The Truth Beyond the Dream (A Final Fantasy X/X-2 Fan Fiction)

Epilogue (Optional Ending)

Six months had passed since Spira's liberation. Word about the Farplane's destruction had begun to circulate just days after the realm keepers had been defeated. Spirans had demanded answers. Together, Tidus and Yuna had addressed all of Spira at the Luca stadium about the events which occurred in the shadows. The revelation about Hydaelyn's existence and the truth about the fayth had shook Spirans to the core. While most responded favorably to the couple's speech, others rejected it, and chose to continue living in their own reality. Of course this hadn't surprised Tidus any. He hadn't expected everyone to accept the truth, especially the older folk—learning they'd been living a lie for over a millennia was a bit tough to swallow.

Tidus had followed through on his resignation, leaving blitzball behind to open a studio where he taught the art of sword combat, and the discipline needed for advanced magic techniques. Oddly enough, his career change seemed to inspire Yuna, who had left a successful career in music, to pursue unraveling the mysteries of the universe through magic with Shinra and Rikku, forming a group named, The Cetra.

And while all finally seemed right with the world, life wouldn't be complete for Tidus, without having at least a day during the week where he spent time sitting on the beach with the closest person he had to a brother—Wakka.

Orange embers floated up into the star-studded night sky. The dancing flames of the bonfire crackled almost in tune with the sound of the waves crashing ashore.

"Eh—pass it over, brudda."

"Hold your chocobos!" Tidus finished impaling a rather large marshmallow onto a skewer then handed it to Wakka, who eagerly latched onto the metal rod, and held it over the flame. "Never seen anyone want s'mores so badly."

"You dunno the half of it. Lu's got me on a strict diet and it's drivin' me crazy, ya?"

Tidus chuckled while fixing another marshmallow onto a skewer for himself. "She's bound to know you're cheating tonight."

"Probably the reason she gave me one of those icy glares before she left for Luca."

"I wouldn't worry—she'll be too hung-over in the morning to scold you."

"I guess you're right." Wakka exhaled heavily. "Not gonna lie—I thought I'd miss the drink more than this. But after seein' how upset it made the kids...well, you know how it goes, ya?"

Feeling guilty for mentioning the party Lulu was attending with his wife, Tidus cringed and shifted uncomfortably on the sand, before settling in a crossed-legged position. Wakka had only been sober for about four months. And while his friend seemed to be handling it well, he knew battling an addiction was no easy task. After all, alcohol had always won over in the end with his father.

"I'm proud of you, man." Tidus gave his best friend a sturdy pat on his bare shoulder. "You're doing great!"

"Couldn't have done it without ya, brudda." Wakka squished the roasted marshmallow between the chocolate and graham crackers then took a bite. "Stuff like this...sure helps too," he said in between chomps, crumbs falling from his lips onto his lap.

Lowering his gaze, Tidus constructed a s'more of his own, and tried to suppress the guilt he felt bubbling to the surface. Unfortunately, it didn't work. "I dunno, Wakka. I can't help but feel like I had something to do with you starting in the first place."

"Eh—don't talk like that, ya?" Wakka frowned.

"I shouldn't have pushed you away for all those years."

Wakka leaned over and playfully ruffled a hand through Tidus' blond hair, while he grunted in discontent from the slight roughhousing. "Gawh—I get why you did it, ya?"