Chapter Five: Second Encounter
Auron, Jecht, and Braska were feeling much better now. They had a good deal of their money back, they'd defeated the Moonflow Sinspawn, and the next aeon was not far away.
Jecht kept playing with his blitzball, always bouncing it up and down in the air off of his feet and legs, then kicking it ahead, chasing after it, and repeating the process.
He ran up and grabbed it. "Hey, Auron! Catch!" He threw it to him and Auron caught it just in time. "Hey, your reflexes improved."
"Knock it off." Auron said, throwing it back to him.
"What team did you play for?" Braska asked him.
"Zanarkand Abes." Jecht said with a proud look. "See this tattoo? That's our logo."
"I was wondering about that. So, you were the star player, eh?"
Auron saw the lights go on in Jecht's eyes. "You better believe it! Heck, I practically make all the goals by myself! I could be a one-man team!"
Auron rolled his eyes. "For goodness sake. Can we spare ourselves this torment and just keep walking?"
"Jealous?"
"No."
"Are there any professional blitzers in Spira I can challenge?" Jecht asked them both. "Probably." Braska said. "But we don't really know any. There are no real teams in Bevelle, so we don't pay much attention to the sport."
Jecht shook his head. "Where I come from, blitzball is what it's all about. People come from miles around to see the great Jecht. Quit shaking your head, Auron, I'm serious! You go out there and hear, 'Jecht! Jecht! Jecht!' Yeah, that's where I was appreciated." Then, he sighed and the fire within him seemed to dim a little. "That's one of the things I miss most about home. I haven't been able to blitz in days."
He went on and on about that and Auron was getting bored. Luckily for him, he didn't have to put up with it for too long, for they could soon see the tall temple surging with lightning, which caused the rocks around to float around it.
Jecht stared at the floating rocks. "Am I still wasted?"
"No." Braska chuckled. "That's how it really is."
Jecht thought. "I'd ask how it happens, but it's probably technical, so...I don't care enough."
They did the same thing as Macalania. They entered the temple, introduced themselves, and went on towards the fayth. This time, the Cloister of Trials was before the Chamber of the Fayth. Jecht was often zapped by the electrical Djose Spheres.
"I hate this part." Jecht grumbled as he and Auron waited outside the Chamber of the Fayth.
"You get used to it." Auron shrugged.
Jecht decided to record a temple, so he pulled out his sphere. But as soon as he turned it on, electricity began swarming rapidly around the area. He quickly turned it off.
"What was that?!"
Auron answered, "The electrical waves interacted with those of the temple and went out of control momentarily."
Jecht stared at him. "Uh-huh. So don't turn it on. I got it." He put it up. "Karen and Tidus will never believe the things I've seen."
For a time, there was a silence, save for the buzzing of electricity. Auron was a patient man, but soon, he, too, longed for conversation.
"So what are they like?" He asked awkwardly.
Jecht looked up. "Who?"
"Your wife and son. What are they like?"
"Oh. Well . . ." Jecht began thinking. "My wife's name is Karen, as you know. She, uh...well, she's great. I can't think of any other words for her." He shrugged. "She's got brown hair, lighter than mine, a real pretty thing too." Jecht seemed to be out of words.
"That all you have to say?" Auron asked.
"I'm not much with words." Jecht admitted.
"Well . . .how did you two meet?" Auron inquired.
"At a bar after a game. Millions of girls were always all around me, of course, but she kinda stood out."
"How so?"
"She didn't crowd around me."
Auron had to chuckle. "Modesty isn't your strong suit."
Jecht smiled. "If you're the best, why hide it? Anyway, she seemed more shy than reluctant, so when all the other girls left, I started talking to her. One thing led to another and here we are."
"Anything else you can tell about her?"
"She's, um . . .loyal, I know that much . . .a real sweet girl . . .I don't know."
Auron knew Jecht couldn't get too sentimental, so he moved on in the conversation.
"What of your son. Tidus was it?"
Jecht let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah."
"Something wrong?"
Jecht shook his head. "I don't know. The kid kinda pushes me away, I don't know why."
"Well . . .how do you treat him?"
Jecht shrugged. "Like a son? I'm not abusive, if that's what you're aiming at, but it's not like I'm gonna be totally soft on him. You could say I'm tough, but that's how I want HIM to be, you see."
"I suppose."
"Well, I want him to be a blitzball player, like me. He's already shown some interest, but he wasn't all that good, the last I saw him."
"Mm." Auron said, now knowing anything better to say.
"And what about you?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, any girls in your life?"
Auron chuckled. "I don't have time for women."
"Well . . .any past relations?"
"Not really. I've had my share of flirters too, but nothing ever serious."
"What about that girl in Bevelle?"
Auron shot him a look. "How do you know about her?"
"Braska told me, but he didn't really go into detail, not that he knows too much with you being so secretive."
"I see."
"So what happened?"
Auron ponder over whether or not to tell this story. Finally, he spoke.
"I was the top Warrior Monk in Bevelle, and thus, highly regarded. One day, the High Priest wants to talk to me. He says he wants me to marry his daughter."
