It's still the same old story,
A fight for love and glory,
A case of do or die.
The world will always welcome lovers,
As time goes by.
As time goes by – Dooley Wilson
"So what now? Yuna's out there, somewhere…We can't just leave her at the mercy of Seymour!" Tidus looked around the rest of the group, searching their faces for answers they didn't have. He crossed his arms and muttered darkly. "Who knows what he'll do to her…"
Rikku nodded absently. "He's got all kinds of tricks up his sleeve I'll bet. The sooner we find Yunie the better."
"But what if we can't find her?" Lulu fretted. "There is always the possibility that he…"
"Don't say it, Lu. If we imagine the worst…just don't say it, ya?"
"That's enough, ok? We'll find her." Lesca walked onto the bridge, leaning slightly on Auron while she rubbed the bridge of her nose between forefinger and thumb. She looked up, casting an eye over the crowd. "I've got a headache, ok? Jeez…"
Wakka snorted as he tried to hold in the laugh, her scowl only serving to spur on his spluttering. "Headache? I'm not surprised, ya?"
"Shut up."
Cid left his place at the sphere oscillo finder and walked over to his niece, placing a hand gently upon her shoulder. "Time me and you had that chat, kiddo."
She glanced sideways at Auron. "Now?"
"Now." Cid confirmed.
The elder man led the way to his office in the bowels of the ship, holding the door open for her and gesturing to take a seat. Lesca shook her head, preferring to stand and face her fear. Cid perched on the edge of the desk, watching her face for any movement that might give him a clue to the secrets that she was hiding. Her face remained a blank mask and he sighed, resigning himself to the impending battle to force her hand. Cid crossed his arms, quirking an eyebrow. "Well?"
"Well what?" She replied evenly.
He shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "Don't make this hard, Lesca. How can you still be alive? What happened?"
His niece walked over to the small porthole through which the dawn light illuminated the room. She stared out over the ocean, marvelling at the flying machines capabilities. "This is amazing, Cid. You worked and worked on this. I'm glad it finally happened. Remember how excited Aleron was when you started fixing this hunk of junk up? I wish he were here to see it."
He strode over to her side, putting an arm around her waist. "So do I. Don't change the subject. Tell me."
Lesca leaned her head onto his shoulder. "You know the man in the red coat?"
He sighed impatiently. "Yeah, I saw him. Another damn Guardian, right? Seems a bit stiff."
She laughed. "I suppose…Jecht used to say that about him, too. He's Auron, Cid. He's my husband, Aleron's father. He came back."
The Al Bhed stepped back unconsciously, reeling from the disclosure. "Him?" He slapped a hand to his forehead, cursing in his mother tongue. "How could I not have seen it? It's so damn obvious now."
Lesca shrugged. "It has been ten years, Cid. How could you recognise him? He's not the young man my father took with him."
"I guess. I'm still gonna kick his ass." He growled.
"No, you're not." Lesca admonished.
Cid slumped back into a chair and looked up at his niece expectantly. "Enough easing your way around it. Guadosalam. Start."
The younger woman buried her teeth in her bottom lip. "Don't tell anyone else. They don't need to know, not yet. Promise me."
Cid frowned. "I promise. Go on."
She drew in breath sharply, before exhaling shakily. "I'm dead. I died in Guadosalam, just like you thought, except…I didn't go to the Farplane. I, I wasn't ready to die. I'm an unsent, Cid." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm so sorry."
The colour drained from Cid's face and he leaned forward, his head in his hands as he tried to make sense of the words. She stood quietly in a corner, awaiting his reaction while she fidgeted with her hair. After what seemed like an eternity to her, he looked up. "Dead? I, I…Gods. I never imagined…" Cid ran a hand over his neck, trying to ease away the sudden stiffness in his joints. "He said he would send you." He said plaintively.
"Seymour?" Cid nodded and she shrugged. "He tried. I wouldn't let him. That's why…it's so dangerous for us to be around him. If he decides to reveal what we are…"
Cid narrowed his eyes. "Who's 'we'?"
"Auron and I. We're both…y'know?"
"Shit."
Lesca knelt beside her uncle, pleading with him. "It's ok. We'll protect her, don't worry. I'm still me, that's not gonna change. But…"
She trailed off, leaving Cid to guess correctly what she was going to say. "When this is over you're leaving."
Lesca lowered her eyes in acquiescence. "It's hard being here. I'm sorry I'm not what you thought."
