Here's chapter three! I can't believe we've made it to Besaid already.
Yeah, this chapter's just as long as the other two. FFX was made to be a video game, not a book, which means it's really hard to find chapter breaks that feel natural. So I guess all the chapters will have to be really long. That just means you'll have more to read between chapter releases!
Read and enjoy, and please leave a review. Both criticism and praise are greatly appreciated!


Chapter Three

Salty sea water, tropically warm, filled Tidus' mouth and nose. He floated, face down, somewhere much warmer than the ruins where he had last been. His thoughts still cloudy, Tidus lamented the fact that he was getting used to waking up with no idea where was.
Tidus pulled his face out of the water, breathing in fresh, warm air. He spluttered for a moment, clearing the sea water from his mouth and nose.
What about the Al Bhed? Tidus wondered. Looking towards the horizon, he could see nothing but turquoise water rushing to meet and azure sky.
"Rikku!?" he shouted, but received no response. They're not here. It's just like with Auron. Somehow, when Sin gets me, I end up all alone.
Tidus' musings were cut off as something hit him in the back of the head. He spun around and saw the object floating in the vibrant water behind him. A smile grew on his face.
"Blitzball!"
Tidus grabbed the familiar rubbery ball, staring at it like it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
"Hey! You okay?!" a voice with a heavy accent called from across the waves. Tidus tore his gaze from the blitzball and saw a sandy white beach just a short distance away with a crowd of people on it.
"Heeey!" Tidus shouted, waving enthusiastically. Leaving the ball on the surface, he dived below the clear, warm water, then swam up and knocked the ball into the air with his head. He followed it, flipping around and sending the ball flying back to shore with his signature kick.
Enjoying the surprise on the people's faces, Tidus swam towards the beach as fast as he could. Never in any blitzball game had he been so happy and so eager to swim full throttle. The promise of people who would understand and welcome him was a greater prize than anything else he could think off.
Once Tidus could touch the bottom, he strode out of the vividly colored water onto the tropical beach, a smile fixed on his face. A large group of people, all wearing similar clothing, surrounded Tidus, staring wide-eyed.
"Yo! Hiya!" Tidus said, the feeling of awkwardness not strong enough to overcome his glee.
A man with suntanned skin and orange hair held back by a blue bandana stepped in front, seeming to be the leader.
"You wanna try that move one more time?" he asked, and Tidus recognized his voice as the one who called to him out on the water.
Tidus smiled. Finally, things are starting to look up.
Tidus through the blitzball back into the air, preforming his shot once more. This time the ball sailed away over the waves, disappearing into the horizon. Gasps rippled through the crowd of people.
"You're no amateur," the man with the blue bandana said, staring levelly at Tidus. "Who you play for?"
"The Zanarkand Abes!" Tidus announced with instinctual pride. The assembled group gasped, and whispers spread amongst them.
"What team you say again?" the man with blue bandana asked. Tidus remembered his conversation with Rikku. Though he didn't really believe it, she had said Zanarkand was destroyed a thousand years ago. I guess I can't go about saying I'm form Zanarkand.
"Uh, I meant… forget that," Tidus tripped over his words and he struggled for a feasible excuse.
"I got, uh… too close to Sin and my head's all foggy-like. So I don't know where this place is. Or even where I came from." As he spoke, Tidus felt his new-found hope draining away.
"Sin's toxin got to you," the man with the bandana said solemnly, nodding with understanding.
"But, your still alive. Praise be to Yevon!"
All the people on the beach raised their hands over their heads, swinging their arms around the form a circle, concluding with a bow. Tidus knew this gesture well; it was the blitzball sign for victory. What he didn't understand was what it had to do with the Yevon thing Rikku, and now this man, had mentioned.
There was a moment of silence, then the man with the bandana turned to the group. "Alright, back to practice!"
The group dispersed over the beach, picking up blitzballs and going over various drills Tidus had done himself many times.
The man with the bandana remained with Tidus. "I'm Wakka, coach and captain of the Besaid Aurochs, brudda." Wakka held out his hand, and Tidus shook it.
"I'm Tidus," he answered, trying to sound uncertain. Tidus' stomach growled, still not full, even after his meal on the Al Bhed ship, and Wakka chuckled.
"What? You hungry, Tidus?" he asked with a smile. "Okay! Back to the village. I'll get you somethin'!"
Tidus felt like he could trust this Wakka, so he just had to ask.
"It's true that Zanarkand was destroyed, right? A thousand years ago?" Tidus rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. "So, it's just a big pile of rubble now, isn't it?"
Wakka didn't seem as exasperated by Tidus' questions as Rikku had been. "Long time ago, there were a while lot of cities in Spira. Big cities with machina- machines- to run 'em." Wakka explained. He sounded like he was retelling a story he himself had heard many times.
"People played all day and let the machina do the work. And then, well, take a look."
Wakka gestured out towards the sea, where ancient ruins rose out of the water just a short way offshore. Though weathered by waves and winds, Tidus recognized the design of a skyscraper similar to the ones in Zanarkand.
Wakka continued. "Sin came, and destroyed the machina cities, and Zanarkand along with 'em. Yeah, that was about a thousand years ago, just like you said." Wakka sighed and stared out over the sea.
"If you ask me, Sin's our punishment for letting things get out of hand. What gets me, though…" Wakka's frown deepened as he spoke, "is we gotta suffer, 'cause of what some goofballs did way back when!"
Wakka sighed again. He shook his head and set his face with a scholarly expression. "Course, we must always repent for our sins. That's important! It's just that, it's hard to keep at it sometimes, you know?"
Tidus was happy to offer a listening ear for Wakka's troubles, even if he was clueless as to what he was talking about.
Zanarkand, Tidus thought, shaking off his confusion over Wakka's rant. It's just as Rikku said. Wakka and Rikku can't both be lying. Why would they? And what is all this stuff Wakka's talking about? Man, this place is so different from Zanarkand…
The boisterous sound of Wakka's hearty laughter shattered the somber atmosphere.
"But you from the Zanarkand Abes," he slapped Tidus on the back with surprising force. "That was a good one! Hey, I'm not saying that team never existed, ya? But you gotta figure a team living in luxury like that'd be pretty soft, eh?" Wakka grinned wider than anyone Tidus had ever met.
Tidus appreciated the fact that Wakka was trying to cheer him up, but all he could think about, was that everything that had happened to him, it all started with Sin. Maybe, if I can find Sin one more time, I can go home! He thought. For now, I'll just live life until that time comes. No more worrying about where, or when, I am. Sure, it'll be hard not to think of home. But I'm feeling better already.
A little better… maybe.

