We are quickly approaching the end. Only two more chapters after this one!
Chapter Thirty-Six
The party made their way back through the Zanarkand dome and out into the ruins. When they emerged, the whole city was bathed in morning light. There was a hushed silence over Zanarkand, no birds greeting the new day with their songs.
Man, we were in there all night?
Tidus began to feel his fatigue at the thought. They'd climbed down Mount Gagazet with only a short rest before fighting their way through the Zanarkand ruins. Then they'd traveled through the dome and fought Yunalesca. Now, it was the next morning, and Tidus felt like he could barely take another step. The same weariness showed on all the other's faces.
Tidus saw something floating there, above Zanarkand. He caught his breath and moved to the front of the group to face it. Sin.
Dad?
The massive whale-like creature that was Sin hovered over the ancient ruins of Zanarkand. Tidus could feel his presence, and he didn't feel instantly angry. His father had fought Sin with Braska, sacrificing himself for Spira. Auron was right; Jecht had changed during his time in Spira. Tidus had, too.
A pulse rippled through the air, but Tidus was the only one who felt it. A strong desire, a thought bordering on a word, coming from Sin.
I know, Tidus thought, he got the feeling Jecht heard him. The Final Summoning's gone. But I'll think of something! Just give me a little more time!
Sin turned and slinked away, disappearing beneath the sea just beyond the ruins. Through the morning sky, another shape was fast approaching.
Is that… the airship?
Cid's airship flew through the air, coming to stop just above the ruins. It lowered down slowly, coming to a stop just in front of the party.
Finally.
…
Up on board the airship, the guardians and Yuna clustered together in the bridge. Cid faced them, and Brother was in the pilot's seat. Brother shouted something in Al Bhed, but Tidus didn't understand.
"Aren't we the happy lookin' bunch," Cid said with a scoff, inspecting the weary group.
Brother shouted again, his voice impatient.
"'Where, where?' That all you can say?" Rikku fired back angrily. "Why don't you think of something!?"
"Well?" Auron asked, turning to Tidus. "Any ideas?"
"Come on, help us!" Tidus said back to Auron.
Auron let out a sigh. "What we do know… Sin is Jecht. Thus, you have a link… a bond with Sin. That may be our key."
That doesn't help. "So what do we do?" Tidus asked.
"We think, and we wait," Auron said. He turned and walked out of the bridge.
Tidus let out a groan. "Two things I'm bad at."
Tidus turned and saw Yuna approaching Cid. She bowed low to her uncle. Cid turned away, putting his back to Yuna. The gruff Al Bhed man was holding back tears. To know Yuna was save, finally… Cid must have found it as great a relief as Tidus did. Yuna rose and looked in confusion at Cid's turned back. After a few moments, she walked over to Kimahri.
"You're not gonna get any thinking done in this state!" Cid announced suddenly, swinging back around. He'd managed to hold in his tears. "You're all dead beat! You get on down to the rooms you used last time, and we'll talk again once you've gotten some proper rest! Now go!"
Tidus had no objections. He felt like he could sleep for days.
It was still early in the morning, but the whole group hurried off to bed all the same. Tidus, Auron, and Wakka all took the same bunks as the last time they slept aboard the airship. There was no conversation, and Tidus was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. His dreams were filled with memories of Jecht and Auron from his childhood.
They all slept until late in the afternoon. Then they woke and spent time discussing what they knew and eating a hearty, well-deserved meal. The next morning, they all dispersed and set to thinking. Tidus couldn't focus. His thoughts kept going in circles, and he came up empty. After a while, he set off wandering the halls of the airship, hoping he might see or heard something that would give him an answer.
Tidus went up on the observation deck and found Yuna staring out the window, watching the clouds roll by. Kimahri stood next to her. Tidus walked over and stood on Yuna's other side.
"I'm no good at all," Yuna sighed.
"What are you talking about?" Tidus asked, swinging her head over to watched Yuna's face.
"All this time, I've been thinking about how to defeat Sin. But I…" Yuna shook her head in frustration. "Beyond the teachings of Yevon, I… I know nothing. I'm sorry."
Tidus was about to comfort her when Kimahri spoke up.
"Yuna, no apologies," he rumbled.
"Huh?" Yuna cocked her head.
"Apology is running," Kimahri continued. "Yuna never run away."
