Just a quick note: ' word word word ' thought ( italics apostrophes: thoughts)
" word word word " talk (quotations: speaking)

Also, my descriptions of the temples are different than in FFX and FFX-2 for the sole reason of creativity. The temples are designed as puzzles in the games, but for "story purposes" I have made them larger and more intricate. Enjoy.

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"If I Only Had a Father"

Three years had passed since the fateful visit to Besaid to celebrate Vidina's thirteenth birthday. Nedia had grown into a beautiful young woman, much like her mother. Like her mother she was a quiet girl, never talking much but always having lots on her mind. Nedia tried talking to her mother about her late father, her real father. But Yuna would change the subject, or answer vaguely, and so now Nedia didn't even bother to ask. She didn't see what there was to hide. She knew that Seymour wasn't her real dad, that was obvious.

'But why would Mom hide my real dad from me?' Nedia would ask herself over and over. 'Was it not supposed to happen? Am I...?' She shook her head. 'No, it's true. If it was, then they'd abandoned me.' It wasn't a very comforting thought, but it made sense. So, despite the possible bleak outlook, it gave her a shred of comfort, enough to satisfy until she really could find out. Nedia rolled over in her bed. She looked out the window and saw the light shining through. She squinted and then covered her eyes. 'Didn't I close the curtains last night?' Too tired to really do anything about it, she just rolled back over and covered her head with her covers.

About an hour later she was up and dressed. She went to her mirror and began taming her frizzy hair with a comb. After she had gotten her hair the way she wanted it, she left her room and walked to the garden. The flowers were just beginning to grow. Nedia walked over to the roses, her favorite of all the flowers in their garden. There were the usual, but she grew her own orange roses. They were unique, and almost outcasts, much like her. She stooped down and gently plucked one of the roses. She smelt it and loved its morning-dew smell. She placed the flower carefully in her hair, making sure not to damage the petals.

She loved it here, in the manor's garden. It was here, and here alone, that Nedia truly felt at peace, here where it was truly her home. She would spend as much time here as she could, watching the flowers sway in the wind and the bugs dart in and out. She loved how it smelled, all the sweet aromas mixing together and lingering in the air for her to smell. She was the only one, really, who ever came to the garden. Her mother would sometimes come, but then leave after a short while. Seymour and Lex only would come to get her or if Yuna made them. But she liked it this way. This was her special place, her haven.

She thought she heard something in the distance, but she couldn't make it out. She looked around, and seeing no one, she went back to her thinking. Her thoughts were interrupted by the scream of, "There you are! We've been looking all over for you!"

Nedia shot him a glance of annoyance. "The only places I go in this mansion are my room, the dining hall, and the garden. If you've been looking all over for me, then you are more of an idiot than I thought."

Lex furrowed his eyebrows and then began to walk off. "Fine," he added, "then I won't tell you who's here." He kept on walking, smirking to himself, knowing what she'd do. He started counting to himself. "One... two... three... four..."

"Wait!" Nedia was facing him, her eyes betraying everything. "Who is here?" She tried to sound unconcerned, but Lex knew what she was really thinking. He kept on walking and, so she could barely hear him, said, "Vidina."

"Vidina?" Nedia said to herself. She had been waiting for today for a long time now. Her parents were letting her stay with Lulu and Wakka down in Besaid for the summer. She was so excited for many reasons. She was going to get away from Seymour, she would get to spend all summer in tropical Besaid, she would get to be with Vidina for the whole summer, and no Lex for a whole summer.

Nedia rushed after Lex. He just looked and laughed. "You are so predictable."

She glared at him and lightly punched his shoulder. She walked ahead of him and fixed up her hair. She opened the large wooden doors that led to the dining hall. She looked expectantly for Vidina, and not seeing him, turned to yell at her brother. "Why you little weasel!" She grabbed his collar and pulled right up to her face. "You are so going to-"

"Hey! And I thought I was the one you really liked!"

Nedia turned around and dropped Lex on the floor. "Ow," he said as he rubbed his head. "That wasn't very nice." She looked at him again and he shut up.

