Chapter V

Walking the Mi'ihen Highroad

Not long after Audax and I made up, we moored at Luca, where some speechers introduced us. "They had a rough time back home, and still they're here to entertain us! Give it up ladies and gentlemen for the Kilika Beasts!" Proud and full of triumph our beloved Kilika Beasts set foot into Luca. I smiled. "This time that trophy goes back to Kilika!" Audax shouted and they all let go yells of agreement. I just clapped my hands. Audax turned around and smiled at me. I just waved.

"The first match is the Al Bhed Psyches versus the Besaid Aurochs," Isken informed while they were in their dressing rooms. "Besaid Aurochs? I heard they sucked last year," I said sitting down next to Audax on one of the benches. "And the years before that," he grinned. I laughed loudly. "And after that it's us versus... oh-oh..." Isken slowly turned pale. "The Luca Goers."

There were several groans. "Those guys always win!" Deim cried. "I heard they went to Kilika temple to pray for some competition, show offs," Audax muttered and kicked hardly against the blitzball, causing it to fly across the room. He peeked at me. "It's probably best you go get yourself a seat. It ain't that easy to get one." "Okay, good luck guys!" "See yah."

Almost entire Spira was there to watch the Blitzball Tournament. Even Maester Seymour, one of the Four maesters, was there. I found myself a good spot. From where I was sitting I had a clear view on the sphere. Speaking of which... I quickly held out one from my shoulder bag and turned it on at the moment they started filling the sphere with clear blue water. First came the Besaid Aurochs which, to my greatest surprise, was under command of one of Lady Yuna's summoners.That oughta mean she was there too!

I looked around the stadium but it was a meaningless effort. There were far too many people. However, the Besaid Aurochs strangely enough won the game from the Al Bhed. Everyone cheered went they went back to their dressing rooms. "What a surprise, ladies and gentlemen! The Besaid Aurochs won and are going to the finals! Next round, the Kilika Beasts versus our very own Luca Goers!"

I cheered harder than anyone in the stadium when the Kilika Beasts under the lead of Kulukan swam into the sphere. "Come guys! Yeah!" I screamed and whistled. I saw Audax waving at me and as soon as his team mates saw me they joined in. Audax took his place near the goal and everyone split up, so did the Luca Goers. "Everyone in their places? Three, two, one... BLITZ OFF!" The ball shot up and was immediately caught by Isken, who quickly made his way to the opponent's goal.

"As you might know, the Kilika Beasts have a new keeper! We'll see how that guy'll keep up!" Isken dodged incoming tackles from the Luca Goers and headed straight for their keeper. "And Isken of the Kilika Beasts is approaching the goal, he gets ready to shoot and... AW! Venom tackled by Bickson and he takes the ball! That's gotta heart, people!" There was a loud groan heard among the audience and even I clenched my teeth in pain. "And Bickson is making his way to the Kilika Beasts' goal." I crossed my fingers. Come on, Audax! "He shoots!" The ball shot at an amazing speed towards our goal and almost all supporter's of Kilika jumped up. Audax reached out and easily caught the ball in the palm of his hand. "Great save by Kilika's new keeper!"

There were loud cheers heard and he threw the ball back in the game. "We'll be seeing more of that young man soon but oh-oh, Bickson doesn't look that happy! He's picking a fight with Kilika's keeper!" I could see Bickson pushing Audax hard in the chest in a threatening way. Audax swung his fist at him. That did it. In less than a second he and Bickson were at each other's throat. "Hey!" I let go a yell. "Knock it off!"

No one's attention was with the game anymore; everyone was looking at the battle between Bickson and Audax. Bickson smackeked Audax in the face but Audax immediately thumped him in his stomach, causing him to collapse with pain. The other Luca Goers now joined the fight. I knew Audax was a though guy, but when I saw Graav and Balgerda interfiering, I knew he was in trouble. "Aw! The Luca Goers are really giving that guy everything they got! Aw... that's gotta hurt!" Their were gasps of horror between the people of Kilika, but loud cheers and applause at those of Luca. And before you could say Blitzball, the audience was beating each other up as well.

But I couldn't keep my eyes off of Audax. He was injured badly. One more knock would floor him. It did. After Graav hit him ain the face ones more his eyes fell shut and he slowly sank to the bodem of the sphere. I gasped for breath, my face turned white of rage and fear. I couldn't think clear anymore. Before I knew what I was doing I had already raised my staff and summoned Mammoth.

I jumped onto his back and together we strode to the sphere. Audax had already fallen out of it and was lying unconcious on the ground bellow. Roaring, Mammoth kept people away from us. I searched my bag for Potions. God, I only had four with me! I quickly poured a first one down his throat. Nothing. Then a second. "Audax? Can you hear me? Say something if you can!" He just groaned quietly. "Mammoth lay him on your back." With his strong paws he lifted Audax from the ground and threw him over his shoulder. I pulled him along at his necklace. "Come on, to the lockers."

"I'll – be fine..." "No you won't! Forfeit the game!" I ordered Isken. "Then we'll lose!" Audax cried. I clapped him on the shoulder and he almost faded of pain. "Fine, if you wana play, go ahead, but Audax stays here!" There was moaning amongst there group and I scowled at them. "You want him to die in there or something?" All they could do in response was moan again. "Will the Kilika Beasts please report back to the sphere? If you are not here within three minutes, you'll lose the game."

"We can't play without our keeper!" Deim cried. "Please!" "No," I said cooly. "He's staying here, period." "Kilika Beasts report to the sphere, please." They moaned ones more, begging for mercy, then turned around and left the room. Audax slowly pulled himself up. "Thanks a lot, Jen, thank you very much! Aw!" He clasped his arm in pain and I pulled out another Potion. "This is my last," I said as he drunk all. He coughed a little. "I'm still feeling lousy."

He closed his eyes and lied down on the bench. I smiled. "Hey, guardian." He looked at me and laughed a little. "The summoner who has to look after the guardian... Nice." "Yeah, I guess you realy ARE lousy." He smiled and closed his eyes again. Pyrefly who sat next to him, whined and licked his face. He smiled and petted him. "That bastard Bickson..." I nodded showing I understood. "After this I'll be your guardian for good. I'll just Blitzball after... ah... you know..." I held his hand. "Thank you, Audax." I put the sphere I recorded early on my lap and smiled. "Wanna see how badly you got beaten up?" He sat up. "Bring it."

We all stood at the stairs leading to the Mi'ihen highroad. "This is where our roads part," Kulukan sighed. I nodded. "Too bad you guys lost." "Ah, we'll do better next year," Deim smiled. "Next year we won't be so stupid to put Isken in the goal as a replacement." "Wha-" We all laughed. They prayed for us. "Good luck, Lady Jentl." I prayed as well. "A safe journey back home." Audax, Pyrefly and I walked up the stairs. "Goodbye, Lady Jentl!"

Soon we found ourselves walking the sandy path of the Mi'ihen Highroad. The sun rose high above us at the cloudless sky and burned our skins. "I think I'm gonna burn to ashes here," I sighed, waving my hand to create some sort of alternate fan. Sweat was dripping off of my chin. I could of course just summon Aero and use him as a sun-block, but that would look pretty weird, wouldn't it?

I laid my staf over my shoulder and peeked at Audax. He had no need of carrying a weapon, since he enhanced Black Magic. I on the other hand needed my staf to summon aeons and perform sendings. Till now, I had no need of doing the second but that time would soon come.

Soon I would hear of 'Operation Mi'ihen'...