"These two will join us," Auron said and the oddest group you had ever seen stared at you.
The most normal was a girl who seemed both demure in demeanour and attitude. Her odd-coloured eyes were interesting and her outfit spoke of softness combined with tradition.
This was Lady Yuna if you listened to whispered people passing by on the way to the highroad beyond correctly.
She was important, for reasons you had yet to understand. The next was a woman with dark red eyes. Her braided hair held in place by pins was exotic. Her outfit a statement and a choice. No one would undress this woman without dedication and time. Time wasters and louts would burn with her disdain. As a small person yourself you didn't earn her full ire like Tidus, her disdain was mostly curbed to frowning confusion.
The last unknown member was some species of people you had never seen. A massive figure of muscle and stoicism. A broken sanded horn on his forehead, the lion-like creature stood watching over Yuna like a shadow. His blue fur and white hair made him seem like some mountain spirit.
Wakka, you knew... if this was a good thing or not, you didn't know yet.
"He has magic," the woman said, her voice like spiced rum. It rustled pleasurably in the air without being sickly.
"Such an interesting group. Greetings to you all, I am Eraqus. Hopefully, I will be of some aid for as long as we are together," you bow respectfully, voice calm.
"Eraqus, this is Lulu, our mage. Kimahri our jack of all, and our summoner, Yuna," Wakka introduced, perhaps a bit loudly to make sure you understood. You decided not to point out you had universal translation powers and could speak to sentient coconuts before he could learn a second language.
"Sir Auron... I don't object. I just don't understand why," Yuna asked and if Lulu was spice rum... Yuna was sweet tea served in a small delicate cup. Seeing attention turning to her, she held up her hands to deflect problems.
"Sir Tidus is a budding swordsman and interesting to talk to but... I don't know... about Eraqus..." she trailed off, perhaps hearing how strange she sounded.
"Forgive me. I overstep. Sir Auron vouching for you should be enough..." Yuna said to you after a moment.
"No, it is understandable. I am not exactly the most imposing individual. But I would like to make it clear that I am more capable than I appear," you promised and Tidus pushed down on your head with a grin.
"He can cast magic like Lulu and heal like you! He's a white and black mage... an er... Grey mage?" he tried and Lulu made a scoffing noise as if Tidus's intelligence on the topic of magic was offensive to the ear.
"Red Mage is the correct term. Being able to cast both schools of magic and being able to combine them are two different things. Even so... while I understand how he can learn black magic..." Lulu looked down at you with a puzzled glance.
"White magic is regulated by the temples. I don't see many of them teaching an Al Bhed child. As talented as he might be, the priests hold views more stubborn than Wakka," Lulu said calmly enough that Wakka flinched as if she slapped him.
"Perhaps Yevon blessed him to be special. I don't think he would care if one was Al Bhed or not... as long as they used white magic to help," Yuna said slowly, giving you a brief smile that told you she was quickly warming up to you.
"A few of my friends are capable of healing. I learned many things from them aside from magic too. I lend myself to many different situations, though my strengths do lie in ranged combat and support," you said, having no clue what to say to that. It was rude to say her religion wasn't that powerful or influential to her face.
"I don't advocate he becomes a guardian but accompanying us would... be a favour," Auron said after a moment.
What else could they say to that?
The group split off once again, to restock before heading along Mi'ihen high road, the next stretch of their journey. That left you with some time to explore... or perhaps speak to your new travelling companions...
This Yuna interested you so you went after her as she browsed a small market with her ever-present guardian, Kimahri.
"Oh... hello. Eraqus... is that right?" Yuna asked as she saw you approach. She had a polite expression but it was a little easy to see that she was nervous around new people, perhaps conscious of her image or how she came across to people...
As if she had an image to preserve.
"Sorry to bother you, miss. Wakka said you were a Summoner? Does that mean you can bring forth things as that other man did earlier?" you asked, making no effort to hide your curiosity. Yuna seemed taken aback by the question.
"Do you not... know what a summoner is?" she asked, puzzled then concerned.
"Summoning magic is not as common where I am from. Well, there was one girl I met who could do something similar but not in the sense of summoning a completely separate entity from yourself," you said, thinking of Mitsuru.
