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year 5, quarter 3
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I'm Lost but I'm hopeful and what it all comes down to is that EVERYTHING is gonna be fine fine fine
The caravan bumped and bounced as it made its way down the road. Although, not cramped the seating space still did not provide much comfort as Aera held her cane between her thighs as not to bother the other passengers in the cart. Still she couldn't complain; she had been lucky enough to find a vehicle at all. After parting with Caius, she had been wondering just how she would be getting along. He might have had some truth about her body not being able to withstand the journey, but if there was a will Aera would find a way. Thankfully, at the edge of the city, although not to Provo, she did find a pilgrimage heading to the Divider. A holy site for the land, she learned. She begged for passage, and when there proved to be an extra seat, she took it quickly.
Still the road was long, and although the others fell prey to sleep her mind was still far too focused on the event of the last few hours. Ardyn a monster? The thought again caused her to giggle in denial again rousing the person using her shoulder as a pillow to rustle. She placed a hand against her mouth to keep quiet to keep the woman in her slumber. Still she would like to think Ardyn would laugh at such tales as well or at least smirk his amusement. It all sounded so ridiculous like something Somnus would use to scare any future children of their uncle he might have had. Children she would have been an aunt to....still the truth was that it wasn't true. She'd prove it. Aera would find this "so called Ardyn" and prove they weren't the same. She might not be able to do much in the face of this monstrous scourge bringer, but she could at least clear Ardyn's name of its daemonifcation.
Still the night grew long and even she could stave off sleep forever. She dreamed of their field of yellow underneath their tree. Alone, she waited. Hours seemed to pass by in seconds. Days in minutes. And still she waited. The days grew short and the yellow faded to a sickly grey and blue and still she waited. There was no more day now, and sickly visions played at the edge of the field of rot. Aera waited.
"We're here!"
The loud voice with the sun streaming through the now open flap of the caravan caused Aera to flutter awake. She blushed as she realized she had drooled on the woman's shoulder next to her, but the caravan exited so quickly that she barely had time to try to appologize. She moved slower than others sitff and aching from having slept in such an odd position with her back the way it was. Still, a man offered his arm as she descended from the carriage. She gave him her thanks as she stared ahead at the wondrous vision in front of her.
The air of calm the place exuded was astounding. It was the first place she had felt at peace with since she had come to this world. The mountain had been treacherous, and Sonora cold both physically and emotionally. Here though, she felt free and she began to walk closer to the large arch. The variety of people here warmed her heart. She saw some deep in prayer, others just enjoying the beauty around them, and she even thought about going over to the group pondering over the ruins themselves. Perhaps after a little prayer, she too would explore the place and try to learn its secrets.
Aera found a a nice rock to sit on that she could see the mysterious energy of the divider swirling about. Was that the ether of the divine? Still she closed her eyes, and tried to attune her will with those of the gods, just as she had always done with the crystal. She had so many questions, but tried to hone them down. What was this place? Why was she here? And perhaps more importantly to her what of Caius' words and tales?
Still, as she tried to focus on prayer, she could a group passing by. "They say Shiva originated from the North," Aera opened her eyes as the name of the Glacian. She got up and walked towards the group willing her body to move faster as he cane got stuck in the soft earth Still she caught up to the back of the group and did her best to listen in to the tale. As the priest continued his explanation Aera frowned until she whispered to herself, "That is not Shiva." Well perhaps she said it a bit louder than intended as the crowd parted around and the priest stared at her in shock. Being the center of attention was not what she had hoped "Pardon." she said embarrassed backing away from the group her a hair. Hadn't Caius said something about the astrals being here but slightly different. "I"ve heard other tales of Shiva is all," she would comment before the priest would affix her with a look before rambling on again. Just what was the Glacian he spoke of? She let the group continue on a bit as not to cause them any doubt in their faith as she stood there thinking on the subject.
My life passes vainly by, as I watch the long rains fall.
The Crystalus Divider...It was one of the first sights he had bore witness to when he awoke in this world. It had felt simultaneously a life time ago, and all too fresh a memory. It had been a cool morning. The long, flowing grass of the meadow was lush. The flowing energies that receded into the strange archway made Kana-Ei think that there were Pyreflies in the air. His own feelings about it were still very conflicted. Mostly due to his own inability to accept the situation he was in.
He had arrived not long ago, perhaps half a day ago. The time he spent with the man named Ardyn had left him internally conflicted for a number of reasons. One major source of consternation was this news of the Summoner, Yuna, and what the man said she was capable of. The other, as was ever the case with him, was his own sense of inadequacy and helplessness. Unable to focus his thoughts on anything productive, Kana knew prayer may have been a potential source of respite. For that reason he returned to the Divider. There was a spiritual energy to the area that was reminiscent of the Temples. The presence of people that had a similar temperament and ideology to him was similarly soothing. Hoping to gain some insight into whether to believe the man and his honeyed words, he had been engrossed in prayer. Still finding his footing in the religion of this land, he offered his prayers to any deity that would accept it: the old gods of Spira, Yevon, the gods of this land. It did not matter to him at this point who responded to his questions first.
