Dissimulation

Chapter 4: Amaranth

Like the petals of an amaranth, the man who had once faded and withered away, had regained his radiance once more. His tan skin seemed to glow with life as he examined his work. A crooked smile formed on his tender red lips and the sweet taste of revenge filled his taste buds. The transformation was almost complete and the demon that slept deep in the safety of the farplane would awaken once more...

Butterflies fluttered in Yuna's stomach as the outskirts of Bevelle began to fly underneath them. A city that was once so radiant and glow with wonder, now had lost its color as it laid in ruins below them. The fact that the Hymn of the Fayth no longer reverberated off the walls, probably had something to do with it as well.

Yuna could only feel sorry the city. After all, she was responsible for the damage. She was the one that caused Sin to topple to the buildings below. "We'll be there in just a few, so brace yourselves." Cid's gruff voice broke Yuna out of her thoughts.

She nodded smoothly and her eyes fell back to the city below once more. The city was clouded with mystery, but would the answers that Yuna was seeking hidden underneath the clouded remains. Yuna wasn't so sure.

She touched her stomach. A small bump was starting to form as the only piece of him grew inside her. She couldn't believe that she was with child. She always dreamed of having children of her own, but her goal had always been to become a summoner and die protecting the world she loved so much. However, here she was, pregnant and alone. The child's father had perished instead of her. It was just too ironic.

Yuna's stomach suddenly dropped as she felt the airship start it's rapid descent towards the tattered city. Yuna watched as the onlookers watched in horror as the forbidden machina landed smoothly onto a small patch of grass.

The platform suddenly rumbled to life and began to lower towards the ground. At it's wake stood Yuna, with Rikku and Kimahri standing close behind her. The grounds suddenly erupted in cheers at the sight of her. Yuna forced a smile and began to descend down the platform.

A priest suddenly appeared, pushing through the vast crowd. "What in Yevon's name! Oh, Lady Yuna, what a surprise!" The priest gasped. He made a small bow towards Yuna. Yuna nodded back, unmoved by the sudden kindness of the priest. Afterall, just months before she was scorned by all of the followers in the temple of Bevelle. "What can we do for you?" the priest asked breathlessly.

"I would like to visit the chamber of the fayth," Yuna announced. She ignored the heavy gasps of the crowd surrounding them.

"But milady, the fayth are all gone," the priest informed her.

"I know they are gone, but I need to visit it. It's personal," Yuna said bitterly. The last thing she wanted to do was dive deeper into the subject. The reactions of Lulu and Wakka were bad enough, she wasn't ready to face the rest of Spira just yet.

"I see, well, I'll see what I can do. Follow me," the priest ordered. Yuna nodded and followed closely behind him.

The journey to the temple was seemed long. The anticipation of the events that would soon take place was more than Yuna could handle. She wasn't even sure if she would receive the answers she was seeking. After all, the fayth were gone due to her. The once protectors of Spira were now resting peacefully in the farplane.

However, it seemed unlikely that the fayth would completely destroy their connection to Spira. They had given their lives to fight for peace throughout the land. Was the danger in Spira truly gone or would there be a time again where Spira would lay in trouble?

They finally reached the temple and entered it. The once beautiful temple now stood gray and lifeless. The beautiful hymn of the fayth no longer vibrated amongst the expanding walls. Ahead of her stood the elevator that stood still.