...Gravity...
Look around just people,
can you hear their voice
Find the one who'll guide you
to the limits of your choice…
Chapter XIX - Curriculum vitae
It sounded like sighing. A thousand sighs all joining in harmony; soft, loud, deep, high-pitched, the sounds ran the entire sound gamut. All Rikku could do was stand and stare, her mind and body frozen, like the bodies adorning the walls. Blue mist poured down the walls, falling freely from bodies frozen on the walls, living statues, otherwise known as fayth. The blue vapor covered the ground, swirling about her feet and coiling up her legs. It all eventually poured down another incline into an unnaturally blue pool, where it gathered at the center and created a giant sphere which hovered above the water.
Yuna had said she had never hear of such a large scale summoning before, neither had anyone else. Except, maybe, for Auron. He had traveled to Zanarkand before, maybe he had seen it on his first trip, unless, of course, this was a new thing. Though, Rikku highly doubted that.
She slowly, okay, more like ran over to Auron, who was standing at the edge of the pond, staring into the waters. She fell into place beside him, her swirling green eyes focused on his covered face. He didn't move or even acknowledge her presence, but she knew he was aware of her. He always was, nothing could surprise the man. He was probably deep in thought, memories from times long past resurfacing for the first time in years.
"What is this?" She asked, daring to breach the subject. Behind her, she could hear the quiet conversation of the others dissipate, as they too waited for his answer.
Auron, however, merely looked up from the waters, studying the hovering sphere for a moment. She could see his eye narrowing from the gap in his sunglasses, though not a sound escaped from his lips. Instead, he turned and began to walk away, which struck a few painful cords in Rikku's heart. He didn't even bother to answer her, he didn't even bother to say anything. His distant attitude that he had maintained before Rikku had managed to weasel her way into his affections seemed to be back in working order. This pained the girl beyond words. It wasn't that she particularly wanted the answer, but she wanted some form of an answer. Anything, really, would be better than a dank, cold nothing.
"I know you know something!" She yelled after him, her pain transmuting into anger at the legendary guardian. Fine, if this was the way he wanted it to be then why should she just submit to his icy demeanor. She may adore him, but that did not mean she had submitted to him. Rikku surrendered for no one.
"Look not to others for knowledge. This is your journey, too," His answered seemed almost forced, pained even, though Rikku took no notice of the tone of his voice. She ran up to him, gripping his arm and forcing him to look at her. Her anger was positively boiling at his cold attitude. She had been able to put up with it before, when she hadn't known what he was underneath. But now, now that she knew he could be kind and considerate, she wouldn't accept this second-rate character that he was attempting to mold himself into.
"Yuna might die," She hissed between clenched teeth, her verdant eyes glaring into his own. His sunglasses, however, masterfully masked the expression underneath and all she could see was her own cold anger, glaring right back at her.
"No, he's right," Her staring match against herself and her reflection ended abruptly when Tidus's voice broke through the chilled air. She turned around slowly, loosing her grip on Auron's coat, crossing her arms instead. She looked at him, one brow raised quizzically and cooling anger in her eyes.
"This is our…this is my story," Was his only, insanely cryptic, response. She cocked her head to the side, not quite sure how to take his answer. Did he know something, as well? But how could he? He wasn't even from this world…?
Tidus just shrugged his shoulders and turned back to the wall of fayth. Rikku wasn't quite sure what to think now. Auron and Tidus weren't going to offer any information, and no one else really knew anything. In fact, Auron had stalked off towards the cave up ahead, leaving the rest of them to their own devices. She really wanted to smack that man upside the head. He sure did need it.
Before, she could go to do that however, she heard Tidus cry out followed by Yuna shrieking. She looked up in time to Tidus fall to the ground, as if dead, with the rest of the companions circling around his prone form. She ran over, eyes wide with fear and heart beating a thousand miles a minute.
"What happened, Yunie?" She cried, kneeling down beside Yuna who was shaking Tidus gently. Yuna looked up at her, concern apparent in her mismatched eyes.
