A Generation of Aeons
Chapter Twenty-Five

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X or X-2

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Pointing a finger at Seru, not touching her face, he looked at her with a strict gaze. "Watch yourself, Seru. Now that I know who you are, and you serve the prince of Zanarkand as a guardian, you will be treated as a traitor. And besides," he sighed, "you're right. Without my brother running away, I would never have inherited my right as heir to the legacy of ages." Moving back, Lord Sareth motioned to the three. "Move aside, I must inspect this other summoner and her guardian, but do not stray too far, I doubt your accommodations will be ready by then."

Together Lenne and Takoire stepped up and both bowed "I am the guardian Takoire II. I present to you my high summoner, Lenne."

"You! Guardian! I command you to look up!" Lord Sareth's voice sounding almost frantic. Regretfully, Takoire did as he was told, but his eyes revealed nothing but conviction and determination. "Well, well, I never dreamed of seeing you again, brother…"

Lenne immediately turned around to see Takoire, who was still staring determinedly at Lord Sareth. "Takoire?" she asked softly, but he couldn't bear to look at her.

"Brother," Lord Sareth breathed, "right before my eyes." He laughed. "And look at you, dressed in Zanarkand filth… however did you get by? But you haven't lost that military edge from training, have you?"

"Sareth, just let us go," Takoire said. "My summoner and I are only here to take the Cheribum's test."

Again Lord Sareth laughed, turning to the guard standing nearby. "Guard, go fetch my father."

He nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Sareth, there really isn't any point in getting father caught up with this."

"And the sound of you!" Lord Sareth marveled, waving away the guard. "That horrible Zanarkand accent! I wonder what has become of you since I last saw you!"

Takoire let out a sharp breath. "Would it better suit your needs if I spoke in such a way you are accustomed to, brother?"

Everyone was gaping with surprise. The voice in which he had spoken sounded as if it had come from a completely different person than the one they all knew. His voice conveyed someone of a high background, the utmost intelligence, and well versed in political agendas. Not the former blitzball captain.

"Now that's my brother I hear! But then again, according to the Bevelle royal structure… I have no brother, the man I just called is not your father, and you're nothing but another Zanarkand sewer rat," Lord Sareth laughed, "and I thought Seru had a story to tell! But it seems your friends don't know who you are either… I wonder where you've been," Lord Sareth announced. Receiving no answer, he continued, "Hiding away in Zanarkand, I imagine with that heavy of an accent." Takoire only continued to glare. "Wait, don't tell me you've been playing that stupid sport you always wasted your time with when we were younger."

"As a matter of fact," Lenne said, finally stepping up, "up until two months ago, he was the star player of the Zanarkand Abes. Everyone in Spira knows who Takoire is!"

Lord Sareth held up a finger. "I think you meant that every incompetent person in Spira knows who Takoire is."

Seeing the Bevelle lord ignore her, Lenne glared at him. "What you're saying is, everyone who knows of Takoire is just plain stupid. And the more you know about him, the dumber you are?"

"I suppose so."

"So then," Lenne countered, "you know all about Takoire, don't you? I mean, you're his brother, so you would know him best, and that would make you the most brainless person of all, wouldn't it?"

Instead of showing that Lenne had beaten him at his own game, Lord Sareth laughed. "I like your summoner, Takoire! She amuses me." Lord Sareth continued, "But what amuses me the most is not that the prodigal son has returned. Oh no, it's the fact that the prodigal son returned as a guardian. And considering that your friends seem to know nothing about you, except maybe Seru, why don't you tell them what my duties are? The duties you abandoned." Takoire remained silent. "Well, you never were the talkative one. Let's see, eventual Lord Marshal. Inspect all summoners and guardians that come into Bevelle." Lord Sareth laughed. "Marry Seru, which was the last straw right before you ran away. But the most important thing of all, if the summoner of yore appears within our generation, you would take her side as her guardian. The last of the list I remember you disliked the most."

