AN: This chapter was actually done a little quickly, so any grammar errors or spelling errors will be in here, I'm sure. Hope you like the new chapter. It's a bit low on fluff, though. Don't worry, we'll get back to it.

HOSTILITY – Chapter 11

Many nights had passed...silence hanging in the already tense air. Rikku and I hadn't bothered to talk for some time, and I remember blaming myself for that. If I hadn't lost control, I still wouldn't be shameful and I could've spoken with Rikku about her intentions with this pilgrimage. I still wanted desperately for Lady Yuna to reach Zanarkand...but, not for the same reasons as the other people of Spira. For other reasons, of course. For her to know the truth and for her to understand...

It was a bright morning that day, yet the winds were still as fierce as they were during our battle. Wakka and Lulu had demanded that we move on. I was relieved, to tell the truth, to know that we were finally getting along on our journey. Outside, the debris remained. Not many travelers came across Lake Macalania nowadays. The Innkeeper had told us that the Al Bhed machinery remained untouched, as they were forbidden. No sooner had we taken one step out of the Inn had we come in contact with Clasko. Tidus and the boy talked occasionally, and this was no exception. However, Wakka soon found himself facing Rikku, his face a deep shade of red.

"Explain." Wakka said darkly.

Rikku's eyes darted from Lady Yuna's to mine, her heart hammering in her chest, no doubt.

"I, well, you see—"

"You are an Al Bhed, aren't you?" Wakka whispered fiercely, "All this time...you knew, didn't you?" He demanded, now facing Tidus.

Clasko stopped talking immediately and his eyes widened, surprised at Wakka's tone of voice. Tidus only frowned and nodded slowly.

"All this time..." Wakka sighed, "A heathen...worse! An Al Bhed!"

"Wakka..." Lulu started, but he silenced her with a glare.

"I can't believe she's been traveling with us all along!" Wakka roared, "This is crazy!"

Rikku seemed to want to protest, but Lady Yuna put her hand on the young Al Bhed's shoulder, shaking her head slowly. Instead, however, paid no heed to Lady Yuna's wise warning.

"You're wrong!" She protested desperately, "Al Bhed have nothing against Yevon!"

"You use forbidden machina, making you the creator of Sin!" Wakka hissed, "You and your kind!"

"Prove it! Prove that the Al Bhed are to blame for Sin!"

"Yevon says so!"

"So what if Yevon says so? You're just gonna believe 'em like that?"

"Then where did Sin come from, Rikku?" Wakka sneered, "Tell me! I'd like to know!"

Rikku frowned and bit her lip in defeat.

"That's all, then? You don't know? You and your people just make me sick! You are to blame for Sin, and you want to deny it? Hah!"

Rikku's eyes gleamed with pure annoyance. She puffed out her chest, glaring dangerously at the blitzball player, "If maybe we used our own heads instead of letting Yevon think for us, we could create machines that could defeat Sin. But of course, Wakka, you don't have your own brain to think with! So you just follow Yevon's rules blindly, never thinking for youself! Nothing will change if we don't try and do something about Sin instead of sending Summoners to—"

"Using forbidden machina will not destroy Sin. No matter what the cost." I interjected quickly. Tidus didn't need to know about Yuna's decided fate...at least not now. It would crush him. "I remind you of the Crusaders, if I must."

Wakka looked ready to kill, however Lulu quickly stepped in front of him wisely. "She is Lady Yuna's Guardian. We never told you because we knew your reaction would be similar to the reaction you are having now."

Wakka only turned on his heel, not before spitting on the snow at Rikku's feet.

Rikku clenched her fists, but kept her head down as if in defeat.

"Will this work?" I asked Rikku quietly.

"Come on, Wakka!" Tidus cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted.

Wakka spun around, "What?" he snapped.

"So what if she's Al Bhed?" Tidus questioned, "You know you and Rikku were friends before you found out. You know she's just Rikku, not just some Al Bhed. And I know Rikku is a good person, not just an Al Bhed girl. And if she's helping Yuna, then she must have a good heart, right?"

