Disclaimer: I own nothing, you sue me, all you'll get is my whopping maxed out overdraft. Not really worth it is it?

On dark and lonely days,

I hear your voice whispering my name…

Ash - Candy

"Jecht, no! It is not a…"

Jecht swung his sword clumsily at the towering shoopuf, staggering from the effects of his liquid lunch. Auron watched in horror as the great beast reared on its hind legs, screeching in pain while the Hypello tried in vain to calm it.

"…Fiend." Auron finished weakly, burying his head in his hands. He dared a glance through his fingers to see an angry handler marching toward him. Braska groaned softly to his side and tried to smile.

"Your friend hurtsh de shoopuf! De shoopuf no move, ish imposhibibble!" The small blue being pointed an accusing finger at Braska.

"I apologise for his behaviour, it will not happen again. Please, we have some money, take it as our forfeit."

The Hypello looked at the money suspiciously before grabbing it with a grunt. He stalked off back to the other handlers leaving the two Guardians and the summoner alone.

"Hey guys, I'm sorry about that. It just looked so damn threatening ya know?"

Auron looked at the gentle creature in disbelief, pointing. "That is threatening to you? Yevon save us when you actually see something worth being threatened by!"

"Watch your tongue boy, you're just all wound up because you ain't heard from Lesca…" Jecht slurred, struggling to keep his balance as Auron pushed past him.

Damn drunk! No food, no money…I should have stayed with Lesca. That is where I want to be, not watching her father step closer to his death each day. You were right Lesca; to follow Yevon is a fool's path.

He smiled, imagining that even in this dark hour he could hear her sweet voice teasing him, asserting that it was she who was right.

"Auron?"

He snapped his head back, scowling as he met the gaze of Jecht. The older man scratched his head nervously and shifted uneasily on his feet.

"Look Auron, I'm sorry for the shoopuf, I'm givin up the sauce from this point on. And…" He hesitated, looking slightly abashed, "I'm sorry about the Lesca crack. It wasn't fair. We have to try and put our differences aside, for Braska's sake. He want's this trip to be good for all of us, ya know? And we're making it miserable with our gripin'. Let's start fresh, ok?"

He held out a dirt-encrusted hand with his broad grin, Auron only just managing to not turn his nose up at the man. He will be a good friend to you Auron, I guarantee it. He smiled, remembering the words of his lover and shook the hand warmly.

As I said Lesca. For you, anything.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lesca wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, grimacing as she wiped away the last of the sickness. Only last another week my ass…try four. Auron…

"Lescy? How much longer?" Yuna's little voice tore her eyes from the inside of the toilet she knew so well. She grinned and sat with her back against the wall, patting the space beside her. The little girl nuzzled into her side, entwining her fingers in Lesca's thick tresses, rubbing the silken locks to her face.

"I'll be better soon, it just has to run its course, y'know?" I hope.

She felt the little head bob in acquiescence and she smiled. As much as I have cared for Yuna these past years, I never once saw myself becoming a mother. Then again, I never would have seen falling in love with a Yevonite and marrying at sixteen. Go figure. I wish you were here…the thoughts that plague my mind are those only you can purge.

She looked up sharply as a rap at the door disturbed her thoughts. Yuna nestled snugly into her side and she moved carefully so as not to disturb her. The home schooling must be tiring her out…great!

She rubbed a hand over her weary eyes, smoothing her hair down as she rushed to answer the incessant knocking.

"I'm coming, tysh ed!"

She flung open the door to find a strange man on the doorstep. Rain had slicked the flaxen locks to his scalp and he smiled at her wearily, shivering from the biting wind. She peered into the night, studying his face. Those eyes…

"Oui yna Al Bhed?" Her voice was a guarded whisper, fearful that someone may overhear their converse.

"E ys. May I come in? I bring news from Sir Auron…" He watched as the smile brightened her pale face and she dragged him inside. She grabbed a nearby towel, handing it to him while sitting him in front of the fire.

So much of her Mother in her…a child to make any father proud, a wife any man would be elated to call his own. A true daughter of the Al Bhed.

Rin looked at the woman tenderly, gratified to see some colour flood back into her translucent skin. She handed the stranger a warming drink and sat facing him with her back to the flickering fireplace. He strained to hear her soft words as she spoke to him.

"Please, forgive my manners. It has been some time since we have received guests, I never even caught your name." She blushed in embarrassment and he touched her hand lightly in understanding.

"Worry not, it is quite alright. My name is Rin, I knew your mother when she lived at Home with Cid. I have also recently met your father as he journeyed on his pilgrimage."

"It is an honour to meet you Rin. My name is…"

Rin laughed, "I know quite well who you are Lesca! You are your parent's pride and your husbands joy."

The girl giggled, "Ah, so the infamous Lesca strikes again!" Rin looked baffled and she continued, "Long story. So how goes the pilgrimage? Are they all well?" She looked at him earnestly; her green eye's taking on the shine that had dulled somewhat recently.

"It goes perfectly. I met the Summoner and his Guardians a month ago. I have been journeying to reach Bevelle since then, Sin has been particularly ferocious on the sea's of late, delaying my return."

"They are well. My soul is soothed by that news somewhat. Where will they be now?" So concerned was she with the well being of her loved ones she closed her ears to tales of Rin's arduous journey. He let it pass; knowing the worry that preyed on the young woman's mind.

"By my estimations they will be well on their way to Lake Macalania"

"So close to Zanarkand, every step closer to death…" She hung her head listlessly.

