Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy.
Chapter Two: A Long Road Ahead
"So how far to Zanarkand?"
The morning sun had risen and Bevelle was far behind them. They had gone a little ways until they ran into what Braska called, "Lake Macalania". Now, they were following it.
"We aren't going directly there." Auron answered.
"Huh? Why not?"
"I have to pray at every temple in Spira," Braska explained. "And obtain every aeon in order to earn the Final Aeon."
"How many are there?"
"Five, I believe. I already have the one from Bevelle."
"So four to go." Jecht said. "Where's the first one?"
"Around this lake, in Macalania."
"Are all the aeons the same?"
"No. They're all different. Some are of certain elements and others serve other purposes, but no two are the same."
"Huh. What about the Bevelle aeon? What's it do?"
"Do?"
"Yeah. I mean, what's so special about this one?"
"Well, first off, its name is Bahamut. And it's said to be the most powerful."
"So you start off with the best one? What a deal!"
"But it's also very slow. It knows all of the elemental magic attacks and has no weaknesses. Still, I'll need them all."
"I wonder what the one in Macarena Temple is like?"
"Macalania." Auron corrected.
"It's the city of ice," Braska said, "So it should be of the same element."
"And there are four we have to get?"
"Yes."
"Where's the last one?"
"In the furthest south island, Besaid."
"Man, this is gonna be a long journey."
"I know. Hope your feet can take it." Auron said.
Jecht looked down at his bare feet. "Hey, I'm the world's best blitzer. I can take anything."
"We'll see." Auron said with a small grin.
* * * *
The road WAS very long. They followed Lake Macalania eastward for the longest time. Finally, they stopped one afternoon to rest.
"Man," Jecht groaned. "Just walking by this lake is killing me. Are we allowed to swim in it?"
"Sure, go ahead." Braska said.
"Great!" Jecht jumped in.
Auron shook his head. "Enjoy it while you can. Things will get a lot rougher later."
"Ah, quit being such a sourpuss and take a dip!"
"No thank you. I prefer the dry land."
"Can't swim?"
"I CAN!!"
"Auron! Would you just let Jecht enjoy himself?" Braska pleaded.
Auron clenched his fist in anger. Why did Braska always seem to take Jecht's side? Then he saw it. A water fiend headed straight to Jecht. He smiled. This would decide just how tough Jecht was. The black shadow moved closer and closet and Jecht didn't see it at all. Something inside Auron told him to warn Jecht, but his pride stood in the way. Luckily, Braska saw it.
"Jecht! Look out!"
"Huh?!"
A great fish-like nemesis with two long, bullhorns leapt up and pulled him under.
"Jecht!" Braska shouted. He leapt to his feet. Auron saw two shadows moving about under the water. Finally, Jecht popped back up.
"WHAT IS THIS THING?!"
"Your first challenge!" Auron said. "Fight it! Let's see the great Jecht in action!"
The creature came up again, but Jecht grabbed a horn as he went under and reached for his sword. Auron and Braska could do nothing but watch once more as they fought. Braska had his staff ready just in case he needed to use a spell. The shadows soon got dimmer and faded away entirely. Both men scanned over the lake, but could see nothing. Parts of the water turned red with blood, but whose it was, they didn't know.
"Where is he?" Braska asked, to no one in particular. Minutes passed, but no sign of either Jecht or the creature.
"It appears Jecht was not as invincible as he thought." Auron said, crossing his arms. And at that point, something surfaced. It was the creature. It swam closer to the shore and Braska got ready to strike with an electric spell. But then, the creature flew up out of the water and hit the surface in a heap. They saw the bloody gash in the creature's side. Then, Jecht leapt out of the water, sword in hand. He put his free hand at the base of his neck and cracked it right, then left, then right again.
"Who's hungry?"
* * * *
The creature turned out to be quite a tasty and filling meal after all.
"So, Jecht." Braska said, while chewing on his share. "How is it you came to us?"
Jecht raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"You say you're from Zanarkand. How did you end up in Bevelle?"
Jecht put down his meat as he told them. "I went out to the sea to train for blitzball by myself you see? I'm out there swimming and stuff for about an hour, when the water gets really dark. I start to head up to the surface, when I see something below me. I look down and there's this HUGE thing below me! I don't know what it was, but the next thing I know, there's this bright flash and I'm out like a light. I woke up on the shore and nothing was familiar. I walked a ways until I found a city. I asked people where I was and they said, "Bevelle". Of course, I'd never heard of it, so I asked how to get back to Zanarkand. Everyone gave me these weird looks and I kept asking, but they wouldn't answer me. Some guys came over and tried taking me in, saying I was drunk. I knew that wasn't true, and didn't want to go, but then they pulled out their swords and fought me. I fought back of course! Heh, I knocked out twenty of em! Next thing I know, there's a lightning bolt and I wake up in jail. Then you guys came, and here we are."
"I'm surprised it took a Thundaga spell to stop you."
"A what now?"
Auron rolled his eyes, tired of Jecht's childish questions.
"There are four elements in magic." Braska explained. "Fire, water, thunder and ice. Each element has three levels of power. Fire, Water, Thunder, and Blizzard are the basic black magic moves. Fira, Watera, Thundara, and Blizzara are the second level. They are more powerful, but are more difficult to use. Firaga, Waterga, Thundaga, and Blizzaga are the third level, and the most powerful. They are the most difficult to use."
"So it took the most powerful thunder spell to stop me? Alright! I rock!"
"Don't get cocky." Auron warned.
