"Zanarkand…the Lost City of the Dead," Stella exhaled, "We made it." She walked forward and stood on the ledge overlooking the ruins.

Garet stood beside her, staring at the ruins of the once great machina city. "So it's true." He whispered, "Zanarkand really is gone…" So this was the final chapter of Stella's story. Soon the time would come for her to face the end, the final battle with Sin.

She looked at him sadly and slipped her hand into his.

"Come on let's rest down here." Noah said leading the way.

Time was slipping away. Stella knew she didn't have much time left, "Everyone…wait…I have something for you." she reached into her bag and handed Garet a sphere.

"What's this?" he asked.

"Just watch okay." She said walking away.

"Wait where are you going?" Noah asked catching her arm.

"I-I just don't want to see you watch it. I won't go far, I promise." He released her arm and she went a few feet away and settled on a rock.

"Well Garet switch it on." Mia said.

He sighed and activated the sphere. Stella's image became visible. They immediately recognized her surroundings, The Calm Lands. "Hi everyone! If you're watching this then we've made it to Zanarkand and our journey is almost over. After everything that's happened, I bet you're wondering why I decided to continue my pilgrimage. I am a summoner and Spira's safety comes before my own. So I just wanted to say goodbye to you all. Because of you three, I can honestly say that my journey was full of joy and laughter. Noah, you're such an amazing person. You brought so much happiness to my pilgrimage and my life. You've made this journey interesting, fun, and an experience I will always treasure. Oh and I know I never really thanked you for saving me back in Kilika Woods. So thank you, thank you so much. Mia we've been through some very tough times. I know you and Uncle Marcus didn't want to become a summoner, so I'm sorry I ran off and did it anyway. Hey do you remember shortly before I left Home, when we sat for hours talking about how nice it would be if we could have an eternal calm? There's a chance that mine will be the eternal one. Wouldn't it be nice if it was? But I suppose no one else in Spira would expect an Al Bhed to bring them the Eternal Calm, right? So I guess that leaves you…Garet. I can't believe you stuck with me even when you discovered the truth about my pilgrimage. I know I should've told you when I asked you to be my guardian, but you probably wouldn't have joined me if I had. And I never would have experienced the joy, laughter, and tears that we all have shared. And…I never known you and I don't like thinking about that. Because of you I know I can complete my duty with no regrets. You are my family and I love you all…Goodbye." Then the sphere became clouded with static. Garet looked up from the sphere at his fellow guardians. Mia had tears streaming down her cheeks as did Noah. Garet sighed heavily, "Stella come on." He said walking up to her and placing his hand on her shoulder. She got up and followed Garet. At the entrance of the ruins, Stella and her guardians settled down. Noah built a small fire using his fire spell. The gathered around and watched the flames silently. It was almost over…and then the Calm would come. After what felt like an eternity, Stella stood, "Everyone ready?" she asked.

"Might as well be." Noah stood then offered his hand to Mia, "Ready?" he asked.

Mia looked at him surprised, "Yeah." She replied accepting his hand, "As ready as I'll ever be." He pulled her to her feet. They turned to Garet, who was still staring into fire.

"Garet you coming?" Noah asked as Mia and Stella walked ahead a little.

"Uh…yeah." He said following them. When they arrived at the stadium, they were met by a mysterious monk.

"Welcome Summoner." He said in shaky voice, "You have traveled a long and difficult road. Now go on to Lady Yunalesca. She will reward your endeavors." The monk smiled at Stella then began walking away.

"I didn't think there was anyone left." Garet said.

"There isn't." Noah answered, "That man's an unsent."

"Let's go." Stella said walking into the dome.

Once inside, they were completely amazed at what they saw. Pyreflies were everywhere. "All these pyerflies…"Noah said walking forward.

Mia screamed as the image of a person shot by her, "I don't like here." She said.

"It's Lord Gandof…" Stella said, "But why?"

The voice of a woman interrupted her, "We don't have to do this Gandof." She said.

"We must." He replied.

"But what about our children? What will happen to them?"

"That's why we are here, for our children. I want to keep Sin away from them."

The woman buried her face in Gandof's chest, "But there might be another way to stop Sin without you dying."

He nodded in agreement, "Yes there maybe but right now the Final Summoning is the only way we have. Now come." He said gently. The pyreflies that created the image separated causing Gandof and the woman to vanish.

"T-that was Lady Ella, Lord Gandof's wife and guardian." Noah said, "I get it…This place is like a great big sphere. The pyerflies must have captured these people's memories and preserved them here. That's amazing." He continued.

"As fascinating as all that is, Noah, I'm getting really freaked out." Mia said, "Can we please get what we came here for and go? Please?" She begged.

