A/N: I've been toying around with this for quite a while now and I've seriously tried not to let my muse run free because of all the other stories I'm working on, but it's not working. Every creative juice wants me to come back to this so I have. Sort of. What I've posted here is a series of four drabble-like introductions, if you will, to the four main characters of a longer story I'm working on for FFVII. I'm posting this as a separate story because I don't think I can actually fit these in to the main story, but I really like the emotions and history that's conveyed in these. Hence, why I'm posting it separately. As for the story that this prologues, it's something of a what-if spin-off of the game. I'll explain more if I ever decide to post it.
In the meantime, let me know what you think about these. I made the identities of these four people somewhat vague on purpose, but I don't think it's too hard to figure out. Like I said, feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Disclaimer: All references to people, places and things from Final Fantasy VII are courtesy of an entity called Square Enix. I make no monetary profit from borrowing their characters and messing with their heads.
LIKE A FLUTTER IN THE WIND
Success
Success is a difficult thing to measure.
He is successful, if success means having respect, power, and a solid—if not well-above average—income. He is successful, if that means being the youngest person to make it to the top rank of SOLDIER First class. He is successful, if you listen to the awed whispers that tell of his inspirational underdog story, of him fighting through adversity to achieve the position he is in now.
He is successful if success comes empty. Since childhood, his dream had been to become a First Class SOLDIER, just like his own hero had been. For years he worked himself toward that singular goal, disregarding everyone who told him he was too weak to make it. He's forsaken home, family, friends in his pursuit and only now did he realize that success could be so utterly unfulfilling.
Because as successful as he is, his heart feels empty and for the life of him, he cannot understand it.