"And you said no."
"I did."
"Why's that? She ugly?"
Auron laughed. "Hardly. She was . . ." He trailed.
"Well?"
Auron kept his small smile. "36-24-35."
"Ooh." Jecht grinned.
"Yeah. She was quite possibly the most beautiful woman in Bevelle."
"So she's rich, royal, and hot. And you said no?"
"There was more to her than met the eye."
"How so?"
"She was the daughter of the high priest, so that put her in a very high position. She knew it and she abused it. She was quite selfish, though she tried to hide it. Her focus was upon herself before others. She was rude and disrespectful to those below her rank. All in all, I could not accept her attitude."
"How did the High Priest take it?"
"Not well. I respectfully declined, but the priest wouldn't have it. We got into an argument ending with me being excommunicated."
Jecht's eyes shot open. "Excommunicated? For not marrying the guy's daughter? Can he do that?"
"He's the High Priest."
"But . . .that can't be right! You can't kick someone out just because you don't like them!"
"Those who have power use it." Auron explained. "High Priests have power."
Jecht had to give him that one. "So what did you do?"
"I was no longer a monk, but I was still a warrior. I remained friends with a few warriors, like Kinoc, whom you met. But many of them were skeptical."
"Why?"
"The High Priest began stretching the truth about his reason for excommunicating me. I began to be looked down upon. However," Auron looked towards the entrance to the Chamber of the Fayth. "Braska stayed with me, disregarding the rumors. I never knew a truer friend . . ."
Jecht cup his hand around his ear. "Soft, sentimental music?"
"Shut up." Auron groaned. "Anyway, after then, I began distrusting Yevon and the teachings."
"Distrusting?"
But before Auron could continue, the door opened and Braska hobbled out, rubbing his head.
"Alright." Braska said. "I have obtained the aeon. We can leave."
"Yes." Auron said.
Jecht was still curious about Auron, but something in him told him not to ask. He'd continue the conversation in the next temple.
"Where to now?" Jecht asked.
"It is a good ways to the next temple." Braska said. "First, we must cross the Djose and Mi'ihen highroads, then go through Luca."
"The temple is there?"
"No." Auron stepped in. "From Luca, we must take a boat to Kilika Island."
"That is a good ways." Jecht sighed. "Well, let's keep moving; it's the only way we'll get there."
"Point noted." Auron admitted.
"But let us hurry across the Djose Highroad." Braska said.
"You seem nervous." Jecht noticed.
"Look." Braska said, waving his hand to his left. On their right was a high stone wall, but on their left was nothing but an open, empty sea.
"Something wrong with the sea?"
"Sin attacks most often by the water. This is the biggest water body around, so this is the most common place for Sin to be."
"Oh . . ." Jecht said. "I'm with him; let's hurry."
"If all else fails, we have the Crusaders." Auron said.
"The whats?"
"They fight Sin when summoners aren't around. They try to keep Sin at bay until the Final Aeon can destroy it."
"They can't beat it?" Jecht wondered aloud.
"No human can." Braska explained, "And that includes us. Let us hurry." They began to pick up the pace. Jecht was feeling a little freaked out, but Auron was confident as ever.
Nothing of major interest was seen along the Djose Highroad until they came around a corner. Along several ledges were several groups of warriors.
"The Crusaders?" Jecht guessed.
"Yes." Braska said. "This is their stronghold. Here, they can attack Sin on sight, but still be protected by the cliff walls and retreat if necessary." Braska thought for a moment. "We should go down and speak with them. You know, encourage them."
"I agree." Auron said. "We know they need it." They began walking towards on of the groups.
"So, guys," Jecht spoke up, "What does Sin look like?"
Auron and Braska looked at each other.
"How to describe it?" Braska wondered aloud.
"Well, is it really, really big?" Jecht asked.
"Very." Braska nodded.
"And very odd-shaped." Auron added. "Kind of a brownish color, if I remember right. But you'll know it when you see it because it can appear out of nowhere."
"And does it strike unshakable terror into those who see it for the first time?" Jecht asked.
"Yes," Braska said. "How did you know?"
"Because I can't feel my legs."
Braska and Auron turned back to see Jecht still standing on the ledge. They ran over to him and saw what he did: Sin was in the water, drawing near.
The crusaders were noticing Sin too, and getting ready to attack.
"Wh-what should we do?" Jecht asked, his voice starting to shake.
"Whatever you decide," Auron said, drawing his blade, "Don't be afraid!"
Down below, the water was rippling. Sin was launching his army. The Crusaders were countering with theirs.
Auron, Braska, and Jecht, weapons ready, began running down the ledges to the beach to join the fight.
Their foes were little blue creatures with sharp claws and wings.
"What are those?!" Jecht asked.
"Sinscales." Auron said. "Sin's basic drones." He turned to Braska. "Stay back, but give us support!"
Braska nodded. Auron and Jecht attacked.
Auron entered the battle with his Bushido move, Dragon Fang, blasting every foe around him into oblivion and then some.