Stella nodded and they continued on. "The cloisters must be up ahead." Stella said as they neared an unfamiliar door. After the cloisters were solved, Stella stood before the elevator, "All right everyone, here I go." She stepped onto the platform and descended down into the Chamber of the Fayth. Garet crossed his arms and turned his back to the elevator. "Boy that was fast Stella." Noah said as she reappeared suddenly.

"Come with me!" Stella said, obviously upset.

The guardians gathered on the elevator and it lowered them to the Chamber.

"Look! There is no Fayth. It's just an empty statue." She said pointing to the remains.

"What? Are you saying we came here for nothing?" Garet fumed.

"No you haven't travelers. That was once the Fayth of Lord Zaon. But he is no more." The voice of the monk echoed through the room, "Lady Yunalesca is waiting. Go and all will be explained."

"Go where?" Mia asked.

"Through here I suppose." Stella replied walking through the door behind them.

The other three followed suit and were greeted by Yunalesca.

"Welcome Summoner and Guardians to Zanarkand." She said smiling, "Congratulations on completing your pilgrimage."

"Thank you my lady." Stella stepped forward and nodded her head.

"Now I will bestow that which you seek, The Final Aeon."

"Thank you." She whispered her head still bent.

"Now, choose."

Stella's head raised, a puzzle expression on her face, "What?"

"You must choose the one whom I will change into your Fayth." Yunalesca explained, "A bond must exist between you and whom you have chosen for that is what the Final Aeon embodies. The light of that bond is what will destroy Sin. So choose wisely summoner. But do not be afraid. For when you call forth the Final Aeon, your life will end. And you will thus attain the final and ultimate liberation."

Stella stared at Yunalesca, completely speechless. After a moment of silence, she found her voice again, "My lady, may I have a moment with my guardians to decide?"

"Very well. I'll be waiting." She said leaving the room.

"I have to choose my Fayth." Stella said sitting on the steps.

"How ironic." Mia said shaking her head.

"What do you mean?" Noah said.

"A summoner has to choose a guardian to become her Fayth. The person who protects her may very well become the person who does her the most harm."

"Well I don't agree." Garet replied, "What if that woman was right? What if there is a way to stop Sin without Stella dying?"

"Like Gandof said this is the only way we have…" Noah began but just stopped speaking. Silence filled the air. It was intense and almost unbearable for Stella.

"Stel…Let me become the Fayth. Then I'll know my life wasn't a total waste." Noah said stepping forward.

"No. Let me become the Fayth. It's the least I could do after all the trouble I've caused." Mia said.

Stella looked over at Garet. He seemed almost detached from the situation. "Garet…"

His glassy eyes turned to her, "Yes?"

"Will you become my Fayth?" she asked.

"All right." He straightened and they entered the door Lady Yunalesca had gone through.

"Have you chosen summoner?" she asked.

"I have…I choose…"

"It's me." Garet interrupted and stepped forward, "I'm gonna be her Fayth."

"Very well. Close your eyes." She said waving her hand over him.

Slowly his legs became transparent and it traveled up through his torso. Stella watched helplessly. Her emotions were building inside of her, she thought they would burst. "Garet!" she yelled, running forward and wrapping her arms around him. She could barely feel anything of him, but she didn't care. She rested her head on his back. "You have to let me go Stella." He said.

"No I can't!" She shook her head and tightened her grip.

"Just let go."

"No. I don't want you to go away! I love you!" she cried.

Garet turned around and looked at Stella. Her head was bent and a single tear slipped down her cheek and splashed on the ground.

"Say it again, Stella."

"I love you, Garet." She whispered.

He lifted her chin with his finger. Her eyes looked up at him sadly, "I don't want you to go." She whispered.

Garet leaned in and gently kissed her. She was a bit surprised at first but closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him. Slowly the world melted away. No one else mattered to Stella except Garet and she knew nothing else mattered to him but her. "The light of your bond shines bright. Use its strength and vanquish Sin. Return hope to the people of Spira." Yunalesca said.

Stella could faintly feel his pressed against hers and then suddenly he was gone. She opened her eyes. Garet was floating before her as the Fayths of the previous temples had.

"Garet…" she reached for him and he gracefully entered the body of his summoner.

"Now summoner, go and fulfill your purpose. The Final Aeon is yours." Yunalesca nodded to Stella then vanished. After a short silence, Noah and Mia helped Stella to her feet and led her back to lady Yunalesca's throne room.

"Come on Stella. If we hurry we can still rest before the final battle." Mia said.

Surprisingly, Stella wretched from their grasp and sat down on the steps. With her back to her guardians, Stella sobbed helplessly.