Return of Light
"What the hell happened here?!" Chappu shouted, lashing out with the Shattered Heart as a skoll attempted to leap in and close his jaws on Chappu's throat.
"Oh, like I'd really know!" Zeoron yelled back, shrieking and diving out of the way of a rampaging Chimera Brain, a crimson-faced screeching Lulu on its heels, screaming something about destroying something.
Tidus and Wakka were busily tangoing carefully with a set of Anacondaurs, both of which were hissing and lashing out with their tentacles. Tidus spun a side flip, landing in a kneeling position and then rolling over, jumping to his feet and slashing with Caladbolg, taking out two tentacles. He lost his balance, falling back. He stared in horror as, in what seemed like slow motion, a tentacle came out of nowhere, aiming for him. Tidus opened his mouth to shout—
"DOUBLE-CAST—ULTIMA!" two voices cried in unison. Green and black engulfed several fiends, four times total. Many of the fiends shrieked and screeched as they were killed.
Yuna spun in a graceful circle, extending one arm fully out, waving the Nameless in the air. "Come, Shiva, Queen of Ice! I call thee to my aide!"
A sudden frost devastated and the Ice Queen Aeon strode forth, a small smirking smile gracing her clear lips. She gave a barely audible laugh and held up one hand. At once, a shard of ice fell, landing on an Orge swinging furiously at Rikku, who was yelling at every duck and dive.
"All right, ladies and gents, it's time to end this party," Chappu said, holding the Shattered Heart out with extended arms and holding it erect. He closed his eyes and the scarlet sword began to glow with a flickering blue light, like a flame. Chappu's eyes opened and it appeared there were actual fires swirling around in the cobalt orbs.
"FINISHING TOUCH!" Vibrant, howling blue flames rushed forth over the land around them, destroying everything in its path, save for the members of the group. The others stared in fascination as it swept across, taking out the many fiends that had gathered to attack.
Chappu fell to his knees, gasping for air. "Holy hell!"
"Hell is not holy, Chappu," Yuna breathed, leaning heavily on her staff as she puffed for air. Her breathing was profoundly labored. "It hasn't hurt this much since I gave birth to Tida," she muttered, wincing.
"Labor hurts this much?" Lulu asked incredulously.
Yuna glanced at her. "Only for much longer."
Lulu turned narrowed eyes on Wakka. "We are never having kids."
Wakka's eyes widened and he spread his arms out, palms up as if to say "So what?"
"How ya doin', Zeo?" Tidus asked, his cerulean eyes finding the young Black Mage slumped over a boulder facing away from them, panting for breath. She raised her head and looked over her shoulder up at him, wiping her mouth with the back of her gloved hand.
"I remembered what I had for lunch," she said weakly, a feeble smile crossing over her lips. Zeoron's body lurched and she hurriedly turned back around, retching once more.
Rikku wrinkled her nose but went to the girl and pulled her hair back, patiently waiting for Zeoron to finish. When she had, Rikku handed her a pill and insisted Zeoron take it, despite the Mage's shrill but frail protests.
"Let's go, everyone. We're only halfway to Rin's Travel Agency. We'll rest there; possibly spend the night. If we do, which we will more than likely, then tomorrow we'll head for Remiem Temple. I'll ask for the Magus Sisters, and we'll start for Mt. Gagazet. I'm sure Kimahri will give a grand welcome," Yuna said, smiling at the thought of her old and faithful guardian until he had become the leader of the Ronso tribe.
"As you command, dear," Tidus said wryly, glancing around for bearings. Yuna hit his arm lightly and started forward across the plain, heading for the Travel Agency.
Wakka patted his shoulder as he walked by, following Lulu who was in Yuna's wake. Rikku and Zeoron trailed after with Chappu just behind, smirking at Zeoron's back; Rikku had her arm around the girl, who was still a little pale from her vomiting episode.
Tidus threw his arms in the air. "Women."
* * *
"Bed. Goodnight," Zeoron said, walking straight into the tent/room and collapsing on the cot set up against one flap. She buried herself in the blankets and was asleep in within moments, much to the astonishment of Yuna, Rikku, and Lulu.
"Okay, then. Um, sleep well?" Yuna suggested, raising her shoulders slightly in proposal. Rikku and Lulu smiled and nodded to their summoner.
"Good night, Yunie," Rikku said, crawling into her own cot and snuggling as far as she could into the soft blankets. She sighed contentedly.
Lulu and Yuna exchanged glances and shrugs before falling into their own respective cots and pulling the covers over their tired bodies.
—
Tidus looked hard at Chappu, quirking one eyebrow before his eyes moved swiftly to Wakka, who merely glared back at him. Chappu's eyes flickered between the pair and then down before they shot back up to meet Tidus's. Tidus's right eye twitched and Chappu swung his gaze to Wakka, engaging in a small staring contest, a battle of wills, a battle of—
"Call!" Tidus said abruptly.
