Chapter 7 ready for your reading pleasure. We get the low down on the rest of our crew, as well as the true meaning behind the Prophecy of the Fayth! Expect quite a few questions that will now be answered, but then again, a lot more questions will be raised.
Also I dont own Final Fantasy or Yu-Gi-Oh!
Chapter Seven: Kaiser's Union Of Souls - Guardians Unite!
"Maybe…this wasn't such a good idea after all…" Tidus Narrates
"Pity that boys head wasnt made of wood... then at least he would have an excuse for running in without a sodding clue of what he is getting into" I narrate
As Wakka and I entered the Cloister Of Trials, I felt something straight away, that feeling of being called by the Fayth was back, and with a vengance I might add. Trying my best to shrug it off I look to the chamber ahead.
"Well? Where is he?" I ask. Wakka took a look forward then down the next set of steps that he could see.
"He must have gone on ahead, no rush ya? I mean he can perfrom the trials, give him a little punishment for entering here in the first place ya know?" Wakka said
"Sly sod" I think. Simply replying to Wakka with a nod, we begin our descent into the Cloister Of Trials. As we begin our walk I look around... well there isnt much to see that is, mostly just stone walls. But I do take note of the spheres that are in the recesses on the walls, indicating that Tidus had come through this way. Wakka was walking almost like he was having a day at the seaside, as if he didnt have a care in the world. He obviously didnt relish the idea of going through the Trials himself. Not that I could blame him, some of the trials had been quite annoying to say the least. After a few minutes of slow walking, we eventually turned a corner to see Tidus heading towards the elevator to the chamber of the Fayth.
"Hey!" Wakka shouted
Tidus jumped on the spot and turned round to look at the pair of us approaching him.
"What's gotten into you?" Wakka questioned quite sternly
Tidus seemed speecheless, I could tell he didnt really have an answer, so to rectify that I very calmly walk up to him and give him a slap on the back of the head, with a satisfying THWAP sound to boot.
"Owww! What was that for?" Tidus moaned.
"For being such an idiot" I say with a wry grin, while Tidus was rubbing the back of his head.
"Hey, it's ok." Wakka reassured as he stepped by the side of us. "Only Summoners, Duelists, apprentice Summoners and their Guardians can enter here. It's a tradition. Very important." He said.
"Well I got why Kaiser can come in here...So what about you?" Tidus inquired looking at Wakka
"Me? I'm a Guardian." Wakka confirmed as he folded his arms and stepped onto the elevator
"A Guardian?" Tidus said
Meanwhile I hadnt actually stepped onto the elevator yet. I looked back into the Cloister and formulated a plan.
"Hang on a sec guys, be right back" I say starting to run off
"HEY HEY! Where you going?" Wakka shouted after me
"Only be a sec! you'll see when I get back!" I shout.
Taking a quick right from the eleveator chamber, I find what I was looking for, a destruction sphere sitting on a pedestal. Taking it up I head back to the chamber near the elevator and enter it, seeing a recess on the wall I place the sphere in, which causes a dark purple light to form on the wall. Hearing a small explosion nearby I head in its direction and find what im looking for, the treasure chest of Besaid. Kneeling down in triumph I open the chest, which glows with a strange Glyph type symbol, which I recognise as the seal of Besaid, ignoring that for now, I pick up my prize. Its a staff called the Rod Of Wisdom, twirling it round in my fingers for a second I smile.
"At least Ill have something to give to Yuna when I meet her" I think.
Using the belt on my coat, I manage to successfully strap the staff to my back for the time being, although it was a bit wobbly, I wouldnt have to hold it long. Heading back to the elevator I see Wakka and Tidus still waiting for me.
"What you got there?" Tidus asked, eyeing the staff he could see on my back.
Doing a quick twirl on my right foot, I present my back to the pair, showing them the staff I had aquired.
"Found it in a chest in the Cloister, thought it would make a nice gift for the Summoner considering we are barging in on them and all" I say
Tidus raised an eyebrow while Wakka looked quite impressed.
"So you found the temple treasure ya? Thats good, not many ever find it" Wakka said.
With an cheeky grin I joined the pair on the elevator and stood waiting... that is before Tidus spoke
"So what are we doing?" He asked
Before Wakka could reply the spherical shape beneath their feet lit up in a flash of intense white light. Tidus jumped in fright as the elevetor started to descend. Along the way, Wakka gave a short monolgue.
"Summoners and thier Duelist go on a pilgrimage to pray and duel at every temple in Spira, Guardians protect them." Wakka began
As Wakka spoke to Tidus, my mind was elsewhere, I could still feel the lure of the Fayth clawing at my mind, drawing me closer to them. I was starting to wonder what would happen when I actually saw the Fayth in person. It wasnt before long that the elevator stopped and we hit the ground with a jolt
"The Guardians and a Duelist are in there now…" Wakka said looking through the arch ahead. "One of them's got a short fuse, the other's moods change like the wind and who knows what the other's thinkin'? Well…now that we've come this far…might as well go all the way ya!" Wakka finished
"A Duelist in there? Who could that be?" My mind suddenly blurted out
I was more than confused, I knew who the two Guardians in there were, but a duelist was with them? Another change of the rules I gathered. Wakka started to quite nervously walk forward into the chamber, with Tidus and I following slowly behind him, upon entering the chamber the scene before my eyes was a sight to behold. The room looked like the main chamber of the temple, however this room was punctuated with only a single, quite large flight of stairs that led to a strange oval shaped door at the top. The room was only dimly lit by a few torches, but the three people in the room were cleary visable. Wakka's hand immediately hit his forehead at the sight of one of the people in the room, and for good reason. The woman now giving Wakka a deathlook was a sight to behold. She was clad in a flowing black dress that seemed to be made up of various black belts from the legs down, her hair was also raven black in coloured and braided on her head. Various strips of hair flowed freely on her shoulders, giving her quite the intimidating look.
