Enjoy!


Chapter Twenty-Eight

There was nothing to do but wait. The airship was hovering idly over the ocean while Cid worked with the sphere oscillo-finder to locate Yuna. Tidus had found Auron sulking in the hallway just beyond the bridge, but he was in no mood to talk. He probably wouldn't have answered my questions anyway…
Tidus had pretty much given up on getting his answers from Auron, so the only thing left was to figure them out himself. He spent the idle time pondering over Seymour's odd comment back in Guadosalam and what it might have meant.
About an hour passed before Brother started shouting something in Al Bhed. It seemed to get Cid excited, and he raced over to the sphere oscillo-finder. Tidus, sick of waiting, rushed over with him. He could see an image in the sphere's electric blue surface. Tidus gasped.
"Yuna?"
Yuna stood on a bridge, high above a sprawling city, bigger than Luca. Her sandy brown hair was tied up, and she wore a white dress whose train dragged behind her. Beside her, dressed in a priest-type outfit, was… Seymour? He wore a very satisfied smile. On either side of them stood guards armed with guns, and to the right behind them was Maester Mika.
Tidus turned sharply to Cid. "Where was that?"
"The Palace of St. Bevelle, Heart of Yevon," replied Lulu, who had come along with the others to see what the fuss was about.
"Gramps, let's move!" Tidus shouted to Cid. If we know where Yuna is, why aren't we going?
"Easy, kiddo," Cid replied. "Bevelle's defenses are top-notch."
"What's the matter, gramps? You scared?" Tidus asked. "Yuna's there, so we go and get her! And that's all!"
"Heh!" Cid laughed. "You got guts." He turned to Brother, who had sat back down in the pilot's seat. Cid shouted something in Al Bhed, and Brother made a short reply. The airship accelerated suddenly, throwing Tidus from his feet. He thumped against the deck, landing at Auron's feet. Thankfully, Auron didn't say anything.
Tidus scrambled back to his feet, trying to keep his balance on the moving ship.
"It'll take a while to get to Bevelle," Cid said. "Meanwhile…"
"We prepare for battle!" Tidus finished. We're coming, Yuna… Just hang in there a little bit longer…

Everyone gathered in the bridge, getting ready to fight. They cleaned weapons and the like, but mostly they steeled their minds. Who knew what they would face in Bevelle?
Auron sat on the floor by the exit, running a rag along the length of his blade. Rikku stood over him.
"What's Seymour doing alive?" she asked. "Didn't we take care of him back in Macalania?"
Tidus agreed with her. How could that psychopath still be alive?
"He is dead," Auron replied, not looking up from his katana. "As dead as Jyscal was. His attachment to this world kept him from the next."
"Whoa, scary!" Rikku's eyes widened.
"Yuna must be trying to send him," Auron said.
"Wonder if that will work," Rikku commented. She seemed pretty nervous to Tidus, the way she kept glancing out the window. He couldn't blame her; he was the same way.
"I'm glad Yuna's okay and all," Wakka said from where he sat against the wall, "but what's with those fancy clothes?"
"It's called a wedding dress," Lulu replied. She stood next to him, staring calmly ahead.
"What?!" Wakka's mouth dropped open. Tidus knew how he felt. I wish this airship would go a bit faster! We can't be too late! We've got to get Yuna away from that Seymour!
The door to the rest of the ship opened with a mechanical grinding sound. Rin, the owner of the travel agency, walked through and approached Cid.
"We're being attacked from within," he said plainly, as if this was an everyday occurrence. "Some of the Guado that attacked Home must have snuck on board."
"You're awfully calm about it!" Cid shouted in reply. His English was a lot better than Rin's.
"I am calm about most things," Rin replied, his voice still perfectly level.
The guardians had all gathered together, the weapons they had been tending all at the ready. Rikku hurried to yank on the glove she used in battle. It didn't look like much, but the blades on the end did real damage.
"Fiends!" Cid hissed. "There's nothing to do but-"
"But destroy the ship and all go down together!" Rikku jumped in the air as she cut off her father, doing a rather exaggerated impression of his voice.
"Eh?" Cid raised one eyebrow and stared at her as if she'd grown two more heads.
Rikku let out a sigh and shook her head. "You gotta learn a little restraint, Pop. If you crash the ship, we can't go rescue Yunie! Leave the fiends to us professionals!" Rikku struck a pose, gesturing to the gathered party of guardians.
Tidus let out a chuckle. "Yeah! Let's go!"
"Thanks," Rikku said.
Cid let out a chuckle. "Rikku, you've made some very good friends, I think. Good luck."

