The Son of Auron: The Hope of Spira
Chapter 9
The Skull Mask
It was later in the afternoon that Wakka and Tidus were admiring their new weapons on the bridge, and imagining how fun it would be to kill those deadbeat aeons.
"Hey Wakka, do you think we should check up on that Jack guy, after all, we wouldn't have these new weapons if it weren't for him," said Tidus with a frown.
"Wakka wasn't listening, for he was still a little bummed out that his weapon didn't appear to be all that.
"Wakka?" said Tidus.
Wakka just seemed to be in a trance.
Tidus stood up and said with a smirk, "Well, if we don't, I guess I'll just try out my Starblade."
With that said, he pulled back his sword and sliced it just over Wakka's head.
Wakka got back to reality with a shock and yelled in surprise.
Tidus just burst out laughing, while Wakka just looked at him with concern on his face.
Still in a fit of laughter, Tidus picked up something off the floor and held it up to him.
Wakka examined the orange stands of hair.
Then it hit him: HAIR!
Screaming Wakka felt around madly at the front of his head to find that the once flipped up bright orange curl of his hair had been severed off.
He began to turn red with rage and lunged at Tidus.
Tidus luckily dodged it and dashed out of the room toward the deck of the ship.
Finally, he paused halfway there to catch his breath.
Pausing, he heard a faint rumble of rapid running, and it grew louder and louder by the minute.
Knowing that he would be caught if he ran he decided to try a door next to him.
He opened it to find the 'so called captain' sitting on his throne reading the paper.
Noticing him, Cid screamed like a little girl falling off a cliff.
Tidus had left the room before the cry was even finished.
Knowing his time was running out, he entered a door on the opposite side of the room labeled: INFIRMARY.
He found himself, facing rows of beds and medical supplies of every sort.
He then noticed that the room had only one occupant that day, for on the bed the seventh row on the right, laid Jack.
Suddenly, he was interrupted by a heavy rumble that blew past the door.
Well, at least I don't have to worry about Wakka for now, he thought as he walked toward Jack.
Jack's kept completely still as Tidus walked up; he was apparently in a deep slumber.
Tidus was about to leave when he heard the boy say, "Is there something you wanted to ask me?"
Tidus turned in surprise.
"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to see how you were doing," Tidus replied.
Jack paused, "I've had worse days."
Tidus had to admire the boy's courage, for it was what saved their lives.
"Anything you wanna talk about?" Tidus asked.
Jack shrugged and was silent for a moment.
Tidus waited to see if Jack would say anything.
Finally, Jack piped up, "I have a question. Let's say you loved Yuna as you do now, but you would endanger her life by doing so. What would you do?"
Tidus frowned at the strange question. "I guess I'd stop loving her."
"But what if there was a way to change that so that she would live, but it would be a task difficult to accomplish," Jack asked.
Tidus looked up, "I would go to the ends of Spira to do that, no matter what the cost."
"Even if it meant your own life?" Jack asked.
"As long as Yuna is safe, I'll sacrifice anything to keep it that way," Tidus said.
Jack smiled under the cover of his cloth, "Then I guess you are ready to be wed for it takes commitment like that to prove it."
Tidus grinned, "So this is about Rikku isn't it!"
Jack seemed to be taken aback by this, "How did you-"
"I see you guys when you talk, I can tell because she's the only one of us that you ever talk to really," Tidus said.
Jack took in a deep breath, "I need someone to talk to about this, I guess you're the only one who will really listen," with that Jack told him everything he had shared with Rikku, of his mother and how she had been slaughtered by Omega, how Seymour had taken him in and used his power as an Emrys to empower his army. Even of the seemingly unbreakable curse bestowed apon him by Omega.
When he had finished, Tidus was shocked, "Wow! And I thought that my life was a burden!"
Jack looked away and Tidus saw his sadness, "Oh, I'm sorry, it's just that I didn't expect all of that from one person. I am sorry. At first I thought that you were only quiet because you inherit it from your dad but it must also be because you don't want to get to close to anybody and kill them," he said.
Jack nodded, then looked back to Tidus, "Tidus, would you tell me about my dad?"
"Well let's see," Tidus said thinking. "He was always quiet and was a very good ally in battle. He was one skilled swordsman and he even taught me a thing or two. Deep down though, he was a person of kindness and understanding. Though he tried his best not to show it, he was one of the most pure hearted person I had ever met."
Jack sighed, "I people always told me I was like my father and when I ignored them or turned away they had even more proof of it. It's just, when he left I thought he hated me, wanted to leave me alone, but I now see that all of Spira, including myself might have died if he hadn't joined Lord Braska on his pilgrimage."
