Chapter Nine: Zanarkand, Past and Present
At the summit of Mount Gagazet, the entrance to Zanarkand, there was a small area for them all to sit and rest. Night was falling and it was falling fast, after all the time they'd spent in the Calm Lands and Gagazet. They made a fire and all of them sat around it. For a long time, no one spoke.
"Just think." Braska said, finally, "Once Sin is defeated, there will be years of happiness in Spira."
"Sure will." Jecht said.
"Maybe you can finally find a way home, Jecht."
"Doubtful, Braska. I don't think I'm going back."
"Well...you could learn to live a life in Spira then."
"Fun." Jecht muttered.
Braska sighed. "I'm just trying to lighten the mood."
"I know, and thanks for trying, but it's not going to help."
They were silent once more.
"So, then," Braska said, "We may as well get going."
Jecht and Auron looked at each other, and then got up. This was it.
It was a bit of a walk amongst the rubble, heading up to the true Zanarkand entrance. It was dark, but the moon and stars provide enough light to see. They came up to the entrance of a large building.
"Wait a minute." Jecht said, looking around. "This was the stadium!"
"Long ago." An old voice said. Everyone looked up and saw and old man walking towards them. Pyreflies swirled around him, showing he was an unsent. "Show me your eyes, summoner." Braska walked up to him and looked him in the eyes.
"Good." The old man said. "You have journeyed far. Go on, summoner. The Lady awaits you."
Braska had started to go in, but then he froze. "Lady?" he turned, but the old man was gone.
Inside the dome, souls were abundant. Pyreflies flew around everywhere. Suddenly, an image appeared of three guardians and their summoner.
"Lord Ohalland." One said, "Must we continue?"
"We must." Ohalland said. "For the good of Spira, we must." Then, they vanished.
"It's like a gigantic sphere." Braska said, watching the Pyreflies fly. "Memories have been collected here."
"Maybe," Jecht said, looking around, "Maybe he's here." He stepped to the edge of the walkway. "TIDUS!!" He called. Tidus didn't come, but a memory of him did. He was speaking to his mother.
"Who cares if he comes back or not?" Tidus scoffed. His mother was aghast.
"But he might die!" Jecht knew who they were talking about.
"Fine, let him!" Tidus snapped.
His mother knelt down to him. "Do...do you hate him so?" Tidus nodded. "But if he dies, you'll never be able to tell him how much you hate him."
The memory vanished, leaving a deep scar within Jecht.
"I told you so." was all he could say.
So, they kept traveling, seeing a few more images. Soon, Jecht stopped.
"Hey, Braska!" He said, "You don't have to do this."
Braska had to chuckle. "Thank you, Jecht, but I feel I MUST do this."
Jecht crossed his arms. "Fine. I've said my piece."
"Well, I haven't!" Auron said, finally cracking. "Lord Braska, please don't go! I don't want to see you...die!"
"Auron," Braska said. "I am grateful for your concern, but I cannot stop now." He kept walking. Auron looked at the ground, defeated.
They continued walking, then Jecht picked up the familiar tune.
"Ieyui..."
Auron looked at him. Jecht continued on.
"Nobomenu...renmiri...yojuyogo..."
Then, Auron joined in.
"Hasatekanae...kutamae..."
Braska had to smile. "Thank you both for your kindness."
Braska began singing with them, and the trio continued along the path. Even with the impending doom of the summoner, the Hymn of the Fayth eased their hearts.
"Are the trials up ahead." Jecht asked Braska as they went deeper into the temple.
"Probably." He said.
"Great." He groaned. "I was hoping for more of a turnout; A parade for High Summoner Braska!"
"You can ask for them when we get back. Come on." They went inside. The trials consisted of only a few spheres. Everything else was musical.
After doing the trials, they came upon another little surprise awaiting them: The Spectral Keeper.
It had a thin, red, upright body with two very long, very slender arms with blades on either end and a long tail, also with a blade. It just floated in the air, in the middle of the room. But then, the room changed! It became a world of blue nothingness. The only things there were to stand on was six solid glyphs.
Jecht threw his arms into the air. "He's gonna die anyway, why do we have to do this?!"
Auron smacked him upside the head and got his blade out once more. He struck the monster. It seemed to take the hit rather well, seeing as it instantly countered with its bladed arms. Auron moved aside just in time.
Braska blasted it with a Firaga spell and it spun and countered again. Then, Jecht struck it. It hit him with its tail.
"This could be trouble." Jecht said.
"We must kill it quickly then." Auron advised.
"Magic seemed to do more." Braska pointed out.
"Then I'll help the process." Auron said. "Mental Break!" His blade glowed blue and he struck the monster, lowering its magical defense. Braska struck again and the monster recoiled in pain.
The Spectral Keeper's eyes then glowed and the glyph under them all glowed.
"What's going on?" Jecht asked. Then, BOOM!! With a great explosion, they were tossed high into the air and landed hard.
