Remora felt as though she awoken from a very distant dream. When her eyes opened, she was still on the battleground of Operation Mi'ihen, only on the bottoms where the oceans waters met the sand. The water sounded, and felt, more cooler as the tides had hit her hand. She sat up to see that there was a small bleeding scratch on her finger, but nothing too serious. She was sitting on the waters, as she then knew the battle was over. She then stood to brush off the wet sand clinging to her garments, and stood to look unusual sights. There were a few unattractive ones as well. A bit of the sea was drenched with the color red, and a fowl odor had rose from the waters if you got close or breathed deep enough. The battle wasn't exactly the most wonderous, but it was memorable, especially to her first face-to-face experience with Sin...or Jeckt. Auron's words still put her in shock, despite that she had forgotten all about it at first for a moment. She looked up and saw another huge base of rock above her, and figured she'd have to walk up one of the hills to get there.
She walked up the next few meters away, and when she finally reached the even ground of the above hill, she gaped. The whole area was filled with nothing but bodies, lying on the ground motionlessly like they had just shut down. Remora was hoping all of them were just unconscious and not really dead, kind of like her experience with first arriving at Spira. She decided to walk about and check some of the bodies. Most of them were actually still breathing, but others were cut up or bruised badly, had a respiratory struggle, or were actually cold with no pulse; not needing to say the main outcome. Remora sat next to one of the female knights that were fatigued and felt her forehead, and it felt like it was on fire. This isn't right...I could have summoned to help these people out...but would an aeon as mere as Shiva be of a lot of help to them?
She looked around more, relieved to find that most of her guardians were around the same area, Tidus being a little close by. She looked towards the edge of the cliff and realized that Yuna was at the bottom floor where Remora woke up at. She was doing what looked like some kind of ritual dance, and luminescent balls of light encircled her and would soon disappear into the air. For some reason, Remora could not stop staring at her. She wondered if this had anything to do with a summoner's job or if that magic was born naturally within Yuna, like a mage.
"Seems bad, does it?" Seymour's voice said suddenly that it nearly made Remora jump.
"I-..."
"The Operation I mean." He corrected.
"Oh. Yes, I don't like the way this ended..." Remora continued to stare down at Yuna, where even more lights seemed to be gathering around her. Seymour noticed awe in her eyes and then started something new.
"But you are not helpless in a situation like this."
Remora blinked. "I'm not?"
Seymour pointed down at where Yuna was flurrying with a long sharp finger. "Yuna is performing what Spira calls a sending."
"Sending?"
"A technique that all summoners do when someone or something dies. They send them to the farplane for their final resting place."
"You mean...if I had to, I could do a sending?"
"Of course. It'd be a bad omen if someone loved were to be left unsent."
Remora continued to examine Yuna's dance. She wondered if she sent all of the passed warriors already.
"If you need to check for anyone that's no longer alive. Go ahead. Just do what Yuna's doing."
Remora stepped back towards the middle of the stained field. She remembered that when she looked around to see if everyone was all right, that there were a couple of lost lives. She looked back at Seymour, who nodded once he received the glance. Then she looked back ahead of where the fainted bodies lay, stretched out her arms in preparation, and begun to do long easy strides of movement. She continued to concentrate on the dead bodies, the people that no longer had motion inside or out, and an unusual yet pleasurable feeling had suddenly ran through her. As she danced, she waited and waited, never stopping her concentration, until suddenly a small ball of light had rose from one of the bodies. It almost frightened Remora, knowing that she knew how to do this, but she couldn't cease her process. The farplane...she read about it 2 years ago, a resting place for the dead. Kind of like the Earth's 'Heaven' and 'Hell'. But she never knew what would happen if a person or thing was left unsent, and she wouldn't dare try to find out for herself, figuring it wouldn't be a good experience. She continued to dance, soon more lights gathering around and encircling her in a bright circle. She wondered if she was doing the same or better than Yuna was doing, but in something like this, it probably wouldn't matter. Most of the lights began to disappear as they reached the sky. Something felt more relaxed about her while she was performing the sending. Could it have been anything foul that was in her suddenly escaped her soul, leaving her clean, or was it her relief that even Spira has their rest at peace?
After Yuna and Remora had finished their sending, they waved farewell to Seymour and went up further to gather with the rest of the group.
"We must walk through Djose Highroad, and leading there will be the next temple." Lulu stated to Remora. She was silent for a moment, than begun to talk again. "Remora...you only have one aeon?"
"Yes."
"Well, you'll probably have to speak to the fayth after Yuna from now on whenever we reach a temple. You won't be able to continue your journey with just one."
"I didn't even know I was on one. I thought I was following all of you."
Lulu sighed. "My point is, if you're destined to save Spira, then you're going to need as much help as possible. From us, and all of the aeons you can find."
