Perhaps redemption isn't so far.

I haven't been in Yu Yevon's bondage for long, but I was already starting to give up. Every moment, I hear hateful words and see awful memories. I can't even scream any more. I can't resist it. Just one emotional response out of me, and I kill. I was starting to get used to it. It's just routine, another strategy play. I've stopped trying to find my way out. I just had to face it–there's nothing I can do. It's hopeless.

Then, I saw a memory of me.

It surprised me at first. Who would remember me, the drunk who came out of nowhere who claimed to be from Zanarkand? I paid closer attention. There were other people in the memories flashing through my mind–Braska, little Yuna, Rin, Cid, so many others. But there was one guy I never saw, someone I expected to see.

"Where's Auron?"

And to my surprise, his voice answered in my mind.

"Hello, Jecht."

I jumped back. "WHOA! You, you know it's me?"

"I know everything now." I saw an image of that Amazon lady on the same platform where Braska and I met our doom, and I could see Auron sword held out. He was challenging her.

"Listen, Auron, you gotta get out of here! I might kill you!"

"That . . . is not a concern." I saw Auron in his memory charge at the lady, and she struck him down with magic.

"Oh . . . Auron . . ."

"Don't worry about it. It's not like you to worry."

"Yeah, you're right. Listen, Auron, I'm sorry. I can't keep my promise to you. I tried so hard, but I'm Yu Yevon's prisoner. The one we all thought was an angel is really a demon. He won't let me go. There's nothing I can do. The cycle can't be stopped."

"You're giving up hope already? You . . . what's that word you used? Oh, wimp!"

"Hey, don't talk to me about hope! Hope's a four-letter word!"

"Oh, so it is. You can count."

I laughed. I couldn't help myself. Auron can be funny, sometimes.

"There is something you can do, Jecht."

"What's that?"

"You can help me keep my promise."

"Your promise?"

"Don't you remember? Just before you became a Fayth . . ."

A memory of me from Auron's point of view flashed into my mind. "OK, listen good," I said. "Take care of my son, my son in Zanarkand. He's such a crybaby. He needs someone to hold his hand, see? Take care of him, will you?"

"But how am I supposed to get to Zanarkand?" Auron asked in the memory.

"Hey, you said it yourself! There must be a way to get there, right? You'll find it."

"Alright, I will! I give you my word."

The memory faded away into white, and present Auron said, "Take me to Zanarkand. Let me find your son."

"Going back a thousand years. I haven't done that before. You think I can?"

"Of course you can, Jecht. I know you quite well. Remember the Mi'hen Highroad?"

I saw another memory, one we didn't film but we probably should have. I was mounting a chocobo. "Hey Auron, wanna race?"

"Excuse me?"

"Come on, I still got a buzz from fighting that chocobo eater. I'm in the mood for some speed!"

"Jecht, this is no time for games!" Auron replied as he got on.

"Hey, you're the one who's always telling us to hurry up. You're just backing out because you know I'll beat ya."

"Jecht . . ."

"Come on, you chicken?" I started clucking like a chicken, egging him on.

"Jecht," Auron pointed his finger, "you'll find out I'm a lot of things, but chicken is not one of them!"

"So, you're up for it. Alright, Braska, be our referee."

"Alright gentleman," Braska said stepping up by the coral gate. "On your mark. Get set. GO!"

I started spurring that chocobo and making it go as fast as it could. I left Auron in the dust pretty quick.

"I've never seen a chocobo go that fast," present Auron said.

"Well, my old man was a chocobo jockey, so I knew a few tricks," I answered.

"I'm sure you can easily surpass that speed and make it to Zanarkand."

"Well, if nothing else, I guess I could try. But there's just . . ."

"Still worried?"

"It's Yu Yevon. He won't let us get away with it."

Fear not.

That was another voice, a voice I never recognized, like a child's. There was another presence with us, and I could feel that it was very powerful and very good.

"Huh? Who are you?"

I have heard your prayer from the belly of the beast.

"Are you the real deal?"

No, I am not Yevon, but I can keep Yu Yevon away for this. I will guide you to Zanarkand.

"Auron, who is this guy?"

"What guy?" Auron replied.

"The guy who just said he'd help! Isn't he with you?"

"Does it matter?"

"Hmm, you gotta point. If somebody's offering help, we might as well take it. Alright. Hang on to you teeth, Auron. HERE WE GO!"

I felt an incredible amount of speed just suddenly hit me. I was filled with excitement and adrenaline. I almost forgot how that felt like! Oh, if only I could see it! If only I was really out there, I could feel it.

Some kind of strange, peaceful sensation came over my soul at the end of the ride. I can't describe. It's just that feeling I got when I knew I was . . . home.

"Yeah, this is the place," I said. "Well, Auron, my house is on a boat. You can't really miss it."

"Thank you, Jecht."