Auron was the only one still up and at it after that. "Land Mines!" He seethed. He ducked under the monster's attack and pulled out a Mega Phoenix from Rin's sack and shattered it. A few lights came out and went to Braska and Jecht, waking them up.
"I...hate....this...thing!" Jecht hissed. Braska used Curaga on them all, and then they dove aside as the monster swiped again.
"Blizzaga!" Braska declared. The extreme cold stopped the lizard-like monster for a moment.
"I'm ready to prove my strength again!" Jecht hissed.
"Oh?" Auron said. "What do you have in mind?"
"Magic works better than regular attacks, right?" Jecht said. "So I have an idea." He swiped at the monster, causing it to attack him. Jecht leapt high into the air and his blade glowed. Jecht swung the sword and several magical blasts came down and blasted the creature greatly. It roared in pain.
"Not bad!" Auron said, "Allow me." Auron took the jug at his side.
"Yeah, what's in there, anyway?" Jecht asked. Auron popped off the cork and took a swig. "This is no time to be drinking, Auron!"
But Auron didn't swallow it. He put the cork back on, put the jug back on his belt and spat the fluid onto his blade. Instantly, the blade sprung alive with fire. He slammed his blade on the ground and four black balls came out and blasted the monster.
"Whoa! Good stuff!" Jecht chuckled.
The Spectral Keeper hissed and planted another glyph mine under them.
"Uh-oh." They both said.
"Shell!" Braska cast the spell upon them to protect their lives during the blast. After it, the Spectral Keeper turned to Braska, angrily. "Come on." He said. "I dare you." He monster reeled back.
"FLARE!!" Braska roared, unleashing his energy. A supreme explosion blasted the monster. It fell back and Auron chopped off its head with a powerful stroke. The monster vanished and the world returned to normal.
In the center of the room were six symbols in a circle, bearing the marks of the temples in Besaid, Kilika, Djose, Macalania, Bevelle, and Zanarkand. The symbols all glowed and came together, creating the symbol of Yevon. The symbol went down the hold in the center of the platforms and brought up a small, circular elevator platform.
"This is it." Braska said. "Below is the fayth of the Final Aeon."
Auron and Jecht looked at each other.
"You are absolutely sure you want to do this?" Jecht asked.
"I am." Braska nodded. "I'm going." Braska stepped onto the elevator pad and it took him below.
Auron looked away, feeling defeated. Jecht put his hand on Auron's shoulder.
"It's alright." He said. "I mean...at least we'll still have each other, right?"
Auron smiled a little. "Yeah."
Jecht's smile vanished. "And I mean that in an entirely non-gay way!"
Auron laughed. "I know."
Suddenly, they heard the platform rising again.
"Back so soon?" Jecht wondered.
Braska was lifted back up to them. "Auron! Jecht! Come quickly!"
They looked at each other, and then got on the platform. Down below, Braska led them down a short hall and into a chamber. On the floor was a statue.
"Is that the fayth?" Jecht asked.
"No!" Auron said. "Normally it would be, but the fayth isn't here! It's just an empty statue!"
Auron shot him a look. "No fayth?! Then...no Final Aeon?!"
"Huh?!" Jecht exclaimed. "Whaddya mean no Final Aeon?!"
Just then, the old man at the Zanarkand entrance came in through a wall, which glowed behind him.
"That was Lord Zaon, one thousand years ago. The energy of that statue was drained long ago."
"So...what now?!" Braska asked. "If there's no fayth, then there can be no Final Aeon!" He looked distressed, but Auron's hopes were rising.
"Do not be so troubled." The old man said. "Come inside and you shall receive the aeon you seek."
Auron's spirit was crushed again as the old man vanished. Braska stepped through the glowing wall, followed by his guardians.
Inside was a very large room. Stairs were at the end, leading up to a doorway. Through the doorway, without opening the door, came an unsent.
"Who's that?" Jecht asked.
She was fairly tall and thin with long, slender legs and arms. She had long, silver hair and was very well developed. It showed because she wore very little. Braska's eyes shot open.
"Lady Yunalesca!!"
"Who?" Jecht asked.
"The very first person to defeat Sin...a thousand years ago!"
"Oh." Jecht said. "OH!"
"Welcome to Zanarkand." She said. "I congratulate you, summoner, for completing your quest. The Final Aeon will now be yours."
"Right to the point, eh?" Jecht muttered. Yunalesca walked down the stairs.
"Now...you must make a decision."
"A decision?" Braska asked.
"You must choose which of your guardians I will transform into the fayth for the Final Aeon."
"What?!" Everyone exclaimed.
"I..." Braska stammered, "I must sacrifice one of my friends?!"
Yunalesca nodded. "There must be a strong bond between the summoner and their aeon. A bond like that between a parent and child, one lover to another, or between good friends. A thousand years ago, I chose my husband, Zaon to be my fayth. Now, you, too, summoner, must make that choice."
Braska was silent and flabbergasted.
"I will leave you to decide." She said. Yunalesca turned and left the room.
"It is not too late!" Auron said. "Let us turn back!"
Braska turned to look at him. "If I go back, who will defeat Sin?"
