There's a new cover for this fiction that was created by the awesome artist, Djpunupipi! You can see it in its full glory on A03 or SpaceBattles; I highly recommend you do. Thank you, Djpunupipi!
There's also a new poll on my profile, because I'm a curious soul and I'd like to know who your favorite character in Memento Vivere is. Enjoy!
51: Challenged
Crack!
Jecht smashed his fist into Braska's face.
Rikku reached for him. "Jecht!"
He whirled on her, angrier than she'd ever seen him. "You lied, Rikku," he shouted. "You lied to me!" Auron moved to hold him back, but Jecht avoided him in disgust. "Don't touch me, man. You ain't any better than the rest of 'em."
Braska winced, probing his already-bruising chin. "They withheld that information on my orders," he said, working his jaw and casting a Cure.
"Like that makes it okay? A good team knows when to ignore a bad captain," Jecht spat. He glared at Rikku again. "Thought you knew that."
"I wanted to tell you – "
"Fuck you," Jecht said. "Fuck all of you. We ain't doin' this here." He turned and stalked down the road.
Auron leaned over and held his hand out to Braska. "It had to be done."
"Not in this manner." Wearily, Braska clasped Auron's outstretched arm and stood. He dusted the snow from his robes, wincing again when Auron gave him a not-entirely-friendly pat on the back.
"You left us no options," Auron said. "Drawing it out as you did was only more painful. This way we're still giving him a chance to decide for himself if he wishes to continue."
"Once again, I reached… too far." Braska wilted and trailed after Jecht with a pained look on his face.
Auron glared as Braska continued ahead. "I don't know what to do with him anymore," he admitted after a long moment.
Nudging Auron, she grabbed his hand and pulled him to follow. "I kinda think we can't do anything." She fell silent, also watching Braska and, further ahead, Jecht. "...You think Jecht's gonna ditch the Pilgrimage?"
If he did…
A brief flutter of hope stirred. Maybe – just maybe – things could change without her interference. Maybe there could be a future where Auron and Braska lived and Jecht wasn't turned into a monster.
She thought of Keyakku's time theory, and Auron's secret fear. But if they live, I might not be there to see it happen.
"Jecht? Abandon us? No," he answered, gripping her hand tightly. "We're his friends, and Jecht is loyal to the people he cares about." He drew her closer. "I'm betting we'll be stuck with him for life."
"Right." Rikku smiled wanly, unable to muster more in the face of her sudden hope being dashed. "He's not going anywhere." Especially when he knows it means leaving Tidus behind in Dream Zanarkand.
Auron's gaze tracked across her face, as if able to see her sudden melancholy.
But she couldn't – shouldn't – tell him more about the future. Knowing the truth would hurt all of them. Can I blame Braska when I still have so many secrets?
She looked away and picked up the pace. "Let's catch up."
The snowdrifts and the bitter cold subsided as they exited the plains; small spurs of crystal grew alongside the path, gradually transforming into the dense forest of Macalania.
Braska waited at the large split between Bevelle and the Calm Lands and began to speak as they came near. "He hasn't said a word," he murmured, canting his head towards Jecht, who was squatting on the other side of the crossing. "Maybe you should approach him, Rikku. I'm sure he could use a confidante, if not a friend."
Panic struck her. "I lied to him just like the rest of you, you know!" she hissed. "I bet he doesn't wanna see my face either right now!" Then she looked at Braska – the cause of the problem – and Auron – ever the emotional iceberg, despite his newfound warmth towards her.
...If comforting Jecht fell to either of them, it'd be a disaster.
"Fine." Swallowing, she gathered her courage and marched toward Jecht. "Hey," she called out.
He didn't answer.
She skipped forward and crouched beside him, wrapping her hands around her knees.
No acknowledgement as he stared at a rivulet of water running between the crystal trees.
She sighed and hunkered; Jecht could take his time.
The forest, unlike the snowy fields, wasn't much changed by the evening light. Slivers of floating crystal drifted through the air, ringing like wind chimes. The surrounding trees rose far overhead in twisted spires, blossoms of translucent foliage and glowing orbs of light interspersed between their twining branches. The sound of flowing water was everywhere.
You could almost forget all about your problems here. The soothing atmosphere eased some of her tension, to the point where it was almost a surprise when he broke the silence.
"No wonder you people made us. Who'd wanna live in this world?" he said before laughing bitterly and gripping his head. "I'm the dumb one, ain't I?"
"You're not dumb," she said, latching onto the conversation. "We kept this from you."
"Yeah, but I know everythin' now – just how screwed up this world really is. This freaky cult o' yours, that town-eatin' monster you haven't gotten rid of in a thousand years, even Braska's Pilgrimage…" Dropping his hands, he snorted in disgust. "But I still wanna be here. 'S better than the alternative. Crazy, ain't it?"
She swallowed. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
"You should be. I thought we were buddies."
The words cut deep. Her gaze skittered away from him to the surrounding crystal foliage, clear and transparent. Unlike the rest of us during this whole Pilgrimage. Guilt wracked her. Maybe if they hadn't let their secrets twist them into knots –
"…But I guess you can't be buds with lyin' losers, eh? I've been keepin' secrets, too. Can't expect y'all to do any different." He stood. "Time to come clean."
"Huh? W-wait!" Whipping around, she leapt to her feet and chased after him as he flagged down Braska and Auron.
"Yo!" he yelled, much too loud for how close he was to them. "Before we go any further, I gotta tell you guys somethin'." Jecht glanced over his shoulder at her.
Was he… asking for her support? After she'd lied to him? I thought he was still mad at me!
