Return of Light
"WHAT?!" Rikku squawked, leaping from her seat and staring wide-eyed at the Al Bhed messenger standing just a few feet in front of her, her eyes popping open wide. He leapt back, startled by her sudden vocal exclamation and physical reaction.
He struggled over his English. "That right. Yuna and Tidus come soon. Pilgrimage begin arrive. Tell others. Get prepare. Must do it to sa—save Spira." He beamed, having made it through. Rikku nodded, bobbing her head up and down and pursing her lips in thought.
"Right. Thanks," Rikku muttered, waving him away with her hand, distracted. He gave a quick bow before turning and vanishing up a flight of stairs. She bit her lower lip, glancing out the window of the inn at Chappu and Wakka, both of whom were working on setting the gate on its hinges.
She sighed. "Guess I'll go tell Lulu and Zeoron first."
Rikku pushed open the door and stepped out into the hot mid-afternoon Besaidian sun. She shaded her eyes against the intense light and glanced around, searching for the two Mages.
"Over here, Rikku!"
Rikku turned and spotted the pair lounging back in the shade of some trees, chatting casually. Zeoron waved again and Rikku started toward them.
Zeoron was the first to notice Rikku's grim face and muttered to Lulu, grimacing, "This doesn't look like it's gonna be good. Damn. I was just starting to feel comfortable again."
She jerked her head at Rikku. "What's up?" Zeoron asked.
Rikku sighed and played absently with a strand of blond hair. "I just received a message from Yuna and Tidus. They're on their way here."
"What? Why?" Lulu sat up quickly, removing her eyes from Wakka and turning the scarlet orbs on Rikku, fixing her with a pointed stare, one eyebrow raised for effect.
Rikku sat down on the end of Zeoron lounge chair. "They sent an Al Bhed messenger ahead with the news. All he could tell me is that they're coming here and to stay put until they arrive. Apparently, Yuna is going on another pilgrimage through Spira."
"Another pilgrimage? Whatever for?" Lulu asked, startled. She frowned at Zeoron; Zeoron's jaw had dropped. Disappoint in the younger Black Mage's reaction nearly defeated her own astonishment—but not quite. After all the lessons on a cool, calm, and collected appearance of a Mage, Zeoron just had to prove she wasn't a good pupil in that department. Lulu decided to redouble her efforts on teaching Zeoron; failure never suited her very well.
"No idea. She didn't send word for that. Just to 'be prepared.' Think we can handle that?" Rikku said, nodding in Chappu and Wakka's direction.
Zeoron regained her senses and bobbed her head. "Yeah, I think we can handle it. A pilgrimage should be a cinch considering what my last one was. I joined up a little late but somehow just in time."
"Right. Zeo, why don't you go tell Chappu and Wakka?" Lulu suggested. Zeoron saluted Lulu and got up, shifting around Rikku and walking calmly but swiftly toward the two men.
"What is it, Lulu?" Rikku asked, lowering her voice and leaning toward the elder woman. Her swirled bottle green eyes darkened with flecks of emerald.
Lulu sighed and shook her head. "I'm not really sure, Rikku. A pilgrimage after all this time? What on Spira could this possibly mean? It does seem a little strange, you know," she said, pressing a finger to her lips thoughtfully.
"I know what ya mean. But I'm sure Yuna's got an explanation, and it's a good one I know. She and Tidus will be here tomorrow. They're coming on the Titan. It's the fastest airship we've got. We'll talk to her about it then," Rikku murmured, smiling reassuringly at Lulu though she, too, felt unease at the notion of a second pilgrimage for Yuna.
"I guess you're right, Rikku. I'll try not to worry." Lulu smiled gently and looked up at the bright blue sky. "I can't wait for all this to be over, Rikku."
Rikku followed Lulu's gaze. "I can't either."
* * *
"Where in Spira did you learn how to pilot an airship?" Yuna demanded of her husband, grabbing one of the bolted-in chairs to stop herself from flying headfirst into one of the side panels.
Tidus chuckled nervously and threw her a grin over his shoulder. "Relax, Yuna. I know enough to keep us in the air and then to land and take off again. Besides, Rikku will know more I do. She'll take care of it, I'm sure." He turned his gaze back out the front window. "I hope."
Yuna sighed and sat down, massaging her temples with her fingertips. "My husband is insane," she muttered, shooting a glower at Tidus's back.
"What?" Tidus called, glancing back at her.
"Nothing, nothing." Yuna waved her hand dismissively, crossing her legs and reaching for her new staff. She'd been working on it for months. It wasn't exactly Nirvana, but it would do. She had yet to think of a name suitable enough.
It was about the same length as Nirvana had been, only an inch or so longer. The rod was blue, as Nirvana's had been, but with intricate silver décor weavings up it. The top ornament was golden wings with some flushing of pink and white. A circular diamond-shaped bright pink crystal that sparkled and glowed faintly with power rested in the center of the wings, joining them together. Ribbons dangled from just below the adornment: gold, blue, pink, and white. Rikku had helped her to engrave something on the rod, nearly hidden by the ribbons. Written, in silver, were the following words:
Eh mujehk sasuno uv Dety, so tyikrdan.
Yuna smiled to herself and ran a finger delicately over the engraved words, a single tear appearing in her right eye. She chuckled and wiped it away. "No more tears, Yuna. You've got to be strong." In afterthought, she added, "And you've got to think of a name for this thing."
Tidus looked over his shoulder at his wife, watched her examine her new staff with a smile. She was so beautiful. Why was it every time he looked at her, she was so much more lovely than the last time?
* * *
"Chappu, you lazy bum! Wake up!" Zeoron raised her voice. Chappu didn't move but he did snore louder than ever. Zeoron growled and something familiar, something mischievous, flickered over her eyes.
She leapt onto the bed, gazing down at Chappu with a smirk appearing on her crimson lips. She raised her hand over head and brought it down.
"THUNDER!"
Lightning shot out of thin air and singed the pillow Chappu's head was resting on. But still it didn't faze Chappu. He went on snoring like nothing had even happened.
"Argh!" Zeoron jumped twice on the bed, rocking it. She stumbled and jumped back down from the bed before turning back to the stubborn male currently sleeping in it.
"Zeo? Having fun?" Wakka walked up, grinning at having watched Zeoron's attempts to wake up the sleeping black-haired youth resulting in her growing ever closer to throwing a major temper tantrum.
"Yes, I'm having the time of my life!" she cried sarcastically, rolling her eyes and flinging one hand out. She glowered at Wakka, who only laughed.
"It's like this. Yo, Chappu…" Something distracted Wakka out the window and he peered out. "Hey—isn't that the Spirit Keeper those guys are stealing?"
It all happened in a blur. Chappu's eyes shot open and he was on his feet in less than half a second. In the other half, he was racing for the door, murder written in his eyes and he charged out, yelling.
"Come back here, you damn little thief!"
Zeoron blinked, and then broke into a fit of giggles. "Nice work, Wakka! Wait until he realizes he just took off in barefoot and in just his boxers! Oh, I gotta see his face!" She took off after Chappu, still giggling.
Wakka shook his head. "Think that's funny? I was serious; somebody really was stealing the Spirit Keeper. Oh well." He sighed. "At least I got him up. Score two for me!"
"Wakka, dear, your fly is open."
"What? Oh, shit!"
Eh mujehk sasuno uv Dety, so tyikrdan ~ In loving memory of Tida, my daughter.
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