Nedia looked back and saw him, Vidina. He looked just as she had remembered, only better. His perfectly tanned body, his developing muscles, and his hilarious orange hair. She ran up to him and gave him a giant hug. He hugged her back and said how glad he was to see her too. The two just stood there for a minute, half hugging looking into each others eyes.

"Eh hem!" Nedia and Vidina awkwardly let go of each other and looked over to Lex. He shook his head and walked over. "You two need to learn somethings or two." He kept walking until he had left the manor.

After a bit of a silence, Vidina managed to say, "So, are you ready?"

Nedia thought to herself of all the things she was ready to do with Vidina. "Yeah," was all she choked out. She left to get her stuff, though rather slowly and clumsily. She ran into the walls at least three times. Once she was safe in her room, she breathed. 'How can I be so stupid? I'm making such a fool of myself.' She breathed again, trying to relax her nerves. It was so hard to be herself around Vidina and she hated it. And she thought he hated it too.

Nedia had lied; she was not ready. Hurriedly, she began throwing clothes and makeup and anything else she could think of into her bags. She almost forgot her swimsuit, but saw it and quickly threw it in. "Phew." She looked at herself one last time in the mirror and straighted her hair out again. "Perfect. Now I'm ready." She put a smile on her face and started back down towards the dining hall.

"Nedia, wait!" She turned around and saw him, Seymour. Her smile vanished. He started talking to her in his gentle and eerie voice. "I just wanted, to say goodbye." He came up and hugged her. It was even more awkward than the hug with Vidina. It felt almost pre-rehearsed, like Seymour had to do it. Plus, Nedia saw Seymour as the man that her mom lived with, never as a father.

"Thanks," she said politely. She really wanted to get going. She gave him a hug back, again out of politeness, and went on her way.

Seymour began walking back to his room when he passed the garden. He stopped in and admired the roses. He looked and saw the orange roses, Nedia's special flowers. He let a sad smile cross his face. He knew how she felt; he knew her resentment and hatred towards him. He didn't blame her, he just wished he could have done better. He knew how hard life is growing up alone, with no one to lean on. How to live with only one parent, to have the one that could really matter gone... A single tear dropped onto the orange rose bud, and he walked away.

When Nedia came back down, Vidina and Yuna were talking. She walked over and politely tapped on her mother's shoulder. She turned around and smiled at her daughter. She hugged her and added, "I'll miss you. We'll all miss you. Be careful, okay?" Nedia nodded and Vidina and she left.

The two exited the manor in silence. As soon as the doors to the manor had shut, Lex and his friends ambushed Vidina and Nedia with blitzballs. Vidina was able to catch or dodge most of them, where as Nedia was being pelted. Vidina helped her and then began throwing the blitzballs back at them. He ran over and caught Lex, rubbing his hair and messing it up.

"Hey! What's the big deal?" Lex tried to fix his hair as he ran off with his friends. Vidina laughed and went back to help Nedia. "You okay?" She nodded quickly and kept on walking. As they were about to leave Guadosalam, Nedia took one last glance at the manor and the drifted to the Farplane entrance. 'Maybe...'

Yuna walked out, making sure Nedia had already left. She walked up the slopes and talked to the guard for a little. She continued, entering the ethereal tunnel. Pyreflies zoomed in and out, shot up and down, and flew side to side as she walked alone. They were her only light in the almost complete darkness. She began walking the steps, ascending slowly, one step at a time. She looked around her, seeing nothing but the mystic water that flowed underneath the steps. She finally had reached the top. Hesitant, scared, and unsure, Yuna pushed on the gel-like sphere and felt it give in. She walked until her whole body had been immersed.

She was alone in the Farplane. She looked over the edge to see the beautiful gardens the pyreflies make. Sadness began to well up inside as she remembered the memories this place brought. She shook her head to stop herself from crying. She had to be strong now, she owed him that much. She looked into the sky, and thought about him with all her might. 'He has to be here. I... saw him die... I know he's here.' But when she opened her eyes, no one was there; there was just empty space. "No," she said quietly. "NO!" She fell over, crying. In between sobs she muttered out, "It... it can't be... I saw him die! Where... is he? He sacrificed himself for me! Where... where?"

She was busy crying when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She grew rigid, hoping that it wasn't ...

