Chapter VIII – Helena

The shoopuf ride over the Moonflow was gentle. The river was huge. It was impossible to cross from the western shore to the eastern shore by means other than shoopuf. The shoopufs were giant elephants who provided transportation. Due to their height, the waters of the rivers only came up to their knees. On their backs was the passenger basket, while the driver sat on the neck.

"Word has been going around that summoners have been disappearing," Lulu was saying.

Alexander pounded his chest. "Don't worry. We can always do our job!" he proclaimed cheerfully. He turned to Cid. "Hey, look down there." he said, pointing into the water.

Cid peered over the edge of the basket. "A sunken city!"

"A machina city," corrected Alex. "They built a city on top of bridges across the river, but the weight of the city caused the bridges to collapse, and it all sank to the bottom. It's a good lesson." Cid looked at him quizzically. "Why build a city of a river? Because they wanted to prove they could defy the laws of nature! Yevon has taught us: When humans have power, they seek to use it. If you don't stop them, they go too far."

Sometimes, even Cid himself, who grew up as a Yevonite, doubted the Teachings sometimes. Yevon decides what machina Gaia's people could and could not use. More than a thousand years ago, mankind raged war using machina to kill. They made weapons that were so powerful that they were thought to be able to destroy Gaia. JENOVA, in the form of Sin, destroyed all those cities with machina. Sin is Gaia's punishment for getting things out of hand, as believed.

A man jumped behind Sara and grabbed her before plunging back into the depths of the cold waters of the Moonflow.

Almost automatically, Cid and Alexander leaped into the river with weapons drawn.

There was another machina, similar to the one that Cid had fought on board the Al Bhed ship. However, Sara was being kept in a globe that seemed to filter water into air, keeping her safe for now. A small cannon came out and fired a bullet through the water. Cid barely dodged the projectile despite his swimming abilities. The machina opened a hole at the bottom, dropping bombs. The blasts rumbled the water like an earthquake, sending Cid and Alexander down into the waters. He pointed upwards at Alexander and surfaced at the top, gasping for air.

"You have to get the bombs on to the machina. I'll rescue Sara as fast as I can," said Cid. He gulped in all the air he could and plunged his head into the Moonflow.

Alexander was already busy with planting the detonators around the machina, perfectly evading everything that was thrown at him with expertise. Cid made a perfect breaststroke to the air globe. He cut the cables that connected to it, but there was no reaction. He then tried to shatter the globe, thrusting his sword into the side of the surface. Alexander was swimming up, putting up one finger for a one minute timer. Water poured into the prison as Cid grabbed Sara's arm and pushed her up towards the surface. He swam upward with his lungs feeling like they were about to explode. The surface was so close, yet so far…Almost there…His mouth opened to breathe in, only to find water. His vision distorted as he blacked out.

Cid opened his eyes to see an Al Bhed girl watching over him. Her blonde hair was tied in various knots. Her orange shirt and green pants seemed to be very appropriate for her. A long claw was on her right arm. Strangely he didn't feel nervous or angry around her.

"Re! E ys Helena," she spoke in Al Bhed.

"What?"

"Sorry. Hi, I'm Helena. Who're you?"

"I'm Cid, a guardian. You saved me right? Thanks." He saw Alexander and the others approaching. "Uh-oh. Okay, see that guy in the black? He's an Al Bhed hater so never mention that you're Al Bhed, okay?"

"A friend of yours?" asked Alex as he saw Helena. Cid nodded slowly.

"Yeah, an Al Bh…Well, Helena's a good friend," he said.

"There's something we need to discuss," said Sara.

"Girls only! Boys please wait over there," piped up Helena cheerfully. The three women talked for awhile and finally broke.

"Sir Auron, I would like Helena to be my guardian."

"Show me your face," Auron said menacingly. Helena slowly brought her face up. "Open your eyes." She opened her left eye. "As I thought…"

"What? No good?" she protested.

"Are you certain?"

"A hundred percent!" exclaimed Helena happily.

"If Yuna wishes it," he said simply and walked away.

"Helena, at your service!"

They arrived at Guadosalam, the great city of the Guados. It seemed to be built in a dense forest and made of many different trees. The company entered the city, sighing with relief at a final place to rest.

A Guado with pointed ears and wild gray hair came to them. "We have been expecting you. Welcome to Guadosalam. This way, my lady, this way." He reached for Sara's hand.

"Hey, hey, hey!" said Alexander angrily.

"Oh, I beg your pardon," said the man. "I am called Tromell Guado. I am in direct service of our leader, the great Seymour Guado. Lord Seymour has very important business with Lady Sara."

"Business with me?" gasped Sara. "What can it be?"

"Please, come inside the manor. All will be explained. Of course, your friends are also welcomed." Tromell led them deeper through the beautiful city. As they arrived in the banquet room, Tromell left them to eat. "I will go inform Lord Seymour. Please wait here."