.:FINAL FANTASY:. The Seventh Sin

[Crystal Tears]

I wrote this story awhile ago, and though it got pretty far, I grew sick of it and how it was written. Today, I bring you a new ‘revised’ version. I warn the old readers, though this follows the same basic plot line of the original, this tale focuses a lot around new characters, though you can look forward to seeing some old ones in the future. Please note the lyrics in the beginning are not mine, they are from Avril Lavigne's song called 'Keep Holding On'. I hope you enjoy this story!

You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side
You know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
no I won't give in
~

There was a long held secret that kept those from defeating the creature that ravaged Spira such a long time ago, a secret that would claim countless lives before the end of monster’s reign. A group of friends defeated ‘Sin’ as it was called, and finally banished it to the depths of the farplane, forever and for always, as it was supposed to be.

But we never hear of those who defeated Sin before the fateful group. Those who were forgotten in the sands of time, it is sad, that we forgot them, for their journeys deserve as much recognition as the heroes who destroyed Sin at last.

There was a Sin whose reign lasted longer then any other. It murdered thousands all for a secret that would ultimately be discovered one thousand years later. It was the seventh Sin: a monstrous creature that flew through the air with reversed and twisted wings and a fellwyrm’s face. Something that could swim, fly, or tunnel its way through Spira.

What ever happened to the heroes who defeated that beast? Time it seems, worked against their legend, but here it is now, before you.

I give you, The Seventh Sin.

FINAL FANTASY
The Seventh Sin

So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late
This could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side
I will fight and defend
I'll fight and defend




xX CHAPTER ONE Xx

The city of Home laid in ruins. People were shouting, and screaming in vain as contorted creatures never seen before by everyone hacked and slashed their way into homes and bunkers. A few were fighting back, people with green eyes and swirls for pupils were firing various forms of firearms, all seeming to have little to no effect on the advancing monsters. Children cried as their parents had either disappeared or lay dead in the streets, their bodies broken and battered.

Over head a massive serpent hovered. Its twisted wings flapping while is armoured head swivelled about, letting out shrill cries that caused people to collapse onto their knees in fear. Numerous hovering ships were docked in the nearby port, their loading ramps crammed with people who wanted to escape. The ships varied in looks, while one looked like two motorcycles put together in the most elegant of fashions, the other looked like a bird with its wings cut to half the size.

“Sir.”

There was one other airship close by. It had come to a halt over the far side beach on the island of Bikinel, which Home was located on. This ship had numerous gun ports and missiles ready to fire, yet it did nothing. Inside the bridge, a commander starred out at the smoking ruins of the Al Bhed homeland with a slight smirk.

“The machine worked perfectly.” The lowly soldier spoke through his silver and leather armour suit. Slung over his shoulder was an old style rifle with a golden bayonet stuck on the end, standard for all Bevellian soldiers who had yet to prove themselves worthy of anything better. “Shall we intervene?”

“Why?” The commander smiled, turning to the soldier. “Why waste good men?”

The soldier could hardly believe what he was hearing. “But Sir… There are people down there, innocent people!”

By now, others had turned to see the desperate soldier and smiling commander. He placed a reassuring hand on the soldier’s shoulder. “We didn’t get the order, we don’t move.” He turned to one of the darkly dressed technicians by a flashing screen. “You can turn off the machine now, Home is in ruins. We’ll return to Besaid port to give a full report to the general.”

Sin wasn’t hovering over the tall, still standing builds of Home anymore. The creature was diving, the large, crescent horn on its head charging up an electrical fray that fried everyone and everything on the ground. The spawn of sin were incinerated, but there always seemed to be five more to take a dead ones place. The main defensive tower that had been fending off the intruders so well was slammed by Sin’s massive spiked tail, and obliterated.

The defences were torn now, the airships that were full beyond the originally intended capacity were slow to take off, and now completely vulnerable. The Al Bhed militia couldn’t stand against such an onslaught, the Sinspawn were closing in, and Sin itself was landing in the rubble, using its massive three clawed legs to burrow into the ground.

“Get the airships out of here!” Cried the militia captain, who watched her messengers nod and disappear. She gulped, and turned to a little girl, who was in tears.

“Lenna, I need you to run now.” She smiled, it was a warm smile, but it only made her daughter cry more. The captain brushed the girl’s hair from in front of her face. “I will see you again Lenna, I promise you.”

Lenna, a small girl who had light pink hair and large, blue eyes looked up at her Al Bhed mother. Her mother’s bright green eyes had faded, and the swirl’s were blurred by the watery gaze that threatened to turn into tears.

“I’ll see you in the farplane, right mommy?” Lenna spoke, sniffling. Her mother choked back a cry, though the tears were thick. “You’ll be there, waiting for me?”

Her mother gasped, hugging her daughter as tight as she could. She didn’t want to let go, but the airships were leaving, and she had to stay here. Her daughter’s tiny arms were trying to give her a bear hug, something Lenna had always wanted to do after he had seen her father spin the captain around in happiness when he returned from a long sea voyage.

“I’ll be there.” She whispered. “I’ll wait for you there; just remember to come see me.”

Lenna couldn’t speak now, she clung to her mother as one of the messengers tried to pick her up. Though it stung the captain, she pushed her daughter away. Giving her one last kiss before the messenger ran off. The captain stood there, tears billowing down her face as she

“I promise Lenna, I’ll be there…”

The city of Home was over run twenty minutes later, four of the ten airships escaped Sin’s wrath and took shelter at various ports. Lenna’s airship arrived at Kilika Port, where she was welcome with open arms by the Yevonite Priests who felt so much sorrow for the children who were orphaned by the horrid Sin attack.

Ten Years Later
~

The score was at an even three to three. The giant water sphere floated inside of a dome like stadium which was filled to the brim with people from all around the continent. Cheering and screaming as two arch rival teams faced off against each other in the most violent sport in the history of Spira.

Blitzball.

Lenna was on the Kilika Beasts team, their star player, second to her old friend Crimson, who was only a bit faster then herself. Lenna had grown into quite the woman, with long, strawberry pink hair and captivating blue eyes. They added to her prestine beauty, her body was built agililty, but like a tank. You needed strength, both for holding your breathe for at least six minutes and for kicking, catching, tossing, and whipping a rather hard plastic ball through millions of gallons of water.

The other team was the Luca Goers. A tough team, playing on their home turf, something that made them especially proud. The game was in overtime because of the relentlessness of the Beasts, something that made the Goers a tad bit scared, but past that, they had held their own. Waiting it out and now, both teams were tiring.

“And Lenna passes to Crimson- OH! Beha hits the Beast hard!” Lenna swivelled around; Crimson was clutching his stomach madly as the pain wretched through his body. Something in Lenna clicked, and she swam furiously, catching up to the Goer ‘Beha’ who had the ball.


Beha never saw it coming, Lenna braced herself and held out her elbow, she kicked as fast as she could, ramming her elbow into Beha’s back. The girl let out a few bubbles and then began swimming to the top of the sphere, desperate for air. Lenna smiled, grabbing the ball and quickly passing it to her other teammate before she was tackled by at least two Goers who moved on to try and catch the rest of her team.

Crimson had fully recovered; he turned back to her, flashing a smile before floating the ball in front of him and slamming it with his fist. The ball zoomed forward, displacing water faster then a Besaid Torpedo and slamming into the Goer Goalie’s head. Lenna swam past her friend, who gave her an extra shove; she purposely turned that into a forwards flip, and kicked the ball which had recoiled back a bit. It shot forward again, hitting close to the top net.

The goal alarm sounded, and Lenna was embraced in a tight hug by all her teammates, who called her name underwater. A bit muffled, but she knew what they were saying.

Everyone was swimming downwards now; a small ramp had pierced into the sphere, creating a walkway for the players. Lenna could already see the photographers, their sphere cameras flashing while others were video taping using either high tech video spheres, or the cheaper, then better preserving memory spheres. Crimson brushed up against Lenna, eager to get out to the cameras. He loved the attention, and always looked good in pictures, with his blond locks, fiery red eyes and tanned body. Yes, if Lenna didn’t strictly forbid herself from interteam relationships, she would’ve been all over Crimson within half a second.

Didn’t matter anymore, as she broke through the wall of water, she was swarmed paparazzi, questioning on the most random of thing. She was surprised really, usually they were all swarming Crimson, but right now she had just as large of a group as her teammate. He looked back and tilted his head slightly, wondering why she had almost half the attention.

“Ms. Cross is it true you’re leaving the league?” Someone called out; the same question was repeated about five times.

Lenna Cross was being overwhelmed. She felt a tug on her arm and turned. It was Crimson; he pulled her through the group. The paparazzi tended to keep a safe five foot radius around Crimson, as he had been known to violently attack some that got a bit to close.

“‘Ms. Cross’ will not be answering questions at this time.” He growled, clenching his right hand into a fist, his middle and ‘ring finger’ bare thick, silver rings that looked like they would hurt if they hit you. Lenna and the rest of her team disappeared into the Kilika Locker room, which Crimson wasted no time cornering Lenna and confronting her.

“Leaving?”

‘Now there’s a hostile voice…’ Lenna thought, turning her attention to her locker, which was conveniently in that corner. “What about leaving?”

“You’re leaving the team and you didn’t tell anyone?” Crimson voice was growing more hostile by the moment.

“Actually I was going to tell you tonight.” Lenna smiled sheepishly, but the smile faded as Crimson turned away and headed towards his locker. “Crimson…”

“I sense a lover’s quarrel on the horizon.” Tyn grinned, catching glares from both Crimson and Lenna. “I suggest I- err… We...” He gestured to the team. “Leave!”

The team disappeared, and Lenna was left alone with Crimson. A tempting situation, but she didn’t want her first intimate situation with her fellow teammate to be particularly violent. That sort of thing wasn’t really hers.

Crimson turned to the pink haired woman, his head tilted slightly with a peeved look. His leather vest was undone and hanging open as water dripped from it. His chest bared a tattoo of Evrae, the guardian of the city Bevelle. It was in its standard defensive position, blanket like wings out-stretched while its serpent body hung with its claws ready to tear the enemy apart. The tattoo was in various shades and tints related to white and black, while the actually creature was rumoured to be red.

Evrae reminded Lenna of the Sin dragon. Maybe the two were like Yin and Yang? One good one bad…

He must’ve noticed she was staring at his tattoo, because he cleared his throat, gathering her attention. Crimson’s eyes burned into Lenna, making her want to run away. He was holding his leather gloves in his hand while the other was in his hip-hanging pants pocket.

“Why are you leaving?”

‘There’s that hostility again…’ Lenna gulped, as the answer crawled into her throat. “You have to promise not to go ballistic …”

“Fine,” Crimson rolled his eyes while he crossed his arms. “Now what is it?”

“I left the team to become a summoner.”

~

“Oh hell no!” Crimson cried, bursting out of the change room, throwing his arms into the air while his voice caused others to look over. Lenna stood in the doorway, desperate to calm the man down. “You’re not serious are you?” He looked over at Lenna who stared at him. “Are you?”

Lenna bit her lip and looked up at him with a guilty face.

“YOU ARE!” He slammed his fists into the wall beside the door, shaking the pictures hanging nearby. “You left all that summoner mumbo jumbo behind at Kilika remember?”

“I know but… I just…” She looked around; the entire Kilika Beasts team was staring at her, as well as a number of Luca Goers who had popped out of their changing area to see what all the commotion was about. “I have to.”

“You don’t have to do anything!”

“Yes I do!”

“Damn it Lenna!” Crimson snarled, pushing her back into the locker room. “No you don’t!”

Lenna growled, and pushed her friend right back, he slammed into the hallway wall, making some of the painting fall off. “Yes I do!!”

“HEY!”

Lenna and Crimson both turned to Tyn, who had his arms crossed and his usually sleek black hair was dangling in front of his face to make him look somewhat threatening. Unaffected, the quarrelling couple shouted.

“WHAT!?!”

Taken back by the out burst, Tyn reacted the only way he could. He shoved the two into the change room and stood firmly in the door. “You too will settle this battle royal in here.” He then slammed the door, and kept it firmly shut.

“You don’t have to. You swore you left it all behind when you got on the boat.” The man muttered, trying desperately to keep his temper in order. “What the hell has changed?”

“It has to be stopped.” Lenna snapped; her back turned to him as she unzipped her uniform top. It was a bloody tight thing, clinging to the skin so uncomfortably. Underneath was a white bikini top with blue and black floral decorations on it. “No one else seems to be trying, so maybe I should.”

“Excuse me?” He returned, in a harsher tone then before. He was stepping towards the girl, who had her burgundy turtle neck vest half up done up before he swivelled her around. “You shouldn’t. Bevelle is trying-“

“Bevelle hasn’t tried anything.” Lenna whispered, in such a tone it was as if the reaper it’s self was speaking those words. “They didn’t try when it destroyed Home, when it attacked Djose Temple, hell, I’ll be surprised if they tried anything if it attacked Bevelle.” She finished zipper up her sweater like vest before slipping on a white leather jacket with only a slight sleeve and a thick, diagonal v-neck collar. “Bevelle, as far as I’m concerned, is a dead beast damned to be secretive and useless for as long as this planet turns.”

What was Crimson supposed to say to that? Lenna was firm in her belief that Bevelle was useless, and he probably wasn’t going to be able to convince her to NOT go back to Kilika to pray to the fayth there. “What about guardians?”

Lenna stopped for a second; she was half way done pulling up her dark green, almost black cargo shorts when he had made her think. The idea of guardians hadn’t even crossed her mind until that moment. She was about to answer, when the door opened.

Tyn was standing here, a smirk on his face while he eyed the shirtless Crimson; his shirt was thrown on the bench beside his actual casual wear, and then Lenna who had her shorts halfway up.

“WELL THEN…”

“Oh shut up Tyn.” The would be summoner sighed, fully pulling up her pants before tying a side pouch around her hip and slipping on her black combat boots. “Before you even start.”

Tyn grinned as the other teammates began to file in, they all avoided Crimson, who slipped on a loose white t-shirt that had red and black checker sleeve on the right, and a yellow one on the left. His pants were loose, black leather design while a white and black checker belt held them on his hips with a circular silver buckle. Quietly he did up his combat style running shoes; an odd, yet growing fashion in Spira right now, and then turned to Lenna.

“Good luck with the whole pilgrimage thing.” That sort of remark was anything but inspiring. Lenna pursed her lips before running out the door after him.

“What’s your problem?”

He stopped, turning slowly to face the girl with an annoyed smirk. He shrugged and looked up at the ceiling as he spoke. “Why would I have a problem with it?”

“Don’t give me that.” She stomped up to him, he was a good foot taller then her, but she wasn’t afraid of Crimson, he’d never intentionally hurt her, unless they were in a blitz sphere. “If you didn’t, then you wouldn’t have pulled that stunt there.”

“You’re going off the fight SIN. What part of that wouldn’t sit well with any of your friends?”

‘That’s a… Good point.’ She remarked mentally, but she’d never give him that much credit. “Well, I’m going tomorrow, come see me off?” Crimson looked at her, she had never seen his eyes like that before. There was a new emotion in them, something that struck her as pure sadness. “Please?”

“… Alright…”

She gave a smile, a warm, comforting smile that made Crimson’s face light up a bit. “Thanks.”



That night, it wasn’t easy for Lenna to sleep. Her apartment felt empty, lacking of anything that came close to emotion. The darkness swirled around her as she tossed and turned. Her mind was racing; images of today, and the distant past were merging into one, forming twisted nightmares that were appearing before Lenna’s very eyes. She groaned, burying her face into her pillow.

Crimson… His body lay twisted and crippled in the flaming ruins of home. A pool of blood was forming as his life drained from him, leaking through the horrid gashes and jagged slash marks. His arm was still moving, desperately reaching for the small golden feather in front of him. A sacred phoenix down! Something that the power to heal critical wounds breathe new life to the unconscious, nearly dead and recently deceased. It was just out of his reach, and his legs were useless, a deep gash in his back had severed the spine completely, making anything lowering then his hips paralyzed. His other arm, it was pinned underneath the twitching body of a Sinspawn. It looked sort of like a ram, but with no horns and a snake face. Large, bat like wings were broken and sprawled across the charred ground.

He was looking at something; his arm wasn’t reaching for the feather, but pointing. Her eyes followed, but as she grew closer to the object; her sight became blurry. Something was there, the top half of it spinning while it spewed out some low, monotone rhythm.

Trapped, oh god she was trapped. The feeling overwhelmed her as the burning ruins blurred together and reformed into tomb. The stairs that connected to the center platform she was on crumbled and broke away as the dark room quaked from what sounded like a distant explosion. Lenna swivelled around, her mind racing. What had happened to Crimson? Where was she? And what was that mysterious spinning object?

Ajah ev y tnays fecrehk du cdub desa tecybbaync

Eh ouin funmt frana ajanodrehk vytac

Drec susahd oui meja huf

Ech’d y tnays...

Lenna hadn’t heard that language for a long time, it was rare to come across an Al Bhed, after that horrendous attack, most were living in the caves along the Mushroom Rock Road or beside the Moonflow. The language seemed distant to her, her mind racing to understand the little she could.

“A something…to Stop time…” Lenna concentrated, frowning as she struggled with the last word of the first verse. “Gone… Um.. No…. Damn it… Something to do with fading away…” She recalled the second and third verse. “In… your world… where everything fades… This moment you live now…”

She paused. “Ech’d y tnays… Isn’t a… Tnays?” She groaned. “What the hell is Tnays?”

Ajah huf cra nasaspanc

Dra druikrd cra ryt uh dra tyo oui mavd

Frah cra naylrat vun ouin dayn-cdnaygat lraag

Oui jyhecrat ehdu dra tynghacc

Another Al Bhed verse? Lenna hated this, her mind was running into to many blanks, yet these words had a hollow, guilty thirst to them. They ate at her as she tried to decipher them.

“Even now… She remembers…? Is that the word?” She grumbled. “OH hell… um.. The thought she had on the… day you…” Tears began to well up in the woman’s eyes. “left…” She sniffled, “when she… um… when she…” The words were coming to her, but her voice was stuck in her throat, she was gasping, struggling not to burst into tears, no realizing she had already done so. “Reached for your tear-streak cheek…”

The world around Lenna quickly disappeared, she could feel her blankets, feel her wet cheeks, and could smell salty breeze blowing in from the harbor. Her eyes quickly opened and Lenna just stared up at the ceiling.

“You vanished into darkness…”

“I’ll be there.” She whispered. “I’ll wait for you there; just remember to come see me.”

Lenna attempted to wipe the tears from her eyes and dry off her cheeks. But the salty water kept coming, dripping down and making her blanket wet. She sniffed, gasping as quietly as she could. Her mind was caught up in the horrid memory where she had left her mother to die at the hands of Sin and its disgusting ‘children’. She remembered that the Grand Measter had blamed the ‘sin followers’ some sort of twisted occult that cherished the monster instead of fearing it.

Long had these followers and contorted beings claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people, using some sort of technique to lure Sin or the largest Sinspawn that’s close by. Other times they had attack in a mini army, and of course, there was the self-destruction spell they were particularly fond off near Fayth Temples.

But that dream… The reason the Yevonite cast had given didn’t sit right with Lenna anymore. Her mind kept seeing her mother’s warm smile and sad eyes. Then it’ll all change to some sort of thing in the darkness, and why was Crimson dying? He didn’t come from Home, he wasn’t an Al Bhed.

“I… I…” She was trying to calm herself, come to reason, get her logic back. “I don’t think it was a nightmare, it was a hint… A breadcrumb…”

“Lenna?”

She looked up; Crimson was standing in the bedroom door frame, his eyes droopy, and his tank top torn and ragged. What wonderful pjs he had. A tank top that looks like it had been through something worse then Sin and boxers. Yes, typical blitzballing guy, not a care in the world. His eyes narrowed for a moment as he stared at her.

“Were you crying?”

‘Is there any sense in lying?’ She though, mindlessly sniffling. “How did you-“

“I sleep in the next room.” He smirked, walking over to her and sitting on the end of her bed. “It’s not hard to tell.”

“Were you at Home?”

“What?”

Lenna stared at Crimson, he never had spoke about his past all he had said was that he had been adopted by traveling merchants. “Were you at Home?”

“I’ve never been to Bikinel.” He said, with a reassuring tone. “Why?”

“I had a dream, you were dying. You were in the ruins of Home.”

Crimson had not expected Lenna to tell him that easily, or bluntly. Truly he had never been with ten miles of that island. “Er… Well… That sure wasn’t sugar-coated.”

She looked at the sheets. “I’m sorry.”

He chuckled, moving towards her and placing his hand in her lap. “It was just a dream.”

Tnays

“Dream…” She murmured. Lenna lit up suddenly, bounding out of bed. “Dream! Tnays means dream!”