"Yuna, everything is fine," He knelt down and hugged her, her tears soaking his chest and robes. He stretched out his long slender hand and cupped her chin. He brought it next to his. He kissed her gently. "I'm here for you," he whispered into her ear. She opened her eyes to see those of her husband's, Seymour. He was happy, smiling, yet she could sense his sympathy for her.

She buried her head in his chest again, wetting his chest with new tears. Seymour gently caressed her head, and tried to soothe her spirit. She looked up at him, tears still streaming. "He... he isn't here," was all she was able to say. Seymour didn't know what his wife was so upset about, but I was his duty to calm her, to be there for her. "It's okay. Everything will be fine."

Yuna sniffled her last tears and she rubbed her puffy eyes. "Thank you," her eyes said to Seymour. He kissed her again, on the forehead, and helped her up. He didn't bring up this visit to the Farplane on their walk back to the manor, for he knew it would upset her more. As they left, Yuna whispered something to the guard and then went back home with her husband.

The two teenagers had just crossed the Moonflow and were now on its southern bank. Vidina was acting like a 6-year-old who had just ridden a shoopuff for the first time. 'It was basically Vidina's first ride, but that is no reason to act so childish' Nedia thought. She rode the shoopuff at least two times every year when they would visit Besaid. Nedia grabbed Vidina's arm and began pulling him away from the shoopuff before something bad happened. He struggled at first but, then aware of the embarrassment he was causing her, he stopped.

The two were walking down the path by the river when they spotted something glitter by the water. Nedia looked to Vidina and then bent over and picked it up. It was a sphere. Vidina nodded, and the two watched the sphere.

The Sphere Contents

The screen flashed to show the Moonflow. The pyreflies swerved around the moonlilies on the water. It was almost evening, and the orange glow of the sun made a beautiful reflection on the Moonflow. A woman in a black dress walked up to the riverbank. She had long braided black hair, and the front of her dress was covered in belts. "This is the Moonflow."

A group of people followed. A young man with wild blond hair and yellow and black clothing and a slightly older man with a blitzball uniform on and a fiery cowlick for hair walked right behind the woman. A sturdy Ronso walked right behind a young woman. She wore a blue dress and a white top, with a thick yellow sash. She had short brown hair and blue and green eyes.

"These are moonlilies. They say that clouds of pyreflies gather here when night falls." She looked fondly at the Moonflow, and the two teenagers could tell that she wanted to see for herself.

The lady in black spoke again, her emotionless voice echoing. "The entire river glows, like a sea of stars."

The young blond boy spoke next, walking up to the women. "Really? Hey I got an idea!"

"We're not waiting till nightfall," came a harsh deep voice. It came from an older man in a red overcoat who carried a large heavy sword. He had a streak of gray hair running through his otherwise pitch black hair. The young man slumped over, sad that they won't wait.

He stood up again and said confidently, "Then, once we beat Sin, we're coming back!"

The other five grew eerily silent. He looked around, confused, but the others looked away. They began walking again.

End of Sphere

"Was that-?"

"My mom..." Nedia finished Vidina's statement. She couldn't believe it either. It was a sphere of her mother's pilgrimage 17 years ago. She looked similar, but happier almost in the sphere. "I recognized your parents, Lulu and Wakka. And that Ronso must be Kimahri, the leader of the Ronso tribe. But who were the other two?"

Vidina shook his head; he didn't have a clue either. Whenever either of them had brought the subject of the pilgirmage up, their parents always grew quiet and would switch subjects, or just give a brief answer.

Vidina looked at the sphere in her hands, and then looked into Nedia's eyes. "Do you want to go back? Ask your parents about the sphere?" Nedia bit her lip while thinking. She looked down, and then at the road ahead.

"No. We're going to Besaid for the summer. I don't want anything to spoil it. The answers probably will."

Vidina shrugged and continued walking. Nedia followed, stowing the sphere away and looking back at the Moonflow. 'What secrets do you hold?' she wondered.

