Chapter 6 now ready to go! Tidus and Kaiser enter Besaid village for the first time and meet a few new faces along the way. Plus Kaiser learns a few things about the duelists of Spira that will rock his world. Also I dont own Final Fantasy or Yu-Gi-Oh!
Chapter Six: The Prophecy Of The Fayth - The Call Of Destiny
"Anyway, now that the slowpoke brudda is here now, ive got something to show you two" Wakka says.
Walking past the statue on the hill, Wakka walks towards the edge of the cliff, just before the rope barriers.
"This is where I was born" he said pointing down over the side of the steep hill slope.
Tidus and I moved near to Wakka and looked down over the cliff, to where he was pointing. Looking down over the cliff, I could almost feel a weight being lifted from my shoulders, I could see the village of Besaid, and the true start of my journey. The village was quite primitive, as I expected. But at the same time, it felt almost peaceful and inviting. Most of the dwellings in the villages comprised of small huts and tent add ons. There were two larger buildings that I could easily make out even from up on the cliff. They were the Crusaders Inn, somewhere I knew that I would probabally end up for the night later. After all I hadnt had a decent nights sleep since I got to Spira. The next one was the village temple. The temple was cleary different from the rest of the village, made from stone, it looked similar to some sort of sea shell, with various beams jutting out from it, as if holding it aloft. Strangely looking at the temple, a strange sensation started to come over me, it was the feeling as if it was calling to me, similar to the feeling I had when I walked along the cliff trail. The feeling was simply too strong to ignore, and I seemed to chew out most of what Wakka was saying.
"I started blitz when I was five." Wakka continued "I joined the Aurochs at thirteen, ten years ago…Ten years…" he said with a heavy sigh. "and we never won a game…"
Turning round Wakka looked at the pair of us, even though my attention wasnt fully on him, Tidus was taking an interest.
"Well…after last years tournament I quit. Time seemed right." Wakka said as he started to move down the dirt trail towards the village. Tidus's stomach started to growl again, holding onto it he turned to follow after Wakka, but noticing I wasnt coming along, he gave me a nudge, pulling me out of my thoughts. Without any words futher we followed after Wakka.
Wakka was now a little way down the trail as we caught up to him, I noticed that various forms of plant life were growing on the trails either side, giving it a very leafy feel, with the occasional large tree shooting up from the earth. Stopping Wakka took another look down over the village.
"So, after quitting, I got this new job, ya?" Wakka said "But every time my mind wandered, I thought about the game."
"Ten years without a single win'll do that." Tidus said folding his arms.
"That has to be the worse record ive ever heard for anything" I mumble under my breath, with Tidus caught with a slight chuckle.
Wakka fortuantely didnt catch it. "Hmm... My first match last year was my last chance…But something else was on my mind." he said distantly "I couldn't focus."
"Nice excuse." the Blitz player said a bit too sternly.
"Chappu... If only you knew Tidus" I think sadly
"Hey! Hey!" Wakka retorted in his defence
"So, you wanna win the next tournament, and go out with a bang?" Tidus asked.
"Hey with a win like that under the belts of the underdogs, your names will be on the minds of everyone in Spira!" I say, hoping to cheer Wakka up a bit. Wakka nodded and gave a small smile.
"So, what's our goal?" Tidus questioned, turning his back to us and folding his arms.
"I don't care how we do. Long as we do our best." Wakka said rubbing the back of his head "If we give it our all, I can walk away happy." he said very solemly.
I could almost see Tidus's face fall at Wakka's lack of enthusiasm, despite looking at the back of his head.
"No, no, no, no, no!" he cried turning to Wakka "If I say, What's our goal? You say, VICTORY! When you play in a blitzball tournament, you play to win!" Tidus said with determination. I decide to cut in
"He's right you know Wakka, you should play to win, its even the code of the Duelist, you Duel to win, and accept nothing less!" I cry
Tidus seemed to appreciate the fact I was helping him, he gave me a wry smile as I spoke. And the look on Wakka's face told the whole story, he had took it in completely. "Victory? You serious?" he said with baited breath.
We both gave him nods to confirm what he needed to hear, with that he started to laugh hysterically. By the time he stopped laughing, to say the least, we were both looking at him rather strangely.
"You two put on a good front ya! Well you got me on board! Up high brudda's!" he said, extending his arm for a high five.
"Up high!" Tidus shouted while joining in
"Lets rumble!" I finish completing the high five, within the next five seconds, we all burst into fits of laughter.
