Author's Notes: I changed a few things in the original script and I'm fully aware of it. Moreover, all OOCness was intended - if you don't like my interpretation of Seymour, go on and write your own story, I'd be glad to read it - no sarcasm here. Remember, he's only twenty years old in my fic - it makes him a bit different from the Seymour you all know. Thanks for all your support and tolerance.

Chapter Three: The Fool and the Cynic

"The road is off-limits," a solemnly looking guard repeated patiently for the third time. Tidus, Auron and Lulu had been reasoning with him for the past three minutes, but the stubborn Crusader knew better. He wasn't going to let the group pass.

"Look," Auron finally began to show signs of irritation, "Lady Yuna is a summoner. She has to continue her pilgrimage."

"Sir, I understand, but orders are orders," the guard insisted.

Lulu looked at her one-eyed companion. "Maybe we could bribe him?" she mouthed.

"Don't you understand anything?" Tidus addressed the Crusader, heaving an exaggerated sigh. "We're gonna beat Sin! The sooner the better! I can't wait to--"

Lulu cut him short by putting a hand on his arm. "Don't."

"Huh?" the boy blinked. "What are you talkin' about?"

"Don't be so enthusiastic about this."

"What d'ya mean?"

"You will see when the time comes," she replied. Her explanation was vague, to say the least. It sounded nearly like a warning. A few seconds of awkward silence passed, before she finally looked away.

"Let's go and tell Yuna," Tidus suggested. "Maybe there's some other way…"

"There is no other way," Auron informed him coldly.

"Damn!" the boy exclaimed. "…Why can't you make an exception for us!?"

"I'm sorry," the guard shook his head. "Absolutely no one but the Crusaders may pass!"

"Even a maester of Yevon?" somebody spoke in a calm voice.

"Sir!" the man fell to his knees.

Tidus, Auron and Lulu turned around, noticing several, maybe a dozen people, mostly of Guado descent, who had just come to halt a few meters away. They all rode chocobos.

Seymour jumped down from the saddle and approached the small group of three, stopping right in front of Auron.

Incredible… he eyed the tall man inadmiration. Auron? The famed warrior monk, Lord Braska's guardian? What is he doing here? It had been many years since Braska, the great summoner, had defeated Sin - Auron, who had become equally famous by then, had simply disappeared a few months later.

Seymour frowned, slightly wrinkling his nose. There was something strange about this man; he could sense it… The air that surrounded him didn't smell nice. It was… the stench of the Farplane? Then, all of a sudden, the half-Guado saw it - pyreflies floating around Auron's body. He nearly gasped as the realization struck him.

An unsent? But how? Why is he still here? What binds him to this dimension?

"Are you all right… maester?" the former monk asked; his voice sarcastic, cold and hostile. As if, for some reason, he disliked the priest… or all priests in general.

Seymour realized that he had been staring. "I am sorry," he said quickly. "Sir Auron, it is an honor…" he hesitated, but curiosity took over. "I would have been most interested in hearing what you've been doing for these past ten years." …Especially considering your current state…

"I've got nothing to say about it," Auron replied, turning his back on Seymour and walking away. His behavior had been so offensive that the young lord fell speechless for quite a long while.

"I...see," he finally said.

"Such audacity…" one of the Guado laid a hand on his weapon. "Roushi-sama?"

Seymour wordlessly shook his head.

"Auron is a troubled man, my lord," Lulu's deep voice broke the unpleasant silence. "Please, forgive him."

The maester met her gaze. "I believe we didn't have the pleasure…?"

"I'm Lulu. And this is Tidus."

"I know," Seymour nodded. "You are the new blitzball star, aren't you?"

Tidus smiled. "Yeah…" Lulu pinched his arm, so he finished quickly "…Maester Seymour."

"You were absent when I was handing the cup to the Besaid Aurochs."

"I'm not really a team member," the boy explained. "Just a friend of Wakka, that's all…"

"Maester," Lulu interrupted him, "May we ask a favor of you?"

"Of course," Seymour nodded, even though he couldn't help but glance at Auron. He may be a great man, and yet… How dared he to address me in such a rude manner? Why should I help him?

"We all accompany Lady Yuna in her pilgrimage. Right now, we are on our way to Djose, but the guard won't let us pass…"

"Lord Kinoc's orders are strict," the Crusader saluted, raising a fist to his chest, as if to demonstrate his strength. "My lord, the maester awaits you in the command center, which lies up ahead, on Mushroom Beach. Our men will show you the way."

