Hello everyone, welcome to the thirteenth chapter of ET.
I'm sorry I haven't updated since May I'm pretty sure, but I haven't had a break between school assignments since March. But it's holidays right now so I should have another chapter out within two weeks, possibly three. Unless I get really distracted.
I reckon I could have written this chapter better, but this is just the way it came out. That said it took me four days to write 1800 words, but because it sucked so much I deleted it and then wrote 1800 words in a night. Only took me three days to write the chapter, I'm only updating a day later because my beta only just read over it for me.
This should be an interesting chapter, I'm just worried I didn't pace it well enough. I'd be happy if you could tell me whether I did or not. Also sometimes I momentarily forget Aaia's blind (because I'm an idiot like that.) if I ever write something that says she can see, tell me so I can go and fix it up.
Anyway hope you like the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy.
I know you
Seven nights had passed since Serah and had been captured and rescued. She had been a little shaken at first but had recovered quickly. She had even insisted on joining in on the night watch Aaia and Hope shared. Her easy capture had given her a sense of uselessness, which she couldn't shake otherwise. She wanted to contribute to them in some way.
Aaia had been wary at first, but Hope assured her Serah had served as a sentry for years, she had sharp eyes. The girl had consented after that, and if any danger did escape Serah's eyes, Aaia could react accordingly. She was a light sleeper, any noticeable danger was hard to escape her range of hearing.
Serah and Hope had heard no more in regards to her saviour. They didn't know her name nor who she was. Aaia knew more, that much was obvious, but she wasn't telling. The only piece of info they had received was that she was definitely a part of what Aaia called 'their side'. And that was as much as they learnt on that issue.
By now, the large forests of Bodhum were long behind them. Traveling ever north they had come into groves of ancient trees which grew into the sky. Aaia seemed happy here. Though she could not see the sights, she would run her hands over the tall trunks and feel them across her fingers. It appeared a great comfort to her.
It was here that they got a rare concise answer from her to one of their questions. When they asked her where she was taking them she responded, "Not far from here, there is a place where I know you'll be safe."
No more did they receive, but it did alleviate the frustration brought on by all the unclear and avoided answers they'd received off the girl so far.
So the current day passed much like the one before it when they had entered this ancient grove. Hope and Serah kept much to themselves during the day and Aaia led the way. Perhaps not as observant as she was previously. She was too enchanted with the aged trees that spread out along their path to pay proper attention. During the night she would talk to them, more to Hope, but lately she had begun talking to Serah too. She was still unsure sometimes while speaking to her, but she was getting better. It made Hope happier to see that someone with eyes mature beyond their years could still be preyed upon by something like the social anxiety that came with speaking to new people. It was the problem she incurred upon herself by choosing to speak almost completely to Hope at the beginning of this journey.
During their travel through the groves, Hope decided to ask Aaia why she liked the trees so much. The answer was strange, and he thought he must have been missing some piece of information. Because when he asked she answered, "Their spirits are old, gives them nice character."
He wasn't one to believe in trees having spirits, but he let it pass for now.
That night as they settled in to rest Hope continued the conversation. He had his back up against a tree opposite one where Aaia sat similarly. Serah was off to Hope's right resting against a large root with her eyes closed. But he didn't think she was asleep.
"So, what did you mean by spirits earlier?" Hope asked the girl in front of him.
She raised her eyebrows, "Spirits. The souls of living things." She was halfway through giving him a look that said 'are you an idiot' when she caught herself and face palmed, "Fuck, I forgot normal people don't know about spirits."
Hope supressed a laugh at the swear, he didn't know who had taught her the repertoire of swears the girl owned, but apparently he thought it was the funniest thing in the world.
"Care to explain then?" He forced out while suppressing the laugh that wanted to get out.
"Spirits are just spirits." Aaia replied, blinking at him.
"But what are they exactly is what I meant, souls like you said before."
"Yeah, they are the souls of all things living." She told him.
"So, like humans and trees?" Hope inquired raising an eyebrow.
Aaia nodded, "All things living." She repeated.
