Wow, I got a lot of updates for last chapter...people really don't like Seymour.

Nightfire: Duh, what was your first clue?

Oh, shut up, you. Before I decide to kill my co-host over here, on to the replies.

Radzilla: Oh yes, it will be fun to write everyone's reactions to the next fight with Seymour. Tromell plays a part later on, I can't quite remember offhand, but I know in X-2 he becomes important. So, he can't die. Bikanel will be up next in chapter 26, as well, as I haven't quite figured out everything for the opening of that scene yet.

anbu713: All I need now is a superhero costume, lol. But, I just had a bit of inspiration to write that, that's why it got out so fast.

Daniel Wesley Rydell: Yow indeed.

Iron Reaver: Yeah, yeah, you're back. Joy to the world. (chuckles)

beastboy-had-a-brain: Indeed he doesn't. He's quite the stubborn one.

Bracey Face Anime Gurl: For the moment, anyway...(evil laughter)

ShadowStar05: Matt, glad to see you're reading, and welcome to Destiny's Call! I'll check out your fic when you get it posted.

Gray Wolf Demon: Welcome to Destiny's Call, GWD! Glad to see you're enjoying it!

Storm Dragoness: Welcome to Destiny's Call as well, SD! It's quite interesting to write this, as I try and write from the perspective of what I would do if it actually happened to me right now, then what I would just do for kicks, or such. And yes, Seymour shall return...a lot.

Well, finally, now that that's finished, on with the chapter! This one is more of a small interlude, before Bikanel Desert.


Chapter 25—Nature Of Being

Waking up, I groan, looking around immediately for any sign of anyone else. I'm relieved to see everyone up and around, with the exception of Yuna. Yuna is lying on a small stone slab, as I take a closer look around. The area seems to be the ruins of some old city, buried beneath the lake for years upon years. The water only goes up to our ankles, and I'm thankful for that, uttering a silent prayer of thanks to Yevon.

"Everyone okay?" I ask, and I receive scattered nods and words of agreement.

"We're okay, but Yuna seems hurt." Tidus says, motioning to the summoner. Nodding slowly, I walk over and sit down, taking the moment to examine my Sphere Grid, and place a few more gathered spheres into it. I realize that everything that's happening won't be easy to deal with.

'Blasted Guado...I'll make them pay for this...'

"I'm sure Yunie's okay. She's breathing fine and all." Rikku says, walking up to the two of us. "How are Lulu and Wakka?"

"Well, Wakka's in shock. Can't blame him, either." Tidus replies, looking at the Al Bhed. "And Lulu, well, she's just the same as always."

"She's so together." Rikku says, cutting a glance at the older woman. "All grown up, I guess."

"I guess." Tidus agrees, looking back at Yuna.

"Well, just give me five or six more years." Rikku says, grinning.

"Rikku, in five or six more years, I bet you'll still be the same!" I tell her, laughing softly.

"Haha. Funny." she says, flicking some water at me.

"Rao, ed'c dra dnidr!" I protest, laughing harder now, as Tidus gives us both strange looks, before walking over to Kimahri.

"So, Kimahri, how do we get out of here?" he asks the Ronso, and Rikku gives him a small bump.

"Hey, don't change the subject!" she says, and I chuckle.

"We climb." Kimahri answers simply, pointing up.

"Kimahri, too!" Rikku says, still smiling.

"Only those who try will become." Kimahri says, looking solemnly at Rikku, who looks puzzled now.

"Huh?" she says, and Tidus decides to field the answer for once.

"I think he means you have to work hard if you want to be like Lulu." he responds, and Rikku brightens immediately.

"Oh! I will!" she chirps happily, until Kimahri shakes his head slowly.

"Kimahri think Rikku should stay Rikku." he says, and Rikku frowns.

"Hey!" she exclaims, walking up to Kimahri. "Are you saying I'll never be like Lulu? Kimahri!" she says, determined to get a response from the Ronso. I just chuckle, speaking up.

"Rikku, what he means is, each of us has a personality all our own, and we shouldn't try and copy anyone else's. We're all special the way we are." Rikku looks at me, and frowns a bit, before smiling, Tidus laughing at Rikku, as Wakka walks up.

"How can you laugh at a time like this?" he says, and I'm just about to respond when a groan catches my attention. Turning quickly, I see Yuna stirring from the place she's laying on, and I run to her side, Tidus right beside me.

"Yuna!" he cries, kneeling down beside her for a moment. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." she says softly, before sitting upright and facing us.

"So, what exactly were you doing, or planning on doing, at the temple, Yuna?" I ask, and cross my arms, leaning against a piece of rock.

"I wanted to confront Maester Seymour about his father, Lord Jyscal." Yuna begins, looking down. "I wanted to convince him to turn himself in to Yevon's judgement.

"In exchange for marriage?" Lulu says, looking at the younger girl.

"Yes, if that's what it took." Yuna says, nodding.

"So, what did Seymour say?" Tidus asks.