Besaid Island was a more beautiful place than Tidus had ever seen. His whole life, he had lived in the urban metropolis of Zanarkand, never setting foot outside. White beaches, lush woodlands, clear bright skies, and cheerful waterfalls all belonged to the domain of legends. As Wakka lead Tidus up the path away from the beach, he felt like he had stepped into a dream.
Beyond the beach was a verdant forest, bursting with tall, straight trees and blooming flowers. Moss dripped off every solid purchase, and tiny crystal waterfalls leaped down rock faces. The air was full of the hum of birdsong; all the different calls seemed to blend together into one buoyant, jubilant harmony. Brightly colored insects buzzed happily between flowers painted with even livelier hues. Everything about the place sang a secret melody of life and energy. Tidus stopped just a few paces down the path from the beach and stared.
"You okay, Tidus?" Wakka asked with a chuckle. "You look like you've never seen land before!"
Tidus realized his mouth was open and shut it. "It's just- this place is amazing! We didn't have any like this in Zanark-" he cut off abruptly and fumbled for some other explanation. "I mean, I just don't remember ever being in a place like this…" Tidus hung his head.
"Don't worry, you'll be better soon!" Wakka encouraged with an enthusiastic smile. "You just need somethin' to jog your memory!"
Tidus put on a fake smiled and tried to act like Wakka's words made him feel better. It's easier for everyone if I just let the Zanarkand argument go and pretend I can't remember anything.
Tidus followed Wakka as he strode up the steep path through the forest. I just need to keep going until I have a way to get back home. I have to.

