Chapter 17.
They stared at the woman. She was smiling as she stood at the staircase. "Welcome to Zanarkand. I congratulate you, Summoner. You have completed your pilgrimage. I will now bestow you with that which you seek. The Final Summoning….will be yours. Now, choose." She started walking down the stairs. Still smiling at Yuna. "You must choose the one whom I will change….to become the Fayth of the Final Summoning."
Everyone gasped as they stepped back. "There must be a bond between chosen and summoner for that is what the Final Summoning embodies. The bond between husband and wife, mother and child, or between friends. If that bond is strong enough, its lights will conquer Sin." She paused looking at Zell.
"A thousand years ago, I chose my husband Zaon as my fayth. Our bond was true and I obtained the Final Aeon. There is nothing to fear. You will soon be freed of worry and pain. For once you call forth the Final Aeon, your life will end. Death is the ultimate and final liberation. Your father, Braska, chose this path." Yunalesca said. She turned and walked away.
The ghostly images of Braska and his guardians appeared. "It is not too late! Let us turn back!" Auron begged. Braska looked at him worriedly. "If I turn back, who will defeat Sin? Would you have some other summoner and his guardians go through this?" He asked sadly. Auron shook his head. "But…my lord, there must be another way!" He said.
Jecht shook his head. "This is the only way we got now!" He paused before lowering his head. "Fine. Make me the fayth. I been doing some thinking. My dream is back in the other Zanarkand. I wanted to make that runt into a star blitz player. Show him the view from the top, you know. But now I know there's no way home for me. I'm never going to see him again. My dream's never gonna come true." He said sadly. "So make me the fayth. I'll fight Sin with you, Braska. Then maybe my life will have meaning, you know." The man said.
The ghostly image of Auron shook his head violently. "Don't do this, Jecht! If you live….there may be another way! We'll think of something, I know!" he said hurriedly. Jecht looked at him. "Belive me, I thought this through. Besides….I ain't getting any younger, so I might as well make myself useful." He said. Braska stepped forward holding out his hand to comfort his guardian. "Jecht." He said softly.
Jecht looked at him. "What! You're not gonna try to stop me, too?" he asked sharply. Braska lowered his hand. "Sorry. I mean….thank you." He said. Jecht looked at Auron. "Braska still has to fight Sin, Auron. Guard him well. Make sure he gets there. Well….let's go." He said. Braska and Jecht started to walk away. Auron hurried forward. "Lord Braska! Jecht!" He called.
Jecht turned around. "What do you want now?" He asked with annoyance. Auron shook his head. "Sin always comes back. It comes back after the Calm every time! The cycle will continue and your deaths will mean nothing!" He said. Braska stepped forward. "But there's always a chance it won't come back this time. It's worth trying." He said. Jecht smiled.
"I understand what you're saying, Auron. I'll find a way to break the cycle." He said. Auron looked at him. "You have a plan?" He asked. Braska blinked. "Jecht?" He asked. Jecht waved his hand. "Trust me, I'll think of something." He said laughing. Then they vanished. And the ghostly Auron reappeared on his knees in grief.
The real Auron walked over and slices at the ghost with his sword angrily. He grunted with anguish and pain. He finally stopped and turned around. "And the cycle went on." He shook his head. Tidus shook his head. "We'll break it!" He said. Wakka looked at him. "But how? What, you got a plan now?" He asked. Lulu stepped forward. "If one of us has to become a fayth….I volunteer." She said. Wakka turned sharply. "Me too, Yuna!" He cried out.
Tidus shook his head. "That still won't change anything, you know? You'd bring the Calm, and then what? That won't break the cycle." He said. Wakka walked over to him. "Listen, you wanna defeat Sin and keep Yuna alive? You don't want Sin to come back, ya? That is just not gonna happen, brudda, ya know?" He said. Lulu nodded. "If you want everything, you'll end up with nothing." She said. Tidus shook his head. "But I want everything!" He cried out.
Wakka frowned at him. "Now you're being childish." He said. Tidus frowned darkly at him. "I give up. So what would an adult do, then? They know they can just throw away a summoner, then they can do whatever they like. But no way am I gonna just stand here and let Yuna go! And what Auron said about there being a way….I think it's true!" He said. Rikku hurried forward. "You'll think of something?" She asked. Tidus shrugged.
