Hey, guys! Finally got an update for ya! I hope everyone likes what I wrote. I worked very hard on it. So, without further ado, here's the next cpht!
YRP gasped at the display of power before them and quickly glided through the air in different directions, hoping to ward off the flying rocks that hurled through that air at them, however to their dismay, they followed suit.
"In coming!" Paine shouted as she flew above Rikku's head who swerved upwards and joined her side.
"Aim for that skully formation she is standing on!" Yuna shouted to Rikku and Paine as she glided by them quickly. "I'll handle the bitch!"
"Roger!" Rikku shouted
And with that said, Rikku and Paine took each other's hands as they faced each other and took control of the spherical force fields underfoot as they appeared to be air surfing with each other. They ducked down, dodging several oncoming rocks. And as several more approached, the twirled and spiraled around to avoid any contact as they guided the rocks that were following them towards the towering mountain of skulls.
Meanwhile. . .
Not knowing exactly how she was going to stop Calandra, Yuna switched to her Warrior dressphere and with sword in hand, she headed straight for Calandra who in turn saw her coming. Angered by this summoner's death defying attempt, her eyes began to glare a garnet and glow brightly. She motioned for Yuna to bring it on and as Yuna got closer she happened to gaze upon those glowing eyes and was instantly turned to stone. Yuna's scream was quickly muffled out as her soft skin took on a stoney foundation and instantly fell backwards off of the spherical force field. Calandra cackled, for she thought she had yet again defeated Yuna.
"Yunie, no!" Rikku shouted. "She's been turned into stone!"
"What!" Paine shouted back.
And as they neared the towering mountain of skulls, the spherical force fields that kept them afloat quickly vanished and they plummeted towards the depths below with a scream where within a split second those flying rocks that were behind them collided with the towering mountain of skulls, and being a rather thin formation, it instantly crumbled and with a scream as well, Calandra also fell.
Facing certain death if their falls were not stopped, no one knew what to do, however, the air surrounding them became thick with a silvery mist that glittered and danced all around and soon a very large spherical force field was formed. Yuna shimmered with a radiating hue of cerise. Her stoney formation quickly softened to its original state just as she came in contact with the force field below as did Rikku, Paine and Calandra.
Starting out slowly at first, the spherical force field began to rotate in a circular motion, but gradually increased with speed as the YRP and Calandra slowly rose to their feet. Calandra was quite confused herself, for she knew not what was going on or who was behind these strange occurrences. She looked to YRP who was already prepared for the battle at hand.
Yuna narrowed her eyes at Calandra. "Ready to test steel against magic?"
"Why not magic with magic?" Calandra teased. "At rare occasions you seem to possess powers. Why not show them and prove yourself to me?"
"Yunie doesn't have to prove herself to a bare chested snake woman like you!" Rikku shouted.
Just then. . . Brother broke in over the headset. "A half naked snake woman! Mmmm! A scrumptious dinner mint!"
"What?" Yuna pondered.
"Gross!" Paine said flatly as Rikku tried to comprehend what she just heard.
Calandra tossed her caramel trestles over her shoulders as she caressed her pets lovingly in her hands as she brought the forth over her shoulders. "He has good taste."
"Apparently, he has NO taste because he has NO brains!" Rikku spatted.
Calandra narrowed her eyes at YRP as a sly smile played upon her features. "I sense you fears within. I can smell it. . . even taste it. Let us take a journey back in time to learn of these fears."
"What!" Rikku shouted.
"You needn't worry." Calandra said with a shake of her head. "It will only take a very short moment." And before anything could be done, YRP were struck with a stop spell and were forced to watch the display of magic at hand.
