Hey, guys! I worked extra hard on this chpt as a way to say thanks to all of you who helped me come up with an idea on how to defeat this mysterious raven. So, I say thanks to all of you!
A special thanks goes out to Dragon and Sword Master for helping come up with the idea about Rikku. I give him full credit for that idea. I also thank Nikki Of Spira, Devil Theory and Kitsu for giving me ideas as well. Each was played into this story. See if you can recognize them. ;) LOL
And guys, I thank all of you for reviewing and even reading this story. This is one of my personal favs and I'm putting my heart and soul into this. And again I thank all of my viewers. Although a few have gone missing and I hope to hear from them soon. Well, guys, enough said on my part. lol This has got to be the longest chpt I have typed yet while being on this site, which I don't normally do. So, don't get used to it. LOL I'm just joking. Anyway, on with the story.
The twister continued to tear what was left of the Besaid apart as it headed out so far and then prepared to circle back. Rikku, Yuna and the gang came full circle, for they had only seconds to come up with a plan.
"What are we to do?" Rikku whined. "We can't stop that twister by ourselves!"
"Where's Shinra's stupid inventions when you need them." Paine said in sarcasm
"Too late for him to come up with one now." Rikku spatted at Paine.
"This is getting us no where!" Lulu said. "We need to stop that twister! But how?"
Yuna noticed something strange in Rikku's hand. "Whatcha got there?"
"Oh, this!" Rikku said as she showed her cousin the item she hand in her hand. "I snatched this from that creepy bird before it broke free and reeved havoc on everything."
Yuna took the item from Rikku and looked it over. "What is it!" Rikku just shrugged her shoulders.
"Less talking, more planning, guys!" Wakka suggested.
"Hey, that's my line!" Paine teased and Wakka gave her a crooked grin.
To everyone's luck, Shinra came running out there to check and make sure everything and everyone was okay. For once, they were quite glad to see him and his oversized brain.
"What's going on!" Shinra asked.
"What do you make of this!" Yuna asked as she reached the item to Shinra who quickly looked it over and knew instantly what it was and what it did.
"Ah! The Wind Breaker Targe. Very rare." Shinra said.
"The what?" Wakka asked as Rikku rubbed the bottom of his chin.
"The Wind Breaker Targe." Shinra repeated. "With this, you can calm any storm that has been magically created."
"How can you tell a real storm from a magic one?" Paine asked.
Silence falls upon all before Shinra began to answer." I'm just a kid." And with that said, he headed back into the temple at high speed.
"I hate when says that." Rikku said with a shake of her head.
The group of friends looked at the twister as it was now only a few feet from them. Being the dare devil she was, Rikku quickly snatched the item and ran towards the twister.
"Rikku!" Yuna called out. "What are you doing!"
"Are you nuts!" Lulu hollered out.
"By judging her actions right now, I would say she is." Paine said flatly.
As crazy as this attempt was, Rikku was willing to challenge it. She ran at the twister till she was like only two feet from it and looked upon its power. She took a deep breath as she equipped the item and dashed into the storm. Everyone gasped in horror at what they saw Rikku do and a few called out to her.
There, midst the twister, was Rikku as she got down on bended knees. She extended out her arms at her sides as she closed her eyes and began to concentrate on the twister. As she felt the wind blow through her hair and its strength blow against her body, beams of jade, aqua and ash began to shimmer around the item as they grew and enshrouded Rikku within. As the brilliant colors mixed, spiraling around and within each other, they soon turned into a rich golden shade that shined brightly within the twister.
The crimson ruby located in the center of the Targe then opened open and began to draw the twister within it. Smaller and smaller this twister became till finally it ceased to exist. And as soon as it completely vanished, the Targe closed itself, encasing the twister within it. Everyone then ran to Rikku who fell forwards as she rested against her hands though slowly made it to her feet. Although the twister was calmed, they were now faced with an even greater threat, for as the group came together yet again, they looked above only to see the raven hovering over head. Everyone prepared for battle, however, before any strikes were delivered, the raven slowly lowered itself to the ground. Everyone watched in bewilderment as the bird landed and gazed upon them all with its blowing, crimson eyes.