Standing in her room, a finger pointing into the air, Lenna looked insane. Her pj shorts were hanging dangerously low and her top was ruffled and crumpled up, revealing a bit too much of her stomach. Her hair was messy, but still made her look cute and her eyes were sparkling.

“Um…” She quickly turned to Crimson, who didn’t know what to say. “Sure?”

“This moment I live now, isn’t a… Dream.” Everything fit into place, no matter how crazy it sounded.

“That’s right, because you’re awake.”

Crimson sarcastic voice made Lenna frown as she sat down beside him, resting her head in her hands. She felt her friend’s reassuring hand on her back, but she didn’t look up as she sat there, she stayed silent, looking into the palm of her hands.

“I have this uncomforting feeling I’m going to die at the end of all this…” Lenna murmured, looking up at Crimson as she spoke the words.

Crimson stared at the doorway for a while. “Don’t worry about it Lenna,” he spoke, then looking into her eyes. “I’ll be there to protect you.”

“That’s reassuring…”

“HEY!”

Lenna and Crimson laughed, shoving each other playfully as the digital clock beeped for an instance; marking a new hour.

2: 00 AM

Only five more hours before Lenna’s fateful boat ride appeared.

[Macerator]

That's a nice new side to the whole FFX mythos. Is there more?

[Samchu]

Wow, nice chapter JJ. From Blitzball player to sumoner, lol, I don't think she could have given him any more of a shock unless she'd shown up in a full-length dress. But I am loving the whole Lenna / Crimson relationship. It's so...almost there but not. There's tension and yet we don't get anything. Nice one. Nothing like some locker room flirting / fighting to keep the readers interested -_~

Like the whole twist on things though, what with no one making any efforts to stop Sin. A VERY different picture to the one painted through us in FFX. Kinda makes it really interesting to see a sumoner choosing to fill the role out of the desire to take action because no one as will as opposed to following the typical path.

Like the use of Al Bhed too. Nice touch.

Keep up the good work!

[Lady Vulpix]

It's great to see this fic back! I liked the introduction a lot, and the scene between Lenna and her mother was very touching. And I found your view of Spira original and interesting.

Is it bad if I came up with the same sarcastic remark as Crimson? I guess it's stronger than me, but the dream was moving and very well described in any case.


I'll list some minor spelling/grammar corrections if you want to edit it:
"before the end of monster’s reign" should be "before the end of the monster’s reign."
I think the phrase "Those who were forgotten in the sands of time, it is sad, that we forgot them," would be better punctuated like this: "Those who were forgotten in the sands of time. It is sad that we forgot them,"
"longer then any other" should be "longer than any other".
Where it says "Time it seems, worked against their legend, but here it is now, before you", I would add a comma after "Time".
"while is armoured head swivelled about" should be "while its armoured head swivelled about"
Wasn't the island named "Bikanel"?
"to take a dead ones place" should be "to take a dead one's place"
"swirl’s" should be "swirls"
The sentence "The captain stood there, tears billowing down her face as she " is incomplete. How does it end?
"faster then" should be "faster than".
I don't know if "prestine" is a word. Did you mean "pristine"?
The phrase "her body was built agililty" has a syntax error. I'm not sure of what exactly you meant.
"holding your breathe" should be "holding your breath"
Where it says "the cheaper, then better preserving memory spheres", I don't think the word "then" is right. What did you mean? "Yet"? "Though"? "But"?
"the actually creature" should be "the actual creature"
Yin and Yang are not in fact one good and one bad, but then again Lenna may not know this.
"outburst" is just one word.
"the reaper it’s self" should be "the reaper itself".
"She finished zipper up her sweater like vest" should be "She finished zipping up her sweater-like vest".
"a good foot taller then her" should be "a good foot taller than her".
"You’re going off the fight SIN" should be "You’re going off to fight SIN".
"anything lowering then his hips"... should that be "anything lower than his hips"?
"reformed into tomb" should be "reformed into a tomb".
"no realizing" should be "not realizing".
"they had attack" should be "they had attacked".
"something worse then Sin" should be "something worse than Sin".
"he never had spoke" should be "he never had spoken" and there should be a comma after "past" in that sentence.
"he had never been with ten miles of that island" should be "he had never been within ten miles of that island".



Keep this up, please! It's an interesting story and I want to read more of it.

[Mystic_clown]

The SEVENTH Sin? How many sins were there? Well, from what we know, this sin would probably have been worse than the one in FFX, I mean, this one can DIG!

So, Home gets destroyed again huh? Well, at least we know that they'll rebuild...and then get destroyed again. Well, you did a great job at making Bevellians assholes and hypocrites (supposedly using machines which are SUPPOSED to be forbidden). I'm getting a feeling the racism towards the Al bhed had something to do with leaving them there to die.

I like the bit of Wakka-ness with Leena retiring from Blitzball to become a Summoner and Crimson's Tidus-esque attitude towards Summoners, though I'd have to agree, Bevelle haven't done JACK (hell, they worship it in a way).

Hmm, a cult that worships Sin. Interesting idea. Let's see how you go through with it. and I'm actually curious to see if Tyn comes back.

Overall, I'm really liking this so far. I like the use of description, how you convey personality in the characters and even convey some emotion in some parts (did anyone else want to see Bevelle burn after seeing them abandon Home?). I am seriously looking forward to this.

[Lady Vulpix]

did anyone else want to see Bevelle burn after seeing them abandon Home?

Yes. The ones responsible for that decision, in any case.

[Crystal Tears]

Macerator: Nice to see you enjoyed the first chapter, and yes theres more. Much, much more.

Samchu: 'Almost there but not'... Thats the best description of Lenna and Crimson's relationship I've heard so far.

Actually, in FFX, in my opinion, not many were trying to stop Sin, they were mostly playing off each other instead of facing the threat directly. And if I'm not mistaken, Yuna did the same as Lenna; not in the blitzballer ideal, but she had the desire to defeat Sin. As all summoners must have to gain a fayth... Seymour doesn't count, he wasn't a summoner. >_>

Al Bhed is FUN. I used to be able to read it like I can English. X3

Lady Vulpix: I'm glad you like the introduction! Everyone seemed to be touched by that scene (Lenna and her mother).

I think many people can relate and think a bit like Crimson, so don't concern yourself to much about coming up with the same reply. If it keeps happening, well... Um.. Sorry? ^^'

And thanx for the corrections, I'll work them in as soon as I can. ^_^

Mystic_Clown: How many Sins? Um... Ok, well, theres 10 years in between every Sin, and they usually last for 10 years so... You can do the math, the exception to this rule is the Seventh Sin. The digging aspect of this monster is going to be fun; sort of a sick way to play 'peekaboo'. I'll tell you this now: this Sin would've utterly DESTROYED the Sin in FFX. >_>

At this point, Machina and Airships weren't banned. They were unfavourable and many had a certain distaste for them, but they're speed and easy-access made them the perfect weapons for the remaining Bevellian Army. Racism towards the Al Bhed is everywhere in Spira, poor people. They've never done anything wrong.

Lenna retiring from Blitzball? Heh heh, not quite. You can be sure you'll see her in the Blitz Sphere a couple more times. Crimson's attitude towards summoners changes and varies alot more then Tidus's. You'll see this eventually.

Sin Followers are an awesome group! I love them so much, though not because they worship the ultimate evil; just because they're so much fun to write.

Tyn! Yay! Who doesn't like funny little minor characters?

Lady Vulpix and Mystic_Clown: But will they burn? Hehehe.

xX CHAPTER TWO Xx

The docks were crowded today, hundreds of people all trying to cram onto minuscule boats and company owned airships. The airships themselves were in disrepair. Their paint was chipping and pieces of the armored hulls were threatening to fall off. Companies like Shinra Inc. and Spiran Co. only kept the ships repaired to the very limit of acceptability. Shinra was a bit better then Spiran, Spiran had been on the verge of shutting down since their main hub was attacked and destroyed on the Coast of Besaid Island. Shinra however, was located in three places, all equally large and powerful. The first was in the mountains. They had to carve out a large field of rock and debris to fit the entire plant, and even now, its giant turbines and engines were in the built into the surrounding rock. The second was in the smack middle of Bikinel Island. They had built it there to give ‘Al Bheds another Home’. Lenna growled at the thought, they wanted the Al Bhed to work, and what better way then promising them a new home? That facility was basically the most effective slave labor known to Spira. And the final was rumored to be under Bevelle itself, and sprawl on for miles.

Shinra was built in, while Spiran had only had one, and no doubt was the more honest of the two companies.

Lenna refused to get on an airship. She hated the things; happily she walked by both Shinra and Spiran’s docks and approached a crowded but easier to manage dock. The boat was smaller then most yet was fully updated with all the machina equipment a captain could ask for. She had already reserved a room thankfully, and now all she had to do it get up to the booth to sign in.

The ticket master was a large fellow; he was over weight, with a long tangled beard and a bright red nose. He was wearing a deep blue suit, bearing the insignia of the ship she was about to board ‘Akheilos’. A ship that looked much like a small airship bound to the water. Its hull was heavily armored with metals from the mining colony just north of the ruins of Zanarkand.

“Hello there.” He spoke, his voice jolly. “Today is a nice day, isn’t it?”

Lenna smiled and nodded, before handing him a small blue card. The man smiled again and handed her a small ticket. With a sigh she approached the ramp and stood there for a moment. Her eyes scanning the people for Crimson, who said he would see her off. For ten minutes she watched, the hope in her dwindling with each passing second.

“There was a game today…” She sighed, turning about.

“I know.”

Lenna looked up; her eyes could’ve broken through the darkness of Sin’s toxin with their new found brightness. With a yelp she ran forward, pushing past a young couple before leaping into his arms.

“We lost.” He sighed, with some annoyance. “The team doesn’t play very well without their star player.”

Lenna broke away from him with a smile. “Me?”

“God no.” Crimson smirked. “Me, everyone knows I’m the better player.”

Lenna didn’t know whether to be annoyed, amused, or just plain old happy. She bit her lip, as her mind ran out of answers, and all she could do was shrug. She kept her smile as they stood there, chatting about random things, all to avoid the inevitable good bye they were going to have to say. Crimson turned his head and looked at the captain of the ship as the horn blew, signaling that the ship was about to leave.

“Well, I’ll see you.” Crimson smirked, stepping towards the ramp again. Neither of them had realized; they had traveled over to the deck while the conversation had been taking place. “Luca is on the way to many places anyway.” He paused, giving Lenna a tight hug which she wished would never end. “Just don’t forget about me okay?”

‘How could I?’ She thought, hugging Crimson again. “I won’t.”

“Okay well…” The hug broke apart again; he smiled and waved, walking down the ramp.

‘Oh god, no wait!’ Lenna cried out in her mind. He looked down at the ticket. It was a summoner’s ticket, able to give pass to a guardian for free, for at least three trips. “Crimson!”

He turned, looking at her curiously.

“Come with me!”

‘Not… Expecting that…’ He thought, stunned until the second horn sounded. “What?”

“Come with me!”

“But I don’t have a-“

“Get on the damn boat Crimson!” Lenna called, stamping her foot while pointing down to the wood deck.

He came, quickly jogging up the ramp and back to her side as the final horn sounded and everyone began to cry out their goodbyes. Lenna was flushed red from her rather loud spouting of orders and Crimson didn’t know what to think. He didn’t have anything, only the clothes that he was wearing, and a small amount of gil in his pocket.

“I don’t have…” He issued to what was around him, or what was lacking.

“That’s alright.” Lenna let a small, shy smile escape onto her face. The boat’s engines roared to life, drowning out the screams and the tears of the others before subsiding and pulling the boat away from the dock. “I have enough money to buy for both of us.”

“You didn’t bring anything?”

“This boat is like the last one.” She spoke, as they began to walk to the main deck at the front of the ship. “You leave everything behind.” She leaned on the thick cables, staring out at the port as the Akheilos slowly began to turn around.

“What’s the catch?”

Lenna looked at Crimson curiously; he was also leaning on the cables, but looking at the deck as he shuffled his feet for a moment. He saw Lenna’s expression and laughed lightly.

“The last ship had a catch, or a price as Tyn said. You had to leave your past behind, and embrace a new you.” He shrugged, Lenna assumed he had dived into this price, seeing it as a divine call rather then something you must pay. “So what’s this ship’s price?”

“No more running.” She said, locking eyes with the man. “You can’t hide from the past anymore, this is the first step to facing it.”

“Spooky.” Crimson smirked, walking away. “Which room is ours?”

“Twelve.”


‘How does one pick a sword?’ Lenna grimaced, scanning all the blades on the shelf. The merchant, a short, stocky man with a green hat, vest and blue pants smiled gleefully as she picked up an average baroque sword. It was heavier then most, dealing more damage with the sacrifice of speed. She wondered if that effect Crimson at all… He was no doubt strong; a heavier blade might be average weight to him. Another downside was the crude blade was the cheapest, and she had already dragged him onto the boat.

There was another blade, a single edged long sword that glimmered with multiple shades of blue. The blade itself was a curvy, wild design with gold encrusted near the hilt and the tip of the sword. The hilt was wrapped in a dark grey clothe with a gold orb on the end.

“What’s this sword called?” She asked curiously, upon picking it up. She found it was strangely light and easy to maneuver.

“Oh you won’t want that, it’s the cheapest and the most useless blade ever forged.” The man, O’aka she thought his name was. “Think it’s called the ‘Caladbolg’, stupid name eh?”

“What makes it so useless?” She eyed the price tag, and he was correct in saying it was the cheapest. Only 200 Gil, while the Baroque sword was a good 350 above that.

“It’s got a dark history, many say it’s cursed.”

“If it’s cursed, why do you have it?”

O’aka smiled and shook his head. “It’s only cursed if you use it. I’m not one to fight.” He paused, watching her touch the sparkling blade. “Why? You want it?”

“What’s its history?”

“Said to be the blade that the first Sin follower used to cut down Grand Measter Raina.” The merchant smiled and took the blade back. “Dark Lord ‘Saint’, ain’t that just cute? Damn leader of the sin followers calls himself ‘saint’. He abandoned the sword afterwards, cursing it, according to the scriptures.”

“Why abandoned it?” Lenna questioned. “It struck down the grand Measter, wouldn’t the Dark Lord want it?”

O’aka just gave a light shrug, and then pulled a face when Lenna put 200 gil on the table. “You… Want it?”

She took it from his hands and walked off while saying. “Anything can change; maybe the blade can redeem itself.”


Crimson was quite content with the set up of their cabin. It was small and cozy, just how he thought it would be. The bedroom only had one bed, tempting, very tempting, but he decided it was better to just thrive on the couch. If Lenna came in seeing him in the bed, she’d probably get angry, and Lenna was not one to get angry, sure she wasn’t as strong as him, but she could still hurt.

He had learnt this many times, especially while practicing for a game.

“No more running.” She said, locking eyes with him. “You can’t hide from the past anymore, this is the first step to facing it.”

Had that been a direct attack on him? Was she that curious about his past that not even he was allowed to hide? Though what had he been expecting? He had been the one to bring up the price of the boat, but no doubt it was there anyways. Crimson began to wonder if getting on this boat was a good idea, some things were meant to remain in the past.

Or maybe he just liked it better that way.

Crimson fiddled with the silver ring on his middle finger. His thumb grazed slightly over the indentation of a tribal design. He loved this ring; it was a binding, a vow almost, to do what he could to protect those who mattered most.

But who did that include? That oath he had taken so long ago, it had been forgotten. Yet still he wore this ring. A ring that bound him to the past, even if he wanted to forgot. Crimson narrowed his eyes as the memories came flooding back.

He had been standing in the great courtyard of Bevelle. In his grasp was an ordinary sword. Many stood next to him and behind him, all in rank; holding close to them swords, lances, rods, and firearms. Some even held dolls, showing that they had mastered the ways of magic. A man stood before him, scanning each and every rank from the pedestal he stood on. Clenched in his hands was a shining blue sword, which looked graceful and elegant.

“Soldiers, the onslaught is approaching, the Grand Measter has decreed that you have all passed, if only for your bravery.”

Crimson had proved himself, Crimson had taken down many. The Rigorous training had only helped breathe more life into a raging beast. He was a promising soldier, one who would go down in history.

“Now, you must take the final step. Swear your allegiance to Yu Yevon!”

It had come mindlessly to Crimson, his mouth moved without any encouragement. He had been waiting for this, he grasped in his right hand, a small silver ring. One the captain had given to him. No… Bestowed to him…

Even though I am fated to fade away,
as long as Yevon lives
life will go on
for eternity;
all the way to the limits of that strength

Even if I were to die,
as long as Yevon lives,
life will go on
for eternity;
all the way to the limits of that strength

“ I am a warrior monk.”

What a day that had been, swearing his soul to the purpose of defending the Yevon religion. He was bond to defending salvation for the entire continent. Something he had been proud of. Now Crimson wondered.

When had it become something to dread?

Lenna came in the door then, tearing the warrior from his deep thoughts. He smiled and looked up at her.

“Hey.”

“I bought you something.” She smiled, bringing out from behind her the Caladbolg. Crimson immediately lit up, he walked over to her, taking the sword from her hands. “I hope you like it.”

“Is this…” He tossed the sword back and forth from each hand. “The Caladbolg?” Lenna nodded, watching Crimson smile, she sighed with relief. “The cursed blade of Saint…” Though he spoke of the curse, he hugged Lenna and put the sword on the table. “Thanks.”

“You know how far we are?”

“Luca is just a speck now.” She replied, sitting down in the comfy armchair. “The captain said we should be there by tomorrow.”

The ship rocked suddenly, the sword slid off the table while cups and plates fell from the cabinets. Crimson stood up, snatching the blade just as the ship lurched against, cause him to stumble. Lenna also got to her feet, quickly following her friend out to the main deck.

Lenna remembered the tsunami that had once destroyed the port of Luca, people had said it could’ve been larger and done a lot more damage. The wall of water had killed ‘only’ (as the reporter had said) thirty four people, while the average Lucan tsunami killed on average, one hundred. Yes, thirty four was smaller, but still, those people died.

But now she knew what the reporters had been talking about.

These waves were huge; they created giant blue walls around the boat, before forming back into sea level. They were tossing the ship about, crashing up against the armored hull as other larger waves formed, making the boat tip dangerously onto its side before righting itself. The Akheilos groaned under the pressure, pieces of the metal giving way as the cables snapped the bolts shot off.

“It’s Sin!” Someone called; Lenna swiveled around, seeing those who couldn’t fight disappear below deck whiles those who could force their way up. Crimson was apart of them, his sword already drawn as a massive wing broke through the waters surface. Towering over the ship, it blocked out the sun as it stretched out, the giant black claws twitching.

“Yevon help us…” Lenna murmured; staring as huge, spines rose up from the deep blue water. They were black, with thin, yellow web strung in between. Some of the large, dark grey scales broke away, revealing black pores that were crawling with sinspawn.

“We have to ward it off!” Ordered the captain as numerous sailors began manning giant turrets. The machina contraptions switched on upon feeling someone’s hand clasped over the dual joysticks.
The Akheilos was under siege by a creature that had destroyed Bevellian airships, how in the world were they going to do it?

“Lenna!” Crimson cried, gathering her attention. “Move!”

She remembered that order ‘move’ from blitzball. She had trained herself to react instantly upon hearing it directed at her. Her feet forced her back just as a slime-covered squid slammed onto the deck. Its tentacles floundered around madly before the teeth lined suckers gripped onto the wood, and rising up from twitching, aquatic body was what should’ve been a tail. But instead, it was a body. Something that looked remotely human with one sick twist. Its head was reptilian, lined with crude teeth that had rotting flesh still caught in between.

More of them leapt onto the boat, withering and then rising up as they caught their bearings. Their arms were tentacles as well, whipping around madly as the sucker pods tried to find something or someone to crush.

Lenna couldn’t move anymore, her eyes had locked with the lidless solid yellow holes in the monster’s face. ‘Run… Move… Go…’ All these thoughts so obvious, so natural had faded away as fear strangled her. The creature’s tentacle arm lashed out, causing Lenna to scream and cover her face.

The air around Lenna suddenly got very cold. Her flesh crawled with a chill that was uncomfortable and unnatural. She felt her breath turn to mist as she breathed out and in. Uncovering her face, she found a woman standing in front of her, facing not one, but three hideous spawns all on her own. Her skin was a pale blue with long navy blue hair that was wavy and untamed in the most beautiful way. A clothe was tied around her hips and shined with every colour of the crystalline ocean on a sunny day.

She clenched the tentacle meant for Lenna in her hands, ice formed on the slimy surface, spreading up the twitching thing until the shoulder. In one swift move Lenna’s heroine snapped the arm clean off, tossing it aside as if it was an unwanted toy.

“Shiva.”

The woman turned, her face becoming visible to Lenna. Her eyes were blue, with what seemed like snowflakes fluttering down in them. But Shiva? Could it be? The woman smiled, ignoring the creatures that seemed afraid to strike down the girl. No… Not girl, Shiva was beyond being a girl, a woman, or anything of the sorts.

