The Ripple Effect
Chapter 1
The water lay still and tranquil as the moonlight's rays reflected on its surface. Such serenity greatly contrasted the thoughts plaguing her mind as she stood waist deep in the lake.
"Let's go to the sea… before the sunrise," he decided, gazing through the branches to the moon. "The city lights go out… one by one. The stars fade…" he paused. "Then the horizon glows, almost like it's on fire." He exclaimed, his arms capturing the sunrise pictured in his mind.
Slowly she walks to his side, contemplating his vision.
"It's kinda rose-coloured, right? First in the sea, then it spreads to the sky… then to the whole city. It gets brighter and brighter, till everything glows." He says, admiring his view.
Silently she backs away from him, trying to hide the immediate flood of emotion searing over her.
"It's really pretty," he sighs gently. "I know you'd like it," he whispers.
"I'd like to see it… someday," she replies quietly.
What he had described was so beautiful; it made her heart break. She would never be able to see it, she was a summoner, and her fate had been decided. Or could she?
"Well you can, Yuna. We can both go!"
No she couldn't. She can't ignore it. She can't ignore the pain and suffering endured by the people of Spira. Gradually the feeling of despair grew too much to bear. A single tear slid down her cheek, embracing the mystical water.
"Yu..?" he asks.
He turns to see her with her back to him, her shoulders rising and falling as she cries tears of sweet dew.
"I can't. I just can't." She whispers. "I can't go!" she whispers more forcefully, unable to stop the sadness creeping into her voice.
She bows her head trying to hide herself from him. She didn't want him to see her cry. He walked to wards her and hung his head, unsure of himself. But now he knows what to do.
He looks at her again, admiring her delicate beauty. He holds her shoulders trying to offer his support but she doesn't stop.
"Yuna," he whispers. She wipes away her tears and timidly looks up. The look on his face causes her to cease crying. He is smiling yet his eyes show worry; he cares.
On impulse, he did what he had wanted to do for a long time: he leaned in and kissed her. She didn't resist. She just closed her eyes and absorbed the bliss she felt exuding around her.
As the pyreflies spiralled around their embrace, they fell back and descended underwater.
Suddenly there was a shallow panting noise. The water became hot and sticky. Yuna woke up in a jolt, her face wet and her eyes red from tears. Her body glistened with perspiration from writhing in her sleep.
She put a hand to her head. Not again, this has gone too far. A memory can't keep haunting her.
She looked around the hut. Rikku was sleeping peacefully in the bed next to hers, curled up in a ball. Well at least she hadn't ruined everyone else's sleep. She swung her legs round to sit on her bed.
It was either late night or early morning. Either way, she wasn't going to be able to fall asleep again soon. Why is that memory such a nightmare? Why can't she let go?
She shook her head and waited for her breathing to return to normal. After a while she stood up, grabbed her bathing suit and towel and set off for the sea. The salt will help clear her mind. She needed time to think.