She shook herself. This isn't about me. It's about Jecht. And as open and careless as Jecht seemed to be, how many people did he ever really allow to come close? Buddies, he had said. She gave him an encouraging nod. I'm still your buddy too.
Jecht returned the gesture, then crossed his arms. "I ain't real," he said, then paused as if bracing for a blow.
"…Jecht." Auron's familiar scowl started to creep across his expression. "If this is one of your jokes, now is not the time – "
"Shut yer trap!" Jecht bellowed. "I only figured it out a while back, see. I thought I really was from your Zanarkand, but I ain't." He looked up at the foliage overhead, troubled. "I didn't ask to come to Spira. I was called, I guess. By somethin'. Or someone. Dunno how, but I ain't like the rest o' you. I ain't… human."
"While I've never doubted that you're a fine example of a sub-human, aren't you taking that analogy too far?" Auron replied dryly.
"Jecht, what are you talking about?" Braska asked, visibly worried. "I know you are upset at us, but we've travelled together for quite some time. I think one of us would have noticed if you were anything less than human."
Jecht crossed his arms. "One of you did notice."
Rikku scuffed her boot, not daring to meet the twin gazes that fell on her.
"…You're being serious, aren't you?" Auron asked. "Explain yourself."
"Not real…? You're certainly not Unsent," Braska said. "You've witnessed two Sendings. I'm not sure how you managed to travel through time, but if it happened to Rikku, there's no reason it couldn't also – "
"You don't get it, man," Jecht said with a tired sigh. "I ain't human. I'm like one of your pets."
"My pets – ?"
"He means your aeons," she offered reluctantly.
The soft tinkling of the crystal forest was almost deafening in the silence that fell.
"You knew about this." Auron's voice broke the impasse. "This was the secret you two shared."
"Yeah," Jecht said. "Guess I'm an aeon too. Somethin' like that, anyhow." He wouldn't look directly at any of them.
Rikku squinted at him. He's scared of telling us this, isn't he? What does he think we're gonna do? Abandon him, or send him back to Bevelle?
Stepping close, she punched him in the back.
Jecht wheezed and craned his neck, glaring. "The hell you doin' ?"
She glared right back. "Maybe it's because you're so dumb, but you're the bravest person I know," she said, her voice pitched low. "You faced this on your own head-on, not the way we tiptoed around you with Braska's secret. You know, Tidus is also my friend, and you two are the same. I think you can call me an expert when it comes to befriending your kind." She dropped her hand. "I know it's harder now, but you can still rely on us."
Jecht's eyebrows lifted, expression naked and open. "You really think it don't matter that I'm an aeon?"
"An aeon?" Auron scoffed. "If so, you are the most pathetic excuse for one I've ever seen. Is the Mark III your special attack? Hnn," he added, loading the syllable with contempt.
"It was good enough to take you down, wasn't it?" Jecht shot back.
"It was nothing special," Auron replied, dusting his hands as if to rid himself of a problem. "You may as well save yourself the embarrassment and stick to calling yourself a human."
"That ain't what I'm sayin'! What's your problem, man? You ain't listenin'!"
Auron shrugged. "I heard you the first time. You're the only one here who has problems understanding." He turned his head and huffed. "Frankly, you're terrible at this."
"Look, Auron, the hell are you – "
"I suppose," Auron said, even louder, "despite being such a subpar specimen of the species, you've still somehow managed to retain your humanity."
Jecht's protests died out. "Oh." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Ya know… you ain't so bad for a stiff." Then he looked up, grinning. "But don't this mean it ain't fair for me to fight ya? I mean, technically, I'm one o' Braska's war gods, right? Lemmie see, he's got a god of Thunder, Ice, Fire, and Wind… wonder what that'd make me?"
Rikku rolled her eyes. Is he gonna –
He puffed up. "Jecht, God of Blitzball. Oh yeah."
"A war god? What a fertile imagination you grow in that empty space between your ears." A smile lifted the corner of Auron's mouth. "If you want to back out of our duel that desperately, you'll have to think up of a better excuse. Wimpeon."
"Better than bein' a Stiff." Jecht's relieved grin faded when he looked at Braska, silent and still sitting. "You're bein' awfully quiet."
"I'm trying to comprehend what you said." Braska frowned, staring at Jecht. "How can you be summoned? Who summoned you?"
Rikku dipped her head, her guilt making a swift return. Well, how am I supposed to know what a buddy would do in this situation? No matter what Jecht thought of holding back, she was pretty sure no one was prepared for the answers she had – not even Braska.
And how could she even explain Yuna's involvement with Shuyin, Lenne, and Vegnagun for that matter? Braska would have a fit; he was convinced his Pilgrimage would put his daughter out of danger. I can't tell them.
Braska's frown deepened. "There's nothing I've ever come across in the Teachings that could – "
"You're overthinkin' it, B," Jecht said, clearly taking their acceptance and running with it. "Hell if I know either. There ain't nobody stuck in my head tellin' me what to do. I'm my own man." He coughed. "Though there is a certain pain in the ass that orders me to do these freakin' sword drills…"
Auron stared Jecht down until the taller man fell silent.
"That you are," Braska said, expression lightening. "Nothing you've done has ever led me to doubt your humanity. And, either way, I've no grounds to criticize you for keeping this from us."
Jecht sobered. "Yeah, 'bout that… we gotta talk." He looked at Rikku. "Blondie, go take the Stiff and make out or somethin'. I'm stealin' Braska for the rest of the evenin'."
"Are you gonna be okay now?" she asked in a small voice. He really should be angry at all of us, not just Braska. Is it really that easy?
As if he could read her thoughts, he socked her in the arm. She stumbled forward.
