Chapter 6
Auron was leaving the cabin as Tidus burst through the door, his sword drawn.
"What are you doing?" he demanded. Auron gazed at him calmly over his dark glasses.
"She is gone for now," he replied as he headed for the door.
"I won't let you harm Alma," said Tidus as he stood in the way.
"You have it backwards," said Auron, "And she is not your mother." Tidus suddenly thought of the dire warnings the Fayth of Anima had given him.
"I know, but how has she hurt me?" he asked as he sheathed his sword.
"She granted your wish," said Auron as he strode past him out onto the deck. Yuna turned to them with a look a worry but Tidus gave her a reassuring smile.
"Nice boat," commented Wakka cheerfully as he leaned on the railing.
"How long are we staying in Zanarkand?" inquired Lulu.
"I'd like to see the Abes play just once," suggested Yuna hesitantly, "If that's alright."
"They're playing tomorrow night," stated Tidus, "Is that soon enough?" Lulu glanced at Kimahri, who nodded curtly.
"Think they could use a new player?" asked Wakka hopefully.
"Let me make a few calls," suggested Tidus, "I'll make the arrangements."
An hour later they were making their way to C-Block East. It was one of the more fashionable sectors of the city, with well maintained parks bordering large thoroughfares. Large mansions made of turrets and high walls flanked the street on either side. Tidus paused in front of one building that had once belonged to his father. The cold cylindrical walls matched his mood perfectly. He considered checking to see who lived there when the others caught up to him.
"I'm so excited," squealed Rikku, "This city is so cool!" Yuna laughed politely behind her hand.
"Glad you approve," commented Tidus.
"So where are we going?" inquired Yuna, a shadow of worry appearing on her face.
"We're going to Aviva's," he said.
"Who's Aviva?" asked Yuna, looking slightly peeved. Auron chuckled dryly.
"It's a hotel," explained Tidus, "The best in Zanarkand." He didn't add that his boat couldn't sleep seven unless someone camped out on the floor. Besides, he wanted to give his friends some happy memories before they went back.
They ambled down the main boulevard that connected to a giant archway made out of bright blue water that had somehow been solidified without freezing. The arch led to a high central plateau with a cluster of buildings dominated by a tall beige tower, ringed with a cluster of smaller spires jutting out of the roof. An enormous outdoor terrace was set out with tables and chairs, affording a spectacular view of the skyline. They began to make their through the crowds of people, which parted as Kimahri approached. A young girl with brown hair in pigtails and dressed in a tank top and shorts approached Yuna shyly.
"Excuse me Miss," she asked, "Have you seen my sister?"
"I'm sorry I haven't," she replied sadly. A burly young woman with a blond crew cut and dressed in a red jacket over a black dress joined them.
"My kid sister is very upset," she explained, "We've been searching for hours."
"She'll turn up," said Tidus patting the young girl's head, "It's easy to get lost in a big city." She nodded bravely.
"I hope you find her," said Rikku.
"Good luck," added Yuna. The sisters nodded and disappeared into the crowd.
Tidus gave a helpless shrug as they went through a pair of glass doors into a spacious indoor atrium, with skylights that let shafts of sunlight filter in. Tidus approached the reception desk and handed a translucent green card to blond haired receptionist in a green dress, who scanned the card and returned it to him.
"How many rooms?" she asked briskly.
"Seven singles please," he began.
"Isn't that expensive?" said Yuna.
"We can share a room," suggested Lulu.
"Three doubles then," said Tidus with a faint sigh. The receptionist filled out a form and handed three keycards to Tidus.
"Great to have you back Mister Tidus," she added happily, "I'll be rooting for the Abes."
"See you at the game then," said Tidus flashing a brilliant smile.
"Let's go buddy," said Wakka, "Talk with your fans later."
They walked over to a transparent glass tube. Tidus pressed a button next to an inset door and a steel cylinder dropped down the tube and came to rest in front of them. The doors opened, revealing a young boy dressed in a purple hooded cloak. Tidus and Yuna stared at him in shock.
"Going up?" he asked.
"Yep," said Rikku. The boy walked out as they went in.
"Be careful," he said as the doors closed. Tidus pressed a button for the thirtieth floor. The elevator rose, and they could make out the lobby through the glass walls. The elevator passed through the ceiling and they were enclosed in a metal tube for the rest of the trip. They stepped into a corridor with walls made of beige rock. Fluted columns flanked arched windows that overlooked the late afternoon skyline bathed in golden sunlight.
"Here's your room, ladies," said Tidus as he swiped the card through a reader next to a white door. The door opened up into a room with two large beds upholstered in crimson. Several wicker chairs were set around a small round table and a sliding door led out onto a large balcony. Two smaller doors led to a closet and a washroom. Exotic plants rested in planters along the walls and on the table. Yuna slid open the glass door and stepped out onto the patio.
"It's beautiful," she said simply.
"Wow, I hope we didn't bankrupt you," added Rikku.
"Don't worry about it," said Tidus. Lulu walked into the washroom and emerged a moment later with a glass of water. She took an experimental sip.
"The water is fine," she said.
"I'm not thirsty right now," said Yuna as she returned indoors.
"Can I ask you something Tidus?" asked Lulu.
"Sure," he said.
"How exactly was Anima able to get us here?" she asked pointedly.
"She called to Sin, and he brought us over," he replied.
"I remember that," added Rikku.
"Isn't that dangerous?" she asked.
"Well Sin is destructive," admitted Tidus, "But we got here okay."
"And what if Yuna had been hurt?" demanded Lulu, "Did you think of that?"