The young man had kept at it straight for hours. Realising he needed a break, he wandered off through the ruins. He came across a carriage that had just arrived from one of the other cities. Kana-Ei watched on as people disembarked, up until a kindly looking woman with golden hair and cerulean eyes appeared to need assistance. Quickly rushing up, he took her hand and assisted her down. She proceeded towards the ruins while he continued in the opposite direction. He would return to the area she was headed soon. Kana-Ei did a quick circle of the surrounding gardens. People similarly floated through. They registered as little more than wisps to the boy as their bodies seemed to become incorporeal before vanishing. Even in a place that he felt so connected to: he felt otherworldly. Shaking his head, he proceeded back to where he was originally.
As he did, he noticed the woman from before having a rather 'robust' conversation with a sour-faced priest. The name Shiva was thrown around. How odd. That name had seemed to have been following him since his chance meeting with Ardyn in Provo. Moving towards the group, he heard the woman raise the alternative idea that there were other stories of Shiva's origins outside of the one found in Zephon. An idea with which he agreed whole-heartedly. After all, the Shiva of his world was vastly different to the Old one of this world. While suggesting something of that nature would have been highly unusual in Spira - here it seemed to be a fact of life that this world was co-inhabited with people from different universes. So Kana-Ei found himself disappointed at this priest's close minded dismissal before trouncing off with his group in tow.
Curious as to what the woman meant by her statement, he approached her. As he was so used to doing, he offered her the prayer to Yevon before speaking. Whether or not it made him look ridiculous, he didn't mind. In this world it was as much a part of his identity as anything else was. He would cling to it like he might have clung to his mother's skirt when he was a child.
"Forgive my interruption. You speak of a different story about Shiva. May inquire about these differences? Are these differences in the stories of the Shiva of Zephon, or a Shiva of elsewhere?" He began to ask, though before he provided the woman with any time to respond, he continued, "Ah, but forgive me. I am Kana-Ei. I am not very familiar with the lore of this land, and would like to understand them better."
He would go to sit down after asking his question and provide the woman with a kind smile. A part of him suspected that if he gained a better understanding of the old gods of this land - or others - he would be in a better stead to call upon them as he used to.
The view at the Crystalus Divider was so breathtaking that for a moment, all Yuna could do was stare up at the glowing gate with her heartbeat pounding in her ears. She’d heard tales of this holy site while she had been in Sonora with Caius and Rem, but seeing it in person was another story entirely. The canyon held the size and majesty of the stadium in Luca with all the solemnity of one of their temples. It was beautiful.
Approaching the gate, Yuna took a moment to appreciate the magic that she felt washing over her. It reminded her of home and of all the time she’d spent training in the quiet halls of the Besaid Temple. The thought filled her with more emotion than she’d expected, and she took a moment to sit on her knees, spreading her skirt around her as she bowed her head in prayer.
Yuna stayed there for a few minutes to pay her respects--While she didn’t know much of this world’s aeons yet, Shiva had saved her life and dozens of others by coming to her aid in the hospital in Provo. That’s why she had taken the long journey here in the first place. She wanted to know more about both of them. The armor-clad ice warrior who was so different than the Shiva that she knew and the yellow-eyed unsent man who was spreading the plague.
After a moment of prayer, Yuna set about introducing herself to her fellow travelers and asking around for information. While many had heard of the sickness in Provo, no one seemed to know anything about a red-haired middle-aged man who might have been the cause of it. However, Shiva seemed to be highly revered here, and an older man was able to helpfully point her towards a group currently listening to a sermon on the topic.
Lingering in the back of the crowd, Yuna drank in the priest’s words, even though they ran contrary to everything that she knew and would have been considered blasphemous back in Yevon’s temples. Anything that helped her to learn more about her savior. Unfortunately, it appeared that this Shiva had originated near Sonora, and Yuna frowned to herself, wondering if she had traveled this far just to turn around and go back. She had just been in Sonora. Could she have learned something else there if she had known where to look?
“That is not Shiva.” Yuna blinked slightly, turning to face a blonde-haired woman in the crowd as the priest looked insulted and sputtered at her. The woman seemed a little abashed, as if she hadn’t meant to say that out loud, before she took a few steps back to remove herself from the conversation.
Intrigued, Yuna broke away from the crowd as well. She meant to approach the regal-looking woman, but a man beat her to it. Yuna smiled faintly and was about to leave them to their conversation, when she suddenly froze, staring at the man in disbelief as he brought his hands together to form a circle and gave the woman a deep bow. He knew the Yevon prayer.