"I know how you feel," said Tidus. "My father when I was young as well."
Jack was silent again. Looking up, he said, "Well I think I'm nearly healed and I need some rest, if you don't mind."
Tidus smiled and said, "Get well soon, we need your assistance with Mi Yevon and all."
Jack chuckled, "I didn't think you need help, after all, you and Wakka got your new weapons."
Tidus smirked and turned to leave but stopped at the door way, "One more thing, you might wanna know that if killing Omega will end your sorrow, then it's gonna end soon!"
Jack was about to question this but Tidus had already left the room.
Jack thought to himself, was it true that he would soon rid himself of Omega?
He had to heal soon, the sooner Omega was slain, the sooner he was rid of the burden.
He then realized that he was in no more pain, he didn't need these treatments any longer.
He sat up just as an Al Bhed nurse strode into the room for his dosage.
She gasped in shock to find her patient standing from his bed and walking to the door.
She just stared in shock as he walked past her and towards the deck.
Tidus had just walked onto the deck and into the angry Wakka.
Luckily, he found the others holding him back with all of their strength.
"Look Wakka, I'm sorry. Look here's 50 gil, that should show my apology," Tidus said handing him the money.
Wakka calmed down enough for everyone to release him but he still glared at Tidus every once in a while.
"So where were you anyway?" asked Lulu.
"Oh, I was just talking to Jack," Tidus replied.
"You actually had a conversation with that quiet, little weirdo?" asked Wakka.
Tidus stared at him, "He's not weird! He is just, well- He's got his own reasons," Tidus said.
Wakka was about to continue with the subject but was silenced by the whoosh of the opening door.
Everyone turned to see Jack standing there looking as if his injuries had come and gone in no time.
"That was a quick rest," Tidus mumbled under his breath.
As if hearing the remark, Jack turned to him, "What did you mean when you said my curse would end soon?"
"Omega is one of the resurrected aeons that we must face," said Yuna.
Jack shook his head, "No, Omega wasn't resurrected, he has been alive for hundreds of years, he's never been killed."
"Yes he has!" said Wakka proudly. "We slew him on Yuna's pilgrimage!"
Jack again shook his head, "Nobody alive now has ever even seen Omega. You probably just killed a pawn of his."
"That's not true! We killed Omega!" said Tidus.
Jack spoke, "Did it look like the Ultima Weapon?"
Everyone nodded.
Jack bowed his head, "No that was the Omega Weapon, just a puppet of the real Omega."
"So, you're saying that the real Omega is even more powerful than this weapon?" asked Wantz.
Jack nodded.
"Hate to break it to you boy but our first stop is at the Cavern of stolen Faith to fight the Al Bhed aeon," Lulu said.
Jack didn't want that but he couldn't sway them so he didn't object.
Then, an idea struck him. He walked over to Wantz and spoke, "You will need a weapon, because you seem to be skilled with an ax, I'll give you this," he said outstretching his hand.
Summoning the Emrys power within him, he called forth the power, "AX OF DARKNESS!"
The long, dark, double-sided ax shot out of his hand and towards Wantz who was now on his feet.
The weapon was about to pass him but it stopped as he caught it.
He examined it and felt the blade and twirling it between his hands.
He looked up at Jack with a thankful look on his face.
"Keep it, I no longer need it," Jack said. "Besides, it can harm the faith."
"How's that? I thought only your sword could do that," he said.
"My sword is a holy weapon. That weapon can only harm those that made it," he said.
"Who's that?" Wantz asked.
Jack turned, "The darkness." With that said, he turned and left the room.
Cid looked up from the computer, "We'll be at the cavern in 10, that should give you enough to prepare."
Yuna was searching for her Nirvana when she found Jack in the power room, recharging his cell-o-porter.
He was practicing with his sword while waiting.
"We are gonna be at the cavern in 5 minutes, better hurry," she said.
"Thanks," was all that Jack said as he continued his practice.
She was about to leave when she noticed a carving on the wall. It said Neggi Femm Hud Tea(This are Al Bhed words. I'm not gonna translate though, see if you can.) ________________________________________________________________________
The party proceeded down the misty corridors of the Cavern of Stolen Faith.
The group was cautious for their adversary could be anywhere.
To their surprise, there was only one fiend that was encountered. It was a Magic Urn, (I can never figure out how to capture those things).
It was easy to destroy as the magic of Lulu proved to be the dominant one.
Exploding in a shower of sparks, the party continued on.
Little did they know that the fiend wasn't there to stop them as a small probe the size of a marble swiveled past them and sped toward its master to report the intruders.
