Chapter 6: Team Work

Two weeks later……………….

Zialas and Rekks sat, legs folded, by a small pool of water on the west side of the village. Their eyes were closed as they breathed in and out.

"Key to victory is focus. Focus come from within. Push out all distractions." Stated Zialas

Rekks took a deep breathe as he attempted to clear his mind. All he saw was darkness, but then there was a light. He felt a weird sensation, it felt as though something was crawling over his skin. The light became brighter and brighter as he could feel more stuff crawling over his body. Rekks' eyes shot open as he found himself covered in Pyreflies.

Rekks sprang to his feet panicking as the Pyreflies flew off leaving him. Zialas stood up as well and watched Rekks dust himself off , checking for anymore Pyreflies.

"What the heck was that about?" Rekks was still a little unnerved

Zialas shrugged his shoulders and went over to his stuff to grab his spear.

"So how am I doing so far?" asked Rekks

"Fine." Replied the Ronso

"I know you're not much for talking but can you expand on it a little?"

"You….better than before."

"Good enough. I'm going to go check on construction, what are you going to do?"

"Train."

"I've been meaning to ask, why are you so obsessed with training?"

"My reasons are my reasons."

"Fine I won't bug you any more."

Zialas watched Rekks leave then returned to his training.

Cana was standing on the bridge of the Celsius staring out the window. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Shay approach. Shay was holding a box, but then put it down and walked over to Cana.

"Why are you here all alone?" smiled Shay

"No reason." She replied

Shay knew that she was hiding something.

"Is there something wrong? You can tell me." Stated Shay trying to sound supportive

"I don't know."

"Come on. We're friends, we're family you can tell me anything." Smiled Shay

"Well, remember what Rekks said about what happened the last time we fought Yul?"

"Is this about that glowing thing he said you did?"

"Yes this is about the glowing thing. Anyways, when I was in Bevelle. I asked Baralai to help figure out what happened. And today……I finally got an answer."

"Really? What did he say?"

"He didn't really say exactly what was going on, but he indicated that something was wrong with the test and he needed me to come back."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I don't want to leave, because Rekks is relying on me to help out here. And I don't want to tell Vid just yet because this news would only make him worry more. I hate keeping secrets like these from people I care about."

"It really does suck……..Hey I know what you can do!"

"What?"

"I can tell everyone that we're running out of supplies then take you to Bevelle myself."

"Will that work, won't people notice that it's a lie?"

"The only one who looks over the supply's list is Tev. And if he asks questions I know how to take care of him. Don't worry we can be there and back before you know it."

"Thank you Shay, you're a great friend."

"Don't mention it."

20 minutes later Rekks was walking toward the troops' training area when he saw the Celsius take off into the sky. Rekks walked over to Vid and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Where's that thing going?" Rekks asked

"Cana said something bout her an Shay going ta get some supplies." Replied Vid

"Did they say when they'd get back?" asked Rekks

"Not really, hey I got something ta show ya." Smiled Vid as started leading Rekks away from the training area

The two friends walked to a nicely shaded area of the village and sat down on a bench. Vid reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet case. He opened it up to reveal a shiny diamond engagement ring.

"I appreciate the offer man, but unfortunately I have to say no." joked Rekks

"Oh, you shut up. It's for Cana." Laughed Vid as he handed Rekks the ring

Rekks looked it over carefully before handing it back.

"You really want to marry her?"

"She's da one for me., brudda I can't imagine life wid out her. She's smart, beautiful, get ta be around……"

"Yeah I know MY sister. Are you really sure about this? It's a big decision."

"Dat day when she beat Yul. It made me think. We have such a short time on dis planet. I figure why not spend as much time wid the people you love as you want."

"Words to live by my friend. Speaking of when she defeated Yul, didn't you notice how she was surrounded by Pyreflies?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you think it means?"

"Like I know."

"What did Cana think about it? Every time I ask her she changes the subject. Is she hiding anything?"

Vid panicked. He swallowed the lump in his throat and took a deep breathe.

"Nawww, brudda she'd never keep anything from ya. Especially I it was important."

"Thanks. By the way, why are you showing me the ring? Shouldn't you be showing it to the person you're going to give it to?"

"Dat's da thin. I got dis ring from my parents. They support it, I don't see you're parents havin a problem, I just wanted ta know what ya thought."

"I'd be happy to have you as a brother-in-law. We're practically related now anyways. When are you going to pop the question?"

Dat's da other thin. I've been lugging dis thin around for a while tryin ta find a good time. I just don't know when's right ta ask."

"Heh, you chicken. If you're going to ask her just ask her."

"Hey dis is an important decision. I hafta be smooth about dis."

"Loser."

Rekks chuckled as he shoved Vid. Vid laughed as he put Rekks into a headlock. The two of them wrestled like that until they heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. They looked up to see Rose giving them an annoyed look. They let go of each other and dusted themselves off.

"You two act like children. Don't you each have something to do?" she asked

"Yeah I'll get goin." Chuckled Vid as he headed back to the training area

Rekks stood up and walked over to Rose smiling at her. He threw an arm around her which she promptly threw back off.

