Please show massive appreciation for ChercheurObscur! I have just ironed out the wordings in his translations.



If it were not for him, this thread would have never existed in the first place!



Our goal is to translate the entire novel. Please express your opinions on the novel's contents in the thread called, 'Final Fantasy X-2.5: The Truth' OR 'The Novella: Final Fantasy X-2.5 ~Eternal Cost~'



Have fun reading!



Update (ChercheurObscur) : Please show appreciation for kk too !



NOTE: In order to find chapters, press Ctrl + F and type in the chapter and number.



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Chapter 1

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Tidus was huddled up and was drifting in the darkness. Pictures were showing themselves in his mind. Was he able to see them, or were they only simple memories? He did not know. He was making out a man; he had a wide back covered by a stream of hairs and a woman was cuddled up against him: his parents. One day, his father had disappeared, and her mother had died of sorrow. As Tidus had suffered when he had understood he would not be able to comfort her, that her only son was insufficient! The pain, intact, woke up in his chest.



Just after, he was facing a huge crowd. He answered the cheering with a euphoric smile. Strangely, all sadness had left him... How was it possible? He gave in to this new sensation of well-being, and the questions which were bombarding him flew by.



A terrible monster had attacked his home, Zanarkand. Overcome by panic, Tidus had run for his life then had got lost.



Do not worry; he had only come to find you.



After spending hours swimming in Spiras ocean, the young man had got closer to the coast. The scenery which was giving itself to Tidus, so different from his native region, had thrown him off balance. Despite everything, kindness and softness from inhabitants had put the smile back on Tidus' face. He had made some friends, they had travelled together. His sword in his hand, he had hunted down a lot of monsters.



He had fallen in love too. The day they had confessed to each other, Tidus had understood their story was impossible. Although it was a losing battle, he had refused to submit himself to destiny.



He was contemplating a sea made of clouds, memories of the day he had left Spira.



He was looking at himself from the back, on board the aircraft. Shadowing his fear, he had run along the deck before rushing forward.



Suddenly, his chest exploded with pain.



Yuna!



This cry shook his mind.



I am back, Yuna!



His view was not obstructed anymore: the limit between the darkness which was surrounding him and his own body had become clear. He felt pulled from chaos which was wrapping him.



I am coming!



His foot propelled him with all their strength to the world of Yuna.



He was coming closer to a boundary, the limit between "here" and "there". A luminous wall appeared to blink. Was it a call, or the symbol of a radiant world? Tidus was swimming upwards, always upwards. He was a splendid swimmer.



He broke through the wall and the light dazzled him. Then he discovered the white and azure world which was extending beyond the boundary. The air filled his lungs. He grimaced, surprised by an almost forgotten sensation; a smell was tickling his nostrils.



He was surrounded by the huge and endless ocean. Under his foot, Tidus seemed to discern the movement of a massive being. It was the living darkness with which he was part of, just an instant ago. If he was not careful, it was going to claim him back to itself.



I will not let myself be pushed around! I have just come back...



He turned over then discovered an island. A hill was overlooking a verdant triangle: Besaid. The waves were caressing a deserted beach. He whistled with his fingers. Although he received no answer, he felt reassured. His senses did not lie to him, everything was real. Even if nobody was present to answer his call, he was happy to hear this sound.



He started to swim toward the coast. Who was he going to meet first, when will he reach the shore?



Where are you, Yuna?



Just now, a deafening rumble cleared up the sky. Tidus looked up and discovered a sparkling colourful aircraft. Instinctively, the young man tried to get away from it. The aircraft initiated a large circle above him. Then a hatch opened and revealed a well-known figure: Yuna.



Without hesitation, she jumped into the void. Tidus watched her diving in direction of the surface of the ocean. She was wearing bright tinted clothes he had never seen. That is not the Yuna I know, he surprised himself by thinking. But this doubt disappeared when he perceived joy through the eyes of the young girl. She hurried to him in order to embrace him. Just now, he knew nothing else meant to her, and this feeling made him immensely happy.



Is that really you? she asked after hesitating.



I think so.



He wanted her to answer herself this question. She moved away from him and examined him as if she wanted to be sure about his identity.



So?



Yes, it is really you.



He let out a cry of relief.



I am back!



He clamped his arms around her and held her in his arms. During a short moment, he had been afraid of being rejected.



I am back, he repeated in Yuna's ears, again and again.



She embraced him in return:



It is you, it is really you...



A voice disrupted them:



Hey, lovebirds! Are we bothering you?



Wakka!



Tidus turned around in the direction of the coast. The little cove was swarming with people. He recognized Wakka and Lulu among the crowd of villagers.



Oh, give us one minute at least!



Tidus ended up grabbing Yuna's hand in order to drag her down to the beach. A new life was starting for him, a life only dedicated to their happiness. This thought was sending him into transports of joy.



