Braska's Journey
Macalania – Chapter Two – Complications
A paved road rapidly gave way to a well-worn dirt path. Auron took point as the scenery changed from the park-like rolling meadows of Bevelle to the wild, leafy, crystalline tangle of Macalania woods. The warrior had traveled the road many times and led confidently. "Lord Braska," he said over his shoulder, "It would be best to take the light bridges. Guard patrols reported increased activity on the low road. The local fiends dislike bright light and the upper walkway should be relatively safe during the daylight hours."
Braska nodded in deference to his Guardian. "I trust your judgment in this, Auron. Jecht and I will follow your lead."
Auron made a sharp nod with his head in response. Taking the light bridges would cut their travel time by two spans but, once on the pathway, there was no place to stop. It would be a long hike for everyone, but the warrior felt it worth the cost. He made a right turn when the path diverged.
Jecht quickly caught up to Braska and the Summoner was answering queries as the pair walked along. Question after question seemed to flow from the blitzer's lips. After an exclamation regarding how funny the trees looked, Jecht wanted to know what they were made of; how they grew; how tall they got; if this was the only forest of them. Auron sped up in an effort to outdistance the sound of the man's voice. It didn't work.
//Does he never close his mouth? He is worse than an acolyte! "Why? Why? Why?"//
Slowing, the warrior allowed the talking pair to catch up. Distance wasn't going to solve the issues he had with the unruly blitzer. All it would do was keep him from his charge, and he did not want to stray too far from Braska. If fiends attacked, he would be needed. Jecht wouldn't be able to wield the sword in battle and Auron had no idea if he could be counted on in a crisis situation. Better to get a headache and be prepared.
A guard patrol passed as they neared the junction of the light bridge. Auron signaled for Jecht and Braska to wait. He spoke briefly with the four Crusaders. One was on old friend from Djose who had recently transferred. The warrior was pleased – not only to see a familiar face, but to get additional information on the road ahead.
He returned to his Summoner's side and said, "Braska, they say the path near the Al Bhed travel stop has been clear several days. We should be able to make lakeside by tonight."
Smiling, the priest replied, "Good. We had best get started." Braska strode forward and approached a shimmering band of light. Without hesitation, he stepped onto the seemingly insubstantial surface and began to walk upon it – rising into the air.
Jecht blinked in amazement, his mouth opening a touch before he realized how silly he must have looked and clamped it closed. His eyes narrowed suspiciously as he studied the walkway.
Braska was already quite a distance away and had not slowed. "Is there a problem, Jecht?" Auron's voice was brusque. Braska was getting too far ahead of them and the warrior didn't feel he could just leave Jecht standing in the forest. He may have disliked the man, but Auron wouldn't leave anyone where a fiend might attack.
Continuing to stare at the light bridge, Jecht replied, "No." He made no move toward the translucent band of light.
"Then get going," Auron ordered. "Standing in the open like this is unwise. We will attract fiends."
Turning his head, Jecht glared at Auron. He was feeling pressured and intimidated again by this stiff and he hated it. "Get going yourself," he shot back at the warrior. "I don't need a babysitter."
Auron's hand tightened reflexively into a fist. It was obvious to the warrior that the man had no intention of getting on the bridge. "Jecht, do not be ridiculous," he said through clenched teeth. "I simply need to take rear guard. Now get moving. Braska is almost to the top of the tree line."
The two stared at each other for a moment. Auron was almost sure that Jecht was going to say something then, instead, the man turned and stalked toward the glittering band. He stopped for a moment, and then slowly extended a bare foot - pressing it against the walkway.
Auron had to suppress a laugh at the expressions that flitted over Jecht's face. Surprise gave way to embarrassment before being replaced with a haughty look of confidence. Disheveled hair whipped around Jecht's head as he turned to look at the warrior and said, "Well, what are you standin' around for? Let's go."
Shaking his head, Auron watched as the blitzer took off like a shot after Braska. He stepped onto the thin strand of light and climbed after the pair - eyes searching for danger. Even on the bridge, there was a chance they could be accosted. Auron was never one to be caught unaware.
Lengthening his stride, the warrior quickly caught up with the pair. Jecht was making yet more inquiries. This time, Auron paid attention to what was being asked. The blitzer said casually, "So, Braska, what's a fiend?"
