The Chronicles Of Paine: Chapter Five

Author's note: Chapter 5. I've done a bit of thinking lately, trying to understand my story. It's somewhat of a large spider web pattern, and each individual portion breaks off in its own direction. It's a bit tricky, because the writer needs to have multiple things going on at once, and then pull everything to a close at the end. So, in conclusion, don't worry, I HAVE thought about all of the new things I've brought to the story, and am doing what I can to make the story last a while before closing it. It's not going to be extremely long like the videogames, but it needs to have some substance.

Paine could still hear screams echoing behind her as Kilika slowly vanished out of view. She tried to drown them out by making the motorcycle's engine rev louder. She was becoming angered, frustrated, and upset at the sprawling task which still spread far off into the landscape that was her fate. She knew she couldn't alter her destiny, and that whatever would come, would come. She was a couple of miles out of town when she was certain she had lost Vivi. She knew she would need to start looking for Rikku and Yuna as soon as possible, though she had not known Yuna had just missed her back in town. It was early in the evening. Paine had went to check her watch to see what time it was.

"Shit," she grunted. Her watch had evidently fallen off when she scrambled out of Kilika. She didn't have time to go back and look for it, so she continued onward. She was in the middle of nowhere, she thought. She slowed the bike to a stop, and hopped off. She was in the middle of an open field, and could see a couple of shoopufs in a pond a dozen yards away. She sat on the grassy ground and stretched her legs out. Sighing, she pulled an apple she had stolen in the Kilika market out of her pocket. Peeling it with her knife she had received from Cid, she took a bite out of the apple. As she gazed up at the sky, she could see the first few stars appearing.

"What the hell do I do now," she moaned. She took a few more bites from the apple, and threw the core over her shoulder.

"Hey, that's littering," said a voice behind her. Paine quickly reached for her guns and whipped around. Standing there was none other than Yuna.

"Oh, it's just you," Paine said, lowering her pistols.

"I thought you died," Yuna said, taking a seat on the ground next to Paine.

"I joined a group of agents, and my identity was deleted. I staged my own death, and have a new persona," Paine explained. "Technically I should kill you because you know too much," Paine said, raising her handguns to Yuna's face. "But.....I'm not going to." Relieved, Yuna took something from her pocket and pressed a button.

"What's that?" Paine asked.

"It's a tracking device. When I turn it on, the Celsius picks up my signal and will come find me," she explained.

"Oh," Paine said. "Hey, by any chance have you seen Nooj lately?" she asked.

"No, why would you want to know?" Yuna asked.

"Oh nevermind, it's not important," Paine sighed. Yuna and Paine sat there for about five minutes, when shortly after they heard a loud noise approaching from over the treeline. A bright red airship emerged from the forest and moved towards the two girls.

"It's been awhile since I last saw the old girl," Paine commented with a grin.

"So I guess you need a lift, huh?" Yuna asked. Paine nodded.

"Thank you, Yuna."

Yuna and Paine climbed up to the ship's deck and stepped inside the elevator.

"By the way, we have some other guys staying with us and they've become full fledged Gullwings," Yuna said.

"Who are they?" Paine asked.

"You'll see."

The elevator door opened with a hiss, and they stepped out into the bridge. Buddy and Brother were sitting in their usual seats, as was Shinra. But there were two other people here. Paine recognised one of them as Gippal, whom she glanced at for a moment , but the other man she had never seen. He had blonde spiky hair, he wore a purple suit, and held a massive sword.

"Everybody, Paine has rejoined us, and is now working for the Gullwings!" Yuna exclaimed. Everybody cheered, but Paine spoke loudly over everyone's voice.

"No, I only need a ride, thanks. I have a job to do, and can only stay with you people for a while," Paine said. Everyone seemed disappointed.

"Ok, well yo can sleep in the cabin upstairs until you leave," Yuna said. "But anyway, you know this is Gippal," She said, pointing to him, "But this is Cloud Strife," Yuna introduced the two. Paine said nothing, but Cloud gave a hearty wave.

"So where are we going?" Paine asked, ignoring Cloud, who seemed to be staring at her.

"We're going to Bikanel Island. Rikku is supposed to be rebuilding the Al Bhed Home there, and we're going to help," she said.

"That's good, because I need both of you for my mission," Paine said.

"What mission?" Yuna asked.

"We need to save the world again." Paine said wisely.

"That would explain a few things," Yuna said quietly.

"What are you talking about?"

"There's rumors flying around Spira about the ressurection of Sin,"

"Remember how Sin needed a sacrifice to be defeated, and then the sacrificed soul would be reborn into Sin?" Paine asked.

"Of course I do," Yuna said.

"Well, I'm beginning to have some theories," Paine shrugged.

"Like what?" Yuna asked.

"I can't really say. It's just that after you told me what Lady Yunalesca had said to you and your guardians seven years ago. That Spira is a neverending spiral of death,"

"You should sleep on it," Yuna suggested. "Don't worry, we won't be landing in Bikanel for hours. Get some rest, Paine,"

"Yeah, I need a good night's sleep. Thank you, Yuna," Paine said, yawning.

TO BE CONTINUED