Chapter 16
 
 
Buffy walked into a hallway, lit with a blue glow, the hall seemed to go on forever, lined with doors. She opened one of the doors, walking into chamber of the fayth. She walked around the outside of the amber where the fayth lay, she looked down through the amber to where the body was preserved, for all time. She frowned, the fayth was large and grotesque, demonic horns sprouted from its’ head, its’ face disfigured and pulled into a snarl.
Buffy knelt on the edge of the amber, hands folded in her lap. She heard the hymn of the fayth in the background, opening her eyes she saw three men on the other side  of the chamber, singing the hymn, the demon rose, translucent from the stone, floating before her. She raised her head boldly, closing her eyes as the demon flew towards her, into her chest, filling her mind and body.
A shape emerged in front of her, dark skin and dreadlocked hair. A light suddenly appeared and Buffy realised it was the first slayer.
The first slayer looked at her, her head on the side. “Hello, sister. Now we are one.”
The light grew brighter, forcing her eyes closed.
Her eyes shot open, she stumbled to her feet, walking out of the chamber unsteadily.
Outside of the chamber Giles, Xander, Willow, Tara, Dawn and Anya waited in the kitchen.
“She’s done it.” Willow said excitedly, grinning exuberantly.
“Yes, yes, well it would seem she has exceeded our previous expectations.” Giles said, his robe swishing around his feet as he walked over to help her into the kitchen.
“Now we can send her to die, right?” Anya asked, taking the cookies out of the pantry.
“Hey, I was saving those for myself..” Buffy began, trailing off.
“Oh, it doesn’t matter. You won’t be needing them.” Anya said. “All slayers die once they get to Sunnydale.”
“She’s right.” Xander said, snagging a biscuit. “Maybe if you weren’t boinking the evil undead we could forgive you. But some things are just no-goes.”
“And you forgot to study for Psych.” Willow added.
“See what I mean, you have to stop what your doing.” Xander said. “Mmm, these are good.”
“Yes, it’s a shame Dawn can’t eat them.” Anya said. “Don’t worry Dawny, we’ll tell you how they taste. Do you think she understands the concept of ‘taste’?” She asked, turning back to Buffy and Giles.
“Well, I assume she does.” Tara said. “It would make sense, she’s made from Buffy and Buffy can taste.”
Buffy frowned, turning to her little sister, she was glowing with a vibrant green light, her features hidden by the light.”
“Dawny? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, why does everyone treat me like I’m a little kid?”
Buffy looked around, someone was knocking at the door. “I’ll get it.”
“No. Don’t.” Xander said.
“You really shouldn’t, you know it’s wrong. I’ll tell Mom.”
“But, I want to.”
“Buffy, there’s some things you want that you just can’t have.” Giles said. “There’s no need to be upset. He’s fine out there.”
“I.. I’m not sure..” Buffy’s top lip curled up as she spoke, the way it did when she was upset. She looked out the window, the white/blue energy shot, crackling out of the sky.
“What if he gets hit?”
“Buffy, he’s evil.” Xander said. “Besides, imagine what the kids would be like.” He pulled a face.
“I.. I’m gonna go up to bed.” Buffy said.
She walked up the stairs, back into the hallway. She walked down past several doors. Looking in one she saw Anya, walking through the rain, long white dress trailing in the muddy street. Another door showed Jonathan, sitting at a table with two other guys, as they laughed giant buzz saws crashed through the place, destroying everything.
In another door she saw an Incan temple, inside an ancient woman waited, holding a large, red axe thing, she turned to Buffy as she looked in. Her eyes were solid white and unseeing. Buffy leapt back, closing the door. She kept walking, suddenly a door caught her eye, she stepped  through it. The little boy she’d seen in the chamber of the fayth in Bevelle stood there.
“Hello again, Buffy.”
“Um, hello.”
“Remember his advice, things will only change if you make them.”
“I’ll.. try to remember.”
“Good, I want to give you this, later when its’ mouth is closed this will open a new door. Both of you will return with both of them.” He handed her a small, silver ring.
“Huh.”
“Honey?” Buffy turned at the familiar voice.
“Oh, I’m so glad to see you. Maybe you should get back, you don’t want to sleep in again. “You’ve always have been grumpy in the mornings.”
“Mom?”
“Yes dear?”
“Do you think..”
“Oh, don’t worry about that now, off you go, have fun.”
 
“Buffy, Buffy?”
“Hmm..”
“Wake up pet.”
Buffy opened her eyes to find Spike looking at her in concern.
“You okay?”
“Huh, oh, I’m fine.” She frowned, remembering her dream. She shrugged it off, burying her head in Spike’s chest.
“We have to get up, luv.”
“Ugh.” She sat up, sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
 
She came out to breakfast and her eyes widened in surprise.
Platters of cold meat and large eggs, along with thick, crusty fruit toast sat on the table. Milk and juice sat in jugs and cereal in bowls.
“Huh, I didn’t think they ate meat.” She said, glad for it.
 
Breakfast was over all too soon and they began walking. To her surprise she saw another chocobo, this one, however, had a saddle and a rider on its’ back.
“Lady summoner.” The rider said.
“You are to walk to Gagazet?”
“Yes.” Yuna answered.
“Gagazet?” Buffy asked.
“Sacred Mt Gagazet, Kimahri home.”
“Really?” Tidus asked. “Maybe you’ll see your family?”
“Kimahri has no family. But Kimahri not alone.”
“Well, if you are to get there by nightfall I can lend you some chocobos, of course you can only take them as far as the bridge. If you let them go they’ll come back to me within a day.”
“You would let us?” Yuna asked.
“Of course. Come along, the stable is this way.”
“Ride a chocobo?” Buffy asked, skeptically.
“Of course.” Rikku answered, “That’s what they’re there for.”
 
Buffy stared at the chocobo she was to ride, it stared back,  a rope came over its’ beak like reigns, the saddle was tiny and very light, she wasn’t surprised to see Lulu jump on, side-saddle. Kirrel chirped, jumping onto its’ back and hopping up and down.
“Need a leg up, slayer.” Spike asked, his eyes shining with mirth.
She poked her tongue at him. Eyeing the bird.
“Here goes.” She jumped up into the saddle, it closed it’s wings over her legs.
“Let’s go.” Yuna said.
“Whoo hoo.” Tidus yelled.
“Humph.” Auron commented.
 
“Let’s rest.” Rikku said, the sun was falling towards the horizon and they hadn’t stopped for lunch.
“I need food.” Tidus added.
“If you’d woken up earlier you could have had a larger breakfast.” Auron told him.
Buffy’s legs were tired, the chocobo had fairly easy movement, but holding on with her legs had become painful after a while, even with slayer strength.
“The bridge isn’t far.” Lulu said. “We can rest then.”
 