Shiva was an aeon. A human soul that answered peoples call for aid. People called them fayth, those who willing bound themselves to statues so that they could be summoned by summoners…

“Finish them Shiva.” Lenna eyed the man who summoned Shiva. He was clad in the most elegant robes out there, with long sleeves and a decorative sash to finish it off. He resembled Shiva’s colours, and his eyes even seemed to match hers.

Lenna watched intently, Shiva snapped her fingers, and three giant ice crystals broke through the cloud cover and Sin’s wing to slam into the spawn. Each one let out a shrill shriek before dying, slumping into the deck while the life drained from their eyes.
‘They… They don’t fade away, they’re living creatures…’ She thought, staring at the bodies that oozed thick purple blood.

“Are you alright?” The man questioned, helping Lenna to her feet.

“I’m… I’m fine. T-t-thank you.”

“You’re the apprentice summoner correct?” He questioned, when Lenna nodded, he smiled. “I’m Ket.” He extended his hand, though dazed she accepted.

“I’m Lenna.”

“We’ll talk more a bit later, for now, we must ward off Sin.” He handed her a small pistol. “Keep this close.”


Ket and his aeon Shiva disappeared into the crowd, Lenna looked down at the gun. It was simplistic, an old style pistol with an ocean carved into the muzzle. The handle was covered in a tanned leather with a bright blue design embroider in it.

What better time then to learn how to use a weapon? Lenna clenched the handle tightly and aimed. The spawn was just crawling onto the boat when she fired. The shot seemed louder then anything she had heard before, and far more powerful. The bullet exploded on contact, ripping the creatures head clean off and throwing it into the ocean.

“Everyone!” Ket cried, gathering the attention of everyone but the sailor gunners who were holding off the sinspawn. “We must ward it off, attack its wing!”

‘The wing?’ Lenna thought curiously. She watched as all the swordsmen leapt from the boat onto Sin’s body. Crimson was apart of them, in fact he seemed to be leading them; instructing a few to keep the smaller, far more annoying sinspawn at bay while he and others hacked at the limb. Lenna fired, her explosive bullets causing purple oozing craters to form on the creature’s arm. Shiva’s ice block attack was snapping the spindly fingers, making the wing quiver and flap as it tried to ward off the attack.

Crimson drove his blade deep into the limb. He winced and covered his eyes with one had as Sin’s blood sprayed, splattering everyone. The warrior forced the blade to turn, snapping and cutting tendons and bones as it prepared to rip through most of the arm. With one giant wretch, Crimson listened with a certain satisfaction as the flesh ripped and the large of bones snapped under the pressure.

Sin’s entire body shook violently, the pain screaming as the wing toppled, tearing the rest of the stretched skin itself. The spines on its back extended even farther as the water churned wildly.
The men were leaping off the creature now, grasping onto the tendrils of the arm or hitting the water. The actual wing was caught on the large mast, the claws still twitching as Sin disappeared into the depths, letting the sea calm and the people’s hearts rest.

She could hardly believe it, this ragtag group of sailors, adventurers plus one summoner had done what armies could not. Everyone stood in silence for a moment, allowing the others to return to the Akheilos, before everyone broke out in cheer. Lenna smiled as Crimson clambered on board, drenched in sea water with a cocky grin on his face. The Caladbolg clutched in his hand.

“How was your end of the battle?”

They both turned, ignoring the cheers around them as Lenna rolled her eyes. “Have I mentioned how I hate tentacles?”

“Hate them eh?”

“I don’t even think you could define it as hate…”

Crimson laughed, wrapping an arm around his half drenched friend, he smiled. “But you did kill one?”

“I killed a couple.”

“Only a couple? And here I was cutting down thousands and you were half a-“

“Oh shut up.”

“Passengers, I’m happy to report that we will be continuing on course once the wing is detached from the ship. Until then, please remain patient.” The captain sighed through the microphone, watching as his crew began to throw the sinspawn off the ship and tried to cut the mast loose of the wing. Some of the sailors had dived into the water, trying to salvage pieces of armor that had been torn off.


Lenna was quite content, her mind running over the battle as she sat at the back of the boat, resting in a lounge chair as she sipped her pink lemonade. Her coat and tank top were off to reveal a familiar white bikini top that thankfully wasn’t wet. The sun was wonderful, warming her skin all over. She was slightly worried Sin would return, but the sailors had assured everyone that they would keep a look out, so no one else would have to be bothered.

“Did she serve you well?”

Lenna looked up curiously, smiling as she realized it was Ket, who was fiddling with the gun he had lent her.

“Oh I’m sorry! I completely forgot to give it back…”

Ket smiled and placed it on the table. “Don’t worry about it, I wish for you to have it.”

Lenna tilted her head as the summoner took a seat beside her. “Really?”

The icy summoner nodded again. “It might prove useful to you. You’ve got good aim with it. Her name is Calypso.” He was silent for a moment. “That man you were speaking to before-“

“Crimson.” She instinctively interrupted. “His name is Crimson.”

“He knows how to wield that sword; the Caladbolg, extremely well.” Ket paused. “How did he get that sword?”

“I gave it to him.”

“And how did you get that sword?”

“I bought it.”

“From?” He kept coming with the questions, what did it matter? It was just a sword, no curse or anything. If it had of been cursed, he would’ve died in that attack.

“O’aka.”

“Ah…” Ket smiled warmly again, putting Lenna somewhat at ease. “I apologize for questioning you, it’s just… That sword, it is cursed.”

“Apparently not.”

Both Ket and Lenna turned to see a rather content Crimson with the sword sheathed on his back. He knelt beside Lenna, resting his arms on the free arm of the chair while he stole a sip of the lemonade.

“For if it was, I’d be dead.” He had a cocky smile plastered on his face as Ket stood up. Though he still retained that warm smile, his icy eyes were glaring at Crimson, who simply glared back. “Isn’t that right Ket?”

“Wait a sec,” Lenna looked at Crimson and then Ket who was preparing to leave. “You two know each other?”

“We’ve met.”

“Briefly,” Ket nearly snarled, he began to walk away. “Lenna I suggest you be wary of your guardian. He’s nothing but a traitor.”

“Traitor?” Lenna asked, looking at Crimson who was stealing more of her lemonade. “What did you do?”

“Nothing.” He shrugged.

“You guys didn’t get along did you?”

Crimson sighed. “Do I get along with anybody? Besides you.”

“Well there’s…. Um… Gee… No..” Lenna sheepishly admitted as Crimson slumped onto the lounge chair beside hers. “You like it that way?

He looked over at her, his fiery eyes sparkling. “It’s better that way.”

[Lady Vulpix]

Sorry about the late reply. I liked this chapter.

Interesting concept about the boats and their prizes. But how can they make sure that the prices are paid? Seeing someone say "Oh god" in the FFX universe sounded strange, I wonder what kind of God Lenna believes in. And I feel sorry for Crimson now. I also liked the background you created for the Caladbolg, and I was surprised to see the O'aka family has been in business forso long. Your grammar is also improving, even if you keep using "then" instead of "than"; I think you should pay attention to that.

All in all, nice chapter.

[Macerator]

Nice chapter, it keeps getting better.

It seems like you're going to be following the same sequence of events and similar situations as the game - for instance, being attack on a ship by Sin, and having to destroy the wing. Is this what you're aiming for, or was this just a one-off occurrence.

[Samchu]

It finally loads! *kicks computer * piece of junk! Ok, review...review...

Once again this was a really good chapter. I was almost screaming at the comp when Lenna was about to let Crimson just leave. Thankfully she didn't. It's nice to see their relationship developing though and she bought him a sword, so at least we can safely assume he's going to stick with her for a while.

And it's a cursed sword! Yay! Weapons just aren't interesting unless they come with a dark backstory. And it seems its wielder comes with his share of history as well. Very interesting. I can't wait to hear more about that.

We also get a new character to enjoy. An interesting summoner who has history with Crimson AND gave Lenna a free gun. This could really make things interesting...

What I really liked about this chapter was the battle with Sin. The image of a bunch of swordsman leaping from a boat was one of my favourites. Although, Shiva showing up to save Lenna has to be a close second.

Nice job! keep it up!

[Mystic_clown]

Yay! A Sin battle! And a damn good one. Managing to hack off its wing, well, it was a hell of a lot more than what Tidus and his party did in their first sin battle.

Secondly, SHINRA! Now I'm just eagerly waiting for a character called Rufus to make an appearance. WOOT!

So, Crimson is a worrier monk, a traitor AND he has a cursed sword. Hmm, what exactly makes it cursed? What exactly did Crimson do? I'm eager to learn more now.

And now Lenna's a gun-toting summoner. she's better than Yuna, that's for damn sure.

Hmm, Ket's quite interesting too. I wonder what other Aeons he has at his disposal. Nice way of describing Shiva when she made her appearance.

Overall, I must say, awesome chapter there. I definately want to see more of this. Keep up the good work Crys ^_^

[Crystal Tears]

Lady Vulpix: The prices shall be paid, or horrible things will happen… Maybe… Depends if I feel like writing horrible things or not. =D

^_^’ I already explained the ‘Oh God’ that appeared in this chapter, so no need to explain that. You’ll see who and what she believes in eventually, but I’m not going to give away any specific details.

Caladbolg’s history was… Relatively easy to create, and I admit, a bit unoriginal. A cursed sword appears in a lot of games I play and stories I read so… I’m going to try and make its origins quite creative and hopefully original.

O’aka? I actually did the math and it worked out. So, I was lucky on that account, I couldn’t write a Final Fantasy X story and not have that annoying money-grubbing man in it. ^^

Macerator: I actually didn’t realize I had followed the game’s plotline of being attacked out at sea until I had finished the sequence and wondered why it seemed so familiar. However, in the game, they attacked Sin’s dorsal fin, not its wing. So that entire setting was a one-off occurrence.

Samchu: Yeah… I actually planned on leaving Crimson behind and having him return later. But it turned out that many people wanted Crimson to stick around, so I decided to include him. He actually made it more fun to write in the long run.

I honestly enjoyed writing the scene with Shiva more then when everyone leapt onto Sin and started hacking at it.

Mystic_Clown: I’m glad you liked the battle scene, it was interesting to write. I had to keep the readers interested and from the replies I assume I did so.

Yeah Shinra Co. … Don’t count on seeing Rufus; I would actually have to have some knowledge of Final Fantasy VII to even attempt to include any direct characters.

xX CHAPTER THREE Xx

Baaj temple was a desolate place. No Yevonite priests or warrior monks strode the hallways, no hymn of the fayth echoed through its dimly lit, faded brown corridors. It was south of Bikinel Island, constantly surrounded by dark storms and rough waters. What made it even more deserted were the jagged rocks, fearsome fields and the fallen walls around the main building. It was once home to the Grand Measter, where she would plan her attacks against Sin, and fend it off from destroying cities and towns. Yes, the one person who seemed to have the know-how of fending off Sin lived far away from the capital Yevon City Bevelle, and that had been her downfall.

The Grand Measter was dead, slain by the Dark Lord Saint, who also was rumored to be dead, cut down by his own second in command.

But that had been over ten years ago, Saint and his age of vandalizing followers long since dead and sent. The cult had new masters now, a syndicate of darkness that made their existence known with every waking second.

“Sin did not finish of the Akheilos as we had hoped…” One of the cloaked men spoke, his face hidden by the shadow his hood cast over him. His voice was rough, sounding as if his voice had been attacked and mortally wounded. “They defeated Sin.”

“Defeat as in slain?” A younger man barked, with long braided brown hair and simplistic leather armor covering him from head to foot. He had some metal armor, namely on his shoulders and chest. “Oh did they just manage to stall their inevitable judgment?”


“What does it matter?” The next was a Guado, her hair untamed and as wild as her cat eyes. Her robes were of deep reds and blacks, while clenched her in spindly hands was a long, black rode. “They managed to save themselves, Sin has grown weaker.”

“Not weaker.”

They all turned, standing in the arched doorway was a gorgeous woman. Her skin deeply tanned with wavy black hair that was tied up in a neat and tidy bun. Her deep red, almost crimson top was acting as some unneeded corset, while her high collar leather coat was tied at the front loosely showing her obvious curves. She stepped forward, one hand sitting comfortably in her pant’s pocket.

“Tame.” She snarled, making the rest of the council take a step back. “Sin has grown tame, bored even.”

“Bored?” The young man laughed. “Bored of what?”

“Bored of us.” Again the woman’s attitude shown through, making the man grimace. “Though I wouldn’t expect you to notice Apis: to busy with your whores and not your duties.”

Apis scowled at her, the woman who strode about in leather pants and all around sexy attire yet she paid no mind to the men eyeing her, especially Apis.

“And where have you been Khala?” Spoke the Guado woman. “We hardly see you anymore; you never come to the mandatory councils, only the ones you deem fit.”

Khala smiled. “I’ve been tracking Sin, and the sinspawn. What I say is true; Sin and its brood have become bored. They are lax on attacking, and rather sleep. Nethedra, have you not noticed?”

Nethedra paused, twirling her rode about as she stepped towards the shattered stain glass window which overlooked the swamped courtyard. She turned to final man, who had taken a seat on the largest throne chair.

“Forseti, you have said nothing.” She hummed, watching Khala roll her eyes in annoyance. “What say you?”

“Where was the Akheilos bound?”

“Kilika.” Apis grinned, leaning against a black pillar.

“Khala; take Fenix and a bunch of acolytes.” Forseti smiled, and tapped his fingers on the arm of the thrown chair. “Perform a calling; make sure you have a summoner ready… Apis, you will go to Bevelle, and spread word of an uprising, near Luca.”

Nethedra frowned as she had nothing to do, Apis had already left, and Khala looked rather peeved.

“What about me-“

“Why do I get charged with the calling?” Khala growled, who in turn received a hateful glare from Nethedra.

“Nethedra, you’ll go to Mt. Gagazet to find the fayth in the walls, and torment them.” Nethedra smirked at her orders and left, leaving only Khala and Forseti.

“Well?”

“Khala, though I am please you take the initiative to track Sin for us, you must start somewhere. Fenix will guard you, fear not, for even if you do die… You will join Sin.”

Forseti watched Khala strode out of the room, peeved.

‘What if I don’t want to join Sin? What if I don’t want to die?’

~.~

Kilika port was in sight now; the sun was just rising on the new day, so the golden gleam was shining off the water and the small wooden huts that made up the port. Lenna silently wondered why the huts weren’t built on the actual land instead of spreading out so far into the deepening waters of the ocean.

She was dressed now, quite comfortably as a cool breeze brushed over her. Her eyes traveled across the horizon to see a rather small, private airship fly mere centimeters over the water before swooping up and disappearing behind the forest covered mountain.

“Why would anyone with an airship come to Kilika?” She thought out loud, eyeing the water as it steadily grew shallower. Quickly she realized exactly why the port spread out so far, the boats couldn’t get very close.

“Why not?” Crimson spoke, coming up beside Lenna. “Beautiful beaches, women, and even a temple. What’s not to love?”

“I love how you have to throw women in there.” Lenna leaned back against the railing of the boat, half smirking at her friend.

“Bad habit.”

“Must be...”

The ship docked fairly quickly, people pushing and shoving to get off the armored boat before another Sin incident could happen. Lenna was calm; her newly acquired firearm was neatly tucked away inside of her jacket, while Crimson’s ‘cursed’ sword was bravely sheathed on his back, obviously not afraid of many people’s opinions. Both the would-be summoner and her guardian stepped off the boat behind the large crowd, minding their step as this dock was under repair, waves from Sin’s attack on the Akheilos had damaged the dock, though thankfully not destroyed it.

Crimson was watching the Kilika temple mountain cautiously. That had been where the airship disappeared to, and he had not known summoner’s to take the easy route and fly to every temple. Plus it came in low, not something that an airship does everyday, it could’ve taken the high route, where all the main airships fly, but this one had skimmed the water.

Crimson grabbed Lenna’s arm.

“Remember the airship we saw?”

Lenna nodded, and then cocked her head. “Why?”

“I think we should steer clear of it.”

“We weren’t steering towards it, but why?”

Crimson sighed, Lenna knew about a lot of things, but apparently blatant illegal activity wasn’t her strong point.

“It was flying under the radar, skimming the ocean waters is a way that pirates and other nasty people use to avoid Yevon patrols.”

Lenna nodded, taking that into consideration as she and her friend made their away around town. Crimson had stopped at the general store, picking up necessary things like food, fresh water, potions and maybe an antidote or two. Lenna however, had been taking in the sights. She’d probably never come back to Kilika, the lovely island had such a serene beauty to it, with the ocean, the cute little huts and majestic tropical forest on the island itself.


“Where was my daddy from?” She had asked her mother so long ago, as they sat on the beach, staring out at the crystal blue sea. Her mother smiled down at her, and rubbed her head before lying back on the sand.

“He was from Kilika. He wanted to take you there.”

“When is he coming back?”

There was a silence between mother and child, and she looked over at her daughter who was still building a sand castle.

“You’ll see him again.”

“Where?”

Another pause, Lenna hated it when her mother did that.

“I’ll tell you when you’re older.”


“You okay?”

Lenna snapped out of her day dream and turned to see Crimson standing next to her. He had a purple and green fruit in his hand with quite a sizeable chunk missing from its side. He took another bite as Lenna shrugged.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not convincing.” He smirked, as they continued on towards the forest. “You were in deep thought.”

“So?”

“Usually that means your remembering something bad.”

Lenna began to wonder how Crimson remember everything she did. Whether it is deep thought or hitting a blitzball a certain way, he was just one to notice details. Sometimes it got annoying, and this was a good example. You couldn’t lie to him, but you didn’t necessarily want to tell him either. Lenna’s only answer to Crimson was a light shrug.

“You think I’ll get the fayth?”

Crimson was silent, he was admiring the beach, with its white sand and blue waters. His eyes then focused on a large wooden wall that surrounded the beach and kept the jungle at bay. Last time he was at Kilika, that hadn’t been there.

“Yes, though apart of me hopes you don’t.”

“Why?” The apprentice questioned, as they joined a small crowd which was in front of the wooden gate. Yevon Soldiers held to their positions, clinging to their guns and swords. There was three standing by the gate controls, two on either side of the actual gate, and four trying to keep the crowd at bay.

“Summoners have to fight Sin, and any encounter with Sin is never a pleasant one.” Crimson eyed the guards. “Why are they keeping us here?”

The reality of the situation set in then, the crowd was loud and far larger then Lenna had first presumed. She and her guardian pushed their way to the front, where they came face to face with one of the Yevon guards. He was dressed in their typical stature, silver helmet with a blue visor over the eyes, green shirt with a steel chest plate and brown pants with leather amour on the thighs and knees. He stared at Lenna for a moment before pushing her back; however, Crimson grabbed the gun and stopped the guard in his tracks.

“Keep back, the issue will be cleared-“

“What’s the issue?” Lenna snapped, rolling her eyes.

The Yevon guard was silent for a moment, looking to his comrades who nodded. “A summoner has been kidnapped.”

Crimson and Lenna stared at the guard in disbelief. “What?”

‘What is it with people and not sugar-coating the issues?’ Crimson thought angrily as the crowd fell silent because of the news.

“Which summoner?”

“Summoner Ket.” Another, higher ranking soldier stepped forward, his shirt was red instead of the traditional green. “Witnesses say Shiva and him were fighting off a fiend that has been terrorizing the island, when fiend suddenly burst into pyreflies.” He lowered his head. “Then it’s a bit foggy, but they said a figured waved their hand and Shiva collapsed, defeated. Everyone was running then, but since the summoner’s body wasn’t at the scene, we presume he was kidnapped.”

“Will you let people go find him?” Lenna asked suddenly, Crimson looked at her in disbelief.

“Lenna wait a-“

“Yes, if their qualified.”

She smiled. “I’m off to Kilika Temple, my guardian and I could help you find him.”

“Hey! No Lenna it’s a-“

“Alright.” The soldier nodded and handed Lenna a small blue sphere. “It’s a recording of the incident a villager filmed before running, a bit fuzzy but its better then nothing.”

The apprentice summoner grinned as she was handed the sphere, and the gate slowly rose up. Reluctantly, Crimson followed her through and waited until the gate was firmly shut before snapping at her.

“Are you insane?” He shouted, grabbing her by the shoulders. “What part of ‘lets avoid the bad guys’ did you have trouble with?”

“Who says it’s them?” Lenna retorted. “Maybe it’s just a fiend.”

“No fiend on Kilika can destroy Shiva by waving its hand!”

Lenna didn’t quite understand why Crimson was so angry about this. He had taken on Sin, something far more powerful then any person or fiend and lived to tell the tale. Why did the entire idea of helping Ket get free from some fiend or nasty people get to him?

“Do you hate Ket?”

Crimson blinked and let go of Lenna. “What?”

“Well, why don’t you want to save him?”

Crimson frowned and stared off into the distance. “He’s probably dead.”