Remora had then realized that she sounded a little sarcastic from what she said, even though it wasn't intentional. "Sorry if I sounded stand-offish."
Lulu's expression was blank for a moment, then it seemed forgiving. "It's fine. I don't mean to sound rough, especially since you just arrived here."
"Or maybe I just didn't read enough about this place." Remora grinned.
The group headed out of the Mushroom Rock Road, which was more of an official Operation graveyard, and left for Djose.
12:00 am
Despite that the main part of Siren City was the most active during the night, there downtown areas were even still empty during the time. Fang walked down the cold street, the moon shining brightly down at her, reflecting off of her ruby hair, as if the rays were following her all the way down. She walked on forward until she was in front of the library, and she turned to face the frontal double doors. She heard nothing else in the whole area, not even her own breath or the wind that blew her hair a moment ago. It was all so quiet.
"...Hello...? I'm here. Give me a sign; or something..."
Her voice had echoed through the atmosphere, only to be greeted by more howling winds. Soon, a sudden whisper behind her startled her.
"You called?"
She turned around to find nothing behind her, but once she fully turned her body, she could see a glitter come from the shadows.
"Is that you?"
"Yes, dear. I have called you here to talk a great deal about Remora."
"Is she safe?!"
"For now, yes. But it depends on how long she continues to meddle in Spira."
"...Wait-...Spira? ...Remora's in Spira!?"
"Yes. And without further action, she will be in grave danger due to her wonders. One of them being my son."
"Your...son?"
"He was the one that took the most care of her when she arrived at Spira. However, he is not all she hopes of him."
"How bad is it?"
"He plans...to absorb all of her energy for himself...to kill her. Just like he did with his father. But luckily...we still have time. He won't try to weaken her until he uses her to complete his real task."
"We've got to stop him! Why does he want her? Why her energy?"
"When Remora came to Spira, she was reborn as what we call Summoners; people with the capability to call powerful beasts known as aeons to aid them in battle. Their power is matchless. Which is why my son relies on them to give him the power he wants to put Spira in a slumber of death. You see, she's not the only victim he plans to use."
"All of them? All of those summone-...can you tell me how to get to Spira!? I need to bring Remora back! Can you help me?"
"For the safety of your friend's return, I'd have to. Since I am one of the main reasons my son wishes the destruction of Spira."
"How do I get there?"
"I see that you know that in regular times, a void can only be opened for perilous reasons. Yet, I am a spirit, and so forth, I can open one for you without trouble. You must go, and help your friend."
It was only a few moments that the group arrived at the main entrance of Djose temple. The road to it was cluttered with fiends. By the time they reached the temple, the whole area seemed to be shaking. Remora turned to see that Yuna was doing her prayer gesture towards it. It was a moment, but the temple was covered with rock and boulders, and they all fell apart and began to float aurally around the temple with the help of some kind of electricity, at least that is what it seemed like; it seemed real enough to be. Remora then got relieved, thinking it was usual for it to happen, but when she turned towards Lulu, who was at their closest, she had a questionable expression laid on her face.
"The temple only opens when the Fayth has their exception to aid someone."
Remora then realized. "That means…"
"Another summoner is already in there." Wakka finished.
Yuna then seemed excited about what she heard. "Another summoner? We must meet him!"
The group walked on inside the temple, with the permission of the guards up in front. Remora was the first to step in. She considered she needed to claim the aeon here as well, but also wanted to meet the other summoner inside of the temple, hoping that it wouldn't be Dona again. She stepped to the center of the beautifully tiled floor, seeing that it was just a little empty inside, some monks were standing around corners, talking about their own matters. But she realized that Dona was already in the temple, although she was leaning on the wall next to Barthello watch Remora suspiciously. The group looked around, until everyone heard the two heavy stone doors open by themselves. Stepping out of them stood 2 men and a little boy. One of the men seemed femininely cloaked; his garments were a bright combination of blue, green, and yellow. His hair was a reddish orange and tied to a ponytail, and he had a catlike face; slim, pale, and he had a peculiar smile. His bright green eyes slowly turned to look at Remora as the trio walked down the stairs to greet the other group. At that point, Dona and Barthello left the wall to greet them.
"Ah. Two summoners with one group of guardians? I never have seen the sort like that before."
The cloaked man bowed politely to the group. He then looked at the two summoners. Yuna introduced herself first.
"I am Yuna, Lord Braska's daughter, as you may know."
"So I've heard. It's an honor to be blessed with your presence, Yuna." Then he turned to Remora. "I have heard about your arrival. I too, am glad to have you here in Spira, Miss Remora."
"Thank you. It's nice to meet you here."
Isaaru nodded. "I'm Isaaru, a summoner, just like you. I've heard a great deal about you, Remora."
"You have?"
"Not everyone in Spira expects your promise to be kept."
"So I heard…" Remora started. "But, not everyone is trusted."
