Chapter 20
Baralai was too distracted by his blindfold and gag to think. He felt his wrists being knotted together by an irritating thin strip of rope. Nothing was being processed. He finally felt a gentle tug on his blindfold, he was being untied. The first thing that caught his attention was a thick woven tapestry draped rather precariously over a mantle piece of carved wood. The space was quaint, a rather diminutive chair in the corner and drab grey paint job on the walls. The whole area was immaculate. Not a spec of dust to be seen or felt anywhere, odd in such a solitary room. Baralai was intelligent enough to figure for himself that this room was in Bevelle. He couldn't very well place which since until they tossed him in blindfolded. They weren't willing to untie his wrists however at least being able to see he could compile his thoughts well. His head cleared for an instant.
He knew he was in a rather tight spot yet now he felt as if he could breathe a bit easier knowing that Yuna was at bay. He enjoyed his moments alone; it was always such a valuable treasure to him. Even now, fore looking death he enjoyed greatly the serenity and satisfaction of being by himself. It was reminiscent of the hour prior to his wedding, in which he prayed promising fidelity and his eternal loyalty to Yuna. It was ironic to him that despite being so in love with Yuna she seemed to like him more now that he felt his feelings for her fade away. He was angry at her. He was entertained however by her blatant absentness. He couldn't look down upon her being that he was the same way. Thinking with his heart rather than his head. Although he on several occasions appeared to be an intellectual, calculating gentleman he was rather aloof in the affairs of the mind preferring instead to act on feel. Although at this moment his heart and mind both came to an accord. This accord could in time become perfect sense.
Baralai heard someone fiddling with the door. The rusted knob turned a few degrees to the left and right. His processes all halted to allow him to hear. Knowing that whoever was attempting to pay a visit to him hadn't the proper keys to the locked door, once again he felt at great ease with himself when he picked up the sound of footsteps farther and farther away. He at least had a few spare minutes to his musings this way.
Baralai's eyes began to ache, as if he had been weeping terribly. He didn't notice whether or not he began to cry at any point. It must have been the night before. He could remember shedding a few tears he just slept off. Baralai never enjoyed crying it left him with only a terrible headache and his eyes only begging for more tears to wipe the sensation away. He was abandoning all efforts to care at this point all he had the capability of doing at the moment was closing his eyes and falling asleep, praying to Yevon that it wouldn't hurt when he awoke. Yet his attempts to relax would be thwarted by his nerves. He just couldn't allow himself to fall pray to his bodies needs. He decided to keep his consciousness for at least a bit more.
As usual his intuition never faltered. Finally after what might have been an hour or so the door opened a crack and whom was on the other side was none other than Fiohn himself. He didn't speak a word to Baralai. Fiohn just gave him a cool stare and buried his foot in Baralai's stomach. Baralai bent down in agony but he remained for the most part silent except a few grunts. "You should have died; it would have been so much easier." Fiohn smirked playfully lessening the restraints on Baralai's hands.
"I...I don't understand how you can be so stupid." Baralai chortled." Don't you realize the second you let me free I shall stop at nothing before I kill you."
"I know for a fact you wouldn't."
"What makes you so confident? After all once Bevelle knows I'm alive they will naturally take my side. You will perish."
"You're wit is nothing less than pitiful. Bevelle believes your dead. They already have elected me leader in your place."
"You elected yourself is far more fitting. I should have had someone send you when you died the first time, Fiohn. You have become a fiend."
"In time so shall you. Remember we're both at a stance I'm afraid."
"I don't understand!" Baralai lied, he could remember it very faintly let it still could be considered a remembrance. The gun was majestically large. It's silver barrel glinted in the dessert sun however that was were his recollection ended. From there it was all flashes. One was of him in Bevelle laying comfortably in his bed as if nothing had happened he felt down to his stomach were he could have sworn the bullet penetrated yet there was no wound. Another was a day later, they were planning a feast for him congratulating him for becoming a full fledged priest. He now felt where Fiohn had kicked him. It hurt tremendously. The more he concentrated on it the more painful it became, soon he remembered...the bloody flesh wound he had there, blood vomiting out of the tear in his flesh as it was slowly eking out of his abdomen like coarse black pulp. He touched his finger there for an instant he relived his panic.