"Hey! It's this way!" Wakka called back to Tidus, veering away from the main path to a small route through the forest. With tall trees on either side, Tidus followed. What's a village doing in the middle of the woods? he thought as he ducked underneath a low hanging branch. The path swerved and the woodland thinned away abruptly to a cliff soaring high above a wide river. Wakka stood on the very edge, gazing over the water with his arms folded. Frowning in confusion, Tidus walked up beside him. This isn't a village, Tidus mused. What are we doing here?
Tidus turned to Wakka, intending to ask his questions aloud, but saw that the man was no longer beside him.
"Huh?" Tidus frowned, wondering what would happen next.
A hand braced against Tidus' shoulder and shoved. The grass at Tidus feet crumbled, and he dropped over the edge. With a cry, he fell through empty air for a few heart-pounding moments before splashing into the warm water of the river below. His had dropped beneath the surface, then he kicked his legs and broke back into the air.
Treading water and trying to work out what had just happened, Tidus watched Wakka dive headfirst from the cliff above and plunge into the crystally waters below.
"Hey!" Tidus cried, realizing what Wakka had done. "What's the big idea?"
Wakka resurfaced just behind Tidus and grabbed him in a headlock. Tidus struggled, but Wakka held him fast.
"Lemme go!" he shouted, but Wakka still held firm. Tidus tugged at the arm his captor held around his neck, but to no avail.
"I got a favor to ask ya," Wakka said with a wry smile.
Tidus sighed. "You want me on your team, right?"
Wakka's grin grew wider and toothier. He let go, and Tidus sank below for a moment, the swam back up and floated on the surface, staring up into the brilliant sky.
"A major blitz tournament's coming up," Wakka explained. "All the teams in Spira'll be there! It's so huge, I'm sure someone there recognize you! Then you can go back to your old team, right?"
Wakka set one of his most eager, charming smiles. "It'll be fun! What do you say, huh? Come on, come on!"
Tidus stared up into the sky for a moment. I guess I've got to do something. What do I know how to do other than blitz?
"Sure thing," he answered.
Wakka smiled even wider. "Dude! Our team is gonna rock, eh?" Wakka started to swim down the channel, and Tidus followed. It seems like Sin and blitzball are the only things Spira and Zanarkand have in common, Tidus thought with a sigh.
He wasn't too far off, either…

"We're almost there!" Wakka called out cheerfully. Tidus followed behind, trying not to seem too taken in by the scenery.
They had gotten out of the river and climbed up another steep forest path for about fifteen minutes. Now, the two of them walked along a rather precarious cliffside path, narrow with a rising stone mountainside on one side and a sheer drop on the other. The journey spanned several bridges and passed many waterfalls dropping down the sheer mountainsides. Once they had gotten out of the forested outskirts, Besaid seemed like a rising mountain of overgrown stone with a great pool at the top, leaking down into a million flumes of gushing turquoise. Tidus wondered what made the water in Besaid so much more vivid than the sea around Zanarkand.
The path began to widen, and Wakka slowed his quick stride. Ahead, Tidus could see the road breaking away from the cliffside and sloping downward into a valley. Rather than following the decent, Wakka came to a halt looking over the rope railings at the edge of the path. He pointed towards a very rustic looking village at the bottom of the curving road.
"This is where I was born," he said, folding his arms over his chest. "I started blitz when I was five. I joined the Aurochs at thirteen, ten years ago." Wakka let out a sigh and hung his head. "Ten years... and we never won a game." He sighed again, sounding less forlorn.
"Well, after last year's tournament, I quit. Time seemed right." Wakka turned and walked a little way farther down the road and stopped again. Tidus followed him.
"So, after quitting, I got this new job, ya?" Wakka continued. "But every time my mind wandered, I thought about the game."
"Ten years without a single win'll do that," Tidus commented.
"My first match last year was my big chance," Wakka stared steadily down towards the village below, "but something else was on my mind. I couldn't focus."
"Nice excuse," Tidus scoffed, clasping his hands behind his head.
"Hey, hey!" Wakka protested, but he was smiling.
"So you want to win the next tournament- go out with a bang," Tidus queried, and Wakka nodded.
"So, what's our goal?" Tidus asked, the thrill of blitzball running through him. It was a familiar feeling, the closest he'd gotten to home for a while.
"I don't care how we do, long as we play our best," Wakka replied with a shrug. "If we give it our all, I can walk away happy."
Tidus frowned in distaste. "No, no, no, no, no," he said, shaking his head. "If I say, 'What's our goal?' you say, 'Victory!' When you play in a blitzball tournament, you play to win."
"Victory? You serious?" Wakka looked more surprised by this than by Tidus' claim to be from Zanarkand.
Tidus nodded, grinning widely.