The group left the bridge and met Isaaru's party in the hallway.
"You guys helping us out?" Tidus asked.
"Yes," Isaaru replied. "I suggest we divide and conquer. My group will cover the upper decks for now. When we reach Bevelle, we'll take over completely. You go rescue your summoner!"
"Hey, thanks guys!" Tidus said, and he really was grateful. "Where's Dona, by the way?"
"Now, I'm not sure," Isaaru replied. "She said she wasn't interested in fighting when she couldn't rely on aeons. It's too cramped in here to call them, you see."
Tidus nodded. "That sounds like her."
The sound of a battle came from down one of the corridors, attracting both parties' attention.
"Let's get down there!" Maroda called. "We can't let the Al Bhed have all the fun, now can we?" He dashed off, followed by Pacce.
"You take the upper level," Isaaru said quickly before following.
"You heard him!" Tidus said, turning back toward his group. "Let's go get 'em!"

The party scoured the airship's lower levels, picking off all the fiends they found. The creatures weren't any tougher than the ones they encountered on the road, and they had no problem defeating them. After who knew how long, they party made their way to the upper cabin. The room had windows all the way around it, providing a spectacular view of the sea of clouds surrounding them. Auron walked over to one of the windows.
"Huh, now there's a rare sight," he commented. Curious, Tidus joined him. Outside, skimming through the clouds, was a massive dragon-like fiend with delicate, lace-like wings.
"Whoa, that's huge!" Tidus gasped.
"What is that?" Rikku asked. The whole group had gathered around.
"The guardian wyrm, Evrae," Lulu explained. "The great sacred beast, protector of Bevelle."
Auron stared at it grimly. "The red carpet has teeth."
An invigorating thought burst in Tidus' mind. "Wait, that means we're close to Bevelle!"
A crackling noise filled the air as the airship's intercom came on.
"Rikku, you read me?" Cid's voice called. "We're gonna fight that thing! Get on deck and show him what you got! Go!"
"There he goes again," Rikku sighed.
Auron scoffed. "The ferryman askes a high price."

The party made their way to the exit hatch. It led to the flat section on top of the airship, where they would fight Evrae. Tidus could feel the ship slowing, but it wasn't stopping. This isn't going to be easy.
"Open the hatch," Auron said, pointing to a control panel beside the door. "We fight."
"Roger!" Tidus rushed over to the panel and hit a few buttons. The door swung open, letting in a blast of wind.
We just beat this thing, and then it's onto find Yuna. Excitement rushed through Tidus for a moment, and he clenched his sword tighter. We're coming, Yuna! We're coming!

As the party came out onto the airship's roof, Evrae swooped in to confront them. Its long, slender body glistened as the sun caught its reddish scales, and light refracted through its transparent wings. It really was a beautiful creature.
However, Tidus couldn't care less. It stood between him and Yuna, and it wasn't going to stay there. The airship creaked as the gunports opened, revealing several missiles ready to fire. At lest we've got backup.
Lulu started the fight with a fire spell, singeing Evrae's beautiful scales. The wyrm let out a roar, clearly infuriated. It proceeded to swing its tail over the party, and Tidus pressed himself against the deck. As the tail swept over him, he rolled over and swiped at it with his sword. Evrae didn't seem to notice.
Argh, thing's so big, how are we even going to hurt it?
Tidus scrambled back to his feet and took a quick look around to make sure no one had gotten swept off the deck. Everyone was there. Evrae swooped in and grasped the side of the ship with its front claws. It glared down at them, black eyes small and beady. It lunged for Tidus who jumped back quickly from its snapping jaws.
Come on, Gramps, use those missiles, why don't you?
Auron took advantage of Evrae's position stretched over the deack and leaped forward, ranking his katana over the side of Evrae's face. The creature let out a screech and snapped at its assailant, but Auron dodged it.
A crackling sound echoed as the intercom turned on.
"I'm getting the missiles set!" Cid's voice called out. "You just keep that thing busy 'till I'm ready!"
"Aim for its head!" Auron shouted to the others. "That should distract it!"
"Roger!" Tidus called back. At least old Cid doesn't expect us to kill this thing all on our own.
Lulu hit Evrae with another fire spell, and the creature lunged for her. Wakka intercepted its strike, hitting it square in the eye with his blitzball. Evrae pulled back for a moment, growling softly. It swung its tail over the deck again, and Tidus dropped once more. He managed to duck under it and not get swept off. He heard Rikku scream, but she was still on board when he looked up.
Finally, the missile launchers began to creak.
"Everyone hold on tight and stay away from the edge!" Cid called over the intercom. Tidus crouched down on the deck and braced himself as the whole ship shook. For a moment he thought it might drop out of the sky. Then missiles launched out of the side port, veiling Evrae in smoke and fire. The great dragon let out one last roar before scattering into a glorious shower of pyreflies.
The ship sped up, and Tidus tensed. He felt like he might be blown off at any moment.
Brother's voice came through the intercom, shouting something in Al Bhed. Cid cut him off.
"We've reached Bevelle, you hear?" Cid shouted. "When we get close to the platform where they're having the wedding, I'll launch down some grabbling cables to the bridge. You're gonna slide down 'em to reach Yuna!"
"We're going to what?" Lulu shouted, eyes wide.
"It'll work!" Cid shouted in reply. "We're here! You all get ready!"
"Come on, guys!" Tidus called, rushing to the edge. "We're gonna rescue Yuna! What else matters?"
"Tidus is right," Wakka said with a sigh. "Come on, let's get Yuna, ya?"

