Garet's sleep was disturbed by the shouting coming from outside and his name being called. He got up and found that his party was missing. Walking outside, he immediately sensed something was wrong. The Al Bhed were running in all different directions, shouting their language.

He found Noah helping some of the elderly Al Bhed into shelter.

"It's about time!" Noah shouted.

"What's going on?"

"Sin is wreaking havoc all across Home. It's destroyed well over half of the homes."

"Where's Stella?"

"Down at the beach! She went with Mia and Lea …Be careful, ma'am." He said helping the woman, "Listen man, I gotta help these people. You find Stella."

Garet took off running, hoping to spot where Stella and Mia had gone. The Al Bhed weren't that much help, because he didn't understand a word they were saying. "Garet!" Mia called out running toward him.

"Mia, Where's Stella?"

"With Grandma. Over here, come on." Mia grabbed his hand and led him toward a small inlet cave. She was huddled there with her grandmother in her arms. "Stella…what's the matter?"

"It's Grandma…Sin attacked…" her words were shaky and barely audible.

He got down beside her and put his hand on her shoulders. She looked up at him, showing him her bloodshot eyes and tear streaks.

"Stella…"

"She's gone…" Stella whispered, "My Grandmother is gone." Tears began sliding down her cheeks.

Garet stood, unsure of how to comfort her. Mia was standing with her back to the situation. But her shoulders were shaking with her silent sobs. "What happened, Mia?"

"She came out here to help people living on the coast. Sin destroyed everything…and killed everyone here."

"Has Stella sent them?"

"Not yet…" She dried her eyes then turned to Stella, "Come on Stella. It's time to start sending these people….Watch out!" She leapt in front of Stella and brandished her Kalevala. Sinspawn had appeared in front of them. She swung her sword and sliced through the bug. Garet ran forward to help when a bright light flashed in his eyes. When he could see clearly again he saw the world had come to a complete stop. "Stella…"his voice echoed.

"She can't hear you."

Whirling around, he came face to face with the boy in purple. "You…You were the one who brought me to Spira."

"That's right. Stella wouldn't have been able to complete her pilgrimage without you."

"Do you still want to go home?"

"You mean I can?" he asked excitedly.

"It's all up to you…"

Garet was ecstatic about the thought of going home, but his eyes fell on Stella, "Will I be able to go back after Stella completes her pilgrimage?"

"That depends on the circumstances."

"No. I can't abandon my friends until we complete this mission. Stella needs me. I won't leave her."

"Very well." And with that the boy disappeared. Slowly the world returned to normal. Mia cut through the Sinspawn and it dissolved into a swirl of pyreflies. "Are you all right?" Mia asked.

Stella didn't answer. "Guys…Everyone is safe underground." Noah said running up to them, "Whoa who died?"

"Lea." Garet answered.

Their attention turned to Stella, "You three get ready to leave." She said gripping the Zephyrus, "We're heading out to Bevelle as soon as I finish the Sending. I must defeat Sin."

Noah, Garet, and Mia were waiting with the ferryman when Stella appeared. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, "Is everyone ready?" she asked, her voice cracking.

"Only if you are." Noah said.

"Let's go."

As the boat glided through the water, Noah found Stella leaning over the railing. "Stella…"

She didn't turn around, "After my mother died, Grandma was the only woman in my life. I inherited her talents as a summoner. She taught me… and now she's gone."

"I'm sure she's proudly watching you from the Farplane."

"She was supposed to be there when my Calm started…She was supposed to…be there to celebrate with you three."

"Does Garet know?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I can't tell him…Not after what happened at Home."

"Garet has a right to know."

"The right to know what?" Garet asked walking up to them.

Noah looked from Stella to Garet and shook his head, "It's not my place to say anything." He said walking away.

"What's going on?" Garet asked.

"Nothing. We'll be in Bevelle soon." She said taking his hand, "That's the last temple before we have to cross the Calm Lands, climb Mount Gagazet, and get to Zanarkand." She said trying to sound happy.

"No I want to know what's going on."

"Please Garet…"

"Hey guys, we're in Bevelle." Mia ran up to them.

"We've made it my lady. Bevelle is waiting for you." The ferryman docked the boat and helped Stella off the boat. She gazed around the city. The city had just come to life. People were already whispering about last nights events. "Did you hear what happened to the Al Bhed?"