Jecht ran to those who were struggling. He stabbed a Sinscale, catching the attention of the others. With two swift motions, Jecht struck down two more. Suddenly, something bit his leg. Jecht stabbed down and got the Sinscale, then spun back and sliced through one on the beach. Jecht sliced a few more.
Auron wasn't as fast as Jecht, so he stuck with smaller numbers. One here, one there, two attacking a Crusader, and a few more. Then, a small group began to gang up on him. Auron struck one and took the blow of another, then struck it. Two were about to use their Spines attack, but a fiery blast stopped them short. Auron recognized it as Braska's Fira Spell. It was followed by a move Auron hadn't previously seen Braska use: Demi. All Sinscales were tossed back, giving the Crusaders enough time to kill a great deal of them. Auron turned to Braska, who gave him a thumbs-up.
Auron's thick boots protected him from the underwater attackers, but Jecht was barefoot and vulnerable. Three more stabs in the water, then one above it. They were very easily killed, but there were just so many! Jecht decided this was getting out of hand, so he went towards the source. Jecht dove under the water and instantly found a group to kill, which he did. He continued along under the water, striking down Sinscales left and right.
Braska just struck down large groups of Sinscales and those who were attacking weakened crusaders. The crusaders themselves were doing rather well for themselves, but Braska knew that there were many more in the waters, coming from Sin. How many there were, no one knew. And Sin itself! What to do about it? Braska got tired of just standing around.
"Everyone! Get back!!" He hollered. "I will summon Ixion!"
The crusaders were near enough to Djose Temple to know what Ixion was. The word spread of Braska's plan and they all got to running. Braska cast a round of Fira spells to blast away the Sinscales nearby so everyone could run back.
Auron trotted quickly to Braska's side. "Alright." He said, but Braska was troubled.
"Where is Jecht?" He asked.
Auron looked around. "Didn't he hear you? Everyone else did!"
Suddenly, he spotted him. "Auron, look!" He pointed to the sea. Jecht popped his head up and took a breath.
"Jecht!" Braska called, but he'd already gone back down under.
"What is he doing?!" Auron demanded.
"Fighting underwater fiends, is appears." Braska groaned. "I cannot have Ixion attack while he is in the water!"
"Then do something until I can get him." Auron said.
Braska thought, then began casting more spells at the oncoming Sinscales. "Jecht!!" Auron called, trudging through the water. He sliced a few foes away, and then Braska froze them all with his Blizzaga spell. "Jecht!" Auron called again. Where was he?
Auron looked down at the dark water, which was around his waist now. He really didn't want too, but Jecht could hold his breath for a long time. Auron groaned, "Fine." He took a breath and dove in.
Auron began swimming around and was quickly reminded of why he hated doing this. The water was dark and murky, so he couldn't see much in front of him. A few Sinscales came at him, but he struck them down. Soon, a few dead ones drifted by. He knew he was close.
Auron took a breath and returned to the water, swimming like mad, just wanting to get out of there. Then, he saw a red flash. It was Jecht's sword. Auron swam up to him and grabbed his shoulder. Instinctively, Jecht swung at him, but Auron foresaw it and blocked with his own sword. Jecht's eyes shot open upon seeing him. Auron pointed up and they swam to the surface.
Jecht spat out water. "You can swim!"
"That's beside the point!" Auron snapped. "We must get on dry land! Braska is going to summon an electric aeon!"
"I'm out!" Jecht said. But before they left, they heard a low rumbling.
Jecht and Auron turned and froze.
It was Sin.
Right next to them.
"Don't . . .move . . ." Auron said.
"Then how can I run away in fear?" Jecht trembled.
"Don't be afraid." Auron advised.
"How can't I be? The very beast of destruction is so close I could pet it!"
"Shh!!"
But then, they heard another rumbling coming from within Sin. The water began to bubble and ripple rapidly.
"RUN!!" Auron shouted.
They both turned away, but before even getting in one stroke, the air began rippling and the world began spinning left and right until reaching a full spin.
Spinning . . .Spinning . . .Everything spinning . . .
A light? Getting brighter . . .but at the same time . . .everything going dimmer . . .
Getting sleepy . . .so sleepy . . .
Light . . .lights. Lots of them . . .where are they coming from?
Everything's blurry . . .coming into focus...
Cannot move . . .why won't my body work?
A sea . . .a port . . .a city!
What a city! Buildings so tall and bright! People . . .thousands of them . . .all in one place . . .
Never have I seen a place so large . . .so luminous! How can a place like this exist? What is this place?
Flashing images, one after another . . .such a city . . .a . . .a stadium? A blitzball stadium! All lit up . . .stands full . . .but . . .this cannot be Luca! Surely this place is far too large . . .
Someone coming from the stadium . . .who?
Another image . . .the same person, going to his home . . a woman . . .a child . . .it . . .it's Jecht!!
No . . .it cannot be . . . The lights...the stadium. . .the family . . .can it be??
Zanarkand?!
Drifting away . . .pulling back . . .light . . .filling . . .everything . . .