They journeyed on until they reached the final chamber where a hooded figure stood facing them.
"Welcome, enemies of Mi Yevon," the man said drawing back the hood and cloak and throwing it on the floor.
The man had a regular appearance, with cloth pants and torso along with a standard Al Bhed mask fashioned in that of a skull.
The only thing that everyone noticed the most was his left hand. It was a hand made of machina, and it looked to be loaded to the teeth.
"I guess you don't see a simple person like me to be a threat with an exception of my hand," he said. "But you haven't even seen my aeon form, which is how you will die. Tell me, how does it feel to come in combat with the first Al Bhed final aeon," he sneered as he grabbed his machina hand's wrist and twisted it clockwise and began to shudder.
Suddenly, his body began to shine a bright red flare, making his details invisible.
As the light began to finally fade the group noticed a major change in his appearance.
He not only had a machina hand now but an entire body sculpted in the manner giving him the appearance of a machine.
The android then crouched down and beckoned for his assailants to strike first.
Jack couldn't shake the feeling that he should sit this one out but he ignored it and stepped forward with Tidus, Wakka, and Wantz.
Each of them raised their weapons in their custom battle stance.
The four then charged forward at the android and were met by his out- stretched arm.
Four missiles shot out of the fingertips to meet the attackers.
Wantz ducked in cover, Jack and Tidus deflected them, and Wakka knocked one down with a perfect shot.
The guardians then charged again at the robot and slashed at the thick metal armor.
Though he with stood most of the blows, the Al Bhed felt his strength decreasing rapidly as he dodged some the best he could.
He still had options though as he detached the thumb of his left hand, the stunner.
But because it only worked on one person, he selected Jack for he seemed the most lethal.
He tossed it at the adversary, and it exploded at contact with Jack's stomach.
Jack was fighting his opponent back and it seemed like victory had been accomplished until he felt a sharp pain hit his stomach and it spread up through his entire body.
He finally lost his remaining strength and collapsed on the floor in a heap of pain.
Yuna, Rikku, and Lulu rushed over to him and carried him off the battlefield.
"CURAGA!" Yuna cried over and over again trying to heal the guardian but it proved useless.
"What could be wrong?" asked Rikku.
"He must not have been fully healed like we though and that missile must have triggered the unhealed part of him to grow. He can't fight in this state." Said Lulu.
Meanwhile, the remaining three guardians fought bravely against the aeon.
By now they had adjust to their weapon's power.
Wakka threw his weapon at the enemy and the force of it knocked the enemy across the chamber.
Tidus struck with his Starblade but to his surprise, like his old Calabolg, it simply passed through him.
"What the!" Tidus yelled in frustration as his weapon proved useless.
He continued to slash but the same thing happened. Finally he excepted defeat and stood back to watch the others.
Suddenly, without any warning, an invisible object moved lightning fast and slashed the android. It left a trail of stars where it moved which quickly disappeared.
Tidus then realized that that was his doing. He ran back up to rejoin the attackers.
Wantz was even having luck with his ax.
The blade seemed to do more damage than all the weapons put together! He could sell this for millions after Mi Yevon was defeated. If she was defeated.
But the aeon was devising a plan of his own. While dodging attacks, he detached the remaining part of his hand and tossed it at the men.
A bone-shattering siren echoed from the orb, delaying the guardians from attacking to covering their ears from the horrible sound. The android on the other hand, was unaffected.
Thinking they would die any second Yuna waited in pain for the moment to come.
Finally, unbelievably, the siren ceased and everyone stopped to regain their strength.
The android cursed in anger and used the next segment of his arm which sprouted a long spear point.
He rushed at everyone and attacked head on. Tidus jumped first and slashed off some fingers on the robots other hand.
Grinning behind the skull mask, the Al Bhed detached the fragments of this and sprouted another spear point and attacked Tidus, Wakka, and Wantz with twice the power.
He fought very well for a machine and so did the guardians.
They fought and fought for what seemed like hours and the battle seemed sideless.
Finally the Al Bhed lost patience and did a back handspring away from everyone into a kneeling position with his speared arms arched out to the sides. He released these as they fell to the ground and activated the next segments: The flame throwers!
The heat and fire singed past the men and barely missed their skin.
"Lu! We need some help!" yelled Wakka as Lulu casted Blizzaga on the fire guns, sealing the opening with a wall of ice.
"You are better than I predicted, but let's see if you can handle this!" challenged the skull-faced man.
He once again detached and held up the remaining parts. Energy bullets rained down on the party and everybody ducked in cover.
