Chapter 2 - The Journey Begins

Tara emerged from Kilika Temple's Chamber of the Fayth. The mysterious joining ritual between Fayth and Summoner left her dizzy and exhausted. She had trouble keeping her balance as she made her way down the steps, walking very slowly and gingerly. At the halfway mark, she lost her balance and fell into Gian's arms. She looked up at her guardian with a weak smile on her face.

"Hey… guess who's a summoner now…"

"Congratulations, Lady Tara." Gian smiled and gently carried the summoner into one of the resting rooms in the temple.

"Congratulations to you too, Sir Gian," she replied, before losing consciousness.

When Tara awoke, she saw Gian reading while sitting on one of the resting room's sofas.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" he teased, knowing just how much the joining process had taken out of her.

"Mmmm… morning... What? Morning? How long was I asleep?"

"You got a good honest nine hours in, but at least we know you don't snore!" The guardian could not resist needling her just a bit. It was all in good fun. Tara smiled meekly.

"I brought you coffee this time," Gian continued, "and when you're finished, we have to go back to my place. I have something to give you."

Tara giggled so hard that she almost snorted.

"That's what she said!"

"It's something for Spira's new summoner," Gian replied, while shaking his head in mock annoyance.

After Tara got dressed and made herself presentable, the pair made their way back through the jungle, towards the remains of Kilika Dock.

Gian's cabin had also suffered damage during Sin's attack. But due to the fact that his cabin was so much further inland, the damage was not as extensive as that of many other homes that were now partially or wholly non-existent. The guardian disappeared into his bedroom closet and emerged with a beautiful summoner's staff.

"This is for you."

"Gian, this is beautiful! Where did you get it?" Tara replied, marveling at the staff. It was a work of art, adorned with intricate engraved designs.

"It belonged to my mother. She was a summoner too, but she died before she completed her pilgrimage. I was a kid when it happened. Even though this staff is all I have left of her, I can't think of a better home for it. I know she'd want you to have it."

Tara admired the beautiful staff, and then looked at her guardian solemnly.

"I'll treasure this forever."

Most of the villagers gathered at the jungle entrance grounds behind the dock to witness Tara's first summoning. She nervously looked to Gian, who gave her a confident nod. Concentrating deeply, she gripped the middle of the staff and spun it so the engraved head made a circle in front of her. She then held the staff outwards and straight up, finally lowering it so that the heel almost touched the ground.

A flaming circle appeared around the summoner with another design, in the middle, that resembled a plus sign. Tara felt the ground shake underneath her feet. A frightening creature with reddish-brown fur, and fists and a tail of fire, emerged from deep within the ground. The creature flew skyward with such force that it carried Tara along with it. As they began to fall, Tara landed gently, in a sitting position, on the creature's outstretched arm. The powerful being landed on its feet, and lowered its summoner to the ground. The villagers admired the majestic and wondrous form of the Aeon of Fire, Ifrit.

Tara smiled at the cheering crowd in front of her. She looked over to Gian who was also smiling. She turned to her aeon and gently patted its cheek.

"I dismiss you, Ifrit. Thank you for coming."

The creature disappeared into a cloud of smoke that dissipated rapidly, as the crowd continued to cheer. Many of the island children ran to the new summoner to congratulate her.

"Lady Tara! That was awesome!" an older boy exclaimed, thrilled by what he had seen.

Smiling the entire time, Tara greeted all the children and the rest of the onlookers too. She felt that her new title would take some getting used to. She had simply been Tara her entire life. Now, she was something more. She was now a summoner, and it was customary to refer to her as "Lady."

After the celebration, Tara and Gian decided to take a walk, and quickly found themselves in the field behind Kilika Temple. Gian smiled and gazed into Tara's eyes.

"That really was incredible, you know."

"Really?" Tara blushed. "Do you think I could become High Summoner?"

"I think you could do just about anything you set out to do."

If Tara's smile wasn't the most beautiful thing Gian had ever seen, it certainly was high on the list.

"We should probably go back now. We have to get up early. We have a journey ahead of us now."

"The Isle of Besaid. I haven't been there in a while," the summoner said softly. "It will be nice to see it again.

As the pair began to make their way back toward the dock, Gian felt Tara's hand wrap around his, holding it gently. He gave Tara's hand a gentle squeeze in return. He appreciated the gesture; it helped to take his mind off what was to come.

After Tara had retired for the evening, Gian decided to go out to the dock one last time. He stared out at the water, thinking about every place they would see together, every trial they would undertake, and the resolution that he dreaded more than anything else.

"Son, I've known Tara her whole life." Gian turned around to see Roman who had joined him. "I bounced her on my knee when she was a little baby, and I watched her grow up into the beautiful young woman she is today. She's one of the brightest rays of sunshine our little island has ever had to offer. In some ways, she's all we have left. Always be there for her and protect her as best you can. She needs you."

"You have my word, Roman. I will never let anything happen to her. I will protect her...with my life, if need be."

Morning came and the pair boarded the ship headed to Besaid. The villagers had all wished them luck. It was a solemn moment, because most everyone, except the children, knew what it meant. Tara stood on the ship's deck and gazed out towards Kilika Dock with sadness in her eyes. She knew she would not be returning…no summoner had ever returned from their pilgrimage after completing it. Those who faced Sin always died in doing so, regardless of victory or defeat, but nobody seemed to know why.

Gian could see the sadness on Tara's face. He vowed that she would not die if he could help it. He would save her.

Somehow, he would find a way.