After calming down after our outburst, the three of us continued steadily down the trail heading towards the village. After a little while I could see there were two people stood on the side of the trail. The first person wasnt someone you could miss easily, he wore dark purple trousers, finished off by small sandals, and had upper shoulder pads and forearm gaurds of a dark colour, his upper chest was exposed but was covered by a lower body guard across his stomach. Like Wakka, his hair made him stand out, it was a fiery red colour, which was short but was enough to make him quite a target in the distance. The other was a young boy, who worse similar clothing to the other man, but of different colours, he wore silver and black trousers with heavy boots to meet then. He also had silver shoulder guards, and had a simple green chest guard across the length of his chest. The boy looked quite young, but for some reason he was dressed in the garbs of a fighter. Although I knew immediately who they were.
"Ah, the one's from the sea." said the person wearing the purple pants, looking to Tidus and I separately.
"Be on guard, there are Fiends on the road today," the second many said, jumping in quickly. Although he sounded a little more enthusiastic than he needed to be.
"After surviving your run in with Sin, it would be a shame if something happened to either of you now," the red haired man said.
It was just then that I noticed that the red haired man was starting at my duel disk, however he must have seen my looking and our eyes made contact. Then without any further words, they both simply turned and headed down the trail towards the village. Another puzzling situation indeed. Tidus was equally confused, although his confusion came to who those two were.
"Who were they?" he asked meekly
"Luzzu and Gatta," Wakka told him, "Crusaders."
"Crews of what?" he said in confusion, making one of his strained faces.
Wakka gave him a strange look before looking at me "How bout you Kaiser?" he asked.
I gave Wakka a smile and a thumbs up showing that I knew who they were. Tidus on the other hand, seeing that I knew, held his head down, looking rather embarrased that he was the only one again that didnt know.
"Hey, sorry," Wakka said , "Don't worry about it, I'll help you out." he said, almost apologetically
"Cool, and in return, come tournament time, I'll make sure we take the cup." Tidus said with a smile clenching his fist with enthasism.
"Cool," Wakka echoed, "Oh about the crusaders, you can ask them yourself. They've got a lodge in the village. Go check it out once we get to the village." Wakka says
As Tidus and Wakka started to walk towards the village once more, I was still routed to the spot. Too many mysteries were already occuring since I arrived on Spira, mostly around me and my duel disk. Glancing out over the dirt trail I looked once more at the temple. For some reason that calling feeling I was getting was feeling stronger the closer I got to the temple. My suspicions were confirmed that the temple would hold a lot of answers for me. But I wouldnt get answers just standing around. Seeing that Tidus and Wakka had already gone on ahead, I quickly ran after them down the trail.
Before long the three of us arrived at Besaid village, walking under the archway that was the entrance to Besaid, I took a moment to have a good look at the place. My earlier observation of huts with tent add ons hadnt been that far off the mark from my previous vantage point. The dwellings of Besaid were small huts with several large pieces of green cloths as their roofs, also the doors themselfs were also made of cloth, almost like a drape. The other larger dwellings that I could see were also present, the Crusaders hut as I recalled was much larger than the other dwellings, which I reasoned was because it also doubled up as the village Inn. Smiling inwardley, I saw some of the inhabitants of Besaid carrying on thier business in the village. It looked like such a simple time. Everything seemed so safe and secure. For a start, they didnt even have any real security on thier homes. These people would have been easy pickings for thieves in my world. Yet, I feel my spirits drop. What does crime or security mean in a world where the massive beast Sin lives. Something that couldnt ahnialate entire citys ten times over.
"Besaid Village!" Wakka exclaimed throwing his arms around both of our shoulders, and leading us into the village.
"They got any food there?" The young blitzer moaned once more, clutching his stomach.
"You could always bite your tongue?" I say with a grin
"We'll get ya somethin' over there later." Wakka said pointing to a hut in the middle. Looking over, I realised that it was actually Wakka's own hut. The hut was actually one of the better looking dwellings in Besaid, looks like he hadnt done too badly for himself.
"Take a look around first." Wakka said, taking his arms off our shoulders. "The Crusader's lodge is over yonder, Luzzu and Gatta are usually there" he said pointing at the larger hut.
After looking to where Wakka had pointed, my eyes suddenly started to drift... towards the temple. The feeling that it was calling to me was now almost unbearable, it felt like my entire body was tingling. I could almost feel as if my own body was willing me to go to the temple. Shaking off my urges I come back to reality. Wakka in the meantime had strolled off leaving us both stood, still at the entrance.
"Oh right…" he said, before suddenly stopping. As quickly as he had left, he turned round and strode past us "Over here." he said, almost whispering to Tidus and me.
"Huh? What's up?" Tidus said with a confused look.
