Chapter 3: Meeting of Two Souls

After waiting for a long time for the line to end, Lenne was finally able to enlist herself as a summoner cadet in the war.  She sighed in relief and went back to Maechan, the only person that she could look up to as a father. 

"Well… Are you sure you want to enlist yourself in the war?" Maechan asked.

"I've decided. I will do it for Zanarkand, BUT not for my father. I am a full-fledged summoner after all." She replied coldly.

"I see… Hmmm… Well maybe someday…"

"Maybe just maybe…" Lenne interrupted.

            Exiting the shrine, Lenne and Maechan went their own ways.  With a final wave, Lenne slowly strolled towards her favorite hang-out, Luminous. It was the only place where she could find peace; to do what she wanted without the fear of someone criticizing her actions, without someone nagging behind.  She was free there, but there was still something that made her wear that veil all the time to hide herself from the audience…   

            On the other end, Shuyin was also on his way to Luminous.  He could not get his mind off the mysterious singer.  As if in a trance, not minding the passersby, and hoping he could see her again, he sprinted towards Luminous.  He had finally reached the place and quickly opened the bar.

"Ah… There ye are." The bar tender greeted.

"Is she here?" Shuyin asked abruptly.

"Oh her... The mysterious gal you were talking' bout?"

"Yeah."

            The bar tender nodded deeply.  Shuyin smiled and went on his seat.  The curtains started to rise and she was there, dressed in the same clothing and eyes covered with a small veil.  The music started to play. It was the same tune as before… She started to open her mouth. As she sang the first note, Shuyin, again, fell into a trance…

I acted so distant then…

Didn't say good bye before you left…

But I was listening…

You fight your battles far from me…

Far too easily…

"Save your tears 'coz I'll come back."

I could hear you whisper that as you walked through that door…

But still I swore

To hide the pain, when I turn back the pages…

Shouting might have been the answer…

What if I cried my eyes out and begged you not to depart…

But now, I'm not afraid to tell what's in my heart…

This time around, Shuyin would not let the mysterious songstress fade away again.  As soon as she had finished singing, Shuyin went for the piano and played a familiar melody.  It was a very relaxing and soothing tune that the songstress froze for a moment and stared at Shuyin.  It was a very popular tune in Zanarkand.  Not knowing it was like a grave sin.

"That's… That's…" The title was on the tip of her tongue.

"[1]Eternity Memory of Lightwaves." He continued her sentence.

"That's it… Eternity Memory of Lightwaves… I love that solemn rhapsody." She said as she was humming it.

"Yeah. The music that I've always wanted to play ever since I've learned the piano."

            Both their eyes gazed at each other, and she gasped as she saw the pianist.  It was him, the young man in her dreams.  She did not know what to do… She was confused… Now, she remembered where she had seen that face.  She stealthily walked backwards and slowly went for the door. With a glance, Shuyin stopped playing, and discovered that the songstress was leaving.

"Hey! Wait!" Shuyin shouted.

"I'm sorry. I must go. Till next time." She ran for the door.

            Standing up and moving away from the cream colored piano, Shuyin chased after her.  He had lost her once; he would not let that happen again. He must know the lady behind the veil. There was something inside his heart that was telling him to do so.  

            As he got outside, he saw her standing in front of a middle-aged man.  She froze there as she looked up towards the man.  The man burst in anger and grabbed the veil hiding her face.  Shuyin saw her face for the first time.  Her fair skin, her silky long hair, everything about her just seemed perfect for him; he was dreaming. He went back to reality and saw the man slapped the lady making her fall to the ground.

"How MANY times do I have to tell you!?" The man screamed.

"You can't rid me of my dreams! No matter how many times you hurt me, shout at me, whatever you do to me.  My dreams will keep on going! There's nothing you can do about it!" She answered back.

            The man was about to give her another slap when Shuyin interfered.  He grabbed the man's arm and locked it behind.  The man screamed in pain as he pulled his arm.  Finally, the man gave up and stopped resisting.

"Who are you!? Unhand me!" He shouted.

"Well… Well… Hurting a beautiful young lady like that… Only a coward hurts the powerless."

