Endurance

by the Legendary Armor


She could barely remember her own name at that point.

Pain... the pain was so exquisite, enveloping every last shred of her sanity. She could feel each small cut, each lick of flame, each crushing blow... she could hear their laughter, their smooth voices full of malice and sick delight...

Would this ever end? She didn't want to die, but... perhaps it would be better than this mindless, neverending agony. Surely she was on the brink already... There was no way she could make it. She wasn't strong enough... not like...

...not like Tseng...

There was no way this would kill him! Reno and Rude would show up, and Tseng would be alive, and then the remnants would regret ever messing with the Turks. But she... no... No. She couldn't die... couldn't let Tseng down. She couldn't...

I'm a Turk...!

She could feel her warm, precious blood on her skin, hot against the cool earth, the tattered fabric of her uniform, the... the weight of a familiar, heavy hand? Tseng... Still alive, of course--and... encouraging her? Comforting her? It was so... strengthening. His touch, such a simple reminder of life, gave her a renewed sense of willpower in her fading consciousness. Yet... this brought a surge of panic and rage. She could feel it...

She was dying.

I'm... I'm a Turk. That's not... that's not an option...!

The sudden confusion of sound around her didn't register--she was too busy clinging to life. She focused on the pain, on the feeling of Tseng's hand on hers; it kept her anchored to reality as the noise around her escalated... and she realized the cutting, the burning, and the hitting had ceased on her battered and broken body.

Her vision swam as she dared to open her eyes... she saw a mass of crimson and black leaning over her. Whoever it was picked her up--she felt a rush of anger and fear as Tseng's hand slipped from hers. However, within moments of being placed down again--somewhere more comfortable--she felt Tseng being placed by her side. A familiar sensation crept through her skin, and the pain began to ebb... Opening her eyes again, she saw the glow of materia. The fire in her veins began to fade, faster and faster--she sat up with a bit of struggle, ignoring their savior and reaching for Tseng's hand first as her vision focused.

The Turk smiled faintly at her touch, his dark eyes dulled with lingering pain. Elena turned to thank the shadow she recognized as Vincent Valentine, but he simply nodded and vanished into the trees.

"Come, Elena," Tseng whispered. He stood, offering her a hand.

The blonde Turk took it with a small smile, determination and hope flaring in her soul. They were in a crisis--but they would be victorious, no matter what. No matter what, they'd survive.

And at the end of it all... she'd still be forever at Tseng's side.


(end)