Twirling her hands around, Calandra began to gather a ball of energy, which sizzled and cracked light lightening as it grew in depth and dimension when she then suddenly extended out her hands high above, releasing the energy as it immediately formed in a faded hue of mauve as a formation of ebony cubes glistened within where soon they shattered like glass and flew forth only to disappear as they nearly came in contact with YRP. And from within this newly formed black hole emerged on, a circular timepiece and one by one Roman Numerals appeared, which began to rotate counter clockwise only to revert forward at a deathly speed. Suddenly, the girls were released from the stop spell only to be hit by great pain surging through their temples, for they could feel Calandra raping their childhood memories. They fell to their knees, screaming and yelling as they each grabbed their temples. Suddenly, a solitary, golden spheroid was drawn out from each of the girls, which was instantly consumed by Calandra and the pain they were experiencing suddenly subsided.
Calandra cackled as Yuna, Rikku and Paine slowly rose. "Now I have a part of each of you, and with this newly found material, I shall use it to destroy you!" Bringing her hands forth in a downward motion, she quickly faded into the silvery mist that surrounded all.
Without warning, scattered sections of Mt. Gagazet began to explode, creating a path towards the Calm Lands. Not knowing what was going on, the Ronso began to depart from the exploding mountain, exiting into the Calm Lands and Kimahri and Garik instantly saw the force field rotating high over head and were in awe.
"What that?" Garik asked, turning to Kimahri.
"Spira's hope." Kimahri answered as he watch the display overhead, however, everyone there with there feet planted firmly on the ground soon lost their balance to the tremors of chaos. Spiderwebbed shaped cracks began to form midst the Calm Lands. Huge chunks of land began to break and fall from the edges of the plains, which in turn caused it to become smaller by the mere second. YRP watched from the floating platform above at the power Calandra was bestowing upon Spira.
"What have I done?" Yuna asked herself in thought, for she was now beginning to blame herself for the destruction at hand.
"We have to help them!" Rikku shouted over the explosions.
"How do we get down there, jump?" Paine asked sarcastically
"Believe in us" two gentle voices whispered "Believe with us."
"What was that?" Rikku asked as she looked all around her.
"Those voices. . ." Yuna trailed off only to nod her head. "We will! We will believe! Save the people from a sealed fate of death. Leave Calandra to us!"
In the twinkling of an eye, a radiant, luminous light flickered hastily. YRP watched in bewilderment, however, their eyes quickly widened in astonishment, for Lenne stood within the luminosity.
"Greetings, Yuna." Lenne said and Yuna gave her a friendly smile. "I cannot stay long, but I had to see you." A small sigh followed. "There is much to say."
"I know." Yuna said. "The Mistress of Death is behind all this and is trying to stop me for reasons left unknown."
Lenne shook her head. "Yuna, no. That is not the information I bring to you. It's about the battle you are about to face. You and your friends alone cannot possibly defeat the Doppelganger. She is Raven's sister, her evil twin. Raven's evil to begin with and there is nothing more malicious than evil itself and that's what Calandra represents. She is the forth bringer of demolition, she can cause all of Spira to founder with one spell. In this, break the very foundation of Spira, but it's you that she seeks. She follows certain orders and will only obey her mistress, whom you know is behind all of this."
"Why is she trying to stop me, Lenne! I just want to be with the man I love. Why is she standing in my way!" Yuna asked "Can you tell me that much?"
"Bringing him back to Spira means that you have to cross that narrow line that separates the living from the dead." Lenne said. "But to do so, you must- -"
"Find the dressphere!" Rikku chirped. Lenne looked to Rikku and smiled as she nodded her head and looked back at Yuna.
"But that is another matter. What you must worry about now is the being that Calandra has summoned from the depths of Spira's crust. The one that has been sleeping for a very long time. "Lenne warned
'Which is?" Paine asked.
"This fiend is called a Naga." Lenne said "Yuna, I beg you, please be prepared to face one of your biggest battles yet. And do not hesitate to call upon us."
"Us?" Yuna pondered.
"Shuyin and I." Lenne said as Yuna narrowed her eyes, shaking her head in question. "Tidus' soul is weary from the battle before, but please know that he is resting and he is safe. Now, I must bid you farewell, but we will meet again soon." The luminous light sparkled into a fading hue of gold before it at last vanished.