"What are you doing here?" Didn't think we'd be able to handle it?" she said sneering and raising to her feet.
"No, it's er…it's just…" Wakka stammered "See, I told you she gets mad easy." He whispered to us both, giving us a nudge.
"Fiery temperment as always Lulu" I chuckle inwardly to myself
As Lulu rapidly approached Wakka, I let my gaze avert to the other sides of the room. Bringing a smile to my lips I see another person I already know... well another creature I suppose.
The easiest way to describe it was a tiger walking on two legs, only this wasnt your average tiger, and I wasnt talking as in Tony the tiger either! It had blue skin and fur with and razor sharp claws on its massive hands and feet to boot. Not that it needed them, A rather large spear was strapped to its back. This creature was massively built, not a single area on its body was devoid of mass amounts of muscle, and topping it off, it was over seven feet tall. Certainly someone you DONT want to piss off. It was naked save a rather large green sash around its waist, and its body was covered with straps across its chest and arms, noting that is rippling muscles was straining them more than slightly. Although its hair was rather odd, it was grey in colour, tied securely in place at either side of its head and in a ponytail at the back. A broken horn on the creatures forehead dominated the cat like features of its face. Finally a long swishing tail was moving freely behind the creature, almost as if it had a mind of its own. Instantly upon my visual analysis of the creature, I felt its yellow eyes beginning to pierce me almost. However I made eye contact back, and after a few seconds of what felt like a death glare, it seemed to spot my duel disk. Upon this, its eyes seemed to mellow almost, and it simply folded its arms without saying a word.
"Never were the talkative type were you Kimahri? At least Ive got some respect already now you saw my duel disk" I think.
I knew that Kimahri's race were known as the Ronso Tribe, fierce warriors hailing from Mt Gagazet, and that they were firm followers of Yevon. So I speculated that considering that duelists were part of Yevon, he was giving me the same respect as he would do any other duelist or Summoner. Too bad for Tidus that he choose to give him the death glares instead of me. Taking a look to the other side of the chamber near where Lulu had been sat, I see the third person, and the Duelist.
She was dressed in quite an eye appealing outfit, her clothes were almost pure white in colour, she wore knee high boots, after which, the rest of her body was covered in a white bodysuit, spanning across her legs all the way up and over her chest area, to which I might add, was a very tight fit... something I had to mentally slap myself away from looking. Her upper arms and shoulders were exposed to the air showing off her almost tan coloured skin. What was also strange was that she was wearing a long hooded cloak that was light blue in colour, held on by string around her neck, the material looked quite light so it wouldnt cause her discomfort, but upon inspection I could see their were various designs of different coloured gems on her cloak also, giving it a very rainbow coloured appearance.
But it was her face that was truley captivating, she had such untouched beauty that it was almost unreal to look at. Long dark brown hair that flowed freely over her cloak and down to her lower back, and skin that looked softer than silk, finished off by her sparkling blue eyes. At the time I looked over to her I saw that she was indeed the Duelist that had been mentioned, as she was sat on the stairs with her duel disk on her right arm, which I noted must have been a custom left handed duel disk. She was sat shuffling her deck repeatedly. Seeing me look at her, she stopped shuffling her deck and gave me a glance. Eyeing my duel disk for a moment she gave me a neutral smile before resuming reshuffling her deck.
"Who in the world are you?" Was all I could think
During few seconds of visual analysis on the occupants of the chamber, Lulu had stopped before us.
"I-Is the summoner alright?" Tidus suddenly blurted out.
"Who are you?" Lulu said to Tidus, he ruby red eyes raised in slight shock and horror.
But Tidus didnt get a chance to answer as the chamber emitted a deep rumbling sound, all eyes in the room turned to the door at the top of the stairs, as it was opening. Wakka and Lulu rejoined the Duelist and Kimahri at the foot of the stairs, as the door opened, leaving Tidus and I in the back. Golden rays of light penetrated the darkness as a figure appeared in the doorway. Tidus began to move forward to the bottom of the stairs as the figure moved closer... the figure of a woman. She wore a long dark purple skirt that seemed to have a mind of its own as she moved, her white shirt which almost resembled a japanese Kimono hung tightly around her in a halterneck style, around her waist was a large bright yellow belt that formed a rather large bow on her back. She sleeves were just as majestic as her skirt, that seemed to flow with her movement.
