Someone told me that love will not save us, but how can that be?
Look what love gave us; a world full of killing,
And blood spilling, that world never came.
Hero – Chad Kroeger
Her eyes fluttered open, the gentle light of the early morning luminary wakening her from her slumber. She yawned softly, nestling further into the nook between arm and body of the man she loved. The man she now knew she would share eternity with. For once he slept longer than she did, his chest rising and falling rhythmically as he slept, his heart beating steadily within his chest. She ran a finger down his torso, smiling sleepily as he quivered under her touch, a light sigh escaping him as he pulled her closer. She lifted her head to look at the timepiece, suppressing a laugh as Auron twitched, her hair brushing lightly against his skin tickling him. Lesca kissed him gently before settling back down, unwilling to move from the warm cocoon provided by the blankets and her husband.
He stirred slightly, groaning before turning onto his side and moulding his body to her own. His voice was thick, clogged with sleep. "Time is it?"
Lesca nuzzled his neck and he chuckled, the vibrations making her tingle. "Seven."
His one eye snapped open. "Seven? We need to get up. We need to get Yuna."
She frowned. "What do you mean? She's here isn't she?"
His head sank father into the pillow. "She went with Tromell Guado to Macalania Temple."
"Please tell me you're joking."
"I'm not."
She jumped out of bed, hastily pulling on her clothes. "I can't believe you let her go off with a Guado! After what we agreed about Seymour…for Yevon's sake, Auron!"
His brain started to clear of the sleep-induced fuzziness and he cursed himself and his actions of the previous day. "I apologise. I don't know what I was thinking. We'll go now."
She sighed, looking up from pulling on her boots. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap, I just…"
"I know. It's ok; it was irresponsible of me. You were perfectly entitled to your tirade."
She raised an eyebrow before going back to her task. "Honey, that was not a tirade. Believe me, when I go off on a tirade you'll know all about it…"
~*~*~
Yuna breathed a sigh of relief as her Guardians came into sight, the Al Bhed had been bothering herself and Tromell as a wolf would worry a sheep. She recognised her cousin, Brother, and tried to recall what little Al Bhed she knew, the words escaping her at the point where she needed them the most. Lesca ran up to her, hugging her close before whispering in her ear. "What did I always teach you Yunie? Don't go off with strange men, they'll lead you into trouble!" The young summoner grinned as her elder sister winked at her before scanning the Al Bhed. Rikku tried to reason with Brother, her diplomatic attempts a failure. The group watched in horror as a machina took residence in front of them.
Wakka looked perturbed. "What the hell is that thing?"
Lesca took charge, addressing him brusquely. "It's a machina weapon. Wakka you need to take out the negator, it prevents us from using magic and summoning aeons. None of the rest of us can reach, but you'll be able to hit it with your great blitz skills, right?"
He coloured at the praise. "Yeah, course I will! Count on me, ya?"
The battle was hard fought, but bloodied and weary they triumphed, leaving Yuna to go on ahead with Tromell to the temple. The tension within the group was thick, Wakka's discovery of Rikku's race an unwelcome shock. He glared at the young Al Bhed who'd sandwiched herself between Lulu and Lesca, the two older women trying to shield her from the blitzer's wrath. He pointed at her, hatred in his eyes. "I can't believe I've been travelling with an Al Bhed! A heathen!"
Lesca narrowed her eyes. "Watch your tongue, Wakka. You liked her well enough before."
"But she's an enemy of Yevon!"
She raged at him, biting back her own hedonistic ideals. "She's a child! Chappu died Wakka, and yes it was sad and unfortunate, but that does not mean you have to lay the blame for his death on an innocent! Leave her alone!"
He waved a hand at her. "Bah! You're as bad as she is! And you a summoner! What would the Maester's think of a summoner being an Al Bhed sympathiser?"
Tidus looked at her with interest. "You're a summoner as well? Cool! So are you going to get the Final Aeon too?"
She answered the question, her eyes never breaking from the stare between herself and Wakka. "No. My pilgrimage ended years ago."
Wakka snorted. "They probably found out you supported the heathens and stopped your pilgrimage."
Lesca smiled dangerously, still maintaining eye contact as she walked over to him. Auron tried to stop her, recognising the look on her face, but she shook him off. "You know nothing little man, so don't spew your supposed knowledge to me or anyone else."
