Chapter Twenty: The Sisters Of Atonement
Amanda's Ramble:
Amanda: Heyo!
Auron: *half-naked and disheveled, smoking a cigarette* Word.
Amanda: o.O Um, didn't I tell you to put on clothes before we left the bedroom?
Auron: Word.
Amanda: *sigh* On to the reviewers. The whole three. :P
Auron's Biggest Fan: Sorry it was a wee bit rushed. Had to get them back to Spira, you know? As for Auron stripping…Can I come watch, too?
TheBlackRaveness: Heh. All shall be explained in time. Aurrie Pah, huh? Wait till I make Ophelia use HER pet name for Auron. *evil grin* Nah, just kidding.
Lenneth Valkyrie: To answer your question, Auron choked on his coffee because would you want your sex life broadcast all over? "Love affair" is exactly what he and Ophelia are having, and I'm sure Auron would rather keep the detail of their relationship between just them. Especially after what Lulu tried to pull.
Amanda: Okay, that's all my reviewers this time. Hopefully, another long wait like that won't happen again. Enjoy.
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Thanks to Ophelia's strategy guide, the small group of travelers made it through the cave with little difficulty, with the exception of running into the unsent guardian that Lulu nearly fainted at the sight of. That battle was hardly remarkable, and no one even thought about it after it was over.
But now they had reached the anteroom of the chamber of the fayth. This time, there was only one door, and Ophelia cursed under her breath as she realized that she would have to wait with the others while Ophelia negotiated with Yojimbo. Of course, that did mean she had more time just to be with Auron, and that wasn't so bad at all.
Ophelia watched as Yuna made her way to the door at the top of the stairs, waiting for the heavy door to lift. One minute turned to two, which quickly turned to five. Finally, Yuna turned back to the others, a puzzled expression on her face.
"I don't understand. The door won't open. Has the fayth been stolen once more?" The others looked at one another and shrugged, and Tidus rose from where he'd been sitting on the floor, stretching.
"Guess so. Let's get moving then."
"Wait." Everyone turned to Auron, who eyed the door for a long moment before speaking again. "Ophelia, go up there with Yuna."
"What? Why?" Ophelia sounded more than a little put out at being forced to go negotiate with a summon rather than stay with him. Auron sighed and shook his head, his expression hidden, as usual.
"It's a feeling I have."
At that, Ophelia gave him a dirty look and moved up the stairs, stopping when she'd reached her sister. As if on command, the door slid upwards and everyone gasped, with the exception of Auron.
"Um, guess we'd better go on in." Ophelia entered the darkened hall, Yuna close behind. The heavy door slid shut once more behind them, leaving them with the fayth, who eyed them a moment before giving them a short bow.
"You have come to request my services, I see, Ladies Summoner. Greetings. I am known now as Yojimbo, bodyguard to the Mage of Judgement. I have been hidden all these years, awaiting your arrival."
"Excuse me?" Ophelia moved closer and sat cross-legged on the floor before the fayth and his statue. "You're to guard me? Little old me? I thought you were Yuna's summon." Yuna came and sat beside her, and they exchanged a look.
"Yes. I am not your Aeon, Lady Ophelia, but your sisters. One is to guard, while the other is to fight. I will help with that. For too long we fayths have waited for the Sisters Of Atonement, and to see you alive, well, and in your correct places…" Yojimbo trailed off, looking from Yuna to Ophelia. "It eases our souls, my Ladies."
"The…Sisters Of Atonement? Us?" Yuna gazed at Yojimbo with wide eyes. "We are the fulfillment of the prophesy?"
"Wait! Don't tell me that we're both this whachamacalit." Ophelia crossed her arms, looking skeptical. "I mean, I've already been told I'm the Mage of Judgement, now you want to tell me I'm this other thing, too?"
Yojimbo chuckled. "Yes, Lady. And it is good to see you."
"I guess…I guess now we should negotiate your payment." Yuna stood and pulled out the satchel that contained every bit of gil the party had. "It's not much, but we need your help."
"That is not necessary, Lady." Yojimbo held up a transparent hand, shaking his head. "Payment has already been received."
"Huh?" Before Ophelia could say anything further, Yojimbo joined with Yuna, leaving the younger woman shaken and pale. "Yeah, I know that feeling," she muttered, helping Yuna rise to her feet. "C'mon, let's get out of here, before they try to call us something else. All this responsibility's getting to me."
That earned a weak smile from Yuna, who nodded, and they both exited the chamber, Yuna supported by Ophelia. The others turned and watched them slowly descend the stairs, and when they reached the bottom, Kimahri came and took Yuna, while Ophelia slumped against a pillar.
"What a trip."
