"I wish you could have gotten that on a sphere! I would have loved to see that!" I exclaimed as I turned to face Auron. He had a huge smile on his face and both hands were behind him. Rikku questioned him about that, and he revealed a sphere. As he handed it to me, he told me Jecht had told him to only give it to me when the time was right. I moved to watch it, but he asked me to wait a minute to turn it on.
He peeked his head into Yuna's room and then to the room the boys were in. When all of Braska's children were in front of me, he nodded for me to play it. The first thing we saw was me casting a water spell over Auron's head, then it panned over to Braska. It really did look like he was going to died from suppressed laughter! Then the scene changed to Mt. Gagazet.
"Jecht and Auron advised me to do this, and I thought that they were right. Rose, you have brought me so much joy during this time. I felt like just a shell of a man before you showed up with your light that warmed me like a sun. I know that I must do this, and it is still hard knowing that it means I have to leave you alone. I am sorry. I know you will watch over my children, and guide them with all of your heart. I asked you to make me feel like a man, but that wasn't quite accurate. I wanted to feel human and not like a shell. And you did so. I can never repay that or the love you gave me, knowing that I am walking to my death. I wish I could be there every day to tell you that I love you, but even you said that I must finish my journey. So that the eternal calm will come. So this sphere will have to do. I love you, Rose. With all my heart and soul. I hope that when I am gone, that you find true happiness. Even if you find another man to share your life with. I also apologize for starting to cry. I love you Rose, and I always will." Braska's voice was shaking by the end. I could see the tears in his eyes and the ones in his heart.
Just then my legs collapsed from under me and I wailed, holding the sphere carefully against my chest. I just cried and cried. Didn't he know?! I could never date anyone because my heart was still so full of him. He had given me a lifetime of love during that journey, and I didn't need or want more. As much as I wished he was here, no other man could compare to him. As these thoughts resounded in my head, darkness started to overtake me.
When my eyes opened again, I saw that I was in Braska's room again. And the sphere was next to me on a night table. I dragged myself out of the bed and found that Auron had cooked breakfast and everyone was currently eating. I dished myself some food and sat down. The boys were carefully watching me the entire time I was eating. I wondered why they were watching my every move, at least until Sora cast a ice spell into the sink and Zaon broke it up some. Yuna seemed to understand because she had grabbed one of her old dresses, put some ice in the center, and wrapped it up. Sora grabbed the wrapped ice and placed it on my head.
Sora was icing a bump to my head! I placed my hand to keep the makeshift ice pack to my head and asked why I had to have one. That is when Sora explained that I was so hysterical that they had to knock me out. They had tried to be gentle but I ended up with a bump. Sora had gotten the makeshift ice pack while Zaon and Auron carried me to my room. Yuna had followed Sora and assisted him, she even donated an old dress of hers to help! And that they all had taken turns on and off icing my head.
"Oops. I am sorry that I worried all of you. Maybe I should explain. Braska had, in the short time I was with him, given me a lifetime of love. I don't need another partner in my life. That love is enough to keep me until the day we meet again. Plus, I have never met anyone that could ever compare to him. Just watching his children grow and being chosen by him to protect you three is enough. And yes, it upset me to know he didn't think it was. Now, I am more angry that he would even think of that! He is so getting an earfull when we meet again!" I told them. Auron laughed, followed by the boys. Eventually, the three girls joined in.
Yuna finally mentioned that we should clean up and get going, and I agreed. In the Calm Lands both Argent Inc. and Open Air were equal in popularity so they joined together. The heir of Argent Inc. found his bride and Clasko had a booming chocobo ranch. Next was Mt. Gagazet.
As we ascended to the gate, Kimahri and Garik were waiting for us. Garik apologized to us while Liam and Ayde returned to share what the learned with Kimahri. We treaked up the mountain, defeating every fiend in our path. When we made it to the Fayth's Scar, we climbed up to reach where a statue was now completed. Funny enough, it was Yuna. Only she had a grand horn on her forehead. Sora laughed so hard when Zaon called her a unicorn. And I was left to explain what that was.
After talking to Maechen and watching him leave for the Farplane, I told Yuna there was one last thing to do before Vegagun. And that they were finally ready to tackle that challenge. We boarded the airship and set a course for Mushroom Rock Road. There I placed all the Crimson Spheres in place and the door opened. I gave everyone Hi-Potions and Mana restoration items, and led them inside.
The boys kinda knew about this place and what to expect. So the minute we entered, they moved far away from everyone else. I ended up having to not only fight the kids and Auron, but Jecht and Braska instead of the three faction leaders. I still got the items, but it practically killed me to have to destroy shadows of my loved ones. Especially the kids and Braska. Once we were done and back together, we had to face the faction leaders all at once. Let me tell you that even with our near perfect strategy, we barely defeated them.