Tidus and Wakka continued down the path towards the village. The road was much wider than the cliffside path, and though the view was far less spectacular, Tidus was relieved he didn't have to worry about falling off anymore. The air was clear and warm with a cool breeze, the scent of the sea still tangible even so far up the mountainside. Tidus still wanted to get back to Zanarkand more than anything, but he felt lucky to have seen such a beautiful place.
Tidus spotted two men walking briskly up the path from the village. They both moved quickly and with purpose but stopped when the noticed the other two travelers.
"Ah, the one from the sea!" the man in front, a middle-aged man with short red hair, spoke. He studied Tidus in a way that made him feel uncomfortable.
"Be on guard," the second, a younger, dark-skinned man with dark hair, said. "There're fiends on the road today."
"After surviving your run-in with Sin, 'twould be a shame if something happened now," the first spoke calmly, his voice carrying genuine concern.
Wakka nodded in acknowledgement, and the two men carried on down the road.
"Who were they?" Tidus asked, watching the two as they disappeared over the rise.
"Luzzu and Gatta- Crusaders," Wakka answered plainly, folding his arms over his chest.
"Uh, crews of what?" Tidus felt his lack of knowledge heavily and felt foolish for asking about something that must be obvious.
"What, you forgot that, too?" Wakka arched an eyebrow. Tidus hung his head and sighed. Even Wakka doesn't have the patience for my silly questions.
"Hey, sorry. Don't worry about it," Wakka's face took back on its usual amiable smile. "I'll help you out."
"Cool," Tidus returned Wakka's smile. "In return, come tournament time, I'll make sure we take the cup!"
"Cool," Wakka replied. "About the Crusaders, you can ask them yourself. They've got a lodge in the village."
"Thanks," Tidus nodded.
"Come on, then," Wakka motioned for Tidus to follow as he continued down the path. "Let's get to the village."

From the entrance, all Tidus could see of the village was the main road lined with palm trees and several small, homely tents. They were colored with soft hues of aqua, yellow, and blue, blending with quiet cheerfulness into the pleasant scenery all around. The dirt path throught the center lead up to a massive stone building that rose outlined against the bright sky. The structure stood on a slight hill just a little above the rest of the town, and its long, arching overhang covered much of the pathway up to its solenm doors.
Wow, Tidus thought, taking in the picture with wide eyes. This place really isn't anything like Zanarkand at all.
"Besaid Village," Wakka announced proudly.
"They got any food there?" Tidus asked, his hollow stomach demanding attention once more.
Wakka chuckled and pointed towards one of the tents along the road. "We'll get you something over there later. Take a look around first. Lee's see…" Wakka stopped for a moment and pointed farther into the town, toward a large blue tent just off from the main road.
"The Crusaders' lodge is over yonder. Luzzu and Gatta are usually there."
Tidus nodded in acknowledgement. Eating can wait. I have too many questions that need answering.
"Oh, right!" Wakka gasped in sudden realization. "Over here."
Wakka tugged Tidus along with him behind the gate.
"Huh? What's up?" Tidus stammered as Wakka halted.
"You do remember the prayer, right?" Wakka asked, his voice almost urgent.
"I…" Tidus pondered for a moment, wondering what he should say. "I don't remember."
I didn't know it in the first place, Tidus thought, wishing he didn't have to pretend any more.
"Man, that's like the basics of the basics!" Wakka sighed, shaking his head. Tidus once more felt silly for being so helplessly clueless.
"Alright, I'll show you," Wakka stepped back and stretched out his arms, swooping them around to hold them with palms facing, concluding with a bow. Tidus knew that gesture; it was the blitzball sign for victory used in Zanarkand. It had been a long time since Tidus had hailed another player in that manner, so the movements came out stiffly when he performed it for Wakka.
There is some connection between this place and Zanarkand, he thought hopefully. But how did that greeting become this prayer?
"Hey, not bad," Wakka nodded his approval. "Okay, now go present yourself to the temple summoner."
Tidus tried not to let his utter confusion show on his face. I've troubled Wakka enough with my questions. The temple can't be hard to miss. It's probably that great giant building in the center of town.
"I'll be waiting at my hut," Wakka pointed down the road toward a tent near the entrance. "Now get a move on!"
"Right," Tidus nodded. "I'll see you soon!" He left Wakka and walked off down the packed dirt road towards the massive temple.

