II

Chapter 20

She heard it. Finally. After months waiting, she finally heard the whistle. Not any whistle; his whistle, calling for her. She froze in her place, unsure of what to do. "Is it really him?" She decided that she didn't care; it was his whistle, that she was sure.

Another whistle.

Her legs began to run, almost as an instinctive reaction, towards the sound. She didn't know where it would lead her, but that didn't matter. She continued running, hoping, until she reached a familiar place... Besaid, the center of the village as it was one year and a half before. Standing there, in front of the temple, a huge flying beast called for her. Valefor.

She forgot about the whistle and walked closer to her first Aeon. But before she could reach the Aeon, the piercing voice of Rikku made her turn around.

- Then, let's help it to come back!

She turned to see Rikku, but there was nobody there. She stood there looking to the empty space, until she remembered Valefor, and turned around, to face the Aeon. But he wasn't there either. In his place, there was... someone. She couldn't see who it was, it looked just a blurry image of a person. It looked like a man, slightly taller than she was; she could see him better now: he had black hair,...Marckus? No, he was blonde now,... it is him!

Her heart raced and her eyes were filled with tears as she saw Tidus standing there, looking at her with that dazing smile on his face. Just like in the airship, during those last moments they spent together, she didn't think; again, her legs began moving on their own, running towards her lover, who was now with his arms opened to receive her. And just like that day, she just passed trough his immaterial body, landing on the dirt floor in front of the temple.

Why? Why this was happening all over again? Why did he had to disappear, and let her fall miserably again? The tears that were on her eyes, initially joy tears, came down on her face as an involuntary act of despair. Now, it wasn't about him leaving, it was about him leaving her again. How was she supposed to handle that? One time had almost killed her, and now, it was happening all over again. It was over. She didn't care anymore, this time she would certainly die; she would find another way to end her life, and this time it would work. With her last strength, she got up. She was uncertain if she should see him again, if it would only make things worse. The hell with it! She had already decided that her life was over.

So, she turned around, to see the last thing that she would expect to see. Tidus wasn't there anymore. In his place, there was another man. Marckus, staring at her, mocking her with his green eyes.

- Have you ever been in Zarankand, lady? - he asked, getting closer to her - The real Zanarkand; the one that's filled with life and light.

She stepped back, getting scared with him. And where did Tidus go?

- Was is some guardian of yours? Of course, I'm assuming that Tidus was your guardian, right? - Marckus continued. She tried to run again, but this time, away from the man. She run, but his voice was still in her head.

- I know many things... - Marckus words were echoing in her head as she run, terrified with everything that was happening. Where was Tidus? And Valefor? Or were they the same Aeon? Couldn't they save her from Marckus?

- I know many things...

Suddenly, she sited down on a bed, breathing heavily. Marckus' voice ceased. She looked to both sides of her, all her senses in alert, but she only found a dark room, slightly illuminated by the weak morning sunshine outside the window.

"It was just a dream..."

Just a dream. Of course; what was she expecting? Tidus was back? That could be nothing but a dream. She sited on the edge of the bed, burying her head in her hands, still breathing heavily. Calming down, she decided that she couldn't sleep anymore and got up. She looked trough the window; except for some workers, the streets were empty. It was weird seeing Luca like that, empty, silent, before all the craziness of the city started. She wondered how Zanarkand would be like in that time of the day; it would probably be crowded, after all, it was the city that never slept.

She got dressed and ate a small breakfast in a rush, hoping to be able to go out and walk in this rare peaceful moment in Luca. When she got out, there were already some more people on the streets, but nothing special.

She started walking, roaming without direction. She just wanted a moment to herself, to be able to think about things, to reflect. That was funny: only a day ago, she would try to avoid these empty moments at all cost; she always tried to have something to do, so she wouldn't have time to think about the past, the present and the uncertain future. But now she felt that she really needed this, to think seriously. A small sad smile appeared on her face, as she realized that now she had to make an effort to think seriously. Months ago she wouldn't think other way than the serious way: always thinking about Spira, Sin, making people happy, focusing on the Pilgrimage. And now, what? When was the last time when she stopped to think about what she should do? Recently, she didn't think about that, she just did things as they appeared to her. But now, she had to think about it; what was she going to do?

