Chapter XVI: Hopeless of the Phoenix
Her body continued to fall deeper into the dark crevices of Spira. Sorren used all his might to catch up with her as they both fell.
Rolas had shot her in the head, and it seemed it was a kiling shot. There was a clear view of the shot mark through her forehead. From the wound and her unconsious posture, one may speculate she was dead.
Finally he was able to get a hold of her, but he wondered how far this abyss was. Then he felt something grow within him, a burning fire in his chest. Slowly that pain grew as he tried to wake Maylina. Realization settled in when he found her body growing cold and there was no breathing coming from her.
The pain struck his heart and soul when he acknowledged her death. The fire seemed to pour from his body now as he clenched his teeth to hold back a scream. The fire had spread and suddenly a pair of fire red wings took a translucent form upon his back. The fire wings dispersed, and suddenly something forced itself free from his chest.
This magical sphere of fire ignited with a power once it broke free from Sorren. A piercing screech of a bird sounded from it before it thrusted itself into Maylina's bod, engulfing them both in an arrangement of orange and fire flames.
Sorren watched in awe as the fire wings grew and made form on Maylina's back. His attention turned to her face next as her hair grew and changed into pulsing fire.
Suddenly a searing scream of a bird eminated from Maylina's mouth as her eyes fluttered open. She had been given another life through this aeon from Sorren's soul. Their decent's speed slowed down as the twenty foot span of wings flapped to work against the gravity.
The eternal darkness slowly began to lighten up as a piercing white light began to penetrate their surroundings. In minutes they found themselves upon a plateau of flowers. Beyond the plateau pyrieflies made way as waterfalls with no source or destination fell.
Sorren felt Maylina move from his grasp as the Phoenix dispersed from her body. He came to the conclusion that the aeon gave her her life back. Even though it still puzzled him he was relieved to see her alive.
"We're in the Farplane, in the heart of Spira," her soft voice spoke breaking his thoughts.
He turned to her then to his surrounding in awe. He looked beyond Maylina to find a man walking towards them. Sorren suddenly felt his body grow heavy at the man's approach as he became drowzy. As he fell to his knees he watched Maylina turn to the young man before passing out.
Maylina turned as Sorren fell unconscious, and there he was. The man she harbored hate yet always had a feeling of paternal caring.
"Shuyin," she spoke in a haze.
"Yes, it is a pleasure you finally came. I've been waiting for you sister."
"Sister?" almost completely torn in confusion.
Taking her hand he led the half-Guado to one particular waterfall near the plateau's edge. At first, the water falling seemed to have no destination and fell into a dark abyss. Now, though, a pool of crystal clear blue water began to visualize before them.
They stood mere feet away from this mystical pool. Eerie whispers tantalized Maylina's senses. She pulled herself away from the handsome young man. Walking to the waterfal, she peered down to a collection of water the 'fall had created. At first glance it was Maylina's reflection, but soon her image disappeared and another face appeared.
A woman with golden hair, dark roots, and violet highlights was there before her. Her piercing red eyes telling a long and sad story. Maylina stumbled back as the very face of the woman took on a form as she rose from the water. A full body mirage was reflected through the waterfall. Her elegant formal attire of the ancient priestly clothing was shining in the reflection.
"Who is she?" she stumbled out to Shuyin.
As he walked up behind her he replied, "She is you, Maylina. She is my sister, Akiaka, the Traitor of Zanarkand. This is a reflection of your spirit."
"My spirit...the Traitor of Zanarkand? How can this be?"
"Maybe you should ask yourself that," he replied softly.
She turned away from the mirage swiftly as she buried her face into her hands. When Shuyin told her that, images of another life flooded her like a storm. The roaring sounds of past winds swept her like a tornado as she tried to piece these images into place to make sense in just a few seconds time that she was given. Her vision began to blur as her mind faded into the distant past of her own life, a life she never knew she had till now. Maylina Guado was going to come to understand her past life as Akiaka, the Traitor of Zanarkand.
1300 years ago
Zanarkand
The Blitzball stadium began to fill as the crowd's excitement built. They all gossiped about their idol, their current idol, Lenne. Lenne was the pop icon of Zanarkand, and during these dark days of war she was like a beacon of light to her people as a singer and summoner.
Of course many did not know where she learned both skills. Lenne always gave her praise to her mentor, Akiaka. Her entire life she lived in the ancient temple in the mountains of Gagazet with a young Akiaka and her younger brother Shuyin. It was Akiaka, or Aki, who assigned Shuyin as a guardian to Lenne, and he was one of the greatest gifts she ever recieved.
Shuyin was the closest person in her life, even though she was not suppose to develop emotions of love for him. They would never admit that unknown love to each other, because of their duties.