"Anyway," Braska continued, "There are also seven other black magic moves. These, I have not learned. Bio poisons an enemy. Demi takes away a quarter of all enemies' life. Death is obvious. Drain takes their health and gives it to the user. Osmose takes their magic and gives it to the user. Flare is a powerful, non-elemental spell that very few people learn. And finally, Ultima is like using Flare to all opponents. Only a skilled few obtain this move.
"So you use magic?"
"Yes, both white and black."
"What's the difference?"
"White magic is normally used to heal, while black magic is used for attacking. Perhaps you should learn some spells."
Auron had to laugh. "I would pay money to see that."
"Yeah, yeah, keep talking."
"Okay, I will. I don't buy your story one bit. I think you are an arrogant, self-centered, disrespecting, rebellious moron who is only out of jail because a summoner had sympathy for his poor, pathetic soul!"
"Auron!" Braska snapped.
"That does it!" Jecht leapt up and drew his sword. "Come on! You and me!"
"Gladly!" Auron drew his immense blade and slung it over his shoulder. Jecht ran at him and swung, but Auron brought his blade around and swung upward, knocking Jecht's sword out of his hand and him on his feet. Jecht stared at him in shock. Auron swung down and Jecht rolled away and kicked him in the head. Auron fell over, then got back up and they went at it fist-to-fist. Jecht was faster and got more moves in, but Auron was stronger. Jecht swung three punches and Auron caught his kick, but Jecht leapt in the air and spun around, catching him with his heel. Auron got onto his knees and thrust upward, catching Jecht in the jaw. He fell back and Auron got down and began punching his face into the ground. Jecht finally got him in the ribs and rolled him over and gave him the same treatment.
They fought on the ground for a while, rolling around swinging punches until they heard, "Waterga!" and a powerful blast of cold water knocked them both away. They choked on the water and looked up at Braska.
"This has gone on long enough! We are going on this journey to kill Sin, not each other!"
"But-" They both said.
"Silence!" Everyone took a moment to breath, then Braska calmed and continued. "Now, we must be going. I don't want any more fighting going on. And it embarrasses me to have to say that! You are grown men, not children!"
Auron shot Jecht a glare and he returned it, but they did not talk anymore.
* * * *
After another week or so, Lake Macalania finally led them south. Soon, they would be in Macalania itself. Auron and Jecht tried getting along from then on, but it wasn't easy. They were so different. There was only one place they seemed to ever cooperate: the battlefield. And now, the fiends were much more populous.
"Hah!" Auron swung at the wolf-like fiend, but it moved away. Auron tried again and it again dodged it. "It's too fast!"
"I got it!" Jecht said. He leapt forward and cut through the creature's stomach easily. "That wasn't too bad."
"You'd better watch out for his friend, though." Auron said. Jecht turned and saw a round fiend with a hard shell on its back and two more on its arms.
"That one looks slow!" Jecht laughed.
"It's also tough." Auron put in. "Let me handle it."
"No way! I can take it!" He leapt forward and struck, but his blade merely bounced off its shell."
"What the?!"
Auron came up and swung his mighty sword down. The razor-sharp blade and massive strength combined cut right through this monster.
"I told you so."
"Hey, Auron." Jecht said. "Braska wants us to work together, so how about this. I'll take care of the fast fiends and you take the tough ones."
Auron thought it over. "Okay. But what about those?" He pointed to a watery blob with a face that slid out of the water. "Blades won't hurt it."
"But magic will." Braska said. "Fire and ice fiends are opposed, meaning fire hurts ice and ice hurts fire. Water and lightning are the same way. This is a water fiend, which means . . .?"
"Use a thunder spell!"
"Right! Thunder!" A small bolt zapped the fiend and it slumped into a heap.
"Cool." Jecht said. "We got a great group going on here. A speedy, a toughie, and a magician!"
Suddenly, something shot out of the bushes. It was a thin creature with long, sharp legs like thick sickles and a similar tale. It stood on its hind legs and its two front sickles spread apart into three claws as it roared, then got back down on all fours.
"A Xiphos." Braska said. "I've heard of these."
"Uh . . ." Jecht said. "Quickie or toughie?"
"It's speedy, I'm sure."
"Got it!" Jecht slashed it, but then it countered by slashing him. Auron ran up and hit it, but it still hit back.
"Neither of us can stop it! What about magic?"
"Fira!" Braska blasted it with the second-level fire spell, but it still stood. "Nothing!"
"Now what?" Jecht asked.
"I'll have to summon."
"This oughta be good!" Jecht grinned.
Braska twirled his staff and said, "Bahamut! I summon you!" He thrust his staff to the sky. A massive symbol formed in the sky and something smashed through it and flew down. It flipped up and landed on its feet, shaking the ground and it roared.
"Whoa . . ." Jecht said. Bahamut was about twenty feet tall a black and blue color and stood on its hind legs. Its feet consisted of three massive claws in front and one in back. Its face was stern and solid and it kept its arms crossed. It had two giant, multicolored wings with two claws coming up from the tops of them.
"Now THAT'S a fighting machine!" Jecht said with a smile.
"Bahamut! Go!" Bahamut ran forward and swung a punch, but the Xiphos dodged it and swiped it with his claws. But Bahamut was unaffected.
"Bahamut! Use Impulse!"
Bahamut's hands, mouth, and wing tips glowed and a black ball shot from each one and nailed the Xiphos. It flew back and landed on its back. Bahamut walked up and crushed it under its foot. It was dead.
"Bahamut, you are dismissed." Bahamut spread its wings and flew back up into the sky.
"So that's an aeon?" Jecht said. "Awesome!"
"Impressive." Auron agreed.
"Yes it is. Now, let's go."