"Yuna" I breathed in my mind
She was holding onto the doorframe, trying to remain on her feet the best she could, in the end she pushed forward away from the support of the door, walking slowly towards the top of the steps. The entire room seemed to be waiting in baited breath, to see what she would do, but her face was obscured by her shoulder length mousy coloured brown hair that kept her facial expression a current mystery. In a possible display of strength, she stood tall at the top of the steps, only for her eyes to fall closed a second later as she fell forward. Cries of horror errupted from the room, Tidus made a dash to grab her, but before he even had a chance to draw breath, Kimahri had already bounded up the stairs and grabbed hold of her, kneeling, he steadied her on her feet. Yuna steadying herself, flicked her hair away from her face and looked down at the group, once again in the day I was amazed by a persons beauty, her face was deepy beautiful, but it was her eyes that gave her something unique, one was green and the other blue.
"I…have done it! I have become…a Summoner." Yuna said, her face filled with joy.
Looking to my right I could see Tidus was looking up the stairs at Yuna, he looked truely captivated by her.
"Ah the start of young love... ive almost forgot what that was like" I think to myself.
But it was then that I felt eyes had locked onto me, looking up I see that Yuna was staring at me. Looking back at me she smiles weakly.
"The Fayth is waiting for you Duelist" She says softly
The rest of the group turn and look at me, waiting for a response, without any further waiting I simply nod and start to walk slowly towards the stairs, as I pass the others I feel thier eyes on my back as I begin to ascend the stairs. As I stop before Yuna she gives me another smile.
"We will wait here till you get back" she says with another smile
"But Yuna! You need to rest!" Came Lulu's voice from behind me.
Yuna simply smiled over my shoulder at her friends down the stairs.
"Its alright, I can wait... I want to wait." She says.
Looking directly into each others eyes, Its as if I can tell what shes thinking, its as if she knows who I really am. Although that would be impossible for her to know, but still it made my mind wander. With another nod, I pass by her and stop at the top of the stairs, taking a deep breath I walk towards the door to the chamber of the Fayth. Within a few seconds it has opened up for me. Taking one last look over my shoulder I look back at the group who's eyes are still on me. I give a warm smile to Tidus's who looks quite worried, before I turn back round and enter the chamber, within another few seconds, the door has closed.
As I stepped into the Chamber of the Fayth, I could feel my breathing becoming heavy once more, I was truly stepping into the unknown here. The last time the Fayth spoke to me I felt like I was suffocating, who knows what would happen now. As I stood before the Statue of the Fayth I looked down at it, inside the dome was the shape of a giant bird like creature, which I recognised to be Valefor, the Fayth's Aeon form. This didnt suprise me, what I saw next did suprise me. Looking up I noticed there were too other statue's carved right into the walls on either side of the Fayths statue. Looking at both of them, straight away I realised that they were images of two Duel Monsters, monsters which I knew all too well. The first was that of a large three headed mechanical dragon by the looks of it, while the second one was humanoid in shape, with long flowing red hair and a large coat on. But before my mind could ponder any further a bright flash of light errupted from the Fayth statue. I had to close my eyes to shield myself from the light, but when it died down, a young half transparent girl wearing a yellow dress was stood ontop of the Fayth statue.
"Duelist, so you have come" spoke the Fayth
Still speechless for words I give a simple nod in response. They young Fayth smiles back at me.
"I would gather you have a great deal of questions Duelist" said the Fayth, to which I once more nod in return.
"Unfortunately, I am not the one to give those answers, as I was not the one who called you here" said the Fayth with a smile.
"You didnt call me here? Then who was it?" I ask in suprise
The Fayth simply extened both her arms out to her sides, and pointed at the two statues on the walls.
"I think there are some people here that want to talk to you" spoke the Fayth who slowly dissappeared
Once more I was stood alone in the room, looking at the statues on either sides of the walls.
"Could it mean?" I think
Within another few seconds I felt a deep rumbling coming from the walls, the two statues of the monsters on the walls started to shudder, after another flash of light, I look forward and see two familar half transparent figures standing on the Fayth statue, both were dressed similar to me. The first wore exactly the same as I did, except his coat had white stripped lines around the edges and on the arms, he had a cool demenor on his face and his thick dark blue hair hung firmly on his head, just past the shoulder length. The second was dressed in a large white trenchcoat, with dark shirt and trousers underneath, with straps on his arms and legs. He had a head of brown hair that was kept away from his eyes. His face was filled with a look of arrogance and determination. They both had duel disks on thier left arms, and were both stood looking at me with thier arms folded. I didnt even need to think who the pair of Fayth's were, my mind was already in overdrive at being in thier prescene.
"No fucking way!" I squeal in my mind
"Welcome Kaiser" said the Fayth on the left.
"Hmph, ive seen fiercer looking Kuriboh's than this chump" snorted the one on the right
If that didnt clinch in my mind than I didnt know what would, I rubbed my eyes, just trying to hope that I wasnt dreaming any of this.
"Ignore him, he does like to stroke his own ego a lot" spoke the Fayth on the left
"Please! Ive good reason to look down on this geek, this is supposed to be the one to furfill the prophecy and get my out of here? Hmph, I expected him to be taller at least!" replied the Fayth on the right
Rolling his eyes, the Fayth on the left spoke once again
"Please excuse my 'Colleague' here, where are my manners, I am..." The Fayth began, however I beat him to the punch.