"I can see you're having a good day." She stated

"More like interesting. SO how are things going with the caverns? Any clues yet?" answered Rekks

"Still nothing. We found more fayth stuff, but as of yet we haven't been able to find a definite answer."

"Maybe I should check it out?"

"Why, what do you think you're going to find there?"

"Nothing maybe, there's just something about that place."

Before Rekks could go any further, Petra approached them.

"Rekks, Tev says he needs you." Stated Petra

Rekks took one last look at Rose before walking off with Petra over to where Tev was. Meanwhile Vid was watching over the troops training when he noticed Zialas standing a short distance away. Vid slowly walked up to him as he kept an eye on the troops. The Ronso ignored Vid as he drew closer.

"So, what'd ya think? These troops look pretty good don't dey? Trained them myself." Remarked Vid

Zialas remained silent.

"You're not much for talking aren't ya?" asked Vid

Zialas still did not reply.

"If ya want me ta tug on you're fur stand there and say nothing." Joked Vid

Zialas glared at Vid. Vid took a big gulp and turned his attention back toward the troops.

"Dey could really use an experienced warrior helping ya dem out." Stated Vid

"I no teacher."

"What about dat stuff you do wid Rekks."

"No teach, that guiding."

"What's da difference?"

"Difference what I say it is."

"Ya seem pretty gruff all da time, what's up wid dat?"

"No need explain myself to you. I concerned with one thing only. No need distractions."

"And what would that one thing be?"

"You talk too much."

Zialas walked away, as Vid took a deep breathe. That really didn't go very well he thought.

"Troops look good, could fight better." Zialas remarked as he walked away

Vid looked at the Ronso strangely as he walked away. He then smiled and turned back to the troops.

An hour later Cana was walking through the Bevelle office building on her way to Baralai's office. When she soon reached the door and knocked on it before Baralai alerted her that she could come in. She sat down in front of him. She was a bit on edge, she didn't know what news he had for her. She assumed the worst, but hoped it wasn't true.

"Well what's the news?" she asked trembling

"I don't know how to tell you this, but………" he could find the right words

Cana held her breathe.

"Most of the samples we took from you are gone." He stated

"Gone…..what do mean gone?" She exclaimed puzzled

"Well you see, when we put things away for the night we stored them away. When we came back a great deal of the samples were gone and in their place was…….Pyreflies."

"Pyreflies?"

"I know it sounds a bit weird. We're not entirely sure what happened."

"So what does this mean?"

"Again I have to say we're not sure of anything, but I have a theory."

"Okay what is it?'

"Well your father is a living breathing construct of the fayth."

"A dream."

"Right. And your mother is a real life flesh and blood person. Now theoretically speaking, your father shouldn't have been able to reproduce with your mother since…..he's not technically real."

"You've told me all this before. So what's new?"

"Well the thing is he did reproduce. And I think when that happened something new was created."

"Something new? Like what? What are my brother and I some type of genetic freaks?"

"Not really. You see the fayth were people who were put to sleep, their dreams had the power to warp reality and make their dreams real…..in a sense."

"So where does that leave us?"

"The best way I could describe it is that you and your brother are…..Daydreamers. Everything that the fayth can do sleeping you can do awake. I'm assuming that what happen when you fought Yul was that this part of you become unlocked out of your need to protect everyone. Once the door is unlocked…….."

"So I can still accesses this power?"

"If you could do it once, I don't see why you can't do it again."

"What about Rekks?"

Baralai shifted in his seat and scratched the back of his head.

"You and your brother are twins so I have no doubt that things are the same for him. I haven't examined him so I can't say anything for sure. But as for either of you utilizing this power all it takes is some focus, a strong will and a little exercising of mind over matter."

The noontime sun blared over head as Rekks and Zialas were once again in the process of meditating. Some distance away Vid and Rose were sitting down next to one of the buildings taking a break. Rose watched them sit there when she noticed a stray Pyrefly flutter around Rekks head before landing on a nearby rock.

"Have you noticed how those things like to hover around him?" Rose asked Vid

"What thins?" Vid said as he finished taking a big gulp of his water bottle

"The Pyreflies they seem to like being around him."

"It's dis place. Dat cavern creeps me out. Wid all these fayth statues around it's no wonder there's so many Pyreflies."

Rose continued to watch Rekks. There was something strange about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Tev approached Rose and Vid wiping some grease off his hands. Vid handed him a bottle of water which his gulped down with joy. Tev raised an eyebrow as he saw Rose watching Rekks and Zialas.

"What's so interesting?" Tev asked

"She's all hung up on dat Pyreflies dat hang around dis place a lot." Retorted Vid

"That's not the only thing she's hung up on?" smirked Tev as he pointed at Rekks

Rose stood up and folded her arms.

"Oh please, don't be so delusional. So thing weird is going on here and as an expert I'm just curious. I have to go talk to Mr. Kurosawa anyways. See you, knuckle heads later." She retorted as she walked off

Vid and Tev shared a laugh as she walked away. Vid leaned against the wall and turned to Tev.

"Hey can I ask you a question?" stated Vid

"Shoot." Replied Tev as he drank some more walker

"You're married, how did ya propose ta Shay?"

