Away from the others, lying on his side on the desiccated earth, Tidus decided he was in hell. Hell was a fair punishment, he supposed, for killing your father. It hadn't really hit him before now. He'd killed Jecht. His father was dead by his hand. It was something he'd had to do, there was no denying that. He hadn't felt that bad about it at the time, there had been no other choice. But that was what made it worse—what kind of monster kills his own father and doesn't even care?

I hate you. That was one of the last things Tidus said to his old man. And he'd meant it too. He'd always hated him. The feeling was mutual. Jecht had always been disappointed in Tidus, always thought he was small and weak. Tidus had thought maybe it would be different, when he saw his old man again for the first time in ten years. He'd thought maybe he could look him square in the eye, show him what he'd become, and that maybe, just maybe, his father would be proud. But when he'd faced Jecht that final time, he'd still had to look up to him. And Jecht had still looked down on him.

Tidus's lower lip trembled and he heard his father's words echoing in his mind.

You're gonna cry.

You always cry.

That's the only thing you're good for.

Tidus squeezed his eyes tightly closed. Why was he still here? What point was there in survival, if he couldn't be with Yuna? He was so miserable, he wished he would just disappear. That was what was supposed to happen, wasn't it? How could he have failed at that?

Before lying down, Tidus had moved as far away from Squall and Rinoa as he dared, trying to give them some privacy. Now they were speaking softly to each other, he could hear their voices but couldn't make out the words. If it wasn't for that, the gentle, soothing sound calling him back he probably would have fallen all the way into the depths of despair, never to return. But the voices were there, offering him a lifeline, something to think about besides his father's disappointment. Until they weren't.

The voices stopped, and in the silence Tidus gave up. He cried. For the first time in his life, he didn't fight the tears. It might have been liberating, had he not been so deep in hopelessness. His cheeks wet, his eyes puffy, his nose dripping—his father should see him now. Then he would know every word he'd ever said about Tidus was true. He was nothing but a helpless crybaby.

A pressure on his shoulder startled him. He'd forgotten that he wasn't alone, that this miserable existence had room for more than just him. It was Rinoa placing her hand on his shoulder. He sat up quickly, keeping his back to her. He swiped furiously at his face, trying to erase the tears. "Sorry," he murmured.

"Don't be sorry." Rinoa pulled on his shoulder, forcing him to face her. "I've been trying to get Squall to show a little emotion since I met him. Yuna is lucky. You must give her a much easier time."

Rinoa took his right hand in both of hers. "This place is horrible. But we're in it together. The three of us. And we're going to get out together. Understood?"

Tidus nodded. Maybe this wasn't hell after all. Rinoa wouldn't be here if it was.

"Now," Rinoa continued, "You promised us you would teach us how to play blitzball." Tidus didn't recall having made such a promise, but Rinoa grabbed him by both wrists and hauled him to his feet. "So let's play!"

Apparently, Yuna was a popular girl. One who everyone is Spira wanted to see, ever since she'd "brought on the Calm," whatever that meant. Wakka and Lulu were her gatekeepers; Quistis and the others would have to convince them before they would be allowed to visit Yuna. Lulu had a harsh gaze and a passing resemblance to Sorceress Edea. Wakka had an imposing figure and red-orange hair that stuck straight up, the longest strands forming an improbable wisp above his head. Neither of them appeared the least bit impressed with the story Irvine was telling them.

They all stood at the end of a wide cobblestone walkway. The walkway was flanked on each side by a row of tents. Quistis was pretty sure Yuna was nearby, but Wakka and Lulu were blocking their passage into the tiny village. Although she sincerely hoped there would not be any reason for violence, Quistis had noted that the two appeared unarmed, Wakka possessing only a blue and white ball tucked under his arm and Lulu holding a doll that somewhat resembled a moogle.

Following Rikku's suggestion, they had not yet mentioned Tidus. Quistis had counted on their knowledge of Tidus's whereabouts as a wildcard that would lead to easy cooperation. But Rikku's reaction had indicated it may only lead to distrust and hostility.

Well, they already had hostility.

"Can't we just talk to her? Two minutes is all we ask," Irvine pleaded.

"Lady Yuna is resting." Wakka stood tall with arms crossed. "She's not taking visitors."

"Fine, if she needs a nap we can wait." Irvine gave a half bow and took a step back.

"Great. Come back in five or six years and maybe she'll be willing to see you, ya?" Wakka gave a grunting sort of laugh.

"We don't have five or six years!" Zell had balled his hands into fists. That was a bad sign. "We need to see her now! It's about Tidus!"

"Tidus?" Lulu repeated sharply. "Don't speak that name around here."

"Look, why don't you just let the lady speak for herself? If Yuna tells us to get lost, we will." Irvine tipped his hat and smiled at Lulu as he spoke.

Lulu glared at him. "Yuna's done enough. Leave her be."

"Alright, alright," Irvine said, raising his hands in defeat and walking toward where Quistis was standing a few feet away. She decided it must be her turn, though she had no idea what she could say that hadn't already been said. She noticed Irvine give a subtle nod to Zell as she passed him.

"We've travelled very far…" Quistis began. As she spoke Irvine and Zell bolted to either side of Wakka and Lulu, each running along one row of tents. Angelo shot down the middle, barking loudly.

"Yuna! We need your help!" Irvine shouted.

"We know where Tidus is! YUNA!" Zell yelled.

Wakka and Lulu reacted with startling speed. Wakka threw his ball with such force it knocked Irvine off his feet before bouncing back to him. Lulu snapped her fingers and a huge spike of ice appeared before Zell. He slid to a stop to avoid it, ending up on the ground on his backside.

"Hey! Don't attack our friends!" Selphie exclaimed, drawing her nunchaku. Quistis gritted her teeth and drew her whip. This was not how she'd wanted this to go.

A motion from the far end of the village caught Quistis's eye. A young woman with a long purple skirt emerged from a tent. Rikku—who had wandered away after introducing the travelers to Wakka and Lulu—appeared beside her.

"What's going on?" the young woman asked as she looked around.

"Lady Yuna." Irvine, finding himself closest to her, rose to one knee. "We need your help."

She focused on Irvine and nodded slowly. "Rikku told me." Then she looked to Wakka and Lulu. "Is everything okay?"

"We were trying to keep people from bothering you. But this bunch is determined, ya?"

"I don't know that I can help you," Yuna looked at each of the visitors in turn, "But since you've come so far, the least I can do is listen. Come this way."

"You don't have to do this, Yuna," Lulu called out. "You don't owe these people anything." She gave a disdainful look to Quistis and Selphie.

"I know," Yuna responded. "But it's the right thing to do."

Lulu sighed and Wakka muttered something under his breath, but they didn't argue further.

Quistis started towards Yuna when Lulu grabbed her by the arm. "Do not let her hope for something impossible. Understood?"

Quistis nodded and Lulu released her.

"No good can come of this," Lulu muttered to Wakka as Quistis hurried away.