Fade With Me

Chapter 14

I stared helplessly at the enormous Zanarkand Dome in front of us. We were right at the base of the stairs leading straight up into it when Braska faltered hesitantly. I didn't blame my uncle one bit.

It was like a march to the death…I would be buckling at the knees if I was here as a summoner.

I chose not to notice the fact that I actually was buckling at the knees…

"The Final Aeon…" Braska murmured, staring straight ahead into the unknown. "I will acquire it. I will defeat Sin." His voice was laced with the honest, pure conviction of his words.

I swallowed hard, despite the huge lump that had chosen to take residence in my throat. "Yeah," I agreed with a somewhat shaky voice. "We know you will, Braska. We believe in you."

There was honestly nothing I would have rather done at that moment than scream out the whole entire truth of the Final Aeon, of Sin, of Yevon, and of so many other things - including where I had actually come from - but my gut told me it would be a terrible idea for me to do that. My new friends would either a) hate me for it, b) think I'm crazy, or c) force me to leave. I supposed there could be a combination of the three as well, but it wasn't as though I was about to find out any time soon. They'd discover the truth soon enough, and from a more reliable source at that.

Lady Yunalesca.

I shuddered at the thought of the creepy undead woman. Man, was she evil…

Well anyway, after coming all this way, through pain, through discrimination, and through all the sacrifice, why on Spira would Braska and his guardians want to hear me tell him that it was all for nothing? Why would anyone? Even if it was true - which it really is! - I knew I wouldn't want to listen for one second…

And in any case, the possibility of dealing with the possible "devastating repercussions" that could screw up the future was definitely not on my list of things to do.

But still…I wasn't sure if I would have the strength to do this. Watching pyreflies reenact Auron's memory of it at the end of Yunie's pilgrimage was painful enough, especially since the unsent Auron had to stand there in watch it, too. The forlorn look on his face will never completely fade from my memory.

And now…now I would be forced to see this whole thing unravel. For real this time.

"Thank you, Rikku." Braska smiled at me in that calm, collected way of his. "With all of my heart, I truly thank you."

I bit down hard on my lip as I nodded in reply. I couldn't seem to find my voice to say anything at all.

A familiar hand gave my shoulder a gentle, reassuring squeeze as we followed Braska up the main steps…to his sacrifice.

---X---X---X---X---X---

Once we were inside the Dome, I noticed that there were even more pyreflies inhabiting the area than any other place in all of the Zanarkand Ruins. I hardly knew that was possible, considering the thousands that were floating outside. It was actually a bit daunting to watch them glide around, knowing full-well they were stuck in a limbo between life and death. Would they be stuck there forever? Or would they eventually turn into fiends? I wasn't sure if I wanted to know.

"Found another potion!" Jecht shouted from behind a collapsed pillar. After a few moments, he poked his head out again with a devious smirk. "There are tons o' chests everywhere in this ol' temple place! Look around to see if you can find some, too."

We all humored Jecht and his enthusiasm for scoring more and more items, but we couldn't help but think that there was hardly a point for them any more. Would a measly potion really help against Sin? Against a wound from a fiend, sure…but against Sin? I didn't think so.

Jecht was continuing to lead the way towards the large staircase - that I knew led to the Cloister of Trials - when a ghostly image of a female guardian appeared right in front of him. She took a step forward as she cleared her voice. When she started to speak, her voice sounded as though it was muffled by something…like a recording.

"If it might benefit the future of Spira, I will gladly give my life. It is the highest honor for which a guardian might ask. Use my life, Lady Yocun. Please. And let us be rid of Sin. For Spira." She paused for a moment. "And for future generations…"

The image of the determined guardian slowly faded away, leaving behind several pyreflies in its wake.

Jecht scratched the back of his head in confusion. "What the hell was that?" He turned around, impatiently waiting for an explanation.

Auron stepped forward. "From what we have seen so far, I believe this Dome is similar to…a sphere. People's thoughts and memories seem to remain trapped in here as pyreflies. Forever."

