Across a matching living room, in-between the suite, lied the second bedroom. It looked exactly like that of Julie's and Andre's bedroom. The only difference was its clientele.
Anthony took off the gorgeous sheets and fluffed up his pillows, while Jesse sat on his bed shining up his sword.
"What a day…" he yawned.
Anthony giggled, "It was quite eventful wasn't it…"
"Just a little," Jesse replied, "I never thought this journey would be so…I don't know…"
"So hectic?" Anthony asked him.
"Is that hypocritical of me say?" he wondered.
"Not at all," Anthony reassured him, "I didn't even believe it would be like this either."
"I always thought the pilgrimage would just be us, traveling across the globe in search of the Aeons," Jesse explained his feelings.
"That is the way it was supposed to be, but for whatever reason…other plights have begun to arise," Anthony told him, "First that attack on Encia, then Shao Jin, the Summoner Murders…"
"Mysterious Maesters," Jesse mumbled to himself.
"What?" Anthony asked.
"No, nothing…" he replied, "Now that I come to think of it…there's something I've been wanting to ask you about."
"Oh? You know you can ask me anything," Anthony smiled.
"Well, now thinking about Shao Jin and Belgemine…it made me wonder about the prophecy," Jesse stated.
"You mean the Prophecy of the Summoner," Anthony added.
Jesse nodded, "Yeah…I mean, how exactly does that happen? How did it happen with you?"
Anthony stopped what he was doing. He headed over to the edge of his bed, facing Jesse, and sat down. "You know…it's funny," he began, "I have never actually spoken a word of it to anyone before."
"Oh, then never mind. I shouldn't have…" Jesse began, when Anthony stopped him.
"No, no. Do not worry about it," Anthony told him, "It is nice to get some of these things out into the open."
Jesse put his sword down and prepared to listen to Anthony's story.
"As you probably already know, Summoners are chosen by Yevon," Anthony began to explain, "What you probably don't know is the process in which we are chosen."
Jesse nodded, "Exactly."
"The Prophecy of the Summoner in the Teachings of Yevon states: A Summoner is chosen by Yevon; one who has the ability to take on the task of using the Aeons' power. The Chosen receives a prophetic dream from Yevon himself," Anthony said.
"A prophetic dream…You mean a dream that foretells the future?" Jesse wondered.
"Right," he nodded.
"What is it like?" Jesse inquired.
Anthony thought about it for a moment to himself. It had been so long since he had thought about the dream. He began to recap the sequence, while explaining to Jesse.
Anthony, dressed in a pair of blue pajamas, slept in his home back in Orlami Village. He was bundled up in his white comforter as the moonlight shined through his bedroom window.
"It started with me falling," Anthony stated.
"Falling?" Jesse asked.
The entire room around Anthony's horizontal body dissipated into a black void. Anthony, still sleeping, begins to fall through as his hair and his clothes swerve like the wind.
"It's like…I was falling through time. I could see events from the Earth's past," Anthony explained.
Around Anthony, times of the Prehistoric age, the times of the Roman Empire, of the Colonial age, the 70s, the 80s, the 90s, and so forth began to spiral about.
"Suddenly, I entered a hole of white light…" he continued.
Anthony's body went into a vertical position as he entered a round portal of white light. He descends through to find himself in a different place. All around him the sky is filled with darkness. The sun does not exist and no living creature was anywhere in sight. He landed, barefoot, onto the roof of a building in ruin.
"I landed on top of an ancient building. I looked around to find myself in the ruins of some city. I couldn't make out which city it was," Anthony tried his best to describe what he had seen.
Lightning bolts crashed down in the distance as Anthony looked around the area to see buildings of the same nature all around him. Some were buried deep into the ground, while others were simply a pile of rubble.
"That's when…I saw it…" Anthony stated.
"Saw what?" Jesse asked.
Anthony looked forward to see a massive creature standing a mile away from him. Even at that distance, the creature seemed ever so close.
"Sin…" he answered.
The enormous gray and scaly, whale-like monster stood there. It did nothing but have its hundreds of beady black eyes stare at him.
"This is where the strange part comes in. I haven't even told Julie or Andre about this," Anthony spoke, "You see…the dream was supposed to end here. I was supposed to wake up at this point."
"The dream continued?" Jesse wondered.
Anthony nodded, "Yes…I suddenly found myself covered in glowing white feathers…"
A light shined beneath Anthony as hundreds of shimmering white angel feathers shoot up and around him. When they stop, they reveal him in his usual Summoner outfit.
"I was in this very costume you see me in now," Anthony told him, "Then, the white light appeared and spoke to me…"
A small orb made of white light flew down from the sky and floated in front of Anthony.
"What did it say?" Jesse asked him.
"It said…" Anthony began.
"You will be the one to help bring repentance to the Earth. You and one other…" the light said as the silhouette of a human appeared in its luminescence.
"There was a shadow of a man, and that is when the dream concluded," Anthony finished.