"I don't know, but I have to try. This is my story. It'll go the way I want it….I'll end it here." He said. Yuna stepped forward. "Wait. You say it's your story, but it's my story too, you know. It would be so easy to let my fate just carry me away…..following this same path my whole life through. But I know….I can't. What I do, I do…..with no regrets." She said. The two stared for the stairs with others following. Zell didn't follow. He just folded his arms and looked at the ceiling.
"Goodbye, everyone. Squall, Rinoa, Quisty, everyone. I'm sorry I have to do this. But Yuna is not going to die." He whispered. Auron was still standing there looking at him. "You have something up your sleeves, don't you?" he asked. Zell unfolded his arms and looked at him. He gave one nod.
"Yeah. I'm using My Final Heaven on Sin. Yuna is not going to summon the Final Aeon." He said walking after everyone. Auron just stood there. "You sure that will work?" He asked. Zell stopped. He turned his head looking over at Auron. "It has to, Auron. I don't want to see Yuna die." He walked up the stairs. Auron turned fully looking pained. "Zell….." He whispered and then hurried after them.
Everyone was standing on a large stone circle that looking almost like the one from the Farplane. Above them was an endless sky of stars and night sky. Yunalesca was waiting for them. She smiled at him. "Have you chosen the one to become your fayth? Who will it be?" She asked. Yuna walked forward. "Might I ask something first? Will Sin come back even should I use the Final Summoning to defeat it?" She asked.
Yunalesca nodded. "Sin is eternal. Every aeon that defeats it becomes Sin in its place. And thus is Sin reborn." She said. Tidus stepped forward. "So that's why Jecht became Sin." He said. Yunalesca nodded. "Sin is an inevitable part of Spira's destiny. It is never ending." She said Wakka stepped up next. "Neverending? But….but…..if we atone for our crimes, Sin will stop coming back, ya? Someday it'll be gone, ya?" He asked.
Yunalesca laughed harshly. "Will humanity ever attain such purity?" She asked. Lulu shook her head. "This….this cannot be! The teachings state that we can exorcise Sin with complete atonement! It's been our only hope all these years!" She said. Yunalesca smiled and shook her head. "Hope. It allows us to accept fate, however tragic it might be." She said. All three, Zell, Tidus, and Auron shook their heads. "No!" They all yelled.
Suddenly the ghostly image of Auron appeared facing a ghostly Yunalesca. And it was the ghostly Auron who had yelled no with Zell and Tidus not the real one. "Where is the sense in all this? Braska believed in Yevon's teachings and died for them! Jecht believed Braska and gave his life for him!" He yelled.
The ghostly Yunalesca shook her head. "They chose to die….because they had hope." She said. Auron let out a yell of pain and rage and ran at her with his sword. Yunalesca rose her hand and blasted him in the chest with an energy blast. Auron went flying backwards and landed hard on the ground. His sword fell beside him stabbing into the ground. He was motionless. Then they vanished. Zell looked at the real Auron with shock and realization.
"Yevon's teachings and the Final Summoning give the people of Spira hope. Without hope, they would drown in their sorrow. Now, choose. Who will be your fayth? Who will be the one to renew Spira's hope?' She asked. No one spoke.
Zell stepped forward. "I would be this hope you say. But I'm not going to be the fayth. No one will be this fayth." He said. Everyone stared with surprise. Yuna nodded as she stepped forward. "No one. I would have gladly died. I live for the people of Spira and would have gladly died for them. But no more! The Final Summoning is a false tradition that should be thrown away!" She said. Yunalesca looked outraged. "No. It is our only hope. Your father sacrificed himself to give that hope to the people. So they would forget sorrow." She said.
Yuna shook her head. "Wrong. My father…..my father wanted…to make Spira's sorrow go away. Not just cover it up with lies!" She said. Yunalesca's face darkened. "Sorrow cannot be abolished. It is meaningless to try." She said. Yuna smiled. "My father….I loved him. So I…." She paused looking at everyone. "I will live with my sorrow. I will live my own life. I will defeat sorrow in his place. I will stand my ground and be strong. I don't know when it'll be but someday, I will conquer it. And I will do it without…false hope." She said.