“Let’s say its 50 50.”

Crimson’s expression only depended into a scowl; he turned from Lenna and began to march down the trail. The summoner followed, eyeing the beautiful scenery. The trees overhung the path at points and crystal clear rivers and streams cut through the forest. Small fish that came in a variety of colours swam away quickly when they approached, but they were beautiful if you caught a glimpse of them. The flowers that grew on the side of the road were pretty, though Lenna had seen better inside of the biosphere at Luca. This place had an exotic, but old feel to it, especially when they came to an old stone bridge.

The guardian stopped, leaning against the stone railing as he rested for a moment. Lenna didn’t know what to see, he looked better then before, but Crimson was good at hiding his emotions.

“Crimson?” Her voice was shaky; she had seen Crimson angry once. The coach of their Blitzball team had made the fatal error of agreeing to the entire Kilika Beasts living in Luca. Crimson, though he had agreed to it, had made the team loose the entire season. He wasn’t one to hold a grudge long, and a season only last three months, but still. Losing every game for three months tends to get to you, especially the coach.

“Hmm?”

He wasn’t even looking at her; instead he kept staring off down the river.

“I’m sorry.”

Crimson hardly ever heard that word from anybody. He looked over at Lenna, his face easing out of the anger as he rolled his eyes. His friend smiled and cautiously inched over to him, making sure he wasn’t about strike.

“Temple’s about twenty minutes away.”

“You think it took Ket there?”

He was silent, tilting his head at the thought. “No… But it’s the highest point on this island; we should be able to see where it took him.”

“Do you think,” Lenna paused, not knowing whether she wanted the answer or not. “Do you think he’s still alive?”

Crimson didn’t know how to answer that. Ket was a tough summoner; he could take a lot of punishment before finally cracking. But he had no idea how powerful this thing was that apparently kidnapped him. Any fiend or person had to be unreasonably strong to be able to wave their hand and destroy an aeon, especially one that seemed to be able to hold its own against Sin and the sinspawn.

“Yeah.” He lied, shrugging to cover it up.

“Then let’s head to the temple, maybe we’ll get lucky and be able to see him from there.”

“Maybe…”


The trip to the temple was relatively easy. The jungle, though it seemed treacherous, was filled with fiends who were too frightened and weak to outright attack anyone. And with some overly powerful fiend trudging about with distressed summoner in tow… It was going to be surprising to even hear any of them.

They had been walking for about an hour, talking about various things, though all the conversations had ended in awkward silence due to their task. The many paths that lead through the jungle had formed into one, leading to a small stone bridge.

“What the…” Crimson ran up to the bridge, the stones were cracked and sizable chunk was missing from the side. Unnerving as that was, what made Crimson all the more worried was that the chunk had been cut out of the bridge.

“Crimson!” Lenna cried, making his guardian run across the bridge to where she was. She was covering her mouth, and soon he knew why.

Three Yevonite warrior monks where lying on the side of the road. Two of them were sliced into three pieces, while the other’s face was crushing in. The blood had stained the ground and still looked relatively fresh. Crimson, though he had seen injuries before, felt his stomach twist. Pieces of the man’s face were thrown about, while the insides of those cut were hanging out.

“They must’ve been looking for Ket…” The summoner whispered, turning from the bodies.

“Look…”

He pointed to tracks, paw prints, by the looks of it, leading up the path towards the temple. Odd though, as this creature appeared not to be walking on all fours, but on hind legs, upright some would say, like a human. They were red however, showing this creature had little regard to keeping its direction hidden like before.

“How do we plan on-“

“It’s just a fiend.” Crimson interrupted. “And fiends, no matter how powerful, are stupid.”

“A-alright…” Lenna gulped, “I’m sure it’s quite stupid…”

He rolled his eyes, looking back at the would-be summoner who was still standing by the corpses. “Come on, we have to hurry if we’re going to save Ket.”

She walked up to him, the image of three brutally murdered men burned into her mind. Even as the walked, the image stayed in her mind, seeming to burn itself into her eyelids as she tried to wash it from her mind. The path to the temple lead to a step set stairs. Each one made out of a deep blue stone which had been hammered into place. They were chipped and worn from the hundred years they had stood. They were both fit, but by the time they got to the intricately detailed plateau near the top of the mountain, they were feeling a bit tired.

It was there, three men seemingly appeared. Each one cloaked in deep red and black robes, clinging to crude looking swords.

“Why have you come?” One snarled, pointing his sword at Crimson.

“Sight seeing.” Her guardian replied with a smile.

The men looked at each other, and then the two on either side of the middle man leaped away. The Caladbolg was lodged in his forehead, a good two inches of the point poking out on the other side. Lenna watched them hiss and back away, preparing themselves as Crimson ripped his sword from the body and turned on the nearest robed man.

“Crimson!” Lenna cried, “Is attacking random bystanders the best idea you could muster!?”

Crimson glanced at the woman, she looked infuriated; obviously she didn’t realize who they were. He kicked the figure back before bounding next to his partner.

“You like living underneath a rock don’t you?” He smirked, grabbing the gun from Lenna’s pocket and firing it at rapidly advancing men. The first managed to move out of the way, the other however, had his abdomen ripped from his body and thrown back a few feet before his body fell back. Lifeless. “These aren’t innocent bystanders, they’re followers of Sin.”

“R-really?” Lenna questioned, taking her gun back as Crimson engaged the other follower. She saw it then, a spiral incantation engraved into the dark man’s head. It was faintly glowing, recalling what she had heard about them. Wasn’t that bad?

It didn’t last long though; Crimson used a blitzball move known as a ‘Blizz’. It was a simple, yet powerful tackle that usually involved taking the blitzball and driving it into the chest of an opponent. With a sword, it looked blunt, and had little grace to it, but was surprisingly hard to block. Most fighters assume that a blunt move has a surprise, yet the Blizz didn’t. The opponent expect a fancy swipe, her guardian drove the blade deep into his opponent’s chest.

The eerie glowing of the symbol faded as the man slumped onto the ground. The Caladbolg was stained with blood, though with a swift twirl almost all of it was gone. Crimson turned to Lenna looking at her with worry.

“Okay, so maybe it’s not just a fiend.”

“A sinspawn?” Lenna queried, as they hurried across the Plateau and up another flight of stairs.

“No. There were rumors that Sin Followers had unlocked an ancient tomb deep within some temple, apparently the tomb was home to a monster.”

She thought about the idea of the rumor. It seemed plausible, before Sin had appeared all sorts of fiends and other intelligent races had called Spira home. But most had been wiped out by the Machina War or by Sin’s Wrath. This monster could well be one of the creatures or races said to have been extinct.

“How can they control it if it’s a fiend?” Lenna suddenly thought out loud, Crimson turned to her.

“How do you control a dog or a Chocobo?” He replied. “You train it; they must’ve trained the beast.”

“I doubt it; I’ve studied enough scriptures, glyphs, and scrolls to know any creature locked in a tomb was far more intelligent then a normal fiend. It would have to willingly join them.”

They both came to a complete halt at the top of the hill. This plateau was different from the others, it lead to a small temple, relatively square in design with main doors and two smaller, side room doors that lead to the scroll rooms. Kilika temple was designed with a simple format; you take a lift down to the Cloister of Trials, and then followed that down to the Fayth Chamber. Relatively simple idea; only that the Cloister, like any other, was a maze. Summoners and their guardians have gone insane or died in the Cloister. Keeping all those too weak from reaching the fayth.

It was a crude and rather horrific defense, but it meant only those strong enough both mentally and physically could reach the fayth and have the best chance of surviving. The worst Cloister, as Lenna had heard, was the Bevellian one. No doubt why, Bevelle was usually the last stop for a summoner, upon obtaining the most powerful and holy fayth of all, all that was left to do was travel to the end of the world.

Tall torches lined the pathway to the main door, each one burning a bright lively red flame. It was slightly inspiring, as both Crimson and Lenna approached the first torches. She glanced at her guardian; he was clinging to the Caladbolg, on edge from the last attack no doubt.
“Something’s wrong.” Crimson whispered, turning to Lenna as she pulled the gun from the holster and prepped it.

“What is it?” She felt something; it was dark and cold, evil, in almost every way. A feeling she hadn’t felt before.

“Where are all the priests and monks?”

That was a good question, by now, they should’ve been greeted by at least three nosey monks who would be overjoyed to know another person was about to take the first step in becoming a summoner. Yet none were here, instead, they were greeted by a sinister feeling. All Lenna could do is pray they weren’t dead.

“H-h-hey!!”

Both of them turned, their eyes growing wide with shock as a battered, bleeding and bruised Ket burst out from the surrounding trees and ran towards them. He looked confused and dazed as if he hadn’t seen other people for days. Lenna noted how much blood was on his summoner robes, and the lack of his aeon Shiva who should’ve been summoned.

Ket couldn’t have been happier, his mind had been broken but he still remembered friend from foe. His body gave out once he was close enough, and he fell into Crimson. Who caught him quickly and placed him gently on the ground. Ket was grinning, seeing that Lenna was safe and that she still could get to the Fayth and call upon it.

“You have… H-have to..” Ket choked, blood leaked up into his mouth, making his lips turn all to red.

“Take it easy.” Lenna smiled weakly, she had seen horrific injuries in blitzball, but this, this was unreal, there was blood all over him, and more then likely most was his. “What happened?”

“Get in… The t-t-temple…” The ice summoner gurgled, pushing Lenna away. “You can’t let…”

Ket slumped.

“Is he..?”

“No.” Crimson replied, putting his sword away as he gently picked up the summoner. “But he’s getting close to it.” He turned, leading the way to the temple. “We have to get in there, it’s safer then out here.”


The entrance chamber of Kilika was similar to others. It was dome; the rounding walls lined with statues of priests and before the entrance to the cloister of trials a larger, dominating statue of Yunalesca, the first summoner ever to defeat Sin. Normally a vast amount of people would be in here, praying to a certain statue, though most prayers were guided to the High Summoners Statues.

Crimson placed Ket down near the stairway that lead up towards the lift room. Ket let out a small groan, which was soon drowned out by Crimson pushing the Temple’s doors shut, and promptly locking them.

“Okay.” Her guardian heaved, leaning against the doors. “What now?”

[Mystic_clown]

Woah...able to destroy an Aeon with the wave of a hand. Who, or what, could pull off such a feat? Could it be this fiend that was locked under the temple? Or something else entirely?

Nice little backstory to the cloisters. I wouldn't exactly say they could drive you insane, but then again, maybe the cloisters were harder back then.

Poor Ket. Hmm, I've noticed a distinct lack of cuts and injures caused by a balde of claw. Maybe whatever it was tried to beat him to death. That's gotta be painful.

Hmm, I may be reading too much into this, but I'm developing a small theory as to how exactly the Calabolg is cursed. But as I said before, I may just be reading too much into it.

I wanna see this fiend now. Bring it on!

[Lady Vulpix]

I've finally made it! Sorry for the delay.

Interesting chapter. I like your descriptions and the way you add more depth to the FFX world (even if you keep using 'then' instead of 'than').

I thought the same thing as Mystic_clown about the cloisters. Did they degenerate with time or were the cloisters in the game just a sample?

[Samchu]

Gah! I was almost finished with this and my damn internet froze and I lost everything. I hate this lame-ass ISP! grrrr! Have to type it again!

I loved the description in this chapter. Kilika has some gorgeous scenery and you've really highlighted that in this chapter. Your character description also looks pretty solid as well. Khala's description especially caught my attention (I know what you're going to say, so don't). The idea of Sin followers is a really good one. It's nice to see a darker side to this story. I felt that their meeting played out really well and already you've managed to establish the characters of some 'baddies'.

The Lenna / Crimson relationship continues! Good to see they're still developing but it does appear that Crimson's right about her, she really has been living under a rock. A guy who has a gift for noticing details such as the way she moves when she does specific blitzball moves or is thinking about unpleasant memories? Someone needs to set that girl straight. That said, it was nice to see the more childish side to Lenna. Unlike in the previous chapters, Crimson was clearly the more dominant of the two and that really helped to uncover this other side of Lenna. Complete with childish rashness ^_^

I also want to see this fiend. That is if it actually IS a fiend. There are many aeons that happen to stand on two feet. Yojimbo for instance is capable of defeating opponents with one attack (hell that's even worked on Sin for me). He's also been known to wave his hand. Or what about Anima? Defeated fiends by practically blinking. And let's not forget of course, the awesome power of Bahamut. But then...if it was locked away in Kilika Temple then there's every chance it could be a Dark Aeon (if you're including them).

On a side note. Does anyone else think it's odd that Shiva is the defeated aeon when the aeon provided by Kilika Temple is Ifrit? Fire > Ice. That's all I'm saying.

[Crystal Tears]

Mystic_Clown: Well, destroying an Aeon with a wave or his or her hand isn’t all that impressive. Seymour was able to do that in the game. But what could do it, is a secret.

Actually, seeing as this story takes place a while before the actual game does, it gives me a lot of freedom with them. I can make a trial as easy or as difficult as I want. =D

Painful indeed…

Oh? You have a theory? What would it be I wonder?

Lady Vulpix: >.< Then and Than… I’m trying, really. ^^’’

I’d say degenerate over time… Because I like my trials better.

Samchu: O.o I wasn’t going to say anything. I’m glad you liked the description of Kilika. I found I was quite vague actually, but if you liked it, that’s good. As I said before, Sin followers are a fun group of people to write about.

Yeah, Lenna lives under a rock, but for a long time, all that mattered was Blitzball to her, so she really didn’t need to learn about anything else. Besides, she has Crimson to teach her. He’s a fun character to have as a ‘leader’ figure. And Lenna well, she can just be a ditz sometimes.

Not saying a thing about the ‘fiend’. =X

xX CHAPTER FOUR Xx

That was a good question. They were locked in a temple, and though those doors were strong, no way could they hold on against a relentless attack. Lenna instead, focused on the heaving and dying Ket. The summoner gritting her teeth, and placed her hands over Ket’s body.

A light, white and comforting, began to flow from Lenna’s hands. It looked a lot like string, entangling themselves together to form thicker creamy white strands that have an aura of silver around them. Lenna couldn’t see it, but Crimson was amazed that she knew any spells, let only healing ones. The spell itself was known as Cure. The weakest of all healing spells, yet it still effective. Its shimmering white form flowed freely from Lenna’s hands and seemed to be absorbed into Kets. The nearly dead summoner coughed, his eyes opening as he felt his wounds closing.

When the light faded, Ket was sitting up, though still in pain and wounded, his own body could now heal whatever wounds were left.

“You know magic?” Crimson questioned, stepping over to Lenna, who was smiling.

“Only a bit, I learned them before I left for Luca.”

“That’s very impressive.” Ket nodded, grinning at the woman, who was beginning to blush. He then looked around. “Where am I?”

“In Kilika Temple.”

Ket looked horrified. “I told you to get in the temple!” He stood up, heading towards the door. “I cannot be with you-“

“And why not?” Crimson grabbed the collar of Ket’s robe and tugged him back. Ket swiveled around, his icy eyes meeting the fiery ones of Crimson. “We save you and this is how you repay us?”

“SHE saved me, you Crimson, aren’t capable of saving anybody.” The summoner snapped back, pushing the angered guardian away. “It’s after me, and will kill anyone around me.”

“What’s after you?” Lenna interrupted.

“A creature that I’ve never seen before… A behemoth of warrior-class fiends, something that both of you should avoid.”

“It’s a fiend?” Crimson questioned.

“Close to it, it shows some intelligence, but for the most part it’s blunt and lacks knowledge.”

“What does it look like?” The apprentice asked.

“I never got a clear look at it, I was always running. I know it’s huge, and-“

The temple doors rocked, bending under the pressure of a massive hit. The trio looked over, Lenna jumped as the doors were hit again, but this time bending further, almost to the point the steel plank holding the doors shut snapped. She backed up, carefully stepping up the stairway towards the lift. Another hard hit and the steel plank bent, almost breaking the hinges on the door.

“I-I suggest we run.” Lenna gulped turning around and sprinting up the rest of the steps. She mentally cursed her luck to find the door leading the lift locked. “It’s locked!” She cried, looking back at Crimson who had drawn his sword.

“Who in Yevon’s name locks the lift door!?” He called back, eyeing Ket who had stepped down beside him. “What are you going to do? Can you summon Shiva?”

“No… I feel her strength; she hasn’t fully recovered from the last battle with this creature. I can however, use spells.” Ket’s voice had turned calm and cold, something Crimson remembered, he always did that before a large battle. “Lenna, there’s a side room to the left, see if you can find the key.”

Lenna nodded, bounding down the stairs towards the side room. Though the calm voice of Ket had helped slightly, as the door was bashed again, her nerves began to rattle again. The actual side room was a mess, scrolls and spheres lying all over the place. Lenna cursed every single one of the priests, monks and priestesses who didn’t think tidiness was required.

“Stupid monks can’t keep a damn room clean!!” She cried, “What is all this stuff?”

She kicked a few spheres out of the way as she knelt before a chest. The inscription on it read that everything relatively important was in this old, wooden chest. With a growl she attempted to open it.

It was locked.


Crimson and Ket stared fearfully at the door. The Steel plank had been flung off, and now it was only going to take that creature a matter of seconds to get through the doors. Crimson caught a flash out of the corner of his eye, and looked over. Lenna had appeared with three keys, and the gun in the holster was smoking, along with something in the side room.

“What the hell-“ He was cut off by the door being slammed again, they barely held and now light was shining through the cracks in the doors.

She was beginning to hate this temple; she had already tried one key, which had failed to open the lift door. The second was just entering the keyhole when the doors of the temple flew off, crashing around Ket and Crimson in pieces. Without hesitation, Ket’s hand which had been steadily building up a light blue and aqua energy flew forward. Sending a large icicle shaped spear. It shattered on something, but the light was blinding both the warriors.

But whatever it was, it was huge.

“It’s open!” Lenna cried, as the second key clicked and the door opened slightly. Hastily she kicked the door open and ran down the hall.

Crimson and Ket looked at each other.

“I say we run.”

“I agree.” Ket replied, as they both sprinted up the stairs and shut the door behind them.

The hallway was angled down slightly, and was narrow and dark. The door blocking access to this hallway was soon to be ripped off its hinges, and no one wanted to stay around and see if the creature could fit down here. The hallway opened up to a small room with a decorative floor, which rumbled and slowly went downwards once all three of them were on the lift. All three of them looked up nervously when they heard the door being ripped off its hinges.

“It’s too big to fit down here.” Ket reassured everyone, though it was more to comfort himself.

“Are you sure?” Lenna questioned, Ket nodded, but his expression said otherwise.

“Did you see anyone else?” Crimson asked, turning to the ice summoner. “We ran into Sin Followers before we got here.”

“Yes, I ran into them. They confronted me before the creature appeared.”

“So the creature is theirs…” Sighed the gunner as she fiddled with the Calypso.

The lift grinded to a halt at the bottom, it was connected to a large hallway that lead towards the Cloister. It was filled with more statues and on the walls connected to the final door before the Cloister were the names of who were claimed by the trial. And unfortunately it wasn’t small.

“You ready?” Crimson smirked, following her up to the door.

“Of cou-“

Rock and rubble collapsed into the hall, crushing some of the statues and making the ground shake. A roar, more terrifying then the screech of Sin echoed down into the chamber just as Lenna, Crimson and Ket ran into the trials, closing the door behind them. They could hear more rock and pieces of the upper temple fall into the chamber before a resounding thud signaled the monster was right behind them.

“We have to split up.” Ket ordered, pushing Crimson to one path and Lenna to another as he took the third. “Our footsteps will echo and confuse the beast.”

“You’re insane Ket, I have to pro-“ Crimson fell back as a ball of ice and snow slammed into his chest. He groaned and got back onto his feet.

“That’s an order.”

Crimson looked at Lenna for a brief second before running down his path; Ket sprinted down his, leaving Lenna to go down the one to the far right. She turned and ran down hers, intent on keeping whatever that monster was far behind.

The trial was creepy. Each wall was the same dirty grey colour and it seemed to go on forever, just like the head priest’s description. She remembered Ket’s words, but this was insane. She wasn’t even running anymore, she was walking along with her hand on the wall. Time to time, she stop and listen, and without fail, she could hear the footsteps of both Ket and Crimson, trying to find their way around.

‘This is idiotic… The footsteps echo, even if we were together it’d confuse the monster.’ Lenna thought, coming around the corner she stopped. A small, purple sphere was off to the side. Slowly she picked it up and looked at the glyph glowing inside. ‘An exploding sphere…’ An amusing thought but if it was labeled correct, that’s exactly what it did.

She hated this maze, everything was the same, and she swore she had been around this one corner over fifteen million times. With a groan she stopped and sat down, thinking about what to do.