The Summoner patiently began to explain the origin of fiends and the existence of immortal souls. Jecht seemed confused and a long conversation about the Farplane ensued. Auron's russet eyes narrowed as he listened. From the questions Jecht asked, it seemed clear that Braska had already explained at least some of the responsibilities of a Summoner. Little comments, however, made one thing clear – either Jecht was an insensitive lout, or he had no idea that Braska was on his way to die.
//Why doesn't Braska say anything? Those remarks…they have to hurt…//
Frowning, Auron stalked along behind Jecht as the party moved among the tops of the trees. Huge spheres crowned the tops of the giants; refracting the sunlight and creating the rainbow colored bridges they walked upon. Tiny facets in the crystalline structures produced a myriad of shifting shapes across the prism-like surfaces of the limbs. But, the beauty of the scenery was lost on the warrior as he contemplated Braska's replies.
Auron could tell that Braska was feeling tired. He finally said something. "My Lord, it is mid-day. You need to eat."
"Sounds great," said Jecht. "I'm starvin'."
Braska nodded and the group stepped off the main path near an orb. Auron reached in his pack and handed an apple to Braska. Another was given to Jecht. "There are travel rations in your bag." The warrior pointed to Jecht's pack. "In a few hours, pass them out."
"This is it?" Jecht looked at the apple in his hand. He looked almost offended.
"Like I said, this is not a pleasure cruise." Auron bit into his apple and turned to Braska. "My Lord, I will take point now if you will take rear guard. I would like to range forward a bit to be sure there are no problems."
The Summoner nodded in response. "Just be careful."
Auron moved back toward the main path. Braska, finishing off his apple, gestured to Jecht. "You first," he said.
Jecht was still pondering the apple with a frown on his face. Finally, he shrugged and followed after the warrior, eating the apple as he walked. Auron was already quite a distance away. The blitzer noticed a flash of light and narrowed his eyes. The warrior had unsheathed his weapon and was ranging ahead
"So, what's his story?" Jecht asked.
"What do you mean?" Braska held his staff in his right hand and kept his eyes on Auron as they walked.
"Auron. What's with him?" Jecht asked between bites of fruit. "You two known each other long? Old friends?"
"Not really," Braska replied. He smiled. "Auron and I met briefly many years ago. When he returned to Bevelle, we made a pact to Journey."
The blitzer scratched his head as he walked ahead of the Summoner. He sounded perplexed. "Braska, no offence, but why the hell would he do that? Seemed to have a pretty cushy setup back in town."
The Summoner laughed. "Yes, I suppose it might look that way." Braska's tone turned thoughtful. "I am not sure how to explain, Jecht. The reasons for Auron's decision to Journey with me are very complex. We are…friends…but we also share a bond of magic. It is called The Call of Guardianship. Even those at the temple, who train with magic all their lives, have difficulty understanding the Call. Auron and I share it, and still do not completely know its capabilities and limitations."
Jecht stopped walking and tuned to face Braska. "Whatdaya mean? Do ya read each other's minds or somethin'?"
"No. It is not like that," Braska responded. He gestured with the staff that they should keep moving. "But I can, sometimes, tell what he is feeling and if he is injured. He can do the same with me."
Having finished the apple, Jecht tossed the core away. It slapped against a protruding crystal and then fell downward through the thick canopy of leaves to the ground below. Braska could tell by the set of the man's shoulders that the blitzer was trying to understand. "So, let's say I punched the guy," Jecht said, "Would ya feel it?"
Braska wasn't honestly sure of the answer. However, given the way the two men seemed to be at each other's throats, he decided a little dissemblance couldn't hurt. "Probably."
Jecht grunted in response and fell silent.
The sun arced across the sky as the group continued the hike through the forest. Auron dropped back to join the pair and they stepped off at another bridge juncture to pass out rations. Each packet held a cake made of grain, dried fruit, and honey along with some dried meat. Braska quickly ate his cake and then extended his hand, holding the meat, toward Jecht. "You may have this," he said.
"Don't you want it?" The blitzer arched an eyebrow.
"No. The only meat I eat is fish, and that only rarely." Jecht shrugged and took the offered food. He stuck a strip of the meat in his mouth. Braska smiled a bit. Auron had already pulled another apple from his pack and it was being presented for consumption. "You are going to insist I eat that, aren't you?" The Summoner said to the Guardian.
Auron nodded.
"I am not a child, Auron." Sighing, Braska took the fruit. "I know when I am hungry."
