Trying to write a bit more for NaNoWriMo 2021. This isn't proofread. I may go back at some point in time later and clean it up, but I figure spitting out what I have is better than sitting on it for another 3 years…
Chapter 61: Remiem's Remnants
"It's too quiet here."
Jecht groaned loudly. "C'mon, man! Nothin' good ever came outta kickin' off things with those words."
A brief look of annoyance crossed Auron's face before he continued. "But it is. The plains below were teeming with wildlife and fiends, yet we haven't even seen a single Nebiros here."
Braska stopped to tilt his head, lips parting as though he was tasting the air itself. "There's very strong magic about."
"But wouldn't that mean there should be lots of magically mutated super-powerful fiends waiting for us up here?" Rikku double-checked the strap on her Godhand. Granted, she hadn't remembered anything of the sort when she'd visited the place with Yunie. Then again, Yunie's team had been seven strong, and she'd been more than a little distracted at the time trying to come up with a plan to divert Yuna from her course.
Auron was right, though; after slogging their way through the constant danger of the Calm Lands, it was more than a little unnatural to be left completely alone on the path to Remiem. So far their journey towards the hidden mountain alcove had been suspiciously uneventful. She was half-expecting one of Trema's creations to come swooping down to stop their progress.
"The magic feels different here," Braska replied. "Ancient. Such as that found in the presence of the Fayth stones. Perhaps that is why."
"Whatever," Jecht said with a careless shrug. "You guys are paranoid! There ain't nothin' here that's gonna jump us, so relax." A moment later, he let out a high-pitched scream as a blur of grey fur flew out of nowhere, landing on his face.
"Holy shit! Arrrrgh! My eyes!" He stumbled, drawing his sword and waving it in clumsy, panicked arcs. "Get it off, get it off!"
Rikku stifled her snicker as the others put away the weapons they'd reflexively pulled out at Jecht's outburst. "It's just a monkey. Give it a fruit or something."
Jecht's wild flailing stopped, although the string of invectives pouring from his mouth continued unabated. After some effort, he managed to dislodge the chittering creature, throwing it towards the ground. "What the hell are monkeys doin' in a place like this? I thought I was done with those little bastards!"
The monkey glared at him, then scampered off - probably to call for backup.
"They still like you," Auron observed. "Perhaps they recognize their own." Ignoring Jecht's scowl, he pointed at the retreating monkey. "We should follow it. It had to come from somewhere."
"And it shows that we've nothing to fear from fiend attacks here," Braska added. "I, for one, am reassured by this sign of life."
"You would be," Jecht muttered under his breath. "That thing wasn't tryin' to make you bald."
Conversation died abruptly as they squeezed through the tight canyon passage that opened up to Remiem Temple.
"What is this place?" she heard Jecht murmur in awe. The others also stopped to marvel at the sight before them - the ancient temple of Remiem, the oldest still-intact temple in existence to Rikku's limited knowledge.
"A floating temple…" Braska said, struck by the sight before them.
"It's standing on stone pillars," she pointed out.
Auron strode to the edge of the bridge and peered into the bottomless chasm below the temple. "That is not the work of any human engineer," he observed. Then he stepped back and looked at the temple itself. "It's… different."
She had to agree with Auron; unlike most of Yevon's shrines, this one looked like a proper temple to her. It was nearly all spikes and spires, austere yet beautiful. And it was completely untainted by any sign of modern civilization - no waving banners of Yevon were being flown to greet them. The temple was just too old for any ornamental trappings. Organic matter had long since rotted away, leaving nothing but wind-blasted stone in its place. Nor was there any sign of life other than a few lonely monkeys, scrambling back and forth across the suspension bridges connecting the cliffside to the temple proper.
"Like a bridge to the past," she murmured under her breath. Not her past; a past as ancient as the aeons they were chasing after. Without the chocobos making their home on the stone paths below, the temple carried with it an air of solemn loneliness. It took her a few moments to realize why it all felt so familiar.
Someone nudged her side, and Rikku started.
" 'ey… you good?" Jecht was observing her with some concern. "Looked like you were spacin' out there for a minute. Ya notice something weirder than normal about this place or what?"
"... It reminds me a little of the Farplane," she admitted quietly.
"That a good thing?"
