Chapter Eight: The Last Roads
They stayed the night in Besaid. They probably could've made it to Kilika or even Luca, but they couldn't find Jecht since he'd left. Soon enough, Braska had to turn in, but Auron stayed up, despite his lack of sleep the previous night. Auron could go days without it.
Around midnight, a familiar shape came towards him.
"Finally coming back?" Auron asked.
Jecht looked up at him, and then back down. "What else am I supposed to do?"
Auron nodded. "I understand why you're angry...but we cannot stop him. So, if his heart is so strongly on this, the best-and last-thing we can do for him is encourage and support him."
Jecht sighed. "I just thought I was really doing something good this time, no strings attached...it felt good. This is the first time I've really felt I've done something worthwhile."
"I understand." Then, he looked at Jecht's blade. "Your sword is bloody."
Jecht smiled. "That's what I love about Spira. If you get mad, you can just kill things!"
Auron chuckled. "That's what I did." They both laughed.
"Well," Jecht said. "I probably delayed us by runnin' off like that. Sorry."
"So am I." Auron and Jecht turned and saw Braska in the entrance to the hut. "I know I'm putting you two through a lot by doing this." Braska shook his head. "I don't even want to think about how Yuna will take it. But I feel this is something I must do, for the sake of Spira. Besides, the price of one man's life is well worth the happiness of the world."
"Not if you're that man's friend." Auron pointed out.
Braska looked at the ground. "I see I cannot win."
"Well," Jecht said, "It's not like we can stop you, so...at least we can help you out, eh?"
Auron gave him a look.
"Exactly." Braska said. "That's all I ask."
"Then it's exactly what you'll receive." Auron said, extending his hand.
Braska smiled. "Thank you both." He grasped Auron's hand. Jecht put his on top of theirs. The road would be difficult, but they'd do it together.
And so, they began walking back north. Zanarkand was on the opposite side of the Spira as Besaid, so it took them several days.
They said goodbye to the Aurochs and left Besaid.
They spent as little time as possible in Kilika, going directly to the next boat.
In Luca, Jecht wanted to see another blitzball game, but there wasn't one on that day. Jecht pleaded for them to wait, but they both knew it wasn't just for the sake of blitzball. Jecht was trying to stall for time. No one could blame him.
They had the opportunity to take chocobos on the Mi'ihen Highroad, but Auron was able to talk him out of it, even though they were faster. He didn't want to get there any sooner than necessary.
They skipped past Djose and crossed the Moonflow, trying to draw as little attention as possible. Jecht hid his face at the northern wharf, embarrassed by his drunken incident. It all seemed so long ago.
Virtually the whole way, Jecht was singing The Hymn of the Fayth. It started as humming, but soon, he moved on to the words. Braska joined in a few times. Auron even found himself quietly tuning in.
When they came to Guadosalam, they could've just gone in and went directly to the Thunder Plains without drawing much attention, but Braska stopped them.
"I want to see her," Braska said, "One last time."
Neither man disagreed.
They came upon the Farplane. Braska walked right on inside. Auron hesitated.
"What's up?" Jecht asked him.
"My parents are in there, remember?"
"What's up with you guys, anyway?"
"They wanted me to be a warrior monk, but, as you know, that didn't exactly go well."
"Afraid to face them."
"Sort of."
"You can't live your life in fear, man." Jecht said. "Go on in."
Auron took a deep breath and stepped into the void.
Once more, they were thrown into a mysterious world of the dead. Braska was already talking to his wife again.
"I just got the last one a few days ago...yes, we're well on our way. And by the way, I did find a place for Yuna...really! Besaid Island. It's small, far from Bevelle, and there, she can live in peace, I know it...what? You expected less?" Braska chuckled, but it soon died away as he looked at the ground. "I guess I'll be joining you soon enough, huh? There isn't a whole lot of time left. I'll either get the Final Aeon or die trying...I know, I don't want to leave her either, but I must...I don't know. She'll probably be in the care of the temple...oh, Auron promised me he'd take her there...I...don't think he can do that. He's not exactly a babysitter. Besides, I want to bring her up in the teachings."
Auron chuckled. He could probably do it if the situation called for it, but Braska was right. Auron wouldn't try to teach Yuna about Yevon, seeing as he distrusted it himself. Jecht wouldn't either. Only the temple could be trusted in that matter.
But, of course, thinking about being a fill-in parent made Auron think of his own parents. And in a second, there they were.
(Hello again) His father said.
Auron nodded.
(Are you alright?) His mother asked him. (You didn't seem so well last time.)
Auron sighed. "I know. I was rude, and I apologize."
(What is it?) His father wondered.
So, Auron told him the story, about the priest's daughter, his excommunication, and his shunning. "I am sorry if I displeased you," Auron summed up, "But you must understand that I have no regrets doing what I did. I am who I am, and no one can change that.
There was a long silence. Finally, his father spoke.
(So, you are doing what you believe to be right?)
"I am."
(Then, it is fine. You're right. You are who you are and I cannot change that. Personally, I am glad that you didn't lower yourself to a woman like that.)
Auron found himself chuckling, but he couldn't quite figure out why.
(We're both proud of you.) His mother said.
"Thank you." Auron nodded. "Somehow, that makes all this easier."
His parents nodded. Then, his mother looked over his shoulder.
(Your friend?)
Auron turned. "Ah, yes. That's Jecht, Braska's other guardian. He can be a pain, but he's alright."