"I don't know how Yuna ended up with you as a sister. Just wait till she hears about you and the Al Bhed."
"Her name is Rikku."
He spat on the ground. "She doesn't deserve a name."
"Wakka, you're being too harsh. Lesca is right, Rikku's our friend, she's Yuna's friend. Can't you put this foolish prejudice behind you?" Lulu interrupted the game that was quickly disintegrating into cat and mouse as Lesca toyed with the man.
The blitzer groaned. "Not you as well, Lu." He jabbed a thumb roughly in Rikku's direction. "Her kind killed Chappu!"
Lulu sighed at his stubbornness. "No, Wakka. Sin killed Chappu. Rikku had nothing to do with that."
"But-"
Lesca slapped the back of Wakka's head. "Did you take one too many hits to the head with a blitzball as a kid? You're heavily out-numbered here, my friend. I suggest you keep your mouth firmly shut unless you're willing to be civil."
~*~*~
Shelinda ran up to them, fawning over Tidus. "Ah! There you are! So Lady Yuna is getting married. You shouldn't kid around about these things!"
He rolled his eyes before answering her. "Yeah, I guess not."
"You're not happy?" She inquired.
Lesca stifled a laugh. "Shelinda, leave the poor boy be."
The acolyte jumped, startled by the new Guardians presence. "Lady Lesca? It has been some time since we have seen you in Bevelle. We all thought-"
"I know what you thought. You thought wrong. So, all grown up and an acolyte now, huh? Each to their own, I suppose."
Shelinda bowed, flustered by what she believed to be praise. "I thank you Lady Summoner."
Lesca shook her head. "Just Lesca. I'm Yuna's Guardian; she's the summoner now, not I. Where is she?"
She pursed her lips while she thought. "I believe…she's gone to the Cloister of Trials with Maester Seymour."
The Guardians exchanged a look before rushing to the trials, stopping to investigate a shriek from one of the rooms to the side of the entrance of the Cloister. "Lord Jyscal! A sphere, in Lady Yuna's belongings…"
Auron raised an eyebrow as he handed the sphere to Tidus to turn on. "This may well answer a few questions."
The sphere flickered into life, an image of Lord Jyscal Guado appearing before the stunned group. The Maester began to talk, hesitantly at first before gaining strength. What I am about to tell you is the unclouded truth, I swear it on my honour as a Guado. Listen to me very carefully, for I shall tell you the truth about my son, Seymour. His mind is closed even to me, a Maester of Yevon, but I can feel flames of darkness burning in his heart. He is using Yevon, the Guado and even the summoner's.
If he is not stopped, he will surely bring destruction and chaos to Spira. I will leave this world soon, killed by my own son, but I do not fault him. Because I was not wise enough he has suffered and become twisted. I could not protect him and his mother from the world and it's cruelty. I will accept death as punishment for my deeds. But whoever is watching this I implore you to stop Seymour! Stop my son.
Auron rolled his eye. "Wonderful."
The young Al Bhed tugged at Lesca's arm, eager for reassurance. "Will Yuna be alright?"
"Without us, no." The ronin stated gravely.
They ran through the trials, ignoring the bitterly cold wind that nibbled at their flesh and Wakka's protests. Auron eyed him coolly, still not forgetting the scene from mere hours ago. "We will protect Yuna from anyone. Even a Maester."
The blitzer hung his head. "This can't be happening."
The mage bit back her anger. "If he is truly at fault it must be done."
Seymour's eyes widened slightly as he watched Yuna's Guardians enter the temple, one in particular grabbing his attention. He suppressed a smile, her mistrust of him plain to see as she met his gaze coolly. He bowed to the assembled group, noting with interest the conflict within its ranks. "Please be silent. Lady Yuna prays to the Fayth."
Lesca grinned as Tidus stepped forward, narrowing his eyes at the Guado. "Make me."
The door to the Fayth opened and Yuna emerged; looking around in disbelief at the scene that greeted her. "But, why…?"
"We saw Jyscal's sphere." Tidus explained.
Auron addressed the Guado Maester. "You killed him."
"What of it? Yuna, you knew of these things did you not?" Yuna nodded before he continued. "Well then why did you come here?"
"I came…I came to stop you!"
