Chapter 2: Lives Collide
A/N: Hi! How are ya? Yes, chapter 2! I know it took a while, but I just started school! Anywayz, this is where she meets them…eep. Hope ya like it! Please say you like it…
"And you have so much to lose."
The words spun through Lark's head, as consciousness slowly left her body. The soft carpeted floor beneath her dissipated and the still air around her turned into a warm breeze. Was she dreaming? Faint voices surrounded her, fading in and out. It became harder to keep her eyes closed, while the sun beat down on her. The sun? Wasn't it night a second ago?
"...And before that, we must pray at the temple in Kilika."
"Great. When're we gettin' ta Luca, anyway?"
"Braska, look."
The young woman slowly opened her eyes, realizing she was not on that carpeted floor anymore, but a hard wooden floor, which seemed to be…moving? A group of footsteps quickly became louder.
"Victim from Sin's attack?"
"Looks like."
She tried her best to glance up at the people surrounding her, but only got blurred images. She blinked a few times, trying to adjust her sight, in order to see whom the all too familiar voices belonged to. Still in a bit of a stupor, she tilted her head slightly at the now recognizable faces staring down at her. Well, two were, one in particularly. Though, obviously younger and his face unmarred, he was still recognizable. "…Auron?" She shook your head slowly. I cannot be where I think I am… "…no…it's not possible…"
"Are you alright?" The man to her right asked, kneeling beside the raven-haired girl.
Her body ached all over, causing her to curl up and hold her sides. "Far from."
"You know this girl?" The other familiar man asked to the future unsent, unknowingly answering the question Lark had been asking herself. Listening closely, she realized not only were they not inside, they happen not to be on land either.
"I've never seen her in my life," He responded. If that's…then wouldn't that be…? She thought for a moment.
"Jecht?" She spoke again, calling the former Blitzer's attention. He gave a questioning glance before she looked at the last man. "If they're…then you m-must be…Summoner Braska?..." She trailed off. Without warning, she stood quickly, knees wobbling, backing away from the three unsteadily, ignoring the immediate light headedness following. "No, no, no, no, NO…this isn't possible. It can't be! You! None of you are real!" She shouted at them, before falling to her knees from evident exhaustion.
The men exchanged confused glances, before turning their attention back onto the strange girl. Breathing heavily, she took one last look at the three before losing consciousness once more.
---
'Be careful.'
She knew that voice. Lark's eyes fluttered open, only to see nothing. No longer on deck, she realized she was lying on a very uncomfortable mattress in a room lined with beds. The only light came from under the door, as there was a lack of windows in the room. Glancing around, her eyes landed on a small figure, standing in the darkness. It was that boy from earlier. Anger rising, she sat up, glaring at the boy. "It's you. You did this!"
'I did nothing. It is what you wanted, is it not?' The boy spoke again.
Confused, her brow furrowed. "What? I didn't-" She cut herself off, recalling her words. I wished to be in…oh god. "…my wish."
'That's correct. You're wish. You have chosen a path, now you must walk it. You have been endowed with the strength of the warrior; use it well. When evil burns brighter than the stars, your destiny will be complete.' With out letting Lark say another word, the boy dissolved into the dark. Eyes wide, she stared at the place where the boy once was until noise from outside tore her attention away. Far off voices accompanied by the sound of steady footfalls became clearer from the other side of the door. Listening intently, she made out the conversation from outside.
"…maybe she's from Bevelle. That would explain her knowing of Auron and I."
"That does not explain how she knew Jecht."
"Hey, maybe she's from Zanarkand, too."
"I'm sure," One of the voices said in a sarcastic tone.
If they say toxin, I'll scream, She thought.
"It could happen."
"Let us not get too carried away. She may have gotten too close to Sin. It may just be Sin's to-"
"It's not Sin's toxin!" She yelled on impulse. For moments at a time, there was only silence. The door creaked open, revealing Braska followed by Jecht and Auron. She glared at them as they stood in front of her. "It is not Sin's toxin. I'm not from Bevelle or Zanarkand. I'm not from Spira, period!"
"If not Spira, then where?" The summoner asked, confused.
Her eyes downcast, she scoffed. "You wouldn't believe me."
Jecht shrugged. "Well, they believed my crazy-ass story, so…"
"Well, as impossible as it sounds, my story's even crazier than your thousand-year trip through time." As she finished, a shocked expression cross Jecht's face.
Finally forming words, Jecht replied, "How did you-"
"Like I said, you wouldn't believe me." Lark interrupted. This is impossible; this can't be happening…She folded her arms, uneasiness setting in. She glanced back at them, and then to Auron, whom was still looking at her curiously. Her eyebrow arched at his odd glance. "Anything you'd like to add?"
After a moments silence, he finally spoke. "Who are you?"
"I'm Lark." Was all she responded.
"It's certainly an interesting name." The summoner commented in the same calm voice. The young girl stopped in mid-scoff, refraining from rolling her eyes.
"Well, Braska, Auron, and Jecht aren't exactly common names where I'm from." She retorted coldly, an unfamiliar feeling of homesickness stirring inside her already. Sighing, she softened her tone. "Sorry. Everything's just kinda outta whack."
"If you explain things, perhaps we could help you." Braska offered, earning surprised glances from his guardians.
"But, my lord…" Auron began to protest.
"I assume you do not know anyone else here." The summoner asked the girl, cutting off the guardian. She nodded in response. "Then perhaps if you explain to us how you ended up in Spira, we could help."
Pausing for a moment she began…
---
She told them just about everything, leaving out bits and pieces of the game (like Auron being dead, Tidus coming to Spira, etc.). She explained how she knew of them, well, somewhat of how she knew of them. And everything in between. "…And I woke up here." The three men stared in confusion. As one was about to say something, she cut in. "Say that it's Sin's toxin and I swear I will scream."
For a moment, the silence continued as the men absorbed the information. "You mentioned something about a wish…?" Braska inquired.
At the question, Lark's eyes grew wide. "Th-the wish? Well…I kind of wished-not that I knew it'd actually happen-that uh, Spira was real and I was a guardian. One out of two isn't so bad, right?" She answered meekly.
The summoner and his guardians glance at each other before turning back to the young woman. "It is late. After we all rest we'll discuss it further." The summoner offered with a polite smile. Lark nodded quietly as the three turned. "Goodnight."
With that came a nod of acknowledgement from Jecht. As they left, Lark turned her attention to the last of the three. He seemed so different, but at the very same time, the same. It was strange to see him without the high collar or glasses and especially without the scar. As she stared, suddenly he stopped in his place without bother to face her. In an irritated tone, he asked, "What is it?"
"Nothing." She replied immediately. Eyes downcast, she repeated, "Nothing." Without another word, he left the room, closing the door behind him. Again, the room was shrouded in darkness, only accompanied by the soft sound of water against the boat. She sighed heavily, again lying down. Here we go.
"Nope. Nothing at all."