Wakka grunted. "Every time I spoke with her, she wore those stupid Al Bhed goggles, hiding her true form from me. You disgust me!"

"Wakka..." Lulu started, but he turned around and stalked off, yet Tidus still made a move towards him.

"No." I said quickly, "Let him go. He will grip terms with this eventually."

Rikku buried her face into her hands as she turned away, putting her goggles back over her eyes. "No one accepts an Al Bhed..." She murmured. I could see through her green goggles the fog that began to accumulate due to her tears.

Immediately, Lady Yuna fell to her aid as well as Tidus and Kimahri, however Lulu and I strayed back.

"She is a good girl." Lulu said quietly.

I nodded. "Perhaps...a little too good."

"What do you mean?"

"She intends to stop the pilgrimage."

"I wonder..."

"Rikku. Does this work?" I said loudly, catching her attention. She nodded and quickly ran towards the machine, working quickly.

Kimahri approached us; however Yuna and Tidus remained speaking in hushed voices.

"Wakka have much pride." Kimahri stated simply.

"There is more to it then pride." Lulu whispered.

"Everyone has a story." I said half-heartedly. I was beginning to long for the familiar taste of the sake once again. Languidly, my eye traveled over the jug; absentmindedly, I licked my lips. I now know what I was feeling at the time. I was exhausted. Tired of having to go through the same damned thing every day. Having to wake up every morning to awake to the sounds of Rikku and Tidus shouting at each other in snippets of Al Bhed. To stare at Lady Yuna out of the corner of my eye in concern and wonder if I could lead her to her death; if her journey would somehow really make a difference this time. To catch Tidus' gaze and frown as I recalled Jecht...living out my regrets...surely, death was better than this...

"Sir Auron. Kimahri need to talk with you before dusk tonight." Kimahri said gruffly.

I merely nodded in acknowledgement.

NEXT SCENE...

I found myself sitting upon the seat of the useful Al Bhed machines—which worked wonderfully, as it was making up for lost time. Needless to say, I had Rikku behind me, her small hands wrapped around my waist. We were the last to depart, so I had offered her my coat. She graciously accepted it, but her shivers didn't die down. I was cold, of course, but bit my tongue and urged the machine onward, with Rikku's guidance.

"Press the p-pedal further d-down to accelerate..." Rikku stammered.

I only grunted. She didn't say anything else, and neither did I. I noted how she had left her goggles on, but still, my mind only focused on her intentions. What did she plan to do when we reached Zanarkand? Would I, myself, have to stop her?

I decided there that I would. Even if it took force.

"Auron...please...c-can we slow down a bit? I'm so c-cold...the wind is...unbearable..."

NEXT SCENE...

The device got us as far as the entrance to the temple, but first we had a narrow icy path to go through. Tidus looked a little skeptical about crossing it, but it only needed a small chuckle to cause the boy to glower and stalk across the path. He was followed by Yuna and Kimahri. Rikku sulked—which was very uncommon—ahead of Wakka, who kept shooting heated glares at her back. Lulu and I, however, found a retreat in the back, where we talked quietly.

"I grow anxious of tonight." Lulu whispered.

"What of tonight?"

"Lord Seymour. I feel as if something is wrong. Terribly wrong. I don't want Yuna out of my sight..."

"Perhaps you're right," I said, "Lady Yuna is not to see Lord Seymour without us."

"I would feel more comfortable with such a compromise..." Lulu sighed jadedly, "However, Yuna seems to have taken on a new state of mind."

I chuckled lightly. "Tidus is influencing her."

Lulu only smirked, "Perhaps."

I remember with each weary tread I grew more and more uneasy. I kept my eyes glued upon the structure ahead of us, fearing the worst. All I kept thinking about was Maester Seymour, and the conversation we had previous to his departure to Macalania temple. Lulu must've noticed my sudden change of mood, for she put her hand gently on my shoulder and whispered:

"What troubles you?"

"A certain Maester." I replied simply.

