A Generation of Aeons
Chapter Sixty-One

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

Last Time:

Suddenly, the brightness of the Farplane darkened, and a black circled formed among the endless field of flowers. A dark entity came above ground that looked as if it had been dragged from the deepest and darkest parts of hell itself. Rusty chains pinned it down, and only one eye was revealed.

"Cheribum… it's Anima…" Lenne heard herself say.

Kiron turned to her. "We can't handle this one alone!"

Lenne turned and watched her guardian running towards them, Sareth lying crumpled on the ground. She could feel herself losing the Cheribum's energy with each passing second. Focusing hard on the aeon Anima, she centered the last of the Cheribum's essence into bringing it down.

Anima erupted in a roar and a shower of light.

"I will have my way!" the high summoner heard Sareth yell.

She turned just as he threw a knife at her… but instead of finding a way into her, in the blink of an eye, Takoire stepped in front of her.

And the dagger found him instead.

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He collapsed against her, and she was barely able to catch him in shock. She slowly fell to the ground as she held Takoire against her as carefully as possible.

"Damn it…" Sareth whispered, barely audible as he crashed to the ground. He breathed in his last breath with his brother's dagger still within in his chest.

Kiron, Seru, and Zaon all froze at the sight of Lenne holding her guardian and trying to find some way to help him. The blood was spreading fast; his black uniform was being stained even darker with his own blood.

Lenne knelt over him. She had promised herself she wouldn't cry anymore, but she could feel the tears starting to fall. "Cheribum… Takoire, don't do this to me…" He started to shake, coughing uncontrollably. "Why'd you have to do that? Why'd you have to get in front of me like that?"

He swallowed hard, trying to catch his breath. "I-I don't know… actually. Must have been those d-damn blitzball reflexes. I can't- I can't turn the off. One minute I'm watching the-the sphere screen, and the next I-I'm in a weird position h-holding a glass that I a-accidentally knocked over. One m-minute I'm l-looking at the pretty f-flowers, and the next I'm saving my s-summoner. I can't r-really make a dif-difference."

She let out a half exasperated sigh. "That's not funny…"

"S-Sorry…" he strained.

Lenne felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Gaia but saw Seru's image come through. "Let me take a look." The mage guardian knelt down beside them and covered Takoire's wounds with her hands. She closed her eyes as a light began to emanate from her hands.

The high summoner scrutinized Seru's every movement. It was easy to see that with each passing moment the mage was getting tired and had to struggle to maintain the spell.

Suddenly, Seru pulled back. Lenne's mouth became instantly dry. "I can't- I can't heal it. Sareth did something to the knife. It should be hard to heal, but it is possible. Sareth must have laced the knife with poison and reinforced magically. I can't get it." Seru stopped bluntly. "Lenne…. Lenne, I can't…"

The sole child of High Summoner Yuna and the Guardian Tidus clenched her teeth, trying her hardest to fight back tears. "Where are the aeons?"

"We are here, Lenne," Suzaku voiced within her mind.

She looked up around her to see Suzaku, Byakko, and Seiryu all surrounding them with a mood as somber as hers. "Can you do anything for him?"

Byakko growled. "No… We're outside of our domains…"

"We have no power here," Seiryu added.

Lenne swallowed hard. "Could you…"

Suzaku nodded its head. "Of course…"

Without another word, the aeons faded away into the Farplane until they were gone. Lenne turned back to the others. "What happened to Sareth?"

Kiron cleared his throat uncomfortably. "He's dead. Takoire got him in the heart. It's a miracle that he was able to get up and throw that… that knife…"

Lenne bit her lip hard. "We didn't get the third object… I don't understand…" Kiron, Seru, and Zaon all watched her sympathetically as she lost more and more control over her voice. "The prophecies said I'd have to choose… but how the hell can I choose when…"

Takoire coughed again, wincing in pain as he did so. "Hey…" he strained to reach up and touch her face, but grunted, falling back. Lenne instead brought her own face within his reach making him able for him to touch her. She tried to burn the feeling of his hand upon her face into her memory. "Don't cry," he whispered, brushing tears away with his thumb. "Don't cry. You-You know I hate to see you cry." Lenne stifled a sob in her throat, continuing to hold Takoire's hand to her face. He grimaced as he attempted to lift his head enough to place a small kiss on her forehead. "I w-want you to be happy. You-You promised me…"

"No," she answered immediately. "Takoire, I can't-" Her guardian was fading faster as he continued to speak. He was losing the fight in front of her very eyes. They stung unbearably but nodded reluctantly. "I… I promise."

