Surprise! An update! Hope you all enjoy!
They walked all night, under the cover of darkness. Though Lake Macalania was behind them, the snow they had to trudge through persisted for an hour's walk.
Wakka, the poor man in Besaid sandals, complained only slightly.
Tidus didn't say a word to anyone. Not for lack of trying, but everytime he opened his mouth, he thought better of whatever it was, and trudged on.
Finally, when dawn was just starting to creep over the horizon, they reached the unmarked dock. It was made of metal, and had a crane on it as well as other various machina, that had to serve some sort of purpose, though no one—besides Rikku—would be able to guess what. It even came with a little cabin, which may have been a ticket counter or concession stand back in the days of yore. It was mostly just a metal box with one window and a rusty hinged door. Inside held more recent additions; a cot, a few books, and some fishing tackle.
Yevonites wouldn't touch it with a 90-foot pole.
"This is it," declared Rikku, with little jazz hands. "Wakka, before I activate the beacon, you're going to behave yourself, aren't you?"
"Me? I'm not a troublemaker!"
"But you do have a penance for pissing on the Al Bhed," Auron noted, as he passed by.
"There's this phrase from Zanarkand that people say a lot. 'If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.' So maybe stick with that for a while." Tidus suggested, lacking his usual gusto.
"Whoa, that's deep. Whoever said that must be really wise."
Auron snorted.
"Fine, I'll behave or be quiet. I mean, Yuna's an Al Bhed too, right? I just—gotta start thinking like that. By the time we get to Bikanel, I'll be the biggest Al Bhed lover there is!"
"That's the spirit." Yuna smiled.
"Alrighty, looks like we just have to call a ship then!" Rikku went over to the big, crane-like machina on the side of the dock and started looking.
"You do know how this device works, right?" asked Lulu, hovering nearby.
"Yeah yeah, just…trying to find the control panel is all."
While the rest of the group helped Rikku look, Tidus wandered down the dock, and sat at the edge, looking out toward the horizon.
Yuna watched from the other end, and kicked her foot over the gravel.
"Found it!" Rikku called in triumph. The machina whirred and beeped, but didn't move.
"That's it?" asked Wakka.
"That's it! Now we just wait for someone to pick up our signal...it might take a while, so we might want to set up camp."
Wakka scoffed. "Out here, in the open?"
"You got a better idea?" Rikku poked him in the stomach.
"I guess not." He sighed. "Is the booth unlocked? It might not fit all of us, but Yuna should stay in there, at least."
"Me?" she asked, surprised. "I couldn't."
"Rikku and I will stay with you," Lulu stated.
"Whoo! Girls night part two!"
"As long as it's okay with your husband," Wakka added, calling loud enough to reach Tidus.
But he didn't answer.
"I'd take that as an 'okay'."
"Kimahri look for firewood," offered Kimahri, already heading into the nearby foliage. It wasn't quite woodland, but undeveloped underbrush with a scattering of trees. Open enough to spot any incoming fiends from a ways away.
"Looks like this has been a campsite a few times." Lulu noted a fire pit just off one side of the dock. "Probably another Al Bhed waiting for a ride."
"This is the best port!" Rikku agreed.
"And you're sure we won't be followed?" asked Auron.
"That's why it's the best port. All the other Al Bhed docks are marked on regular maps and Yevon knows about them. They're fine for moving around Spira, but should never go directly to Home."
"So we can relax for now," said Auron.
Though he'd suggested it, relaxation seemed far away.
Everyone did their best to be busy. Wakka went fishing, and Rikku scoured her inventory for snacks. Lulu tended the fire once Kimahri came back with firewood. Yuna healed everyone, one at a time.
But Tidus just sat at the end of the dock, not even bothering to ask to help.
"Are you crying yet?" asked Auron, coming up behind him.
"And if I was? Would you really blame me?"
"No. I think it's justified this time."
"Then why are you here? You obviously don't care about me if you know all that you know and didn't say anything. Heck, I'm pretty sure you were one of the ones pushing us to get married!"
"I tried to stay neutral on that. But I saw the benefits outweighed the consequences."
