Kimarhi looked at Yuna and let her hug him when she was close enough. After asking how she was, Kimarhi told her that he had searched the mountain looking for spheres to give her. Yuna told him that it was fine, and Kimarhi smiled. We introduced Paine to Kimarhi and he asked her if she would protect Yuna. Paine looked taken aback but after a moment, she said yes. Kimarhi then turned to my boys.
"You stay safe, pups. Mountain knows Zaon well, but still dangerous. Protect Yuna and your mother." He told them, and they nodded. Sora held his doll closer and Zaon gripped his spear made for him tighter. They both knew that even without the trials, Mt. Gagazet was a tough place to be. And we didn't have aeons to help this time. After talking to Kimarhi for a little bit, we decided to head out. As we left, Kimarhi told us that if it was us climbing the mountain, he wasn't worried.
As we climbed, even the boys couldn't always handle all the fiends. So us girls had to get involved. Yuna used the black mage dressphere, Rikku used thief, and Paine stayed a warrior. I still knew all my magic, so I was not defenseless. Auron even gave Paine some helpful hints on how to use her sword. At first, she was startled by having the Legendary Guardian helping her. But she took everything he said, and soon was on the way to becoming a fine sword user. Rikku knew what she needed to do, but Yuna was hesitant to cast spells. That is where Sora and I took charge.
"Their hate is what caused them to become fiends. Think of every spell as a sending. Every spell sends them a little more to the Farplane. You are saving them." I told her as Sora guided her staff toward a fiend. She looked at me, and then let a light spell fly.
"You can put more into it. Believe in us. Believe in what we are saying, take all your pain and sadness and throw it into the spell. Or have you become weak? You once scaled this mountain with a strong will. Where is that now?" I yelled at her as a fiend jumped at her from in front of her. That seemed to trigger her and a fire spell ripped through the fiend, pyreflies bursting out of it. Rikku looked at me as if I had gone too far. But I did what I had to so that Yuna would be strong...like two years ago. Auron whispered something to Rikku and Paine, and they walked over to me.
"I am sorry. I should trust you to do what is right." Rikku mumbled. I hugged her and told her that all I was trying to do is get Yuna to protect herself. And she wasn't doing so any other way, so I had to push her buttons. Or her story could end at any time. This shocked even Yuna.
"Yuna has a beautiful future waiting for her. But she has to be strong and powerful without aeons to get it. So if I push her it is so she is ready to face her personal trials to gain that beautiful future." I explained to them all. Yuna then asked how I knew, and I just smiled. Auron then told them I also knew Yuna would need me two years after Sin was defeated. I had to say something, so I told them that I just knew these things and I couldn't tell them anymore without messing with the future. That seemed to shut them up because I got no other questions. Thank the stars.
As we got farther, Yuna started hitting harder and better. She only waited until Rikku had stolen items and Gil from them before casting a spell. Even Paine was surprised at the change in Yuna. Auron nodded at me, knowing that it was my words that sparked the change. She was no longer a damsel in distress, but a fighter in her own right. Vegagun would need everyone working together at their best, and Yuna had to be ready.
When we got to Fayth's Scar, Yuna placed her had where the now empty fayth were. I knew she was thinking about Tidus. I hadn't traveled with Braska this far because of Zaon, but I remembered that this is where Tidus realized he truly was a dream of the fayth. And that he would have to leave Yuna alone. Yuna must be upset, so I wrapped my arms around her in a big hug.
"In this world, miracles happen. So who knows what will happen? I didn't expect Zaon or Sora, but I got them. They are my miracles. So maybe there is a miracle waiting for you?" I whispered to her. She pulled away and nodded. As we made our way to the overlook to Zanarkand, I could see Yuna thinking about him. It shown in her eyes.
Next was the sphere Zanarkand hid. Before we headed down, I had to warn Yuna.
"I have heard that people from all over now travel to Zanarkand. So who knows what we will find down there. Please be prepared." I warned Yuna. It was the last place she saw Tidus so if it was bad down there, she would be furious. So for her sake, I hoped it wasn't too bad.
As we approached the now lit campfire we used on our first journey, we saw tons of people standing around talking about the wonder and beauty of Zanarkand. That is when I spotted Isaru on the cliff overlook. I walked over to him, and tapped him on the shoulder. After only a second, he turned around and saw me. His eyes widened as he saw both me and Yuna there.
"What are you doing here?" He asked after giving us both hugs. I asked where Pacce and Maroda were. Apparently, Maroda joined the Youth League and Pacce led a group of sphere hunters called the Kinderguadians. That surprised Yuna more than me. I had a feeling that he was a ringleader, and would start something up after Sin was defeated.