Suddenly, the bird began to glow as it then began to take on human form. As the mysterious being rose from within the bird, it stood with its back turned to everyone, however, it quickly looked over its shoulder and turned and faced everyone.
With trestles of crimson, eyes of mocha, wings of the raven extending from her back, a sinister smile almost always upon her features with her eyes narrowed in anger. A rich plum colored cloak, black knee high boots with a light plum colored line that centered the front of them and a full body suit of leather with a light plum colored line running from the bottom and up to the top as it outlined the plunging neckline that exposed fairly large breasts. A bow-n-arrow for her weapon completed her look.
"A very impressive battle for ones so weak minded." the stranger taunted.
"Weak minded!" Rikku criticized. "Who're you calling weak minded!"
"I figured it was quite obvious." the created continued to taunt and Rikku narrowed her eyes at her in anger as her cheeks turned a light shade of crimson.
"Who are you!" Yuna demanded. "What are you doing in Spira?"
The creature turned to Yuna and narrowed her eyes at her. "You must be Yuna." She tossed her crimson trestles over her shoulder. "Yes. The mistress of death has told me all about you. Tell me. . . how is it that a mere mortal managed to defeat Sin and bring forth what is now known to be The Eternal Calm? And how were you able to save this place you call Spira yet again?"
"Determination, willfulness, friendship. . . and love." Yuna argued at her in return.
The being cackled. "That only tells me how simple minded you really are, summoner!"
"If we're so simple minded, then why was your twister stopped by a mere mortal?" Rikku taunted. "Seems we're not so simple minded."
The being scoffed as she rolled her eyes. "I don't have time for this childish games."
"Who are you!" Yuna demanded through clinched teeth.
"Well, if you must know. . ." the being began with a sigh. "I am Raven, Sorceress Of Gale. I control the wind and the very air you breath into your lungs."
"Go back to where you came from, Raven." Yuna demanded. "Your presence is not wanted here if you mean to harm Spira. And if this is your reason for being here, then prepare to fight!" Yuna instantly aimed her guns at Raven who only cackled softly.
"Look at what I done to your home, Summoner." Raven taunted. "If I can do this much damage to this small town, imagine the damage I could do to the rest of Spira."
Yuna stepped forth." You dare to threaten Spira!"
Rikku then stepped up beside Yuna. "We stopped your pathetic whirlwind thingy! Imagine what an ass kicking we're gonna give you if you don't go back to where you came from!"
Raven only chuckled at their words. "You mean to defy the mistress of death?"
"I defy anyone who dares to get in the way of my search for Tidus!" Yuna said boldly.
"Have it your way then!" Raven said sternly. "Resistance is futile! You will perish with the Wind Of Change!" She then threw her cloak back. "Prepare to meet your maker, you foolish mortals!"
Raven slowly levitated herself high up into the air as she hovered over her nemesis below. She then chanted as she gathered energy. A glittery mist of violet spiraled above her head. And as she extended out her arms in a circular motion. An ore of fuchsia quickly grew behind her as it glowed almost too bright for the eye to see. The ground began to quiver a bit, however, everyone maintained their balance. Golden rays flashed in various places around everyone as they quickly turned to a dark aqua. Suddenly, pyerflies encircled the rays as several asps appeared as they hissed and bared their fangs. They slithered their forked tongues in and out as they then darted towards everyone.
Brother then decided to run out of the temple and play hero since the storm had let up. He ran down the stairs that lead up to the temple and stopped when he got a few feet away from it.
"Here I come to save the day!" Brother sang as he clicked his heels together. "Yuna! Yuna, your hero is here to save you!" He then looked behind him and saw the display of power that Raven was presenting to all before her and his mouth nearly dropped to the ground. he then heard something hissing as he slowly turned and saw an asp about to nip his ankle. As his eyes widened almost beyond their limit, he squealed out a long, overdo scream as he turned and quickly ran away with the asp right on his tail.
