Dissidia: Final Fantasy – Destined Souls
Chapter One – The Sea of the Soul
Falling. Falling. That was the only way to describe the sensation. The light fell from the heavens towards the depths below. Not the eternal light, the flames of hell, or the agony of purgatory. Was this what death was like? Truly, he could see why people would want to wait before experiencing it. He could feel it even as he fell. Losing his already fragile identity as his grip on life was vanishing.
He looked down. Well, he looked as ably as a soul can, since he had not yet come to terms with his lack of form. Yet, by willing himself to look down, though nothing seemed to move, his vision still turned to the depths below.
A sea. A great expanse of water in all directions. There was no horizon in this world, and he could not imagine how he fell into such a place. How could he when there was no sky to fall from? It took a moment to realize. He was not falling towards the sea. He was in the sea. A part of it.
Now that he had established that simple fact, it seemed almost ludicrous that he had been unable to see the other lights. No, not lights. Souls. The other souls. That was what they were. He was sure of it. … Yet how could he be sure? Had he ever seen a soul before? If he had, that was in a life lost to him. Even the life he remembered, though he had seen so much and experienced all he could… It pained him that only in death were the answers coming to him.
But still, the feeling of falling was beginning to fade from him. He supposed that was only natural. He wasn't falling anymore. He was joining the sea, becoming one with it. No more pain. No more suffering. No more worries. … No more of him…?
Why did that last one make him anxious? Surely that was the natural way? Lose his self, and become one with all around him? Yet, something was still nagging him. Some regret? Some final commitment? Whatever it was, he was dead surely. If there was a last commitment, it was out of his hands now.
Hands. Did he even have those anymore? … Well, look at that. Even though he couldn't picture his form, in front of him were two hands. His? … For the moment, he would say that they were. What to do with them though? Still he floated there. Clearly the natural process could not be completed until he had brought a close to this last issue, and brought it to a conclusion. Perhaps not a satisfying one, but a solution was all he needed. Perhaps even knowing what it was would suffice. … Where did this certainty come from? No matter, he decided. That would be something to ponder later.
So, what could be done with these hands he called his? A thought occurred to him. If these were souls, perhaps they held the answer. After all, were they not in the same boat? Perhaps he could see them because they had their own problems which prevented them joining the sea. And in a moment of clarity, he reached out and touched the nearest soul. Throughout his entire being, there was a flash of light. And a voice rang out, though he was sure only he could hear it.
Fool. Nothing you can do will change anything. Strike me down, and I shall return, be it through the flames of hell, the chains of purgatory, or through Chaos itself… Nothing you can do will make a difference. You are just one man against forces he cannot possibly comprehend
A different voice now.
Maybe I am just one man. I can't change what brought you about. But my friends are counting on me. I won't lose to you, and I won't allow you to stain this land with your tyranny
He broke the connection, and pondered what he saw. Flashing images. Figures facing each other. … Not enough. He reached out and touched another.
You think you are blessed by the Crystals to bring about the balance of light and darkness? Such concerns are beyond your ken, child. Ageless and immortal, we are the sole arbiter of such concepts! What can a mere child, given the false legendary title, so confident that he can best any with his mind, do to stop us? Naught! You are human, and as we remain eternal, you and your existence shall be ground down by time itself!
Even I laughed at my title once. Chosen by the crystals and I had such a name… But over time, I realized. That name wasn't weakness. The only weakness was in me, and my perception of myself. Maybe I overextend myself. Maybe I show weakness. What matters is I can overcome it! You'll never destroy us, because no matter what, we'll keep fighting! Your eternity can be overcome, and I'll prove it!
Almost subconsciously, he reached out to another. And each flash of light, each contact with such pure souls brought back more and more. Brought back his being. Brought back his purpose. Brought back his self.
You are naïve. You think the crystals will solve everything? Nothing will change. This war has gone on eternal, yet still you cling to hope. Hope that the conflict will end. Hope that you will triumph over all the odds. … Hope even that you can redeem me, who has delved into the darkness until his soul was tainted beyond all recognition. … Why? Why do you persist in these delusions…?
No matter the darkness you believe you embrace, I know there is good in you! Your only cage is your own anguish, your guilt, your remorse! And it is because you trap yourself in these that I know! I know that the day will come when we can walk side by side again, and until that day comes, I will fight! Impossible odds or not, my friends believe in my sword. That is all I need, brother!
Yes, he too had friends, didn't he…?
Only nothingness is absolute. Only oblivion is truth. Nothing crafted by the hand of any being can stand against the crushing ruination that is the Void! You struggle, but in the end, it is nothing. A flicker of existence, soon to be crushed by time. And in so doing, you will become nothing but another soul cast into darkness! Embrace eternity mortal, for it is your destiny!
So what if I become part of the Void! A world of nothingness you say? Endless? Perfect! I'm going where the wind takes me, and if it takes me to such a place, I'll find the way out! Everyone's counting on me! All of them, past and present! And through their styles, and with their blades, and heck, with their faith, I'll beat you! Your Void is worthless! Come ON!
A worthless cause? Of course it wasn't. Your freedom was an inspiration to someone who lost their identity…
Whahahahaha! Oh come on little girl! You don't seriously think you've got the SPINE to fight little old me do you? You can try all you want, but DESTRUCTION is all you're good for! Aww, look at you, did the truth make you cry? … Good. Better that you know now before you delude yourself into thinking you can care for anything. Anything and anyone you come into contact with will BURN. Better you embrace it now before you kill off all your little friends the moment you lose your focus for just one teensy, tiny little second… What am I saying, that would be HILARIOUS!