Hope stared up at the trees in question. Having seen so many strange things in life he really should have been more willing to believe what she was saying about the trees. Humans he could believe, he believed in the existence of souls. But the trees were a hard step for him to take.
"Really?" He probed vaguely, sounding unsure about her words.
The corner of her mouth twitched upwards at his disbelief. "Let's put this in terms I know you'll comprehend." She stared hard at him for a moment, her ability to pinpoint his location despite sightless eyes a little unnerving. "A L'cie casts magic by subconsciously hearing the voices of the spirits of crystal, who control the elements. They call on their power and channel the magic through themselves."
Hope blinked, a moment of comprehension passing him. "You knew I was a L'cie." he said.
She nodded, "Yes."
Hope stared at her questioningly, "Who told you?" Catching himself he tacked on, "And don't tell me it was a little birdy this time."
"No. It wasn't the little birdy, someone much bigger told me that." She replied.
"But you won't tell me more than that, won't you." Hope ended knowingly.
Aaia shook her head "No, I won't."
Hope leaned back against the tree, knowing he'd get no more out of Aaia now. Thinking to himself he went back over her words and realised something.
"Hey," he spoke up, "You've just told me something about yourself for once."
"How so?" She questioned, but she didn't look surprised, moreover, the small smile she'd worn before came back to her face.
"Before you said that L'cie cast magic by listening to spirits of crystal, is that how you cast magic?"
"Yes." She admitted.
Hope purged his lips in thought, "Can anyone else learn how to do it."
Aaia paused for a moment, "Yes", she answered in controlled voice, "but it takes many years, if learned at all. I do not know a human who has succeeded. Even among Valhallans someone could spend their entire life and only learn how to hear a very small range of spirits."
"What about you then? You seem like you hear a lot of spirits." Hope asked.
"I was born able to hear them. I hear all Spirits." She replied.
"Really, how come?"
"In humans, the ability follows hereditary family lines. In Valhalla some people are simply born with the ability."
"That so?" Hope asked.
Aaia nodded.
"Hmmm." Hope gazed up to the trees that surrounded them. "Is that why you like these trees so much, because you can hear them?"
"Yes," Aaia nodded, getting up and running her hands along the tree at her back excitedly. "They are old, so they are full of character. They are like those witty old men and women you meet. It is a joy to listen to them." Leaning her side up against the tree now she murmured, "Plus, during the War of Transgressions, there were many fires, and many trees died, so trees this old are a rare joy." She paused "They remind me of trees like this I knew back in Valhalla." In an even quieter voice she finished, "And precious people."
Hope blinked in surprise at the last words. Unsure if he was crossing a line by saying it, he queried, "Precious people?" To see if he could get her to say more.
Whatever light talking about the trees had raised in her face, it was gone now. "Precious people." She said raising to the probe, "who I miss."
"You can't see them?" Hope asked.
"Those in Valhalla I will not see again." She answered.
"Never again?"
"No, I am here for my own safety, but the only one who could send me here is in Valhalla. No one here can admit me back there. I cannot return." She told him, a painful expression seeping onto her pretty features.
Hope eyed her sadly, suddenly appreciated all the more her helping him and Serah knowing this. "That's really sad."
Snapping her head up as if from a trance, Aaia apologised, 'I'm really sorry for troubling you, I've told you something depressing.
"Not at all." Hope defended waving away her concern, "I've always thought it was better to tell someone your troubles.
Sitting back down against the tree, a faint smile played upon Aaia's lips. "That is alright then." Lifting her head to look in Hope's basic direction she said, "Don't worry either, not all those I miss are in Valhalla. Them, I can meet again."
"That's good, at least." He mumbled. He sat back now. A knowing section of his mind confirming that after this fruitful conversation he wouldn't receive much more off Aaia concerning personal information. This had been an amazing amount to receive, as he barely knew anything about the girl.
The conversation was left there, and no one spoke for the remainder of the time as dusk turned into night and sleep began to play on Hope's eyelids. Saying good night he laid down and let himself fall asleep.
It was at this time that Serah opened her eyes.