He cast a sideways glance, with a shrug I simply follow after them as Wakka leads us back outside the village and just around the perimeter wall, where no one can see us.
"You do remember the prayer, right guys?" Wakka whispered.
"I don't know any prayers." Tidus said sheepishly.
"I got it down" I say.
"Of course, I'd never prayed before in my life. Not that he would know that…In a selfish way, I wished that Kaiser didnt know as much as he did, at least I wouldnt look as dumb having to ask all these questions." Tidus narrates
"The look on his face said it all really, I could almost tell back on the hill when he asked about the Crusaders, he felt like he was the only one in the world that didnt know anything. I could always lie and pretend I dont know to make him feel better. But in another way I really didnt want to... I was doing enough lying with my own cover story as it was" I narrate
Wakka's face at Tidus was almost a picture, it was almost as if he had told Wakka that he didnt remember how to breathe or something.
"You…musta forgot or somethin'…" he figured slowly. "Here, let me show you."
The flaming haired Wakka then performed the Yevon prayer pose, a little too well I noticed. Remembering how much of a strong Yevonite Wakka was, I realised he probabally had practice doing the damn prayer almost as much as Blitzball.
"You try. Go ahead." He said looking at Tidus.
Tidus looked a little embarrased as he stepped up to try it. I decided to at least help him out. Moving next to him so our backs were both facing the wall I smilled at him.
"Ill have a go with you Tye, im not too good at it either, so if we both look dumb we can laugh bout it later right?" I say
With a smile on his face, Tidus and I both gave a go at the Yevon prayer, this was my first time at actually performing the prayer, so I just hoped I got it right.
"Hey, not bad." Wakka said after we both finished. "Although Kaiser, you could do with holding up your left arm more, it seemed to drop a bit" Wakka added. Tidus started to chuckle to himself, while I was less than finding it funny.
"This sodding duel disk is heavy Wakka, you try lugging it around and doing the prayer" I snap back.
Tidus burst out laughing immediately while Wakka stepped back, shocked.
"Whoa whoa whoa! Sorry brudda, completely forgot about it, sorry ya?" he added. Cooling off I smile back at him in agreement.
"Ok, now go present yourselves to the temple Summoner." Wakka said, as he wandered back off into the village.
"See you both later ya! I got stuff to do" He finished as he walked away.
"Any blitzball player would know that prayer. It was the blitzball sign for…victory." Tidus narrated.
"Making that Yevon prayer, almost made me wretch, if only they all knew what fools they were being taken for... at least it was for a good cause, Tidus seemed at ease that I had a go at least, and I got a laugh out of him at least." I narrate
Leaving both Tidus and I at the village entrance we both squarely looked at each other and said one simple word.
"Food!" we both declared.
Several minutes later after we both stopped laughing after thinking with our stomachs we made our way into the village. Walking through the town center, we both looked around the place, despite the fact that many of the villagers were staring at us. Clearly Besaid didnt get that many visitors often. As we approached the town centre, I noticed the large circle in the middle of the floor, clearly a meeting place in Besaid. But looking up once again I notice the temple, the feeling now was beyond mere words of the drive I was feeling. Tidus was off side talking to a villager, when I suddenly began to walk forward heading for the temple. Tidus upon seeing me start to move, said his goodbyes to the villager, before running after me, I was already to the steps of the temple before he caught up with me.
"Yo man! Slow down, whats the rush?" Tidus asked.
I still kept walking, it was as if I couldnt stop myself.
"Tidus...something is calling to me in there" I say now deadly serious.
"What?" Tidus said with a gulp
"Dont ask me what, but something is calling me in that temple, I have to find out what" I say.
By this time we had arrived at the temple door. I push on the large stone door and we make our way inside.
As we both walked into the temple, I was in awe at the sight of the main chamber. Looking around the room, both sides of the walls had steps leading around the room, with quite a number of statues on the steps. Several people were on thier knees praying to the statues. The chamber itself was not very well lit. Only supported by two torches near the back of the room where a temple monk stood. Ancient symbols and various glyphs were dotted all around the room, even the floor. Even I didnt know what they meant, all I could discern was that they were intergral to the teachings of Yevon. Looking around the room I could see a great deal of people, young and old, either praying to the statues or talking to the monks of the temple.
At the back end of the room were four extremely large statues of several different looking people, they were the High Summoners that had defeated Sin over the last one thousand years. As much as I had an infinite amount of respect for the sacrifices those four people must have made, my mind came only to one thought. Four defeats of Sin in one thousand years? That wasnt a good record, Spira was on a loosing fight with that monster. Taking my eyes off the statues looking at the back of the room behind the Summoners, I see two doors disappearing to antechambers between the two Summoner statues on either side. But in the middle was steps leading up to another door. Which I recognised as the Cloister Of Trials.