They dismounted from the chocobos, Buffy reached up to give hers’ a pat on the beak, it made a trilling noise, rubbing its’ head against her.
Kirrel sat on her shoulder, licking himself clean. They walked along a pass between two mountains, coming out near a gorge, a bridge crossed the narrow gorge. Kirrel sniffed the air, seeming agitated.
“What’s up, Kirrel?” Buffy asked.
“Halt.” A voice said, as two Guado stepped from behind a rock on the other side of the bridge.
“Summons from Lord Seymour, come with us.” The lead Guado said.
Yuna stepped forward. “We have nothing to discuss with Maester Seymour.
The guardians all stepped forward, Tidus waved his hand. “Yeah, so out of our way.”
“Lord Seymour’s commands must be obeyed. You will come.”
“I warn you.” The other Guado said. “The Maester doesn’t need you alive.”
They felt vibrations through the ground, heard great footsteps in the gorge below, a giant robot climbed up, out of the hole, standing like a human, covered in large guns. The symbol of Yevon was engraved on it’s leg plates.
“Yuna, look out.” Wakka called, jumping forward and hurling his spikey ball at it, the spikes made slight indents in its’ surface.
“I will take it from here.” Lulu announced, summoning a giant bolt of lighting, which crackled around its’ surface and made it writhe backwards.
Rikku jumped forwards,  secretive grin on her face, she waved her hand, aiming it at the robot and a crackle of electricity surrounded it, dissipating a moment later.
“Very well done.” Lulu commented as the slow moving creature lunged towards them, bladed arms swinging, she dodged but Auron wasn’t so quick, he received a clawed fist through his chest.
Yuna ran over, healing him with magick. “Yuna, come back.” Buffy shouted, racing after the summoner who had put herself in the path of danger.
The robot lunged towards Yuna, Buffy raced forward, stabbing its’ shell with her sword and planting kicks and punches all over it, denting it still more.
The creature swung around, knocking Buffy to the ground. Spike raced over as it went to stomp on her, kicking it and knocking it to the ground.
Lulu walked over to Buffy, handing her a crystal. “You use this, focus on it and it will allow you to cast fire on the machina. Whilst you and Rikku use fire on it I shall use ice. The sudden change in temperature should cause it to fall apart.”
Buffy stared at the gem. Magick? She was unsure. Rikku ran over to her as the giant robot rocked around in an attempt to get up.
“C’mon, it’s no biggie, here, I’ll help you. Okay, focus on the gem.”
Buffy focused, to her surprise a flicker of fire appeared before her.
“The gem stores fire magick, it only needs to be released.” Rikku explained. “So, focus the fire on the robot.”
 
Spike threw a potion over the injured Kimahri, turning around to see Buffy, standing next to Rikku, a reddish glow surrounding her. As he watched fire shot from her hands, engulfing the robot. Rikku and Buffy kept the robot under extreme heat until it was red hot. They stepped back and Lulu raised her arms. First a shard of ice came up beneath it, piercing the molten metal. Then ice completely surrounded it, shattering and destroying the robot at the same time.
 
Lulu stepped back, breathing deeply. Yuna turned to see the Guado running off into the Calm Lands.
“Come.” Lulu said. “Gagazet is not far off.”
 
 
Chapter 17
 
They crossed another bridge, entering a cave. Icy air whipped downwards from it’s entrance. The cave wasn’t very long, five minutes later they saw an opening at the top, almost perfectly round, the evening light shining down on them. They stepped out of the cave, snow fell softly as they walked. The ground was hard and bare of any vegetation, all the rocks were the colour of iron. Ten pairs of giant posts, like the remnants of some ancient temple, lined the side of the road as they ascended it’s steep slope.
When they came to the end of them they saw one last pair, further up, topped by a crossbeam. Kimahri stopped, sniffing the air, he turned as a large, yellow furred Ronso dropped from the sky to his right. He hit the ground, staring at them fiercely. They were so intent upon watching him that they didn’t see a wizened old Ronso walking up behind him.
They, suddenly, noticed him, Kirrel buried himself in Buffy’s hair.
“Summoner Yuna and guardians.” He said, Yenke came walking up beside him. “Leave here at once.”
They looked around in shock, the mountains on both sides of the path were littered with Ronso, standing tall and proud, as Spike looked at them Buffy suddenly noticed his face go rigid.
“What’s wrong?”
“Uh, nothing..” He looked pointedly at the old Ronso as he continued to speak.
“Gagazet is Ronso land. The sacred mountain will not bear the footsteps of infidels.”
The yellow furred Ronso growled at them. “Enemy of Yevon is enemy of Ronso. Leave, traitors.” Buffy suddenly recognised him as Biran, the Ronso who had come to taunt/warn them near the Moonflow.
Buffy was worried that they may be forced into combat. Yuna took a stand.
“I have cast aside Yevon, I follow the temple no more.”
The old Ronso, in the garb of a Yevon monk waved his paw. “Then you will die by those words.”
“So be it.” Yuna said. “Yevon has warped the teachings and betrayed us all.”
“Nuthin but a bunch of low down tricksters, eh.” Wakka added.
Tidus waved his hand in the air. “Yeah yeah.”
Rikku then copied him.
“They’re a bunch of narcissistic, murderous poofters.” Spike added, glaring at the two blondes as they continued to wave their hands in unison.
“And they’re hypocrites.” Buffy added. “And badly dressed.”
Biran and the yellow furred Yenke fell into fighting position. “Blasphemers.” Biran growled.
Kimahri ran forward, angrily, standing with a puffed out chest before him, his face, and broken horn aimed at the other Ronso’s face. Buffy would have found it amusing under different circumstances, Kimahri, who was taller than Auron even, only came up to the chest of the other Ronso who towered over him, a foot long horn on his forehead.
“A summoner and her guardians..” The old Ronso, Kelk said musingly.
“Lord Kelk Ronso, if I may..” Lulu started. “Have you not also turned your back on Bevelle?”
“But still you guard Gagazet as a Ronso, not a Maester.” Auron added. “Yuna is much the same.”
The old Ronso made a growling noise, saying something Buffy couldn’t catch. “Let Biran rend them asunder!”
Yenke laughed, talking in his normal, dorky voice. “No escape, not one.”
“No, we will not flee.” Yuna said, shaking her head stubbornly. “We will fight and continue on.”
“You have been labelled a traitor but still you would fight Sin?” Kelk asked. “Lost to the temple, hated by the people, yet you continue your pilgriamage? Everything lost, what do you fight for?”
“I fight for Spira.” Yuna answered, a strength seeming to pour from her, filling everything around her.  “The people long for the calm, I can give it to them. It’s all I can give. Defeating Sin, ending pain.. This I can do.”
The green eyed old Ronso shook his head slowly. “Even sacrificing yourself?” He turned, taking several steps away, he stopped and spoke. “Ronso. Let them pass. Summoner Yuna, your will is stronger than steel, tempered steel that even the mightiest Ronso could not hope to bend. Yuna, we bow to your will, now go, the sacred heights of Gagazet  welcome you.”
“We thank you.” Yuna bowed. “Though.. We would like to spend one night, with your permission?” She bowed again. “To recover all our strength and go on in the morning.”
“Ronso home, Yuna home. Summoner Yuna and guardians sleep where Ronso sleep, eat what Ronso eat. Be clothed to face the coldest peaks of the sacred mountain.”
“Thankyou.” Yuna bowed again.
 