Across from her Aaia opened he eyes upon hearing the sound of the girl's movements. Her sightless eyes kept watch on the direction of Serah as she righted herself and settled down into a sitting position.
"You were awake that entire conversation I assume." Aaia stated.
"Yes." Serah responded. Watching Aaia in the moonlight.
"And heard everything?" She asked already knowing the answer.
Serah made a sound in her throat for yes. "It's sad. Not being able to see people you miss. I mean, I miss my family, my husband, my kids. I spend hours wondering if their okay, if they think I'm okay, if they've given up on me, or are too stubborn to even begin to. I know my husband will be. But one day there is always the chance of me meeting them again. So long as we're alive. But you, you can't meet those who are precious to you again. I won't even begin to try to say I completely understand how that feels, because I can't." Serah held a hand tight to her chest, and stared directly at Aaia, "I just want to tell you how much I appreciate what you're doing for us, despite how much it must hurt. I just wanted to tell you that before tonight is over."
Watching Serah Aaia replied, "Thank you." as the elder woman laid down to sleep.
In the moon's light Serah didn't see the lone tear drip down Aaia's cheek.
…:…
The next two days passed without incident. Aaia grew more wary of her surroundings once more, but she didn't seem afraid of enemy attack. It was a wariness more associated with being close to strangers. So Hope wondered if perhaps they were close to people. Their destination maybe.
Asking Aaia about the matter she said as much. Her words had been, "Soon, you will be there."
Where 'there' was, wasn't clear to Hope, but he trusted Aaia enough to lead them somewhere safe. He didn't think the girl had ever meant them harm. He was yet to know her reasons but she seemed like she did really want to help them.
It was around noon when Aaia stiffened. To his left Hope heard a stick crack, and was only just in time to see someone drop from a tree and point a blade at Aaia before he was joined by companions.
"Wer bist du?" he said.
A foreign tongue again Hope realised. Not one he had heard yet too.
"Bekannte." The girl beside him answered in the man's tongue.
Hope had to supress a sigh. Of course she knew this language too.
The man backed off slightly, throwing Aaia a questioning look, "Welche Beweise haben Sie?"
"Durch das Wort der Göttin, wir meinen, keinen Schaden." She said with a touch of finality.
At this the man lowered his weapon. At an unintelligible word from him to the other men around them, they too backed down.
Turning to him and Serah Aaia told them, "These men do not speak your language, but there will be others among them who will."
"Who are they?" Serah spoke up.
"A Pulsian tribe." Aaia answered her. Serah's eyes widened and Hope cut in,
"A Pulsian tribe, but no one's ever found one in all the time we've lived on Pulse"
Aaia nodded, and with a sad look in her eyes explained, "That is because unfortunately, there is only as many as your fingers and toes on the whole of Pulse. If that."
Hope's eyes widened to match Serah's look of surprise, "Twenty, across an entire planet?"
Aaia nodded, turning her back on them to follow where the men were gesturing them to follow, "Sadly, yes."
Following the group of men they were led deeper into the forest. After tracking for another few minutes the men stopped. Confused Hope questioned Aaia what they were doing. In response she pointed up to the tree tops.
Both him and Serah directed their gazes upwards. Far in the tree tops above them there were wooden structures, tree houses, he realised. Dozens upon dozens of them, all interconnected by bridged which spread from tree to tree.
"Whoa." Serah mouthed awed by the sight. "Never thought that would be there."
"Interesting no? It how they keep away from the Valhallans. This one is still vaguely visible, but no-one seems to harm it." Aaia told her.
The men yelled over to them where a ladder had been dropped down. "They want us to go to them." Aaia told them.
Pausing before doing as she said Hope asked, "Just saying, but how'd you get them to trust us?"
Smiling a little Aaia put a finger to her lips, "Let's call it a secret code." Stifling a giggle at the 'of course' expression Hope made at the cryptic answer Aaia began to walk after the men. At least by now he'd figured out answers just weren't something she gave.