Chills went down my spine. Forever was such a powerful word, in my opinion. It was either in the black area or the white area; there was no middle ground. So in my experience, forever can prove to either be extremely good…or extremely bad. I wondered which extreme it ended up becoming for all of the pyreflies.

Jecht shuddered at the thought, as well. "Whoa, that's really weird." Then, he motioned to the large door at the top of the steps. "Hey, uh…so are the Trials up ahead?"

Braska nodded slowly. "Most probably." He let out a small sigh as he crossed his arms.

"Here, too?" Jecht groaned. "Man, I was expecting parades…and fireworks!" He waved his arms in the air dramatically to emphasize his point. Then he scratched the back of his head again. "You know what I mean?"

My uncle chuckled good-naturedly, obviously understanding Jecht's point. "Well, you can ask for all of that once I defeat Sin, Jecht. I am sure you will be granted your wish."

Jecht nodded, but then his face turned serious. "Hey, Braska, you know you don't have to go through with this…right?"

Braska smiled softly. "Yes. Thank you for the concern, Jecht." He sighed again. "I am fine with the path I have chosen."

Jecht nodded. "Fine," he stated, crossing his arms. "I've said all I need to say."

From next to me, Auron visibly stiffened. "Auron? Are you okay?" I whispered to him worriedly. He had a pained look on his face.

"Well, I haven't said all that I need to say," Auron stated through thin lips. He slowly looked over at Braska. "We…could go back," he said slowly and deliberately. "I do not wish to see you die, Braska."

The sadness in his voice made my heart plummet to the floor. This was harder for Auron than any of us had realized. He had done a fantastic job of overshadowing his fear by keeping us moving, moving, moving on with the pilgrimage.

I gulped painfully. The one thing he fears…

Braska took a few steps towards Auron. "You knew this was to happen, my friend," he said in a low, comforting voice.

…is not being able to protect those he cares for.

Auron nodded. "Yes…but I am not sure if I wish to accept it any longer."

But who can possibly protect a summoner like Braska against his own sheer will?

The corners of Braska's lips turned slightly downward. "Auron, I am honored that you care for me so. But I have come to Zanarkand to kill grief itself. I will defeat Sin, and lift the veil of sorrow covering Spira." He turned around to start walking towards the Cloister of Trials in his determination. "Please understand, Auron."

Auron dropped his gaze to the ground. "As you wish," he muttered before following behind Jecht and Braska.

---X---X---X---X---X---

My heart was still hammering in my chest our whole way through the Cloister of Trials. From all the practice Braska, Jecht, and Auron had gotten from all the other temples scattered throughout Spira, they had become pros at navigating through the Trials. We had cleared our way through it in what was probably a new record.

"So we go down this thing?" Jecht asked, leaning over the large contraption that resembled a type of old elevator in the middle of the antechamber. "I'm guessing the Chamber of the Fayth is down there…"

"I think you're right, Jecht," I said. Everyone turned to look at me when I said that. I was confused by their glances until I realized that I hadn't spoken since I had asked Auron if he was alright. That was…quite a while ago.

Heh heh. Oops?

Braska nodded. "Yes, I agree." He went to take a step onto the large polygonal platform when it suddenly started to glow and shake ominously.

Uh-oh…here we go again, I thought to myself miserably when I remembered the fiend that was waiting for us in this particular place.

Slowly rising up from the below abyss, the Spectral Keeper arrived, and it didn't look too thrilled to see us, judging by the way it hissed ferociously.

I guessed I would be lying if I said we were thrilled to see it as well…

Unsheathing my sword from the holster on my back, I took a deep breath. "Let's get this over with, guys."

"Hee-yah!" Jecht was already charging at the enormous fiend, a look of strength in his eyes that I had never seen in him before. It was encouraging, to say the least.

I followed his lead, throwing grenades and gems, and taking a few swipes at the monster with my new sword.