Fiohn traced the contours of Baralai's eyes. Bloodshot with fear Baralai's soft hazel eyes become hard and dark. Fiohn recognized he now had the advantage. Gingerly Fiohn wrapped his arms around Baralai. Overcome with emotion Baralai had hardly the will to move. All he could dwell upon was the distant memory of his otherwise unmarred flesh, pulsing with a mortal wound. "It's alright...child." Fiohn spoke comfortingly. Baralai was unsure what to make of this; he couldn't understand why Fiohn was being so inviting after he had harmed him so much. However Baralai couldn't bear to allow him to go unpunished in a haste reaction he rammed his fist into Fiohn's chest. Fiohn bounced backwards a few paces reeling in pain. Noting entrance to the room ajar, before Baralai could even think his body was making haste towards the exit. Running like a chocobo Baralai merely became a hazy forest green flash to the unsuspecting warrior monks. This to his surprise had done nothing to delay him.
Baralai hadn't paused even briefly. He just wanted to get away, as far away as he possibly could have. It was evident now that Fiohn couldn't help his actions. After all Baralai was the one who took pity on him and decided against asking a summoner to send him to the farplane. Fiohn had only become as twisted as any other unsent soul. He realized that in that way he had failed. Fiohn's desire to be Praetor had become an ungodly obsession from a dream he had harnessed as a young man. Only nature for him to want to fulfill it in his 'eternal' state. His marriage was just a pawn from the beginning a pawn of a sick soul and a corrupt institution that wanted to pretend it looked to the future but only kept Spira in the past. Baralai didn't want to belong to it any longer. He owed his misfortune to Yevon.
He renounced his faith from then on. His vocation was stronger than his newfound lack of faith. He wanted to find an answer but he was afraid having found it his life would change. Baralai then reacted the only way he was taught. He intruded in on a temple he had been worshiping in since he was just a boy, he then came to his knees before a shrine to Lord Braska and prayed. He prayed for many things, his sins, Fiohn, and Yuna. What had changed was he was no longer a slave to his beliefs this time and he thanked Yevon for at least that.
The enormous cathedral doors swung ajar. Baralai's stomach in knots he knew the right thing to do now. Fiohn had buried his hands beneath his robe bowing his head shamefully.
"Fiohn, I know you're still with me yet your desires have become you."
"No, no I'm the only supreme ruler of Yevon's temple!" Fiohn snarled.
"Fiohn, it is time. I must release you to the Farplane. You will be at peace. You will see your sister again. Now wouldn't you want that?"
"If I go to the Farplane...you'll go with me. You always knew that."
"Yes, perhaps a part of me remembered. I was being selfish all this time, not unlike you. I understand now that if I go I won't become what my father was." It was a half-lie the event's surrounding his death was still clouted.
"I won't go! I have everything I've ever wanted!"
"You may believe that now, when New Yevon is finally exposed for what it truly is...you won't have much."
"Baralai, have you turned away?" he heard Fiohn say softly.
"Nay, if I had turned I wouldn't want to help you." Baralai gave a comforting smile. Baralai's near-saint like intentions belied an uncertainty. "Which is it?" he mused "I can't remember the circumstance of my supposed death. I feel more alive than ever before. I can remember everything. My childhood, my mother's death and my wound. Everything except the circumstance. Nothing is as it should be."
"One wonders," Baralai began aloud. "That such a life changing event such as one's death could be remembered."
Fiohn sulked in silence, glared at Baralai.
"Then let me refresh one's memory!" Fiohn had unveiled a pistol hiding beneath his robe. It was a matter of seconds before Baralai was on the floor nearly unconscious, a gapping hole in his stomach. It was a far worse pain than he could ever remember. He once again touched the blood stream pouring out of his body. He hadn't died, he was in purgatory. A gunshot at such a near range would have been the end of any normal person. It wasn't so for him. Perhaps Fiohn wasn't lying and his memories were recent. All it took was a sending to change the course of the story.