"He's sleeping…" She replied slowly, as if not quite believing the facts herself. Rikku turned her attention to Tidus, who did, in fact, appear to be sleeping. His chest was rising and falling in a rhythmic fashion, his eyes fluttering as if he was dreaming.
She stood then, not quite sure what to make of the situation. Was it the fayth? She walked up to the wall hesitantly, her hand outstretched. Her fingertips brushed lightly against the cool stone, but she didn't pass out. The blue mist danced between her fingers and began swirling up her arm. She quickly pulled away her hand, not quite ready to journey wherever Tidus had gone. She stepped away from the wall, and glanced back at the group. They hovered over Tidus, a murmur of conversation carrying towards her on the light breeze. Tidus was okay, just sleeping. Somehow trapped in a dream brought on by the myriad of fayth around them. Odd, but not dangerous, Rikku assumed. The fayth were on their side, they wanted to defeat Sin just as much as the humans did. Maybe, they were giving Tidus advice, or maybe Tidus just passed out from an overload of magic. She wasn't quite sure, but she was praying that the fayth were intervening somehow. It was an outrageous idea, but imagine if it were true. If anyone knew how to save Yuna, the fayth would.
That thought brought a shadow of a smile to her face. It was a bit sad that even a flicker of hope could brighten her day but, there wasn't much else that could. Yuna was her cousin, and yes, they hadn't grown up together, but they were family. Cid had always told her, ever since Yuna had become a summoner, that they were going save her from her fate even if she resisted their help. Cid had told her that Yevon had brainwashed Yuna with their ridiculous teaching about sacrifice and the greater good. Rikku, though never really believed Yuna had been "brainwasher" per say, always thought the majority of Yevonite scripture was a load of baloney. There was some sincerity there, but it was written in completely the wrong way. It always spoke of sacrifice, of submission. These were things that Rikku just couldn't comprehend. Why would any good institution want its followers to kill themselves willingly. It was like leading sheep to the slaughter. It was wrong. But, unfortunately, no one else believed her or her people. They were crazy, machine lovers, no one to be taken seriously. It's so odd that the logical thinkers always get ostracized.
She knew that Yuna wanted to do this; she felt it that it was her duty as a citizen of Spira and as a summoner. Well, Rikku said poo poo to that notion. It was nice that Yuna had resolve, that she had enough courage to go through with such a thing, but Rikku knew in her heart that it wasn't necessary. There had to be another way. Countering death with death was like fighting fire with fire. It only ended with a bigger fire in the end. Killing off Yuna wouldn't save the world from suffering, it would just delay it for awhile, until Sin came back with a vengeance and began its blood bath once more. There had to be a way to break the cycle…there just had to.
Rikku released a sigh, noticing that she had wandered up the path while lost in thought. The cave loomed before her, it gaping mouth promising much hardship up ahead. However, extended off to the side, was an overhang. Nothing but fog could be seen below, but she knew, from the direction that they were facing, that the verdant plains of the Calm Lands lay far, far below them, hidden beneath the thick haze. Mountains rose majestically in the distance, blocking the majority of rays from the setting sun. The sky was painted orange, with purple, pink, and yellow clouds placed prettily around the mountains. It was straight from a picture book, beautiful and serene.
Auron stood on the overhang, like she, considering the finery of the sunset. Dying sunlight poured over him, bathing him in a deep ginger glow. Her small smile faded however, as her thoughts drifted back to before. He may look majestic and proud on that overhang, but he was hiding behind that persona. The cold, noble guardian, revered and feared by all. That wasn't him, he may be noble, and he may be proud, but he was broken too. The years had not been kind, and now, he was just lying to himself. Maybe, her thoughts were harsh, but they were true. How long did he plan on hiding from the world? Was he just holding out for these last few days before Yuna beat Sin into submission? With her death could he finally find peace?
That didn't seem quite fair. Was that the only reason he was pushing her forward? Just so he could fulfill his promise of protecting her until she carked it? That thought infuriated her all the more. He was just using Yuna to find his peace. Maybe, he knew a way to save her and was holding out. He couldn't find peace if his vows weren't fulfilled.