"So…this has never happened to any other Summoner?" Jesse asked.
"No," Anthony shook his head, "The priest back in Orlami researched it. No records of a conclusion such as that one had ever been heard of. The truth is…that isn't all that was different."
"There's more?" Jesse wondered.
"The Mark of Yevon. After you awaken from the dream, you find the Mark of Yevon on some part of your body," Anthony explained to him, "The truth is…mine is also different."
Anthony put his hand on his collar and pulled it down to reveal the left side of his chest. There the Mark of Yevon was tattooed into him. However, there was something different about it.
Jesse's eyes were filled with shock and surprise when he saw it.
On the sides of the Yevon symbol were two angel wings.
"Julie and Andre do know about this," Anthony continued, not noticing the astonished look on Jesse's face, "The priests researched this too, but again, there was nothing. I really don't know what to make of…" That's when he saw Jesse sweating. "Jesse? Jesse, is something wrong?" he asked.
"Uh…" Jesse stuttered, "Y-Yeah…I just…need some fresh air…" He quickly stood up and headed for the door.
"Oh, all right. Don't be out too late," Anthony warned him.
Without another word Jesse exited out of the room and shut the door behind him.
Jesse now leaned on the suite door, still sweating in what seemed to be fright. "How can this be?" he thought to himself, "Those wings…" Jesse pulled his right sleeve down to reveal the same two angel wings on his wrist. "What does this mean?" he asked himself. He didn't think another thought and headed for the staircase.
Anthony bit his lip in worry. "Something was definitely wrong…" he said, "Was it something I said?" Anthony couldn't just sit there any longer. "I should go see if he's all right," he stated. He got up, exited the bedroom, and headed towards the main entrance of the suite. He opened it to be shocked to see Dogurasu standing outside of his door.
"Maester Dogurasu?!" he gasped, bowing in front of him.
"I'm sorry, did I scare you?" he grinned.
"It's all right," Anthony replied.
"I simply came to bid you good night Lord Anthony," Dogurasu told him.
"Oh, that is very thoughtful of you," Anthony smiled.
"Yes…Oh, and I also heard that one of your Guardians has entered the tournament," he added.
"Yes, that's right. I will be cheering for his victory," Anthony said.
"I wish him good luck as well," Dogurasu stated.
"Thank you," Anthony nodded.
"Now, I mustn't keep you…" Dogurasu told him as he held Anthony's hand. He felt this rush within his very core. "Such power…" he mumbled.
"Excuse me?" Anthony wondered.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Good night my dear Summoner. Sleep well," Dogurasu spoke. He had a very eerie and seductive tone to his voice. He walked away from the doorway and headed down the hallway to his bedroom.
"Anthony, can you come here a minute?" Julie called from inside.
"I-I'll be right there!" Anthony shouted back. He looked around to see if Jesse was anywhere in sight to find nothing. He reentered the suite, closing the door.
Dogurasu, inside of his suite, clenched his fist and stared into it with the utmost desire. "Such power indeed…" he said to himself.
Rainbow colored confetti shot out into the city streets from high above the building rooftops. The citizens below hollered and cheered receiving the confetti in their hair and all over their clothes. Clowns of all kinds ran through the streets, along with magicians, acrobats, and others alike. The children were being given balloons just as colorful as the confetti. All sorts of food was being sold to the people as they enjoyed their meal and their day.
Most of these people, however, were gathering souvenirs and food for only one reason. They all were making their way towards the stadium where the Tournament of Arms was going to transpire. It was going to be an exciting day for all.
Inside of their suite's living room, the four heroes prepared for the event later that morning. Jesse placed his sword into its case and strapped it onto his back, while Andre twirled his staff, sliced and diced in preparation for his tournament debut.
"This is going to be great!" Andre shouted.
"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Julie asked him.
Andre strapped his lance onto his back, "I'll be fine Julie."
"We'll be rooting for you," Anthony smiled.
"Thanks," he replied. He walked over towards the window where a small table stood. On top was a pitcher filled with water and a couple of crystal clear glasses. Andre poured himself a drink and gulped it down.
"Rico's probably going to do well, huh?" Jesse spoke up.
"I imagine that to be so," Anthony nodded, "You've never seen Rico in combat. He is an amazing fighter."
Julie agreed, "Yes, he is. I'm sure you'll see that today."
"Hey, I thought you guys were cheering on for…" Andre said as he suddenly fell to the ground, holding his stomach, "Agh!!" He was grimacing with pain. Sweat drops began to drip off of his head.
"Andre!!" Anthony cried worriedly.
He and the rest of the team rushed over to him. They knelt down beside him, as Julie held Andre in her arms.
"Andre, what's wrong?!" she shouted.
"Ugh…M-My…stomach…" he could barely speak for he was in so much pain.
"Jesse, get a medic right away!" Anthony told him.
"Right!" he nodded, standing up and hurrying out the door.