Tidus scoffed. "You mean the consequences of me becoming a widower at seventeen? Man, if I had known…"
"You would have fallen in love with her anyways," Auron said in a soft tone. "Because you know you're never going back to Zanarkand, and that was the only thing keeping you from getting close to her."
He was right, of course. Deny as much as Tidus wanted to, it was inevitable. "Yeah yeah, of course you're right. You're always right."
"So, does it make a little more sense that Yuna asked to marry you? A little less impulsive?"
"It was still impulsive…but of course I get it. She's marching to her death. She should be allowed as much happiness as she wants. I just wish…it won't hurt as bad as I'm expecting."
Auron stayed silent, shifting to get more comfortable.
A set of footsteps approached the two before a pair of arms wrapped around Tidus' shoulders, hugging him. "I didn't know you didn't know," said Rikku. "I only figured it out recently and I didn't know how to tell you…I think that's how most of the others feel."
Tidus gave her a little pat on the arm.
"Are you still mad at me?" she asked, her voice on the brink of despair.
Tidus sighed. "I'm upset, but not at you. Not really at anyone. Just the situation. I'm sorry."
She shook her head against him. "You don't have to apologize. We all knew, we've known our whole lives. You've only just learned about it. It's upsetting."
"Then…you and I should think of a way to stop it."
Rikku squeezed him once and let go. "Absolutely! I'll get thinking right away!"
Auron chuckled, but it sounded more like a scoff.
"What? You want a hug too?"
"Don't touch me."
"Awww grumpy grandpa Auron!" Rikku flung herself over his shoulders and hugged him.
Auron groaned, but ultimately didn't react.
Rikku let go only a moment later. "You're no fun, you know that?"
"So I've been told."
"Fine. I'm leaving. Have your little boy-chat. I'll come get you when the fish are prepared." And she skipped back down the dock.
"What was that about duct taping the team back together?" Auron smirked.
"She's better at it than you are."
"I'll leave it up to her then. And I'll leave you alone for now. Glad to see you're not crying."
"Jerk."
Midmorning, when stomachs groaned in agony, Wakka proclaimed he had caught enough fish. They were skinned and skewered, and then the party assembled for the meal.
Once each person was gathered around the fire, fish in hand, the air changed. The tension from the walk returned, only doubled now that everyone had time to think. It was like the elephant in the room was hovering just a few feet above their heads.
Finally, Wakka broke the silence. "So are we going to talk about it, or what?"
"What's there to talk about?" asked Auron.
"I want to know about Lord Jyscal's sphere. Where did it come from? How long were you hiding that, Yuna?"
Oh… She had actually forgotten that had started this whole mess. "Oh, um…in the Farplane, when Lord Jyscal sought me out. He told me to look behind his portrait in the mansion. And we did."
"'We'?" asked Lulu.
Everyone turned and looked at Tidus.
"I couldn't sleep, so I got up to clear my head. I ran into Yuna in the hallway, and wanted to help her."
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" asked Rikku.
"You lied on the Farplane." Auron pointed out.
Yuna hunched her shoulders, looking nauseous and guilty. "I…" she started, then stopped, looking to Tidus for guidance.
"You should tell them what you told me," he said, reassuringly.
Taking a deep breath, Yuna confessed, "I don't feel like I'm being listened to. I feel as if…you all dismiss my thoughts and opinions, until I state them more strongly. And then…you only do as I ask because I'm a summoner, and not because you agree with it."
The group stayed silent for a while.
"So you thought we wouldn't want you to get involved with Seymour and Jyscal, so you planned to go at it on your own?" asked Auron.
"Yes."
Wakka let out a frustrated cry. "Come on Yuna! You should have talked to us! We could have come up with a better plan or something."
"No." Auron corrected. "Her choice was wise. Impulsive, but wise. None of us would have wanted her to risk going near Seymour."
"What made you want to do such a thing?" asked Lulu.
Yuna uncrossed her legs so that she could lean on them. "Jyscal sought me out in the Farplane, just to tell me where to find that sphere. It was the wish of a dying man. And he trusted me."