Her eye caught it then, a faint glyph throbbing on the wall. Putting the exploding sphere down, she crawled over to the symbol and gently touched it. Immediately the wall shone brighter than the sun and then disappeared, revealing a hidden room behind. Lenna stood up; taking her purple sphere she entered the room and looked around.

The only thing out of the ordinary in this room was a small orange sphere with no glyph imbedded into the wall. The inscriptions around it fluttered and began to glow brighter when the apprentice approached, but they made no sense when she read them.

“Sometimes words will make no sense, some trials require you to use spheres, and there are many different kinds. But you must remember this simple rule with spheres: if the first doesn’t work, try another.”

Head Priest Ran’s words echoed into Lenna’s head. Carefully she took the orange sphere and replaced it with the purple.

A thick purple line appeared on the wall, traveling down at amazing speeds before disappearing around the corner. And then suddenly, the line started to explode.


Crimson was running as fast as he could. Mentally he scolded himself for turning right, right never lead you anywhere good. But this was much worse, rather then a dead end, he ran smack into the monster. The thing was, as they had all suspected, huge! Its body was covered in white with steel grey stripes. Its chest however had no hair and instead seemed to have leathery deep grey skin covering an obscene amount of muscle. Past that he hadn’t seen, nor did he want too. He had turned right around and sped down the left pathway, followed by the horrid beast.

‘Not good, not good, not good, not…’ Crimson looked over his sword to see a giant steel blade being madly swung at the back of his head. ‘Seriously not good!’

He tripped! He fell hard onto his side. Scrambling he turned over on his back, desperately scrambling away from the snowy white beast which cast a monstrous shadow on him. Crimson looked up in horror as the blade was lifted high into the air.

Rumbling.

The creature turned, letting its guard down to see the entire left wall of this corridor exploding. It snarled and fell through the opposing wall as the explosion carried on past. Crimson blinked, not believing the events that had just taken place. But as the creature began to move and attempt to get up, he ran, following the exploding wall.

Ket was at the end of the maze, he was pounding furiously on the door when the hall leading to the door began to explode on one side and Crimson came barreling after it.

“Open the damn door!” Crimson cried from the down the hall, his eyes wide with fear as he heard the thundering pound of the monsters feet.

“I can’t! AHH!”

The summoner screamed as the wall near the door exploded before the line that Crimson was following so desperately reached him. Standing on the other side was Lenna, holding an orange sphere. She tossed it to Ket, who, spying the round lock on the door; shoved the sphere inside.

The door opened, just as a white beast came around the corner.

“What the hell is-“

“Doesn’t matter!” Crimson tackled Lenna exceptionally hard to get her through the door. “”Just get in!”

As Crimson and Lenna literally flew through the doorway, Ket got inside and shut the door, upon taking the sphere from the lock; a blue aura surrounded the entrance before disappearing.

“It can’t get through that door.” Ket sighed, listening to the futile banging of the creature which didn’t even make the steel door budge. “It’s magically sealed.” He turned, seeing Lenna half laying on Crimson, both of them in hysterics.

“What is so funny?” He questioned, watching Crimson shove Lenna off of him only to be kicked in the shin. “Well?”

Both blitzballers looked at Ket and just grinned.

“Doesn’t matter,” Lenna giggled, leaping to her feet. “What matters now is that I get the fayth.”

“Well then…” Crimson began, as he looked around ‘resting’ room. It connected to the chamber of fayth through another enchanted door, only this one usually didn’t open once a summoner was inside. “Through that door then.”

Lenna approached the door; it slid downwards as she stepped towards it, strange metal spikes that protruded from the hallway behind the magical archway disappeared into the walls. Quietly, the apprentice summoner entered the chamber, the room behind her fading into darkness.

The chamber was dark, and barely lit by two small torches. The floor for the most part is stone, except for the middle which instead was a dome of glass, revealing a statue imbedded into the floor. It was the back of a man, his left hand turned into some sort of twisted claw, while the right disappeared into the floor. Other then the back of his head, back, left and right arm and twisted left hand, that’s all there was to see. Tribal designs of fire seemed to dance around the edge of the glass chamber.

“So that’s a Fayth…” Lenna thought out loud, she knelt at the edge, gently touching the glass panel.


Crimson and Ket had sat in silence for half an hour, neither of them looked at each other, nor did they exchange words. Instead, they listened to the banging that had stopped ten minutes ago. Crimson shuffled, he was sitting next to the chamber door, listening to the soft humming of an enchanting hymn. It was said it was caused by the fayth, endlessly humming a song that told the tale of their misery. Yevonites didn’t particularly like the hymn, it reminded them of Zanarkand. Ket said next to the enchanted door that had kept the monster at bay. Opposite of Crimson, he had been staring at the fiery guardian for a while, though the guardian refused to look up from the ground.

“Lenna’s nice.” Ket finally said, he watched Crimson look up with a smirk and then look back at the ground.

“Yeah..”

“You two…” Ket paused, seeing Crimson look at him curiously. “Together?”

‘Almost.’ Crimson replied in his mind, he shrugged though and shook his head. “Nah.”

Ket stared at the avoidant Crimson for a moment before chuckling to himself. “Why not? Afraid she might find out about you?”

The guardian looked up; “That’s sweet coming from a captain who abandoned his platoon.”

“You can berate me all you want Jet.” The summoner watched with a certain satisfaction when the man opposing him looked up, his eyes burning with rage. “But I wasn’t the one labeled as a traitor.” Ket paused. “I’ve done you a favor you know, I could’ve told Lenna all about you, but instead I decided to play along.”

Crimson was tempted to stab Ket, but no doubt that was a hearty reward for returning the summoner ALIVE to the village. Instead he kept his mouth shut, and looked back at the ground. He didn’t want to think about the past, all it did was make things worse. Ket however, seemed intent on bringing it up.

“Still proud of your decision?”

“Yep.” Crimson smiled at Ket, who seemed taken back by the blitzer’s reply.

“We lost because of you.”

She couldn’t be any older then five. Sitting there, cling to the same brown and white puppy that had refused to leave her side, despite the constant bombardment. Her dress was white, practically untouched by the muck and dirt that had been flung around by the magic spells and bombs. Her hair was crisp golden blond and her eyes were a bright lively green with spirals for pupils.

“Jet, come on!”

He turned, looking at the commander as he trudged forward, pushing a dead sinspawn off of his blade.

“Leave her! We need the shard!”

The commander couldn’t have just said that, it was a child, innocent of all charges; the shard could wait as far as Jet was concerned. He turned from the captain, and began to make his way towards the child. He saw the commander then, stomping past him towards the child.

“What are you doing?” Jet cried, racing to stop the commander.

The commander turned; his eyes a deep green, and he had drool coming from his mouth.

“She… Needs to diiiee…” The officer hissed. He smiled at Jet, before turning to the terrified girl.

The girl screamed; Jet’s sword had cut clean through the commander’s shoulder, slicing the sword wielding arm right off. The crazed man turned, his skin had begun to turn an odd green. Jet had noticed something strange with the commander but this was ridiculous. The man turned on Jet, swinging the remaining arm wildly until it to, was separated from the body. He didn’t waste time, ignoring another order to leave crazed soldiers alive for treatment, Jet beheaded the commander.


He went to face judgment, a small innocent Al Bhed girl and her puppy in his arms.

“You lost because of the toxin, not me.” Crimson replied.

Ket was about to reply, but the chamber door slowly began to lower. Crimson immediately stood up, though Ket remained sitting, focusing his energies with Shiva to see if his aeon was alright.

Lenna came out, her eyes half closed, her hands clutching her abdomen and her skinned paled.

“Are you alright?” Her guardian asked.

“Oh… Yeah..” Lenna grimaced. “Fine, peachy, dandy…” She paused and stared blankly at the door. “Crimson?”

“Yeah?”

“Catch me.”

Lenna fell, her body aching from what had happened in the chamber. Crimson caught her of course, holding her as she murmured incoherent thoughts and other crazy things. Ket walked over, looking at Lenna curiously for a second before turning away.

“She has her aeon.”

“That’s great, but it’s not going to be much to us if she can’t stay conscious.”

Ket frowned, Crimson did have a point. “Then if it’s needed, Shiva will help us.”

“Didn’t Shiva die every time she faced that thing?”

“Aeons, just like people, learn. When you were facing sinspawn, did you not learn from them and become more efficient?”

“Well… Yeah.” Crimson shrugged.

“Shiva has been doing the same, she becomes harder and harder for that beast to strike. This time around, she should be a good enough distraction.” The summoner placed the sphere in the door’s lock, and instantly the door opened; revealing a signal long hallway towards the Maze’s entrance. “The one good thing about the trials, you don’t have to do the same one twice.”

The guardian didn’t reply, instead he followed the ice summoner to the lift, and finally the main chamber of the temple itself. Both of them cringed, the place was ruined, the statues lining the sides were destroyed and Yunalesca’s statue lay in the middle of the chamber in pieces. The floor was cracked, probably a result of the white beast trudging around, and the side room was tattered and destroyed.

“Can they even control that thing?” Crimson thought out loud, walking towards the open archway that used to have doors leading outside.

“As a matter of fact,” Both men turned to see a woman standing there, four Sin followers on either side of her clung to crude, black weapons. The woman was pretty, with her wavy black hair, nice top and leather pants. “We can.”

Crimson noted her eyes; they were gold and appeared to be glowing. She looked at him, and than Lenna with slight wonder before locking eyes with Crimson.

“You and the girl may go,” She looked over at Ket. “You however, must stay.”

Despite hating Ket, the guardian couldn’t leave someone behind, a bad habit, some would say. “I’m not leaving him-“

“Crimson.” Ket barked, making the fiery eyed man silence. “Go.”

“To hell with you pretty boy, I’m staying.”

“What about her?” The summoner’s eyes looked at Lenna in a longing fashion, before retreating to the ground.

“If you wish her not to be harmed…” The dark woman smirked, “Then she won’t be.”

“We have your word?”

“Our concern is neither with you or the girl, only with this summoner. We probably won’t be killing you either.” She stepped back, the smirk plastered on her face as the sin followers charged.

Both Crimson and Ket reacted accordingly. Ket began conjure and fling icicles, ice spheres and other sorts of cold spells their way, while Crimson, who was now effectively a guardian for not one, but two summoners, brought the Caladbolg down on one of the followers’ heads before kicking the stunned opponent away.

The girl, though she realized the acolytes were losing, seemed more and more amused as Ket and Crimson fended them off. She applauded both their efforts as the three remaining followers backed off, lowering their heads in shame.
It was a sudden and very loud ‘bang’ that signaling everyone to the arrival of the monster. Both men turned, gasping as they finally got to see just how big this thing was. Crimson recalled the white fur, grey stripes, and the leather deep grey chest, but suddenly he realized it had been hunching in the temple. This thing had to be standing at, at least, fifteen feet. Its legs and arms bulged with muscle and its head was a cat’s: a tiger more superficially, with long, silver teeth that hardly even fit in its mouth.

And in its hand was a massive sword, slightly chipped and cracked, but still massive.

“I’m done playing games, summoner you’ll come with us. Now.”

Ket was in a trance though; streams of aqua lightly appeared around him, spinning faster and faster before forming into a signal beam that shot straight into the air. He opened his eyes and stared coldly at the woman, before slapping his hands together. A signal large chunk of ice careened down from the sky and shattered in front of the summoner, revealing a familiar blue skinned woman.

“Shiva?” The Sin lady laughed. “Fenix, destroy her.”

‘Fenix’, as the great beast was called, charged, sword brought high above its head, it swung at Shiva with more force than either Ket or Crimson could believe. Shiva however, was faster; she rolled out of the way, and shot a small ice sphere at the tiger. Who roared in frustration and chased after her.

Crimson joined the fight, though slightly daunted by Fenix’s sheer size; he had an aeon on his side. He thrust the sword into the beast’s leg, and twisted it, causing enough pain to the tiger so that it dropped its sword and turned its attention off of Shiva.

But now the sin followers had joined the fray, they were casting fire spells towards the ice aeon, forcing her away from Fenix in attempt to let it finish off Crimson before focusing on Shiva again.

The monster attacked the guardian with surprising speed, grasping out with its right arm to tear the Caladbolg away and toss it to the side as its left hand clenched Crimson’s leg and threw him into the air. Crimson had another idea however, the ground would hurt, and pain, especially the sort of pain you get from slamming into the ground, was not good in this situation. His head long dive for the ground was turned into a fall with feet firmly below him and Fenix’s wide shoulders coming quickly.

Bouncing off the tiger’s large head, then his shoulders Crimson was back on the ground, and going for his sword when a dark robed warrior crossed his path, holding a contorted black spear in front of him.

“It’s not nice to point you know.” Crimson smiled, as an icicle pierced into the man’s head, making him collapsed.

Ket had broken the trance, all the power he could spare had went to Shiva, who had managed to get rid of the two remaining followers and now was evading Fenix. He was tired, but not helpless.

Crimson, with sword in hand, charged. Shiva was cornered, she knew it was coming again, this horrific thing was going to strike her down for the third time, and she had a feeling it’d be the final time. She looked up at the sky as another ice crystal fell and slammed into Fenix’s shoulder, causing it to bleed.

The tiger grappled the aeon; holding her firm in his two hands as he prepared to tear her into pieces. Yet a piercing and agonizing pain ripped from between his shoulder blade’s, he dropped the ice summon, and stumbled around. He knew it was that damn human, with the red eyes and a familiar blade. Fenix roared in protest his hands coming dangerously close to grasping the guardian.


Lenna stirred; the blurriness and darkness of whatever state she had been in broke away to let her see a battle. Her body ached still, but it was considerably less then before. Bewildered, she looked around.

‘Dead sin followers, a tired Ket, Shiva, giant cat thing, and Crimson its back.’ She thought. ‘Wait…’

Lenna looked again, weakly she stood up and watched as Crimson tore the blade from the monster’s back and prepared to stab it again.

“ENOUGH.” Snarled the woman, she flung an unstable, wobbly black orb at Crimson. He let out a strangled cry as the attack carried him into the wall and then seemingly dissipated.

Crimson dropped his sword and slumped against the wall.

Fenix swiveled around with surprising grace and slammed a huge fist down on Shiva, causing her to fall onto her back. Her eyes were half open, and her arms twisted at horrible angles when Fenix finished her off by kicking her into the forest.

Shiva vanished; turning into thousands of little glowing comets called pyreflies.

Lenna ran over to Crimson, she gently touched his cheek and found it was freezing. She pressed two fingers on his neck, and gave a quick sigh of relief to find he was still alive. The girl then turned, watching the giant beast stomp over to a terrified Ket, who tried desperately to fend it off with small blizzard spells.

“Stop it!”

Fenix, with Ket in his hands, turned and looked at Lenna, as did the woman.

“I spared your life, and your friend’s. Leave us alone.”

“Spared his life?” Lenna growled. “What the hell did you do to him? He’s as cold as ice!”

“What does it matter if he’s still alive?”

Without thinking, she pulled the Calypso from its holster and pointed it at the girl. “It matters to me.”

[Mystic_clown]

Giant white cat beast of death! For some reason, I keep picturing Fenrir from FFXII, did this serve any inspiration?

Hmm, so all Crimson-pardon-Jet did was kill his commander who had gone insane? Not the worst crime in the world. I wonder what Ket's story is. Maybe we'll find out soon, or then again, maybe not.

I know it's pretty obvious what Lenna's eaon is, but I'm curious. Afterall, you could have changed it for all we know.

Let's see how Lenna fares against a monster two seasoned soldiers could not beat.

[Lady Vulpix]

Nice chapter! The monster was interesting, and I liked getting more insight into Crimson's and Ket's past. Seeing Lenna lose her temper like that was unexpected, but I think it makes her look more believable. And I liked the release once the threat was gone.

I also like your cloister more, but I think I wouldn't if I had to be in it. And Crimson's comeback made me chuckle. And the ending was intriguing.

I think you've got the difference between 'then' and 'than' right, but have swapped the 2 words. Replace every occurrence of each by the other and it should be fine.

[Samchu]

First off, let me say that that is an absolutely EVIL place to finish off the chapter. Meanie!

Right, I've said it. Moving on. Overall this was a pretty good chapter. It had a nice bit of action to it, a good pace and wasn't overly descriptive. I liked the creature, nothing like a giant mindless beast to spice things up. Although I personally felt that having the 'baddies' actually able to control it was a stroke of genius. It beats having a bunch of mindless, useless wannabies for enemies. Still, you have to wonder what they want with Ket. It's good to see that the events in Crimson's past seem to be open to interpretation (and we don't see anything wrong with what he did) but I doubt that's everything. I certainly can't see Ket being so cold to him just for doing that.

Yeh...can't really add anything to that.

[Crystal Tears]

Mystic_Clown: Yes, Fenrir from Final Fantasy XII served as inspiration for that particular baddie. I loved that creature so much I just had to include it somehow. I’m glad you caught the similarity.

I can’t tell you to much about Crimson, other then there are other key experiences and probably helped brand him. I don’t know about Ket’s story, I might include it, if I feel it’s necessary.

Lady_Vulpix: ^_^ You liked my Cloister more? Thanks! I honestly thought people would hate it and prefer the one shown in the game.

Ehh.. Then and Than… My Arch nemesis =.= I shall defeat them.

Samchu: O.o *has be branded as a ‘Meanie’*

Anyways, I’m glad you liked Fenix. Yes, a giant beast with a hell of a lot of strength usually does gather ones attention.

xX CHAPTER FIVE Xx

Khala could hardly believe this, this woman, whoever she happened to be; was defending someone who couldn't fight properly. She did not have the same distaste for this woman, she had been unconscious at the time, but when you fight and fail. You deserve nothing.

"I spared your life, and I spared his. The least you could do is stay out of my way." She hissed, glaring at the pink haired woman. "If you wish to liv-"

She cocked the gun. "Tell me. Now."

"You cure him with an Ether." She snarled.

"Now give me back the summoner."

Khala didn't wait any longer, the dark orb she had conjured before returned, and she threw it at her opponent. The woman however, had exceptional aim, she broke off aiming at Khala and shot at the orb. It collapsed in on itself, letting out a dark smoke that shrouded the entire plateau in black for a moment.

She took her chance; an eerie green energy poured from Khala's two hands that were pointed at Ket. It looked almost like cure, only instead of being absorbed and healing; it wrapped itself around the summoner, binding him in a floating state.

Fenix had made his way to Khala's side, nuzzling her slightly as a sign of affection. Khala was the one he was most found of, she treated him almost as an equal. She cared for him, even if it was only for the sake of being protected. Khala rubbed his cheek gently, smirking as the smoke cleared and the woman was dazed.

"I suggest you leave this island." She laughed. "They're about to have a visitor.”

Lenna watched as the evil woman and her pet cat vanished, a ring of orange energy expelled from where they were before fading away.

“Urr…. Ghh…”

She turned, seeing a confused Ket lying on the ground, the green magic that had held him in the air was floating about twenty feet up, spinning around so fast that it looked like a lime green glowing orb.

“That’s not…” Lenna looked around, the gentle breeze that had been blowing all day was gone, and the sound of the birds, bugs and other creatures had vanished. “Good…”

They both found it creepy; the island was in silence. The clouds that had been speckled the sky were gone, replaced by an endless blue that at this point, didn’t seem comforting at all. Ket looked up, his eyes focusing on the horrid green glowing ball. Stumbling, he raced to his feet and grabbed Lenna’s wrist.

“We have to get out of here!” He cried, pulling on her arm.

“Wait,” she pulled away, running over to Crimson. “What about him?”

“We have to warn the people, we have to leave him!”

‘Out of the question.’ Lenna thought, turning away from the summoner, who, seeing as he was alarmed by that glowing ball thing, would have some explaining to do when they got out of here. “No… You go; I’ll stay here and help him.”

“Lenna he’s-“

“NO!” She cried, pivoting around so she could look him in the eye. “I will not leave him.”

Ket looked at her for a moment, and then at the unconscious guardian. Without a word, he took off, running down the path.

Lenna was rummaging through the small pack of supplies Crimson had bought. Most were potions, couple of antidotes. They all looked similar, potions looked like water, antidotes looked like water with a greenish tinge, but an Ether, it was a thick and sloppy mixture, meant to restore the life force in someone.

It’s how someone used magic, the life force in them would materialize the best it could so that it could heal, defend, disease, or destroy. It all depended on the person. Lenna excelled at healing and defending, while that woman obviously liked inflicting ailments and evading. Though eventually Lenna could learn spells like that, it would be difficult; someone who naturally cares cannot simply cast a spell that destroys.

When someone is drained of the force that keeps them alive, they don’t die; only enter a state that is like being in a void. Eventually they would pass away, but it takes a while, a very long while.

Lenna pulled from the pouch a small vile that contained the sloppy, purple ‘liquid’. Grimacing at the idea of even trying to drink this stuff, she tilted Crimson’s head back, gently opened his mouth and poured it in.

The colour immediately returned to his skin, becoming the attractive tan is was before. He coughed, sitting up on his own as shook his head weakly.

