Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own this series. The original characters in this story are for the purpose to appreciating the series and thanking the creators behind it.
Chapter IX: Trapped
Underground the new city of Zanarkand a cult chants a spell in unity. Within the chant several words were repeated like Yu Yevon, Maylina, Sin, and death. The groups of humans, Ronso and Al Bhed alike were surrounding a fire, a fire that burned black. They were using the darkest magic for themselves. They were not harassed by the city for the city and the people supported them and their ideals.
Their spells were for the creature that was now going to Kilika, but for the past several years their spells have been directed at the temple ruins in the old city of Zanarkand. The temple ruins were dug up just a few hundred years ago. It was determined that the once wondrous city Zanarkand had been built over the great ancient temple. The temple was believed to be over 2000 years old. It was also evident that the people of Zanarkand had accessed to the temple during their great years.
Once the aeon there was reborn without a Fayth it would become the new Sin, and destroy everything in Spira. It would punish everyone for using technology and for losing faith with it. That is what this cult knew and felt.
As they flew over the chaotic waters of the sea, the group of fugitives now waited to arrive in Kilika. Marie was flying the air cruiser, and her brother sat with her alone in the quiet cockpit. The cruiser was not very big, and could only hold up to seven people, but it was fast. Within a period of a few months they were already halfway to Kilika.
In the passenger area everyone else was in the back. Renac tried to all that he could to revive Maylina, but she still lied dormant. Connie had used all her ideas of synthesized items of healing but to no prevail.
Mason did not have a thing to say to his older sister, but she did have a few words for him.
"Mason, why? Why did you leave and run away?" she asked with concern.
He replied, "Because I didn't want the life of a solider. Father decided my fate the moment I was born, but he let you do what you wanted."
"Father only wanted you to carry on the family name, and to fight for your people," she replied calmly.
"I could care less about our family name," Mason finished.
He left his older sister in the cockpit to find Connie. He came into the back area of the ship to find Connie resting over to the side, and Maylina lying asleep on the floor in front of him. She had not woken since, and it seemed none of them could help her.
Mason came down and sat next to Maylina.
"I guess we're going to spend more time together," he said to her silent form.
As she laid there he stared at her face. He knew there was something wrong with what was going on. It was like they are meant for each other, but it was a false feeling.
A stir and a small cry came from Connie in the corner. Mason could not forget his friends before all this. He went over to Connie, and woke her up gently.
"Mason. What is it?" she asked tiredly.
"I only wanted to check on you. I feel like I have been ignoring you. I don't want to lose my closest friend," he replied caringly.
Connie suddenly wrapped herself around Mason's chest.
"Connie?"
"Oh, Mason. I have a confession. I need to tell you something," she replied careless.
"What is it Connie?" he wondered.
"I..."
A voice came over the ship's speakers; it was Marie.
"We're coming onto Kilika. I'll be able to hide you guys here for now."
Connie was not able to finish what she was going to say, because Mason left her to rejoin Marie. He was back in the cockpit within seconds after Marie's announcement.
"Are you nuts? If we go to Kilika...that's a bad idea Marie. Is this some joke?" Mason asked in outrage.
Landing the ship into Kilika's port was an easy task for Marie as she proceeded to do it.
She replied in calm, "The priestess and her guard can hide, you're going home."
"Where do you plan to hide Maylina?"
"Up at the Kilika temple ruins," she replied quickly.
"If I remember correctly, the ruins are infested with outcasts and thieves."
"Well, while you were gone little brother the town people cleaned up the ruins of those thugs."
"No way am I leaving Maylina up there in her condition," he added briskly.
They were now on the ground, and they could leave. Marie got up and stood in front of Mason.
"The deal is this: to keep her safe until she's better you have to come home. If not then I will be forced to tell father of her, and he will turn her in."
In defeat and slumping his shoulders he said, "Alright."
Marie left the cockpit to join the rest. Mason followed, but did not speak at all.
