Fire and Ice FFX Prequel The First Calm series

by Renmiri

After 9 years of the First Calm Sin returns and resumes his killing. Zanarkand survivors are being persecuted all over Spira. Pushed by Bevelle, the daughter of a Zanarkand mage joins forces with a sick young man to defeat Sin.

3. Chapter 3 At Zanarkand

FFX1b.2

Summary:
Seika and Yara start their journey to meet Yunalesca in Zanarkand to train as fayth and Summoner respectively. Since Seika is bedridden a guardian and six Ronso join them on their travels. At Zanarkand the group splits. Airuman, a guardian from Bevelle and Birah a Ronso mage stay behind to aid Yara and Seika on their effort to defeat Sin. Yara starts her training, while Birah and Airuman care for Seika

--- 10 years after the machina war (990 years ago) – Seika and Yara make their way to Zanarkand

Since Seika was bedridden, Airuman, the "surly guy" was assigned to accompany him and Yara on their journey to Zanarkand. Airuman would be guarding the couple, protecting them against fiends and against some more hotheaded members of Spira, who had started attacking anyone who looked like a High Summoner or had anything to do with Zanarkand in the past.

After a tiring journey they arrived at the foot of mount Gagazet, where Airuman was supposed to leave them. Yara and Seika would be then cared by the Ronso who would guard them from then on. The fresh air had been good for Seika and he didn't have his bouts of coughing any longer, so he would not need another nurse besides Yara. But Airuman asked

- "Lady Yara ?" he said respectfully

- "Huh ?" she answered

- "I wish to stay with you and Lord Seika if you would allow it." Airuman answered

- "But why ? I thought you hated me! And why all this Lord and Lady business ?" Yara asked puzzled

- "Well.. I .. Hmm.. I was one of those who thought anyone from Zanarkand deserved anger and contempt. But not anymore" he answered looking down

- "But Yara is not from Zanarkand! She has never even been there!" protested Seika

- "I realize my foolishness now after our weeklong journey. And after seeing how she, and yourself Sir, are willing to give your lives to save Spira, you deserve my respect" Airuman said

"And you need all the help I can give. Sin is a truly frightening monster. I want to put my sword and my skills at your service" he continued

- "But Airuman, no one can help us defeat Sin, only Lady Yunalesca…" Yara started

"I can help care for Lord Seika while you study with your Summoner in Zanarkand. And I can hunt for food, fetch water, do whatever you two deem necessary." Airuman answered firmly

- "Well, it seems you made up your mind about this, am I right ?" asked Seika

- "Yes sir. I feel you need someone to aid you while at Zanarkand and I will be honored if you let me be the one that does it" Airuman answered

- "I would be glad to have you stay longer. Yara ?" Seika and Airuman looked at her

- "Welcome to the team Airuman. May I call you Airi ? she asked

- "Yes Milady, that would please me deeply" Airuman answered with a smile

A team of six Ronso, Airuman, Seika and Yara left the following day to make their way up the mountain which was now a lot colder and more dangerous than 10 years ago. The teleporting gate at the Ronso village was all but useless as it landed people on Gagazet's Temple at the top of the mountain, but no one could leave from there. Now there were frequent mists at the top of the mountain, leaving the Gagazet Temple hidden for most of the year. A strong wind battered the stairs of the temple fiercely on the days there was no mist, so no one had gotten in or out of it in the last 10 years. To get to Zanarkand they would have to hike the mountain trail which was now slick with ice and snow and littered with fiends bent on snacking on the hikers.

- "Well, at least is a good practice on succeeding is spite of impossible odds. We will need that to defeat Sin" said Seika while being carried on a stretcher by 4 huge Ronso lions.

- "Airuman and the two Ronso guardians are sure getting a lot of sword practice. I wish I could help" said Yara

- "Summoner can, if she wishes to" grunted the Ronso closer to her

- "Huh ? How ?" she asked

- "Summoner can use my black mage sphere and grid. I am not using it while I carry stretcher" the Ronso answered

- "Your what ?" asked Yara

- "Zanarkand magic. Put it on like this. Now close your eyes and imagine thunder hitting path ahead" said the Ronso and got surprised by a large bolt falling very near him.

