Disclaimer: Square-Enix Incorporated owns all copyrighted material this fanfiction may include. All other materials, such as characters, events, dialogue, et cetera, all belong to Zeshin-kun.

Author's Note: Firstly, I'm terribly sorry about how long it's been since my last update. From my user page, I did notice some avid fans are still checking the stories so I'm very grateful to you all. When we last left off, Seymour returned to Spira and incited the suspicion of one star blitzer. The gang visited the Farplane to see what was going on with all this only to get a strange message. The only clear message was that the "one who can end dreams" would be involved so we're looking at another adventure for him, but with new friends and new abilities. Now, all that needs to be done is to figure out what else is in store.

So without further delay, here is the next chapter in Spira: The Eternal Discord. Enjoy!

Spira: The Eternal Discord

Chapter 12: Through the Looking Glass

Lulu

A lot had changed for everyone. Yuna's champion returned to her just like Rikku had predicted on that day. "We'll see you again," she said. However, I doubt anybody would have guessed there'd be another adventure in store for him. Suddenly, Spira's gotten interesting again. I just hope it doesn't become as interesting as it did before. As a former guardian, I wish to support my summoner in this, her next journey. As a mother, though, I can't stop the concern in my heart over all that's been happening. I didn't have the freedoms to gallivant about Spira seeking to change things. I had other responsibilities first.

Vidina was with his father along the beach. His father figured to get an early start at training the next World Champion, even if the star pupil wasn't old enough to walk. Currently, "coach" was in the water debating with Letty, one of out make-shift babysitters, about what to teach Vidina next.

"Whaddya mean just kick it? I'm tryin' to make my son a champ here, ya?" Wakka complained.

"Yea, but the good stuff might scare our little brudda." Letty noted.

Wakka only scoffed at that, of course. "He's gonna be the greatest, ya? Well, the greatest need some great moves to keep the team on their toes, ya?"

"If you say so."

With that in mind, my brilliant husband proceeded to demonstrate one of his best maneuvers, what he called the "Auroch's Spirit". It was a fairly impressive move, yes, but I think Vidina was more interested in playing with Letty's suspenders. Still, that wouldn't have stopped the performance. It seemed he was picking up where he left off with you. You know, Wakka was born to be a father even if it gets on people's nerves. I know you just wanted a brother out of him, but even the Aurochs knew and eventually we all did, there was just that quality about him. Of course, he would say it was doing what he should, but he looked out for those around him, fitting himself into the proper roles to protect us.

You knew that best of all, didn't you? It was hard on both of you when your parents were taken, but mostly it was on Wakka, wasn't it? He suddenly thought he had to be big brother and mother and father to you. It was difficult for him to adjust to what he believed he had to do. In hindsight, perhaps he came on too strongly when he was trying to parent you, especially the humorous lectures he gave you when we started dating.

You and I… I wasn't lying when I told you those were the happiest days of my life. It was simpler then when we weren't focused on changing the world. Thinking about that only brought trouble, horrible trouble like Lady Ginnem or the Crusaders. Before we grew up and toyed with those ideas, Spira seemed hospitable, Sin aside. I guess that's what happens when we grow up. I wonder if Vidina will have the same fate. I know Wakka wants to make amends on him for what he couldn't do for you, Chappu. He tried his best to look out for you, but you wouldn't have it. You were always your own person and that was something I respected and adored about you. That quality mirrored in Yuna's champion, too, didn't it? He didn't just share your face, did he? Wakka saw it early on and hoped to be there for him since you didn't let him, but he was wrong again. You two were too stubborn, too adamant about going your own way. You even had to abandon your Brotherhood in order to do so. It would seem that this path was laid out for both of you long ago, back when cities sparkled like stars. From the stories Yuna shared, you two shared that, too, a common legacy to stray from those you cared most about

This time Wakka won't be wrong. This time will be different. Vidina will carry with him the lives you ought to have lived if you weren't so wonderfully brave. Spira will have a change that can allow my son the chance to go further. Chappu, we'll keep going and the world will keep changing. His story will be greater than any of ours, "I promise."

Such happy thoughts, I had discarded what was around me. A sudden tremor pulled me back to it, back to the beach, back to what Spira still was. Wakka and Letty were fast approaching, nervous expressions painted upon their countenances. There was smoke in the distance, smoke coming from our home. Soon, terrified screams erupted before us, emanating from the path to the village. Jassu and Datto were the first to arrive, panting as they told us what had happened, but they wouldn't have to. In the distance, a few fiends rampaged forward, though it was blatantly obvious these weren't native to Besaid Island. They were Wendigos, a type of fiend we faced in Macalania. From what Jassu managed to say, they were just a few that arose from the temple.

"Not again!" Came Wakka's expected complaint.

This would mark the second time our temple became a nest for the wretched creatures. As Yuna would tell me later, the first time it happened because Shuyin took hold of the fayth and Valefor was the source of the fiends. He was no longer the force of evil he was then, but there were other problems now.

"Keep Vidina safe, ya? You three stay here! Lu, let's take 'em down!"