Seymour ignored him. They're all Yuna's guardians? Auron included? Hm, it makes sense. He was, after all, protecting Braska-sama ten years ago… But he's now dead! Why haven't Yuna sent him? Doesn't she know?

Where is she, anyway?

Suddenly, as if on cue, he could hear quiet footsteps. He turned around.

"Lady Yuna… We meet again."

He smiled at her and for a split of a second Yuna's heart nearly stopped beating.

Seymour's incredible violet eyes seemed so full of life when the bright light of the morning shone in them. His face, though slightly tanned, was delicate. His elegant robe, opened in the front, revealed a very attractive chest. He was slender and tall… the pure embodiment of grace and beauty. Yuna gulped, suddenly feeling guilty. He's a maester, the spiritual leader of all people! I shouldn't think about him in these categories… Blushing, she knelt down.

Meanwhile, Wakka walked up to Auron. "So, what's goin' on?" he whispered. "He came to stop the Crusaders, eh?"

"Ask him yourself," Auron shrugged.

Wakka hesitated - he had enormous respect for priests; he feared saying something improper in front of Seymour. Still, he was a direct man, so he took a few steps forward, then bowed.

"Excuse me... Maester Seymour?" he began nervously. "Why is your Lordship… presently… present here… sir?"

That was certainly not the most eloquent thing to say. A bit perplexed, Seymour stared at the red-haired man. "Please… speak as you normally would."

"Isn't this operation against the teachings of Yevon?" the blitzer didn't mince his words. "Aren't you gonna stop them?"

"It's true..." Seymour replied seriously. "I should. However..." he looked straight into Wakka's eyes. "Both the Crusaders and the Al Bhed truly wish peace for Spira. Operation Mi'ihen was born from that wish they share. Although it may be sacrilege to Yevon, their intentions are pure. And I, Seymour van Jyscal - the person, not the maester of Yevon... As a denizen of Spira… I wish them well in their endeavor."

He's right, Yuna thought. It doesn't matter who they are and what they use, as long as they have common happiness in mind. The end justifies the means, at least it this case…

"Even going against the teachings they're willing to risk it for the greater good," she said quietly, looking at her stubborn friend. "Wakka, I think Maester Seymour sees that, too."

"But, using machina... That's bad, isn't it?"

"Pretend you didn't see them," Seymour raised a hand to his chin.

Wakka gasped. "Beg your pardon, but that's not something a maester should say!"

"Then pretend I didn't say it."

"But… but… That's a blasphemy!" the blitzer exclaimed.

Seymour narrowed his eyes. "You dare to question my faith in Yevon?"

"No!" Wakka paled. "Of course not!"

"I am sure that you will eventually understand," Seymour said in a much softer voice. "For the time being, however, let us all head to the command center. There may be fiends up ahead, so, for the sake of Lady Yuna's safety, I suggest that we stay close to each other."

"Don't you have to hurry… my lord?" Auron suddenly asked. He hid his hostility under a thick layer of false politeness, but Seymour knew better. "We don't ride chocobos, so we would be slowing down your journey."

"Yeah, and Yuna's not alone," Tidus added, "we're her guardians, right? Besides, the road's swarming with crusaders, we're gonna be safe."

Yuna remained silent. An argument with Auron was out of question.

"Very well," Seymour felt angry and disappointed, but he didn't want to appear pushy. "We will meet on the beach."

I saw her for the first time exactly nine days ago and, ever since then, I can't stop thinking about her… he realized, forcing his chocobo to trot a bit faster. The dusty road went on and on, endlessly, and the ocean was still nowhere in sight.

People say that she is only seventeen… one of the youngest summoners in the history of Spira. Why has she decided to set out on a pilgrimage? Does she really want to sacrifice everything? She had a choice and she chose her own death? I guess it takes an unbelievable amount of courage and determination… I don't understand it. He bit his upper lip. I can't accept it…

All right, so I'm also a summoner, Seymour thought, …but I'm not going to return to Zanarkand any time soon. …Am I only a coward, hiding behind my duties as a maester? Of course, I'm afraid of death… but that's not it. I'm not going to become a High Summoner, because I can't sacrifice my life just like that, I have to think about the future… I'm the leader of all Guado, the only heir to the throne.