… I won't back down. No matter what you think I'm 'good' for! Maybe my powers are destructive, and maybe I am a danger to people around me. But that's a risk I have to take to be able to protect the things I love! Magic isn't only good for destruction! It can heal, it can protect, and it can create! I'm not your tool anymore! You're trapped in your own madness… but I will set you free!
No matter how you struggled with your power… you were always one of us.
Hmph. Haven't we played out this futile battle enough? No matter how hard you try, I am eternal. You can strike me down again and again… it doesn't matter. I'll still come back. And like the serpent, devouring its own flesh… we'll cross blades for all eternity, as long as you cling to your worthless past and wallow in your misery. I am the chosen one, born to lead this planet to its destiny…
… Are you done talking? Too many people gave their lives to stop you… their sacrifices, their strengths… they all work through me now. I'm not your puppet, no matter how often you claim it's true. My strings bound me for the longest time… but I'm done running. So, keep coming back. … Because I'll always be waiting to send you back to hell.
'If your past haunts you… we were always there to shoulder the burden with you.' For the first time in this world, he spoke aloud. Speech… yes, he remembered such things now.
No one can escape time. It delivers us all to the same end. One day, you'll be nothing but a memory, while I will live in eternity. Tell me child… what can you do against that which brings ruin to all? Only I will survive, as time comes to a standstill, as all possibilities become one… And you stand against me, alone. As one by one, you cut all your ties… perhaps a wolf suits you better than a lion boy…
… What a worthless goal. What's the point of holding time in your grasp? Alone for all eternity, you and a world that never changes… I don't care about your motives. There's only one thing that matters. Even if they're absent, even if they aren't physically by my side… my ties to my friends aren't something you can sever. Even if I walk into battle alone… their spirits are with me. And knowing that, I can fight, and I can beat even time itself!
'They're with me… and that's all I need. … That's right. The light is with me.' Now his form was slowly returning. He reached out with his newly formed hand, and grasped the long sword that came into existence in a burst of light.
For all your worthless struggles, soon you will realize. Nothing can last forever. Not you, not I. And if I must leave this stage, then the world will come with me. I'll bring it all down, down in one last glorious exhibition… and then there will be nothing. No matter what I do, one day they will forget me. I could scar my very image into the world itself… but one day it would lose meaning. What then is the point? Why settle for such a fleeting flash of life?
Heh! Shows what you know! Even if we can't live forever, what matters is what we leave behind! Whether that was the memories of a great performance, a legacy… it's not important! Even if they forget us, our deeds were still done! I won't let you bring this stage to a close! My memories of my friends… I won't let you bring them to an end! Bring it on!
'Yes… memories are important. As are the bonds we hold with each other…' His other hand reached into the infinite sea, and grasped the proffered shield.
Aww, what's the matter? Gonna cry? Come on, get up. You fought all this way to finally settle the score with your old man, and that's the kinda effort you bring? … You got all that potential, and you're gonna let it go to waste? … Thought you had things worth fighting for, things worth raising your sword one last time for!
Heh, don't count me out yet. … I haven't even had the chance to tell you yet. … I hate you old man. I hate you, but in the end… I understand you. And I have things worth fighting for… people worth returning to. I'm not gonna take you down in a blaze of glory! A lot of people gave everything to get me this far… including you. And I won't let that be in vain!
'Yes. Everyone gave so much to give us our one chance. … And we're not finished yet.' With that, his very being solidified fully formed in the sea of souls.
His body, strong and muscular became cloaked in blue armour, shining in the light of the souls around him. From his shoulders, his cape unfurled, and fell down his back. His right hand grasped the blade forged by the might of the crystals, the symbol of his destiny. His left grasped the shield that had protected him from so many attacks, and shone a light into the dark paths ahead of him. And finally, the rebirth was complete. His helmet formed on his head, concealing his long, silver hair, as his crystal blue eyes shone with clarity and determination.
'Though I have not a name or an identity… I have a purpose. A destiny. And with that to guide me, I shall walk the path in front of me.' He raises his hand to the heavens. And in a flash of purest light, the symbol of everything he fought for appears in his grasp. The crystal, its depths the colour of deepest blue, was a radiant light in the stillness of the world around him. That its light persisted was sign enough.
Death had not claimed him. Not yet. The goddess' gift would see them all return to the eternal battlefield…
'And by the title of the Warrior of Light… I will see it come to an END!'
The light of the crystal shot into the skies, and he began to rise. Rise from the depths of the dead and departed…
And back into the world of life…
It's sometimes worthwhile starting at the end and working your way backwards. It gives you a clear indication of where your story is going, if you always have this signpost to follow. Not that I wouldn't write every story like this, but it's good to have something to aim for while you're writing.
And so the story of Dissidia Final Fantasy – Destined Souls starts near the end. Next chapter will begin the tale of how these events came to pass, how the Warriors of Cosmos came to the Sea of Souls… But you can probably guess. Though this is the tale of the thirteenth cycle, expect the unexpected. … I don't know HOW you expect the unexpected, but I trust you to come up with something. XD
