Nexus Necromancies: Exams...evil...the horror...the horror.

Metal Sonic: Allow me to explain. Nexus has just now finished his exams and is more than a little shell-shocked. Llednar is still out cold from the last chapter...he complained about being unconscious in the plot line so I 'sedated' him. However Nexus has managed to churn out the next chapter, i would like to remind everyone to review...all flamers will be hunted down and injured by me.

Nexus Necromancies: That reminds me, for those who cannot understand the Al Bhed language used here. Use this url to find a webpage to translate it with. http/db. credit for this webpage goe's to enigmaopoeia.

Now then ON WITH THE SHOW!

Dreams and Nightmares

Since what happened last night I had'nt slept. It was now well past midnight and I was still keeping my silent vigil over Llednar's still and feverish body. A damp rag was on his forehead and despite him being asleep his breathing was ragged, probably caused by an infection of one of his wounds before he dragged his way to the village.

"I don't believe this, how can he be here he died in Ivallice."

I had been puzzling over this same thought since everyone else had returned to their beds. I was using a room in the crusaders lodge and Tidus was asleep in another room. Contrary to belief and what the game shows, Inn's don't just have a single room with one bed, they have many rooms with different kinds of beds.

Despite Yuna's best efforts Llednar had fallen totally unconscious after we had gotten him into the bed, he had been struggling to stay awake till then but it gave us a better chance to repair whatever damage was done. Yuna's magic had closed or at least helped to heal the larger wounds and we had made him drink about ten potions and some antidotes to ward off infection, somehow I doubt he would even be alive now if not for everyone's help.

I had volunteered to keep watch over him since I was the only one who knew anything about him, including what he might throw at me if he awakened in a feverish delusion and attacked me with Flair techniques or even worse, Dark magic. I 'really' did not want to get smashed by Omega one day into my trip here.

Despite the dried blood Llednar was pretty attractive, I always had a thing for guys with interesting features and aside from a certain silver-haired general, Llednar was the only Final Fantasy character I had ever found interesting. I blame the amber eyes. Regardless I still remember Yuna's face when she saw it.

Aside from the wounds he had sustained just before arrival, he was covered in scars, bruises and there was evidence of multiple bones being broken, then healing. These wounds were old and even Yuna's magic couldn't heal the scars or remove the bruises, something which had puzzled everyone.

It was obvious that Llednar had been repeatedly beaten by someone, it made my blood boil thinking about it because I knew there was only one being who could have done this and kept those wounds from healing.

In FFTA, Llednar had a special barrier placed upon him called 'Fortune' which prevented him from being harmed. Only the person who had cast it could harm Llednar...the only person that could be was Remedi, Ivalice's Queen. I couldn't believe it when I saw those, I was biting my lip as every single one was revealed. I personally wanted to impale that she-demon on my swords right there and then.

Okay now it was getting hard to stay awake. I re-soaked the rag and leaned back in the chair I was sitting in, sleep finally washing over me through sheer exhaustion.

Joy, darkness again. I could hear the Hymn, the voices low in the background, so I knew who I could expect to see. "Hello Bahamut." The words had barely left my mouth before the hooded boy that was the dragon kings Fayth appeared, hovering in front of me.

"You have questions."

That was't even asking it was stating, he knew what was going on.

"Damn right I do! Why is Llednar here? I saw him die in the game!"

Yeah, I was pissed. Lack of sleep and coming face to face with an impossibility will do that to you.

"What you saw was his body crumble, his soul was not dead. Once he was injured, the Queen discarded him and destroyed his body, forcing his soul to live for eternity unable to die and pass into the next life."

If I was mad at Remedi before, now I wanted to vivisect her and I would take great pleasure in doing so. "So...you made a new body and brought him here? Or is 'she' here as well?"

The hatred and loathing in my voice was so thick you could spread it on toast, Bahamuts reply confirmed my worst fear and my greatest wish.

"Remedi is in Spira."

I was both really scared and really happy, it meant I could pay her back for what she did to him. I hadn't even known Llednar for long but no-one deserved to have that done to them, he was only around fourteen in the game and she had hurt him, her own son like that.

"You have another question?"

I swear he could read minds. The other thing that had been bothering me was my swords and my overdrive. I handn't even considered a name for my swords and my overdrives name had just kind of...happened, it seemed to come from nowhere.

"Why do my swords glow when my overdrive activates and where did my overdrive even come from?"

Bahamut closed his eyes, silent for a moment before speaking.

"You're swords amplify your spiritual state, it is that spiritual energy that forms you're overdrive. For instance the 'Yin-Yang Burst' is brought about when you are in balance, an equal part of both energies of anger and peace. Over time you'll discover more overdrives."

I nodded, my hands wandering over the hilts of the two swords.

"So basically, when my anger goes out of control, it'll use that anger as fuel for my overdrive?"

Bahamut nodded once more.

"Alright...what are they called?"

Bahamut seemed to smile but it was hard to tell with that cloak he was wearing.

"The white one is called 'Order' the black one 'Chaos'."

