“Perhaps. But I wouldn’t know how to find them. Or convince them to help. Yevon hates them, I imagine the feeling is mutual.”

"Perhaps you'll find them on your journey."

Zveran sighs. "It's a lot to put on maybe."

Over the lake, the fire seems to have calmed a little.

"You're going to need to make a choice."

“Then I choose to sit here and be the vetting process for summoners!” 

He takes a breath in, calming himself. He smiles ruefully at Masque. “My apologies.”

"There are worse choices to make."

“Except any summoner who could actually summon would best me. And I promised that I would finish the pilgrimage for Bambi.”

Zveran sighs. He touches his forehead to the fayth. “I promise, if I find anything, anyway to help, I will return.”

"You need...help?"

“Ah!” Zveran jumps back. 

He stares at the fire elemental. Then at the fayth. Back to the fire. 

“Is that...you?”

"Yes."

The voice comes from the fayth, and the fire-being.

"H-how? We didn't...I mean, I didn't feel the bond taking place?"

"I don't know. But-"

But something in Zveran had spoken to the fayth.

"I've never known anything like this. This is....truly unique. And that elemental, that's your aeon?"

"Yes." It's the aeon who speaks, or seems to.

"You're beautiful."

-Now they have an aeon who doesn't seem to know how to respond to that.

"Sorry, I realise that was...much. I-"

He realises something, and looks down at himself like his body would reveal the answer. "I'm...not currently collapsing with fatigue...how?"

"I don't know. Not exactly. But this- I can do this."

"I can sense you, but you're not draining me. That is incredible."

He smiles at Masque. "Well, I guess I don't have to train anymore, do I?"

"It still wouldn't hurt to."

Pout. 

"What should we call you?" He asks the aeon.

"I- Aten."

"It's nice to meet you, Aten. And thank you. It can't have been easy letting yourself be summoned again."