Lulu nodded, satisfied with the answer.
"I'm sorry I lied. But it was something I had to do."
"No apologies are necessary," said Auron. "Seymour is dead. Jyscal's wishes are fulfilled. We'll handle whatever comes next."
"But we're enemies of Yevon, and we have to get Bevelle's summon—" Wakka began to protest.
"And we will. Somehow. We will make Maester Mika see reason."
Yuna looked across to Tidus, who sat staring at the charred remains of his fish. "I know I already said it, but…I'm sorry for hiding the truth from you, Tidus. I should have told you right away, when I realized you were from Zanarkand, you wouldn't have known—"
"I know, Yuna." He sighed then managed to smile at her. "The times you and I spent together were pretty happy. It would have been awful to ruin it with the truth. It hurts. But I understand." He took a deep breath and exhaled. "And to be honest, I've been hiding something from all of you as well. Something I should have shared earlier, and I guess it makes me a hypocrite for never disclosing it." He spared a glance at Auron, to gauge his reaction.
"If you feel compelled…"
"Sin…is my old man." The truth tasted bitter on its way out. "My father, somehow, is Sin."
The silence that followed was palpable.
He continued, "at first, I didn't believe it either, but when I was with him, I felt it. And every time he came near, I sensed his presence. I was even waiting for his mocking laugh or insult…"
"Even knowing this, you would fight your own father?" asked Lulu.
"I've been dreaming of punching him in his smug face for years. This doesn't bother me."
"And—killing him?" asked Yuna. "Because we aren't just going to hurt him…we're going to kill him. We have to."
His sigh was resigned. "Yeah. I think he'd want us too. It can't be pleasant in that existence. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't want it to make you stumble in your pilgrimage. Up until yesterday, I wanted you to finish your journey and defeat Sin."
"And now?"
Tidus threw the sharpened stick and fish bones in the fire. "Torn. I know you can defeat Sin. It's what you've been training for, for years. But…I don't want to lose you."
Yuna blushed at his honesty. "Thank you for telling me. I understand why you didn't."
"Man," Wakka groaned. "You two and your world shattering secrets. Anyone else have anything crazy they want to share?"
"Some secrets are best revealed in time," said Auron. "Others, not at all. And others still—well."
"Sir Auron?"
"I wondered how long it would take for this to come out, but I suppose I've been lucky. Seymour knew, but didn't outright tell."
"Seymour knew about my old man, as well." Tidus frowned. "I don't know how."
Auron figured out how quickly, but didn't answer. Only continued, "So now I'm going to share, so the truth doesn't come out at a critical moment to distract anyone."
"Spit it out already!" Rikku shouted.
"Perhaps it's best if I show you instead." Auron closed his eyes and lowered his head, allowing the Pyreflies to emerge from him with their haunting song.
Everyone scrambled, some dropping their food, others tried to get to their feet.
"Sir Auron, you're—" Yuna began.
"An Unsent. Someone who died and didn't make it to the Farplane, usually because they have unfinished business."
"And that's what you have?" asked Tidus.
"Yes. Before the battle with Sin, Braska, Jecht, and I shared our final words. Braska asked me to take care of Yuna; and Jecht, you. Though I was gravely injured, I chose to uphold my promises. I found a young, dishonored Ronso leaving Gagazet and asked him to go to Bevelle and find Yuna. He was to take her to Besaid."
"And he did." Yuna smiled at Kimahri.
"I died shortly after, and then I went to Zanarkand, and watched over you."
"But if you were in Spira, and then you went to Zanarkand, you would know how to get me back!"
Auron shook his head. "How did you get here?"
"My old man, Sin, it came and—"
"Destroyed your Zanarkand. The only Zanarkand left is the one on the other side of Gagazet."
Tidus stood, and started pacing. "What do you mean, my Zanarkand? Was there another?"
"I've confused you. It's best we finish this conversation later, when things make more sense. All you need to know is that you're here in Spira now. To stay."
