The moment was nearly over now, a fact which Cloud felt guilty to be so thankful for. He wanted to assure his friend that everything would be all right, but in spite of Zack's pain-fuelled expression it was clear that he believed it already, an optimism that the two of them did not share. Cloud wanted to tell him everything that he hadn't the courage to before now, but his realisation of how unfair this would be continued to strike at his conscience. All he could do was listen to Zack's final words and rehearse them aloud like an unbreakable vow, knowing that this would be the greatest turning point in his life.
"You will live." Zack stated, bringing Cloud's head down upon his chest. "You are the proof that I existed."
After Zack had released his grip, Cloud slowly raised his head once again. Between Zack's small speech and blood now smeared across Cloud's face, he felt as though he had been knighted and baptised all at once. The thoughts continued to rush violently through his mind, a sense of helplessness that urged Cloud to do something - anything.
"My pride and dreams." Zack continued, summoning what Cloud observed to be every last ounce of strength in his body, and gently pushed his Buster Sword within Cloud's reach. "I give it all to you."
Cloud wrapped his fingers around the handle, gripped it tightly, and took a silent breath in preparation for what came next.
"I am the proof that you existed." Cloud claimed, gripping the sword in his hands tighter than ever, not once allowing his composure to falter.
With these final words Zack smiled at him, signifying his satisfaction that his life truly meant something, and finally drifted peacefully into what Cloud hoped would be a better place. He had thought that this moment would bring him a sense of clarity, but more than ever Cloud had no idea what to do. He thought back once again to the words left unsaid, feeling sickened by his own selfishness, and once again tried with all his might to speak them. With yet another failure a series of near-unnoticeable sobs escaped him, before Cloud let out a sorrowful scream that would bring the heavens to tears.
"I love you." He thought, knowing he would never speak those words.
Author's Note:
I'm still amazed that I've finally gone out of my way to publish a story, as short as it's opening chapter may be. I hope you all enjoyed what you have read so far, and if you have any comments to express on the story then please make them known below! If anyone was underwhelmed by how short this prologue turned out to be, then I do apologise because admittedly I had expected a little more as well, but hopefully the quality-over-quantity approach will be just as successful this time around.