"Let me try my magic," Anthony suggested.
"It's worth a shot," Julie replied.
Anthony placed his gentle palm above the wound, as his fingertips emanated with a dim, holy white light. Out of his fingers, sparkling white lights floated down onto Andre's body. "Cure…" Anthony whispered, his voice echoing.
Nevertheless, the attempt was to no avail. Andre still grimaced in so much pain.
"The spell didn't work!" Anthony gasped.
Julie grabbed the glass from which Andre drank from. She smelled it, "…This wasn't just water."
"What?" Anthony asked.
In that moment, Jesse and a woman dressed in a white gown ran into the room.
"Here he is!" Jesse pointed.
The woman knelt down, holding a black bag filled with medical supplies, and began to examine Andre.
"Doctor, I believe…he may have been drugged," Julie told her. She handed the doctor the glass.
The doctor smelled it and came to the same conclusion, "This smell…It is Zell Weed."
"Zell Weed?" Julie wondered.
The four Maesters entered the room to see what was going on.
"Yes, Zell Weed…" Maester Chekhov said.
"Zell Weed is a plant that can cause stomach pains if mixed with a fluid," Maester L'ariel explained to them.
"So…somebody did drug him then…" Anthony realized.
"Who would want to hurt Sir Andre?" Maester Janga inquired.
"That is a very good question," Dogurasu pondered.
"Will he be all right doctor?" Jesse asked her.
She put away her stethoscope and gave Andre a sip of a pink fluid out of a spoon. Instantly, Andre felt a little better.
"…T-Thank you…" he sighed.
Julie helped him back onto his feet.
"I gave him some medication that will help alleviate the pain," the doctor told them, "However, I'll need a sample from this cup in order to create an antidote."
"Please, doctor…" Julie pleaded.
"I will take this to the lab in my hospital. We'll do what we can," she replied, "Sir Andre, you must take it easy or the pain may worsen."
"Then that means…you cannot fight in the tournament," Anthony stated.
"But…" he stuttered, "Dammit!"
"That is unfortunate. I was looking forward to seeing you fight in the arena today," Dogurasu said apologetically.
Andre grew with frustration. He wanted to compete but knew now that he couldn't. He wanted to be able to reach the round in which he would face his older brother, however, it didn't seem that was possible. He knew only one way that he would accept this.
"If I can't compete…" he began, turning to Jesse, "Then I ask that Jesse take my place."
"What?!" he gasped.
"Please, man…" he begged, "Fight for me. If I can't fight, I want to at least be able to push you on to victory."
"Andre…I…" Jesse didn't know what to say exactly. But, he agreed, "All right."
"Jesse…!" Anthony cried worriedly, "Are you sure?"
He nodded, "With all of you cheering for me, I'll do fine."
"I shall have it arranged," Chekhov told them, soon leaving the room.
"We still have one problem to deal with," Janga spoke.
"Yes, the culprit for this crime is still out there," L'ariel added.
"We'll most definitely keep our eyes peeled," Julie stated determinedly.
"I'm worried…" Anthony said with a bit of fright in his voice.
Dogurasu walked over to him and placed his hand on Anthony's shoulder in comfort, "Do not worry Lord Anthony. I will have guards all across the city searching for any possible suspects."
Anthony smiled in gratitude, "Thank you."
Jesse saw the two of them and grew a bit angry. He wasn't sure why though. He decided to quickly change the subject, "I guess I'd better head to the stadium then." He walked towards the door and opened it.
Anthony noticed how abrupt he was in wanting to leave.
Dogurasu grinned at that very fact.
"Jesse, wait!" Andre stopped him, leaning against Julie for support.
Jesse put his foot in the doorway and turned his head slightly to listen to his friend.
"Fight hard," Andre smiled, sweat running down his face.
Jesse nodded and exited the room.
"Now, come. We will have bodyguards escort all of you to the stadium," Janga told them kindly.
"We thank you milady," Anthony bowed.
The four navy blue cloaked men stood on the rooftop of the building across from the hotel. They wore long black leather gloves and boots that covered any skin that they may have. Their faces were covered with Japanese kabuki masks.
"Perfect," one spoke in a deep male tone, "That's one Guardian out."
"The other was forced to take his place in the tournament. It is just as you planned," the one next to him, a female, added.
The third cloaked figure, a tall and brawny type, stepped forward, "There is but one Guardian left; the Black Mage," he said.
"Isn't she the one that studied under…?" the fourth cloaked man began to ask. He was the shortest out of all of them and spoke in a much smaller voice.
"Yes, I believe she is," the female answered him.
"She is not only powerful, but intelligent. She will be the toughest one to get rid of," the tall one stated.
"We won't have to. As long as we can lure the Summoner away from her, for only an instant, we'll be able to take him," the leader told them all.
"We will have to wait for an opening then," the short man said.
"Don't you worry about that. The Summoner will be with us soon enough," the leader told his men.