"This is fine, I ain't too mad. I mean, I guess you had your reasons. Not that I like 'em any. But…" Jecht smirked. "You ain't hidin' anything else, are ya? Huh? Huh?"
Rikku was happy she wasn't facing Jecht; she didn't quite have the same control over her face as Braska did over his.
"So what about you, Auron? Time to fess up."
Auron stiffened. "What?"
"C'mon," Jecht said. "You're the only one here who hasn't overshared yet. You gotta have some big secret hidin' under that coat!" He stopped and gave Auron a sly grin. "You ain't actually a woman under there, are ya?"
From the way he was wiggling his eyebrows at Auron, it looked like Jecht was still willing to be friends with them after all. Almost lightheaded with relief, she grinned and latched onto Auron's arm, matching Jecht's leer. "Oh, I can promise you he's definitely not."
"Jackass," Auron muttered, stomping forward and dragging her with him. "Bring Braska back here in the morning. Don't wander too far off in these woods, either. You remember what happened last time."
Rikku tripped after Auron, leaving the two men behind. "You think they'll be fine?" she asked.
"Braska made a mistake," he replied. "He has to face the consequences of this by himself. It's not our place to interfere." He slowed to a stop, then chuckled, although it wasn't a happy sound.
"What's so funny?"
"This must be the strangest Pilgrimage Spira has ever witnessed," he admitted. "I'm not sure how we've even succeeded this far." He trailed off, humor leeching from his voice. "If you travel on a Pilgrimage in the future, then Braska's fails."
It wasn't a question, a statement that hurt all the more because it was the first time Auron had expressed any doubt about their journey.
She bit her lip, startled. I… recognize him.
It wasn't any discernable change; he was still young, still whole, and for the most part happier than she'd ever seen him before. But there was something about the way that he spoke that unsettled her. A look in his eyes, perhaps, or the weight of his voice. For the first time in a very long while, she remembered Auron as she'd originally met him, jaded and bitter.
"Don't say that," she blurted, feeling desperate. "Don't go down that path."
He stared at her, troubled. "...Was I right to support his decisions as I have up until now? Should I have tried to stop him?"
She couldn't bring herself to answer his question, and her chest constricted – there were no answers to be had, anyway. "This Pilgrimage is important," she eventually settled on. "Without it, we wouldn't have found each other."
Auron's pained expression softened, and he drew a finger under her chin. "That is someth – "
"Ah, a summoner party."
They froze; a woman stepped out of the shadows.
"How very interesting," she said. "Pardon my intrusion, but I hope you will allow me to join your camp tonight. There is safety in numbers, after all." She smiled shrewdly at them. "And perhaps I could trouble you to tell me of your journey?"
.x.x.x.
Jecht sighed in satisfaction as he plopped onto the ground next to the small pond, and started pulling off his boots. "I hate shoes!" Rolling his arms, he popped a few more wetsuit stitches as he struggled to shuck it off as well.
"Indeed," Braska said, sidestepping the thrown outfit.
"I'm just glad it's not the asscrack of winter cold here." Jecht leaned back on his elbow.
"While I agree, I do not believe you called me here to watch you disrobe and discuss the weather," Braska said, settling across from him.
"You're right." Jecht fixed Braska with a serious look. "I thought after Djose, there was no way you could hurt me any worse, but guess I was wrong." He rubbed a scar on his chest. "Were you just gonna let me keep on goin' without knowin' anything? All of you?"
"They were under my orders," Braska repeated. "And, it was some time ago now, but Rikku did request I tell you the truth before Mount Gagazet."
"Yeah, but ain't that just around the corner?" Jecht crossed his arms. "Some friend you are."
"I am sorry."
Jecht scrubbed the back of his head, groaning. "If you're just gonna die, why are you doin' this at all?"
Braska folded his hands in his lap. "I want to create a world free of Sin. One for Yuna – "
"Don't bring up your little girl," Jecht snarled. "You ain't doin' nothin' for her by dyin' !"
"But I believe I am," Braska replied.
"You can't even hear how you sound, can ya?" Jecht asked with an air of realization. "You really believe all this shit."
"Only by believing can I find the strength to continue on."
"Listen to you. You're just as crazy as your cult," Jecht grumbled. "You got everythin' right here, right now, and you're throwin' it away on a dream! What's the point of defeatin' Sin if you won't be around to see it with your little girl afterwards?"
Braska sighed. "I did not want to 'be around' afterwards. I did not want to 'be around' before, either," he admitted. "Sin already destroyed my most precious memories."
"Don't make me punch ya again!" Jecht roared, silencing Braska. He muttered under his breath for a while, clenching and releasing his fists. "Precious memories. You don't think of no one but yourself, do ya? I got a wife and kid too, ya know! Yeah, you lost your wife, and I'm sorry an' all, but you still got Yuna. Do you even know what I'd give just for that?"
Braska pursed his lips.
Looking away, Jecht continued, "My wife, Anne… my boy, Tidus. I don't even know if I got that much anymore. You're so hung up on your dead wife that you can't even see what you have in your livin' daughter." Scrubbing his face, he redirected his red-rimmed glare towards Braska. "That's your problem. Thinkin' everything good in your life's come and gone already. How can ya live like that?"
Braska studied his clasped hands, sober. "One might say, I was not trying to."
"An' that's what I don't get! How can ya do that to Yuna, huh? She's your flesh and blood!"
"Auron was more of a father to her than I, after Raenn died." Braska's tiny smile was pained. "Another of my failures, you might say. This… is the least I can do for her, now. It is my apology. And my promise... Yuna's future should be filled with happiness. Her life will be better without me in it."