(You have all the basic aeons?) His father asked.
"Yeah. Just a few more days until the end."
(Do not be distraught.) His father advised. (Just remember that he's doing for Spira.)
"I know. Thank you both again. Goodbye." Auron stepped away and they vanished.
"Everything go well?" Jecht asked him.
"Indeed, they did."
"And you feel better?"
"A little, I admit."
"Good. It's good to get stuff off your chest." He chuckled. "Karen was kinda like you. She just kept stuff in until it..." Jecht's eyes widened and he did not finish his sentence.
Auron turned to see what he was staring at. In the portal was a woman with brown hair. Auron looked at Jecht. "Is that her?"
"Y-yeah! But...but how?!"
"It's been a thousand years since then, Jecht. She couldn't have lived that long."
"Well, yeah, but she was never sent!"
Auron though. "Then...she must've been willing to die."
"Hey! Watch it!" Jecht snapped.
"Sorry." Auron said, "But why don't you ask her what happened?"
Jecht looked at his fallen wife and slowly walked to the edge of the plateau.
"H-hey baby...how are ya? ...Yeah, you too...hey, you still look good!" Jecht was quiet for a moment. "Leave? I didn't want to. Sin took me. Oh, Sin is...oh, you know?...ah, I see. But like I said, I had no choice." Jecht was quiet again, but Auron noticed an increasingly distressed look sliding onto his face. "What?" He asked, flabbergasted.
"What's going on?" Braska asked, walking over to him.
"Jecht is talking to his wife." Auron exclaimed. "And it doesn't seem good."
Jecht shook his head. "I can't believe it...but then...what happened to Tidus?" Jecht looked around for his son on the Farplane. "Where is he?"
But even though he had been called, Tidus did not answer.
"Tidus!" Jecht called. "You there?!"
Auron and Braska looked at each other.
"Is he not coming?" Braska asked.
"No...well, he always did hate me."
"That doesn't matter here." Braska told him. "If you call someone, they come."
"Then why isn't he coming?" Jecht wondered aloud.
Braska looked at Auron again. "Maybe he's a fiend?"
"No." Auron said. "No fiend can live that long except Sin. He'd have come here sooner or later." Auron thought again. "Unless..."
"Unless what?" The others demanded.
"Unless...Tidus isn't dead..."
Silence ruled the group.
"But...how is that possible?" Braska wondered aloud.
"The question of the year!" Jecht said. He turned back to his wife. "You're sure he's not here?!" A pause. "Nope." Jecht said. "Not here."
"Very odd." Braska said. "What could it mean?"
But no one knew that answer...not yet.
When they were done, they left Guadosalam. Jecht was super-cautious in the Thunder Plains, determined not to get struck this time. But he insisted on stopping in the travel agency for something, but refused to say what.
In the Macalania Woods, the answer came. They were resting towards the end of the woods and Jecht went off for a moment, carrying his sack with him. Auron decided to secretly follow.
Jecht pulled out a series of spheres and began fiddling with them for several moments. Finally, he had eight spheres. On one, he played it until the end.
Jecht got a quick view of the area, then turned it off, sat it down, sat down in front of it, and pushed the record button.
"Hey." Jecht said. "If you're sitting there, watching this, then you're stuck here in Spira, like me. I know it's scary...but you'd better not be crying! Of course...I guess I couldn't blame you. But, there's a time when you need to stop crying and move on, you know? And..." Jecht shook his eyes and stood up. "Oh, forget it. I'm no good at these things." Jecht turned it off and picked it up.
After a moment of reconsidering, Jecht turned it on again, but not on himself. It made himself feel easier.
"Well then...I guess that's it. Be good...goodbye." He shut it off and looked down.
"Who's it for?" Auron asked. Jecht jumped.
"How long have you been there?"
"The whole time."
"Mm...It's for Tidus."
Auron raised a brow. "Tidus? But...how will he see it?"
"I've been thinking about this. Maybe Tidus wasn't in the Farplane...because he made it here somehow."
"But how would that happen."
"I'm here, aren't I?"
"Well, yes..."
"I'm just facing the facts, Auron."
"Facts?"
Jecht sighed. "I'm not going back home. I know that. I can't go back. And if I never see Tidus again, I want him to have this." He held up the sphere.
Auron looked at the others. "And what are those?"
"Minispheres. One memory per sphere. I just spread 'em all out so I could have enough room on this one to show Tidus a couple things, and then say my proper farewell."
"And the others?"
"I haven't decided yet. They're not all that important, but I kinda want him to see 'em, you know?"
"And you're certain he'll come here?"
"I really don't know, Auron. But if he does, I don't want him to always hate me." Jecht looked down. "I cared for the kid, I really did, but I...never could express it. I..." Jecht found it hard to say. "I...love the kid."
"And he never knew?"
"Nope. But I want him to, somehow."
"Well...we'll find a way after we've defeated Sin."
Jecht nodded. "Right." Jecht tossed the main sphere into the spring and they both went back to Braska.
The next morning, Jecht dumped off all the other spheres in a river.
"Wherever they end up, they end up." Jecht said.
But they couldn't go back the way they came exactly.
"If we just follow our footsteps back," Braska informed, "We'll pass through Bevelle. I...cannot do that."
Both men understood. So, they kept in the woods, going around Bevelle.
The trio soon stood atop a ledge, overlooking an enormously large green, grassy plain. "Whoa." Jecht said, looking all around. "This place is huge!"