"Thank you…"

Kiron, Seru, and Zaon stood together, watching not far from Takoire and Lenne's forms. The mood was somber, and the victory had been bought with a great price. Sareth was gone and the fayth aeons with him, but everyone couldn't help but wonder. Was it really worth it?

It was getting harder and harder for him to breath, let alone speak, but he did it anyway. "Can I a-ask you something?"

"Anything."

"M-My plan was that if we had gotten to the th-third object… I was going to ask you to marry me." Whatever Lenne was originally planning to say had caught itself in her throat as Takoire continued. "And I was just wondering what you were- you were going to say… Yes… No… Definitely not… H-How could you th-think that I hate you… O-Or-"

Lenne struggled to put on a smile as more tears fell from the corners of her eyes. Placing a finger on his lips gently, a sad smile won over her face. "Definitely yes."

A brief moment of happiness flashed on her guardian's face but was quickly hidden away as if it hadn't mattered and just nodded knowingly. "Oh… O-Okay. I was just-just wondering."

She smiled, touching his face. "You… You are so stupid," Lenne finally stumbled out.

Takoire closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, gathering his strength. Opening them, he spoke in a clear, unwavering voice. "Come here."

He brought his neck up as Lenne lowered her head to meet him and kissed her softly. He raised up a hand and held the back of her neck, cradling it softly. It was the softest and most passionate kiss they had ever shared. It was light but brought to surface every emotion and feeling that had ever been evoked because of the other.

The guardian pulled back. "I love you," he whispered just as clear. He held her face in his hand, gazing up into Lenne's blue and green mismatched eyes. If he was going to die, this was how he wanted it. With Lenne...

But a bright light suddenly caught his eye. His gaze drifted to Lenne's chokin necklace. He had almost completely forgotten about its existence… and it hadn't even crossed his mind since he had found Lenne.

Could it…

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The sound of rushing water came back to Takoire's ears as more and more light became visible. After a walk, the guardian had his full eyesight back. The sound of water was fully in Takoire's ears as more and more light became visible. He brought his hand up to what seemed like a moving wall in front of him. It reflecting a million different colors along the cave walls. "A waterfall?"

As his fingertips touched, Takoire walked through the water. Immediately he shielded his eyes. The ground… it was so soft. His eyes three-fourths closed, he looked down. "Flowers?"

Takoire blinked several times as his eyes continued to adjust; he looked around. There were waterfalls all around and endless, endless fields of flowers. He started running. "Lenne!"

He looked around. "Lenne! Where are you?"

Suddenly, Takoire's right hand grew slightly warm as well as his pocket. Bringing his hand to his face, Takoire saw his silver ring, his family crest burned into it glowing. Confused, he pulled out of his pocket Lenne's chokin necklace, the outlines of the aeons and her brand behind them glowing as well. "What the hell is this?"

Takoire blinked hard once, supporting his head with his hand. He was starting to feel a little lightheaded, like his body didn't weigh anything. Everything seemed wrong, but then, it seemed like it was how everything was supposed to be, how everything was meant to be. But there still feeling like there was something missing. A key thing missing.

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"Sareth didn't have it…" His eyes were suddenly unclouded. His hand began to move on their own accord, and his fingertips drifted from Lenne's face to her dangling necklace until his own silver ring touched with it.

In the instant the two objects met, a light engulfed the high summoner and her guardian. Time seemed to come to a standstill, neither Takoire nor Lenne could tell whether seconds, hours, days, or years passed. But eventually… time did resume, and Lenne looked down at her guardian in wonderment.

"Takoire…?" Bringing up a hand, she touched his face, just below his right eye. "Takoire, your scar… it's gone."

His eyes widened as he brought up his own hand to verify her words… except that he felt no pain whatsoever. The black-haired young man looked down to his side and found his brother's knife lying uselessly on the ground. Takoire's gaze turned to Lenne's right arm.

"Lenne, the scar on your arm's gone," he whispered. "When we took the Cheribum's test and had to use our blood to summon him… it's gone, on both of us."

She looked down at her own arm, and the large, ragged scar was indeed gone. The high summoner stood in disbelief with her guardian. Lenne fumbled over her words. "What happened?"

Unconsciously, Takoire ran a hand through his hair. "All this time… Sareth never had it. You did. All this time it was your necklace. Your chokin necklace."

"But my necklace and your ring have come in contact before," Lenne insisted. "They've never done anything."