Jecht paused and shook his head. "I think yer gonna regret this, but I give up. It's like talkin' to a Ronso defender. 'Cept the Ronso are more flexible." He narrowed his eyes. "Still, none of that answers why you lied to me in the first place."
"Honestly?" Braska sighed. "…I wanted to look at this journey through fresh eyes. You were untainted by the shadow of Sin." He tilted his head. "You still are, by and large thanks to your… unique origins. I suppose I've been trying to live a second life through the eyes of each of my Guardians."
"No kiddin'. Look at the mess you made with Auron an' Rikku."
Braska's expression pinched.
"Alright, alright." Jecht held his hands up. "It's not really my business, but the three of you together? That's a disaster in the makin', no matter where this Pilgrimage ends up."
"Our conflict will resolve itself with the end of my journey," Braska said.
"Becomin' a noble sacrifice is a coward's way out, if ya ask me," Jecht muttered.
"Go on."
Jecht did a doubletake. " 'ey, uh… you are askin' me?"
"It may seem strange, but yes. I believe I am considering taking advice from you. Auron would be mortified." Braska smirked. "Especially since you just encouraged me to interfere in their relationship."
"What? No, wait! I didn't say that, B!" Jecht craned his neck back toward the path as if Auron would suddenly materialize. "I just think you shouldn't be in such a hurry to off yourself, is all!"
"Peace, Jecht," Braska said. "I understand what you meant."
Jecht's panic receded and an annoyed expression stole across his face. "I'm beginnin' to see what Blondie meant."
"Rikku mentioned me to you?" Braska leaned forward, eyes lighting.
" 'Bout how much of an ass you could be sometimes. I see it now."
Braska deflated. After a few moments of silence, he glanced at Jecht.
"... do you wish to talk about yourself?"
"If you wanna." He shrugged. "I've known 'bout this aeon stuff for a while."
Braska coughed. "Forgive me, but how did you find out that you are… ?"
"Rikku's lil' musician friend told me. The thing in that sphere's from Zanarkand, too. But the real one, a thousand years ago." He picked at one of his toenails. "Don't know where I came from, not really anymore. Just fell outta the sky one day, started my life as a real person with a bang."
"Puzzling," Braska mused. "Every aeon must be called by a summoner, but I know of no one powerful enough to conjure one for so long. Nor have I ever met an aeon with a will so free as yours. I just don't understand. Are you sure you aren't a human from either the past or the future?"
Flicking his fingers clean, Jecht plunged his feet into the pond. "I'm thinkin' it's probably Yevon's doing or somethin'. Y'know, like the machina in the Cloisters. I mean, your Church is in control of all of them other aeons, ain't it? So I gotta be a part of that somehow. And... I ain't a hundred percent sure 'bout that free will bit, neither."
Pulling off his own shoes, Braska joined Jecht at the water's edge. "Perhaps free will is merely an illusion. I knew my fate was intertwined with Sin's even before I began my Pilgrimage. If all roads eventually lead to death, at least this Pilgrimage was, and remains, my own choice."
"Huh," Jecht grunted, splashing water to break the quiet. "Ya know, I'm not even sure if I can die. Your aeons never kick it permanently when they get wiped out, right?"
"Please don't test your hypothesis," Braska said. "I'd be most upset if you were incorrect."
"Hah! Don't that make us a pair, then? I ain't sure if I can die, and you ain't sure that you can live."
"Actually…" Braska trailed off, studying the reflections. "I do know the answer to that. I cannot live. That is why I must do this."
"Blondie tell you that?" Jecht rolled his eyes at Braska's faint nod. "There you go again, assumin' everything's set in stone. No wonder Spira ain't defeated Sin in a thousand years. None of ya are willin' to try a new move."
"I'm fairly sure what Team BARJ – " His face twisted at the acronym, but he rallied. " – is doing has never been done by any other summoner's party before. I, a fallen priest, with a disgraced warrior-monk, a time-traveller, and an aeon as my Guardians? Who knows what the future will bring." Braska's expression grew mischievous. "It's exciting, isn't it? I'm certain Bevelle thinks so."
"A thrill a minute." He glanced at Braska. "So, you ain't givin' up, then? Gonna see this through to your death while Spira cheers you on?"
"What else can I do?"
Dropping his chin to his chest, Jecht sighed. "Messed up," he said. "This world is messed up."
.x.x.x.
Morning sun filtered through the canopy; the crystalline air cooled the brightness down to a dull imitation of daylight, swathing the forest in a sleepy atmosphere.
Rikku paced along the path, chewing her thumbnail.
"Calm down," Auron said, gaze trained on their new companion. "We'll handle this however it turns out. Even though she's apparently not your previous summoner," he added under his breath.
My luck just keeps on getting better and better. She sent him a weak smile.
Auron only sighed.
Braska and Jecht entered the clearing and her pacing stopped. "Hey!" she tried to warn them, jumping and waving her hands. Don't say anything suspicious!
Now would be a great time to develop telepathy.
"Auron. Rikku. Good morning. We apologize for keeping you waiting overnight," Braska began, then hesitated. "I had not realized you had company."
"Your companions were kind enough to offer me shelter last night," the woman said. Bowing, she looked him over with a faint smile. "Lord Braska, I presume? I've heard much of you."
Braska returned her bow. "I am afraid I do not have the same pleasure, Miss…?"
"Away with those needless formalities. My name is Belgemine, a fellow summoner."
Braska's expression froze, but he recovered smoothly, rising from his bow. Rikku swore she could feel his eyes boring holes into her, even though he didn't once look away from Belgemine.