The machine-guns sped at the speed of light while the bullets passed and Wakka, Tidus, and Wantz had to rely on armguards, shields, and even their own weapons to deflect the shots.
It was hours that passed as the attacks fired on the party and numerous holes and bloodstains covered the clothing of the guardians.
Then an idea hit Lulu. "THUNDAGA!" she yelled casting the spell on the aeon and it stunned the man and stopped the bullets.
Wantz took this time to rush over to the android and empty the bullet cartridges just as the aeon came to.
Noticing the loss of his most profitable weapon, he (Again) detached the segments and held up the final piece of the arm and screamed at the top of his lungs, "Let's see you take this! If I am gonna die, you're coming with me!"
With that, he ejected the shoulder pieces on stood laughing as he activated a jet-pack in his feet, flying out of the tunnel.
"Run! They're bombs!" came a sound from a weak Jack on the floor.
Wakka immediately lifted him off the ground as the party dashed out of the tunnel.
Just as the group exited the cavern, an explosion rippled out the tunnel, sending the escapees flying forward as the cavern collapsed behind them.
"wow, sucks for Yojimbo," said Tidus. "Look! It's the Al Bhed!" yelled Yuna pointing up at the sky.
Sure enough, a lone armless figure with jet pack feet was flying toward the sky.
"We gotta go after him," said Jack.
"I don't think we'll have to," said Rikku.
As they watched Cid's airship appeared out from behind the cliffs and headed straight for the android.
The gun turrets fired continuous shots at the man, and most he dodged but one his him squarely in the chest.
As the figure spiraled towards the ground, Lulu yelled, "Take cover!"
They hid behind a cluster of rocks as an explosion was issued from the contact. When most of the smoke had cleared they rushed to the scene to find a still metalic figure in the center of a small crater.
Though dead, he was still intact.
Tidus reached out and bravely touched the cooled armor and it fell apart at contact.
As the airship began to land the group found no traces of a relic.
Turning to leave, everyone headed for the airship.
Rikku was about to turn when she noticed a glimmer in the rubble.
She picked up the object to find it to be a still intact skull mask.
She didn't know why but she felt that she should hang on to the item.
She ran to catch up to everybody on the airship.
"I can't believe that we went through all of that to find no relics!" said Tidus.
Jack even looked stumped, "I don't understand, it should have been there."
Cid looked up from the cockpit, "Maybe you should ask that Yunalesca about it."
"Good idea pops!" said Rikku.
"I'll set a course," said Cid.
"Hey where's Tidus and Jack?" asked Yuna.
They were gone.
Tidus found Jack sitting in his room pondering.
"What is it?" asked Tidus.
Jack's look told him.
"Omega?"
Jack nodded solemnly.
"We are gonna face him in the ruins," said Jack.
"Well, what are you worried about, you're a great fighter," said Tidus.
"It's just that, I don't know if I'm ready. He always seemed more powerful every time I faced him," Jack said.
Tidus stood up in shock, "You mean, you've fought him before!"
Jack nodded.
"Don't worry we will defeat him this time, for good," said Tidus.
"No, we won't," said Jack.
"If we meet him, I will face him alone. I have my reasons as you know and I will not allow anyone else to fight him but me, even if I die in battle." Jack said.
"But-" Tidus said.
"Like I said, do not interfere!" Jack said.
Tidus didn't want to push the matter further so he left Jack to his solitude.
Before he left though, he called to him and said, "I remember something your dad told me on Yuna's first pilgrimage, he told me that it was my story. Now, I feel that I should tell you the same, for this is your story. Always remember that."
Jack was silent even after Tidus left.
Seymour stood before a mirror examining the scar left on his chest by Olo Eopia.
No matter what he did, he couldn't remove it.
He was interrupted by the knock on his door and it opened without permission and in strode the boy whom Seymour had hired.
He looked battered and bruised as if he had been in a battle.
"What happened," asked Seymour in surprise.
"I followed them into the Cavern of Stolen Faith and they defeated the aeon," came his reply.
"And?" asked Seymour.
The boy looked up at Seymour, "You never told me Jack was with them!"
Seymour looked at him in surprise, "How do you know him?"
The boys eyes flashed dangerously, "You knew us both long ago."
"You mean that you are-" said Seymour in shock.
"Yes, it is I, Kinos" the boy said.
A/N: Well there is another chapter done at last. I'm sorry it took so long. Now that the chapters going along, I thought that I should say that I'm sorry but I gotta add another Jack solo battle in one more battle. Sorry but I feel he should face Omega. Oh by the way, if anyone knows how to insert pictures in author bios could you leave it in reviews. They will be most appreciated. Well, that's all I got to say so until next time, Cheers!
