Calm Before the Storm
By kimetara
6th In-game POV
Disclaimer: Me no own. You no sue. Everybody big happy, yes?
I sigh as we battle yet another Behemoth. We've been training in Mt. Gagazet, due to Sir Auron's insistence. Once a blessed point was found, he refused to let us continue until Yuna masters her new spell – Holy. It is extremely high-level work though, and it's taken her many days. Indeed, she has not yet been able to successfully use it.
The Behemoth is defeated easily, and Yuna dismisses Bahamut. I can tell she's frustrated with how long it is taking her. However, nobody is impatient to be going, except perhaps Sir Auron. We all know...Zanarkand awaits on the other side.
"Not good enough," he growls. "Keep training!"
"Yes." Yuna nods and runs off, searching for more monsters to battle. Tidus, Wakka, Rikku, and Kimahri follow her. Sir Auron moves to do the same, but I call him back.
"Sir Auron, I understand the need for training, but don't you think you're being a little harsh?" I reprimand. "Yuna is trying her best to learn, and Holy is difficult to master. You can't expect her to learn in a matter of days."
"I can and I do."
"Sir Auron-"
"It's no more difficult than the Flare you mastered yesterday. Yuna will learn before we face Yunalesca. She must be ready."
"Yunalesca?" I blink in surprise, but my mind is already working swiftly on this new information. "So...Lady Yunalesca is unsent as well," I muse. "Why is she here?"
He looks down the cavern, at the tunnel we had yet to enter. "She's waiting."
"Waiting...?"
"To break the weak and test the strong. To give the Final Aeon."
"...I see." I look down the cavern as well. "So she is also unsent? Will we have to fight her as well?" I murmur.
"Does it matter?" Sir Auron turns and walks to follow where Yuna has gone. Distantly, I hear battle cries, but I know Wakka and Kimahri will take care of the younger three. "As long as the pilgrimage continues, the resistance we face is of no importance."
I know he's right. And yet... "You knew, didn't you. About the maesters."
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"It was something you needed to see with your own eyes."
I place a hand lightly on my hip. "I would have appreciated a warning, at least."
"Hmph. Sorry." He doesn't sound the least bit repentant. I doubt he ever does. I sigh and let it go.
"I...find it difficult, to adjust to the fact that the maesters are unsent."
He smirks. "Why? Do the unliving bother you?"
"Not at all. Indeed, at times they are my best companions." I glance down fondly at my little Cactuar Scope, and it snuggles closer to me. "What I meant though, is to suddenly find that Yevon is riddled with lies is rather unsettling."
A pause. "You seem to be taking it well enough."
"I take it as I take all things," I reply evenly.
"Of course." And he continues walking away.
I follow him, as usual, both of us striding quickly at the sound of battle. We came upon the scene of Ifrit against two Bashuras.
"Hey Lu, where you been?" Wakka yells. "You too, Sir Auron! We could've used some help, ya?"
"You shouldn't depend on others for strength. I expect you to be able to take care of yourselves by now," I scold.
"Eesh, sorry." Before I can reply, one of the Bashuras is defeated, and Yuna dismisses Ifrit. Wakka, Sir Auron, and I are called to finish the last one.
"Where were you guys?" Rikku demands once the battle is over – mostly to Sir Auron. Personally, I suspect a small crush on her part, but as I've never been the type to meddle I'll let it be.
"Talking," Sir Auron answers shortly. Rikku raises an eyebrow.
"Talking about what?" she presses. Sir Auron doesn't answer.
"Talking about what?" she asks again, louder.
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it," I intercept. She frowns, but relents. Tidus told me once, a little while ago, that Rikku looked up to me. I found it quite flattering, especially as I myself had taken a liking to the young Al Bhed. Perhaps, when she was older, I'd teach her how to use magic...
If she gets older. The thought saddens me more than I would like to admit. I take a deep breath, and look around the group. Kimahri and Wakka are standing by Yuna's side as she talks to Sir Auron, while Tidus and Rikku talk animatedly to each other. I have to be prepared for all of them to die.
"How is it?" Sir Auron's voice thankfully breaks my thoughts, although he's speaking to Yuna. I move quietly to take my place beside Wakka and listen.
"I'm sorry," she sighs. "I can feel it...but, I'm not there yet. Almost," Yuna nods and forces a smile on her face. Lately, it had become easier and easier to tell which smiles were forced, and which were real.
"...you're doing well. Keep going." He turns away, not seeing Yuna's delighted surprise at the encouragement, but I'm sure he knows anyway. I'll have to thank him later.
"Tidus, you and Rikku also need training," he orders to the pair. "You three," indicating Tidus, Yuna, and Rikku, "Are to battle against every monster that comes our way." The three nod and move to the forefront of the party, while the rest of us move behind them.
Wakka drops behind to walk with me, as I am in the rear as usual. "So, what were you and Sir Auron talking about? Something serious, ya?"
"If it were something serious, you wouldn't be the person I'd tell," I inform him dryly. "But it really was nothing, Wakka."
He gives me a look. "You're not the type for talking about nothing, Lu. You've been spending a lot of time with Sir Auron lately, ya?"
"I suppose. Why?"
"You sure that's a good idea? I mean," he adds hastily, "I respect Sir Auron and all, but...he knows too much, you know? Makes me a little suspicious."
Suspicious...Wakka never used to be suspicious before. He's had so many betrayals lately... "I know, Wakka. Still, I'm sure Sir Auron is a good person, although he has his own reasons for keeping to himself. Sir Auron is not Sir Jecht." I turn to face him, though his face is downcast. "Wakka."
"Yeah?"
I move closer and place my hand gently on his shoulder. "Don't...be suspicious." I offer a small smile. "That's my job."
He hesitates, then nods. "Yeah, I guess."
"Oh, and Wakka?"
"Eh?"
"I'm sorry." I remove my hand and turn towards the others.
"Sorry? For what?"
"For not telling you about Rikku. And Yuna."
"Oh, that." He shrugs. "You know you were right, Lu. Heh, guess I did lose my head when I found out, ya?" Wakka grins. "You know me better than I do."
"Of course." I start walking now. "Naturally, I assume the same of you."
Wakka watched his childhood friend walk away. "Yeah Lu, I know you better than you do. A little too well sometimes, ya?" he murmured softly to himself, then ran to catch up with her.