"Well, this is a surprise. Perhaps I have heard of you after all," he said with a faint arch to one brow. "What brings a fellow summoner to seek me out?"
"I've come to offer you a challenge."
"Oh, here we go," Rikku muttered.
"What challenge?" Auron stepped forward in alarm. "You said you only wished to meet him. What are you planning? Were you sent from Bevelle?"
Belgemine's low, rolling laughter spilled out. "Hardly," she scoffed. "No one has ever sent me anywhere, Guardian."
Rikku choked. Was she always this obvious about it?
"We summoners are no tools of Yevon," Belgemine continued. "Let the Maesters say what they will; a summoner's sole duty is to destroy Sin. Nothing more, nothing less."
Braska waved Auron away. "It takes courage for a summoner to say that, especially in the shadow of Bevelle. What sort of a challenge were you thinking of?"
"A battle between our aeons, a one-on-one match." She pulled out a richly decorated scepter, tapping it in one palm. "Not to the death, of course. Shall we see who is stronger?" Her words were kind, but the look in her eyes was flinty.
"Whoa whoa whoa, are we gonna get to see an aeon smackdown?" Jecht asked, looking between the two summoners. "Who even is this chick?"
"I'm merely a concerned resident of Spira," Belgemine answered, her eyes still fixed on Braska's. "Your companion has the right of it. Do you accept the challenge, my Lord?"
"While I appreciate your enthusiasm," Braska told her, "I am not sure I see the point in engaging a fellow summoner in a show battle. Rather than wasting time with meaningless posturing, we should support one another's journey."
"Bad move. B looks like a real wuss now," Jecht muttered.
Auron smacked Jecht's head then hissed, "Do not trust her intentions!"
"But I ain't wrong, am I?" he replied.
Rikku stifled a grin when Auron went silent.
Laughing, Belgemine lifted the sleeve of her robe over her red lips. "What's this? Reluctant to duel me in a friendly match, yet you plan to face Sin with that attitude? Are you even good enough, I wonder?" she prodded.
Braska's polite smile thinned. "Of course, if you insist, I would be happy to oblige you. What are your terms?"
Belgemine dropped her hand, and her predatory grin widened. "How do you feel about testing your stamina as well?"
"Testin' his stamina? ...That's some come-on line," Jecht whistled. "When did Braska become our resident chick magnet?" He pointed at his abs. "Lady, are you blind? The goods are over here!"
"Can it," Rikku mumbled, grabbing Jecht's arm and dragging him away from the two bristling summoners. "I think we better get out of their way."
"A stamina match is acceptable," Braska said, tightening his grip around his staff.
"The best of five rounds." Belgemine's flirtation disappeared, replaced by something serious and grim. "The first to defeat three aeons shall win. Show me how strong of a link you've forged."
The two summoners circled each other; Braska was spinning his staff. "Ladies first," he offered with a dip of his head.
"As you wish," Belgemine said, planting her feet and thrusting out her scepter. With a wide sweep, pink motes of light followed the motion of her weapon into the sky.
"What kind of a wimpy attack is that?" Jecht complained. "And with that girly mini-staff, too?"
The pink sparkles faded, and the sky turned pitch black with an ominous ring.
"Holy shit, never mind," Jecht blurted, eyes wide. "Did she just… make the sun disappear?"
Auron watched the flower petals rain down, bemused. "Braska said he'd collected every aeon. What in Yevon's name is she calling? And why is she not falling into Rapture?"
"Yojimbo," Rikku whispered, cringing at Auron's sudden cutting look. "Eh heh heh…"
Komainu barrelled out of the forest and butted his head against Belgemine's robes. Yojimbo emerged from behind the trees a moment later, his steps measured. He stopped at Belgemine's side, one hand on the hilt of his wakizashi, the other extended, palm-up.
Belgemine dipped her head and dropped some coins into his palm, which the aeon tucked away.
Yojimbo straightened, facing Braska.
A moment of shocked silence followed from the others.
"It demands gil?" If Auron could sound more offended, she'd be surprised.
Rikku shrugged. She'd had to work hard stealing gil in the Calm Lands to keep Yojimbo fed during Yuna's Pilgrimage, after all.
Wait. She paled.
Yuna had actually been pretty smart with her money. But if Braska found and used Yojimbo –
"Oh, poopie," she whined. Being rich was nice while it lasted.
Braska's surprise turned into concentration; swinging his staff low, he bent his head, the familiar runes forming around him. They were mirrored in the sky, as Bahamut broke through the clouds, dispelling the illusory image of the moon. His landing made the ground shudder, crystal shards flying.
Yojimbo reached for his sword.
Bahamut lunged forward, one meaty talon formed into a fist. He swung – Yojimbo sidestepped the attack – and exploded a chunk of ground.
Yojimbo pointed; Komainu rammed full force into Bahamut, pushing the dragon back.
"There's two of them," Auron observed, his eyes narrowing. "The dog is a separate but weaker aeon. How is that possible?"
Yojimbo crouched and drew his wakizashi, sending out a fierce wave of energy.
Bahamut shielded himself from the impact with one wing. Straightening, he shook off the attack and roared, gathering crackling balls of dark energy. Throwing his arms out, he sent the attack flying towards Yojimbo, who slid backwards.
"Damn…" Jecht said, ducking as smashed bits of the forest flew past. "I'm feelin' a little inadequate here."
Rikku gave him a conciliatory pat on the back. "Don't take it so hard. Those are two of the strongest aeons out there. You can catch up later!" She grabbed onto Auron to keep her balance as Bahamut attacked again.
"I don't think I wanna catch up if it turns me into that," Jecht replied, pointing.
