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Chapter 8

Questions

Mi'hen Highroad

Gathered as they were circling around a young woman in the center, the group as the continued onward on the journey was a sight to behold.

Obviously a summoner and her guardians, much like Dona, there were some who thought that having so many was a sure sign of weakness. But as on occasion they would take a break during their walk, the sight of the two with the extremely large swords made those think twice.

The man in red was the legendary Sir Auron. Former guardian to High Summoner Braska, he alone was a known powerhouse and to see him deferring in some decisions to the younger looking man in black. Blonde hair and blue eyes, the only name he would give was Cloud.

Light and airy, it seemed to be an antithesis of the man whose name was associated with the sky as he was grounded and seemed to carry a weight that even now is shown in his stance and shoulders.

Soft giggles as a muscular red head tackles a lean blonde to the ground, the small group laugh in amusement on this journey despite the secrets each hold from one another. To laugh was something that even now could be considered a luxury in these days.

"Who is it you seek?"

Startled at the question directed his way, cloud turns to find Auron beside him with an expression of curiosity in his features. Serious in his stance, Cloud gives a small smile as he answers.

"A friend....I have been told if I come I should be able to see him again." He responded quietly.

"Will he help us?"

Cloud gives a small shrug of his shoulders. Barely noted, but seen by Auron, the older man cocks his head to a side as he speaks. "You do not know?"

"It is not my place to decide for him. Vincent is his own person. If he chooses to help he will. He would be...a formidable ally." Cloud said quietly. "His aim alone is enough to equal if not surpass Wakka and his ball. And even then that is not counting what resides within him."

"Which is?"

"Not my place to say." Cloud replied with an air of finality to his voice. "Just...what was done to myself, is tame compared to what was done to him."

Enough said, Auron remains silent as he understands the implications of Cloud's words. Not knowing what was done to him as the blonde has only given hints really into the event, the graying guardian could only empathize with him. For it had made the blonde alone...

Alone... Something he does not want to feel for as long as he had. Despite being able to raise and be with Tidus, Zanarkand was still not his home. Not to say that he did not enjoy being there. Because he got to raise Tidus, whom he looks upon fondly, it...it just, was not the same.

It wasn't Spira.

"Wondering if it was worth it?"

Giving a small chuckle, Auron looked at the blonde calmly. "You could say that. Just remembering the past though...." He replied as he looked at Tidus, who managed to free himself as Lulu had called for Wakka beside her. Now in the company of Yuna, he found his gaze drifting toward her, and the ever watchful Kimahri.

Even now as they talk, Cloud finds himself looking at both of them, studying the slowly growing relationship between the two.

Both looking as if they were ordinary an ordinary young man and woman, the two of them seem to be drifting closer together as they walk. A tender offering of a shy smile from Yuna, is acknowledged by a sheepish grin of Tidus who at the moment was rambling about his childhood to the young woman.

"Really?"

"Yeah! When I tried out there was the whole big crowd..." Tidus exclaimed as he bounded forward in front of the group and started demonstrating what he had to do. Yuna and the others giggling in amusement at his antics, Auron finds himself alone with Kimahri as Cloud goes to keep an eye on them.

The Ronso just standing beside him quietly, Auron waits. And it does not take long. "Why?"

"It is so that I can keep a promise." The former Yevon Monk replied. "In time, you and they will hear my story. And then you will decide..."

"Decide?"

"Decide whether or not you want to continue the same story...or start your own." Auron answered cryptically. His words puzzling the Ronso, the former guardian walks off to join the others. Their laughter a beacon to the tired soul of the former guardian...

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Elsewhere....

Deep in thought Seymour found himself reflecting on his plans in Luca. Summoning the Aeon that was his mother was indeed beneficial to his plans to take power in Spira. Being relatively new to the Fayth, Anima was extremely powerful and on top of that.

Well only he new how strong the spirit was. His father had married an extremely strong woman after all. His face softens now at the thoughts of the woman who was his mother. Who had been willing to give all to see him happy...even her life.

And during that moment, if Brommelm his assistant was to walk in, the elder Guado would have seen the child he remembered so well. And not the man he had become. As a child Seymour was a sweet little boy, whom had loved to play and was so warm. But being half human had taken its toll on him as well.

Children were not kind as he grew up and with his unique parentage. They had let Seymour know that. And it had taken a heavy toll on the boy...in the end it had cost him his mother. The woman who thought by doing what she had done, Seymour could be respected.

But it is not what he did though. He did not go as she had hoped....

Even now as she watches alongside Bahamut and the others who welcomed her into their ranks. She cried in pain at what Seymour had become and what he had done.

Watching as that solitary moment of the child she had loved with all her heart disappears into the man who plots to destroy many. She looks to the boy who is the leader of all of the Aeons.

Sorrow is in the small hooded figure's stance as he approaches her. He says nothing but just places a hand on her shoulder in comfort. His power warm and reassuring, the woman who is Anima visibly relaxes even if only briefly.

"When the time comes as it already has for Valefor and Ifrit, you will lend her your power. When she summons us, as you have done, we will also lend him ours. It has been long since I have felt the call of materia on our spirits." Bahamut mused.

"Who is he?" She whispers sadly.

Bahamut smiled softly as he looks at her. "He is a myth. A legend whose story is one that still continues. But hopefully and with our aide in time...a legend whose story will come to an end. It is the least we as guardians of our world can do for him."

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Mushroom Rock Road

With all the preparations going on, no one noticed the slight crack in a wall along the beach front of the land. One that gave a hint of steel and of technology that had not been seen since even before the machina wars that had destroyed Zanarkand.

If they those who crave power would have entered in search of it. Not caring who or what would get in their way. Those who crave simply knowledge also would have entered but they would have been calmer.

More careful of that which they tread upon.

In all both eventually would have come across something that would have had them talking. They would have come across a room that by all accounts was powered by a pale green energy. This energy even at is minimum seemed to be emanating from the world itself as its power was incredible.

Resting in the middle of the room, feeding on the energy would have been a capsule. Long as it is somewhat narrow, they would have seen something incredible.

Lying within and wearing all black save for a red ragged cloak and headband, Vincent Valentine slept on...