He shook his head. "It must be the Farplane. It's the only time my ring reacts. That has to be it…"

The two stared at each in awe as smiles began to grow on their three friends' faces. Kiron, the largest smile of all as he announced, "Well, I'm sure Seru, Zaon, and I would love to come to your wedding, but unfortunately, I don't think it's possible…"

The guardian frowned skeptically. "Wedding?" He looked at Lenne, feigning distaste. "To Lenne? Why? Now that I'm not dying my choices have significantly increased."

Lenne hit him, as if actually trying to hurt him. "Give me that ring!"

"Why?"

"So I can go back in time and stop you from touching my necklace."

"Ouch!" Takoire cringed, playing along with the charade as he held onto his arm. He pulled Lenne towards him, a wide grin spread on his face as he affectionately tucked a strand of stray hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. "Come on… you don't mean that."

They continued the act. "I think I do. Give it to me."

"Fine…" he whined. "I'll marry you. Jeez."

"What is it with you being a bad fiancé, Takoire?" Seru laughed nearby. "That was wonderfully romantic. You just swept her off her feet."

He turned his head slightly, glaring at her before going back to Lenne. "Okay… let's do this right." The guardian suddenly became serious as he looked into his summoner's eyes deeply, lowering himself to one knee. "Lenne, from the first minute I saw you, I was in love with you. I don't understand it, and I don't want to. I love you, and that's all I need to know. I never want to be separated from your side again, so, marry me?"

Lenne smiled, a twinkle in her eye. "Yes…"

Standing back up, Takoire drew her in for another kiss as their friends around them cheered and clapped. Takoire even thought he had heard Zaon's voice. Pulling away from her reluctantly, the guardian found that for some reason he couldn't stop smiling.

"Lenne, Takoire," Kiron called out, a grin on his face, "I think it's time we give your friends their bodies back." He turned to Seru and Zaon but suddenly stopped, cocking his head awkwardly. "Seru… have you been feeling it too? Or is it just Darka?"

"No… it's Gaia too. Why?"

The former prince smiled devilishly. "I have an idea. Come here."

"Kiron… what are you planning?" Seru asked, obviously hesitant as she walked towards him.

He pulled her towards him. "Trust me. Zaon, stay in that body until the coast is clear, okay?"

Zaon raised an eyebrow but wasn't given a chance to answer when Kiron kissed Seru.

"Kiron! Those aren't-"

"Wait," Takoire interrupted Lenne, "I think I know what he's up to."

Lenne persisted. "But-"

"Just wait."

Kiron kissed the woman who had once been his guardian in another life with no rush whatsoever. It was kept soft, light, and no more than that.

Lenne, Takoire, and Zaon continued to watch as Kiron's image appeared to step out from Darka's body followed by Seru stepping out from Gaia's body. And it suddenly dawned on her… Darka and Gaia were now in complete control of their respective bodies… and Darka was still kissing Gaia.

The Crimson Knight of Besaid kissed the Al Bhed just as softly as Kiron had kissed Seru, and his arms had moved on their own accord, drawing her in closer to him. "Gaia…"

She sighed against him. "Darka…"

All of a sudden, the blonde-haired young man jumped back, his eyes wide with shock. "Oh, shit! Gaia, I'm so sorry I didn't- I didn't mean to! I thought…"

Kiron suddenly burst out in laughter near Lenne and Takoire, clearly entertained while Seru stared at him with a sigh.

"Darka! No! It's my fault! Cunno!" Gaia returned, not noticing Kiron in the least. "I should have realized when Seru left my body! It was my fault! I should have known!"

The two bantered back and forth as Kiron continued to howl in laughter. "Hey, Zaon!" he called out. "You can leave Garren now!"

The warrior frowned but left Garren's body anyway, leaving the Crimson Knight dazed. Darka and Gaia stopped immediately. "It all seems so surreal," he stuttered, rubbing his eyes and trying to grasp the situation. "It feels like a dream." And then it all came rushing back to him. "You," he pointed, marching to his Besaid counterpart, "you kissed my sister! You had no right!"

"Garren, it wasn't his fault!" Gaia insisted; but her brother hadn't heard her.

"You took advantage of the situation! You took advantage of her!"

"No!" Darka defended himself.

"Garren!" Gaia yelled. "Garren!" she continued to yell, but he still didn't hear her. "Garren, I kissed him back, and I knew it was Darka!"

She had finally caught his attention, and he turned to her.

"Garren," Kiron spoke calmly, finally regaining his composure, "I think you're just going to have to accept that Darka and Gaia have feelings for each other."

"What?"

