the wings that you burn turn to ashes, my dear

He stared out over the water. In the distance, the sea was starting to change color, growing darker, like the sun was about to set. “Kinoc and I served as warrior monks together,” he said, after a long moment.

“No love lost between you then.” That much was obvious. “He became a maester, and you… became a guardian?”

“A legendary guardian. So they say.”

Someday Rydia was going to ask Yuna or Lulu what exactly was so legendary about him. Maybe Auron would tell her now. “What did you do to earn such fame?”

He turned that glare onto her. “Do you always ask this many questions?”

Rydia shrugged. “Must not have been that legendary.”

Silence hung between them. Finally, Auron sighed. “I stood guard while Yuna’s father defeated Sin and brought Spira peace.”

The Crusaders worked through their battle paces. The Al Bhed checked their weapons again. These people were preparing for war. “This doesn’t look much like peace,” she admitted, softly.

“Then maybe Yuna will do what Braska could not,” Auron said, hefting his katana onto his shoulder. “The operation will begin soon. We must stay with Yuna.”