Chapter 7: Breaking the Precepts

"Besaid Village." Wakka announced proudly as we stood at the entrance of the tiny hamlet, "We'll get you two something to eat over there." He said pointing to the middle hut on the right, "The Crusaders' lodge is over yonder." He began walking into the village but then turned back to us.

"Remember the prayer?" he asked looking from me to Tidus.

"We don't remember." I answered quickly. No sense in letting Tidus make an ass of himself, right?

Wakka nodded and performed the prayer. "Did you get it? Now you try."

Tidus copied Wakka's movements, almost like he didn't know what he was doing. "That's the blitzball sign for victory, stupid!" I hissed.

He looked at me and made a stupid face. Wakka simply shrugged, "Close enough. Now go present yourself to the temple summoner."

Tidus walked forward hesitantly. "You seem to remember more than he does, Siry. Stick with him and make sure he doesn't do anything weird okay?" Wakka whispered to me.

I nodded and he patted me on the back. I have a new found love for Wakka. "Come on Tidy. Let's go check out the Crusader's lodge." I said leading the way to the building. Inside, Luzzu and Gatta were sitting a table chatting quietly.

"Ask em about the Crusaders." I whispered.

"Why don't you?"

"Because I'm not the one who said 'crews of what' like an idiot."

"Ahh the ones from the sea." I heard Luzzu say as he looked up and spotted us.

"Yes…I am Siry and this is my friend, Tidus." I said, introducing ourselves.

"You were near Sin, right? So that must mean it's still around." Gatta said looking hard at Tidus.

"If it is, it will attack the village for sure." Luzzu added.

I glanced at Tidus, I was getting bored. He looked completely confused. "So what exactly do you do?" he asked.

"We're Crusaders. Originally we were the Crimson Blades, when Lord Mi'ihen formed us 800 years ago. We've been battling Sin ever since." Gatta explained.

"You've fought for 800 years and you still haven't beaten it? You guys are pretty lame." Tidus said.

"Well we have driven Sin away from many towns and villages. And anyway it's a summoner's job to defeat Sin." Luzzu said.

"Summoner?" Tidus shook his head.

"Is Sin's Toxins really this bad sir?" Gatta asked looking at Luzzu.

"Nah, he's just stupid." I said. Tidus growled and playfully punched my arm.

Luzzu chuckled softly, "Perhaps you should visit the temple. Maybe praying to Yevon will help you regain your memory."

"Good idea." I said quickly grabbing Tidus's arm and leading him outside. Man I was bored to tears.

"Where's the temple?" he asked.

"It's that big thing over there." I said pointing the building at the back of the village.

We made our way to the temple and walked in. Immediately the Hymn of the Fayth filled our ears. It was one my favorite songs. I just stood and listened. "Uhh what are you doing?" Tidus asked looking at me.

"Umm just listening. Come on, I think that monk guy is the temple summoner." I said grabbing his hand and leading the way. We walked over to the really big statue for Braska.

"It's been ten years since High Summoner Braska defeated Sin. And we finally receive a statue for our temple."

"It's about time…Those statue makers in Bevelle should get off their lazy bums and start spittin' out statues like there is no freakin tomorrow!" I said crossing my arms and looking up at the finely crafted statue.

The monk simply stared at me, "What?"

This earned me another dirty look from Tidus. "What? They are lazy…" I mumbled pouting.

"So what's a Summoner?" Tidus asked.

All of the people in the temple gasped. Oh yeah I insult Bevelle and get one dirty look. He asks one dumb question and it's like the world has stopped spinning.

"I uhh got to close to Sin…and Uhh…" Tidus said, looking to me for support. Oh no happy boy, your own your own with this one.

"Summoners are people that protect the children of Yevon using entities of great power – Aeons." The monk said performing the prayer, "A High Summoner is a summoner who is able to defeat Sin."

The monk began chatting with another parishioner as Tidus and I continued staring at the statue. "So what? We have to respect some great men or something like that, right?" he whispered to me.

"Something like that Tidy. Let's go. I'm getting kind of hungry."

We walked outside and found Wakka's hut. "Sorry guys no time for lunch. Take a nap you look bushed." He said pointing to the bed behind him.

Tidus looked at me, "Be my guest." I said, "I'm not tired."

Tidus smiled and leapt onto the bed. I looked around the small hut and noticed a mirror hanging on the wall. Good, I haven't seen my face since I got to Spira. I walked over to it took a deep breath and looked at my reflection. I was shocked because well, I didn't look any different than normal. Well, my hair was in a single braid that trailed down my back and I had a scar that trailed across my left cheek. I don't remember that being there. Must have gotten it from a fiend. Oh well, I am still cute. I turned around and noticed Wakka chatting with the monk from before.

"I can't interfere! It's a rule!" Wakka protested.

"But it's been nearly…" their voices faded as they left the hut. Great…now what was I supposed to do? Suddenly Tidus woke and looked around the hut, "Wakka? Don't tell me he isn't here anymore either."

"Don't worry, Tidy. He's at the temple." I explained, "Let's go check on him." He got up and followed me back to the temple. Inside we found Wakka still talking the with temple monk man. Hey I just created a new super hero. Monk Man! "What's going on?" Tidus asked.

"The summoner hasn't returned from the cloisters yet. Apprentice summoner really." Wakka answered.

"Ahh huh?" Tidus replied.

Wakka sighed, "Beyond the doors is the Cloister of Trials, at which the apprentice summoner must pray. If the prayer is heard by Yevon, they become a fully fledged summoner. But it's been a whole day, and they haven't returned."

"Is it dangerous in there?" Tidus asked.

"Well sometimes yes." Wakka answered nodding his head a bit.

"So let me get this straight: Someone's in there somewhere and they haven't come back yet? Gotcha! Let's go help." Tidus said to me as he ran up the steps.

"Hey you can't go in there." I said stepping forward.

"Yeah it's against the rules." Wakka said.

"But what if the summoner dies?" Tidus asked.

"The Precepts must be obeyed." The Monk man yelled.

"Like I care." Tidus replied pushing the doors open.

"Great!" I mumbled following him.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all." Tidus said looking around.

"Gee ya think genius?" I snapped, "Oh well no turning back now."