Chapter Six: Umah
Yuna lowers her rod, placing it gently onto the steps as she approaches Kain and Vorador. Lulu and Wakka are on the steps, awaiting the three.
Yuna
"Are you alright?"
Vorador
"I thought I told you to go to the temple."
Yuna
"I... I couldn't just leave you behind..."
Vorador
[sighs]
"Your loyalty's going to be the end of you, Yuna..."
[he continues up the stares to join Lulu and Wakka]
Yuna
[turns to Kain]
"What was the explosion that destroyed the tenticle?"
Kain
"A fury attack... it's known as a Dark Gift."
"Natural spells a vampire contains. I have them... Vorador has them."
Yuna
"I see. Vorador never mentioned those."
[she turns away, but never takes her eyes off him]
"Shall we carry on, Sir Kain?"
Kain
"If we must."
The summoner nods, then runs up the stairs, picking up her rod along the way. Kain on the other hand leaps as Vorador had done, meeting up with the group before the summoner could. After a moment, Yuna rejoins the group as Kain stretches out his arms.
Wakka
"You handled yourself pretty well. You got talent."
"Yuna finished it off. The credit is hers for the taking."
"So, what are these "sinspawn" anyway?"
Lulu
"Fiends. They fall from Sin's body, and are left behind in its wake."
Wakka
"Leave 'em alone, and Sin comes back for 'em. You gotta be quick!"
"That moment, when Wakka told me I had talent in battle..."
"I imagine that was when I began to seriously considering becoming Yuna's guardian."
Wakka
"So, uh...they got fiends in Zanarkand, too?"
Kain
[eyes him cautiously]
"Since when have you believed me about Zanarkand?"
Wakka
"I been thinking."
"Maybe people Sin gets to don't die."
"Maybe Sin carries 'em through time. Like a thousand years through time."
"And then, one day, maybe they just pop back, see?"
Kain raises an eyebrow. Before he can respond, he notices Lulu growing furious by the moment. She places a hand to her forehead, her eyes glaring daggers at her palm.
Lulu
"Amazing. Simply amazing."
[she drops her hand and glares at Wakka]
"You make up one theory after another, refusing to face the simple truth."
"Sin didn't take Chappu anywhere."
"Sin crushed him and left him on the Djose shore!"
"Your brother won't just pop back."
[she glares at Kain]
"Oh, and one more thing."
"No matter how much you want it, no one can take Chappu's place."
"No one can replace Sir Dante, for that matter."
[she looks at Yuna]
"And there's no replacement for Lord Braska, either."
[she looks at the ground]
"It's pointless to think about it... and sad..."
Turning on her heel, Lulu charges up the steps, her hands balled into fists. Vorador watches her climb up the stairs, then follows. Yuna walks pass Kain, over to Wakka and places a hand on his shoulder. Wakka nods, and the summoner follows her guardian. Wakka kneels down and punches the stone.
Wakka
"I...I could never be what Chappu was."
[He stands up]
"Well, stuff happens. Best not to worry."
[He walks up the stairs, leaving Kain]
"Wakka, Lulu, and Wakka's brother Chappu."
"Something had happened between them some time ago. I was sure of that."
"Whatever it was, it was none of my concern."
I figured it was best not to go there."
Kain sprints up the stairs. At the top of the stairs is Kilika Temple. Kain sees Vorador's claw placed on Lulu's shoulder, a sad expression on her face. Although he cannot hear the vampire's words, Lulu nods, then enters the temple. Yuna, however, stays behind with Kain and Wakka as a trio clad in purple outfits leave the temple, and walk towards the Aurochs.
Wakka
"You here to pray for victory, too?"
First male
"Us? Pray?"
"Who needs to pray? The Luca Goers always win!"
Wakka
"Oh, yeah? Then why are you here?"
First male
"We've been praying for some competition this year!"
Second Male
"So what's your goal this time? You gonna "do your best" again?"
"Ha! It's too bad your best isn't good enough! Why even bother showing up?"
Kain
[crosses his arms]
"This time, we play to win."
First Male
"Oooh! Play away! Just remember even kids can play, boys."
Kain
"I had enough of this!"
Before anybody can stop him, Kain's arm lunges forward, clamping onto the man's throat. Yuna gasps as Wakka jumps, and Kain takes the inner pleasure of watching the other two Goers gasping in fear as their leader's eyes widen. To enhance the fear of the leader, Kain lifts the human up, off the ground so his feet dangle three feet off the ground. The human's trachea slowly closed in, his face darkening into a deathly blue tone. His hands clamps onto Kain's claws, desprately trying to pry the claw off his throat.
Kain
"I have had my share of taking in disrespect and annoyance."
"Being a guardian, I suppose I'm supposed to take such pressure."
"But know this, I am a vampire."
"And I do NOT tolerate humans such as yourself treating me like a fool."
[he brings the blitzer's face close to his]
"Don't try my patience."
With that spoken, Kain spins around, and launches the blitzer through the air. Crashing roughly onto the ground, the leader goes toppling down the stone steps, screaming on his way down. After glaring at the other two, the Goers give a small yelp and go chasing after their teammate. A sinister grin appears on the vampire's face as he chuckles, seemingly enjoying the chaos and fear he had created. He turns to Wakka and Yuna... and his joy soon dissolves at the look of Yuna's face.
Wakka
"Why did you do that, man?"
Kain
"I've taken my share of human's pushing me about."
"I feel much better now."
Without a word, Wakka walks towards the temple.
Yuna
"PLease... don't do something like that, Kain."
"You could've really hurt someone..."
"And then, Yevon knows what could happen to you."
Kain
"You show concern for me?"
