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Castle In The Sky

By xaphanea

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Chapter Two: Soaring With The Angels

I couldn't help the small feeling of dread as Talyon and I paddled out into the ocean in nothing but a small boat. If Sin came anywhere near us, we would be vanquished forever without a chance. I stared up at the blue skies, waiting for our escort with concern and impatience. Talyon simply knelt in front of me, dipping his oar into the water with ease and grace. I was never much of an athlete, but Talyon was a warrior. He carried a massive sword on his back that was used to defend himself with, and he knew how to use it effectively. I simply carried my Summoner's staff, working more with white magic and Aeons than hand to hand combat. But that was my way. I had chosen to spend my time studying to become a Summoner than training with Crusaders. Talyon was not a Crusader himself, but had many friends that were. He had learned how to use a blade at a very young age, and was very skilled. I knew that my life couldn't be in better hands, and was satisfied with him as my guardian and best friend.

"You can rest for awhile, Rune, if you get tired." Talyon offered, but I declined politely. My arms were gaining the rhythm easily, and they weren't sore in the least. Of course, I also wasn't putting as much power into my strokes as he was.

All the while, my eyes kept scanning the skies around us. Still, there was no sign of Caledon. He would be the one to take us to Luca, where Talyon and I would rest for the night and then head to the temple at Djose. Caledon was an Aeronaut, using a small machina to fly his large blue balloon. There were few Aeronauts in Spira, and he was one of the best and most trusted. Because he was from Luca, he agreed to meet us on the water on our way from Kilika. It would be quicker for us to arrive in Luca, and we wouldn't be traveling at night.

"Do you remember Caledon?" Talyon asked me, tossing a light glance over his shoulder. His sun bleached hair glittered as he moved, and I shook my head.

"No." Caledon had visited Kilika when I was very little, bringing an apprentice Summoner to perform the sending after my mother died. Apparently, I had gotten lost in the woods by the village, and he was the one to retrieve me. But I didn't remember any of it, I was still too young.

"He remembers you." Talyon told me, and ceased rowing for a moment to remove his long sleeved shirt. His bare back was muscular and tanned, with the eagle tattoo etched across his shoulder blades. Talyon had had that tattoo for as long as I could remember, that beautiful colourful bird that he admired so much. Seneca used to sit and stare at his back for hours on end, just drinking in the articulate detail in the lush picture. It was as if someone had taken a photograph of an eagle and developed it on his skin. He never told us where he had gotten it, and I wasn't sure if he even remembered himself. Seneca and I had only asked him once, and he hadn't answered. "You obviously made an impression on him when you were little."

"Mmmhmm." I replied, easing out of my thoughts once again as Talyon's muscles rippled. I felt no need to shed any clothing, not even my cloak. I was perfectly content in the heat, whereas both Seneca and Talyon had loved the cold. I used to joke about sending them off to Mount Gagazet to live in igloos, and moving to Besaid to lie on the beach for the rest of my life.

I knew that Talyon was trying hard not to be the sarcastic egoist that he always was. He was speaking the way he used to speak to the Crusaders, showing respect I suppose. He had never spoken to me in that way, or Seneca for that matter. He seemed almost humble, and that unsettled me slightly.

"Talyon?" I prompted, my eyes ever scanning around us as I paddled.

"Hm?" The noise was so slight I barely even caught it, and it almost made me laugh.

"Will you relax and be yourself, please?" I inquired, and watched his back stiffen at my words. "You're starting to scare me." I raised an eyebrow as he turned his head, staring at me incredulously. I jerked as he suddenly burst out laughing, almost dropping his oar into the water. I ceased paddling as well, joining in. I felt liberated as we sat, clutching our stomachs in that small boat. It was a wonderful feeling inside of me that seemed to glow as we laughed until we ached. Yet, it was a good ache.

"Thank you." Talyon gasped for air as he spoke, one hand on his midsection and the other on the side of the boat. I caught myself as well, taking in heavy breaths of oxygen that soothed my lungs. "I was hoping you'd say that. The Luca bar was seeming more and more inviting by the minute." After saying that, he took up the oar again and propelled us even further from Kilika.