They were led to cave like dwellings, heavy doors, covered in pelts swung open to let them in. Inside was a large room, the floor was lined with more furs and it was very warm inside. The Ronso gave them long cloaks, made of leather, the fur still left on, the fur was worn on the inside and the outside was deep blue like Kimahri’s fur. Kimahri didn’t require a cloak, his Ronso fur was made especially for these conditions. Buffy didn’t know if she was imagining it but he seemed fluffier than when they got there.
Spike sniffed his cloak when it was given to him. “Ayishim.” He snorted.
“Who, what?” Buffy asked.
“While I was living with the Al Behd I was feeding off Ayishim blood. They’re like big slow cows, longer fur though.”
“Oh”
They were brought their meal, what appeared to be chicken, normal sized chicken, not giant. Buffy piled her plate up with it, sitting next to Spike as she ate, he, too, ate some, he seemed to like food. He nodded his head.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had this.”
“You never go to Kentucky?” Buffy asked.
“It’s been a while since they stopped selling Bunny at Kentucky, pet.”
Buffy’s entire face dropped, she stared at her plate as though it were lambs brains.
“Bunny? As in, hoppity, white, fluffy bunny rabbits?” Her green eyes were wide.
“Yeah, or, you know, the Spiran version of it anyway.”
“Oooh.” She looked sick.
“What’s wrong with that, pet?”
“What’s wrong..? they’re bunny’s, people don’t eat bunnies.. and, they’re cute. You don’t eat cute things..”
“I dunno, luv.” He gave her a sly look, she grinned, Bunny forgotten.
“We should get as much sleep as possible.” Lulu said. “Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”
 
The next day they started up the mountain slope, after a ten minute walk they heard a loud voice call out. “Halt.”
“Haven’t you bothered us enough?” Tidus whined.
“Summoner may pass, guardians may pass, Kimahri not pass!” Biran said. “Kimahri shame Ronso brothers, Kimahri forget his birth.”
“Forget his people, forget his mountain. Little Ronso! Weakling Ronso!” Yenke added.
“Mountain hate the weak, hate the small. If you will climb…”
“Then I must prove my strength.” Kimahri finished.
“Think you will win?” Biran jeered. “You not forget who took your horn, never forget.”
“Kimahri never beat brother, Biran, never win.” Yenke added.
“This time I win.” Kimahri said, stepping forward. “I will win!”
“Let me at him.” Buffy said, Spike gently grabbed her arm, pulling her back to him.
“Why you..” Tidus ran forward to attack the two Ronso, Kimahri held out his hand, stopping him.
“This some kind of Ronso thing?” Tidus asked.
“Kimahri problem.” Kimahri answered.
What followed next was the most dazzling display of Samurai skills she had ever seen, accompanied by magic and the occasional annoying taunt from Yenke. The kicks and jumps, dodges and strikes they performed were breathtaking, Kimahri was obviously swifter, dodging many of their blows and raining upon them countless of his own until both Biran and Yenke called out their surrender.
“Strong is Kimahri.” Biran said. “Biran is happy.”
He rose, unsteadily to his feet, making his way up the mountain path. He stopped after several steps, yelling into the sky, his booming voice echoing around their ears. “Sacred Mount Gagazet! I honour the name of strong warrior who defeats Biran. Remember always, Gagazet, that name is Kimahri!”
“Mountain knows Kimahri strong.” Yenke told them. “Kimahri may pass.”
“Summoner!” Biran called. “We Ronso will stop pursuers from temple.”
“Truly?” Yuna asked.
“Penance for breaking Kimahri’s horn, long ago. ”
 “We crush enemies following behind.”
“Kimahri crush enemies standing before.” Kimahri answered.
“You are most fortunate, summoner.”
“I thank you.” She said, bowing.
“Ronso will shine your statue brightest.” Yenke said.
Yuna looked sad. “Thankyou. But I fear that no-one will make a statue for a traitor such as I am.”
Biran turned around. “Then Ronso will make.”
“With grand horn on head.” Yenke added.
“That… would be wonderful.” Yuna smiled, bowing, blinking tears from her eyes.
Biran and Yenke left, Yuna stood for a moment, then they walked up the steep mountain path too, coming out on a fairly flat part. They heard a noise to their left. Biran was standing on a ledge high above. “Summoner Yuna!” He called.
“What is it this time?” Tidus asked, rudely.
In answer Biran began to sing. “Ieyui.”
Ronso appeared one by one from all around them, joining the hymn of the fayth. Their mighty voices echoed across the mountainside, a tribute to Yuna.
Buffy smiled, her memory went back to high school, the prom. When she received her ‘class protector’ award, the only acknowledgement she had ever received for her duties as slayer. As the song finished and the Ronso moved aside to let them pass she followed the guardians, head held high.
 
The path up higher was colder, unprotected by high, rocky walls. The wind whipped past at incredible speeds, throwing snow into their faces, if not for the warm, hooded cloaks they would have frozen to death with no need to worry about the fiery fiends that kept jumping out at them, attempting to engulf them in searing flame.
They came upon a large object, poking out of the ground.
“These mark the graves of summoners and guardians who have perished up here.” Lulu said.
Spike turned around, seeming agitated.
“Spike, what’s wrong?” Buffy said.
He cleared his throat and spoke. “We have to go back. Now.”
“Heh heh, scared?” Tidus asked.
“No.”
”We have no time for this, we must get to Zanarkand.” Auron said.
“Trust me, we have to go back down the mountain now . We can climb it again, that’s fine but we really need to go.”
“I don’t understand.” Rikku said, flapping her arms in front of her.
“The Ronso are in danger.”
“How do you know that?” Lulu asked.
“It’s um, a premonition, I get them sometimes, not often so don’t expect another but I know if we don’t get down this sodding mountain as fast as we can go all the Ronso are screwed.”
“Kimahri trust. Ronso Strong, some things stronger.” Kimahri turned and headed back.
“I.. The Ronso are important to me, I too will return.” Yuna said, running after her.
“Yunie, wait. I’m coming with you.”
“Hey, don’t go without me.” Tidus ran after her.
“If you are wrong you are going to regret it.” Auron said.
“Settle down, gramps, no need to get your knickers in a twist.” Spike said, wondering what Auron thought he was going to do, anyway.
“If you are correct. I pray we are on time.” Lulu said. Buffy turned to Spike, he said one word.
“Seymour.”
 
