Chapter 6: Second Crossing
Lesca opened the door. "Okay, guys, we're done... um, I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
Paine and Baralai had been holding one another's hands, and each gazed into the other's eyes. Upon hearing Lesca's voice, Paine turned to her abruptly, flushing a pale pink.
"Oh, no... nothing at all," Paine said hurriedly.
Lesca grinned. "Oh, is that so?"
Paine sent the young summoner her patented Glare of Death. Lesca, undaunted, went on. "Anyway, apparently they've discovered the location of a fayth in my world. So, I guess I'll be headed to the Farplane."
"I guess that means I'll be going with you," said Paine.
"You don't have to do that," Lesca insisted, but Paine shook her head with a wry grin.
"Someone has to watch your back. So it looks like I'll be your guardian."
"I'll go too," said Baralai. "With your permission, of course. Everyone needs backup."
"Ah. Backup," Lesca repeated, an mischievous glint in her eye. "Of course."
Paine sent the Glare of Death Mach II at Lesca.
Baralai, seemingly oblivious, continued. "I'm due for some time off. Things have settled down, and I am rather sick of paperwork."
"Well, then, it's settled," said Lesca. "Off to the Farplane!"
"I will have to make a few arrangements first," said Baralai. "I'll need to officially appoint a leader in my stead, announce that I'm taking an indefinite amount of time off... all that sort of thing. Don't worry, it won't take me longer than a day."
Lesca groaned.
"Meanwhile, you're welcome to look through the New Yevon weaponry stores, if you're in need of something of that sort."
Lesca brightened. "Sounds good to me!"
"I think I remember where that is," said Paine. "Come on, Lesca."
The two girls walked off.
Jecht was still disgruntled about his monetary loss.
"I mean, that can't be right!" he protested.
"Well," Auron replied, "if you can show me the rulebook where it is outlawed, then I will gladly return your gil."
"There is no rulebook! The rules are unwritten!"
Braska just watched. "Some things never change," he murmured to himself.
"Excuse me. Would you be Lord Braska?" came a female voice from behind. The former summoner turned. Two young women stood behind him. One had long brown hair, hazel eyes, and wore a purple, frilly Songstress outfit. The other had black hair cropped at shoulder length, piercing green eyes, and wore dark brown robes.
"My name is Lenne," the purple clad one continued. "Do you know where I might find Bahamut's fayth?"
"Behind you," said Braska. And, indeed, the fayth had appeared behind them.
"Hello, Lenne," said the boy. "It is nice to see you, also, fayth of Sting."
The robed girl nodded.
"Sting?" Braska asked. "I've never heard of an aeon of that name."
"I was a fayth in Zanarkand," said Sting's fayth. "My statue was destroyed in the Machina War."
Lenne continued. "She said that she is willing to lend her aid to Lesca, if that is possible."
The fayth of Bahamut thought for a moment. "I think so. It may be a struggle, after such a long time. But if you are willing to begin dreaming again..."
"I am," said the fayth of Sting. "I wish to help save this other Zanarkand. It is what might have been, had things gone differently."
"Very well," said Bahamut's fayth.
Lesca looked like a kid in a candy shop.
"Oooh! Look at all these weapons!"
Paine sighed. "Yes. There are a lot of weapons, of many sorts. These are weaponry stores. That's the whole point."
Something shiny caught Lesca's eye. "Oooh! Neat!" She picked up a staff. It was white, engraved with silver and gold symbols, and had a scythe-like blade at the end.
Lesca gave a few practice swings, nearly slicing Paine. "Watch it!" Paine yelled, jumping back.
"Sorry," Lesca said sheepishly.
The rest of the day passed rather uneventfully.
Bright and early the next morning (read: barely after the sun had risen) Lesca awoke to a splash of freezing water in the face.
"Aaargh!" she shouted, sitting bolt upright. Paine stood nearby, chuckling evilly.
"Paine! What was that for!" Lesca yelled.
"Revenge for yesterday," Paine replied, not bothering to elaborate before strolling out the door. "Get up. We've got a lot to do today," she called over her shoulder.
Lesca, grumbling, complied.
The three of them left Bevelle about an hour later by chocobo.
The experience was novel to Lesca, who had never seen these animals except in zoos back home. She had almost forgotten about her rude (not to mention early) awakening. Almost.
They rode through Macalania Woods, across the Thunder Plains, and finally, leaving their chocobos in a conveniently located chocobo stable (established by Clasko, who, teaming up with Calli, had started a Spira-wide business), entered Guadosalam.
"Praetor Baralai! A pleasure to see you here," said Trommel, noticing their arrival. "And you as well, Paine. Who is this other?"
"I'm Lesca. Nice to meet you, sir," she said.
"The pleasure is all mine," the Guado leader replied.
"We are here to visit the Farplane," said Baralai. "If you'll excuse us..."
"Of course," said the cordial Guado.
The trio quickly made their way to the Farplane. As they stood on the platform above the Farplane Glen, Baralai asked, "Well... what now?"
Lesca shrugged. "I don't know. I guess we wait."
They stood in silence for a few moments.
"You sure we're just supposed to wait here?" Paine asked.
"Well, he said, 'Come to the Farplane when you are ready.' Those were his exact words."
"Indeed," said the fayth, who had appeared behind them. "Now-- it is time."
Suddenly, the world started spinning, and the colors all melted together.
Lesca had enough time to think, He might have warned us first. Sheesh, before blacking out.