- "Oops! Sorry! You said in front, right ? I guess I was thinking about you" Yara apologized quickly

- "Summoner strong. Stronger than Birah. Stronger can keep sphere and grid. Ronso gift" the Ronso said to them

Birah, the Ronso mage explained to her that she needed fire to attack snow monsters and water to attack energy monsters and vice versa. Their trip followed faster with Yara using the black mage spells the sphere gave her. At night they were already reaching the summit where they made camp on a cave. At dawn, refreshed after a dive in the warm stream that crossed the cave (and a sponge bath for Seika) the travelers hiked down the northern slope of Mt. Gagazet, arriving at a large plateau in mid morning. The sight from there made them all stop on their tracks: A large city, completely, utterly destroyed. Not a sound, not even a dog barking or a child's laughter, not a vendor shouting about his fine wares, nothing. It was eerie, painful in a way, for Yara. She thought about her father and his tales about Zanarkand, the city of magic, were rivers flew in the air and even the ocean did their bidding. This was not it. This dead city was just an empty husk.

- "Please let's hurry! The sooner we get there the better" Yara said

- "Those idiots that blame Zanarkand for Sin have not seen the state it left the city! I doubt they would repeat those nasty rumors if they saw this" said Seika angrily

- "Lady Yara please forgive me for believing the rumors" said Airuman kneeling in front of Yara

- "It's ok Airi. Don't beat yourself up. You have already paid your price with your help and loyalty. Please get up" she said softly to him

The group proceeded downhill easily as there were very few fiends in the downward slope. They wondered why. Birah, the Ronso mage mentioned his misgivings

- "Something scared away smaller fiends" said the Ronso mage

- "Maybe Lady Yunalesca knows of our arrival and sent someone to clean the paths" said Seika hopeful

- "Precisely. We need to start your training as soon as possible child. Sin is getting stronger by the day" said an eerie voice behind them: Yunalesca

- "Milady, it's an honor" said Yara bowing to the apparition

- "Come to the dome child, we have no time to lose" said Yunalesca beckoning them to the dome.

--- 10 years after the machina war – At the Dome

While the travelers made their way down the mountain Yunalesca had been fretting at the dome. She could feel the presence of talent getting close to her. That must be the new Summoner apprentice the Bevelle Maester had promised to send her after she haunted him at his bedroom last month. What was talking them so long ? They needed to hurry. Zaeon was suffering immensely with his soul working as the central core around which her father rebuilt Sin. Nothing had worked as they planed. She had been unable to free her father and he had trapped Zaeon in his armor instead, proceeding to kill her like she was but a mere fly.

Yunalesca had refused the sending that the Ronso offered. She had wanted to stay behind as an unsent, to see if she could free Zaeon's spirit. Her valiant prince, the brave and helpful Zaeon could not cope with all the killings he had been forced to commit by being shackled to Sin, violence incarnate. His voice had been getting weaker and weaker. She knew she had very little time to free him from Sin before he lost himself to despair and violence. When they reached the plateau she could not hold out any longer and went to meet them. She rushed them into the dome. The group barely had time to glance at the huge fayth stone that soared from the bottom of the mountain like a pillar made of pure water. Pure water with thousands of people swimming on it.

- "Are you ready to start child ? We don't have a moment to lose!" Yunalesca said to Yara

- "Go ahead Yara. I'll be fine with Airuman.. Have fun!" said Seika

- "I guess. Ok then!" said Yara waving the Ronso goodbye

- "Lady Yara, Lady Yunalesca ? Birah has a request" said the Ronso black mage

- "Speak" said Yunalesca

- "Birah wants to stay here. To help Lady Yara. Birah wants to help kill Sin" said the Ronso and told them how he had lost his entire family in Sin's attacks 10 years ago

- "Fine. Follow me Yara. The rest may stay to attend Lady Yara if you wish but not to learn Summoning. Not one of you has the gift" said Yunalesca and left with Yara at her tail.

The Ronso warriors helped Airuman and Birah build a small shelter in the broken up dome and left. They wanted to reach the summit before nightfall. After the Ronso team bade them goodbye Airuman asked Seika if he needed anything: Food, drink, bedpan …

- "Just something to munch on if you can find it" Seika answered

- "What about a bath sir ? The road downhill was very dusty with all the rubble from the buildings" asked Airuman

- "Airi.. May I call you Airi too ? Well, anyway, I do want a bath, but if you don't mind I will wait for Yara to give me one…" said Seika with a sly smile

- "Yes Sir, it will be an honor for you to call me Airi. I will fetch your food at once" he said and looked at Birah

- "Airi can go with a light heart. Birah cares for Lord Seika. That is why Birah stayed. Team needs four to work" said the Ronso and stood in attention by Seika's bed

- "Good thinking Birah, thanks!" said Seika

Airi returned an hour later with some fish and some leeks. The Ronso had left their large pan for them and some supplies, so he proceeded to cook a meal for all 4 of them. They kept Yara's portion safe for her later. She was bound to be hungry after hiking the entire morning. After their lunch Birah left to see if he could dig up more supplies and food for them, while Airi and Seika looked at a sphere Airi had found under some rubble. I seemed to give out numbers from 1 through nine when shaken. Using some coins from the travel stash that had remained after their journey they started to devise a game they could play with Seika being incapacitated as he was. After a few starts and stops they settled in using 4 coins to try to achieve a multiplier of the number their number sphere gave out. If the player could not find one or if he took too long he lost the game. After 20 turns they switched and Airi had the coins. They spent a pleasant afternoon distracted with the game and were still playing when Yara and Birah returned.