Yuna rushed towards them, walking up just as the man introduced himself as Kana-Ei before taking a seat. “Excuse me,” she interrupted before bringing her hands together and mimicking the same bow that he had done. “Might you...be from Spira?” She asked him slowly, staring almost desperately into his hazel eyes. She had yet to meet anyone else from her world.
After a moment, she flushed a bit red as she realized how completely rude she was being. “I’m so sorry.” Clasping her hands together, she gave a short bow, this time to the woman who had chastised the priest. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. But what I know of Shiva is different than what they say as well.” She gave her a small smile as she took a seat next to Kana-Ei. “I’d be interested in comparing notes with you both. If you don’t mind me joining.”
I'm Lost but I'm hopeful and what it all comes down to is that EVERYTHING is gonna be fine fine fine
Aera could still feel the sting of the blush on her cheek as she walked from the group. Truly she hadn't meant to offend any of them. Some of the things the man spoke rang true between both the Shiva she knew and the Shiva of this world "Living breathing ice." Yes she was named the Glacian for that very reason. Still that was about where the stories stayed similar as the man had talked about a non-gendered god being born from an apocalyptic snow storm. Perhaps she should not spoken so fast, there was probably more to learn, but she would have to find out elsewhere now. Still, the majesty of the place was calming, and the perfect place to meditate on how she would find the woman Caius' had talked about, or perhaps this name-sharing Ardyn.
"Oh?" Someone she hadn't noticed had popped up as she was thinking and did some sort of ritualistic bow in front of her. She bent as far as he cane would allow into a curtsy in reply sitting down beside him after. She was a bit nervous that she was going to be chastised by the man for her words, but instead he seemed to be interested in knowing more of the differing Shivas as well. "There's no need," Aera replied as he apologized. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Kana-Ei. It's a relief to hear that other's believe other things, and learning of each other's version may perhaps help us learn of this world as well. I'm" she began to introduce herself when another woman would run up.
The woman ignored her at first, but Aera simply smiled as the woman asked the man about somewhere called Spira. Even though abrupt, Aera could not blame her as the woman gave the man the same bow that man had given to her. Had she not felt relief at finding anyone, even if Caius had been a stranger, that perhaps knew of her, knew of Eos? Yes, she could share in with the woman's excitement at possibly finding anyone who might understand what she was going through.
Aera nodded back as the woman would acknowledge her. "You're quite alright. To find a beacon of home in such strange lands is quite the wonder." Aera assumed they must be from the same place given they both knew their bow, and she gave the woman a supportive smile as she would focus on the both of them then. "I would not mind at all. As I was telling Kana-Ei, I think it'd be best to learn as much as we can about this strange happening in the hopes answers lie in collaboration." Aera stood as her back was beginning to ache from leaning forward and placed both hands on her cane as she stood using it for balance. Aera sent a silent prayer to the man for giving her this aide, she knew not what she would do without it.
"Perhaps I should tell of the Glacian first as I suspect your stories might be better told together," Aera gave a soft laugh as she looked up to the sky finding the best way to tell them her own tale. "An introduction first. I am Aera Mirus of the House Fluret. It's a pleasure to meet you both." She smiled quickly and tried her pained curtsy before continuing, "I hail neither from here, or your home of Spira. I come from a place known an Eos and there I was known as the Oracle, the voice-piece for the gods above. As such I dedicated myself to the study of our gods."
"To know Shiva, it's best to start with the beginning. Shiva is one of the six gods of our world known as the Astrals. The Hexatheon, or the Six, consist of Titan, the Archaen; Ramuh, the Fulgurian; Shiva, the Glacian; Ifrit, the Infernian; Leviathan, the Hydrean; and Bahamut, the Draconian. When the six deigned humans fit for existence, we were created in their likeness and wallowed in our ignorance unable to understand more than base instinct. Shiva saw us as merely fickle and our mortality and therefore indifferent to us. That was until Ifrit blessed us with the flame of his knowledge and allowed mankind to ascend to form civilization." Aera closed her eye letting the sun warm against her face imagining how it must have felt to be blessed so directly.
"This display of kindness from Ifrit warmed the Glacian's heart towards mankid, but it would not remain so for long. An ancient kingdom, I believe, Solheim if my research is correct, blasphemed and sought to become equals to the gods and even usurp such power for their own desires. This enraged the Infernian who declared war on mankind. Still the Six were bound to protect Eos even from one another, the Six waged war destroying the kingdom and killing Ifrit's body. It's said that this plunged the Glacian's heart back into its icy disdain for mankind as she fell into slumber at war's end." Aera frowned and looked back down to the ground as she understood to well what defiling the gods' decrees could lead to.