"Maester Seymour?"

I grunted. "He is hiding something."

Lulu frowned deeply, "I must admit...my suspicions are similar to yours. He seems...too friendly with Yuna."

"He wants something."

"But what?"

Too soon had I found myself standing before the entrance of the Temple of Macalania. Slowly, one by one, we filed past the guard. However, as soon as Yuna and Tidus were inside the Temple, we found ourselves in a predicament. Of course...this was the first Temple we had encountered with Rikku. They weren't about to welcome an Al Bhed in such hallowed ground. I knew Yevon all too well...

"Remove your goggles, ma'am,"

Rikku grimaced as she glanced desperately at Lulu and I. I nodded encouragingly, as did Lulu. Rikku faced the guard and slowly undid the straps of her goggles, letting them fall snugly around her neck.

The guard eyed her warily, "Al Bhed are not welcome in this Holy Place," he muttered, "I cannot allow you to pass."

"She is Guardian." Kimahri said forebodingly, his spear rising.

The Guard didn't waver, however. "An Al Bhed?" he laughed mockingly, "Ridiculous."

"But I just want to protect Yunie!" Rikku said protested quickly.

"And that's all one needs to be a Guardian," I quickly interjected.

The Guard seemed to contemplate it for a moment, but otherwise shrugged nonchalantly. "Alright. Just...don't take those off, alright?" he said, motioning to her goggles.

Rikku nodded silently and stepped through the doors.

NEXT SCENE...

The girl...what was her name? Ah, Shelinda. It comes to me now. Yet another young, inexperienced person trying to make a difference. It didn't matter to me. Rarely did I pay attention to the people I met on my travels. I was the opposite of Jecht, who always found himself chatting excitedly with random townspeople, whether it be about Spira's past or people, or Blitzball. Mainly, it was about blitzball. And of course, Tidus was just like his father.

Shelinda and Tidus were talking quietly and hushed, unusual for the boy. I read Tidus' facial expression from a distance, watching his brow crease as the young woman seemed to scold him mildly. Tidus only shrugged.

"What are they speaking of?" I nudged Kimahri lightly. I knew Ronso had a keen ear...

"Tidus tell girl Yuna not get married. Girl upset at Tidus because Yuna marry."

I chuckled.

"Kimahri speak with Sir Auron later?"

"Of course." I answered.

"Excuse me," Lady Yuna said quietly, touching my shoulder.

I watched her through the corner of my eye. "What is it, Milady?"

Lady Yuna seemed to giggle slightly at her being addressed as "Milady" but otherwise ignored it. "The people of Macalania Temple has offered us rooms for the night. Maester Seymour is waiting for me inside. If you would...."

"I'd feel much better if I came with you."

"No, no. I need to do this alone." Yuna sighed, "There are beds off to the side there."

It was funny. Seeing Yuna act so established. Before, I had only seen Lady Yuna as a young girl. Around ten-years-old I think it was....the last time I saw her...she was crying. Crying and begging for me not to leave. It was that night that I rode Jecht to Zanarkand...

I stayed in Besaid for two weeks, waiting for the end of the calm. I knew Jecht had become Sin since then and I knew he would come for me. A bond between Kimahri and I ensued, his promise never to tell of my death strong. But he knew immediately that I was dead. He knew many things about me. His mind was sharp—unlike the common misconception the people of Spira thought of all Ronso.

I gazed into the fire one evening in Besaid with little Yuna's curled up in my lap, her sleep filled with nightmares of her father. We shared many things in common, that little girl and I. We often dreamed of Lord Braska. I could see her expression on her face while she slept. I saw the pain that lined her face, the fear of being alone. The Ronso sat across from me, silent as ever, his dark eyes watching the gentle rise and fall of Yuna's chest. It had been another night of feasting to celebrate the defeat of Sin and the Calm of Spira. Outwardly, people had their hopes high of an Eternal Calm, but inwardly they knew the probabilities were low.

Yuna and I—also the Ronso—failed to see the joy in the death of a Summoner—nay, a father and a friend.