"You are. You're still my niece. You're still Lesca. That's all I need to know."
~*~*~
Lulu looked down at the grappling wires to be fired upon the Holy capital with disdain. "This is our way into Bevelle? I cannot believe we entrust our lives and Yuna's safety to a length of metal."
Tidus grinned and pretended he was already sliding down the rope to free his love. "Ah, c'mon Lulu! See this rope here? This to me looks like a golden, shiny wire of hope!"
The mage shook her head and left in search of more intellectually stimulating conversation. Wakka punched the younger man's arm lightly in camaraderie and grinned. "Don't worry about Lu, she's just a little wound up 'bout Yuna. We'll find her though, like you said."
The blitzer tried to smile and failed. "I hope so. It's just that I need to tell her…everything, ya know? She needs to know I'm sorry."
Red eyebrows knotted. "She knows. Stop beating yourself up, ya? Some blitzer you'll be if you can't keep your mind on the game."
"Thanks."
"Anytime."
The ship shook slightly beneath their feet, both men looking around in surprise. Tidus stepped back as he watched a fiend fly past the window, pointing open mouthed at the thing. He turned to Wakka, jumping a little when he noticed everyone else had joined them. "Wh, What the hell is that?"
"The guardian wyrm, Evrae. The great sacred beast, protector of Bevelle." Lulu explained.
"Nice pet. Think it's friendly?" Lesca joked.
Rikku was uncharacteristically grim. "I don't think so. Tytto says we gotta fight it to get into Bevelle."
The red robed Guardian unsheathed his sword as he made his way to the deck. "The ferryman asks a high price."
"If it's for Yuna, it's more than worth it. There's nothing I wouldn't do to keep her safe." Tidus said decisively.
The others made their way onto the deck, Lesca's hand on his shoulder keeping Tidus from joining the group. "That thing you said just then? Don't forget it. If you hurt her, I'll kill you." She smiled sweetly and ran to the deck, leaving the blond man to rub at his head in confusion.
~*~*~
"Are you sure this is safe, Rikku?"
The girl grinned as Wakka put a tentative foot on the wire. "Sure it is! Let's go!" She punched the air and pushed off, careering down the wire with Wakka and Tidus behind her. Kimahri scooped up Lulu, the corners of her mouth turning upward slightly in thanks. Auron glanced over at Lesca who was shielding her eyes from the sun, testing the tightness of the rope with a boot.
He held out his hand to her. "Ready?"
She grinned mischievously and stepped onto the wire, yelping as she picked up speed. She turned back, sticking out her tongue at him as he watched on in amusement. Apparently more ready than I am. He chuckled and descended into Bevelle amidst gunfire and pyreflies.
~*~*~
"Get that rifle out of my face or I'll shove it up your ass."
The rifle was duly removed and Lesca watched in fury as Seymour claimed a kiss from his new bride. She laid a restraining hand on Tidus' shoulder, fearing the boy would charge to his death. She stole a glance at Auron who held the lad's other shoulder while eyeing Mika coolly. The Guado Maester broke from the embrace and dismissed the Guardian's with a disdainful flick of the wrist. "Kill them."
Kinoc stepped forward, his eyes widening at the sight of Auron. "I am sorry, but it is for Yevon."
"Aren't those weapons forbidden by Yevon?" Auron asked dryly.
"There are exceptions." Kinoc pushed the butt of the rifle in Auron's face, frowning as it was forcibly pulled to one side. He followed the line of the gun's sight; his eyes meeting verdant oculars he had not forgotten.
"Hello Kinoc. Guess your brown nosing finally paid off, huh?"
He squinted, shaking his head in disbelief. "Lesca? But you're dead!"
She sighed. "I've been hearing that a lot lately, though I'd have thought it was quite clear by the fact I'm talking to you that I am still very much alive."
The gun prodded her collarbone as Kinoc growled at her. "Not for much longer."
She held her head up high, meeting his glower with cool indifference. "So shoot me."
He hesitated, looking to the other Maester's for support. She laughed harshly. "What's the matter, Wen? Can't you make your own decisions anymore? Go on, be a man! Shoot. Me."
The gun trembled in the Maester's hands and Auron whispered roughly to her. "Stop it! Don't give him cause with your taunts!"
Lesca waved the concern away, her eyes flashing with malice. "Pah! He's not got the guts to shoot his summoner. See? Do it, Wen! Shoot me! Make your Maester's happy like the good little lapdog you are!"
