I want to thank all who have read and reviewed over the last year and continue to be faithful readers. Whether or not you review, I am happy to know that you enjoy reading what I write and that is what truly counts. Without my viewers I would not be where I am now today.
The strange being hovered high over Yuna, looking down upon her. Yuna immediately changed into her Warrior Dressphere and prepared for one of her biggest battles yet.
"Who are you!" Yuna demanded to know yet again.
The being only cackled. "I'm- -"
"It doesn't matter what your name is!" Yuna shouted as she walked forth, raising Brotherhood at her side. "If you were sent to try and stop me, then prepare to fall as did the four before you!"
"Don't be foolish, Summoner!" the being tried to warn. "Give up this search and I will leave you unharmed though I cannot speak for The Mistress of Death. She seeks to consume your soul no matter what now!" Yuna narrowed her eyes at the mysterious one before her. "This battle has turned personal for her."
Yuna eased her sword down. "Why does she seek to take my soul!"
"Fool!" the being shouted. "You are a virgin. You are one of the purest of souls in Spira. She will sacrifice your soul to him and take over all and rule beside him!"
"Yevon!" Yuna questioned.
"No, child!" the being said, lowering herself to the ground below as she put her slender sword away. "He is far worse than Sin or Yevon! He controls live. He can take it within a blink of an eye. Pray you never have to come face to face with him." Yuna narrowed her eyes at the being before her as it neared her. "Now, tell me your choice; Give up searching for the one whom you call Tidus or fight till your death?"
The look on Yuna's face mellowed a bit as she lowered her head in thought only to raise it with evil eyes that glared at the being before her. "No! I will fight! I will not stop my search for Tidus and when I at last come face to face with your Mistress of Death, she will call out her lover's name when I am done with her!"
The being shook her head. "Such foolishness you have bestowed upon me, High Summoner Yuna." The being allowed her wings to flare out behind her. "Prepare to meet your doom on this night, for I, Tristen, shall render you asunder!"
Yuna's eyes widen when out of no where Tristen set flight, flying straight into Yuna as she grasped her throat and knocked her to the ground. Right away Yuna felt her airway tighten and the breath within became less. She tried to force Tristen off of her, however, it was like Tristen had a death grip on her throat. Thinking fast, Yuna took her foot, placed it upon Tristen's mid section and kicked her off. She grabbed her throat, coughing as Tristen hit the icy formation behind her. They slowly stood together in unison.
"Prepare to meet your maker!" Yuna said as she prepared for battle yet again. And as Tristen narrowed her eyes, a sly smile played upon her features. Yuna wrinkled her eye brows, puzzled at why this strange being would smile when blood was about to be shed.
Instead of with drawing her sword, Tristen closed her eyes, leaning her head back just a bit as she raised her hands at her side. Suddenly, the jets of water that was pooling around the sphere began to take on a scaly formation, fangs protruded through an opening mouth followed with a hissing sound. Glowing crimson eyes shined brightly as what was once only water turned into a gigantic Water Moccasin.
Even more puzzled by a strange, large shadow that stood over her, Yuna started to turn, however, before she could even blink an eye, the Moccasin coiled itself around Yuna rising her high in the eyes. She screamed as she gazed upon its fierce features. It's mouth opened, baring its fangs as it hissed at her.
"Feast your eyes upon my power, summoner!" Tristen yelled out. "Behold the Amalgamation of Tristen!"
Tristen immediately fell to her knees, resting her head against her hands as if to pray to the heavens above. The ground took on a spider webbed formation as it began to crack open and quake when huge rocks shot forth, circling upward. Standing to her feet and raising her hands high above her head, the rocks turned to balls of fire, which she commanded to form together into a sea of fire above all of Macalania.
Standing inside the Inn, Rikku was certainly bewildered by the sudden change in color around her as the entire room took on a hue of crimson. Everyone looked at each other and immediately ran outside only to gaze upon the sea of fire that continued to spread over all.
"What the hell is that?" Gippal asked, shielding his eyes from the brightness of the blaze above.