"Not turning around, are you?" Jecht sighed. "Alright, then...make me the fayth."
Auron shot him a look.
"I've been doing some thinking." Jecht said, looking up. "My dream was to make that runt into a star blitzball player. I wanted to show him the view from the top, you know?" Jecht looked back down. "But that's not going to happen. My dream is in the other Zanarkand, and I'll never be able to go back there. My dream's not going to come true. So, make me the fayth. Besides, I'm not getting any younger, so I might as well make myself useful."
"Don't do this, Jecht!" Auron pleaded. "If you live, maybe we can find a way! There has to be! We'll think of something!"
Jecht shook his head. "I've already made up my mind, Auron."
"Jecht..." Braska said, walking up to him.
"What?" He asked. "You're not gonna try and stop me too, are you?"
"Sorry. I mean...thank you."
Jecht put his hands on Braska's shoulders. "Braska still has to fight Sin, Auron. Make sure he gets there."
With that, Jecht began walking up the stairs.
"Wait!" Auron called. "Sin always comes back! Your deaths will mean nothing!"
"But there's always a chance that it won't." Braska said.
"I know you're trying to help, Auron," Jecht said, "But we have to do this. We'll defeat Sin!"
"How?"
Jecht smiled. "You said it yourself. We'll find a way, right?" Jecht let out a laugh.
Auron looked down as they turned away again.
"Wait." Jecht said. "One more thing, Auron."
"What is it?" Auron asked him.
"Listen, I..."
"What?"
"N-never mind."
"Out with it!" Auron demanded.
Jecht hesitated, and then turned around. "It's my son. He's such a crybaby. He needs someone there to hold his hand, you know? Do...do you think you could watch after him for me?"
Auron gave him a look. "But how will I get to your Zanarkand?"
"You'll find a way, right?" Jecht chuckled. Auron had to chuckle as well.
"I'll do it. You have my word; I'll guard him with my life."
"Thanks, Auron. You were always such a stiff, but that's what I liked about ya!" He extended his hand. Auron shook it. Finally, Jecht and Braska opened the large stone doors and passed out of Auron's sight as they closed again.
Auron fell to his knees. Never before had he felt such defeat. No only was he losing Braska, but now Jecht too. It was too much to bear.
"I should've stopped them." He said to himself. He hated himself in that moment, regretting not trying to do more.
A few moments later, the doors opened again and a very tired Braska stumbled out. Auron ran and caught him before he fell down the stairs. They looked into each other's eyes. Braska shook his head. Auron looked down, and then walked away.
"Come on." His voice wavered. "Let's do what we came to do."
"Yes." Braska nodded. "The Calm Lands. Let's go."
The passed back over Mount Gagazet, silent the entire way. It was all too quiet without Jecht. It was dark, it was cold, and no one was happy.
When they came to the Calm Lands, they saw that word had gotten out about Braska. There was a crowd around the Travel Agency. They stopped a good ways away from the Agency to avoid the crowd getting harmed.
"Okay." Braska said. "You'd better go over there too."
"What does it matter if I die from Sin?" He asked.
"You made a promise to me and to Jecht that you would take care of our children."
Auron sighed. "I will not leave your side, My Lord. I am your guardian until the end."
Braska smiled once more. "Thank you, Auron. You're a good friend and I'm glad you're with me."
Auron nodded and extended his hand. Braska took it, then yanked him forward and embraced him. Auron thought it awkward, but appropriate. He returned the embrace tightly.
When they finally let go of each other, Braska took a deep breath.
"Alright. This is it."
Braska held his staff up high and it glowed. He was summoning Sin.
"Come and get us." Braska hissed.
Auron looked at him and chuckled. "Is that you talking or Jecht?"
Braska looked at him and smiled, giving him a thumbs-up. Suddenly, the crowd screamed in terror. Auron and Braska looked up to see Sin hovering above them.
Braska's gaze was solid.
"Your reign of terror has gone on long enough!" He declared. "This is your end, Sin! For now, I summon my Final Aeon...Jecht! Come forth!!"
A brilliant light suddenly shot out from Braska's chest. He cried out as a spirit began floating from him. With one last tug, the glowing spirit flew away. Braska fell forward and Auron ran to catch him.
Auron checked for a pulse. There was none. Braska was gone. Auron's jaw clenched tightly, as did his fist.
"JECHT!!" He shouted up to the spirit. "DESTROY HIM!!"
The spirit glowed brighter than ever and Auron turned away. When he turned back, he was amazed at what he saw.
The aeon was monstrous. Not nearly as big as Sin, but that could be expected. It was a humanoid upper body with large muscles all across it. It had long hair and a red bandana around its head and Jecht's tattoo on its chest, as well as some of his facial features.
The battle did not last long.
Sin struck first, firing unlimited flare-level blasts at the aeon. Jecht took the hits and did not waver at all. Seeing this got him nowhere, Sin stopped and released a small army of Sinspawn to weaken him of all shapes and sizes. Jecht looked at them all and his eyes gave a sudden flash. The enemies were petrified and fell to the ground and shattered.