Yunalesca shook her head. "Poor creature. You would throw away hope. Well….I will free you before you can drown in your sorrow. It is better for you to die hope than to live in despair. Let me be your liberator." She said darkly starting to rise into the air. Auron grabbed his sword. "Now! This is it! Now is the time to choose! Die and be free of pain or live and fight your sorrow! Now is the time to shape your stories! Your fate is in your hands!" He said. Zell tightened his gloves.
"I've chosen my path since the day I joined Balamb Garden in my world of Gaia! I made my mind up when I decided to fight Matron when she was posessed. I made my decision when I joined Yuna to be her Guardian! To fight Sin! I'm not turning back now!" He punched his fists together and jumped into his fighting stance. Kimahri grabbed his spear and held it out. "Yuna needs Kimahri! Kimahri protect Yuna!" He said.
Rikku rushed forward getting into her fighting stance. "Well, I'm fighting!" She cried out. Wakka shook his head. "I can't believe we're gonna fight Lady Yunalesca! Gimme a break!" He said. Lulu gave him a look. "You can always run." She said stepping forward. Wakka laughed. "Hah! I'd never forgive myself, no way! Not if I ran away now! Even in death, ya!" He said. Lulu smiled. "My thoughts exactly." She said. Tidus grabbed his sword and held it out with one hand. "Yuna! This is our story! Now let's see this thing through together!" He cheered. Yuna nodded and grabbed her staff. They all faced Yunalesca. They wouldn't turn back now. They fought her long and hard. But they all fought together. When one got hurt, another would heal them. Zell used his healing spells up making sure everyone was alright.
Finally, Yunalesca fell to her knees. She was out of breath. "If I die, so does the Final Aeon. And with it, Spira's only hope." She said. Tidus shook his head. "Then we'll find Spira a new hope!" he said. Zell nodded. Yunalesca scowled at him. "Fool. There is no other way. Even if there was…..Even if you did destroy Sin….Yu Yevon the immortal would only create Sin anew." She said. Zell and Tidus blinked. "Yu Yevon?" They both repeated. Yunalesca gasped with pain and lowered her head. "Ah…Zaon. Forgive me…Spira has been robbed of the light of hope….All that remains is sorrow." She said painfully and then she vanished. Everyone was quiet. Yuna stepped forward. "I cannot believe what we just did." She said. Tidus shook his head. "Let's do something more unbelievable." He said.Rikku looked at him. "What?" She asked. Zell smiled wickedly. "Destroy Sin. So it won't come back, and without the Final Aeon." He said. Tidus nodded. "I don't know how just yet. But I'll find out." He said. Everyone nodded and started to walk out. But Zell paused right in front of Auron. "Auron…..I know…." He said. Tidus stared. "Know what?" He asked. Auron lowered his head a little. He turned to face Tidus. "We must talk." He said.
Tidus blinked. "What?" He asked. Auron nodded looking at Zell. "There is something you should know." He said. Tidus was quiet for a second then nodded. "I know….it's about you, right?" He asked. Auron nodded. "I am also an unsent." He paused looking at Tidus. "You are not surprised?" He asked now looking at Zell. Tidus looked down. "I think I kinda knew. It was Yunalesca, wasn't it?" he asked. Auron nodded. "When Braska and Jecht died defeating Sin I couldn't accept it. I came back here….tried to avenge them. But she struck me down. Somehow I made my way, crawling, down Mount Gagazet. But my strength left me just outside Bevelle. That's where Kimahri found me. I told him about Yuna….just before I died. I've been wandering ever since, never going to the Farplane." He paused to look at Zell. "How did you figure it out?" he asked.Zell turned his back on Auron to think. "I think…..I became suspicious when Seymour said that you had the scent of the Farplane. And then when you wouldn't enter the Farplane. You looked like you were in pain when Yuna sent Jyscal. You asked me not to say anything to the others through your eyes. Then when that thing happened with the ghost like you and Yunalesca….no one could have survived an attack like that." He told him.
Auron nodded. "Your smart, Zell. Smarter than I thought. You'll go far into your future." He said. Tidus looked sad. So did Zell. "Auron….." Tidus said softly. "Don't make that face. Being dead has its advantages. I was able to ride Sin and go to your Zanarkand." He said. Tidus tilted his head. "And you've been watching over me since then, haven't you? Why? What's the big idea? Why me?" he asked.
