Chapter 7 - Annililation
The pair approached the entrance to Mushroom Rock Road when they were stopped by a young, low-level member of the Crusaders.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I can't let you pass," stated the guard.
Tara replied with an introduction.
"It's all right. We're a summoner party. I'm the summoner Tara from the Island of Kilika, and this is my guardian Gian."
The guard found himself in a situation where he was unsure of what to do.
"I'm sorry, Lady Tara. If it were up to me, I'd let you through, but I have my orders."
The Crusaders commander made his way towards the entrance, and then did a double-take when he saw the summoner.
"Tara, is that you?"
"Yes, it's me!" the summoner replied, remembering the man as a native of Kilika. "Zane, isn't it?"
"You remember me!" Zane turned to the guard. "It's okay, please let them through. I will take responsibility for it."
"Thank you Zane." The summoner continued. "What's going on here?"
The commander began to explain. "A very delicate operation. We're going to lure Sin here and attack it head on."
Gian was incredulous. "Are you crazy? How do you plan to defeat it?"
"Sir Gian, right? I've heard a lot about you." Zane offered his hand, which the guardian shook. "Come with me, and I'll explain everything."
Commander Zane led the pair through the path and to the Crusaders Command Center. He displayed an elaborate array of Al Bhed cannons, guns, and even a high-powered energy ray that was positioned on a tower, higher up the mountains. Gian noticed that several Al Bhed were among the men participating in the operation alongside the Crusaders. He kept a close eye on Tara, just in case any of them had any designs on the summoner. All of the men were completely absorbed in making preparations for the attack, and they failed to notice her.
"Who is that?" the summoner asked, looking in the general direction of a man wearing a flowing white robe.
"Maester Lon Dorlan. I wonder why he's here?"
The guardian did not have to wait long to find out. The Maester made his way over to where the pair were standing.
"Who are you?" the Maester asked.
"I am the summoner Tara from the Island of Kilika, and this is my guardian Gian."
The Maester examined the guardian. "Ah yes, Sir Gian, I know of you. Why are you here?"
"I'd ask the same question of you, sir," the guardian replied, somewhat pointedly. The guardian was well aware of Yevon's feelings toward the Al Bhed and the Crusaders, and while he had no great love for either, his suspicions of Yevon's true motives had already begun to surface.
"I should explain myself to you?" the Maester questioned, amusedly.
"Sir, this operation completely and totally violates Yevon's teachings," the guardian implored. "They're using the forbidden machina. Why aren't you stopping them."
The Maester thought a moment about his reply.
"You're right. I probably should stop them."
"You know they won't succeed," the guardian continued. "This will only result in a whole lot of needless deaths. You know this. Why are you allowing this?"
"I warn you, Sir Gian," the Maester cautioned, "you are treading dangerous water."
"It wouldn't be the first time," the guardian replied. "And I can't believe what I'm seeing."
"Then pretend you didn't see it."
"Gian, stop," Tara spoke, trying to diffuse the tense situation. "I think Maester Dorlan realizes that what the Crusaders and Al Bhed are doing is for the good of Spira."
"Yes," the Maester replied. "While this operation does violate the teachings, I, Lon Dorlan, the person, and not the Maester, support it fully." The Maester turned to walk away and said to nobody in particular, "We'll let them believe for just a little while longer.".
Gian looked at the Maester with disbelief. "Sir, is that something a Maester should say?"
The Maester turned back toward Gian. "Then pretend I didn't say it." He walked away, headed towards the command podium.
The guardian noticed several Al Bhed were moving a large cage towards the beach area. The cage contained a Sinspawn.
"Sin always returns for its spawn," the guardian whispered so only Tara would hear him.
One of the Al Bhed who was further up towards the beach area ran back to the command podium shouting, "Sin! It's coming!"
Maester Dorlan began to speak. "Gentlemen, it's time to begin the operation. May Yevon bless us all."
The attack commenced. Waves of shots fired from the cannons, guns, all to no effect. Sin's attack was quick and merciless. The gigantic beast emitted wave after wave of pure energy, draining the life from the soldiers where they stood. Gian hurriedly pulled Tara behind the rock face and into a small cave where they waited out the attack.
A large Al Bhed energy beam fired onto Sin from the tower overlooking the command site. Having finished its business on the beach, Sin turned to the tower and began to reflect the Al Bhed beam back onto the small cockpit that the beam emanated from. Unable to shut the beam off, the weapon exploded violently, shaking the entire rock face, causing an avalanche. Gian shielded Tara from the debris and after a short while, calm returned to the area. Sin had left as it appeared there was nothing more to destroy.
Tara and Gian emerged from the small cave they had taken refuge in. They overlooked the beach area of the command site, and no words could adequately describe the horror that they saw. There was not a single survivor of the attack. Tara stared out at the destruction and dead bodies with tears streaming from her eyes. She turned to her guardian.
"Gian, I...I need to be alone for a few moments."
"I understand." the guardian replied.
Tara walked towards the beach and stared out into the ocean - staring at nothing in particular. Gian had begun to arrange the bodies in proper Crusaders formation, including the Al Bhed. It was a display befitting the sacrifice that the men had made.
Tara returned, tears still in her eyes. Gian took her into his arms and began to speak.
"Tara, this will be the most difficult thing that you ever have to do as a summoner, but these men deserve a proper sending. Are you ready?"
She nodded. She walked towards the bodies and she noted that Maester Dorlan was among them.
"I think he knew that what he was doing was wrong. He chose to die with them..." Her voice trailed off.
Tara raised her staff, and slowly began to dance. Spinning delicately, moving gracefully, she danced - making sweeping and twirling motions with her staff. The dead bodies began to dissolve into pyreflies, slowly rising up above the mountains, and then they disappeared. Tara completed the sending, and stood motionless on the beach. She lost grip of her staff and it fell onto the sandy beach. Gian wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. The summoner broke down completely, crying uncontrollably. There was nothing that Gian could say. He was doing the only thing that he could do at the moment.
Angry, suspicious thoughts flowed through Gian's mind, as he continued to hold Tara tightly.
Why, Dorlan? Why? You executed these people just as surely as if you pulled the trigger yourself. Were you really that afraid that if they were successful, Yevon would lose power and influence? This didn't need to happen and you knew it. Perhaps at the final moment, you realized what you were doing, but it was too late. You died with them. You found your resolution, but it changes nothing. The faithful live on, while the non-believers perish. Was this your goal all along?
After a short while, Gian began to set up camp for the evening. He prepared a comfortable area for Tara to relax in. As soon as Tara laid down, she was asleep - exhausted from the sending ritual.
Morning came and the pair cleaned up their camp. They began to head towards Djose Temple, at the end of the Djose Highroad. Neither said anything. They entered Djose Temple in somewhat of a dazed and numb state - a state that they remained in until they realized that they had already completed the trials and obtained the new aeon.
Once outside Djose Temple, Tara looked to her guardian.
"Why did this have to happen?" she asked.
Gian had no answer.