"I know not her attitude towards us now. When the gods communicated to me it came as all the voices or just Bahamut's in the form of visions." Aera explained looking back up to the two her face now plain and reflective. "A sombering tale, but now you know of the Glacian." Aera sat back down across from the two as she quirked her head to the side. "And to be truthful all I know of this world's is that which the priest spoke of. Also, I ran into a man who told me to seek out a summoner named Yuna for she could also conjure this world's Shiva. Have either of your heard of her? I digress though, please tell me of the Shiva of Spira. You've been so kind to let me speak so far." There were other reasons Aera was searching for Yuna, but that was not the importance for this conversation.
My life passes vainly by, as I watch the long rains fall.
This white-clad woman was acquiescent to his request. It made him smile a fraction. While he believed that it was very likely that their beliefs would be divergent, but, when it was a fact that in this world Yevon and Sin did not exist: he was willing to at least try and make sense of it.
Before they could begin their conversation, a woman with light brown hair and hetero-chromatic eyes bounded up to him. She was a fraction shorter than him, and her garb looked vaguely familiar. Definitely still an uncommon dress style in Spira, but not as outlandish as some of the clothing styles he had seen. This woman's eyes were full of hope. Well, rather they were hopeful, and yearning.
A moment later he understood why. She too performed the prayer to Yevon. The recognition was immediately recognisable in his hazel eyes. Her question similarly had a pleading tone to it. He felt he understood her reasons for this. It was highly likely it was due to the very same alienation that he had been barraged with since waking here. His own emotions similarly prevented him from immediately forming a response. He managed to slowly nod, keeping his eyes downcast. He was afraid if he looked into her eyes for too long, his own longing for home would overwhelm him. He was glad to have taken a seat, surely he might have fallen down from shock at this otherwise!
Though that gap seemed to be enough for this woman to become self-conscious of her actions. Blushing and apologising profusely she asked to join them. The woman that would come to introduce herself as Aera appeared to be a very empathic person, providing what was to him an exemplary response to this apology. Surely, Kana-Ei would have been no different to this woman in the same situation. He was impressed with himself that his own reaction had been so muted. He supposed he was more stalwart than he gave himself credit for at times. When there was a sufficient gap in this exchange he turned to face the brunette and quietly state:
"I am from Spira. From the Isle city of Baaj. Pray tell, where is your home? I...I did not carry much hope of meeting another Spiran in this land."
He had so many more questions for her. But being polite, he would wait for a later point to begin that line of questioning. It gave him a certain level of solace to know that others from his world were here. Though he would not give it a name, a deep part of him began to feel hopeful that maybe someone that knew him had ended up here. Perhaps the world would make sense. He almost felt as though the concerns he had over his encounter with Ardyn and the Starscourge were put to bed for the time being.
Aera offered to being with her knowledge of Shiva. He nodded in agreement with this decision, as he was sure that there was not going to be much variant between the story he and the young woman would be telling. As he listened, his eyes grew wide with recognition of the name "Eos". This woman appeared to be from the same world as Ardyn. What a divine coincidence. This meeting of people seemed to be so fortuitous. His mind might have been blown if he knew just how interconnected he was to everyone in this current group of people.
The story that the woman weaved was fascinating. Kana-Ei would remain actively engaged for its duration - only interjecting with acknowledgements of information. It seemed as though there were other similarities between his world and Eos outside of Shiva. Bahamut and Ifrit. Though their names were the same, the details - outside of primarily being a force of protection in Eos - did not align with the Fayth of Spira. Still, it made him question for a moment if there was a greater connection between all these disparate lands and worlds he had become aware of. After all, despite it not being talked about, prior to Yevon there had been gods that had tales that matched better to what Aera had described. His mind span trying to even think about what the implications of this could be.
And yet, more similarities. A war caused by a city fuelled by the greed and pride of man. Not too dissimilar to the Machina wars that began Sin. Perhaps this starscourge was Eos' punishment for their folly. He kept that theory to himself - seeing no particularly favourable outcome from saying it aloud. Though, he would remain conspicuously quiet when the woman mentioned the name Yuna and her ability to summon this world's Shiva. He would ape an expression of naievety on the subject. It would do him no good to provide the information he had received about that murderer from Ardyn - yet. Considering his words very carefully, he would answer the question:
"I'm unfamiliar with the name. I am sorry Aera of Eos. I've only been recently made aware of Summoners existing in this world. Spira also has Summoners," he would turn to look at his fellow Spiran for reassurance on this point, "we - they, are pivotal to our society. Though, before I continue on with starting to inform you about Spira's connection to Shiva: might I ask if something of your homeworld? You say that the gods speak to you. I met with someone in Provo also from Eos that told me of the plague that ravages it. Do the gods speak to you to protect your people from it? Or other calamities?"