Auron looked at the ground. "It is one of those things that is difficult to explain. Very well, I will show you." He walked to the middle of the room. "My memories." He knelt down and several pyreflies flew from his body. Everything went dark. Then the ghostly images of Jecht and Braska appeared. It was like looking at them through Auron's eyes.
Jecht was looking at Auron. "Can I ask you one last favor?" He paused waving his hand. "Uh…nah! never mind." He said. Auron scowled at him. "Out with it!" He ordered. Jecht smiled at him. "Okay. Listen good. Take care of my son. My son, in Zanarkand. He's such a crybaby. He needs someone there to hold his hand, see? Take care of him, will you?" He asked. Auron stared at him. "But how am I supposed to go to Zanarkand?" He asked.
Jecht laughed. "Hey! You said it yourself! There must be a way to get there, right? You'll find it." He said. Auron smiled faintly. "All right, I will. I give you my word. I'll take care of your son. I'll guard him with my life." He said. Jecht smiled. "Thanks, Auron." He walked over and threw his arms around his friend, embracing him like a brother. "You were always such a stiff, but that's what I liked about you." The area went dark again and they returned to reality. Auron looked at them. "That is why." He turned and walked out of the room. Tidus and Zell looked at each other then smiled. They followed him out.
They went through the Chamber of the Fayth and the Cloister of Trials. The group had just walked out of the dome when they saw Sin just standing there looking at them. It began to growl slightly. Tidus walked ahead of everyone and nodded. "Dad? I know. The Final Summoning's gone. But I'll think of something. Just give me a little more time." He said. Sin's eyes looked over at Zell. Zell looked back at it. He could understand what it wanted to say. He gave a nod.
Sin turned around and stumbled away from them. Everyone watched it. Tidus turned around looking at his SeeD friend. Zell met his eyes. They just stared back at each other as if there was a silent conversation going right between them. The Al Bhed airship finally arrived and landed to let the group board.
As soon as they did, everyone was standing on the bridge in silence. Zell was looking at the ground as thoughts went right through his head. He knew it was going to be soon when they fought Sin. Very soon. He could feel some eyes on him but he didn't look up to meet their eyes. "Frana du huf?" Brother asked. Cid turned around and looked at the group. "Aren't we the happy lookin' bunch." He said. "Frana? Frana?" Brother kept asking. Rikku scowled.
"Where, where? That all you can say? Why don't' you think of something!" She snapped. Brother gave her a dirty look and turned in his seat to pout. Auron stepped up to Tidus who was sitting close to Zell. "Well? Any good ideas?" He asked. Tidus looked up at him. "Come on, help us!" He grumbled.
Auron snorted. "What do we know….Sin is Jecht. Thus you have a link…a bond with Sin. That may be our key." He said. Tidus looked back down. "So what do we do?" He asked. Auron turned away from them. "We think, and we wait." He said. Tidus grumbled even more. "Two things I'm bad at." He said watching Auron walk away. Zell sighed and shook his head. He closed his eyes to think heavily about his idea. He had to plan this thoroughly before he did the most drastic and possibly the last thing he would ever do before doing it.
As he sat there, he heard Wakka and Rikku bickering about something. He couldn't really tell what they were saying. But that then Tidus ran back into the Bridge. And once he got there, Wakka jumped up grinning. "Hey, guys! I just had a great idea!" he announced. Zell opened his eyes and looked at him. Rikku gave him a dirty look. "It was my idea. Let me tell them!" She said.
Wakka ignored her. "It's like this, ya?" "I just thought!" They both said at the same time. Lulu stepped forward. "The Hymn is the key." She said before they could say the rest. Wakka began to whine. Tidus stared at her. "The Hymn?" Lulu nodded. "Sir Jecht likes the Hymn of the Fayth, correct?" She asked. Tidus nodded. "Yeah." He said. Rikku nodded. "That's why he was listening to it in Macalania!" She said cheerfully.
Lulu nodded. "Sin…violence incarnate, listening peacefully." She said. Wakka nodded looking at Tidus with nervousness. "I know it's your old man and I don't mean no disrespect but…." He was cut off. Tidus cut in quickly. "No, it's fine. I've gotten used to it." He said. Lulu stepped forward. "Let me say it. If we attack Sin head-on, we've little chance of winning. However, if he hears the Hymn of the Fayth, he will become docile." She said.