Isaaru smiled, and the two other boys stepped up to him, side by side. One of them was tall and very tanned at skin, and he spoke first.
"My name's Maroda."
"And I'm Pacce." The little boy said. They both glanced at Isaaru for a moment, and then faced the group again. Maroda spoke up. "We're Isaaru's guardians, and his brothers."
"Did you just become a summoner."
"No, but we too are going to Zanarkand."
"Zanarkand?" Remora slightly sounded startled. Pacce smiled brightly.
"Yeah! That's where Isaaru's getting the Final Aeon."
Remora wasn't exactly sure what they were talking about, but Auron interrupted. "We must go on now."
"Uh- right." Yuna then said. The group waved their farewell to Isaaru, Maroda, and Pacce as they went on inside, but then Isaaru stopped walking away.
"Hey…you." He pointed at Tidus. He halted in his tracks and so did Remora. Isaaru walked up to them with a curious face.
"Yeah?" Tidus replied. Remora stood staring unblinking at the brightly dressed summoner.
"I'm not sure if you're all aware of this or not, but there has been these strange reports of 'summoners disappearing'. Do you know anything about it?"
Tidus looked dumbstruck, however, Remora wanted Isaaru to say the main point. "We didn't hear anything like that."
"Well consider this a warning. Never leave Yuna or Remora unattended. They need all of the protection they can get."
"We'll be on the watch!" Tidus said confidently. Isaaru then turned to Remora, smiling but his eyes had the look of determination.
"This is for your safety, Remora. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Thank you for your concern." Remora replied. Pacce and Maroda was waiting for Isaaru at the temple entrance, pacce was jumping at the balls of his feet.
"I want to talk to them for a while!"
"No, we're leaving!" Isaaru shouted back from their long distance. He turned to walk away after nodding back at the group to heed his words. Remora smiled back at him as he and his brothers left the temple. Apparently Dona had went back to the corner without warning.
"The Fayth awaits. Come." Lulu's voice said slowly from in front of the group. Remora and Tidus turned to walk back with the rest of the group to bring Remora and Yuna to yet another possible aeon.
A group of men and women dressed in mission-like outfits all stood in a circle. From what they doing, the Moonflow guards had questioned their actions for standing at the same spot for a while now. From the looks of it, they were scheming. Fang had stepped into the center of the waiting patio, eyeing the group suspiciously, hoping for some directions and help. The group of the oddly dressed people then turned to see Fang staring right back at them. She huffed a little as she approached them, some of the men taking off their masks.
"Lea xi pi yx emmumdersi?"
Fang suddenly looked dumbstruck and scratched her temples. "...Remora never told me the people in Spira spoke another language."
The group had a couple of gasps as they heard Fang's words loud and clear. Then a couple of more talking in the unknown language to her knowledge. The same man spoke again, slightly stuttering.
"Ur- em. May we...be of assistance?"
Fang nodded. "I come from Earth, another planet as you all may know. I've come here...to retrieve my best friend, Remora. Do any of you know her?"
They all looked at each other, the silence accompanied with sudden determination.
"Remora? Yes, she arrived a couple of days ago...I see we have...another Earth-comer." The man stated apprehensively.
"I mean no harm to any of you. I just came her to bring her back home. I was told of a great danger comings towards her future. The last thing I want would be for her to be gone in a place she doesn't even belong."
One of the unmasked men had their eyebrows raised in question. A smaller person then pushed through the group, a girl from what Fang saw, to face her. She slid her own facemask off and smiled.
"Does this have anything to do with the summoners' pilgrimage?"
"I'm not sure. But...someone told me, it wasn't just Remora that was in danger, it was all of the summoners. I have to find a way to save her, and possibly the rest."
The girl then took Fangs hand and held them with her own, her orangish hair slightly bouncing from her temporary head tilt.
"Then...come with us! We in this as much as you are. We don't want any of the summoners to risk their lives."
"Really?"
"Yes! I'm not sure if Remora's doing the pilgrimage or not, or what's even putting her in trouble, but we'll be able to rescue her, I'm sure of it."
Fang thought for a moment. What did she have to loose? As much as she was another random girl from another world, these people had trusted her enough, probably because she had a purpose in coming. Fang smiled and nodded. "Alright, I'll go with you all. For Remora's safety."
"From what we've heard, Remora and her guardians will be crossing the Moonflow shortly. We'll try to scoop her out while they're nearby."
"But...who are you guys anyway?" Fang questioned. The girl chuckled a bit.
"We're Al Bhed. Since you're from Earth too, you probably haven't heard of it yet. Till now. We were sent too to stall the pilgrimage of the summoners. What's your name by the way?"
"It's Fang. And yours?"
The girl took her headgear off, revealing her whole head. A bit tan, orangish yellow hair, a trusting smile. "I'm Rikku. I promise we'll bring Remora to safety."