 
Chapter 18
 
Yuna ran down the mountainside as fast as she could go. What greeted her eyes as she reached the bottom was terrible. Seymour was walking up the mountain path, already Yenke and a few other Ronso lay dead in on the icy ground. Seymour looked surprised as Yuna came into view. The Ronso were lined up, waiting to attack him once at a time. Yuna shook her head, Ronso pride, they refused to outnumber him, it would have got them killed this time if not for Spike.
“Lady Yuna, it is a pleasure.”
“Yuna.” Lulu said. Yuna raised her hands, ready to send him. Seymour looked past Yuna, chuckling. Kimahri turned, seeing Yenke’s still body on the ground.
“No.”
Seymour chuckled, looking at Yuna. “You could end the suffering of this Ronso, of all these Ronso.”
“I don’t understand you!” Yuna yelled.
“Allow Kimahri to die and release him from his pain. Spira.. is a land of suffering and sorrow, caught in a spiral of death. To destroy- to heal Spira- I will become Sin. Yes, with your help. Come with me, Yuna.”
Tidus jumped in front of Yuna, Seymour sneered.
“Once I have become the next Sin your father will be freed again.”
Tidus’ face went white, he glared at Seymour.
Buffy frowned, his father? She looked at the others, they seemed as confused as she was, except for Auron and Kimahri.
“What do you know!” Tidus yelled, running towards Seymour.
“Save some for Kimahri.” The Ronso yelled. Seymour rose into the air, startling Buffy.
“Pitiful mortal. Your hope ends here and your meaningless existence with it!” Seymour cried as he let out a bright, white light. When the light cleared he floated in the mountain path, looking like a strange bug creature,  created from intricately carved marble, marble tentacles hanging down from it. His face, also marble was at the front of the creature, above the arms that sat underneath it and beneath the handles of the two swords above it. The battle, Buffy assumed, would have been long and difficult with just the guardians, but as Buffy, Spike, Auron, Kimahri, Tidus, Yuna, Rikku and Lulu attacked the giant creature so too did every one of the Ronso. It would be remembered by the Ronso as the only war ever fought on Gagazet’s sacred slopes. Slowly they hacked the tentacles off the creature, ripping off chunks of marble, arms and claws but still the attacks came. White hot energy like solar flares regularly burst out of the ground and even Buffy, on one occasion found herself a sickly green colour on account of his lance, imbued with a poison that turned people into zombies. Yuna stepped forward and Buffy noticed that her face was hard. Not just determined, it was as though she had become stronger, she stood like stone before Seymour, raising her arms, summoning the fire demon, Ifrit. The giant demon snarled at Seymour as he opened his mouth to speak, it breathed a column of fire at him, pushing him high into the air by the force of the flames, he then reached down, with 6 inch claws, tearing a chunk of rock from the icy ground and hurling it at Seymour.
Seymour shuddered, disappearing in a column of pyrelfies.
“And stay up there!” Tidus shouted.
Rikku ran over to Spike, staring at him.
“What are you doing?” He asked, annoyed.
“Wow! You really knew? Ooh.” Rikku exclaimed.
Buffy walked over to him, taking his hands. “You really saved them all.” She smiled.
He pulled her close to him, stopping with a cheeky grin. “Can’t have the bunny population getting out of hand now, can we.”
She pulled away, giving him a mock glare. He grinned back but his face soon became serious again.
“Listen, I saved the Ronso, true but that’s it. I don’t have a bloody clue what happens now.”
“Oh..” Buffy bit her lip. “It doesn’t matter, between us all we’ll save Yunie.. Yuna even if   it means kicking the Final Aeon’s ass!”
“That’s my girl.” Spike smiled.
“Everybody.. We’re going now.”
“Sir Spike..” Kelk said. “You are good man. Ronso never forget what you did for us. Anything you want, you ask. Lady Yuna and guardians.. Thankful we are you came. Ronso children hear your stories, Ronso singers sing your songs. Go now, we have kept you long enough.”
The climb to the top of the mountain seemed to take less time the second go. All too soon they found themselves standing high on the snow covered peaks. Rikku stopped, turning to Buffy and Tidus.
“Zanarkand’s on the other side you know..”
”I know.” Tidus answered.
“Yunie’ll get the Final Aeon, you know… I, still haven’t thought of anything.”
“Buffy did.” Spike commented.
“Yeah, we kick it’s final butt until it goes away.” Buffy said with an emphatic nod.
“Yeah!” Tidus exclaimed, pumping his fist.
Buffy and Spike stared at him then back at each other, they both shrugged and continued on.
“Wow.” Yuna said as she disappeared around the corner. Buffy frowned, ‘wow’ wasn’t usually a word Yuna used. She followed the Summoner and gasped. The rock beside the path was imbedded with human bodies, sending off a blue, misty light. On the other side of the path was a pool, a waterfall feeding into it. A spiral of water stood over twelve feet high, spinning from the too-blue water.
“Wh..What are those?” wakka asked.
“Those are Fayth.” Yuna said in an awed voice. She walked over to the rock, gasping quietly, they all turned to look at her.
“A summoning! Someone is using these Fayth! Someone is drawing energy from all of them.”
“This many?” Rikku asked.
“Who wields power on this scale and what could they be calling?” Lulu asked.
Rikku ran over to Auron. “Hey, you know something, don’t you? Spill the beans.”
“Look not to others for knowledge, this is your journey too.”
“Yunie might die, you know?” Rikku called out.
“No… Auron’s right.” Tidus said,
“Auron’s right?” Buffy asked, incredulous. “How is withholding information from us and giving us fortune cookie advice to our benefit. Do you even want to help Yuna, do you want to beat Sin?”
Auron chuckled.
“You arrogant bastard! What’s your prob..”
She was cut off as Tidus fell into a faint on the ground.
 Everyone crowded around him, begging him to wake up, he lay there, unconscious for nearly five minutes, suddenly waking up.
“Are you alright?” Yuna asked as he jumped to his feet.
He sat down again.
“Hey! We were so worried about you.” Rikku said.
Spike raised his hand. “Except me.”
“You okay?” Lulu asked.
“I…I’m okay.”
“What happened?” Yuna asked.
“Nothing… I blacked out and I was dreaming. You called me… and I woke up.”
He stood up, stretching. “Nothing like a good nap!”
“Oh yeah?” Buffy punched him in the shoulder, Slayer strength and all.
“Oww!” He rubbed his shoulder, looking at her resentfully.
“That was one  of the most irritating, badly timed comments I’ve ever heard. You even beat Xander’s record.”
“Who..?”
Buffy glared at him.
“Oh, right, I’ll shut up.”
They entered a cave, a strange, greenish glow lit it with an eerie light. The fiends in the cave were large, leaping from the darkness at fairly regular intervals. The ceiling of the cave dripped water and it was a lot warmer inside than it had been outside. They walked up the sloping tunnel, turning left and going down hill.
They came to a subterranean pool of water, under the water brightly coloured rocks shone. The water was crystal clear and a tunnel could be seen under the water at the back of the cave.
“Looks like we got a job to do, ya?” Wakka said, standing in front of the water.
Buffy knelt down, dipping her finger in the icy water.
“Ugh.”
“What is it?” Yuna asked, concerned.
“It’s cold.”
“This lake is created from the water which runs through the roof of these caves. This water comes from the melted snow which falls on the top.” Auron said.
Buffy pulled a face.
Rikku, Tidus and Wakka stood on the waters edge.
“Maybe, we should wait here, the three of you can go on ahead and see if it is the right direction. Though, if it gets dangerous, pull out quick.” Lulu said.
“Right.” Wakka said.
“Be careful, okay?” Yuna said.
Tidus nodded, diving into the water.
“Spike.” Buffy said as they waited on the edge of the water.
“Yes, pet?”
“When all this is over, what then?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Sin, it comes back every ten years, right, even when it gets killed so if we defeat Sin, we’ll just have to fight it again later anyway. It’s like the story of my life, kill a vampire, another raises.. no offense.”
“None taken.”
“I killed the Master, stopped that apocalypse, we were all songs and dances then, bam, Acathla. I got rid of him..”
“With my help.”
“Yeah, so he’s dead, I’m like, yay and then the Mayor decides to turn into a big snake and kill us all. It’s like no matter how hard I hit evil it just turns around and hits back. Does it ever end?”
Spike looked at his Slayer, she sat there, fierce and hurting, looking to him for answers and he hated himself because he couldn’t give her any. He wrapped his arms around her, she accepted that as an answer.
“Hey.” Wakka climbed out of the water, surprisingly his hair still stood up. “There was nuthin’ much there. Just a switch.” 
“Did you activate it?” Lulu asked as though she really thought he hadn’t.
“Of course we did!” Tidus jumped out of the water, shaking himself like a dog.
“Where to now?” Lulu asked.
Auron pushed himself off the wall he was leaning on. “That way.” He pointed up the slope they had walked down. They walked back up, coming to the top.
A set of stairs, ancient looking and decayed now stood where they hadn’t before, the party ascended the stairs, the tunnel went left and right from the top of the stairs.
The group decided to turn left, Buffy’s legs were beginning to burn with all the uphilliness, they reached a crest in the hill, coming to another pool. This time, with no discussion, Rikku, Wakka and Tidus dove right in. They heard a rumbling, to their left rocks were growing out of the wall as though someone were pushing them. They formed a pathway, leading high into the ceiling.
Wakka, Rikku and Tidus came swimming back. 
“Did it work?” Rikku asked, jigging from foot to foot.
Buffy pointed at the pathway.
“Oooh!” Rikku remarked.
They walked up the pathway, as they reached the top Auron spoke. “They’ll be upon us soon. She has sent fiends to test our Summoners strength.”
“Who is ‘she’?” Yuna asked.
“Yunalesca.” Auron answered.
“Lady Yunalesca?” Yuna seemed thrilled.
“In Zanarkand she awaits the arrival of the strongest.”
“She.. is still alive?” Yuna was confused.
“As much as Mika and Seymour.” Auron answered.
“I see.”
“Lost your nerve?” Auron asked.
“No. Nothing frightens me now.”
“Braska would be proud.”
“Then I must not let him down.”
They reached the top of the cave, white sunlight came through from the exit.
They were nearly there, Zanarkand, where, one way or another, their journey was going to end. After this everything would change, for all of them.
Yuna would be a Summoner no more and Buffy would no longer be a guardian. With no purpose, no grand, save-the-world, type plan, she would just be Buffy, in Spira, a strange world she would learn to live in and she would not be learning alone.
Spike seemed to read her thoughts, reaching out he took her hand and together they walked out into the sunlight.
 