Wakka nodded. "Yeah, and that's when we make our move! Might be against the rules and all, but who's keeping track, ya?" He asked. Rikku nodded jumping up and down. "Yeah! It could really work!" She said happily. Tidus grinned. "Yeah…..yeah, it's worth a try." He said. Zell smiled and nodded. 'It'll give me a chance to do what I'm planning. Hyne knows that.' He thought.
The airship flew over Bevelle letting the group get off and they started towards the City. Two guards were guarding the Highroad when they approached. They had rose their guns and was ready to fire. "Infidel!" They both barked. Wakka rose an eyebrow. "Man, don't these guys ever give up?" He grumbled. The guards growled. "You'll regret showing your face here! We'll strike you down in the name of Yevon!" One yelled. Tidus rose both hands and made the talking signals. "Blah, blah, blah. Yeah, so? Guys?" He asked looking at everyone. Rikku clenched both fists. "If they want a fight, let's give 'em one!" She said. Zell nodded as he got into position."Stop!" Someone ordered. The guards quickly lower their weapons and faced surprising Shelinda. They saluted her with respect. "Captain?" they both asked. Shelinda shook her head. "Lady Yuna is not to be harmed. She's no traitor. That is an evil rumor spread by the Al Bhed!" She said. Rikku looked outraged. "What!" She screeched. Zell placed his hand on her shoulder. Shelinda looked at her.
"Maester Mika himself told me." She said. The guards blinked. "Then…what are we to do?" They asked. Rikku gave them a dirty look. "Stand down!" She barked. Shelinda nodded. "As she says." She told them. The soldiers turned and walked away. Rikku gave Shelinda a look. "What was that about evil Al Bhed?" She asked seriously. Shelinda shook her head. "I….Truly, I do not understand it myself. All Yevon seems to be in a state of confusion. Why, yesterday they called me out of the blue and made me captain of the guard." She said. Auron smirked at this. "Short on believers?" He asked. Shelinda nodded.
"Yes, the chaos in the temples is worse than I'd imagined. It's horrible. And all the priests do is blame each other. I worry what will become of Yevon. But no! I must be the rock that stands against swirling tides, right?" She smiled at Yuna. "Lady Yuna, I must tell you, your courage has been a great inspiration to me." She said. Tidus smiled. "Yeah, that's great, but we came here to see Maester Mika. Is he here?' he asked.
Shelinda nodded. "Yes. I shall arrange an audience. Please wait in the courtroom." She said. Rikku hurried after her. "Hey, hey, wait! What was all that about the Al Bhed lying and stuff?" She called. Zell walked after her and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her back. "Let it go, Rik." He told her. Rikku looked at him. "B-b-but!" She said. Auron shook his head. "Simple. Yuna has become Mika's only hope." He said. Rikku blinked. "Oh….okay." She said uncertainly.
Lulu scowled. "Just what does he think he can get away with?" She asked. Tidus growled. "Time to teach him some manners." He said. Yuna nodded. "Yes, let's." She said starting to walk towards the court room. Everyone followed. Rikku was practically being dragged by Zell because she was considering about going after Shelinda and asking her about the rumors. Both Tidus and Wakka were sniggering about how Zell's arm was still around Rikku's waist.
They had just walked into the courtroom where Maester Mika was still waiting. He turned around looking surprised. "Why are you here? You must go and defeat Sin, quickly! You have obtained the Final Aeon from Yunalesca, have you not?" He asked. Tidus nodded. "Well, we did meet her." He said. Zell stepped forward glaring at the old man. "And we kicked her ass!" He shot. Auron grabbed Zell's shoulder pulling him back.
Mika's face went very pale. "What!" He exclaimed. Auron stepped forward. "Summoners and Guardians will be sacrificed for the Final Summoing no more." He said seriously. Mika looked outraged. "You have profaned and subverted a thousand year old tradition? Fools! Infants! Do you realize what you've done! You've taken away the only means of calming Sin!" He yelled. Tidus glared. "Hey, maybe that's not the only way! We think we've got another!" He said. Mika glared back. "Why….Preposterous! There is no other way!" He said backing away. Zell nodded. "Yeah, old man! We do have another way!" He said sharply. Mika growled. "Do tell me, stranger! What way is that!" He demanded.