~Callik~
Chapter 9
The Skull Mask
It was later in the afternoon that Wakka and Tidus were admiring their new weapons on the bridge, and imagining how fun it would be to kill those deadbeat aeons.
"Hey Wakka, do you think we should check up on that Jack guy, after all, we wouldn't have these new weapons if it weren't for him," said Tidus with a frown.
"Wakka wasn't listening, for he was still a little bummed out that his weapon didn't appear to be all that.
"Wakka?" said Tidus.
Wakka just seemed to be in a trance.
Tidus stood up and said with a smirk, "Well, if we don't, I guess I'll just try out my Starblade."
With that said, he pulled back his sword and sliced it just over Wakka's head.
Wakka got back to reality with a shock and yelled in surprise.
Tidus just burst out laughing, while Wakka just looked at him with concern on his face.
Still in a fit of laughter, Tidus picked up something off the floor and held it up to him.
Wakka examined the orange stands of hair.
Then it hit him: HAIR!
Screaming Wakka felt around madly at the front of his head to find that the once flipped up bright orange curl of his hair had been severed off.
He began to turn red with rage and lunged at Tidus.
Tidus luckily dodged it and dashed out of the room toward the deck of the ship.
Finally, he paused halfway there to catch his breath.
Pausing, he heard a faint rumble of rapid running, and it grew louder and louder by the minute.
Knowing that he would be caught if he ran he decided to try a door next to him.
He opened it to find the 'so called captain' sitting on his throne reading the paper.
Noticing him, Cid screamed like a little girl falling off a cliff.
Tidus had left the room before the cry was even finished.
Knowing his time was running out, he entered a door on the opposite side of the room labeled: INFIRMARY.
He found himself, facing rows of beds and medical supplies of every sort.
He then noticed that the room had only one occupant that day, for on the bed the seventh row on the right, laid Jack.
Suddenly, he was interrupted by a heavy rumble that blew past the door.
Well, at least I don't have to worry about Wakka for now, he thought as he walked toward Jack.
Jack's kept completely still as Tidus walked up; he was apparently in a deep slumber.
Tidus was about to leave when he heard the boy say, "Is there something you wanted to ask me?"
Tidus turned in surprise.
"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to see how you were doing," Tidus replied.
Jack paused, "I've had worse days."
Tidus had to admire the boy's courage, for it was what saved their lives.
"Anything you wanna talk about?" Tidus asked.
Jack shrugged and was silent for a moment.
Tidus waited to see if Jack would say anything.
Finally, Jack piped up, "I have a question. Let's say you loved Yuna as you do now, but you would endanger her life by doing so. What would you do?"
Tidus frowned at the strange question. "I guess I'd stop loving her."
"But what if there was a way to change that so that she would live, but it would be a task difficult to accomplish," Jack asked.
Tidus looked up, "I would go to the ends of Spira to do that, no matter what the cost."
"Even if it meant your own life?" Jack asked.
"As long as Yuna is safe, I'll sacrifice anything to keep it that way," Tidus said.
Jack smiled under the cover of his cloth, "Then I guess you are ready to be wed for it takes commitment like that to prove it."
Tidus grinned, "So this is about Rikku isn't it!"
Jack seemed to be taken aback by this, "How did you-"
"I see you guys when you talk, I can tell because she's the only one of us that you ever talk to really," Tidus said.
Jack took in a deep breath, "I need someone to talk to about this, I guess you're the only one who will really listen," with that Jack told him everything he had shared with Rikku, of his mother and how she had been slaughtered by Omega, how Seymour had taken him in and used his power as an Emrys to empower his army. Even of the seemingly unbreakable curse bestowed apon him by Omega.
When he had finished, Tidus was shocked, "Wow! And I thought that my life was a burden!"
Jack looked away and Tidus saw his sadness, "Oh, I'm sorry, it's just that I didn't expect all of that from one person. I am sorry. At first I thought that you were only quiet because you inherit it from your dad but it must also be because you don't want to get to close to anybody and kill them," he said.
Jack nodded, then looked back to Tidus, "Tidus, would you tell me about my dad?"
"Well let's see," Tidus said thinking. "He was always quiet and was a very good ally in battle. He was one skilled swordsman and he even taught me a thing or two. Deep down though, he was a person of kindness and understanding. Though he tried his best not to show it, he was one of the most pure hearted person I had ever met."
Jack sighed, "I people always told me I was like my father and when I ignored them or turned away they had even more proof of it. It's just, when he left I thought he hated me, wanted to leave me alone, but I now see that all of Spira, including myself might have died if he hadn't joined Lord Braska on his pilgrimage."