Her Guardians surrounding her gave her strength and she stood tall against the threat that was Seymour. He shook his head. "Ah, of course. 'Protect the Summoner even at the cost of one's own life.' The Code of the Guardian. How admirable. Well, if you're offering your life's I shall have to take them."
"You think you can kill with impunity? Think again, we'll stop you." Lesca spat.
He raised an eyebrow. "You're still here. Reunited with Sir Auron, how touching. A former summoner is no match for me, Lesca. I should have disposed of you when I had the chance."
She smirked wryly. "You weren't strong enough then and you're not strong enough now. Your petty threats hold no sway over me."
"If only we had gotten to know each other better, my dear."
"I'm glad we didn't."
Seymour cast an eye over the group, his gaze lingering on the younger summoner. "Tell me, Lesca. Do they know what you are, what you have become?"
Lesca smiled sweetly. "Go fuck yourself, Seymour."
The Guardians reeled at the profanity directed toward the Maester, the man himself merely shaking his head. "You would go against the teachings, defy a Maester of Yevon?"
"You set a fine example for us all. If you, a Maester, can disregard the teachings then so can we."
Yuna stepped forward hesitantly. "Maester Seymour. I trust my Guardians with my life. But they are also my friends. I will not stand by and watch them be hurt. I will fight you too!"
"All right!" Tidus cheered.
Only Wakka still clung to the hope that conflict could be avoided. "Maester Seymour!"
The Guado narrowed his eyes. "So be it."
~*~*~
"We're finished." Wakka slumped against the wall of the ice cavern, unable to believe he had just had a hand in the killing of a Maester. No matter what evil deeds the Guado had committed during his lifetime, he still could not shake the feelings of guilt.
"No, we're not." Lesca said firmly. "We just need to get out. We'll figure out what to do then, there's no point in worrying about it while we're stuck here."
Tidus frowned. "But Seymour's the bad guy! We'll just show everyone the sphere and everything will be alright!"
Lulu shook her head. "It's not going to be that easy. Retribution from the temples will be swift, no one will be willing to listen to traitors such as ourselves, no matter what we tell them."
"Lulu's right, all they'll be interested in is a confession and that's the one thing they won't get. We've got nothing to confess to." Lesca looked to Auron for support.
He nodded. "Exactly. Let's get out of here."
They turned to leave, their path blocked by Tromell. "Traitors."
Yuna looked crestfallen. "Traitors?"
Auron stepped in front of her, keeping the Guado at bay. "Give us a chance to explain."
"No need. I already know what I'll tell the other Maester's."
Tidus jumped in, head first as always. "Hold on, Seymour's the bad guy! He attacked us! We've got a sphere, you'll believe us when you see it."
Tromell smirked. "You mean this? The Guado take care of Guado affairs."
A collective gasp arose from the troupe as he smashed Jyscal's sphere into oblivion. Yuna sank to her knees in despair, clutching her staff to her chest. "This can't be happening…"
Lesca dropped to the ground beside her, holding her to her while she whispered instructions. "Don't question me, just listen and do as you're told. Run."
She pulled the summoner to her feet, nodding to Lulu and Auron. He signalled to Kimahri, and together they pushed the guards back. "Run! Don't look back just go!"
Lulu grabbed Wakka, pulling him with her as she took off up the icy slope, her dress skimming the frozen tundra. "Wakka you have to help me here. You're not exactly a light weight."
He shook his head, blinking, as if he had only just realised he was moving. "Sorry Lu. I…"
"I know. We'll talk later, right now focus on getting out."
He looked behind them, cursing at the Guado's fast gaining on them. "The others?"
She flicked her eyes back, fine eyebrows furrowed until she spotted her summoner. "Tidus is leading Yuna, Rikku's behind them…"
"Sir Auron? Lesca?"
"I don't see them. They'll not be far behind." Lulu breathed a sigh of relief as Tidus and the two girls caught up to them, the blitzer grunting as he lifted Yuna from where she'd slipped, never once slowing his pace.
He set her back down, grinning as she tried to keep up. "Come on, Yuna! We're nearly there."
"But what about Sir Auron and my sister?" She fretted.
Rikku winked as she galloped ahead, all long limbs and grace. "They'll be fine! They've probably beat them all and they're making out somewhere! Don't worry Yunie."
Yuna allowed herself a small smile. "I hope you're right…well, at least about the being alright part."
