Return of Light
Chappu hated this. He scowled and flopped backward onto the bed in the chamber. Sighing, he let his thoughts drift off. Hazily, he wondered if Tidus and Yuna were doing all right in the Cloister. Light knew this distinguishing Trial was of the most multifaceted and exceptionally lengthy in culmination time. He smiled; solving the Trials with Tida had been quite the escapade. It had taken the two of them, efforts at last combined instead of continuing to be stubborn, at the very least three days to make it through—and that was just to the get into the Chamber of the Fayth. On the way back, they had only taken a few hours.
Chappu closed his eyes. This pilgrimage was nearly over; only three temples left to visit: Zanarkand, Baaj, and Remiem. Baaj Temple… Chappu winced. He knew he'd be called to swim into the cursed black murky waters and travel inside the damp and grimy ruins of the remains of the once magnificent temple. He sighed. It was actually kind of melancholy. There so much destruction and ache within the world... and most of it just happened to be embodied inside the sacred makeup of the captive Dark Aeon, Anima.
Chappu rolled over, facing the pale yellow wall. He smiled lazily; at least he could get some sleep while Yuna and Tidus waged war with the Trials.
—
"I'm bored," Zeoron announced, breaking the silence that had long since reigned. She stood up, hands resting on her hips as she looked over the room. Rikku glanced up from her glowing viewing sphere, frowning. Lulu and Wakka paused in their discussion of shadowfiends and turned their heads in Zeoron's direction for a split second before their eyes went back to each other's, their conversation resuming.
Zeoron scowled and stamped her foot, balling her hands into fists. "Come on, you guys! We gotta do at least do something constructive while we're here! Besides," she added, "it's so boring just sitting in here waiting. We'll know if they get in trouble; Rikku's got her jewel!" Zeoron exhaled exasperatedly.
No reply.
"Argh! You guys are impossible! I'm outta here!" she exclaimed, flinging her hands in the air and stalking out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Rikku smiled. "Ah, to be young again," she sighed dreamily, laughing. She exchanged glances with Lulu and Wakka and returned her sphere.
—
"Tavern brawl!" Zeoron cried, running forward and halting in front of a banister. She giggled as she watched the bizarre entertainment scene unfolding below.
At least thirty men and women were scuffling with each other in front of a large tavern doubly entitled "Savior of Spira." Zeoron grinned wryly at the title before averting her eyes back to the fight. Women were screeching and clawing at each other while grunts and shouts from the men reigned in. As Zeoron watched, one of the men pulled a chair from one of the patio tables and bashed it over another man's head. Zeoron winced before her eyes were riveted onto three women, all three ganged up on a particularly large man who was cowering back as they closed in on him. And then, as one, the three women all pounced in a whirl of flying hands and feet, complete with swishing dress skirts.
"Whoa," Zeoron muttered, her eyes wide with surprise but filled with anticipation. She gave a small laugh.
The war of man against man, woman against woman, and woman against man led on. Zeoron at last began to get bored, what with nothing new or different coming about—although one woman had leapt on one of the tables, holding her fists in the air and screaming, "I am woman—hear me ROAR!" That, at the very least, had drawn a snort of laughter from Zeoron.
Zeoron sighed and turned away, leaning back on her elbows on the balcony. She gazed around, looking for something new to provide her with congenial amusement. Behind her, the shouts of Bevelle city guards caught raucously in the air, their gunshots ringing out and demanding announcement.
Zeoron gave a final glance over her shoulder and strolled off to the left, heading down one hundred ancient white marble steps that were only beginning to show the stains of age. She clicked her way down, jumping on the railing and sliding expertly the rest of the way down, giggling. She leapt off just as she reached the end and landed lightly, looking around eagerly. She smiled and put her hands in the air, arms stretching out diagonally from her body.
"Main Street, aka the Keystone," she said grandly, taking in the sight of the bustling avenue. People were milling about, merchants standing behind their stands and shouting out advertisements and hawkers walking to and fro, yelling out prices for their goods. Buyers and window-shoppers alike hurried all over the grounds, some snatching desirable objects while other only stood back and surveyed it all through wandering eyes. Zeoron inhaled deeply, grinning from ear to ear.
She gave a little skip and started forward, her eyes darting everywhere, trying to take in all the sights at once. She was thoroughly enjoying herself, gazing around in wonder. Zeoron gave a sigh of contentment, her shoulders rising and falling in rhythmic rhyme.