Yuna nodded and then looked up at Auron. "Sir Auron, I have a request." When Auron nodded she took in a deep breath and stood straight. "I wish to become Ophelia's guardian, with your permission."
The others looked back and forth at each other, confused, but Auron only hid a smile behind his collar. "If you are certain."
"I am." Yuna turned to the others, her balance still a little off, but her will was like steel. "I am henceforth the Mage of Testimony, and guard to the Mage of Judgement. I swear before you all that I will give my life so that she may continue the pure fight against Sin."
"Wait wait wait." Wakka shook his head, obviously baffled. "You trying to tell us that the prophesy is true? That you two are the Sisters of Atonement?"
Yuna held up the sack of gil and rattled it. "If Yojimbo's giving his services for free is any proof, then you now have it."
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They camped before the trail up Mount Gagazet, where the cold wind blew from high above. Ophelia was huddled next to the campfire along with Rikku and Tidus, attempting to get warm. It wasn't working. The fire, conjured from magic, did not go out, but it didn't put out much heat, either. Ophelia found herself really wishing that she had bought those warmer clothes in Macalania when she'd had the chance, but of course, she reminded herself once again, she'd gotten mad at Auron and stomped out.
Something soft and thick fell into her lap and she picked it up, realizing it was warmer clothes. She looked up and caught Auron's smirk before he turned and walked away to the other side of the fire, sitting on a log. She only shook her head and stepped into Yuna and Lulu's tent, quickly shedding the thin garments she was wearing and quickly pulling on the thicker, warmer ones.
It was obvious Auron was looking for function and style, and though she was a bit scandalized that the clothing was a little tight, she shook her head, holding in a giggle. Even legendary guardians needed eyecandy, too, she supposed.
She stepped back out of the tent, happy when she realized that the wind didn't cut through her half as bad, and secretly preening under the appraising looks she received from the males, especially Auron. She sashayed over to Auron and sat daintily on the log next to him, obviously fishing for a compliment. Auron slid her a glance, a grin pulling at the corners of his mouth, but he said nothing and slid an arm around her, pulling her closer. She huffed but snuggled down anyway, the pull of his body heat too strong.
Auron leaned closer and brushed his lips over her brow, and she sighed. Then a horrible thought struck her. They were at Mount Gagazet, which meant that they were close to Zanarkand. And when they reached Zanarkand, she and Yuna would fight Sin and then Auron would…She felt tears sting her eyes and hid her face in the folds of his jacket, not wanting him to see her crying.
He reached down and tipped her face upward, and she bit her lip when his brow creased in a frown. "Something is troubling you."
She nodded and sniffled, avoiding his gaze. "It's not important, promise."
"You're a poor liar."
Ophelia flinched. "Yeah, well, it's nothing." She started to rise and move to the other side of the fire, but he held her against him.
"Tell me."
She sighed and looked away. "You'll only get angry."
"Of course I won't. You know that." He traced her lips with his thumb, and tears filled her eyes once more.
"I just thought that the more we travel, the closer we get to Zanarkand. And the closer we get to Zanarkand, the sooner I'll-" Her voice broke and she wiped her eyes. "I'll lose you," she finished simply.
Auron's mouth tightened, and Ophelia ducked her head once more. He was angry.
She felt his hand, minus its usual glove, slip through her hair to the back of her neck, and she glance up, wondering what he was doing.
"I'm not angry. And though we both know what is to happen once Sin is defeated, it doesn't mean it hurts any less." His hand moved to cup her cheek, and she leaned into him, closing her eyes against more tears. "If things were different…Well, there's no reason to dwell upon those thoughts. Just know that no matter what happens, I love you."
Ophelia nodded, her eyes still shut tight against the tears. His hand slipped away from her cheek and she felt him rise, finally trusting herself to open her eyes. In the few moments that she and Auron and talked, it had grown pitch black here at the bottom of the mountain, and the others had either retired or were gazing into the fire, the only illumination in the dark shadow of the mountain. She rose as well, her energy suddenly spent, and stumbled when she started to move toward the extra tent that had been set up for her and Auron, as it was far too cold here to sleep upon the ground. Auron, ever watchful, caught her around the waist and guided her to the tent and then inside, gently helping her undress before putting her to bed. She took all of this apathetically, her thoughts too overwhelming, and her body and mind too tired. She barely even acknowledged when he slid into bed next to her, until he pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair. She snapped to life then, and wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him possessively, perhaps with the childish belief if she held onto him tight enough, he wouldn't leave.
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Amanda: Well, that was a melancholy little conclusion to this chapter. Sorry about that. I was reading "Opening your eyes" by SpazKit, and I kind of took it from Ophelia's perspective, which would be far more sad, don't you think? Anyway, more to come soon, with a lot more angst on Ophelia's part. Till then, fuzzy chocobos!