 
Chapter 19
 
They stepped outside the caves, the golden glow of sunset fell upon them, not the harsh, midday sun that Buffy had initially expected. They were on a cliff, high in the air, wisps of cloud, the colour of blood hung in the sky.
Rikku ran out of the cave, turning to the others. “Hey! Can’t we rest a little.”
Buffy knew the Al Behd girl wasn’t tired, didn’t need to rest. She was holding on to the shred of hope that she may think of a way to help Yuna.
“No need.” Auron stepped forward. “We reach the summit soon.”
“I know, that’s why I want to stop for a bit.” She turned around, kneeling down on the ground. “Soon means that.. there’s not much time left.”
“Rikku..” Yuna stepped forward.
“Fine, I’ll think on the way.” She stood up.
They walked further along and they got their first look at the place they had travelled all this way to get to. The end of the road. It was surprisingly beautiful. The buildings were crumbling and bleached white by the sun. A heavy mist sat on the ground, making the buildings look as if they were sitting on some sort of cloud, stained the colour of roses in the evening light. Pyreflies floated around he buildings, dancing through the air and a lone gull glided out across the sea, into the horizon.
Rikku broke the silence. “Yuna, I say no. if we go down there then you’ll…”
Yuna turned to her. “Rikku you are a true friend and I thank you but I must go.. down... to Zanarkand.”
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t go but.. can’t we think about it some more. There’s got to be some way we can save you.”
“My whole life I’ve thought about this moment.” Yuna said.
“Yunie…” There were tears in Rikku’s voice. Yuna suddenly ran forward, hugging Rikku. Something shining and blue falling from her the things around her arms.
“Thank you, Rikku. Thank you for everything.”
Buffy reached forward, picking the sphere up off the ground and looking it over, she slid it into the pocket of her jacket.
“Don’t say that, Yunie, it’s not over yet.”
“Tell Cid, thankyou.” Yuna told her cousin.
“No..” Rikku answered. “You can tell him yourself.”
“Please…” Yuna said pleadingly.
“Yuna, don’t say that because.. we’re gonna see each other again. Okay?”
“Kimahri, let’s go.” Yuna said, disentangling herself from Rikku’s arms.
Tidus walked over to Buffy. “Wha.. what is that?”
“Dunno, Yuna dropped it.”
“It’s a sphere.” Spike answered. “Like the one..” He stopped short. “Have you found any of these, Tidus?”
“A couple, my old man was in them. It’s like, even when he’s gone he can’t leave me alone.”
“Wow, you really don’t get on with your dad?” Buffy commented.
“Yeah, I guess. There should be a little button on it.”
Buffy pulled the sphere out of her pocket, she found the button and pressed it.
It was as though they were suddenly I another place, like when Seymour had shown them Yunalesca. The sea could be heard very strongly in the background. Yuna’s voice cold be heard.
“Sir Auron. Kimahri told me… when my father wanted me taken from Bevelle to Besaid.. It was you who told Kimahri, right?”
the scenery was clearer now, an inn could be seen, Lulu standing before it, arms crossed, a chocobo stood behind the fence.
“I had always wanted to meet you, someday.” Yuna’s voice continued as the inn door opened and Wakka walked out.
“I am truly glad that I had that chance. Having you as a guardian was so great an honour, I don’t know how to thank you. Perhaps, if I defeat Sin, that will be my thanks to you… That’s what I’ll do. I will challenge Sin, I will defeat Sin, If you are all there watching this, then I guess Sin is already gone. And so am I, I suppose.”
 Lulu turned and walked back into the inn, Buffy got the feeling she couldn’t hear Yuna.
“Anyway, I just wanted to say; Sir Auron, I thank you.”
The door closed behind Lulu as Yuna spoke.
“Kimahri… Do you remember the first day we met? I was only seven. My father had defeated Sin and all Bevelle was celebrating. Everyone was saying what a hero my father was. I was so happy.”
As Buffy watched Wakka ran off, to near where the chocobo stood, sitting down on the ground and staring off across the wide plain of grass. It wasn’t the Calm Lands, Buffy knew she hadn’t seen this place.
“But when night came, it occurred to me. My father had defeated Sin and now he was dead. Now I was all alone. I couldn’t sleep so I wandered into the town, away from the celebrating crowds. I stood on the bridge in Bevelle where my father and I had parted. Standing there, alone, I could see the fields where he had fought Sin. Then you appeared Kimahri.”
As Yuna said this Kimahri himself walked into view, his usual long strides taking him behind the inn and out of sight.
“You said you were looking for the daughter of Braska, remember? At first I was so scared. Until I realised what a gentle person you are.” The sound of her laughter could be heard in the background. “you weren’t used to talking to children. When I told you that I was Braska’s daughter… you said you would take me as far from Bevelle as you could. That it was the wish of a man facing death. I think… I cried then. Because that was when I knew my father was dead… and I would never see him again. You just held me, without saying a word. I cried after we got to Besaid, too. When you tried to go after leaving me in the care of the temple… I held onto you crying ‘don’t go, don’t go!’ And you listened, Kimahri, you stayed. Kimahri thankyou, thankyou so much. And I’ve always liked your broken horn.”
Buffy smiled, she liked Kimahri’s broken horn too, it suited him. The scenery changed, pulling away, floating into the air, overlooking the inn, the sun shining brightly just above the horizon, hanging over some ruins, standing in the sea.
“Wakka, Lulu: I’ll never forget my days spent with you, growing up in Besaid. We always played together, us and Chappu.”
Buffy frowned, Chappu?
“Chappu was Wakka’s brother.” Spike explained quietly as they stood, high above the inn and watched Auron walk over near to where Wakka still sat.
“That’s why I was always so happy, I think. And when you refused to let me become a Summoner and I did it anyway.. I’m sorry. I’ve always wanted to apologise. You know, when you tried to stop me then-really, I was happy. I could tell you really cared about me. You were like my big brother and sister. No.. I think you really were my big brother and sister. What else… I love watching you play blitzball, Wakka. I even love it when you scold me, Lulu! Really!”
The scene changed again and the sphere could be seen, held in Yuna’s hands.
“I guess that leaves the newest guardian, Tidus, you are.. I am… well, um- I’m glad… I ‘m glad that we met. We haven’t know each other long, but… It’s funny..”
The sphere showed Tidus walking out of the inn.
“So, this is what it feels like. It’s a much more wonderful feeling than anything I had ever imagined. Wonderful.. but it hurts, sometimes. I wonder. I.. I just want to say, thankyou for everything maybe, maybe that’s why it hurts when I think about us never being together again at all. I’m afraid, no I shouldn’t say that, I’ll do that part over. Um…”
“Watcha up to..” Tidus’ voice asked.
Yuna put the sphere back in her sleeve and everything faded away.
“Oh.” Buffy said.
“I.. we should catch up.” Tidus answered.
“We’re wasting time, let’s go.” Spike said in a feigned deep voice, Buffy laughed.
They reached the summit and began a swift descent. The path was steep and narrow, leading down into the mist. When they reached the bottom the others were waiting.