I felt almost at peace, completely tranquil in this place. It felt almost soothing, as if someone was singing a sweet melody, but then I realised that someone was.
Ieyui…
I had completely forgotten about the hymn of the Fayth. It had been there in the background, singing slowly briging peace to everyone that listened to it.
Nobomenu…
"Kaiser" came a soft voice
Glancing round quickly I looked for who had spoke, when I realised that the voice had been in my head.
Renmiri…
"We are waiting for you Kaiser" it spoke again
I could feel my heart beat beginning to quicken. At first I thought that it was the voice that I heard in my sleep, but that thought was soon dashed, the voice I was hearing now was inviting and peaceful. Not as brash and filled with malevolence as the voice in my sleep.
Yojuyogo…
"Your are worthy of our power...Kaiser" came the voice again.
My beating heart was now at a mile a minute, I realised the voice had to be that of the Fayth. That was what had been calling to me ever since I left the beach earlier.
Hasatekanae…
"Everything you will ever need awaits you, come to us. Come to the chamber of the Fayth" said the voice.
I knew that I had to get in there, but I knew that the monks wernt exactly going to let me go in without a fuss. I decided to bide my time, no matter how much I wanted to go now. I realised Tidus would give me a perfect opportunity to go in later.
Kutamae…
"Come to us... Furfill the prophecy and set us all free from our eternal slumber... Become the King of Duelists... Accompany your Summoner to Zanarkand... Transcend your mortal coil... Become The Dark Warrior... Saviour or Destroyer of Spira."
I physically felt my heart stop. Gasping my breath I clutch hold of my chest, the sensation of burning in my chest was too strong, with what strength I had left with the air rapidly leaving my lungs, I run out of the temple door outside and fall to the floor once out in the open air, clutching at my chest. Within a second I hear Tidus coming out the door. He is on his knees within a second holding me by the shoulders.
"Kaiser! What the hell happened in there man? I tried to talk to you once we went in, but your eyes were totally glazed over! Then you went all postal and ran out here! Whats the deal?" He said in panic.
Breathing heavily I regained started to regain my breath. I didnt even realise that he had been talking to me, all I could figure was that the Fayth was speaking directly to my mind through the Hymn. But it was what it said last that had worried me the most.
"Become The Dark Warrior, Saviour Or Destroyer Of Spira" I thought
My mind was trying to process all this information at once. This was too much to take in at once, as my breathing returned to normal I stood back up with Tidus's help.
"Its alright im fine Tye..." I say quietly
I take a look back at the doors of the temple before continuing
"Something was speaking to me in there... something mystical. I dont know what it was saying. I couldnt make it out" I say.
"Whoa man, creepy... you wanna head back after Wakka then?" He asks
"No its fine... Lets go back in, ill be fine" I say
Inwardley I cringed at having to lie to Tidus again, but even if he already knew the truth I couldnt tell him what the Fayth had said. I was already having trouble coming to terms with it as it was.
Upon entering the temple once again, I started to breathe in deeply, I could hear the hymn of the Fayth once more, but I realised no other voices were accompanying it this time. Obviously whatever the Fayth had to say to me was now waiting to be told in the chamber of the Fayth. I noticed that Tidus was watching me quite carefully.
"You ok Kaiser?" He asked with concern.
Smiling at him I nodded before starting to walk into the main room. I needed answers, and I needed them now. The next logical step to me was speaking to the monk of the temple. However Tidus snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Kaiser... that prayer that Wakka showed us, in Zanarkand, its the Blitzball sign of victory, not a prayer... and all this talk of Yevon... its sounded a little preachy to me... so just answer me this... Yevon is a religion... isnt it?"
I wouldnt lie to him, he had to know, and he had figured it out by himself. So without any words I simply nodded gravely in response.
"It was then…standing in that place, after seeing Kaiser confirm what I thought. That I began to realise how different this world was from my own." Tidus narrated
"The Fayth had put a lot on me then. Almost too much for me to handle. Id always prided myself on having a strong sense of mind, but the Fayth completely overloaded my senses. My only hope is that the experience would make me stronger. But for now, I would tackle the monks for anwsers." I narrate.
Tidus started to walk around the chamber, looking around, he settled on going over to one of the bigger statues on the right. Following him, I stood by him as he examined the statue. The statue was of a man, dressed in a strange hooded robe that covered his entire body, leaving only his face and hands exposed. In his right hand, he held a long staff. Even if I had been blind I would have knew who that statue was of.