Tidus stood under the overhang, waiting for a few moments before pushing open the heavy stone doors. One either side of the entrance hung flickering torches, lighting the shadows underneath the large building's dome. The way the curving roof flowed down into arching supports remined Tidus of a massive seashell; indeed, the structure's design was beautifully and skillfully made, like a massive, intricate carving.
Despite the loveliness of its appearance, Tidus was nervous about what he might find inside.
Exactly what kind of temple is this? he wondered. It all seems too pretty to be anything too bad, right? Tidus sucked in a sharp breath. Oh, stop worrying! You've come this far in one piece, haven't you?
Not waiting for more doubts to rise, Tidus shoved on the doors. The heavy stone made soft grinding noises on the ground as it opened onto a hallway lined with torches with another door at the end. Tidus stepped into the shadowy passage and walked down to the second door, his footsteps echoing in the quiet gloom. He reached the door and pushed.

It wasn't until that moment that Tidus realized how truly different this world was from his own.
The room was shaped like a giant cylinder, dimly lit by torches. At the far end of the room, a tall stairway led up to a set of stone doors. All around the room stood ornately carved statues. Painted only by shadows and red torchlight, they seemed ancient and solemn. At the feet of these great figures many people kneeled, making prayer gestures to the still statues.
Tidus gazed at the figure nearest to him. It was of a tall man dressed in a heavy robe, holding a long staff on his hand. Even in the warm glow of firelight, the stone seemed eerily cold and lifeless.
Footsteps distracted Tidus from his examination of the statue. He looked up to see a man dressed in a green robe coming his way. The man stopped beside Tidus but stared up at the statue, his eyes distant.
"Ten years have passed since Lord Braska became high summoner," the man spoke in a solemn voice, "and finally we received a stature for our temple."
"Um, what's a high summoner?" Tidus asked the man. Every person within earshot gasped, and Tidus nearly winced. There I go again, me and my questions…
"I… I got too close to Sin's, uh, toxin," Tidus explained, feeling very uncomfortable. The man in the green robe nodded somberly, seeming to understand what Tidus meant.
It's funny hearing myself make the same excuse over and over. Tidus thought forlornly. Funny, and a little sad. If I keep up this charade any longer, I may start actually believing my whole life was just some sort of dream.
"The summoners are practitioners of a sacred art, sworn to protect the people of Yevon," the robed man explained. "Only a chosen few become summoners, who call forth entities of great power, the aeons. The aeons hear our prayers and come down to us. They are the blessing of Yevon."
Tidus couldn't think of a response. The man's explanation had brought up more questions than answers. So, what he means is… that we should respect some kind of great man or something… I guess.

The sun felt good on Tidus' skin as he emerged from under the temple's overhang. From the sun's position, Tidus thought it to be sometime around noon. As he strolled briskly towards Wakka's tent, he noticed a creeping fatigue returning to his arms and legs. Tidus wondered when the last time he'd really slept was.
After the blitzball game and Sin's attack, Tidus had found himself in the forlorn ruins where he'd stayed for a while. He'd dozed off briefly by the fire, then was captured by the Al Bhed. He'd had a few hours of tossing and turning on deck just before Sin attacked again, but that was it. Then he'd waken up in the waters off Besaid and met Wakka. I wonder how long it's been? Tidus wondered. It feels like a lifetime, though I bet it's only been a day or two. I should be in Zanarkand, enjoying the Abes' victory right now, not wondering through a village in the middle of nowhere, no matter how nice it is.
Tidus sighed. Dwelling on this won't help. I should get over to Wakka's place.