Over the edge, Tidus could see Yuna. Wearing a white wedding gown, she walked down the aisle beside Seymour. Wedding bells chimed through the air, mixed with the sounds of soldiers shouting. Evidently, they had seen the pyreflies from Evrae and were preparing for an attack. Tidus could see Maester Kinoc's orange robes; he was commanding the troops. Kinoc pointed up at the airship, and a hail of bullets flew up at them. Tidus frowned. I thought Yevon didn't allow machina weapons?
As the airship closed in on the bridge, Yuna and Seymour took notice of it. Seymour grabbed Yuna's hand and rushed up to the top of the stairs with her. Tidus clenched his fists. Oh, no you don't! We're coming, Yuna!
Two harpoons launched from the side of the airship and stuck into the ground at the base of the bridge. It was time

Wind rushed in Tidus' face, whipping his spiky blond hair into a frenzy. With his boots fixed firmly on the thick metal cord, he slid down towards Bevelle. Everyone was there, screaming down the cord at breakneck speed, rushing to save Yuna. Tidus could see her, standing at the top of the platform with Seymour and Maester Mika. A sea of soldiers separated him from her, but that didn't matter. He'd fight the entirety of Yevon's army if he could reach Yuna.
The harpoon cords snapped just as the party reached the bottom. The airship veered away, out of the range of Bevelle's defenses. Tidus could see Yuna's face now. Her expression was a mixture of destress and relief.
"Yuna!" Tidus shouted as loud as he could. He got the feeling she heard him.
Tidus pulled out his sword and held it out with both hands. I'm coming, Yuna! You'd better look out, Seymour!