"And what about you, Sir Auron?" asked Wakka. "If you're Unsent…"
"Once I am confident my promises have been fulfilled, I will ask Yuna to send me. Until then, I will remain."
"So you've been a ghost this whole time?" Rikku cringed. "And I hugged you earlier!"
"I told you not to." He smirked.
At a break in the conversation, Yuna asked, "What is it like?"
"What? Being dead?"
"Isn't that a little insensitive?" asked Lulu.
"I just—I want to know. To prepare."
The group grew quiet and looked away from Yuna.
"It has its advantages," Auron began, "no need to eat or sleep. Food has little taste now. Pain is muffled, still there, but it's an echo. I can't be killed, of course. But I can't have a family."
Yuna issued a weak smile. "That doesn't seem to be so bad."
"Of course, after you defeat Sin, you will go right to the Farplane. You needn't worry about this."
"Who would send me?"
Again, the group got quiet.
"Can only summoners do sendings?" asked Tidus. "Or could someone learn the ritual and perform it?"
"Summoners are the only ones who have performed Sendings–" Lulu began to explain.
"But it is a dance," Yuna interjected as she rose to her feet. "It wouldn't hurt to teach someone how to do it."
"But that's heresy, ya? That's knowledge only Summoners should know!"
"We're far past heretics at this point, Wakka," Lulu admonished. "I would like to learn how to perform a Sending."
"Me too!" Rikku enthusiastically jumped to her feet. "Can you imagine? An Al Bhed performing a Sending? People would lose their minds!"
Yuna did smile, but gave a little shrug. "I don't know if it will work, but I'm willing to teach."
"As long as you do it far away from me, I won't protest." Auron threw his stick in the fire and went into the brush.
"Where are you going?" Tidus asked.
"Not the Farplane."
The rest of the boys assembled on the dock and watched as Yuna taught the girls step by step instructions on how to Send. Rikku and Lulu were using sticks instead of a staff, but it would have to do.
"Even if it is heresy, I'm glad they're learning how to do this," Wakka said. "It makes me feel better knowing that Yuna will be guided to the Farplane."
"If she dies, that is. We can find a way to prevent it," Tidus returned.
"You think that in a thousand years, all the ways haven't been tried?"
"Not if it's heretical to Yevon, no. And I think anything besides the Final Summoning is considered heretical, right?"
"Like Operation Mi'ihen, ya? I bet other people had ideas like that. The Maesters were there to watch and give their blessing, because they knew it would fail, but they hoped it wouldn't."
Tidus shook his head. "I see it differently. Seymour and Kinoc were there because they knew it would fail, and be vilified when they were right."
Wakka grew very solemn and quiet. "Maester Seymour did some bad things, but—"
"He was bad. He was selfish, cocky, and cruel. I'm glad he's gone, and I hope he turns into a fiend."
"That's a terrible thing to wish on someone, brodda."
"You think death would stop him? He'd find a way to hurt and cause suffering in the Farplane too. No, he needs to stay in Spira."
Wakka was quiet for a long time as they just watched the girls dance on the water.
"What are we going to do? Once the temples find out what happened, Yuna's not going to be able to continue her pilgrimage."
"Even if we skip Bevelle's summon?"
Wakka shook his head. "Kelk Ronso is a Maester. He's very protective of Mount Gagazet. Even if we skipped Bevelle, he wouldn't let us pass."
"Then…we go to Maester Mika and tell him what Seymour did. With luck, he'll let Yuna go, since the Final Summoning is a death sentence anyway. I hate it, but it's the best argument we got."
"We got time to figure it out. That's why we're going into hiding." He gave Tidus a little punch in the shoulder. "Just hold onto that thought for now though."
After the Sending lesson, the girls returned from the water.
Yuna gave a big yawn and a stretch.
"You should sleep," suggested Lulu. "You've had a busy day."
"Not anymore then the rest of you," Yuna argued.
"We'll take shifts," Wakka proposed. "Besides, we should all be able to sleep on the boat or on Bikanel."
Tidus stood beside her, and rested a gentle hand on her waist. "You didn't sleep well the night before, either. You would be the most tired."