Braska summoned many of his most powerful aeons, and had to frequently use restorative magic to help us out when the huge pincer-arms of the fiend managed to make contact with us.

Auron looked fiercely determined as well, swinging at the fiend with so much force, I was almost afraid (key word there: almost). He helped me up the few times that the fiend was able to knock me to the ground, reassuring me by giving my arm a quick squeeze, or sending a significant look in my direction.

That was definitely enough to keep me going.

Jecht was doing his normal routine against fiends of jabbing, dodging, running, and then slashing again, with a complete air of confidence and assurance.

Every now and then, a few of the platforms we were standing on to fight the Spectral Keeper started to shine threateningly. Unfortunately for the fiend, I remembered exactly what that signified, so I warned the three men to clear those areas until it was safe to return to them after they had self-detonated.

A few more angry slashes to the gut was all it took for the fiend to draw back slightly, screaming in pain. It withered away right in front of our eyes, fading into millions of pyreflies.

Taking huge, labored breaths and holding his right arm, Jecht started to laugh. "That was way too easy."

Braska noticed Jecht's bloody wound, so he immediately cast cure on it. Then, he nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, that was much easier for us than the past enemies we have encountered on this pilgrimage." He sounded skeptical of the whole ordeal.

"Hey," I said, trying to be the optimist of our group. "It was so much easier than ever before because you guys are in tip-top shape now! This is the end of the pilgrimage, so wouldn't it be natural for you to make mincemeat of all the stupid fiends that get in your way?" I crossed my arms. "I mean, come on! Sin is going to be the toughest challenge that anyone on Spira will face. Ever!" I sent each of the men in front of me pointed looks. "This is what you've been training for all this time. Don't be surprised by your own strength. Have a little confidence." I glanced at Jecht. "Or at least act like you do…kinda like how Jecht always does."

"Ah, kid!" Jecht started to laugh again, forcefully clapping my shoulder with his heavy hand. "Eh, you know what? You're right!"

"Yes, she is absolutely right!" Braska nodded. "Thank you for the words of encouragement, Rikku."

Bet you'll never guess who didn't say anything at all in reply to my statement.

Yup.

But I seriously hoped he was doing alright. He still looked as though he was in a lot of pain.

And not the physical kind.

---X---X---X---X---X---

After only a few minutes of waiting for Braska to finish up in the Chamber of the Fayth, praying to Yevon to help him acquire the "Final Aeon" and all that - Pfft, yeah right! - Jecht started to tap his foot uneasily.

"Something doesn't feel right," he commented as his eyes darted all around us.

I nodded, knowing full well what the problem was before he and Auron would even have a clue. "Yep. I feel it too."

Just then, Braska bolted out of the Chamber with an appalled look on his face.

"My lord?" Auron stepped forward to assess the situation. "Please tell us what has happened."

Braska shook his head sadly. "There is no Final Aeon. All that remains in the Chamber is an empty statue."

He motioned for us to follow him into the Chamber to prove his point. I already knew he was right, but now Auron and Jecht would be able to understand as well.

"Wait!" Jecht said with a tired look on his face. He put his hand on his forehead for a second as he tried to think. "We came all this way…what do you mean there's no Final Aeon?"

"That statue lost its power as a fayth long ago." A man suddenly appeared from the back end of the Chamber through a hidden portal. "It is Lord Zaon, the first fayth of the Final Summoning. What you see before you is all that remains of him. Lord Zaon is...his soul is gone."

"And who are you?" Auron growled impatiently. "What do you have to gain by telling us this!?"

"Please forgive my indiscretion." The man bowed apologetically. "I am one of the Gatekeepers of the Zanarkand Dome."

"Okay," Jecht shot out impatiently. "And?"

The Gatekeeper bowed to us again. "Please, fear not. Lady Yunalesca will show you the path, and the Final Aeon will be at your hands. The summoner and the Final Aeon will join powers." Pyreflies started to circle the Gatekeeper. "Go to her now. Inside, the lady awaits." With one final bow, the Gatekeeper completely vanished.