The only heir to the throne? He smiled bitterly. What would Tromell say if he knew that I felt this way about a human woman? Most probably, he would be devastated… knowing him, he would try to dissuade me from involving myself into such an affair. He would say that I should marry some beautiful Guado, maybe he would even try to arrange a marriage in order to preserve our race…

Our race… he shuddered. They were never truly my race… and yet I still belong to them.

If I had a child with a human, what would become of the Guado? Surely, this child wouldn't be allowed to rule in Guadosalam… He frowned. Damn. This is pathetic. I'm going too far in my assumptions…

But… I can't stop thinking about Yuna… What exactly am I feeling?

"Roushi," a servant broke his train of thought, "the guide says we are almost there."

Seymour nodded. They were still riding uphill. He noticed several intriguing shapes standing on the verge of a picturesque cliff. They resembled thick, long tubes aimed at the ocean. Despite spending some time in Bevelle, which was practically filled with so-called 'forbidden' machina, Seymour had never seen such things before.

"What are these?" he asked, gesturing at the nearest one.

"Weapons, my lord," the Crusader that led the group answered. "We named them 'fire trunks'… the Al Bhed call them 'cannons', though."

"Cannons?" he repeated, carefully pronouncing the unknown word. "How do they work?"

The man gave him a strange look, surprised at the curiosity in Seymour's voice. Using machina, was, after all, a blasphemy - the high priest could turn a blind eye to their presence on the beach, but he definitely shouldn't sound interested. "Basically," he explained, "if you put some kihbuftan in, they will hit the enemy with liquid fire. That's all I know, sir, I've never seen them working before."

Sounds like a bit more complicated version of firaga to me, Seymour absently wondered. Is it more powerful than magic?

A few minutes later they reached the upper cliff. Scores of people were running around, shouting orders or following them. Nasty looking fiends trashed about in their cages. Scared by the monsters, numerous chocobos squealed and flapped their tiny wings; people were trying to calm them down. Kinoc's large tent towered over everything.

The air smelt of rain; it was heavy, filled with barely perceptible electricity. Seymour sighed. Somewhere in the distance, a storm was brewing.

Maester Kinoc, the leader of warrior monks and Crusaders alike, satbehind a small desk, engaged in some paperwork. Even though he commanded the elite warriors of Spira, he resembled no fighter at all; it seemed obvious that his hands were unused to holding a sword. He was a short, bald, well-rounded man with dark-brown eyes and unnaturally pale complexion.

"Kinoc-roushi?" Seymour spoke, stopping at the entrance to the tent.

The older maester jerked his head up, a broad smile instantly crossing his chubby features. "Ah, Seymour, you startled me. Come on, have a seat."

"Do we really have time for this?" the high priest asked, noiselessly walking up to an offered chair.

"Well, I suppose that there's always time for a little chat. We haven't seen each other for a while… It's been two years, correct? Yevon only knows, many things have changed… Enjoying your new position as a maester, aren't you?" he smiled again, baring his white teeth.

Seymour didn't like Kinoc's smug expression, besides, he could vaguely remember his father warning him against this man not a very long time ago. "Kind of," he didn't smile back. "Tell me something… " he was still unused to the fact that, being a maester, he could skip Kinoc's official title. "Do you really think that this operation will succeed?"

"Succeed?" the man laughed. "Didn't Mika tell you?"

"…Tell me what?" Seymour echoed.

"Fine, I'll explain," Kinoc sighed, resting his hands on the top of his desk. "You see, the main goal of this operation is not to destroy Sin. Even though, in my opinion, the machina may have a certain potential, I am not this naive to believe that Sin could ever be defeated without the Final Summoning…"

"So?" the young man frowned.

"As you realize, the Al Bhed and the Crusaders defy the teachings of Yevon, questioning our authority. In other words, they are the troublemakers of Spira. They may become dangerous in the near future…" Kinoc paused. "…Therefore, I decided to get rid of them."

Seymour gasped. "What?"

"It's a brilliant plan, believe me. If the Crusaders win today, their victory will bring glory to us, the maesters of Yevon… Hm…" he rubbed his chin. "I must admit that there is a tiny chance of success. Anyway, if they fail, which is, may I add, much more plausible, we will just wash our hands of everything, announcing the world that it was a predictable punishment for their sins…" he trailed off. "Well, what do you think?"