The dark world we were in shimmered, light seeping in through cracks in the darkness. I smiled, guess it was time to wake up.

"Remedi has her past here, as does Llednar, find that path and find what you are looking for, an ally and...a love."

Okay I know I blushed just then and I was sure he could read my mind. "What do you mean?"

Bahamuts image faded as light engulfed my vision, throwing me into the world of the living...and it was still night-time. I could hear arguing from outside and guessed it was Lulu and Wakka, Llednar was still asleep but his fever was gone and he was sleeping peacefully.

'If I survive this I will personally go to Bevelle and kiss Bahamut for all this...maybe not as a dragon though. I got a new lease on life, a chance for adventure and a very nice travelling companion.'

I left the chair, collapsing onto the neighbouring bed, falling asleep almost immediatly.

And lo, morning came and I had a headache. Note to self, never stay up that late again unless I'm sure I wont be getting up until noon.

I checked Llednar again, who looked better than yesterday by far, most of his wounds were gone, as were the bruises that had'nt healed before. I pulled back when I saw his eyes snap open but calmed down once I rembered his sword was on the other side of the room and mine where at my side and I doubted he had the stamina to throw any attacks at me anyway.

I was right, he got out of the bed, stood and then almost collapsed before steadying himself on the wall. He was breathing heavily and I hoped a wound hadn't opened again. I tried to get close to him but he swung a fist at me whenever I moved near him.

"Hey! Calm down, I'm just trying to make sure you don't die on me."

I'm not sure if I convinced him or he was just out of energy, either way he didnt try and attack me as I moved him back into the bed and checked to make sure none of the wounds had opened, his bandages needed change anyway.

"Why?"

I looked up from removing the ones on his arm, he was staring at me with those amber eyes again.

"Why are you helping me?"

I shrugged, removing the last of the bandage.

"Because I didnt want you to die or did you think you didn't need any help?"

He looked up at the ceiling as I looked over his arm, part way amazed that it had healed so quickly but that was balanced by the fact that I knew how good healing magic and potions could be, having had them used on myself, the one thing they couldn't do was remove fatigue.

I couldn't tell if he was listening or not, he was silent for the rest of the time as I checked him. Luckily none of the wounds had opened and aside from some dried blood he was no worse for wear.

After I had finished, I got his sword from the corner and handed it to him. His eye's lit up as soon as it was back in his hands.

"Save the Queen."

I smirked, nodding. I felt the same way about my swords by now, if it hadn't been for them I would have been sliced, smashed and torn apart way more times than I wanted to think about.

I stood, sighing and fixing my hair, which had chosen today of all days to become difficult."So, where are you from?"

He stared at me for a moment before speaking. "Ivallice."

Okay, I know what you're thinking, 'Why ask about what you already know?' Simple answer, if someone you had never met before somehow knew you're name, where you came from and everything else about you're past you would probably consider him to be a stalker or a crazy person. I didn't want Llednar considering me to be either.

"Ah, somewhere far away I guess. Nobody here would know about it, just like they wouldn't know where I come from."

Llednar just shrugged, atatching Save the Queen and its sheath to his belt and succesfully standing up, albeit a bit shakily and getting to the door before he collapsed again, this time he let me catch him.

"Why are you so concerned about me?"

I smiled, he had no idea what I knew and if I told him here and now he'd most likely punch me.

"Believe it or not, I care about you as a person, I don't want to see you throw you're life away. I wasn't the only one who helped you, my friends are outside waiting. We're going on a trip."

Llednar let me take him downstairs before we sat opposite one another at a table. He was recovering pretty quickly and I guessed that by the time we had to leave for the port he would be able to fight again.

"Tell me."

I looked up, sighing. It took me about an hour to explain everything, with Llednar stopping to ask question's every few minutes. I left out the part about my being from another world but he seemed to be okay with the fact that he was from another one. He put that together based on my description of Spira and its people. I finished by teling him about Yuna and the summoner's pilgrimage, he seemed pretty interested but I couldn't say for sure.

"So...this girl, Yuna, helped to heal me?"

I nodded, I had limited skills in first aid and that was it, without Yuna he would have most likely died. He stood, heading for the door with myself following close behind.

We arrived outside in time to see Yuna hulking two huge suitcases out of the temple. I held back a laugh and kept a close eye on Llednar, he was focussed on Yuna and by the time we were noticed by everyone he had walked right up to her. One stare from those eye's would scare anyone unfamiliar with them, Yuna included.

"Um...yes?"

Llednar kneeled in front of her, something that shocked me. I had never thought Llednar ould ever kneel to anyone, let alone Yuna, who was still a little nervous. Lulu had the same stoic expression as ever, Wakka was unfazed and Tidus...was being Tidus.In other words he was even more clueless than the norm.

"Lady Yuna...it was you're skills that kept me from the abyss of death. I lay my sword and my life in you're hands as payment."

Okay now I was worried. Llednar was practically offering his life to protect her as a guardian. This was a good thing since it was part of the plan for bringing him along but I wasn't even a gaurdian yet though I was planning on it before we had to leave Lucca.