- "Where were you! The sun is almost setting, we were worried" said Seika to Birah, while Yara fixed his covers. Airuman was heating the Summoner's dinner in the fire.

- "Birah had to climb half way to the mountain to find good rock salt" said the Ronso

- "Rock Salt ?" asked Airi and Seika

- "Yes, it makes the new snow fiends sent by Sin taste good. Without it no taste!" said the Ronso and proceeded to make balls of a gooey white mass he had brought with fish and rock salt in the center

- "What is that that you are making ? It smells good!" said Seika

- "Snow flan rolls. Fish has fire taste, Snow flan has snow taste. Good balance. Add Rock salt for flavor. Lord Seika want one ?" asked Birah and brought one to Seika's bed.

- "I'll take it" said Yara

- "Summoner eat now. Birah feeds Lord Seika. Birah knows how, had small Ronso pup. It would be Birah's honor" said the Ronso and proceeded to give small bites of his rolls to Seika

- "Hmmm.! Those are great! Try some Yara!" Seika said

Yara left early the next day but not before giving Seika a very enjoyable bath while Birah and Airi were fishing. She didn't want to leave him alone but Yunalesca had assured her that nothing would happen. Yunalesca was wrong. A few minutes after Yara left a huge snow bee came flying into the large chamber, sensing a large prey was there: Seika.

He stood very quiet, barely breathing. Perhaps the fiend would leave if it didn't see him.

His plan didn't work. After floating around for a couple of minutes the snow bee sighted him and came buzzing excitedly. It turned around to sting him and he braced himself for the pain. Luckily that never came. At this precise moment Birah and Airi returned and Birah killed the fiend with a fire ball.

- "Lord Seika ! Are you well ?" fretted Airi coming to his side.

- "I'm fine, you guys got here in the nick of time. But I think I'll take you on that bath offer today Airi… I'm covered in bee muck!" said Seika breathing shallowly. That was close!

- "Birah and Airi not leave Seika alone anymore. But be good to learn fire spell just in case" said the Ronso

- "That fire ball ? Yeah that would have been handy! By the way, thanks for saving me" said Seika

- "Also, tomorrow you can join us" said Airuman

- "Me ? Fishing ? I'm in! How ?" said Seika

- "You can't move but I'm sure you can enjoy the warm waters of that stream we saw on our way here. Remember were the fayth form a pillar ? Close to it Birah found a place where the hot spring meets the ocean. It' great for fishing and is not far" said Airuman

The 3 spent the day planning their next fishing trip, with Birah and Airi, this time taking turns, scouring the dome and the other buildings for something that would serve as a bathtub for Seika. They found a large reed vine chair almost intact and Airi got to work fixing it to make it safe for Seika. When Yara came back at sunset they had lots of news for her.

- "A snow bee ? Goodness, I knew I shouldn't have left you alone!" said Yara worried

- "I'm fine love. And I got a fishing trip out of it. All is well that ends well" said Seika

- "Lord Seika's body weak like a cub but heart strong as a full grown wolf" said Birah

- "Bah! If it was a Gagazet Wolf then you could say I'm brave but a single snow bee ? It would hurt a bit that's all.. " said Seika modestly

- "Lord Seika is modest. I have been around him since he arrived at Bevelle's hospital and he never complains, just carries on. It is an honor to serve you Sir" said Airi

- "Why do you think I fell in love with him ?" said Yara

- "Aww geez. You guys are going to make me blush.. C'mon, let's eat, I'm starving!" said Seika

After dinner they retired to their makeshift quarters. Yara was soon asleep but Seika stayed awake thinking. His friends didn't know how much it hurt to be paralyzed, unable to do anything for himself, always a burden to others like he was, thought Seika. He did his best to be sunny and cheery, to hide his pain. He didn't want to be more of a burden than he already was. But some nights the pain was to much to bear and he felt that he could not wait another second to be tuned into a fayth, to escape his fate. Then he looked at Yara sleeping by his side and he wanted to be there by her side, for as long as she would have him. Yara wanted to battle Sin, to rid Spira of it's pain and sorrow. He couldn't leave her to face Sin alone and he felt good that his useless body could help bring relief to Spira. He was doing the right thing he thought, by giving all he could – his life – to Spira and to Yara.