But another Xiphos leapt out and blocked their path.
"Another one?!" Jecht groaned. "Guess you better summon again."
"No, wait." Auron said. "I've got an idea." The Xiphos ran at him. Auron clenched his fist as his body glowed red. "You shall hurt no one!" He ran forward. "Power Break!" He cut the Xiphos, but it came back and swiped him. But Auron barely felt it. Jecht slashed it as well and it countered, but Jecht too didn't feel much pain.
"Hey, what did you do?"
"Power Break weakens an enemy's physical power. Now let's get him!" Both men charged, hacking away and the Xiphos was powerless to stop them. Finally, Jecht Auron hacked off the leg and its head fell to the ground, then Jecht cut through it.
"Alright! We rock!"
"Don't get too cocky. Who knows how many we'll be seeing?"
Jecht sighed. "Yeesh. Do you ever lighten up?"
"Forgive me for knowing the dangers that lie ahead. Now let's go."
As they began walking once more, Auron heard Jecht muttering something to Braska. All he could decipher was, "What's wrong with him? . . .working good together and . . .so uptight . . ."
And he heard Braska reply, "Auron is a very mysterious man . . .always has been . . ." Then their voices got quieter. Auron couldn't help but assume he was involved.
* * * *
As they kept traveling, the climate changed. Cold air crept around them and snow began falling. The lake was soon frozen over.
Jecht, who was shirtless, shoeless, and wearing shorts, was shivering. "Man! It's c-c-cold!"
"You should've dressed more warmly." Auron said.
"Hey! When I came to Spira, this was all I had!"
"Oh, yes." He said, mockingly. "I forgot. You're from Zanarkand."
"Speaking of which," Braska said, stopping. "You shouldn't go around telling people you're from Zanarkand. It's a holy place. You might upset someone."
"Then what am I supposed to say?"
"Say that Sin's toxin boggled your mind and you can't remember where you're from."
"Sin's what?"
"Sin releases a strange toxin that messes with people's minds and makes them forget things."
"Uh . . .okay. Now can we hurry up and move!"
"Right. Let's go."
Soon enough, they were sure that they were in Macalania. It was like a cold, snow-covered barren land. And the wind was unbearable. But soon, Jecht began to get used to it. They didn't stop often now because they wanted to get to the temple before they froze. But they had to make a U- turn at one point around a large icy mass.
"So, Braska." Jecht said. "What is Sin, anyway?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, where did Sin come from? What is it?"
"Over 1,000 years ago, there was a massive war between Bevelle and Zanarkand. Bevelle used great machina weapons and the war got heated. More and more powerful weapons were created on either front and the weapons grew so powerful, the people feared they could destroy the world."
"So what happened?"
"Sin came and destroyed all machina cities. That is why machina are strictly prohibited."
"But you didn't answer my question. Where did Sin come from? And what is it?"
Braska hesitated. "No one really knows either answer. But Yevon teaches that Sin was created from our vanity and our lust for power. And it will not go away until we have fully atoned."
"How do we do that?"
"I . . .do not know."
"Well . . .we don't have to worry anyway. The Final Aeon will defeat it. Hey, speaking of which, if you don't know what Sin is, then how can you know what will defeat it?"
"It is what the summoners before me have done to defeat it."
Jecht raised a brow and attempted to put that together. "Summoners before you?"
Braska was silent.
"They've defeated Sin in the past?! But . . .Sin is still here . . .that doesn't make sense at all!" "Of course it does." Auron said. "Sin dies and is reborn."
Jecht stopped. "It comes back?!"
Braska stopped and sighed.
"But . . .if it just comes back, then . . ."
"Don't say it isn't worth it." Braska said. "Because it is. Even for just a little while, people can sleep in their beds without fear. That kind of time is worth anything."
Auron looked at Jecht. He seemed to ponder it for a time.
"I guess . . .I guess you're right."
Auron looked over at Braska. But Braska didn't say anything except, "Let's keep moving."
Auron wondered. Why hadn't he told Jecht the rest? About the end?
The snow and the cold made the journey seem a lot longer. But finally, they saw two large stone doors imbedded into the side of a giant icy mound.
"The temple will be just inside!" Braska said.
"Finally!" Jecht said. "I'm starving!"
Auron looked at him. "You just ate an hour ago!"
"Yeah, but it's a whole hour!"
Auron shook his head. "Let's just go inside. Jecht, give me a hand."
They pushed open the doors and walked inside.
It was like being inside a giant, hollow, glacier. The temple was right in the middle, and a long, curved, narrow ice path led up to it. They walked along the path, careful not to slip and made it to the temple doors.
"Here we are." Braska said.
"Macaroni temple." Jecht said with a smile.
"Macalania!" Auron corrected.
Jecht shrugged. "I'm hungry!"
As soon as they stepped inside, people turned and looked at them. Braska did the prayer and everyone copied. Then, someone came up to them. He was a funny looking creature. Humanoid, but not human. His hands were way too big, as were his feet. He had long, dark blue hair sticking out in weird designs and thick blue facial hair.
"Ha!" Jecht laughed. "What a freak! Where'd they dig him up?"
Auron slapped his forehead. The man looked at him with a scowl.
"Who the heck is that, anyway?"
The man walked up to him. "I am Jyscal Guado, high priest of this temple!"
Jecht's eyes shot open. "Woops."
"That's an understatement, sir. Now who are you?"
"I'm, uh, Jecht. I'm with him." He pointed to Braska.
"He is my guardian." Braska explained.
"Really?" Jyscal said, raising a brow. "Good luck."