It's sick, Seymour thought. I know I'm not innocent myself, but… There is a certain difference between risking people's lives for their own good and watching people's lives getting wasted like this… You betrayed them!

"I can't let you do this," he stood up.

"Hmph," Kinoc also rose from his chair, his movements slow and full of dignity, "I'm sorry to hear that. Anyway, you can't do anything about this, it's too late. These people are determined and aware of the danger. They came here to fight, so, no matter what, they won't run away. I'll just let them dream a little longer. Seymour… Even if you told them the truth, they wouldn't believe you. You would only make a fool of yourself."

"And you… You will only make martyrs of them," Seymour replied, crossing his hands at his chest. "After all, they are going to die in a brave attempt to defeat Sin. Do you think that the people of Spira will not appreciate such a sacrifice?"

"People of Spira are gullible. They will believe in everything we tell them… and we will tell them that the Crusaders had to die because they didn't have enough faith in Yevon. They betrayed the teachings, so Sin punished them, it's as simple as that… And the Al Bhed? Nobody likes them, anyway."

He's right, Seymour thought, looking away. They'll consider anything Kinoc says as true. Nobody dares to oppose a maester… but… I'm a maester, too. Doesn't that mean that I have the power to do something?

Kinoc mistook Seymour's silence for a quiet consent. He smiled. "I knew it would be easier to convince somebody who's at least half-human…"

"You didn't convince me," Seymour said through clenched teeth. At least half-human? Who does he think he is? His eyes were sparkling with anger as he turned on his heel and rushed outside, leaving the rather amused Kinoc behind.

The landscape resembled a surreal painting. Everything looked perfect, and yet the impression of melancholy was overwhelming. The gray sky, together with the silent ocean, created a particularly depressing image of a late afternoon.

Yuna sighed as a sudden wave of loneliness overcame her. She brushed a strand of her brown hair aside, glancing in the beach's direction.

Lulu and Wakka were quarreling about the forbidden machina. The blitzer still bore everyone a grudge for being a part in this sacrilege, moreover, he kept praying, for he was convinced that the both Maesters had gone insane. Lulu's clever arguments were obviously falling on deaf ears. Meanwhile, Tidus and Auron had a little sparring - the older man tried to teach the boy a few useful tricks with the sword. Everyone seemed so busy, so preoccupied… Well, Kimahri faithfully stood nearby, but he was quiet and withdrawn as usual. Yuna generally enjoyed his company, but in this particular moment she needed a person to talk to, not a silent listener.

And, suddenly, she saw Seymour. With his arms folded across his chest, the young lord stood on the edge of a short cliff, gazing at the distant horizon. A strong breeze pulled at his thick hair, making them dance in the wind. He wore a grave expression and Yuna could easily sense that something troubled him deeply.

Should I ask him? Yuna wondered. She didn't want to seem obtrusive or ill-mannered, feeling a little bit shy and apprehensive about approaching the maester, yet attracted to him at the same time. Would it be polite? After all, he was a high priest, a nobleman, one of the four people that decided on Spira's fate, while she… she was a nobody… or so she thought. Yuna was by no means a simple girl, however, she was far too modest to admit it.

She slowly approached the man from the behind. "Um… maester Seymour?"

He turned around, his beautiful eyes widening slightly as he saw her. "I'm glad to see you again. How may I help you?" he bowed graciously, much deeper than it was required by simple politeness. It didn't go beyond the girl's notice; she blushed.

"You seem worried, my lord…"

He smiled gently. "Please, there's no need for such formalities."

Yuna flushed again.

My presence makes her uneasy, Seymour assumed, bitter and angry all of a sudden. I wish… I wish I were human. He froze, bitterness instantly changing into fear. Where did this thought come from? It's ridiculous!

What troubles him so? Yuna swallowed hardly. "My lord…" she started out of habit. "Oh… I mean… Do you think they will be able to defeat Sin?"

Seymour didn't reply at first. His gaze swept over the riders gathered on the beach, he also caught a glimpse of the huge cannon, situated far above his head. It looked extremely powerful, but… Seymour inwardly cursed. According to Kinoc, it'll be a disaster. A massacre.