"I… I don't know," she admitted, confused by the sudden and overwhelming wave of homesickness that washed over her. She remembered Yuna's soft, breathy gasp of surprise when she first saw the temple, and Kimahri's refusal to let Yuna approach it before he'd swept the area. Then there was Tidus, whooping as he raced his chocobo down one of the stone paths to the chittering of excited monkey spectators. She could almost hear his shouts riding on the thermals that breezed up from the temple's depths. And Lulu, so full of exasperation at her and Wakka's inability to understand the historical importance of finding the lost temple. Rikku had bonded with Wakka on that one, while Auron took Lulu's side, the traitor. That last thought brought a wry twist to her mouth. I miss them. I miss them so much.
"Ah, hell…" Jecht, who obviously wasn't aware of her sudden trip down memory lane, looked terrified at the sight of her watering eyes. He waved at a rapidly approaching Auron and backed away from her. "It wasn't me, man! I didn't do nothin'!"
"Hnn," Auron grunted with a fierce stare, driving Jecht off as he reached her side. "Rikku?"
"That was mean," she chided, grasping Auron's offered hand. "He really didn't do anything. I just… got caught up in my memories for a minute there."
"Bad ones?" he asked, his arm circling around her.
She looked up at him with a weak smile. "Kinda the opposite, actually."
"You don't have to do this," Auron told her. "Jecht and I are perfectly capable of guarding Braska if you want to stay back."
Guilt flooded her at Auron's look of worry, and she leaned up to give him a reassuring peck on his cheek. "I'll be okay. Let's just focus on helping Braska right now."
With a light squeeze of her hand, Auron gently pulled her towards the others. Braska was still standing wonderstruck in the shadow of the temple, while Jecht cautiously tested out the suspension bridges connecting the rocky path to the building proper.
"I think it's safe, B!" he yelled. "Least so long as yer not afraid of heights!"
"This," Braska breathed. "This… is incredible. Do you realize that we four are making history? The Lost Temple of Remiem, the shrine of legend…" His eyes were beginning to sparkle with excitement. "Look at the statues surrounding the temple. They're nothing like we've seen before! Are they summoners, or are they warriors? There is a theory that the summoners, priests, and warrior-monk castes were once closer than we realized, but the Temple has always denied any connection between the orders. But how could they deny this? We finally have definitive proof! This temple could change everything! Think of the significance of -"
"Braska," Auron murmured. "Even if you found validation for your theories here, the Church wouldn't acknowledge them."
"... ah," Braska sighed, some of his excitement evaporating. "But of course. Still, this temple is quite the find. If there was anything capable of restoring us to Maester Mika's good graces, this would likely be it." He tilted his head at Auron. "Something to keep in mind for the future, should you need it. Knowledge is always power."
"Then you should use this place as a bargaining chip for yourself and Yuna when we're finished," Auron countered.
"Yes," Braska agreed, much more subdued this time. "When we are finished." Gathering his robes, he stepped quickly onto the bridge, following Jecht.
Auron fell silent, a small frown appearing on his face, but followed, still grasping her hand and pulling her along with him.
"Don't look down, it's a monkey infestation below!" Jecht called out as he reached the other side of the bridge. "I knew the lil' bastards were devils. Look, see? They won't even touch holy ground!"
Braska eyed the ramp leading up towards the entrance to the temple. "The magic is concentrated most strongly inside. Perhaps they've grown sensitive to it over time."
"Huh. Well, I don't feel nothin'. I also don't see how we're gonna get past those doors with them keys you got," Jecht said, pointing behind him towards the massive stone portal. "There ain't no keyhole."
"I don't believe those doors are locked," Braska answered after a moment of study. "I can feel the pull of the magic drawing me towards them. I suspect they would open readily for any summoner. Let's just see what happens when we approach."
Sure enough, when they neared the doors the air around the temple shivered and a low chime sounded. Three symbols lit up in rapid succession; Rikku recognized the seals of the Magus Sisters.
"What were those?" Auron asked suspiciously as the doors rumbled and slid open, his hand reaching towards his sword.
"Incredible," Braska breathed. "Not one, but three lost Fayth? Did I see that correctly?" He strode past them despite Auron's grunt of protest, eager to explore the cavernous interior of the temple.
"Braska!" Auron chased him in with a look of displeasure. "Control yourself!"
Rikku loitered behind; she knew there wasn't anything really dangerous in the temple, at least not for a summoner's party, and it was a relief to have some time to process her own feelings without the added guilt of making Auron feel bad.