Auron grinned. This was going very well. Of course it was. The Final Aeon was given the specific power to defeat Sin.
Jecht floated up and struck Sin with its fist. Sin stuck back with a body blow. Because its body was bigger, Sin's attack did more. Jecht's eyes burned. Suddenly, spikes ripped out of Jecht's back. A sort of handle poked from Jecht's chest. He grabbed it and ripped it out. It was a sword!!
Jecht raised his sword and stabbed into Sin. It let out a horrifying screech. Jecht floated back, waiting to hit again.
Sin wasn't happy. It began gathering power to itself.
Instantly, a memory returned to Auron. He'd seen this before. When he was a boy, it slaughtered hundreds of warrior monks and crusaders.
"JECHT!!" Auron shouted. Surprisingly, the aeon looked down. "If Sin uses that attack, we're all doomed!"
Jecht looked at the people, then at Auron and gave him a thumbs-up. Dropping its large sword to the ground, Jecht raised his hands. A meteor came from the sky and landed in Jecht's hands.
Auron heard a voice in his head.
Ultimate Jecht Shot!!
Jecht tossed the meteor up and punched it. It collided with Sin, creating a grand explosion. To finish it off, Jecht grabbed his sword and stabbed Sin right under the chin, the blade shooting right through the monster's head.
Time stood still, as did everyone and everything else. No sound was heard for a moment.
Finally, there was a great light that engulfed Sin and Jecht both. With a flash, both beasts vanished in a sea of pyreflies.
It took a moment for it all to sink in. Finally, the people of Spira cheered their hearts out.
"Sin is gone!" They cheered. "Sin is gone!"
For Auron, there was no rejoicing.
"Jecht is gone." He said. "Braska is gone." Jecht looked down at his fallen summoner and decided to do one last thing for him. He laid him on his back and put his staff back in his hands. "Goodbye, my friend." He said.
Auron fell back onto his rear and sat there, staring at the ground. A few tears dropped from his face and he wiped his eyes.
"Sir Auron!" Someone shouted. He looked up. It was Rin. He looked at Braska, then at Auron. "I am sorry."
Auron shook his head, not wanting to say anything. His mind began racing. His two best friends were dead and now, he was alone on a vast continent.
But he had to know something. Yunalesca. Only she knew his answer.
"Here comes the media." Rin warned Auron. He looked up and saw them, then picked himself up and ran. He ran as fast and hard as he could towards Mount Gagazet.
Auron stormed through Mount Gagazet, ignoring the Ronso. The guardian beast did not appear this time. Auron was angry enough that he may have been able to kill it himself.
Down Gagazet he went, and into the Zanarkand Ruins. He stormed through the pitch-black dome and into the temple, barely able to see. The Spectral Keeper didn't appear either, and the trials were not reset. He took the elevator down and ran into the large room.
"YUNALESCA!!" Auron bellowed. "YUNALESCA!!"
She didn't come, so Auron burst through the doors in the back and ran up the stairs before him until he came up to a large, flat, elevated platform.
"Where are you?!" He demanded. At his calling, she appeared in front of him. Auron found himself suddenly out of breath and words.
"You are distraught about the loss of your friends." Yunalesca observed.
"Of course I am!" He said. "I cared deeply for both of them and in one night, they're taken from me."
"Pain is understandable, especially to one who feels alone."
Auron didn't answer that. "I came to ask you a question."
"Then ask." She beckoned.
Auron looked up at her. "Will Sin come back?"
She answered in three words: "Sin is eternal."
Auron looked to the ground. "I knew it." He shook his head. "Why?! Why does it always come back?! Answer me so that I may have peace!" He pleaded.
"Every aeon that defeats Sin becomes Sin in its place."
Auron's blood froze. He slowly lifted his head to look at her. "What did you say?!" He whispered.
"Sin is an inevitable part of Spira. Its reign is never ending."
"Never ending?!" Auron repeated. "Because the method we use to defeat it is what gives birth to a new Sin!!" Auron's voice was rising. "Why?! Why is this done?! Why are summoners and guardians sacrificed only to ensure the continuance of Sin?!"
"It is the only way."
"The only way?! You send people to their doom and cover it in lies!"
"To give Spira hope."
Auron's eye twitched. "What?!" He hissed.
"The teachings and the Final Aeon give the people of Spira hope."
"False hope." Auron seethed.
"But hope all the same, and that is worth the sacrifice."
That did it. "NO!!" Auron roared, drawing his blade. "Where is the sense in all this?! Braska had faith in Yevon's teachings and died for them! Jecht believed in Braska and gave his life for him!!"
Yunalesca answered with a straight face. "They died because they had hope."
Auron could take no more. Unleashing all of his hatred, Auron leapt into the air with a vengeful cry, his sword raised.
But when he was less than a foot from her, Yunalesca held up her hand. With a white flash, Auron was blasted back through the air. Pain like he had never felt ripped through his body. Auron hit the ground and his mind was lost. His sword landed nearby.