"I wanted a choice, Sareth," Takoire returned, his familiar voice returning. "I wanted to choose what my life was, not have it laid out for me and written before I was even born… but it seemed to suit you just fine."

Lord Sareth shrugged. "As you pointed out, brother, it works for me. I enjoy my duties, and I enjoy the fact that I am third in line for the throne of Bevelle."

"Once Arkon is ruler and maester, you will move down in the royal line. You will be nothing but the ruler's cousin. Arkon's line will inherit the throne from then on."

"Tsk, tsk. No need to be so pessimistic, brother. Arkon is not even engaged as of yet, and therefore, has no heirs."

"Sareth, you of all people know that once Arkon inherits the throne, if something were to happen to him, it would be father who would be next in line if Arkon had no children. The chances of you ever ruling Bevelle are slim to none. This is life! You got what you wanted. I got what I wanted. Why can't you just let us go?"

For a moment, the young man Sareth seemed to think hard on it, almost considering his older brother's proposition… almost. "No," he said bluntly. "Why would I miss an opportunity for such fun? Bevelle will certainly be entertaining during your stay here." Sareth began to step away at the sound of approaching footsteps. "And by the way, why are you a guardian?"

"Bite me, Sareth."

"Tsk," the Bevelle lord shook her head sadly, "there's that Zanarkand crudeness again."

"Sareth! What is the meaning of this! There was no need interrupting me, these are your duties now! I must attend to my own!" An older man appeared with two guards accompanying him from behind. He wore the same garments as Sareth only slightly more extravagant. His shortly cut hair told any observer he had been in the army or still was, and the gray mixed in with the black conveyed he was constantly put under pressure, but he bore the resemblance of both Takoire and Sareth.

"Father," Sareth replied cheerily, "I would like to show you what came into our city as a guardian."

The man looked at the party and their faces, taking notes orally. "Prince Kiron of Zanarkand, recently became a high summoner. Zaon, a former general in the Zanarkand army; soon to be married to High Summoner Yunalesca. And…" stepping towards them, the man paused, "is that you, Seru?"

She answered simply, "Yes, sir."

"My," he swallowed hard, "I hardly recognized you. It's been five years, hasn't it?"

"Yes, sir."

"Uh," the man's voice was unavoidably laced with awkwardness, "how-how are you?"

"Fine, sir."

The man smiled weakly, rubbing his hands uneasily. "I'm glad to hear it. And your mother, how is she doing?"

"Very well, sir."

"My heart does me some good to hear that. I was good friends with your father before he died," the man said, obviously ill at ease.

"I remember, sir."

He nodded and looked over to Lenne. "So you're that manifest high summoner everyone is talking about. You are the one who summoned Suzaku, are you not?"

Lenne nodded. "I am. My name is Lenne. It's a pleasure to meet you…"

The older man smiled and bowed. "My apologies, lady summoner, how rude of me. I am Lord Takoire."

"Lord Takoire?" Lenne's voice was traced ever so slightly with ignorance.

"Uh, yes." the senior Bevelle lord answered, slightly becoming unsure of himself, "Lord Marshal Takoire I."

Lenne couldn't help but glance at the young man standing behind her. The older man followed her gaze, and his gasp was heard by all. "Takoire?"

"Father," was the only thing he said. The guardian's eyes remained forward.

"Is that really you, son?" The grin from Sareth's face was gone as he watched his father and brother reunite.

"Maybe," Takoire replied. "I'm told that according to the Bevelle royal structure, you have only one son: Lord Marshal Apprentice Sareth."

Lord Takoire I pulled back as if he had been burnt and regained his composure. "Ah, yes. High Summoner Kiron, High Summoner Lenne, allow us to hold a feast in your honor."

Kiron smiled and bowed his head. "We would enjoy that very much. Thank you, milord."

The senior Bevelle lord bowed in return. "If you would follow the guard, he will show you to your rooms."

A guard nearby gestured to them, and the party of five all bowed to Lord Takoire I. The group began to move off, Lenne striding away as quickly as possible with her guardian chasing after her. "Lenne!"