Yuna gnawed at her bottom lip then relented. "Fine, I will try to rest."
"Nothing to do but wait," said Kimahri. "Rest well."
Lulu and Rikku joined her in the cabin, though it was small, they insisted on keeping her company.
Tidus stoked the dying fire, as he settled to sit on a log. His mood had improved slightly, but the idea of losing Yuna still tumbled around in his mind.
Soon, Wakka sat by his side, silent and meditative. Kimahri joined after, sitting across from Tidus.
Then Auron returned, not saying a word as he took his seat.
It was then that Tidus realized why the group dynamic had always felt off. He had assumed it was because the pilgrimage was a very serious and holy journey, and that everyone was taking it a little too seriously.
But now he got it. In the moments like these, where there was no fighting or traveling, just resting, they were all mourning. They were taking time to remember things that would never be the same.
And Yuna, she was saying goodbye to the places she'd never see again.
Again, he felt foolish for all the times he had encouraged her forward and promised to return with her later.
"I met Yuna once before," Auron began, startling the group. "We had returned to Bevelle to get the summon. Braska introduced us to Yuna, and we spent a few days in Bevelle with her. I was afraid that would be the tipping point for him. He would be too heartbroken to leave her, but it wasn't. He said goodbye to her, and she said she was proud of him and that she loved him. I knew she was mature, but that solidified it for me. Even then, I saw her strong will." He sighed, shifting in his seat. "So when I ran into Kimahri in the Calm Lands, I told him to go to Bevelle, find Yuna, and take her to Besaid, like Braska wished. I knew with just a little guidance, she would make it."
"Not a day or night that passes that Kimahri does not remember." Kimahri took over the story. "Young Ronso then. Horn still tender. Nowhere for Kimahri to go. Found Sir Auron. He said to go to Bevelle, find daughter of Braska, man who just defeated Sin, and take her to Besaid. Kimahri had never been outside Gagazet. Didn't know where Bevelle or Besaid was. But wish of dying man is sacred to Ronso. Found Bevelle, found Yuna. Only girl crying while everyone else celebrated. Told her, 'Kimahri looks for daughter of Lord Braska.' 'That's me,' she said. 'Kimahri take daughter of Braska to Besaid. Braska wishes it.' Yuna agreed, but couldn't leave yet."
"What? I don't know this part of the story," Wakka leaned in, intrigued. "I thought you guys left right away."
Kimahri shook his head. "Yuna go to friends and neighbors, tells them what is happening. Kimahri follows, watches, and waits. Yuna gives away items. Packs a bag. Goes to council. Sells family home."
"Whoa whoa whoa," Tidus interrupted. "You're saying that Yuna sold her house on her own? How old was she?"
"Seven."
"That's—amazing, but heartbreaking."
"Kimahri and Yuna leave Bevelle, travel same path from Macalania woods. Arrive in Besaid. Kimahri job is done, goes to leave, Yuna cries and asks Kimahri to stay. Kimahri does. Yuna Kimahri only family."
Tidus frowned, that last line rolling through his mind. "What was your plan for afterward? After Yuna defeated Sin and—you know. What would happen to you?"
"Kimahri hopes for death in final fight. But if survives, may be allowed to return to Ronso mountain. If not, Besaid has been home for many years. Return there. Make statue of Yuna."
"I'm going to warn you now, I'm not going to let you die, buddy." Tidus punched his shoulder.
Kimahri returned the hit and knocked him off the log.
Wakka watched with a smile. Once Tidus righted himself, he continued the story where Kimahri ended. "The day Yuna arrived in Besaid, it was gray and rainy. I remember because it had been sunny for a week before as we celebrated the calm. The rain kind of reminded us to get back to life as normal, and rebuild as much as we could before Sin returned. Then a Ronso and a little girl arrived at the city gate. My brother Chappu spotted them first. He was about 9 then, and came running when he saw them. I remember the adults being polite and welcoming, but I knew they were all hoping they would leave.