They ceremoniously placed their weapons into or onto the ground, setting up camp.
Everyone sat around the roaring fire, recounting all the happenings of their journey. Not just from when they left their island, Besaid. But before that. When they were growing up. When Wakka’s brother, Lulu’s boyfriend, Chappu went away to fight sin, taking with him the same sword that Tidus now carried. When Rikku was a girl and first learnt she had a cousin. For her it was like finding she had a sister.
“I always wanted to meet you, I thought.. how much fun we could have, you know..?”
They each spoke, it was as though words were to come between them and what they were about to do. Even Buffy talked, they learnt about Sunnydale, about Willow and Xander, her little sister, Dawn. The countless battles she’d fought against evil.
When Spike’s turn came to speak he firmly shook his head.
“I’m not really the soul-revealing type, luv.” He’d told Buffy. Buffy ‘persuaded’ him that he was now, so eventually Spike spoke too. He spoke of his mother, his time growing up, studying, falling in love, of words beginning to form in him as the poet was created. He felt foolish talking about this stuff to these people. He was different now anyway, that was decades ago, or was it.. He looked at Buffy and the words flowed through him as strong as ever and he knew that he hadn’t changed. Love would always guide him, rule him, he remembered a speech he’d given to Buffy, years ago. ‘Love isn’t brains, children, it’s blood, blood screaming inside you to work its’ will, I may be love’s bitch, but at least I’m man enough to admit it.’
The sun slowly went down and their stories were all out, each had said all they could and a silence fell upon the group.
Buffy looked around, at Wakka, the strange man with bad hair who Buffy had never taken the time to get to know but somehow she already knew him. She’d seen his heart, she knew his strengths and weaknesses, his joys and sorrows. She looked at Lulu, the black mage who she almost looked up to as much she did her watcher. She looked at Rikku, the little girl who struggled so hard to hold her world together, the Al Behd, their Home and her cousin Yuna, she tried so hard to make everything work out. Kimahri sat there, his silence showing his emotions more than his blue furred, lionlike face. He gave off an aura of gentleness and protection that made Buffy feel that if she was ever sad or lonely she could run to him and he would make it all better. In a strange way he reminded her of her mother. Auron.. Auron annoyed her, he almost reminded her of a father figure, trying to control her, at her age that was just annoying. But in a way, if he left, she’d really miss him, she enjoyed how much he annoyed her.
Tidus.. he was irritating too, but in a different way, like a cross between Dawn and Xander at their most annoying! He was also confident, persistent and very much in love with Yuna. All these things made him good in Buffy’s eyes.
She looked at the Summoner , sitting there by the fire as the sun melted and the stars blinked to life overhead, knowing that this was probably the last night she would ever see. Buffy felt a link with Yuna, they were kindred spirits, chosen ones, and they would do anything to stop evil.
Lastly Buffy looked at Spike, her gaze remained there for a long time, she knew she could stay there forever. His white blonde hair curled messily over his head. His shining blue eyes took in everything and told her so much.
Tidus tried to start a conversation up again. “What about that time.. we, uh.. anybody?”
Yuna stood up. “That is enough.. I think, for now.” She walked over to where the weapons were, pulling her staff out of the ground. Everyone else stood up, silence screaming through the empty place, they then stepped back onto the broken road.
“Oh!” Rikku said as they came around a building and had a clear view of their destination. Far off in the distance stood a great stadium of some kind, crumbled like everything else in this place. But above the stadium, in fact throughout Zanarkand, were pyreflies. The closer they came to the stadium the more pyrelies there were.
“It looks like the Farplane, ya?” Wakka said.
“Close.” Auron answered.
When they reached the stadium someone was waiting for them.
“Hello, Summoner , welcome to Zanrakand.” He said. “Your eyes, child, let me see the journey you have taken.”
He looked into Yuna’s eyes, clearing his throat. “Very good, I will go inform Lady Yunalesca of your arrival.” With that he disappeared into a pillar of pyreflies.
The inside of the stadium was dangerous, if the fiends didn’t get you the crumbling floor would.
As they walked along they heard a noise behind them, they turned, startled, a young woman stood behind them.
“Lady Yocun, I would gladly give my life for Spira, it is the highest honour for any guardian.”
“Wha.. what’s that!” Wakka asked.
“This dome, filled with pyreflies acts as a giant sphere. The memories of the dead are trapped here.” Auron explained.
The woman faded, replaced by a child of about six. He had blue hair, sticking up awfully in places and he was crying.
“Mommy, I don’t want you to become a Fayth.”
”It’s the only choice, my dear. Use me to defeat Sin, only then will the people of Spira accept you.”
“I don’t care, I only need you, Mommy.” He sobbed, fading away.
“Was that..” Wakka began.
“Seymour.” Lulu answered.
They delicately made their way to the chamber of the Fayth. 
“Yuna, we’re here.” Lulu said.
“Yes.” Yuna stood on a platform in the centre of the wide room, the symbol of Yevon shone brightly on it and it began to descend.
A moment later Yuna came back up. “Everybody, quick!”
They took the platform down into the chamber.
“This isn’t a Fayth, it’s just an empty statue.” Yuna said.
As she spoke the dead man appeared behind her, walking through a shimmering blue doorway in what had been the wall.
“That statue lost its’ power as a Fayth long ago. It is Lord Zaon, the first Fayth of the final summoning. What you see before you is all that remains of him. Lord Zaon is.. his soul is gone.”
“Gone!?” Wakka ran over to him.
“You mean, there is no Final Aeon?” Rikku asked.
“But fear not.” The man said. “Lady Yunalesca will show you the path. The Final Aeon will be yours”
Buffy had super wiggy feelings about this whole thing.
“The summoner and the Final Aeon will join powers. Go to her now. Inside the Lady awaits.”
Yuna turned to walk through door. “Yuna, wait!” Tidus called.
Auron stepped forward.
“Auron, you knew this was going to happen, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” Auron answered.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Rikku asked.
“If I had told you the truth, would that really have stopped you from coming?” Auron asked.
“Yuna?” Kimahri said.
“I’m not going back.” Yuna said.
“Kimahri knows.” He answered.
Buffy stepped forward. “Yuna..”
Yuna turned around.
“Hey, I’m not trying to be all soap opera’y here, but I’ll come with you. None of us want you to go, but I understand, why you have to. I accept that you have to do this. But I’m coming with you.”
Yuna’s eyes sparkled with tears. “Buffy.. I, I never got the chance to thank you.. and.. I’m sorry, thankyou. And thankyou too, Sir Spike. I.. I’m happy that Cid had you come.”
Kimahri stepped forward. “Kimahri go first. Yuna is safe, Kimahri protect.”
Kimahri then Yuna walked through. Buffy and Spike followed, Auron, Rikku and the others followed them.
 