~*~*~
Lesca grimaced, staggering slightly as the Guado's weapon hit home, striking her bluntly across the temple. Her eyes darted around the temple, trying and failing to seek out the familiar red coat. Two more of the spindly creatures joined their brother in arms, smiling menacingly at her. She gulped, her heartbeat quickening as she realised she would not win a hand to hand battle against three Guado. Seymour had drained the last of her strength; her black magic refused to focus on her opponents who had all protected themselves to some degree with their own incantations. She cursed inwardly, backing away from the advancing men.
Call us.
She looked around, expecting to see her companions and instead finding no one. "What?"
We're still here. Call us.
She grinned at the men who looked at her as if she'd gone mad. The aeons. She closed her eyes, trying to remember the steps and movements required to summon the aeon to her. The forgotten summoner moved hesitantly, her concentration wavering as she attempted the motions without her staff to focus her mind. She grinned as she felt something click, the rush of air beside her indicating her success. Lesca opened her eyes, smiling at Bahamut. It's been a while.
The Guado looked panicked but stood their ground as aeon looked at summoner. They watched in interest as Bahamut nodded almost imperceptibly. It has. I thought you had forgotten us.
Not forgotten… just not remembered.
We understand. You must leave this place soon; your story nears its final chapter as we hope does ours. We're tired of dreaming.
She nodded. I know.
We're not only here for Yuna. We still heed your call.
She chuckled. I appreciate it, but after this…no more. This is Yuna's world now; I'm too old and too dead for the pretence of being Lady Lesca.
A pity. So, this then is farewell?
It is…thank you for your help and your presence over the years. You have been my comfort and I didn't even realise.
She paused. Bahamut?
The King of Dragons roared, felling her enemies before retreating back into the skies. She felt what little strength that had remained desert her as the aeons purged themselves from her body, flickers of pyreflies dancing before her as she sank to the ground, ignoring the freezing temperature. The slight, uncomfortable tug of the Farplane on her soul increased as the essence of the aeons, part of her rooting to the world of the living, left her. The former summoner closed her eyes, allowing the feeling of emptiness to wash over her. Fatigue overcame her and she slipped into sleep, unable to resist the lure of the comfort slumber can bring. Auron wiped his blade on the snow, wrinkling his nose in disgust as it tainted the pure crystals crimson. He dismissed the bodies before him, raising an eyebrow at the slash marks that adorned their chests before carrying on past them, his eye scanning the white for his wife.
He choked back a gasp of horror as his eye feel upon her, a small trickle of blood running from her temple. The ronin thanked the stars at the sight of her exhalation hanging suspended in the air; the cloud of misted dew the only visible sign of life. He wrapped her in his robe, shivering at her death like pallor and frozen skin. Cradling her in his arms, her head tucked beneath his chin, he began the ascent from the temple. As he emerged blinking into the harsh daylight, he froze. His companions, bloodied and tired, fought valiantly against a Wendigo, it's brute strength having a telling effect on the groups well being. Lulu looked up from the fray, her lips twitching into a slight smile as she saw the two before she cast her spell, the hex felling the beast. The small group cheered and whooped, the victory a tonic to their spirits which had taken a battering in the last few days. The celebrations were short lived, Auron's one eye widening in horror as he watched the fiend break the ice beneath his friends. He ran to them unthinking, realising too late that he had condemned himself and his wife to the same fall as the others.
~*~*~
Lesca tried to sit up, the throbbing pain in her head making her give up the tentative attempt. She flopped back down onto something soft, her eyebrows knitting together as she tried to work out whom or what was acting as her pillow. She cracked open one eye, wincing as dim light filtered into the ocular. Auron grunted as she shifted slightly in his lap, tightening his protective grip on her torso. His free hand came up to stroke her hair, moving the iced strands gently back from her eyes. Both eyes now open, she realised she was enfolded in his coat, her face the only part of her exposed to the elements. They were huddled with the rest of the group around a campfire, frozen bodies slowly thawing.
Her voice cracked as she tried to speak, the word emerging as a whisper. "Hi."
Auron looked around the group, glaring fiercely at anyone who dared to look at them before turning his attention back to her. His voice was soft, the tone reproving. "Quite a scare you gave me back there."
She closed her eyes, opening them again slowly. "Sorry."