Yuna looked around then gestured for you to follow to the edge of the market that overlooked the ocean.
"Summoners are Yevon's answer to Sin. We travel around Spira making a pact with the Aeons that slumber in each temple. Using their power, we travel to the dead city of Zanarkand and make a pact with the Final Aeon to defeat Sin, bring the Calm," Yuna said, voice faint and eyes distant.
This was not her words but a lesson she had in her heart. A breeze made her short hair dance a little.
"Is that something you wish to do, though? You sound like it's something you're made to do rather than something you desire." You asked. Yuna looked like she might not answer before she spoke.
"I chose this life. No one else made me. I... it wasn't always what I thought it was but I don't regret who I am," she promised.
"Summoners are heroes of Spira. By their actions, peace and times of joy are delievered. To be a summoner of Spira is to be Spira's light itself," she said and she did truly believe that.
"I see. You want to help the people of this world. That's a noble goal. I think I can understand that. Sometimes things aren't always what they appear, but I suppose what matters the most is that you hold true to yourself in the end. The Heart knows it's own truth after all." you said calmly.
Yuna hesitated then turned to you.
"If I beat Sin, I can become a High Summoner. Do you think you'll be happy when I do that?" she asked, not quite cheerfully, but not sad either.
"Would you be happy?" was all you could answer back.
Yuna looked down at the sparkling water as the sun bounces off it.
"I think so. I think of everyone enjoying a Calm I created and it makes... me happy," she said slowly and then inhaled once.
"Tidus can enjoy his first Calm. He came from Zanarkand, a different Zanarkand than the dead city to the north," she explained, some real emotion about her voice now. Joy and excitement.
Yuna paused as she saw something. You looked up and that lightball from before was hovering by your face again.
"Ah, hello there," you said politely.
"That Pyrefly seems to like you," she smiled but it wasn't quite reaching her eyes.
"Pyrefly?" you echoed, as they seemed saddened at your hollowness, flowing around you as if trying to kindle some spark within.
"That's nice. I like bright things. I'm not sure what a Pyrefly is, though," you admitted. Yuna seemed to be pleased by this as if it heralded a better life than she expected.
"Pyreflies are the souls of those departed or some spirit able to use ambient emotions to conjure themselves. The more willful or powerful the person, the more Pyreflies they'd produce as if they couldn't be contained by merely one," Yuna said, gently brushing the spirit with her hand.
"I see. So they're the departed. It must be rather sad to see them at times then. And yet, they could also be seen as comforting, in a way... A reminder of the legacy the departed leave behind," you said and Yuna nodded.
"They're pretty but sad. If they linger too long they could become sad then angry... then hateful. They turn into fiends and just hate. I wouldn't want that for anyone," Yuna agreed before she giggled at the Pyrefly floating and hiding inside your hat.
"Maybe if you're lucky... it might turn into a Sphere with some help. Maybe it has some memories it wants to share with you," Yuna said softly.
"Maybe. I am a bit special when it comes to connecting with others," you agreed.
While you felt like you and Yuna connected... it felt like Yuna was keeping herself back, holding off allowing herself any 'bonds' beyond her existing group.
As if she was too afraid of any more friends.
Summoner lore revealed. Cost to unlock the Summoner class reduced from 200 exp to 180.
-
"Not exactly saviour of the world material at first glance, is she?" Auron asked as you found him on the highest building in Luca, looking down at its people as if it gave him perspective.
"No, but she's clearly a very kind person. I can see why she'd take on the role. Besides, few heroes really look the part, especially when skill and intent are more important." you argued and Auron merely nodded.
"She has Braska's will and her mother's steel. She just has no reason to use it against you. What will you do now? The journey ahead will mostly be dry of important places to the dream and I'm afraid escorting Yuna and her group will be..." Auron searched for the right word for a few moments, "testing at times," he said finally.
"For the moment, having allies will be of more immediate use to me. Though I've certainly grown over the course of my existence, I am not yet strong enough to fully face whatever this world might offer on my own." you were, of course, honest. "Besides, having connections to others is what grants people strength. At least, that's how it seems for everyone I know," you admitted.