"Ten years have passed since lord Braska became High Summoner…" came a firm voice
Tidus spun around to see a monk of the temple approaching us, I simply turned my head to the new arrival, the monk shifted across the floor, dressed completely in temple robes, without a single hair on his head. Thats the life of a monk in Spira for you.
"…and finally we receive a statue for our temple…" he continued making reference to the statue we were looking at.
"What's a High Summoner?" Tidus asked, without thinking I might add
I could physically feel the entire heads of everyone in the temple turn and look in our direction, im was suprised none of them inflicted whiplash upon themselves in the process. Groaning I facepalm instantly.
"Im starting to wish I didnt know him at times like this" I think
Tidus obviously got it this time, seeing me facepalm and the entire room looking at him.
"I er, I got too close to Sin's uh toxin" he stammered quickly, trying to get himself out of the hole he had dug himself.
The rooms mood changed in an instant, several people gestured the Yevon prayer in his direction. Including that of the monk, in sympathy of his 'supposed' plight. Tidus cringed inwardly out of sheer awkwardness… and he certainly wasnt the only one.
"It was funny hearing myself say the same excuse over and over. Funny… and a little sad…" Tidus narrates
"These are the times when I have physically throttled him for making such a dumb mistake. But at least the boy was learning to fix his mistakes." I narrate
"The Summoners are practitioners of a sacred art sworn to protect the people of Yevon. Only a chosen few become Summoners, who call forth entities of great power, the Aeons. The Aeons hear our prayers and come down to us. They are the blessing of Yevon." Spoke the Monk. He punctuated his speech about the Summoners by giving the Yevon prayer to the statue of Braska.
Looking up at the statue, I looked at the face of High Summoner Braska. Yuna's father. He certainly lived up to the hype if the statue had anything to say about it.
"So what he meant… was that we should respect some kinda great men or something like that…I figured." Tidus narrates
"Id never full appreciated the feeling that the people of Spira had for the Summoners, but hearing the words of the Priests with my own ears, I realise now how precious Summoners are to the people of Spira. My initial thoughts of the Summoners being on a loosing battle with Sin... Scratch that. If they had only beat it four times in a million years yet alone a thousand, that didnt matter. The fact that those victories let people sleep safely in thier beds was more than enough." I narrate.
It was only then that the monk noticed that I was wearing a duel disk, eyeing it and my strange attire, by his standards anyway. He walked before me before performing the Yevon prayer, both Tidus and I rasied an eyebrow at his actions.
"Greetings Duelist, my apologies for not seeing your status earlier, I assume that you are here to present yourself to the Fayth in an attempt to become our Champion?" The Priest asked rather politely.
Realising that I might have a chance at getting to the Fayth earlier, I nodded in reply. The monk gave a slight chuckle before continuing.
"Forgive me Duelist, but I ask that you please not get your hopes up at becoming our Champion, in a thousand years, the Fayth at this temple has never deemed any Duelist to be its Champion, so please do not be too dissapointed when the Fayth turns you away." The Priest speaks.
"Never had a champion. Until now" I think. Turning to Tidus, I give him a brief smile.
"Say Tye, can you do me a favour and meet me outside in a sec?" I say
Tidus looked quite perplexed at my request.
"Why? Is there something wrong Kaiser?" he replies
"No no... I just need a quick word with the monk and I dont want to bore you any longer" I say, I quickly move in and whisper in his ear "Besides, I think that you drew a bit too much attention, people are still staring you know" I add.
Tidus quickly looked around, and indeed there were still several sets of people staring at him and whispering between themselves.
"Ok, see you outside in a sec" he whispers back. Tidus simply turned around and walked out of the temple. Making sure he was gone, I turned back to the monk.
"Excuse me, but I have to ask something. Is there some kind of prophecy regarding Duelists?" I ask.
The monk took a step back at my statement, his face was that of pure shock, I could tell that I had hit a rather strong nerve. Looking round, the monk tried to see if anyone else had heard what I had said, satisfied that they hadnt, he led me off to the corner of the room, near to the door to the antechamber.
"Where did you hear that?!" The monk demanded.
"So its true then, and either way its not important where I heard it, so tell me what the prophecy is" I say sternly.
Sighing the Priest slumped his shoulders, he had already given away too much information.
"What do you know already?" He asked. Realising I had little to loose at this point I told him what I knew.
"I know that one Duelist is the key to this prophecy, that he will accompany his Summoner to Zanarkand, and that the Duelist, will be known as The Dark Warrior... and will be the saviour or destroyer of Spira" I say.