You are different...



I have experienced so many things during your absence! she answered.



Her proud way of speaking surprised him, but he decided to not care about it. As long as he could run by her side, past was not important.



I want to know everything!





*



The villagers have been waiting impatiently for the return of Yuna; she had been gone for a long time. Tidus has known most of people here. They greeted him. There were Datto, Letty, Botta, Jassu, Keepa... What a pleasure to meet his playmates from the Besaid Aurochs once again!



Quite proud, Wakka introduced a swaddled infant in a cover to him:



I am presenting you Vidina. He is adorable, don't you think?



Absolutely. But... may I ask who the mother is?



It is me, a curt voice declared.



Tidus made an about-turn then found himself face to face with an opulent chest... Lulu's, to be precise.



Well, we know who he takes after in the case of beauty, the young man declared.



Lulu laughed, then took the infant from Wakka's arms.



How many times did I tell you to not expose him to the wind of the open sea?



This is a child of the coast, what is the matter?



You could have waited for the beginning of the tide!



But, honey...



A smile on his face, Tidus interposed himself between the parents:



Hey, congratulations! You are finally living as a couple? I knew it!



Yes, Lulu conceded. Nothing extraordinary to be honest, and sometimes I feel like I have had enough of this...



Well thanks! Wakka protested.



She ignored her partner:



Say, Tidus, will you be staying here for a while?



If you want me here, he answered with a worried tone.



I see. Don't be mistaken, you are most welcome here.



Lulu watched around them. The crowd started to leave the beach.



We should go back to the village too.



She swaddled her baby to her chin and joined people who were returning home. Tidus understood Lulus sudden goodbye since the baby was her priority, but he suddenly felt abandoned.



Wakka gave him a tap on the back:



Let's go!





On the road, the members of the Aurochs came to talk with him in turns. They told him about what happened to them during his absence, and the young man had felt like he had never left. Datto and Keepa told him about their progress, and it made him quite proud. New players had moved in on the island in order to join the team  news which touched him deeply. The tournament in which he had participated two years ago appeared to be the triggering factor.



They walked half an hour before arriving at the village.



Tonight, we have planned a banquet, directed by the elders, Lulu explained. Help with the preparations, show yourself in your best light. Make a good impression! But before all that, you can rest there if you want.



She was indicating the highest tent of the village. Tidus recognized the Crusaders dormitory.



What do they do these days? he asked.



These days? Whatever they want. Yuna's room is inside the temple... in the same place as always.



Oh oh! Wakka said teasingly.



He was carrying an armful of wood, probably in order to feed the blaze of the banquet. Tidus' cheeks did not need fire to become red and scorching.



I know what you are up to, you two! Lulu said curtly. I forbid you to go there, Tidus! Your behaviour must not lead to confusion, at least until Yuna presents you to the elders. Furthermore, your attitude will determine villagers' opinion toward you. And since the temple has become useless, Yuna must support an idle clergy. She is not free to act, do not forget that.



Lulu ended her tirade with a shrug, and her child struggled in her arms.



Is she not happy?



Ask her yourself.



What you are telling me is not like her.



Lulu appeared to agree with him.



From what I have seen, her feelings are quite lukewarm: she feels responsible for the situation but the village stifles her. Therefore she flies over the region with Rikku and her team.



What do they do?



You will have to ask her about this too. But meanwhile, do not do something which could harm her.



Got it.



Lulu went back to her own tent, and Tidus met the Aurochs. Yuna was standing before the temple, within reach of voice, however the young man could not talk to her. It appeared that the entire village had something to tell her, with no chance of escape. Of course, she could have come up with an excuse to leave, but she was too polite to do that. Kindness was Yuna's strength, and at this moment, this quality was not failing to irritate Tidus.



She wants to talk to you too, I am sure, Wakka declared.



The man tried to negotiate with the elders, but they refused to let the summoner go.



They are keeping a sharp eye on you! the young father exclaimed as soon as he came

back.



Why? I was Yuna's guardian, and I stuck by her all the way. I deserve recognition and respect, and yet no one expresses either of them.



If you say so! a derisive voice declared behind his back.



Rikku just arrived this moment. Because of her tanned body, she seemed stronger than in his memories.



Hi, Tidus! It has been a long time! she exclaimed.



She made an about-turn to call someone. A woman moved forward, she had smooth hair, a stern face, and black clothes displaying only her shoulders. The contrast with Rikku was startling.



This is Paine, a friend. She has worked with Yuna.



Yuna talked to me about you, the woman declared. Actually, it was more like harping 



She examined Tidus for a moment, as if she wanted to gauge him.



Two years have passed, Rikku said distantly. and yet...



The teenager got closer to Tidus until her nose brushed the young man and scrutinized him in her turn.