Then casually you spoke up again.
"From what you've said, they are the key to resolving the dream. As such, even if it is long or frustrating I will help them. Besides, they seem like good people overall," you said easily.
"You're right about connections. It was the loss of mine that made me this way. Not all power lies in taking down fiends, however. Some things no spell or blade can tear down such as politics or belief that this spiral will last forever. Do you even know what Yuna is attempting?" he asked quietly.
The blue skies above seemed out of place for such a sombre conversation.
"I get the impression that I do not understand the full implications... And that those implications are what is making her hold back, avoiding further connection. It sounds like something self-destructive, given what she asked of me. I'm reminded of another person I've met. From what her friends told me, she thought it would help her entire world, but it sealed her self away so deeply that there was practically nothing of her left. So... it is my belief is that the Summoner who defeats this "Sin" that keeps being mentioned does not have a happy end. Is that correct?" you said quietly.
Auron grunted, maybe in approval... maybe in a tired way.
"You understood faster than Tidus, the boy's mind can connect a thousand Blitzball moves in a minute but can't see the truth before his own eyes," he turned away from the city and walked a little to the shade to drink from his bottle.
"This friend of yours. Was she too raised from a child to think of her life as but a mere currency to exchange for the people she loved and their... 'peace'?" he asked after a moment, spitting the word peace like it was something tainted.
"I wasn't directly told, but that sounds like it was the case from what I had learned," you admitted. "Is that such a regular occurrence? People being raised to die for the sake of others? Even if it can be considered a 'good' thing, I do not see that being truly benevolent unless the person themselves felt like it was an actual choice rather than something they're made to do,"
"It's worse than simply morally questionable..." Auron took another sip of his drink.
"It's completely pointless. Sin is defeated. Years pass. Sin returns. Sin is defeated. Maybe a few years pass. These years are called a Calm," Auron went on.
"Then why do it?" you had to know.
"Peace, even for a few seconds... is what we've been beaten down to chase after. Sin takes less time to come back... and our peace is ending. But the Yevon teachings prevent action. The temples prevent Summoners from trying things. The priests stop Machina from growing to stop Sin... but only hamper themselves in the long run. This is our last chance... to tell this story," Auron's words flowed out with a weariness that seemed to darken the sun around you.
"Then, hopefully, this last time will lead to something different. A hollow meddler and a determined ghost... What an odd pair, to be trying to save a World," you announced. Auron raised his jug.
"To hope," he agreed.
"And your hope is the blond teen in mismatch short lengths and a girl who can't seem to look him in the eyes without stuttering?" you replied dryly.
Auron eyed the drink in his jug, wishing it was stronger.
Auron N-Link formed.
Ignore 1 physical defence on foes.
"HAHAHAHAHA..." Tidus suddenly belted out. A few seconds, Yuna put her hands on hips and in some numb horror show began to join in with him.
"HAhaHAAhaaHAA!"
This must be a local custom, you joined them as everyone stared.
You put your hands on your hips.
"Ha... ha... hah," you said calmly.
"No, more emotions! Really make it come out bad!" Tidus said, laughing. You nodded seriously and conjured up every weird laugh you heard since existing.
"HON HON HON!" you barked.
This utterly broke Tidus and Yuna who dissolved into actual laughter.
You vaguely heard Lulu behind you.
"You know... it's not too late to call the Pilgrimage a failure and go home," she said, distinctly unamused.
"You know the rules, Lu. Two Aeons in and you sign away your right to quit," Wakka said sagely.
What an interesting group.
-
Mi'ihen Highroad was a plain with a big road going through it. Occasionally it was dotted with ruins and people... and giant yellow birds.
Inside one of the ruins, you spotted something that made you pause.
A shining blue aura that pushed away perception and a floating Moogle.
You approached the thing while people kept slowing Yuna down, asking if she was going to go High Summoner, which was extremely morbid now that you had context. These people were shameless. At least kids could have the reason of ignorance...
You nearly touched the Moogle when Tidus spoke up.
"It looks like Lulu's doll!" he said with interest. You jumped in surprise.
