Title: Worth
Character(s): Shadow
(EDIT: 1/13/12)

The air felt hot, hotter than it was when they had first dropped into the tower. Heavier too, actually. It could have had something to do with the glimmering lights that Kefka had surrounded himself with, radiating wild magic, and causing rocks to crumble. If not, it could even have something to do with the familiar feeling of anticipation rising in his gut.

It would be the ultimate test of his abilities.

His hands curled tightly around his daggers, ready and waiting. The others all stood around him, faces determined and grim. They were all ready to die here if they had to. They were all here and ready to sacrifice everything.

For dreams.

For the world.

For love.

For a future.

He was here to fight because that was all he knew how to do, and if he helped restore order to the world as he did so, well, that was just an added bonus. He was here to fight, and that was all. He ignored the whisper in the back of his mind that insisted otherwise.

Interceptor looked up at him, eyes gleaming with some knowing look in their depths. His ears were twitching with impatience and he turned his brown muzzle to look at all the others. They were all explaining to Kefka their purposes for being there. In order they all stated what they, most of all, found worth fighting for in this world gone mad.

With a small spark of surprise he noticed that it was his turn already. He hesitated, mind racing although he didn't really have to say anything. The mimic didn't, and no one commented. However… memories of old times long gone flashed quickly in his thoughts and his mouth opened of its own accord.

"Friends," he said at last.

Interceptor looked at him again, head tilted expectantly as though he were asking 'is that all?'

He wondered what else he was supposed to say, wondered what his old friend was thinking about when the dog went and looked to the right of him. There was a little girl with a familiar face, gripping her rod tightly in whitened hands. She stood next to her grandfather, who looked just as frightened. The girl who had been able to approach his disagreeable canine with no ill effects to show for it. He knew who she was. Was he supposed to say something about that? He looked back to Interceptor and found some stubborn confirmation there, so he amended his earlier statement.

"And family."