"That can't be good!" Rikku said
Paine's eyes widened a bit, for she knew this was happening for one reason only. "Yuna!" They all looked to each other, fear and concern rising within.
"Brother!" Rikku said with urgency in her voice. "You, Shinra and Buddy hurry to the Celsius and check it's progress! Me, Paine and Gippal will check things out where Yuna is concerned!"
"What you- -" Brother began to ramble
"GO NOW!" Rikku ordered. And without another word, everyone ran in different directions.
Yuna gazed upon the wavy sea of fire that hovered high above as the heat began to blaze down upon the forest of ice, which began to drip and run. The heat continued to grow, becoming more intense by the second. Sweat dripped from her brow and ran down the side of her face, looking down at Tristen who gave her a smugly smile.
"One wave of my hand and this forest will melt and all of Spira may burn in the process!" Tristen said. "Are you willing to risk Spira, your family, and your friend for just one man!"
"I would do anything for love." Yuna stated proudly through small, panted breathes.
"Wrong answer!" Tristen said, raising her hands to unleash the sea of fire.
Water began to run down the pathway leading to what used to be The Thunder Plains where it also dripped from the icy formation of the trees, running down the icy mountain side as well.
Splashing through the running water, Rikku, Paine and Gippal sprinted towards the spring where Yuna was. Little did they know what awaited them there once they arrived.
"The forest is gonna melt from this severe heat wave!" Rikku said.
"Well, babe, if you weren't so hot for me, this wouldn't be happening!" Gippal teased.
Rikku bit her bottom lip as Paine snickered. She then stopped a few feet in front of Gippal, stepped aside and stuck out her foot just as Gippal approached and tripped him. He landed with a hard thud, the water splashing up onto his face and the rest of his body.
"Take a cold shower and calm yourself, Gippal." Rikku said. "I know I got the goods, but their not for sale. At least, not to you!" And with that said, she and Paine headed onward with Gippal looking on who just chuckled, stood up and followed suit.
Tristen cackled at Yuna's attempt to free herself from the coils of the serpent that held her. The heat grew even more, which only made her smile even more proudly.
"I didn't know you were so weak and mere minded, summoner!" Tristen said coyly. "One would think that after you defeated my four elemental fiends and you should be able to take care of yourself and face me woman to woman."
"You're the coward, Tristen!" Yuna spatted back. "However, your mistress is more fearful of me than any. Why else would she send forth evil beings of the after life to try and stop me!"
"You will die by your own words!" Tristen said through clinched teeth.
"NO!" called out a strong voice.
Tristen slowly turned only to see Gippal, Rikku and Paine behind her, weapons drawn and ready for action. She merely rolled her eyes, looking back towards Yuna.
"So, the calvary has arrived to save the damsel in distress." Tristen mocked. "Very well! I shall destroy them along with you!"
"Not if I got anything to say about it!" Rikku said as she ran forth. "Everyone take cover!"
"Don't!" Gippal shouted, however, it was too late, for Rikku had thrown three grenades and would soon explode. Gippal had just enough time to grab Paine and dart to the ground. Tristen's eyes widened, Rikku ran as fast and as far as she could. All Yuna could do was bite her bottom lip and pray where just seconds later everything exploded. The serpent cried out, releasing Yuna into the spring below. She soon surfaced, looked at the serpent above her and done the first thing that came to mind and that was to dive. Upon hearing the splash and seeing the ripples in the water, the serpent dived right after Yuna.
The smoke created from the grenades soon cleared and everyone stood to their feet. Rikku coughed, waving her hand in front of her face to clear the smoke. "Where's Yunie!" Gippal and Paine approached her.
"Where's the snake!" Gippal asked.
Suddenly, bubbles emerged from the depths of the spring below, startling everyone as they watched cautiously. And then to everyone's fear and shock, blood began to emerge within the bubbles that soon ceased. The blood clouded the clearness of the water as everything came to an eerie calm.