Kiron continued. "All the time that I was in Darka's body, and I would so much as look at Gaia or heard her voice, I felt these feelings that Darka was unconsciously trying to suppress, and Seru felt the same thing with Gaia, right?"

She nodded.

"Gaia?" Garren turned to face her, conflict written all over his face.

She turned bright red. "I-uh… I-uh…"

"It was pretty obvious," Takoire admitted.

The Crimson Knight of Bevelle found himself fighting an inner battle within himself as he struggled for words. He shook his head. "You… I hated you," he started. "When Crimson Knight Rowan resigned… he wanted me to become Crimson Knight of Luca, and you to be made Crimson Knight of Bevelle." Lenne and Gaia's eyes widened in alarm as Darka turned away. "You were Rowan's first choice, not me. He said you were brilliant and that he'd been bugging you for years to become just a Crimson Knight. But you refused. So, Rowan made me the Crimson Knight of Bevelle. To put it plainly, I was the second choice, and the only reason you stayed on the council was because Rowan made me." Garren went on. "You pissed me off even more when Lenne disappeared, but eventually…" Garren started, his tone becoming softer, "I got used to you. I even started depending on your experience." He paused. "There's nothing I can do if you and my sister have feelings for each other, but," he pointed a finger, "if you so much as hurt her, you'll be more than sorry."

Darka stared dumbstruck. He swallowed hard, trying to regain what little composure he had. "Gaia…"

"I just need to know one thing," she interrupted. "I have to know that if the only reason you have feelings for me is because Lenne and I are cousins."

"No! No! You and Lenne are completely different, and I know that! No offense to Lenne, she's a great person, but when I'm with you…" Darka paused, trying to find his words. "When I'm with you it's like everything's different and exciting and fun. And for the past three years, I've thought about you for every second."

The Crimson Knight suddenly stopped, unsure what to do next, but Takoire just smiled and leaned in to whisper something he thought to be a secret. "This is the part where you kiss her."

Darka sighed, still fighting with himself as he moved to touch Gaia's face. "Does that answer your question?"

Lenne could see her cousin shaking from where she stood. She could understand exactly how her cousin was feeling. The rush of longing and dread filling you up instantly as you hung on to every word he said.

"Almost," Gaia answered. Her voice was shaking just as much as she was.

The Besaid native exhaled deeply. "I'm in love with you, Gaia." A smile appeared on her face, giving Darka more than enough permission to pull her in for a second kiss. This time though, in complete control of his actions.

For a second time, Kiron erupted in a cheer, along with Takoire, Lenne, Seru, Zaon, and Garren who gave a tiny smile. As the two broke apart, it was impossible to hide the fact they were both blushing furiously.

"I'm surprised at you, Garren," Gaia finally managed to say. "You're not being stupid for once."

The Al Bhed shrugged. "Apparently, Zaon's left me with all his experiences and memories… as well as what you people call common sense."

"We all did," Kiron answered, now standing with Seru and Zaon. "It'll take some time, but you'll know everything we did."

Seru frowned. "Kokon's calling us back. It's time for us to go."

Lenne grimaced, unable to hide her emotions. "It's really good-bye this time, isn't it?"

Kiron smiled at her, putting on a more cheerful mood. "Not really. We'll still be around. Just not in the physical sense."

"Darka, Garren, and Gaia have all our memories now," Seru affirmed. She laughed softly. "You're going to have to get used to your little sister giving big sister advice."

Lenne nodded.

"Don't look so down," Zaon encouraged, his first and only real words.

The high summoner and her guardian had to smile at that.

"Kiron," Takoire called out, "thanks. I know we had our differences before, but I never really got a chance to say thanks."

Kiron smiled. "No thanks needed," he answered, before stepping back slowly together with Seru and Zaon; and with each step they faded away more and more.

"Bye," Lenne waved one last time.

"See you around," Takoire joined.

Their friends all smiled and waved back as Kiron called out, "Yeah… around."

And then they were gone.

"So what do we do now?" Garren asked, breaking an awkward silence.

Takoire turned, a small smile playing on his face. "I think it's time we get going, too."

Darka nodded, not speaking a word, and laced his fingers with Gaia's as she turned to him in surprise.

With Garren, Darka and Gaia beginning to walk off, Takoire turned to look at Lenne. "He does have a point though," the guardian stated. "What do we do now?"

Lenne smiled, touching his face. "Get to know each other all over again. Including the fact that you're the Cheribum's last descendent."

"What?" he asked turning to her. "I don't understand."

"It's okay. We'll figure this out together. We have the time."

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Author's Notes:

Final Revision