            The lady stood up, limping, and glared at Shuyin as if she was offended by what he had said.  She was a summoner after all.  She had the power to slay someone at her mercy. Being called "powerless" was an insult, but then she realized she was… Powerless at a certain extent… She realized she was not able to fight for what she really wanted, her dreams, and lost to her father's will.

"That's enough." She whispered softly as she caressed her slapped cheek.

            Shuyin unhanded the man and pushed him away from her.  The man stood up and taunted him and went on his way.  He went back to her and helped her walk.  It seemed that she got sprained from the fall.

"Are you alright?" Shuyin asked.

"Ya. I'm alright. It's just that my feet… Ouch…" She yelped in pain as she tried to move.

"Don't move too much. I'll take you somewhere safe."

"Wait before you do that… Who are you?" She asked.

"Oh... Huh? Oh yeah… Forgot to tell you.  Shuyin… Wait a minute… Your face looks very familiar…?"  He said surprisingly.

"Really?" She smiled.

            Shuyin thought for a moment. Where had he seen that face? Finally, a thought struck his mind.

"Are you Lenne, the great Songstress during the days?" Shuyin asked.

"Err…" Lenne nodded.

"Really!? Wow! I knew it! No wonder your beautiful voice sounds so familiar! C'mon, shall we go then?" Shuyin said in an ecstatic way.

            He led her to a place just in the outskirts of Zanarkand where they could get some fresh air, and away from the urbanized area.  The breeze coming from Mount Gagazet was cool, which gave them a soothing feeling.  Finally, they had chosen a good spot where they could enjoy a scenic view of Zanarkand, and at the same time, a feel of the cool fresh breeze from Mount Gagazet.   

"Wow. It's the first time I've been this far from Zanarkand. So beautiful…" Lenne said as she awed in amazement.

"Eh? Really? All your life you're stuck in that urbanized area? You're missing a lot!" Shuyin laughed.

"Ya well… I never really had the freedom… You know… To explore places."

Lenne felt comfortable with Shuyin even though she only met him for the first time.  The first time they gazed at each others eyes, Lenne felt something churning inside her; Shuyin would someday play a big role in her life…

As if charmed, Shuyin's mind was also always revolving around Lenne the moment he had seen her face.  He felt a certain happiness just being with her.  He felt he was always in peace, away from the chaotic world of Spira.  It was as if he was in another world with only both of them living in it.

"Ummm… Who was that guy a while ago?" Shuyin asked suddenly disrupting the momentary silence.

"Oh him? He's… My father." Lenne sighed.

"That's your father? What a jerk… Well all fathers are I guess. My father's a big jerk too." Shuyin whined.

"Really?"

As Shuyin told his story, Lenne finally found someone who could actually relate to her problems, filial piety.  It was difficult for her to follow what her father wished her to do, but here she was, a summoner already. 

"At least you got back at him… You're a famous Blitzball star? Hehe… I didn't know that. Heehee…"Lenne giggled.

"Oh c'mon! Don't you watch Blitzball? I'm always shown in the [2]Vision Spheres! Can't believe you don't know me." Shuyin exclaimed.

"Heehee… Sorry, I don't watch Blitzball that much."

"Ah I get it. You don't like sports that much?"

"Err… No. Never really was inclined with sports." Lenne shook her head.

"Don't worry! I'll teach you someday! Once you get the hang of it. It'll be fun!"

"I'd really love to, but…"

            Before Lenne could finish her sentence, they saw someone limping towards them.  He was man in torn clothes as if something clawed and gnashed him.  He was badly wounded and it was as if moving an inch forward could mean his life.  Shuyin and Lenne rushed towards the man to assist him.  Suddenly, before they could catch him, the man had fallen to the ground. They knelt down to see his situation.  It seemed that he would not last long.

"What happened?" Lenne asked.

"Ve… Ve… Vegnagun…" The man stuttered in fear/

"Vegnagun?" Both Lenne Shuyin wondered.

            In a matter of seconds, the man closed his eyes and lay there motionless on the ground.  Both of them were wondering who or what Vegnagun was.  However, from what they had seen, this Vegnagun was not to be taken lightly. 

*** Foot Notes***

[1] Eternity of Lightwaves – this is the intro song of FFX-2.

[2] Vision spheres – something I made up; the alternate version of the television.