You found you had the ability to sleep.
Sort of.
It was more heavily zoning out to the point time just flew past as you tried to conjure emotions... and memories. However, it turned out that peace was something hard to come by when you travelled with a summoner as Tidus left the store in a rush due to a panicked cry outside.
You stepped out to see something massive toppled over in the coral a distance away, Pyreflies leaking from its form. A startled worker from the agency was being helped to her feet by Yuna.
"Lady Yuna... it was struck down! If I didn't see it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it," the woman seemed to be babbling. The Fiend finally vanished, its squat face fading away.
"By who?" Auron asked, standing over them like a shadow, somehow making even Kimahri look small.
"A person in a black cloak... I didn't see their face, sir," the woman said, stuttering.
"Cloak?" Lulu echoed, red eyes narrowing.
"Well, they moved so fast. It could have been a coat, but it covered them head to toe," the woman said, eyeing the large open space as if hoping to spot the 'hero'.
"Which way did they go?" you butted in, doing away with your usual politeness. The woman pointed to the only road that led on. That would be the road Yuna would be taking to the next temple of her journey.
"Any features... weapons?" you encouraged.
"No... I'm sorry. I thought I was going to die," she said, looking down as if remembering how close she came to shuffling off this mortal coil.
"No, I should be apologizing. Take some time to rest," you said and Auron turned to you.
"Friend of yours?" he asked, voice sounding like he didn't have much care one way or the other.
"Not likely, but similarities are striking enough to cause me to ask," you admitted.
"I'm just glad. Chocobo Eaters are the thugs of Fiends. They are not easy to defeat," Lulu interrupted.
"I'm just glad no one was harmed," Yuna said, one hand to her chest, eyes closed in prayer. Nearby, more giant birds slowly returned to the coral, sensing their aptly named predator was gone.
"Would you all like a free chocobo ride to the next part of the journey? It's the least I can do since you saved them," the helper smiled, her tear-streaked face looking calmer by the moment. Before anyone could answer, she turned to you.
"You have to find a grown-up to ride with, okay, sweetie?" she beamed. You merely nodded.
"I'll ride with-" Yuna turned to Tidus but Kimarhi stepped in with a nod. Yuna's smile wasn't as bright as before but she still nodded.
"I ride on my own," Auron announced and the woman looked at her Chocobo numbers with pain but didn't dare argue. Wakka turned to Lulu who didn't seem to notice. Tidus looked between Wakka and yourself, thinking.
You walked over.
"We should resume our talk on the black arts and the impact of our differences," you said bluntly. Lulu stared as Wakka made some stuttering protest.
"Bold. I like that," she announced and scooped you up, amazing everyone. It made Lulu look strong, but you were mostly warm air and philosophy to be fair.
"Man... she could crush your Blitzballs if she really wanted to, Wakka," Tidus' comment came in after a moment.
"Ya..." Wakka sighed in defeat.
Once alone and on a giant bird, Lulu's huff of amusement was almost silent.
"Wakka really isn't that terrible. He means well," Lulu said as Auron took point with you and Lulu second in line. Yuna and her lion shadow in the middle and Tidus bringing up the rear with Wakka.
"I wasn't going to force the point... He does seem a bit zealous in his beliefs, I'll admit. However, it's less that I dislike Wakka, or Tidus for that matter, than I simply find your company more relaxing," you promised. Not quite true since you were never stressed, but if you had to sit with someone, you had a feeling Lulu was more knowledgeable on the mystical arts over say Wakka who might now more abstract facts or such.
Besides having death incarnate as a father, you didn't know what Tidus actually knew.
"Wakka is the norm for the normal Yevonite. My own faith is... strong but scarred. This is not my first Pilgrimage," she said quietly.
Then she added quieter.
"Nor my second."
"It speaks... Very highly of your own abilities, that you managed to survive such circumstances twice over. My apologises for the bad memories. Did they..." you tried to think of a correct way of phrasing the questions.
'Fail their Pilgrimage' sounded like an accusation.
"My first ended in pain in a Cavern far to the North in the Calm Lands. The blow was devastating and I became unattuned to my Sphere Grid as the pain was too great. I needed to be utterly guided back to Besaid. The second... Father Zuke couldn't do it. It was an amenable departure, but it stung to be so close once more," Lulu sighed.