"Yeah. I better get goin'. Don't want to do something I'll regret. Good luck. Take good care of 'em."

"I will."

"Listen, I'll come back from you one day."

"And what will I do with him?"

I don't know where the idea came from. "You know what? Why don't you bring him along?"

"The boy?"

"Well, I'll wait to come until after he's become more of a man. I'd like for him to see Spira, and . . . well, to be honest, I bet if anyone has what it takes to beat me, it's him."

"I thought you said he was a crybaby."

"Yeah, but with you there, he'll toughen up. Besides, he's my son, isn't he? Those genes are bound to show up somehow."

"How can I tell him?"

"Don't. He doesn't need it hovering over him that his old man's a monster. Wait until after the journey begins, when he's ready." Just thinking about it made me pull out my old sword. I held it in both of my hands and stared at the blade. I started to think it would have been awesome if I could hand this weapon down to my son when the time came. As soon as I thought that, the sword disappeared out of my hands.

And just as quickly, I felt myself go back. Auron was gone, but that other presence was still there. "Well, whoever you are, thanks," I said aloud.

Call on me when you wish to return, and I will guide you there again.

"How can I call on you? I don't even know who you are!"

You need not despair. Your son will rescue you. Hold on to that hope.

Hope didn't sound so ugly, not the way he said it.

And then, I heard him sing. That song again. It brought peace to my soul, a peace that's hard to find these days.

When I heard him sing, I knew who he was—a Fayth.

—

I can't tell you how long it's been. 'Course, time don't mean a thing here. There's no night, no day, just death, death, DEATH! Hate, anger–pyreflies. I could barely feel my victims' hearts anymore. My own despair was making me callous. I think I was caving into Yu Yevon's reasoning, beginning to think it was truth–everyone is evil.

But no, I can't do that! I can't let it go further! I will NOT hate Spira!

"FAYTH! FAYTH! TAKE ME TO ZANARKAND!"

I am here. Don't cry. I will do what you ask.

I could feel myself speeding as I traveled through time. I could feel the Fayth with me, holding my shoulder. I thought I was safe.

Then, Yu Yevon's voice roared all around me. "What is it that you do, Jecht?"

It has been ten years since you last came to Zanarkand. Your son has become a strong, young man.

How could he be so calm?

"So, you're in old Zanarkand now? That was your home, wasn't it? Oh, I will make you pay."

I could feel the power surging in me. It was starting!

"You will be the source of your home's destruction. You will witness as you kill your own son!"

No! Never! "Hold him back," I begged the Fayth. "HOLD HIM BACK!"

Fear not. Stay at peace.

"Peace?! THAT'S MY SON!"

So I just kept trying to hold in the power, but my fear and my worry made the power come out of me. I just wished I could see. All I could hear were screams of terrified and confused people. I couldn't see the haughty hearts that everyone in Spira said they had. I just kept searching for Auron and my son.

Finally, I could feel one heart that knew what was going on and what to do. That had to be Auron! With him was someone who was terrified and confused, but also willing to fight. I felt a little bit of guilt when a jolt of his jealousy surged through. "What are you laughing at, old man?" I heard his voice say. But how did he know it was me?

They came closer and closer, and I kept feeling like I was about to explode. "AURON, NOW!"

"You are sure?" he asked calmly.

"Am I sure? If not now, he'll die! Quick, tell him something. Prepare him. I don't care how, just say something!"

And I heard his voice. "This is your story. It all begins here." That was the best he could come up with? Well, it doesn't matter!

"FAYTH, SAVE THEM!"

I felt something different. It was like I was breathing into a straw, and they were being drawn in. At the same moment, I felt all the power release in a huge explosion. I fell to my knees.

My son lay before me.

His eyes were closed. For a moment, I didn't know if he was dead. He did turn out to be a fine looking boy, and he was wearing Blitzball clothes! I was always hoping he'd join a team.

I had to make sure he was ok. I tried to touch him, but my hand went right through him. I didn't know what to make of that. So I just tried to call to him. "Hey," I said gently. When he didn't move, I kinda yelled. "HEY!"

He still didn't move, but I could hear his thoughts stir. "My . . . old . . . man?"

"Don't look too close," a voice beside me warned. I looked beside me and saw Auron standing there, staring at him. "You won't like what you see."

"You sure?"

"I've been taking care of him for ten years. Your wife died just after I came, you see."

"Oh." The news hurt, but not as much as I thought it would.

"His thoughts toward you have not been . . . fond."

"Guess I can't blame him. Still, he did follow in my footsteps."

"That he did."

"Well, I guess I should drop him off." I looked at Auron and laughed. "'This is your story?' That's the lamest thing I've ever heard!"

"It's true. This is his story. He is the hero."

I guess I couldn't blame him too much. I gave Auron just a few seconds to think of something, and Auron's never really been a fast thinker. Well, anyway, I gotta think of where to drop the boy off.