". . . Please do not sneak up on me. I tend to zap things that do," you warned before straighten up. "How did you... see this?" you asked, confused. Tidus just blinked.
"Dunno, I just looked over and saw the weird blue light. Why?" Tidus asked far too innocently for you to trust the answer," I also see blue spheres that no one else does. It heals me and sometimes everyone else. Must be related to me being from Zanarkand," Tidus humble bragged.
"Sphere?" you tilted your head.
"Yeah, Yuna could touch one but couldn't see it. Wakka couldn't touch it at all," Tidus shrugged, spiky blond hair moving as he leaned in to stare at the Moogle.
"Kupo," it said and Tidus flew back, rolling backwards in a yelp.
"It's alive!" he accused. The Moogle stretched.
"No, kupo... just very animated," the Moogle promised before it stared at Tidus.
You knew what it was seeing. The fact that Tidus had no Heart.
What was in his body was a tightly woven chain of memories so strong that they basically did the same job as a Heart in basic function. However, there was something in the middle, a spark of something... a proto-heart growing rapidly.
It was struggling since it seemed Tidus had been stuck as the same person for countless years and the chains really didn't want to shift from the sullen whiny teen they had been programmed to be.
You're sure it would be awe-inspiring if you could feel such emotions in rapid succession, but...
Hearts, it seemed, grew whenever an appropriate vessel was ready and experience some initial spark of connection.
Children to toys.
People to their favourite book or pen.
Dreams made real.
Perhaps... even those who lost their heart before?
Perhaps you would be growing as heart right now? Had your urge to dive into your different classes slowed that heart down... or hastened the process? You lacked information to be certain.
While they were different facets of people and jobs... they were also the depth of being a Nobody. Could a heart be dripped in such pale light and still connect? It seemed so, even if the price was perhaps less emotional range than a normal heart.
"Can't open an account to someone with an underage heart. Rules are rules, kupo," the Moogle announced and Tidus went from alarmed to insulted in mere seconds.
"I am mature!" he argued. The Moogle took another look.
"Chain of Memory is old, could have let you proxy access some accounts... but access to the following accounts are prohibited unless the account holders open it themselves. They are, kupo, King.D. IceQueen. Birbgurl. Hottiedemon69. Ixion. Endmyson. Moneygoeshere. And... Abugslife family account," the Moogle concluded.
"What... Are those names..?" you said after a moment.
"Oh, accounts randomly generate a false name based on what's most interesting about you or some joke to obscure ones identity for safety purposes, Kupo!" the Moogle promised.
"Isn't Ixion the name of that Aeon Yuna wanted?" Tidus said, kicking his feet with both hands behind his head.
"Kupo... somethings the system can't help those who don't care and just enter their own name three times in sign-up," the Moogle admitted.
". . . Huh. So what's the name on my account?" you asked. The Moogle zoned out to check, hopefully.
"Passive-Aggressive-Friendly-Sock," the Moogle reported. Tidus butted in with a gleam to his eye.
"I... can't actually deny that. It's entertaining at least." you agreed.
"What would mine be?!" he insisted. The Moogle crossed his arms as if to insist he was not a source of entertainment but decided at the last second to change his mind.
"Hm... let's see. It says here... "Your Heart must be this tall to ride'" the Moogle said with a smirk and Tidus reached to throttle the Moogle. You held him back.
"Please don't strangle the moogle. I may need him," you said casually and the Moogle made an 'it's okay' motion.
"I'm functionally immortal in this field. Don't worry. I won't smite him because I teased him. Now, kupo, have a bonus since you can't sign up," the Mooge said and threw Tidus two objects.
Tidus held up to familiar-looking stars on necklaces. One a mix of yellow and black... the other of pink and white.
"If you share that with some you care about... you two will always find your way back to each other. That's worth more than som account in an intergalactic shop, wouldn't you say, kupo?" The Moogle winked.
"Wayfinders are charms to keep those you care about close to your heart, even should you be worlds apart," you explained, remembering Stich and Aqua shared one as well as Aqua's missing friends.
"Sounds kind of corny, but I can give one to Yuna, that way if go back home, she can visit me or I can come back someday," Tidus said with a grin.
The Moogle turned to you.