"Full house," Wakka said, laying his cards down.
Tidus smirked. "Four of a kind, Wakka man. Read 'em and cry," Tidus said smugly, putting a bit of an accent on his words making ''em' should like 'hem' and cry sound like 'crie.'
"Oh, damn." Wakka moaned, slapping his forehead. "There goes my gil."
Tidus laughed and reached for the rather large pile of gil in the center of the table. Chappu's hand shot out, seizing Tidus's wrist. A smirk of his own formed on his face.
"Actually, Tidus, it's read them and weep like a woman," Chappu crowed, throwing his cards on the table. "Royal flush, boys! Ha!" he whooped, scooping the money into his bag while laughing.
Tidus and Wakka cursed and groaned.
* * *
"Morning. Where are the guys?" Yuna said, coming outside. Lulu, Rikku, and Zeoron were sitting outside on crates and discussing chocobo prices.
"Still sleeping. I got it from my good friend Xhera over there that they were up late last night playing poker—in which Tidus and Wakka were massacred by Chappu. So, Yuna, get your yelling voice ready because he bet all his money on the final game and yes, Chappu won it," Rikku said, smirking.
Zeoron giggled. She looked better this morning. "Chappu's always had luck with poker. And he doesn't cheat either. If I'd known, I could've warned Tidus and Wakka."
Lulu sighed. "Neither one has any gil, then. I guess the chocos are on Chappu."
"Actually, they're on me."
"Rin!" Rikku cried, leaping off her crate and racing to hug the Al Bhed man. He smiled at her.
"Hello, Rikku. 1Ruf yna oui?" he said, running a hand through his long blond hair, his swirled green Al Bhed eyes sparkling with joy at seeing them.
"2Paddan dryh ajan, Neh. Yht oui? Ruf'c picehacc?" Rikku said.
"3Yc famm yc ed ajan fyc, dryhg oui. Picehacc ec cdemm puusehk. Fryd pnehkc oui du dra Lyms Myhtc?" Rin asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at the other three.
"4Ur, famm... Muhk cduno, Neh. Cu oui'mm keja ic lrulupuc vun vnaa? Dryhgc!" Rikku cried.
"Um… we don't speak Al Bhed…" Yuna said, breaking in and trailing off. Rin and Rikku looked at her. Rin smiled. "Cunno, Lady Yuna."
"I'm thinking that means sorry," Zeoron guessed, appearing unsure.
"Very good, Miss Zeoron. The chocobos are free. I've been looking for an excuse to buy some more from a trainer for an incredibly good deal. I appreciate you taking some of mine so that I may purchase this new stock. You will need—Yuna, is your husband and Wakka?" Rin broke off, his eyes wandering around for Tidus.
"Still asleep," Yuna muttered wryly, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes.
"5Mywo, oac?" Rin chuckled. "Come with me and we'll collect the chocobos for you all to ride. You are going to Remiem Temple, I understand?"
"Yes, we are," Yuna said, making her voice firm and clear that she would say no more on the subject.
Rin nodded. "This way, ladies."
—
"TIDUS!"
"WAKKA!"
"CHAPPU!"
Tidus, Wakka, and Chappu all bolted upright in bed with yells of surprise as each of their names were shrieked in turn and each by a different woman's voice.
Tidus groaned and winced. "Yuna."
"Lulu," Wakka echoed.
"Zeo," Chappu muttered, rubbing his eyes sleepily.
"MOVE IT! NOW!"
"Yes, ma'am!" all three men cried, sprinting for clothes.
No one argued with Rikku when she screeched like that.
* * *
"Lady Yuna, so wonderful to see you again."
"Welcome back to Remiem Temple, Lady Yuna!"
"I think I know what you want, Lady Yuna."
Yuna smiled warmly at the three fayths of the Magus Sisters. "Thank you for the hospitable welcome. And yes, I have at last come to ask of your assistance."
"It's all yours, Lady Yuna!" the youngest fayth giggled, grinning.
"Yes, Yuna, our power is for you," the eldest agreed.
"Thank you," Yuna said, bowing.
"Use it well," said the middle.
—
"So—on to Gagazet?" Tidus said as Yuna emerged from the Chamber of the Fayth.
Yuna nodded. "Yes."
1Ruf yna oui? – How are you?
2Paddan dryh ajan, Neh. Yht oui? Ruf'c picehacc? - Better than ever, Rin. And you? How's business?
3Yc famm yc ed ajan fyc, dryhg oui. Picehacc ec cdemm puusehk. Fryd pnehkc oui du dra Lyms Myhtc? - As well as it ever was, thank you. Business is still booming. What brings you to the Calm Lands?
4Ur, famm... Muhk cduno, Neh. Cu oui'mm keja ic lrulupuc vun vnaa? Dryhgc! - Oh, well... Long story, Rin. So you'll give us chocobos for free? Thanks!
5Mywo, oac? - Lazy, yes?
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