Hello! I haven't forgotten you or this story, I was really busy and somehow the new chapters didn't seem good enough to be published :l But since I gave the promise to myself to finish this I will continue neverthless. Maybe a tad slower but there will be more chapters :D
Hope you enjoy it so far. If you have ideas, requests or corrections please feel free to tell me :) So enough babbling, let's continue!
Mi'ihen Road was a very long road. They started out optimistic but found themselves quite exhausted after more and more fiends blocked their way. At first they encountered some armoured ones that looked really tough but Tidus optimism did not waver. "Hah! That one looks slow.", he noted. Auron countered. "It's also though. Let me handle this." But Tidus did not listen and attacked. "I can take it!" His sword just made a noise but otherwise was deflected by the fiends armour. "What the...?" Now it was Aurons turn and he heaved his huge sword up and with a powerful hit it slid trough the armour and the fiend dissolved into pyreflies. "I could have done that!", Tidus huffed.
But now that everybody knew about the armour it was easier to weaken them for the final blow. Riona, though not as strong as Auron nor as agile as Tidus, did her best to assist her comrades. Lulu finished most of the fiends with her Blitzra magic (Riona was not sure what role the small stuffed animal played, Lulu called it Moogle) and Wakka threw his blitzball full power at them. When she had wondered at first how it was possible to fight with only a blitzball Riona soon learned how effective it was. Flying fiends stood no chance against Wakkas blitzball. Sometimes Auron would charge in but it became clear to her he left the group a chance to improve themselves.
After a while the reached the remains of what used to be a tower. In front of it stood an old man, white beard and glasses only one sign of his advanced age, who was eying the ruins like they would tell them a story if he kept up long enough. As he saw Tidus inspecting the ruins he asked him where the ruins might be from. Tidus answer "Some old city?" made Riona cringe. There was something about that boy she could not cope with. To her delight Auron let out a quiet sigh as Maechen, now that the old man had introduced himself, lectured the group. She must have snorted unconsciously because everyone now stared at her. "Sorry, don't mind me.", was all she could bring out.
Only a few metres after Maerchen the group met some chocobo knights. Knights because two of them were armoured and riding a chcocobo while the third did his best to catch his breath as the two were greeting the summoner. The riding ones introduced themselves as Lucil and Elma. They were sent to patrol the road to report any larger fiends that might appear. Lucil spoke out a warning: "There have been reports of a large fiend appearing in this area, with a taste for chocobos. Do take care, Summoner Yuna, if you are to rent any chocobos."
Yuna thankfully bowed and as both parties wished their farewells Tidus spirit began to show anew. "A large fiend…Let's go get him!", he shouted like it was a mere adventure and not some life threatening risk. Riona could see Lulu and Waka whispering as Auron reacted to Tidus energy outburst and asked why they would do such a thing. "Because it's the right thing to do!" Auron only chuckled in his low voice. "It's the right thing to do?" as Tidus was about to answer Auron continued neverthless. "Jecht said that a lot, too. And every time he said it, it meant trouble for Braska and me." That brought him an "ohh" from Wakka and everybody knew it was time to move on.
Riona still walked behind the others and in front of Auron but she declared she became bored. Maybe Lulu would think the same and they could talk. She decided to like the black mage; her first impression was that Lulu might be arrogant and cold but the few words she had changed with her had proven her wrong. She moved forward, surpassing Yuna, who was giggling as Tidus babbled animatedly, and Kimahri but not Wakka, who now took the lead, and went next to Lulu.
"Hey there", she said. Lulu smiled softly. "Getting bored behind there?" Riona nodded. "Thought so. Same here. So, tell me, where do you learned to fight this way?"
"I taught myself a lot and during my journeys I have met some swordsmen who could always show me a thing or two." Riona took her blade out for Lulu to see it clearly.
"Its forged to wield with either one or two hands what makes it really versatile." Lulu took the sword in her hands and examined it. "It looks like a lot of work was put in it. Where do you got that from?" Riona hesitated. She did not want to tell Lulu the full story of how she came into possession of the sword, it was ... personal. Lulu registered her hesitation and chuckled.
"No need to tell me now honey. I can wait if you want to. Everybody here has personal issues to deal with and if you need time then we give you time." Riona smiled wholeheartedly at this. It sure came unexpected but it shrinked the worries she had when departing. Maybe it would not be so bad at all.
Tidus already let out few sighs of tiredness and Wakka joined in. Riona herself felt worn down, walking all the time and fighting fiends was not too entertaining for her taste. On her missions she was the one who decided when and where to rest and mostly she was the only one to get rid off the fiends. Altough she greatly missed the times when she was in command it felt comfortable to simply trust the choices a leader made for his party.
She was interrupted when an upset young woman all dressed in green robes discussed with a crusader. Riona heard pieces of "any way we can" and then the crusader stormed off, leaving a vulnerable looking woman behind. "Are you alright?" Riona wondered how Yuna managed to be so kind and modest all the time. The girl was also taken aback and bowed right after Yuna introduced herself.
"It is an honor, my lady. My name is Shelinda. I am a disciple of Yevon." Wakka, an ardent believer of Yevons teachings, that much Riona had made out easily, jumped in: "What was all that about? The Crusaders' operation?" The disciple shortly explained that the order of Yevon was about to launch an attack to defeat sin using forbidden machina. She had to stop them. Lulu stated, as a matter of fact, that "the use of machina is strictly forbidden by the Yevon priesthood." Wakka looked to Auron as if waiting for him to confirm this but the red dressed warrior simply answered: "Let them use whatever they want. They still won't defeat Sin." Wakkas face displayed absolute disbelief. Tidus did not seem fully aware of what was being discussed here and simply stared into the air. "But, it's not about defeating Sin! The teachings of Yevon must be upheld!", Shelinda angrily answered with Wakka approving her.