An asp jumped at Paine as it tried to strike her right tin her face, however, she took her sword and slashed its head off before reaching her. She then turned around as three more approached her. She was prepared to strike them down, however, they suddenly burst into flames as they hissed loudly, squirming on the ground as they vanished into pyerflies. Paine then looked only to see Lulu approaching her.
"Are you okay?" Lulu asked
"Fine." Paine informed her. "Let's get these snakes under control. Rikku and Yuna can handle that Harry Potter wannabe over there." She looked to Raven momentarily as she and Lulu headed out to help the others.
Brother continued to run off in the distance a ways from everyone as three asps slithered behind him and nipped at his ankles as she shrieked "AAAAAEEEIIIIIIII!"
With a snap of her fingers, sparks of a dark sapphire shot up from the ground as they then formed a circle and instantly rose into a shield that surrounded her. As Raven then chanted another mysterious spell, what was left of the asps quickly faded and transpired into Lupines. The force field that Raven had created around herself began to dance back and forth as she continued to hover above all.
Paine slashed a Lupine with her sword only to quickly turn and do a spinning heel kick, striking yet another Lupine and they both faded into pyerflies. Rikku struck upwards only to quickly turn and deliver an under slash to a Lupine which faded into pyerflies. Lulu and Wakka looked to each other and with a nod of their heads, they looked at three lupines that stood before them. With help from her little moogle doll, Lulu casts a Firaga spell, then a Icaga spell followed by a thunaga spell upon Wakka's ball who then charged up, spun the ball on the end of his finger for a moment as he then threw it up into the air and kicked it with all of his might. The blitzball flew towards the first Lupine and struck it and as it began to circle around and head back to Wakka it struck the other two as well. And as Wakka caught his ball. The firaga spell, icaga spell and the thunaga spell cast down upon the three lupines, striking them vigorously where they soon vanished into pyerflies. Withdrawing her guns and taking aim, Yuna unleashed Trigger Happy upon the final two Lupines that stood before her and they soon vanished into pyerflies as she turned to Raven who was giving her and her friends a deathly glare.
"Infidels!" Raven shouted out in anger as the force field that guarded her from any form of damage quickly turned to a bloody crimson. She then began to gather energy at a very rapid as ores of began to form from within the palms of her hands. As she crossed her wrists over top of each other, she slowly raised them high above her head as she continued to gather energy and after she gathered more than what was needed, she released the ball of energy as she opened up her arms. The ore of energy went sailing towards the ground as it formed into a meteor. And as it collided with the ground, it formed a large gaping hole where seconds later fire spewed up and around and within the blaze of these flames arose a very strange creature as it took flight. All were in utter shock at what this sorceress had called forth.
A Chimera, which was a fire-breathing monster represented as a combination of a lion's head and body, wings of a red dragon protruding from its back and a head located to the right of the lion's head, and a tail of a serpent, hovered above all as it gazed down open Yuna and her friends and open the one whom called it forth. The Chimera turned to Raven as it awaited its command.
"Attack those whom seek to destroy your sorceress!" Raven commanded as the Chimera roared out and dived that Yuna and her friends.
"It comes!" Paine shouted as the Chimera dived straight at them, however, as it neared the top of their heads, it swerved back upwards, turned, and prepared to dive again. Everyone prepared for it to come this time and as it neared them again Paine slashed at it with her sword only to miss.
"Nasty little devil, isn't it!" Rikku tried to joke as she watched the Chimera near her and as it came forth, Rikku jumped and grabbed ahold of its left front paw. The Chimera flew high above all, taking Rikku with him. "Whoa!" Rikku shouted as she watched everything get smaller beneath her by the mere seconds. "Uhhh. . . nice kitty. . . thing. . . whatever you are. Don't drop Rikku." she said nervously. "What was I thinking!" She looked down at the distance between her and the ground and decided to climb up upon its back. And as she made it up, she grasped its mane and held on for dear life.
