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Part 01- Decision

Inside the Temple of the Fayth

"You came to punish me then...?" asked Seymour a curious smile on his lips. The hall went quiet in anticipation as all eyes fell on the two Summoners. Yuna took a languid step back as she watched him move with grace, half expecting him to cast a spell or unleash a hidden weapon from within the lining of his robes, but he simply extended his hand. She released a deep breath as she watched his every move, confident that her guardians would rise to her aid should she be threatened. She could hear each of them, as they to anticipated a move from the Maester.

Hand extended she simply stared at it- at him in wonder. He was offering her a glimpse of normalcy by asking for her hand. The opportunity to do many great and wondrous things for the people of Spira, but it was all to come at a price. Taking his hand would mean an end to her pilgrimage this she knew. His feelings for her were more than apparent and written in every glance. He would not want to see her harmed and continuing would surely do this.

Her journey would end with but a word...and she secretly wanted this. Very easily her life could end on the road, her guardians at her side wounded the journey forgotten. She knew that they would give their very lives for her, would comfort her and uplift her in any way that they could but what of... what of love.

It was a selfish wish and something she had accepted when she received her first staff- and performed her first summoning. Only now did she feel different...perhaps it because she was growing older. May hap it was something else and she turned to look at Tidus. He smiled and nodded in her direction, his blue eyes alight and playful. She smiled nervously at him and fought back the tears that threatened to erupt- she cared for him. Unlike the others- but was it love? Could it ever be...

She looked up then into the eyes of the Maester and questioned him with her green/blue eyes. He was untrustworthy, a murderer and twisted inside. Not the kind of man that she should every willingly align herself with. There could only be pain in a future with him- and yet his eyes shown with love.

"The longer you wait Lady Yuna the longer the people in Spira will suffer- we can end this together. Together you and I can bring a calm to the world the likes of which have never been...through the bonds of our love..."

Yuna tore her face away from his- she was loosing the battle. What he said was true- together they could bring peace, could rid the world of its sorrow but not in the way he intended. Sin had to be destroyed, the people could not live eternally in the fear that he might return. Sin was to be abolished.

"Cant you see that your petty words mean nothing?" said Lulu from just behind her Summoner. The raven haired woman moved forward and cast a finger at the Maester. "You should be punished for all the evil you have wrought. This ends now..." she said and then went to reach for Yuna who moved away from the protective huddle of her guardians and toward the Maester. A pained gasp escaped Lulu as she stood back in awe with her comrades and watched how her childhood friend placed her shaky hand in that of the corrupt Maester.

Seymour smiled with sickening delight as he closed his hand around Yuna's- delighted that something in his words had finally struck a cord and convinced her of his good intentions. He pulled her forward and watched as she started to cry, her head dropped. Her guardians all rushed forward but his guards blocked their path and another silence filled the hall. The faint sobs of the lady summoner could be heart faintly on the air. Her head bowed in shame he cupped her chin and brought her peculiar eyes level with his own.

He found himself stilled- over come by the urge to kiss her but hesitated. Such things could wait until they were alone and away from prying eyes. For his desire burned strong for her, almost beyond thought. She did something to his soul he could not quite explain and it stilled him. He searched the depths of her eyes- she was hiding something.

"Let go of her!" yelled an anguished Tidus as he pushed at the guards now standing between him and the woman he was just coming to love. He couldn't let it happen- she meant to much to him. She always would...

Seymour held up his right hand, "silence child- these matters are no longer of your concern. I do believe the lady has chosen. And chosen well, she will be safe with me and no further harm need befall any of you. We are to be wed and then Spira can rejoice." he said while looking deep into Yuna's eyes, shaky as they were.

Yuna could hear her guardians wail in anguish, Lulu and Rikku were crying. Kimarhi was growling, Sir Auron was squeezing the hilt of his sword so tightly that all in attendance could hear. Wakka was cursing in a strange dialect of BeSaid and Tidus was down right vulgar. Yuna took a breath and stepped away from a bewildered Seymour.

"Enough- please from all of you. I will explain..." she said.

"Yes...explain," said Tidus, "why you would betray us like this! This guy is evil Yuna and you know it! He killed his father! You cant be with someone like that! Its insane- its wrong!"

Yuna dropped her head in shame, tears clouding her vision but she kept her back to her guardians and continued facing her future lord and husband. She had accepted her fate to be at his side but it was not to be without a price.

"Hear me now all of you," she said and started to find comfort in her own voice, "what I do now I do for all of you. To end suffering..."

"Yuna...?" questioned Lulu through anguished tears. Yuna remained were she stood, she could hear the hurt in her friends voice but found that she had to continue.

"I apologize for what may seem a betrayal...but it is not. I care for you all...all of you," she said with hollow tone as she thought of Tidus and his smile and cheer. How she would miss it, and yet it could not be. She had chosen a new path.