Looking at her sleeping peacefully Seika wished for the millionth time that he could put his arm around her. He closed his eyes and started picturing himself doing it. He sighed deeply and pictured himself kissing the back of her neck, waking her up slowly. Another deep sigh, this one so loud that Yara woke up. Lost in his dreams Seika almost didn't notice that he was no longer dreaming and Yara was caressing him for real.

- "Are you too sleepy ? Do you want me to stop ?" Yara asked

- "Don't. I need you so much tonight Yara! Don't stop.." Seika pleaded

- "And I need you!" she said and kissed him

In the morning Yunalesca came to pick Yara up, while they were all having breakfast, munching on some nuts and berries. She appeared behind Seika and Yara.

- "I wish you could have met me before the accident" Seika was telling Yara

- "Don't be silly child! Can't you see that the love that binds you together right now already is the strongest of all ? You two will be perfect for Summoner and fayth" said Yunalesca impatiently. Mortals wasted their time in such silly doubts!

- "Lady Yunalesca, I'm ready" said Yara standing up and turning to face the high summoner hurriedly

- "Finish your breakfast child. You will need lots of energy for today's session. I'll be waiting downstairs." said Yunalesca and disappeared

--- 10 years after the machina war – Fun in the Sun

Yara ran to meet her teacher as soon as she could, and Birah, Airi and Seika set up on their excursion shortly after. Seika was glad they were carrying him on a chair, not a stretcher. After days on end laying on his back he was starting to get sore. The chair was a welcome relief. His relief was even bigger when they arrived at the beach. It was a beautiful summer day, the water was warm, his body felt lighter and stronger under the water. Among the rocky beach Airi and Birah had found Seika a nice spot where he could stay sitting safely on his chair, yet had water up to his chest. After last night's romance Seika was not feeling so down anymore and his mood got even better with the fresh air and sunlight

- "Ahhh… This is the life!" Seika said to Airi happily while they both watched Birah fish with his harpoon. The Ronso's lightning quick moves were impressive.

- "Yes sir, it is a very pleasant morning" said Airi

- "Heh.. You can stop with this sir and Lord business. It's just us here" said Seika

- "Yes sir.. Seika. Perhaps we should use this great day to your advantage" said Airi

- "More fun than I am having right now ? How ?" asked Seika interested

- "We should try to use the water to help you stretch your body. I did that with another patient in Bevelle, and it seemed to keep him healthy. His healer said it did." said Airi

- "Well, I'm bored to death of being motionless so let's do it! When do we start ?" asked Seika

- "Right now! Let's start with your right arm" said Airi and slowly started stretching Seika's arm

- "Ouch! That is as far as it goes, Airi" said Seika

- "As I feared, you are losing your movements by lack of practice. Fear not sir, if we keep on doing this daily I can promise your arm will open a lot wider" said Airi

- "I'd like that. Do you think this will help me move my arm eventually ?" asked Seika

- "Hard to say sir. I'm not a healer… But I'm sure it won't hurt either. My previous patient seemed to feel a lot better after a couple of sessions." answered Airi

- "Hey, it beats being stung by a snow bee. Ready for the left arm ?" asked Seika

After the morning's exercise session, they ate lunch on the beach. Birah's now famous snow rolls that seemed to bring out the flavor from the fish. They also ate some algae that grew by the bucket load by the rocks there. This algae must like the tepid water said Seika and the other two agreed. After their lunch Seika went back to the warm water. It felt so good to float and it was such a relief being able to pee without having to call Airi with a bedpan! Thank Yemanja, the sea goddess for small miracles, Seika thought.

Birah started teaching him the fire spell. Both Birah and Seika thought it would be very hard for Seika to learn it. His entire family was born and raised in Kilika, located very far from Zanarkand, the second most distant village from it, actually. Not having any Zanarkand blood Seika was supposed to have very little magic, if any. To their surprise pretty soon Seika was casting fire balls all over the sandy beach. It seems somehow Seika had magic talents that had been hidden speculated Birah. At dinner Seika told Yara about all his exploits while they ate the fish Birah caught and some tubers Airi had found.

- "I'm so happy you are having a good time. Thanks for caring for him so well guys!" said Yara

- "Birah glad to help" grunted the Ronso

- "Yes, Lord Seika and Milady deserve all the help" said Airi

- "Well, you two are being a great help, so thanks again" said Yara

- "Yeah, thanks a lot guys" said Seika

The next day Birah and Airi took Seika to the hot spring again. The day was spent like the previous one: Airi helping Seika stretch in the morning and Birah teaching him black mage spells and helping him practice them in the afternoon. Pretty soon the group settled in that routine: a trip to the hot spring, some exercise for Seika followed by magic lessons and Yara studying the whole day with Yunalesca.