Two years... Tidus felt his stomach turning into lead. Through his conversations, he had understood that his absence had lasted several months. But two whole years...



You are the same as always! Rikku concluded.



He did not know whether to laugh or cry. He ended up giving a faint smile.



Easy for you to say, look at yourself...



Rikku leaned and folded her arms under her chest. Tidus caught sight of Yuna behind her back.



You too, have not changed, he finished absent-mindedly.



He was worried about Yuna. Her taste in clothing was different, and he was wondering if he was missing something else about her.



Hey, I am here! Rikku exclaimed pouting. You are different!



You just said the opposite, Tidus told her.



I am talking about your appearance. Inside, you are not the same. In the past, you were a bit stupider, but you were nicer at least.



Thank you for the compliment!



They burst out laughing, and she began to narrate the events of the two last years. She told him about the Movement for the Truth, the sphere hunters and the Gullwings... At first, Tidus was questioning them, but he ended up annoyed by this flood of unknown names.



You had fun, I can tell.



It looks like it is bothering you...



I don't have anything to talk about on my side, it is frustrating. Two years of absence, and not a single new thing... What might I have gone through all this time?



A break, Paine said.



Her crooked grin made Tidus think she was joking. But he was sure of something: he could not discover what had happened to him these last two years if he stood rooted to the spot speaking.



In any case, I am happy you had fun. If you had spent your days weeping over my absence, I would have felt guilty.



He had spoken lightly, but Rikku frowned.



I have not cried! I was angry. I needed to understand, to know what had happened to you, and why. I ended up giving up, but...



Yes?



Yuna seemed to take pleasure with the Gullwings' activities. But in my opinion, she made use of her time. She probably joined joyfully in sphere hunting or concerts, but ultimately, her only goal... was you. She wanted to find you again. Or forget you. I don't know.



"Me?"



Yes. She left the village when she saw you in a sphere.



Excuse me?



This boy: Shuyin, and Lenne: the girl he loved, had lived a thousand years ago. She was a summoner and a famous singer. They had experienced many things, but what you need to know is that Shuyin was your spitting image. Yuna has even wondered whether or not it was you. She had believed that she had a chance to find you again.



But after all that, we had found ourselves in front of a thousand-year-old war machine! Rikku declared.



Are you serious?



It was a tall story, and yet Tidus had to admit that the reality often defied common sense. He decided to stay quiet.



I know, it is unbelievable, Rikku answered. but I have seen it with my own eyes, and I must acknowledge that. If I had wondered about this, I would be dead before understanding what was happening.



In order to illustrate her words, she gripped her hands around his neck and stuck her tongue out.



The machine was named Vegnagun, Paine declared. It was enormous, and would have massacred everyone had Lenne not stopped Shuyin. But he activated her once more, and we had to deal with it.



She screwed up her eyes and stared at Tidus.



What are you looking at? Tidus asked.



According to Yuna, the Fayth would have promised her your return in exchange for having saved Spira.



So I am here thanks to him?



No! Rikku exclaimed. Yuna went out of her way to find you, not him!



The other conversations broke off and everyone turned toward the little group. The elders were surrounding their summoner and Tidus felt the heavy pressure of their eyes. His eyes met those of Yuna. He read the words "sorry" and "later" on the lips of the young girl.



He smiled. Then, thinking he had to show his disappointment because of her restraint, he shrugged. Once again, Yuna said "later", enunciating carefully the syllables. An old woman frowned, staring at the young man and the summoner in turns. She reprimanded Yuna, who apologized profusely.



But "later" appeared to never come.



The elders still spoke to her for a long time, then a matron declared that Yuna must change and carried her away inside the temple. On the advice of Lulu, Tidus joined in the preparations of the banquet. Since the entire village was active, he ended up soon having nothing to do. With an embarrassed smile, he ended up joining Rikku and Paine.

They all spoke for a moment. They told him about what had happened during his absence and Kimahri Ronso. They alluded to New Yevon, the Youth League and the Machine Faction.



The more they were enlarging on Yuna's concert, the more they were irritating him. He had the impression that they were making light of the life-threatening adventure they all had.



Whats the matter? Rikku asked. Are you in a bad mood?



Of course not...



Yeah, sure! You are going too far. I did my best to tell you everything, and you... If that is how it is, fine! I am going back to the aircraft!



Tidus was asked by Paine to tell Yuna that they were going to leave and that they would come back in a few days. He barely mumbled some words by way of answer.



Nothing worse than to be alone in the middle of a crowd busy with a lot of things. He did not want that, he took refuge under the tent and he let himself fall onto a bed. His mind was full of questions and thoughts as the day was fading. Soon, Tidus thought. He closed his eyes and imagined Yuna's plausible face when she would finally meet him.



Wakka woke him up.