"I know how you feel," said Tidus. "My father when I was young as well."
Jack was silent again. Looking up, he said, "Well I think I'm nearly healed and I need some rest, if you don't mind."
Tidus smiled and said, "Get well soon, we need your assistance with Mi Yevon and all."
Jack chuckled, "I didn't think you need help, after all, you and Wakka got your new weapons."
Tidus smirked and turned to leave but stopped at the door way, "One more thing, you might wanna know that if killing Omega will end your sorrow, then it's gonna end soon!"
Jack was about to question this but Tidus had already left the room.
Jack thought to himself, was it true that he would soon rid himself of Omega?
He had to heal soon, the sooner Omega was slain, the sooner he was rid of the burden.
He then realized that he was in no more pain, he didn't need these treatments any longer.
He sat up just as an Al Bhed nurse strode into the room for his dosage.
She gasped in shock to find her patient standing from his bed and walking to the door.
She just stared in shock as he walked past her and towards the deck.
Tidus had just walked onto the deck and into the angry Wakka.
Luckily, he found the others holding him back with all of their strength.
"Look Wakka, I'm sorry. Look here's 50 gil, that should show my apology," Tidus said handing him the money.
Wakka calmed down enough for everyone to release him but he still glared at Tidus every once in a while.
"So where were you anyway?" asked Lulu.
"Oh, I was just talking to Jack," Tidus replied.
"You actually had a conversation with that quiet, little weirdo?" asked Wakka.
Tidus stared at him, "He's not weird! He is just, well- He's got his own reasons," Tidus said.
Wakka was about to continue with the subject but was silenced by the whoosh of the opening door.
Everyone turned to see Jack standing there looking as if his injuries had come and gone in no time.
"That was a quick rest," Tidus mumbled under his breath.
As if hearing the remark, Jack turned to him, "What did you mean when you said my curse would end soon?"
"Omega is one of the resurrected aeons that we must face," said Yuna.
Jack shook his head, "No, Omega wasn't resurrected, he has been alive for hundreds of years, he's never been killed."
"Yes he has!" said Wakka proudly. "We slew him on Yuna's pilgrimage!"
Jack again shook his head, "Nobody alive now has ever even seen Omega. You probably just killed a pawn of his."
"That's not true! We killed Omega!" said Tidus.
Jack spoke, "Did it look like the Ultima Weapon?"
Everyone nodded.
Jack bowed his head, "No that was the Omega Weapon, just a puppet of the real Omega."
"So, you're saying that the real Omega is even more powerful than this weapon?" asked Wantz.
Jack nodded.
"Hate to break it to you boy but our first stop is at the Cavern of stolen Faith to fight the Al Bhed aeon," Lulu said.
Jack didn't want that but he couldn't sway them so he didn't object.
Then, an idea struck him. He walked over to Wantz and spoke, "You will need a weapon, because you seem to be skilled with an ax, I'll give you this," he said outstretching his hand.
Summoning the Emrys power within him, he called forth the power, "AX OF DARKNESS!"
The long, dark, double-sided ax shot out of his hand and towards Wantz who was now on his feet.
The weapon was about to pass him but it stopped as he caught it.
He examined it and felt the blade and twirling it between his hands.
He looked up at Jack with a thankful look on his face.
"Keep it, I no longer need it," Jack said. "Besides, it can harm the faith."
"How's that? I thought only your sword could do that," he said.
"My sword is a holy weapon. That weapon can only harm those that made it," he said.
"Who's that?" Wantz asked.
Jack turned, "The darkness." With that said, he turned and left the room.
Cid looked up from the computer, "We'll be at the cavern in 10, that should give you enough to prepare."
Yuna was searching for her Nirvana when she found Jack in the power room, recharging his cell-o-porter.
He was practicing with his sword while waiting.
"We are gonna be at the cavern in 5 minutes, better hurry," she said.
"Thanks," was all that Jack said as he continued his practice.
She was about to leave when she noticed a carving on the wall. It said Neggi Femm Hud Tea(This are Al Bhed words. I'm not gonna translate though, see if you can.) ________________________________________________________________________
The party proceeded down the misty corridors of the Cavern of Stolen Faith.
The group was cautious for their adversary could be anywhere.
To their surprise, there was only one fiend that was encountered. It was a Magic Urn, (I can never figure out how to capture those things).
It was easy to destroy as the magic of Lulu proved to be the dominant one.
Exploding in a shower of sparks, the party continued on.
Little did they know that the fiend wasn't there to stop them as a small probe the size of a marble swiveled past them and sped toward its master to report the intruders.
