Chapter Six:

The hulking monstrosity known only as The Sandworm, continued its undersand rampage.
"Deploy the rangers!" Khai yelled, all semblance of lightness vanishing. Kisrel watched as Machina Rangers, small robots, with impaling lance arms-march fearlessly (not that it's difficult to walk to your death when you're a mindless automaton) towards certain destruction.
Finally, the great behemoth revealed itself, surfacing in all its raging glory. The sun glinted off its silver frame. In its awesome maw shone rows upon rows of jagged silver teeth. If that wasn't bad enough it also-
"Please tell me it's not shooting it's TEETH at us!" Kisrel cried out, but Khai just shrugged. That was when Kisrel realized that Zavv was gone. With his golden head, it didn't take long to locate him. He stood on the highest tower, looking out over the desert. The wind ruffled his hair, but other than that he was completely still. She took one step in his direction when the world rumbled again, as the Sandworm shot more of its dentalia at the walls, all the while swallowing Rangers whole.
"What do we do?" But it was a moot question, since the Al Bhed were already high in gear, gathering their weapons.
The battle continued in a swirl of sand and blood. It took all of Kisrel's concentration just to stay on both legs, so when Khai yelled, in full authority:
"Kisrel, I need you to man one of the turrets!"
All she could yell was:
"WHAT?!"
But she didn't hesitate after that. Stumbling and shuffling along the wall, diving to avoid iron projectiles and generally trying to stay away from the snipers that shot vainly at the roaring machina.
The turret, was just a bigger gun, with longer range. It was black, making it scorching hot under the wicked sun. Kisrel ignored the minor annoyance, and took aim.
The Sandworm wasn't alone, it had smaller 'wormlings' swarming around it. Knowing she could do no real damage to the Worm itself, Kisrel aimed and fired at the smaller wormlings. If it moved she shot at it. And to her surprise, she actually hit most of them, sending them to oblivion in a shower of orange sparks. The world shattered like glass, and reformed and all she could see was-black, move, aim, fire, review, take aim, fire...

The battle ended as abruptly as it had begun. The Worm turned and burrowed deep into the sand, disappearing below its depths. The carnage it left behind didn't leave with it though...

Kisrel collapsed in a boneless heap. Sweat, sickly sweet, made her clothes cling to her, making her itch, but she was too tired to even do that. A gloved hand reached down-it was Khai, helping her up. She accepted his offer only because she didn't believe she could do it on her own. Her pride was strong, but not enough to beat her reasoning.
She stood up and looked around. The Machina Rangers had taken the worst of it, but some projectiles had found their targets in the Al Bhed. Kisrel tried to tear her eyes away from the carnage but it seemed that everywhere she looked, death greeted her with unseeing open eyes.

Zavv hadn't moved from his rooted spot on one of the towers.
"What is he doing?" Kisrel asked, curious, gazing at his stiff form. Khai looked up, having been locked in deep thought. He waved a dark hand as if the question was inconsequencial..
"Oh, he's always like that after a metting with the Worm."
To puncuate this comment the walls surrounding the Temple rumbled and shuddred.
Khai went back to tinkering with the Al Bhed gun in his hand, oblivious to his less than stable surroundings.
"Why did you build it?"
Kisrel tried to sound flippant, unconcerned. She didn't want to sound too interested, he might become suspicious.
Fortunately, he didn't press her and replied, without looking up:

"There was this boy, just a weed in the desert, who had the Gift. He was a genius with Machina, could make, break or fix ANYTHING if it was made of metal. And one day he got bored, so to amuse himself, he drew up some schemantics for a very special machina. theoretically it was for mining but in reality it was just a young boy's fancy.
But you know what? It worked. Or rather, ti could work. At the time I was a still a fairly young man, as were most of the Al Bhed here. We got caught up in his enthusiasm-it was contagious. We spent so much time trying to figure out how to do it that we never once stopped to consider if we should. Day by day we added a row of teeth, a layer to its hide. It was the most incredible thing we had ever seen and it had all been though up by a nine year old boy."
The wrench in his hand never stopped moving as he tightened and loostened various bolts and gears.. His movements were smooth and fluid, and completely automatic. This was a man who knew his job.