"That's easy…..I didn't. She proposed to me. And I am sooooo thankful she did."

"You're really no help are ya?"

"That's what I've been told. What's up with you anyways?"

"I wanna ask Cana ta marry me….."

"But you're too chicken to pop the question, I see. Listen this is what you do. You set up a nice romantic situation, give her a night she'll never forget. Then it'll be easy as hell to ask her."

"Are you sure that will work?"

"Hey which one of us is married here?"

"I thought she asked you? And from what I remember she's also the one that started your relationship as well."

"Dude, that's beside the point. Show her a little romance and things will just click into place."

"Thanks."

In the distance they heard the sound of the Celsius. Vid looked up and ran for the landing area with Tev close behind. They soon reached the landing pad in time to see Shay and Cana walk down the ramp. Shay happily greeted her husband, however Cana was noticeably distressed. Vid approached her slowly and placed a hand on her shoulder supportively.

"What's wrong?" asked Vid

She looked up and threw her arms around him. He pulled her in close.

"Rekks isn't going to be too happy about this."

It was dark, Rekks was surround in darkness, everywhere he looked there was nothing. He panicked and began running around. He called out into the distance….no answer. Suddenly in the distance he saw a faint light. He ran toward when he finally reached the light…..it was a single Pyrefly.

He reached out his hand allowing the tiny creature to land on his palm. It began glowing brighter and brighter, he looked up and staring right at him were two large glowing green eyes. The light became blind, Rekks looked away. He felt a rumbling, all around him buildings sprang up from the ground. Within seconds the glowing eyes and the Pyrefly disappeared into the light as the city appeared.

It was massive in size, Rekks had never seen anything quite like it. Bright lights tall buildings, thousands and thousands of people walking the streets. He walked up to them but none of them seemed to notice his presence. He noticed a sigh and walked up to it, he read its words with disbelief.

"Zanarkand?"

Rekks' eyes became a little itchy. He rubbed them slightly then looked at his reflection in a nearby store window. He pulled back in horror when he saw that his usually different color eyes were glowing bright green. He saw a Pyrefly pass by him, he followed it he followed it all the way to the center of the massive city.

The Pyrefly finally landed on the ground at the very center of the city. Rekks starred at where it landed. Underneath it was the symbol that his father, his mother, his sister and he himself wore etched into the ground. Rekks knelt down and reached out toward the symbol. Just then it began to glow as the Pyrefly merged with it creating a brilliant light.

"Grow." He whispered

A massive stone pillar shot up from the ground reaching up high into the sky. When it stopped sprouting, Rekks placed his hand on it. His family's symbol burned it's way on to the pillar. He stood back in awe of this monolith. Just then he heard a voice from the distance.

"You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one." Came the voice

Rekks spun around quickly to see who it was. He was shocked to see Yul standing right there but he looked different. Instead of silver his hair was jet black, he wasn't wearing a cloak, but instead something a musician would wear. Yul pointed behind Rekks. Rekks turned around again on the other side of the pillar he created was a massive field full of fayth statues. He turned back toward Yul.

Yul closed his eyes and fell backwards. Rekks ran after him. A giant vortex of darkness opened up swallowing Yul. Rekks tried to chase after him, but it closed before he could reach it. The glowing eyes appeared before Rekks again, he turned away as the light became so intense it almost blinded him. He screamed out loud as the light enveloped him.

Rekks bolted up from his bed in a cold sweat. It was a dream. He ran a hand through his hair and tried to calm himself. He felt something weird, he looked out the window near the bed to see a Pyrefly fly off into the distance. Just then a crowd of people ran in a panic toward the center of the village. Rekks took a deep breathe and scrambled to put on his clothes.

The whole town gathered at the center of the village and crowded around the strange occurrence. Zialas, Rose, Tev, Shay, Vid and Cana stood in front of it as Mr. Kurosawa's investigation team examined it.

"What is it?" asked Tev

"It's obliviously a stone pillar of some type." Snorted Kambei

"The real question is where it came from?" stated Mr. Kurosawa

Cana put an arm around Vid as she looked at it. She knew this didn't bode well. She wished there would have been more time before she had to tell him everything. But this was hardly a time to keep anymore secrets. The situation was growing.

Rekks neared the center of the town and saw the crowd of people. They were all looking up at the strange occurrence. Rekks stopped dead in his tracks when he saw it.

"It can't be." He whispered

In the middle of the town was a massive stone pillar. Etched onto the side of it was the symbol of Rekks' family. A group of Pyreflies landed on the very top of the pillar and sat there, glimmering brilliantly in the early morning sun.

On a hill over looking the village Yul stood there examining the crowds reaction to massive pillar. He smirked as he barely caught sight of Rekks standing a few feet away from the crowd.

"We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep." Smirked Yul

To be continued………….

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter a lot of weird things going on. Now the next chapter is going to answer so big questions. Rekks will learn about the truth and we will finally learn more about the enigmatic Yul. Remember to send your reviews, thoughts, questions, suggestions, etc. Keep an eye out for Chapter 7: Day Dreamer!