"Your Zane Truesdale and Seto Kaiba! This is so awesome!" I almost scream
Both of the Fayth seemed taken aback by my response, the one on the left, Zane, raised an eyebrow, while the one on the right Kaiba, snorted once more.
"This is our saviour? After that demented fan display I rest my case" He said with a smug smile
This time it was Zane's turn to face palm at Kaiba's comments.
"Either way, he is Kaiba, so just deal with it" Zane snaps back
"Fine... but that dosnt mean I have to like it" Kaiba said with another snort
"Talk about opposite sides of the same coin" I think, chuckling in my mind
"We heard that" They both said sharply
"What the hell? How did you know what I was thinking?" I ask in suprise
"We're half transparent spirits trapped in statues for over a thousand years, what did you expect dweeb?" Kaiba said
"Usual Kaiba esque aside... We know what your thinking... because your soul mirrors ours" Zane said.
"What?" I gasp
"Let me explain, each Temple houses several Fayth's. The Fayth for the Summoner's, plus two Fayth's for the Duelists. We are what provides duelists and Summoners the power they desire, our blessing of our strength and knowledge" Zane explained.
"Well D'uh there Trusedale... Besides, any old regular Duelists that are still running around Spira dont deserve a damn thing... most of em wouldnt know a duel disk from thier elbow." Kaiba remarked.
Giving him a quick sideways glance, Zane ignored Kaiba's remark and continued.
"Duelists become Champions of the temples in only one way... their very souls must mirror that of the Fayth's that they come before... otherwise they are deemed unworthy." Zane continued.
"So you see now why this temple has never had a champion, who could have the same great power and skills as me in thier soul?" Kaiba said smugly.
"HE HAS, Kaiba" Zane stated firmly.
"Whatever" came Kaiba's reply
My mind was racing, trying to think of the endless questions that needed to be answered, but the most important one right now sprung to mind.
"But why me?" I ask
"Since the moment you came to Spira we could sense you Kaiser... We know that you are not of this world... We could feel your soul calling out to us in the same way we called to you" Zane said
"I didnt call him anywhere" Kaiba snapped
"And when you entered this chamber, your memories became ours... Yes, we know who you really are... and yes, we know the pain that you feel in your soul, even you have to admit that Kaiba" Zane said turning to Kaiba
"Yeah well... Kids had a hard time... Then again, I still dont think that your this chosen one that was prophecised... but your the closest one to being worthy that ive seen so far, and ive been stuck in this temple for over a thousand years" said Kaiba his tone now a little less condescending.
"Thats all well and good and all, but that dosnt answer my question... and im not a kid... im twenty thanks." I say, snapping a glance at Kaiba.
"Hmmm looks the kids got some spine? I like that... I think im beginning to like you after all." Kaiba said with a large grin on his face
"Anyway... you were chosen because you have both elements that are needed in order to defeat Sin... the escence of both light and darkness in your soul... Spira is a world full of life... but haunted by the death that is Sin... to combat that... both aspects are needed, and that is you... a soul of infinite potential." Zane continued
Coming from Zane that was quite a compliment, I knew that he had once considered himself 'perfect' and that was his limit. But to say that someone had infinite potential, that was really a pleasant suprise to say the least. Glancing over at Kaiba, Zane outstreched his hand in my direction, Kaiba giving another snort did the same. Within a second another flash of light exploded in the chamber, after my eyes adjusted, I could see that a treasure chest was now before me.
"This is our blessing" Zane said, answering my unspoken question, as I stand staring at the chest.
"Well?... its not going to open itself nimrod!" Kaiba remarked
Kneeling down, I slowly reach out to the chest. Lifting the clasp on the lid I open the lid slowly, half expecting something to jump out at me. My fears were unjustified as looking in the chest was a set of duel monsters cards.
"Dont worry about your old deck... Consider that your starter deck" Zane interrupted. "We knew you needed some sort of help when you came to Spira, so we created a temporary deck for you that you no longer need."
Reaching to my duel disk I felt my other deck detach before I even touch it, taking my old deck out, I place it in the chest before picking up my new Deck. At least now I knew where that original deck came from, but for now I was itching to find out what kind of deck I had just recieved. Standing back up I flip the cards quickly to see what type of deck it actually is. To my suprise the cards are completely white, blank in every way. Puzzled I look up at the Fayth for the answers.
"Now you have your deck... its time... you must take us into your soul" spoke Zane, my eyes immediately widening in suprise.
"To access the power of the deck your soul must become one with ours... besides, it would be nice to leave this temple for the first time in a thousand years" said Zane.
With little choice, I simply nod my head, to which Zane simply smiles at me.
"Its with great respect that I merge with you Kaiser" Zane said
With that Zane stepped forward and seemed to turn into mist, which quickly floated towards me before entering my chest. For a second nothing happened, then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I could feel new strength coursing through my very being, the honour of being the best... the respect of others around you... the darkness that comes with loneliness and a desire to win... and finally the feeling of brightening the moment for all eternity. Zane's feelings had become mine. My kness buckled and I fell to the ground, gasping for air at the new feelings that had invaded my body. Kaiba was still stood with his arms folded, looking down at me.