"The Calm Lands." Braska said. "Long ago, the summoners fought Sin here." He pointed. "Do you see that large rift, waaay in the back? That was caused by the clash of powers. Now, this is a peaceful land. But beyond it, there are no more towns or villages."
"So that Travel Agency is our last chance." Auron said, pointing to it.
"500 Gil says Rin is there." Jecht said. They walked down the slope and into the Calm Lands. It was larger than it even looked. Passing the Farplane took forever, so they had to stop in the Travel Agency. Jecht won the bet.
"Rammu! Cinbnewit du caa sa?"
"Not really." Braska said. "Jecht saw this one coming."
"Understandable." Then, he went back to Al Bhed. "E fyhdad du cyo kuutpoa uha mycd desa."
"It's okay, Rin. Jecht knows."
"Ah."
"What'd he say?" Jecht asked.
"I wanted to say goodbye one last time." Rin translated. "And to give you a few items, in case you needed them." He handed them a sack. "They're rather rare, so use them wisely."
"Thank you, Rin." Braska took the sack, and then began speaking to him in al Bhed again.
"How much further?" Jecht asked Auron.
"Not too much." Auron said sadly. "After we leave here, we must cross Mount Gagazet."
"And then...?"
"Nothing. We'll be there."
"Zanarkand..." Jecht whispered ominously. "It's not far away."
"Nope. Not at all." After they rested and ate for the last time in their journey, they continued along.
Auron was grateful that the Calm Lands were so vast. It took them a good while to cross them completely. They crossed a few bridges and soon came up to Mount Gagazet. All around, there were large, blue, humanoid, lion-like creatures with horns sticking out of their foreheads. "What are they?" Jecht whispered to Auron.
"Ronso. They're very powerful. They guard this mountain. It's like a gateway to Zanarkand."
"Oh."
"Summoner Braska!" One Ronso said.
"That's Maester Kelk Ronso." Auron explained.
"Maester Kelk." Braska and his guardians did the prayer.
"Welcome to Gagazet." Kelk said in a deep, hulking voice. "Word has reached my ears that you have traveled far."
"I have. From Bevelle, to Besaid, and back."
"A long journey indeed; the longest possible."
"And now, I must pass over this mountain."
"And that you shall do." Kelk nodded. "Ronso! Let them pass!"
"Thank you."
The Ronso stepped aside and the three humans continued along their path. To everyone's surprise, the massive, hulking Ronso began singing! It was the Hymn of the Fayth. Even for the gruff ronso, the tune was beautiful. Jecht and Braska joined in. Auron couldn't bring himself to. The closer they got to Zanarkand, the more brittle he became. Soon, he would crack, he knew it.
While they climbed, they began noticing some sorts of tombs along the way.
"What are those?" Jecht wanted to know.
Braska had been reading them. "Tombs," He said, "Of fallen summoners and their guardians."
"Oh, that's comforting." Jecht groaned.
Braska wasn't afflicted. "I told myself that I would defeat Sin or die trying. There is no other option for me now." Then, his brows rose. "Oh!" He said, as if remembering something.
"What is it?" Auron asked.
Braska pulled out a minisphere from his pouch. "I almost forgot. Could you two give me a moment?" They both nodded and Braska walked into a remote crevice for a moment. When he came back out, the sphere was not in his hands.
"What were you doing?" Jecht asked him.
"When we passed Bevelle, I began feeling guilty about not seeing my daughter one last time. I wanted to tell her goodbye, but I couldn't bear seeing her again. So, I bought this sphere in the Calm Lands, but quickly forgot about it! I only remembered just now, so I recorded it and put it away back there."
"Why back there? She'll never get it."
"She might." Braska said. "I have a feeling that Yuna will follow in my footsteps. If she does, she can find that sphere. On it, I am encouraging her. She may lose heart here."
"I understand." Auron said. "But...if she were to become a summoner, I would be more than happy to guard her."
Braska smiled. "Well, I'd be a fool to argue with that."
"Then, again, you have my word. Should Yuna go on a pilgrimage, I will guard her like I guarded you."
Braska nodded, and then let out a heavy sigh. "Well, c'mon. Let's keep going."
And so, they did. Several hours passed as the followed the safe path of Gagazet, which soon lead into the mountains. At a brief point, they stepped out of the darkness and into a light.
Eyes shot open everywhere. There was some sort of spring on their left and on the right wall...there were people! Bodies piled all around one another."
"Wh-what are those?!" Jecht exclaimed.
"Fayth!" Braska said, equally shocked. He looked them all over.
"What are they doing here?" Auron wondered.
"I don't know, but..."
"But what?" They both asked.
Braska seemed worried. "This is frightening...these fayth are being used."
"What do you mean, 'used'?" Jecht asked.
"I mean someone is drawing power from all of them!"
"All of them?!" Auron said. "What creature wields such power?!"
"I don't know." Braska admitted. "But I am not willing to find out."
"Me neither." Jecht said. "Let's move!"
Auron continued with them, still curious about the Fayth.
They soon reached the other side of Gagazet. They exited the caverns once more and looked right into the mouth of the surprise that awaited them.
"WHAT IS THAT?!" Jecht exploded.
This enormous monster stood on four strong legs. Its head had a row of jagged teeth and from his temples produced two long, odd-shaped horns. Spikes lined its back and two sets of, what appeared to be, wings accompanied them. But they couldn't have been wings. They were in several long strands. The same strands tipped of the monster's long tail.