“What in Yevon’s name happened?”

Lenna was about to answer, but she was caught up in thought. That glowing ball was getting smaller, ridiculously smaller actually.

Crimson was also staring at the orb, but not in curiosity or wonder, but horror. Despite his mind being overly dazed and confused, and his body pain, he wretched himself to his feet. He wobbled, but steadied as he leaned against the wall.

“Need ta… Uhh…” He closed his eyes as he tried to make the headache go away. “Run.. Get out of here..”

“Whoooa.” Lenna grabbed Crimson directing him away from the temple entrance. “The port Crimson, the port is that way.”

“Yeah… Right.” He agreed, stumbling as he began to run with Lenna’s help. “I knew that.”


It didn’t take long for Crimson to recover, both him and Lenna in a mad dash down the numerous steps. He knew what was going on, he knew what that orb did. And he knew it was already too late for the people of Kilika. All that mattered now was that they got to the boat before it left. Never in his life had he thought he ran to slow, blitzball had made both him and Lenna extremely fit and extremely fast, yet he could feel it, the wind was returning, gently urging them forward as the trees all over the island began to rustle.

Then he could feel it, the temperature in the air was dropping, and dropping fast. Overhead black storm clouds loomed closer, lightning spreading across the sky as thunder boomed. The waves in the ocean which was a considerable ways away were churning wildly growing large and dangerous.

Lenna wanted to ask what the hell was going on, but she couldn’t. It was in her now, she could feel it. This horrible feeling of dread, twisting and curling itself as the noise returned. She tried to run faster, but it wasn’t working, her muscles were beginning to ache; they were being pushed to far to fast. But Lenna had to run; every instinct told her to run.

She had never been this scared in her life.

Then it happened, the green orb couldn’t shrink anymore and instead, exploded. A shockwave of green magic tore across the island. It ripped the temple apart, sending pieces of rock and rubble flying down the hillside. Trees toppled over from the blast and the sound of the wind, water and hurrying footsteps were drowned out by a long, drone. It was so deep and loud, and only seemed to increase the closer it got to Lenna and Crimson. It carried behind it an avalanche of trees, rocks and rubble, slamming into each other and shattering.

Crimson took once glance behind him and saw the mass. They couldn’t out run it; it was far to fast, to close…

He grabbed Lenna’s hand and jumped off the beaten path. Both of them hit the ground hard, tumbling and slamming into various rocks and logs. Lenna stopped rolling on her back. She covered her face as the trees around them threatened to snap and rip away. Debris from the shockwave fell around her. She rolled desperately, a chunk of the temple door land beside her.

As fast as the shockwave had come, it was gone.

Cautiously, Lenna stood up. Most of the trees around her were snapped in half or gone completely. Crimson appeared a few feet away, brushing the dirt and branches off of him as they watched the shockwave go about two miles farther before disappearing, dropping its avalanche of trees, rocks and temple stones wherever it liked.

Crimson was silent, leading the way as they both got up on the path again. Which was littered with small pieces of trees and rocks, occasionally there was an overbearing rock, but for the most part it was just small knickknacks.

So why were they still running?

The storm was right overhead now, the lightning light up the sky, and the wind howled. Yet there was no more thunder, and no rain. The storm was a silent killer, waiting for the opportune moment.


Crimson could feel it. He could smell it. The air was moist, but not with water, no… This was toxin, a poison, that was stronger then any warlock or witch could brew. It was affecting them both, he however, had a built up immunity. Lenna was so fortunate, her muscles were tiring and her mind was escaping her grasp of sanity. She was falling behind; he grabbed her wrist and pulled her along urging her to go faster.

Lenna fell, her muscles to weak to carry her any farther. The air felt different, she looked at her hands as she stayed hunched on the ground. They looked stained, a faint green hue that, if she rubbed it, was gone before it appeared again. Whatever this stuff was, it was in the air.

“Come on!” Crimson urged, pulling on her arm. Lenna stumbled, tripping over her own feet to fall back down again.

And then they came.

Thousands of armored spores, they looked like spear heads, careening from the clouds to the ground. Each one hit the ground so hard that everything shook. Every spore screeched and howled, more so once they hit the ground and unfurled. The amour split into ten sections, eight of them being legs while the two in front were arms shaped into sickles of death. Its head was barely visible and was mostly a mouth with thousands of serrated teeth.

They attacked anything, slicing the trees down, the innocent creatures, hell even the rocks weren’t safe.

“Lenna,” Crimson urged, tugging on her. “We really need to get going.”

She forced herself to her feet; her eyes caught a glance at one of the monsters racing towards them. That was enough to get her adrenaline going.

The port was close now; the destruction of the forest had given away to the small, untouched portion that was just beyond the gate. The green tint in the air was gone, and Lenna found her strength coming back. They broke through the trees with the fiend hot on the heels to find the gate wide open, with gun shots and magic flashes coming from the port. Without glancing at each other they both pulled out their weapons and dashed into town.

The fiend chasing them didn’t bother diverting course to fit through the gate, it smashed down the wall. The wooden pillars tumbled and snapped, giving way to the beast that unleashed a stream of flames. Crimson ducked, he knew it had just missed, and instead, slammed into one of the wooden shacks; setting it a blaze.

He saw the few Yevonite guards who were stationed here were trying to fight back; but they weren’t coordinated, the damn fiends were toying with them.


Crimson raced to the chief of the guards, who was barely managing to keep the monsters on the island. The chief turned to him, surprised to see someone who wasn’t a guard standing before him.

“Please, go to the docks-“

“Coordinate your men.” The guardian snarled, reaching out and grabbing Lenna’s wrist to catch her attention. She hopped over to him, finding she could no longer walk forward. “Or they’re going to get through the blockade before the ships can leave.”

“We don’t have enough men.” The chief growled, pointing at the few that were still fighting. “We couldn’t stop them all.”

Crimson growled; he wanted to kill the captain. There was always a chance, but as he watched the guards fall one by one, he came to realize, now there was no hope in stopping the creatures. Grudgingly he turned and ran off, Lenna hot on his heels as the monsters began to make their way to the port.

“Crimson!” Lenna groaned, stopping as they reached the beginning of the vast expanse of wooden huts and dock. “What are they?”

He looked up at the sky; the clouds were spinning ever so slowly, revealing a green center about three miles long. The lightning, the wind, the waves, everything had stopped again. Leaving only the screams of terrified people to fill the void; he looked at Lenna, afraid to tell her the truth. But it’d be so apparent in about thirty seconds, so real.

“They’re Sinspawn.” Crimson answered, nothing in his voice comforting the girl at all. “They come before they’re master. If we want to live I suggest we keep running.”


It was tiring. Crimson body was beginning to ache, while Lenna’s was on the verge of collapse. The air was moist again, moist with a sickness which was going to make everyone a sitting duck. It had swept down from the mountain, looming closer and closer to the boats that were trying to fit as many people as they could.

They had seven seconds left.

Closer, the boats were large enough to see intricate details on the hulls. Sailors were calling to all who could move to get any ship. The duo had just managed to get to the faithful Akheilos when the mental count down Crimson had been keep track of hit zero. Hastily he dragged the nearly unconscious Lenna on board and handed her to one of the few still awake.

“Get her into room twelve.” He ordered, the woman he had given Lenna too nodded and made her way past the unconscious on the deck towards the stairs.


It sounded like a woman at first, a scream so long and so horrifying that it sent a chill down your spine. Then you began to hear the deeper, uncontrolled rumbling in the screech.

He couldn’t see it very well, but he could tell it was there. It’s long, snake body shot out from the green portal; bringing with it a gush of wind that nearly blew Crimson right over. Its head was cast in deep grey and ebony black armor, leaving only narrow slits for its eyes. He gulped; he could see that the wing they had torn off in the battle on the ocean was back. For a split second, it stopped, hovering over the mountain as it scanned the ground, watching its disgusting children run towards the sprawling port of Kilika. Sin bellowed; two large silver horns pierced through its armored face while every single spine on its back began to rise.

Crimson didn’t know how long he had stayed frozen, his mind trying to accept that Sin was here, and now, it was spiraling through the air towards Kilika, energy sparking around its two horns. He broke his fearful state and began grabbing people and throwing them onto the ship while the sailors dragged them back; a few of the sailors came down to join him.

One of the sailors screamed something, before pointing madly. The guardian looked; Sin was heading straight towards them, mere inches between its armored belly and the ground. Dirt and debris shot up around it as it broke away from the island and came streaming through the port, its body slamming into the wooden trail and houses, ripping them apart without a second thought. Its mouth was wide open, large, serrated teeth glistened in poor, fading evening light.

The energy it had been gathering around its horn shot off wildly, striking a neighboring ship. It crackled and tore into the armor, shredding it before the energy hit something internally and caused the ship to explode! Pieces of it landed on and around the Akheilos.

One of the sailors stepped forward, a small, shining gem grasped in his hand. He froze, seeing Sin so close, its head five times the size of a major airship liner. No doubt he could feel the sickness in the air, the poison that had affected so many. But he didn’t care, unknown to all around, his two daughters were on the Akheilos. And he’d be damned if Sin got at them! He whipped the gem forward, and then ducked, as did Crimson and the rest of the sailors on the dock.

A shining gem: a rare piece of crystal that could fetch a high price, or be used in combat. The tiny thing landed in Sin’s mouth, but didn’t stay that way. It exploded, a pink and deep purple explosion caused Sin to scream and veer of course, twirling in the air uncontrollably before crashing into the shallow water. Its tail whizzed over the people on the dock and tore the mast of Akheilos clear off.

Sin groaned; its body floundering for a moment before it flipped right side up. The captain of the Akheilos took that as the sign to push off.

Crimson wasn’t aware of how many he had thrown onto the ship, but he kept going until he was forced to stay on, the distance between him and the dock to far. He collapsed, his body worn from the struggle. He could see Sin, sitting in the water like a coiled snake, bolts of energy flying from its horns, crashing into the dock as five boats made their escape, all staying relatively close to each other.

The Akheiloswas on the side, a larger, slower ship known as Haephestus was bringing up the rear, its dual machina shock cannons ready to deter Sin away from the middle ship, a completely defenseless ferry called Siren, a smaller, more versatile Al Bhed vessel named Apollo lead the way. And finally a ship nearly identical to the Akheilos in strength and speed was on the opposing side of the ferry, titled Demeter.

A small fleet that no one truly important would dare to pay attention to was on its way to Besaid, a smaller island farther out to sea. Sin rarely ever came to Besaid Island, no one knew why; it had only attacked there twice, before leaving it completely alone. Some believed that it had some control, and didn’t want to harm the children on the island; others thought it was always too distracted by large gatherings to notice Besaid.

Either way, the fleet was heading there because it was safe.

The sun was gone now, leaving everyone in darkness except for the few lanterns that stayed lit. Crimson stumbled down the stairs and made his way to the number twelve room. Quietly he stepped in, seeing Lenna lying on the couch, fast asleep.

Crimson smirked, slumping down in the chair in beside the couch, his body to tired to go any farther. With a yawn he laid his head back; images of Sin and its spawn flashed before his eyes before fading into nothing. His mind was too drained to keep him awake; who cares if Sin attacks now? At least he’d get some sleep.


It took two days to get to Besaid, and in those two days, Lenna, Crimson and various others took the time to rest and recover from the horrendous attack. Ket had lived; he had shown himself on the day the ships could see the island harbor. All three of them were quietly staring at numerous villagers who were gathering at the single dock the island had; in awe of the number of ships arriving.

The Al Bhed ship didn’t dock, it instead, zoomed towards the beach, the hidden wheels on the hull allowing it to roll onto the beach unhindered. Most Al Bhed’s have certain aspects they all share. They’re blond, green eyed with swirl pupils, and all shared the love for technology that was growing more and more distasteful in the Yevonite’s eyes.

These Al Bhed were no different, as the ramp for their ship lowered, they stepped off, dressed in what looked like desert miner uniforms with oversized goggles over their eyes. Some even wore gas-masks. Following them were people from Kilika; distraught and confused.

The Haephestus was the only ship docked; the others were brought up into the shallower water, beaching them as the Kilika people wandered onto the beach, the poison mist from their home island wearing off.

Lenna stepped onto the beach; she looked out at the blue ocean, watching it curiously before turning to see Crimson beside her. He was glancing at the crowd; taking interest in the Besaid people rather then the distraught refugees. She sighed, looking back out at the water.

“Are you okay?”

Lenna turned, seeing her guardian looking at her concerned. She wasn’t, that was the truth. Images kept reappearing, and she could remember hearing Sin’s call, something she hadn’t heard for such a long time. Usually Lenna would try to cover it up, not let Crimson see she was still dealing with the idea that Kilika was gone.

“Are we going back to Kilika?” She finally asked, breaking the silence.

Crimson looked down at the ground for a moment. She had completely avoided his question. Honestly, he had no desire to return to Kilika and see the death and decay. But, they had too, he already knew Ket wasn’t. Which meant two things; one: Lenna and maybe a newly appointed summoner from Besaid would have to perform the sendings, and two: he wouldn’t have Ket leaning over his shoulder.

“Do you want to?”

The summoner kept staring out at the ocean before she shrugged.

“Is Ket going?”

Crimson shrugged. “I don’t think so…” Lenna thought for a moment.

"We should just get to the temple." Lenna nearly whispered, stepping away from the ocean. Crimson cursed himself, biting his tongue he turned, staring at the woman who was slowly slipping away.

"Lenna!" He called, horrified when she turned, the sun shining behind her to cast a wonderful sort of glow around her, bringing out more her beauty. He faltered unsure of what exactly he wanted to say to her. "It’s not your fault."

She was silent, truthfully, a little disappointed at what he had said. But at the same time thankful.

"Thanks Crimson."

He hid his own disappointment in himself with a warm smile and walked beside her, mixed in with a crowd of weeping Kilikans and Besaid support groups. He watched them quietly, keeping his head low not to draw any attention.

"Jet?"

Crimson scowled, ignoring the name as he and Lenna marched farther up the hill, until a firm hand was placed on his shoulder and stopped him. Lenna stopped soon afterwards, watching curiously.

The man who had his hand on Crimson's shoulder was a large, bulky fellow with an intricate tattoo on his face. His skin was darkened to the point of being brown from the sun's rays and he wore contrasting orange shorts and a chain mail tank top. Strapped onto his back was a hefty looking single-barrel machina cannon. Something only heavy support officers are authorized to wield.

Crimson looked pathetic compared to this man.

"Jet?"

Crimson's mind raced to think of something, anything to get him out of this situation.

"Sorry, I'm not Jet...?" He stammered.

"Really?"

The terrified guardian nodded.

"Damn. You his brudda or sumtin'?"

Lenna recognized the accent; it was one that only true Besaid Islanders got. This fellow must've been born and raised here, not even those who had lived here all they're life had it. You had to be born on the island to get it.

"Um..." Crimson smiled weakly. "No."

"Ah well, sorry ten' brudda; my names Drog."

'Drog?' Lenna thought, nearly frowning. 'What the hell kind of name is Drog?'

"I'm Crimson." Her guardian smiled, before issuing towards the confused summoner. "And that's my friend, Lenna."

"Only your friend eh?" Drog smiled and stepped towards Lenna, making her feel extremely small. "Surprising, I figured you'd be all over 'er." He looked her up and down, the coy-smile still plastered on his face “I would be.”

Lenna flushed red and took a step back as Crimson nearly died.

"Ah, eh, sorry miss; I tend ta ova step my bound’ries sum times." His smile faded.

'I should shoot you, you damn pervert!' She fumed inside her head, instead she muttered a meek 'its okay' before shuffling towards Crimson.

"Well, uh... Drog, what are you doing on Besaid?" Crimson asked, noting how Lenna clung to his arm as Drog stomped on his other side, each step he took seeming to shake the ground.

Drog did a hefty shrug. "Eh, was on ta big ship goin' to Luca." The giant smiled. "Been recruited into ta High Road patrols. Brudda, you sure she’s not your woman?"

Crimson looked at Lenna who was scowling and staring off in the other direction. Yet she was clinging to him. He shook his head again, seeing Drog smile.

“What you guys doin’ on Besaid?”

“She’s a summoner.”

Drog’s jaw nearly dropped, he looked at the small woman before looking back at Crimson. The large man could barely believe what he was hearing, Lenna didn’t look like a summoner, she didn’t wear the traditional robes and she apparently carried a weapon.

“I’m so sorry miss, if I hadda known I…”

Lenna looked at Drog, she was still angry but her scowl had faded away to something close to a forgiving smile. She was eyeing his tattoos, following the thick black lines all over his shaved head, or at least, as high as she could see. She began to wonder why he’d want a tattoo all over his face, it must’ve been painful.

The village on Besaid was fairly small, with a couple of large, tent like huts and a ‘hospital’ that doubled as the barracks for the stranded warriors and mages. While most tents were red, orange and a warm colour of brown, the hospital tent was a glimmering blue and had a Temple Acolyte placed in front; greeting those who were entering.

Lenna sighed; the sun was setting again, the warm golden rays casting beautiful colors over people and huts. She was tired of islands, they were small, and people really had no where to run on islands. The benefit was that the temple was in town, resting on the edge of the coast. No way would those strange sin followers try anything here, even if they had an oversized cat; there were too many people here.

Besides, this ‘Drog’ could give that tiger-beast a run for its money.

Drog left them soon enough, muttering something about having to check in at the barracks. Lenna waved him goodbye before wandering over to the coastal edge. It was a long drop, certainly wouldn’t kill you if you jumped feet first, but it would cause pain. She sat down, her feet dangling off the edge. She looked up as, surprisingly, Ket joined her.

“Hi.”

Ket was pale, and gave her a weak smile. “Hello.”

Lenna raised an eyebrow at the icy summoner. “You don’t look to good.”

“It happens when you’re exposed to it.”

“It?” Lenna questioned, “You mean Sin?”

Ket laughed, though it was bare and had no amusement or happiness in it. “No, not Sin.”

The blitzer blinked, staring out at the coast in wonderment. “Then what is ‘it?”

[Lady Vulpix]

Oooh... open ending! Some parts were confusing, especially the beginning (it was hard to tell what was going on), but this chapter had some great images, and I liked the explanation of Ether, and the comment about the Besaid accent. And Drog seems like an... interesting character. Quite unusual, in any case.

[Mystic_clown]

Kilika has all the worst luck doesn't it? Always getting attacked by Sin. I tell you, it's the tropical climate. Sin just wants a vacation and destroys everything as a result.

So, no Aeon this chapter. Leena's new Aeon remains a mystery for now. Nice foreshadowing of the racism against the Al-Bhed by the way.

Is it wrong that I think Drog is totally awesome right now? and I wonder what Ket has. Most likely caused by that woman.

Next up, Leena's adventures in Besaid.

[Samchu]

And once again you leave us with a totally inconclusive ending. Though we can assume that Ket is actually referring to Sin's toxin, right? Ok first thoughts. Um...firstly...I really love Drog. The guy is brilliant! Aside from having that Besaid accent that is just so loveable he has such an interesting character! That comment about being all over Lenna, I laughed so hard. So Ket might be leaving the party (Ket has left the party), that sucks on the love triangle front but I am eager to read the sending when you get round to it. The ceremony itself is just so beautiful, I'd love to see how well it can be put into text.

Yay for your ship's names! The historian in me is just buzzing and I do love Greek myth. So let's see who you picked up...Akheilos was a daimon turned into a shark by Aphrodite, Haephestus was God of the forge, Siren...well most people know what they are (seductive monsters), Demeter was Goddess of the harvest I believe and then there's Apollo which was the Sun God. Impressive! Keep it up!

[Lady Vulpix]

Kilika has all the worst luck doesn't it? Always getting attacked by Sin. I tell you, it's the tropical climate. Sin just wants a vacation and destroys everything as a result.

So, no Aeon this chapter. Leena's new Aeon remains a mystery for now. Nice foreshadowing of the racism against the Al-Bhed by the way.

Yes. That too.

The tropical climate? XD I'm so glad I don't live in a tropical land!

[Crystal Tears]

Lady_Vulpix: Confusing? I think that works more to benefit the scenario rather than hinder it. If actually put into that situation, how many people could actually make sense of what was going on? I imagine not many, and though I wanted it to be clear, being confusing is a bit more realistic.

Mystic_Clown: I like picking on Kilika, considering I hated that place in FFX-2, I’m taking out my revenge in my story.

Samchu: I’m glad you liked Drog, I was afraid people would hate him for whatever reason.

I’m a bit nervous really; I don’t think I ever wrote a sending in the last story, so I’ll try my best to make it as beautiful as the game did.

xX Chapter Six Xx

“Jet?”

Crimson turned, staring coldly at Drog, they were behind the barracks, hidden from the view of others. Crimson rolled his eyes, fiddling with his ring.

“Yes Drog, it’s me.”