"Get the hell up now. Your not getting anything from me unless you stand on your own feet" He said, voice dripping with venom
Gasping I struggle to stand on my feet, the deck still clutching in my hand. Once there Kaiba gave a wry smile.
"Thats better... now for a warning that the wuss Trusedale didnt want to tell you about" Kaiba remarked.
"NOW A WARNING? Ive just had someones soul enter my fucking body! Now you want to warn me!" I shout
"Excellent... seems like he has fully merged with you, such rage for someone a lot more docile just a minute ago" Kaiba chuckled.
Gasping I realised that Kaiba was right, I had just completely flew off the handle for little reason what so ever, thinking back I could almost feel as if they were Zane's feelings that flown into me, the feeling of anger and pain that he felt at one point in his life.
"Your warning is as follows, you just experienced it... your very being will be affected by us, so unless you want to loose control I suggest that you clamp down on your emotions kid. Otherwise you'll loose your control of your own body and do who knows what." Kaiba spoke, he then pointed towards the deck in my hand.
"The deck too, it will sense the impulses of your mind, heart and soul, as a reflection of yourself you deck will come to be. So make sure you get it right" Kaiba finished.
Looking down at the blank cards in my hand, I take a look up at Kaiba before slotting the deck in my duel disk, but I realise that there is something else that I needed to ask before I go any further.
"How does the duel disk work anyway? So far its activated from what looks like me thinking it to. Plus whenever ive used monsters pyreflies always seemed to be around, what does that mean?" I ask.
Kaiba simply rolled his eyes before speaking.
"Considering your supposed to be this duelist 'messiah' or something you arnt very bright. Pyreflies are the source of most magical things on Spira, as much as the thoughts of that hocus pocus junk dosnt appeal to me, the fact remains that it does. The duel disk is linked to your very life force, your monsters as well as you are connected, you feel each others pain... As im sure you must have experienced by now" He began.
Casting my mind back to the battle on the trail to Besaid, I realise that he is right, when Thunder Kid and Harpies Pet Dragon were attacked, I could feel thier pain exactly how they could. Risky business being a duelist on Spira it seemed.
"Now you know that, you should already know why pyreflies are around whenever you summon a monster" Kaiba adds.
"Its because like Fiends are formed through pyreflies converging on negative energys, a monster is summoned by the will of the duelist that is created by the Pyreflies?" I offer.
"Smart boy" Kaiba sniggers. "Either way your correct, and before you ask dont think you can damage that duel disk of yours even if you tried. They were built to last a world travelling pilgrimage. I.e built to last, plus the deck is mystical, same thing" He sarcastically asks.
"How did?..." I ask
"Access to your thoughts, remember?" He chuckles
"Well looks like thats the bases covered" I say.
"Good... now you have to promise me something before I even think about merging with you" Kaiba said seriously
"What is it?" I ask confused
"PROMISE ME NOW" He said in an even more serious tone
"I promise" I say back
Smirking Kaiba reached into his coat and threw something at me, which I caught in my right hand, it was a duel monsters card. Turning it over I see that it isnt blank, rather more I gasp at what it is. I look up at Kaiba in suprise.
"Take care of him" He says, and for the first time that I had ever seen, Kaiba actually seemed to give me a sincere smile. To which I smile back.
"Blue Eyes" I say.
The card Kaiba had thrown me was a Blue Eyes White Dragon card, and it wasnt just any card, it was the one that I had back home. Looking up at Kaiba my entire view changed of him in a second. This was probabally the highest honour he would ever give anyone, giving them a Blue Eyes, so I realise that the promise I make him here I would keep for a lifetime and after. I moved to place it in my deck, but Kaiba raised his hand to stop me.
"Dont... dont put him in your deck... just keep it with you, you will know how and when to use him when the time comes" Kaiba says.
Nodding back to him, I place the card inside a pocket on the inside of my coat, close to my heart. With a nod Kaiba took a step forward, then stopped suddenly.
"One more thing... take care of her... please." He said quietly.
"Who Yuna?" I ask
Instantly Kaiba's mood changed, a rather large snarl escaped his lips as he face contorted in anger.
"Dont fuck with me kid, you know very well who... she reminds me of someone from a long time ago." He says with teeth clenched.
Instantly I knew who he meant... the duelist
I gave him another solemn nod in acknowledgement. With a final nod from Kaiba, he stepped forward and his body turned to mist, and within a second it entered my chest. I felt his feelings beginning to flood my own.
The feeling of having to toughen up to protect your family, the yearn to be the very best and crush your rivals, the superiority and arrogance that comes with that feeling, feeling as if you didnt have a single friend in the world and finally, having a connection, between yourself and your favourite monster that couldnt be broken by anything. I once again found myself upon my knees as the new sensations threatened to overload my senses. Standing back up after a minute, I almost feel different somehow. Looking at myself I could see that I hadnt changed physically. Yet I felt complete somehow. Almost like the I had merged with two souls that had formed to join my own, making me complete.