He saw the doorway open again. This time it was slow and steady. A young woman had wandered in. She was gorgeous more beautiful than anyone Baralai had laid eyes on. See saw the scene horrified, he could discern that her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes were like his now hard and dark stones sitting in misty white pools. "Yuna..." Baralai cried. She held a steady posture as she found her way over to where Baralai lie helplessly. She cradled her arms around him, begging him not to leave her. "Yuna..." Baralai pleaded breathlessly "Send Fiohn...send him now!" Yuna denied his request. Fiohn only stood silently pistol in hand marveling proudly at what he had done.
"No, I can't what if you...die from your wound. You'd go with Fiohn."
"Yuna, I'm not sure if I was ever alive to begin with."
"What do you...mean...?" Tears stood still in Yuna's eyes.
"Fiohn is an unsent and I...I'm not sure...you must send Fiohn."
"I can't! Not after what you told me! I won't!"
"Yuna! He has turned evil. His sprit no longer...harnesses a soul of a good man. It is almost like watching my father become a monster all over again."
Yuna only glanced over Baralai's body. She focused on his eyes; she looked at them with great affection. Baralai had never seen her look at him the way she did. He felt happy for the first time in a while. If he was sent to the farplane he'd like to take this memory with him and hold it forever. It was like starting anew. If his time was only so short it was the happiest time in his life. Before Yuna stood she put her lips to his and kissed him greatly. "We will play Blitz ball with Vidina when this is all over...I promise." She whispered in his ear. A tear strolled down Yuna's cheek.
Baralai brought the strength to hold him up against one of the statues to gaze admirably at Yuna. He was frightened of leaving now. He didn't know if he had died or not. He prayed it was only a lie by Fiohn to scare him. Yuna stood silently she looked across to Fiohn. Fiohn ran to the door, but Paine who stood blocking the entrance dampened his plan.
"This is your end old man...I have no family...and you certaintly will never be" Paine exclaimed unto Fiohn drawing her sword carefully.
Yuna inhaled deeply. She looked once more at Baralai. His eyes looked renewed with confidence. All the lies and deceit on both parts had parted all that was left was a naked emotion both had no idea what to make of it, so both called it love.
Baralai was too distracted by his blindfold and gag to think. He felt his wrists being knotted together by an irritating thin strip of rope. Nothing was being processed. He finally felt a gentle tug on his blindfold, he was being untied. The first thing that caught his attention was a thick woven tapestry draped rather precariously over a mantle piece of carved wood. The space was quaint, a rather diminutive chair in the corner and drab grey paint job on the walls. The whole area was immaculate. Not a spec of dust to be seen or felt anywhere, odd in such a solitary room. Baralai was intelligent enough to figure for himself that this room was in Bevelle. He couldn't very well place which since until they tossed him in blindfolded. They weren't willing to untie his wrists however at least being able to see he could compile his thoughts well. His head cleared for an instant.
He knew he was in a rather tight spot yet now he felt as if he could breathe a bit easier knowing that Yuna was at bay. He enjoyed his moments alone; it was always such a valuable treasure to him. Even now, fore looking death he enjoyed greatly the serenity and satisfaction of being by himself. It was reminiscent of the hour prior to his wedding, in which he prayed promising fidelity and his eternal loyalty to Yuna. It was ironic to him that despite being so in love with Yuna she seemed to like him more now that he felt his feelings for her fade away. He was angry at her. He was entertained however by her blatant absentness. He couldn't look down upon her being that he was the same way. Thinking with his heart rather than his head. Although he on several occasions appeared to be an intellectual, calculating gentleman he was rather aloof in the affairs of the mind preferring instead to act on feel. Although at this moment his heart and mind both came to an accord. This accord could in time become perfect sense.
Baralai heard someone fiddling with the door. The rusted knob turned a few degrees to the left and right. His processes all halted to allow him to hear. Knowing that whoever was attempting to pay a visit to him hadn't the proper keys to the locked door, once again he felt at great ease with himself when he picked up the sound of footsteps farther and farther away. He at least had a few spare minutes to his musings this way.