"Hey, I'm sorry." Jecht said. "It's just . . .that . . ."
"Have you never seen a Guado before?"
"Uh . . .no. I mean, maybe. I don't know. I . . .um . . .ran into Sin and my head's all . . .foggy-like. So . . .I'm sorry." He bowed.
"Hmm. Sin's toxin has poisoned your mind. But you are still alive. Praise be to Yevon." He did the prayer and Jecht copied.
Then, Jyscal turned to Braska. "If he is your guardian, then you are a summoner?"
"Yes. I am Lord Braska from the city of Bevelle. You have already met Jecht, and this is Auron. They are my guardians."
Jyscal smiled. "This is good news. We long for the calm. Let us hope you can bring it. The trials are up there." He pointed to some steps at the far end of the circular room leading up to two large doors.
"Thank you, sir." They both did the prayer and Braska headed for the stairs. Jecht followed right behind. And Auron came up behind him and smacked him upside the head.
Jecht rubbed his head. "I deserved that. So, Braska, what are the trials?"
"Every temple has a Cloister of Trials the summoner and guardians must get through before entering the Chamber of the Fayth. Let's just hope these trials are easier than those in Bevelle."
Then they entered. Inside was a long, icy hallway with more doors at the end.
Jecht looked around again. "Where are the trials?"
Braska was confused. "I don't know. But watch yourself." They walked along and made it to the doors without trouble. Inside was another large, circular room with yet more doors at the end. "Some trials." Jecht chuckled.
"I don't understand." Braska said, shaking his head.
Once they were inside, they heard a female voice singing.
"Ieyui . . .nobomenu . . .renmiri . . .yojuyogo . . .hasatekanae . . .kutamae . . ." And the voice kept repeating this same hymn.
"Where's that singing coming from?" Jecht asked.
"The fayth inside sings it." Braska explained.
"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask, what's a fayth?"
"The fayth are the souls of the dead. They willingly gave their souls to Yevon while they were still living. They live forever in statues. But when a summoner beckons, the fayth bestows him or her with a supernatural being of power. That's an aeon."
"So is it in there?"
"Yes, that is the Chamber of the Fayth."
"We cannot go in there." Auron said.
"Why not?"
"It's prohibited. Only summoners may enter." He looked at Braska. "We shall wait out here."
Braska nodded and opened the doors and stepped inside.
"So . . .what do we do until he comes back?" Jecht asked.
"We wait."
"That's it?"
"If either of us make a mistake, Braska would be the one to suffer the consequences."
"Consequences?"
"He could be excommunicated."
"Oh."
"So just stay put and wait."
"How long will it take?"
"One cannot say."
"Great." He sat down with his back against the wall and waited for Braska to return.
* * * *
They couldn't really tell how long it was, but to Jecht, it seemed like eternity. He kept fidgeting and Auron was getting annoyed. He could stay still and solemn for a long time. But Jecht apparently had a very short attention span.
Finally, he began talking.
"Hey, Auron."
He rolled his eyes. "What?" And he prepared himself for another pathetic, childish question that everyone knew the answers to.
"Why does Sin always come back?"
Auron hadn't expected this. Jecht actually had an intelligent question in him?
"I don't know."
"It's kina strange. How can it keep coming back?" He just asked that last part to himself, but Auron gave an answer.
"Yevon says that Sin is our punishment and won't go away until we've completely atoned.
"That's what Yevon says, but what do you say?"
Auron looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"What's your opinion? Do you think the same?"
Auron hesitated. "I don't know."
"That's it?"
"It's just a bit hard to accept. I mean, how can the entire world gain complete atonement? I just keep hoping there is another way. But, if it really is the only way, I will do my part."
"Can't we just attack Sin head-on?"
Auron slowly turned his head to him. "You really don't come from Spira, that's for sure. Either that or Sin's toxin really has affected your mind.in a serious way at that. None can just go up and attack Sin. Even an entire army will be obliterated in a single attack."
"How do you know?"
Auron turned his head away. "I have seen it."
"What do you mean?"
"When I was younger, about twelve, I witnessed one of Sin's attacks. A massive army of crusaders had gathered to fight it off, but they were instantly decimated. That's when I wanted to become a fighter. Soon, I was a warrior monk. Until now."
"Until now? What happened?"
"That is my own business."
Jecht sighed. "So, this Final Aeon is the only way of defeating.I mean, stopping Sin for a time?"
"Apparently. I just wish I could do something."
"For what?"
Auron kept silent. Braska had neglected to tell him, so maybe he should too.
"Nothing."
Jecht appeared confused, but didn't raise it up again. Instead, he began humming. He was humming the hymn that the fayth was singing. Auron stayed silent. He hadn't heard this hymn since he'd waited outside the Chamber of the Fayth in Bevelle. But the voice there was different. It sounded like a small child. This one sounded like a grown woman.
Not much longer later, the doors opened again and Jecht stood. Braska seemed a bit disoriented. He was a little woozy.
"You okay, Braska?" Jecht asked.
"I'm fine. It's just a little overwhelming every time I receive an aeon."
"Two down," Jecht said. "Three to go! Where's the next?"
"Djose temple." Auron said. "First, we go through the Guado city of Guadosalam, then cross the Moonflow, then walk a little ways and we're there."
"Guados again, huh?" Jecht said, rubbing the back of his head. "I'll just . . .try to keep my mouth shut."
"Praise be to Yevon for that." Auron said.
Author's Note: I know I haven't made Auron look as cool as he is in the game, and the focus seems to go around everyone, but he is right there when everything happens. But you'll see the differences later. What did you think of this chapter? Please review!