Kinoc loosed a cry of anger and pulled the trigger, the bullet ripping through Lesca's chest like a knife through butter. Her eyes widened in shock before glazing over, Auron exhaling sharply as she was knocked backwards by the bullet's impact. She turned to Auron, smiling dreamily. "Heh. Guess I was wrong…"
Her eyes became heavy and she closed them, the will to offer any resistance to her body gone. She toppled forward as unconsciousness claimed her, Auron releasing his grip on Tidus to catch her before she met the ground. The red robed man glared up at his former friend as he cradled his wife, rancour dripping from his every word. "Take care, Kinoc. You never know what moment may be your last."
Auron laid Lesca on the ground and stood slowly, never removing his eye from the silent battle he was locked in with Kinoc. A shout startled them and they looked over in horror to see Yuna tumble from the heights of Bevelle, landing safely in Valefor's embrace. Auron picked up Lesca, eyebrows furrowing at the blood soaking her clothes. Rikku looked across, her eyes widening in panic at her cousin's condition. The Al Bhed pulled a grenade furtively from her pouch and removed the pin, tossing it with a yell. "Cover your eyes!"
Enveloped in a blinding white light, Auron grimaced as a well-aimed kick caught him unaware, causing his legs to buckle and his grip on Lesca to falter. Her weight was removed from his arms as he was dragged away by a strong grip in the direction of the temple. He struggled against the grasp, howling in frustration. "Let me go, they have Lesca!"
Wakka loosened his grip, but did not remove it. "We'll find her later, Yuna first, ya? The summoner is more important than anyone."
Dazed, Auron nodded mutely, inwardly screaming at the blitzer. No. She. Isn't!
~*~*~
The cool air kissed her flesh, stirring her from slumber. She let her eyes open, gritting her teeth against the dull, nagging ache of her still fresh wound. Lesca tried to bring a hand down to inspect the wound, frowning when the limb stayed put despite her efforts. She cast her eyes up toward her hands, a slight panic gripping her as she realised they were bound to a post of the bed on which she lay. She struggled against the restrictions, stopping only at the sound of a door being opened. The woman looked up and into the eyes of Seymour. He smiled at her and sat beside her, running a clawed finger down her arm. She shuddered in revulsion and inched further away from him.
The Maester sighed. "Come now, Lesca. There is no reason it has to be like this. All I want is your co-operation."
She rolled her eyes. "What do you really want, Seymour? Blood?"
He laughed. "Not at all. You are a problem, I'll grant you that. But there are easier and less messy ways of bending you to my will."
"The threat of a sending won't work. I don't care." She grinned. "It may be easy at first, but you get tired after a few years, not that you'll be around that long. Besides, if you send me, you send yourself."
Seymour's eyes left her face, travelling down her body appraisingly. "I didn't have a sending in mind, that would be quite ludicrous. No, I have other plans for you." He cupped her face in a hand. "Beautiful…" He breathed.
"Don't touch me!" Lesca spat.
Seymour giggled, a disturbing sound. "And what will you do if I disregard that wish? Precisely. There is nothing you can do. Do you realise that you were the reason I chose Yuna as my bride?"
Lesca clenched her fists while he continued. "I had hoped she had the same spirit as you, and I was right. She is as hard to break as you are. Indomitable. I like that. But, break she did and so will you."
She laughed hollowly. "She only became your wife to destroy you, not for love."
"Maybe so, but you will stop your interference. She will love me."
"She loves another."
He dismissed the thought. "Easily taken care of. As are you."
She raised an eyebrow. "Really? How so?"
"You will depart to the Farplane soon, the shame will overwhelm you." Seymour riddled.
"What shame?"
"I know your weakness. I know what you hold dear and I will destroy it to destroy you. How would your dear husband, whom you love so much, feel, knowing his wife had been with another man?"
The tear slipped down her cheek unbidden, as she understood at last his intent. "No…not this. Seymour, you can't. Not this, please!"
He smirked at her. "I will have my wedding night. The bride is of no consequence."
~*~*~
"Come out. Your sentence has been decided."
Kinoc opened the heavily rusted door to the cell Tidus and Auron shared, the latter looking up from his frantic pacing with a smirk. "Sentence? Don't you mean execution?"
Kinoc barked a laugh. "Really, now, what person would execute a dear friend?"
