Chapter 5: A Change of Heart

After the terrible tragedy, the news spread around Zanarkand in no time.  The citizens started to panic and stayed inside their homes.  However, there were still some who lived their lives as usual.  Some were still walking along the streets of Zanarkand; some even wanted to see what how that weapon looked like.  Suddenly, on the main vision sphere built at the center of Zanarkand, the face of Yevon suddenly appeared.  Everyone stopped what they were doing and anticipated as to what their leader had to say. Together with enormous crowd, Lenne and Shuyin were also there as they listened intently.

"Ahem… Zanarkand's people. I bring you good news! The Bevellian army also suffered from the great tragic event in the [1]Undying Lands. It seems that their weapon back fired against them too.  Now they are in a state of confusion."

            Everyone jumped for joy as soon as they heard what had happened to Bevelle.  However, this did not mean an instant win for Zanarkand.  The main plan was not yet initiated.

"I now ask all enlisted summoners to assemble in the Zanarkand shrine for a very important job."

            Everyone murmured.  Everyone was wondering what it could mean.  No one had the slightest idea what "job" could that be.  Little by little, the summoners started to move towards Zanarkand shrine, but one was still standing, doing nothing.  With a gloomy face, Lenne looked down on the ground.  

"What's wrong, Lenne?" Shuyin asked.

"Oh… Nothing… I better get going."

"To where?"

"Somewhere… You don't have to know." She said gloomily.

            Lenne tried to leave Shuyin, but he grasped her writs tightly.  Lenne tried to resist, but the grip was strong.  She wiggled her arms and with her other hand, she tried to break open Shuyin's tightening grip.  Finally, she gave up and stopped struggling.

"Please. Let me go." Lenne begged.

"I won't. What's wrong? Why don't you want to tell me?"

"Because you don't have to know… It's better that way." She began to cry.

            Shuyin suddenly realized something.  His eyes widened and he softened his grip.  He was still hesitating, but there could only be one thing where Lenne would go.  He wanted answers…

"Are you… Are you a summoner?" Shuyin asked hesitantly.

Lenne simply nodded.

"But you're a songstress in Luminous… That can't be." Shuyin pinched himself to see if he was having a nightmare.

"No. Remember my father? He doesn't want me to become a Songstress… I was hiding, but he caught me. Now that you know, please let me go."

            All of Shuyin's dreams were shattered.  Being a summoner meant many responsiblities.  To top all of that, a summoner's life could be at risk in times like this.  He remembered what he told Lenne, Blitzball. Slowly, it started to fade away.  That thought could just remain a thought forever.

            Lenne moved away as Shuyin froze for a moment.  Eyes blinking, Shuyin went back to reality, and saw Lenne leaving him.  He chased after her.  There was at least one thing he could do.

"Lenne! I won't leave you behind… I'll be at your side always. I'll help you."

"What? Are you insane? Your life is at risk here." Lenne argued.

"So is yours… I guess we're both insane. Hahaha!" Shuyin laughed.

            Lenne laughed with him.  The thought of having someone at her side was very comforting.  Finally, she nodded in agreement.

"That's settled then. Let's go to the shrine shall we?" Shuyin said cheerfully.

            That changed the fate of Shuyin, the Blitzball player.  He never imagined himself getting involved in a war. Who would have thought that a person could change his view?  All his life revolved around Blitzball, but now, it was something different.  He had someone to fight for; someone special for him.

            They entered Zanarkand shrine together as they held hands.  Again, the assembly hall was crowded with summoners.  On the other end of the hall, they saw Belgermine coming towards them.

"Hey there, Belgermine." Lenne greeted.

"Hello Lenne. Who's that young man with you?" She whispered softly as her mouth went slowly to Lenne's ear.

"Oh… He's Shuyin! Hey Shuyin!" She called.

"Yeah?"

"Shuyin this is Belgermine and Belgermine this is Shuyin." She introduced.

Shuyin waved at her followed by a hand shake.

"I wonder what 'job' is it that the High Summoner is asking us to do…" Belgermine thought loudly.