"Those Al Bhed got what they deserve I say."

Garet clenched his fists, "How can these people just talk about the Al Bhed like that? They are people too!"

"We don't matter to them. Come on; let's get to the temple so we can get out of here." Stella said. She began walking toward the temple entrance, when she was stopped by Mika. "Grand Maester Mika…It is an honor to meet you sir." She said performing the prayer.

"Someone is here to see you." he said pointing behind the group.

Turning around, the group saw Marcus. His shoulders were shaking, tears streaming down her cheeks, "Tell me Stella…is it true about my mother?" he asked.

Her breath became short as sobs shook through her body, "Yes…Uncle…" she said running to him and wrapped her arms around him, "I-I… this wasn't suppose to happen." She sobbed heavily into his coat.

After a while, Marcus spoke, "You have to stop your pilgrimage."

"What?" she pulled away from him.

"I've lost my mother, brother, and sister to this menace. I won't lose you either! You're going to stop this foolishness this minute."

"I can't; I'm the only one left. I have to defeat Sin!"

"I heard two more summoners have started their pilgrimage."

"Sin will destroy all of Spira before they get to Zanarkand!"

"I don't care!" He reached out to grab her wrist, but Noah and Garet stood protectively in front of her, "What the hell are you doing?" Marcus shouted. He reached between them, but Garet grabbed his arm.

"I'm sorry sir." Noah said.

"What are you doing?"

"You may be her uncle…but we are still her guardians. If she is still willing to go on, it is our job to protect her."

"Get out of my way!" he yelled sinking to his knees, "E ryja du cyja ran… (I have to save her)."

"That's enough Marcus!" Mika said interrupting the commotion, "You are distraught over losing your mother. Go home now and rest."

"Not without my daughter!"

Stella looked very surprised, "Uncle…" she whispered getting on her knees in front of him and taking his hands.

"I've raised you for most of your life. Oui'na so pypo kenm. E muja oui." (You're my baby girl. I love you).

"Vydran E's cunno, pid E sicd (Father, I'm sorry, but I must)."

"You're as stubborn as a Shoopuf like your mother." He pulled the girl into a hug, "I love you. Go on now…the Fayth is waiting."

"You're going to let me go?"

"Mother wouldn't be happy with me if she knew I was trying to stop a summoner. Besides…Spira needs you." he smiled despite the tears still falling down his cheeks.

Stella stood, "Come on everyone. Let's go to the Cloister of Trials. Thank you so much for everything, Vydran, I love you." she hugged him for a long time.

"Go on now. I won't be able to let go if you hold on much longer."

He released her, "Goodbye…"

"Goodbye…"

Garet watched the scene completely confused. "Why were they saying goodbye?" He thought. A few hours later, they emerged from the temple, "All right everyone, we're going to Zanarkand. Garet, isn't this what you've been waiting for? What's the matter?"

"Why did you and Marcus say goodbye? He'll be there when we come back right?"

Stella bit her lip, "I won't be coming back."

"Why not?"

"It's nothing. Come on guys Zanarkand is waiting."

"No! I'm tired of all this secrecy. I'm not moving until you tell me!" He stopped and crossed his arms, "Tell me what's going on!"

Noah sighed, "When we get to Zanarkand Stella will get the Final Aeon…"

"Yeah I got that part. I thought that was a good thing."

"The Final Aeon will defeat Sin…but then it's gonna kill her."

Garet's expression changed. At first he was shocked, then angry, "Why didn't you tell me this?" He asked looking around at them, "Why?"

"I just couldn't bring myself to say it. I know I should've said something. I'm sorry."

"Don't tell me you're still going to go through with this?"

"I have to. I am a summoner. Spira needs me."

"So you're just going to give your life for people who think your very existence is a mistake?"

"Yes I will."

"Why?"

"Because it is my duty!"

"Your duty? That's not good enough!"

"Knowing that all of you will be safe, assures me that my death will not be in vain. I knew what it meant the day I decided to become a summoner. I have accepted my fate and gladly die for the people I care about most in the world!" Stella began walking away. Noah and Mia watched on not sure of what to say. "Stella…"

"Forget it Garet, I won't change my mind!"

"I love you!"

Stella stopped, her heart pounding loud in her ears.

"Did you hear me? I said I love you."

"Come on guys, we're losing light." She said, hiding her tears.