Yuna nodded. "Thank you, Kimahri."
Tidus had heard everybody's ideas, or rather lack of them, but Kimahri's. The Ronso had stayed his usual silent self while the others discussed. Tidus decided to ask his opinion.
"So, uh, Kimahri… You got any good ideas?"
"Yevon's teachings," Kimahri replied plainly.
"The teachings won't help us fight Sin," Yuna said. Tidus caught a hidden hint of desperation in her voice. We need to think of something soon.
"No answer in the teachings," Kimahri continued, "answers lie outside. Must know both sides to find answer."
"Both sides…" Yuna murmured thoughtfully.
"Mika knows much," Kimahri said. "Find him, make him talk."
"That's it!" Tidus cheered, nearly jumping into the air in excitement. "Kimahri, you rock!" Tidus nearly gave the Ronso a hug but thought better of it. Instead, he dashed away, headed back for the bridge. The others need to hear this! Finally, something to do!
As soon as Tidus entered the bridge, he was greeted with smiling faces, filled with excitement. Wakka and Rikku, along with Lulu, were up there. He wasn't sure where Auron was.
"Hey, Tidus!" Wakka called. "I just had a great idea!"
Rikku quickly put her hand over Wakka's mouth, cutting off his excited stream of words.
"It was my idea!" she said. "Let me tell him!"
Wakka shoved Rikku's hand away. "It's like this, ya?"
"I just thought!" Rikku cut him off.
"The Hymn is the key." Lulu, standing calmly on the other side of the room, beat both Rikku and Wakka. They groaned in unison.
"The Hymn?" Tidus asked, ignoring Wakka and Rikku's melodramatics.
"Sir Jecht likes the Hymn of the Fayth, correct?" Lulu asked.
"Yeah." Tidus answered.
"That's why he was listening to it in Macalania!" Rikku called out. She was nearly jumping in glee at getting a word in.
Lulu looked out the window for a moment. "Sin… violence incarnate, listening peacefully.
"Uh…" Wakka cleared his throat. "I know it's your old man, and I don't mean no disrespect, but…"
"No, it's fine." Tidus let out a weak chuckle. "I'm used to it."
"Let me say it," Lulu said. "If we attack Sin head-on, we've little chance of winning. However, if he hears the Hymn of the Fayth, he will become docile."
"Yeah, and that's when we make our move!" Wakka continued. "Might be against the rules and all, but who's keeping track, ya? Ya?"
"Yeah!" Rikku all but cheered. "It could really work!"
"Yeah…" Tidus nodded slowly, chewing over the plan. "Yeah, it's worth a try! But first, we're going to go to Bevelle and track down Mika, see what he knows."
"Sounds like a plan to me!" Cid's rough voice entered the conversation. "My baby here'll take us anywhere we want!" He turned towards the pilot. "Set course for Bevelle!" The airship sped up slightly. Tidus managed to stay on his feet this time.
"Yee-hah!" Cid shouted, cackling in that rather disturbing manner of his. "Here we go!"
…
The airship brought them quickly to Bevelle. The party was making its way through the gate into the city when a pair of warrior monks stopped them.
"Infidel!" one of the monks shouted.
Wakka let out a groan. "Man, don't these guys ever give up?"
"You'll regret showing your face here!" the monks continued to shout. "We'll strike you down in the name of Yevon!"
"Blah, blah, blah." Tidus turned to his friends. "Yeah, so? Guys?"
"If they want a fight, let's give 'em one!" Rikku said.
"Prepare to charge!" one of the monks called, and Tidus clenched the hilt of his sword. Here they come…
"Stop!" a familiar voice called. Rushing out to meet them was Shelinda. What's she doing here?
"Captain?" the monk asked.
"Lady Yuna is not to be harmed!" Shelinda came to a halt just in front of the party. "She's no traitor! That is an evil rumor spread by the Al Bhed!"
"What?" Rikku said.
"Maester Mika himself told me so," Shelinda nearly pleaded with the monk.
"Then… what are we to do?" the monk asked Shelinda. He looked lost.
"Stand down!" Rikku called, molding her voice into a credible imitation of Shelinda.
"As she says!" Shelinda agreed. The monks stepped aside, clearing the pathway. Shelinda let out a sigh; she looked tired.
"What was that about evil Al Bhed?" Rikku asked, her face less than friendly.