They journeyed on until they reached the final chamber where a hooded figure stood facing them.
"Welcome, enemies of Mi Yevon," the man said drawing back the hood and cloak and throwing it on the floor.
The man had a regular appearance, with cloth pants and torso along with a standard Al Bhed mask fashioned in that of a skull.
The only thing that everyone noticed the most was his left hand. It was a hand made of machina, and it looked to be loaded to the teeth.
"I guess you don't see a simple person like me to be a threat with an exception of my hand," he said. "But you haven't even seen my aeon form, which is how you will die. Tell me, how does it feel to come in combat with the first Al Bhed final aeon," he sneered as he grabbed his machina hand's wrist and twisted it clockwise and began to shudder.
Suddenly, his body began to shine a bright red flare, making his details invisible.
As the light began to finally fade the group noticed a major change in his appearance.
He not only had a machina hand now but an entire body sculpted in the manner giving him the appearance of a machine.
The android then crouched down and beckoned for his assailants to strike first.
Jack couldn't shake the feeling that he should sit this one out but he ignored it and stepped forward with Tidus, Wakka, and Wantz.
Each of them raised their weapons in their custom battle stance.
The four then charged forward at the android and were met by his out- stretched arm.
Four missiles shot out of the fingertips to meet the attackers.
Wantz ducked in cover, Jack and Tidus deflected them, and Wakka knocked one down with a perfect shot.
The guardians then charged again at the robot and slashed at the thick metal armor.
Though he with stood most of the blows, the Al Bhed felt his strength decreasing rapidly as he dodged some the best he could.
He still had options though as he detached the thumb of his left hand, the stunner.
But because it only worked on one person, he selected Jack for he seemed the most lethal.
He tossed it at the adversary, and it exploded at contact with Jack's stomach.
Jack was fighting his opponent back and it seemed like victory had been accomplished until he felt a sharp pain hit his stomach and it spread up through his entire body.
He finally lost his remaining strength and collapsed on the floor in a heap of pain.
Yuna, Rikku, and Lulu rushed over to him and carried him off the battlefield.
"CURAGA!" Yuna cried over and over again trying to heal the guardian but it proved useless.
"What could be wrong?" asked Rikku.
"He must not have been fully healed like we though and that missile must have triggered the unhealed part of him to grow. He can't fight in this state." Said Lulu.
Meanwhile, the remaining three guardians fought bravely against the aeon.
By now they had adjust to their weapon's power.
Wakka threw his weapon at the enemy and the force of it knocked the enemy across the chamber.
Tidus struck with his Starblade but to his surprise, like his old Calabolg, it simply passed through him.
"What the!" Tidus yelled in frustration as his weapon proved useless.
He continued to slash but the same thing happened. Finally he excepted defeat and stood back to watch the others.
Suddenly, without any warning, an invisible object moved lightning fast and slashed the android. It left a trail of stars where it moved which quickly disappeared.
Tidus then realized that that was his doing. He ran back up to rejoin the attackers.
Wantz was even having luck with his ax.
The blade seemed to do more damage than all the weapons put together! He could sell this for millions after Mi Yevon was defeated. If she was defeated.
But the aeon was devising a plan of his own. While dodging attacks, he detached the remaining part of his hand and tossed it at the men.
A bone-shattering siren echoed from the orb, delaying the guardians from attacking to covering their ears from the horrible sound. The android on the other hand, was unaffected.
Thinking they would die any second Yuna waited in pain for the moment to come.
Finally, unbelievably, the siren ceased and everyone stopped to regain their strength.
The android cursed in anger and used the next segment of his arm which sprouted a long spear point.
He rushed at everyone and attacked head on. Tidus jumped first and slashed off some fingers on the robots other hand.
Grinning behind the skull mask, the Al Bhed detached the fragments of this and sprouted another spear point and attacked Tidus, Wakka, and Wantz with twice the power.
He fought very well for a machine and so did the guardians.
They fought and fought for what seemed like hours and the battle seemed sideless.
Finally the Al Bhed lost patience and did a back handspring away from everyone into a kneeling position with his speared arms arched out to the sides. He released these as they fell to the ground and activated the next segments: The flame throwers!
The heat and fire singed past the men and barely missed their skin.
"Lu! We need some help!" yelled Wakka as Lulu casted Blizzaga on the fire guns, sealing the opening with a wall of ice.
"You are better than I predicted, but let's see if you can handle this!" challenged the skull-faced man.
He once again detached and held up the remaining parts. Energy bullets rained down on the party and everybody ducked in cover.
The machine-guns sped at the speed of light while the bullets passed and Wakka, Tidus, and Wantz had to rely on armguards, shields, and even their own weapons to deflect the shots.