"A Sinspawn?" Braska suggested.
"No." Auron said. "I do not think so."
Then, a deep voice was heard in their heads.
Show me your strength, summoner and guardians.
"Did...did that thing just speak to us?" Jecht wondered aloud.
"It's a test!" Braska concluded. "A test of power to see if I'm worth for the Final Aeon!"
"Then we cannot afford to fail it." Auron said, drawing his blade. "WE FIGHT!"
"Right!" Jecht ran right up to the monster. It swiped at him with its claws, but Jecht slid under and sliced at the leg. The monster growled, but nothing more. Jecht began running around underneath the monster, slashing at whatever he could, looking for a sweet spot.
But the beast couldn't accept this. Its legs suddenly gave way and the monster collapsed. Luckily, Jecht saw this coming and dove out of the way. The monster then kicked him away.
Auron ran up and slammed his sword into the monster's side while it was down. It roared louder, but got up and kicked him. Auron used his blade to protect himself and was just pushed back by the impact. He sliced a leg as he went. The monster stumbled.
Braska helped the process by striking that leg with a Thundaga spell, knocking it onto the ground. Jecht ran up and sliced its face.
The monster then swung its tail around, smacking them all away.
"That really hurt." Jecht muttered. Braska cast Cure on everyone, then...
"Protect." He declared. "That should help."
Auron ran up first this time. The monster swiped at him, but the Protect spell helped Auron to barely feel it. He sliced another leg, then the monster's flank.
Jecht suddenly jumped in and gave a couple spinning slashes to the face. The monster swung its tail again, but they weren't hurt as bad this time.
Braska cast a Waterga spell and the monster grew increasingly angry. Its wings all suddenly stood up on end and each strand fired a beam into the air.
"Oh, boy." Jecht groaned.
"Shell!" Braska said quickly. The blasts fell down in a rain upon them all, doing good damage, even with the spell upon them.
"We've gotta prove our strength, huh?" Jecht said. "Okay, watch this! I'll show you guys the definition of Hit and Run!"
Jecht ran forward, ducking under the beast again and sliced its belly. It dropped down, but Jecht jumped aide, then jumped back, slicing its flank twice. It tried kicking him, but Jecht jumped onto its back and stabbed it. With a roar, the monster smacked at him with a tail swipe, but again, Jecht jumped, this time up to slice its face. It swiped at him with a claw, but Jecht moved and jumped around, slicing it a few more times. Finally, the monster swung its horns and smacked Jecht into the mountainside.
The monster had taken some damage from that and was angry now.
"My turn." Auron said, stepping forward. He powered up himself and waited. The monster was furious after Jecht's assault, so it began running at them.
"Auron?" Braska asked, worried.
"Wait for it..." Auron told himself. The monster lunged. When it was close enough, Auron swung up, putting all of his might into the blade. With a great blast, the monster stumbled back in mid-air, landing on its back.
But Auron collapsed to the ground. "My strength is spent." He said.
"Then it's up to me." Braska said. Alone, he stood no chance, but an aeon might. "Valefor, come!" he commanded. A great beast flew from the sky, long and slender with two large legs, two wings and a pointed head, ready to kill. The monster lunged at it, but Valefor flew up to avoid it. The monster fired its wing-blasts again, but the elusive Valefor evaded them, and then rushed in for a diving attack, knocking the monster back a bit. It hissed and began powering up a blast. "Valefor!" Braska said. "Energy Ray!"
Valefor powered up, much more quickly and fired a ray across the monster, letting out a blast, but the beast still countered with a thick beam of incredible magical power. Valefor was shredded from the attack.
The monster looked down at Braska again.
"I'm not through yet. Bahamut! Come!" Bahamut flew from the sky and landed. The monster swiped. Bahamut took it and punched it. The monster fired its wing-tip blasts. Again, Bahamut took it, and then countered with his Impulse attack. The beast began powering up its best attack once more.
"Now, Bahamut!" Braska said. "Mega Flare!"
Bahamut got on all fours and the wheel on its back spun. A blast powered up in its mouth. Both beasts fired at once. The attacks collided and hung in limbo, pressing against each other for a moment. Neither monster seemed to be prevailing for a moment. Then, slowly, Bahamut began to lose the duel.
Braska reached into the sack that Rin gave him. "A summoner is not only judged by his aeons," He pulled out an item, "But also in his intelligence and use of resources." Braska ran to the side and tossed the item. It landed under the enemy beast and let out a great explosion. The monster roared and lost its grip. Bahamut's blast instantly overcame the enemy, engulfing it in a series of explosions.
The enemy beast fell to the ground and withered away into nothing more than pyreflies.
Braska used a Phoenix Down to awaken Jecht, the Rin's Mega-Potion to heal them all.
"Good stuff in there." Auron noted.
"Yes, but not much of it. We must use it wisely."
Jecht came over to them. "So it's dead, right?"
"Right...we can go."
They walked along the edge and rounded the mountainside.
Then, all at once, they stopped. There it was, right in front of them.
Zanarkand.
Jecht looked it over. "I had to see it with my own eyes to believe it."
There was a silence.
"Come on." Braska finally said. "We've come this far. Now, let us finish the task."
Jecht and Auron stayed for a moment, looking over the scene.
Braska was right. They'd come so far. Now, this was it...the end of their journey.
Author's Note: I think I did better this chapter. What did you guys think? Well, the next chapter will be the last in Auron's adventures with Braska, but his story didn't end there, did it??
