Love Her and Despair Remaster [30]

Title: Love Her and Despair
Chapter 30: "Yuna's Cloister"
Final Fantasy X/X-2
Characters: Zuke, Auron, Isaaru, Paine, Nooj, Pacce, Elma
Rating: PG-13 (Language)
Word Count: 2900
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The Story So Far: Thanks to a vengeful ghost, Bevelle palace lies in ruins, and one of Isaaru's guardians is dead. The survivors of the battle with Shuyin need healing before they can face Sin again.

illustration by mintywolf

"Ah! Sir Auron, there you are."

A drainage ditch was an unlikely destination for morning prayers. Yet there was no mistaking the green robe, high collar, and ceremonial band stitched with Yevon's signs from throat to knees. Yevon's toilet paper, Kinoc had called it, and died in it.

The priest climbed down into the muck. "Goodness gracious. I suppose even legendary guardians are mortal, aren't they? Not too mortal, though, I hope. Let me see." Humming to himself, he began to circle Auron, ignoring the stagnant water and blood wicking up the hem of his robes.

Healing magic lapped out from his hands. A light drizzle pattered down, glazing the priest's bald head. The damp tasted of salt, not only from the breath of the harbor: there were tears in that rain, tears never shed by their owner when she had eyes to weep. The sour odor from the outflow pipe reeked of Sin and the living.

Auron gritted his teeth as bones shifted back into place, following the ley lines of the pyreflies. Breathing became easier, but his ribs still ground together like a sack of charcoal. Auron stared at the man shuffling around him. "Do I know you?"

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