Baralai's eyes began to ache, as if he had been weeping terribly. He didn't notice whether or not he began to cry at any point. It must have been the night before. He could remember shedding a few tears he just slept off. Baralai never enjoyed crying it left him with only a terrible headache and his eyes only begging for more tears to wipe the sensation away. He was abandoning all efforts to care at this point all he had the capability of doing at the moment was closing his eyes and falling asleep, praying to Yevon that it wouldn't hurt when he awoke. Yet his attempts to relax would be thwarted by his nerves. He just couldn't allow himself to fall pray to his bodies needs. He decided to keep his consciousness for at least a bit more.
As usual his intuition never faltered. Finally after what might have been an hour or so the door opened a crack and whom was on the other side was none other than Fiohn himself. He didn't speak a word to Baralai. Fiohn just gave him a cool stare and buried his foot in Baralai's stomach. Baralai bent down in agony but he remained for the most part silent except a few grunts. "You should have died; it would have been so much easier." Fiohn smirked playfully lessening the restraints on Baralai's hands.
"I...I don't understand how you can be so stupid." Baralai chortled." Don't you realize the second you let me free I shall stop at nothing before I kill you."
"I know for a fact you wouldn't."
"What makes you so confident? After all once Bevelle knows I'm alive they will naturally take my side. You will perish."
"You're wit is nothing less than pitiful. Bevelle believes your dead. They already have elected me leader in your place."
"You elected yourself is far more fitting. I should have had someone send you when you died the first time, Fiohn. You have become a fiend."
"In time so shall you. Remember we're both at a stance I'm afraid."
"I don't understand!" Baralai lied, he could remember it very faintly let it still could be considered a remembrance. The gun was majestically large. It's silver barrel glinted in the dessert sun however that was were his recollection ended. From there it was all flashes. One was of him in Bevelle laying comfortably in his bed as if nothing had happened he felt down to his stomach were he could have sworn the bullet penetrated yet there was no wound. Another was a day later, they were planning a feast for him congratulating him for becoming a full fledged priest. He now felt where Fiohn had kicked him. It hurt tremendously. The more he concentrated on it the more painful it became, soon he remembered...the bloody flesh wound he had there, blood vomiting out of the tear in his flesh as it was slowly eking out of his abdomen like coarse black pulp. He touched his finger there for an instant he relived his panic.
Fiohn traced the contours of Baralai's eyes. Bloodshot with fear Baralai's soft hazel eyes become hard and dark. Fiohn recognized he now had the advantage. Gingerly Fiohn wrapped his arms around Baralai. Overcome with emotion Baralai had hardly the will to move. All he could dwell upon was the distant memory of his otherwise unmarred flesh, pulsing with a mortal wound. "It's alright...child." Fiohn spoke comfortingly. Baralai was unsure what to make of this; he couldn't understand why Fiohn was being so inviting after he had harmed him so much. However Baralai couldn't bear to allow him to go unpunished in a haste reaction he rammed his fist into Fiohn's chest. Fiohn bounced backwards a few paces reeling in pain. Noting entrance to the room ajar, before Baralai could even think his body was making haste towards the exit. Running like a chocobo Baralai merely became a hazy forest green flash to the unsuspecting warrior monks. This to his surprise had done nothing to delay him.
Baralai hadn't paused even briefly. He just wanted to get away, as far away as he possibly could have. It was evident now that Fiohn couldn't help his actions. After all Baralai was the one who took pity on him and decided against asking a summoner to send him to the farplane. Fiohn had only become as twisted as any other unsent soul. He realized that in that way he had failed. Fiohn's desire to be Praetor had become an ungodly obsession from a dream he had harnessed as a young man. Only nature for him to want to fulfill it in his 'eternal' state. His marriage was just a pawn from the beginning a pawn of a sick soul and a corrupt institution that wanted to pretend it looked to the future but only kept Spira in the past. Baralai didn't want to belong to it any longer. He owed his misfortune to Yevon.
He renounced his faith from then on. His vocation was stronger than his newfound lack of faith. He wanted to find an answer but he was afraid having found it his life would change. Baralai then reacted the only way he was taught. He intruded in on a temple he had been worshiping in since he was just a boy, he then came to his knees before a shrine to Lord Braska and prayed. He prayed for many things, his sins, Fiohn, and Yuna. What had changed was he was no longer a slave to his beliefs this time and he thanked Yevon for at least that.