Auron stared at Kinoc. "You would."
~*~*~
The ronin breathed a sigh of relief as Yuna, Kimahri and Lulu came into sight. He nodded briefly. "There must be an exit somewhere. We search!"
He began to stalk off, stopped only by the gentle touch of his summoner. "You're worried about her, aren't you?"
He began to argue, then thought better of it. "I am."
"As am I, as are we all. She will be all right, Sir Auron. I know it." The words were designed to reassure herself as much as he, but still he found comfort in them. He took her hand briefly and let slip a rare smile.
"Thank you."
They walked in silence; occasionally battling fiends until the still became too much for the young summoner. "Sir Auron? How do you know when you love another?"
He felt the blush rise up his neck as he adjusted the dark glasses. "Your sister is better at this than I. Maybe you should ask her?"
"Please?"
Auron rubbed his temples. "When I met her, I felt this…elation I had never known before. The stars seem to shine more brightly and birdsong seems all the more sweet when she is by my side. I despair of loosing her and I'd die to save her. That is how I know."
Lulu smirked. "Sir Auron, the legendary Guardian, a romantic? Who would have known?"
"No one. If I hear that Tidus or anyone else knows, I'll know where to look." He growled, looking pointedly at the mage.
~*~*~
The binds still around her wrists bit into her flesh, the hurt of the gunshot wound and the rubbing from the rope nothing compared to the agony of knowing what he had subjected her to. Knowing she could never again look her husband in the eye without feeling unworthy and unclean, the shame threatening to consume her. She felt herself dumped unceremoniously on the floor and she buried her face in her lap, letting the darkness feel her pain and absorb her tears. She listened in despair as Auron's voice cut through the air, calling for Kinoc as his body was dropped from the Guado's grasp.
Tidus narrowed his eyes at Seymour. "Why, you!"
The Guado Maester laughed. "I have saved him. He was a man who craved power. And great power he had, but he feared losing it. Trembling at unseen enemies, he spent his days scheming petty schemes. Chased by his fears, never knowing rest. You see...Now he has no worries. He has been granted sleep eternal. Death is a sweet slumber. All the pain of life is gently swept away... Ah, yes.
So you see...if all life were to end in Spira, all suffering would end. Don't you see? Do you not agree? That, Yuna, is why I need you. Come, Lady Yuna. Come with me to Zanarkand, the lost city of the dead. With death on our side, we will save Spira, and for this...I will take from you your strength, Yuna, your life, and become the next Sin. I will destroy Spira! I will save it!"
The blond haired youth made a face. "You're totally nuts!"
As the exchange continued, Lesca found herself drifting in semi-consciousness, thankful for the small release from reality it granted her. Auron's voice broke through the daydream.
"I said go."
Tidus gulped as the sword was brandished in front of his face and turned, running with the rest of the group to leave Kimahri facing the being that Seymour had become. Yuna spoke up, freeing herself from the confines of the group. "I won't leave Kimahri behind!"
Auron towered over her. "He is a Guardian. Protecting you is everything."
"Auron! If that were Lesca, would you leave her? Would you?" The summoner shot back.
He hung his head. "No."
The summoner and her Guardians ran back to the Ronso, squaring up to the Guado. After his defeat he vanished, erupting into a sea of pyreflies. With the obstruction gone, Lesca could now be seen huddled into a tight ball in the corner, her face hidden from view. Auron gave a strangled cry and rushed to her, his wife feigning sleep to avoid the inevitable questions. He tore off the bindings; ire coursing through his veins as he internally documented the fresh lesions and abrasions in addition to the still bleeding bullet wound. The Guardian picked her up gently, cradling her head to his chest as he lowered his mouth to whisper words of comfort in her ear. A tear escaped her eye and he thumbed it away softly so as not to wake her. Straightening up, he turned to his comrades. "We leave now."
The cool exterior never faltered while inwardly he raged, plotting revenge against the thing that Seymour had become. You will pay for this. By the Gods, you will pay dearly.
A/N: Hmmm. What do you think? Good? Bad? Evil Rin? I realise this is a bit more choppy than usual and switches quite a bit, but the whole game thing is not only unnecessary here, it would ruin the feel of the chapter. (IMHO) :) Let me know in a review. Please.
Thanks: The Angel of the Lion, The Great Skippy, yunalesca78, Pierson, Refugee, Pickle and Lindz. Woohoo!