The Chimera twirled around in the air as it continued to fly at a deathly speed and Rikku held on with everything she had in her. "Gotta find a way to make this thing land." Rikku thought to herself as she then jumped to her feet and slowly stood and extended out her hands to help keep her balance. Upon standing fully, Rikku shouted out. "Whoo-hoo! Is this Wind Surfing or what!" Enough with joking though, it was time to get serious. She knew she had to make this thing land or get low enough for someone to strike it down, but how was she going to do this? Rikku then withdrew her weapon and then plunged it into the wing of the creature. It wailed in pain and it took a nose dive towards the ground below with Rikku clinging to it for dear life.
Upon nearing the ground, the creature twirled over on its back as it neared the ground closer and closer, however, as it got close enough for Rikku to touch down, she released her grip from it and rolled on the ground numerously before coming to stop. The Chimera collided with the firmness of the ground soon afterwards, however, it soon rose, turned towards everyone and let out a roar that could pierce the heart with fear. The lion part of it stood ready to pounce on them as the fire escaped the dragon's mouth.
Raven cackled sinisterly as she watched it all from within the safeness of her shield. "What a show! Encore! Encore!"
"You guys concentrate on that strange fiend!" Yuna ordered everyone as they turned to her. She then looked at Raven. "I'll handle her."
Lulu, Wakka, and Paine ran to Rikku as they helped her to her feet and Yuna secretly began to approach Raven. Without warning, The Chimera charged at Lulu, Wakka, Paine and Rikku. They all scattered as it ran through them, only to stop, make a sharp turn and head back towards them. With the help of her moogle doll, Lulu cast a flare spell. A small beam of amber encircled the top of the ground before exploding and protruding up from the ground like flames of fury. The Chimera is knocked back which gave Paine a chance to dash at it and quickly slash it with her sword. Rikku mugged the Chimera, which got her four elixirs and the beast damaged.
Meanwhile. . .
Yuna slowly approached Raven from the side as she changed into her white mage dressphere. She stood perfectly still as she silently cast a Dispel spell upon the shield that surrounded Raven, which caused it to shatter like glass. Not knowing what was happening, Raven quickly looked about and once she connected her eyes with Yuna's, anger surged through her very veins.
"A sneaky move on your part there summoner!" Raven slightly warned. "But no matter! Even without my shield of fortification, I will still stop you!" She then brought her hands before her as she began to chant. A hazy hue of ebony began to cloud Yuna's eyes. She groaned loudly in agony as she fell to her knees, however, she somehow managed to shake the spell that was about to be placed upon her. "Impossible!" Yuna looked to Raven as blood seeped from her eyes like tears. "How is it that YOU managed to throw off the chrysoprase of savagery?" Raven shook her head in disbelief. "Never have I known anyone to throw off this spell!" she shouted threw clinched teeth. "So be it! Prepare to collide with the wind of change, summoner!"
Yuna watches as Raven prepared to summon up a huge amount of energy, however, before she was able to gather very much, someone or something struck her down from behind and she fell to the ground below her. Raven groaned in pain as she managed to move her eyes upwards only to see the blade of Excalibur.
"Not on your life, Raven!" a strong, stern voice said. Yuna looked at the one whom had struck down Raven and her eyes nearly popped out of her head as her mouth dropped. Raven slowly stood as she also looked at the one responsible for taking her down.
"YOU?" Raven shouted "What are you doing here! You are not suppose to be here! You are breaking the rules of both worlds by crossing over!"
"I don't make the rules, Raven! I only break them!" Tidus said sternly
The chimera struck at Rikku as it swerved its tail around at her and she dodged its blow as she looked at Tidus. "Whoa! He's back!" Paine, Lulu and Wakka look at Tidus in amazement, however, they didn't take their attention off the Chimera completely as they continued to battle it. Lulu then called forth her Death spell, which quickly consumed the soul of the Chimera and it vanished into pyerflies. Everyone then turned their attention to the other battle at hand.