First things first. The first step would be going to see Marckus. Was he still in Djose? If not, it would be just a matter of time until she found him. And next... and next what? She could only think about two paths: Marckus wouldn't know anything about Tidus or he would. Simple as that. But then, what if he didn't know anything? What would she do? Search for more clues? Wait to hear the voice (Tidus' voice?) again? She gave a frustrated sigh. She had no idea of what to do. She was stuck because of Tidus, again. She should already be used to this: every night she would still be in despair about what to do in the following day, about how to face the following day without him. Even now, after more than a year, these thoughts assaulted her every day. Why couldn't she just move on? Get over it? She thought she was stronger than that. She thought a lot of things before he appeared in her life... If wasn't for him, she wouldn't be there, alive, thinking about those things! Suddenly, a quiet voice woke her up from her thoughts.

- Lady Yuna?

She looked around, trying to find the source of the voice, but the streets were as empty as they were before.

- Lady Yuna? - the voice said again. It sounded like a young boy - Here, in the deck.

She directed her look to one of the decks of the city, and saw a small boy dressed in purple vests, staring seriously at her. The Fayth. What was he doing there? He walked behind some crates and wooden boxes, so he was out of sight of the few people walking on the streets. Yuna followed him to a part of the deck that was hidden from the other people; there stood the little boy with his always-serious look and posture. Yuna stepped towards him, and crouched so her head was at the same level as his head.

- We need to talk. - he started.

- Yes, I agree. - this couldn't be more perfect to her: if there was someone who could give her answers, it was certainly the Fayth. But she still found weird that the Fayth came to talk to her, and that made her a little nervous. Also, she was afraid that she couldn't get her answers, even from the Fayth... what if he said that the voice wasn't Tidus? What if the voice was him, but he couldn't be brought back? Thinking about this, she was fighting her body's instincts to shake with these nervous thoughts.

- Lady Yuna, I know that this may sound weird, but I need to know if you have been talking to some sort of unseen entities.

Good, the Fayth was being direct, and going exactly in the direction Yuna wanted.

- Yes, I talked to a voice that appeared in my head - Yuna was trying not to listen to what she was saying, she didn't want to hear herself talking things that could easily lead people to think she was crazy. - It happened twice, so far.

- I see... - the Fayth looked as he was looking down (but it was impossible to be sure, as he had a big hood covering most of his head) - When was the last time you've heard the voice?

- It was... several months ago. In Besaid. - ever since she tried to contact the voice again, with no success.

- Months ago?... Are you sure you haven't talked to them recently? - he sounded doubtful.

- Yes... - the Fayth reflected again, but Yuna noticed that the Fayth didn't believe in her, but decided to say nothing about it.

- What did they tell you? - he asked again.

- They said that... - she stopped talking as she realized of something weird. After some seconds of silence, the Fayth talked.

- What did they say?

- How do you know there was more than one? - now Yuna was the one getting suspicious. - I only mentioned one voice.

- I know that there are two of them. - he remained calm, cold. - I must know what did they say to you.

- How do you know? Do you know who they are? - Yuna tried to lead the conversation back to her favor.

- That is of no interest to you. I really need to know what you have been talking about.

- That voice talked to me, so it is of my interest to know! - she was getting tired of having things hidden from her. First Marckus, and now the Fayth? What was going on? - He told me he was a dream of the Fayth, that he was once human, and he would come back.

One more moment of reflection by the Fayth. Yuna was getting annoyed with all this secrecy...

- You only talked about that? You didn't tell them who you are? - again, the voice of the Fayth was doubtful, but not as much as it was before.

- No, nothing more. - she answered with a sigh, and then decided to "attack" again - Who are they?

- Have you talked about this to anyone else? - the little boy ignored Yuna's question.

- No. - this lie was followed by one more moment of silence.

- Not even... - the Fayth started, but was unsure if he should finish the sentence.

- What? - Yuna's patience was running out. The Fayth gave a sigh and decided to finish the question.

- Not even with a man named Marckus?

That caught her by surprise. "Marckus? How does he know him?". Seeing Yuna's shocked reaction, the Fayth let out another sigh.

- You talked to him about it... - his voice seemed disappointed, and even a little scared.

- No,.. I... wait! - she got up, furious and confused. She gave some steps towards the opposite direction where the Fayth was standing, looking to the sea. What the hell was happening? How does the Fayth know about Marckus? What's the connection? And Tidus? Where was he in all this? Was he also hiding things from her? Was he really the voice? Why doesn't the Fayth just tell her who is the voice? The questions forming in her head were endless.

- Lady Yuna?... - the boy called her. - This is serious. I need to know what you know about this man, and what have you told him about the voices.

