Chapter 12

Chasing the Gullwings

I went inside the private room. She was standing there, in some average looking clothes. Long pair of tight pants and a tight shirt with very long sleeves.

"Cora, I was hoping to find you." I told her running up to her.

"Aeon? I didn't expect you." She said.

"Please, my real name is Ashley. I've gotten rid of that silly nickname." I said to her.

"That's your real name? Nice to finally know it." She said.

"Why are you packing?" I asked her. She was loading this backpack with all sorts of items like she was going away.

"Sphere hunting was fun, but I just can't deal with it anymore. I'm leaving the Syndicate." She told me facing me once she finished zipping up her pack.

"Oh, sorry to have you leave." I said to her.

"What are you doing in Luca so late?"

"I got suspended from the group. I can't go back to Guadosalam right now so I figured I could come to you." I said to her.

"Why me?"

"We're friends aren't we?"

"I…didn't think you'd want to be friends with me." Cora said blushing.

"Why not? You seem like you have lots of friends."

"Not many male friends. I've always been seen differently with them. Not so much with you though."

"What made me different?" I asked becoming curious.

"You were interesting in my feelings. Most of the goons that came here just wanted me to make them relaxed rather than just sit and talk. Many of the females in the Syndicate like you. You're popular among everyone in the Leblanc Syndicate, but not as much as Leblanc herself.

"Wow. I don't know what to say." I stated sitting down on the fluffy bed Cora had her stuff on.

"I like you Aeo…Ashley." She said sitting on the bed with me placing a hand on my chest.

Her hand gave off a warmth that sent a wonderful feeling through my entire body. I haven't felt something like this in a long time. Her touch seemed to release my body from a sort of prison I was keeping it in.

And we laid down on the bed together that entire night; Cora was in my arms the entire time. I had removed the armor around my left arm. She was shocked to see all the self-mutilation I had inflicted, but she just simply caressed me.

I knew those scars would be there forever, but perhaps there was a white magic user in Spira that would be able to heal those wounds, they made me mad looking at them.

I managed to drift to sleep that night finally. It was a peaceful sleep. I dreamt of nothing.

In the morning I awoke to find Cora had already left. She left me a note on the bed.

"Dear Ashley,

Sorry I left you without saying anything. I'm off to live with my cousin Nadia in the Calm Lands. Stop by sometime if you'd like.

I enjoy spending time with you, but I gotta think for a while. You probably should too.

Since I figure you don't have enough money to stay until Leblanc forgives you I figure you might be able to convince the Gullwings to take you in. Might be a long shot, but I overheard rumors that you were friends with them.

Anyway (I was babbling) I heard they were looking for a sphere near Kilika Island. Be careful, I hear that the Youth League is getting really rough, especially to people like you or the Gullwings, even though we're on their side. They don't want anyone at the temple.

You're a strong kid, I'm sure you could manage it.

Cora"

"So that's it then? I'll see her again." I told myself. I remember Nadia from FFX; I had her on my Blitzball team. She was an Al Bhed if I remember correctly. I thought back and recall that Cora had swirls in her eyes, like all the Al Bhed.

Kilika wouldn't be far if I took a boat to get there. I ran towards the docks and managed to hop on a boat before it set off. Cost all 1200 gil I had too. I either find the Gullwings or swim back to Leblanc eventually.

The boat made it to Kilika easy enough. I ran headlong off to the temple and found there was this large wooden barrier set up there now. A number of guards were stationed there making things look tricky.

I saw Yuna there waiting for a chance to run through the gate without being spotted. A woman was busy distracting a guard.

It would be harder for me to barge right in. I'm guessing that woman is going to just go home once Yuna slips on by. Perhaps I can swim around them.

I ran away from the barrier to avoid some suspicion. I dove into the waters and swam around as deep as I could go. I kept under the wooden docks as much as I could because the water was so clean and pure you could see through most of it. I stayed in the shadows as much as I could.

Breathing underwater was much more comfortable this time around. I was getting used to it quickly. I was well within the forest area so I made my way to land I could climb out of and was inside the forest.

Something hit my from above.

"A twig?" I said looking up. Three shadows were running past my position.

"That must be them! I have to hurry." I shouted seeing two armed men approach me.

I fired a slug into their right shoulders. They dropped their weapons and cradled the wound. They'd be useless fighting now until they healed.

I ran around the path I was on and had to blast by a few guard posts and I reached the steps up to the temple.

The whole place was shaking and the flames were going crazy! There was something wrong inside, but no matter how much I tried to get inside I wasn't allowed inside.

"The High Summoner entered a long time ago. She is doing all she can!" A monk informed me.

"What if Yuna is in danger? She could use my help!" I pleaded, but he didn't seem to care.

Suddenly, the flames became a bright orange color instead of the light blue they were moments ago. The violent rumble of the earth stopped too. Whatever was going on had stopped.

"Hey there he is!" I heard a powerful voice shout behind me. Some of those guards followed me here.

I ran away from them and tried to hide but they were out in full force after me.

Off in the distance I saw a familiar sight, the Celsius!

"Oh shit! I'd better hurry!" I shouted running in its direction.

"Stay where you are! Stop! He's not stopping!" the guy in charge yelled when he noticed me running full speed without signs of slowing down.

By the time they raised their guns to shoot at me I had sprinted past them all and saw Yuna, Rikku, and Paine hop onto the ramp on the underside of the airship getting in.

"YUNA!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. After all I was roughly 10 yards away from them.

She turned around and saw me bolting as fast as my legs could take me. The ship was still lifting off. There was a cliff edge between me and her and I had no choice.

I jumped. I felt myself lift off the ground and felt the air hit my face. My only thought was reaching that ramp.

I hit the ramp. My chest struck the steel and I started to fall off. My left hand clutched for something, anything! I held on tight to the edge of the ramp as the ship lifted further into the sky.

My hand was slipping quickly and I began to fall, but my plummet was halted all of a sudden. I looked up and saw Yuna was holding my arm guard with both hands, but she was about to fall over too!

We fell and then stopped. Rikku was above Yuna grabbing her by the leg. Again we fell and I spotted Paine above holding onto Rikku's leg with all her might.

"I know this isn't the time, but Yunie sure has it going on!" Rikku shouted above the sound of the wind.

"Rikku, you'll make me drop him!" Yuna said holding on tight.

With one giant burst of energy Paine was able to pull Rikku up, and the two of them were able to get Yuna and I up to them as the ramp closed.

"Thank you so much!" I said breathing hard from all the excitement.

"Well you sure risked a lot to get to us. What's the occasion?" Paine asked me crossing her arms.

"Leblanc kicked me out of the Syndicate for a while. I have no money and was hoping you'd take me in." I told them.

"Sure, you are welcome to stay with us for now." Yuna said almost immediately.

"Thank you so much Yuna." I said catching my breath. I had the urge to just give her a giant hug and I did. I wrapped my arms around her and lifted her off the ground and spun around once.

Rikku and Paine seemed a little surprised. I gave Rikku one afterwards. Paine got one too, but she didn't seem to like it. I was just overcome with joy that they took me in.

At least for now I was happy to know I had friends here I could count on.