Kisrel's mind drifted back to the battle. It was a blurr now, dark at the edges with only feelings-fear, adrenaline, anger-shadowed by an overwhelming need to survive.
One instance played vividly in her memory though.

She'd been on her way to the turret, when an especially violent wave rocked the walls, making her fly forward...towards the desert...towards the monster....A tan arm had reached out and caught her, saving her from such a wretched fate. She was suprised, shocked rather, to see Dom, clinging tightly to a ledge, holding her up. With a final tug, she pulled Kisrel to safety. Not knowing what else to say, she just murmured:
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it," she growled fiercely, in a manner that implied she REALLY didn't want Kisrel to mention it. Ever. Again.
Fine by her.

Kisrel felt a little dizzy, but in a way, better than she had felt for a few days. It was finally sinking in that she had been involved-actively involved-in a battle. And although it could never be said they WON, at least she had survived it.
She pressed her back against one of the remaining walls and closed her eyes. She didn't feel like asking any more questions about the Worm, she didn't even want to think about it.
Khai glanced at her, his eyes piercing underneath his goggles.
"You've been a bit misused, Ms.Zanarkand."
Kisrel didn't deny her heritage, she just absently lifted one shoulder, in a vague semblance of a shrug and said:
"Don't worry, Master Khai, it wasn't any of your people."
Khai chuckled deep and low.
"They are not my people."
Kisrel's brow furrowed.
"But I thought you were the leader."
He shook his head, a broad affable smile on his face.
"Oh no. I'm the best fighter, sure, they'll listen to me in times of battle. But their hearts-their loyalty-belongs to Zavv. Probably has to do with his golden blood."
"Golden blood?" Kisrel was becoming more confused. Khai coughed nervously, as if he had said too much. He swiveled his head around, to see if anyone was listening. Then he leaned forward, to say in confidence:
"Zavv is one of the last true Al Bhed in all of Spira."
"What?"
Khai nodded. "People like me, yeah, we're Al Bhed. But we've got a lot of other things in us too. I'm not even sure of all that's in my blood. But Zavv-pure breed. Dom too. There's only a handful left and soon they'll all be gone."
Kisrel looked back to Zavv, who had finally moved-and was staring at her from across the wall. Well, that explained a lot. Another thought jumped around in Kisrel's head, begging for her attention.
"Why did you show me that Sphere? What was its purpose?"
"To prepare you. To help you understand."
"Understand what?" Kisrel whispered. But Khai would say no more, standing up, and leaving her alone...so far from home, and yet happier than she had ever been in the stuffy streets of New Zanarkand.

We had to fight it didn't we?
My heart hurts mommy
Don't mention it
I built it...

Kisrel felt chilled. She sat up, against the protests of her aching back. But that's to be expected when you've spent half the day propped up against a stone wall. She looked around. The place seemed almost deserted. Night had fallen as she rested, and now she looked at the stars. It was strange, she had seen stars her entire life, and yet she hadn't seen them before. But these stars were so...alien, so unfamiliar. Like the people here.
She stood up and stretched her arms out. Several joints popped but she ignored them. Walking down the only remaining ladder (the rest were scrap wood) she dropped ungracefully down to the sand. Some torches were still lit, a direct line from her to the Temple. She didn't know if it was coincidence or a sign, but she walked toward the bronze structure anyway.