Looking over at Vidina safely in Letty's arms, I nodded to Wakka and we headed off. Since the last time we were challenged by the Wendigo, my magic had grown much stronger. The absence from action had also forced me to contain them within, kept within too long. With the proper evocation, I unleashed my Fury. The Wendigos were fearsome indeed, but nothing to an Ultima. After the first wave was dealt with, Wakka and I made it to the bridge where a few Flan blocked our way. Even these weren't normal for Besaid. Some Flares and Ultimas later, we stood before the temple, fiends still pouring from its entrance. Wakka used his Attack Reels maneuver to make shadow copies of his blitz ball, eliminating enough for the two of us to make it inside.

"Let's get to the bottom of this, ya?" Wakka said.

"Wait, something's coming!" I replied, sensing an unusual presence within the building.

"What do you mean, Lu?"

As if to answer him, the temple exploded, sending debris and dust everywhere. The remaining fiends trying to escape were immediately destroyed, but what had killed them remained to be seen. The dust was settling, but we would have our answer sooner than that. Our host was eager to present himself.

"My my, you two still have it." The voice snickered, echoing the same revolting villainy as before, "Quite remarkable considering you're out of practice."

"Seymour." Wakka growled, "I coulda smelled you a mile away."

"Then, why didn't you?" The former Maester commented.

"What is it you want?" I asked, still searching through the smog.

"Does an old friend need a reason to drop in? It's been a few years; I thought I might catch up."

As the air cleared, Wakka and I found a sight we expected, but hoped not to see. Where the temple had stood, we found the torso of a dark creature, shackled and bound as if to hold back its true power. It was the dark one, an Aeon to rival those of the Final Summoning.

Feigning courage, Wakka simply pulled back the arm holding his weapon, saying, "Catch up? How about you catch this!"

With that said, he launched the blitz ball at Anima, only to be met with the item's destruction. It would seem Seymour was a bit more direct than usual. Perhaps he had a scheme ready and was already carrying forth with it. What part did this play in it, though? Was Besaid important to him somehow? No, not Besaid! It had to do with Wakka and I. Did Seymour want revenge?

"What is it you want, Seymour? Yuna had sent you to the Farplane. It was supposed to have been the peace you lacked. Do you still require the vengeance that destroyed you?" I asked of him.

"Oh no, not me." He easily said, shrugging as he appeared from behind his demonic manifestation.

"So there's someone else involved?" Wakka asked, attacking with his Winning Streak.

Anima was able to deflect this strike, as well, while Seymour merely mused at the failed attempt, "Do not know why he'd hold a grudge when even I have none, but…"

As soon as those words left his lips, I knew what he would do and retaliated first, casting Flare at the Aeon. This did not stop either, unfortunately, and I found my magic draining from me as the Maester worked his honed power.

"Now now, don't make this harder than it has to be." Seymour heckled.

I was left powerless and Wakka's attacks weren't working. Had this attack come two years ago, we wouldn't be in such a helpless position. To make the world a better place, to continue its changes, that role no longer fell on our shoulders. It would seem our stories were written and completed. This journey would have to have better characters than us.

Anima struck us down with Pain, which would normally have killed. However, as I'm sure Seymour predicted, we were informed about his return and equipped ourselves accordingly. Even so, the force behind Anima's special ability was enough to subdue most adversaries. We were lucky enough to still be more resilient, but we would not win this battle.

"Oblivion, my Anima." Seymour commanded.

The ground beneath our feet softened and no longer supported our weight. We sank into the earth to the world where Anima's underbelly lay. The stress of being in such a place after a harsh battle was already enough to take us and take us it did. We never even saw the ugly face of Anima's other half.

Instead, I ended up waking to a cavern I had never seen. Wakka lay next to me, still unconscious. He must have taken on more afflictions from the realm than I. As a mage, I had certain fortuitous benefits and compliance with the nature of magical forces. Also luckily, enough time passed us for some of my magic to return to me. I quickly broke our bonds and lifted Wakka to the best of my ability. We needed to escape Seymour's clutches before he could inform us of our purpose in his scheme. The cavern went deep and we seemed to have been taken to one of its many passages. With Wakka indisposed, I found it quite difficult to navigate each of the corridors and alcoves. However, I needed to get to my son and we needed to not be victims our captor could barter with.

Finally, I began to see light in the distance, a sure sign that we were nearing the exit. I knew Seymour would not release us so easily, but if he was to make a move, it'd have to be now. I had enough left to give one good Ultima, which should hopefully distract him long enough to let us escape.

"Ah, so I see you're awake." There it was.

"We're leaving." I told the psychotic Maester, readying my spell.

"Oh, but you haven't met our host. He's quite pleased with this turn of events, isn't that right?" He calmly announced, directing his question behind him.

My gaze moved from Seymour to whom he spoke to, but the darkness of the cavern covered the person's identity. Little by little, it became clearer and I could start making out who…

"No… I-it can't be." I stammered before Requiem drew the gravity of my defeat around me.

Yuna…

Author's Note: And there you have it. Of course, one must ponder who this other person is and what Seymour's plan is, now involving this new entity. This and more will be revealed in the next exciting chapter! Stay tuned!