It was a good hour before I finally spotted Caledon's bright blue balloon, shimmering in the sunlight. I knew Talyon would be grateful to be shaded in the basket, for he was sweating profusely in the heat. I still had all of my clothes on, and could proudly say I was still paddling as well. I saw Talyon sit up straighter, shielding his eyes to look up at the shimmering silk floating gracefully towards us. He sighed in relief, replacing the oar to the floor of the boat. I followed his lead, and adjusted my cloak accordingly. Talyon retrieved his long sleeved black shirt, slipping it over his head. I handed him his sheath and sword, which he fitted around him with ease. He didn't seem like much just to look at him, but I knew that Talyon was deadly. If one were to see him walking, they'd think he was just a traveler carrying a sword too large for his experience. He was a plain looking person with a colourful personality, a real gem among warriors. That was why he never joined the Crusaders, or so I thought. He was too carefree and vivacious, never wanting to do the same thing every day. He was a perfect guardian, because he took each moment as it was, and hoped for more adventure in the next. I admired him to great lengths.

Caledon finally hovered right above us, and dropped down the end of a rope ladder. Talyon held one side in each hand, and motioned for me to head up first. I nodded, placing my feet on the evenly spaced wooden planks gingerly. I slowly made my way up to the basket, basking in the refreshing feeling of the ocean breeze as I grew higher. It wasn't long before I slung my legs over the lip of the basket, witnessing a kindly faced old man and a shivering girl curled up in the corner. The area was quite spacious, as I was pleasantly surprised to see so.

"Rune, my boy!" Caledon stepped forward, taking my hand in his and shaking it vigorously. He looked very excited, and I smiled warmly. His bright blue eyes showed years and years of wisdom, and it clicked in my mind that he was no rookie. He had probably seen countless things on his adventures as an Aeronaut, all sorts of things all over Spira. I made the decision then and there that I respected him and his occupation, as well as his determination. I had heard many times from my Aunt that he had risked a lot traveling with the Summoner to Kilika after the Sin attack. He apparently flew through a terrible rainstorm, which would be incredibly dangerous in a balloon, let alone over the ocean.

Talyon hopped over the lip of the balloon with ease, smiling widely at the old man. They embraced tightly, as friends reunited. Talyon had gone to a Blitzball tournament in Luca a few years back and spent the entire week there with Caledon at the Inn. The place was so packed that Talyon, his father, and Caledon had been put into the same room.

"It's about time we got to see each other again!" Talyon exclaimed, turning around to safely haul up the ladder.

"Ah, it's been years, hasn't it?" Caledon clapped his hands together, cracking his knuckles. As he turned back to his controls, I surveyed our accommodations. The basket itself was just plain and brown, nothing special besides the machina attached to Caledon's wall. The lip came up to my waist, and I leaned against it to peer above us. The balloon looked even more massive from underneath, as I could see the entire inside of its inflated form. There was a black machina inside of it, blowing air inside, and I marveled at its simplicity. Such an efficient mode of transportation, I wondered why there were so few Aeronauts in Spira.

It was then that I re-noticed the girl in the corner. She had caught my eye when Talyon knelt down in front of her. She had jet black hair, and was wearing a traditional red and orange Al Bhed suit. She was soaked to the bone, eyes closed, and had her knees curled up to her chin. She reminded me of what Seneca had looked like the night before, but I pushed that thought to the back of my mind before I began to wander off into my thoughts.

"Hello." Talyon said, his voice softer and gentler than I had ever heard it. I watched curiously as the girl's eyes fluttered open, revealing bright green orbs with swirl type shapes on them. I had seen pictures of Al Bhed before, but never actually met one in person. I was shocked at the intricacy of what I assumed to be her pupils. They were so perfect, little black twirled lines, and looked as if they had been painted on her grassy orbs. She didn't say anything, simply stared back at Talyon with a blank expression on her face. She continued to shiver, and I unlaced my cloak.

"Not necessary." Caledon grinned at me, turning his head from where he was so nobly perched in front of his controls. "She won't accept it anyway." He averted his attention back to the skies, yet I removed my cloak. Talyon looked up at me, and I handed it to him. He made a slight move to wrap it around her, and she lashed out, grasping his nearest arm in her right hand. He didn't seem able to move it, and I marveled at her strength.

"E tu hud haat ouin ramb. Mayja sa pa, clis." She spat, eyes narrowing in borderline anger. I took a step back as she pushed on Talyon's arm, sending him reeling onto his backside. With that, she leaned her head on the side of the basket, closed her eyes, and resumed her former position. Both Talyon and myself were stunned, and neither of us could move at all. She looked so small, so weak, and she had almost thrown Talyon to the other side of the basket. Caledon chuckled.

"I told you." He shrugged, shaking his head. Talyon blinked a few times, and then got to his feet. He scratched his temple for a moment, and then handed me back my dark cloak. I couldn't help but laugh at his incredulous expression as I slung the fabric over my shoulders.