Drog burst into laughter and hugged the guardian tightly; Crimson cringed as the air in his lungs was forced out as his old friend lifted right off the ground. Crimson groaned, and soon was dropped.

“Why didn’t ya say so before?” Drog recalled the event. “Why’d ya lie?”

‘Jet’ stared right at Drog.

“She don’t know does she?”

“No, she doesn’t, and you won’t tell her.” The guardian threatened, Drog was taken back. Even if he was larger, he knew better then crossing his friend. He was faster then most, and obviously didn’t want anyone to know.

“Has Ket told ‘er?”

Crimson froze, he had never thought of that. Ket said he had played along, but exactly how long did that man plan on playing along? He knew that the summoner would try and tear him and Lenna apart.

“Not yet…” Crimson bit his lip. “But he will…”

“I could take care of ‘im for ya.”

Jet looked up at Drog; he was holding the cannon in his arms, a wide grin spreading across his dark face. The guardian was heavily amused by the picture and the idea. He wanted to see Ket try and fight back against Drog. The large man had taken on an aeon before and lived through the experience, no ordinary feat that was for sure. Ket was nothing to Drog, but Crimson felt compelled to say no.

“No Drog, you can’t kill him.” He didn’t know why, but he didn’t want Drog to do it. “If anyone gets to hurt him, it’s me.”

“Why are ya hidin’ anyways?” Drog queried, as they came out from behind the barracks. “Not many remember ya.”

“Some still do.”

“Like who?”

Crimson stopped, a half amused, half questioning look on his face. Did Drog really ask him that? For Yevon’s sake, Drog was living proof that some people still remembered Jet.

“Drog.” The guardian turned to him, looking the big, burly man in the eye as he slipped the cannon on his back. “YOU REMEMBER ME.”

Drog snapped his fingers and smile; Crimson shook his head, walking away from his old friend.

“Where ya goin’?”

“I…” Crimson stopped, thinking for a moment. “I don’t know, away from you though.”

“Gee, thanks Brudda.” Drog laughed, “Can I ask ya one more ting before ya leave?”


The guardian appeared, coming around the bend. Ket stared at Crimson with his cold eyes. Crimson looked back, noting that Ket was looking more and more like an icicle every moment. Lenna glanced over, thankful to see her guardian intact. She smiled, catching his attention so he stopped the death glare he was giving to the other summoner. Caladbolg was on his back, glistening in the sun’s rays. He looked like a warrior, his stance, look and overall physique seemed to scream it at her. Crimson smiled and knelt beside his summoner, smiling warmly at her.

“It’ll be night soon, the villagers are going lights out tonight, to try and ward off Sin.” He stated; standing and helping Lenna to her feet.

“How will that help?” Lenna never recalled Luca doing that when Sin was around, but then again, Luca had the shield generator, something that came in handy when Sin decided to try and attack.

“Sin doesn’t attack places it thinks has little people,” Crimson explained, as Lenna waved bye to the icy summoner who remained sitting on the edge. “With all the lights out, Sin will come to the conclusion there are little to no people here.”

She frowned, looking at the ground. “I hate to give Sin credit, but I don’t think it’s that stupid.”

Her guardian laughed, shrugging lightly as they approached a small, makeshift hut that was sitting partially behind the local shop and hospital. Lenna chuckled, looking at the hut with a tilted head.

“The villagers took the liberty of making you your own hut.” He grinned, lifting the piece of slightly torn fabric, which was supposed to be a door out of the way, Lenna entered.

The room was nice enough, with a large, round bed and a small section off to the right with screen so you could change. It had an old, wooden table and three cushioned stools.

“Not just her.”

Lenna and Crimson turned to see a heavily robed old man standing in the doorway, a friendly smile on his face. The two glanced awkwardly at each other before looking at the priest.

“It is customary that the guardian stays with the summoner. You; Crimson, stay here as well.”

It took all of Crimson’s confidence not to blush; Lenna however had turned away; trying not to make any more eye contact with either one.

“Can’t help but notice the lack of a second bed,” Crimson coughed, forcing a nervous smile. ‘Not that I’m complaining…’ He thought, glancing at Lenna for a moment.

“Oh, Drog said you two were…” The priest stopped midway, seeing Lenna turn around hastily, her cheeks red. He noted that a flush of red was beginning to show on Crimson’s face. “An item?”

Lenna’s mind flew back to the tabloids and rumours circling in Luca about her and Crimson. Was it that hard to believe that her and Crimson were just friends? Did people need them to be together? Honestly it wasn’t that important, the idea was nice but Crimson was just… She looked at Crimson; he was chuckling awkwardly and looking at the ground, running his hand through his hair, trying to think of a way to defuse the situation. He was cocky, something she tended to hate, but he was cocky for a good reason. He hardly ever messed up, and when he did, he recovered and did something to wipe it away from history. He also was mysterious, something that annoyed and intrigued Lenna.

It was everything about him. Crimson made a great friend, but something about him made Lenna doubt he’d be a great anything else.

She looked at him, her eyes gazing at his body.

‘Maybe not a great anything else, but I’d still like a taste of what it’d be like.’ Lenna immediately turned a brighter form of red at that thought, and tried to shove it out of her mind.

“He lied.” Crimson smiled, trying to hide his anger at his own friend. Noting that he’d personally see to it that Drog died by Sin’s hand.

“Oh…” The priest seemed taken back, and then smiled. “I’m so sorry! We’ll get another bed immediately…”

“That’s alright.” Lenna and the priest looked over at Crimson surprised. “I’ll sleep on the ground.”

‘No…’ The summoner thought, watching the priest walk away.

“I’m sorry about Drog-“

“How’d he get that idea in his head?” Lenna growled.

Crimson looked at Lenna, fearful for once. “Well we were talking…”

“You told him that?” She snarled stepping closer to the fearful guardian.

“No, not exactly.”

She gritted her teeth, pressing her finger on his chest. “What exactly DID you tell him?”

“I said-“ Crimson stopped, remember the rest of the conversation.

“So you two not together eh?” Drog questioned, looking at Crimson curiously.

“No… For the thousandth time.”

“Do you like her?”

Crimson stared hard at Lenna, who didn’t seem like she was going to let this go. “I… Uh…”

“Well?” She pushed, now having her guardian in a corner. She had the upper hand; the advantage, he was completely vulnerable.

“I said I…” He gulped, feeling the truth come to the surface. “I said I liked you.”

‘Liked me?’ Lenna thought, her mind fluttering back to school where the word ‘liked’ was associated with ‘crush’.

“You mean, as in a crush?”

Crimson suddenly realized he could free himself from this situation. “What?” He smirked, his confidence coming back. “No. As a friend.”

Something jabbed in Lenna’s heart at that moment, though she didn’t let him see. “Oh; well then.” She lightly punched him. “Don’t be so nervous about it.”

He smiled, being free from his little corner. He thought for a moment, seeing Lenna sit on the bed, as if in deep thought.

“Would it bother you?”

Lenna looked ay him. “Hmm?”

“Would it bother you if I liked you, uh…” He paused. “That way...”
‘No.’ She half-smirked, “Yeah…”

“What?” He seemed almost insulted, and lightly shoved her. “What I got cooties or something?

Lenna narrowed her eyes and let the smirk grow. “Yeah: a whole lot. My grandmother wouldn’t go near you.”

Crimson seemed shocked, it was such a childish insult, but something about it got him. He watched his friend stick her tongue out at him. He smiled evilly.

“Don’t stick your tongue out unless you’re willing to share it.”

Lenna immediately retracted her tongue, but then she stuck it out again. She yelped and leaped out of the way as Crimson charged. He barely had her arm in his grasp when she dived for the bed, scrambling over it to be on the other side. He smirked, seeing a hyped up opponent on the other side. He knew Lenna was potentially more agile then himself, but if he caught her, she wouldn’t be able to escape.

She ran, sprinting towards the door. She never made it though, she felt one strong arm wrap around her waist and abruptly stop her, picking her clean off the floor. She was about to scream, to childish cry for help to get everyone worked up, but she was stopped. Crimson hand was clamped over her mouth, and stayed there despite her attempts to prey it off.

She squirmed; floundering until he tossed her rather carelessly. Lenna flew through the air and hit the middle of the bed; she was stunned for a moment, expecting something to jump out at her in her moment of weakness.

It came, Crimson nearly body slammed her. She rolled out of the way just in time. But bounced almost off the bed from the slam he did. Lenna clambered back on, pushing her friend back with a hard shove. It didn’t do much, but distracted him long enough for her to get in a hardy kick to push him even farther. Crimson grinned evilly, and pulled himself closer, quickly grabbing onto Lenna’s arm so she couldn’t push him away again.
It ended up being an awkward position.


“Get off.” Lenna ordered, pushing against Crimson, who smirked, and tilted his head.

“No.”

“No?” She looked at him with a half amused, half annoyed stare.

He was smirking. “No.”

‘We honestly I’m not complaining…’ She thought, though her expression said otherwise. “Get. Off. Now.”

“We just need Tyn to come through the door.” Crimson joked, keeping his friend pinned.

“Tyn?” She paused. “Why?”

“He always comes when we’re in an awkward position.”

“He’s still in Luca, be hard for him to get here.” Lenna smiled, watching Crimson roll over on the bed, freeing her.

“Not worth it then,” He grinned, looking over at the summoner.

Lenna chuckled, and then stared up at the ceiling. She didn’t notice Crimson eyeing her. She turned when he moved closer, his eyes sparkling with curiosity she’s never seen before. She looked at him, confused on what he was staring at.

“What?”

Crimson chuckled softly and shrugged. “You just….” He broke off, frowning for only a second. “You don’t seem like a summoner.”

Lenna’s mind went blank. Did he mean that as an insult or was she missing something?

“What?” She immediately sounded annoyed.

“It wasn’t an insult!” Crimson said suddenly, realizing he could’ve worded that comment better. “Most summoners are dressed in fancy robes, carry staves and what-not but you…” His eyes focused on Lenna for a moment before he shut them tight. “Uhh, you… Well, for one. You carry a gun.”

She paused, noting that he had a good point; most didn’t see her as a summoner. “You want me to wear a robe?”

Crimson thought about it for a moment.

“Not if you don’t want to.”

“I’ll wear one before I get the final summon, how about that?” She could hardly believe she was compromising with Crimson of all people, he usually just demanded it, which resulted in her denying whatever it is he had ‘requested’. Yet here he was, implying it was her choice.

“Okay…”

There was an awkward silence between them, both refusing to look at each other for what seemed like forever. Lenna smirked for a moment, facing her friend; she put one hand on top of the other and moved her thumbs around. Crimson looked at her hands for a minute before looking at her face.

“What is that?”

Lenna laughed; “An awkward silence turtle.”

“A what?”

“An awkward silence turtle,” She stated again, seeing his confused expression made her chuckle even more. “You make one with your hands when there’s an awkward silence.”

“….Right…” He turned away. “You’re weird.”

“It worked, didn’t it?”

“What?”

“The awkward silence ended.”

Crimson smiled then, getting off the bed as Lenna made herself more comfortable. He sat back down on the small, cushion chair that was surprisingly comfy, though a bit awkward to sleep in.

“Good night.” Lenna yawned, turning over in her bed so her back was facing Crimson.

Crimson stared at her for a second.

“Night.”

~.~

Khala entered the chamber without a word. Only Forseti was here, looking out the shattered window, his skin pale and his eyes weary with age. With a groan he turned and faced the silent girl, who watched him with growing curiosity. Foreseti had a long scar on his neck, and it spread down below the collar of his robes. She knew his magic couldn’t save him for long, the wound and age had caught up to him, and he, unlike Nethedra who was Yevon-knows how old, was human. He was bound to die sooner or later, and she knew he was planning to go out with a bang.

“Did it go well?”

“Kilika is gone.” Khala replied, smiling as she remembered the description the sinspawn and their king had brought down upon those Yevonite bastards. “And most are dead.” She paused, though everything had gone well, there was a small bit of bad news. “However, Sin did not follow the summoner we picked.”

“You performed the calling?”

“Yes, but-“

“It was no doubt his fayth, protecting him from the curse.”

“Sir, there is one other little notion.”

Forseti stared at Khala long and hard, seeing her worried expression shocked him, though his face stayed stern and emotionless. “Yes?”

“One of his guardians… He…” Her mind couldn’t grasp the idea. A guardian, a warrior of Yevon was carrying the sword of Sin. Its glistening blade and pure beauty had caught her eye, and what surprised her most was the sword did not betray the man. “H-he had the Caladbolg.”

Forseti’s face paled further, his mouth opened in awe ever so slightly, and though he wanted to mask his shock. The old man was unable; instead he stayed paled and bewildered.

“And he’s alive?”

“Yes.”

“You must be mistaken,” He sounded weak and afraid, his hands were shaking. “That sword was cursed and it will remain cursed. Nothing could’ve broken the magic placed on it.”

“Sir, I assure you.” Khala frowned. “It was the Caladbolg.”

Forseti turned back to the window, he tried to keep the memories at bay, yet he was failing.
“I will have that sword!” A young man called, clad in blood red armor from head to toe. His leather cape billowed in the wind as he glared at the giant at the other end of the Baaj plateau.
He was sweating under his helmet, and his own sword felt heavy and tiring. It wasn’t like most swords, it was as tall as a full grown man, and its blade was black with a crimson hilt. The tip of the blade drew out like someone had crafted the deadly weapon around an iron circle.

It was the Masamune. An ancient sword that has the power to shatter any blade; and the Caladbolg would be no exception.

“You have the Masamune, is that not enough for you?” The giant called back. He wasn’t naturally a giant, but his armor was ten times thicker and stronger than the younger man’s. This made him a towering figure in his deep grey and black engraved suit. “What does the Caladbolg have what your sword does not?”

It was rumored the Caladbolg could entrance people, luring them to attempt to take the sword and end up dying: a curse that Saint had put on it when it had first been forged. Anyone who wielded the sword would die, unless the person wielding it was the original owner.

He had fallen for the curse, fallen for it hard.

“Die!”

The Masamune had landed a lucky and critical blow. It easily cracked through the thick steel and hacked into the flesh of the man underneath; digging in a good couple of inches before being torn away with brutal force. The younger fighter watched as the giant collapsed onto his back, dropping the Caladbolg onto the ground with a hearty clang.

He laughed, twisted and sick in every way, he kept laughing, dropping the Masamune as he dove for the Caladbolg. He grabbed it as quick as he could, and gazed at the shining blue blade, and gold. It was his, and he had earned it: striking down its master. The sword must’ve favored the younger, more capable warrior now.

There was a chuckle, a chuckle that dragged the man from his daydreams of taming the beast of evil with the two most powerful swords in existence.

“W-w-what are you l-laughing at?”

“You want… Want a dead w-world…” The fallen knight chuckled. “You walk a d-dark path… A path the Caladbolg will n-not follow.”

Lightning crackled in the sky above as the wind picked up, tossing the sea around and stirring up the nasty sea fiends.

“SHUT UP OLD MAN!”

“For… Forseti… You… Fool….” The giant gurgled, as rain began to pour down. “You challenged the GODS.”

A bolt of lightning flew down from the sky, striking the stones of the plateau a few meters away from them. Forseti gazed in awe, as a figure seemed to form out of the smoke from the lightning strike.

“And… Y-you’ve LOST.”


Forseti was drawn out of his memory by the flash of lightning and the boom of thunder. His scar ached with a pain that almost rivaled when he obtained the wretched thing. It was a reminder of his past mistakes, and kept him from chasing the sword, out of fear.

‘The sword spared my life…’ He thought; ignoring Khala’s baffled look. ‘Yet it still calls for me; perhaps because the wielder now is on the opposing side. I could not betray him then, it would be a ‘fair’ fight.’ His pondered his ideas for a moment before turning to Khala.

“Can this new wielder by hurt without a sacred weapon?”

“Fenix would’ve ended him, yet another guardian saved him, pointed a damn gun at my head.” She huffed, remembering the pink-haired woman.

“I’m ordering you to kill him, and bring me his sword.” Forseti barked, excited with anticipation. “Use whatever force you deem fit. Fenix, a hundred acolytes, I DON’T CARE…” He paused, smiling at the idea. “Just be rid of him.”

“With pleasure.” Khala grinned, happily walking out of the room to find her pet.

Forseti put up his hood and slowly walked back over to his throne chair. He wondered if the same thing that had happened to him would happen to Khala. If she touches the sword, would the divine figures grow angry? Maybe he should have warned her of it, yet if she or any of the council discovered he had been the one… They would kill him, and though he was powerful, he couldn’t kill them all.

“That’s right, Saint…” He laughed, ignoring how insane he sounded. “I’ll have your sword soon enough, and now, now you can’t do anything about it.”

[Mystic_clown]

And so comes more foreshadowing regarding Crimson and Leena's relationship. Hmm, I'm becoming really curious about Crimson's past now. What was it exactly he did? And this curse on his sword is interesting too.

So, Forsetti wielded both the Masamune and Caladbolg. Gah! Why do I keep picturing Sephiroth with a scar now!? >.< Either way, this will get interesting.

[Lady Vulpix]

It was funny to see Crimson and Lenna act so childishly while their thoughts contradicted their words and actions completely. And the new details about the Caladbolg's history are quite interesting. It was also amusing that Kalah mistook Lenna for a guardian. Poor Drog, though.

Interesting chapter.

[Samchu]

Where to start? First of, this had more Drog in it (*glomps*) so I was happy from the get-go and our suspicions are confirmed: Crimson is indeed who Drog believes he is, but what that means exactly we have yet to find out. Crimson and Lenna...oiy...where to begin? An unbelieveably flirtatious moments and she wants to know why people think they should be together? It's because you have strong chemistry dammit! *whacks Lenna* Why must you be so ignorant of the things right in front of your face!? Gahhhhh! This is torture! Kiss eachother all bloody ready!

*Composes self* Breathe...breathe...

Ok, moving on. The saddest part of this, for me, was not having to watch two obvious lovers blatently ignore their feelings for one another (although we did have a confession from Crimson so we'll be content for now), it was discovering that Khala answers to someone. Why must it be so!? Damn you Forseti! Die already and let a REAL villain loose. Grrr...

Ok, this scene had some really great moments. Here's just a few of my favourites:

She looked at him, her eyes gazing at his body.

‘Maybe not a great anything else, but I’d still like a taste of what it’d be like.’

- Oh she wants him baaaaaaad.

“Don’t stick your tongue out unless you’re willing to share it.”

Lenna immediately retracted her tongue, but then she stuck it out again.

- Definitive proof she wants him!

There was an awkward silence between them, both refusing to look at each other for what seemed like forever. Lenna smirked for a moment, facing her friend; she put one hand on top of the other and moved her thumbs around. Crimson looked at her hands for a minute before looking at her face.

“What is that?”

Lenna laughed; “An awkward silence turtle.”

“A what?”

“An awkward silence turtle,” She stated again, seeing his confused expression made her chuckle even more. “You make one with your hands when there’s an awkward silence.”

“….Right…” He turned away. “You’re weird.”

“It worked, didn’t it?”

“What?”

“The awkward silence ended.”

- That was HILARIOUS! And it seems to back up what Crimson told her earlier, that she doesn't act much like a summoner. In this case she acts more like a child.


I'm still loving this! Keep up the good work!

[Crystal Tears]

Mystic_Clown: What did Crimson do? Lol… Wouldn’t you like to know. =P

Now now, Forsetti never actually had the Caladbolg long enough to wield it, he did however, wield the Masamune. Lol, Sephiroth with a scar? I don’t think I have a character based off of him actually…

Lady Vulpix: Yes well, Khala never did ask, and even if Lenna had revealed she was a summoner at that point, I don’t think the evil lady would’ve cared.

Samchu: lol! You seem to like Drog a lot; I’ll try to include him more often for you.

Crimson’s confession about his emotions wasn’t exactly… Perfect. It reflects his inability to express himself properly through words.

Lol, you never know. I might have Khala die instead of Forseti. =P

xX CHAPTER SEVEN Xx

The surroundings were dim, and haunting. The ground looked as if a thousand machina missiles had come down and blown the field apart, tearing everything other. Deep pits smoked and spewed a strange green liquid that seemed to be seeping from the scarred earth. This place looked like an alien planet, not a living thing in sight, only mangled corpses of ten thousand dead militia men and rotting demonic creatures. Each had fallen in battle, their positions in death revealing how much pain had been driven in on them.

Crimson recognized this place. He stood there, seemingly in the middle of it all. His ears rang with the silence, and his skin crawled with the tainted winds. The sky was nearly completely covered in smoke and ash; while the grove of trees near the east burned still, releasing a strong, sickening smell. Crimson hated this battlefield, a horrible reminder of why the machina were horrible, on the border of evil. But not as evil as the people who ordered the air strike, fully aware of the innocent people on the ground.