Yojimbo was lifting two fingers; a swirl of black at his feet spit out a katana, which the aeon caught in one hand and drew, before throwing himself into a deadly spin.
Bahamut hunkered down to weather the attack; instead, the sword sliced cleanly through him, sending the dragon's wing and the better portion of his upper torso flying. The remains of the aeon's body toppled, drifting away into pyreflies.
"... Wait, I don't count as one of Braska's aeons, do I?" Jecht gulped. "He ain't gonna call me next?"
"If he does, use your free will to run the other way," she said, smirking.
Jecht flipped her off.
As the last of Bahamut's pyreflies disappeared, Braska fell out of Rapture gasping, his eyes wide.
Belgemine smiled, smug. "A point for me. Shall we continue?"
His expression soured and he kneeled. Pillars of flame roared into life around him, and Ifrit burst out of the ground.
Yojimbo dipped his head in acknowledgement and placed his hand on his wakizashi.
"Braska's trying to overwhelm that aeon with strength," Auron observed. "But Bahamut was his strongest aeon."
"That's… not really true…" Rikku trailed off. Braska could win this battle if he'd only call on his most powerful aeon. Why was he holding back from summoning Anima? Because of her?
Komainu charged, but Ifrit caught the dog by its neck and squeezed.
There was an audible snap and the dog dissolved into pyreflies.
Growling, Ifrit summoned a meteorite and punched it at Yojimbo.
Yojimbo split the rock in half, but was still blasted by flames when the shards exploded, burning away his cloak. Staggering, the aeon reached into his coat and tossed a handful of daggers.
They struck home, peppering Ifrit's shaggy hide like quills; the aeon roared in pain. Leaping high, Ifrit bared his teeth and landed squarely on Yojimbo, then punched him until all that was left was a Yojimbo-shaped hole in the ground.
The humanoid aeon faded into pyreflies.
Belgemine's smile dropped. "Not bad," she murmured, lifting a hand before her face and closing her eyes. "But it's not over yet." The air around them cooled as Shiva descended from the sky.
Auron had finally unclenched and was now watching the battle with avid interest. "Look… she's entering the Rapture now, unlike before..." he mused. "I've never seen a summoner able to function while summoning." The surprise of Belgemine's challenge had worn off; it was clear she wasn't trying to injure Braska – only his aeons.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Rikku observed as a gust of icy wind washed over them from Shiva's attack.
"I hadn't expected it, but this is excellent practice for Braska," he noted, nodding as Shiva deftly leapt out of the way of Ifrit's wild swing, her braids flying. "Belgemine knows what she's doing. She's better at this than he."
Jecht scoffed. "You're a part of Team BARJ! You ain't allowed to cheer for the other team, dumbass!"
"I can if it will make Braska stronger," Auron replied as Shiva pointed, burying Ifrit under a thick layer of snow. "Braska isn't planning ahead, as Belgemine is. He's merely reacting to her moves. He has to do more if he wants to be good enough to defeat Sin. You can't predict the course a battle will take, so you need to be able to think on your feet – "
"Ooh, what a hit! Did ya see that, Blondie? I think Ifrit's a goner."
"Nooo!" wailed Rikku. "Not that easily! Ifrit can do it!" Feeling a chill, she twisted her neck and met Auron's fierce glare.
"Were either of you even listening?" Auron asked.
"Nope," Jecht answered for both of them carelessly. " 'Ey, your own fault for talkin' too much. Blame Rikku for passin' on her motor mouth. Oops! There he goes!"
As they watched, Ifrit's tongues of flame winked out under an icy blanket; his form wavered and disappeared into a cloud of pyreflies.
"Now it's two to one for Belgemine."
"Well, what would you have done?" Jecht asked, scowling as Braska scrambled to his feet.
"Dismissed the injured aeon as soon as his opposing element, fresh and battle-ready, appeared before him." Auron shook his head. "Braska's not experienced enough to win."
"Don't sound so happy about it," Rikku groused.
"If he loses, it'll force him to think," Auron said. "Only then can he improve."
"...You sure that's the only reason?"
"Of course," he said, not looking at her. "Do you actually think I'd want him to fail?"
Oh, I dunno. She thought about how pissed off he still was about the whole Baaj incident; Auron could hold a grudge better than anyone she knew. Considering this isn't a life or death battle, he looks like he's enjoying every second of Braska's struggle. He was just petty enough for it to be possible.
Clearly unaware of their lackluster support, Braska spread his hands to the sky and looked upwards. Valefor dove to meet him, screeching loudly.
"Nevertheless," Auron began. "Valefor is Braska's fastest aeon – "
Shiva leapt into the air, one leg extended in a vicious axe kick.
The bird-like aeon cawed in distress, wavering. Shiva lunged again, clawed fingers extended, and slashed at Valefor's head.
The bird pumped her wings away from a fatality, but wasn't quick enough to avoid the four wicked claw marks now scored across her chest. She keened in pain as Shiva backed away, fingers held before her to cast.
Auron grunted. "Braska was pushing Valefor to her limits when he rescued the crusaders," he noted. "His aeon should have been fast enough to dodge that."
Rikku winced as a cocoon of ice formed around the flying aeon and shattered, adding to her injuries. Then she squinted as Valefor began to glow. "Maybe Braska isn't trying to get her to dodge," she said.
Valefor spread her wings and performed a somersault. The aeon whipped her mane around in a circle, before lowering her head and gathering energy.
Shiva's eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms, surrounding herself in an icy shield.
"Lookit that, the bird's glowin'!" Jecht grinned. "I smell a special attack! Think the ice queen's gonna survive it?"