"How the mighty have fallen." came a sinister voice from behind. Gippal, Rikku and Paine turned to see Tristen behind them. "Seems she's no match for my serpent friend."
"Let me at her!" Rikku said through clinched teeth.
"Rikku!" Gippal said, wrapping his arms around her waist to try and redirect her from Tristen, but try as he may, he was no match for the feisty Al Bhed who was more than eager to wrap her hands around Tristen's throat.
Suddenly, without warning, the serpent emerged from the depths of the spring below, wailing out as it shook it's head violently. Blood ran from its eyes and oozed out of its mouth, for there pierced through its very skull was Brotherhood, which was also covered in blood. Losing grasp of the life given to it, the serpent cried out one last time before falling over where its corpse laid motionless on the ground. It was only a matter of seconds till Yuna emerged with a huge gasp, panting for a breath of fresh air. Silence befell all as they watched Yuna walk out of the water and over to the snake where she grabbed Brotherhood and jerked it from the snake's head. Panting heavily, she turned and gave her opponent an evil eyes and motioned with her hand to "Bring it on." Tristen shook her head in disbelief at the determination and strength that Yuna held within and immediately figured out the reason why the Mistress of Death specifically wanted her soul.
"Now I see what is so special about you." Tristen said as she began to approach Yuna. "She wants the power that your soul harbors. The strength, the determination it holds is far beyond anything I have ever seen. With your soul, the Mistress of Death would be unstoppable. She would fear nothing and no one. Not even him." She then withdrew her sword. "And I shall be the one to deliver it unto her!" After getting so close, Yuna struck at her only to miss. "Foolish human! Let us not forget the sea of fire that clashes high above. It will only release upon my command and if need be, it will rush over all of Spira like a plague, burn the very skin of everyone and everything alive." Yuna looked to the burning sky above only to look back at Tristen and began to lower her sword in defeat. However, within the corner of her eye she saw a glow. Yuna looked to her right only to see the floating sphere just a few feet away.
Meanwhile. . . in another place in time. . .
Pyerflies swarmed and danced all around Tidus, Lenne and Shuyin. They could feel the very last essence of life that they possessed being torn apart and from them.
"We have to get out of here!" Lenne cried out.
"What's going on!" Shuyin shouted.
"Can't you feel it, Shuyin!" Tidus asked, holding his last formation together. "She is consuming us and every soul here!"
"There is no way we can help Yuna now!" Lenne said regretfully. "If we try and go to her, the Mistress of Death will surely consume us!"
"There must be some way!" Tidus said
"There is!" Shuyin alerted Tidus. "Whomever is in Yuna's heart is the one she will call forth. Then and only then can someone from here help her."
Suddenly, Lenne cried out as pyerflies consumed her and flew straight into the air into the swirling pool of pyerflies that danced above them.
"Lenne!" Shuyin shouted. "I have to go after her! She will not be consumed by that monster!"
"I'll come with you!" Tidus suggested.
"NO!" Shuyin said firmly. "Yuna needs you now more than ever because she is facing one of her biggest challenges, but the most fierce has yet to come. Stay here in case she calls you. I know she will." Shuyin then stood with Tidus looking on, stepped back and allowed himself to be taken away into the pool of pyerflies.
"Good luck, my friend." Tidus said, trying to keep himself from being absorbed also.
Meanwhile. . . back in Macalania. . .
Yuna gazed upon the sphere and Tristen immediately followed the direction that Yuna was looking in and seen the sphere also and shook her head, for she knew that if Yuna obtained that dressphere, she would surely win over all. Not a word was said as Yuna sprinted forth after the sphere before her.
"NO!" Tristen yelled as she set flight and just as Yuna was about the grab the sphere, she was knocked to the ground. Rolling onto her back, she saw Tristen sitting over her with her slender blade held against her fragile throat. "One false move, summoner, and I will slit your throat."
Suddenly, Tristen was greeted with a blow to the face by a black boot. Yuna looked to see Paine standing over her who immediately helped her up to her feet.