"You will pay for our treachery!" Raven taunted at Tidus.
"Then so be it!" Tidus said and Raven's eyes widen. "Either way, I will not allow you to harm her! She will not be destroyed by the Wind Of Change nor shall she die by your blood!"
Raven cackled. "And how to you mean to stop me!"
"With the power of love!" Tidus said
"How can you stop me with something that doesn't even exist!" Raven demanded to know.
"Love exists!" Tidus said, "Love. . . is real."
"Really!" Raven continued to taunt at him. "Then why don't you prove it!"
"So be it!" Tidus said as the sword of holy slowly disappeared from his grasp and then cascaded down a light of pure holiness upon him. Stardust of silver showered down upon him as he raised his hands before him. Yuna felt herself being levitated in the air as Tidus's feet also left the ground. They floated high above all as Raven watched the display of power from one who was suppose to be so weak and fragile from not being part of the living. Tidus stopped levitating himself as Yuna continued to rise and when she made eye contact with him, Tidus only smiled at her lovingly as he closed his eyes and allowed himself to slowly fade into an pearl shaped orb, which then began to spiral around Yuna who closed her eyes and gasped by what she was feeling as the events transpired around her. Her hair flowed with the movement of the orb of pearl. She leaned her head back, raising her arms to her side in acceptance of what was being bestowed inside her. A warm glow played upon her features as she brought her head forth and slowly opened her eyes. She was then lowered to the ground as the light vanished from around her.
"What power is this!" Raven asked curiously.
"The power of love." Yuna taunted back at her.
"Well, then let's match the powers of the raven against Spira's greatest heroine." Raven spatted at her as she flapped her wings and set flight as she then summoned up a surge of a energy that quickly formed into a crystal, which grew at a fast pace.
Feeling aburning sensation inside her heart and deep within her soul, Yuna closed her eyes as rays of auburn appeared behind her, which twirled around in a circular motion and as she raised her hands high above her head, they shot forth together and formed a diamond. Yuna looked to Raven who looked at her and both released theirmagic at once, which collided together in mid air. Thecrystal of gold was equally matched in power by thediamond of auburn. Yuna held her own with Raven, however, was beginning to grow weak and Raven sensed this. Yuna fell to her knees, but still held her own with her.
"Give it up, Yuna!" Raven teased "The power of love is no match for me! You are weak and so is your love for Tidus!"
Anger rose within Yuna. "NO!" she cried out as she forced thediamond even farther, which neared Raven aquarter of a ways more than what it was before. "Tidus died for me so that I may live! He sacrificed all he had!" Thediamond of auburn was pushed even closer by Yuna's inner given strength. "And I will not allow you or anyone else to stand in my way in my search for him. I believe in him, I will give up everything just to find him!" Raven was beginning to lose her strength as sweat dripped from her brow. "I believe in his love!" Thediamond of auburn was now only inches from Raven, for she could feel the heat coming from it. "Here's you a taste of just how strong that love is!" And with every fiber of her being, Yuna forced thediamond of auburn upon Raven who lost control of her own magicalcrystal and was struck by thediamond or auburn.
Raven screamed in pain as she felt the very existence of love pierced her ebony heart, turn the coldness of her blood that flowed within her veins warm, and totally destroy the wickedness within her core of existence. However, an evil being cannot sustain these feelings, for they will surely perish, and in this, Raven surely has.
Raven fell the ground where seconds later, she slowly pushed herself up and glared at Yuna. "The power of love truly exists within your hearts, summoner. You may have destroyed me, but I am not done yet!" She slowly stood to her feet. "Behold! The blood of the raven!" The storm clouds above began to rush over head as the sky turned a dark crimson where seconds later driplets of blood began to fall down like rain. "See you in the Realm of Souls, summoner!" Raven then dispersed into pyerflies.
