Tidus was back in the room set up for him, lying on the cot. Torment roared within him, within his chest and his spirit. The torment that he had to carry because he was a summoner. He could hear the Fayth within him, screaming, cursing Sin, crying over loved ones, laughing crazily. He thought he was going mad.
"How did Yuna do it?!" He shouted aloud, sitting up, challenging the Gods. He received no answer. He lay back on the cot, staring up at the blank ceiling. He just wanted to get this done. He had to. He had to do it for Yuna and her smile.
The airship sailed over Macalania gracefully the next day. Tidus sat on the deck, knees pulled up to his chest, while everyone else stayed on the bridge. He stared down at the crystalline trees. Tears prickled in his eyes as he thought of her, on that night.
It was night. The moon shone on the two of them. They stood in the same place they had their first kiss. Yuna was pressed against his chest in the chilly water. Tidus held her gently, stroking her wet hair.
"Ummm. . .Yuna?" Tidus suddenly stuttered out, turning Yuna to face him.
"Yes?" She asked in her sweet voice. It rolled through his ears like honey. Tidus pulled out a medium sized box from his shorts. He handed it to Yuna, blushing. She opened it slowly, eyes sparkling. Two silver rings glittered inside, glowing like the moonlight. Tidus took one ring and slipped it on his own finger.
"Yuna. . .after we beat Sin. . .I want. . .Would you. . ." His face turned an ever redder color, despite the cold in the air and water.
"Tidus, I would love to be your bride." Yuna said calmly. Tidus' mouth fell open and then he began to grin. He slipped the matching ring on Yuna's finger and kissed her forehead gently, feeling his chest feel with a love he had not felt before he met Yuna.
"These rings are a promise. We'll love each other, always." Yuna smiled and nodded. She leaned in to kiss him. Tidus nearly melted.
Now, freely sobbing, he realized he was so naïve.
"Yuna, did I really think you'd give up just for me?!" He clutched his ring desperately, feeling the cold metal against his fingertips. Letting the wind begin to dry his tears, he slipped it back on his ring finger. Rising, he walked to the elevator slowly to head back to the bridge, words ringing in his ears.
"Stay with me. . .until the end."
"Not until the end. . .always."
Back on the airship, no one said anything about Tidus' tear-strained face. They got ready to walk to Macalania temple wordlessly. Tidus stood, eyes glassy as they began to half-lead him to the temple. Rikku bounced around him nervously, trying to get him to look up at her. Her attempts failed. From the airship to the temple and through the cave of trials, Tidus said nothing.
Macalania Temple was a bit harder to navigate, but they still made it to the large room inside. Tidus left once again, to acquire the Goddess of ice. Inside the Chamber of the Fayth, Tidus sat with his head in his hands. This was hard for him. He knew that Shiva and Yuna had got along best. Shiva was the most human out of the aeons, besides the Magnus Sisters. Yuna had thought she was a beautiful ice princess. And now, he had to get her, had to have her in his spirit. He sighed, thinking of what to do. His mind reeled.
"You do not need to fear." A voice spoke from above him. A thin woman Fayth floated above him, whispering in his ears.
"Shiva.. . ." He whispered.
"I am not like the others. Yuna. . .she changed me. I will not torment you. I am here to help you." Before Tidus could murmur a word, her body disappeared into him. There was no pain, only warmth. For the first time today, Tidus smiled. Instead of the crying, cursing, and screaming, he heard a baby's laughter, warmchuckling,and soft whispering. He held his chest and cried tears of happiness.
End.