Thanks again Xmaster for reviewing. I had no idea I misspelled IFIRIT. I'll just change it later on… well, I hope you like this chapter…

CHAPTER 6

The normally busy marketplace of Luca was sparsely filled. Most of its stalls were closed due to the Blitzball game between the Kilika Beasts and the Luca Goers. But even this shortage of people and shops was not accountable for the uneasy silence in the atmosphere. Those that were there were staring flabbergasted at a certain group composed of three individuals that clearly had Al Bhed blood running through their veins. But their heritage was not the reason for the crowd's gawking.

Each one of them was certainly a pleasant sight. A blue-eyed, shorthaired blonde young man with tanned skin clad in a knee-length blue jerkin, black pants, knee-high black boots and a white shirt was the tallest of the trio and led the silent group along the market. He carried a sword on his back and towered over most of the people along the streets. His weapon and height intimidated them, making them back up and give way to the bunch.

The young woman on his left was a remarkable beauty. She too had blonde hair, but it was slightly lighter that that of her companion's. It was neatly tied back into a sizeable bun that hung loosely about her neck. She also possessed tanned skin, but unlike her male comrade she had eyes the color of brilliant amethysts. She was outfitted in a beautiful white dress that reached just below her knees and simple, flat brown leather shoes. The dress had fluid long sleeves. She also wore a gorgeous brown leather bodice that looked far too stalwart for just normal wear, this indicated that this woman was ready for a battle.

But the true reason for the crowd's ogling was the final member of the triad. The young man was only slightly shorter than his sword-carrying companion. He was decked in a multi-colored cloak, which most of the vendors recognized as workmanship from Besaid. Under that he wore a simple black ensemble reminiscent of a warrior monk's frock. His long, silky, raven hair was tied back into a loose ponytail. His eyes were stony gray in color and his skin was as pale as the whitest cloud. And on the left side of his face was a huge scar.

This cicatrix was shaped like an intricate emblem; yet, it did not resemble anything for the crowd. It was as though the scar was a corner to or a part of much bigger image that the curious throng had no knowledge of.

'Oh I wish they'd stop gawking at us.' Thought Lydia miserably as they navigated through the streets of Luca, bound for the Mi'ihen Highroad. 'I know it looks fascinating, but their staring is just so rude!' mentally fumed the guardian as she threw menacing looks at the crowd. Early that morning though, she too stared at her brother's bizarre scar in the same way. But the young woman now had her wits about her and she knew better than to openly gawk at her brother as those around them did.

-----

Ilised had just finished explaining the strange circumstances of her brother's burns when the summoner had entered the room. Upon seeing him Lydia had burst into tears as she realized that all the things she had just heard were true. And as the utter seriousness of the Pilgrimage became more evident to her, the possibility of her beloved brother's death was practically inescapable.

"Landien, you mustn't continue this. It's too dangerous!" begged the woman guardian as she embraced her brother. "You'll die." Half-screamed the mage. "You knew this from the very start, Lydia." Pointed-out the summoner flatly. "No… you can't. You can't die…" argued the sobbing woman. "It is a possibility." Rationalized the older sibling in a more comforting voice.

"Stop being so calm!" exclaimed Lydia as pushed her brother away. "You can't be this calm…" she whimpered as more tears streamed down her cheeks. "Landien, please… please stop this." Pleaded the woman desperately as reached out to touch her brother's scar, but he gently pushed it away.

"You know I won't Lydia." Declared the summoner resolutely. "I have chosen to walk the path of a Summoner. And I will not relent, I shall follow this path through until it takes me to Sin." He proclaimed without hesitation. "You must also realize, sister, that when I defeat Sin I will not only bring a temporary Calm to Spira, but an everlasting peace between the followers Yevon and the Al Bhed." Concluded Landien as he wrapped his arms about his younger sister.

"You don't have to be the one, Landi." Insisted Lydia as she sobbed into Landien's chest. "Who else is there?" reasoned the summoner as he planted a kiss on the lady guardian's forehead.

