Computer exploded, guys... I'll try to crank some stuff out, but it's hard when I can only use the school one. Hope you like the new chapter...
I'll wear my badge: a vinyl sticker
With big block letters adherent to my chest
That tells your new friends I am a visitor here:
I am not permanent
And the only thing keeping me dry is where I am...
You seem so out of context in this guady apartment complex
A stranger with your door key explaining that I am just visiting
And I am finally seeing why I was the one worth leaving
-The District Sleeps Alone Tonight by The Postal Service
"Sweetie, you're running out of time," Rachelle murmered into my ears.
I sat up quickly, glancing around myself to find the source of her voice. To my surprise, I was in the exact place I remembered falling asleep, in the hotel bed. A quick glance to my side reassured me that Rikku had finally fallen asleep, after hours of talking and worrying. Darkness enveloped the entire room, and I could barely make out Rachelle's smile from her spot at the foot of my bed.
Jenae, on the other hand, was leaning over Rikku, tears running down her pale face.
"Oh shit," I breathed. "Jenae, what's wrong? What's going on?" I rose from the bed, my pants and shirt still rumpled from Rikku's tears. Jenae glanced up, quickly wiped off her face, and turned away from me.
"Nothing that can't be fixed, Auron," she mumbled, arms locking around her sides, closing herself in. "I'm just shocked at finally seeing her up close. I never did get to see her when she was born, but I remember exactly what it was like with her mom being pregnant." She turned a bit, her hand trailing over Rikku's facial features, then finally brushing a few blonde locks of hair out of Rikku's eyes. "Oh dear, sweet, little Rikku. Your dad, my brother, was such a nervous wreck before you were born, worrying about your mom. He could hardly put one foot in front of the other! And now look at you... You're finally here, but your mom and dad are gone. An orphan, just like my baby. What did you and Yuna ever do to deserve such misery?" she whispered, before the tears overcame her again.
Rachelle leaned over and took one of Jenae's hands and rubbed it between her fingers. "Rikku and Yuna are strong girls, Jenae. I have faith that they will always overcome every obsticle that threatens them, including death."
"As do I," I whispered, remembering my own death.
We were all silent for a moment, staring off into space, lost in our own spinning thoughts. But, finally, Rachelle broke the silence. "Cid made it to the Farplane last night," she whispered quietly.
I quickly lifted my head, glancing at her face, but she was staring off at the patterns on the bedsheets, eyes cloudy and unfocused. "Do you know what happened?"
Her eyes finally met mine. "He was betrayed," she said in such a hushed tone that I had to strain to hear her. "He was betrayed by someone close to him. One of his very own people. I've heard whispers of an Al Bhed Revolution for months upon months now, but I never, ever believed it to be true. Apparently it is... The traitors have been trying to overthrow the royal family and take over. They must have a spy somewhere in Rikku's family."
A lump formed in my throat, and I felt cold dread taking over my entire body. "And, what of Rikku?" I choked out.
"As the next in line to be the leader of her people, she is next on the list."
"Which means?" I snapped, already knowing the answer.
"What do you think she means, stupid?" My head snapped in the direction of the new, familiar voice, hidden in the darkest corner of the room.
To my surprise, Cid ducked into the light, followed by Braska, and then Jecht in the rear. All three had grave expressions on their faces.
I started patting my face, the sheets, the bed posts... anything in order to find some sort of reality where I was. "I must be dreaming... I must, I must," I whispered.
"Snap out of it, Auron," Jecht said. "Obviously, we've come from the Farplane to help."
"It was the least that we could do," Braska added.
I looked at both of their faces, and finally understood the horrible situation that I had gotten myself into. My eyes scanned the room, from Jenae and Rachelle sitting on my bed, to their husbands behind them, and finally, to Cid's face. He stared back.
"What," he spit out, "do you think that Rachelle meant?"
"Rikku... she cannot die! I won't let her! I will do anything to protect her," I growled.
"That's what we were counting on, Auron," Braska nodded. "But, if Rikku does not die..."
"Someone else goes in her place," Jenae whispered.
No... no... My head spun with all of the implications of that sentence. I had to protect my love, but if she didn't die... "Not me..." I breathed. "Not when I just got a second chance.... They wouldn't do this to us..."
"They? You're the one in control here," Cid growled.
"And someones death is on the cards tonight, Auron. You've just got the fun job of making the choice," Jecht said.
"No... no... Please no... They can't do this to us... We've just found each other again... Please no..." For once, I felt my emotions getting the best of me. My head was spinning, my throat was cracking, and my eyes were tearing up. All of the hope and promises... Was that all to be thrown away?
Braska laid a sympathetic hand on my shoulder, eyes simmering with an emotion from years before. He had the same look of bravery and resolve that I saw on his face before he marched himself and Jecht to their deaths. "This is your choice, Auron. The traitors will find you tonight, regardless of whether you stay or run. The spies are everywhere."
"And they know exactly where she is at this very moment. They're just waiting for the best moment to strike."
"But... the song... she hasn't even heard the song yet," I said, scrambling for something that could keep us together.
"The song will not change the outcome of tonight. Both of you are in danger, but if someone else goes, she will still have some time. Another death could buy her time, Auron."
"...But not completely save her. Am I correct? She still will be on the run, until she is killed and both of our deaths would be in vain."
"That is the chance you will have to take tonight."
"Someone needs to go in her place."
"She has a much bigger purpose than what we all thought. She has a much bigger impact on Spira than what was originally planned. But the choice is yours."
Their faces all seemed to melt together, their voices all made one sound. I nodded feebly, agreeing with what they were saying. Of course she had a much bigger purpose. That's my Rikku they were talking about. She wasn't even supposed to make a blip on the radar of my life, but look at what happened.
Rachelle gasped, looking at her hands. They were fading.
"Well, Auron, that seems to be our exit cue," Jecht smiled. "Good luck, old man."
"Good bye, sweetie," Rachelle and Jenae gave me hugs and feeble smiles. Braska nodded in my direction, before the four of them faded away. Cid started to turn, but stopped and turned back.
"Look, Auron," he said, clasping my shoulders. "I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, but you've always taken good care of my baby girl. This is your last stint as a legendary guardian. Please protect her."
I nodded in agreement. "I would do anything for Rikku."
"See to it that you keep that promise," he nodded before he faded away.
My head hit the pillow before I even realized it, and the world simply faded away.