Pushing through the tent flap, Tidus spotted Wakka sitting cross-legged on the floor inside his hut. He was gazing off absent-mindedly. He swung his face to look at Tidus, and immediately his smile returned.
"Sorry, man. No time for lunch yet," Wakka spoke with his usual vigor. "Take a nap! You look bushed!"
Tidus couldn't object to that proposal. He plopped down and prepared to stretch out on the dirt floor.
"No need for that! Take my bed," Wakka offered, gesturing towards a small cot in the corner.
"Really?" Tidus rubbed the back of his neck.
"Sure," Wakka shrugged. "I'm not using it."
"Hey, thanks," Tidus said graciously as he sat down on the bed.
"No problem." Wakka chuckled. "Now get some shut-eye."
Tidus made no complaint as he lay on the small cot. It was hardly a very fancy bed, but it seemed as soft as a cloud to the young man who hadn't had a proper rest in days. The haze of sleep covered him immediately, but a few noises reached his ears before he drifted off completely.
"You could at least go see how they are doing." The solemn voice sounded like that of the priest from the temple.
"We can't interfere," Wakka's answer was resolute. "It's a rule."
The priest's words were level but carried a deep worry. "But it's been nearly…"
Exhaustion claimed Tidus' mind before he could her anymore, but those last words stirred memory in his dreams…

"But it's been nearly… it's been nearly a day already." The broken voice of a young woman, distraught nearly to tears, cut through the white haze of dreamscape. She stood on a dock in Zanarkand, surrounded by a group of men ready to embark on the vessel bobbing in the sea behind.
"Perhaps you could go look for us," she pleaded, her voice thick with worry.
"People are searching for him now," one of the men answered. He cast a glance back towards his crew, then turned towards the ship.
"Thank you," the woman breathed, not knowing if the departing men could hear. She stood still on the dock, trying to stay calm and hold up the appearance of strength, even if she didn't feel it.
Tidus walked up behind the woman. He knew her very well, how she was always so kind and how much she cared for Jecht. He watched his mother's face, lit by the bright sunlight on the pier. Her sandy brown hair blew back in the sea breeze, showing how brightly her eyes glimmered with the tears that pooled in them.
"Who cares whether he comes back or not?" Tidus murmured, half to himself. He couldn't be worried; that just hurt too much.
Hearing his words, Tidus' mother turned around to face her son.
"But he might die!" she exclaimed, crouching down to look Tidus in the eye.
"Fine, let him!" Tidus spat. His mother stared back at him for a moment, looking as shocked as if he'd just slapped her in the face.
"Do you… do you hate him so?"
Tidus felt hot shame for his words rising up inside him but nodded anyways. He knew his mother was hurt enough already, but he felt like he just had to say something angry. How could his father just disappear like that? How could he be gone?
No, Tidus thought definitely, I hate him! I do! I won't be sad if he doesn't come back! I won't cry!
Even as he thought those words, tears threatened to break loose. As long as Tidus hated his father, he wouldn't be sad. At least, that was what the little seven-year-boy on the Zanarkand docks thought.
Tidus' mother watched him quietly for several moments. Her pale face looked so crestfallen, her eyes so disappointed that Tidus almost felt sick.
At last, she spoke, her voice firm. "If he dies, you'll never be able to tell him how much you hate him."

