Chapter Text
Kazuya and Mei have known each other since they’re toddlers. They live next to each other and their families run business together. Both of them play Blitzball, and like most Blitzball player, it’s their dream to play in the stadium and get their hands on the cup.
They live as happily as a child living in Spira can be. They spend the days training and playing blitzball, sometimes helping out their parents at the shop, and occasionally watch blitzball matches at the stadium.
They know about Sin, of course. But every story of its terror and destruction just pass through their heads like a bedtime story or a fairytale. They live in the second largest and safest city in Spira, after all. There are summoners working on defeating Sin to bring The Calm, and The Crusaders that keeps Sin and fiends out of their city.
They never feel the need to worry about Sin.
They’re 10 years old when Kazuya’s mother and Mei’s parents goes on a pilgrimage. Mei cries the most that day, while both Kazuya and his father silently stares at the ship that goes further and further away from the dock. Mei’s sisters are crying into each other’s arms while Mei clutches Kazuya’s shirt and cries into his shoulder, large droplets of tears soaking the fabric.
There’s nothing in their heads but questions.
Why should you go?
We’re living happily here, aren’t we?
I need you here with me. Do you not care about me?
Will I ever see you again?
They’re 12 years old when a member of The Crusaders comes to their shop with a staff, a sword, and a sphere.
He says that a group of Ronso found the items on Mt. Gagazet. Everyone’s faces pales as they recognize the weapons.
They close the shop early that day.
Hearts hammering in their chests, they play the sphere.
“I bet the boys’d love this!” Mei’s dad tossing a fancy blitzball up. There’s a few blitzball players nearby, and judging from their uniform, it’s the Kilika Beasts.
“You got that right, sweetie. I can imagine how they’d look if they do see them,” Mei’s mother giggles, taking the ball from her husband, then spins it around so they can get a better look.
“Can you guys show us some tricks? Our boys back home will be extremely happy if you do!” Kazuya’s mother’s voice is heard. She seems to be the one holding the sphere.
The Kilika Beasts does some tricks for them, and Mei’s dad tries to imitate them and fails. Everyone laughs and Kazuya can’t help but smile at the sight of it, despite the uncomfortable twist in his stomach.
Mei looks at the sphere wordlessly, his hand holding Kazuya’s.
*
The scenery changes to an Al-Bhed travel agency. Kazuya’s mom is currently riding a chocobo happily.
“This is fun, Ken! Try!” She yelled.
“I’d rather walk, thanks!” Mei’s dad yelled back at her. His wife laughs at him, riding her own chocobo.
“We’ll get to the next destination way faster with this, come on. What are you so afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid! It’s just that-- their eyes! I can feel evil lurking behind them.” Mei’s mother laughs heartily at him.
“Are you kidding? Look at her, she’s so cute! Just… try touching it first?”
“Nope, never. I don’t trust these-- NO DON’T GO NEAR ME YOU-”
He swears, drops the sphere and runs into the travel agency. A chocobo walks to the sphere and pecks it, turning it off.
*
The next scene is a body of water filled with moon lillies, and some pyreflies flying about. Mei’s mom is yelling about the last shoopuf going to leave soon, then the scene changes again.
The sphere shows them sights of the beautiful Macalania forest, the bustling city of Bevelle, and the seemingly endless plains of Calm lands. Everyone watches silently, no one dares to make a move or sound, as if a slight disturbance will destroy the sphere once and for all.
*
Finally, Kazuya’s mother appears, crouching on snowy ground. Alone. She looks tired and sad. The wind is blowing hard, making her hair and robe flutter violently.
“Yui, Mayu, Mei... I’m sorry. Your parents… They died protecting me. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t strong enough.” She lowers her head. Her expression is that of grief and regret.
Kazuya feels his hand being squeezed by Mei. He’s shaking really hard and Kazuya knows he’s crying, but he can’t take his eyes off the sight of his mother, feeling as if he’ll never see her again. He strokes the back of Mei’s hand with his thumb, while still keeping his eyes on the sphere’s projection.
“I’ve performed sending for them, so you can meet them in the Farplane someday. As for me...” She looks at them, with determination in her eyes.
“I’ll continue my pilgrimage. Zanarkand is near. I won’t let their sacrifice be in vain. I will reach Zanarkand and get the Final Aeon to defeat Sin.” She stands up and inches toward the sphere.
“Thank you for everything. Take care. I love you.” She smiles, and turns off the sphere.
.
.
.
.
Three years passes with no sign of Sin's defeat.