Chapter 7: War Preparations

Shuyin lost Lenne somewhere in the crowd as they left the shrine.  However, he knew where to find her, somewhere where she could find peace.  He rushed to Luminous, but to his disappointment, she was not there.  There was only one place left to look; it was where he had led Lenne, the outskirts of Zanarkand.  He quickly went there, and finally, he saw Lenne gazing at the stars in the sky.  He slowly went towards her, and sat down with her.

"You alright?" Shuyin asked.

"Ya. Don't worry about me. I just need air."

"You know… You're uncle must've had a lot of guts to tell that to everyone… Being a spy is a very difficult job to do and if it weren't for him, Zanarkand would've been lost years ago."

"You think so? But, he still lied to me… I thought I could trust him wholeheartedly, but he has his secrets after all…" Lenne sighed.

"Who could blame him?"

            Lenne thought for a moment. What Shuyin was saying made sense to her.  She realized she was acting childish.  That was all she needed to change her mind.  She held Shuyin's hand and decided to go back.

            As they were searching for Maechan, another announcement had been made.  All summoners were to assemble in the shrine.  It seemed that they were already preparing to initiate the plan.  They ran to the shrine as they fought their way in the building crowd.

"Attention!" A loud voice interrupted the noisy crowd.

            Everyone became silent as they saw the Elder Summoner, once again, addressed them.  This time, everyone was serious.  No one was smiling anymore.  In fact, some were even trembling with fear especially the newcomers.

"It seems that they react faster than we thought… According the Maechan's source, they are already traveling towards the Undying Lands. We must act fast… Time matters. I will now assign the retreating unit in the Undying Lands."

            As the Elder Summoner mentioned names, Lenne hoped she was not part of it.  She was just not ready for that kind of task.    She preferred being in the ambush party.  As the final name was about to be called, Lenne closed her eyes and crossed her fingers as Shuyin held her on her shoulders. 

            Finally, the high summoner finished announcing the names, and Lenne was able to give a sigh of relief.  She was not part of that small unit and instead, she was assigned in Mount Gagazet as part of the ambush party, while the others would remain in Zanarkand as reserves. 

"I guess we're heading for Mt. Gagazet then…" Shuyin said.

"You don't have to go if you don't want. I understand…"

"No. I'll go with you no matter what."

            A faint smile covered Lenne's lips. Shuyin's words were just comforting especially at this point that it could mean their lives.  At least, she knew that someone actually cared for her.

"Everyone! You all know your positions! Commence the plan!" Yevon shouted.

            Everyone exited the shrines and headed to their respective places.  The small unit that was to go to the Undying Lands was managed by Belgermine.  She was a very experienced summoner, but not everyone could see her potential.  The Elder Summoner trusted her abilities wholeheartedly.  Now was the time for them to see what she could really do. 

            Shuyin and Lenne both prepared to go to the snowy mountain.  It would be a long way to their position, and the cold breeze of Mount Gagazet could freeze them to death. Lenne dressed herself with a white colored linen robe and her favorite clothes underneath it, while Shuyin decided to wear his usual wears.

"Don't you need something to battle the cold?"

"Don't worry. I can handle myself." He winked.

            Watching Zanarkand slowly fading away from their sight, they traveled to Mount Gagazet.  It was the first time for Lenne to have traveled away from Zanarkand's urbanized city.  They were now climbing its cliffs.  The strong winds did not seem to cooperate with them since it was blowing against their direction.  From time to time, Lenne would slip on the icy ground of the mountain, but Shuyin was always ready to grab her hand to support her. 

            They had finally reached the middle part of the mountain when suddenly a huge ice cap fell on them.  They were separated from each other as the ice cap created a huge blockade between them.


"Lenne! You okay there?" Shuyin shouted.

"I'm fine!" Lenne shouted back.

"You go on ahead! I'll catch up with ya!"

"Right. Be careful!"

            Lenne went on traveling as she left Shuyin behind.  Deep in her mind, she hoped that he was fine as he said he was.  The winds blew harder as Lenne went deeper into the mountain.  Using her summoner's staff to support herself, she continued to walk.  Suddenly, a huge furry fiend appeared out of the foggy mist.  Covered with snow, its face could not be seen.  It attempted to scratch Lenne with its gargantuan sharp claws as she hopped backwards to escape it.  She unexpectedly tripped on a rock camouflaged by snow, and dropped her staff.  Foot sprained, Lenne was helpless and unable to summon her aeon.  The fiend was nearing towards her as Lenne crawled away from it.  Finally, she reached a wall.  Unable to crawl further, she stopped and hoped for someone to arrive.

            The fiend was about to stab her with its claws when someone distracted it by throwing a piece of snowball on its head.  The fiend looked at the direction where the ball was thrown, but no one was there.  Observing the area, the fiend forgot about Lenne enabling her to crawl away safely.  However, in a matter of seconds, the fiend realized Lenne's escape and its attention was drawn back to her.  It screeched and jumped towards her.  Lenne screamed as the huge mass got nearer to her when a flash suddenly soared back and forth to it.  In a snap, the fiend was sliced in two and dissolved into [1]pyreflies.  Lenne stood up and saw Shuyin carrying what looked like a shining firm bar-like blade.

"You okay?"

            Lenne nodded as Shuyin held her hands as they continued to walk to their position.  A blue fury muscular lion-man appeared out of the mist.  He looked menacing, but did not seem hostile. 

"I am [2]Kaan Ronso. Elder Summoner asks Ronosos to assist them in Mount Gagazet."

            He was a Ronso, guardian of Mount Gagazet.  Sworn to protect the mountains and the summoners with it, they dwelt in Mount Gagazet ever since Spira was created.  It was their purpose in life.

"Can we trust you?" Crossing his arm, Shuyin asked incriminatingly.

"You have Ronso word. Ronso believes in honor. Ronso never takes back word."

"They are Ronsos, Shuyin. We can trust them." Lenne reassured.

            Convinced by Lenne, Shuyin nodded and the Ronso led them to where the ambush party was.  It was quicker with a Ronso around.  Ronsos were known to be outstanding when it comes to navigating.  In a matter of time, they had finally reached the spot.

"Now, we wait until the signal is given…" Both of them thought.

***Foot Notes***

[1] pyreflies – the colorful form of entity that springs out from a corpse.

[2] Kaan Ronso – a young Ronso of the Ronso tribe.  Another character I just made up.