The pair walked along the path in silence, Vidina's mind preoccupied with home, blitzball, and Nedia, and Nedia thinking about the sphere. She wanted to know who those two men were, but she wanted to get to Besaid and she didn't want to ruin their plans. So, she tried unsuccessfully to forget about the sphere. The two were startled back into reality by a harsh shriek. They looked around them, trying to find the source. Down the road were two chocobos and two chocobo knights. The two relaxed, thankful there was no fiend prowling.

They made it to Besaid safely. The trip took them four days, and when they reached Besaid, they were exhausted. It was dusk, and the two were thankful to have finally reached their destination. Nedia went straight to bed in the Crusader's Tent, while Vidina headed home to sleep.

Nedia had a restless night. The sounds of the beach and jungle usually calmed her down, but tonight they kept her from sleeping. Agitated, she got up quietly, so as not to disturb the other guests, and left the tent. She figured it must be early morning and she headed towards the only light source, the temple. Like the time before, she felt drawn to the temple, and she entered in a trance. The few lit torches gave the statue's rippling shadows and the burning incense instantly filled her nose. She walked over to the statue of High Summoner Lord Braska. His face was stern, his gaze unnaturally cold. Nedia's perception of her grandfather was a paradoxical one; all of the images of him portrayed a stern, disciplined, and cold man, but her mother told stories of Braska's kindness and generosity.

'Could they be one in the same? High Summoner Braska and my grnadfather?' She dismissed it, seeing that all of the statues made each summoner look almost cruel. Still, the question nagged her mind. Trying to relieve her mind again, Nedia walked over to the side statues, the statues of the fayth. She lit a small candle, which was supposed to strengthen the fayth and the summoners who would pray here. She looked over, and up the stairs. They lay the doors to the cloister. She thought about it for a moment, and seeing no one else, ascended the stairs. She placed her fingers around the large, cold handle. Taking one last glance to make sure no one was watching, she pushed on the stone doors and entered into the darkness.

She was going to scream but, knowing she'd then be caught, she stifled it. Nedia thought the Cloister would be as, if not more, lit as the temple hall. She waited for a while, calming her fears and trying to adjust to the darkness. She saw a faint glimmer ahead of her, and she found a wall. She reached out and slid her hand over it, feeling the etchings on it. About halfway down she felt something round, and she picked it up. She could tell it was a sphere, but nothing more. She placed the sphere back in its recess and began searching some more. She turned and was trying to decipher what the wall said by feeling the engravings. As she did so, a glyph appeared, lighting up the little hallway she was in. All of the characters lit up as well, but they were ancient Yevon script, and only the priests, nuns, and summoners could read it. What Nedia was able to see though was an empty sphere recess. So, she picked up the first sphere and placed it in the recess. Instantly, a light shot out of the recess and formed the main Yevon letter. As it faded, the piece of stone next to it separated and rose up, revealing descending stairs. Startled, she backed up against the opposite wall. Seeing that nothing else was suddenly moving, and that still a priest hadn't caught her, she descended the stone steps. Each step she took made a loud clatter against the stone, and Nedia was sure someone would catch her. She would stop and listen for movement outside the large doors. But no one came.

She found herself in a small hallway. The Yevon script covered all of the walls and Nedia wished she had learned to decipher it. Both of her parents were summoners after all... but she could ask them after the trip. She followed the winding path, guided by the few dimly lit torches. She found yet another sphere recess, but seeing no other sphere, she continued onward. She was fascinated with this secret of the temple. Sure she wasn't supposed to be here, but that made it all the more exciting. And oddly enough, she didn't feel strange here; it was almost as if she had been here before. She had been wandering through the hallway, and now she met a dead end. Slightly frustrated, she put her hand on the wall. She wasn't sure why; it just felt like the right thing to do. And, it was. Yet again, the Yevon script glowed on her touch and another glyph appeared. Not startled, she walked through where the wall had been. She found herself in a much brighter and spacious room. Torches and candelabra adorned the circular room. The big symbol of Yevon lay on a rug in the middle of the room, and a tapestry held the symbol for Besaid. Nedia knew the basic symbols, the symbol of Yevon, the symbol for Sin, and the five symbols for the temples.