Auron's eyes finally fluttered open. He didn't have the foggiest as to where he was. What had happened?
Jecht . . .Sin . . .the toxin! Had his mind been affected?
Who am I? I am Auron. I'm on a pilgrimage with Braska and Jecht . . .Sin attacked us on the Djose shore . . .
Auron figured he was alright, but where was he?
"AH!!" A familiar voice shouted.
Auron rubbed his head as his hearing returned to him. Some shouting . . .and a growling. What?
Auron rubbed his eyes and rolled his head over.
The shouting was Jecht. His sword was drawn, but against what? Auron looked over and saw a Sinspawn. It looked like a giant alligator on its hind legs with spikes running down its back and arms.
Auron forced himself onto his side. Jecht was hurt-bad. He was cut and sliced terribly, bleeding significantly. He was panting heavily and wavering. Jecht had been fighting for a time.
The alligator-monster swiped with its claws. Jecht dodged them and then the swinging tail. It got down on all fours and snapped at Jecht, who barely avoided it. Then, the monster made a real surprise: It curled into a ball and rolled at Jecht, spikes pointing out. Jecht jumped aside and chased it. When it hit a wall and was dazed, Jecht struck it. It roared and kicked back at him. Jecht flew back onto the ground a ways away, but got back up.
Auron pushed himself onto his knees, then to his feet. Jecht kept fighting, dodging and striking whenever he could, but he wasn't making much progress. Finally, the monster punched him and smacked him into a stone column. Jecht slumped to his rear and couldn't move. The monster stepped back and got on all fours again.
Auron still had his blade, so he ran. He got in front of Jecht as the monster curled up and charged. When it was close enough, Auron attempted a special move he'd been practicing: Shooting Star. Gathering all his strength, Auron swung a mighty upper-swipe with his sword. Like a baseball to the bat, the monster flew back. It was rather large, so it didn't go too far, but enough. It uncurled in the air and landed on its back. But when it did, its spikes dug into the ground and the monster was stuck!
Acting quickly, Auron ran up to it and jumped, his sword landing in the monster's belly. It roared in pain for a moment, and then slumped down. It faded away in pyreflies.
Then, Auron turned to Jecht. He ran to him and knelt down by him, grabbing his shoulders.
"Jecht!" He called to him. "Jecht! Get up!"
"Mm . . .A-Auron??"
"Yes! It's me! Are you alright?"
"Zanarkand . . ." Jecht muttered. "I saw it . . ."
Auron wasn't sure how to respond. Had he seen it too?
"Jecht, can you stand?"
"It was incredible, Auron . . .the stadium . . .all the fans . . ." he let out a chuckle.
"The toxin may have affected your mind, Jecht. C'mon, I'll help you up."
"I can't, Auron . . .I can't stand . . .I just . . .I just . . ."
"You just what?" Auron demanded. "Out with it!"
"I just . . .want . . .to see them again . . ."
"Them?"
"My . . .family . . ." Jecht's eyes closed.
"Jecht?? JECHT!!" Auron called. He wasn't responding. He'd lost a lot of blood, as Auron could see. He was out cold.
"Auron!" A familiar voice called. He looked up at Braska, who was running towards him, followed by a group of crusaders.
"Over here!" Auron called. "Hurry!" Braska ran over to him.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, but Jecht . . ."
Braska looked down, and then knelt down, examining him. "He's unconscious, but I must act fast." Braska stood and took a deep breath, tired from the fighting, then waved his staff over Jecht.
"Life." He commanded. A white light glowed around Jecht. He choked and coughed out blood. His eyes darted around.
"Braska??" He muttered. "Auron . . .what happened?"
"We'll take care of him." One of the crusaders said. A group of them lifted him up and began carrying him back to the base.
Braska turned back to Auron. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine." Auron nodded. "But what happened?"
"I'm not sure. We saw you go out for Jecht, then Sin started roaring and we lost sight of you. Then, Sin just vanished. Some crusaders went searching, but couldn't find you two, so we began looking along the coast." Braska looked troubled. "I thought I'd lost you both."
Auron shook his head. "You know me. I cannot see the Farplane until my tasks are complete."
Braska chuckled. "Good. What about you and Jecht? What do you remember?"
"Surprisingly, everything, even with Sin's toxin. Sin blurred my mind and I went into a sort of dream state. I . . ." Auron trailed.
"You what?"
"I . . .saw something . . .but I cannot be certain as to what."
"Peculiar." Braska said.
"Yes . . .anyway, when I woke up, Jecht was fighting a Sinspawn."
"On his own?"
"Yes, but he suffered greatly, as you see." Then, he admitted, "But...if it wasn't for Jecht fighting . . .I probably wouldn't be standing here."
"Then you owe him one, don't you?" Braska smiled.
Auron rolled his eyes. "I suppose..."
"Come on." Braska said, patting his shoulder. "Let's go." And they walked back to the base.
But Auron's mind plagued him. What had he seen? He had some questions to ask Jecht.