"It's alright Lulu," said Yuna hastily, "We're all fine." Auron frowned as he noticed the water in Lulu's glass slowly freezing into ice shards.
"He needs to be more responsible," snapped Lulu, "That is if he plans on being your-." Suddenly her glass exploded into small shards. She looked down at her bleeding hand and frowned.
"I must have miscast a spell," she mused.
"Lu, you're bleeding!" said Wakka as he took her by the good hand and led her into the washroom. He ran water over her hand and then began to gingerly pull out the pieces of glass.
"It's not too bad," he said reassuringly when he was done throwing the glass away. He pulled a washcloth off the rack and began wrapping her hand with it. Wakka tried to tie the makeshift bandage into a knot but his hands began to tremble badly. Lulu covered his hands with her good hand.
"It's okay Wakka," she said, "I'm fine."
"I'm sorry Lu," he said looking away, "I couldn't protect you."
"It's just a few cuts," she said.
"Not your hand," he said, "I mean from everything."
"Chappu had to make his own decisions," she said quietly, knowing how much Wakka dreaded the subject.
"I'll protect you from now on," he said, meeting her gaze, "I promise." She nodded purposefully; they had long grieved together for Chappu, as if it was an end to itself. He would not have wanted that, but she had never considered any alternative. She frowned when she heard faint noises through the door.
"Come in Rikku," she said loudly. Wakka quickly pulled his hands free as if they had been burnt.
"Oh pooh," she said as she opened the door, "I mean, are you okay Lulu?"
"I'm fine now," she said as she stood up, "Why don't we let the boys settle in their rooms."
"Who do you want to bunk with?" asked Tidus. Auron and Kimahri looked at each other.
"It doesn't matter," said Auron.
"Guess I'm with you then," said Wakka to Tidus.
"See you girls later," said Tidus with a wave. He led the others down the hall to the next room. The interior was in shades of blue but the layout was similar to the first room. Tidus tossed the third keycard to Auron. Once he and Wakka were alone, he spied a small note with his name on it sitting on one of the beds. He picked it up and read it, recognizing the handwriting.
Meet me on the roof tonight.
-Alma-
"What is it?" asked Wakka.
"Nothing," said Tidus as he crumpled up the note.
Later that night Yuna woke up with a start; the room around her was still dark. Lulu and Rikku were still asleep. She hastily got dressed and opened the door that led out into the hallway. The windows revealed the glowing night skyline. She glanced towards Tidus' room and considered paying him a visit but decided against it; he had enough to worry about without carrying her burdens. Yuna turned back towards her room but something caught her eye.
A lone dog stood in the middle of the hall.
"Come here boy," she said soothingly, holding out her hand.
The dog whimpered and ran in the other direction, up a marble staircase. She quickly followed, reaching a terrace on the rooftop. She could see the tips of the main spires framing the night sky inset with bright stars. Auron was standing by the railing, the breeze ruffling his hair and cloak a bit. Yuna hid behind a chimney as the dog padded up next to him and sat.
"Good boy Kogoro," said Auron reflexively as he reached down to stroke the dog's head, "Forgive me." Kogoro merely wagged his tail and peered up cheerfully at his master. Auron felt a chill and turned to face a presence in the shadow of one of the spires.
"I did not mean to disturb you," said Alma as she glided into the light, looking a little puzzled. She had been expecting Tidus. Auron sighed wearily.
"Enough already Anima," he said, "You left too many clues."
"And what would they be?" she inquired gently. He couldn't quite tell if she was being sincere; Kinoc may have been the only one who understood that she was really two souls tied together; one kindly and one vicious, but both suffering.
"First the dog, then the Magus Sisters," he stated, "Finally Shiva's power."
"I suppose it was inevitable Yojimbo," she said regretfully, "I could never fool you for long." Yuna suppressed a gasp. Auron was silent for so long that she was worried that he had heard her.
"You made one fatal mistake," he said almost sympathetically, "You gave me Auron's memories." Alma nodded in agreement.
"Tidus needed his friends with him," she admitted, "Perhaps this was meant to fail."
"Too late for self-pity," he said shaking his head, "But what about Valefor?" Alma walked up to him and placed a hand on his arm.
"She doesn't have to find out," she said hopefully, "Just tell me what you want." He pushed her hand away.
"I want you to let Tidus go," he said brusquely, "Let the Fayth go back to Spira."
Yuna felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, what are you doing?" asked Tidus casually.
"No!" screamed Yuna as she fearfully backed away from him onto the terrace.
"Whoa, I'm not gonna hurt you!" he said, holding his hands up defensively. Yuna backed up to the railing.
"Tidus, you must leave," begged Alma.
"What did you do to her?" he demanded angrily, his words making her flinch.
Auron stared sadly at them over his dark glasses; he hated what had to be done. "We are all Fayth," he stated, "Only the unsent can cross to Zanarkand."
Yuna stared with disbelief in her tear-streaked eyes. She could clearly remember their journey from Besaid to Zanarkand ruins. She remembered the moment of tenderness she had shared with Tidus in the pool in Macalania.
"Valefor…,"began Auron.
"My name is Yuna!" she screamed as she climbed over the railing.
"Wait!" shouted Tidus holding out a hand.
"Don't do it child!" said Alma.
"I'll prove it to you," said Yuna with a suddenly eerie calm as she drew out Nirvana.
"Summon on the rooftop if you must," said Auron, "And I'll admit I was wrong."
"Yuna, just take my hand," said Tidus, inching forwards.
"I believe in us," she said simply with a strange smile.
She leapt backwards off the railing into the void.