The monk couldnt have been more shocked, I physically thought that he could have died on the spot, but saying that, I felt like my heart had stopped when I first heard the prophecy. The monk looked defeated.
"You know most than any could ever know in thier entire lifetime. The prophecy of the duelists has been around since the church of Yevon was first instilled, and has been a closely guarded secret, you cannot under any circumstances tell anyone what you know." The monk stammered.
Realising that I had quite a lever on the situation, I decided to use it to my advantage. "My silence comes with a price, tell me what you know, the full story of the prophecy, and that will not only satisfy my curiosity, but will keep my silence also" I say sternly
The monk realising that my terms were the best he was going to get, simply nodded before beginning the saga.
"As you know, Duelists and Summoners came into existance together, in an attempt to battle Sin. As a Summoner prays to the Fayth to recieve an Aeon, the Duelist prays to a Fayth to recieve their blessing. This blessing is a reflection of the heart, mind and soul of the duelist. There is only ever one Champion of the Fayth for each Temple. The Duelist must challenge each of the other temples Champions in order to recieve more power, much in a way as the Summoner does along thier pilgrimige. The Duelist is a Summoners eternal Guardian, they follow the Summoner to the Farplane and back if need be."
I raise an eyebrow at this information, clearly the monk believed that I knew this, even though in actuality I didnt, and the information was quite an eyeopener. The monk was obviously trying to paint a full picture for me before moving onto the prophecy. So far from what he had said made sense, I would basically make the pilgrimage like a Summoner would. But the interesting part was I had to challenge the other temple Duelists, so assuming that only the offical temples would count, that meant I would have to find and beat four other Duelists. This alone was enough to bring a smile to me lips.
"Usually the temple Champions change after The Calm. Largely in part due to Sin, the Duelist will either perish during the pilgrimige or die battling the beast along the way. As with the four High Summoners that defeated Sin they each travelled with a Duelist, and as of yet are the only people to have defeated Sin. All this is common knowledge in Spira. But what I am about to tell you is not. When the church of Yevon was first instilled, the Maesters at the time recieved visions from the Fayth. All the visions said exactly the same thing..." The Priest trailed off.
"Come to us. Furfill the prophecy and set us all free from our eternal slumber. Become the King of Duelists. Accompany your Summoner to Zanarkand. Transcend your mortal coil. Become The Dark Warrior. Saviour or Destroyer of Spira." I finished for the monk.
The monk nodded gravely, the sweat dripping down his forehead. So it was true. I was the duelist that the Fayth had been waiting for, for over a thousand years.
"Your knowledge of the words of the Fayth are astounding Duelist, only the Maesters, High Monk of each Temple, Summoners and the temple Duelists are told about the full extent of the prophecy. Yet you are none of these things and you know" The monk spoke.
"Im just well informed" I say with a grin.
"Well the reason for the secrecy is in the last line of the prophecy, whoever this duelist is could potentially become the saviour or destroyer of Spira. From what the Maesters were able to discern from future studies was that this duelist had both light and dark attributes in his soul and would wield a monster of tremendous power within thier very soul. Which instilled the grey area in how the Duelist would be."
"Sounds about right if its me having both light and dark attributes" I think wryly.
"So the Maesters of the time, decreed that the information be kept a guarded secret, hoping to not instill more panic into the people, considering they had Sin to worry about, something else on the mind of the people would certainly not help. However, such things could not always be kept secret, and eventually part of the prophecy became common knowledge in Spira. That a Duelist known as the Dark Warrior would play a major role in the battle against Sin. The Maesters however ordained that the prophecy was just a legend, in order to maintain peace and not instill panic. However some do await this legend. That is the tale of the Duelist" Concluded the monk.
As the words swam around in my mind, it all began to make sense, no wonder Rikku went nuts when I said I was the Dark Warrior, she obviously knew that part of the prophecy like most others. But the fact remained clear. I was the Duelist of legend. Destined to defeat the temples Champions and destroy Sin with my Summoner once and for all. But what I couldnt understand was the fact that they said I may destroy Spira. I would never do such a thing, but the information left questions in my mind as to if I would.
"Thank you High Monk, my silence as my word is my bond, good day to you" I say turning round I begin to walk away from the Priest, who I hear hurrying to catch up to me, as his sandals echo on the temple floor
"Wait Duelist! I never got to ask of your name?" The monk enquired.
Stopping, I take a deep breath, and without looking over my shoulder I reply to the Priest.
