Garet leaned over the ship's railing and stared at his reflection in the water. He could tell that the days he had spent in Spira had changed him. His skin was tan and his face chiseled into a worn and tired expression. "Hey." Stella said walking up and leaning against the rail. Garet grunted in response. "What's the matter?"
He shook his head, "Nothing. Do I look different to you?"
Stella looked into the water at his reflection, "Of course. You look stronger."
"When will we get to Zanarkand?"
"As soon as we leave Home, we'll head straight for Bevelle then we'll cross the Calm Lands, climb Mount Gagazet, and into Zanarkand."
Garet averted his gaze back to the water. "You never smile anymore, Garet."
"I don't have a lot to smile about nowadays. I want to go home."
Stella looked at him as he continued staring out into the water, "Will you try to find a way back?"
"I think I will. Spira isn't my home. I want to go back to Zanarkand."
Her eyes lowered, "I will...miss you."
"Oh I won't leave before we defeat Sin. I am your guardian and I intend on completing this mission."
"Well then don't forget to smile."
Garet turned to her with a puzzled expression.
"The people of Spira have enough to be sad about. The last thing they need to see is a sad face on a guardian. We are Spira's hope and we must shine bright in these dark times. So you have to learn to smile even when you are feeling sad. Now let me see." She said putting on her best smile.
Garet couldn't help but laugh as Stella's smile turned into a goofy grin, "That's the spirit." She clapped her hands and laughed with him.
"Those two are awfully close." Mia said to Noah as they watched them laugh.
Noah grunted in response.
"Come on Noah. Can you blame for doing what I did? I don't want to lose my cousin."
"That still doesn't give you the right." He said, walking away.
Mia crossed her arms, "E's hud cunno (I'm not sorry)…" she said grimly.
The Al Bhed's chatter became louder as the boat approached the island of Home. "Whoa! …That's it!" Garet said nearly falling into the water.
"Yes. Isn't it beautiful?" Stella said smiling, "It's good to be home."
The boat anchored at the dock, letting it's passengers off. Stella and Mia wasted no time greeting the Al Bhed. Noah on the other hand felt a little out of place. The people seemed to recognize him but simply refused to speak to him.
"Do you feel out of place too?" Noah asked Garet.
"A little. I don't understand a word they're saying."
"Boys, come on, my grandmother is waiting for us." Stella called to them.
Garet grinned, "But as long as I'm with Stella I guess it doesn't matter." He said running after his summoner. Noah shrugged and ran to catch up with his friends. "It's been ages since I've been here." He thought as he passed a few people he recognized. They had been his childhood friends. But as with the rest of the Al Bhed, they were ignoring him too.
"Grandma!" Stella called as they entered the house.
"Stella?" The older woman appeared from the kitchen. She had beautiful snow white hair and bright green swirling eyes. "Grandma, it's good to see you." Stella performed the prayer and her grandmother copied.
"How is Marcus?" she asked hugging her youngest grandchild.
"He's fine. He sends his regards. Grandma these are my other guardians: Noah and Garet."
"Pleased to meet you boys." Lea said nodding to them.
"Grandma…" Mia appeared and opened her arms.
"Mia…So this is where you've been? Being a guardian I see."
"Yes ma'am." She said, "Just like grandfather was to you."
Lea smiled and nodded, "So how is your pilgrimage going?"
"Good."
"Have you heard about the other summoner…?"
"Yes she was killed on her way to Besaid."
"Not her, another one. A man I believe. He quit his pilgrimage at the Calm Lands. He couldn't handle the pressure."
Stella lowered her gaze, "No one mentioned him to me. Everyone was already saying I was the only hope."
"He quit before the other summoner died."
Stella crossed her arms, "We can't stay long. We've got to get to Bevelle."
"I know. But I have to talk to you."
"All right." Stella said walkin gup to her grandmother.
She straightened, "Not now baby girl. Show your friends around. We'll talk after dinner okay."
Stella nodded, "Come on guys." They all walked outside, into the sun, "Hey Mia let's see if we can find my old house."