"What did she say?" He inquired.

"I don't think you want to know what she called you." Caledon snickered, and then looked down at the still shivering girl. "I found her swimming a few miles back. I nearly had to haul her in here myself, she was so determined to swim to shore. I managed to convince her that I'd take her to Luca, and I wouldn't interfere anymore so she could fend for herself. She's not much of a conversationalist, but I gathered that she was shipwrecked." I froze in the middle of retying my cloak at the mention of shipwreck. If it had been Sin, then that could mean danger for the surrounding areas. Seneca...

"Was it Sin?" Talyon beat me to the punch as he quickly threw the question at Caledon.

"No, no, don't worry." The elder man waved his hand to calm us. "If it were, I would have sent Rasha for help, and be taking you two back to Kilika."

"Rasha?" I furrowed my brow, as the name was unfamiliar.

"My baby girl." Caledon simply said, and I stood, dumbfounded, until he motioned to the left of us. There, slicing the air with her beautiful wings, flew a bird with a wingspan as wide as the basket itself. Her feathers were of amazing colours, and seemed to alter in the rays of sunlight reflecting off of them. She swooped down, perching on the lip right beside Caledon, and nudged his arm fondly. He slid his hand down her back, and she wriggled with pleasure. I couldn't help but smile, as I had never seen such character in an animal before. My gaze traveled from the brilliant bird to the young Al Bhed girl, who was intently studying the magnificent animal. She had ceased shaking, and was completely transfixed.

"Fryd ec ran hysa?" She asked, and Caledon offered his attention to her.

"Rasha." He replied, and then leaned down to the bird's eye level, making some odd noises with his lips. She then flitted down to sit on the basket floor right beside the Al Bhed. She smiled brightly, running her hand along the plentiful feathers.

"Oui yna cu lyms, cfaad payido. Frana tu oui lusa vnus?" She spoke to the bird, her voice lightening and drifting out of her mouth like honey. Talyon tapped Caledon on the shoulder nonchalantly.

"What is she saying?" He whispered, but Caledon didn't answer. He was too wrapped up in the bonding between the girl and his mate. Rasha seemed to almost communicate with the girl, making certain movements and causing the Al Bhed to laugh heartily. I wished terribly that I could understand her language, to know what she was saying to Rasha.

"Ouin vaydranc yna mega y semmeuh nyehpufc." She whispered, and Rasha cooed, nudging her sleek head against the girl's thigh. Caledon finally tore his attention away from the two of them, addressing both Talyon and myself.

"I got Rasha in Sanubia. The Al Bhed have made a grand city there, it takes up half the desert." He explained. "She only understands Al Bhed, and of course, our own little language. The Al Bhed are very fond of birds, you see, and can communicate with them amazingly. I stayed in Sanubia for a few months, learned the language, and ended up leaving with Rasha." He snapped his fingers, and made a few more odd noises with his tongue against his teeth. Rasha looked at him abruptly, and then flapped her wings at the young girl in the corner. I narrowed my eyes, wanting desperately to understand the magic that was happening between the two of them, what sort of things they were communicating back and forth to each other. Yet, it was almost satisfying just watching them so happily adhere. Rasha suddenly spread her wings and leapt back up to Caledon's side, as the Al Bhed girl got to her feet.

"So hysa ec Maere." She said, shifting her weight and leaning back on the side of the basket. She seemed a lot more comfortable with our presence, and I felt rather relieved that Rasha had calmed her down.

"She says her name is Maere." Caledon informed us, and I smiled at her. She wasn't looking at me, but it still felt right to do so. She was staring out at the sea, the wind rippling her shoulder length black hair around her face. Her skin was almost as pale as my own, and I wondered where her goggles were. It was a strange thing to think about at that time, but I knew that most Al Bhed, when suited, wore goggles. I could sense Talyon's contentment with Maere's comfort as well, and noticed him smiling at her too. But she was oblivious to all of us, and stretched her arms up, making a sound as she straightened her stiff bones.

"E dryhg oui vun ouin ramb." She cocked her head, speaking to Caledon and completely ignoring the two of us. Not that I minded, however, as I was still mildly unsettled by her earlier show of strength. "E ybumukewa ev E caasat nita." After saying that, she looked directly at Talyon, and then myself, but neither of us questioned what she had said. I wasn't sure if I wanted to know whether she was complimenting or insulting either of us, and Caledon didn't bother to translate. At any rate, we were both too stunned to speak as Maere began to strip.

END CHAPTER TWO