"Sir Auron not survive." Kimahri muttered, "Kimahri saw it himself."

I chuckled and let my glasses slip down the bridge of my nose, a twinkle in my eye. "You know, then,"

Kimahri only shrugged. "It is impossible to survive. Even with Kimahri's help, you stopped living."

"Which I did." I replied, tossing a small piece of wood in the fire.

"Kimahri not tell Yuna."

"Thank you."

There was a pause of silence between us as we both stared at Lady Yuna. I had wanted to ask the Ronso a favor for days, but I felt that I couldn't burden him with another.

"Something is on Sir Auron's mind. Speak up and tell Kimahri what is wrong."

I laughed softly and glanced at Yuna one last time before continuing. "I need you to watch over her while I'm gone." I murmured, "I cannot stall here any longer."

Kimahri tilted his head to the side, curious. "Where will Sir Auron be?"

"An Otherworld." I whispered, "I cannot put off my promises to a friend."

"How long Sir Auron will be gone for?"

I shrugged, "I cannot say. But I must depart tonight."

It seemed that's all I needed to say as I stood up and scooped up the sleeping Yuna in my arms, carrying her to her tent. She stirred slightly as I gently lay her down, draping a blanket over her. I squatted beside her bed and kissed her cheek lightly. "I have to go, Yuna. Kimahri will watch over you. Be good, and remember...I'll come back and watch over you again."

I stood up and turned, but as soon as I reached the door of the tent, I felt someone's small hands grab my own. I glanced down at Yuna, who was crying as she buried her face into my arm.

"Please don't leave me!" She cried, "I can't lose you, too!"

"I have to, Yuna," I said quietly as I picked her up and held her softly, "But I'll come back. I promise."

I left Besaid that night, pushing all memories of Spira behind me. I remember thinking to myself...I have to go. I didn't know how I was going to get to Jecht's Zanarkand, but if he had found a way to my Spira, then I could find a way there. I made my way to the coast, staring out into the ocean, my resolve being questioned.

Then, as I stood there, waiting for nothing in particular, a miracle happened.

The water was unusually alive that night and I watched with peaked interest as the surface broke, the silent and peaceful form of Sin staring back at me.

"Jecht." I breathed, dropping my sword.

The end of the Calm had come at last.

"Sir Auron?"

"Please, Yuna. Call me Auron."

NEXT SCENE...

I sat upon my bed silently as Kimahri leaned against the wall, his tail rhythmically swaying from side to side. All the others had gone to bad, save for the two of us and Lady Yuna, who was supposedly speaking with Maester Seymour at the moment. My eye languidly guided over the others. Wakka slept upon the floor, his blitzball propped up to serve as a pillow. Lulu lay not far off, resting on a mat on her side. Tidus slept on his back, his arms folded behind his head and Rikku... Rikku lay upon my bed, my hand resting upon her own as my thumb gently moved in small circles upon her smooth skin. She lay curled up with her knees to her chest, not surprising me in the least. She had left her goggles on to hide her true origin, but I had taken it upon myself to remove them and place them on the inside o f my coat pocket. I had kissed her eyes and asked her to leave her beauty open, though she remained skeptic. Personally, I thought Rikku was far too protective of both herself and Lady Yuna. Perhaps like me...a little too protective.

Kimahri finally spoke, his rough voice cutting through the calm air around me.

"Kimahri find something that Sir Auron want to see."

"What is it?"

Kimahri frowned deeply as he hesitantly reached into his pouch, bringing out and small sphere, the cool blue surface catching my eye immediately. "Kimahri find this in Yuna's sack."

Quietly, I stood up and stretched my hand out, graciously accepting the sphere. "Have you played it back?" I whispered huskily.

Kimahri nodded slowly.

"What...what was it about?"

"Lord Jyscal of the Guado."