Climbing onto the ladder first she hesitatingly reached out for the next rung. It was easy to move through a forest, the trees were loud, but small pieces of cut up wood was so much quieter. She didn't know where the hell the next rung was in regard to the last one. Maybe she should have been glad she couldn't see how far up it went. This way she couldn't be scared of heights and falling off.
Hope and Serah ascended after her, before being followed by the men. When she reached the top, Aaia backed off from the ladder and waited as the others to join her. The warrior men for the most part dispersed when they no longer had reason to be there. Yet one stayed and approached a woman who was standing by a house front closet to them. She had been watching them intently, and there was something in her eyes which denoted a greater meaning to her presence there.
Drawing close to Aaia, Hope asked, "Who's that?"
"The woman?" She questioned.
Uncaring to question how she knew it was a woman he restated his question. "So who is she? She looks-"
"As if she was waiting for us." Aaia stated. Hope appeared surprised, but chose again not to question how Aaia had attained this knowledge, "She is a seer woman; they are not uncommon among Pulsian tribes."
Turning back to the seer woman, Hope saw that the man was done speaking with her and she now approached them.
She was old, with brown hair now thoroughly greyed. Her robes were faded peach and decorated with beads. She greeted the three of them kindly with a nod.
"Good to see you have reached here unharmed." She said with a voice which sounded assured of their coming, "Here, I offer you safety under my own protection."
Hope blinked in surprise at the woman's clear English. "You speak English." he said.
"Of course, Pulsian is a dead language."
"But those men-" he started.
"Come from a far off tribe of warriors, who clung to the old ways. They do not speak a word of any language but their own, and few here understand them. The Valhallans, like with many other tribes including ours, slaughtered their warriors. Varace and his band were roving survivors. Welcome, but foreign even to us." Here she turned her eyes on Aaia and fixed he with a hard stare, "to them spirit talker, I advise you to speak none of what you are. For as they cling to the old ways, so to, do they cling to the old values."
Aaia responded with a knowing look in her eyes, "I expected as much."
Nodding her head as if some sad truth had passed between them the woman gestured to a house close to the nearest one, which was presumably her own. "That house is vacant, and I have organised it for your safety."
Aaia stood up and thanked her for her hospitality and gestured for Hope and Serah to follow her. Walking to her side Hope asked, "If Pulsian is a dead language, why do you know it?"
"Once met a bored Pulsian with too much times on her hands." She replied.
Hope gave her a disbelieving stare knowing she couldn't see it.
Feeling his disbelief Aaia chuckled "I know you don't believe me but I tell you now, it is truly no more than that."
Hope still wasn't sure whether to take that for the truth or not but he let it drop and continued onto the small dwelling the woman had pointed out.
Once there Aaia sat down by a window and closed her eyes calmly, and Serah close by her. Throwing a stare back at the where the woman had been, now gone, she asked Aaia, "Why did that woman tell you not to tell those other men what you were?"
Opening her eyes Aaia responded, "It was an old belief held by the tribes of Pulse that people like me brought about bad luck. Of course," she added on with a bitter smile, "the horrible happenings that occurred in their lives were not their fault, but rather caused by the way the tribes treated them." There was a strong note of bitterness on her voice as she stated thus.
"Why?' Serah continued to ask her.
"There are a number of reasons why it began, but the stigma persisted for far too long to pinpoint where it began now. I cannot answer that question for you." Aaia replied calmly.
Serah directed her gaze elsewhere. "It still sound harsh." She mumbled more to herself than anyone.
A couple more minutes passed in silence. Hope sat in a corner where a resting place had been set up. He watched Aaia and Serah carefully. Aaia didn't make sound, choosing instead to sit quietly by the window with her eyes closed. Hope thought she looked tired. Having taken the longest of the night watches it came as no surprise. She was probably glad of this time where she could rest.
Serah though seemed to have more on her mind.
Another couple minutes passed until she couldn't hold it in no more and asked, "Why here?"
"Why did I bring you to this place in particular?" Aaia responded in return. Though it was a question she sounded sure of her words.
"Yes." Serah said.