They stayed the night in Besaid. They probably could've made it to Kilika or even Luca, but they couldn't find Jecht since he'd left. Soon enough, Braska had to turn in, but Auron stayed up, despite his lack of sleep the previous night. Auron could go days without it.
Around midnight, a familiar shape came towards him.
"Finally coming back?" Auron asked.
Jecht looked up at him, and then back down. "What else am I supposed to do?"
Auron nodded. "I understand why you're angry...but we cannot stop him. So, if his heart is so strongly on this, the best-and last-thing we can do for him is encourage and support him."
Jecht sighed. "I just thought I was really doing something good this time, no strings attached...it felt good. This is the first time I've really felt I've done something worthwhile."
"I understand." Then, he looked at Jecht's blade. "Your sword is bloody."
Jecht smiled. "That's what I love about Spira. If you get mad, you can just kill things!"
Auron chuckled. "That's what I did." They both laughed.
"Well," Jecht said. "I probably delayed us by runnin' off like that. Sorry."
"So am I." Auron and Jecht turned and saw Braska in the entrance to the hut. "I know I'm putting you two through a lot by doing this." Braska shook his head. "I don't even want to think about how Yuna will take it. But I feel this is something I must do, for the sake of Spira. Besides, the price of one man's life is well worth the happiness of the world."
"Not if you're that man's friend." Auron pointed out.
Braska looked at the ground. "I see I cannot win."
"Well," Jecht said, "It's not like we can stop you, so...at least we can help you out, eh?"
Auron gave him a look.
"Exactly." Braska said. "That's all I ask."
"Then it's exactly what you'll receive." Auron said, extending his hand.
Braska smiled. "Thank you both." He grasped Auron's hand. Jecht put his on top of theirs. The road would be difficult, but they'd do it together.
And so, they began walking back north. Zanarkand was on the opposite side of the Spira as Besaid, so it took them several days.
They said goodbye to the Aurochs and left Besaid.
They spent as little time as possible in Kilika, going directly to the next boat.
In Luca, Jecht wanted to see another blitzball game, but there wasn't one on that day. Jecht pleaded for them to wait, but they both knew it wasn't just for the sake of blitzball. Jecht was trying to stall for time. No one could blame him.
They had the opportunity to take chocobos on the Mi'ihen Highroad, but Auron was able to talk him out of it, even though they were faster. He didn't want to get there any sooner than necessary.
They skipped past Djose and crossed the Moonflow, trying to draw as little attention as possible. Jecht hid his face at the northern wharf, embarrassed by his drunken incident. It all seemed so long ago.
Virtually the whole way, Jecht was singing The Hymn of the Fayth. It started as humming, but soon, he moved on to the words. Braska joined in a few times. Auron even found himself quietly tuning in.
When they came to Guadosalam, they could've just gone in and went directly to the Thunder Plains without drawing much attention, but Braska stopped them.
"I want to see her," Braska said, "One last time."
Neither man disagreed.
They came upon the Farplane. Braska walked right on inside. Auron hesitated.
"What's up?" Jecht asked him.
"My parents are in there, remember?"
"What's up with you guys, anyway?"
"They wanted me to be a warrior monk, but, as you know, that didn't exactly go well."
"Afraid to face them."
"Sort of."
"You can't live your life in fear, man." Jecht said. "Go on in."
Auron took a deep breath and stepped into the void.
Once more, they were thrown into a mysterious world of the dead. Braska was already talking to his wife again.
"I just got the last one a few days ago...yes, we're well on our way. And by the way, I did find a place for Yuna...really! Besaid Island. It's small, far from Bevelle, and there, she can live in peace, I know it...what? You expected less?" Braska chuckled, but it soon died away as he looked at the ground. "I guess I'll be joining you soon enough, huh? There isn't a whole lot of time left. I'll either get the Final Aeon or die trying...I know, I don't want to leave her either, but I must...I don't know. She'll probably be in the care of the temple...oh, Auron promised me he'd take her there...I...don't think he can do that. He's not exactly a babysitter. Besides, I want to bring her up in the teachings."
Auron chuckled. He could probably do it if the situation called for it, but Braska was right. Auron wouldn't try to teach Yuna about Yevon, seeing as he distrusted it himself. Jecht wouldn't either. Only the temple could be trusted in that matter.
But, of course, thinking about being a fill-in parent made Auron think of his own parents. And in a second, there they were.
(Hello again) His father said.
Auron nodded.
(Are you alright?) His mother asked him. (You didn't seem so well last time.)
Auron sighed. "I know. I was rude, and I apologize."
(What is it?) His father wondered.
So, Auron told him the story, about the priest's daughter, his excommunication, and his shunning. "I am sorry if I displeased you," Auron summed up, "But you must understand that I have no regrets doing what I did. I am who I am, and no one can change that.
There was a long silence. Finally, his father spoke.
(So, you are doing what you believe to be right?)
"I am."
(Then, it is fine. You're right. You are who you are and I cannot change that. Personally, I am glad that you didn't lower yourself to a woman like that.)
Auron found himself chuckling, but he couldn't quite figure out why.
(We're both proud of you.) His mother said.
"Thank you." Auron nodded. "Somehow, that makes all this easier."
His parents nodded. Then, his mother looked over his shoulder.
(Your friend?)
Auron turned. "Ah, yes. That's Jecht, Braska's other guardian. He can be a pain, but he's alright."
(You have all the basic aeons?) His father asked.