Auron, Jecht, and Braska were feeling much better now. They had a good deal of their money back, they'd defeated the Moonflow Sinspawn, and the next aeon was not far away.
Jecht kept playing with his blitzball, always bouncing it up and down in the air off of his feet and legs, then kicking it ahead, chasing after it, and repeating the process.
He ran up and grabbed it. "Hey, Auron! Catch!" He threw it to him and Auron caught it just in time. "Hey, your reflexes improved."
"Knock it off." Auron said, throwing it back to him.
"What team did you play for?" Braska asked him.
"Zanarkand Abes." Jecht said with a proud look. "See this tattoo? That's our logo."
"I was wondering about that. So, you were the star player, eh?"
Auron saw the lights go on in Jecht's eyes. "You better believe it! Heck, I practically make all the goals by myself! I could be a one-man team!"
Auron rolled his eyes. "For goodness sake. Can we spare ourselves this torment and just keep walking?"
"Jealous?"
"No."
"Are there any professional blitzers in Spira I can challenge?" Jecht asked them both. "Probably." Braska said. "But we don't really know any. There are no real teams in Bevelle, so we don't pay much attention to the sport."
Jecht shook his head. "Where I come from, blitzball is what it's all about. People come from miles around to see the great Jecht. Quit shaking your head, Auron, I'm serious! You go out there and hear, 'Jecht! Jecht! Jecht!' Yeah, that's where I was appreciated." Then, he sighed and the fire within him seemed to dim a little. "That's one of the things I miss most about home. I haven't been able to blitz in days."
He went on and on about that and Auron was getting bored. Luckily for him, he didn't have to put up with it for too long, for they could soon see the tall temple surging with lightning, which caused the rocks around to float around it.
Jecht stared at the floating rocks. "Am I still wasted?"
"No." Braska chuckled. "That's how it really is."
Jecht thought. "I'd ask how it happens, but it's probably technical, so...I don't care enough."
They did the same thing as Macalania. They entered the temple, introduced themselves, and went on towards the fayth. This time, the Cloister of Trials was before the Chamber of the Fayth. Jecht was often zapped by the electrical Djose Spheres.
"I hate this part." Jecht grumbled as he and Auron waited outside the Chamber of the Fayth.
"You get used to it." Auron shrugged.
Jecht decided to record a temple, so he pulled out his sphere. But as soon as he turned it on, electricity began swarming rapidly around the area. He quickly turned it off.
"What was that?!"
Auron answered, "The electrical waves interacted with those of the temple and went out of control momentarily."
Jecht stared at him. "Uh-huh. So don't turn it on. I got it." He put it up. "Karen and Tidus will never believe the things I've seen."
For a time, there was a silence, save for the buzzing of electricity. Auron was a patient man, but soon, he, too, longed for conversation.
"So what are they like?" He asked awkwardly.
Jecht looked up. "Who?"
"Your wife and son. What are they like?"
"Oh. Well . . ." Jecht began thinking. "My wife's name is Karen, as you know. She, uh...well, she's great. I can't think of any other words for her." He shrugged. "She's got brown hair, lighter than mine, a real pretty thing too." Jecht seemed to be out of words.
"That all you have to say?" Auron asked.
"I'm not much with words." Jecht admitted.
"Well . . .how did you two meet?" Auron inquired.
"At a bar after a game. Millions of girls were always all around me, of course, but she kinda stood out."
"How so?"
"She didn't crowd around me."
Auron had to chuckle. "Modesty isn't your strong suit."
Jecht smiled. "If you're the best, why hide it? Anyway, she seemed more shy than reluctant, so when all the other girls left, I started talking to her. One thing led to another and here we are."
"Anything else you can tell about her?"
"She's, um . . .loyal, I know that much . . .a real sweet girl . . .I don't know."
Auron knew Jecht couldn't get too sentimental, so he moved on in the conversation.
"What of your son. Tidus was it?"
Jecht let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah."
"Something wrong?"
Jecht shook his head. "I don't know. The kid kinda pushes me away, I don't know why."
"Well . . .how do you treat him?"
Jecht shrugged. "Like a son? I'm not abusive, if that's what you're aiming at, but it's not like I'm gonna be totally soft on him. You could say I'm tough, but that's how I want HIM to be, you see."
"I suppose."
"Well, I want him to be a blitzball player, like me. He's already shown some interest, but he wasn't all that good, the last I saw him."
"Mm." Auron said, now knowing anything better to say.
"And what about you?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, any girls in your life?"
Auron chuckled. "I don't have time for women."
"Well . . .any past relations?"
"Not really. I've had my share of flirters too, but nothing ever serious."
"What about that girl in Bevelle?"
Auron shot him a look. "How do you know about her?"
"Braska told me, but he didn't really go into detail, not that he knows too much with you being so secretive."
"I see."
"So what happened?"
Auron ponder over whether or not to tell this story. Finally, he spoke.
"I was the top Warrior Monk in Bevelle, and thus, highly regarded. One day, the High Priest wants to talk to me. He says he wants me to marry his daughter."
"And you said no."
"I did."
"Why's that? She ugly?"