Inside she heard the song of the wounded. Cries, and screams, and sobs. A temple turned into a hospital. She shuddered at the smell. Blood and tears and excrement. The smell of death. She moved past, although several soldiers and engineers, limbs missing, would sometimes grab her arm as she went past and mutter something in Al Bhed, but she shook herself free of them and ran past, leaving the carnage behind, and all but flew through the crystal doors into the inner sanctum where such uncleanliness would not be tolerated.
Zavv stood there, his back turned towards her. She was afraid he might still be...upset, but when he turned as she entered, his face held nothing but smiles and humor.
"Ah, there you are. Khai said you were a natural born Gunner, he was quite impressed."
Kisrel stood, shocked. This was a completely different person than the mortified boy-in-a-man's-body she had seen overlooking the battle. It was if the Worm hadn't come at all.
"Are-are you all right?" she asked, though it was more his mental health she was worried about than his physical well being. He looked at her puzzled.
"Of course. Why-" he stopped as Dom came in, bloody up to her elbows. She'd been helping the wounded in the chamber beyond.
"Final count: eleven dead, around thirty wounded."
A muscle jumped in Zavv's cheeck, but he smiled anyway.
"We've had worse."
Dom's eyes widened in horror, but shooting a look in Kisrel's direction, she kept her mouth shut. Dismissing Dom with a nod, Zavv turned back to Kisrel.
"And now, my lady Gunner, will you allow yourself to eat some of our generous food and regale me with furthur tales of your adventures?"
Kisrel blinked. What further tales? But she was starving so she just nodded dumbly and followed him.

Kisrel had never eaten ethnic food, her mother had always been very picky on the family diet, but she found herself not at all averse to the meal prepared on teh table. In some far off corner of her mind, she wondered who had found time to cook such a dinner, but she was afraid it would be a tonberry with a butcher knife.

A second thing she learned was that it was taboo to speak during a meal. Supper was for eating and that was all you did with your mouth. That didn't bother her, too much, she was afraid if someone spoke the moment would shatter. The food was warm and spicy, but smooth, and went down easily. The drink was a bit more difficult to describe. It was definetely cool, but it warmed her from the inside out.

When the meal was over, Zavv continued his tour of the Temple, with Dom following, glowering behind them. There were chambers for praying, chambers for fasting, chambers for sleeping, any need was met.
As they past through one corridor, bathed in honey light, Kisrel was reminded of something.
"Zavv, Khai said you had 'golden blood'-" she saw Dom tense up, but Zavv just nodded, amicably, "-he said it was because you were true Al Bhed. Is that correct?"
Zavv shifted his weight.
"Yes. More or less."
She knew there was more, but couldn't decide if she wanted to press the matter. But he took that decision, like so many others, out of her hands, by sighing, and reaching in the folds of his long coat (although she didn't see any pockets) and revealing a glowing object.
"Another Sphere," Kisrel breathed.
"No! You mustn't!" Dom hissed, sharply. His head swiveled towards her and his gaze was awful.
"She has to see. She has to know," he replied harshly. Kisrel didn't wait for them to finish their debate, she thrust her hand out and pulled the blue sphere out of Zavv's gloved hand.

There was the High Warrior Paine holding...a baby? She didn't remember the histories mentioning a child of the Warrior. Of course, that wasn't the only thing off. How did she manage to have a very blonde baby?
"Rikku, will you please take this crying lump?" she demanded to someone behind the camera, although there was a jesting lilt to her tone.
"Okay, okay. I swear, you'd think he was a fiend or something," the Al Bhed mother came out, not looking at all like she had given birth to a healthy baby boy, and took her child in her arms. Which was when the father decided to make an appearance.
He had a commanding presence and a charming smile. And a black eyepatch.
He gave a lopsided grin to the camera and said:
"Yuna, why don't you come out from behind your precious camera and get a picture with us?" he asked.
"Oh, I don't know. You guys make such a cute family..."
Rikku ran off camera, then reappeared dragging the High Priestess ungracefully behind her.
Together they stood, Rikku, Gippal (holding his smiling little boy), a very uncomfortable looking Paine, and Yuna, right in the center. They smiled, totally happy, not at all worried for themselves or the world. They were safe...
The screen went black.

Kisrel blinked.
"You mean....you're Golden Blood comes from...Rikku and Gippal?" she asked, bewildered. He nodded, silently. Dom let out a slow breath.
"Well...that explains a lot." Kisrel couldn't hink of anything else to say. There was a long awkward silence. Finally, Zavv broke it.
"You see, their son...his name was Ty, but no one remembers why he was named that. He also had a sister. Named Nhadala. They lived very happily until..." his voice trailed off and he stared into nothingness. Then he took a deep breath and continued.
"In any case, Both of them had children, from which comes...me. So now you know."
Kisrel nodded.
"Now, I know."

