woman smiled, "You…are a Guardian, are you not?"  She was dressed in a long blue dress, that had a white apron tied around her waist.  She also wore a white bandana in her hair.

Julie nodded, "Yes."

"I saw a bit of what you all did out there today.  It was absolutely splendid," the young girl told them.

Andre grew to be very smug and confident with her compliments, "Aw, well…It's all in a day's work."  He crossed his arms cockily. 

Julie could only shake her head in grief.  She then turned to the young girl to introduce herself, "I am Julie.  A Black Mage."

"And I'm Andre, Expert Lancer." Andre grinned, still crossing his arms over his chest in a boastful manner.

The young girl found it amusing as she giggled, "Well, it is nice to meet you both.  I am Sora.  And this is my little boy, Darwyn."

"He really is a nice looking kid," Andre told her.

"Thank you Sir Andre," Sora replied respectfully.

"Well, Sora…if you don't mind me asking…" Julie began.

Sora interrupted her, "Where is the father?"

Julie nodded a bit ashamedly, "Yes…"

"Do not feel embarrassed.  Well, the truth is I had Darwyn not too long ago.  I lived in a village a bit north from here.  My husband wanted to move down to Encia and start a new life with our child.  I was almost due with Darwyn, but I decided to stay while he prepared everything in Encia," Sora explained to them.  Her tone was much different as she spoke about her husband.  It was obvious how she felt for him.  She was bubbly, and full of life.  "But, then, I went to labor and had my child.  So, now, the both of us are headed for Encia to see my husband and begin our new lives together," she finished.

"Your husband must be a wonderful man," Julie stated.

Sora smiled to herself, "He really is…I can't wait to see him again.  And I bet Darwyn can't either."

Andre and Julie both smiled to one another.  It was nice to see someone so happy even in these times of despair and uncertainty.

Towards the back of the trolley, Jesse sat in the same seat he had sat in before.  He looked out the window as night had already fallen.  The stars and the moon were now having their turn to glisten brilliantly in the night sky.  The scenery was very soothing for Jesse; especially when his mind was as confused as it was.

"So much I don't know…so much I don't understand…" he thought to himself, as the stars shined in his deep brown eyes, "Did I act too rashly…?  Making such a huge decision like this…?"

Jesse knew that when he made the decision to become a Guardian that there was much danger involved.  And after what had happened earlier, that was most definitely true.  He was beginning to doubt himself, what he could do, and whether or not he made the right choice.

"I mean…Summoners?  Guardians?  Sinspawn?" he asked himself, "And this Yevon Religion, and prophecies…Did I make the right decision?"

He stopped and looked forward to Julie and Andre, who laughed and giggled with the young mother and her child.

He smiled to himself, "But, then again…being with Andre again, and having met Julie…It feels so right.  And not to mention…"  He turned his head a bit to look to the seat on the other side of the aisle where Anthony sat, poised and relaxed.  "…Having met him really changes everything for me." he thought, "It's strange how I feel so drawn to him.  Like…I'm supposed to protect him somehow…"

Anthony turned his head to see Jesse, deep in thought.  He could tell that there was much he was thinking about.  He understood as well.  It must be hard for someone to have just been thrown into this all of a sudden.

"Jesse?" he asked in a soft tone.

"Huh…?" he asked, turning to speak with him.

"Are you all right?" Anthony wondered, "You seem…lost in your thoughts."

"Yes, well…" Jesse began.

Anthony held tightly onto his clothing, as he stepped from his seat and sat right next to Jesse.  They both seemed uneasy, nervous, and anxious.

"You should really…ease your mind," Anthony suggested.

"Yeah, you're right.  I should take things one step at a time," Jesse smiled.

The both of them paused for a moment; silent.  It was a bit awkward as neither of them knew what to say to one another.  Anthony looked away a bit, seeming very timid and shy.  Jesse looked over to him, and examined his clothing. 

"Hey, Anthony…" he said.

"Y-Yes?" Anthony replied, with a bit of a stutter.

"Your clothes…they're really unique," Jesse told him, "I had no idea they sold such things here."

Anthony shook his head, "They don't.  This is an important treasure of mine."

"Important treasure?" Jesse wondered.