The icy wind cut at Auron's body as he forced a few more steps. He fell once more. Auron was clinging to life by a thread. Somehow, he'd made it to Mount Gagazet and gotten to the other side. If he could only make it to the gate at the Gagazet Entrance...
But Auron's strength was waning and waning fast. At least now, he could see. The sun was rising, but Auron had gone all night without sleep. He was tired, he was cold, he was hungry, and he was hurt. Only one thing kept him going.
"I promised." Auron said aloud, keeping himself motivated. "I...I promised them I would..."
Thinking of Jecht and Braska only made the process more painful.
Auron was a wreck.
Finally, it happened. The sun was in Auron's eyes and he couldn't see properly. His hand reached out as he crawled, but this time, it grasped open air. Auron lunged forward, falling down a steep slope. The snow softened the blow, but only a little. How long he rolled, Auron didn't know. His mind was foggy and refused to operate properly anymore. All he could think about was his friends.
Sooner or later, Auron came to a stop. He was covered in snow and freezing. His insides had been severely damaged by Yunalesca and no potions could help it, Auron had learned. His left arm was also hurting. He had gone through so much that he had no idea just where that happened.
Auron forced himself onto his back, wearily. Everything was growing darker. Auron was dying and he knew it.
"So..." He whispered. "This...this is it." He didn't even have the wrap himself up in his coat, despite the extreme cold. His eyes began to glaze over, so he shut them, letting himself slide into darkness.
Suddenly, he felt something touch him, brushing him. It touched his throat.
"Still alive." A deep voice said.
Auron groaned and tried to make his eyes focus.
"Calm down." The voice said. "You are hurt. You must be still."
"Who's there?" Auron choked out.
"Me Kimahri Ronso." The person answered. Auron's eyes began focusing again to find a slightly small Ronso with a broken horn kneeling over him. He grabbed him in his arms. "Kimahri take you to other Ronso. They help you there."
"No!" Auron wheezed. "Don't bother. There is no time." Auron took in a few painful breaths. "I am spent for this world." Then, he added, "But...I...promised..."
"Promised?" Kimahri asked.
Auron grabbed the Ronso's fur on his arm. "Good Ronso, please...do a dying man a favor."
Kimahri nodded.
"Go...go to Bevelle. Find Yuna. She's a little girl with brown hair...she's the daughter of Summ...of High Summoner Braska."
"Yuna, daughter of High Summoner Braska." The ronso repeated.
"Yes. Find her and...and take her to Besaid."
"Besaid?"
"Yes. I know it's a long way and ronso do not usually go that far, but...it was her father's wish that she live there after Sin was defeated." Auron's breathing became harder. "Please...please do this."
Kimahri thought about it. "Kimahri's horn broken today. Kimahri leave mountain in shame. But Kimahri not know where to go. Now, Kimahri have place to go. Kimahri will take Yuna to Besaid."
Auron smiled. "Thank you. Now...go."
"What about you?"
"Leave me." Auron said. "My time is short anyway. Just go...go!"
Kimahri got up and went, looking back only once.
Auron laid his head back. One promise would be fulfilled, even if it wasn't his own doing. But the other still remained. Auron had promised Jecht he'd take care of Tidus...but now...it was too late. Auron could not stop the dying process.
"Jecht..." he whispered. "I'm sorry..."
As Auron drifted away into darkness, one last memory slid through his mind. It was something he once said to Braska...
I cannot see the Farplane until my tasks are complete...
Auron awoke.
"Oh!" a familiar voice said. "You're alive!"
His vision began to come together.
"I thought for sure we had lost you!"
Auron looked at the speaker. "Rin?"
Rin nodded. "How are you feeling?"
Auron's other senses came into play. "Ah." He grunted. "Not so good...where am I?"
"In my Calm Lands agency. I went searching for you and found you on the mountainside."
Auron's eyes darted around. Everything seemed relatively normal, but something was amiss. What was it? Wait. His right eye. What happened to his eye?!
"You have taken many wounds." Rin explained. "There are some internal injuries. I'm tending to them the best I can."
"What time is it?"
"Nine o'clock in the evening. Braska defeated Sin yesterday. Well, early this morning, rather."
Auron's thoughts came together. "Braska..."
"You must stay here and rest more. You'll live, but you'll probably be in pain for quite some time. I will tend to you some more in the morning. For now, you must continue to rest." With that, Rin left the room and closed the door.
Auron lay there for a minute more. Something wasn't right. He shifted about a bit. He hurt, yes, but compared to earlier, it hurt a lot less. Auron then remembered something.
On Mount Gagazet, he had been dying. His internal injuries would have been too much for him. But then again, he had been thinking about his promise to Jecht.
I cannot see the Farplane until my tasks are complete.
Auron had known the extent of his injuries and this was certain:
Auron could not have lived.
He felt his pulse and felt nothing.
Auron was an unsent.
And he knew why. He couldn't leave this earth while his promise to Jecht was unfulfilled. He still had things to do here.
Auron reached up and felt the scar on his right eye. At least it was still there.