He felt a pang of longing when he inadvertently identified himself as a Summoner. It was difficult for him to constantly deny that part of himself here. Though he would soldier on, trying to best understand the role of an oracle on his very limited understanding of Eos.
"Thank you for indulging my tangent," he would eventually say to Aera before turning to Yuna, "I would be happy to tell Aera of Shiva as we understand her. Unless you wish to begin?" He politely offered.
The woman introduced herself as Aera, and her response to Yuna interrupting was so thoughtful that she smiled at her as she took a seat next to Kana-Ei. “Thank you. That’s very kind.” Aera had a way of speaking that rang with quiet insight. She put enough thought into her words that she sounded almost like a High Summoner or a Maester of Yevon would have, and Yuna found that she liked her immediately.
Kana-Ei had been refusing to meet her eyes up until this point, and Yuna wondered with another tinge of embarrassment if she had been too excitable when she had approached. But when he finally turned to face her, he had nothing but interest and burning questions in his eyes, which she was sure was reflected on her own expression as well as he confirmed that he was from Spira. “The Baaj Temple?” She repeated slowly to make sure that she’d heard correctly. She hadn’t been aware that people still lived there. Yuna had always been told that almost the entire city had collapsed into the sea after a particularly devastating attack from Sin. While the temple remained, it was supposed to be completely in ruins and nearly inaccessible. Yuna gave Kana-Ei a slightly puzzled look, but she didn’t want to contradict him, so she smiled faintly instead. “Really? You’ll have to tell me about it later. There’s so much history in that temple. I’ve always wished I could see it.”
Yuna had been so focused on his strange answer that it took her a moment to remember that he’d also asked her where she was from. “Originally Bevelle. But I’ve lived most of my life on the isle of Besaid.”
At this point, Aera settled forward to begin her tale, and Yuna clasped her hands in front of her and leaned back against her seat to listen. Aera was a fantastic story-teller, and Yuna nodded along to the origin story of humanity from Eos. It was interesting to hear the familiar names of the fayth but to hear them identified as gods. She would have given quite a bit to have seen Aera’s versions of Shiva, Ifrit, and Bahamut to see how they’d compare to Spira’s. Yuna had never heard of the world of Eos, but she stiffened in place when Aera self-identified herself as an Oracle. She knew that term. Ardyn had disdainfully referred to her as an Oracle after she’d tried to heal a man of the plague in front of him, but she hadn’t understood. Her heartbeat echoed a little faster in her ears as she stared at Aera, wondering if that meant that she’d know of the red-haired man and his nature. He was clearly an unsent and had the ability to spread the terrible plague that had struck Provo, but she had no idea why or what she could even do to defeat him if he could fight an aeon on equal footing. But could he and Aera be from the same place? This Eos maybe?
Yuna didn’t want to interrupt in spite of the questions burning in her chest, so she waited politely until Aera finished her tragic tale of Ifrit’s death and Shiva’s slumber. Her thoughts were racing so much that she was honestly caught off guard to hear her own name mentioned as a summoner of this world’s Shiva.
“…May I ask what man told you that?” She asked cautiously. She hadn’t been in Zephon very long, and she certainly wasn’t well-known. She’d only managed to call on Shiva twice so far—once in front of Caius and once in front of Ardyn, so she found herself desperately hoping for Aera’s sake that she’d heard it from Caius.
Kana-Ei asked his own question of Aera, but it was far more relevant to the topic at hand. He asked for specifics on why the gods spoke to her as an Oracle, which Yuna was interested in hearing the answer to even if her head was buzzing from the rest of Aera’s story. Kana-Ei made a slip of the tongue on one sentence near the end of his question that revealed him to be a summoner, and Yuna’s eyes widened slightly as she considered him closer, her smile turning more genuine. While her memories were slowly returning, she was still having trouble remembering anything past her visit to Kilika Temple, but the two of them must not have ever met during their respective pilgrimages. He’d told Aera that he didn’t know her name after all.
Still, if the two of them were able to make it back to Spira, then she’d be glad to have a friend also making the journey to Zanarkand. Even if only one of them would be able to defeat Sin in the end.
Kana-Ei offered to tell Aera about Shiva and the Fayth, and Yuna smiled at him. “Thank you, Sir Kana-Ei. I’d be happy to let you if you don’t mind.” She hesitated, glancing between the two of them before deciding to continue. “I suspect that I may be needed to talk about Zephon’s version of Shiva anyway. The three of us meeting like this feels like the blessing of Yevon.” Smiling slightly, she turned to look at Aera. “I’m Yuna. Like Kana-Ei, I’m a summoner back in Spira. And…yes,” she admitted. “I have managed to call Shiva in this world. But only twice. I haven’t yet tried when my life wasn’t in danger.”