My eye widened at the mention of his name. I wasted no time in playing it back, the faded form of the once lively Guado standing right before my eyes. He was hunched over with a somewhat despairing look on his face, his claw-like hands clasped together in a desperate plea, it seemed. What immediately caught my eye was the frequent flashes of lightning in the background, making it safe to assume it had been recorded on the Thunder Plains.

Suddenly, Lord Jyscal began to speak, the crease on his forehead deepening.

"I am to die..." he murmured, "...and what I am about to tell you is the unclouded truth. I swear it on my honor as a Guado. Listen to me very carefully, for I shall tell you the truth about my son, Seymour."

I clenched my jaw somewhat, the dreaded feeling in my heart steadily increasing.

"His mind is closed...even to me, a Maester of Yevon, but I can feel flames of darkness burning in his heart. He is using Yevon, the Guado, and even the Summoners. If he is not stopped, he will surely bring destruction and chaos to Spira."

"Yuna..." I whispered hoarsely.

"I will leave the world soon, kill by my own son...but I do not fault him. Because I was not wise enough, he has suffered and become twisted. I am at fault, for I could not protect him and his mother from the world and its cruelty. Therefore...I will accept death as punishment for my deeds. But however is watching this...I implore you to stop Seymour! Stop my son..."

I sat there, bewildered for a moment after the sphere had clicked off, my eye widened in horror. Kimahri shifted uncomfortably, his tail continuing to sway from side to side.

"How long did you know of this sphere?"

"Yuna drop it at entrance to Temple."

"And...and you just let her go? To see Seymour?"

"Kimahri cannot stop Yuna. She is too brave."

"You confronted her of the sphere?"

Kimahri nodded gravely.

I paused for a moment, considering what my options were. Finally, I came up with my resolve. "Wake the others. Show them the sphere if you have to convince them. I'm going for Yuna. I await you in the Temple."

NEXT SCENE...

The Cloister of Trials wasn't difficult for me, as I had gone through it once before. The rush was trying to move quick enough to reach Yuna. The dreaded feeling that haunted my mind was not being able to protect her. The crazed image of a fuming Seymour towering over Yuna...it was enough to make me fall to my knees. But I knew Seymour too well. He didn't intend to hurt her. At least not yet. He had plans for Yuna...which was why he proposed. And Yuna...

She was going to accept his proposal.

That thought alone fueled me onwards until finally, I reached the door that held both the Maester and the Summoner inside.

I approached the door with caution, wary of any trouble I may cause if I just burst through and demand answers. My sword swung over my shoulder and my hand clenched tightly around its handle, I breathed in deeply and pressed the door open, preparing for the worst.

The scene was somewhat tranquil, to my surprise. Lady Yuna was no where in sight, but Maester Seymour stood at the foot of the entrance to the Chamber of the Fayth, a Guado Guard on either side of him protectively. At the sound of the door closing behind me, Maester Seymour languidly glanced over his shoulder at me, smirked, then resumed staring intently at the door to the Fayth.

"Lady Yuna is in there."

"I assumed so."

"I thought I'd be hearing from you sooner or later." Seymour chuckled lightly as he turned around to face me, his eyes closed in amusement. "I'm surprised you didn't intrude on my sooner, Sir Auron."

"What do you want with Yuna?" I growled, pulling my sword out from over my shoulder, moving into a defensive position.

"You already wish to fight?" Seymour said with mock astonishment, "Why now? Where are your little friends? And that Al Bhed girl? I've been dying to speak with her..."

"I won't let you near her!" I snarled, "You stay away from her!"

"Heed my warning, Sir Auron." Maester Seymour muttered darkly, "You alone are no match for me. Not even with the aid of your friends—or that skinny little flower—will you defeat me."

"You killed Lord Jyscal!" I roared.

The Guado who were on either side of Lord Seymour seemed to waver somewhat, uneasy about the whole revelation of their Maester killing his own father. Maester Seymour, however, didn't flinch in the slightest.

He only smirked. "What of it?"

I didn't answer nor reply. I only stood there in horror at the composure in Seymour's tone.

"Come then." Seymour mused, "Come and bring me my deliverance."