"Shiva is shielding herself. If he attacks now, it won't be very effective." Auron studied Valefor, a slow smile spreading. "But he's not attacking now. That is a healing spell."
The energy around Valefor burst into sparkling motes of green light, closing her wounds.
Shiva's shield faded; the aeon lowered her arms, looking annoyed. Then her eyes widened as Valefor opened her beak, spitting out a ray of energy that sliced into Shiva's unprotected body and forced her to her knees.
Shuddering, the ice aeon dissipated.
"Tied!" Rikku yelled, pumping a fist. Auron snorted and she stepped on his foot. "Jecht's right, you should be cheering for Braska! Come on!"
"Hmph," Belgemine said, something almost like respect on her face. "So you can learn – I underestimated you." She raised her scepter with a faint grin. "But let's see if you can survive this."
Lightning raced down from the heavens, scorching the earth in a perfect circle around her. Pulling the scepter downwards, Ixion landed with a clatter of his massive hooves. Rearing, the aeon let out a whinny, then dropped and pawed the earth.
Valefor swept her wings together, pushing Ixion back with a powerful gust, but the unicorn spread his legs, digging tracks into the ground, and remained upright.
Tossing his head, the aeon's horn sparked and fired two spinning discs of light towards Valefor; the bird crashed to the ground.
"Get up, get up!" Rikku screeched. She bit her fingernails and tried not to panic. You're Yunie's aeon! You have to do well!
Valefor struggled to rise, panting through her beak.
Thinking quickly, Rikku turned to Jecht and hit him repeatedly in the shoulder.
"Oww, oww, oww! Quit it! Whaddaya want?"
"Come on, cheer for Valefor!" she demanded, shaking Jecht's arm. "She's one of your fans!"
Both Auron and Jecht sent her incredulous looks, but she pouted and stubbornly poked Jecht again. "I mean it! We've got to try to help Braska, at least! Do something!"
"You really think that'll help?" He cupped his hands around his mouth. " 'ey birdie! I'm talkin' to you, girl! Get up and show that overgrown horse what you're made of! You ain't done yet, right? I'm rootin' for ya!"
Valefor twitched, eyeing Jecht, then lumbered to her feet and launched into the air with a defiant screech.
"Yeah, it worked!" Rikku cheered, dancing in place.
"Technically, you two cheated by interfering in Braska's battle," Auron said. He shrugged when she glanced his way. "Never said it was a bad thing. Let's see if it's enough to turn the tide."
Valefor curled her wings together tightly. When she unfurled them, magic thrummed through the air.
A swirl of bubbles rose around Ixion, engulfing the thunder aeon in water; the unicorn snorted in pain and charged.
"Dodge! Dodge!" Rikku screamed, and sagged in relief when Valefor managed to avoid the hit by swooping out of range.
"Hnn," Auron muttered, sounding sullen.
Valefor rained another Water spell over Ixion, weaving back and forth between the unicorn's furious counterattacks. Her luck ran dry, however, when Ixion reared and gathered a huge wave of lighting around his horn, then sent it blasting out in an unerring streak towards the flying aeon.
Valefor was trapped.
With a bang, the electrical cage exploded outwards, sending the injured aeon crashing to the ground.
"No!" Rikku cried, watching Valefor's blackened body collapse. "We're so close! Don't give up now – "
"Get up!" Jecht waved his arms at the aeon. "C'mon, GET UP! WIN THIS BATTLE AND I'LL KISS YA!" he bellowed.
Rikku stared at him; she was pretty sure Auron was, too.
Jecht lowered his arms and blinked at them. "What? You're the ones who told me to stack the game, right?"
"That's some dedication!" Rikku giggled, then gasped as she saw Valefor struggling to move. "... I think it's really working!" The aeon couldn't muster the strength to fly anymore, merely twisting her head and panting as Ixion sauntered over.
Stopping before Valefor, Ixion prepared to stab the struggling aeon with his horn. He neighed in surprise when she opened her mouth, a low whine filling the air.
A rotating disc of light appeared before her beak, firing multiple beams of energy into Ixion's face at close range. The unicorn reared backwards, only to be blasted away by even more rays of energy. His surprised scream still lingered in the air even as his body disappeared.
"Yes!" Rikku high-fived Jecht, then danced in place. "We won!"
"It was still a poor victory," Auron grumbled.
Rikku stopped cheering and leaned in towards him. "Don't be so disappointed just because Braska won this time," she whispered. "Not everyone can be as skilled as you are." She licked his ear for good measure.
Auron shuddered but his grumpy expression lifted. His arm also landed around her waist and pulled her close.
Mmm, I think my luck's starting to turn around after all. She soaked in Auron's warmth as she snuggled close to him, squirming in all the ways she knew he liked.
"Be good," he murmured.
"I always am." She smirked and tried to keep her cheeks from reddening under the piercing look he gave her as his grip tightened. "But, umm, spectator sport right now," she whispered, pointing towards the makeshift arena. "Right!"
As if on cue, Belgemine woke from her Rapture, rubbing her forehead. "Stop! That is enough!"
Dropping her head, Valefor rolled backwards and trilled in contentment towards Jecht, before closing her eyes and also fading away.
"Ooh, I think you better watch out the next time Braska summons her." Rikku giggled. "She's gonna get you! Your new number one fan isn't yourself anymore!"
"Laugh it up," Jecht grumbled. "Braska won, didn't he?"
Braska stood, wiping sweat from his brow, and smiled at Belgemine. "That was an invigorating match," he admitted. "I was wrong; this was, indeed, an enriching experience for me." He bowed deeply to her. "I thank you for the challenge. It seems I still have much to learn in the presence of a summoner as skilled as yourself."