* * *
"Um… Tidus, honey?" Yuna asked timorously, holding up a finger shyly, her shoulder slightly hunched with her other hand behind her back.
"What?" Tidus snapped, whirling around to glare at her. He growled and whipped back around, wanting extremely dreadfully to take out Caladbolg and hack the whole damn door to the ground. He'd cursed and sworn to no end, swearing the Light to raze the barrier, turning it into neat little ashes at his feet.
"Well, uh—"
Tidus whirled back around, glowering at his wife. He paused suddenly, frowning at her. Yuna was pointing off to her right, her shoulders still in their hunched position and she looked slightly sheepish; she brought her left hand around, clutching a small glowing blue globe that Tidus instantly recognized as a Bevelle Sphere. He scowled and strode toward her, jerking the ball from her hand and muttering, he marched to the final slot in the wall and jammed the orb forcefully into the niche. He let a "Ha!" of triumph as the door slid open, allowing them to enter the next room.
Tidus walked back to Yuna, seized her by the wrist, and all but dragged her into the room, muttering oaths under his breath all the way. The door shut behind them.
"Go and pray so we can get the hell out of here. Light, I need a good beer," Tidus mumbled, slumping down against one wall as he waved Yuna on into the Chamber of Fayth. His wife complied and performed the familiar arm moments of prayer—also referred to as the Blitzball sign of victory—and the slats slid aside, allowing Yuna entrance to the Chamber of the Fayth.
Yuna entered the dazzlingly lit room; its flickering flaming torches showering the room with their light. Yuna stepped up and knelt down in front of the glowing glass dome concealing the Fayth of Bahamut, the Dragon Aeon.
Yuna closed her eyes and clasped her hands together, raising her face to the ceiling. She sought for peace, for concentration on her prayer.
"Welcome back to my resting place, High Summoner Lady Yuna. It's very nice to see you again."
Yuna smiled and opened her colored eyes, her hands unclasping as she stood. She gave a quick bow. "Thank you. It's wonderful to be back here. You have asked, so I have come."
The fayth smiled, nodding. "Yes, Lady Yuna. The power of Bahamut, my exalted Aeon, is yours to command. Use him well, Lady Yuna, as you have done before," the fayth said.
"Oh, I will. Do wish to tell me anything else?"
The fayth shook his head. "No, Lady Yuna. I have told you what I could. You have three more temples left to visit, so I would suggest you get going. Our precious bit of time is quickly running out. It's becoming harder and harder to hold it at bay. Please, Lady Yuna, you must hurry. You are Spira's only light of hope right now."
Yuan gave a small audible intake of breath. "Oh, no! Yes, yes! Thank you and goodbye!" she gasped out breathlessly, pivoting quickly and racing out, calling for Tidus.
The fayth watched her go sorrowfully. "Oh, blessed Lady Tida, when will return to save us?"
* * *
Chappu's body jerked and he salt bolt upright, inhaling and exhaling deeply. He gave a sigh of relief, just a dream, just a horrible nightmare. He ran his hand through his hair, giving his head a slight shake.
The doors burst open. "Chappu!" Zeoron cried, and Chappu gave a yell, his body jumping in surprise. He lost his balance and toppled off the bed, landing hard on his face on the floor. He swore vociferously and ferociously, pinching his throbbing nose as he pushed himself up to a sitting position, leaning against the side of the bed.
"Oh, Light, Chappu! I'm sorry!" Zeoron apologized, kneeling in front of him and clicking her teeth together in worry. She bit her lip.
"Forget it," Chappu muttered, his voice odd-sounding as his nostrils were pinched shut. He winced as he clumsily got to his feet, his other, free hand, groping around on the table for the Shattered Heart. Finding it, Chappu grasped the handle and slid back onto his back, ignoring Zeoron's jabbering apologies.
He walked out the wide open doors, still holding his nose. He could make out Tidus and Wakka in a deep discussion while Yuna was consulting seriously with Lulu and Rikku, and all five faces were dark and hard with thought. They looked around as Chappu entered.
"You all right, Chappu?" Tidus called.
"Yeah. Just a bit of a scrape between me and the floor," Chappu replied, finally releasing his nose and shaking his head, clearing away the remainder of the pain. "Let's get out of here, shall we?"
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