"It must've been hard to lose companions along such a journey. I have yet to truly lose someone I care for, but there was a time I was without them," you said, not pitying her, but she seemed to be opening up to you due to your nature.
How odd that Lulu was talkative to a doll, essentially, compared to how she was with people.
"What are Sphere Grids?" you decided to ask as the road ahead took a slow turn, the Chocobo's not rushing, but making good timing. Lulu took a moment to answer as her dress ruffled in a warm breeze.
"Physical ore of the Farplane. They are occasionally found in sites of great death or collected in Guadosalam by the Guado. Their nature allows them to be harvested them with ease. They perhaps physical powers of powerful spirits past or perhaps a natural resource produced by the Farplane. Once carved, other orbs dropped from fiends, more Farplane materials, can be inserted to allow your own soul to flow through the grid, tapping into massive power," Lulu lectured as she eyed the horizon where some camp of soldiers seemed to be set up.
"You can only have one grid and once attuned, they are tied to your own person. If you were to go under extreme duress, perhaps even losing the sense of yourself from pain or emptiness... the Grid disconnects and it loses its power. Grids response by only progressing forward. Hesitation or falling back means losing all their power. It makes them unreliable to most people but.." Lulu smiled.
"I find them useful," she concluded.
"Then something such as I, a being of emptiness, would most likely not be able to connect with such a thing," you said simply. Lulu nodded above you.
"Sadly, however, you clearly don't need the help. Besides being unreliable, the Grids are sensitive to the Farplane. Storms or any issues and they can even turn off, but the Guado are keepers and well able to soothe the Farplane. It would take a truly terrible event to render all of Spira's Sphere Grids impotent," Lulu admitted.
"How very interesting. My own power seems to grow with my experiences and connections. The more things that I do, the more opposition I surpass, the more allies I make. All of these seem to lend me more and more strength," you explained as the ride seemed to be coming to an end.
"Perhaps you don't need a grid of hollow slots since you are in a sense... you are your own grid. Filling pieces with experiences and people to grow," Lulu mused, her voice dropping low. The conversation was cut off as an irate woman's voice could be heard through the clearing as you all approached.
"I am a Summoner. You dare halt my Pilgrimage?!" the tanned woman said, hand on hip. Her form was alluring with skin that spoke of long days in the sun, but toned muscles that promised she wasn't lazy. Her outfit might be strange for this place, but her home had to be tropical or some desert as it was more loose cloth stringed over undergarments.
Her black hair moved and the woman's hand's smoked with barely contained annoyance and fire magic.
Next to her was a man whose Sphere Grids must have nothing but Strength slots in it. Bulking with a boyish haircut and exposed chest crossed with belts.
"Be wary, while she has an attitude of a Dual horn, her magic, at least in the fire element, surpasses my own," Lulu warned under her breath as she slid off the Chocobo.
The woman turned as Yuna approached.
"They're barring all Summoners from passing," she said, brushing her hair aside as she regained her composure.
"Some operation. I wouldn't bother. I doubt even High Summoner Braska's name or the number of guardians you have... will change anything," Donna announced and you could tell she was older than Yuna by a few years.
Yuna merely looked down as if the words were harsh impacts. Donna turned with a shake of her head.
"Come, Bartello, we shall find another way around," she instructed and walked off. You looked up to Lulu who looked to consider if ice to the eyes or lightning magic to the ass would be too much, but she restrained herself.
"Yuna must fight her own battle's... especially when it comes to other Summoners," Lulu said finally and walked off to join Yuna talking to the gate guard.
"That Donna is trouble," Tidus said, sidling up to you as he felt out of place as well. At your look, he merely shrugged.
"You sound like you're speaking from experience. Should I be worried?" you asked and Tidus thought about then shook his head.
"I think she thinks Yuna lived some golden life and got special treatment... cause she became a summoner so young or I think so. I don't think Donna acts that bad with anyone else. She's just rude," Tidus said as he gestured in the air.
"That's a lot of thinking," you summed up. Tidus just shrugged again.
"It's tough when your old man is famous. People think you don't have to work to be good or that talent is something you just get given... it doesn't work that way," he said softly.