The enormous cathedral doors swung ajar. Baralai's stomach in knots he knew the right thing to do now. Fiohn had buried his hands beneath his robe bowing his head shamefully.
"Fiohn, I know you're still with me yet your desires have become you."
"No, no I'm the only supreme ruler of Yevon's temple!" Fiohn snarled.
"Fiohn, it is time. I must release you to the Farplane. You will be at peace. You will see your sister again. Now wouldn't you want that?"
"If I go to the Farplane...you'll go with me. You always knew that."
"Yes, perhaps a part of me remembered. I was being selfish all this time, not unlike you. I understand now that if I go I won't become what my father was." It was a half-lie the event's surrounding his death was still clouted.
"I won't go! I have everything I've ever wanted!"
"You may believe that now, when New Yevon is finally exposed for what it truly is...you won't have much."
"Baralai, have you turned away?" he heard Fiohn say softly.
"Nay, if I had turned I wouldn't want to help you." Baralai gave a comforting smile. Baralai's near-saint like intentions belied an uncertainty. "Which is it?" he mused "I can't remember the circumstance of my supposed death. I feel more alive than ever before. I can remember everything. My childhood, my mother's death and my wound. Everything except the circumstance. Nothing is as it should be."
"One wonders," Baralai began aloud. "That such a life changing event such as one's death could be remembered."
Fiohn sulked in silence, glared at Baralai.
"Then let me refresh one's memory!" Fiohn had unveiled a pistol hiding beneath his robe. It was a matter of seconds before Baralai was on the floor nearly unconscious, a gapping hole in his stomach. It was a far worse pain than he could ever remember. He once again touched the blood stream pouring out of his body. He hadn't died, he was in purgatory. A gunshot at such a near range would have been the end of any normal person. It wasn't so for him. Perhaps Fiohn wasn't lying and his memories were recent. All it took was a sending to change the course of the story.
He saw the doorway open again. This time it was slow and steady. A young woman had wandered in. She was gorgeous more beautiful than anyone Baralai had laid eyes on. See saw the scene horrified, he could discern that her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes were like his now hard and dark stones sitting in misty white pools. "Yuna..." Baralai cried. She held a steady posture as she found her way over to where Baralai lie helplessly. She cradled her arms around him, begging him not to leave her. "Yuna..." Baralai pleaded breathlessly "Send Fiohn...send him now!" Yuna denied his request. Fiohn only stood silently pistol in hand marveling proudly at what he had done.
"No, I can't what if you...die from your wound. You'd go with Fiohn."
"Yuna, I'm not sure if I was ever alive to begin with."
"What do you...mean...?" Tears stood still in Yuna's eyes.
"Fiohn is an unsent and I...I'm not sure...you must send Fiohn."
"I can't! Not after what you told me! I won't!"
"Yuna! He has turned evil. His sprit no longer...harnesses a soul of a good man. It is almost like watching my father become a monster all over again."
Yuna only glanced over Baralai's body. She focused on his eyes; she looked at them with great affection. Baralai had never seen her look at him the way she did. He felt happy for the first time in a while. If he was sent to the farplane he'd like to take this memory with him and hold it forever. It was like starting anew. If his time was only so short it was the happiest time in his life. Before Yuna stood she put her lips to his and kissed him greatly. "We will play Blitz ball with Vidina when this is all over...I promise." She whispered in his ear. A tear strolled down Yuna's cheek.
Baralai brought the strength to hold him up against one of the statues to gaze admirably at Yuna. He was frightened of leaving now. He didn't know if he had died or not. He prayed it was only a lie by Fiohn to scare him. Yuna stood silently she looked across to Fiohn. Fiohn ran to the door, but Paine who stood blocking the entrance dampened his plan.
"This is your end old man...I have no family...and you certaintly will never be" Paine exclaimed unto Fiohn drawing her sword carefully.
Yuna inhaled deeply. She looked once more at Baralai. His eyes looked renewed with confidence. All the lies and deceit on both parts had parted all that was left was a naked emotion both had no idea what to make of it, so both called it love.