Chapter Two: A Long Road Ahead
"So how far to Zanarkand?"
The morning sun had risen and Bevelle was far behind them. They had gone a little ways until they ran into what Braska called, "Lake Macalania". Now, they were following it.
"We aren't going directly there." Auron answered.
"Huh? Why not?"
"I have to pray at every temple in Spira," Braska explained. "And obtain every aeon in order to earn the Final Aeon."
"How many are there?"
"Five, I believe. I already have the one from Bevelle."
"So four to go." Jecht said. "Where's the first one?"
"Around this lake, in Macalania."
"Are all the aeons the same?"
"No. They're all different. Some are of certain elements and others serve other purposes, but no two are the same."
"Huh. What about the Bevelle aeon? What's it do?"
"Do?"
"Yeah. I mean, what's so special about this one?"
"Well, first off, its name is Bahamut. And it's said to be the most powerful."
"So you start off with the best one? What a deal!"
"But it's also very slow. It knows all of the elemental magic attacks and has no weaknesses. Still, I'll need them all."
"I wonder what the one in Macarena Temple is like?"
"Macalania." Auron corrected.
"It's the city of ice," Braska said, "So it should be of the same element."
"And there are four we have to get?"
"Yes."
"Where's the last one?"
"In the furthest south island, Besaid."
"Man, this is gonna be a long journey."
"I know. Hope your feet can take it." Auron said.
Jecht looked down at his bare feet. "Hey, I'm the world's best blitzer. I can take anything."
"We'll see." Auron said with a small grin.
* * * *
The road WAS very long. They followed Lake Macalania eastward for the longest time. Finally, they stopped one afternoon to rest.
"Man," Jecht groaned. "Just walking by this lake is killing me. Are we allowed to swim in it?"
"Sure, go ahead." Braska said.
"Great!" Jecht jumped in.
Auron shook his head. "Enjoy it while you can. Things will get a lot rougher later."
"Ah, quit being such a sourpuss and take a dip!"
"No thank you. I prefer the dry land."
"Can't swim?"
"I CAN!!"
"Auron! Would you just let Jecht enjoy himself?" Braska pleaded.
Auron clenched his fist in anger. Why did Braska always seem to take Jecht's side? Then he saw it. A water fiend headed straight to Jecht. He smiled. This would decide just how tough Jecht was. The black shadow moved closer and closet and Jecht didn't see it at all. Something inside Auron told him to warn Jecht, but his pride stood in the way. Luckily, Braska saw it.
"Jecht! Look out!"
"Huh?!"
A great fish-like nemesis with two long, bullhorns leapt up and pulled him under.
"Jecht!" Braska shouted. He leapt to his feet. Auron saw two shadows moving about under the water. Finally, Jecht popped back up.
"WHAT IS THIS THING?!"
"Your first challenge!" Auron said. "Fight it! Let's see the great Jecht in action!"
The creature came up again, but Jecht grabbed a horn as he went under and reached for his sword. Auron and Braska could do nothing but watch once more as they fought. Braska had his staff ready just in case he needed to use a spell. The shadows soon got dimmer and faded away entirely. Both men scanned over the lake, but could see nothing. Parts of the water turned red with blood, but whose it was, they didn't know.
"Where is he?" Braska asked, to no one in particular. Minutes passed, but no sign of either Jecht or the creature.
"It appears Jecht was not as invincible as he thought." Auron said, crossing his arms. And at that point, something surfaced. It was the creature. It swam closer to the shore and Braska got ready to strike with an electric spell. But then, the creature flew up out of the water and hit the surface in a heap. They saw the bloody gash in the creature's side. Then, Jecht leapt out of the water, sword in hand. He put his free hand at the base of his neck and cracked it right, then left, then right again.
"Who's hungry?"
* * * *
The creature turned out to be quite a tasty and filling meal after all.
"So, Jecht." Braska said, while chewing on his share. "How is it you came to us?"
Jecht raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"You say you're from Zanarkand. How did you end up in Bevelle?"
Jecht put down his meat as he told them. "I went out to the sea to train for blitzball by myself you see? I'm out there swimming and stuff for about an hour, when the water gets really dark. I start to head up to the surface, when I see something below me. I look down and there's this HUGE thing below me! I don't know what it was, but the next thing I know, there's this bright flash and I'm out like a light. I woke up on the shore and nothing was familiar. I walked a ways until I found a city. I asked people where I was and they said, "Bevelle". Of course, I'd never heard of it, so I asked how to get back to Zanarkand. Everyone gave me these weird looks and I kept asking, but they wouldn't answer me. Some guys came over and tried taking me in, saying I was drunk. I knew that wasn't true, and didn't want to go, but then they pulled out their swords and fought me. I fought back of course! Heh, I knocked out twenty of em! Next thing I know, there's a lightning bolt and I wake up in jail. Then you guys came, and here we are."
"I'm surprised it took a Thundaga spell to stop you."
"A what now?"
Auron rolled his eyes, tired of Jecht's childish questions.
"There are four elements in magic." Braska explained. "Fire, water, thunder and ice. Each element has three levels of power. Fire, Water, Thunder, and Blizzard are the basic black magic moves. Fira, Watera, Thundara, and Blizzara are the second level. They are more powerful, but are more difficult to use. Firaga, Waterga, Thundaga, and Blizzaga are the third level, and the most powerful. They are the most difficult to use."
"So it took the most powerful thunder spell to stop me? Alright! I rock!"
"Don't get cocky." Auron warned.