"We are one Kaiser, we will be here sleeping in your soul should you need us" echoes Zanes voice in my head
"You cant get rid of us that easily!... If you need us, just call to us... but dont make a habit of it... Be safe Kid" Kaiba adds.
Smiling inwardley at my two Guardians in my soul, I turn around and exit the chamber of the Fayth.
Outside the Chamber the group were still sat in the antechamber. Yuna was sat on the bottom of the step with the Duelist, Kimahri was standing guard over here, while Wakka and Lulu were talking in a corner... well more so Lulu arguing with Wakka about interfeering in the Trials. Tidus was stood pacing around the centre of the room, occasionally looking up at the door to the chamber of the Fayth, he was worried about Kaiser and whatever was happening in there.
"He's been in there too long... after how the Summoner came out of there, who knows whats happening to Kaiser in there! Thats it! Im not having a friend of mine go through that after all we have been through since we came to Spira" thought Tidus.
"Thats it! Im going in there!" Tidus shouts, suprising everyone in the room. He moved to begin walking up the stairs when the room once again started to rumble. Drawing the attention of everyone, the door to the chamber of the Fayth was opening, within a second a figure was emerging from the light inside.
As I walked back into the antechamber my eyes adjusted once more to the dim light of the chamber. Looking down, I realise that Im at the top of the stairs, and I can see the whole group looking up at me. Within a few seconds Tidus had bounded up the stairs, and had grabbed hold of my shoulders quite fiercely.
"Kaiser? Are you alright man? Whats wrong with your eyes?" Tidus asks quickly
Stood in his vice like grip, I look at him with a dumbfounded look on my face.
"In case you couldnt tell nimrod, Im not in a position to look at my own sodding eyes!" I say with a wry grin.
Realising his mistake, Tidus lets go of my shoulders before speaking.
"Yeah... sorry man... its just that your eyes keep going from being a bright shining blue to a metallic silver, then they go back to your normal brown colour for some reason." he says
Having no clue why this was happening, I chose to take his word for it, the only thing was, why was it happening?
"Thank us for that" said Zane
"Consider it our signature... it only happens when you access our power" Kaiba added
Smiling inwardley, I then look at Tidus.
"Consider it my sign of the Fayth... I did it Tye, Ive become the temple's Champion" I say
Tidus's face was that of pure elation, he was almost extatic, more so than I was feeling. Turning round Tidus looked down at the group.
"Hey everybody! Kaiser here became the temple's Champion!" He cries.
The next thing that happend all seemed to be a blur, the rest of the group bounded up the stairs to me and started to all talk at me at once. I did my best to answer, not really hearing what they were saying. The only person that wasnt there I noticed was the Duelist. Looking down the stairs I saw she was stood near the entrance to the elevator with her hands on her hips, seeing that I was looking at her, she gave a disgusted snort and then stormed off, heading towards the elevator. In the next minute, the others had started to usher me off, Yuna holding onto my free arm, taking me towards the elevator, looking over my back, I look towards Tidus for help, and as I expected, he is finding this all very amusing and chuckling to himself. Mouthing to him 'Im gonna kill you' he chuckles even more as we all make our way out of the Cloister.
As we exited the cloister, the temple monk, as well as a large group of villagers were gathered in the centre of the main chamber. Looking down the steps at them, Yuna gave the Yevon prayer symbol, which I quickly repeated myself despite not liking it. Once more Yuna took my arm and led me down the stairs, at the bottom we were approached by the Temple Priest.
"We could feel the Fayth's giving there power away... and we knew we were in for a special day... because not only do we have the daughter of High Summoner Braska becoming a Summoner herself... but for the first time in over a thousand years... we have a Champion Duelist of Besaid!" Turning round the Priest addressed the villagers.
"Praise be to Yevon for delivering to us his newest children in the fight against Sin! The Summoner Yuna and our first Duelist Champion of Besaid! Kaiser!" shouted the Priest.
Cheers and chantings of both mine and Yuna's name began echoing around the Temple. Followed by Yevon prayers bestowed upon us by the crowd for a few minutes, before the villagers began filing out of the Temple, Yuna once more dragging me along with them.
"For such a small woman, she sure can drag me around pretty easily" I think.
"Man was I surprised! And here I was thinking Summoners were all old geezers! Kaiser on the other hand... Well... to be honnest. I knew he was different since the day I met him. So I couldnt have been more happier for my friend then when the announced him Champion. I was glad that he was enjoying the moment" Tidus narrates.
"You know, when I left my world, I didnt think I could be more happier. To finally be going somewhere new, and somewhere where I was needed for just being me. But it was at that exact moment, standing there with Yuna holding onto my arm, as the crowd cheered our names, that I realised I had everything that I ever wanted. Just to be accepted and looked upon like I was needed. It was something I would never forget." I narrate
As the sunlight hit my eyes once more as we exited the Temple, it took them a few seconds to ajust but after that, I looked forward, and saw that at the large circle at the middle of the village, quite a crowd had gathered. Looking to my right as Yuna held onto me, she simply smiled before dragging me along, heading for the circle. The entire village seemed to be there waiting for us, quick rounds of cheers echoed out as we stopped at the edge. Yuna FINALLY let go of my now aching arm, and walked to the center of the circle, leaving me peacefully by myself. Within a few seconds I felt two figures standing beside me, Wakka and Lulu. Lulu was carrying a staff at this point, walking to the middle of the circle, she gave it to Yuna before coming back to the edge.