"So," Auron said aloud. "Now what?"
Now, he would sleep. Even with his day-long rest, Auron was tired from the trauma. He closed his eyes and drifted off once more.
Auron awoke early the next morning, feeling strangely refreshed.
"Perhaps one of the perks of being dead." Auron chuckled. It still sounded strange. Auron stood and reached for his coat. But when he tried to lift his left arm, he found a problem. It wasn't working right. It didn't hurt all that much, but he found it hard to move, like it was super-weak.
"Not good." Auron told himself. "But it will heal." Still, he couldn't just let it hang down. Auron got an idea. He put his right arm through the sleeve of his coat, and then put his elbow in the other sleeve, making a makeshift sling. "Could work." He said.
Then, Auron looked in the mirror and froze. First of all, he had a nasty scar on his right eye, which he couldn't open. He was also pretty banged up. Plus, several strands of hair on either side of his head were gray, as were a few in front. It was very different, but Auron had to admit to himself that he kind of liked it.
Auron grabbed all of his gear and left the Travel Agency without anyone knowing.
"Where to go?" Auron wondered aloud. How on earth was he going to get to Zanarkand, especially in his condition? He didn't hurt too much, but he wasn't what he used to be.
Auron wandered around for a while, ending up back in Macalania Forest.
"What do I do?" Auron wondered.
"Did you say you'd find a way?" Jecht asked him.
"Yeah, but..." Auron suddenly jumped up. "JECHT!!"
"Don't touch me!" Jecht warned, jumping back.
"Wh-what is it?!"
"I'm not myself, Auron."
Auron noted a sort of reddish tint on Jecht's skin.
"What is it?"
"You're not going to believe it, but...I'm Sin."
Auron was only surprised for a second. "Yes...Yunalesca told me."
"Ah. So...this is how the cycle keeps going."
"Did Yunalesca tell you?"
"No! I wouldn't have done it!"
"Good." Auron sighed in relief.
"What happened to you?" Jecht asked, noting Auron's physical condition.
"I confronted Yunalesca. She infuriated me, so I attacked her."
"Did you kill her?" Jecht asked, hopeful.
"No. In fact," Auron let his pyreflies swarm, "It went the other way around."
Jecht's eyes shot open. "You're dead?!"
"In a matter of speaking."
"But...why aren't you at the Farplane?"
"I have things to do. Yuna is being taken care of, but Tidus is another thing."
"Yeah." Jecht chuckled.
"So..." Auron said. "You're Sin?"
"Yup." Jecht sighed.
"You were reborn already?"
"Yeah, but my power is very low. I won't be the real Sin for a very long time, probably years."
"Can't you control it?"
"Right now, sort of, but something inside me is trying to control me. Once I've become the real Sin, I won't be able to stop it."
"Jecht..."
"Auron, listen. I've got an idea. I can take you to Zanarkand."
"And kill Yunalesca?"
"No. I mean my Zanarkand."
Auron was stunned. "You can do that?"
"Yes, but I cannot take any living creature with me. Of course, you're not alive, so..."
"So I can watch over Tidus." Auron understood. "I'll do it!"
"But once I take you there, I gotta come back here. You won't see me for a long time, I don't think."
"Why not?"
"I don't want to lose control and kill you...you know what I mean."
"A-alright. Where and when will you drop me off?"
"Fairly near my house, but somewhere discrete. It's one week after I left."
"Alright."
"Grab on." Jecht held out his hand.
"Jecht?"
"Yeah?"
"It's good to see you again."
Jecht smiled. "You too, man."
Auron grasped Jecht's hand and they lifted into the air a bit. Jecht's power began to surge and Auron felt it go into his body. But it was overwhelming and Auron felt like he was being ripped apart on the inside as the world he knew changed.
"We're here." Jecht said.
"This is it?" Auron asked, rubbing his chest.
"Yep. Zanarkand."
Auron looked around. They were in an alleyway.
"I gotta go back now before I do something stupid. Alright, try to blend in, okay?"
Auron gave him a look. "How?"
"Just...don't act weird. Nobody knows anything about Yevon or any of that stuff, alright? So don't mention it. Just forget all you know about that."
"Deal."
"And people are kind of oblivious to anything outside Zanarkand."
"Alright."
"But most importantly, remember why you're here."
"I will look after your son." Auron said. "But, you know, he has a mother, and...I'm not so great with kids."
"Well, just be around to mentor him, you know? And make sure he doesn't screw his life up."
"I will."
"Good...but if you sleep with my wife I will come back and kill you."
"Jecht!"
"I'm serious!"
"I won't do that, you know me."
"I know you've never had a girl." Jecht chuckled. "I gotta go. Good luck."
"You too."
"And thanks, Auron. Oh, and clean yourself up. You look like a train wreck"
Auron chuckled and Jecht vanished again.
"Wait. What's a train?" Auron asked to no one.
Auron poked his head out of the alley and looked around. No one was around yet. Auron stepped out, trying to act casual. The city was very large and full of people. Auron noticed they all kept staring at him.