"Anyway," Braska continued, "There are also seven other black magic moves. These, I have not learned. Bio poisons an enemy. Demi takes away a quarter of all enemies' life. Death is obvious. Drain takes their health and gives it to the user. Osmose takes their magic and gives it to the user. Flare is a powerful, non-elemental spell that very few people learn. And finally, Ultima is like using Flare to all opponents. Only a skilled few obtain this move.
"So you use magic?"
"Yes, both white and black."
"What's the difference?"
"White magic is normally used to heal, while black magic is used for attacking. Perhaps you should learn some spells."
Auron had to laugh. "I would pay money to see that."
"Yeah, yeah, keep talking."
"Okay, I will. I don't buy your story one bit. I think you are an arrogant, self-centered, disrespecting, rebellious moron who is only out of jail because a summoner had sympathy for his poor, pathetic soul!"
"Auron!" Braska snapped.
"That does it!" Jecht leapt up and drew his sword. "Come on! You and me!"
"Gladly!" Auron drew his immense blade and slung it over his shoulder. Jecht ran at him and swung, but Auron brought his blade around and swung upward, knocking Jecht's sword out of his hand and him on his feet. Jecht stared at him in shock. Auron swung down and Jecht rolled away and kicked him in the head. Auron fell over, then got back up and they went at it fist-to-fist. Jecht was faster and got more moves in, but Auron was stronger. Jecht swung three punches and Auron caught his kick, but Jecht leapt in the air and spun around, catching him with his heel. Auron got onto his knees and thrust upward, catching Jecht in the jaw. He fell back and Auron got down and began punching his face into the ground. Jecht finally got him in the ribs and rolled him over and gave him the same treatment.
They fought on the ground for a while, rolling around swinging punches until they heard, "Waterga!" and a powerful blast of cold water knocked them both away. They choked on the water and looked up at Braska.
"This has gone on long enough! We are going on this journey to kill Sin, not each other!"
"But-" They both said.
"Silence!" Everyone took a moment to breath, then Braska calmed and continued. "Now, we must be going. I don't want any more fighting going on. And it embarrasses me to have to say that! You are grown men, not children!"
Auron shot Jecht a glare and he returned it, but they did not talk anymore.
* * * *
After another week or so, Lake Macalania finally led them south. Soon, they would be in Macalania itself. Auron and Jecht tried getting along from then on, but it wasn't easy. They were so different. There was only one place they seemed to ever cooperate: the battlefield. And now, the fiends were much more populous.
"Hah!" Auron swung at the wolf-like fiend, but it moved away. Auron tried again and it again dodged it. "It's too fast!"
"I got it!" Jecht said. He leapt forward and cut through the creature's stomach easily. "That wasn't too bad."
"You'd better watch out for his friend, though." Auron said. Jecht turned and saw a round fiend with a hard shell on its back and two more on its arms.
"That one looks slow!" Jecht laughed.
"It's also tough." Auron put in. "Let me handle it."
"No way! I can take it!" He leapt forward and struck, but his blade merely bounced off its shell."
"What the?!"
Auron came up and swung his mighty sword down. The razor-sharp blade and massive strength combined cut right through this monster.
"I told you so."
"Hey, Auron." Jecht said. "Braska wants us to work together, so how about this. I'll take care of the fast fiends and you take the tough ones."
Auron thought it over. "Okay. But what about those?" He pointed to a watery blob with a face that slid out of the water. "Blades won't hurt it."
"But magic will." Braska said. "Fire and ice fiends are opposed, meaning fire hurts ice and ice hurts fire. Water and lightning are the same way. This is a water fiend, which means . . .?"
"Use a thunder spell!"
"Right! Thunder!" A small bolt zapped the fiend and it slumped into a heap.
"Cool." Jecht said. "We got a great group going on here. A speedy, a toughie, and a magician!"
Suddenly, something shot out of the bushes. It was a thin creature with long, sharp legs like thick sickles and a similar tale. It stood on its hind legs and its two front sickles spread apart into three claws as it roared, then got back down on all fours.
"A Xiphos." Braska said. "I've heard of these."
"Uh . . ." Jecht said. "Quickie or toughie?"
"It's speedy, I'm sure."
"Got it!" Jecht slashed it, but then it countered by slashing him. Auron ran up and hit it, but it still hit back.
"Neither of us can stop it! What about magic?"
"Fira!" Braska blasted it with the second-level fire spell, but it still stood. "Nothing!"
"Now what?" Jecht asked.
"I'll have to summon."
"This oughta be good!" Jecht grinned.
Braska twirled his staff and said, "Bahamut! I summon you!" He thrust his staff to the sky. A massive symbol formed in the sky and something smashed through it and flew down. It flipped up and landed on its feet, shaking the ground and it roared.
"Whoa . . ." Jecht said. Bahamut was about twenty feet tall a black and blue color and stood on its hind legs. Its feet consisted of three massive claws in front and one in back. Its face was stern and solid and it kept its arms crossed. It had two giant, multicolored wings with two claws coming up from the tops of them.
"Now THAT'S a fighting machine!" Jecht said with a smile.
"Bahamut! Go!" Bahamut ran forward and swung a punch, but the Xiphos dodged it and swiped it with his claws. But Bahamut was unaffected.
"Bahamut! Use Impulse!"
Bahamut's hands, mouth, and wing tips glowed and a black ball shot from each one and nailed the Xiphos. It flew back and landed on its back. Bahamut walked up and crushed it under its foot. It was dead.
"Bahamut, you are dismissed." Bahamut spread its wings and flew back up into the sky.
"So that's an aeon?" Jecht said. "Awesome!"
"Impressive." Auron agreed.
"Yes it is. Now, let's go."