"I suppose I haven't seen enough of Donna to tell. Yuna just seems to work hard naturally. Still... This blockade does present a problem toward our progress." you pointed out.
"Perhaps I can help?" came a voice from the path you had not long come from. You turned, feeling that oppressive stare. Tidus stiffened as the others, bar Auron, made some kind of noise at his approach.
Backed by two people who shared his odd hand features and veiny skin... Seymour approached, gliding across the ground as if his ornate garments weighed nothing.
"Maester Seymour!" Yuna said and stepped forward with a bow of respect. Lulu and Wakka did the same, doing some cupped hand gesture. Auron turned from Seymour, unimpressed and Kimhari was doing his best to keep his hackles lowered.
Seymour came within a stepping distance of Yuna, smiling and for the first time, you felt he was actually pleased, not simply faking a smile... there was less...
Madness in his eyes as something about Yuna made him react differently.
"Forgive me, but I heard what the other Lady Summoner said. I don't believe your power or character is solely due to Lord Braska. He is impressive... very much so for his dedication to your mother. Proudly bearing their marriage to bind Spira together in unity even as it cost him his place in Yevon in the Clergy. My own father and mother attempted much the same but I regret to say there wasn't nearly as much success," Seymour said calmly, lifting Yuna up from the bowed position she was in.
Seymour lowered his hands.
"Your parents are important, but your choice to be here as a summoner today is your own path. Do walk it with pride," he encouraged before the fake smile seemed to snap back into place and some...piece of Seymour retreated to himself.
"For a moment, he seemed genuine, for a change... I'm not sure if that should be encouraging, or terrifying," you said and Tidus was glaring not just daggers into Seymour's back, but swords, spears, axes, and a more than a few butter knives for fun.
Oddly, under your hat, the Pyrefly that seemed content to just keep your head warm began to buzz. Seymour looked back after the men at the gate began to open it for Yuna and the rest of the group.
Seymour turned slowly and locked eyes right on you. His eyes went wide as if he saw something for a split second... the moment passed and he turned on his heel, striding off after the shaking carts containing monsters
"You know Seymour?" Tidus leaned in to whisper.
"I know of him, to an extent. Never actually talked with him though. I met him briefly in Luca, alongside Auron... He unsettles me. Darkness clings to his Heart, overflows from it, really." you said as you all begin to follow the road ahead.
"Good to know it's not just me. He just looks at everything as if it's all... pointless and he finds that funny," Tidus said quietly back to avoid upsetting Yuna was giving Seymour deep gratitude for helping them out.
A thought occurred to you.
"This won't help Donna's verdict that Yuna gets special treatment," you announced and Tidus snorted, kicking a rock.
"Donna would think if Yuna got hit by a boulder that she was getting special treatment. Forget Donna, she's just mad Yuna's going to beat her to the final summon thing," Tidus said with his nose in the air slightly as if boasting on Yuna's behalf.
"Perhaps... You should not boast on the matter of the Ending of a Pilgrimage, Tidus. It is a sensitive issue, I've come to understand." you warned and Tidus seemed to think about that.
"It is a big thing... huh? Standing there, knowing heaps of Summoners failed and Yuna's dad stood where she'll be standing. Sort of depressing when you thinking about it. But I know Yuna can do it. I bet she's going to sweep the temple run in record time," he promised optimistically.
You could break their trust and Yuna's decision not to tell Tidus about the ending of her journey, how it would end in tears. Shatter this fragile group before it was too far to turn back. Wakka and Lulu would find ways of leaving Tidus at the temple if he protested... or maybe Auron would force the issue?
You could do that.
"That does mean you will need to put in quite a bit of work yourself. A summoner needs powerful guardians to aid them on their journey, after all. Also to be sure that we are not outpacing our own growth... Or missing the journey for the destination," you reminded and Tidus nodded seriously.
"Got it. Yuna can count on me... and you. Yuna needs some young blood around or she'll get wrinkles by exposure," he said, smiling now teasing and he yelped as a lightning bolt struck the ground in front of him.
"Apologises, my old age made me mistake you for a Fiend," Lulu said, looking over her shoulder, showing everyone had been listening to the conversation.
Auron merely gave you a nod. A small sign of respect at your choice to keep quiet for the moment. Yuna also looked back with a sad smile, but she mouthed 'thank you' to you.