Tidus opened his eyes, drawing in a breath of the pure, sea-scented Besaid air. He watched the dust motes swirling in a beam of bright golden sunlight that streamed in through a crack in the tent flap. Tidus tried not to think of his dream, of that day on the docks in Zanarkand ten years ago. Being lost in a strange place a thousand years in the future seemed preferable to the deep disappointment in his mother's voice. Do you… do you hate him so?
The haze of what he'd heard before his dream snapped back to Tidus in a moment. He glanced around the tent but saw no sign of his friend.
"Wakka?" he called, but received no answer.
That guy from the temple, he was here, wasn't he? Maybe I should start looking there.
Tidus slipped off the cot and walked out into the bright sunlight. Judging from the position of the sun, he guessed he had slept for about an hour. The sky was bright blue, and a few people walked on the streets, going about their business with no notice of Tidus. Stretching out his sleep-stiffened muscles, Tidus made a beeline for the great stone temple, wondering what Wakka was up to.

Inside the temple, the looming fire-lit statues seemed just as creepy as they had the first time Tidus had seen them. Wakka stood with the green-robed priest at the foot of the stairway, intently watching the small set of doors at the top.
"Is something wrong?" Tidus asked, walking tentatively up to Wakka.
The tall man glanced back at Tidus, worry in his eyes.
"The summoner hasn't returned from the trial," he replied, his voice heavy.
"Eh?" Tidus didn't understand what Wakka was talking about, but he wasn't sure what to ask first.
"Well, apprentice summoner, really…" Wakka continued, then hung his head.
"Ah?" Tidus bit back his questions, not wanting to trouble Wakka any further. Nevertheless, Wakka seemed to pick up on Tidus' confusion.
"There's a room in there called the Cloister of Trials," he explained, motioning towards the door at the top of the stairs. "Beyond is where the apprentice summoner prays. If the prayer is heard, the apprentice becomes a fully-fledged summoner, remember?"
Tidus had never heard of a summoner before. "So, someone is in there somewhere, and they haven't come back out. Right, I got it."
"A day's gone by already," Wakka sighed, the concern on his features deepening.
"Is it particularly dangerous in there?" Tidus asked.
"Sometimes, yes," Wakka nodded solemnly.
"Why don't you go in and help?" Tidus asked, feeling his eyes grow wide. Just what is a summoner, and why is it so dangerous to become one?
"There's already guardians in there," Wakka answered Tidus' question. "Besides, it's forbidden."
Forbidden? Tidus felt agitation grow within him. What is it with these people, praying to statues and sending guys into dark, dangerous place, and besides all that, how can it be forbidden to help someone in trouble?
Despite being tired and hungry, Tidus was also suddenly restless. He recalled his mother saying once that his feet thought faster than his head did. Before he could consider anything, Tidus found himself racing up the cold stone steps, his footsteps echoing in the fire-lit silence. He stopped mid-way up and swung around to face Wakka's astonished face.
"Hey, but what if something happens?" Tidus remembered the day his father had vanished. No one had gone looking for him until it was too late. "What if the summoner dies!?"
"The precepts must be obeyed!" the priest spoke up for the first time.
Tidus felt more frustration boiling inside him. "Like I care!"
Without a single other thought, Tidus shoved through the dark, intricately carved doors. The stone felt cold even through his leather gloves, and it made a harsh griding on the stone floor. The last sound Tidus heard before he plunged into the passage beyond was the horrified gasps of the people in the temple.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all…
Beyond the door, it took a moment for Tidus' eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. The room was made of dark stone, smaller than Wakka's hut. For a moment Tidus thought there was no way out, but then he spotted at gap in the righthand wall. On the far wall, some sort of symbol cast out a radiating blue light.
It looks like somebody's already solved this puzzle, Tidus thought, but what am I going to do once I reach ones that are still unsolved? And just what am I going to say to this summoner guy when I find him? Oh, that really wasn't the smartest choice I've ever made…
Tidus sighed, glancing back at the heavy stone doors. They were shut tight. I guess there's no going back now…
Tidus sighed again and strode forward, walking down the short flight of steps beyond the glowing symbol. Alright, Cloister of Trials, whatever you are. I've survived monsters, Al Bhed, and two meetings with Sin. I can certainly take you on.

Tidus felt once more his gnawing hunger. I wonder if I'll ever eat a full, satisfying meal again…
Most of the puzzles throughout the Cloister's corridors had already been solved, supposedly by whoever this summoner fellow was. The only task left to Tidus was to walk through the long, dark passages, lit only by the blueish light from various strange, glowing symbols on the walls.
I wonder how much farther I'll have to go before I find that summoner guy.