"Yeah. Just a few more days until the end."
(Do not be distraught.) His father advised. (Just remember that he's doing for Spira.)
"I know. Thank you both again. Goodbye." Auron stepped away and they vanished.
"Everything go well?" Jecht asked him.
"Indeed, they did."
"And you feel better?"
"A little, I admit."
"Good. It's good to get stuff off your chest." He chuckled. "Karen was kinda like you. She just kept stuff in until it..." Jecht's eyes widened and he did not finish his sentence.
Auron turned to see what he was staring at. In the portal was a woman with brown hair. Auron looked at Jecht. "Is that her?"
"Y-yeah! But...but how?!"
"It's been a thousand years since then, Jecht. She couldn't have lived that long."
"Well, yeah, but she was never sent!"
Auron though. "Then...she must've been willing to die."
"Hey! Watch it!" Jecht snapped.
"Sorry." Auron said, "But why don't you ask her what happened?"
Jecht looked at his fallen wife and slowly walked to the edge of the plateau.
"H-hey baby...how are ya? ...Yeah, you too...hey, you still look good!" Jecht was quiet for a moment. "Leave? I didn't want to. Sin took me. Oh, Sin is...oh, you know?...ah, I see. But like I said, I had no choice." Jecht was quiet again, but Auron noticed an increasingly distressed look sliding onto his face. "What?" He asked, flabbergasted.
"What's going on?" Braska asked, walking over to him.
"Jecht is talking to his wife." Auron exclaimed. "And it doesn't seem good."
Jecht shook his head. "I can't believe it...but then...what happened to Tidus?" Jecht looked around for his son on the Farplane. "Where is he?"
But even though he had been called, Tidus did not answer.
"Tidus!" Jecht called. "You there?!"
Auron and Braska looked at each other.
"Is he not coming?" Braska asked.
"No...well, he always did hate me."
"That doesn't matter here." Braska told him. "If you call someone, they come."
"Then why isn't he coming?" Jecht wondered aloud.
Braska looked at Auron again. "Maybe he's a fiend?"
"No." Auron said. "No fiend can live that long except Sin. He'd have come here sooner or later." Auron thought again. "Unless..."
"Unless what?" The others demanded.
"Unless...Tidus isn't dead..."
Silence ruled the group.
"But...how is that possible?" Braska wondered aloud.
"The question of the year!" Jecht said. He turned back to his wife. "You're sure he's not here?!" A pause. "Nope." Jecht said. "Not here."
"Very odd." Braska said. "What could it mean?"
But no one knew that answer...not yet.
When they were done, they left Guadosalam. Jecht was super-cautious in the Thunder Plains, determined not to get struck this time. But he insisted on stopping in the travel agency for something, but refused to say what.
In the Macalania Woods, the answer came. They were resting towards the end of the woods and Jecht went off for a moment, carrying his sack with him. Auron decided to secretly follow.
Jecht pulled out a series of spheres and began fiddling with them for several moments. Finally, he had eight spheres. On one, he played it until the end.
Jecht got a quick view of the area, then turned it off, sat it down, sat down in front of it, and pushed the record button.
"Hey." Jecht said. "If you're sitting there, watching this, then you're stuck here in Spira, like me. I know it's scary...but you'd better not be crying! Of course...I guess I couldn't blame you. But, there's a time when you need to stop crying and move on, you know? And..." Jecht shook his eyes and stood up. "Oh, forget it. I'm no good at these things." Jecht turned it off and picked it up.
After a moment of reconsidering, Jecht turned it on again, but not on himself. It made himself feel easier.
"Well then...I guess that's it. Be good...goodbye." He shut it off and looked down.
"Who's it for?" Auron asked. Jecht jumped.
"How long have you been there?"
"The whole time."
"Mm...It's for Tidus."
Auron raised a brow. "Tidus? But...how will he see it?"
"I've been thinking about this. Maybe Tidus wasn't in the Farplane...because he made it here somehow."
"But how would that happen."
"I'm here, aren't I?"
"Well, yes..."
"I'm just facing the facts, Auron."
"Facts?"
Jecht sighed. "I'm not going back home. I know that. I can't go back. And if I never see Tidus again, I want him to have this." He held up the sphere.
Auron looked at the others. "And what are those?"
"Minispheres. One memory per sphere. I just spread 'em all out so I could have enough room on this one to show Tidus a couple things, and then say my proper farewell."
"And the others?"
"I haven't decided yet. They're not all that important, but I kinda want him to see 'em, you know?"
"And you're certain he'll come here?"
"I really don't know, Auron. But if he does, I don't want him to always hate me." Jecht looked down. "I cared for the kid, I really did, but I...never could express it. I..." Jecht found it hard to say. "I...love the kid."
"And he never knew?"
"Nope. But I want him to, somehow."
"Well...we'll find a way after we've defeated Sin."
Jecht nodded. "Right." Jecht tossed the main sphere into the spring and they both went back to Braska.
The next morning, Jecht dumped off all the other spheres in a river.
"Wherever they end up, they end up." Jecht said.
But they couldn't go back the way they came exactly.
"If we just follow our footsteps back," Braska informed, "We'll pass through Bevelle. I...cannot do that."
Both men understood. So, they kept in the woods, going around Bevelle.
The trio soon stood atop a ledge, overlooking an enormously large green, grassy plain. "Whoa." Jecht said, looking all around. "This place is huge!"
