Chapter Twelve: You Fell From Heaven, Didn't You?
Amanda's Ramble:
Amanda: Howdy, here's another chapter!
Auron: *gives Amanda a suspicious look* What are you up to?
Amanda: *picture of sweetness and light* Nothing. *angelic smile*
Auron: You lie!
Amanda: Anyway, read the damn chapter. -_-*
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As soon as the ship had attached cables to the balcony, they were sliding down them, Auron in the lead. He was angry, more furious than he'd ever been in his entire life.
He was secretly elated that he'd gotten down the cable and made the jump over the rail of the balcony without a hitch, as his joints often refused to do the majority of what he asked of them.
Before everyone had even made it onto the balcony, they were confronted Yevonite priests toting machina guns and flamethrowers. In his rage, Auron dispatched all three easily and started up the stairs. Most priests he pushed aside without a sidelong glance, but he'd inevitably he'd been forced to hack many in half. He was surprised to find how little this weighed on his conscious, but his woman was involved, and nothing was going to keep him from her.
Finally, he and the others made it to the top, and Auron readied his sword. That bastard was going to the Farplane, this time.
Seymour raised a brow at the seven angry figures, a smile on his lips. "So nice of you to come."
Auron growled deep in his throat, gripping the hilt of of blade tighter. "Let her go." Agreeing exclamations came from the others and Auron reached for Ophelia's hand. She drew away, her eyes not meeting his.
"I can't, Auron. I'm sorry."
Seymour gave Auron a triumphant look and motioned for the priest to continue. Auron ground his teeth through it all, his long frame trembling with rage, and when Seymour had the audacity to kiss Ophelia, he lost control of himself. He reached into his jacket and leveled a machina gun on on Seymour, firing point-blank into Seymour's face. Seymour tumbled back and a gasp rose from the others; even Ophelia gazed at him dazedly, her eyes wide, her face and dress splattered with Seymour's blood.
"Let's go," he said, his voice surprisingly calm. Of course, with a dozen guns trained on them, that was next to impossible.
Snapping to, Ophelia rubbed her lips roughly with the back of her hand and ran to the railing, climbing up onto it. Shocked, the others followed, trying to coax her down.
"Ophelia, what are you doing?" Auron's voice was full of panic, and she gave him a slow smile, brows raised.
"Trust me, Auron." She let herself fall backwards, her eyes closed. Auron reached over the rail, trying desperately to grab her, only to feel the material of her dress slip through his fingers. He watched in horror as she fell lower and lower, with no hope of salvation.
Something white streaked past the balcony and caught Ophelia, and Auron recognized it as the aeon Alexander. He released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding and turned, shouldering his blade.
"The temple of the fayth. That's where she's headed." He left the others to ponder, finally following the other guardian in confusion.
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Ophelia prayed harder than she ever had, to something she felt she could never believe in. The door behind her slid open, but she paid it no mind. The fayth finally came to some agreement with itself and merged with her, and she felt the weakness that always came with the joining.
Auron lifted her to her feet, murmuring something soothing but unintelligible in her ear. She sighed and wrapped her arms around her neck, feeling safe for the first time since Sin's attack.
"Don't come out!" Rikku's voice was strained, and Ophelia felt Auron stiffen as he ducked under the door. They were surrounded by Yevonite priests, all carrying guns.
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"Damn it!" Ophelia's voice carried over the open area where they were all caged, and Yuna smiled. Her sister couldn't be broken. "Let me out! I swear there will be hell to pay if you don't! You let me get my staff. Your asses'll be in a world of trouble then, you jackasses!"
"You tell 'em, Ophelia!" Tidus tried to see the cage she was in, but it was hopeless. He sighed and turned back to Auron. "She's got spunk."
Auron chuckled. "That she does." He straightened as a familiar figure entered the open space, his eye trained coldly on Kinoc. "What do you want now?"
"Now, now, is that anyway to greet an old friend?" Kinoc's voice had an oily quality, and Auron ground his teeth. "I'm here to tell you that you are to be sentenced."
"I'm sure we've had a fair trial." Auron's words dripped sarcasm, at which Kinoc lowered his brows.
"Of course."
"Hey, Tubby!" Ophelia called out once more. "I'm telling you, if you don't let me out, I'm gonna feed your fat ass to Kimahri!" Kimahri's grunt could also be heard, and Auron found himself fighting a grin.
"She means it, Kinoc. After all, it's been a while since you've last seen her….I must say, her aim has improved drastically." Auron saw Kinoc swallow heavily before scuttling back out of the room. Auron chuckled. "I've never seen anyone so frightened."
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"We made it!" Ophelia did a little dance. "And you guys did, too. I see you took my advice."
"Ya, though it didn't make no sense when you gave it. I swear, I ain't never heard of using a phoenix down on a monster." Wakka shook his head. Ophelia just laughed and patted his shoulder.
