~rorudesu-chan~
"Soul of a Hero"
.:. Zack .:.
Wings
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I can't breathe properly, anymore. So this is how death feels, huh. It creeps up to you in the eeriest manner and it grasps on you so painfully that you wish you were just alive otherwise.
But, I guess there's nothing I can do anymore. If only I had more time. But, I have no regrets or whatsoever.
The ground feels rough on my back as the stones pressed against it. I lie down and stare up blankly into the sky, feeling the splattering raindrops upon my face. I could smell the blood from my head being washed away by the cold rain. I wonder… where I would go after I give out my last breath. Would an angel come and lend me his wings?
No, not yet. The wings will have to wait.
"Zack," Cloud says.
I twinge in pain, making an effort to talk to him. It is difficult, but I try.
"On my behalf," I mutter, grimacing.
"On your behalf?" Cloud asks.
"That's right, you will…"
"You will?" he repeats.
I want Cloud to understand my final words. Struggling, I raise an arm. I am weakening by the second, but I still try. Finally, my hand reaches and holds his Chocobo head successfully. The weight of my hand pushes him down my chest.
"…live. You are… the proof that I existed."
I could no longer control my arm as it limply falls down beside me, splashing the rainwater surrounding the ground. Cloud lifts his head off my chest and I see a part of his face smeared with my blood. He looks at me and I see that he completely understood what I said. I smile but my job isn't finished yet. The wings will have to wait.
Gathering the strength I had left in my other arm, I lifted the buster sword off the ground.
"My pride and dreams," I pull my weapon up and brought it close to him. "I give it all to you."
He takes the Buster sword slowly and he holds it by the hilt. I saw the hesitation in Cloud's eyes. But I shoved him away, insisting that he take my sword as a symbol of the pride and dreams of a SOLDIER named, Zack.
My arm drops to the ground. Cloud looks at me and mutters, "I am the proof that you existed."
His words curl a smile on my lips. I close my eyes for the last time, knowing that they will never open for this world again. Finally, I take my final breath.
"I am Zack. SOLDIER First Class, Zack."
The sky cleared up the rain. I breathed again, but not as an alive person, anymore. I guess, it was now time for me to have wings of my own.
That girl… She said she was afraid of the natural sky.
But it must feel great, right?
I opened my eyes and I smiled at sight of white feathers falling down from the sky. Feathers mean one thing, no? Freedom.
Those wings… lend them to me as well.
I raised an arm and reached out for the angel that would bring me into what they call, 'Paradise'. Slowly, I am being lifted into the air while a hand holds onto mine.
What's this? It feels nice…
From where I am now, I can see everything. I can see Cloud, heading on to continue the dreams of a SOLDIER.
When you meet Aerith, I'm counting on you to take care of her…
Wings symbolize freedom. I waited for them, and it waited for me.
Hey, I've become a hero, right?
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a/n: this is the first One shot of the many one shots to come. please review/comment/criticize! Thanks! Standard disclaimer is applied. Credits for the Crisis Core translation goes to Chocolinx (YouTube)