Now we've got some walking to do.
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Chapter Thirteen

Tidus brought up the rear of the group yet again as they left Luca and continued on their way. It was late in the day, and Lulu had said they needed to be quick if they were going to reach the inn by sundown. Otherwise, they'd have to camp on the Highroad. I've got to try a lot of new things on this trip, but I'm not so keen on sleeping outdoors.
The party crested over the top of the steps, Tidus in the back. At the rear of the group, he was the last to see the view. Above the seaside city of Luca, and rolling green plain stretched out as far as the eye could see. Like so many other things he had and would encounter along this journey, Tidus had never seen the like.
"Whoa…" Tidus came to an abrupt halt at the top of the stairs, staring open-mouthed over the unbroken plain of green that unfolded all the way to the horizon.
"What's wrong?" Wakka asked, turning back to Tidus with a bit of amusement on his face.
"It's just… Wow!" Tidus stammered. "This place is big! I've never seen so much grass!"
"This is the Mi'ihen Highroad," Lulu explained. Everyone, including her, had halted to see what the fuss was about. "It is a heavily traveled road that leads from the seaport of Luca to the Mushroom Rock Road. These two highroads will bring us into the main part of Spira."
"Wow. Sounds like we've got quite a ways to walk," Tidus said, still trying to see over the horizon.
"That's true. We should get going." Auron had already started off down the well-trodden pathway.
"Yes, we should," Yuna agreed with a nod, and the company started moving again. Tidus pushed up his pace to catch up with the rest of them.
"So, how many more temples are there?" Tidus asked.
"Five," Lulu replied plainly, not looking back. "We're headed for the temple at Djose, now."
Tidus did answer, only nodded. Five. A ways to go. It seems like I've been here so long already, but I guess the journey isn't anywhere near over yet.

The Mi'ihen Highroad was seemed to go on forever. Tidus knew it didn't really, like the sea he could see from Zanarkand, but it still made him marvel.
It seemed the plains weren't so flat and unbroken as he'd thought at first. The ground rolled up and down in gentle hills, and here and there ruins like he'd seen at Besaid rose out of the ground. As they passed one such great ruin, and an old man in heavy robes called out to them.
"Do you know what these ruins are from?" he asked. Tidus thought it seemed at bit weird to shout out at a random party, but the man seemed friendly enough. The only people really annoyed were Auron and Lulu. Tidus stopped and made his way up to the man.
"Some old city?" he guessed.
"Correct!" The man's wrinkled face lifted in a smile. "A city most ancient! A terrible testament to Sin's power. I tremble every time I see them. Compared to Sin, humans are mere mudpuppies!"
Yuna walked over and joined the conversation. "But I believe that humans are the only ones capable of defeating Sin."
"A good reply," the man praised, turning to Yuna. "I am relieved to hear you say that, m'lady summoner."
"Oh?" Yuna cocked her head a little.
"Where are my manners?" the man suddenly stammered. "I am Maechen, a scholar. At your service, m'lady." Maechen gave a quick bow. "I am on a journey, studying the history of our world, Spira, seeking its stories and secrets. My travels take me to many places, and I am troubled by what I have seen. Fragile smiles on people's faces crumbling at the mere mention of Sin. They are counting on you, m'lady." Maechen paused for a moment, looking Yuna in the eye. "Give them a reason to rejoice once more."
"I will," Yuna answered resolutely.

The party continued on down the Highroad. There were many other people traveling down as well, and Tidus guessed they were going home from watching the blitzball tournament. Most called out to the summoner's party, wishing them good luck. Tidus was amazed at how many people knew about Yuna and her pilgrimage. I guess being Lord Braska's daughter really is something.
Down the pathway ahead, a trio riding the strange yellow birds he'd seen in the Winno's hold rode up to them.
"Lady summoner, I presume?" the leader, a tall woman with scarlet hair, asked.
"Yes, I am Yuna," Yuna replied.
The woman on the chocobo saluted. "I am Lucil, captain of the Djose Chocobo Knights."
"And I'm Elma," a girl on one of the other chocobos piped up. "We've been charged to guard the Highroad."
"There have been reports of a large fiend appearing in this area, with a taste for chocobos," Lucil explained, looking serious. "Do take care, Summoner Yuna, if you are to rent any chocobos."
"Thank you," Yuna replied graciously. "We will be careful." Yuna made a prayer gesture to Lucil in gratitude.
"Good," Lucil said. "We should get back to our rounds. Farwell."
"Our prayers will be with you," Elma called back as the chocobo knights left.
Tidus stood for a moment, considering what Lucil had said. "A large fiend… Let's go get him!"
"Why?" Auron asked.
"It's the right thing to do!" Tidus said simply, turning to Auron.
"'It's the right thing to do?'' Auron echoed, letting out a chuckle.
"What'd I say now?" Tidus asked with a frown, not understanding Auron's amusement.
"Jecht said that a lot, too," Auron replied, and Tidus winced.
"And every time he said it," Auron continued with a chuckle, "it meant trouble for Braska and me."
Auron didn't elaborate more and set off down the Highroad.
"Um, come on, everyone. We should go," Yuna said, then followed Auron with the rest of her guardians.

