"So basically all I have to do is protect you until we get to Zanarkand?" Garet asked as they boarded the S.S. Liki.
"That's right."
"And I'll get to see for myself what happened to Zanarkand."
"That is also correct."
"So where are we going now?" Garet asked walking toward the left side of the ship and looking out over the water.
"Kilika Port, then we'll head for Luca, where I'm from." She walked up beside him, "What's it like in your Zanarkand?" she asked.
"The buildings are squished together and at night it's like an ocean of light when they light up. People are always around and there's always plenty to do."
"Even at night?"
"Of course, Zanarkand
never sleeps."
Stella sighed and looked back over the water, "A
world without Sin must be a beautiful world. Being able to go to
sleep at night without worrying if it will attack you in your sleep."
"What about Spira?"
"All of us look forward to The Calm. We hope each time a new one starts that it will last forever. But it never does and a Summoner's duty resumes."
"So what, Sin keeps coming back?"
"Yeah. But the teachings state that we can be rid of Sin when we have atoned for our sins."
"But is that really fair? Sin keeps coming back and punishing people for something some people did a long time ago…"
They continued talking as two crew members walked up behind them, "What is she doing here?" one asked pointing to Stella.
They turned around and looked at them. "She's the reason Sin attacked Luca."
"Hey lay off. She hasn't done anything to any of you." Garet said standing protectively in front of Stella.
"Why are you protecting this Al Bhed? Her race uses the forbidden machina! They're the reason Sin keeps coming back."
"Well I'm not sure what an Al Bhed is but I know I am a guardian and I won't let you hurt my summy-ner."
"An Al Bhed a summoner? Don't make me laugh. Sin would soon destroy us all before Yevon would allow and Al Bhed Summoner."
Suddenly, the water and ship began shaking violently. Stella lost her balance and fell back into Garet's arms, "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I think so." She regained her balance and looked over the edge of the boat.
"What the hell is going on?" He asked.
To answer his question one of the passengers yelled out "SIN!"
"No." Stella whispered as Sin rose out of the water.
"This is your fault!" A crew member yelled pointing to Stella.
Sinspawn landed on the deck of the ship, "Stella, stand clear!" Garet yelled raising his bow at one of spawn. He unleashed an arrow and it disappeared into a swirl of pyreflies. He unleashed a series of arrows but more Sinspawn appeared in their place. The boat then capsized sending all of the passengers into the water. Stella struggled against the pull of the current but she could feel herself slipping under. Garet wrapped his around her waist and pulled her to the surface. "Stella? Stella, are you all right?"
Stella coughed then opened her eyes, "What happened?"
"Sin attacked and turned the boat over. A lot of the people didn't make it." He said standing.
"No, the village!" she got up ran for the village. The men were pulling the last of the bodies out of the water.
"No…" She walked forward, "I am the Summoner Stella, please permit me to perform The Sending."
"My Lady Summoner, we fear they may become fiends please guide them to the Farplane." One villager begged.
Stella gripped her staff and walked over to the lifeless bodies and began dancing. Garet watched on as Stella danced the Sending, completely mystified. "What's a sending?" he asked a nearby villager.
"Are you kidding?"
"No…"
"A sending sends the dead to the Farplane. If a summoner doesn't send them they could very well become fiends."
Garet's eyes traveled back to Stella. The pyreflies that were swirling around her added to the strange beauty surrounding her. That was the moment Garet fell in love with her. When she finally stopped dancing she ran up to Garet, "Did I do okay?" she asked hopefully.
"That's the first time I've ever seen a sending but you're the best at it." He said smiling.
"Stella…" they both turned and to see a young woman standing before them.
"Mia? Oh Garet, this is Mia, my cousin. What are you doing here?"
"I heard a rumor in Bevelle about an Al Bhed summoner. I just had to find you. I want to become your Guardian."