Everyone's expression was pretty much the same, a mixture of shock and fear. Llednar had that effect on people, the shock most likely from his request and fear because of the eyes. Even when he wasn't fighting or angry, his eye's were cold.

Yuna looked a bit confused, I brushed past the others. "Lady Yuna, a word if you please."

Lulu was glaring at me as Yuna walked over and I took her aside, near the lodge, out of hearing range of everyone, even Llednar. "I suggest you accept. If he was strong enough to survive those injuries for so long, he would be a good Gaurdian."

Yuna still looked worried, she didn't want anyone endangering themselve's for her sake. "Trust me on this, if you refuse he'll most likely come along anyway."

I think I got the message across, Llednar was not one to leave a debt unpaid, especially such a large one as this.

"Alright." Yuna looked over at Llednar, who was still kneeling, waiting for her decision. She returned to him and helped him up. "I accept, you are now a gaurdian."

For someone who had just started this long mission, Yuna could put on a strong voice when she wanted to. I guess when you know whats facing you at the end, something like this doesnt seem so bad.

I just smirked, heading to the village entrance. "Alright people let's go, I for one do not want to have to swim all the way to Kilika because we missed the boat." That one got me a few glares, mostly from Lulu.

The trip up the hill was uneventfull, not even a single fiend bothered us. Yuna was in front, followed by Lulu. Tidus and Wakka were walking beside one another, talking about blitzball and me and Llednar took up the rear. I guess the rest of the Aurochs had gone on ahead. When we reached the summit, everyone but Llednar, Tidus and myself paryed. I knew what was coming and I didn't feel entirely comfortable doing the prayer anyway, Llednar didn't because he had no clue what it was and Tidus didn't because he wasn't a believer in Yevon.

Regardless as soon as we were in the area I affectionatly dubbed 'Waterfall pass' We got a shock.

More Tidus than anyone else, Llednar was itching for a fight and I expected what happened. We had moved to the head of the group when we were almost landed on by Kimahri. Llednar's sword was out in a flash, followed by mine and Tidus's new Brotherhood sword.

-Begin theme: Don't be Afraid-FF7-

I dodged the first spear thrust, Order's blade forcing the metal point into the ground, It felt like my arm was on fire as Kimahri was trying to pull it away and it was taking everything I had to stop him. Llednar was next to move, Save the Queen a blur as it sped toward's Kimahri, at that point my strength gave and he pulled the spear away, blocking Save the Queen, this gave Tidus a chance to move for attack from behind, the Brotherhood's hilt slamming down on Kimahri's skull and causing a growl of pain.

Kimahri roared and turned around quickly and I watched as he leapt into the air, his spear crashing down right where Tidus had been standing a second ago, the force of the impct knocking him to the side and into some ruins.

My right arm was numb from holding down the spear for so long, Kimahri was strong, stronger than anything I'd faced up till now, Chaos seemed to throb in my hand, as if it had it's own heart. I looked dwon at the sword in my left hand, it was glowing, much more than before. The darkness it gave off coiled and twisted around my wrist, I smiled darkly. "So, this one unlcoks my abilities." I raised it, still smiling. "Haste!" Energy flowed through me and I felt much faster, it was like everything else was moving in slow motion.

I jumped-Kimahri's head moved only just enough to catch me in the corner of his eye-Choas shifted in my hand, moving up above my head, momentum carrying me towards Kimahri-Kimahri realised what I was doing, the arm holding his spear tensed and moved-both my arm and myself came down hard, sword aimed straight for Kimahri's head-the spear moved, held over both hands in an attempt to block-my sword smashed into the wooden haft of the spear, shattering it and sending me off into another direction from the momentum-time resumed again, I needed to use Chaos to keep myself from collapsing.

-End theme: Dont be Afraid-FF7-

Kimahri looked at the broken halve's of his spear, Tidus just then managed to pull himself uyp from where he had hit the ground. Llednar was by my side quickly, along with Yuna. Which confused me until I felt something on my skin. I looked down, then suddenly wished I hadn't, there was blood all over my left arm, I felt lightheaded. I would have fallen over if Llednar hadn't been keeping me up, I felt white light wash over me as Yuna's cure magic on my arm. It healed but I was still a bit shaken.

Llednar was confused, so was everyone else. I however had a pretty good idea of what happened. My swords enhance my skill's. My physical power and abilities from Chaos and my magic and defensive strength from Order. Using them though, came with a price, my own life force, my blood, whenever I used my swords powers would be wounded. I had to be carefull from then on.

Nexus Necromancies: Wow...long one this, 7 pages. Not too shabby.

Metal Sonic: Hmph, at least you got it done pretty quick, only three days to write.

Nexus Necromancies: You do not understand the creative process...oh just shut-up or I'll send Amy Rose after you. Anyway, this chapter's done. This is but the first of many times I will be using music referances. I'll give the name sand their respective games, I'll try and limit it to the FF series though.Till next time this is Nexus Necromancies saying, read and review, no flames though or I'll send Metal Sonic after you with sharp objects.