"That was too easy." Jecht crossed his arms and leaned towards the door, listening to the sounds of Auron and Braska arguing.
"You think carving your way out of Trema's arena was easy?" Rikku asked, raising a brow. "Braska put in a lot of effort too, beating Belgemine when she challenged him. Think of this as our reward for working hard!"
"Point taken," Jecht replied. "Still, the shit we meet keeps gettin' weirder the closer we get to Zanarkand. You sure it's safe for B in there?"
"Well… I guess it depends how good he is at handling Lady Belgemine," she replied. "It's safe enough for the rest of us, anyway." She strolled in and Jecht trailed after her. "Besides, I can sort of understand how Braska's feeling," she continued, taking in their surroundings. "Just look at this place. I don't even like Yevon but this is still pretty impressive."
Braska, ever the historian, was even more excited, much to Auron's consternation. He looked like a child in a Blitzball shop, turning first one way, then the other as he tried to take in everything in the temple at once. "Look at the scrollwork in the gallery! There really are no statues of High Summoners Yocun and Ohalland! It coincides with the theories we've had of when this temple was lost. By Yevon, look at the artistry on the piers! These couldn't have possibly been crafted by human hands alone!"
In his excitement, he overlooked the diminutive woman standing in the shadows of one of the alcoves, an amused smile on her red-painted lips.
"Umm…" Rikku coughed loudly. "Braska, aren't you missing something here?"
Auron, approaching them, was already pinching his brow in complete frustration. "When he's like this, he won't listen to anyone," he muttered. Then, looking up, he glanced at Belgemine and grimaced. "Braska! Surroundings!" he barked, jolting Braska out of his moment of bliss.
"Welcome, Lord Braska," Belgemine greeted, stepping out of the shadows. "Pay no mind to your Guardians. It's quite flattering to have someone who can truly appreciate the beauty of my home. It spent many years lost after the battle with Sin, after all."
"My apologies," Braska said, finally facing her and dropping into a polite bow. "I didn't mean to slight you, but I must admit I am overwhelmed by the wealth of information here. This is very much like a dream," he murmured, his eyes turning upwards to soak in more of the temple's architecture. "Its very existence is proof that mankind is more than the fractured remains of a broken civilization. That we were once whole and capable of things greater than ourselves… that we allowed ourselves to dream."
"My, such optimism." Belgemine smirked, placing one hand on her hip. "This world has always been fractured, Lord Summoner. That is the reason this temple exists, after all. The history of war and division are tales as old as Remiem itself."
Braska's smile dimmed. "Returning this temple to civilization would be a gift to the people of Spira. Perhaps it would even help relieve tensions between the competing factions. The crusaders and the Temple have no need of the distance time has created between them. Why do you keep this knowledge hidden?"
"Because this is the place to test a true summoner's resolve. The Church of Yevon would misuse the power contained in this temple and twist it for their own purposes, just as they have with Bevelle. No," she sighed, straightening. "There's no history for Spira to recover here. The only purpose this temple now serves is to rewrite it. This temple was lost, and it shall remain lost so long as Trema and I remain to guard its secrets. You, my lord summoner, are a rare and honored guest."
"So I see." Braska finally directed all of his attention towards Belgemine at her sharp tone. "It seems you are no student of history, but of war."
"You should understand by now that the study of one inevitably leads to the other," Belgemine said, looking even more amused than before. "You're correct. In days past, I was once a warrior. But I was also a summoner. Bevelle doesn't like to allow their priests to multitask." Her smile widened into a vicious one. "The Maesters rightly fear that such a concentration of power would be a threat to their precious order. Imagine a summoner who needed no Guardians. Why, it would ruin Yevon's perfect symbiosis."
Rikku couldn't help but think how similar Belgemine and Trema's philosophies sounded; she wondered if Braska had taken note as well. It wasn't so surprising that those two were working together, now that she thought about it.
"So the history of Remiem is purposefully repressed," Braska said, sounding resigned.
"Like so many other things," Belgemine agreed. "But as I said, we are here to rewrite history. Are you prepared to face my challenge?"
"Will this be a challenge like the one before, in Macalania?" Auron interrupted.