Aaia looked thoughtful for a moment and answered, "Because there are no safe houses this side of the great plain. Both the closet safe house and tribe are in Myncentar. I could not take the risk to cross that path with you. It's a five day journey through open land. There is nowhere to hide from enemies. Plus, I knew the seer woman would know of our coming. Here we would be welcome, by her at least."
Serah looked confused for a moment, she seemed to be thinking something in her head but it wasn't adding up. Turning her eyes back to Aaia she said, "But Hope comes from-"
"Yaschas Massif is to the south of the great plain, we can take other routes and bypass it to get to Myncentar or other safe houses." Hope cut in, predicting what she was going to say, "Myncentar lays to the east of the plain, and Bodhum to the west. To avoid it we would have to travel either far south or north, which would take us much longer than five days. In the course of that we could come to much more harm than we would risk crossing the plain. I think Aaia's alternative has been much safer." Here he paused, knowing the true reason why Serah was asking. In a quiet voice he said, "I know you miss your family, but for their sake put your safety first. I don't think it would make any of them happy if you died trying to reach them if you could have avoided it."
Serah fell silent, and Aaia nodded in acknowledgement, "He is right."
"I know." Serah mumbled, clutching a hand to her chest, "but it doesn't make it any less painful."
She pulled a painful expression, and across from her even Aaia's eyes turned sad. There were a painful understanding in them when she said, "I know how it feels."
For a second it looked like Serah was about to bite back a comment but stopped short. Obviously, she recalled what she had heard her say to Hope earlier. The people precious to her weren't separated by distance, but a whole realm. Serah would being able to see her family again, Aaia wouldn't.
"I'm sorry." She apologised, "I'm complaining about something when it's so much worse for you."
"Don't." Aaia comforted, "to you, this is most painful. I've learnt never to belittle someone else's problems, for to them that problem is always the worse thing. I'm separated from people I hold dear, but not all of them. I choose to remain here, glad of at least that. You to, should choose to be happy, learn to love the little things." She gave a little smile. "For one," she said directing her gaze to where the wind blew in from the window, "In the afternoons some of the women here go down and pick the fruits and wildflowers from the trees. A little birdy tells me the flowers are a thing of great beauty. If you want to, you could go join them, I will come with you if you wish." After a slight eye twitch Aaia clenched up her left hand, "Even if it means climbing down that accursed ladder again."
Somewhat cheered by the girl's attempt to cheer her up, Serah replied, "I'd like that." If she had to admit it she found her apparent hate of the ladder funny. A least she'd found some sign to tell her that the girl was truly blind. It was getting unnerving how sure of her movement Aaia was.
"Then later, we will." Aaia said smiling slightly.
…:…
That afternoon Aaia lay against a tree bathing in the gentle sunlight which drifted between the treetops. Serah was with the other women, collecting the sweet burbles which bloomed on the trees, fresh for the taking. She could have joined in, she had a fair idea that she could locate the flowers and fruits, but the flowers were useless to her. The fruits a least she could taste, but no matter how beautiful the flowers she would never see them. She felt a pang of sadness at that. She was used to having no sight, but all beauty was lost upon her. It was one of the reasons that sometimes, she really wished she could see.
She lay her head up against the rough trunk. Serah seemed happier, her voice mixed in with the Pulsian women said as much, but there was still a hint of sadness. It was like finally admitting to missing her family had opened the wound she was trying to keep close all this journey long. Aaia didn't even want to begin to imagine as a mother, how much she missed her children.
So she pushed the thought to the back of her mind and closed her eyes. The sun was warm on her skin, and it was relaxing to be able to rest there like this after all the time she spent travelling. Her mind was drifting off into a lazy slumber when another, unwelcome noise reached her ears.
In the peaceful afternoon air, she could hear the sound of swords.
Aaia's eyes snapped open. She jolted onto her legs, focusing harder on the sounds her face twisted in fearful concentration.
Behind her Serah noticed her adverse reaction, "Aaia?" She questioned quietly.