"As a first-time customer of the Spira-wake Moogle Service, you get a gift!" he announced, confetti appearing out of nowhere.
The Moogle handed you...
[]500 Munny
[]An EXP ball worth 31 exp.
[]Magic sphere.
[]A page from a summoner's journal of old times.
[]A ancient Bevelle firing formation manual. Sharpshooter Limit.
The page was old but well cared for you scanned it quickly.
'-Every day, the war grows worse. I find that the people no longer smile. No one laughs... no one can even bear to look up with any form of hope. It turns out that my songs alone cannot bring light back to Zanarkand. Nor can my summoning ability raise moral. I wish I could combine them into something. A clash of Aeon abilities and song to end the fighting.
Shuyin grows angry. Every fight I am sent out to do, I come back to him in further distress. I sing to him but I only seem to draw Pyreflies.
Days later, I managed to dance with the power of my summoning... it soothed the dead like never before. Others call it macabre... some call it peaceful. None can argue I have reduced the fiends appearing. However, my song and dance cannot banish the darkness brewing in my love.
I will write him a special song. One that summons my love to him. Express my joy and light to him in a way a thousand words cannot.
Shuyin has gone to Bevelle for the foulest of weapons. If he is caught he will be killed, if he uses the weapon... all of Spira will die. I will follow... I will sing to him.
I love you, Shuyin.
My foolish Blitzball player.
-
Lenne. Summoner of Zanarkand and songstress of the city.
"Shuyin... I swear I know that name," Tidus muttered, reading over your shoulder. The coils of the chain within rattled uneasily.
"Old teammate...maybe? Or the guy who worked the stand outside? Maybe some neighbour...Shuyin... Shuyin..." he repeated over and over.
You didn't like the way something was responding to the tugging.
-
In a deep ravine, in an open cave mouth that poured with malevolent Pyreflies burning black, a shadow stood at the mouth, unable to leave... but awake.
"Le...nne," it breathed.
-
"Shuyin... I'm drawing a blank, must be no one important," Tidus said casually.
"Tidus, he was this Lenne's beloved and important to her as a summon of Zanarkand therefore important to a young summoner like Yuna. Don't be rude," you chided.
It was really telling the way these summoners seem to think and feel.
So...passionately about all things.
Summoner class: 18070 exp required.
"I suppose... but hey thanks for this and you're giving that to Yuna?" he asked and you nodded.
"You're a little weird, but you're not a bad guy!" Tidus announced with a grin.
Tidus N-Link acquired: +1 speed.
"You seem a cheerful sort yourself. I look forward to working with you," you said with a nod.
The Moogle looked at your savings and merely said it would hurt less if you didn't look at his wares until you had more cash.
You gave Yuna the journal page that you claimed to have gotten off a trusted seller and Tidus stumbled over agreeing.
"It was Mo-" he began and you cut him off.
"Most interesting person," you agreed. Yuna devoured the page with her eyes and even Wakka seemed a little respectful of the thing once Yuna confirmed it was older than some texts in the temple.
"I feel sad for her. Lenne," Yuna said, tracing the name at the bottom.
"The last lines were ominous... I wonder what the 'foulest weapon' he intended to use was?" you asked and no one seemed to have an answer.
"Breaking into old-Machina riddled Bevelle to end the war with a giant foul Machina sounds like an idea you only do if you were in love and deseprate... No mention of Sin, ya... do you think this Shuyin might have got the ball rolling on Sin's birth?" Wakka asked with a deep hum.
"It's possible. The war between Bevelle and Zanarkand ended abruptly when Sin razed Zanarkand to the ground then Bevelle's Machina army. This Lenne speaks of the war as a long term thing... something she's lived through," Lulu admitted as they all took a moment to rest in a tiny off-shoot path on the high road.
"If Machina so foul but strong. Why not used against Sin in old days?" Kimarhi spoke for the first time ever and that was a heck of a voice.
"It's possible they were but proved ineffective... Or, that they were discarded for being too powerful, too difficult to 'aim', so to speak... Or, that Sin's initial razing destroyed the most powerful ones before they could be used, and made replacements impossible. Even if you have the knowledge to make a machine, you still need materials and time... Things hard to come by in an era already torn apart by war, and then a cataclysmic beast's assault," you listed and Wakka puffed his chest up.
