The three guardians waited in the round room outside the Chamber of the Fayth at Kilika Temple, the Temple of Fire. There was another room above, where Tidus sat glassy-eyed. A fayth spoke in his ear, a young man who wore the Crusader outfit. He disappeared into Tidus' chest willingly, a grimace on his face. Tidus took a deep breath and shakily righted himself. The spirit of fire now lay within him, glowing with intensity. He could feel Ifrit within him, laying dormant.
Back on the airship, Tidus rested quietly on a small cot. He was undressed completely, with two small blankets over him. After he acquirred Ifrit, Lulu demanded he rest.Exhausted, he took her advice gratefully. Now, lying on the cot, he could look out the small window. Outside, the night sky with stars whipped by. He sat up then, tan chest seeming to glow in the darkness. From his pile of robes on the floor near him, he withdrew a blue sphere. He held it up close to his face, pressing a small gold button to turn it on.
"Hi everyone. This is really.weird." He spoke to the sphere, scratching his head.
"Well, I guess you'll want to know - everything. But first I want to say - take her everywhere. Let her see everything. Protect her. Be there for her. Don't let her get into mischief!" He laughed a little.
"You'll understand. Come seeme at the Farplane." He turned off the sphere and tucked it back into the robes. He had nothing else to say for now. When the time came, he would tell them everything. He lay back down, feeling sleepy. He fell into a deep slumber, preparing his body for the next temple.
Morning brought them close to Luca, able to see the huge blitzball stadium. Two teams played in the water, having a practice match. Tidus watched until other building blocked the view. Longing for the sport lay in his chest, but he chased it away. He had other duties now, and they were much more important.They then flew over Mi'hen Highroad, scaring chocobos down the path with a frenzied "Wark!". Rikku laughed and clapped her hands gleefully as they scurried in every which way. Tidus enjoyed the laugher and smiles, and had to admit it was refreshing seeing a chocobo running at full speed. Rikku then pointed out every little object to Lulu above Mushroom Rock Road. Lulu nodded to everything she said, only half-listening to her excited speech. Finally, the lightning temple of Djose appeared from behind brown rock. The laughter and chatting ceased as the group prepared to disembark. The airship began its descent into the plains of dirt and Tidus rose, ready to do anything to acquire the power of thunder. He was ready.
The cave of trials was no problem for the experienced team. They had conquered it before; the second time was only simpler. Within minutes they were in the round room, where the sounds and songs of the Fayth echoed in their minds. Tidus walked through the sturdy door leading to the statue of the lighting aeon. The other stood, and waited. He turned to them, nodding, before dissapearing into the next Chamber of the Fayth.
The spirit of Ixion was strong. Tidus pleaded and prayed and the spirit finally entered his heart, where it's stormy power lay dormant. Tidus took this moment to rest, and gather his thoughts.
"Yuna. . .the only reason I can do this is you. . ." He stood up before the memories could take him over painfully. With a heavy heart and a tired soul, he made his way carefully back to his party.
End.