Chapter 20
They entered what appeared to be a cathedral hall it had a high, domed ceiling, a balcony on the far wall above a great door, large pillars and columns , tapestries and statues decorated the place.
“Someone’s coming.” Rikku gasped.
Kimahri crossed his arms before his chest, ready to meet the intruder.
“Lady Yunalesca.” Yuna said.
Yunalesca walked into the room, her blue hair sticking out at strange angles and reminding Buffy of Seymour. She shuddered, turning back to Yunalesca.
She stepped through the large door, walking daintily to the top of the steps.
“Welcome to Zanarkand.” She did the prayer. “I congratulate you, Summoner, you have completed your pilgrimage.”
She raised first her left hand then her right. “I will now bestow you with that which you seek. The final summoning will be yours.”
She lowered her arms, looking intently at Yuna, she gestured with one arm. “Now, choose.”
Yuna was taken aback and she was not the only one. Buffy felt a deep dread welling up in her as the scantily clad, dead woman walked down the stairs.
“You must choose the one whom I will change to become the Fayth of the Final Summoning.”
“Bloody hell!” Spike exclaimed. “You dead, Spiran types really have a problem with wanting to turn people into Fayths.”
”I do not want to, I must, it is the way it is done, there must be a bond between Chosen and Summoner, for that is what the Final Summoning embodies; the bond between husband and wife, mother and child or between friends. If that bond is strong enough its’ light will conquer Sin. A thousand years ago I chose my husband, Zaon, as my fayth. Our bond was true and I obtained the Final Aeon. There is nothing to fear. You will soon be freed of worry and pain. For once you call forth the Final Aeon, your life will end. Death is the ultimate and final liberation.”
“Okay, that’s it, this is too creepy, she’s just like Seymour.” Buffy said.
“I apologise, Lady guardian, if the truth upsets you, you must have known when you began where this path would take you.” She turned back to Yuna. “Your father, Braska, chose this path.”
She stepped back and an image appeared before them.
A young man with a ponytail who could only be Auron waved his hand. “It is not too late! Let us turn back!”
A man dressed in what looked like many oversized flower petals turned. “If I turn back who will defeat Sin? Would you have some other summoner and his guardians go through this?”
“But…my lord, there must be another way!” Auron pleaded.
Buffy wondered why Auron seemed to have aged, dead as he was, while Yunalesca, over one thousand, still looked about twenty.
The deeply tanned man with his scarred back to them spoke. “This is the only way we got now!”
He unfolded his arms, placing his hands on his hips. “Make me the fayth. I been doing some thinking. My dream is back in the other Zanarkand. I wanted to make that runt into a star blitz player. Show him the view from the top, you know. But now I know there’s no way home for me. I’m never gonna see him again, my dream’s never gonna come true. So make me the fayth. I’ll fight Sin with you, Braska. Then maybe my life will have meaning, you know?”
“Don’t do this, Jecht!” Auron cried.
Jecht? Buffy remembered, Jecht was.. Tidus’ father. She turned to see what he was thinking his face was set with a stony indifference, and it was as if he had rehearsed the look too many times.
“If you live…” The phantom Auron continued. “there may be another way! We’ll think of something, I know!”
“Believe me, I’ve thought this through.” Jecht answered. “Besides, ain’t getting’ any younger, I may as well make myself useful.”
“Jecht..” Braska said, turning.
“What, you’re not gonna try to stop me too?”
“Sorry.. I mean, thank you.” Braska said.
“Braska still has to fight Sin, Auron.” Jecht said, putting his hands on Braska’s shoulders.
“Guard him well, make sure he gets there.”
Auron lowered his head.
“Well, let’s go.” Jecht began to walk towards the stairs, Braska following.
“Lord Braska, Jecht!” Auron turned.
“What do you want now?” Jecht asked, turning to face Auron, he had a giant ‘J’ tattooed on his chest.
“Sin always comes back.” Auron said. “It comes back after the Calm every time! The cycle will continue and your deaths will mean nothing!”
“But there’s always a chance it won’t come back this time.” Braska answered. “It’s worth trying.”
“I understand what you’re saying, Auron. I’ll find a way to break the cycle.”
“You have a plan?” Auron asked.
“Jecht?” Braska said.
“Trust me, I’ll think of something.” As they walked through the door above, the memory of Auron collapsed to his knees.
Auron walked over to where the memory of him sat, he pulled out his giant sword and started hacking the air where the other Auron was.
“Auron! Buffy said sternly, walking over and grabbing his arm. “Quit it. You’ll need all your energy later.”
Auron turned to her, back to the group, shaking his head. “And.. the cycle went on.”
“We’ll break it!” Tidus said.
“But how?” Wakka stepped forward. “What, you got a plan now?”
Lulu stepped forward. “If one of us had to become a Fayth, I volunteer.”
“Me too, Yuna.” Wakka answered.
“That still won’t change anything, you know, you’d bring the Calm, and then what, that still won’t break the cycle.” Tidus reasoned.
“Listen, you want to defeat Sin and keep Yuna alive, you don’t want Sin to come back ya, that’s just not gonna happen, brudda, you know?”
“If you want everything you’ll end up with nothing.” Lulu added.
“But I want everything!” Tidus whined.
“Now you’re being childish.” Wakka said.
“I give up, so what would an adult do then? They know they can just throw away a summoner and then do whatever they like. You’re right I might not even have a chance but no way am I gonna just stand here and let Yuna go, and what Auron said about there being a way, I think it’s true.”
“You’ll think of something? ” Rikku said.
“Yes. I’ll go ask Yunalesca. She’s got to know something.”
“You, really think she’ll help you?” Rikku asked, scratching her head.
“I don’t know, but I have to try.. This is my story it’ll go the way I want it or I’ll end it here.”
Yuna shook her head. “What you said about it being your story, well it’s my story too, you know.. It would be so easy to just let my fate carry me away, following the same path my whole life through.. but I can’t- what I do I do with no regrets.” She stepped forward, walking up the stairs and through the door at the top.
“Yuna.” Buffy ran after her.
They came out on a balcony, the night air was biting and the stars shone in the sky. Yunalesca walked up broken stairs on the other side of the balcony.
“Have you chosen the one to become your Fayth? Who will it be?”
“Might I ask something first?” Yuna said. “Will Sin come back even should I use the Final Summoning to defeat it?”
“Sin is eternal.” Yunalesca answered. “Every Aeon that defeats Sin becomes Sin in its’ place… And thus is Sin reborn.”
“So that’s why Jecht became Sin..” Tidus mused.
“Sin is an inevitable part of Spira’s destiny. It is never-ending.”                     
Buffy looked sad. “I thought so..”
”Never-ending?” Wakka asked. “But.. but… if we atone for our crimes, Sin will stop coming back, ya? Someday it’ll be gone, ya?”
“Will humanity ever attain such purity?”
“This.. this cannot be!” Lulu said, angrily. The teachings state that we can exorcise Sin with complete atonement! It’s been our only hope all these years..”
“Hope is.. comforting. It allows us to accept fate, however tragic it may be.” Yunalesca answered.
“No!” Tidus yelled, as he did a memory was stirred up, before them a younger Auron appeared.
“No!” He cried. “Where is the sense in all this? Braska believed in Yevons teachings and died for them! Jecht believed in Braska and gave his life for him!”
The memory Yunalesca spoke. “They chose to die, because they had hope.”
Young Auron cried out, lunging towards Yunalesca with his sword, she held up her hand, deflecting him and flinging him through the air, his sword embedded in the ground.
“Yevons teachings and the final summoning give the people of Spira hope. Without hope they would drown in their sorrow. Now choose, who will be the fayth? Who will be the one to renew Spira’s hope?”