"You all mean so much to me and we have faced much on this journey. No one could ever say that we did not try and yet- I feel that the rest of this journey I must embark upon alone. I must continue to give the people of Spira hope, to uplift their hearts and give them peace."

"Well spoken my lady..." said Seymour with a dangerous smile on his lips and one that he did not hide as he gently stroked the chin of his beloved. But she dodged his advance and her eyes grew serious.

"I want you all here to witness what I am about to do for it is for all our sakes that I do this." she said. A silence filled the hall- unnatural in its stillness as all in attendance awaited the judgment of the young female summoner. Yuna took several deep breaths as she pondered her next words carefully knowing the impact that would inevitably reverberate from every word spoken.

Seymour's violet eyes creased in worry and he took to a ready stance in stark anticipation- would his beloved try to pull out of the deal she so eagerly initiated? What else could she possibly be scheming that her companions need bare witness to? It thrilled him that she was cunning- underneath all that beauty was a shrewd woman, it excited him.

"I have decided to marry the Maester- I will give him my hand in marriage. I will be faithful and dutiful...a good wife..."

Curses filled the room, more shouts and cries as the guardians expressed their out rage. One of their own was going to wed a man of less than favorable quality. Yuna- their Yuna was going to throw away her dreams of a free Spira and land without the threat of Sin and for what? The bonds of a forced matrimony?

"This is a joke- don't you know what this guy is Yuna? He's a killer, a bastard! A freak! He'll turn on you like he did his own father when he wants something from you that you're unwilling to give. Think about what your doing Yuna. Think about it.."

Yuna shuddered and closed her eyes her resolve shaken, how could she go on with such words spoken. The truth- the absolute truth had just been forced before her. Could she go on with it in light of his words. She clutched her sides, suddenly cold and tossed her head negatively. This caught Seymour's attention, the boy was more than her guardian he was a nuisance. And perhaps something more to his Yuna than just a guardian. The concept of a rival was most unexpected and delightful at the same time. He could toy with the boy guardian and watch him crack, he smiled.

"Please- the lady Yuna is not finished guardian." he said with a nod of the head and took a step away from Yuna allowing her space, and gestured that she continue. This took her by surprise as she met his eyes and then found her voice and continued.

"I will marry the Maester but I do so- to ensure the people of Spira peace. That is my only motive, my only desire and truest wish. That is my vow- and I would have Seymour vow as well, to not only ensure the people of Spira's well being but to atone for his crime. To turn himself in, to admit his fall from grace before Maester Mika and repent. And further more relinquish a desire to merge with Sin. I will not go forward into peace unless these conditions are met."

Shrewd indeed- thought the Maester. She was cunning and decisive, but he expected nothing less from the daughter of high summoner Braska. He would enjoy being with her, planting his seed and rearing strong sons from their blessed union. It would mean nothing to agree to her terms, after all they were only words. Giving her false hope was a means to saving her soul.

Seymour looked from his beloved to her guardians watching each of them perk up in anticipation of his word. He watched with great interest as the young boy, the blond watched him with hatred. Indeed the boy was in love with his Yuna. He smiled and stepped forward, bowing to all in attendance before returning to stand beside his beloved. He looked deep into her eyes and watched as she fought the urge to run battle with the decision to stay. She had already resigned herself to him, she belonged to him now. And it filled him with such pleasure.

He ran the back of his long clawed hand across her smooth chin in a lovers caress and rejoiced when her dark eyes fluttered at the sensation. She had never been touched so, she was pure. He expected nothing less from her, she was magnificent. A picture of beauty and a fitting bride. He inclined his head.

"It would seem that the lady has given much thought to my offer, and shows her concern for a wretch such as myself. She has given me her vow. I know this comes at a great price, loyalty and honor have been called into question and I am undoubted the cause. I would ask for your forgiveness, all of you," he said and looked into the eyes of each of the guardians. Only three of them met his gaze, anger and vengeance spewing from their depths.

Seymour continued turning to look at Yuna, "I am guilty of murdering my father, I will pay for my crimes and admit my sin to Maester Mika. I will be judged and accept all that fate has in store. But I do so with Yuna at my side, for I love her. And agree to her terms if she will but stay with me, and love me as I love her, bringing hope anew to the people of Spira."

Yuna was shaking. He had agreed to her terms- for some reason she didn't think he would. He also confessed his love...but could it really be. The longer she looked into his eyes the more the truth of his words rang true. He did and she couldnt escape the look that was love in his violet depths.

"Do you except my words, the truth in them Lady Yuna?" he asked suddenly. He watched as she shook with emotion, his words had broken something within her. A wall that she was trying desperately to hide behind afraid of her own feelings her self professed bravado. He had her, from here on out it would go very nicely. He would wed her within a fortnight, touch her smooth skin, plant kisses along the hollows of throat and make her cry out his name. Their children would be powerful, further merging the people together.