"There may still be hope. I have something from Sir Auron for you…" He handed the sphere to her, watching her stare at the contraption dully. He switched the recording on, leaving the room to ensure her privacy.

She drew in a strangled breath as a grainy image of Auron appeared, formal at first, before lapsing into what lay behind the stiff exterior; the man she loved. She laughed through her tears of joy as Jecht invaded the recording, a peeved Auron trying to move him along. The sphere ended with a message of his love and a promise to return soon. She touched the cool surface delicately before securing it in the small pouch at her hip.

My soul is much revived by this…Ah, who am I trying to convince? Damn it, Auron! Save him and come home!

"Good news, I hope?"

She spun and graced Rin with her dazzling smile, "Wonderful, thank you. Rin, how can I repay you for this?"

He closed her hand around the little money she offered him; "You make us proud, that is payment enough. I had meant to relay a message back to Sir Auron if you had wished, but they will have already passed Djose." He shrugged apologetically.

"It's ok. If you do see them though, tell my father I am proud of him and I love him. To my husband…just tell him he'd better keep his promise and that I love and miss him more than words can convey. Do you need a room for the night Rin?"

He shook his head, "Thank you for the kind offer, but I have lodgings in the city. Be well Lesca, fear not for them, they will prevail."

That's what I'm afraid of…

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"…know that your father is proud of you Yuna, whatever path you choose."

Braska shut off the recording, setting the sphere down in the gathering flakes of snow gently. He turned to see Auron and Jecht talking quietly, most likely about the trials that lay ahead. He sighed, brushing some of the snow from his robes as he walked over to the Guardians. Auron was, as always, the first to notice his appearance.

"You are ready, my Lord?" He looked over curiously at the abandoned sphere, "My Lord, the sphere?"

"It is to stay there, Auron. For my daughter. Come, let us press ahead. Zanarkand is just a little way now." He pressed on, leaving Jecht and Auron to follow his lead.

"So, you think that I'll be home now? I gotta tell ya Auron, I'm going to see this through to the end, no matter if this is my Zanarkand or not. I owe it to you and Braska, you've been the best friends a guy like me could ask for."

Auron shrugged uncertainly, "I do not know, Jecht. We would be honoured for you to join us though."

"So what happens during the final summoning then?"

Auron hesitated for a split second, but it was enough for Jecht to pick up on.

"What're you not telling me?" The man growled.

"The Final Aeon, the summoning…it will kill him. Braska is going to die."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jecht's voice was uncharacteristically quiet; "There's nothing that can be done?"

Auron shook his head while Jecht slapped a hand to his forehead, "Damn it! Lesca! She knew about this, that's why she didn't want him to go? And I said I'd bring him home safe. I'm such a fucking fool."

"You weren't to know, my friend. She harbours no ill will." Braska interrupted him.

"Why Braska? Why commit suicide, you got kids to think of for heavens sake!" Jecht pleaded with him desperately, disappointed when Braska pointed toward the heavens.

"I want to be there with my wife. My daughters will be fine without me, they have Auron. Life is a meaningless charade without my wife Jecht. I have to go to her."

"You're still gonna do it whatever we say, aren't ya?" The blitzer's powerful shoulders slumped, defeated as Braska nodded.

"Well then, you have to go out with a bang! We'll have a blast in Zanarkand before we head to the trials!"

Auron knew Jecht realised the futility of his words, he knew his Zanarkand wasn't just around the corner. Let him dream a little longer…we all deserve to dream.

Lesca, I…I have not surrendered my hope, not yet. We will know in hours what the future holds for Braska; life or death. I will do all in my power to ensure it is the former.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The three men stepped squinting into the morning sun, the humid air warming their bones, still chilled from the peaks of Gagazet.

Jecht held a hand to shield his eyes from the glare, scanning the horizon for his Zanarkand. As the ruins of his home came into focus he dropped to his knees, shock draining his strength. Auron rushed to his side, concern for his friend outweighing his own curiousity.

"This, this can't be…rubble. All that's left is rubble." He looked up to Auron, clinging on to his leg. "This is not my Zanarkand. I'm never goin' home, am I?"

Auron placed a tentative hand on the distraught mans shoulder, "There is always hope, we will find a way to get you home Jecht. I promise."

Jecht rose to his feet, patting the youth lightly on the back. He walked to Braska and grinned weakly. "Come on then, Braska! Let's go get you that damn Aeon you've been whinin' for!"

Braska followed the man, Jecht certainly looked comfortable enough navigating, and turned to Auron.

"You told him the outcome of the final summoning?"

"I did."

"Good. I…don't think I could. Not now."

Auron caught the summoner's shoulder as he turned, pleading. "Lord Braska, please reconsider. Think of Lesca, think of Yuna! They need you!"

Braska smiled, "They need you, my young friend. It has been a pleasure and an honour having a worthy Guardian such as yourself on my pilgrimage. I am proud to call you son. Take care of them for me, though I know I need not ask."

Braska set off after Jecht, leaving Auron to ponder his options.

Mere hours to change the fate of one man, but still I must try. Not just for Lesca, but for my friends. I have been told one man alone can change the course of history…well, I do not require to change history, only fate. Surely that cannot be too laborious in comparison? For you, my love…

A/N: I realise this skips massive parts of the pilgrimage, but I refuse to document Braska's full pilgrimage, it is not vital to this fic and the result would be a 400 chapter boring story! Thanks to The Angel of the Lion, Refugee, Angelwings and everyone else who has reviewed. Please continue, it makes me write loads!