Zell grinned wickedly. "On my world, Gaia, we SeeDs, fought Sorceresses who tried to destroy our freedom….our future. And they were just like Sin. We fought them head on. That is what we're going to do! We're going to fight." He said.
Mika snorted. "That is absurd. You cannot fight Sin head on. You…oh, no matter." He said backing away. Auron smirked. "The Grand Maester, running away?" He asked. Mika shot him a look. "Spira has lost its only hope. Destruction is inevitable. Yu Yevon's spiral of death will consume us all. I have no desire to watch Spira die." He said. Yuna stepped forward. "It won't die!" She shot.
Tidus and Zell looked at each other. "Who is this Yu Yevon guy?" he asked. Lulu looked at him. "Lady Yunalesca also mentioned him." She said. It was clear she didn't know who he was either. Rikku stepped forward. "Wait, gramps! Who's Yu Yevon?" She asked. Mika shook his head. "He who crafts the souls of the dead into unholy armor. An armor called Sin. Clad in it, Yu Yevon is invincible. And the only thing that could have pierced that armor, you have destroyed! Nothing can stop it now." He said. And at that, he vanished into several pyreflies.
Wakka growled. "Disappear on us, will ya? Rotten son of a shoopuf!" He snarled. Just then Shelinda hurried into the room. "Where…where is the grand maester?" She asked. Yuna looked uneasy. "He, um…." She stammered. Auron shook his head. "He's not here yet. How long must we wait?" He asked seriously. Shelinda looked puzzled. "That's odd. I'll go look for his Grace." She said leaving.
Zell scratched his head with a smirk. "She is one strange girl. Huh!" He said out loud when saw something appear from the side. Tidus and Yuna turned around and looked surprised. "Bahamut?" Zell asked. Tidus and Yuna looked at him. "Huh?" The blonde blitzer asked. Bahamut nodded. "Come, to my room." He told them. Yuna nodded. "Okay." She said. Bahamut looked at Zell. "You too. There is something I must tell you." He said then vanished.
"Hey, who you talking to?" Wakka asked. Everyone was watching the three. "Oh. Uh, no one." Tidus stammered. Yuna nodded. "I must go see the Fayth." She said. Auron smirked at her. "I see." He nodded and they began walking out. "Hey, Zell. Why did you call the Fayth, Bahamut?" Tidus asked as they walked.
Zell shrugged. "That's because that is his name. I've talked to him before. He's one of our GFs too. He told me himself." He said. Tidus looked surprised. "So….you mean….there is a connection between Spira and Gaia." He said. Zell nodded. "Looks like it." He said. Tidus smiled. "So you'll be going home soon, after we're done taking care of Sin." He said. Zell shook his head. "No. I've made my decision." He said and hurried forward. Tidus stared after him with surprise.
The three of them, Zell, Yuna and Tidus were standing in the Chamber of the Fayth. Bahamut was floating in the air with his legs crossed and his hands in his lap. He gave a small wave as soon as the three entered. "Hello." He said. Yuna smiled. "I must thank you for the aeon." She said bowing. Tidus folded his arms. "So, what's up?" He asked. Bahamut tilted his head. "So, have you found a way to truly defeat Sin?" He asked.
The three looked at each other. "Well….I think so." Zell said. Bahamut laughed sharply. "Nice try, Zell." He said. The three teens blinked. "Huh?" They all said. Bahamut stood up in the air. "Killing yourself won't kill Sin." He said. Tidus and Yuna looked at Zell who started to blush. "What you talking about?" Tidus asked. Zell lowered his head. "I was going to use My Final Heaven on Sin." He said. Bahamut shook his head. "It won't work. Sin isn't the one you should fight." He said. The three blinked. Then Zell's eyes brightened.
"We fight Yu Yevon?" He asked. Bahamut nodded. "Yes. If you defeat Yu Yevon, it will end. Tell me, what do you know about Yu Yevon?" He asked sitting back down in the air. Tidus nodded. "He's what makes Sin come back!" he said. Yuna nodded. "Sin is his armor. It protects him." She suggested.