I'm Lost but I'm hopeful and what it all comes down to is that EVERYTHING is gonna be fine fine fine
Aera gave a small smile and cast her glance aside so the man could compose himself after letting slip that he too was a summoner. She wouldn't turn back to him until he asked a question of her regarding what it meant to be as Oracle. Her smile flickered for a moment as she closed her eyes and placed her hands on heart thinking the answer over. "I would have been more than astonished at the coincidence if you had known of her." Aera nodded in his direction."To answer your question, in description alone, I was to tell of the chosen king to lead our land into prosperity under the gods' command." Aera kept her eyes closed as the sting of tears threatened to fall if she opened them. The wrong king had taken the throne. What use had there been in her role? Still it was time to press forward, so she continued her answer to the man. "Though I would believe I was a beacon of hope along with promised king for those who had lost so much to the plague. A hope for a brighter future."
Aera would turn to the woman when asked how she had heard the name Yuna. The question was rather odd. Either she would have heard the name and know the person or not. Unless. She simply smiled and nodded her head a thought forming allowing her to hide herself just as Kana-Ei had. "A man named Caius, a man also from my world." Though not. A man so far in the future that he had not known of either her or Ardyn. Well he thought he knew of Ardyn, but that was something she would not acknowledge nor accept at present. "A saint to purge the world of sin he called her." she would paraphrase trying to remember the exact wording of it. "I seek her for her knowledge of Shiva and on a differnt matter the man and I discussed."
Aera leaned forward in earnest leaning herself on her cane as Kana-Ei proposed he tell of Spira. "It would be a gift to know," she responded eager for the man to begin as the woman accepted his telling of their story. Before he could begin though she brought up that she knew of this world's Shiva and that she was in fact Yuna. Aera feigned surprise placing a hand to her mouth and widening her eyes in shock. She had assumed as such from the odd question, but wanted the woman to feel as she had not outed herself.
"A blessing by the gods indeed," Aera would concur as she let her hand fall back down. Aera closed her eyes again for a moment. "Yes, I would much like to discuss something of importance with you, Yuna, but let us first learn more of each other as a group and I of your Spira, Kana-Ei" Aera giggled just a tad as the thought crossed her mind. "And I need not proof of your abilities lest we give those around us a crisis of faith best left avoided. It's been hard enough as it is on me, and I could not imagine how the natives would react."
My life passes vainly by, as I watch the long rains fall.
He saw for a moment a look of confusion in Yuna's eyes when he informed her of his home. He found it peculiar that she only referred to the Temple. While that had been the singular most important structure of the isle, there had been a lot more to it than just that structure. Why, has she never heard of the night markets or the lantern festivals of the southern nabe? Or of our Coeurl Whisker Orchids? It hadn't crossed his mind yet that she may have been from a different time to him. Maybe it was for the best though. Hearing what would become of the city would have only broken his heart.
He smiled in recognition when she mentioned living in Besaid. Though she was originally from Bevelle, he could almost feel without it being said that she did not care for it much. He could relate to that.
"I would say the only temple that has more history attached to it would be Besaid,"
He stated jovially, feeling a genuine smile form at his lips when the memory of arriving on that beautiful island came into mind, "I also have lived in Bevelle. But I digress, I would happily continue that conversation later."
He was surprisingly oblivious to the dynamic that was at play between Aera and the brunette. It would be something Kana would be embarrassed on not picking up on. He would have expected himself to be able to pick up on the subtext that was very obviously at play. Aera didn't seem too surprised at his deceptive answer though. Perhaps he was not as covert as he thought he was. The other woman seemed to be a little relieved to hear the name Caius. His own eyes lit up with recognition. That name rang a bell. How small this odd world was. Cauis had been one of the explorers that he had ventured into the ruins of Knash with. He wondered if the man was potentially as reserved and distant as he appeared to be there. Perhaps this meeting was somehow predestined?
Aera proceeded to give further context to what an oracle was. He found it to be an interesting concept. Perhaps like something out of a story he might have heard when he was a child. But nothing that had a direct parallel in Spira. Eos to the best of his knowledge seemed to be something more akin to Spira before the Machina wars. It wasn't something he could really fathom in any quantifiable means. After all, the ruins of Zanarkand did not reveal much about what life had been like.
"Thank you Aera. I think I have a better understanding now. It..it would indeed be interesting to meet the one that summons Shiva here. If not to understand how such power came to her." He diplomatically phrased it in such a way that did make his intentions seem more scholarly than they may have been in reality. Though, he knew better than to take on someone with that power behind them in his present condition.
Perhaps he might have changed his mind had he known the esteem Yuna held for him at this moment. Perhaps even more so if circumstances weren't what they were and he was able to join her on her fortuitous pilgrimage. A journey filled with laughter? Maybe something that would have been a world away from the pain his own guardians had suffered at his hands. Yet no such thing would come to pass for him. Had he thought about what mark he had left on his homeworld, Kana-Ei assumed he would likely have been forgotten about. Nothing to mark his presence.
