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Chapter 15

Mushroom Rock Road 3

"You are most welcome Vincent." The young woman smiled brightly. Her eyes shining with innocence, the black haired man nods his head simply. Turning to the other two men who introduce themselves to him, as Cloud was drawn so is Vincent to the unofficial leader of the group Auron.

The way he stands and carries himself is like himself and Cloud. Steady, experienced, and full of remembered pain. Nodding his head towards the older man, the former monk and guardian simple reciprocates his motion with one of his own. It was an acceptance of equality as they judge one another without saying a single word.

Greeted with a smile once again, this time from the younger blonde, Vincent stands next to Cloud as they head out. The black haired man studying the figure of Tidus with thought. That which was inside him, was curious as to why they can and can not sense life within him.

Remaining silent about it for now, he nods his head in response to the younger blonde as he turns to the older one with a single look of curiosity.

"Much has changed Vincent." Cloud stated simply. "Much of who we are and what we know are simply legends to them."

"I sense that, the change in the stream...it's different."

"It's Sin. As long as Sin exists, the lifestream can not take without the aide of the summoners."

Time frozen at that moment save for the two men, both look at the figure of the small boy within purple robes.

"What do you mean?"

"In Sin, there is no life."

Hearing those words, Cloud can not help but ask the question. "Earlier though you said that this one was different...I still don't quite understand."

The child smiled and nodded his head. "It is simple. It is because, he still has hope."

Simple and yet cryptic as before, the former SOLDIER can not help but scowl a bit in irritation. Time resuming its course as the figure vanishes, Vincent just looks at Cloud with a questioning gaze. "He is Bahamut... The summons we knew have changed old friend."

Saying nothing at the moment, the black haired man follows the other three out of the lab complex. Walking in silence with one another, the older blonde in black was in deep thought as was his long time friend. Their eyes watching their charge at the moment who giggles in merriment as the blonde youth does a stunt to make her smile.

"She seems much like they were." Vincent said quietly.

"I thought so to." Cloud admitted. "The strength of Tifa."

"And the gentle wisdom of Aerith..." The gunman finished for him as they approached the end of the hall. Visions of the beach just ahead of them, they see the figures of Wakka, Lulu, and Kimahri waiting for them. "The others?"

"Same...you will see aspects of those we knew within them." Cloud replies softly. "You will see, that even though they are different. They are much as are friends were so long ago."

Somehow, Vincent understood the kind words about these new people that surrounded his once quiet and stoic friend, So as they rejoined those who waited outside and introductions were made, they did not notice the eyes of one watching them. Eyes that were a mixture of emotions, but above all one that craved one thing that somehow they believed only they could provide.

Power...

Seymour hearing of the discovery being made by Yuna and her guardians, he of course had been intrigued. For despite the fact that this was a battlefield, the mere thought of something having been here the whole time was interesting to say the least.

But according to those under him, who still observe the pretty young woman and her guardians, this new one who was not with them when they arrived. Supposedly was within this place that they had seen.

Essentially, this black haired man was sealed within the road.

Quite a surprising development, to say the least, as it did not escape the notice of others as well.

Many were wondering about the former High Summoner's daughter and just who she was getting involved with. But yet at the same time, they still trusted her, because did she not have the former guardian Sir Auron with her?

Among the other Maesters talk about Yuna and her guardians had indeed increased. Especially to those who witnessed the blonde in black, this Cloud does battle along side the others against Sin and his fiends.

The fact that he survived the attack, where 90% of the others did not, was an enigma as he was right at the front and he should have taken the full blast and died.

This was stirring those of Yevon into wondering just who or what he was? Many thought he was unsent. Seymour of course knew that was not true.

But he did not say anything to counter it. The way the man looked at him a couple of times. It irritated Seymour.

And what made it worse, was that slowly but surely the other guardians of Yuna were taking notice of his opinion. He already knew the younger of the blondes didn't like him, because he saw Seymour as a rival for the Lady Yuna. That he could tolerate for right now.

But with this Cloud...and even the Ronso, he could see distrust and suspicion. What made things even more problematic was that Auron himself did not trust him as he should. As a former monk of Yevon, it should only be respect that he is given from the legendary guardian.

And even though he was given it, Seymour was not blind nor was he stupid. There was a definite dislike emanating from the older man and Auron despite no longer being of Yevon. Still carried a lot of weight with the people of Spira...

Nodding his head to a Guado that was beside him, the figure nodded his head and vanished as he saw the small group of summoner and her guardians move on toward Djose temple.

Smiling to himself, Seymour knew that he must be on his way as well. He had to prepare for her arrival in Guadosalam... can't mess up his plans now worrying about the new addition.

That's what he had his men for. They can watch and learn...

So that when the time comes and if he needs to, he can take them out of the equation permanently if he can. After all for his plans to succeed he needs Yuna alone and needing only him.