Bahamut nodded. "Yu Yevon was once a summoner long ago. He was peerless. Yet now he lives for one purpose: only to summon. He is neither good, nor evil. He is awake, yet he dreams. But maybe not forever." He said. Tidus nodded. "Yeah, that's right. Because we're ending it." He said. Zell nodded. "Yes. Even if you defeat Sin with the Final Summoning, Yu Yevon will live. Yu Yevon will join with the Final Aeon. He will transform it into a new Sin." He said. Yuna looked at the ground. "Yu Yevon merges with the aeon…." She drifted off.
"Then protected by this new Sin he has created, Yu Yevon continues the summoning." He said. Tidus scratched his head. "For eternity…huh?" He asked. Bahamut nodded. "But you know, there is no such thing as eternity if you end it, is there?" he asked. Zell nodded. "Uh-huh." He said. Bahamut nodded.
"Yu Yevon lives inside Sin. Yuna, listen. When you fight Yu Yevon, we will help you. Promise me you'll summon us. I'm afraid your swords and magic won't be enough. Please call us. Promise?" he asked. Yuna nodded. "Yes." She said. Bahamut then looked at Tidus. "But, you know...When it is all over...we will wake and our dream will end. Our dream will vanish." He said. Zell slowly turned his head looking at Tidus with surprise.
There was a look on Tidus' face that made Zell's mouth fall a little. "Yeah. You've been dreaming a long time, haven't you? He asked. Bahamut nodded. "I'm sorry." He said. Tidus smiled. "I'm grateful." He told him. Bahamut looked at Zell. "Zell I also must tell you. Your friends have been looking for you. So if you die now, you'll only disappoint them." He said. Zell blinked before stepping forward.
"Bahamut…..please tell me. How are they doing?" He asked. Bahamut smiled at him. "They are worried sick. You have been gone for almost two weeks now. There hasn't been any sight of you. What do you think they think?" He asked. Zell stared wordlessly. But his face said everything. Tidus and Yuna was looking at him. Zell looked down. "They think I'm dead." He said quietly. Bahamut nodded. "Yes. But Squall still will not give up. He refuses to believe you are gone." He said.
Zell smiled shaking his head. "Squall Leonhart. He never was the one to surrender instantly. Stubborn as hell." He said. Bahamut nodded. "Yes, he is. Do not give up, Zell. You must live." He said. Yuna stepped forward. "Please, is there a way we can see them? Can you show us Zell's friends?" She asked. Bahamut was quiet. "I suppose I could. But it won't be simple." He said. Zell nodded. "Okay. Just try. I have to see them. Just to make sure that they're alright." He said. Bahamut nodded as a small aura surrounded him. Every thing darkened around them.
Images of people began to appear. They were seeing images of the SeeDs. One was of Squall and Rinoa sitting together. Another was of Quistis teaching her classes. Selphie and Irvine were in the quad painting the stage. Seifer was fishing at the harbors. They could even see Ellone talking to Laguna. They were all doing something different but they all had the same look on their faces. Sadness, grief, and hopelessness.
"They…..they look so sad…." Tidus said watching them. Zell began to fill a mixture of emotions. His eyes watered a little. He reached out as if to touch his friends. "Don't worry, guys. I'm coming home soon. Don't give up on me just yet." He said emotionally. Then something weird happened. Squall began to look around with a look on his face. "Squall? What's wrong?" They heard Rinoa asked her boyfriend. Squall stood and turned to look around the room. "I thought…..I thought…….never mind." He said sitting back down.
Zell smiled. "He heard me, didn't he?" He asked. The images faded. Bahamut stood in the air. "He sure thinks so. Your hearts are connected because of the friendship you share. No matter what, the others think they heard you too. They're your friends, Zell. They're not going to give up on you. They're waiting." He said. Yuna stepped forward. "Then we should not disappoint them. Zell must go home as soon as this journey is over." She said. Bahamut nodded. He then vanished.
Yuna looked at Tidus. So did Zell. "So why did Bahamut say he was sorry?" He asked. Tidus shook his head. "Oh, nothing." He said. He stepped back. "Hey, don't make that face. Come on! We're going to beat Sin! Let's see some cheer, okay?" He asked. Zell folded his arms. "What are you hiding, Tidus?" He asked. Tidus shook his head. "I'm not!" He said walked towards the door. "Really?" Yuna asked with disbelief. "You're a bad liar, you know?" Zell asked. Tidus just waved his hand as he left.