"I believe that there is a chance," he finally spoke. His voice, though delicate, sounded firm and convincing. "We have never tried using machina before…"

Yuna frowned. She didn't know what to think anymore, the entire situation somehow surpassed her. Contrary to Wakka, she wasn't blinded by a strong hatred towards the Al Bhed; she was free of prejudices and irrational xenophobia. Still, the church of Yevon forbade the use of machina… and Seymour was the leader of that church. He had spoken of the operation with such certainty… did he have no doubts at all? Something didn't seem quite right…

"Forgive me," she bowed, "…but you seem rather worried… and so am I. However, these people here… they are truly determined and enthusiastic. They believe in their victory… and I think that it takes faith to defeat Sin."

"Yes…" Seymour absently run a hand through his hair. "Faith is everything…"

What did he mean by that? The tone of his voice… Yuna looked up. His eyes held nearly… a sorrowful look? What was that emotion? She couldn't decide.

"Yuna, promise me something…"

"Yes?" she blinked.

"In case something bad happens… I don't want you to get involved in the turn of events. Stay away from it. It's important. Promise me… Please."

She was really surprised to hear him say that. "But…" she opposed softly, "…if something bad happens, it's my duty to help them."

"Please," he repeated, a tone of urgency in his usually soft voice. I don't want you to get hurt.

"A-all right," she stammered. "If you insist… I promise."

It's so unfair… Seymour though, tearing his eyes away from her beautiful face and looking up, at the gray ocean. People die and are reborn… but they die in pain, leaving the ones who loved them to mourn. Will I ever be able to break the spiral of death? Seymour gaze fell on his slender hands, the very hands he had used to kill his own father…

Was there really no other way?

"Brave Crusaders! Protectors of all Spira! Believe in the path you have chosen! Let faith be your strength!"

Filled with apostrophes, interjections and rhetorical questions, Kinoc's speech was truly magnificent, even though it consisted mostly of empty assurances. Seymour seriously doubted if anybody could sense the hidden hypocrisy; the maester's tone of voice was far too convincing. The Crusaders, for instance, had immediately taken the bait. Their eyes burned with enthusiasm and devotion. Kinoc's oration made them believe that they were indeed the mighty, invincible ones, predestined to defeat Sin.

Yuna and her guardians stood nearby, also listening in to the speech. The girl's delicate face betrayed concern, Tidus was rather curious. Wakka seemed offended with the whole world, while Lulu and Auron remained skeptical. Kimahri's catlike face was expressionless. Seymour, on his part, did his best to hide his anger, avoiding Kinoc's gaze. Lost in thought, he didn't even notice when the maester finished his speech.

As soon as Lord Kinoc disappeared inside the colorful tent, the beach began to seethe with activity. The Crusaders mounted their chocobos. The birds, which had had previously pulled the cages, were being unharnessed. The Al Bhed started to quarrel in some technical jargon.

"Tu hud funno, ed femm lusa!" one of them said, rolling a large barrel of kihbuftan in front of himself.

"What is he saying?" Tidus wanted to know.

"He says that Sin will come for the fiends," Seymour explained absently, not even looking at the boy.

Wakka gasped, about to have another nervous breakdown. The world had gone crazy, or so he thought. A maester who could speak the Al Bhed language? Yevon forbid! Such a sacrilege! The red-haired blitzer smacked his forehead, unable to comprehend what was going on.

The fiends were gradually becoming aggressive and impatient, which clearly meant that Sin, their master, was near. Suddenly, one of the cages shook violently. The hinges broke and a large creature crawled outside, moving about with surprising speed.

"Look out!" Auron shouted, drawing his katana and breaking into a run.

Lulu calmly raised a hand into the air, forming an ice spell with her slender fingers, but Kimahri was much faster. The nimble Ronso caught up with the serpent, swinging his spear at its head with a loud roar, and yet missing the creature by a few inches. The enraged monster hissed, baring his venomous fangs, however, Auron was already at Kimahri's side. As soon as he plunged his sword into the fiend's crimson throat, various people started to yell.

"SIN!"

"Ud'c rana!"

"Sin is coming!"

It was true. An enormous black shadow moved stealthy deep beneath the surface. Tiny ripples than covered the water were gradually changing into waves, while a gray mass slowly aroused from the ocean, forming a giant, repulsive creature. Seymour, who could see Sin for the first time in his life, took an involuntary step back.

"Vena!" somebody shouted.

The Al Bhed cannons were fired; rays of pure energy hit the monster, unable to pierce its shell. However, large pieces of the creature's thick skin started to come off - Sin responded to the attack by releasing its spawn. Fiends were falling into the water one by one. As soon as they hit the surface and dived underneath, they swam as fast as they could in the beach's direction.