There was a moment of silence when suddenly a thunderous eruption detonated from below as fragments of rock and dirt flew up and about everywhere. The people below were knocked to the ground with great force. The edge of the plains kept breaking away at a deadly speed as the ground continued to quake more violently by the second.
Then, out of no where, midst the Calm Lands, a semi-sphere of ebony began to grow where soon afterwards a haze of ultramarine flowed out like a fountain. Higher and higher it rose and spewed forth, forming an underlay of a light lapis lazuli that pooled under the sphere of ebony. A radiant beam of puce emerged from the depths of the dark sphere and shot forth to the sky above. YRP looked up towards the sky, the light glowing upon their features. Seconds passed after the beam pierced through the clouds and to the sky where soon afterwards a mixture of jade, cerise, aubergine, and honey danced throughout the clouds and all around the beam until at last it was totally absorbed into the clouds and everything dispersed to darkness, and the plains below came to a steady calm.
YRP looked to the sky above as did the ones below them, all bewildered by the calmness that came forth without warning. A gentle breeze caressed Yuna's tawny trestles as she awaited any sign of danger. Still dressed in her warrior dressphere, she readied herself for the unexpected as did Paine and Rikku.
Then, suddenly, a small tremor shook the Calm Lands, but then stopped. The people gasped where a few breathed a sigh of relief afterwards. Then, out of no where, two electrifying haloes appeared, rotating next to each other as they began to gather speed. After reaching a deathly speed, a shimmering onyx shot forth, racing towards the semi-sphere of ebony, which it shattered upon contact, descending into the depths below.
"We have to get down there!" Yuna said as she turned to her friends and as everyone nodded their head in agreement, the spherical force field transformed into a single shield under YRP and were guided to the ground below. Upon reaching the ground, they jumped from the force field as it vanished and came to the aid of the people. "Kimahri!" Kimahri turned to see Yuna heading straight for him, however, before anything could be said or done, the ground began to shake violently and break away freely. Everyone was thrown to the ground, however, as with many time before, Kimahri tried his best to protect Yuna.
"I have been reborn!" a hissing voice called out.
The spider webbed shaped cracks that had been created throughout the plains began to break open as a very large arm extended upwards to the right and then one to the left, a deathly blade of steel in each hand, however, two more arms quickly followed on each other, thus creating six arms all together, a sword in each hand, however, the blades were of different shapes, a few larger than others. And there, midst the black hole, emerged the head. With hair of pure snakes, radiating crimson eyes, jagged teeth and a forked tongue. She wore a cobra shaped tiara upon her head. And as she continued to emerge, almost half of the Calm Lands was demolished as it crumbled to the depths below. The creature continued to rise, nearly reaching the sky above as her full body was exposed. YRP and those who remained alive and still atop the plains looked on in utter shock and horror at what stood before them. The creature slowly turned, exposing her bare chest and slim figure, however, below her waistline was the tail of a serpent with poisonous spikes at the very end. If one was to come in contact with these large, poisonous spikes, they were sure to meet certain death.
"Calandra." Yuna whispered as she narrowed her eyes at the creature, which slowly turned and glared at her as well.
"See what I have become, High Summoner!" Calandra taunted. "Try and stop me now!"
And with that, Calandra instantly struck, bringing a blade forth as she tried to strike Yuna down, however, Yuna done a tuck and roll, nearly missing the blade of steel as it pierced the ground. Dirt flew everywhere as the dust rose. Frustrated that she had missed, she took her other blade and struck the mountain side, causing a huge land slide. Everyone scattered to the wind where a few were buried alive.
Kimahri was hit by a fairly large rock ad was knocked to the ground. He rolled several times before being stopped by a pile of boulders and dirt. He shook the haziness from his eyes only to see a familiar hand lying before him. The rest of the body was buried underneath the dirt. Kimahri roared out with great anger and agony surging through his veins as he got up and began to dig to try and save who was buried under the dirt. After moments of digging, Kimahri came upon the face who lied beneath.