She needed to clear her mind for tonight, she needed to make her people happy a little bit at least.
As the crowd settled they all turned to the highest balcony as a middle-aged man and his young wife approached the edge. All in the crowd knew who he was, he was teir leader, Yu Yevon.
His priestess wife was several years younger then himself. Her golden platinum hair glistended in the light as she stood proud at twenty-two. She was once the voice and idol of Zanarkand before Lenne a few years before, and passed her skills and talent to the young priestess upon the stage now.
Akiaka was proud of her pupil, but she was still unhappy. Her marriage was a faithful one, in that the two great summoners of Zanarkand, Yu Yevon and herself, were married. Yu Yevon had a daughter with his first wife who was deceased now, but Akiaka continued to deny him a child.
Instead, she was breaking the sacred vows of their holy marriage and to her religion. For her devotion had waivered, and her emotions for another man had grown into something greater then her faith to her marriage or religion. This man stood behind her, guarding her from all that dare be hostile to her.
She could smell his scent of true essence, and she imagined his long silver hair flowing in the wind behind her.
As the commotion settled, she was excused from her husband's presence as several summoner council members joined him from the show.
Aki left the balcony room with her guardian close behind as she made her way from the public eye. Taking her way to an abandoned hal, she felt a pair of strong yet slender arms turn her around at the waist.
She could only smile as she gave a false protest, "You shouldn't do this Lloyd. It could lead to trouble."
He could only smile to her joking behavior, but behind her words there was truth. Aki was the high priestess of Zanarkand's ancient temple in Mount Gagazet because of her unusual talent. Her ability was like all summoners in summoning aeons, but she could fuse and become one with her closest aeons. This is why she was the keeper of the ancient temple, the keeper of The Twins. This was also why she was married to the leader of Zanarkand, a political marriage and nothing else.
"Aki, you know we've been apart for awhile. We should go out tonight."
Nodding in agreement she ran her delicate fingers through his long silken silver hair.
Maylina opended her eyes standing within the Farplane with Shuyin there. Her body felt complete and alive now as she reflected upon the watefall.
"I am Aki, her spirit reincarnated. I can't remember, though, how I died or of that man's death either. I feel a close connection to our demises though, sadly."
Shuyin looked to her as he replied thoughtfully, "That man, Lloyd, was found to be a spy for the enemy at the time. Our enemy was Bevelle, and he worked for them. Before I left for Bevelle and met my end I found out of his identity from him. I'm not sure what happended between you two. I do know you found out and disconnected yourself from him and myself. You felt betrayed by all. How you died will come in time I'm sure. Maylina, you must come to understand your true identity."
"What do you mean? I'm on a pilgramage to revive the aeons and..."she began.
"And finish the feud you had with Yu Yevon. There is bitter resentment between you both," he finished.
Maylina turned to him, her voice speaking with an echo as if another was there with her, "But Yu Yevon was defeated by Lady Yuna. How could my feud with him have any significance?"
"Aki, my sister, he lives like you and Lloyd do."
Total shock ran across her face at both revlelations.
"Yu Yevon has been reincarnated? Where and who though, and Lloyd...he has returned as well," she spoke calmly.
"Bear no grudge towards me, forgive me for my selfishness so long ago," Shuyin said changing the subject suddenly.
She placed a gentle hand upon his face in reply, "Shuyin, I remember you, Lenne, and what happended to you both in Bevelle. At first I was so upset with you, because we ended on such terrible terms. After your passing I became distraught; losing my oly brother tore me apart."
Peace had been found between the two siblings, but many problems and questions were growing around them. Maylina had been given a glimpse of her destiny, and that was to settle the score long since left unfinished.
Maylina sat for what seemed to be only a few hours, but in the real world the days were flying by as she reminised with her brother about their lives together. Eventually she needed to ask that one question that had her pondering for a while now.
"Where is Lloyd?"
"Isn't it obvious Aki? He's been by your side all this time unknowingly. The one that kept having the unusual visions, and his body being taken by a spirit like yourself," he replied lightly.
Realization over whelmed her fragile senses, "Mason."
Sorren moaned as he began to wake up from his sudden faintness.
Shuyin took his sister's hand to say his farewell, "Go back and save your friends. Finish this feud, and be strong and independent again like you once were."
As he faded away she only nodded. Maylina Guado with the spirit of Akiaka, would over come all. To find the oe who is taking all the summoner spirits, over come the darkness, and save Spira.
She rose to go to Sorren only to fall to her knees coughing harshly. As her body calmed, she removed her hand from her mouth to find it covered in blood. A small trickle of it falling down the corner of her lips. Only puzzlement and horror came to her at this mysterious site.
To Continue...