- Nothing! - she turned around and crossed her arms in a defensive posture; apparently she couldn't trust the Fayth anymore - I told him nothing! I just asked him to help me search for the meaning of "dreams of the Fayth", but I haven't told him about the voice. - she let out a frustrated sigh and tried to make a threatening voice - Look, I'm not telling anything more until you explain me what is happening.

- I see... I am sorry, I can't tell you more further. I won't disturb you anymore.

- Why not? - she tried to sound angry, but only managed to sound disappointed, desperate.

- I'm sorry. I'll only leave you an advice... Stay away from Marckus, he's extremely dangerous.

Yuna stood a moment speechless, a mixture of anger, confusion and despair filling her mind.

- I know that you want-

- Wait! - Yuna interrupted, this time successfully talking angrily - You come here, do this questions to me, tell me nothing and expect me to stay away from the only person who could give me answers?

- I know, it isn't fair... But, please, for your own safety; you have no idea of what Marckus is capable of, I've seen this happening before...

- Seen what? What is happening? - she was getting angrier as the seconds passed away.

- If Marckus found someone on his way, he just kills the person. Period. I've seen him slaughtering a whole temple once. Look, I cannot give you any more details. The more you know, the worse. If Marckus realizes that you know nothing about this, he will leave you alone. Otherwise, he will hunt you, and everyone who is with you. - he was now also angry, not with her, but with Marckus. - I'm really sorry, just stay out of this, and you'll never be bothered again. Promise me.

- What?

- Promise you will not get more involved in this. - the boy was staring up to Yuna's face, to her eyes, probably. Yuna stood some seconds silent, until she answered with a calm voice.

- Okay. - she simply said, looking to the ground.

- Please understand: this is to your own good. Getting to know more about this would only end up with you and your companions killed. You do not need this.

- You are right. I should stay out of it. - she gave a long and nervous sigh. - I'm sick of dealing with the secrets of the Fayth, or Yevon...

- Good, you should have no further problems or visits from me then. Stay well, Lady Yuna. - and with this, the small boy vanished in a column of pyreflies.

Yuna got out of the deck and started walking quickly towards the hotel where she and the rest of her friends were. The streets were now more crowded, and the sun was shining in the sky.

"I can't believe it worked." Did it really work? Did she manage to fool the Fayth so easily? She was getting better at lying. Her last intention was to do nothing about it, as the Fayth asked. For the first time in a long time, she felt alive. "There is really a connection between the Fayth and Marckus... and Tidus, maybe." She wanted to find all about it. She didn't care if it was dangerous, if she could die. None of that mattered anymore. If Tidus wasn't the voice, then she would embrace death happily; if it was him... she would find a way. She would face Marckus, the Fayth, and bring him back. She had no idea of how to bring him to Spira, or how to survive to Marckus (if he was as dangerous as the Fayth made him look like...), but he had died for her, and she was willing to die to try to bring him back.

The Fayth also warned her that Marckus could kill not only her, but who was with her. "That's okay, I'll go alone". It was her business, her personal quest to bring Tidus back now. And possibly, a suicidal quest. She wouldn't put anyone else in danger. She arrived at the hotel room where she and Rikku were, and found relief in the fact that her cousin was still sleeping soundly. Without making any noise, she grabbed any stuff she would need for the trip; when she was about to leave, she grabbed a pen and a piece of paper, and left a note on her bed.

"I have something I had to do. I'll be gone for some time (days, weeks, months, I don't know).

Don't worry about me, and don't try to follow me!

Can't tell why, sorry.

- Yuna

P.S. - Rikku, don't tell anyone about our conversation about the voice and "we-know-who". "

End of Chapter 20

New chapter, alright! This came sooner than what I expected, I think I'm getting to work better with this computer... I've learn some tricks to put it working a little bit faster :)

Anyway, I can't believe that I've already wrote the 20th chapter! Seriously, this is getting bigger than what I had imagined. Actually, I haven't imagined much when I started; I wasn't even sure about the main plot! I think I'm gonna change the description of the story, and even the title. Those were chosen when I had no idea about the plot of the story (lol, the description even says "I'll see what happens as I write" xD What was I thinking? I had absolutely no consistent plot when I wrote that!). Also, I don't know if this should be all in one story, maybe I'll split it in two, make a sequel. Like, the story has kind of two big moments; right now, I'm writing the first one. I think I'll write the "second" in a sequel, or this story will be too big. I'll think about it...

Anyway, enjoy!