"Everyone, huddle together! NOW!" came a strong, gentle voice and everyone came full circle.
Suddenly, Yuna shouted out in pain as she fell to her knees, distracting everyone's attention. It felt as though her very heart was being tore from her chest when out of no where, an orb of pearl burst out from her chest and floated high above all. Yuna was left in a state of agonizing sobs. The driplets of blood began to fall heavily upon all of Besaid. A few survivors that were still outside felt the blood fall upon then and without warning they felt death touch their hearts. Rikku gasped at the sight around them when suddenly the orb of pearl that was floating over head began to grow and soon encased Yuna, Wakka, Rikku, Paine and Lulu inside. Yuna looked at the orb that surrounded them as well as everyone else, which was soon draped over with blood as it oozed down around and upon it.
Then, out of no where, Tidus appeared before Yuna and knelt down in front of her. She gasped as well as everyone else. More tears quickly escaped her eyes.
"Tidus!" Yuna questioned.
Tidus nodded his head. "It's me." He then softly sighed. "I cannot stay long, but I had to see you. There's much to say." Yuna reached out to touch his face, but her attempt we done in vain, for her hand went right through him. She looked into his eyes with much pain in her own.
"Why can't I touch you!" Yuna asked.
"I am still a dream." Tidus said with a heavy heart and Yuna broke out into heartbreaking sobs as she lowered her head. Tidus closed his eyes as he felt his own tears sting his eyes. "Yuna. . . as long as you search for me and don't give up. We will be together soon." Yuna looked at him as tears streamed down her face. "What's important right now is that I am here and you're protected from the counter curse attack. See that blood raining down outside this orb?" Yuna nodded her head. "That's Raven's blood. If it touches you, you die instantly."
Eerie moans and wails are heard outside of the blood stained orb, which sent chills up everyones' spins.
"When will it be over!" Rikku asked
"Soon." Tidus said as he then looked back to Yuna. "I must leave you now, Yuna, but not for long. Your journey has only begun, but remember, in the end, we will be together forever."
A tear slowly made its way down Yuna's cheek as the look of seduction played upon Tidus' features. He wondered what would happen if he attempted to try and kiss those lips he had longed to kiss for what seemed like an eternity. Therefore, tempting fate, he slowly leaned in, moistened his lips and transparently pressed his lips to Yuna's, however, what he thought to be a failed attempt soon changed dramatically as he took on human form. That chaste kiss they felt upon their lips soon became very passionate and was deepened with such desire. They broke momentarily as they looked at each other in wonderment, however, did not dare to question what had just happened or how this event came to be. That had this one moment and that was all they needed for now.
Yuna placed her hand to his cheek as he placed yet another chaste kiss to her lips. He traced the outside of her lips with his tongue attempting to gain entrance to her mouth. Yuna smiled and quickly accepted his offer as she opened her mouth and met him with a deep, fiery kiss of endearment. Their tongues danced in an ecstasy of love and devotion. The kiss was a beautiful feeling in itself to them.
They soon broke from the kiss and looked into each other's eyes as he caressed the bottom her face. "Search for me, Yuna." Pyerflies began to swarm from within him as he began to fade away like he did two years ago. Yuna felt her heart sink inside her chest as she watched Tidus fade away right before her very eyes.
The orb that was surrounding them quickly faded along with Tidus where they soon realized that the counter curse attack was now over and done with, however, Yuna now knew that she had a long, hard battle ahead of her, for this was only to beginning of things to come forth to her and to Spira as her search for Tidus continued.
How did Tidus manage to become real again only to turn back into a dream and fade away? Did the Fayth have something to do with that? What's to happen next? Yuna has defeated three elemental fiends. Only one remains. She even managed to shake off the mistress of death. And I'm sure she isn't at all pleased with the progress Yuna has made. What will she her next attempt be and where will this journey take Yuna and her friends next?