The party continued on down the Highroad, the sun sinking lower all the way. Lulu said had said that the inn wasn't more than an afternoon's journey away, but Tidus was starting to have his doubts.
"My Lady Summoner," a woman in a green shirt greeted them as they passed.
"You're a summoner?" the woman's daughter asked with wide eyes.
Yuna stopped and smiled at the little girl. "Yes. My name is Yuna."
"I'm Calli!" The girl broke away from her mother and faced Yuna.
"Nice to meet you, Calli," Yuna replied with a smile.
"Lady Yuna, are you going to bring us the Calm?" Calli asked innocently.
"Yes. Very soon," Yuna said, and the little girl's face lit up.
"Yay!" Calli gave a little hop and then started running around Yuna in circles. Yuna let out a little giggle as she watched the girl's elation.
"We're looking forward to another Calm, My Lady Summoner," Calli's mother said eagerly.
"I'll do my best," Yuna replied, looking the woman in the eye.
"And good luck to your guardians, as well," Calli's mother said, glancing over the party. "Come on, Calli, it's time to go."
"Yes, mom," Calli stopped her running abruptly and rejoined her mother. "Bye, Lady Yuna!"
"Bye!" Yuna called as the girl and her mother left.
"What's the Calm?" Tidus asked as soon as the two were out of sight.
"The Calm is a time of peace," Lulu replied. "It comes after a summoner defeats Sin, and lasts until Sin reappears."
"Huh?" Tidus still couldn't quite wrap his head around this.
"Sin dies and is reborn," Yuna explained.
"Oh! I get it!" Tidus exclaimed. "I thought it was weird. Yuna's dad defeated Sin ten years ago, right? But Sin's still here! That didn't make much sense till now."
Tidus paused for a moment. "Wait… if it just comes back, then…"
"Don't say it isn't worth it!" Yuna suddenly exclaimed. "Because… it is." Yuna continue, her voice thick with emotion. "Even for a little while, people can sleep in their beds without being afraid. That kind of time is worth anything."
Yuna almost looked like she might cry. Tidus wouldn't understand for a long time why she was so emphatic that day.
Don't say it isn't worth it.

The company continued their long walk down the highroad without interruption. Tidus could see the inn Lulu had mention in the distance. The sun was low, but not yet low enough to paint the land with sunset colors. The group had almost reached their destination when a loud shout demanded attention.
"We'll defeat Sin any way we can!" The cry came from a Crusader who stood by the roadside arguing with a young woman clad in a heavy green robe.
"But Yevon's teachings say-" the woman started before being abruptly cut off by the Crusader.
"Enough!" With that, the Crusader stormed off, leaving the flustered young woman to stare after him.
"I-I only meant to…" the woman stuttered, trailing off and looking at the ground. Yuna stopped and wordlessly broke away from the group, going over to the young woman.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Lady Summoner?" young woman jerked in surprise, staring at Yuna with wide eyes.
"Yes, I am Yuna," Yuna replied.
"It is an honor, my lady," the woman said, still seeming a bit flustered. "My name is Shelinda. I am a disciple of Yevon."
"What was all that about?" Wakka asked. "The Crusaders' operation?"
"I heard they were to use forbidden machina!" Shelinda answered. "I had to stop them!"
"Huh? Why?" Tidus asked.
"The use of machina is strictly forbidden be the Yevon priesthood," Lulu explained.
"That's bad, ya?" Wakka said gravely.
"Let them use whatever they want," Auron scoffed. "They still won't defeat Sin."
"But, it's not about defeating Sin!" Shelinda exclaimed, getting all worked up again. "The teachings of Yevon must be upheld!"
"Yeah! Right!" Wakka agreed.
"But you don't understand!" Shelinda continued, shaking her head. "The Crusaders won't even listen to me. And it's all because I'm just a lowly acolyte." Shelinda hung her head, letting out a pitiful sigh.
"Don't say that," Yuna said, the gravity of her voice surprising Tidus. It must have surprised Shelinda, too, because she gasped and jerked upright like she'd been electrocuted.
"Well, I haven't been a summoner for very long myself, you see," Yuna continued, her tone much softer. "Still, I can't put myself down every time I fail. People are depending on me. They're depending on both of us!"
"Yes! Yes, you're right, my lady! Absolutely right!" Shelinda exclaimed emphatically. A smile grew on Yuna's face.
"Thank you so much, Lady Yuna!" Shelinda said, smiling wide herself. "Now, I feel I have the courage to finish my training!"
"I am glad!" Yuna replied. "Spira needs all of us to do our best!"
"Yuna, we should get going," Auron interrupted. "The inn is just down the road, and dusk is fast approaching."
"Um, yes." Yuna nodded to her guardian, then turned back to Shelinda. "I wish you good luck."
"Oh, thank you, Lady Summoner." Shelinda swung her arms in a grateful prayer gesture, which Yuna returned. Leaving the young acolyte, the party continued towards the inn.