Aaia didn't respond straight away. Instead she shifted her weight onto one leg and focused on the noises of clashing blade. Someone was fighting. Extending her senses she realised that the warrior men who had come down with them weren't there. A bad sign. It didn't sound like the casual fighting they might have conducted among themselves either, but the frantic clashing of sword on sword.
"Someone's fighting." She said.
"Who?" Serah inquired.
"I don't know." Aaia said with a shake of her head, "but it doesn't sound friendly."
Coming closer so that she drew equal with her, Serah probed further, "Where?"
"North."
A curious expression fixing itself on Serah face she moved in front of Aaia, brushing her hand against a tree at her side, she took another hesitant step forward. And another until she was slowly moving towards the source of the sounds.
"Serah!" Aaia yelled in warning. The woman was already moving towards the trees, she must have heard her but wasn't listening. She bit down on her thumb, the world around her was screaming. The voice in her ear told her that whoever was ahead was dangerous. And that of all people, Serah was the least welcome.
"Tch." Drawing her thumb away from her mouth she chased after the woman who had disappeared into the trees.
Approaching a small grove the sounds of swords grew loudest, until Serah stood within the opening of the trees. She didn't know why she had been so stupid to have walked right into the path of danger, but her legs had moved before her mind could react.
Those inside the circle of trees were yet to notice her. It was the warrior men from the tribe fighting against an unknown woman. She wore a black dress which went to her knees and was silted on either side. Every now and again Serah would see a flash of three green stripes which formed claw marks on the bottom left of the dress. Her shoes were black thigh high boots, and the dress was strung around her neck by a silver chain. Her wavy blonde tresses fell to her knees and danced around her in the motions of fighting.
Swinging her gargantuan sword around the woman spun on her heels to face Serah, her face adorned by black sunglasses.
Serah froze.
The man the seer woman had named Varace ran forward and having been disarmed of his sword punched the woman in the face. Her sunglasses fell from her face revealing her eyes, as beautiful as dark blue velvet. She fell back, but recovered quickly and drove her sword through Varace's stomach, slaying him.
But Serah's eyes remained fixed on the blonde woman. That was no unknown woman. She knew her.
That truth resounded throughout Serah's whole mind and almost brought her to her knees. The dreadful recognition in her eyes that shone as she stared at the woman was too much.
Her prey finished, either dead or unconscious, the woman turned her eyes on Serah. Taking no notice of her crumpling demeanour, her face twisted with malicious anger. She dove at Serah, raised her sword, and swung it down hard.
Aaia dashed in front of Serah, spread her arms wide and yelled-
"Stop it, Anaya!"
For one perfect moment, the world paused around them, before shattering to pieces. The woman's eyes cleared as if she had been one entranced. The sword fell, from her hands and a mark of runes which ran down her left arm burned from black to blood hued red.
"Y…you." She stuttered, great sorrow seemed to take her and tears began to form in her eyes. She looked horrified that she had even attempted to swing the sword down at Aaia's form.
Aaia slowly dropped her arms so that they rested at her side.
Behind her Serah drew herself up to her proper height, unaware that she even flinched at all in the face of the woman's blow.
Tears formed on the edges of her eyes as well. She didn't want to begin to question how these two knew each other. The only thing her mind could process was that the woman in front of them was there. That she existed. She choked on a sob as she attempted to speak, the tears falling over her face. Quietly in a sobbing voice she said,
"Lilea."
Hope you liked the chapter.
The language they were speaking before is only German, because I don't want to go to the trouble of making up another language. I've lost my Valhallan dictionary's twice over so now there are some things in the first few chapter that not even I can translate. That and I have to go and remake them a third time and they are not fun to make.
The scene at the end is one of the most vivid scenes of the story in my head, so you have to tell me if it was perfect. Though in my head the most important thing in the chapter was when Aaia jumped in front of Serah to guard her (since it was the most vivid image) so I'm more interested if that was good. But Serah's recognition of Lilea is more important. And just so no one mispronounces it , it's pronounced Lil-lee-a. I think it looks a little like li-lee is all. My sister got it right off the bat though. But she's my sister so she gets the way I pronounce things more.
Please review, I'll appreciate it greatly.
Bye for now.