"The kid knows it. It's the same reason any Machina isn't used without Yevon's blessing," Wakka said easily.
"Can't be controlled or it can't be turned off, or it doesn't care who it kills," Wakka held up three fingers with conviction.
"Though, such things tend to be the fault of the creator rather than the product itself. Only madmen create weapons that they cannot control," you said and Wakka drooped slightly.
"I can hate on Zanarkand and other places for Machina... but even Bevelle had a bad past. The worst of the lot lived there. Materials from the lake, stone from the Calm lands, wood from the forest, and even powerlines that used to run all the way to the Thunder planes. Bevelle had everything they needed to make the worst of Machina... and they did," Wakka explained, bending down with a rub at the back of his head, looking at you.
"It's not just Al Bhed, we all messed up big time and sometimes Machina can be good if we understand it and control it," he said, trying to explain himself.
"That's a sentiment we can agree upon," you said calmly.
"Everywhere I've gone, there's one thing that is consistent. People are capable of both great and terrible things, either drowning others in darkness or bringing them into the light. Hate is understandable for wrong doings, but remember to not let it consume you to the point that you can't think of anything else," you said and the group was quiet before your shrugged.
"I should know, you're not the first person to be angry with me on principle for what I am," you admitted thinking back to DiZ.
"I don't hate you because you are different... but I am getting annoyed we're taking so long to move on," Auron said abruptly, dispelling the atmosphere cleaner than his blade could have.
Yuna stood abruptly, holding Lenne's page to her chest.
"Sorry! Sir Auron, forgive us. Let's go, everyone!" Yuna cajoled.
"Fair enough. Apologies, Everyone. I tend to ramble when discussing heavier subjects," you agreed, seeing Tidus turn the pink star over in his hand before deciding now was not the best time.
The path down lead past some troops on these 'Chocobo's'. You could not stop staring at them.
To pass the time as Yuna was waylaid by a little girl then some nun... you decided to sort out the untapped power within yourself.
Your poured some power into warrior, getting up to the next stage.
EXP: 62 31
Warrior is now level 5
Gained:
General: +2 HP. +2 NP.
Warrior Only: Leech Strike: Do normal weapon damage and rolls then roll a d5 and heal for the result. Cost 3 NP.
Warrior Only: Physical damage increased by 3.
You felt good with this power flowing through you.
You did it again.
EXP: 0
Warrior is now level 6!
Gained:
General: +3 hp and +3 np
General: Speed increased by 2.
Warrior Only: Reduce Physical attack damage by 3.
Warrior Only: Piercing increased by 2
Warrior Only: Soul Forge: Once per level, create a weapon based off a class for the warrior to use. The class must have hit one of its milestones before it can be used. (6-7. 10-11, so on). Forms either a sword or a blunt mace. Class impacts base ability.
Warrior: An accessory in the form of...
[]A silver plume for your bucket helmet.
[]Thick boots with splay opened edges and point toes.
[]Silver and green poofy pants tucked into a belt.
[x]Dent chest armour with Eraqus symbol stamped on it.
[]Short red military cape with silver tassels.
[]Massive sheath containing the hilt of whatever main weapon you have equipped, length of the body. Does not impede speed.
[]Banner that is on your back. Vanishes in the fight or at will. Displays a cookie in the shape of a wayfinder soaring through the air.
[]Greaves and gauntlets, both dented.
[x]Upgrade helmet from dented bucket to angular design that inspires images of birds or something more fire-breaking.
The form shifted in your mind until you saw the Warrior form. It now had a darkened silver chest piece with the forming heart symbol that was also on your Sorcerer's cloak. The helmet had changed to be something that seemed predatory... leering slightly as if feasting on hearts would fill your own emptiness. Twin fangs and a snout...
It looked intimidating.
You wondered where it got the design from?
-
In the pits of Bevelle, in the lost mists that prowled the undercity and its past... something began to shine. A chest that was sent to be lost to time burst open as an orange sphere burned before becoming consumed in darkness.
The Dark knight rose.