"The Calm Lands." Braska said. "Long ago, the summoners fought Sin here." He pointed. "Do you see that large rift, waaay in the back? That was caused by the clash of powers. Now, this is a peaceful land. But beyond it, there are no more towns or villages."
"So that Travel Agency is our last chance." Auron said, pointing to it.
"500 Gil says Rin is there." Jecht said. They walked down the slope and into the Calm Lands. It was larger than it even looked. Passing the Farplane took forever, so they had to stop in the Travel Agency. Jecht won the bet.
"Rammu! Cinbnewit du caa sa?"
"Not really." Braska said. "Jecht saw this one coming."
"Understandable." Then, he went back to Al Bhed. "E fyhdad du cyo kuutpoa uha mycd desa."
"It's okay, Rin. Jecht knows."
"Ah."
"What'd he say?" Jecht asked.
"I wanted to say goodbye one last time." Rin translated. "And to give you a few items, in case you needed them." He handed them a sack. "They're rather rare, so use them wisely."
"Thank you, Rin." Braska took the sack, and then began speaking to him in al Bhed again.
"How much further?" Jecht asked Auron.
"Not too much." Auron said sadly. "After we leave here, we must cross Mount Gagazet."
"And then...?"
"Nothing. We'll be there."
"Zanarkand..." Jecht whispered ominously. "It's not far away."
"Nope. Not at all." After they rested and ate for the last time in their journey, they continued along.
Auron was grateful that the Calm Lands were so vast. It took them a good while to cross them completely. They crossed a few bridges and soon came up to Mount Gagazet. All around, there were large, blue, humanoid, lion-like creatures with horns sticking out of their foreheads. "What are they?" Jecht whispered to Auron.
"Ronso. They're very powerful. They guard this mountain. It's like a gateway to Zanarkand."
"Oh."
"Summoner Braska!" One Ronso said.
"That's Maester Kelk Ronso." Auron explained.
"Maester Kelk." Braska and his guardians did the prayer.
"Welcome to Gagazet." Kelk said in a deep, hulking voice. "Word has reached my ears that you have traveled far."
"I have. From Bevelle, to Besaid, and back."
"A long journey indeed; the longest possible."
"And now, I must pass over this mountain."
"And that you shall do." Kelk nodded. "Ronso! Let them pass!"
"Thank you."
The Ronso stepped aside and the three humans continued along their path. To everyone's surprise, the massive, hulking Ronso began singing! It was the Hymn of the Fayth. Even for the gruff ronso, the tune was beautiful. Jecht and Braska joined in. Auron couldn't bring himself to. The closer they got to Zanarkand, the more brittle he became. Soon, he would crack, he knew it.
While they climbed, they began noticing some sorts of tombs along the way.
"What are those?" Jecht wanted to know.
Braska had been reading them. "Tombs," He said, "Of fallen summoners and their guardians."
"Oh, that's comforting." Jecht groaned.
Braska wasn't afflicted. "I told myself that I would defeat Sin or die trying. There is no other option for me now." Then, his brows rose. "Oh!" He said, as if remembering something.
"What is it?" Auron asked.
Braska pulled out a minisphere from his pouch. "I almost forgot. Could you two give me a moment?" They both nodded and Braska walked into a remote crevice for a moment. When he came back out, the sphere was not in his hands.
"What were you doing?" Jecht asked him.
"When we passed Bevelle, I began feeling guilty about not seeing my daughter one last time. I wanted to tell her goodbye, but I couldn't bear seeing her again. So, I bought this sphere in the Calm Lands, but quickly forgot about it! I only remembered just now, so I recorded it and put it away back there."
"Why back there? She'll never get it."
"She might." Braska said. "I have a feeling that Yuna will follow in my footsteps. If she does, she can find that sphere. On it, I am encouraging her. She may lose heart here."
"I understand." Auron said. "But...if she were to become a summoner, I would be more than happy to guard her."
Braska smiled. "Well, I'd be a fool to argue with that."
"Then, again, you have my word. Should Yuna go on a pilgrimage, I will guard her like I guarded you."
Braska nodded, and then let out a heavy sigh. "Well, c'mon. Let's keep going."
And so, they did. Several hours passed as the followed the safe path of Gagazet, which soon lead into the mountains. At a brief point, they stepped out of the darkness and into a light.
Eyes shot open everywhere. There was some sort of spring on their left and on the right wall...there were people! Bodies piled all around one another."
"Wh-what are those?!" Jecht exclaimed.
"Fayth!" Braska said, equally shocked. He looked them all over.
"What are they doing here?" Auron wondered.
"I don't know, but..."
"But what?" They both asked.
Braska seemed worried. "This is frightening...these fayth are being used."
"What do you mean, 'used'?" Jecht asked.
"I mean someone is drawing power from all of them!"
"All of them?!" Auron said. "What creature wields such power?!"
"I don't know." Braska admitted. "But I am not willing to find out."
"Me neither." Jecht said. "Let's move!"
Auron continued with them, still curious about the Fayth.
They soon reached the other side of Gagazet. They exited the caverns once more and looked right into the mouth of the surprise that awaited them.
"WHAT IS THAT?!" Jecht exploded.
This enormous monster stood on four strong legs. Its head had a row of jagged teeth and from his temples produced two long, odd-shaped horns. Spikes lined its back and two sets of, what appeared to be, wings accompanied them. But they couldn't have been wings. They were in several long strands. The same strands tipped of the monster's long tail.