But another Xiphos leapt out and blocked their path.
"Another one?!" Jecht groaned. "Guess you better summon again."
"No, wait." Auron said. "I've got an idea." The Xiphos ran at him. Auron clenched his fist as his body glowed red. "You shall hurt no one!" He ran forward. "Power Break!" He cut the Xiphos, but it came back and swiped him. But Auron barely felt it. Jecht slashed it as well and it countered, but Jecht too didn't feel much pain.
"Hey, what did you do?"
"Power Break weakens an enemy's physical power. Now let's get him!" Both men charged, hacking away and the Xiphos was powerless to stop them. Finally, Jecht Auron hacked off the leg and its head fell to the ground, then Jecht cut through it.
"Alright! We rock!"
"Don't get too cocky. Who knows how many we'll be seeing?"
Jecht sighed. "Yeesh. Do you ever lighten up?"
"Forgive me for knowing the dangers that lie ahead. Now let's go."
As they began walking once more, Auron heard Jecht muttering something to Braska. All he could decipher was, "What's wrong with him? . . .working good together and . . .so uptight . . ."
And he heard Braska reply, "Auron is a very mysterious man . . .always has been . . ." Then their voices got quieter. Auron couldn't help but assume he was involved.
* * * *
As they kept traveling, the climate changed. Cold air crept around them and snow began falling. The lake was soon frozen over.
Jecht, who was shirtless, shoeless, and wearing shorts, was shivering. "Man! It's c-c-cold!"
"You should've dressed more warmly." Auron said.
"Hey! When I came to Spira, this was all I had!"
"Oh, yes." He said, mockingly. "I forgot. You're from Zanarkand."
"Speaking of which," Braska said, stopping. "You shouldn't go around telling people you're from Zanarkand. It's a holy place. You might upset someone."
"Then what am I supposed to say?"
"Say that Sin's toxin boggled your mind and you can't remember where you're from."
"Sin's what?"
"Sin releases a strange toxin that messes with people's minds and makes them forget things."
"Uh . . .okay. Now can we hurry up and move!"
"Right. Let's go."
Soon enough, they were sure that they were in Macalania. It was like a cold, snow-covered barren land. And the wind was unbearable. But soon, Jecht began to get used to it. They didn't stop often now because they wanted to get to the temple before they froze. But they had to make a U- turn at one point around a large icy mass.
"So, Braska." Jecht said. "What is Sin, anyway?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, where did Sin come from? What is it?"
"Over 1,000 years ago, there was a massive war between Bevelle and Zanarkand. Bevelle used great machina weapons and the war got heated. More and more powerful weapons were created on either front and the weapons grew so powerful, the people feared they could destroy the world."
"So what happened?"
"Sin came and destroyed all machina cities. That is why machina are strictly prohibited."
"But you didn't answer my question. Where did Sin come from? And what is it?"
Braska hesitated. "No one really knows either answer. But Yevon teaches that Sin was created from our vanity and our lust for power. And it will not go away until we have fully atoned."
"How do we do that?"
"I . . .do not know."
"Well . . .we don't have to worry anyway. The Final Aeon will defeat it. Hey, speaking of which, if you don't know what Sin is, then how can you know what will defeat it?"
"It is what the summoners before me have done to defeat it."
Jecht raised a brow and attempted to put that together. "Summoners before you?"
Braska was silent.
"They've defeated Sin in the past?! But . . .Sin is still here . . .that doesn't make sense at all!" "Of course it does." Auron said. "Sin dies and is reborn."
Jecht stopped. "It comes back?!"
Braska stopped and sighed.
"But . . .if it just comes back, then . . ."
"Don't say it isn't worth it." Braska said. "Because it is. Even for just a little while, people can sleep in their beds without fear. That kind of time is worth anything."
Auron looked at Jecht. He seemed to ponder it for a time.
"I guess . . .I guess you're right."
Auron looked over at Braska. But Braska didn't say anything except, "Let's keep moving."
Auron wondered. Why hadn't he told Jecht the rest? About the end?
The snow and the cold made the journey seem a lot longer. But finally, they saw two large stone doors imbedded into the side of a giant icy mound.
"The temple will be just inside!" Braska said.
"Finally!" Jecht said. "I'm starving!"
Auron looked at him. "You just ate an hour ago!"
"Yeah, but it's a whole hour!"
Auron shook his head. "Let's just go inside. Jecht, give me a hand."
They pushed open the doors and walked inside.
It was like being inside a giant, hollow, glacier. The temple was right in the middle, and a long, curved, narrow ice path led up to it. They walked along the path, careful not to slip and made it to the temple doors.
"Here we are." Braska said.
"Macaroni temple." Jecht said with a smile.
"Macalania!" Auron corrected.
Jecht shrugged. "I'm hungry!"
As soon as they stepped inside, people turned and looked at them. Braska did the prayer and everyone copied. Then, someone came up to them. He was a funny looking creature. Humanoid, but not human. His hands were way too big, as were his feet. He had long, dark blue hair sticking out in weird designs and thick blue facial hair.
"Ha!" Jecht laughed. "What a freak! Where'd they dig him up?"
Auron slapped his forehead. The man looked at him with a scowl.
"Who the heck is that, anyway?"
The man walked up to him. "I am Jyscal Guado, high priest of this temple!"
Jecht's eyes shot open. "Woops."
"That's an understatement, sir. Now who are you?"
"I'm, uh, Jecht. I'm with him." He pointed to Braska.
"He is my guardian." Braska explained.
"Really?" Jyscal said, raising a brow. "Good luck."