He could forget Sin if it meant having her near.

Yuna struggled with her words barely looking at her future husband, so shaken by his admital of love. She fought back the tears, of joy, of loss...confusion.

"I-I accept your terms Maester Seymour..." she finally said causing him to smile.

"Please, Lady Yuna we are to be wed. Joined eternally our lines made one, we can surely do away with such formalities save for the public hall. And out of respect for your guardians...I would not have you think me above you. We are equals."

"Yeah right!" shouted Tidus as he struggled against the guards and watched as Yuna sulked from the sound of his voice. He was loosing her, already had it would seem to a monster that had been trusted with the hope of the people.

"I'm so sorry Tidus..." she whispered as she walked into the arms of Seymour who pulled her into tight but gentle embrace. He heard her hushed words, breaking their bond would be interesting to say the least but could be done.

"The lady has spoken- now leave us."

More Guado guards rushed in and very quickly out numbered the abandoned guardians, each one wanting to stay and fight. Tidus was the most outspoken of the lot, actually drawing his sword and preparing an attack if not for the older more wisest among them, Auron grabbing hold of his collar like some scolded puppy and forcibly removing him from the room. There was more foul language spewed, trailing the group as they were ushered from the hall of the fayth.

With a wave of his hand, the Maester ordered his guards to depart which they did with a curt bow and vanished. Alone with his beloved he placed his chin atop the crown of her head and breathed in her spicy scent. She was more human than he was, emitting a scent that he had never before quite encountered. Her scent would change once they were wed, his scent would entwine with hers further bonding them together, his Guado genes would see to that. She was still crying underneath him, broken hearted. He could expect nothing less from her, she had just abandoned her truest friends. People she had known and loved, trusted with her life for many years. It was touching to say the least, and it made him jealous.

He had never known someone to care for him so much that they would shed tears at his loss. He envied every tear shed, for would she ever feel that way about him? He took a breath and took hold of her shoulders gently pulling her away from his form to look into her eyes. She wouldn't meet his gaze, instead she blanched at his very touch. Recoiled as though burned by fire. This game she played would not end well- he was more powerful than her in a great many ways. He would smolder her fire and leave her wanting more...but it would take time.

"You are a very brave young woman daughter of Braska- I would never have imagined that you would turn from those who love you for one that is foreign to you. A stranger."

She said nothing, only sniffled and fought back more tears finally regaining her composure. She took several deep breaths and nodded in contemplation at his words. Lost in her emotions and what the future held.

"I will hold fast to my word and report to Maester Mika- does this please you?" he asked voice deep and sensual. She fought back the strange wave that passed over her at the sound. She did not like being alone with him for she was afraid. Albeit not wholly from his approximation but from her own weak will. She was intrigued by him, fascinated. Caught up by his power, his looks his grace. He was everything a female summoner was ever to want in a man she intended as her husband. That he was a summoner made things easier. They could relate on so much that- on a level no one else ever could. Bright blue eyes flashed before her and she balled a fist at the image. Seymour saw this and raised a brow in question, it was obvious whom she was thinking of and now that they were alone he allowed his anger to rise slowly to the surface. He turned away from her and walked up the stairs to stand at the top his back towards her.

"I know of your feelings, your concern for that boy- the one named Tidus. I would advise you to keep well your feelings for him hidden, locked away until forgotten by time itself. I am a kind man, a generous man but I will not have you filled with thoughts of him from this day forward." he said his voice commanding and firm though barely raised. He spoke even the most cruelest of threats with an air of gentleness. It was baffling and contradicting.

Yuna fought back her tears. They had all but dried up now as she looked up at the tall figure of a man, a man that was to command the rest of her life from this day forward. His words were hardly veiled, he was issuing an edict- a threat.

"I understand..." was all she could say for arguing would do little.

He nodded but did would not allow himself to forget the fact that she indeed cared for another, he would take extra care in ridding her of her fantasies her emotions with regards to the boy, and if she ever broke this he would kill the boy. It was as simple as that. He smiled and then turned to face her, extending his hand again in a gesture of peace.

"Come then, we should leave this place. You must rest, though I trust that Shiva was kind you should still take as much time as needed to recoup your strength."

"Where will we go...?" she finally found the courage to ask and looked up at him. She desperately wanted to be alone, though solitude was no longer something that she had at her disposal anymore. Her fate- her life was no entwined with his. His wishes would become hers and vice versa.

"Why to Bevelle of course, I have an estate there. We shall rest there for three days, I need to prepare my house, get things in order before I am to turn myself over to the court. I do hope that you understand."

She simply nodded and he smiled- then shuddered at her lack of interest, her fire was faltering. But he was confident that he could spark it anew. He had high hopes and so many plans for his Yuna.

TBC...