The guardians fought their way through the division of soldiers there to guard the wedding. Tidus was sure he'd been grazed by several bullets, but he didn't feel it. All he cared about was getting to Yuna. He was a guardian here to save his summoner. No, it was more than that. He was Tidus, going to save Yuna. Nothing would stop him.
Breaking through the line of defense, Tidus leaped for the stairway. Yuna was right there, at the top. He was so close…
"This has gone far enough!" Kinoc shouted. He set himself in Tidus' path, sticking a rifle in his face. Tidus quickly halted, unsure of what to do. Yuna was so close, but if he moved even a little bit, Kinoc might shoot him. And he couldn't save Yuna if he was dead. More soldiers arrived, quickly surrounding the guardians.
Yuna looked down at her friends, a sharp resolve lighting in her eyes. She turned back to Seymour and produced her staff from somewhere behind her dress. She sucked in a breath, holding it vertical in front of her. Seymour simply chuckled.
"You would play at marriage just for a chance to send me?" He chuckled again. "Your resolve is admirable. All the more fitting to be my lovely wife."
Yuna was silent. She held her staff out, but her hands shook. Clearly, Seymour terrified her.
"Stop!" Maester Mika called in his old, shaky voice. "Do you not value your friends' lives? You action determine their fate. Protect them… or throw them away. The choice is yours."
Yuna stood still and silent for a few more moments, then reluctantly dropped her staff. It fell to the ground with a clatter. She turned her gaze over towards the guardians, meeting with Tidus'. He let out a sharp breath, unsure what to do. How do we save Yuna now?
"You are wise," Seymour said, a smooth smile growing over his face. He stepped closer to Yuna and took her shoulders. Yuna looked like she might run, but she held her ground. Mika nodded slowly, and Seymour pulled her in and kissed her. Yuna clenched one gloved hand into a fist, shaking with anger.
No!
Tidus nearly broke away from Kinoc and raced up to Yuna. He wanted nothing more than to run up there and shove Seymour off the platform to fall into the city below. But if he ran, he'd be shot down in moments. All he could do was stand there and watch as Yuna suffered that humiliating kiss from the unsent Seymour.
Still holding Yuna, Seymour turned to Kinoc. A wicked smile grew on his lips.
"Kill them."
Yuna gasped and broke away from Seymour. Tidus couldn't see more because Kinoc stepped in front of him, gun raised and ready to blow his brains out.
"I am sorry," Kinoc said, "but it is for Yevon." The gun quaked in his shaky grip. Clearly Kinoc wasn't the kind who enjoyed killing in cold blood. Unlike Seymour.
"Aren't those weapons forbidden by Yevon?" Auron asked coolly. Kinoc switched his aim from Tidus to Auron.
"There are exceptions," he hissed.
"No!"
Yuna's voice range over the platform. Tidus could see her clearly now. She stood near the edge of the platform; it was a good hundred feet to the city below.
"Let them go," Yuna said defiantly, "or else." She backed up until the long train of her wedding dress hung over the edge.
A dark expression covered Seymour's face. He made a motion with his hand, and all the guards lowered their weapons. Tidus couldn't stay still any longer. He raced up the stairs, standing a few feet away from Yuna.
"Leave now!" Yuna pleaded. "Go!"
"You're coming with us!" Tidus called. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Seymour and the guards getting ready. We have to leave now!
"Don't worry! Go!" Yuna continued to plead. She took another step backward. Her eyes were bright, begging Tidus to leave.
"This is foolish," Seymour said. "If you fall, you'll die."
Yuna glared at Seymour, her eyes burning with anger. She raised one gloved hand and wiped her mouth in disgust. Then she turned back to Tidus with a smile.
"Don't worry," she said confidently. "I can fly. Believe."
Tidus had no idea what Yuna was talking about. But she seemed so sure, and all he could do was trust her. Taking in a deep breath, Tidus nodded reluctantly.
Yuna's eyes met his, one blue, one green, glittering with emotion. She smiled, took one more step towards the edge. She leaned backward, and fell.
"Yuna!" No matter how much he trusted her, Tidus couldn't just stand there while Yuna fell to her death. He raced to the edge and leaned over, but it was too late. He could even catch the end of her dress. Yuna was falling.
A bright circle of light swathed around Yuna. Tidus was confused for a moment before he recognized it. She's summoning!
Valfor, the great winged beast, dived from the heavens, streaking down to save the skydiving summoner. She reached Yuna and swooped under her, and Yuna landed safely on Valfor's chest. The aeon, baring Yuna, glided away to the city below.
Tidus let out a sigh of relief. Yuna's safe.
All that was left was for the guardians to escape. No, not escape. Tidus wanted as piece of a certain unsent maester first.
Tidus pulled out his sword, facing the group of guards who blocked their escape.
"Cover your eyes!" Rikku suddenly shouted. She threw down some sort of bomb that rolled to a stop at Seymour's feet. Tidus did as he was told and covered his eyes. The following flash of light was bright enough to see through the arm he held over his face. Still keeping his eyes covered, Tidus tried to find his way to Seymour. Where are you, you-
Tidus' search was interrupted as Kimahri's large, furry hands closed around his arms with an iron grip. Kimahri yanked him from the cloud of light and out with the others.
"W-What was that?" Wakka asked.
"An Al Bhed flashbomb!" Rikku declared proudly.
"Lemme go!" Tidus shouted, struggling in Kimahri's grasp. "I'm gonna kill that Seymour!"
"Yuna said we leave!" Kimahri rumbled. "We leave!"
"We'll join up with her later!" Lulu called.
"Now, we break through!" Auron held his katana at the ready, pointing to a group of soldiers that blocked their escape.
Tidus let out a sigh as Kimahri released him. He raised his sword. One day, he'd give Seymour a beating he wouldn't forget. For now, it was time to go look for Yuna. Again.

The guardians fought their way through the soldiers and made it to the front of large, temple-like building. No one seemed to be following them.
"Where'd Yunie go?" Rikku asked, looking around.
"Bevelle Palace is temple," Kimahri nodded towards the building in front of them. "Yuna goes to one place only."
"The Chamber of the Fayth!" Tidus finished. "Let's go!"

