Chapter Eight

Prelude to destruction

Seymour smiled warmly as Yuna's party finally caught up with him. "Well now, I was worried that the fiends had gotten you, Lady Yuna."

Another hard stare from the blond guardian. That one was really getting on the Maester's nerves. He just hoped he wouldn't have to deal with him like he would Kinoc.

"Maester Seymour." One of the other guardians-Wakka, the intelligence said- spoke up, "Why is your lordship presently… present here?"

Seymour chuckled, "Please, my good man, there is no need for formality here. Simply address me as you normally would."

"Ok then," Wakka seemed relieved, "Why are you supporting the Al Bhed in this operation."

The way he mentioned the Al Bhed brought a further smile to the Maester's face, "Because, both the Crusaders and these Al Bhed only want peace for Spira. Though their methods may be different, as are their beliefs, they both truly wish to work for the greater good. And I, Seymour Guado, the person, not the Maester of Yevon… as a denizen of Spira, I wish them well." When he was done, he didn't have to fake his happiness when he saw Yuna moved by his little speech. Everything was falling into place perfectly.

"But," Wakka chimed in, "Using the Machina? Isn't that bad?"

Seymour nodded, "Yes, so pretend you didn't see it." He said, as though it was simple to do.

"Begging your pardon, sir, but that doesn't seem to be something a Maester should be saying."

Now Seymour was getting annoyed with the man, "It probably isn't, so perhaps you should pretend I didn't say it." He walked off, leaving them shocked.

V

The quartet tried to make themselves look like they blended in as they made their way through Mushroom Rock Road. They had stopped to admire the force gathered.

"Machina?!?" Zafam broke off from the group, nearly drooling over the assortment of cannons.

Sain sighed, "Are we certain that she didn't tell us to come here so she could fawn over Machina weapons?" His gaze followed the Al Bhed lady as she began chatting with the technicians. "It would appear she has already forgotten the imminent danger."

Arthas sighed as well, "You guys go on ahead, and I'll go pick her up." He walked up to Zafam and began coaxing her to leave.

(Author's Note: The following is Al Bhed translated into English.)

"Zafam, come on, we can't stay here."

"Ohhhhh, but take a look at this, Arty!"

"Arty?"

"It's so cool! Why, I bet this cannon could tear apart a solid concrete wall if you let it. How does it work?" She asked the technician "Is it a fuse activated, or is there a switch? Oh what I wouldn't give to take this apart…"

The engineer gave Arthas a look of confusion, to which Arthas simply shrugged.

"Zafam…" Arthas coaxed, getting an idea, "I bet there's even bigger Machina just down the coast."

"Really?" Zafam looked up at him with hope.

"Uh… yeah. Maybe some of those self-propelled tank Machina with the giant cannons and all those little flying scout droids and… Hey!" Zafam grabbed Arthas' arm, and with uncharacteristic strength, half-led, half-dragged the warrior down the beach.

(End Translation. For future reference, italics signify conversation in Al Bhed.)

Sain turned around, "It's about time you two. Did you have fun by your…" The wizard stopped as Zafam led Arthas past Jonas and Sain.

"No time," Arthas explained, "She's gonna see the big Machina."

Jonas shrugged, then followed them. Sain shook his head, "Al Bhed." He remarked sourly, "More concerned with machines than people… guys! Wait up!"

V

It sped through the endless expanse of ocean. Fish, fiends, and even the occasional boat was swept aside as it plowed endlessly to its final destination.

Somewhere, miles away, one of its own had been captured. The humans were planning to use it to draw him into a trap. They thought he could be defeated, better yet they thought they can use machina to do it.

How many foolish humans would die today? Sin cried out in delight and sped on, knowing the slaughter would begin in mere minutes.