You responded with a tranquil thumbs up.
"And this is the first of many valuable lessons; do not ever make comments on a woman's age," you said to Tidus who stepped around the black mark on the ground with a nervous chuckle.
"Noted and remembered for life... I really hope I don't have to dodge any more lightning bolts on this journey..." he mumbled that last part as the trek went on, the road cleared of Fiends by these 'Crusaders'.
As you walked to the entrance of a path called 'Mushroom Rock Road', a man stopped you with a green top under silver armour, his hair cut a bit bowl-cut-like. His eyes looked flat.
He stared at Yuna for a time before he cleared his throat.
"Will the... Summoner and Guardians come this way to the Headquarters of the operation. Both Al Bhed and Crusaders are working hard," he said and he stuttered at he saw Tidus, seeming taken aback.
"You..." he began then looked down.
"Your shot in the tournament was amazing," he breathed, but you could tell the man's emotional response was simply put... exhausted. It was like his mind was burnt out by all the action going on.
"Thanks! Want me to sign anything?" he offered and the man twitched as if Tidus was too bubbly for this sort of event.
"No thank you," he insisted and Yuna nodded.
"Clasko, was it? You were with the Chocobo knights on Mi'ihen Highroad," she asked, remembering from yesterday. The man nodded and looked around humourlessly.
"I was stuck on patrol duty, forced to move about cleaning the top and bottom of Mushroom Rock of Fiends... an errand boy," he sighed.
"Clearing out potential dangers from within is an important job. It helps ensure that everyone else can do theirs without the worry of a fiend ambush," you said casually and Clasko eyed you with a strange look as if he saw something odd.
"So I've been learning," he agreed then waved you through to a twisting narrow canyon.
"If you do not mind me asking, have you seen anyone in a large black coat pass through?" you asked and Clasko shook his head.
"No, only Crusaders, Al Bhed, and yourselves," he answered, looking puzzled as if he had forgotten where he was, perhaps due to the exhaustion clear on his face. You left the poor guy to his job, hoping he rested before the big event.
The air in this 'Mushroom Rock' felt strained, with both the action and potential 'operation' to become, but there was something else. Something in the air was making your emptiness buzz. Something nearby was causing tension but also to someone without the protection of a Heart... extra sensitive to a dull ache of the world.
"This place... it doesn't sit right with me," you said to Auron who looked around.
"Feels like Zanarkand," he responded simply then walked on.
Yuna gave nods to Elma, a smaller woman who looked stone-faced but nodded back and the captain of both Clasko and Elma... a woman named Lucil whose fiery red hair looked tangled and her temper flared at ever chocobuckle she failed to fasten or order carried out to her demand.
More Crusaders and even a few Al Bhed loitered around the curving rocks that gave the place its name, but no one seemed able to hold cheer or hope before this fabled operation.
As you all neared the elevator at the far back, the intensity grew, not from above... but below, like the earth was leaking feelable anguish and despair. Peering over the edge, you saw a whole sub-terrain section with many paths leading into shadows and out of sight.
You'd have time, you think... to explore and rejoin the others before long. This palpable mist of dread and hate was not natural. But you decided to stick with the group, for now, riding the elevator up to the overlooking plateau that oversaw a massive beach. High above, suspended by chains was a massive cage that rattled.
As you all stepped past the tents, leaving Wakka and Lulu to mediate an argument between two Crusaders from their Island... your attention was caught to a rotund man talking to four people lined up before him. Auron grunted at the sight but did not approach.
"That is Maester Kinoc, Seymour's counterpart that controls the Crusaders and Beville Monks. He is... different than last I saw him," Auron said and turned away.
"-Nothing to report. Pyreflies are acting strange, almost hostile, but no visions or ghosts to be seen," a man with long dreadlocks going down his back reported. At his side was a man with silver hair, in a deep respectful pose, decked out in green. Next over was a bored looked man with an eyepatch, blond hair and purple clothes interesting. The last was a woman holding some sphere camcorder looking awkward and sullen, her silver hair and pale skin meshing well with her dark clothes.
Kinoc merely nodded slowly.
"Job well done. Crimson Squad provides results once more," he smiled and it was easy to see his disappointment.