Kana-Ei's back would straighten rigidly though, as the young brunette introduced herself as none other than the Summoner Yuna. It took all his self-control to remain placid. She was the woman Ardyn had warned him about? Kana felt the resentment a little less acutely than he did in Provo. It was nevertheless still present. He, as before, kept a smile plastered on his face and let out a sound of acknowledgement. He couldn't help but feel a little superior when Yuna provided a bit more context to her limitations. Clearly not as capable of forging a bond with the Fayth. Unsurprising considering what Ardyn said about you. I would have no such issues.
"Ah but I do agree with Lady Aera, Lady Yuna. Such demonstrations would not be of benefit here, and might only create a scene. How lucky we are to meet you." He would respond in a warm manner, the smile he offered nowhere near reaching his eyes. It would be quite a challenge not becoming as icy as Shiva herself to Yuna. But he would find a way to keep this act up. He had an opportunity to glean more information out from this interaction than he was hoping to with Ardyn.
"It would be my pleasure to discuss Spira and our Shiva. Before I get to Shiva though, I fear I must start at the beginning Aera." He began, deciding this would be a welcome distraction from his own distaste for the murderer sitting next to him.
"The art of Summoning is an age-old one in our world. In fact, Besaid itself used to be the home of most Summoners in Spira. It is an act that involves beckoning, calling out to the fayth and giving it physical manifest through pyreflies - the spiritual life energy of everything in Spira. The fayth are the souls of those that willingly underwent rituals to have their souls removed from their body to give shape to protective creatures known as the aeons. The summoners are those that have an innate acuity to the pyreflies and can reach out to the fayth to grant them the aeons. This is a sacred bond that few are able to achieve." Kana would pause for a moment, looking longingly down at the red ribbon tied to his hand. His cheeks pinkening a bit.
"It is important to note, that the bond between the Fayth and the summoner needs to be one based in love. It...it could be love of...any kind. Indeed, there used to be many ways to create a Fayth...But love was what created them." He mused aloud, still forlornly looking at the ribbon. He closed his eyes for a moment before looking to his two companions.
"There then came a time, where cities made of machina - machines - surpassed the magical abilities of the few. The two most prominent being Bevelle and Zanarkand. It should have been enough to unify the world. After all, no longer would it only be those with magic that were capable of certain feats. This would not be sadly though, as desire to surpass led to war. Devastating war. Yu Yevon, leader of Zanarkand and a powerful summoner, seeing what the war was going to do, summoned a creature of terrible power called Sin. Sin would punish us for our transgressions until we atone. We, Spira, will do this through the teachings of Yevon. Only then will sin be defeated." His tone, somber, he looked briefly at Yuna, maybe a little more pointedly than was necessary.
"Under Yevon, we, the Summoners have the ability to temporarily purge Sin from Spira to bring the calm through the right known as the final summoning. Through this, we follow in the steps of the only one to have defeated sin...Yu Yevon's own daughter Lady Yunalesca, by sacrificing her beloved husband Lord Zaon to become a fayth to destroy Sin. She would be your namesake, Yuna?" He would offer the young woman a much friendlier smile, before also scanning Aera's face to see if she was following along.
"This is where Shiva comes into being. Following the...well, it might just be a century now...of destruction that Sin wrecked. Temples with fayth of martyrs that laid down their lives to protect us from Sin embedded them are tended to by the clergy of Yevon. Summoners undertake a pilgrimage across Spira to pray to the fayth of the seven or so Temples to strengthen their resolve, and prowess, to gain the final aeon from Lady Yunalesca in Zanarkand. Shiva is the frozen fayth of Macalania Temple. A temple close to the northern land of Zanarkand. The temple itself is kept suspended above the water by the fayth, surrounded by a crystalline forest. Parts of which do seem quite like what I have heard of the mythos of Shiva in this world. Though maybe Yuna is better informed on this matter than I? If there are no questions that is?"
He would finish his lecture with an inclination of his head, hoping he had done justice to his world. Though, he was also trying to formulate how best to determine Yuna's weaknesses. If he were to stop her eventually, it would pay to take note now while she clearly did not view him as a threat. Perhaps he would similarly be able to convince Aera not to trust this woman?
Yuna was relieved that Aera had heard about her from Caius rather than Ardyn, and she touched a hand to her chest, feeling a little warm as Aera explained what Caius had said about her. “That’s very kind of him,” she murmured with a slight smile. “I work with Caius fairly often now that I’ve joined his group. I’ll have to thank him.”