"Hey, over here!" Wakka called to someone behind us.
Looking over my shoulder, I see Kimahri standing near the steps of the Temple, and Tidus slowly heading towards us. As he moved towards us Wakka grabbed him in a headlock and brought him to the circle
"Wha? Ow!" Tidus yelled.
"Wait 'til you see this!" Wakka said excitedly.
"I can't see anything!" Tidus complained wrenching from his grip. Tidus just looked at me wanting to know what was going on.
"Just wait and see, you'll love this" I say answering his unasked question
"Ready!" Wakka called to Yuna
"Ok." Yuna muttered.
Outstretching her arms before her, Yuna brought the staff towards her chest, and with a deep breath, she took a step back, once more extending the staff, this time behind her. A brilliant set of multicoloured lights errupted from around Yuna, slowly dancing around her form, where she remained unmoving, seemingley not notcing the spectacle around her. Within a few more seconds a set of glowing beams of light, errupted skywords going as far as the eyes could see. The met together at some point, creating a large explosion of light. Then something emerged from the light. A large object suddenly fell from the sky, almost like a meteor, speeding towards the village... only thing was, that it wasnt an object it was a creature. A large bird like creature soared through the air, heading under one of the arches of the Temple, it stopped hovering in the air before Yuna, looking down at its Summoner.
"Valefor" I think
The Aeon Valefor was quite an impressive creature, it was almost a dragon and bird hybrid. Its wing span was massive, far greater than the actual size of the Aeon itself, with two powerful feet for standing and a long purple tail for balance, the Aeon was covered in red and purple feathers. Culminating in a long serpent like neck leading to a long, almost beak like face. It slowly descended to the ground, where it stood looking at Yuna. Yuna started to step forward, and stretch her arm out to stroke the Aeon. Valefor turned its neck slightly to the side so that she could stroke the long feathers on its neck. Slightly nervous, Yuna moved her hand back slightly, before gaining courage and reaching out and stroking the creatures neck. Which in return gave a rather loud, almost purring like noise in return. Yuna removed her hand and moved back towards the crowd, as the Aeon stood not moving, awaiting commands. Villagers all around began clapping as Wakka and Lulu ran to meet her, praising her achievement at her first Summon. Looking at Tidus, I could see that his face was that of a pure spectacle. He had never seen anything like it in his life. I quickly nudge him in the side to rouse him.
"Quite a sight isnt it Tye?" I ask
"Yeah... they are" he replies
Biting my tongue, I smile at his obvious mistake, but then I decided to satisfy my evil side a bit. Leaning over I whisper in his ear.
"I meant the Aeon" I say evily.
Becoming quite flustered, Tidus's face turned crimson, to which I burst out laughing rather loudly.
"I'd never seen anything like it in my life. Sure, it was pretty scary, but still…I could feel a strange kind of gentleness coming from it. Kaiser can be really evil at times, he caught me out good and proper. But still... I cant help feel that he has changed somehow. Not to tell by looking at him, I can just feel it. My only hope was that I wasnt going to loose the first friend I met on Spira." Tidus narrates.
"I think its safe to say that its one to me on the 'caught you out bigtime' scale. Not that its not obvious... well to anyone with eyes that is. I could see the way he looked at her, from the first time he saw her in the Trials, thats not something you forget easily." I narrate.
Looking forward again after I stopped laughing, I saw Yuna dismiss Valefor, who without a second thought, flew back into the air and the sky that spawned it. Yuna at this point moved past Wakka and Lulu and came towards me. Standing right before me she gave me a smile. Tidus had sheepishly shyed away at this point to where Wakka was now standing on the other side of the circle. His face still red I might add.
"Its your turn" she said sweetly
"My turn?" I ask
"Well I just summoned my first Aeon... so its time for you to summon your first duel monster of the Fayth" she replied with a grin.
Nodding and smiling back I make my way to the center of the circle. The crowd once again moving back to the edges of the circle as they await my summoning. Moving my arm before me I feel my duel disk activate.
"Kaiba was right, this thing does respond to my thoughts." I think.
As I begin to reach to draw a card, a large screech fills the air, and the entire village looks up towards the sky. Heading down from the cliffs is a Garuda Fiend, and not just any Garuda, this thing is absolutely HUGE. About five times the size of the one I had defeated earlier in the day. Heading towards the village, it started to flap its wings hard, sending wind waves throughout the village. Villagers began screaming and calling for Yevon to save them. In the end I saw that the Garuda was setting its sights squarely on me. Then it hit me. This Garuda must have be related to the one I had destroyed earlier, either is mate or its parent, as why else would it be focusing squarely on me?
"Quickly Summoner! Bring your Aeon back!" scream the villagers at Yuna.
"NO! THIS FIEND IS MINE!" I shout.
The entire village seemed to stop, even the Fiend itself seemed to stop flapping its wings and simply hovered in the air. Then I realised something, when I had spoke, I felt another voice speaking out with mine, it was Zane's voice. Without thinking I draw a handful of cards, four in fact, looking down at them, I see that to my horror, they are still all blank. But then I think back to what Kaiba had told me.