The Bevelle temple was completely different from the other temples Tidus had seen. Rather than a circular room full of people praying to statues, the entrance lead into a small room with a lift at one end.
"it's too quiet," Lulu said, looking around the small room. "A trap?"
"Who cares?" Tidus sighed. "Yuna's waiting for us!"
"Huh?" Rikku ran over to the lift's console and poked a few buttons. Wakka stared after her, looking horrified.
"What's a machina doing in temple?" he asked.
"I suppose it comes in handy," Rikku replied with a shrug.
"That's not what I mean!" Wakka held a hand to his head. "The teachings! What about the teachings?"
"Hey, don't look at me!" Rikku fired back. She pressed another button, and the lift activated. Everyone, even Wakka, piled in and it lowered them to the bottom floor. Outside, some sort of forcefield blocked their path. Rikku tinkered with another device and lowered it.
"Another machina?" Wakka's face contorted with disgust. "Man…"
"So this is Yevon's true face," Auron said, a little too knowingly. "They betray their own teachings."
Wakka looked down at the ground, letting out a sigh. "They treated us like dirt."
The group continued through the passage until they reached another doorway. This one was open, leading into a room so full of passages and puzzles it made Tidus' head spin.
"The entrance to the Trials," Lulu said, gazing through the door.
"I wonder if Yunie's really in there," Rikku said. She, too, seemed boggled by the complexity of the Trials.
"Let's go and see!" Wakka exclaimed.
Lulu nodded. "Let's go."

The Cloister of Trials in Bevelle was unforgiving, to say the least. If Yuna hadn't been waiting at the end of it, Tidus might've given up altogether. But he had to find Yuna. He just had to find her.
After solving the mind-boggling Bevelle Trials, the guardians made their way to the room with the door to the Fayth's chamber in it. This room, like the others, was much brighter and fancier than in the other temples.
"Yuna?" Tidus called. No reply. The room weas empty.
"Inside, maybe?" Wakka suggested.
"Then what are we standing here for?" Tidus rushed over to the inner door and tried to raise it, but the door was astonishingly heavy.
"H-Hey!" Wakka stammered. Tidus already knew he was going to spout something about only summoners being allowed in there.
"You can stuff your taboos!" Tidus snapped back, still struggling with the door. The stubborn thing wouldn't budge!
Kimahri came up beside Tidus and easily lifted up the door. Tidus didn't wait a moment before rushing in. Auron followed him.
Inside, the chamber was dark, the hymn of the fayth singing in the air. The only light came from a glowing statue set in the floor, covered by a layer of glass. It was the image of a man, trapped in stone, with one great dragon-like wing growing from his back. Yuna knelt in front of it, still wearing her white wedding dress. Above the statue floated the ghostly image of a boy wearing a dark purple hood that hid his eyes.
"W-What's that?" Tidus gasped as he stared at the spectral figure. It looked vaguely familiar…
"A fayth," Auron said, coming up beside Tidus. "They join with the summoner, and together receive the aeon. They are human souls, imprisoned in stone by ancient Yevon rites."
Auron watched the ghostly form, a dark look passing over his face. "The dead should be allowed to rest."
Yuna was oblivious to her guardians' presence. After a few moments, she raised her head to look up at the fayth. The ghostly figure moved towards her, entering her with a flash of light.
"Yuna!" Tidus rushed forward, catching Yuna as she collapsed, unconscious. He glanced back towards the door, where Auron had already exited, then back at Yuna.
"I'll get you out of here, don't worry," he whispered to her, tightening his grip on her shoulders. Tidus breathed out a sigh, watching Yuna's unconscious face. He'd gone through so much to get her back, and now he had her. Now he knew the truth about her pilgrimage, that it would end in her death.
Don't worry, Yuna. I won't let you die. I don't know how, but I'll find a way you don't have to die.
Tidus gathered up Yuna in his arms and headed for the door. Just as he ducked through the exit, her heard Rikku shouting.
"Wait, don't come out!"
Too late.
Outside, a division of warrior monks held the rest of the party at gunpoint. Kinoc stepped out of their ranks, looking very smug.
"There's the last of them." Kinoc made a motion for a few of the monks to set their guns towards Tidus and Yuna. "You are to stand trial."
Auron let out a dry chuckle. "I expect it will be a fair trial."
"Of course it will," Kinoc replied with a similar humorless laugh. He turned around and walked towards the exit, signaling to his monks. "Bring them."