His blade! Ack! Well, too late now. Just go with it.
Auron kept his gaze ahead. People stared at him, but he didn't acknowledge him. This was a foreign world and he would have to keep up his guard. Auron passed a store window and caught a glimpse of himself. Jecht was right. He was a mess. He fixed his hair and clothes, but his face was still not so good. That scar was probably permanent and made Auron a little self-conscious. How to hide it?
"Hey, baby!" A female exclaimed as her boyfriend drew near. Auron turned to her as she embraced him.
"Like my new sunglasses?" He asked her, pointing to them.
"Yeah, you look sexy."
Auron looked at those "sunglasses". They were rather stylish and hid the man's eyes well.
"Excuse me." Auron said to the man. "Where can I get those 'sunglasses'?"
"Uh," The guy eyed his blade, and then pointed across the street. "O-over there."
"Thanks." He turned to cross the street.
"Dude." The man said. "Where can I get a sword like that?"
"You have to need it." Auron pointed out. He crossed the street and entered the store. He tried on several of them, thus discovering the real use of sunglasses. He also found in the store a sort of gray collar to cover the lower part of his face. Auron took the items to the counter.
"I'd like to buy these." He said. The man stared at him.
"I-is this a hold up?"
"What? Oh! Don't worry about this." He tapped the blade.
"Y-yeah." The guy rang it up and Auron paid and left, still being stared at. Auron put on the glasses and clipped on the collar. It wrapped all around his head up to his nose. His face was pretty hidden now, he noticed in the store window. He looked very mysterious...just how he liked it.
Jecht's home wasn't too far from where he'd been dropped off, but it was fairly remote. Jecht's home was like a boat, really, latched to the dock. Sitting on a balcony was a little boy with brown hair. Auron stepped onto the boat and walked up until he was under him.
"You must be Tidus." Auron observed. The boy jumped. "How do you know that?"
"I-" But before he could finish, the door in front of him swung open and his mother stepped out.
"Can I help you?" She asked.
"You are Karen?" Auron asked her. She seemed startled.
"Who are you, what do you want?!" She demanded, seeming a little afraid.
"Forgive my appearance." He started. "My name is Auron. I am a friend of your husband."
Her eyes lit up. "Jecht?!"
"That's right."
Her eyes then narrowed. "Prove it."
Auron cocked his head. "Prove it? How?"
"Tell me about him, who he was."
"He was a blitzball player, and a star at that. He was very straightforward, but a good man on the inside."
"That's not him." Tidus said from above.
Auron and Karen looked up at him. "And I believe he wanted you to become a star blitzer as well." Auron said. "Didn't he once tell you to give it up, so you didn't speak to him for a week?"
"That's right!" Karen said. "Please, come in!"
Auron stepped in, followed by Tidus.
"Forgive my skepticism." She said. "But you can never be too careful."
"Understood." Auron nodded.
"Auron, right?" She asked. "Jecht never mentioned you."
"I prefer discretion. I don't let many people know of my existence."
"Why not?" Tidus asked.
"Better that way, trust me." Auron said.
Karen cocked her head. "Where are you from?"
"Some place far away, originally. Now, I have no home. I am a wanderer and a loner. I met Jecht some time ago. He saved my life and we became friends."
"Jecht wouldn't save anyone but himself." Tidus scoffed.
"Quiet!" Karen snapped. "Forgive him. So...why have you come here? Jecht isn't here."
"I know." Auron said. "I heard he'd gone missing."
Karen's hope rose. "Mr. Auron, please, if you know anything, please tell me!" She walked closer to him. "Is Jecht alive?"
Auron hesitated. "I do not know. But, to be honest, ma'am, the situation looks grim, from what I hear. Jecht has been out there for a week without food or water."
"Do..." Karen began. "Do you think he could be alive?"
Auron looked down. "In all honesty, ma'am. I do not think your husband is coming back."
Distress filled Karen's face.
"I am sorry. I know how it feels to lose someone."
"So..." She whispered. "Did you come just to tell me this?"
"No." Auron said. "Jecht once asked me a favor. He asked that if anything should happen to him that I watch over your both in his absence."
Karen barely seemed to hear that; her mind appeared elsewhere.
"Excuse me." She said, and sulked into a back room, closing the door behind her.
Auron was a bit puzzled, but only a bit. He looked back at the boy.
"The son of Jecht."
"Don't call me that." He snapped.
"Alright...Tidus, then."
"You were my dad's friend?"
Auron nodded.
"And you think he's dead."
"I do not believe that you may ever see him alive again."
Tidus shrugged. "So what?"
Auron understood. "He told me you were not fond of him."
Tidus looked down. "I hate him." He muttered.
"Mm." Auron said. "If you'll excuse me..." Auron turned and walked out the door.
Another week passed. Auron check up on them periodically. He never saw Karen, just Tidus, who still was unsure what to think of him. Auron kept himself unknown, for the most part. However, he did take several tours of Zanarkand to get used to the place. For a Yevonite, this would have been a monstrosity. For the opposed, like Auron, this would be a find place to live for a while. How long would he be here? Probably the rest of his life, but Jecht was counting on him.
