Chapter 22 - Final Confrontation
Tara and Gian watched as the specter of Yu-Yevon flew around the platform, finally settling into position a short distance away.
They heard the combined voices of all the Fayth from the various temples in Spira.
We Aeons, call us!
Gian nodded to Tara, who had a sad look on her face. She raised her staff and began the summoning, calling for Valefor.
Valefor burst through a silver-white flash in the sky and settled in front of them. They watched as the specter flew towards Valefor, dissolving into her. Valefor turned a sickly shade of green and turned to attack.
Gian's signature sword slash dispatched Valefor. The specter floated away from the defeated aeon. He looked at Tara once again and nodded.
Tara called for Ifrit. The familar flaming circle encompased the summoner and Ifrit appeared from underneath the platform where they stood. Again, the specter floated toward the aeon, dissolving into it. The aeon changed colors into something grotesque.
Tara raised her staff and cast a Blizzaja spell that tore Ifrit into pyreflies. She stood with tears in her eyes. She looked over at Gian.
"He was my first aeon. And I know he was your friend too."
"I know it's hard," Gian replied. "But we have to keep going!"
Tara nodded, and summoned again, this time calling for Ixion. The silver-white unicorn emerged from a vortex behind the summoner. The specter possessed Ixion the same as he had possessed Valefor and Ifrit.
Tara cast Waterja, destroying Ixion. The specter left the aeon as it dissolved into pyreflies.
Tara summoned once more, calling for Yojimbo. Gian watched as the specter split into two, so it could possess both the aeon and his dog.
Sensing that the aeon might wish to be laid to rest by a similar warrior spirit, Gian stepped forward and executed his signature maneuver once more, destroying Yojimbo. Tara cast Flare, dispatching his dog as well. The twin specters left the dying aeons, rejoining into one.
Tara summoned Bahamut. The specter possessed the dragon in a similar manner, turning it an ugly shade of gray. Gian cast Holy, which tore the dragon into pyreflies. He watched as the specter fled once more.
"Last one," Tara spoke softly. Tara summoned for a final time, calling forth the Magus Sisters. They watched as the specter split into three, possessing each of the aeons.
Tara cast Ultima, sending the the three aeons to their final rest. The specter left the dying aeons, and rejoined into one.
Tara collapsed onto her knees with tears streaming down her face. She was distraught over having destroyed the aeons who had such a profound impact upon her life. She looked upon the aeons as friends who had provided aid and comfort. Understanding why it needed to be done did little to ease her mind.
Only one aeon remained. Tara looked up at Gian, seeing sadness on his face.
"Gian, you have to," she softly spoke. "You have to do it. It's what she would want."
Gian pressed his hands together in prayer formation. He drew his sword once more and raised it to the sky, summoning Shiva.
Shiva appeared for a final time, and flung her veil to Gian, who gently caught it. He watched with horror as the specter floated toward her and then into her – possessing her. Shiva's complexion turned an awful shade of green and grey. Her face was contorted. She appeared to be in agony.
Gian heard Shiva's strained voice inside his head.
Gian, you must!
The guardian stepped forward, fighting back tears of his own. His sword released Shiva from her pain. He fell to his knees as she disappeared into pyreflies. He heard her voice a final time.
Thank you for everything, Gian. I will never forget you.
Tara and Gian stood and looked solemnly into each other's eyes. There was only task remaining.
"For Spira," he nodded.
"For Spira," she replied.
The specter known as Yu-Yevon was destroyed instantly by Tara and Gian's dual Ultima/Holy combination.
The pair watched as the defeated specter began to implode. Smaller and smaller it shrank, until it exploded violently, shaking the entire area.
The vortex dissolved and the sky turned various colors, finally settling into a cloudy blue sky with sunlight beginning to peek through.
Tara and Gian found themselves back in the Calm Lands. They stood, and walked into each others arms. Tara broke down completely, crying uncontrollably.
"It's all over," she sobbed, "it's really all over, isn't it..."
He held her as tightly as he could.
"Yes," he whispered, "it's all over. We've done it. Spira will never suffer because of Sin, ever again. We're free now."
They sat in the grassy expanse of the Calm Lands, looking off into the horizon. They wondered where their world would go from this point. The people of Spira were now free from their thousand year nightmare. They would now be able to live as they were meant to.
Inside the various temples, the fayth statues began to rest, dissolving into solid stone. The wall of Fayth on Mount Gagazet dissolved in the same manner. Tara looked into Gian's eyes. She no longer felt the presence of any of her aeons. Gian returned her gaze, no longer feeling Shiva's presence.
The clouds had parted, and the sunlight shone freely on the Calm Lands. Gian looked over at Tara and said something that made her familiar smile return.
"You know, I could really use some coffee right about now!"
Tara burst into laughter through her tears. Gian smiled in return. They joined hands and began to make their way back toward the Travel Agency where Alyssa was waiting.