As soon as Yuna woke, the group was brought out to stand trial. Yuna, back in her usual navy skirt and white top, took the stand, addressing the maesters of Yevon. The rest of the party stood behind her. The maesters stood on three different balconies above their heads, in a set-up seemingly designed to belittle those for the defense. Seymour stood on the balcony to the left, and Kinoc to the right. On the center balcony stood Maester Mika, an old Ronso dressed in Yevon robes with him.
The Ronso maester walked to the front of the balcony and addressed Yuna's party.
"The High Court of Yevon is now in session. The sacred offices of this court seek nothing but the absolute truth, in Yevon's name. To those on trial, believe in Yevon, and speak only the truth."
"Maester Kelk Ronso," Lulu whispered into Tidus' ear. He nodded subtly.
"Summoner Yuna," Kelk's deep voice boomed over the large room. "You have sworn to protect the people of Yevon, true?"
"Yes," Yuna replied. Her voice sounded small and weak against Maester Kelk's, but she was not afraid. Or, if she was, she didn't let it show.
"Then, consider," Kelk boomed again. "You have inflicted dire injury upon Maester Seymour Guado, conspired with the Al Bhed and joined in their insurrection. These are traitorous and unforgivable crimes that disturb the order of Yevon. Tell the court what possessed you to participate in such violence!"
Tidus clenched his fists. He's twisting things. The absolute truth, my foot. What about the part where Seymour tried to kill us?
"Your Grace…" Yuna began, looking up at the maesters with fire in her eyes. "The real traitor is Maester Seymour! He killed his father Jyscal with his own hands!"
Kelk looked astonished. "What is this?!" he shouted, turned quickly to Seymour.
"Hmm? Hadn't you heard?" Seymour said nonchalantly. Evidently, he no longer cared if his secret got out. He didn't bother to use his smooth rhetoric, either.
"Not only that…" Yuna continued. "Maester Seymour is already dead!"
Lulu joined in Yuna's defense. "It is a summoner's sacred duty to send the souls of the departed to the Farplane! Yuna was only doing her job as a summoner!"
"Grand Maester Mika," Yuna pleaded. "Please, send Seymour now!"
Maester Mika chuckle. The dark sound resonated over the large, domed room.
"Send the unsent to where they belong?" he asked, as though this where an amusing thought.
"Yes!" Yuna said, almost shouting. She looked confused. Mika just chuckled again, and Tidus got the feeling something wasn't right. Not only was this trial's outcome set, but there was something else going on beneath the surface.
"Maester?" Yuna asked.
"Send the dead, hmm?" Maester Mika raised his arms out, and a few pyreflies flew away from his body. "You would have to send me, too."
"What?!" Wakka gasped from his place behind Tidus.
"Grand Maester Mika is a wise leader," Maester Kelk said. "Even in death, he is invaluable to Spira."
Kinoc joined in. "Enlightened rule by the dead is preferable to the misguided failures of the living."
"Life is but a passing dream," Seymour said, his suave tones returning, "but the death that follows is eternal."
"Men die. Beasts die. Trees die. Even continents perish," Mika said, spreading his arms wide. "Only the power of death truly commands in Spira. Resisting its power is futile."
Tidus couldn't help but twist his face in disgust. These guys are stark raving mad!
"But what of Sin?" Yuna replied. "I am a summoner, my lord, like my father before me! I am on a pilgrimage to stop the death that Sin brings. Are you… Are you telling me that, too, is futile?" Yuna lost control over her emotions, and her voice became desperate. "Grand Maester Mika, I am not alone! All the people who have opposed Sin… Their battles, their sacrifices- were they all in vain?"
"Not in vain," Mika replied. "No matter how many summoners give their lives, Sin cannot be truly defeated. The rebirth of cannot be stopped. Yet the courage of those who fight gives the people hope. There is nothing futile in the life and death of a summoner."
Auron let out a dark chuckle. "Never futile… but never ending."
"Indeed." Maester Mika nodded. "That is the essence of Yevon."
"Lord Mika!" Yuna cried, her voice shaking. She was always so calm, but this was breaking her. Tidus could see it in the way her eyes shone, on the verge of tears. Everything she had ever believed in was being overthrown.
"Yevon is embodied by eternal, unchanging continuity, summoner," Mika said gently.
"No…" Yuna closed her eyes, blocking view of the turmoil within her. "That can't be right!"
"Those who question these truths- they are traitors!" Mika shouted. The three other maesters responded with prayer bows.
Yuna shook her head. "Lord Mika!"
"Enough!" Mika snapped. He turned to address Kinoc. "This trial is concluded. Escort these traitors to their cells whilst we determine their sentence."