Auron laughed. "Hardly. She was . . ." He trailed.
"Well?"
Auron kept his small smile. "36-24-35."
"Ooh." Jecht grinned.
"Yeah. She was quite possibly the most beautiful woman in Bevelle."
"So she's rich, royal, and hot. And you said no?"
"There was more to her than met the eye."
"How so?"
"She was the daughter of the high priest, so that put her in a very high position. She knew it and she abused it. She was quite selfish, though she tried to hide it. Her focus was upon herself before others. She was rude and disrespectful to those below her rank. All in all, I could not accept her attitude."
"How did the High Priest take it?"
"Not well. I respectfully declined, but the priest wouldn't have it. We got into an argument ending with me being excommunicated."
Jecht's eyes shot open. "Excommunicated? For not marrying the guy's daughter? Can he do that?"
"He's the High Priest."
"But . . .that can't be right! You can't kick someone out just because you don't like them!"
"Those who have power use it." Auron explained. "High Priests have power."
Jecht had to give him that one. "So what did you do?"
"I was no longer a monk, but I was still a warrior. I remained friends with a few warriors, like Kinoc, whom you met. But many of them were skeptical."
"Why?"
"The High Priest began stretching the truth about his reason for excommunicating me. I began to be looked down upon. However," Auron looked towards the entrance to the Chamber of the Fayth. "Braska stayed with me, disregarding the rumors. I never knew a truer friend . . ."
Jecht cup his hand around his ear. "Soft, sentimental music?"
"Shut up." Auron groaned. "Anyway, after then, I began distrusting Yevon and the teachings."
"Distrusting?"
But before Auron could continue, the door opened and Braska hobbled out, rubbing his head.
"Alright." Braska said. "I have obtained the aeon. We can leave."
"Yes." Auron said.
Jecht was still curious about Auron, but something in him told him not to ask. He'd continue the conversation in the next temple.
"Where to now?" Jecht asked.
"It is a good ways to the next temple." Braska said. "First, we must cross the Djose and Mi'ihen highroads, then go through Luca."
"The temple is there?"
"No." Auron stepped in. "From Luca, we must take a boat to Kilika Island."
"That is a good ways." Jecht sighed. "Well, let's keep moving; it's the only way we'll get there."
"Point noted." Auron admitted.
"But let us hurry across the Djose Highroad." Braska said.
"You seem nervous." Jecht noticed.
"Look." Braska said, waving his hand to his left. On their right was a high stone wall, but on their left was nothing but an open, empty sea.
"Something wrong with the sea?"
"Sin attacks most often by the water. This is the biggest water body around, so this is the most common place for Sin to be."
"Oh . . ." Jecht said. "I'm with him; let's hurry."
"If all else fails, we have the Crusaders." Auron said.
"The whats?"
"They fight Sin when summoners aren't around. They try to keep Sin at bay until the Final Aeon can destroy it."
"They can't beat it?" Jecht wondered aloud.
"No human can." Braska explained, "And that includes us. Let us hurry." They began to pick up the pace. Jecht was feeling a little freaked out, but Auron was confident as ever.
Nothing of major interest was seen along the Djose Highroad until they came around a corner. Along several ledges were several groups of warriors.
"The Crusaders?" Jecht guessed.
"Yes." Braska said. "This is their stronghold. Here, they can attack Sin on sight, but still be protected by the cliff walls and retreat if necessary." Braska thought for a moment. "We should go down and speak with them. You know, encourage them."
"I agree." Auron said. "We know they need it." They began walking towards on of the groups.
"So, guys," Jecht spoke up, "What does Sin look like?"
Auron and Braska looked at each other.
"How to describe it?" Braska wondered aloud.
"Well, is it really, really big?" Jecht asked.
"Very." Braska nodded.
"And very odd-shaped." Auron added. "Kind of a brownish color, if I remember right. But you'll know it when you see it because it can appear out of nowhere."
"And does it strike unshakable terror into those who see it for the first time?" Jecht asked.
"Yes," Braska said. "How did you know?"
"Because I can't feel my legs."
Braska and Auron turned back to see Jecht still standing on the ledge. They ran over to him and saw what he did: Sin was in the water, drawing near.
The crusaders were noticing Sin too, and getting ready to attack.
"Wh-what should we do?" Jecht asked, his voice starting to shake.
"Whatever you decide," Auron said, drawing his blade, "Don't be afraid!"
Down below, the water was rippling. Sin was launching his army. The Crusaders were countering with theirs.
Auron, Braska, and Jecht, weapons ready, began running down the ledges to the beach to join the fight.
Their foes were little blue creatures with sharp claws and wings.
"What are those?!" Jecht asked.
"Sinscales." Auron said. "Sin's basic drones." He turned to Braska. "Stay back, but give us support!"
Braska nodded. Auron and Jecht attacked.
Auron entered the battle with his Bushido move, Dragon Fang, blasting every foe around him into oblivion and then some.