"A Sinspawn?" Braska suggested.
"No." Auron said. "I do not think so."
Then, a deep voice was heard in their heads.
Show me your strength, summoner and guardians.
"Did...did that thing just speak to us?" Jecht wondered aloud.
"It's a test!" Braska concluded. "A test of power to see if I'm worth for the Final Aeon!"
"Then we cannot afford to fail it." Auron said, drawing his blade. "WE FIGHT!"
"Right!" Jecht ran right up to the monster. It swiped at him with its claws, but Jecht slid under and sliced at the leg. The monster growled, but nothing more. Jecht began running around underneath the monster, slashing at whatever he could, looking for a sweet spot.
But the beast couldn't accept this. Its legs suddenly gave way and the monster collapsed. Luckily, Jecht saw this coming and dove out of the way. The monster then kicked him away.
Auron ran up and slammed his sword into the monster's side while it was down. It roared louder, but got up and kicked him. Auron used his blade to protect himself and was just pushed back by the impact. He sliced a leg as he went. The monster stumbled.
Braska helped the process by striking that leg with a Thundaga spell, knocking it onto the ground. Jecht ran up and sliced its face.
The monster then swung its tail around, smacking them all away.
"That really hurt." Jecht muttered. Braska cast Cure on everyone, then...
"Protect." He declared. "That should help."
Auron ran up first this time. The monster swiped at him, but the Protect spell helped Auron to barely feel it. He sliced another leg, then the monster's flank.
Jecht suddenly jumped in and gave a couple spinning slashes to the face. The monster swung its tail again, but they weren't hurt as bad this time.
Braska cast a Waterga spell and the monster grew increasingly angry. Its wings all suddenly stood up on end and each strand fired a beam into the air.
"Oh, boy." Jecht groaned.
"Shell!" Braska said quickly. The blasts fell down in a rain upon them all, doing good damage, even with the spell upon them.
"We've gotta prove our strength, huh?" Jecht said. "Okay, watch this! I'll show you guys the definition of Hit and Run!"
Jecht ran forward, ducking under the beast again and sliced its belly. It dropped down, but Jecht jumped aide, then jumped back, slicing its flank twice. It tried kicking him, but Jecht jumped onto its back and stabbed it. With a roar, the monster smacked at him with a tail swipe, but again, Jecht jumped, this time up to slice its face. It swiped at him with a claw, but Jecht moved and jumped around, slicing it a few more times. Finally, the monster swung its horns and smacked Jecht into the mountainside.
The monster had taken some damage from that and was angry now.
"My turn." Auron said, stepping forward. He powered up himself and waited. The monster was furious after Jecht's assault, so it began running at them.
"Auron?" Braska asked, worried.
"Wait for it..." Auron told himself. The monster lunged. When it was close enough, Auron swung up, putting all of his might into the blade. With a great blast, the monster stumbled back in mid-air, landing on its back.
But Auron collapsed to the ground. "My strength is spent." He said.
"Then it's up to me." Braska said. Alone, he stood no chance, but an aeon might. "Valefor, come!" he commanded. A great beast flew from the sky, long and slender with two large legs, two wings and a pointed head, ready to kill. The monster lunged at it, but Valefor flew up to avoid it. The monster fired its wing-blasts again, but the elusive Valefor evaded them, and then rushed in for a diving attack, knocking the monster back a bit. It hissed and began powering up a blast. "Valefor!" Braska said. "Energy Ray!"
Valefor powered up, much more quickly and fired a ray across the monster, letting out a blast, but the beast still countered with a thick beam of incredible magical power. Valefor was shredded from the attack.
The monster looked down at Braska again.
"I'm not through yet. Bahamut! Come!" Bahamut flew from the sky and landed. The monster swiped. Bahamut took it and punched it. The monster fired its wing-tip blasts. Again, Bahamut took it, and then countered with his Impulse attack. The beast began powering up its best attack once more.
"Now, Bahamut!" Braska said. "Mega Flare!"
Bahamut got on all fours and the wheel on its back spun. A blast powered up in its mouth. Both beasts fired at once. The attacks collided and hung in limbo, pressing against each other for a moment. Neither monster seemed to be prevailing for a moment. Then, slowly, Bahamut began to lose the duel.
Braska reached into the sack that Rin gave him. "A summoner is not only judged by his aeons," He pulled out an item, "But also in his intelligence and use of resources." Braska ran to the side and tossed the item. It landed under the enemy beast and let out a great explosion. The monster roared and lost its grip. Bahamut's blast instantly overcame the enemy, engulfing it in a series of explosions.
The enemy beast fell to the ground and withered away into nothing more than pyreflies.
Braska used a Phoenix Down to awaken Jecht, the Rin's Mega-Potion to heal them all.
"Good stuff in there." Auron noted.
"Yes, but not much of it. We must use it wisely."
Jecht came over to them. "So it's dead, right?"
"Right...we can go."
They walked along the edge and rounded the mountainside.
Then, all at once, they stopped. There it was, right in front of them.
Zanarkand.
Jecht looked it over. "I had to see it with my own eyes to believe it."
There was a silence.
"Come on." Braska finally said. "We've come this far. Now, let us finish the task."
Jecht and Auron stayed for a moment, looking over the scene.
Braska was right. They'd come so far. Now, this was it...the end of their journey.
Author's Note: I think I did better this chapter. What did you guys think? Well, the next chapter will be the last in Auron's adventures with Braska, but his story didn't end there, did it??