"I… Truly, I do not understand myself," Shelinda said. "All Yevon seems to be in a state of confusion. Why, yesterday they called me out of the blue and made me captain of the guard!"
"Short on believers?" Auron asked. He seemed to find this amusing.
"Yes, the chaos in the temples in worse than I'd imagined," Shelinda replied with a long sigh. "It's horrible! And all the priests do is blame each other. I worry what will become of Yevon. But no! I must be the rock that stands against the swirling tides, right? Lady Yuna, I must tell you, your courage had been a great inspiration to me."
Tidus let out a sigh. This was getting them nowhere. "Yeah, that's great, but we came here to see Maester Mika. Is he here?"
"Yes, I shall arrange an audience," Shelinda said with a nod. "Please wait in the courtroom." She hurried off, her thick green robes billowing around her.
"Hey, hey, wait!" Rikku called, doing a little jump. "What was all that about the Al Bhed lying and stuff?"
"Simple," Auron answered. "Yuna had become Mika's only hope."
"Oh… Okay," Rikku replied, clearly not understanding.
"Just what does he think he can get away with?" Lulu said, letting anger seep through her voice.
"Time to teach him some manners!" Tidus felt a grin growing over his face. Yuna met his eyes and smiled back.
"Yes, let's."
This time, the party got to stand up on the balcony instead of in the defendant's box far below. The High Court of Yevon seemed at lot less intimidating from way up there. After a few quiet minutes, Mika met them.
"Why are you here?" he asked as he arrived. He didn't sound happy at all. "You must go and defeat Sin, quickly! You have obtained the Final Aeon from Yunalesca, have you not?"
"Well, we did meet her," Tidus said.
"We fought and defeated her." Yuna's eyes flashed as she spoke.
"What?!" Mika's eyes grew wide.
"Summoners and guardians will be sacrificed for the Final Summoning no more!" Auron declared. Tidus suddenly saw how triumphant a moment that was for Auron. Though his story was over, Auron had seen the destruction of the thing that had caused Braska and Jecht's deaths and had made sure no one would die the same death they did ever again.
"You have profaned and subverted a thousand-year-old tradition? Fools! Infants!" Mika was trembling with rage now. "Do you realize what you've done? You've taken away the only means of calming Sin!"
"Hey, maybe there's another way!" Tidus said. "We think we've got another."
"Why… preposterous!" Mika shook his head. "There is no other way!" A few pyreflies escaped his unsent form.
"The grand maester, running away?" Auron sneered. Of course, he would recognize what an unsent was about to do.
"Spira has lost its only hope," Mika shook all over, more pyreflies starting to rise. "Destruction is inevitable. Yu Yevon's spiral of death will consume us all. I have no desire to watch Spira die."
"It won't die!" Yuna called.
Tidus didn't waste time being defiant and went straight to his questions before Mika ran off to the Farplane. "Who is this Yu Yevon guy?"
"Lady Yunalesca also mentioned him," Lulu said.
"Wait, gramps!" Rikku called. "Who's Yu Yevon?"
"He who crafts the souls of the dead into unholy armor," Mika replied. He had stopped shaking and only looked tired. "An armor called Sin. Clad in it, Yu Yevon is invincible. And the only thing that could have pierced that armor, you have destroyed! Nothing can stop it now." With that, Maester Mika dissolved in a flurry of pyreflies, gone for good.
"Bah! Disappear on us, will ya?" Wakka shook a fist in the air. "Rotten son of a shoopuf!"
The door on the other end of the balcony swung open, and Shelinda entered.
"Where… Where is the grand maester?" she asked.
"He, um…" Yuna stuttered.
"He's not here yet," Auron said. "How long must we wait?"
"That's odd…" Shelinda placed one hand against her cheek as she pondered. "I'll go look for His Grace." With that, she left.
A cold, quivering feeling ran up Tidus' spine, and he quicky turned around. Floating there just beyond the balcony was the faint, ghostly image of a boy in a dark purple hood. Bahamut's fayth. Yuna's eyes widened as she saw it, but the others didn't notice. Maybe they couldn't see it at all.
"It's you," Tidus said softly. Seeing the fayth made his words ring in Tidus' mind; It's not that you're dreaming. You are a dream.
"Come, to my room," the fayth said.
"Okay." Yuna nodded, and the fayth disappeared.