"He didn't say anything." she replies, standing up. "Now...now I don't even think it was worth it. I should've told you what I was going to do."

"Enough." Auron cuts in, looking at us. "Dwelling in the past is futile."

"Hey!" Rikku exclaims, obviously annoyed. "You don't have to say it like that!"

"You want to waste time listening to her regrets?" he says flatly, and I can see Tidus clench a fist, probably unconsciously. It ticks me off a little, too, to hear him put it like that.

"You don't have to say it like that." she says, turning to Yuna.

"Our immediate concern is Yuna's pilgrimage." he says, turning back to the summoner. "Are you willing to go on?"

"Yes." she tells him, nodding. "But then, do you think Yevon will allow it?" she asks, meekly.

"The fayth are the ones that give power to the summoners. Not the temples or the teachings. If the temples try to stop us...then we will defy Yevon if we must." Auron replies, causing everyone to gasp except me.

"Whoa!" Tidus exclaims, Rikku following soon after.

"I can't believe you said that!" she cries, looking at Auron in disbelief.

"Sir Auron?" Lulu exclaims, completely startled by Auron's statement.

"Auron's right." I say, causing everyone to look at me. "We can't quit now, just because of those Guado thinking we're the traitors. We've come to far to give up now, and I for one don't intend to see Yuna's pilgrimage stopped by a stupid thing like this." I tell them, adamantly.

"Count me out." Wakka says, waving a hand. "We have to atone, to make up for the sins we have committed. Of course...it's not like I ever liked Maester Seymour, ya? No way I'll ever forgive him for killing Lord Jyscal. And for trying to do us all in too, you know? But still, the bunch of us, going against Yevon? No way!"

"You act as if we don't have a chance, Wakka. I can say for a fact that we can do it." I reply, raising an eyebrow at Wakka.

"But still, we have transgressed and must face our punishment." Lulu argues, looking at me.

"We must go to Bevelle." Yuna breaks in. "We must speak with Maester Mika and explain what has happened. There is no other way, I think."

"I agree." Wakka says, nodding.

"Sir Auron..." Yuna says, trailing off.

"So it is decided." he says, looking off somewhere else.

"Will you come with us?" she asks him, clasping her hands. Auron turns to her, nodding.

"I am the troublemaker, after all." he says, and I stifle a laugh.

"Yeah, that's right!" Tidus says, clenching a fist. "You can always count on Auron to complicate things!" I just laugh at that, Rikku jumping up and down excitedly.

"Yeah! Kimahri roars, and Auron runs off, and..."

"I never asked you to follow me." Auron says, cutting Rikku off mid-sentence.

"Hey, but that's what friends are for, right?" Tidus asks Auron, who just stands still.

"Yep!" Rikku says. Still chuckling, I walk over and place an arm around her, causing her to look at me and giggle.

"Thank you." Yuna says, looking at Tidus, who sheepishly nods and scratches the back of his head, as Auron walks away a bit.

"Friends, huh?" Rikku says, looking at everyone. Wakka just shakes his head, looking around at us; myself, Rikku, and Tidus in particular.

"Man, how can you all act like nothing's wrong? Must got nerves of steel or something." he says, and I nod at Wakka.

"It takes a lot to get me on edge now. Angry, not a whole lot, but worried? Hard to do." I tell him, and he just shakes his head again.

"You're too edgy. Listen to the hymn and calm down." Lulu tells him, and I look at her, confused for a moment, before listening. Surely enough, I can hear the Hymn of the Fayth playing, and I start to sing along softly with it, earning a strange look from Rikku.

"Is that coming from the temple?" Tidus asks, and Yuna nods.

"Yes, it is Yevon's gift. It soothes the hearts of the faithful." she replies, and Tidus seems to understand, nodding, before walking off towards Auron. Continuing to sing, I lean back against one of the rock walls, and close my eyes, clearing my mind of everything. After a moment, I start to think something's going on, and I open my eyes. When I do, I find Yuna, Rikku, Wakka, and Lulu staring at me.

"What?" I say, grinning.

"Nothing, nothing at all..." Rikku says, mischievously, and I chuckle, shaking my head.

"Is my singing that bad?" I ask, and she just giggles. I'm about to reply, but suddenly, the music just stops.

"The singing stopped." Lulu states, and after a moment, the ground begins shaking, everyone looking around for something to hang onto.

"There's something here!" Wakka yells, grabbing onto a nearby piece of rock.

"The ground!" Auron cries, and everyone looks down, before looking up to see...

"Sin?" Yuna exclaims, a hand flying to her mouth in shock, Wakka and Rikku gasping. Instinctively, I draw my sword, preparing for anything.

"The toxin! Watch out!" Lulu says, and everyone steps away from the floating monster slightly, before I suddenly start to feel dizzy and lightheaded. The last thing I see, is everyone wobbling, and slumping to the ground, before I feel myself falling as well, the darkness claiming me.


Now, onwards to the desert, and the Al Bhed home! What will happen there...you'll just have to see. Mwahaha! As always, please review!