"No thanks are necessary." She laughed. "You did beat me, after all. With a little more training, perhaps you could defeat Sin, too."
"Not if you reach Zanarkand first," Braska replied.
"I won't be able to reach Zanarkand," Belgemine said. "I'm afraid my chance has passed. Yours, however…" She trailed off thoughtfully. "You show an unusual amount of talent, even if you are a bit rough around the edges."
Braska twitched, pleasant expression flattening, but was reduced to surprised silence when she pushed her scepter into his hands. "Take this, as a symbol of your achievement."
"Lady Belgemine?" Braska asked, trying to return it. "I've no need of yet another staff. It's something I've learned to do without, in fact," he added, lips twisted.
"That is no summoner's staff," Belgemine told him. "It's a key. Perhaps the key to defeating Sin. Find me in the Calm Lands if you're serious about your duty. I may be able to help… if you have the will to see this through."
Rikku tensed; Belgemine's words echoed Anima's own challenge much too closely. She trembled. I wonder if Braska loathes that aeon as much as I do.
Braska seemed to remember, too. He took the scepter from Belgemine with a solemn nod.
"I'll await you at Remiem," Belgemine continued. "The name means something to a scholar such as yourself, yes?"
"Remiem…" Braska breathed in surprise. "Is that not a mere legend?"
"It's a story as old as the Great Machina War. But, all stories spring from an element of truth, don't they?" Belgemine's smile was knowing. "We'll meet again, Lord Braska," she declared, bowing. Then, with a twirl of her robes, she swept down the path, as silently as she'd arrived the night before.
"So, what'd she give you?" Jecht asked, scrambling over the decimated clearing. "A summonin' matchstick? Looks all girly," he noted, eying the flower-laden scepter with disgust, "but if it can call out that sword guy – "
"I don't think so," Braska replied, looking over the ornate scepter. "To find that aeon, we must first locate its Fayth. Although there is an ancient power running through this scepter I can feel. Perhaps it truly is a key." He paused, then looked up at Rikku, smiling a touch too pleasantly to be comfortable. "Belgemine. Now why, I wonder, does that name seem so familiar?"
"Eh… heh-heh." Rikku laughed nervously and detached herself from Auron. "So, I guess you kinda figured out she wasn't my first summoner, right? We met her on the way, though. She challenged us too. But she doesn't know me yet, see? That happens later."
"Does that mean you know where to find the aeon she used?" he asked.
"Mmm," Rikku said non-committally, meeting Auron's eye. "You might have already noticed, but he's kind of a weird one. You have to pay him to work for you, even after you get him."
Auron's hand flew to his money pouch, a look of abject horror crossing his expression as he faced Braska.
"So it seems," Braska said, looking over the scepter again. "What do you know of this? She mentioned Remiem. I had thought that to be nothing more than a fairy tale."
"Remiem's not just an urban legend," she admitted. "I can take you there, too. But if Belgemine's waiting to challenge you again, I think you sorta need to practice fighting with your aeons more." She almost felt the glow of approval from Auron and tamped down on her grin. "All of the answers you're looking for are in the Calm Lands, so there's no rush!"
"Ya know," Jecht interrupted. "Belgemine's got an aeon we didn't know about, right? An' Braska's got an aeon she don't know about, too. And hell, I'm an aeon nobody knows about." He rubbed his chin. "Kinda makes me wonder how many aeons are there that we don't know about, huh? Think there's more hidin' out there somewhere?"
Rikku thought of Sin and swallowed.
"Maybe there are others like me, too," Jecht continued. "Y'know… wanderin' around, thinkin' they're human, not really knowin' anything about it."
"It wouldn't be surprising," Braska admitted. "There is much knowledge that the Church has lost over the years. And much knowledge that it has suppressed. There just may be as many lost Fayth stones in Spira as there are stars in the sky. But human aeons among us…" He trailed off at Jecht's look of hope. "I'm fairly confident that you are unique, my friend."
Jecht's visible disappointment dampened the air of Braska's victory.
Frowning, Rikku poked Jecht in the arm. "Hey. You're not the only one, you know? There's a whole city out there, full of aeons just like you – your dream Zanarkand. Maybe one day someone will even follow you here into Spira."
She didn't elaborate in front of Auron and Braska; they didn't need to know that Tidus would follow in Jecht's exact footsteps.
Jecht hardly needed to know, and Tidus was his son.
Clearly taking her words at face value, Jecht's somber look eased slightly. "Yeah, maybe you're right," he grumbled. " 'Sides… we ain't here to find another aeon right now, are we?" He clapped Braska on the back once. "Good fight, man. Now let's go celebrate by gettin' me a Celestial Weapon!"
"Wimpeon" is a nod to Spanner's short fanfiction, "Final Fantasy X: Summarized!" which is a highly entertaining read.
Someone once postulated that "Daigoro" was not actually the name of Yojimbo's pet dog, but rather, the name of the dog's attack move. It was also speculated that the dog might have been named "Koimanu" (literally: "Lion Dog") instead. I liked this theory a lot so I used it, but no one knows what the official name of that dog really is. It could also be a nod to the Lone Wolf and Cub manga!
So why doesn't Belgemine fall into Rapture when she summons Yojimbo? That will be answered later, but feel free to speculate by leaving a review. :)
Aeon Special Moves
Yojimbo: Daigoro, Wakizashi, Zanmato
Bahamut: Impulse
Ifrit: Meteor Strike
Shiva: Shield
Valefor: Boost, Energy Ray, Sonic Wings, Energy Blast
Ixion: Aerospark, Thor's Hammer