"Then Yuna thanked everyone for their hospitality to her, and to her father Lord Braska when he visited. That's when everyone started fighting over who would take care of Yuna. In the end, the village decided to join together and raise her like a family. She stayed with Chappu, Lulu, and I, the orphans of Besaid. It was only a few years later that she said that she was going to start training as a summoner."
"She said, or asked?"
"Declared, really. We argued with her for weeks. And even then, the topic was sore for years after. Lulu became a guardian as soon as Sin returned to try and keep Yuna from having to fight Sin. After that Summoner passed away, I joined in and helped Father Zuke try to finish his pilgrimage. He didn't cut it either. When we returned to Besaid, Yuna was almost ready, and we knew we'd rather be her guardians than try again with another Summoner, ya?"
Tidus was happy to hear this story, glad to get an insight into Yuna's life. But he was also confused.
"We all love Yuna, brodda. And despite the arguments, she's stood strong and proud. Knowing who she is, where she comes from—this is her destiny. I can see her going all the way. It's more of a hindrance to try to stop her. So we try to support her."
"But it's hard when she's so young," Auron noted. "And she's noticed it. You and Rikku are her age, and know she's wise and capable, but for the rest of us, it's instinct to assume she doesn't know best. I'm proud that she spoke up, lest her story be written for her."
"You guys should probably tell her that. If we all need to be on the same page, she needs to know you really do respect her opinion."
"Of course we respect her opinion!" Wakka cried. "She's so smart and clever!"
"Yes, she is. But does she know you think that?"
Wakka slumped. "I guess I never said it out loud, ya? Better tell her soon."
Kimahri gestured out to sea. "A boat on the horizon."
"Should we wake up the girls?"
Auron shook his head. "It'll take at least an hour for it to get here. Let them continue to rest for now."
After a while of pondering, Wakka finally asked, "Do you think anyone over there speaks common? Or do they all speak Al Bhed? Cause I don't want to depend on Rikku to translate everything."
"I'm sure there's plenty of bilingual Al Bhed," Auron said.
"If you want, I can teach you what I know," Tidus offered.
"You speak Al Bhed?"
"A little. Rin gave me an Al Bhed primer. I found a few more since then. I can pluck a few words out."
"Oh, that's what you've been reading before we go to bed, huh? How do you say, 'sorry for being an asshole?'"
Tidus chuckled.
"I'm serious. I think it'd be a good way to patch up things with Rikku."
"Oh!" He pulled the primer from his inventory. "Uh–let me see…'Cunno' is sorry. 'E's' is approximately how you say 'I am'." He flipped through the pages, and then pulled out another primer. "I can't find 'asshole' or 'jerk'-the closest thing I have is 'Meddma pedlr'."
"And what does that mean?"
Tidus bit down on his lower lip. "It's like someone that speaks without thinking. It'll make Rikku's day, I promise."
About an hour later, the ship finally made it to shore.
A man on deck shouted down in Al Bhed, "Did you send a signal?"
Tidus replied in his broken tongue. "Yes, need hide. Rikku here!"
The boys helped the ship dock as Tidus went to get the girls. Lulu and Rikku were awake, playing cards, while Yuna was still asleep on the cot.
"The ship's here," Tidus spoke in a hushed tone.
"I'll tell them what's going on." Rikku scooped up the cards and shoved them in her inventory before rushing out of the cabin.
Tidus sat on the side of the cot, preparing to wake Yuna, when Lulu stopped him.
"She's exhausted. You should carry her."
He gave her a look that was supposed to say, 'I know it's not going to bother Yuna to get up, get on the boat, and go back to sleep, but I see what you're doing, and I appreciate it.' But all he said was, "okay."
Carefully, he squatted next to the bed, sliding one arm under her shoulders, and the other under her knees, then he lifted her.
Instantly, Yuna shifted in her sleep toward the warmth, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head on his chest.
"She's a cuddler," he told Lulu.
"I can tell."
Outside, the boat had a ramp down to the dock. Rikku, Kimahri, and Auron were already on board, while Wakka waited at the dock. He raised his eyebrows when he saw Yuna and Tidus.
"She's tired," Tidus and Lulu chimed in unison.
"Oh brodda..."