She attempted to wave him away. "Not now."

With an amused and twisted smile, Sareth began walking towards them. Seru felt the anger rising up and swelling inside of her. Following them, Sareth went after the two. Watching Takoire and Lenne, he suddenly wasn't looking at them anymore. Lying on his back, Lord Sareth was looking up at the sky, his head feeling as if it had been split in two. "Oh! What the hell was that!" Craning his head, he saw a thick, gleaming wall of ice.

Seru stopped and leaned down over him. "Touch them, and I can promise you a world of pain where that came from. I don't care that you're the new Lord Marshal Apprentice."

The party continued to walk away and left Lord Sareth lying on the ground. As Kiron passed, he could have sworn he saw a small smile on Lord Takoire I's face.

Seru wandered around aimlessly, her attempts at talking to Kiron failing utterly. Unsure of what to do, she stumbled through the temple-palace that had once upon a time been her home. Finding her way back to the area where there rooms were, she peered into one of them and saw Takoire sitting on his bed. The room he had was no different than her own. Guardians didn't have the luxuries that summoners did. There were no windows, the room was painted a neutral brown and had no decorations. The only things inside were a small bed and chair.

She knocked on the open door, and Takoire looked up into the doorway. "Kiron wouldn't talk to you, either?"

"How'd you guess?" Seru asked sadly. "Can I come in?"

"Be my guest," Takoire motioned as Seru took a seat opposite him, "I was outside of Lenne's quarters for so long, trying to get her to listen to me, but it's no use. She's not going to listen to me. Cheribum! I wouldn't listen to me if I were in her position!"

"It's the same with Kiron," Seru returned. "He's not going to listen to me. I betrayed his trust. I owe him so much, and the way I repaid him… From a form of Bevelle royalty to a Zanarkand palace maid… After my mother and I became outcasts, I never thought we would have an easy life again. It's all thanks to Kiron and High Summoner Yunalesca that I can sleep at night. What have I done?"

Lying on his back, Takoire stared at the ceiling long and hard before one word left his mouth. "I've been thinking about that, Seru. When I ran away, it was incredibly selfish of me. I didn't stop for one minute to consider how it would effect you and your mother."

"Takoire, it wasn't-"

He held up his hand to stop her. "Let me finish. When I was packing the night I left Bevelle, all I could think about was what I was going to do when I got to Zanarkand. I couldn't wait. I didn't want to marry someone I hardly knew. Someone I had met once or twice at parties. I didn't know you as well as I do now… not that I want to still marry you or anything." Takoire looked over but Seru had a small smirk on her face. "I thought you were so shy. You never really talked to anyone but Ryak since he's your cousin. But I didn't want to marry you not because I didn't like you. The reason was because I wanted a choice; I still want a choice… but I wanted to apologize to you and your mother, and I'm willing to do anything to do so. If something happens to your mother's estate, I have more than enough money-"

"Apology accepted," was all Seru said.

Sitting up, it was obvious that the former Bevelle lord was deeply confused. "That's it?"

She shrugged. "That's it, and you don't need to give me or my mother anything in return. I knew your reasons when you left Bevelle. Arkon told me."

Takoire felt his head drop. "Arkon… I should have know, but aren't you going to lecture or me or something?"

"No," she let out a small laugh. "Do you remember what we said to each other in Besaid?"

"Remember?" Takoire asked dryly. "We didn't say anything. We were too shocked at seeing each other. It took us two and a half hours of staring at each other to say, 'If you keep my secret I'll keep yours.'"

They both laughed, but it was still slightly hollow. "What am I going to do, Takoire?" Seru asked desperately.

"You're asking the wrong person. I don't know how I'm going to get Lenne to forgive me."

"I just don't know how I'm going to forgive him, Kiron." Lenne said.

Lenne's quarters were luxurious, with a living room, bathroom, and bedroom. A wide glass door gave Lenne a beautiful view of the city as well as way to a balcony ledge. The living room had tasteful decorations covering the walls, and a plush red carpet lining the floor. In the center of the room was a refined table. Surrounding it were sofas, one of which Lenne was sitting on, her head in her hands.