Russet eyes stared pointedly into Braska's. "Yet you do not eat when you are, my Lord. Instead, you give away your rations." The warrior gestured toward Jecht. "At least Jecht has the good sense not to turn down food when it is offered."
The Summoner started to speak and Auron raised his hands before him, stilling the words. The baritone voice was stern. "I know you do not care to eat meat, and I understand your reasons. Please, Lord Braska, just have care for your health."
Braska nodded. He didn't say a word. Instead, he put the apple to his mouth and took a bite.
"The sun will set soon. We need to pick up our pace." Auron turned to Jecht. "Any problems with that?"
The blitzer was chewing on the last of the dried meat. "Nope." The word was muffled from the food in his mouth.
The warrior looked to Braska for some kind of sign. Finally, he turned and stepped back onto the main path. Drawing his sword, he strode forward and took the lead again leaving Braska and Jecht to follow.
"Real charmer, ain't he?" said Jecht as the two moved to follow.
"Auron? A charmer?" The Summoner shook his head and grinned. "He has his moments. Do not let his detachment bother you. It is his way."
Auron's long strides set a quick pace. The group had little spare energy to chat as the warrior pressed forward; racing the sun. Shoulders set; he glanced back to be sure he was not outdistancing the pair behind them. The Call told him that Braska was fine, so he continued to push ahead.
//We need to clear the forest before nightfall.//
Unfortunately, Auron's wish was not granted. By the time the group began to descend through the tree line, the sun had fully set. Russet eyes narrowed slightly as the warrior searched the dark path ahead for signs of movement and the shimmer of pyreflies. He saw nothing.
Stepping off the light bridge and into the forest, Auron moved toward the clearing. Jecht and Braska followed. Using his sword to point to the right, the warrior said, "This way, Lord. We are almost there." He turned and headed down the path.
The Summoner nodded and began to follow when Jecht said, "Huh. I'll be. Look at that."
Turning to face the blitzer, Braska's eyes widened. Jecht was standing in the middle of a group of butterflies. "Jecht! Do not move!"
Braska's voice carried to Auron and the warrior turned in time see Jecht reach toward one of the fluttering pairs of wings. He ran, sword drawn, toward the pair. "STOP! DO NOT TOUCH IT!"
//Oh, Yevon, no! Where did those come from?!//
It was too late.
Jecht, entranced by the shining wings of the butterflies seemed to hear none of the warnings. Even if he had, it would have made no sense to the man from Zanarkand. The yellow, blue, and red winged creatures - alluring in their beauty - seemed completely unafraid of the blitzer as he extended his hand to touch the one closest to him.
A hum of warning emitted from the small red winged insect. Glowing, it cast a strange lurid light over the entire clearing as it called forward protective magic. Pyreflies began to coalesce, solidifying into two fiends – Chimeras.
"Are you INSANE, man!" Auron shouted the words at Jecht as he slid his left arm free of his robes.
Braska, extending his staff before him turned it parallel to the ground and closed his eyes. He began to chant. Suddenly, blue-white light expanded from beneath his feet. Expanding upward to enclose the Summoner, tendrils of blue and green twisted in the air. A liquid chime rang out in the clearing and a small ball of light began to spin around Braska. The spell then moved to Auron as the warrior moved into guard position slightly ahead and to the right of Braska. Jecht felt the effects of the magic encase him before he realized what was happening. An incoherent shout escaped him as the blue and green of the spell flashed around his body, protecting him from any water based spell.
The blitzer stood, dumbfounded as the forms of the Chimeras solidified. "What hell are those!?" he shouted.
"Jecht! Get behind me!" Braska flung an arm outward in a gesture of protection. "The spell will only protect you from the hawk's head. The others use different elements!"
Frozen in a strange mix of fear and fascination, Jecht continued to stand there. He watched as Auron rushed forward, his massive sword lifted level with his head, to strike at the closest of the fiends. Twisting fluidly, the warrior sliced the beast cleanly – a diagonal gash exposing the interior of the creature's torso. All three heads roared displeasure as Auron returned to Braska's side, ready to protect him.
"Jecht! The ball!" Auron's voice finally seemed to reach the startled blitzer. "Use it! Hit the other one with it. A strike to a head will blind it!"