With all the little-and not so little-revelations all wrapped up, Kisrel felt that it was truly time to leave. And she wasn't inclined to ask permission.
Fortunately for those around her, they weren't inclined to argue.
The Al Bhed were obviously not thrilled with her presence, which they made abundantly clear with pointed looks and none-too-subtle whispers.
Khai tried to reassure her that it was nothing (therefore proving it was), and Kisrel found, to her suprise, that it actually bothered her. What they thought. She had grown a lot of respect for these nomadic people: living on the edge, depending on each other. But she was glad to leave. The information she had gleaned from her 'side quest' had only wetted her interest. She wanted to continue her journey, but first she had to convince the Al Bhed, namely Zavv, to let her go.

"And where will you go?" he asked when she presented her request.
"I told you. I'm going to Macalania." She studied him through heavy lidded eyes, trying to gauge his reaction. But he kept it from his smooth visage.
"And may I ask why?' He tried to sound flippant, unconcerned. He didn't want to sound too interested and make her suspicious. She glanced away. Inside her head, warring thoughts and emotions clashed in epic battle.
On one hand, she felt that he would laugh at her crusade for truth. Or, almost as frightening, would wish to aid her. Not that she believed she didn't need help. She just didn't want it from HIM. And besides, with all that she had seen, how could she deny the existence of Yuna. Not so much to change the subject as to clarify the situation, she asked:
"I noticed no statues of the Lady here. Is this not a Temple of Yu Yuna?"
Zavv chuckled.
"No. We do not worship the High Summoner as a goddess."
Just days before this would have shocked her, that any civilization would not worship the Great Mother, but not anymore.
"Then what do you believe?" she asked gently. The shadows lengthened and twisted in the flickering light. They were standing in a corridor, somewhere between the Deep Sanctum, which housed the Worm Sphere, and the Inner Sanctum. Kisrel had almost backed herself against the carpeted walls, feeling the bumps and cracks. He looked so much bigger than her, even though she knew he wasn't. Zavv was just at home here, while she was dwarfed by the Sun Temple. She refused to cower though, holding on to her pride. He took a long time to answer, contemplating her with keen emerald eyes, half shrouded in darkness.
"I believe," he began, with no uncertainty, "that no Spiran should be placed above another. I believe that Yuna, though a great woman, was only that. I don't think she would have wanted wars fought for her."
Kisrel flinched. The Holy Wars were rarely mentioned, a blemish on the otherwise untainted reign of the Priests. But that didn't mean they hadn't happened.
Kisrel nodded.
"I intend to prove it. I will find more historic records-TRUE records-of Yuna's adventures, and uncover the Temple's secrets."
Zavv shook his head.
"You can't. It's so big, it would swallow you up."
Exactly what Kisrel was afraid of. But she didn't tell him that.
"I don't care. I will continue."
Zavv sucked in a breath. Then he removed his Family Sphere from his coat. Kisrel's eyes widened as he placed it in her hands.
"Syo drec kieta oui uh ouin zuinhao," he whispered. Kisrel didn't understand what he had said, but she nodded, and placed the Sphere in her rucksack. Then without another word, she left.

Outside, she was presented with some rations by a few Al Bhed matrons who wished her well in their foreign language. She nodded in thanks to each, until she came to Dom. Who obviously wasn't shedding any tears over Kisrel's departure.
Shoving a map in Kisrel's face she muttered, as if she had been ordered too:
"Syo dra cih creha uh ouin dnyjamc yht kuut vundiha vummuf oui ajanofrana oui ku."
Kisrel didn't answer her, she was looking past her. At the Gates. They opened with the noise of a shoopuf, groaning and creaking as the mechanism moved the bronze monstrosities. Giving her-her freedom.
She took one uncertain step. It took most of her will not to look back. Who were these people to her anyway? She didn't know them, she shouldn't feel anything. So she didn't look back. Not as she ran forward, not as she passed through the open Gates, not as they closed behind her.
She never looked back.