He had this dream before, it was like a bad movie you’re forced to watch with your mother or father. It Repeated the same boring events, with a disgusting plot against the evil monsters that results in loss of life on the good side. Crimson gazed out over the horizon with emotionless eyes. The smell of burning and rotting flesh made his stomach curl, yet he dared not let the dream win. Instead he waited, looking out over the horizon until a ship came into view.

It was a fighter-transport, with a sleek body and two large rotating propellers mounted on the sides. Unlike standard combinations transports, these propellers face upwards, with a small one on the tail. Two large chainguns were placed next to the cockpit. Crimson remembered those, he recalled how much damage they could do to people on the ground, their supremely oversized exploding ‘smart shots’ detonating just before they hit something, whether it had been a fiend, sinspawn, person or the ground.

Yet this time the dream was different, the transport did not just fly over, leaving him there to probably die. It landed, about fifteen feet away. It threw up dirt and debris, flinging it away as the blades slowed down and the exiting ramp lowered, revealing a dimly lit sitting area. He had always hated that system, being strapped in against the walls as it flew around, dodging missiles and monsters’ magics and what-have-you. Crimson felt vulnerable when other people were flying the contraption.

A figure stepped off the ship, a cocky smirk plastered on his face as he strode up to a very confused guardian.

Crimson was staring at himself.


With a yelp the guardian woke up, his eyes wide with fear and confusion. Wondering where he was and why it was so dark. With a groan he rubbed his eyes and slid back in the soft chair he was resting in. His eyes and mind ached; he had only been sleeping for probably four hours, and waking up with such fear from absolutely no where was… Not helping. The dream hadn’t been that scary, in fact in that hellish pit of a place, he felt no fear. Yet now Crimson was close to being terrified. He remembered what Lenna had said about the past and how they would have to deal with it. But how would she know if he was avoiding it? She had never asked about his past, and probably never would.

Crimson looked at Lenna. She was still fast asleep, cuddling the blanket like it was her savior. He sighed, standing up as his own restlessness set it. Crimson didn’t sleep much; he never had since he had joined the warrior monks so long ago. Things he had seen, fought and experienced tended to scare away the need to sleep. She had no idea how lucky she was, to be able to sleep and not remember something that was unpleasant and particularly horrible.

Well, maybe that wasn’t true. He remembered when she had been crying in her room. She had done it a lot when she had first joined the Blitzball team. But as the season progressed and she immersed herself in the game, it had slowed and eventually disappeared. Ever since she had gotten this brilliant idea to become a summoner, it seems to have returned. Even if she didn’t think he noticed.

But right now, she was fast asleep; dreaming of Yevon knows what, though it was probably a lot better than his confusing dream.

On edge, Crimson walked around the room, pacing back and forth at certain intervals. His mind was trying to decipher his dream, and what he had been staring at himself at the end instead of someone else. Maybe that place, that transport, that entire scenario had been dredged up from encounter an old friend. Drog was a great friend, and had pulled Crimson out of a couple rough spots in battle. Maybe the dream was some sort of cruel joke by Yevon, Sin, or hell even the old Gods and Goddesses no one really talked about anymore. They’re the only ones who would really know how much he didn’t want to remember, how much he didn’t want to dive back into his past.

Apparently, the choice wasn’t his to make anymore. Or maybe it had been; Crimson sighed. He had chosen to face his past when he got on the boat with Lenna back at Luca. That choice seemed more and more like a mistake with each passing moment. But, if he hadn’t, she would’ve been alone.

No, she would’ve been alone with…

Ket…

Crimson’s anger boiled at the thought of Ket coming near or touching Lenna in any sort of ‘suggestive’ manner. The man was an ice cube! He couldn’t feel anything and he’d just take advantage of her.

Or Drog…

Crimson shook his head to try and get that image out of his head. Drog was a nice guy, but him and women didn’t mix quite to well. Well, actually, now that he thought about it, he had never seen Drog with a girl; he had always talked about having a woman back in Bevelle: someone he cherished and loved.

Than why did he say or act in a… Disturbing manner towards Lenna? In fact why was he on a ship? Drog hated the water, he hated luca… Hell he hated anything that wasn’t close to his home in Bevelle…

He cringed, the only reason Drog would ever venture this far or join the patrol for the Mihen Highroad was because his woman…

Had died…

Crimson bit his lip, perhaps he was jumping conclusions. Drog and his girl could be having problems and he might be giving her space for a cool down time? Any woman tough enough to stand up to Drog and marry the giant obvious had to be a fiend in her own way.

Wiping any sort of tragedy from his mind, Crimson continued to walk about, though his mind kept on drifting back on the idea of Lenna and Ket or some other weirdo…

The simple fact was, Lenna was his and no one would ever be able to claim her. Not while Crimson had a say in it.


Lenna turned over in her sleep, grumbling something about an airship. Crimson just stared at her; he didn’t know why he was attracted to the idea of him and her, but he was. His mind began to wander again.

“Why don’t you?”

Crimson swiveled around, pointing the sword at the person who had appeared in their tent. He’d been having bad luck for the majority of strangers they’ve encountered, and having some crazy dream didn’t help.

But he wasn’t greeted with hostility, only soft green eyes that gazed up at him with some sort of curiosity mixed with pity.

“What… the…” Crimson gawked, putting the sword down.

The creature standing before him was about three feet tall with a thick, furry coat. Her face was slender, with a white blaze on her light grey snout. Her ears were perked forward, as if listening intently to what he had to say.

“You’re a… A..”

“A….” She tilted her head, seeming to let a smirk grow on her face as he stared at her.

“A dog.”

She laughed, confusing Crimson greatly when she lifted her head and seemed to smile yet the laughter echoed in his head, as the words this dog had spoke did. Well, she was a bit large for a dog, with a thicker coat and a bushy, almost vixen like tail. The deep grey running along her spine seemed to shine in the starlight while the rest of her white coat looked especially warm.

“I’m not a dog. My kind are not that crude, thank you.” She seemed more entertained by the guardian’s confusion then insulted. “Do I look like a dog to you?”

‘This is a trick question… If I say yes, she’ll bite me, if I say no; she’ll think I’m stupid…’ Crimson thought, staring at the canine. Well, she did, but she didn’t. She was too large to be a dog, yet she retained that fox-like slenderness about her, even with that thick creamy white mane. “Um… No…”

“I’m a Kex.”

Kex were legendary creatures. Said to be fiends that evolved past the primal hating for the living, they resounded deep in Macalania Woods; hiding for those who wished to slay them for a prize. Suddenly it was all making sense, Kex were creatures that spoke through telepath and could even read your mind at points, if they wanted to. But, this Kex didn’t even resemble the ones describe in legends. Those Kex were supposed to appear like their old fiend forms, not… a… Wolf-Dog-Fox thing…

“Your definition of my kind is wrong. Kex are a species that has not evolved into ‘supreme bipedal beings’, but we evolved magically and mentally. They Kex once hunted and annihilated in Macalania Forest were not mine, but those that fit your description.”

“Right, well…” He shook his head. “Who are you? You come barging into our tent and-“

“Our tent hmm?” The Kex laughed once again. “Wouldn’t your friend be interested in hearing that.”

“The word our?”

“Not the word itself, but your own personally meaning.”

Crimson suddenly realized this canine had dived into his mind, the man groaned, going back to his previous question. “Who are you?”

“My name is Misu.” She bowed her head respectfully, and Crimson did the same.

“I’m-“

“I know who you are.” She interrupted, catching Crimson off guard once again. “You’re Jet, and you’re from-“

“I’m not Jet.”

Misu looked closer at Crimson, her eyes scanning over his face before locking eyes with him. He felt a creepy feeling move up and down his spine as something in his mind clicked. Flashes of being a warrior monk, battles, and even being a child appeared before his eyes, dazing him until the images settled on him meeting Lenna on the Eir.

“Silly human, you are Jet. You’re trying to be someone else.” The animal looked entertained, seeing Crimson stumble back for a moment. “If you’re not Jet, than you wouldn’t hate Ket, you wouldn’t be friends with Drog, and you wouldn’t have that ring with you.”

Misu and Crimson stared at each other for a long while before the human turned around and headed towards his chair. Misu followed, setting across from him as Crimson rubbed his temples with his fingers.

“Well, why don’t you?”

The guardian looked at the Kex curiously for a moment before speaking: “Why don’t I what?”

“Through our entire conversation, you had one prominent thought in your mind.” Misu answered, her voice seemed to throb with anticipation for his answer. When he looked at her semi-blankly, she spoke up. “Why don’t you kiss her?”

Crimson brought his head back and chuckled, feeling his cheeks burn ever so slightly with blush. “Right, that thought.”

“Well, why don’t you?”

“I.. Well.. Uh…” Crimson frowned. “Why should I? Why should I listen to you anyway? You’re a… A... Dog like creature!”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t understand attraction.” Misu looked rather unimpressed with Crimson’s attitude towards this. “Kex can fall in love too you know.”

“I’m not in love.”

“Of course not.”

“I’m NOT!”

“What?”

Crimson looked over to see Lenna sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes warily. Obviously he had woken her up, and now she was giving him a look like he was insane. He smiled sheepishly, and then realized his little temper tantrum had made him stand up.

“You’re not what?”

“I uh…” Crimson looked back to blame Misu, but the wolf had vanished. “Never mind...”

There was a whine at the door, Lenna got out of bed, curious to what the sound was, as Crimson nearly died.

Misu was at the door, her head lowered with a whine escaping from her mouth. Lenna’s eyes immediately brightened up when she saw the adorable puppy, and hurried over to it.

“Awwww….” She hugged the canine tightly who yelped happily and wagged its fluffy, foxy tail.

‘Ohh…’ Crimson growled in his mind, narrowing his eyes as Misu looked over at him, a smirk appearing on her face. ‘You lousy, good for nothing-‘

“Crimson!” Lenna’s voice snapped the furious blitzer out of his daze. “We’re keeping her!”

Crimson blinked severally times before stepping towards Lenna. “What? No! I already have to look after you; who lives under a damn rock, I’m not guarding a dog as well!”

The summoner pulled back from the dog a moment, cocking her head to the side, as if she was analyzing it.

“You know… I don’t think it’s a dog…”

“Oh for Yevon’s sake!” Crimson cried, slapping his forehead with his hand, he turned away from Misu and Lenna. “You cannot keep-“ He had just turned around to finish his sentence when he found Lenna in his face, a glare that could’ve petrified him or killed him plastered on her face.

“I’m the summoner; I say what I, and you, can do!”

“Like hell can you tell…”

Misu watched curiously, humanoids were such strange creatures. Especially those closely related or happen to be apart of the human chain. Jet still had that thought in his mind, it was more apparent the angrier either one of them came, of course, the idea of punching her was there too... Lenna was on the verge of slapping him, and the Kex knew she had to intervene.

Barking as loud as she could, she leapt onto her hind legs and practically pounced on Lenna.

Lenna fell forward, eyes widening as she thwacked into Crimson and caused them both to fall to the ground.

But instead of just landing in a very awkward position, their lips brushed against each other. Crimson felt them linger on his for a moment longer then it takes to recover from such a fall, especially for someone like Lenna. Who, coincidently, felt the same thing: Crimson was lingering, and she was lingering.

She pulled away finally, gazing into his glittering, fiery eyes that seemed to burn with a new emotion now. He stared back, seeing her cheeks flush red as her she bit her lip nervously.

“Kiss her now.” Came Misu’s voice, echoing in Crimson’s head.

~.~

Apis stood in the center of the town square. It was sprawling with different sorts of people, from different sorts of background and whatnot. Though Apis was intrigued by the many available women trotting about this place, he wasn’t here to flirt; he was here to spread nasty rumors. He was a bit disappointed, many of these fine women had looked his why, loving his long braided brown hair and crisp green eyes. He looked nice too, ditching the traditional armor and dark robes for something a bit more out-going. His shirt was left open to reveal his defined chest, and his pants lacked the armor he had strapped on them before. No, today he wasn’t looking for a fight; he was simply looking for the Yevonite guard.

The guard wasn’t attached to the army; they were stronger and knew about things that simple soldiers did not. They also reported to the Bevellian High command every thirty minutes, which was just dandy as far as Apis was concerned.

He was just about to approach them when a man stepped in his way.

“Um…” Apis frowned, crossing his arms as the white haired man didn’t seem to acknowledge he was in the way. “Can you move?”

The man, now that Apis was playing closer attention, seemed… Different. He hair was long, shaggy and unkempt, and his body structure made him hunch, yet obviously this man has strength. If Apis didn’t know any better, he would’ve said this man was an evolution generation BEHIND everyone else.

This beast of a man just gazed at Apis, shaking his head slowly, as if the word’s escaping the dark council member’s mouth were hard to understand.

Apis cringed, noting that this man had black eyes, save for what looked like a fire burning behind them. “Oh, well, I’ll just go around…”

The strange man’s hand clenched onto Apis’s shoulder, the grip almost shattering the bone. The handsome man gritted his teeth and began to drop downwards, attempting to escape the powerful grip.

“… O-or not..”

As soon as he said that, the man released him. Apis looked at him, suddenly noticing something that was so obviously strange. This man’s clothing was a sort of twisted armor. It wasn’t like anything he had ever seen before; it appeared to be made out of some sort of ebony metal yet bent with his body. Sharp horns came from either of the man’s knees; it covered his lower body, yet seemed to fade into his lower chest by turning into veins.

“Who are you?”

The man was silent, looking at the strange ebony armor on his arms and shoulders as well. He looked ashamed, tired and most of all, sad.

“… Daggoth…”

His force was smooth and light. Apis had heard tales of some sort of holy prophets that had a similar sort of voice, was this Daggoth one of them?

“Well, um… Sir…” Apis noted the man’s long pointed ears; no race he knew off had those sorts of ears. “I need to pass.”

Daggoth stared at Apis coldly. “… They will all…” He looked at the children playing near by. “… Die…”

‘He couldn’t possibly know what the council is planning…’ He thought, though a chilling feeling suddenly shot down his spine. “What do you mean?”

The dark warrior suddenly has Apis by the throat, dangling him off the ground. People were beginning to gather, watching in awe as Daggoth lifted the attractive gentleman higher and higher. Apis was gasping, trying desperately to get some air before his fell into dreaded unconsciousness.

“… They will all die…” The man repeated, his voice quivering with sorrow. “… It is not your job to determine their fate…”

Apis felt the claw like armor loosen enough to allow air flow. He gasped, his eyes still beet red from the loss of oxygen. He glared at Daggoth, wanting to kill the freak.

“And w-whose job is it?”

Daggoth looked at Apis with despair, this human didn’t understand and he never would. He dropped the gentleman then, watching him back away. Daggoth smiled fondly, looking up towards the darkening sky, he lifted his hands.

“… Sin…” His voice had changed, seemingly to be a hush voice that was on the verge of being feminine. “… Only Sin has that right, that privilege...”

The crowd was growing increasing frightened, Daggoth was slowly turning about, ignoring Apis who had retreated in the vast expanse of people, who were intrigued, yet fearful. Daggoth looked at them, smiling as warmly as he could.

“People… You must come with me…” Despite looking dangerous, it seemed no one knew any better. “I shall show you the path to salvation, if you truly wish to repent, the Sin you fear will vanish….”

The Yevonite Guard finally stepped in, approaching Daggoth with caution.

“That’s enough sir, the way to repent is through Yevo-“

“Lies…” Daggoth hummed softly, smiling at those who were teeming with curiosity. “Meant to throw you off the true path…”

“What’s the true path?” Ask a woman, holding her daughter in her arms. “Will it spare my daughter from Sin?”

“A life without-“

“SIR.” Daggoth was cut off by one of the Yevonites, who held his weapon like a sacred object. “I’m sorry but you must take your preaching somewhere else.”

“… If you wish to be spared from the crusade, than follow me to salvation…” He whispered, his voice managing to enchant even some of the guards.

Daggoth left Luca, traveling up a long flight of stone stairs until he reached the green fields of the Highroad; completely aware of the crowd following him, hoping to spare themselves and their loved ones from Sin.


Apis growled, some of the people had left, but the Yevonite Guard commander had stayed, and now he was on edge. He was ready to report anything that would give him the excuse to teach this unloyal people a lesson, and now, ‘Daggoth’ as that freak had called himself, had presented the perfect opportunity.

“He’s a troublemaker.” Apis finally spoke, rubbing his neck. “He’ll start a riot.”

The man looked over at him. “You think so?”

“I know so; he’s one of those Sin followers, completely crazy.”

The guard didn’t need to hear any more, he nodded towards Apis before disappearing into the communications building.

Apis had a sadistic smile plastered on his face as he made his way towards the docks.

~.~

“Sir, we just got word that a sin follower is going to make Luca riot against Bevelle and the Yevon Clergy.”

An older, yet familiar commander stood on the bridge of his new battlecruiser class Airship ‘Jupiter’. It was a large contraption, looking somewhat like a Manti-ray yet a lot more technical and machine like. It was looming over Bevelle, watching and waiting to see if Sin would dare travel into the center of Spira and attack the commander’s lovely city.

“Is that so?” He smiled, looking at the newest little minion he got to order around. “Than set it up.”

“Sir, it’s… It’s Luca.”

“Questioning my orders?” The commander laughed, running his hand over his chin. “Do it now, or be replaced.”

The officer sighed, walking slowly over to the control platform at the head of the bridge. It showed a diagram of a strange device, and as soon as he touched the image, the screen switched over to anew.

ACTIVATE?
[PROCEED] [ABORT]

“Sir.”

The commander turned, raising an eyebrow.

“Why? There are countless innocent people down there…”

“Haven’t you noticed?” Sighed the commander, who fiddled with a small, folded up piece of paper. “No one has attempted to stop Sin; all the summoners lose their will halfway through their pilgrimage…” He unfolded the piece of paper to reveal a picture, a woman standing next to a little boy.

“…Sir?”

“We need to force them to finish, to show them what will happen… If they do not finish what they started…”

“Commander Raiku…” The officer felt a sudden amount of pity for the commander, who stared at the picture for another couple of seconds.

“So says the Measters…” Raiku put the picture in his pocket again. “And the Measters know more than you and I could ever grasp…”

The officer bit his lip and looked at the screen, quietly he pressed Proceed.

SELECT LOCATION
[BESAID ISLAND] [KILIKA PORT] [LUCA] [DJOSE TEMPLE] [GUADOSALAM] [MACALANIA] [MACALANIA FIELDS] [MACALANIA TEMPLE] [SHINRA INC. ] [MOUNT GAGAZET] [ZANARKAND RUINS]

The Luca button flashed as he touched it ever so gently. The diagram of the contraption shone for a moment before the screen changed once again.

ACTIVATED
E.T.A
26 HOURS
23 MINUTES

“Bahamut…” He whispered; grasping a small dragon-esque charm on his necklace. Making sure no one; especially the commander, heard him, he continued: “Guard Luca, please… Give Spira the heroes it needs once more…”

[Samchu]

GAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! You meanie! You've done it again! Another damn cliffhanger, only this time, it comes near the start of the chapter and not the end. Are we fianlly going to see some Crimson / Lenna action? I know we'd all love some but let's face it, you don't like writing romance so the answer is: probably not. Even so, you did an excellent job with it. Very tender. And the introduction of Kex as a means of intensifying Crimson's personal struggle with his feelings for Lenna was genius. Might I just add, that I love Kex already. No nonsense. Straight to the point. Finally something to sort out that "umming" and "errring" mess those would-be lovers keep making.

Now, before I move on I would like to say one thing: How could you be so mean to Drog!? He's lovely *huggles Drog* I am of course, refering to Crimson's earlier thought:

Any woman tough enough to stand up to Drog and marry the giant obvious had to be a fiend in her own way.

Damn you you're so cruel!

And we have so many twists introduced to us. Daggoth...omg I love him already. Apis is a worm and I hope Yevon sits on him. And Raiku...that sick perv (yes he's a perv, gawping at pictures of ladies and little boys. He disgusts me!), what's he planning on doing to the beautiful Luca? And Luca...I mean...that's like a major city. We're talking thousands of thousands of people at risk here. Not to mention the blitzball stadium. Oh Mighty Bahamut! Save the people of Luca! CT's going to have a hard enough time writing one sending scene, nevermind two (and let's face it, trying to send all those bodies from Luca is going to be SERIOUSLY hard work).

Well I still like it. Even moreso now that there's so many pieces being introduced into the game. But who's working for whom? And with this latest deelopment, do the Sin followers suddenly seem to be becoming the lesser of two evils? Ooooooo I can't wait to find out.

Loving this more with each chapter! Keep up the good work!

[Mystic_clown]

Oooh, cliff hanger! Damn Yevon to heck!

I agree with Samchu, I love Kex already. "Kiss her already!" She can annoy Crimson and use her cuteness to hide behind Leena. I'm going to love this arrangement.

Aww, poor Drog. I hope his woman didn't die

Yay for Daggoth! Lead the ignorant masses! Is it wrong that I keep picturing Azul when I think of Daggoth? I've got to stop playing Dirge of Cerberus ><