Jecht ran to those who were struggling. He stabbed a Sinscale, catching the attention of the others. With two swift motions, Jecht struck down two more. Suddenly, something bit his leg. Jecht stabbed down and got the Sinscale, then spun back and sliced through one on the beach. Jecht sliced a few more.
Auron wasn't as fast as Jecht, so he stuck with smaller numbers. One here, one there, two attacking a Crusader, and a few more. Then, a small group began to gang up on him. Auron struck one and took the blow of another, then struck it. Two were about to use their Spines attack, but a fiery blast stopped them short. Auron recognized it as Braska's Fira Spell. It was followed by a move Auron hadn't previously seen Braska use: Demi. All Sinscales were tossed back, giving the Crusaders enough time to kill a great deal of them. Auron turned to Braska, who gave him a thumbs-up.
Auron's thick boots protected him from the underwater attackers, but Jecht was barefoot and vulnerable. Three more stabs in the water, then one above it. They were very easily killed, but there were just so many! Jecht decided this was getting out of hand, so he went towards the source. Jecht dove under the water and instantly found a group to kill, which he did. He continued along under the water, striking down Sinscales left and right.
Braska just struck down large groups of Sinscales and those who were attacking weakened crusaders. The crusaders themselves were doing rather well for themselves, but Braska knew that there were many more in the waters, coming from Sin. How many there were, no one knew. And Sin itself! What to do about it? Braska got tired of just standing around.
"Everyone! Get back!!" He hollered. "I will summon Ixion!"
The crusaders were near enough to Djose Temple to know what Ixion was. The word spread of Braska's plan and they all got to running. Braska cast a round of Fira spells to blast away the Sinscales nearby so everyone could run back.
Auron trotted quickly to Braska's side. "Alright." He said, but Braska was troubled.
"Where is Jecht?" He asked.
Auron looked around. "Didn't he hear you? Everyone else did!"
Suddenly, he spotted him. "Auron, look!" He pointed to the sea. Jecht popped his head up and took a breath.
"Jecht!" Braska called, but he'd already gone back down under.
"What is he doing?!" Auron demanded.
"Fighting underwater fiends, is appears." Braska groaned. "I cannot have Ixion attack while he is in the water!"
"Then do something until I can get him." Auron said.
Braska thought, then began casting more spells at the oncoming Sinscales. "Jecht!!" Auron called, trudging through the water. He sliced a few foes away, and then Braska froze them all with his Blizzaga spell. "Jecht!" Auron called again. Where was he?
Auron looked down at the dark water, which was around his waist now. He really didn't want too, but Jecht could hold his breath for a long time. Auron groaned, "Fine." He took a breath and dove in.
Auron began swimming around and was quickly reminded of why he hated doing this. The water was dark and murky, so he couldn't see much in front of him. A few Sinscales came at him, but he struck them down. Soon, a few dead ones drifted by. He knew he was close.
Auron took a breath and returned to the water, swimming like mad, just wanting to get out of there. Then, he saw a red flash. It was Jecht's sword. Auron swam up to him and grabbed his shoulder. Instinctively, Jecht swung at him, but Auron foresaw it and blocked with his own sword. Jecht's eyes shot open upon seeing him. Auron pointed up and they swam to the surface.
Jecht spat out water. "You can swim!"
"That's beside the point!" Auron snapped. "We must get on dry land! Braska is going to summon an electric aeon!"
"I'm out!" Jecht said. But before they left, they heard a low rumbling.
Jecht and Auron turned and froze.
It was Sin.
Right next to them.
"Don't . . .move . . ." Auron said.
"Then how can I run away in fear?" Jecht trembled.
"Don't be afraid." Auron advised.
"How can't I be? The very beast of destruction is so close I could pet it!"
"Shh!!"
But then, they heard another rumbling coming from within Sin. The water began to bubble and ripple rapidly.
"RUN!!" Auron shouted.
They both turned away, but before even getting in one stroke, the air began rippling and the world began spinning left and right until reaching a full spin.
Spinning . . .Spinning . . .Everything spinning . . .
A light? Getting brighter . . .but at the same time . . .everything going dimmer . . .
Getting sleepy . . .so sleepy . . .
Light . . .lights. Lots of them . . .where are they coming from?
Everything's blurry . . .coming into focus...
Cannot move . . .why won't my body work?
A sea . . .a port . . .a city!
What a city! Buildings so tall and bright! People . . .thousands of them . . .all in one place . . .
Never have I seen a place so large . . .so luminous! How can a place like this exist? What is this place?
Flashing images, one after another . . .such a city . . .a . . .a stadium? A blitzball stadium! All lit up . . .stands full . . .but . . .this cannot be Luca! Surely this place is far too large . . .
Someone coming from the stadium . . .who?
Another image . . .the same person, going to his home . . a woman . . .a child . . .it . . .it's Jecht!!
No . . .it cannot be . . . The lights...the stadium. . .the family . . .can it be??
Zanarkand?!
Drifting away . . .pulling back . . .light . . .filling . . .everything . . .
Auron's eyes finally fluttered open. He didn't have the foggiest as to where he was. What had happened?