"See? I'm good for something after all."
"That still remains to be seen." Auron gave her a wry look over his glasses. "Let's get moving. This place is still crawling with fiends."
They moved along the open hallway, and Ophelia couldn't fight the feeling that it looked very familiar. No one seemed to sense anything ominous as they moved along, and she shook the feeling of déjà vu off. She must be imagining things.
"Greetings." Ophelia's head jerked up at the voice, and she fought the urge to scream. Dammit, he just kept coming back, didn't he? Seymour smiled and motioned to figures in the shadows, and two priests stepped forward, letting Kinoc's lifeless body drop to the tiled floor. Auron's mouth twitched, but he said nothing, giving the man he now hated with every fiber of being a cold, hard look.
"Lady Ophelia, you just wouldn't listen. Now I must kill you along with the rest."
Kimahri growled and rushed forward, driving the tip of his lance deep into Seymour's heart. Seymour only glanced down before meeting Kimahri's gaze, a smile pulling at his lips. "Simple fool. Very well." A rush of energy tore through the hall and Seymour began to mutate before their very eyes.
"Kimahri will protect. Lady Yuna and Lady Ophelia must go!" Kimahri kept his lance before him, not glancing back.
"I'm not leaving!" Tidus moved to help the Ronso, but Auron leveled his blade at the young man's throat, his gaze fierce.
"I said leave!" Without another word, they all turned and ran down the hallway. Ophelia felt torn. She couldn't just leave Kimahri here. She'd been getting dreams more and more lately, and one had involved a younger Kimahri holding Ophelia on his shoulders as they played a game of chicken with Jecht and Yuna. She stopped and tightened her grip on her staff, meeting Auron's glare with one just as strong.
"I'm not leaving him. Run if you want to, but Kimahri's my friend, and friends watch out for each other." She turned back and ran down the hallway, her tread steady and determined. One by one the others followed suit, until only Auron was left. With a shrug he tore off after them to meet fate head on.
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"Please, let's stop. My feet hurt!" Ophelia knew she was whining, but it had been a long day, and she was so tired. Auron sighed and glanced down at the small woman at his side, realizing for the first time how close he'd come to loosing her.
"Very well. We camp here tonight." He stuck his sword in the ground and dropped his pack, moving to search for firewood. Ophelia blinked after him, surprised. That was a first. He never gave into her demands. With a shrug, she dropped her own pack and began helping to get camp together, rolling out the bedroll and gathering stones to put around the fire pit Kimahri was digging. When camp was done, Auron appeared with his arms full of wood, and she nearly cheered. It was getting chilly, and here on the Calm Lands plains there wasn't much shelter from the wind.
Dinner was made and eaten in silence, and finally, one by one, everyone turned it. Kimahri began watch, disappearing into the dark, leaving Ophelia and Auron alone for the first time since the Thunder Plains.
"It's been one weird and wacky day." She shook her head and pulled her hair loose from the leather tie she had acquired from Auron's pack, shaking the thick wavy locks loose. She heard Auron grunt and sighed. He was in one of his silent moods, that was obvious.
"Well, it's been weird, but in a way, it was really exciting, you know?"
"Are you insane?" Ophelia laughed and shook her head.
"No." She smiled up at him and felt it fade at the intensity of his gaze. She swallowed and looked down at her hands, confused and nervous. "It's just that……"
"No need. I understand." She felt his hand slip under her hair, his thumb massaging the back of her neck, and she leaned into his touch, knowing very well that she was going back on the promise she'd made herself to keep their relationship professional. He turned her face toward him and lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her very gently, as if afraid she would break. When he pulled away, he buried his face in her hair, pulling her closer, wrapping his jacket around her, as well.
"I almost lost you." His voice rumbled in his chest, and she sighed, resting her head against his shoulder. "I won't forgive myself for that."
"There's nothing to forgive," she whispered. "It's not your fault Seymour Guado is a crazy unsent bastard." She felt his chuckle vibrate in his torso, and smiled. If only she could have this forever, she knew she could be happy.
"Come, little one, it's time to rest. We have a long trek tomorrow." Ophelia nodded and stifled a yawn, allowing him to lead her to the bedroll. He settled next to her, and she tucked herself against him, the contact familiar and comforting. He wrapped his arms around her, and she nestled her face against his neck, feeling his unshaven jaw brush against her cheek. She giggled and rested a hand against his heart, feeling her eyelids grow heavier.
"G'night, Auron." She felt his lips pressed against her forehead and smiled.
"Goodnight, Ophelia. Sleep well."
"I will. Auron?" She felt more than heard his grunt and pressed a kiss against his neck. "I love you, you know."
"I know. And…" He trailed off, and she felt his breath hitch. "I love you, too."
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Amanda: Finally! Damn well took him long enough, ya?
Auron: *mumbles*
Amanda: Two chapters in one day. You can love me later, peoples.