Paine happened to look and see Kimahri and who was partly covered in dirt and her concern rose to its highest. "RIKKU!" she called out as she ran over to where Kimahri was. "Is she- -?"
"No!" Kimahri said instantly. "Rikku not dead. Only hurt." He scooped Rikku up in his arms and stood up as well as Paine.
"Get her to safety, Kimahri." Paine said. "Get as many as you can away from here before this place goes down! Half of the Calms Lands is already gone and it's just a matter of time before it is gone completely.
Kimahri nodded his head as he turned to the other Ronso that stood off in the distance. "COME ON!" Garik and the remaining Ronso tribe looked towards Kimahri who ran off and they followed suit.
Meanwhile. . .
Metal collided against metal as the sparks flew. Yuna was forced down to her knees as she tried to hold off two other blades with her own where seconds later the swords slide apart from each other and Yuna fell backwards, panting from exhaustion.
"Give it up!" Calandra taunted with a smirk. "You are no match for me, Yuna! You see, unlike my sister, I don't call forth other beings to do the work for me while I hide behind a wall. I take care of things myself!" She then hissed out in pain, for she was struck behind.
Paine grinned as she watched the evil being cringe in agony, her serpent tail whipped back and forth, however, as Paine withdrew her sword, she was struck by the spiny like spikes on the end of Calandra's tail and immediately felt the effects of the poison. She fell to the ground, losing consciousness.
"NO!" Yuna shouted as she watched her best friend lay motionless on the ground.
Calandra cackled. "Two down! Only one to go!"
Yuna knew right then and there that not only had Paine been hurt, but her own cousin as well, and that angered her more. Although exhausted, she forced herself up from the ground and Calandra frowned at her inner strength. "You underestimate me, Calandra." She then held up her sword, ready for battle. "You will not defeat me so easily." Angered, Calandra extended out her arms, screaming as she leaned her head back.
"YUNA!" called two voices. Yuna turned to see Lenne and Shuyin behind her and her eyes widen.
"Yuna, this is it!" Lenne said. "So, please, listen well! You must summon all of your love, all of your hate, your anger, pain. Focus on your strength, determination, and willfulness. Dismiss any thoughts of failure, fear, and doubts." Yuna nodded her head.
"Focus, Yuna! Do not lose concentration!" Shuyin said. "Lenne and I will take care of the rest."
"Now face your enemy." Lenne said.
Yuna turned and looked at Calandra who was glaring at her and she closed her eyes, bringing her sword forth. Lenne and Shuyin then faced each other as they joined hands and raised them high above. They closed their eyes as if to pray. Suddenly, Brotherhood began to shimmer as a golden hue outlined its formation. Yuna felt a surge of energy within her. She gasped, opening her eyes as the golden hue traced its way from Brotherhood and onto her. Lenne and Shuyin's image began to ripple and soon faded into pyerfles that then shot forth. Lenne entered Yuna's body as Shuyin entered Brotherhood when suddenly to blade of aqua was set afire, burning with love's desire and hatred's anger.
"Bring it on." Yuna said, twirling Brotherhood around and getting into fighting position and it wasn't long afterwards that Calandra growled out and steel collided against steel.
Calandra brought forth her mighty blades of death. Yuna blocked her attacks, jumping up as a sword slashed underneath her. She then warded off another blade, ducking as one slashed over her head only to do a tuck and roll as she yet again dodged another blow as another steel blade was pierced into the ground with great force, which in turn gave Yuna ample time to make it to her feet where she seized the opportunity and slashed Calandra's midsection who cried out in pain.
"That one was for my friends!" Yuna shouted only to strike Calandra again. "And this one is for Tidus!!" And without dealy, Yuna pierced Brotherhood straight into Calandra's stomach ad she cried out fiercly, the pain aching her very soul. She dropped her swords, glaring at Brotherhood, grasping it as she fell forth. Yuna jumped as soon as Calandra fell upon what remained of the Calm lands, which in turn collasped into the gorge.