"Tracks indicate someone entered the cave before us, but nothing else is strange. If a Summoner does pass by, perhaps a cleanse of the Den would be wise," the young silver-haired man bowed to Kinoc who nodded distractedly.
"Yes, yes... off you go now. The Operation will be beginning soon," he said dismissing them without fanfare.
You wondered if what they were talking about... was connected to what you felt below?
'Nothing there' was a big jump, but they were right... it was slowly fading as if the source was gone. It had just been hard to see while you were in the thick of it.
But it didn't make you think the trouble was over.
Darkness didn't fade. It just found a new face to wear.
-
Clasko walked on from his post, chest heaving a little as he used what little authority he had to bypass the defences to Djose Temple. Most gave him pitying looks, thinking he was fleeing.
It was so hard to think. His head was so...
A Pyrefly exited his back for a moment before it ducked back into his body and he picked up speed.
After all... this poor boy's mind. So pitiful. So apt at feeling useless. That was a bond he could use. He too felt the shackles of watching his life turn to ash. It would do but it would not hold.
Hate was stronger. Oblivion would be the heart he'd call home.
Clasko was so tired. The spirit possessing his body burning energy to make him go faster as all the fiends avoided him like a threat.
His first stop would be the temple and to see with his own eyes, what they had done to the art of Summoning... to his Lenne's art.
Then onwards.
He had a reckoning to bring to Spira.
-
There nothing that could be done, but you watched Yuna approach the silver haired woman.
"Hello...do you need any aid?" Yuna smiled and the woman stuttered as her group watched with amusement.
"N-no. I'm fine," she replied taciturnly. Yuna blinked then took the woman's hand.
"Thank you for what you've done. I'm going to bring a Calm so please... try to smile," Yuna said and the woman's red eyes bore into hers.
"No... I don't smile," she said briskly which seemed to make Yuna backed off for a moment but the woman carried on.
"I'll remember you... as you are," the dark woman promised and bowed, walking off stiffly. Her group began to tease her in their own way with getting 'slummy with the new High Summoner'. She looked pissed but didn't fight the comments too hard.
Yuna sighed as she joined you.
"A grim sentiment if ever there were... But oddly thoughtful, in a way. Something tells me she didn't particularly enjoy what you said." you added which Yuna nodded in acknowledgement.
"The Calm. Everyone deals with it differently, but without a Calm... we cannot sleep.. It is as if Sin steals our dreams from us as well as our hopes. Besides, I heard from others that some of their squad... didn't make it. Some confusion or madness, they were the last Squad to be sent on the mission and they're fine. Some Crusaders are spreading bad rumours about them and I wanted... to assure them that I didn't believe the rumours. That woman, she looks honest," Yuna decided.
You watched as the man with the glasses and dreadlocks was approached by a Beville priestess, doing her best to aid with a sharp tongue, but her pale face lit up as she ran over to the man.
Her outfit was thick with patterns of her religion and her blond hair that was briefly exposed was pulled back ceremonious.
"Sir Nooj..." she said and Nooj looked down then smiled as if pleased to see her.
"Liban, you are well?" he asked quietly and she nodded, looking quiet. Nooj touched her shoulder and looked serious.
"More confidence... you have the boldness to inspire an army... wear it proudly," he encouraged. Yuna smiled as she watched the exchange, glad for the distraction from the despair of the camp.
"I-I can't... I'm lower-Nun... Liban. I'm not that kind of person," the nun protested. Nooj leaned down and winked.
"Be someone else then. Show me what you got," he said with a voice that even Yuna seemed to flush at.
"Be someone else?" the Nun echoed as the group walked off to the elevator and vanished. Liban looked at her hands and turned to see you and Yuna staring.
She looked ready to bow in apologies but stopped herself.
"Uh... w-what are you staring at? Hm... l-loves?" she demanded with a stuttering haughty tone.
"Something wonderful," Yuna said behind her hand, smiling.
You gave her a thumbs up.
"Someone who seems to be trying her best. Remember, deep breaths help with the nerves," you said, knowing something about trying new emotions yourself.
Liban faltered but her confidence was on a roll now.
"Well, enjoy the show while you can, loves. I, Liba-" she cut herself off then inhaled once, pulling her nun hat off, revealing a long blond locks as she undid the top of her collar with nervous hands.
