after all this time

A pair of angel wings emerge from the parchment, and in an instant old hopes ignite back into being.

So Rinoa Heartily was alive.

All those years of pain and guilt felt utterly wasted. The way she was submerged in the darkness had haunted his nightmares, even after Radiant Garden had been restored. Once the grief subsided, the shame of being unable to protect his dearest childhood friend overcame the boy and after the tears had dried, little weak Squall was no more.

Yes, Leon was a changed person since those days. Perhaps Rinoa would be too. The possibility frightened him a little, but not enough to extinguish the joy which sent a glow through his entire being.

Rinoa was alive.