"Its Kaiser..." I trail off
Without any further words I turned and headed out of the temple to where Tidus was waiting. I hadnt heard the monk move since I told him my name, clearly he was thinking the same as I. The words of the Fayth, I couldnt get those words out of my mind.
"Saviour or destroyer of Spira. Which will I be?" I wonder
Upon exiting the Temple, I see Tidus leaning against one of its pillars, still waiting for me. Upon seeing me come out of the temple he looked in my direction and gave me a smile
"Finally! I Was starting to think you wernt coming back!" He said.
"Nah, my stomach was calling for some food, so couldnt have stayed long" I say with a grin.
Tidus's stomach started to growl again, agreeing with my comment, with a laugh we both started to head back into the village. Looking over I see the Crusaders Inn, and decide its time to pay them a visit. Nudging Tidus in that direction we both enter the Inn.
Once we were both inside, I took a moment to look around, the Inn was quite large, considering that the beds were at the back of the structure, the front half had been converted into a sort of mini tavern, to my right was the reception desk with the attendant stood behind, but most importantly to my left was a table, and sitting at the table were both Luzzu and Gatta. They noticed us both enter the tent within a second, and it didnt take long before Gatta decided to speak to us.
"Hey you two! You were attacked by Sin! Recently was it?" Gatta asked quite sternly
"I think so…" Tidus said, not quite sure of what to say
"So…Sin can't be far off, right?" Gatta said. "You're not hiding anything are you?"
"Why would we?" Tidus exclaimed.
"Back off kid, give yourself a sodding chance to breathe before making accusations like that" I say folding my arms.
Obviously Id caught Gatta off guard, because he backed down in an instant.
"Sorry, its just that" He said stammering
"If Sin's nearby, it'll attack the island for sure…" Luzzu continued "But it hasn't… I wonder why?…"
"I'm sorry." Tidus said, hanging his head "I really don't know anything…"
"And neither do I, the movements of Sin and its pyschology arnt exactly a science" I say. Glaring at both Luzzu and Gatta.
I take a moment to look at Tidus, I hated the fact that he felt so small, considering he hardly knew anything. But I was gonna be damned if I would let either of these two ridicule him.
"To tell the truth…" Tidus continued. "I er don't know what the Crusaders are."
"You're kidding, right?" Gatta interrupted
"Sin! The toxin!" Luzzu exclaimed, realising about Tidus's apparent plight. "Gatta, tell him who we are."
Standing up with a rather enthusiastic nod Gatta lauched into a speech
"Yes, sir! The Crusaders are sworn to battle Sin! We have chapters throughout Spira, accepting all who wish to join our struggle! The hero Mi'ihen formed the Crusaders eight hundred years ago as the Crimson Blades. Later our ranks grew and we called ourselves the Crusaders. We've been fighting Sin ever since!"
Cleary this kid had no life at all outside of the Crusaders, he spoke as if he had recited that speech over a million times, and to be quite honnest, chances are he had.
"What!" Tidus suddenly blurted out. "You've been fighting eight hundred years and you still haven't beat it!"
"Uh-" Gatta stammered, he clearly had no answer. And to be honest I did let out a small chuckle, teach the kid to have a bit more respect as far as I was concerned.
"Well, we've steered Sin away from towns many times. And that's all we can do. Nobody's ever been able to defeat it. Our job as Crusaders, is to protect the temples, towns, villages and people of Spira." Luzza said in answer to Tidus's question.
"So then, whose job is it to defeat Sin?" Tidus asked
The Crusaders gave each other another glance of disbelief, before Gatta spoke
"Is Sin's toxin really this bad, sir?" Gatta whispered.
"It does seem rather bad…" Luzzu agreed "We could just tell you." He said looking to Tidus. "But I think it would be better for you to try and remember. Go pray at the temple." He suggested. "Perhaps Yevon will help you…regain your memory."
"Come on Tye, lets go" I say, almost dragging Tidus out of the tent.
Once id dragged Tidus out of the tent he pulled his arm out of my vice grip.
"Hey! Whats the big idea?" He remarked
Inside I was seething, I hated the fact that they treated him like a fool because he didnt know things... it brought back bad memories on my part.
"Sorry Tye, I just I didnt like the way they looked at you when you asked who they were, people like that well... they really piss me off" I say in anger. Tidus looked quite stunned at my outburst.
"Hey is no big, ill get used to it, come on, I need food!" he moaned
Smiling we both headed off towards Wakka's tent, and it didnt take us long to find it. As we entered the tent, I could see Wakka sat down on the floor next to a table. Taking a quick look around, I noticed that the house was everything in one, there was no side rooms, everything was in one room, kitchen, living space, bedrooms. But at least it seemed cosy I reasonsed. Upon our entrance, Wakka looked up at us.