[crosses his arms]
"I assure you, I need no such sympathy."
"The next time they decide to speak to me in that tone, they WILL die."
"Trying to put me down... pathetic!"
"They're as bad as my father."
Yuna
[gasps]
"But, Sir Dante was a kind and gentle man!"
Kain
"Well, not my Dante."
"Even over two hundred years after he left..."
"Just the mere thought of Dante fueled my anger."
"Perhaps is was just my way of keeping him..."
After a sigh, Kain storms into the temple. Yuna watches him enter, her face painted with disappointment. After looking over her shoulder and down the stairs, seeing the Goers had finally made it to their feet, she sprints towards the Temple. As Kain enters, he sees Wakka standing before a large statue of yet another summoner, chanting, "Lord Ohalland, guide our feet.". After doing several prayer gestures, Kain decides to join, and does one prayer gesture. The opening of a door is heard as Kain look up. Yuna has entered the temple, only her eyes are fixed infront of her, 'causing Kain to look as well. From the door that leads to the Cloister of Trials, a woman appears.
She is tall, possibly 6'5, and deathly pale at that. Long, black hair pours from her head and is pulled back into a long ponytail, revealing a pair of pointed ears. She dons a purple, stomach-showing, sleeveless top with shoulder armor and a purple tabard, along with a bikini-styled legwear. Long, light purple nylons reach to her mid-thighs, and a pair of purple, knee-high boots are placed on her feet. On one arm is a dark, purple glove that reaches to the middle of her bicep. Kain notices she's wearing tribal tatoos on her arms and face, and her eyes are toned a light purple. Beside her is a tall, muscular man. Kain's eyes widened, seeing, and knowing for sure, that the woman is indeed a vampire.
Vampire
[eyes Yuna]
"You are a summoner, are you?"
Yuna walks up the stairs to confront her.
Yuna
"My name is Yuna--from the Isle of Besaid."
Vampire
"Umah."
Vorador looks up, his eyes widening to see her.
Vorador
"Umah..."
Umah
"So, you're High Summoner Braska's daughter. That's quite a name to live up to."
[she touches her temple and sighs]
"My, my, my..."
"And all these people are your guardians? My, what a rabble!"
[she lowers her hand to her hip]
"As I recall, Lord Braska had only two guardians."
"Quality over quantity, my dear. Whatever were you thinking?"
"I have need of only one guardian. Right, Barthello?"
Barthello, the muscular man, nods. Vorador steps forward and faces him. Umah's eyes trail up and down Vorador's figure. Yuna approaches, raising her voice in debate.
Yuna
"I only have as many guardians as there are people I can trust."
"I trust them all with my life!"
"To have so many guardians is a joy, and an honor!"
"Even more so than being my father's daughter."
"Of course, I would never think of questioning your ways, either."
"So, Lady Umah, I ask of you: please leave us in peace."
Umah
[annoyed]
"You do what you wish. Barthello, we're leaving."
[They walk away. Yuna sighs]
"A guardian is someone a summoner can rely on. Someone she can trust with her life."
"I pondered the thought if Yuna felt this way towards me...?"
[Yuna looks at Kain and smiles]
"Why does she always smile at me?"
After Wakka completes his prayer, he and Lulu walk towards Kain, Yuna and Vorador. The green vampire watches as Umah leaves, his eyes narrowing at her departing figure. Brushing the thought to the side, he turns around and follows the group up the stairs, to the Cloister of Trials. After opening the doors, the team notices a large platform, just like the one in the Besaid Temple.
Wakka
"The fayth is below. Let's do it!"
Kain
"The "fayth"?"
Lulu
"But first, the Cloister of Trials. Vorador? Wakka? Ready?"
[Wakka and Vorador nod]
Yuna
"Strength, everyone!"
The team steps forward onto the platform. Kain steps on, only to be pushed off forcibly by Vorador. Annoyed, the vampire wheels around to face him.
Kain
"What are you playing at?"
Lulu
"You're not a guardian yet."
Yuna
"We'll be back as soon as we can, okay?"
[The platform descends]
Kain
"I'm sure! Soon described as "tomorrow soon", I'll bet!"
Whether or not they heard his words, Kain waits a moment, then the platform returns. With anger, he kicks one of the nearby walls, then crosses his arms. Instantly, his ears twitch as his head faces the doorway. Umah and Barthello enter, and Kain lowers his arms. He watches as the vampire eyes the area.
Umah
"Where's Yuna?"
[Kain gestures to the platform]
"Then why are you here?"
Kain
"I am not a guardian. I've been told to stay here."
Umah
[smirks]
"Not a guardian, you say?"
[she crosses her arms]
"You're a vampire, are you not?"
Kain
"As are you. What of it?"
Umah
"I was told that male vampires are very independent beings."
"Seeing that you would simply toss one of those blitzers down the stairs, I would assume a trip into the Cloister of Trials would be nothing."
Kain
"And I assume somebody has told you about the man's trip down the stairs."
"I refuse to break any traditions in Spira."
Umah
[chuckles]
"Afraid, are you?"
Kain
[wheels on her and sticks his face in hers]
"I fear NOTHING, woman! What are you playing at?"
Umah
"I would think that one coming from Nosgoth would crave power..."
"That was my reason for becoming a summoner."
"Pray to the aeons, and they will bring forth strength."
Kain
"You are a Nosgothian... I should have guessed."
[pulls away]
"So why are you concerned over me?"
Umah
"I wish to bring you to your senses. Use your defiance, and you'll recieve your strenght."
Kain eyes her coldly for a moment, then turns away from her, stepping onto the platform. Umah smirks, then turns away. Kain hears he state, "We will meet again," as the platform begins to descend.