Stella said leading the way down the walkway. Eventually, they houses became further apart and many of them were nothing but foundations. "Where are we?" Garet asked.
"This is our old neighborhood." Mia said, "Sin destroyed this part of Home 10 years ago before Lord Ohalland brought us The Calm."
"Yes, I was 11 years old. Sin swept a lot of the people that lived here out to sea. My parents were among them. I went to live with Uncle Marcus shortly after that happened." Stella added.
"I was 13. Stella and I always hung out here together, before she moved. My mother and father were killed a few months after. Sin attacked again. I went to live with grandma." Mia walked up to another set of ruins, "Sin took so much away from me." Her gaze fixed on Noah as she spoke, "I can't bear to lose anyone else."
"Question: Why does Sin always come back?" Garet asked scratching his head.
"Sin is our punishment for our arrogance. It won't go away until we have atoned." Stella explained.
"What made Sin appear in the first place?"
"Do you remember when we first met, and I explained what happened to Zanarkand?"
He nodded, "Yeah."
"During the war, Bevelle and Zanarkand began using great machina weapons. The weapons were so powerful; it was believed that Spira was going to be destroyed."
"The day Sin appeared; the soldiers climbed Mount Gagazet and saw nothing but rubble. Sin had been born." Noah continued the story.
"But wait, if Sin keeps coming back then why even bother with a pilgrimage? I mean is the time really worth it?"
"Yes it is!" Stella said vehemently, "If even for a little while, the people of Spira are safe and can sleep without fear. The pilgrimage is always worth it."
"How do you possibly find the strength to go on?"
"From you three. You are my pillars of support and give me a reason to journey on." Stella smiled, "You are all my family."
"Guys…Dinner!" Lea said walking up to them. They returned to the house and began eating. Stella watched them eat happily. The laughter that filled the room made her smile. "Everyone go into the den and I'll clean up." Stella said standing and stacking the dishes.
"I'll help." Garet stood and gathered the used plates and carried them into the kitchen.
Noah went outside, while Mia went into the den. Lea leaned against the doorframe and watched the young couple goof off as they washed the dishes. She could tell they were close and they were going to have to be so they could face what was coming in Zanarkand. Clearing her throat, she stepped forward. Stella and Garet turned and smiled at her. "Stel can we talk?" she said.
"Go on. I'll finish up here." Garet said.
"You sure?"
"Of course, go ahead."
"Thanks Garet." She kissed his cheek and followed her grandmother outside.
"He seems like a nice young man…" she said.
"He is. I met him in Besaid."
"Is that where he's from?"
Stella bit her lip, "No…he says he's from Zanarkand."
Lea gave Stella a puzzled look, "Zanarkand. Then the rumors are true…"
"What rumors?"
"There are rumors I heard in Bevelle when I was there a few weeks ago. Apparently, Lord Ohalland's guardian was from Zanarkand."
"Really? What happened to him?"
"No one has seen him since the last calm started. He just vanished."
Stella crossed her arms, "Do you think there's a connection?"
"Maybe…You seem very close to him."
"I love spending time with him. He's a lot of fun."
"Don't fall in love with him…"
Stella blushed, "My pilgrimage is my number one priority. Love is the last thing on my mind." She lied.
"Good. Go back inside, it's getting cold."
"Yes Grandma." Stella kissed her cheek then disappeared inside. Lea followed and found Garet drying the last of the dishes.
"Thank you so much for that." She said patting his back.
"It was no problem."
"I couldn't help but notice you've taken a shine to my granddaughter."
"Who wouldn't? Stella's such an amazing person."
"She is. I shouldn't have to warn you but, don't fall in love with her." She said.
Garet eyes grew large. He had never once considered his feelings for Stella. "I think I already have." He said smiling to himself.
Lea shook her head, "I see…You can't tell her. She would distance herself from you and that wouldn't be a good thing."
"Why would she do that?"
"She hasn't told you? Oh then it's not my place to say anything. Stella will tell you when she's ready. Well I'm going to say goodnight." She said leaving Garet more confused then ever.