"Sorry man, no time for lunch yet!" he said, eliciting a few moans from us both
"Take a nap!" Wakka exclaimed looking at us both. "You look bushed!"
Both us just looked at each other, it had been quite the day so far, Tidus had found out about the religion of Yevon and the Summoners, while I had heard a prophecy that I was either the saviour or destroyer of Spira, so to say we were tired wasnt the word. Glancing around, I walked over to the large sofa, unbuckling my duel disk, I took my large coat off, and folded up it to use as a pillow on the sofa. Tidus in the meanwhile had made himself comfortable on the bed. It didnt take long for him to be soundly snoring, but as I lay back and try to sleep, the words of the prophecy were still ringing in my head. Not necassarily the part about destroying Spira this time, it was the first line that was bothering me.
"Become The Dark Warrior" I think.
The thoughts were starting to make my eyes heavy, as I felt myself lulling into sleep.
"You could at least go see how they are doing…" I heard a voice say, it was the monk from the temple
"We can't interfere! It's a rule!" came Wakka's voice in reply
"But…it's been nearly…." trailed off the monk as he and Wakka exited the tent
Sleep finally overcame me as I drifted off into slumberland.
"It wont be long now" spoke the voice
"Wont be long before what?" I ask
"Before you gain the power that I require" replied the voice
"That power as you put it, will never be yours" I say with defiance
"Who said you had a choice?... Once you give in to your darkness, you will be begging me to take the power from you" finished the voice.
I woke rather rudely to Tidus shaking me by the shoulders.
"Ok im up! im up!" I yell half asleep.
"Kaiser! Come on get up man! Wakka's gone!" Tidus said.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I get up off the sofa and put my coat and duel disk back on.
"The one time that I think I can sleep well and something spoils it!" I say rather grumpily
"Sleep later! Come on!" Tidus says, darting from the tent.
With a yawn, I ran after him in search of Wakka. It didnt take us long to find him either, after questioning the odd villager or two, we heard that Wakka was last seen heading to the temple, so we hurried to the temple. Once inside, I could see Wakka talking to the High Monk of the temple at the foot of a flight of stairs. Making our way over, I noticed that upon seeing me, the Monk immediately bid his farewell to Wakka before leaving. Tidus started off our questions.
"Is something wrong?" Tidus inquired
"The Summoner hasn't returned from the trial." Wakka replied.
"Eh?" Tidus said confused
"Well, apprentice Summoner, really." Wakka corrected.
"Ah?" Tidus added
"There's a room in there called the Cloister of Trials…" Wakka explained gazing up at the door. "Beyond is where the apprentice Summoner prays."
Upon looking up at the door to the Cloister of Trials, I could feel that calling feeling beginning to come back to me.
"Its time" I thought
"If the prayer is heard the apprentice becomes a fully-fledged Summoner, remember?" Wakka said looking at Tidus.
"So someone is in there somewhere and they haven't come back out. Right, I got it." Tidus said quickly.
"A day's already gone by." Wakka said solemly
"Is it particularly dangerous in there?" Tidus questioned.
"Sometimes, yes." Wakka confirmed
"Well that has to be a barrel of laughs then" I say
"Why don't you go in and help?" Tidus asked
"There's already Guardians in there…" Wakka explained. "Besides, it's forbidden."
Within almost half a second, Tidus had already bounded up half the stairs towards the Cloister.
"Here we go again!" I think
"Hey, but what if somethin' happens! What if the Summoner…dies!" He said with passion.
"The precepts must be obeyed!" the monk declared
"Like I care!" Tidus said, hurling himself at the door, and with a mighty bang he was gone.
"Is this a good time to say that I really dont know him?" I say sarcastically
Wakka nor the monk were impressed.
"Oh man, what we gonna do know?" He asked
"You must go in there and find him and bring him out immediately! You as a Guardian and you as a Duelist are qualified to enter, so go!" The monk said rather angrily, before walking away
After he had gone, I turned to Wakka. "Wouldnt want to see what he is like on a bad morning" I mutter
With a slight chuckle I could tell that Wakka, agreed, but once again his face became serious.
"Come on, Lets go, we need to get Tidus out of there like yesterday ya?" He said
Nodding, we both bounded up the stairs and entered the Cloister of Trials.
Well thats Chapter 6! How will the Cloister of Trials challenge our heroes? And more importantly, the plot begins to thicken as a prophecy seems to be unravelling. What will happen when Kaiser comes face to face with the Fayth? As always review please!