"Get the sphere, Yuna!" Paine urged. "Leave that flying psycho to us." And with a nod of her head, Yuna headed straight for the sphere. Paine turned her attention to Tristen who stagger to her feet, wiping the blood from her face.
"You will pay!" "Tristen said through small, angered pants of breath." You'll all pay!" She then raised her hands up towards the burning sky above. And instead of unleashing the sea of fire through raging waves of water, it was unleashed as heated mist, which instantly overtook all and the forest of ice began to melt at a rapid pace and before anyone knee it, there were in water knee deep.
"I've got a sinking feeling about this!" Gippal said. Rikku just rolled her eyes, withdrew her weapons and readied for battle as did Gippal and Paine.
Striking first, Rikku mugged Tristen, dealing some damage and stealing two potions and three mega phoenixes. Gippal then withdrew his mega flare guns, took aim and shot Tristen who cried out. Steel collided against steel as Paine stepped forth and struck. Tristen blocked her first attempt, however, Paine quickly spun around only to kneel down and slash her mid section. Great damage was dealt, however, Tristen immediately cast curaga upon herself, undoing any and all damage that the trio had accomplished.
"Behold the power of the elements that I control!" Tristen said through clinched teeth.
Lowering her hands only to ascend them into the air, crossing her wrists over each other, the rushing water below them began to gather and forth a huge orb of water. She then quickly knelt forth, bring her hands down with such fierceness and speed that three streams of water jetted forth and collided into Rikku, Paine and Gippal who were lunged backwards against the melting formation behind them. The back of Gippal's head bounced off the back of a stony piece and was knocked unconscious instantly.
"Gippal!" Rikku said as she ran over and knelt down beside him and began to smack his face about as hard as she could. "Gippal, wake up! This is no time for jokes!"
Tristen gloated at her accomplishment which instantly faded once she realized that Yuna was missing. She turned around only to see Yuna obtain the dressphere.
"NOOOOO!" Tristen screamed.
Yuna herself screamed, for the sphere was burning her hands. Vapors emerged from her burning skin, however, she refused to release the sphere. Bringing the sphere inward towards her chest, it broke apart only to fade inside her body. A luminous light radiated from within her heart, which in turn began to ache. Closing her eyes tightly, Yuna bared the pain, tears falling form her eyes. She moaned in utter agony as the pain grew more and more. Pyerflies appeared out of nowhere, encircling and dancing all around her and was soon drawn inward by the light. Yuna gasped when she felt an essence within her and the light disappeared.
"Raise your sword." whispered a voice from within.
Bringing Brotherhood forth, she raised the sword high above her head. Sparkling stars rained down all around her, transpiring into a silvery mist that beamed off radiant rays of various colors of jade, aqua, and magenta, which danced around in a circular motion, crossing back and forth over each other. Enshrouding itself all around her, the mist quickly turned into a haze of crimson, exploding into a dazzling hue of gold that revealed Yuna within. Drops of shimmering rain fell down like glitter upon her skin, which radiated off a glow that began to trace every curve and outline of her outer being. And there, upon her baby fine skin, formed an overlay of clothing, which consisted of white knee high boots that zipped on the sides with a four inch heel, an ice blue crop top with a plunging neckline that tied around the neck with a white lace overlay, and an ice blue mini with slits on both sides that had the lacy overlay to match the top. Brotherhood faded into thin air and in its place appeared a sleek blade of sterling silver, a handle of pure gold. Small gemstones of a mystic topaz lined the center of the blade. A large ruby laid in the center on both side of the handle where tiny beads of amethysts accented the outline of it. Yuna then lowered her hands, looking at her nemesis before her with narrowed, angered eyes.
"I see your fate, Tristen." Yuna stated firmly. "And it's time has come."
"You dare to test the Blade of Veracitythat you possess against the Blade of Hegemony?" Tristen asked as she tossed her long trestles over her shoulder.
"I do!" Yuna said raising her sword to her side.
"Then so be it!" Tristen said angrily.