“No-one. I would have gladly died, I live for the people of Spira and would have gladly died for them but no more. the final summoning is a false tradition that should be thrown away!”
“No it is our only hope. Your father sacrificed himself to give that hope to the people so they would forget sorrow.”
“Wrong my father my.. father wanted to make Spira’s sorrow go away, not just cover it up with lies.”
“Sorrow cannot be abolished, it is meaningless to try.” Yunalesca answered.
“My father.. I loved him so I will live with my sorrow, I will live my own life, I will defeat sorrow in his place. I will stand my ground and be strong, I don’t know when it will be but someday I will conquer it and I will do it without.. false hope.” Yuna answered.
“Poor creature you would throw away hope, it is better to die in hope than to live in sorrow, let me be your liberator.” As she spoke her hair began to flow out behind her as if some breeze were pulling it back, it darkened, becoming a strange, headdress that flowed down her back, seeming to fall into the ground.
Auron spoke “Now this is it now is the time to choose die and be free of pain or live and fight your sorrow! Now is the time to shape your stories, your fate is in your hands.”
“Yuna needs Kimahri. Kimahri protect Yuna.” Kimahri answered.
“Well I'm fighting!” Rikku announced, pumping her fist in the air and jigging.
“I can’t believe we’re gonna fight Lady Yunalesca! Gimme a break!” Wakka complained.
“You can always run.” Lulu answered.
“Hah! I’d never forgive myself, no way, not if I ran away now. Even in death ya!”
“My thoughts exactly.” Lulu smiled.
“Yuna! This is our story! now let’s see this thing through together!” Tidus yelled.
“Overdramatic, much?” Buffy said.
“Let them be, luv, they enjoy all this ‘do or die’ hero talk.”
“Yeah, I dunno, this ‘my story- your story stuff’s beginning to get on my nerves..”
”Look out!” Rikku called as Yunalesca attacked.
Yuna quickly summoned Bahamut, the great dragon fell upon Yunalesca, ripping her wide open, as he stood back, triumphant she fell to the ground, suddenly the headdress that fell down into the ground emerged from the crumbled floor. She rose high into the air, the headdress forming into a giant pillar, stinking of rotten flesh. From the ground underneath them, giant worms shot upwards, tearing chunks from their legs. Yuna waved her hands and a small wind seemed to float around all of them, lifting them from the ground and out of the reach of the worms.
Bahamut leapt into the air, great wings pumping and sending Buffy floating into Auron as he held onto a banister.
Bahamut leapt at the giant pillar with Yunalesca sitting on top of it. He raked at it with giant claws even as tentacles shot out of it, wrapping around him. He roared loudly and, as a tentacle shot directly through his throat, he gave one last lunge with his claws, ripping the pillar apart. Yunalesca collapsed to the ground.
“Okay, way gross!” Buffy commented, grimacing at a large, bleeding hole in her leg.
“Here, let me..” Lulu threw a potion over her, the familiar sparkling lights danced over her flesh, knitting it together.
Buffy felt herself gently touch the ground. She tried to shake off the floating sensation, walking towards where Yunalesca lay. “So, she’s dead, right.. She’s not gonna come after us, or anything?”
As Yuna opened her mouth to answer, Yunalesca answered for her, in a flash of green light she changed, becoming a giant, disembodied head. A long, lashing tongue shot out, knocking Buffy off her feet then slamming down on top of her. Buffy cried out in pain as she felt ribs smashing. She choked, feeling, suddenly, short of breath.
“Buffy!” Spike yelled, his voice hoarse,  he ran towards her, only to be knocked over by the giant tongue, a light danced around him, becoming darker until he was completely immersed in the black light. He grinned with near exuberance, he felt strong, powerful, he broke from the light, racing towards the grotesquely large head.
Those looking on were astounded by what had happened, he seemed to have grown. His fingers becoming claws. His face, too, had changed, distorted. His forehead was large and bumpy and long fangs hung over his bottom lip.
Buffy looked up, gasping for breath as Yuna ran over, mending her ribs and dragging her a safe distance away. Spike had gone grr-face but there was something more to it. His hands.. and his eyes, instead of their normal yellow they glowed red. Not demonically red but as if a fire had been lit inside him and was showing in his eyes.
“Wha.. what’s happening?”
“It is an overdrive. A trance that warriors go into under certain circumstances.” Lulu answered. “If you remember, you yourself went through one whilst fighting Anima.”
Buffy remembered. At the time she had let it slip from her mind with all the fighting and running away. It had been like the spell her friends had cast to help her fight Adam. She stared as Spike tore flesh away from Yunalesca’s giant skull, a dark energy crackling around him.
“It is said,” Lulu continued. “That when a soul, no matter how primative, is placed under enough pressure, its’ true power erupts within the being, a pure, undiluted power.”
“Oh, I see..” Buffy trailed off. “But, Spike.. he doesn’t have a soul.”
Lulu gave her a sideways look. “Everyone has a soul, it is what gives them thought, hope, dispair, love and hate all come from the soul. Having a soul does not mean you have to be good. Seymour, too, has a soul. But there is no creature, living or dead that does not possess a soul. That is the essence of a summoning, the soul of the Fayth, called by the summoner.”
“But.. I.. everyone- back in my world, everyone said.. vampires don’t have souls.”
“I am unaware of what a ‘vampire’ is, however, perhaps the people in your world consider a soul to be something different. A conscience is often mistaken in song and literature as a ‘soul’.”
Lulu jerked backwards as a chunk of Yunalesca flew towards her.
“But surely you do not believe that Spike is without a soul. It is evident that he possesses one.” She waved her hand towards him as Yunalesca fell to the ground, fading and turning back into herself.
“Fools.” Yunalesca croaked. “If I die, so too does Spira’s hope.” She collapsed to one knee.
“Zaon, forgive me, Spira’s hope is gone..” With that she collapsed into a pillar of pyrelfies, floating upwards into the lightening sky.
Spike collapsed, exhausted to the ground.
“Spike!” Buffy ran over to him.
“Buffy, you’re okay.” He looked truly relieved. “I.. I think I killed her.”
Buffy knelt down, throwing her arms around him.
“Well. What shall we do now?” Lulu asked, breaking the silence.
“We’ll have to think of another way to defeat Sin.” Tidus said.
“It won’t be easy.” Auron cautioned.
“We can do it!” Rikku said, confidently.
“Let’s.. Let us leave this place.” Yuna said.
“Yes, let’s.” Lulu answered.
Outside the early morning air blew gently around them. Crisp and fresh with the promise of new hope, the promise of life.
They heard a roaring noise, turning towards the sea Buffy stopped in shock. A gigantic creature, grey like rotting flesh, floated in the water. It was about the size of a small town. Buffy had never imagined that anything of its’ size could possibly exist.
“Sin.” Lulu explained.
Buffy was surprised, strangely Sin seemed less evil-attacky than she’d expected, it turned and began too swim out to sea, as it did Buffy saw the airship, flying towards them, it flew directly past Sin, landing in the ruins.
As the airship took to the air Buffy looked out of the window at the sunrise. She breathed deeply. She had never taken the time to notice how every sunrise was different from the last, the wisps of cloud took on more spectacular colours, the sun seemed to shine with more hope. She could see ten thousand sunrises and still she wouldn’t grow tired of them. She turned, next to her Spike, too stared out of the window, a look on his face that matched her own. She took his hand, leaning against him and they watched the sun rise.
tbc