After she had introduced herself to them, Aera responded pleasantly by agreeing that their meeting must have been a blessing by the gods, but something seemed to change in Kana-Ei’s demeaner. He still smiled at her, and not a single one of his words was impolite, but his expression had tightened. Yuna wondered with a frown what she had done wrong before the answer came to her. He was a summoner as well, so of course he’d feel odd around her. Hadn’t every other summoner that she’d come across in her pilgrimage judged her for being the High Summoner’s daughter? Dona especially had scorned her for having everything handed to her due to her father’s legacy. Perhaps Kana-Ei felt the same now that he knew her identity. Sitting up a little straighter, Yuna smiled at him, determined to prove to him that she deserved the title of summoner on her own right.
“No, of course not,” She agreed with both of them with a slight laugh when they suggested that she not summon Shiva at this moment. “I wouldn’t want to summon her in front of so many people.” That felt blasphemous just for a demonstration after all, even though it was a different Shiva than she was used to. She preferred to only use summoning during emergencies.
As Kana-Ei settled in to tell the story of Spira and the Fayth, Yuna listened in rapt attention even though she’d heard the stories countless times before. It was always a little different depending on who was telling the story, so she nodded along to his words, smiling a little sadly when he asked if Lady Yunalesca was her namesake. “Yes,” she confirmed, twisting her hands together on her lap. “My father was a summoner as well. He chose to…spread hope. Wherever he could.” Kana-Ei probably knew more than enough about the stories of her father, but she said the words more for her benefit than anyone else’s. She liked to take every opportunity to remember him as her father and not as the High Summoner.
Most of the dark-haired summoner’s story was what she had expected, though a slight frown crossed her lips when he mentioned seven temples rather than the five that lay before Zanarkand. Perhaps he was including Baaj and the others that had become near impossible to traverse? “You must be quite the historian,” she said after a moment with a faint smile. “If we make it back, I hope to see the lost temples like you have.”
Kana-Ei finished his story by saying that the Shiva here seemed a little similar to theirs but that Yuna might know more. She hesitated, before nodding as she took up the reins in their information sharing session. “Yes. I’m still gathering information, and this Shiva looks nothing like the one from Spira, but I think they must be similar. I had bonds with several of the Fayth back on Spira.” Her memory was still too cloudy to remember how many or where in her pilgrimage she had stopped, but it hurt to admit that, so she continued her story instead. “But I can’t feel the rest of those bonds here. Even when my life was in danger, Shiva was the only one of my aeons I could call upon. So there must be a connection between our Shiva and Zephon’s.” She looked at Kana-Ei, deciding that there was an easy way to confirm that. She wasn’t the only summoner here anymore, after all. “Is it the same for you?”
She turned to Aera next to give her a slight smile. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help. It sounded like you were looking for more concrete answers from me. But I’m still learning here too.” Hopefully Aera herself would have more firm answers for her when it came to Ardyn.
I'm Lost but I'm hopeful and what it all comes down to is that EVERYTHING is gonna be fine fine fine
"You're quite welcome," Aera nodded as Kana-Ei addressed her story of Eos's Shiva. She would lean forward with the same rapt attention she was given as he would begin his story of Spira's Shiva. Aera reacted with the appropriate gasps and oh's that such a story should be reacted with. As Kana-Ei finished she wondered if the Scourge and Sin were not sort of the same thing although it felt the Scourge just was and this Sin was a punishment by one self made god, but she kept the thought to herself as to not upset the pair.
Aera bowed her head as Kana-Ei finished and Yuna all but confirmed the same story. "It seems you both are of noble intent and pursuit." Aera bowed her head for a moment as she thought it over. "Perhaps if Eos had had someone aside from our one healer of the scourge, perhaps we too would have been able to fight back against our plague." Aera wondered why the Gods had blessed Ardyn and Ardyn alone in this task. Perhaps there were others in the far reaches of the Star who could, but none had stepped forward to say so.
"I appreciate all your information the two of you have shared with me," Aera nodded with a smile, "It does seem though that these Shivas seem to bear only name and an elemental affinity with mine and not much else." There were the similarities and Aera pondered on what this all meant. Still now she knew she was talking with the Yuna Caius had pointed her too, it seemed more than opportune to find out what she could about Ardyn before the young woman slipped away.
"If it would not be too upsetting," she said looking between Kana-Ei and Yuna, "I would like to ask Yuna of a different matter." She gave Yuna a reassuring and gentle smile before continuing. "Before when I said I had heard of a woman named Yuna, you had asked from whom I heard it from. Does this mean you know another that should know your name?"
She paused for a second giving her a hopeful look before continuing. "If not Caius, could this man be the one he warned me about? A man named Ardyn?" Her voice caught as his name came out of her mouth. She thought that this would be easier, but she dabbed at the tear that threatened and welled in her eyes. "Pray, if either of you know anything of him or where he might be, I would beg you for any guidance on where to find him."