"This was made for me by someone very important to me…" Anthony began, as he began to reminisce about the moment when he received this gift.

Anthony, Priest Chuna, along with other priests stood in the main chamber of the temple back at Orlami.  Anthony was dressed in a similar priest attire.

"You will do magnificently tomorrow milord," Chuna said, as he performed the prayer.

Anthony performed the same in return, "I do hope so."

"I was hoping…that I could help a bit…" a female voice spoke.

Anthony turned to see who it was. 

A young girl, about Anthony's age, approached him.  She was a bit shorter than he was, and had a shoulder length black hair.  Her eyes were small, but filled with passion.  She wore a burgundy dress, that was covered with a long gold robe that had a belt wrapped around her waist.

"Shirley…" Anthony said.

"As much…as I don't want to see you leave…" she began, with tears in her eyes, "I know that this is what you must do.  And even though I can't be with you…I want you to be able to have something from me."  She pulled from behind her back, black clothes folded in her hands.

"Shirley…this is…" Anthony said, stunned at what she was giving him.

"Please, try it on." Shirley encouraged him.

A few minutes later, Anthony returned.  He was now dressed in his black, kimono-like costume.

Shirley's face lit up when she saw him, "Wonderful!"  She hurried over to him and began to inspect the outfit, making sure nothing was wrong.  "I really tried to do the best that I could," she stated, still looking over the clothes, "But, I used light-weight silk material so that it would be easy on you when you battle.  I also tried to make the boots as comfortable as possible since I knew you'd be traveling.  And last but not least…the wings décor represents hope…because you are my wings of hope."

Tears ran down Anthony's face as he embraced his good friend tightly, "Thank you…!  Thank you so much!"

"I wanted you to wear my design so that it would protect with you, because of all of the love I put into it," Shirley told him, wiping her tears.

"I promise you Shirley…" Anthony said, as he broke the hug, "I will make sure your dream becomes a reality.  You will be the most famous fashion designer in the entire world!  I will see to it that it happens!"

"So, that's why…" Jesse said.

Anthony nodded, as he held his chest, "What I wear now…is one of my most important treasures.  It's filled with love from someone who has been apart of my life for so long."

"I think that love shines through," Jesse told him.

Anthony blushed a bit, "Thank you."

Just ahead of them, Andre held the infant as he played around with him.  "Aren't you the strongest baby ever?!" he said jokingly, "Yes you are!"

Darwyn giggled and smiled.

"He seems to like you," Sora said.

At that very moment, Darwyn opened his mouth and burped a real nice one in Andre's face. 

"Oh, man!  I can smell what he had for lunch, breakfast, and dinner!" Andre shouted as he returned the baby to Sora.

"I think Darwyn likes him a little too much," Julie giggled.

Anthony and Jesse laughed along with her.

The laughter stopped quickly when the trolley stopped suddenly.

"Oh, are we here?!" Sora wondered.

Jesse looked through the window to see that they were in a forested type area.  However, many of the trees were knocked down, and there were deep running tracks everywhere.

"Something's not right…" Anthony said, "I can feel it."

"Oh my god!" the driver said from outside.

Anthony and his Guardians hurried outside of the trolley, and onto the ground.  Each one of them stopped in their tracks when they saw the horrifying sight that lied before them.

"No!" Anthony gasped.

Before them, surrounded by the remaining pine trees was a site where a village used to stand.  The houses that were made out of logs were completely destroyed, and fires burned brightly all around.  It seemed like some massive force had passed through and left nothing standing.  The debris was endless.  Who knew how many survived, or if any survived at all.

"I can't believe what I'm seeing…" Julie said, standing beside herself in shock.

"The entire village…" Andre sighed sadly.

Jesse didn't know what to say.  He had never seen such a terrible sight before.

The passengers from the trolleys stepped off and began to scream and gasp at the destruction of Encia.  Many women began to cry profusely, as others were speechless.

"No!!!" Sora cried as she ran forward with her child.  The tears ran down her face so quickly.  "This can't be happening!!!" she wept, "Jonah!!!"  She hurried over towards the debris.

Anthony looked away, biting his lip in grief.  More destruction seemed to follow him.

"We…We should look for any survivors," Andre spoke up.

Julie nodded in agreement, "Yes…"