But on the seventh night, Auron discovered just how much he might be needed. He was eating in a café when he overheard two men talking.
"It's a shameful thing, really." The first man said.
"What do you think caused it?" The second asked.
"Well, she hasn't been herself since Jecht left."
Auron's ears caught that.
"So, do you think she'll make it?"
"Hard to say. I hope so. I mean, she's got that kid and all."
Auron turned. "Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt, but I overheard something about Jecht's wife?"
"Yeah." The first guy said. "I'm surprised you haven't heard. It's all over town. She's sick-real sick."
Auron didn't know how to react to it. "What do you mean, sick?"
"From what I heard, she's lost her strength dramatically. Her energy has just been drained. She doesn't even leave her room anymore; she just kinda sits there, silently. The only thing anyone can get out of her is that she misses Jecht."
Auron became fearful.
"Ever since he was declared dead, it's like she just lost her will to keep going. It's sad to think about, really. I mean, what's little Tidus gonna do?"
Auron didn't answer. He got up from his table and hurried out the door.
When he arrived at the house, Tidus was pathetically kicking a blitzball around, also seeming to have lost his spirit, but he knew it was for another reason. Finally, Tidus gave a great, angry kick and launched the ball right at Auron. Auron, remembering his days with Jecht, shot up his hand and caught it. Tidus saw him now.
"Sorry." He said.
"It's alright." Tidus looked away. Auron knew why he seemed troubled. "Is she alright?" He asked.
"What do you care?" Tidus grumbled.
Auron sighed. "If she dies...I wouldn't know what to do!"
"Don't say mom's gonna die!!" Tidus snapped.
Auron stepped down. "I apologize." And he left.
But if Karen were to die, what could he possibly do?
The next morning, Auron went back to Jecht's house, hoping to talk to Karen to try and snap her out of her trance.
But as Auron rounded the corner, he was that he was too late. The paramedics were carrying her fallen body away. Auron walked up to one of them.
"She is dead?"
The paramedic turned. "Yep. Kid says she didn't wake up this morning. She didn't suffer, at least."
But she did, Auron thought. She did.
Auron walked over to Tidus, who sat on the upper level of the boat house, curled up on the ledge, overlooking the sea. He looked over as Auron came up, but then just looked back over the water. Auron didn't know what to say now.
It was a fairly chilly morning, but Tidus could never remember being so cold. He curled himself up tighter and shivered a bit. Auron unclipped his belt and took off his red coat and put it around Tidus. He tucked it around himself tightly and put his face in his knees. Auron put his hand on Tidus's shoulder.
"It's alright." He said. Both were silent for a moment. Finally, an officer came up to them.
"Tidus? We need you to come with us."
Tidus stood up, still wrapped in Auron's coat.
"I'm coming with him." Auron declared.
The officer looked at Auron, then back at Tidus. "Son, do you know this man?"
Tidus nodded. "Auron, my dad's friend."
"Ah. Well, alright then. Come on."
"Where to?" Auron asked.
"Downtown. Gotta find out what to do with the kid."
Auron waited with Tidus outside an office for a fair period of time. Neither of them knew what to say to each other. Finally, the officer came back out.
"Well?" Auron asked.
The officer shook his head. "The kid has no living relatives. None we can find, anyway."
"So he will end up in an orphanage, no doubt?" Auron pried.
The officer sighed. "Looks that way."
Auron thought hard for a moment. He turned and looked down at Tidus, who still sat in a chair, pondering.
Jecht hesitated, and then turned around. "It's my son. He's such a crybaby. He needs someone there to hold his hand, you know? Do...do you think you could watch after him for me?" "I'll do it. You have my word; I'll guard him with my life."
He'd promised.
Auron looked up at the officer. "I will look after him."
The officer was surprised. "You?"
"I promised Jecht that I would watch over his son, and so I shall." A strange feeling rushed over Auron. He wasn't sure what it was, but it was good.
The officer thought for a moment, then looked at the boy. "Will both of you come with me?"
They walked into the office.
Auron gained custody of Jecht's son.
Auron's life in Spira had ended, both literally and metaphorically. He was an unsent, but as he said, he could not go to the Farplane until his tasks were complete. Yuna would be fine in the temple's care, but Tidus was his responsibility.
Auron had left everything he knew behind. All the teachings were naught now. Summoners did not exist. Machina were abundant. This world was a happier one.
Braska and Jecht were gone. Auron was still scarred from their deaths, but, somehow, fulfilling their last wishes made their passing easier...as well as his own.
Now, Zanarkand was his home.
This was Auron's new life. He would live it well.
But Auron could barely believe it. He was standing in a lost city, alive and in its prime.
And it was all because he'd met a crazy prisoner named Jecht.
Author's Note: I'm pretty proud of myself for this chapter. But I'm not done. That was only the first part of the story. Auron's journey continued, as you know, and I will follow it in the upcoming chapters. Thanks for reading and please review!