"We rest here," Auron announced as the party stopped outside the large building rising up out of the plains. The building was painted with vibrant shades of blue and red, standing in contrast with the green fields behind. Across the doorframe something was written in a language Tidus couldn't read. Off to the side was a pen of chocobos, all settled down for the night. On the other side of the road, a cliff fell away into the sea, providing a splendid view. The group had been traveling all day, but now that they had reached a place to rest, Tidus no longer felt so weary. The thought of being a real part of Yuna's pilgrimage, of really being off on this journey, and not to mention his father… Sleep seemed like the last thing Tidus wanted.
"But, this is an Al Bhed shop!" Wakka voiced a loud objection to Auron's announcement.
"Is that a problem?" Auron asked sternly, turning to face Wakka.
"They don't believe in Yevon," Wakka fumed, "and in Luca, they… they kidnapped Yuna!"
"Where were her guardian?" Auron asked. Wakka let out a groan raised one hand to his forehead, not replying.
"Sir Auron's just concerned about your health," Yuna said, a note of pleading in her voice. That just seemed to make Wakka more upset.
"I'm not tired one bit!" he announced, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Well, I am." With that, Auron turned and walked towards the inn. There was a moment of awkward silence before the others followed. Tidus gritted his teeth at the tension in the air. Does Wakka really hate Al Bhed that much?

Inside, the inn was quiet and cozy, just the kind of place every tired traveler hopes for. But no one seemed content. Wakka looked like he might blow a fuse at any moment, and the others were far from relaxed. Lulu, Auron, and Kimahri all hung around the room, lost in thought, and Tidus didn't know where Yuna was. She's probably outside somewhere.
Soon, they'd purchase a few rooms and bed down for the night, but Tidus wanted a nice breath of fresh air to clear his thoughts first. Everything that had happened, everything Auron had said, his father…
It couldn't be. How could he be alive? And Sin? That just didn't make sense. Auron's words; that depends on what you mean by alive. He is no longer human…
It just couldn't be. His father died ten years ago. Tidus knew that well enough.

Tidus tossed and turned on his bed, trying to let the lapping of waves lull him to sleep like they had so many nights before. But they couldn't tonight. He was just too restless. It had been two weeks since his father had gone missing, and no one had found anything. But he couldn't be dead. That just wasn't an option. Jecht was… he was Jecht! He was a blitzball legend, and he had always been around. Even though Tidus had always wished he was better, even though he'd told his mother on the docks all those days ago that he didn't care if his father died…
He just can't be dead! He isn't dead! the seven-year-old boy thought, clenching his fists around his sheets. My father can't just die like that! People don't just… die!
A soft sound drew Tidus from his troubled thoughts. The quiet, gentle sound of sobbing, coming from the living room just down the hallway from his room. Tidus sat up, realizing then that there were tears on his own face. Angrily wiping them away, he crawled out of bed and pushed open the door.
The hallway was dark, but Tidus could see a light on in the living room beyond. Now he could hear better the sound of his mother crying, soft sobbing that broke the otherwise silent night air. Tidus could already guess what it meant, but he didn't want to believe it.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Tidus asked as he emerged from the hallway. In the living room, his mother sat on the couch, cradling her head and sobbing.
"Oh! Tidus, w-what are you doing up?" she asked, straightening suddenly.
"I-I heard you crying," Tidus answered quietly, feeling dampness creeping back to his eyes. He had to ask. "Mom, is it Dad? Is he coming home?"
Tidus' mother didn't answer right away. She looked away from him, and he could hear her sniffing.
"Tidus, come here," she said quietly, and Tidus climbed up on the couch and sat in her lap. She wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him hard.
"They haven't found your father," she said slowly, swallowing had. "They've been looking for so long, they said… they said…"
Tidus heard his mother sod again. She hugged him tighter, her breathing shaky.
"They said they can't find him. He's dead. I'm sorry, Tidus; your father's not coming home."
Tidus didn't respond. He didn't think. He sat there in his mother's arms, not knowing what to think. He only knew he didn't want to cry. He didn't want to cry.
But he did. Tears leaked out in spite of him, no matter how many times he told himself it didn't matter.