"In a manner of speaking." Belgemine grinned. "I was going easy on you then. But now, Braska must complete this challenge alone. No help from you Guardians this time." She turned her head and winked at Jecht, who took a step backwards.
"Belgemine won't hurt him," Rikku whispered to Auron. "But Braska has to pass this trial on his own now. We can't… and I guess we shouldn't help him."
"I am ready to face this challenge," Braska agreed, putting down his pack and shifting his grip on his staff. "I've even unlocked the secret to your Yojimbo," he added confidently.
"Have you now? Congratulations," Belgemine said warmly. "But as you may have guessed, that's not the only secret I have. Remiem's greatest power was buried here, with me, over 400 years ago."
"The seals of the other Fayth we saw on the door outside," Braska agreed. Then he straightened, the grip on his staff becoming white-knuckled. "400 years ago? But then, you are-"
Belgemine continued to smile as the pyreflies rose from her body, circling around her. "Don't send me just yet," she laughed.
"This!" Auron's hand flew back to his sword, but Rikku was quick to stop him from drawing.
"I told you, she won't hurt him!" she hissed. "Trust me on this one!"
"The Unsent were never meant to linger," Braska said in reply, his eyes sharp.
"Much less summon," Belgemine agreed, dry amusement in her voice. "Just imagine what Maester Mika would say, if he knew."
I'll bet, Rikku thought with a private snort.
"One such as myself can't hope to defeat Sin, not anymore," Belgemine admitted. "But you, Braska. You are still flesh and blood, hopes and dreams. You still have that power. And I? I can still teach you. But will you learn? Whether you believe me or not, I am here to help you." She crossed her arms and waited.
Braska spent a few moments pale faced, his hands clenched tightly around his staff. He looked a lot like he had when he'd thought she was an Unsent, as though he wanted to be sick on the spot. Jecht and Auron seemed to be taking it better the second time around.
"Told you," Jecht declared to Rikku. "So this is like Braska's own personal arena, and he literally has to spar with a ghost? Weirder and weirder."
"Those who should be helping us want to undermine us, and enemies we have been trained to fear and loathe come to our aid." Auron shook his head, the tension easing from his shoulders. He released his sword. "Braska," he called out. "You cut your ties to the Church. You have no duty to Send her."
"This has nothing to do with Yevon's duties. The Unsent have no business meddling in the affairs of the living."
"Well, Lord Braska? I was only intending to challenge you as a worthy summoner. Are you going to turn this into a battle of life and death? Do you think you can win?" Belgemine's calm smile hadn't changed at all; she didn't even seem worried by Braska's hesitation.
"Life and death?" Braska sounded bitter. "The only life being risked here would be my own."
Belgemine's smile dropped. "You chose this path, summoner. You understand full well what awaits you at the end of it. But know this: if you cannot beat me, you will never beat Sin."
Braska's shoulders curled, then sagged. "You're correct. My fight isn't with you, and…" He paused, then let out a low sigh. "I'm no longer certain that all Unsent are truly bent on destroying the world of the living. I've come to question so many things during this Pilgrimage."
"Rising above our own ignorance is a painful journey on its own," Belgemine agreed. "It's good that you've managed to do that while still living. Some of us didn't have that ability."
"If I defeat Sin, may I come back and grant you eternal peace?" he asked.
Belgemine laughed, rich and throaty. "I like you," she finally said. "I can't decide which boast is more audacious - whether or not you will return, or the idea that peace can ever be eternal. Now then," she said, turning serious. "Do you accept my challenge?"
"I do," Braska said, bowing to her. He turned to face them. "You three should probably step back."
"Good luck," Auron said, backing away from the center of the temple.
"You're gonna kill it!" Rikku cheered, confident that Braska could defeat Belgemine. "And don't forget to pay Yojimbo a little extra!" she added as an afterthought.
"What? Are you guys crazy? You mean we're stayin' for an all-out aeon battle? We do that and we're gonna turn into casualties!" Jecht squawked. He wheezed when she planted her elbow in his stomach. "Uh, I meant, go B, we got your back!"
Braska grinned briefly at Jecht's antics and waved them off. "Thank you. I'll do my best," he promised. Then he faced Belgemine and took a deep breath. "I am ready. Let us begin."
A/N: I don't really know if there's a statue of Yocun or Ohalland at Remiem or not, but according to the Wiki the Temple was lost after Gandof's battle, so technically there shouldn't be.