"Charge!" a young woman yelled at the top of her voice. With their swords drawn, the chocobo riders bolted forward, bursting into the agitated ocean several seconds later. Hundreds of monsters awaited them in the shallows. The battle began.

And then… a tragedy came. Sin stretched its muscles and a large barrier of energy surrounded its massive body. Suddenly, it exploded, bathing everything in a white light. The blow was so powerful that it instantly reached the Crusaders on the shore, killing people and fiends alike. Most of them were turned to dust in less than no time.

"No!" Yuna cried out, raising a hand to her face to shield her eyes against the dazzling whiteness. "It can't be happening!" As soon as the light was gone, she run up to the edge of the cliff and stopped there, unsure what to do next, clasping her staff so hard that her palms hurt. The truth was, she couldn't do anything, but she was far from accepting it.

"Yuna!" Without a second thought, Seymour followed her.

I must help them! The girl clenched her teeth, raising the summoner's rod. "Stand back, everyone! Valefor, I beg you, come to my si-"

"Yuna!" the maester grabbed her wrist from the behind. "Stop!"

"But I have to!" she shouted back, spinning around to face the tall man.

"You can't!" he let go of her, a bit roughly, yet careful not to hurt her. "Your aeons don't stand a chance against it!"

For a second they just wordlessly stared at each other, equally desperate and frustrated. And then, all of a sudden, the main Al Bhed weapon awoke, firing a huge blast of energy in Sin's direction. The blow pushed the creature several meters away, however, its transparent barrier held and the beast, though certainly in trouble, didn't even seem wounded.

Seymour watched the apocalyptic scene with his hands clenched into fists. The noise was unbelievable, but the man didn't cover his ears. Something inside him snapped, making him unable to move. He just stood there, perfectly still, his lips pressed into a thin line, anger sparkling in his eyes. The Al Bhed were loosing the battle and Seymour knew it.

Without warning, a portion of Sin's barrier shot forward, smashing the cannon with unbelievable strength. The powerful explosion made the cliff shake. Yuna dropped her staff to the ground and stumbled backwards, straight into Seymour's arms. She leaned against his bare chest, seeking safety and protection there. Too terrified to be fully aware of her actions, she wrapped her hands around the man, pressing her pale cheek against his smooth skin. No, she wasn't crying, but her lips trembled. She had never seen death on such a large scale before.

Neither had Seymour. Nevertheless, Yuna entirely distracted his attention from the carnage. How-? Why did she do this? The young master gasped softly, instinctively returning the embrace. He was neither shy nor totally inexperienced with women, and yet he nearly blushed. Moreover, it felt so good to be held this way… Seymour looked away. What's happening to me?

Neither of them spoke. Meanwhile, Sin finished its work of destruction, the translucent barrier disappeared. The accursed creature submerged and swam away with a loud rumbling.

Where terror had left a hollow emptiness, reality was beginning to pour in. Yuna looked up, finally noticing her awkward position. Her face, previously white as a sheet, turned crimson.

Not willing to embarrass her further, the maester lowered his arms. Yuna instantly took a few steps back, covering her mouth with a slender hand.

"Oh!" she stammered. "I-I'm sorry! I-I shouldn't have…"

Seymour didn't reply, he just watched the girl intently. Suddenly, an anguished scream broke the silence.

"Help me! Heeelp!"

Both summoners spun around.

Seymour's violet eyes widened as he finally saw debris and human corpses scattered everywhere. Again, he simply froze, not entirely believing in what he could see. Various thoughts were passing through his head. Everyone is dead and I'm the one responsible… NO! Why do I blame myself! It's all Kinoc's fault! …Damn! I could have stopped him… With his arms hanging loosely at his side, he just stood there, completely motionless, gazing at bloodstained sand. Wind pulled at his hair. His eyes were blank, dispassionate.

Why? Why did I let this happen…?

Yuna gasped, focusing on something entirely different. She spotted the man who had been screaming. A massive fiend, which had somehow survived the massacre, pinned his leg to the ground, obviously tying to eat the wounded human alive. Without any second thoughts, Yuna rushed in his direction, ignoring the bodies that lay in her path. She was weaponless, for her staff had fallen much earlier from her hands.

"Yuna! Wait!" Seymour shouted, breaking into a run.

End of Chapter Three

Quit/ keep writing?