Setting aside his weary thoughts, Tidus turned into a small side room, housing nothing but a slightly depressed circle of stone on the floor. Man, he thought, this place really is a maze. Tidus walked over to the stone circle, preparing to sit down for a moment. This looks like some kind of elevator. Now, how to activate it…
"Hey!" the shout from behind caught Tidus' attention. He turned quickly to see Wakka strolling through the doorway.
"What's gotten into you?" the tall blitzball player asked, seeming as upset as Tidus had ever seen him.
Tidus sucked in a breath, preparing for a sharp reprimand.
"Hey, it's okay," Wakka sounded sympathetic. Tidus reminded himself not to be upset by his friend's pity. At least he didn't shout at me.
"Only summoners, apprentice summoners, and their guardians can enter here," Wakka explained, sounding as patient as ever. "It's a tradition. Very important."
"So, what about you?" Tidus asked as Wakka walked up to join him on the stone circle.
"Me?" Wakka folded his arms across his chest. "I'm a guardian."
"A guardian?" Tidus asked in surprise. Before Wakka could answer, the stone circle began to sink into the ground. The motion caught Tidus by surprise, but Wakka remained calm.
"Summoners go on a pilgrimage to pray at every temple in Spira," Wakka continued his explanation as he and Tidus descended. "Guardians protect them. The guardians in there now, one of them's got a real short fuse, and who knows what the other one's thinking."
Wakka was silent for a moment, and Tidus wondered how close they were to the summoner and his other guardians. I wonder how mad they'll be when they found out I broke their weird precepts…
"Well, now that we've come this far," Wakka commented as the elevator grinded to a halt, "we might as well go all the way!"

Wakka led Tidus through a short passageway into a small room. It quite resembled the chamber at the front of the temple, only smaller and without the looming statues. At the far end, a wide set of stairs led up to a platform, beyond which was a tall door. Red firelight illuminated two figures who stood in the chamber. One caught Tidus' attention immediately. He seemed more beast than man, tall and covered in blue fur with a face like a lion. On his head was a white horn glimmering in the light, broken halfway up. The beast-man stood as still as a statue, his dark eyes trained on the door ahead.
A little ways behind the strange beast stood a woman wearing a long dark dress. Her inky black hair fell down her back in thin, intricate braids. She, too, stared at the door, but turned as Tidus and Wakka entered. Her bangs covered one eye, and the one Tidus could see seemed red in the firelight.
"What are you doing here?" she spoke to Wakka in cold, harsh tones. "Didn't think we'd be able to handle it?"
"No, it's, uh… it's just," Wakka sighed, then turned to Tidus. "See? I told you she gets mad easy."
"Um, is the summoner alright?" Tidus asked the woman, hoping she would be milder with him.
With a slight gasp, she turned her face sharply towards Tidus. She stared silently for a moment, looking more than a little shocked.
"Who… are you?" her voice was more utterly baffled than upset.
The creaking of the stone door opening interrupted the black-haired woman's question. She wheeled around to face the figure stumbling though the doorway. Tidus strained forward, trying to see if this was the summoner.
Outlined by brilliant light from the chamber beyond, a young woman walked towards the staircase on unsteady legs. She wore a long shirt of a deep navy-blue color, patterned with flowers and swirling vines. Her long white sleeves swayed as she made her way towards the stairs with great effort. A yellow sash encircled her waits, tied in a bow behind her.
As she tried to walk down the first step, she slipped and started to fall. Tidus, Wakka, and the black-haired woman gasped but were unable to help. With incredible speed, the blue beast-man thing rushed up and caught the young summoner before she fell. He helped right her, growling softly all the while.
Standing up right, the young woman pushed her shoulder-length sandy-brown hair out of her face. Still breathing shakily, she smiled at the three in the chamber below. She had odd eyes, one sapphire blue the other emerald green.
"I have done it!" her voice was quiet, and she sounded exhausted, but no less triumphant. "I have become a summoner!"