"Who are you talking to?" Wakka asked. The whole group looked rather worried, except Auron. Maybe he saw the fayth too, being an unsent.
"Oh. Uh, no one," Tidus replied, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I must go see the fayth," Yuna announced, drawing surprised looks from everyone but Auron.
"Hmph. I see," Auron said flatly, then turned to leave the balcony. The others followed.
What does he want? Is it… about me… and Zanarkand? Well, there's only one why to find out…
Everyone else waited outside as Tidus and Yuna went to talk to the fayth. Inside the fayth chamber, it was dark save for the faint glow of the statue in the center. Tidus remembered rushing in here after the wedding to find Yuna. Now, it was a pleasant memory, a moment of triumph when he'd finally gotten Yuna back. Tidus glanced over at the summoner beside him; he wasn't sure what he'd do without her now.
"Hello," the fayth said, materializing over his statue.
"I musty thank you for the aeon," Yuna said, bowing deeply.
"So, what's up?" Tidus asked. He wanted to get to the bottom of this, and quick.
"So," the fayth said, "have you found a way to truly defeat Sin?"
Tidus pondered for a moment. They could use the hymn of the fayth to calm Sin and maybe even win the battle, but Sin would just come back unless…
"We fight Yu Yevon," Tidus finished aloud.
"Yes… If you defeat Yu Yevon, it will end." The fayth boy nodded. "Tell me, what do you know about Yu Yevon?"
"He's what makes Sin come back!" Tidus said.
"Sin is his armor," Yuna added. "It protects him."
"Yu Yevon was once a summoner, long ago," the fayth explained. "He was peerless. Yet now, he lives for one purpose: only to summon. He is neither good, nor evil. He is awake, yet he dreams. But… maybe not forever."
"Yeah, that's right," Tidus said. "Because we're ending it." He lives only to summon. To summon Zanarkand. Me. When we beat him, I'll be… gone. Tidus sucked in a sharp breath; he couldn't dwell on that now. He had to focus on beating Sin. Saving Spira. Making sure Yuna would live a life safe from Sin, even if it was without…
"Yes. Even if you defeat Sin with the Final Summoning, Yu Yevon will live," the fayth continued. "Yu Yevon will join with the Final Aeon. He will transform it into the next Sin."
"Yu Yevon merges with the aeon…" Yuna murmured, mulling over this new information.
"Then," the fayth said, "protected by this new Sin he has created, Yu Yevon continues the summoning.
Tidus let out a sigh. "For eternity… huh?"
"But you know…" The fayth's voice was serious. "There is no such thing as an eternity if you end it, is there?"
"Uh-huh," Tidus nodded. End it. End the dreaming and the summoning.
"Yu Yevon lives inside Sin," the fayth explained. "Yuna, listen. When you fight Yu Yevon, we will help you. Promise me you'll summon us. I'm afraid your swords and magic won't be enough. Please, call us. Promise?"
"Yes," Yuna replied.
"But, you know…" The fayth turned to Tidus. "When it is all over… we will wake, and our dream will end. Our dream will vanish."
I know. "Yeah. You've been dreaming a long time, haven't you?"
The fayth nodded. "I'm sorry."
Tidus breathed deeply. "I'm grateful."
The fayth disappeared, and Tidus felt a flicker of energy.
"About what?" Yuna asked. Tidus froze a moment. He'd forgotten Yuna was listening to all that.
"Oh, nothing," he said quickly. Yuna frowned. "Hey, don't make that face! Come on! We're going to beat Sin! Let's see some cheer, okay?"
Yuna's expression didn't change. "You're hiding something."
"I-I am not!" Tidus turned his face away from Yuna. He didn't like keeping secrets from her, but if she knew… Tidus wanted to be able to enjoy there last days together and not worry about the future. About what would happen when they defeated Yu Yevon, when the fayth of Zanarkand awoke.
"Really?" Yuna continued to pry. Tidus didn't answer and made a beeline for the exit. He didn't hear he last comment, whispered under her breath as she followed.
"You're a bad liar, you know?"
Out by the gate, the party was just about to leave when Shelinda came running out.
"I'm afraid the grand maester is nowhere to be found!" she said.
"S'okay," Tidus said. "We were just leaving."
"Oh…" Shelinda looked downcast. "I see."
"Hey! Maybe you could help us with the hymn," Rikku said, doing a little jump.