---X---X---X---X---X---

Jecht whistled as he looked around once we had all passed through the barrier. "This place looks like the inside of a castle!"

"Once upon a time, it probably was," I muttered. Stupid Yunalesca and her stupid stupid perspective of life!

"Welcome to Zanarkand," a voice came from at the top of yet another set of stairs ahead of us.

Ah, speak of the devil and she shall appear. Or rather think of the devil and…well, you get the point.

Lady Yunalesca strutted down the stairs in her barely-there attire, a smirk donning her facial expression the entire time. Beside me, Auron, Jecht, and Braska were completely silent.

Yunalesca turned her withering gaze towards my uncle. "I congratulate you, summoner. You have completed your pilgrimage. I will now bestow you with that which you seek. The Final Summoning...will be yours. Now, you must choose."

Braska's brow furrowed. "I know not of what you are speaking, my lady." He bowed apologetically.

It made me want to gag.

"You must choose the one whom I will change...to become the fayth of the Final Summoning," she explained with an air of superiority in her voice.

Auron stiffened next to me while Jecht and Braska both shifted their stances uncomfortably. I stood stock-still. I had heard it all before, but was this time really going to be any different? I had a really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach…

"There must be a bond, between the chosen and the summoner, for that is what the Final Summoning embodies: the bond between husband and wife, mother and child, or between friends," Yunalesca continued, giving Jecht and Braska a significant look. "If that bond is strong enough, its light will conquer Sin. A thousand years ago, I chose my husband Zaon as my fayth."

From behind her, an image of the late Lord Zaon appeared, dashing out to meet the spectral image of Yunalesca when she was still fully alive. Braska watched it with calculating eyes.

"Our bond was true, and I obtained the Final Aeon." Both the images disappeared as they began to embrace one another. "So, there is nothing to fear. You will soon be freed of worry and pain. For once you call forth the Final Aeon, your life will end. Death is the ultimate and final liberation." With that last comment, she turned around and strutted back up the stairs before disappearing.

I turned to face Braska, taking an unsteady breath of air as I did so. "She left you for a few moments because she is giving you time to decide…to decide who you will choose to be the fayth for the Final Aeon," I said in a hollow voice.

"It is not too late," Auron said as he took a few steps closer to my uncle. "It is not too late! Let us turn back! The truth of this pilgrimage is not what we thought it was. It is not what we had believed in. We have been deceived by Yevon's teachings!"

Braska didn't back down. If anything, there was even more hope in his eyes than ever before. "If I turn back, who will defeat Sin? Would you have some other summoner and his guardians go through this?" he countered.

"But...my lord," Auron's voice was beginning to lose its strength. "There must be another way!"

"This is the only way we got now!" Jecht shouted as he crossed his arms over his lean chest. "So be it." He turned his gaze to Braska. "Make me the fayth. I been doing some thinking. My dream is back in the other Zanarkand. My Zanarkand. I wanted to make that runt into a star blitz player and show him the view from the top, you know?" He smiled for a second, obviously recalling happier times, but then his face turned serious again. "But now I know there's no way home for me. I'm never gonna see him again. My dream's never gonna come true. So make me the fayth!" He pounded his fist against his chest determinedly. "I'll fight Sin with you, Braska. Then maybe my life will have meaning, you know?"

Auron growled from next to me. "Don't do this, Jecht! If you live...there may be another way! We'll think of something, I know! We just need some time…"

He sounds just like I did through the majority of Yunie's pilgrimage.

Why was that so surprising to me? So hard to believe?

Jecht didn't back down, either. "Believe me, I thought this through. Besides... I ain't gettin' any younger, so I might as well make myself useful!"

"Jecht," Braska started to say with a sad tone in his voice.

"What!?" Jecht was immediately on the defensive. "You're not gonna try to stop me, too?"