"What happened?" He asked.
"The aeons, they…left. I'm no longer a summoner." She grinned weakly. "They take as much going out of you as they do going in. Except this happens all at once instead of one at a time."
Auron frowned. "You wanted this?"
"Yes."
He nodded, leaving the subject alone. She looked around the group, most of who were sleeping. "Where are we?"
"Beneath Lake Macalania."
"I have a feeling I don't want to know how I got here so I'm not even going to ask."
He chuckled, his deep, rich voice bringing a lazy grin to her face. "That's probably a good idea."
"Yuna?" She inquired.
"Just awoken." He pointed to her position where she stayed close to Tidus.
"You think those two…?"
Auron smirked. "If not yet then soon. I've told him to be careful."
"Well he's one up on you at that age." She caught the wince and regretted the words immediately. "I'm sorry."
The ronin waved away the apology as the troupe came together, some coming over, some awakening from much needed sleep. All eyes turned to Yuna as she stood before them, searching her for an explanation. She nodded as if to reassure herself before she spoke. "I wanted to confront Maester Seymour about his father, Lord Jyscal. I wanted to convince him to turn himself in to Yevon's judgement."
Lulu looked over to Lesca, the two exchanging knowing looks. It was something they had discussed and agreed on previously. "In exchange for marriage?"
"Yes, if that's what it took."
The hurt was evident in Tidus' eyes. "So, what did Seymour say?"
She hung her head. "He didn't say anything. Now...now I don't even think it was worth it. I should've told you what I was going to do."
"Enough. Dwelling in the past is futile." Lesca raised an eyebrow at the sharp words from her husband but kept silent. Rikku, however, did not.
"Hey! You don't have to say it like that!"
Auron growled dangerously. "You want to waste time listening to her regrets?"
The Al Bhed turned back to Yuna. "You don't have to say it like that."
He sighed. "Our immediate concern is Yuna's pilgrimage. Are you willing to go on?"
Yuna hesitated. "Yes. But then, do you think Yevon will allow it?"
"The Fayth are the ones that give power to the summoner's. Not the temples or the teachings. If the temples try to stop us...then we will defy Yevon if we must."
A crowd of shocked faces greeted the statement while Lesca hid a grin. Even Rikku raised an eyebrow. "I can't believe you said that!"
Wakka as was expected, refused outright the notion of defying Yevon. "Count me out. We have to atone, to make up for the sins we have committed. Of course...It's not like I ever liked Maester Seymour, ya? No way I'll ever forgive him for killing Lord Jyscal, and for trying to do us all in too, you know? But still, the bunch of us going against Yevon? No way!"
Lulu clutched the moogle doll to her chest, drawing some comfort from the embrace of the enchanted toy. "But still, we have transgressed and must face our punishment."
Yuna nodded. "We must go to Bevelle. We must speak with Maester Mika and explain what has happened. There is no other way, I think."
Wakka looked triumphant. "I agree."
Yuna looked over to her sister and her husband who sat silently in the corner. "Sir Auron? Lesca?"
Her sister shrugged. "Why ask? It's been decided, Yuna. You are our summoner, where you go we will follow."
"Sir Auron, you will come with us?"
Auron sighed heavily, pulling Lesca further into his embrace. "Of course. I am the trouble maker after all."
He sat up, leaving Lesca to prop herself up against a stump while he talked to Tidus. Lulu approached her, concern in her vermilion eyes. "Are you alright? You look unwell."
"I'm fine now. I lost my power to summon, it kinda knocked me a bit harder than I thought it would. It's like receiving the power of all the aeons all at once. You've seen a summoner when they emerge from gaining a new aeon, you know how hard it is for us – them I mean."
Lulu nodded. "You agree with Sir Auron, don't you?"
She spoke carefully. "Lu, if you'd seen the things I've seen, lived through what I've…lived through you'd agree, too. I lost what little faith I had in Yevon a long time ago."
Amusement danced in her fellow mage's eyes. "I understand. Just don't let Wakka hear you." She frowned. "The singing…"
"It's stopped." Lesca finished. She looked up and gasped. "Sin!"
Thanks to: Refugee, Pierson, The Angel of the Lion, The Great Skippy, Pickle and a special thanks to yunalesca78 (hope that's right, is from memory) for her many reviews of late. It's good to have you on board :)