It was hours that passed as the attacks fired on the party and numerous holes and bloodstains covered the clothing of the guardians.
Then an idea hit Lulu. "THUNDAGA!" she yelled casting the spell on the aeon and it stunned the man and stopped the bullets.
Wantz took this time to rush over to the android and empty the bullet cartridges just as the aeon came to.
Noticing the loss of his most profitable weapon, he (Again) detached the segments and held up the final piece of the arm and screamed at the top of his lungs, "Let's see you take this! If I am gonna die, you're coming with me!"
With that, he ejected the shoulder pieces on stood laughing as he activated a jet-pack in his feet, flying out of the tunnel.
"Run! They're bombs!" came a sound from a weak Jack on the floor.
Wakka immediately lifted him off the ground as the party dashed out of the tunnel.
Just as the group exited the cavern, an explosion rippled out the tunnel, sending the escapees flying forward as the cavern collapsed behind them.
"wow, sucks for Yojimbo," said Tidus. "Look! It's the Al Bhed!" yelled Yuna pointing up at the sky.
Sure enough, a lone armless figure with jet pack feet was flying toward the sky.
"We gotta go after him," said Jack.
"I don't think we'll have to," said Rikku.
As they watched Cid's airship appeared out from behind the cliffs and headed straight for the android.
The gun turrets fired continuous shots at the man, and most he dodged but one his him squarely in the chest.
As the figure spiraled towards the ground, Lulu yelled, "Take cover!"
They hid behind a cluster of rocks as an explosion was issued from the contact. When most of the smoke had cleared they rushed to the scene to find a still metalic figure in the center of a small crater.
Though dead, he was still intact.
Tidus reached out and bravely touched the cooled armor and it fell apart at contact.
As the airship began to land the group found no traces of a relic.
Turning to leave, everyone headed for the airship.
Rikku was about to turn when she noticed a glimmer in the rubble.
She picked up the object to find it to be a still intact skull mask.
She didn't know why but she felt that she should hang on to the item.
She ran to catch up to everybody on the airship.
"I can't believe that we went through all of that to find no relics!" said Tidus.
Jack even looked stumped, "I don't understand, it should have been there."
Cid looked up from the cockpit, "Maybe you should ask that Yunalesca about it."
"Good idea pops!" said Rikku.
"I'll set a course," said Cid.
"Hey where's Tidus and Jack?" asked Yuna.
They were gone.
Tidus found Jack sitting in his room pondering.
"What is it?" asked Tidus.
Jack's look told him.
"Omega?"
Jack nodded solemnly.
"We are gonna face him in the ruins," said Jack.
"Well, what are you worried about, you're a great fighter," said Tidus.
"It's just that, I don't know if I'm ready. He always seemed more powerful every time I faced him," Jack said.
Tidus stood up in shock, "You mean, you've fought him before!"
Jack nodded.
"Don't worry we will defeat him this time, for good," said Tidus.
"No, we won't," said Jack.
"If we meet him, I will face him alone. I have my reasons as you know and I will not allow anyone else to fight him but me, even if I die in battle." Jack said.
"But-" Tidus said.
"Like I said, do not interfere!" Jack said.
Tidus didn't want to push the matter further so he left Jack to his solitude.
Before he left though, he called to him and said, "I remember something your dad told me on Yuna's first pilgrimage, he told me that it was my story. Now, I feel that I should tell you the same, for this is your story. Always remember that."
Jack was silent even after Tidus left.
Seymour stood before a mirror examining the scar left on his chest by Olo Eopia.
No matter what he did, he couldn't remove it.
He was interrupted by the knock on his door and it opened without permission and in strode the boy whom Seymour had hired.
He looked battered and bruised as if he had been in a battle.
"What happened," asked Seymour in surprise.
"I followed them into the Cavern of Stolen Faith and they defeated the aeon," came his reply.
"And?" asked Seymour.
The boy looked up at Seymour, "You never told me Jack was with them!"
Seymour looked at him in surprise, "How do you know him?"
The boys eyes flashed dangerously, "You knew us both long ago."
"You mean that you are-" said Seymour in shock.
"Yes, it is I, Kinos" the boy said.
A/N: Well there is another chapter done at last. I'm sorry it took so long. Now that the chapters going along, I thought that I should say that I'm sorry but I gotta add another Jack solo battle in one more battle. Sorry but I feel he should face Omega. Oh by the way, if anyone knows how to insert pictures in author bios could you leave it in reviews. They will be most appreciated. Well, that's all I got to say so until next time, Cheers!
~Callik~