"The Deck too, it will sense the impulses of your mind, heart and soul, as a reflection of yourself you deck will come to be. So make sure you get it right" Kaiba finished.
Closing my eyes, I make a silent prayer to make proud the beings that now live in my soul, opening my eyes, I could almost feel this time that they had changed, and become metallic silver, as a overwhelming sense of strength flowed through me. I simply look down at my cards, they had changed, becoming actual duel monsters cards, smiling I see what they are. That Garuda was going down. Grabbing a card I place it in my Duel Disk slot for the magic and trap cards.
"I activate Polymerization! And fuse the three monsters in my hand!" I declare.
Holding them above my head, the monsters briefly appeared, three metallic snake like creatures that dissapeared into a swirling vortex above my head.
"ALL RIGHT! I CALL OUT... MY FAVOURITE MONSTER... CYBER END DRAGON!" I yell in my dual voice.
In an explosion of light, my monster appeared, as I slammed the fusion monster card on the duel disk. It was a three headed machine of death. The Cyber End Dragon. The creature was massive, easily towering over the Garuda, the dragon was a pure machine. It was completely metallic silver, extending its massive wings to full height two blue orbs could be seen on its wings, glowing brightly. Its body also had a blue orb, that connected the three heads together, each sligly different. The left head had green orbs along its long neck, and had no visible eyes, except for a green orb on either side. The red head was the same, save red orbs instead of green. The center head wore yellow orbs and did have eyes, that were white in colour. But the one thing that they all shared was that each head had a mouth, with razor sharp teeth in them. By now each head roared and hissed angrily at the Garuda, while its massive tail was swaying around in the sky... the dragon machine WAS PISSED OFF, and quite mightily at that.
Still the Garuda, refusing to be intimidated started to flap its wings at my Dragon, trying to harm it with its powerful gust attack, the dragon did not move an inch in response, simply continuing snarling at the Garuda. The Garuda then quickly lurched forward and clamped its teeth around the metallic surface of the middle head. Bringing its long tail around, it vaulted the Garuda over of its head and the Garuda was thrown back into the sky.
"ALRIGHT CYBER END DRAGON! PREPARE TO COUNTERATTACK!" I shout
Each head then raised itself backwards, charging up an intense clear energy stream in thier mouths. By this time the Garuda had recovered and was heading towards the Dragon once more. It was at that moment, that a sense of clarity entered my mind.
"So this must be how Zane felt everytime he summoned this dragon, such a strength of power coursing through my veins, I feel so alive. But now its time. Come on Kaiser, you've wanted to summon this monster for real since the first time you saw it on a card back home... so live the dream... enjoy it... as its not going to come again" I think.
The Garuda screeched as it came closer and close to my dragon once more, I siezed my chance and jabbed a finger forward at the Garuda before I yell.
"ATTACK NOW! MY CYBER END DRAGON!" I cry
Closing my eyes I utter those three words ive always wanted to truely say.
"ETERNAL EVOLUTION BURST!"
All three heads shot forward instantly unleashing thier energy fury upon the Garuda, the energy blast met as one as they hit the Garuda dead on, it was obliterated instantly, never even having the slightest chances of surviving such a fierce attack, all that remained was a collosal amount of pyreflies floating away in the sky. Its job done, my dragon roared in triumph before slowly dissapearing itself in a cloud of pyreflies. Taking the card from my duel disk, I placed it back in my deck as my duel disk deactivated automatically. The village was that of pure silence, no one knew what to do or say. In the end it was Tidus that started it all of. I could hear him faintly starting to clap, which was also then slowly joined by Yuna, pretty soon the entire village was starting to clap.
"Whoo hoo Kaiser! You totally rock man!" Tidus shouted
"Truely magnificent!" Yuna added.
The entire village started to join in, shouting praise in my direction. Never once did I leave the circle, just standing there, looking round at all thier smiling faces and chanting was more than anything I could have wanted.
"KAISER! KAISER! KAISER! KAISER! KAISER! KAISER! KAISER! KAISER! KAISER!" Chanted the entire village.
"After seeing Yuna Summon that Aeon, it was truely a sight. But when Kaiser took on that Fiend with his Cyber End Dragon, it totally blew me away. It was like he was a completely different person... but I could tell that he was still the same inside... because he took down that Fiend... alone... to protect all of us." Tidus narrates
"I take it back. That had to be one of the best moments of my life. Feeling such raw strength, summoning for real my favourite monster, living the dream, and having them chant my name because I saved them. This was the stuff that dreams were made of. If I were to die at this exact moment, I would know that I would have died a very happy man" I narrate.
Chapter 7 over with! Quite a lot to absorb from this one so feel free to look over it a few times! The rest of the crew are introduced, as well as a new face in the form of the duelist. Which brings up the point of why she is on Spira? Plus the Fayth have given Kaiser a lot to think about as well as a lot of power, considering the explosive way to end the chapter. Now that the Fayth have passed thier power to Kaiser, a lot of events have been placed into motion. Keep reading! Plus as always please review!