The mage knew then that there was no turning back from this endeavor. She accepted then the fact that her brother would attempt to finish this, no matter what. But deep in her heart, Lydia still had hope that Landien would somehow give up this potentially deadly pursuit.

-----

"It is a full day's walk from here to Djose. We can stop for a few minutes sometime in the afternoon at a Travel Agency that's about three hours walk from Djose." Informed Ilised, quoting the words of the man he had just spoke to. "Won't it be faster if we rode on Chocobo?" suggested Lydia hopefully, not liking the idea of having to walk for so long. "But we don't have the budget for that." Said Landien grimly. "But look on the bright side, it's training." He reasoned cheerfully.

-…-

"We will be leaving in about an hour, Sir. It will be about three hour's ride to Djose." Notified Elohim as he set his Master's lunch before him. "Good." Said Olin, nodding in satisfaction. "Also, I have arranged for our usual escorts and the letter from Maester Kinoc, authorizing us to pass is all in order." Added the valet. "Good," Complimented the brown-haired man. "Call me when we are to leave." He requested. Elohim nodded at this and then bowed to him and left him to eat in peace.

…

The Summoner and his guardians had just exited the Rin Travel Agency when a young woman came running to them; she was dressed in the light green robes of a healer from a temple. "Fiends! The Crusaders! There are so many of them!" she screamed frantically as she pointed to clearing to their right. "We will handle this. Go inside, keep yourself safe." Ordered Landien as he rushed to the field, Lydia and Ilised closely behind.

Amongst the fiends were a number of Crusaders and several broken cages. The men were surrounded, clearly outnumbered. "Kill as many fiends as you can, but prioritize the safety of those men." Ordered the summoner. His guardians nodded and proceeded to attack.

Ilised easily vanquished the any land-walking beast that charged at him and Lydia brought down the airborne fiends with her powerful spells. While his guardians preoccupied the fiends, Landien was healing the wounded men as quickly and as best he could. And when the battle seemed as good as won, a deafening howl erupted from somewhere near the cliff.

"Oh no, it's that fiend again… No one has ever been able to kill it." Cried one of Crusaders. Suddenly a huge dog-like beast crawled up from the edge of the cliff. Landien rushed to this fiend and quickly summoned Ifirit.

The Aeon gave off a booming roar as it manifested itself in front of the summoner. "Attack!" commanded Landien. The Aeon then let loose a most devastating attack that engulfed the fiend in flame. The monster had shrieked in pain as the fire burned through its flesh and bones. The only thing that remained of the beast when the fire went out were its ashes. The summoner then dismissed the mighty Ifirit, giving him a grateful nod as it dissipated into thin air.

"Thank you so much, Lord Summoner. We are forever in your debt for saving our lives." Thanked a tall redheaded Crusader as he bowed to Landien, Lydia and Ilised. "You are welcome, Crusader. But tell me, why is it that these fiends were caged?" asked Landien as he pointed to broken receptacles. "Forgive me, Lord for I cannot tell you much." Apologized the man. "All I can say is that it is part of an operation by Mushroom Rock." He informed. "I see." Said the Summoner, contemplatively.

"Excuse me, Sir Luzzu, your presence is required at the base." Interrupted a young man with dark hair. "Very well. If you'll excuse Lord Summoner." Said Luzzu as he bowed once more before he left. The young man with dark hair also bowed to the trio before he followed his commander.

"What could this be about?" asked Lydia. "I don't know." Answered Landien as looked to Ilised for some information. The swordsman shook his head and said, "Let us just hope that it does not delay your Pilgrimage." The summoner and the mage nodded at this and the trio then proceeded toward Mushroom Rock.