Shelinda made her low rank responsible for nobody listening to her, but Yuna firmly reminded her that ranks were not everything: "Well, I haven't been a summoner for very long myself, you see. Still, I can't put myself down every time I fail. People are depending on me. They're depending on both of us!" Shelinda seemed to think about this, wished the group a hearthly farewell (only Kimahri looked digruntled as she left) and told them she would become a nun now. If all things were as easy as a small motivational speech Riona chuckled to herself. But she was in good spirits too and, as Auron mentioned, an agency was not too far away from them.
As the shop came into view Riona noticed in an instant that it was run by Al Bhed. She had spent almost a year living with them and the small details, such as edgy woven patterns and few extra gadgeds like fans were an evidence Al Bhed were around.
"We rest here.", Auron declared. "But, this is an Al Bhed shop!", Wakka interposed. Auron turned and looked over the edge of his sunglasses as he formed the next question. "Is that a problem?" Wakka countered: "They don't believe in Yevon, and in Luca they… They kidnapped Yuna!" But Auron remained calm. "Where were her guardians?" Now it was Wakkas turn to sheepishly rub his head and fade into the background.
Yuna looked as tired as did Lulu, Tidus seemed okay as did Auron, only Kimahri did not seem to be affected by a bit. Riona herself felt every muscle in her body. It has been a long time since she had been fighting this hard, she thought grimly. Maybe she should not have taken so many contracts that were only about escorting merchants in the first place. However it felt right; Riona did not want to throw away her life for a few extra Gil that would only be spent for drinking and gambling.
Everybody had settled down at the small inn; the Al Bhed, Mr. Rin, did not mind Wakkas resentment but was rather impressed by Yunas humility. Supper was still in the making, probably fish, and so everybody made himself comfortable around the small shop. The sun was going down slowly and Riona caught herself thinking about home. How she happily spent her days catching fish and in the evenings, sat there with Tommen, sometimes also Tina and Michan, her best friends, and devoured some roasted fish like it was a feast. Oh, how Riona wished for everything to be that simple again.
She hated herself for those sentimental moments. Yuna however came shortly after to her rescue. "How are you doing? I have seen you are indeed great at fighting.", she started almost shyly. "I am fine, thank you."
Silence unfolded. Riona knew she was not easy to approach but she simply was not interested in chattering, especially now. Yuna shifted uncomfortably and continued neverthless: "I heard Sir Auron wants to talk to you. I am sure he only wants to make sure you are no threat but please dont feel unwelcome. He is right there, near the tent. I wish you a nice evening", and so Yuna left cheerfully, bowing before she headed to Tidus who was enjoying his view from the cliff ahead of them.
Riona made her way slowly, somehow she was not too exited to meet Auron. At first she had the hope he might be able to teach her a thing or two but as they travelled in absolute silence it became clear to her he wanted to be left alone. She wasnt even sure if he wanted to be called Auron or Sir Auron, but since Tidus went with only Auron she decided calling him so too. He could complain if he he wanted to after all.
She came around the corner of the tent and immediatly red caught her focus. Auron stood there, left arm shed out of his coat, and was breathing hard while he swung his sword in a steady rythm. He noted her as soon as she entered his field of vision and rammed his sword into the ground so it stood freely. Sunglasses still on his eyes, despite the imminent sunset, he examined Riona. His gaze stopped at her sword. "Care to use this?" She nodded and unsheated her longsword. It was hers and only hers to take hand on. Tommen gave it to her as a present as they celebrated their 4th year anniversary. It deserved mindfulness.
Auron was patiently waiting for her to make a move.
And she did. She started attacking in wild swings only to test his reflexes. They were good. She then tried to reach his body with more ellaborate swings, bluffing and countering as best as she could. Her opponent remained alert and was able to block all of her attacks but did nothing to land an attack himself. Riona was tiring slowly but quite certain and soon she was breathing hardly while Aurons breahting had normalised. He did not falter and went to attack mode when the first signs of exhaustion were clearly visible. Riona had not noticed this before but his former only vigorous hits were also fairly accurate. She tried to step aside but failed miserably. His first stroke hit her right below her rips, the next one knocked her legs down. She was kneeling at the ground, breathing rapidly and feeling humiliated. Relentless Riona shot a glance at Auron who in turn only scowled.
"You tire yourself out far too fast. How do you want to be a good guardian if none of your attacks will hit?" She wanted to object at the guradian part but there was not enough air left to speak. He rammed the sword into the ground and moved foreward, standing before a kneeling Riona. She knew he wanted to take her sword but she did not want to let loose. He raised his brow at her but kept quiet. She slowly succumbed, giving her sword to him. Auron took it and swung it, albeit carefully. "I see now." Riona wanted to laugh at this, the whole situation was even more awkward than she could have ever imagined but Auron ignored this. "You are neither fast nor strong. Are you sure this is the weapon you want to wield?"
Devasted by this simple remark Riona managed a faint "yes". How could he simply judge her after a moment of fighting? Whatever a legendary guardian was, as Wakka had told her admiringly, how could he be so arrogant? Still kneeling in the dirt Riona managed to stand up. Auron gave her sword back. "Good."
