The Quest for the Final Summoning, Ch. 2
 

Chapter 2: Celebration of a Sacrifice
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The group didn't have to wait long before the celebration around the town square of Besaid started. Raine was surprised to see a darkened sky when they exited the temple. Besaid was already alive with people running around, joyful at the news of Raine's success. Raine smiled slightly as a child was swinging a stick around, pretending to be a summoner, his friend playing out the part of a summon of some sort.

A torch was thrown into a large pile of wood, before long, a large bon fire had started, illuminating the dark town. People in the town began to circle around Raine, eager to meet the new Summoner and wish her a safe trip. Raine smiled at each of the people, hiding that she was feeling a little overwhelmed with so many people wanting to meet her at once... It was almost like she was the High Summoner already.

(OOC: you know, it's kind of morbid, everyone is wishing the summoners a safe trip and for their success, it's just like them saying, "I hope you die!" ^^;; Not really, but still...)

Brian wandered nervously around the bonfire. He really wanted to help Raine by becoming a guardian, but how was he supposed to ask? He hadn't really even met her! He kept pacing back and forth nervously.
"What's wrong with you, mister?" Brian looked down to see a little girl curiously staring at him. "I asked what's wrong, mister."
"Oh, err, ya." He sighed. "I just can't think of what I'm supposed to do? I want to help, but how to ask?"
"Well, my mommy always says that... that you can't be afraid. And mommy makes good pie!"
'Well, can't argue with pie-baking mommies!'

Dezil came up to Raine out of nowhere and said, "You did an excellent job in your test today, young summoner. And you seem to have quite a retinue of guardians to defend you. Yet, even with all the credentials, do you think you truly have what it takes to be a summoner? Are you willing to perform what would need to be done in the line of your duty? It is easy for you to say you are ready now, but when the time comes, do you think you will truly be ready?"

Rei, who had been hanging out around where ever Raine was, approached Dezil. "She's asked herself those questions many times, so just leave her alone and join the party."

Mitsu was talking Blitz with the Aurochs. The Aurochs still needed a Midfielder. Mitsu was pretty good and they were worried he was going free agent.

"Come on Mitsu we need you this year. The Baaj Ronin have a strong team, even the Goers are going to have a hard time against them." The Auroch captain said.

"I'm a guardian I told you this would happen besides you have a full roster. Albeit they look a little young and undersized." Mitsu said commenting on the Aurochs.

"Well they got heart, and that's what matters, ya."

"I'll think it over."

"Pehaps she has," Dezil responded to Rei, "But has she ever answered them? That is the important point of the questions, not whether she has thought of them. I have seen countless summoner's quests end in tears or a breaking apart when the summoner wasn't truly prepared for what was expected of them. Pehaps this has left me a bit cynical, but it has also given me the wisdom to see summoners with the true needed to succeed."

"Yes, she has answered them. The answers are yes. And anything that the summoner can't handle is what Guardians are for." Rei responded, wanting to make sure some cynical guy wouldn't ruin her first succesful Trail.

A determined look crossed her face as Raine replied to the man who had questioned her. "Like my guardian said, I have thought a lot about my choice to become a summoner. I made the choice, knowing it was not to be taken lightly." She closed her eyes for a moment, "Both my father and my brother paid the ultimate prince while on their pilgrimage... I am well aware and prepared for whatever may come on my journey." She smiled slightly, knowing she was sounding way too serious, "And also, I've never been one to give up before I achieve what I've spent so much time trying to get."

Dezil looked at her for a second, then looked at her guardian, then back at her, then nodded. "You speak truthfully, and I see something in you I have not seen in a long time. Idealism, trust, and maybe even a word I haven't used in a long time, hope." Suddenly he went to one knee and said, "I wish to join you on your quest as one of your guardians, if I may."

"I think she has enough gaurdians." Mitsu said taking his place by his summoner's side.