Braska shook his head a few times. "Sorry." He gave Jecht a genuine smile. "I mean...thank you."

Jecht nodded, sighing as he walked over to Auron who was still in a state of despair. "Braska still has to fight Sin, Auron. So guard him well. Make sure he gets there."

Auron closed his eyes as he nodded a few times.

"And one last thing…" Jecht trailed off as he scratched his chin in thought.

"Go ahead," Auron said in his low, hollow voice.

"Don't forget about the promise you made to me. About the runt?" Jecht laughed. "I know you'll find a way to get to my Zanarkand. If anyone can do it, you can!" He looked at me. "And, hey! Maybe Rikku'll even help you!"

I shook my head, closing my eyes and trying to hide the fact that tears were running down my cheeks. "Sure I will," I said with a choked voice.

"Thanks," Jecht grabbed my arm, pulling me into his chest in a bear hug. "For everything, kiddo. Watch over Auron for me too, would ya?"

I nodded into his chest as more tears fell.

Jecht cleared his throat as he carefully detached himself from me. Then he gave Auron an expectant look.

"I…" Auron started, clearing his throat. "I give you my word, Jecht. I will guard your son with my life."

"Thanks, Auron." Jecht gave Auron a toothy grin. "You were always a stiff, but that's what I liked most about you."

Braska stepped forward to face Auron as well. "I trust you remember the promise you made to me regarding Yuna?" he asked softly.

Auron nodded once. His words seemed to be all used up at that moment.

"Thank you," Braska said, bowing to his friend and guardian. Then, he turned to face me. "Rikku," he smiled, "I have something I wish to ask of you, too." He motioned for me to come closer to him.

As I took a step to him, he met me halfway, pulling me into a hug. He leaned his head towards my ear. "When you return from here…will you please protect Yuna?" he whispered so no one else would hear. "As my niece and as Yuna's cousin, I would have no more trust in anyone but you, Rikku."

I blinked in astonishment, my throat closing up. I wasn't able to say or do anything other than gasp.

He…he knows about me…and probably knew for the whole time…how could that happen…!?!?

Was I...was I not convincing enough?

Braska winked at me before stepping away from our embrace. "Again, you have my thanks."

How did he find out!?

Jecht clapped his hands before rubbing them together rapidly. "Well, let's go! Yunalesca's probably waitin' to turn me into the fayth thing or whatever."

Jecht and Braska turned to head up the stairs to meet with Lady Yunalesca, but Auron stepped in front of them. "Lord Braska! Jecht!"

Jecht groaned. "What do you want now?"

Auron ignored the impatience in Jecht's voice. "Sin always comes back. It comes back after the Calm every time! The cycle will continue and your deaths will mean nothing!"

I closed my eyes, more tears falling, as I nodded in agreement to Auron's statement. That wouldn't change anything, though. Right?

"But there's always a chance it won't come back this time," Braska reminded him. "It's always worth trying."

Jecht nodded. "I understand what you're saying, Auron. I'll find a way to break the cycle."

Auron lifted his gave from the floor to Jecht's face. "You...have a plan?"

Braska faced Jecht as well, a look of confusion on his face. "Jecht?"

"Trust me, I'll think of something," Jecht laughed obnoxiously as he and Braska made their way up the stairs…to their deaths.

Next to me, Auron dropped to his knees, burying his face in his hands. I tried to reach out to him for reassurance, for comfort, but some unknown force was holding me back.

I tried to call out to Auron for help, but I choked on my words. Everything around me was starting to blur and fade away, and there was nothing I could do about it. Auron was disappearing right in front of my eyes…again.

W-What's going on!?!?

---X---X---X---X---X---

A/N: Kay, so this was a day late. SORRY! But this chapter was much harder to write than I had originally thought. AND, just so you know, there are only a few more chapters after this ((tears up)) So thanks to everyone for the love and support. Much appreciated!! Keep the reviews coming and I'll try to update as soon and as often as I can!! XD