"Hey, I'm sorry." Jecht said. "It's just . . .that . . ."
"Have you never seen a Guado before?"
"Uh . . .no. I mean, maybe. I don't know. I . . .um . . .ran into Sin and my head's all . . .foggy-like. So . . .I'm sorry." He bowed.
"Hmm. Sin's toxin has poisoned your mind. But you are still alive. Praise be to Yevon." He did the prayer and Jecht copied.
Then, Jyscal turned to Braska. "If he is your guardian, then you are a summoner?"
"Yes. I am Lord Braska from the city of Bevelle. You have already met Jecht, and this is Auron. They are my guardians."
Jyscal smiled. "This is good news. We long for the calm. Let us hope you can bring it. The trials are up there." He pointed to some steps at the far end of the circular room leading up to two large doors.
"Thank you, sir." They both did the prayer and Braska headed for the stairs. Jecht followed right behind. And Auron came up behind him and smacked him upside the head.
Jecht rubbed his head. "I deserved that. So, Braska, what are the trials?"
"Every temple has a Cloister of Trials the summoner and guardians must get through before entering the Chamber of the Fayth. Let's just hope these trials are easier than those in Bevelle."
Then they entered. Inside was a long, icy hallway with more doors at the end.
Jecht looked around again. "Where are the trials?"
Braska was confused. "I don't know. But watch yourself." They walked along and made it to the doors without trouble. Inside was another large, circular room with yet more doors at the end. "Some trials." Jecht chuckled.
"I don't understand." Braska said, shaking his head.
Once they were inside, they heard a female voice singing.
"Ieyui . . .nobomenu . . .renmiri . . .yojuyogo . . .hasatekanae . . .kutamae . . ." And the voice kept repeating this same hymn.
"Where's that singing coming from?" Jecht asked.
"The fayth inside sings it." Braska explained.
"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask, what's a fayth?"
"The fayth are the souls of the dead. They willingly gave their souls to Yevon while they were still living. They live forever in statues. But when a summoner beckons, the fayth bestows him or her with a supernatural being of power. That's an aeon."
"So is it in there?"
"Yes, that is the Chamber of the Fayth."
"We cannot go in there." Auron said.
"Why not?"
"It's prohibited. Only summoners may enter." He looked at Braska. "We shall wait out here."
Braska nodded and opened the doors and stepped inside.
"So . . .what do we do until he comes back?" Jecht asked.
"We wait."
"That's it?"
"If either of us make a mistake, Braska would be the one to suffer the consequences."
"Consequences?"
"He could be excommunicated."
"Oh."
"So just stay put and wait."
"How long will it take?"
"One cannot say."
"Great." He sat down with his back against the wall and waited for Braska to return.
* * * *
They couldn't really tell how long it was, but to Jecht, it seemed like eternity. He kept fidgeting and Auron was getting annoyed. He could stay still and solemn for a long time. But Jecht apparently had a very short attention span.
Finally, he began talking.
"Hey, Auron."
He rolled his eyes. "What?" And he prepared himself for another pathetic, childish question that everyone knew the answers to.
"Why does Sin always come back?"
Auron hadn't expected this. Jecht actually had an intelligent question in him?
"I don't know."
"It's kina strange. How can it keep coming back?" He just asked that last part to himself, but Auron gave an answer.
"Yevon says that Sin is our punishment and won't go away until we've completely atoned.
"That's what Yevon says, but what do you say?"
Auron looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"What's your opinion? Do you think the same?"
Auron hesitated. "I don't know."
"That's it?"
"It's just a bit hard to accept. I mean, how can the entire world gain complete atonement? I just keep hoping there is another way. But, if it really is the only way, I will do my part."
"Can't we just attack Sin head-on?"
Auron slowly turned his head to him. "You really don't come from Spira, that's for sure. Either that or Sin's toxin really has affected your mind.in a serious way at that. None can just go up and attack Sin. Even an entire army will be obliterated in a single attack."
"How do you know?"
Auron turned his head away. "I have seen it."
"What do you mean?"
"When I was younger, about twelve, I witnessed one of Sin's attacks. A massive army of crusaders had gathered to fight it off, but they were instantly decimated. That's when I wanted to become a fighter. Soon, I was a warrior monk. Until now."
"Until now? What happened?"
"That is my own business."
Jecht sighed. "So, this Final Aeon is the only way of defeating.I mean, stopping Sin for a time?"
"Apparently. I just wish I could do something."
"For what?"
Auron kept silent. Braska had neglected to tell him, so maybe he should too.
"Nothing."
Jecht appeared confused, but didn't raise it up again. Instead, he began humming. He was humming the hymn that the fayth was singing. Auron stayed silent. He hadn't heard this hymn since he'd waited outside the Chamber of the Fayth in Bevelle. But the voice there was different. It sounded like a small child. This one sounded like a grown woman.
Not much longer later, the doors opened again and Jecht stood. Braska seemed a bit disoriented. He was a little woozy.
"You okay, Braska?" Jecht asked.
"I'm fine. It's just a little overwhelming every time I receive an aeon."
"Two down," Jecht said. "Three to go! Where's the next?"
"Djose temple." Auron said. "First, we go through the Guado city of Guadosalam, then cross the Moonflow, then walk a little ways and we're there."
"Guados again, huh?" Jecht said, rubbing the back of his head. "I'll just . . .try to keep my mouth shut."
"Praise be to Yevon for that." Auron said.
Author's Note: I know I haven't made Auron look as cool as he is in the game, and the focus seems to go around everyone, but he is right there when everything happens. But you'll see the differences later. What did you think of this chapter? Please review!