Dropping the pack, Jecht flicked the ball from under his arm and into his hand. Instinct took over. Crouching slightly, the blitzer's eyes narrowed and he picked his target. His arm drew back and the ball flew forward with amazing speed to impact the bobbing heads of the second Chimera. A black cloud encased the top of the creature, blinding it, as the ball flew back toward Jecht. He jumped into the air to make the catch and tucked the thing under his arm. He looked down at the blitzball, astounded.
~~How did I do that?~~
Braska was chanting again. This time he turned to face Auron directly as the spell began to gather strength. Pushing his arms forward, staff parallel to the ground, light flew upward and out toward warrior. A ticking noise accompanied two red dials as they spun around Auron's body. The young man's actions picked up noticeable speed. Unfortunately, the haste cast wasn't enough to save him.
The wounded Chimera was angry. Rushing forward, it slammed into Auron, knocking him to the ground and then stomped on the Guardian. The sword flew from the warrior's grasp and made resonant clack as it struck a crystalline tree stump. He tried to roll out of the way but wasn't quite fast enough. A sickening crunch accompanied a scream and the monster's massive hoof crushed Auron's left arm – snapping the humerus and dislocating the shoulder. The look of agony that played across the young man's face was staggering.
"NO!" Braska's face lit up in panic. He rushed to Auron's side as the Chimera retreated - standing before him in an effort to protect his Guardian. The monster's twin used the only attack left to it – the slithering tail rose upward to reveal the head of a snake. Opening the fanged mouth, a bolt of lightening issued forth and struck downward at the prone form in red. There was nothing Braska could do to stop it. The flash of light hit Auron firmly in the center of his chest, singing the young man and silencing his screams. He lost consciousness.
The Summoner drew himself up in his robes, righteous in his rage. Jecht's mouth fell open in amazement at what happened next. Flinging his arms wide, Braska cried upward into the sky, "Help me!" Twirling the staff in his grasp, the Summoner called upon his Aeon. Golden light soared upward into the air and converged to create the most beautiful and terrifying thing Jecht had ever seen. Plummeting downward through a glyph that spun vividly in the black of the night sky, Bahamut came to the aid of his master.
"What the F…!" Jecht exclaimed. The winged creature dropped to the ground with a resounding thud and roared its readiness to fight, drowning the blitzer's words. Crossing its arms over a scaled dark blue chest, it awaited orders.
"Send those things to oblivion!" Braska commanded. Then, the Summoner dropped to his knees at Auron's side.
The Aeon wasted no time. Gliding forward smoothly with its red, gold, and purple wings extended, the enormous hulk drew back a clawed right arm and made a lazy swatting motion at the already wounded Chimera. The force of the impact crushed the fiend in one blow. It dissipated in a cry of pyreflies, leaving its mate to face the wrath of Bahamut alone.
Shaking all three heads, the remaining Chimera regained its sight. The Lion head rose upward and roared as it gathered power. A ball of fire formed in the fiend's clawed left hand and it hurled the magical attack at the Aeon. Jecht was almost sure he saw Bahamut grin as the Megiddo flame flew toward it. The elemental cast did little damage and the response was swift. Crackling with power, three balls of energy formed and the Aeon smiled as it shot the Impulse spell toward the remaining creature. The explosion that followed the impact threw Jecht to his knees. When he stood up, the Chimera was gone.
Bahamut stood; arms crossed, and looked down at his Summoner. Braska, finally realizing that the fight was over, called out to Jecht. "Are you all right? Are you injured?"
Jecht shook his head and moved cautiously toward Braska. "I'm ok. But…uh…should I get near that thing?"
The Summoner frowned and ingored the question. "Jecht, I need your help." Gesturing toward Auron he said, "I must determine his injuries before we may move him. It will take all of my concentration. I must release the Aeon and will be unable to defend myself while I do this." There was no accusation in his voice, but Jecht still flinched at the question that followed. "Will you be able to defend us?"
"I don't know, but I can try," Jecht replied. Suddenly, the blitzer felt very helpless. Now that the fight was over, he realized the enormity of what had occurred. He wasn't sure how, but he realized that the whole thing was his fault. Somehow, touching that butterfly – a stupid little butterfly – had caused this mess. Then, he'd stood there like an idiot while Auron almost got himself killed. For all he knew, the warrior might be dying.
~~What the hell am I doing here? What kind of place is this?~~
Braska seemed to understand and nodded. He looked up at the Aeon that towered above him. "I can not thank you enough." The two looked at each other and Bahamut, with a strong thrust of his legs, shot upward into the sky and disappeared.