Jecht . . .Sin . . .the toxin! Had his mind been affected?
Who am I? I am Auron. I'm on a pilgrimage with Braska and Jecht . . .Sin attacked us on the Djose shore . . .
Auron figured he was alright, but where was he?
"AH!!" A familiar voice shouted.
Auron rubbed his head as his hearing returned to him. Some shouting . . .and a growling. What?
Auron rubbed his eyes and rolled his head over.
The shouting was Jecht. His sword was drawn, but against what? Auron looked over and saw a Sinspawn. It looked like a giant alligator on its hind legs with spikes running down its back and arms.
Auron forced himself onto his side. Jecht was hurt-bad. He was cut and sliced terribly, bleeding significantly. He was panting heavily and wavering. Jecht had been fighting for a time.
The alligator-monster swiped with its claws. Jecht dodged them and then the swinging tail. It got down on all fours and snapped at Jecht, who barely avoided it. Then, the monster made a real surprise: It curled into a ball and rolled at Jecht, spikes pointing out. Jecht jumped aside and chased it. When it hit a wall and was dazed, Jecht struck it. It roared and kicked back at him. Jecht flew back onto the ground a ways away, but got back up.
Auron pushed himself onto his knees, then to his feet. Jecht kept fighting, dodging and striking whenever he could, but he wasn't making much progress. Finally, the monster punched him and smacked him into a stone column. Jecht slumped to his rear and couldn't move. The monster stepped back and got on all fours again.
Auron still had his blade, so he ran. He got in front of Jecht as the monster curled up and charged. When it was close enough, Auron attempted a special move he'd been practicing: Shooting Star. Gathering all his strength, Auron swung a mighty upper-swipe with his sword. Like a baseball to the bat, the monster flew back. It was rather large, so it didn't go too far, but enough. It uncurled in the air and landed on its back. But when it did, its spikes dug into the ground and the monster was stuck!
Acting quickly, Auron ran up to it and jumped, his sword landing in the monster's belly. It roared in pain for a moment, and then slumped down. It faded away in pyreflies.
Then, Auron turned to Jecht. He ran to him and knelt down by him, grabbing his shoulders.
"Jecht!" He called to him. "Jecht! Get up!"
"Mm . . .A-Auron??"
"Yes! It's me! Are you alright?"
"Zanarkand . . ." Jecht muttered. "I saw it . . ."
Auron wasn't sure how to respond. Had he seen it too?
"Jecht, can you stand?"
"It was incredible, Auron . . .the stadium . . .all the fans . . ." he let out a chuckle.
"The toxin may have affected your mind, Jecht. C'mon, I'll help you up."
"I can't, Auron . . .I can't stand . . .I just . . .I just . . ."
"You just what?" Auron demanded. "Out with it!"
"I just . . .want . . .to see them again . . ."
"Them?"
"My . . .family . . ." Jecht's eyes closed.
"Jecht?? JECHT!!" Auron called. He wasn't responding. He'd lost a lot of blood, as Auron could see. He was out cold.
"Auron!" A familiar voice called. He looked up at Braska, who was running towards him, followed by a group of crusaders.
"Over here!" Auron called. "Hurry!" Braska ran over to him.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, but Jecht . . ."
Braska looked down, and then knelt down, examining him. "He's unconscious, but I must act fast." Braska stood and took a deep breath, tired from the fighting, then waved his staff over Jecht.
"Life." He commanded. A white light glowed around Jecht. He choked and coughed out blood. His eyes darted around.
"Braska??" He muttered. "Auron . . .what happened?"
"We'll take care of him." One of the crusaders said. A group of them lifted him up and began carrying him back to the base.
Braska turned back to Auron. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine." Auron nodded. "But what happened?"
"I'm not sure. We saw you go out for Jecht, then Sin started roaring and we lost sight of you. Then, Sin just vanished. Some crusaders went searching, but couldn't find you two, so we began looking along the coast." Braska looked troubled. "I thought I'd lost you both."
Auron shook his head. "You know me. I cannot see the Farplane until my tasks are complete."
Braska chuckled. "Good. What about you and Jecht? What do you remember?"
"Surprisingly, everything, even with Sin's toxin. Sin blurred my mind and I went into a sort of dream state. I . . ." Auron trailed.
"You what?"
"I . . .saw something . . .but I cannot be certain as to what."
"Peculiar." Braska said.
"Yes . . .anyway, when I woke up, Jecht was fighting a Sinspawn."
"On his own?"
"Yes, but he suffered greatly, as you see." Then, he admitted, "But...if it wasn't for Jecht fighting . . .I probably wouldn't be standing here."
"Then you owe him one, don't you?" Braska smiled.
Auron rolled his eyes. "I suppose..."
"Come on." Braska said, patting his shoulder. "Let's go." And they walked back to the base.
But Auron's mind plagued him. What had he seen? He had some questions to ask Jecht.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I suck, I know. I made y'all wait this long. I'm sorry. Well, no promises, but I have finished my other projects, so I think I'll be continuing this for a bit. Sorry again for the wait. Please review!