"The name is Leblanc, loves. Don't forget it," she ordered and stalked over, increasing productivity by 200% wherever she stopped, tapping her heel in annoyance.
Spira was just filled with characters... wasn't it?
Perhaps because it was going too well... too smoothly that something just had to go wrong. The cage above rattled ominously as a second cage burst open as if the monsters inside timed their movements in tandem.
One fell from the sky, some massive goliath of a Fiend with a curved body that ended in a scorpion tail with a second head instead of a stinger. Two massive wall-like arms blocked the main face from direct assault.
The second fiend was smaller but just as grotesque. Some plant fiend with large feelers looked to melted together with an amorphous blob.
The entire thing had sickly green veins running up it side but was only half as big as the other.
"Sin Spawn!" Auron called as the team rushed in.
"If we don't stop them, they'll fuse together into something worse," Wakka called, running with his head down.
Auron, Wakka, and Yuna went for the Scorpion, leaving Kimarhi, Lulu, and Tidus against the blob-plant.
You had to choose which team to aid.
In the end, you felt the Scorpion was a bigger threat and your scan spell got to work
Sinspawn Gui
HP: 600
Second head HP: 50
A powerful fusion of Sinspawn Fiends forced together to lure in Sin. Its two faces are its weak point. Its armours provide powerful armour and defence. If the head above is allowed to charge, you'll regret it...
Auron held out both arms, no longer taking it easy compared to previous fights.
You were the fasted at getting your rear into action and got going.
"Its body is rather durable, but it's faces are vulnerable. Auron, Wakka, I'll leave you two to keep it open," you warned. Not waiting for a response, you fire a sharpened icicle into the second hair above that looked like some mutated tick.
Your magic spell was wobbly but the tick was either slower than molasses or was in shock from the abrupt fusion it had undergone. The shard pierced through the creature, making the whole body shake in pain.
Magic damage: 11
Second head: 5039
Wakka decided to join you in pummeling the second head to paste as the easier target. Not only did his attack hit, but it seemed to hit into your melting ice shard, burying it deeper. The creature screamed in agony and rage, bleeding over its own hideous body.
Damage: crit 23
Second head HP: 16
Auron pushed his leg back before he launched forward. The creature tried to use its limbs to cover its face and shifting a little. Auron dodged the first swipe with a slight duck to his head and went in for the kill on the exposed arm joint of the right massive arm.
Auron's sword cut through the protective plating with ease, dismembering the fiend in a single swoop.
Gui main: 600553
Auron has complete piercing, bypassing all resistance.
Gui loses 50% physical reduction.
The limb flew through the air and broke apart before it even landed.
"Your story ends here," Auron promised the Fiend in a low tone. It seemed to only register the pain now as it screamed in furious squeals.
"Quite the disarming blow. Let's see how we can leverage such a thing," you announced and watched it moved suddenly.
It turned to stab, it's head and arm working tandem.
The second head spat something foul, a burning green acid, at Yuna who held her staff up, trying to move while the remaining arm tried to impale Auron.
Auron dodged, but the splash from the acid was big and Yuna cried out as her dress and skin began to blister.
Acid spit: 5 damage and Poison crit. Upgraded to Poisonra. Inflictes 5 HP for 3 rounds.
Yuna HP: 2217
The acid was either potent or Yuna had never been exposed to something so harsh because she stumbled wildly before falling to her knees... barely able to lift her staff.
It made the toxin inside her pulse faster.
Yuna HP: 1712
"E-Esuna!" she whimpered and a flash of white flowed over her. The blackness in her veins vanished and she gasped in relief, standing once more.
"I'm okay!" she called.
"No, you are injured," you called, running over as Auron and Wakka distracted the creature to give you time. Your cure washed over her and she inhaled once as her ruined skin and destroyed outfit repaired themselves neatly, not even leaving much of a wound other than some extremely red skin that might peel later.
"Thank you, Eraqus! I'll be better next time," she promised and got back to her feet.
Yuna1219
"Lulu said you were special... but I'm happy to see you're kind too," Yuna said, before she got her game face on, staring at the fiend with her staff raised.
The battle of the Two Sin Spawn raged on
And it had only just begun.