"So this was your plan all along, wasn't it?" She growled, slowly advancing towards his position. Auron glanced sidelong at her, not granting her his full attention but at least acknowledging her existence.
"Hm?" Was his only gruff reply, though it didn't faze Rikku. She was going to find out the truth now. He owed her that.
"String Yuna along until the final battle then head, a hero once more, off to the Farplane? What a touching exit that would be, everyone would pity you, two pilgrimages is a blow to any man, even the legendary guardian," He turned around fully now, though she couldn't discern his expression since his sunglasses were in place. She knew she was being harsh, cruel even, but he had pissed her off. Maybe, it was immature, but hell, she didn't give a damn. If he was in anyway using Yuna for his own salvation she would shove him straight off that cliff behind him.
"You'd be forever the hero, who cares if word got out that you were unsent, it would only make the story all the more dramati…" Before she could finish her sentence, Auron hand slapped across her mouth, silencing her quickly. Her eyes continued to burn however, and her hand came up to rip off his sunglasses. She had, at least, the privilege of knowing how her little tirade had effected him, or whether any truth from her words were betrayed in that eye. However, when she tore off the glasses she was met with a very different picture. Pain, deep and gaping, staring her directly in the face. Pain that had festered for ten long years, churning inside him like a noxious poison, eating him alive. There was no deceit in those eyes, only pure and honest agony. He took no joy in marching Yuna off to her death, just as he had taken no joy in marching Braska off as well. But, it was his duty as a guardian and the most knowledgeable of them all to keep them on task. One misstep could get them killed, one wrong decision. Auron wasn't trying to get Yuna killed, he was trying to keep himself sane as he pushed rewind.
Rikku felt tears brimming in her eyes and remorse tossing in her gut. She felt dirty and ashamed of saying such things to the broken man, even she had acknowledged that he was so. But still she had somehow convinced herself that he was two-faced, and not she. But here he was, regretting every action that he was making, every harsh word and judgment that he had to make. But, it was for the best, if he didn't stay strong then they would fall apart. What would happen to them all if Sir Auron broke down and couldn't proceed? Their resolve would falter. If even Auron, the legendary guardian, couldn't continue on the pilgrimage then how the hell were they supposed to? Understanding hit Rikku hard and cold, like a punch to the gut. Still, she may be angry that he was so resolute and unwavering, but he had to be for them all. They couldn't turn back, not after everything that happened. The only road that they had was the one that lay ahead of them. The road to Zanarkand.
Auron's hand lowered from her mouth, his face turning away from her as he turned back to consider the sunset. It was odd how she came understand him, without him saying a single word. But, it had happened, as sure as the sun setting before them. Auron didn't need fancy words to express his innermost feelings, he probably had none to offer to her anyways. But, he had expression that ran deeper than any poetic verse could ever hope to run. An eye that could burn into your very soul. She shivered to think what his glances must have been like when he possessed had the other eye.
She stepped forward, once more standing beside Auron. But, this time no words were uttered or sounds released. Just cool, serene silence mixed with the beauty of mother nature before them.
A/N: gasp Two updates within the span of less then a week, this is incredible! I know this one is really short, its kinda like a filler chapter for the big stuff thats coming up soon. Oh yes, this ficcy is winding down slowly...well, more like crashing down like a burning airplane. Hehe. I don't promise any happy endings, only bittersweet ones.
Anyhoo, I'd like to take this moment to thank everyone that has ever reviewed this story. Everyone of you has motivated me to continue, and I actually mean that. This isn't just the silly praise that a pop start gives to her fans, this is genuine gratitude to all of you who have enjoyed my work. I write for myself, but I also write for all of you, as well. Maybe, its shallow, but I want people to delight in my work. If I can make someone smile or sigh while reading then I know I have done a good job. So, thank you, to all of you who has ever taken the time to read Gravity and jot down a short review or even a long one (I love those! Especially when tips are added! I am always evolving and growing as a writer and any suggestions, nicely put of course, are always welcome). It has been you, all of you, who have kept me motivated!