"Hey, good idea!" Tidus said.
Rikku turned to Shelinda. "It's like, we need you to tell as many people as you can."
"What should I tell them?" Shelinda asked.
"A ship in the sky will sing the Hymn of the Fayth," Rikku said. "When they hear it, we need everyone to sing along!"
"Everyone in Spira!" Wakka added.
Shelinda's brow furrowed. "I'm not sure I understand."
"You don't have to!" Rikku said. "Just tell everyone!"
"A ship in the sky will sing the Hymn of the Fayth?" Shelinda repeated. "So when they hear it, everyone should sing along, correct?"
"If they do," Tidus said, "we might be able to defeat Sin!"
Shelinda gasped. "Truly?"
"Yes!" Yuna said. It was the first she'd spoke since they left Bahamut's chamber. Tidus was a little worried about her.
"That's wonderful!" Shelinda beamed. "You can count on me! I shall tell all of Spira!" Shelinda and the party headed off in opposite directions, Shelinda to spread word across all Spira, and Tidus and his friends to prepare for the final battle with Sin.
…
It was sometime in the afternoon when the party got back on the airship. It was decided they'd wait until the day after tomorrow to make their move, to give Shelinda time to tell enough people. They went to sleep early that night.
Tidus couldn't say he wasn't nervous. And Yuna seemed off, too. Perhaps she was just antsy like everyone else. Soon, they'd rid Spira of Sin, and it would all be over. For Tidus, it really would all be over. But he tried hard not to think about it. If he did, it would show and Yuna would only get more suspicious.
Tidus woke late that next morning and made his way up to the bridge, where he'd probably find at least some of the others. Auron had taken up his usual lurking position in the hallway to the bridge, and he stopped Tidus as he walked by.
"You've done well," he said.
"Hm?" Tidus stopped and turned to Auron. "What do you mean?"
"You come this far. You didn't give up. And you're going ahead with defeating Sin, even though you know what it means." Auron let out a chuckle. "I'm… proud of you."
Tidus stared for a few moments. "Wait, how do you know what's going to happen after we beat Sin?"
"I know about your Zanarkand," Auron replied. "I've known since the beginning."
Tidus let out a sigh. Of course he did.
"Have you told Yuna?" Auron asked.
This nearly made Tidus jump. "Well, I… I wouldn't want her to worry, you know?"
Auron chuckled. "Love is too complicated for one so young."
"What?" Tidus blinked.
Auron chuckled again before turning to exit the corridor. Tidus shook his head and continued on into the bridge.
The rest of that day passed slowly. Tidus figured it was the last day he had. Tomorrow morning, they'd broadcast the hymn of the fayth and fight Sin. After they took down Sin, they'd fight Yu Yevon, and when that was over, the dream of Zanarkand would be gone. Fade away…
Tidus wanted to talk with Yuna. One more peaceful, normal talk before everything was over. But if he did talk to her, Tidus was worried he'd slip up or act nervous of something. Yuna wasn't dumb; if she started asking questions again, like in the fayth's chamber, what would he say? Maybe it would be better to just avoid her for now? But later he wouldn't have a chance. If Tidus thought about that too long, really let it sink in, he'd lose his head. And then Yuna would really worry.
It was in the afternoon when Tidus stumbled over Yuna in the observation deck at the airship's top. She was staring out at the clouds lost in thought.
"Whatchya thinking about?" Tidus asked, coming up beside her. He hoped he looked normal enough.
"Oh, I was just wondering… what we'll do when all this is over," Yuna replied. She looked over at him. "What do you want to do?"
Tidus sucked in a breath, trying to keep himself calm. He knew what he wanted to do. Marry Yuna. Take her to see Zanarkand. Live a normal life in a peaceful world. But he wouldn't get to do any of that. All Tidus could hope for was that Yuna would be okay when he was gone.
"Let's worry about that when the time comes," Tidus said at last. A shadow of worry passed over Yuna's face, and Tidus looked away. That was just what he was trying to avoid. Tidus took a step closer and took Yuna's hand.
"Hey, it'll be great, I'm sure of that!" he said, flashing her a grin he hoped was genuine enough. She smiled back and nodded. Tidus felt bad not telling her, but if he had, would they have this moment? They'd… say goodbye… when the time came.
Oh, Yuna…
