Chapter 2: Sin

"Sin… I can't believe it's back," Yuna remarked.

The entire village of Besaid had gathered in front of the bonfire to discuss the sighting from earlier that afternoon. Everyone was in a state of nervousness, for Sin was known to destroy entire cities in a matter of minutes. Indeed, for over a thousand years, there was much reason to fear Sin's power.

"I don't even understand how it can possibly return, ya?" Wakka said. "Even if it could come back, who or what could possibly be controlling the body? The body acts as an armor for whoever's inside, but who could it be?"

"It can't possibly be one of the aeons," Lulu reasoned. "When Yu Yevon possessed them, we freed them and then defeated Yu Yevon. There's no way it could have possessed anything else."

"It would seem…" Yuna continued, "…that there is no way that we can possibly defeat Sin this time."

"Mom! We can't give up!" Lukas exclaimed. "There's no way that we can let it claim victory, even if we don't know how to defeat it!"

"He's got a point," Tidus agreed. "Remember how we didn't know how to defeat Sin the first time? It may be the case this time as well."

"That's well and good, Tidus," Yuna retorted. "But again, we no longer have the aeons, and therefore, we've got a disadvantage. I can't do anything now, and neither can the other summoners. Even if we could, we've all aged. It'll be more difficult to make the journey."

"Then I'll go," Vidina volunteered.

Wakka and Lulu turned sharply. "What!"

"I'll go," Vidina repeated. "I have to go to Luca anyway for the championship, so why not?"

"Vidina, I can't let you do this by yourself," Yuna replied. "It's very noble for you to volunteer like this. However, I know firsthand that a journey, especially one involving Sin, is very dangerous."

"That is why I'm going with him," Lukas finished.

"Lukas?" Tidus was surprised.

"Well, I heard about your adventures and I want to go on a journey of my own. Also, Vidina's my best friend. I can't let him go alone. So, would it be okay with you, Mom? Dad?"

"Well, I don't really mind, because I'd like to be the guy who said my son defeated Sin!" Tidus beamed.

"Tidus!" Yuna exclaimed. "Oh well, I don't think anything I say will stop you anyway, Lukas. But first, I'm going to get a hold of Rikku to see if there's any way she can help."

"Cousin Rikku!" Lukas joyfully shouted. "You think she'll be able to help too?"

Vidina laughed. "A mere mention of his dear cousin, and he goes wild. So, Lukas, should we set off?"

Wakka crossed his arms. "Hold it, young man. I never said you could go. And besides, you have nowhere to start from. You really think that you're just gonna go up to Sin and challenge it? You need to build your strength, ya?"

Vidina's eyes flashed. "So that's a 'yes', Dad?"

Wakka stumbled. "What? No, I didn't…"

"Of course it is, kiddo." Lulu interrupted. "But do us a favor, will you? Give us until tomorrow to get some supplies ready for you. You can't leave without a boat ready, anyhow."

"I see," Vidina replied. "That would be a good idea, really. Well then, let's get some sleep, ya? We'll need it to set off tomorrow."

"Yeah," Lukas agreed. "I'll see you tomorrow, then? Then we can figure out where to start on our journey."

That night, as Lukas was sleeping, he felt something brush against his face and sat up in his cot, startled. Looking around, he noticed a pyrefly floating casually in the air. Looking outside the tent, he came across a surprising scene before him. A trail of pyreflies led the way inside Besaid Temple. Lukas' first instinct was to follow the trail, but he made sure to stop inside Vidina's tent to wake up his best friend.

"Lukas?" Vidina sat up, rubbing his eyes. "What's going on?"

"Come on, Vidina. Something weird is going on outside. There's a trail of pyreflies leading into the temple. I want to follow it and see where it leads."

"Shouldn't we tell our parents about it?" Vidina asked, getting out of his cot.

"Let's just check it out first, okay?"

"Sure, bro. No problem."

Leading the way into the darkened temple, Lukas noticed that the trail led forward into the Cloister of Trials, where passage inside was forbidden. However, none of the priests were guarding the entrances, so the two slipped inside. Following the different twists and turns of the Cloister, they eventually found themselves inside the Cavern of the Fayth, where a soft hymn was heard.

"This song…" Lukas began. "I've never heard it before, but it stirs up some familiar feelings."

"Same for me," Vidina recalled. "Dad told me this is the Hymn of the Fayth. But how can this be? Our parents freed the faith, did they not?"

"Yes, but maybe it's playing because Sin has returned?" Lukas noted as a pyrefly fluttered past his face. "Either way, something's going on here." He looked at the floor, where his parents said a hole used to be; however, there was no hole, only solid floor. In the middle of the floor, however, a beam of light was seen, stretching from the floor to the ceiling. As Lukas looked on, the beam got brighter and wider, and a beautiful woman dressed in unearthly garments walked out from the beams.

"Who are you!" Vidina demanded.

The woman smiled. "I am Altima, the guardian of these seals. Since the Fayth were freed, I have been assigned to watch over these holy places in the case of Sin's revival. Since you have found me, I am guessing that Sin has returned?"