…

"What do you mean? Why can't we pass?" inquired a frustrated Lydia. "I'm sorry ma'am, but no one is allowed to come through until the operation its finished." Replied the sentry. For the past half-hour Landien's two guardians had been arguing with every Crusader that manned the gate to Mushroom Rock. And for the past half-hour all their efforts were in vein. None of the guards would allow them pass due to the preparations for Operation Mi'ihen.

Both swordsman and mage were quite angry. "Surely there must be an exception. We are on a Pilgrimage, cannot you allow us to pass?" beseeched Ilised hotly. "Not for another three days, sir." Answered the sentry nervously, clearly intimidated by the guardian. "Three days!" exclaimed Ilised as he walked away, fuming. "Great!" shouted an exasperated Lydia as she followed her male counterpart.

"Do excuse them. They are just tried from our walk." Explained a slightly flustered Landien. "I am truly sorry, Lord Summoner, but no one can pass unless they have authorization. I'm just following my orders, Sir." Elaborated the young guard. The summoner nodded understandingly at this. "I know what you did for my comrades, and I would love to repay you. But I can't. Forgive me." Apologized the young man as he bowed deeply to Landien. This gesture made the summoner smile, despite the grim consequences, as he joined his companions to discuss their plans.

"So what do you suggest we do, Ili?" inquired the younger man. "I suppose we should just go back to the Travel Agency and wait there for three days." Raved the guardian. "He's right. Perhaps we could train while we're at it." Sighed the mage. "So, shall we go then?" announced the lady guardian theatrically.

As they were about to leave the checkpoint, a caravan arrived, blocking the narrow passage to the Highroad; this made them back up behind one of the unused cages in the area. It seemed to be a merchant convoy, led by a hooded man on what looked like a very well trained chocobo. The cloak he wore was of extremely high quality and was quite ornate, beautiful embroidery done in silver thread posed quite a contrast against the black fabric. 'He must be very wealthy…' mused Lydia as she ogled the figure.

He directed his chocobo a few paces forward near the gate. He dismounted effortlessly and took off his hood with unparalleled grace, revealing a most ethereal being. 'Wow…' swooned the lady mage. From his strangely silver hair, cream-colored skin, lissome height to his obsidian eyes, this man was the most 'prefect' creature that Lydia had ever seen. She was not the only one who thought so too; most of the men were eyeing him as well, including an awestruck Landien.

From behind the gates came a red-haired woman, fully outfitted in armor. She bowed to the silver-haired beauty, saying, "Sir Elohim, it is good to see you again." She was clearly interested in this man just as every other person was. "Would you like to see my papers, Lay Lucil?" he inquired as he bowed to the lady warrior respectfully, this made the woman giggle in delight. "There is no need, you may pass." She said rather flirtatiously.

Lydia then felt a sudden movement from behind her. "He may pass! But why not us?" Exclaimed Ilised clearly frustrated as he neared the woman. "Ili…" cautioned Lydia as she tugged on his arm. "No! This is not fair." He shouted, pulling away from his female companion. The man named Elohim did not respond to this, it seemed as though he did not care. But there was movement from within the caravan. This frightened the mage, for she did not want to have to fight.

"We are on a pil…" The male guardian could not finish his sentence for he felt a very firm grip on his arm. "Stop it." Berated Landien as he glared at his guardian. "Please, excuse my companion," began the summoner as bowed in apology. This shocked Ilised, but he said nothing. "He is merely frustrated from our journey. And I apologize for him. We will be on our way now." He elaborated as he gestured for Ilised and Lydia to walk in the direction of the highroad.

"Wait!" called out Elohim as the summoner turned to join his companions.

NOTES:

This is now the current timeline (Yuna – Landien)

Still in Luca, Wakka and Tidus are training (they will stay there for about two more days: one for the match the second for them to rest…) – Mi'ihen Highroad/Mushroom Rock.

Did you notice the use of some of the original characters? I just thought it would be odd for them not to met at all don't you think? But I have no intention of having Yuna and Landien meet 'coz it isn't in the game and I'm trying to keep to the games storyline.