From the change in decor and the clever door, Nedia figured that this was the inner sanctum, the farthest a guardian could go. Beyond lay the Chamber of the Fayth, where summoners alone could tread. Nedia felt a great sense of admiration for this ornate and beautiful room of the temple, but guilt was starting to set in. She wasn't supposed to be here, and she was so close to the most sacred of places. If she dared to venture... "No," she said aloud. "I won't."

Still, she stayed here in the inner sanctum for some time. It gave her a feelings of-- she couldn't put her mind on it, but it was so familiar. And then it hit her. 'It feels just like... like home. Like my garden. It feels like my special place...' She wondered why, since she had never been here before. Why would it make her feel welcome, accepted, like she belonged? She stayed here, sitting down by the candles, contemplating her thoughts.

After a while, when she went to leave, she heard a voice. It was faint, almost a whisper, and it sounded almost like singing. 'The fayth? But what would they want with me?' She looked around, partly desiring it to be someone, so she wasn't going crazy, and partly wishing it was the fayth. Seeing no one, she walked towards the doors to the Chamber. The singing seemed to grow louder, though it was but a whisper next to the door. All reason, all worries and conscience, flew out of her mind as she listened to the faint hum. It was so soothing, so calming. Before she realized what she was doing, she had opened the door and stepped into the sacred Chamber.

It was dark, almost as dark as the first room of the Cloister of Trials. Nedia quickly adjusted to the light, and soon after, a glow emitted from the ground. Scared, she cowered on the ground, almost as if praying. Still terrified, Nedia kept her eyes on the ground, on the light. Silently, she began reciting the prayer of repentance.

She saw the light getting brighter and brighter until it blinded her. When she could see again, the room was lit like the inner sanctum. The candlelights flickered and they created rippling shadows on the stone walls. Nedia began to feel their warmth and too began to feel soothed by them. It was now that she realized that the music had stopped. She could hear only her breathing and the sound of the wicks burning.

"Don't be afraid child," a young voice said. Nedia glanced up to see a fayth floating above the glowing circle. His face was cloaked by his hood, and he was decorated with golden sashes and buttons. "Everything will be fine."

She nodded, completely forgetting the atrocity she had committed by entering this room. She laid there, prostrate, as the fayth continued. "Don't worry about the priests. They will understand. I'll make them." Again, she nodded, but slowly becoming more aware of herself and her actions.

"You have been chosen to save this world. It will not be easy. It will involve great obstacles: harsh pains and sadness." Nedia finally became aware of the gravity in this situation. A single bead of sweat trickled down her forehead and on her nose. She shivered slightly, and tried to respond, her throat lumped with nervousness. She was able to croak out a soft, "Yes."

She thought she saw him smile, though it was hard to be certain. "Very good. Now, follow these instructions..."

Nedia woke up in her bed in the Crusader's Tent. She rubbed her head and thought she had the strangest dream. But as she thought about it, she wondered whether it was dream or reality. She pushed the thought aside as she got ready for today, her first day of vacation, her first day here on Besaid, her first day with Vidina.

She put on her bikini, and over it a skirt and top. She fixed up her hair and she left the tent. It was morning and the sun had already begun its long journey. It was warm on Besaid, and the slight breeze kept Nedia from feeling overheated. She walked over to Wakka and Lulu's tent, who welcomely invited her in for breakfast. Vidina wasn't there, and Nedia was able to hide her disappointment. She ate, thanked them for the meal, and went off to the beach. There were the usual Besaidians enjoying their natural beaches. The Aurochs were practicing blitzball, but Nedia couldn't spot Vidina. She thought of where he might be, and headed there.

She was alone in the forest, the lagoon below her. The lilies were as beautiful as ever, and the water looked so refreshing. Looking around, she carefully stripped down to her bathing suit. She dove in and swam towards the hideout. The water was just as refreshing as it looked, and Nedia was glad that their secret place was by the water. She didn't realize how much she loved to swim until now. She dove underwater and resurfaced in the man-made cave. She hid behind a rock, careful not to be seen. She saw all of the lilies in here, and she remembered his promise. She looked passed the rock to see Vidina, by himself. He was lying there, in his boarder shorts only. Nedia giggled to herself as she looked over his handsome body. She quietly swam up the edge and, careful not to make too much noise, rose out of the water. She tiptoed over to him and reached out and touched his stomach with her cold, wet hands. Vidina instantly woke up, screaming. He saw Nedia hunched over trying to stifle a laugh. He frowned at her and crossed his arms. "Girls," he muttered to himself.