"Lenne," Kiron said, equally as exasperated, "I don't know what I'm supposed to tell you. I'm in the same situation with Seru. If my father had known about Seru's heritage…"

"Would you still have been friends with her?" Lenne asked bluntly.

"What?"

"You heard me. Would you have gotten to know her like you did? Would you have looked for her around the palace when you wanted someone to talk to? Don't even pretend Kiron. I remember your expression when we met up with your sister and her guardians. Your expression when you thought no one was looking. Especially, when Seru was with Alor?"

"I, uh-"

"Don't bother. Kiron, just answer my question."

The prince chuckled slightly as he pretended to be occupied with a painting nearby. "I probably would have tried to ignore her. Maybe even put her down a little because I was a stupid, egotistic prince. Let alone talk to her." He paused for awhile as he traced the figure of a woman on the painting. "I guess it was better that I didn't know. Look, I'll be honest with you." He glanced quickly at her before turning away. "When I first met you and I was still that big headed prince, I thought- I thought I was in love with you, Lenne."

"And now?" Lenne asked, seeming indifferent to Kiron's statement.

"After the attack in Kilika, I re-examined my life. And then after Macalania, I didn't think the same way anymore. Especially after I became a high summoner. You know what I mean?" Lenne only nodded her head. "But now that I know about Seru's past, I'm even more confused." Kiron let out a half strangled laugh. "And the fact that she was betrothed to Takoire…"

Lenne flinched at those words, and the two stayed silent for some time. It was true. Seru had said that she had once been engaged to Takoire. She had said she had been engaged to Sareth's only brother. Whether or not Takoire had loved her or Seru had loved him, or whether or not they still loved each other… The first time they had met Kiron, Seru, and Zaon, Seru and Takoire had disappeared for hours. What happened? There was also the fact that Sareth said that the engagement to Seru was the last straw. But what did that mean?

She finally broke the silence. "You knew, didn't you? That's why you could never get along with him before. All those times you mentioned his family…."

Kiron looked away shamefully. "Not about Seru… but five years ago, Takoire came before my father, sister, and I and requested sanctuary in Zanarkand. He told us he had run away from home, and Zanarkand was the only place his family wouldn't look. My sister was the one who convinced father to allow him to stay in the city, and then when we met in Besaid, I used it as blackmail over his head. But after Kilika and Macalania, I decided it was his decision to tell you. That it was his duty to you."

"That's what you were talking about on the airship earlier."

"What?"

"I heard you talking. You said something was unavoidable. I didn't hear what it was."

He nodded. "Yes, that's what we were talking about. I didn't know you were listening."

Lenne shrugged sheepishly. "You weren't supposed to." She leaned her head against the sofa. "I have the strangest feelings… but I know they're not coming from me."

"Well, what is it then?"

"Remorse and guilt. So much guilt, Kiron."

"Are you sure they're not coming from you?"

"No," Lenne shook her head, "it's not me. I know that. I can't explain where it's coming from."

Kiron turned to face Lenne with a solemn expression. "Seru once spoke of a bond that she thought you shared with Takoire. The one in a generation kind where a summoner and guardian know what each other is feeling." He laughed dryly. "You know, he told me on the airship- that is before you started listening in on the conversation- he told me when he was living in Zanarkand, he was happier than he had ever been than in Bevelle as a high-ranking lord. Then he met you. I think he knew after you summoned Valefor at his last blitzball game…"

"Knew what?"

"Lenne, the life he led in Zanarkand was what he always wanted… and he gave all of that up for you when he became your guardian… Including his hidden past." Shuffling to a corner of the room, Kiron pulled out a package. "The feast tonight is formal. The entire Bevelle family will be there. I know for a fact that Takoire went out of his way to get this dress for you..." He set it on the table in front of Lenne and quietly left the room.

Author's Notes:

Final Revision