            Suddenly, the moment that everyone was waiting for finally arrived.  Yevon went out of the small opening together with Yunalesca and Maechan.  Lenne was surprised to see Maechan with the great summoner.  Finally, the Elder Summoner coughed to get everyone's attention.

"Listen summoners! As you all know, Bevelle is in a state of reformation right now. We have decided to initiate a counter attack."

            Everyone murmured. For the first time, the High Summoner has considered doing a counter attack.  Everyone wondered why there was a sudden change of belief; they all waited for an answer.

"Ahem… Excuse me! May I have your attention!"

Everyone became silent again.

"I know that some of you do not approve of this and find it awkward, but if it could end this war, I will gladly take that risk.  It has been going on for decades, and those blood lusting Bevellian army still does not want to stop. Now is the time to show what Zanarkand's summoners are made of. Please consider this sudden change."

Everyone nodded in agreement and cheered for their leader.  Soon, Maechan stepped forward to address the people.  The Elder Summoner stepped back to show his recognition for the old man.  Everyone was looking up.  For the first time, the Elder Summoner stepped for someone.  Lenne, too, was also surprised.  She did not know that his uncle had connections with the Elder Summoner.

"Errr… Ahem. I am honored to be able to address everyone here.  I have convinced the Elder Summoner to initiate a counter attack.  However, first of all, I want to tell all of you something… I am a spy from Bevelle.

            Everyone gasped.  Lenne almost fainted as he heard what his uncle whom she trusted the most had just said.  Shuyin caught her before she could fall and supported her.

"I know this revelation is alarming, but I, too, am against the war and I will stop it no matter what.  The Elder Summoner has trusted me so I ask your cooperation… Here is the plan: I also have a source from Bevelle and a friend who has been giving them false information.  I told him to tell them that Zanarkand is having conflicts right now and is losing faith with their leader.  Now, as soon as they fall for this bait, they would think that they could infiltrate Zanarkand easily.  They will take us lightly.  The plan enters from here, as soon as he tells me that the army is moving.  We ambush them near Mt. Gagazet's entrance.  We will send a small unit of summoners in Undying Lands, and these summoners will then retreat to Mt. Gagazet and the ambush would start. Once majority of their army is destroyed, we can infiltrate Bevelle's camp in the Undying Lands. This could turn the tables in favor of Zanarkand."

            The plan sounded favorable for Zanarkand's fate.  Everyone nodded in agreement and cheered for their strategist.  The summoners were now in high spirits.  This could be their only chance for victory.  However, Lenne was still zoning out, because of the revelation his uncle had told everyone.  It was just too much for her.

"Are you alright, Lenne?" Belgermine asked.

"Ya. I'm fine… It's just that… Uncle Maechan. I can't believe it.  No wonder he knows a lot about Bevelle."

            She was beginning to lose trust in his uncle.  Why did he have to hide it from her? That was the question that was going around her mind at the moment.  She thought he could be tricking everyone, and was actually for Bevelle. The possibility was not far from true.

"Don't worry. I know a man if he's deceiving us. He seems sincere. Don't worry Lenne. He is your uncle after all."  Belgermine reassured her.

            Maechan went down of the podium he was on and went directly to Lenne.  He knew that this revelation would hurt Lenne so much.  It was one of his secrets that he did not want to reveal unless it was extremely needed.

"Lenne? Can I have a word with you?"

Belgermine grabbed Shuyin's arm and walked away from them. It was something that not everyone should hear.  It was a very sensitive matter.

"Why did you hide it from me?" Lenne asked.

"I just… I was just waiting for the right time."

"That's what they all say…No wonder you know a lot. And… And… The man you are talking to the whole time with that device…  I saw you the other night talking to him. He's your source, right? "

"Please… I didn't come all the way here to be a spy… I've come to help Zanarkand and that's what those Bevellian folks don't know. Listen to me."

"I'm sorry… I need some time to be alone… I need to think"

            Lenne ran away from his uncle.  As Shuyin saw this, he followed her outside.  Maechan just sighed and went away.  He did not want t hurt the girl's feelings, but what was done is done.  He thought it better to leave Lenne for a while until everything was cold.

*Footnotes*

[1] Undying Lands – Another place I made up. It is similar to Calm Lands; The Calm does not exist yet during this time period.