Tidus shook himself out the memory, calling himself back to the present day. That was ten years ago, and it didn't have any bearing over today. Tidus just needed a few moments to clear his head. That in mind, he headed to the doors and pushed outside.
The sunset was beautiful. The sun sunk into the ocean, lighting the remains of ancient ruins rising out of the water. The great landscape of the Mi'ihen Highroad was painted with bright, cheerful sunset colors, bringing out a life that Tidus hadn't seen before. This sunset was different that the one he'd seen in Kilika. Not stained with blood and tragedy, but quiet, almost gentle. On the cliff stretching over the sea, Yuna sat, lit aglow by the radiant sunset. She crouched there on the grass, still and peaceful, staring out over the flaming sea. Forgetting the thoughts about his father, Tidus made his ay out to the bluff where Yuna sat.
"Whatchya up to?" he asked, and she jerked around, seeming startled by his arrival. She didn't answer, just turned back to the sea. Not saying anything else, Tidus sat down beside her, watching the waves ripple with brilliant hues.
"Pretty…" Yuna commented absently.
"Sure is," Tidus replied.
"I wish I could live in a place like this," Yuna said, seeming downcast. "Peaceful, living with a smile on my face every day."
"You can," Tidus replied, "once you beat Sin, right?"
Yuna let out a sigh and nodded. "But then a new Sin will be born again anyway."
"Well, then, you can just beat it again!" said with a bit of a chuckle.
"I wish I could." Yuna stared at the ground, seeming sad for a reason Tidus didn't know.
"Hey, you can! Trust me!" he encouraged her. "You are the best summoner out there!"
Yuna said nothing. She just stared out over the sea, still looking forlorn.
"Yuna," Tidus asked, "why does Sin always come back?"
"Sin is our punishment for our vanity," Yuna replied, sounding as though she was reciting something she'd memorized. "And it will not go away until we've atoned."
"How do we do that?" Tidus asked rather dryly. "What did we do that was so bad in the first place? Was it using lots of machina or something? Oh… Wait, was that such a bad thing, really?"
"It's funny," Yuna said with a sad little laugh. "Ever since I was young, I never questioned it. But now that you ask me it is that bad or not… I don't know." Yuna let out a sigh and hung her head. "There are so many things I don't know."
"Well, then, we're the same!" Tidus said with a chuckle. Then he raised his hands and spoke with his best wispy, old voice impression. "'Ooooh… Such thinking is very unbecoming of a summoner!' Sound like Mika?"
Yuna let out a small giggle. "That's not very nice, you know."
There was a moment of silence. Tidus wasn't sure what had gotten Yuna so down in the first place, but it was good to see her smiling again.
"You know… During a game, you have to think of blitz and nothing else, you know?" Tidus asked.
"Okay," Yuna replied plainly.
Tidus continued, standing up and gesturing for emphasize. "You can't think, 'That's a cute girl in the fifth seat from the right.' And you can't be thinking about where you're going to go on that date, because the minute you do, that's when you lose!" Tidus turned back to Yuna. "You see, Yuna, what I mean is, you really shouldn't worry, you know? After we beat Sin, that's when you can worry about the future."
"I guess," Yuna replied, nodding quietly.
Again, there was silence. Yuna stood up, looking out over the sunset sea.
"But, Yuna," Tidus asked, "how are you supposed to beat something big like that?"
"The Final Summoning," Yuna answered firmly. "It's the only way to defeat Sin. The only way." Yuna paused for a moment, but only for a moment. "With it, we can call the Final Aeon. That's the goal of the pilgrimage. The fayth of the Final Summoning lies waiting in the far north, to greet summoners that complete their pilgrimage. At the world's edge…" Yuna stopped again, swinging her arms in a deep prayer gesture. "In Zanarkand."
"In Zanarkand?" Tidus asked, startled by Yuna's words.
Yuna stammered for a moment, trying to think of what to say.
Then a voice from behind startled both of them. Auron's voice.
"She means the ruins of a city destroyed a thousand years ago."
Both Tidus and Yuna turned around to see Auron standing behind them. Tidus wasn't sure what to say. This whole pilgrimage… they were headed to Zanarkand?
"Are you sure it's ruins?" Tidus asked Yuna.
"That's what I've heard," Yuna replied.
"You'll see for yourself soon enough," Auron said. "Yuna, come back inside." Not waiting for an answer, Auron turned and walked back towards the inn. Yuna turned back to Tidus.
"Will you go with us?" she asked, her voice expressive. "To Zanarkand?"
"Yeah, I'll go," Tidus answered, feeling as forlorn as Yuna had looked earlier. Yuna smiled, but Tidus looked away.
"I'll go to see Zanarkand with my own eyes."
He knew it couldn't be his Zanarkand, but he just had to be sure. He had to be sure that there was really no way home.