Nedia controlled her laughter long enough to ran over and hug him. He smiled and held the hug, wanting it just as much as she did. They pulled apart and Vidina commented, "You look nice."

Nedia smiled and told Vidina how handsome he looked as well. The two now stood almost together, neither knowing what to say. After a few seconds, Vidina grabbed Nedia's arm and began leading her into the cave. "I want to show you something." She followed, not really having much of an option. Vidina pushed aside some hanging vines and a branch to expose the entrance. It was fairly small, but they could both fit easily. Vidina went first, and after he had disappeared, Nedia followed.

The cave was surprisingly well lit. It was damp and cool, but that felt good against the blaring sun outside. Pools of water sent bubbly reflections all over the walls. Nedia finally saw what was so special. In the middle, rising out of the water, was a crystal pedestal. Two moonlilies were growing around it, intertwined in the crystal. And at the top, where the two flowers met, lay a sphere. Vidina picked up the sphere and tossed it to Nedia. "It didn't make sense until now. Go on, watch it."

Sphere Contents

"Yo! Hiya!" The man with blond hair walked out of the water and approached Wakka and the Aurochs.

Wakka looked at the young man, amazed by something. "You wanna try that move one more time?" The young man nodded. One of the blitzers threw him a blitzball. He bounced it on his head, and then leaped up and bicycle kicked it out to sea. The blitzers were amazed and awed. Wakka addressed him. "You're no amateur. Who you play for?"

The young man made a fist in glory and responded with, "The Zanarkand Abes!"

All of the Aurochs gasped in astonishment and looked at him funny. They all grew eerily silent.

Wakka asked him again, slightly wary. "What team you say again?"

End of Sphere

"It's ... it's him!" Nedia couldn't believe it. 'The mysterious man, the one from the Moonflow sphere, was connected somehow to them. He's here with Wakka, and then later with my mom and her guardians. But how? Why? Why don't I know who he is...'

Vidina walked over and said, "When I asked my parents, they just ignored it, saying I was making stuff up."

'What are they hiding?' Nedia looked at her friend. She felt comfort in knowing that he was left in the dark like her, but still... she wanted to know who this man was.

Vidina was standing right behind her, and he gently rubbed her shoulders. She looked up into his beautiful eyes and he gazed into her radiant purple gems. They both smiled before they kissed. It was a short kiss, but it made all the difference. They both forgot about everything else- the spheres, their parents, their lives. All of their thoughts were on this one moment. They parted and smiled more. Nedia nestled her head in his chest for a few seconds, and then the two exited the cave. They talked some more about everything that had happened to them and then they swam back to the village.

The two ate lunch with Vidina's parents, and then headed back to the beach. It was still pretty crowded, but they decided to stay. Vidina had brought his blitzball with him, and he was going to help Nedia get better.

The two started off just passing the ball. They slowly got accustomed to the cool water, and soon began passing the ball underwater. Nedia was picking up fast, and soon Vidina was playing with her like he would practice. He stared at her after he threw a pass and realized just how much he liked her. They were best of friends, but he knew that was going to change, and he liked that. Nedia was running the same thoughts through her mind, and when she saw him staring, she began giggling and smiling. Vidina started laughing too, the giddiness contagious.

After practicing blitzball for most of the day, the two walked up onto the beach and laid down in the sand. The sun was beginning its glorious descent, and they watched it from the dock. Vidina had his arm around her, and Nedia had nestled into his chest. Their feet dangled over the edge; and their toes were dipped in the cooling water. The sea was a palette of rosy pinks, crimson oranges, and lemon yellows. It was beautiful.

Nedia stirred, moving up and then shook her hair. She looked into his charming brown eyes. She leaned in closer, and then saw only darkness, her eyes closed. She felt Vidina, his wet lips, and her emotions overwhelmed her.

The couple sat there, lip-locked, as the sun made its slide into the endless sea.