"I have a friend who will take you all to the temple ruins. Mason and I have other business to take care of. Once the priestess gets better we'll figure something then," Marie said.
Everyone left the ship onto the Kilika dock, and Renac carried Maylina while Connie carried Maylina's weapons. On the dock, in the night, one man was waiting. Marie went to the man, and he took her into his arms with a kiss. Mason walked up to them with the rest of everyone behind him. Marie turned back to them.
"This is Daris. He is the captain of the guard for Kilika, and my close friend," Marie told everyone.
Mason spoke up at last, "You're the boy who was always around when I was a kid. Why are you helping us now?"
"Yes I was. I am helping your sister though, because we both know to help each other before anyone else. We firmly believe the future of Spira lies in the hand of a few, and those few are not the ones in power now. We are fighting a pointless war, and even though it may have ended we still have those problems. Of course we do not have time for small chat; so let's go."
"Well put Daris. Come on Mason. Daris, I love you," Marie said as she kissed him good bye.
Mason and she began to go towards downtown Kilika. Daris began to lead the others outside the town towards the ruined temple within the over grown forest. Until they reached outside of town no one talked.
As Renac carried Maylina he asked Daris, "How can I be sure we can trust you?"
"If I betrayed you, I would be betraying Marie. That is something I can not do. Marie and I are not blinded by Spira's beliefs. Many years ago we decided that having each other comes before our duties for Spira. That is why Marie studies the forbidden art of black magic. What of you, are you loyal to your priestess or to your government?"
"I serve Maylina. I am her friend before her guardian," Renac responded.
"Good answer. That is a guardian at heart, and true to the original ideals of the guardian."
No more was said as they headed towards the temple of Kilika. It had taken them close to an hour to finally reach the ruins. They had encountered many fiends native to the island. They all went into the main chamber of the ruins, and it was the only building still standing the ancient temple.
Rena brought Maylina to the bottom of the stairs leading to the Cloister of Trials. He put her down, and during their short journey she had not even moved. Renac was beginning to worry that she would never wake up.
"I will leave you for now. There is food and supplies next to the statue of Yunalesca. I apologize if the accommodations aren't better. But I must return to my duties. I assure you Marie will come tomorrow," Daris told Renac.
He left the three fugitives alone in the ruins. To spend the night together alone; not knowing if any eyes were watching.
Connie went to the supplies and began to rummage through them. She found several items of food, and began to eat.
With a mouth full of food she began a conversation with the serious Guado, "So, how long have you known Maylina?"
Renac sat down next to Connie and said, "I have known her for several years."
"Does she mean a lot to you? I mean more than a friend."
"She means much to me and that is that," Renac ended.
Connie looked at Renac with a look of suspicion.
"Right," she retorted.
They continued to eat and kept a silence. Then Renac heard movement in the shadows for their one fire could not illuminate the entire room.
"What is it?" Connie asked worryingly.
"Shh," Renac quieted her, "we have visitors."
Renac quickly got up, and picked up his spear. He went to Maylina's body, and took a guarding stance. Connie picked up the bag of supplies, and took a stance next to Renac.
From the shadows humans and Al-Bhed emerged. One human stepped forward, and he seemed to be the leader.
"Well, well. A Guado this far in Spira territory. That's not good for you," he told Renac.
"You, Al-Bhed girl are doomed for helping the Guado," he turned to Connie.
"Who are you?" she demanded from the mysterious man.
"I'm your executioner, Fixxm. We are an elite group of people across Spira who hate Guado. There are humans, Al-Bhed, and Ronso alike."
From the shadows three large Ronso came forth.
Fixxm continued, "Now Guado scum you're going to die along with your priestess and your Al-Bhed child."
"Hey!" Connie interrupted.
"These are the Ronso brothers, and they hate Guado. We don't need peace until every Guado is dead. We follow the ways of the Zanarkand Light."
To Continue...
