Still Whistling

Gentle waves lapped against the sand, soaking into the yellow grains before pulling back out as though the sea were inhaling and exhaling. I mimicked this with my own breathing, finding that it steadied my pounding heart.

I hated coming here. The memories of you were too strong. I wasn't there when you first appeared, floating in the water after an attack from Sin, but I could imagine it. You were always good with the water, a star Blitzer for sure.

The wing blew against my back and chilled my skin. I pulled my arms around me in a feeble hug for warmth, or maybe it was comfort I hoped for with this.

The weather had been nice all week, but it seemed my mood had changed it. Dark clouds had come rolling in, cloaking the blue skies and swallowing the sun like a plague, much like my thoughts.

"I wish you were still here," I whispered mostly to myself, for I knew you could not hear, but maybe…

Time took many things. Beauty, strength, friendships… and finally life. It seemed that the Yevon believers had been right. Spira was caught in a Spiral of death, and nothing but misery and loss existed on the way down. We were born to die, after all. What was so enjoyable about that?

"No!"

I yelled out the word and jumped to my feet, glaring down at the ground as my hands shook at my sides. I balled them into fists and clenched my teeth, letting the anger seep out until it was completely gone and I could breathe again. Slowly I lifted my head and forced a smile onto my face. It was hard, but I managed.

It was funny, standing alone at this beach, thinking the absolute worst, then as the memories of you sunk back into my mind, the darkness faded. Even when you are gone, you are my light.

"Do you remember me?" I asked, the smile on my face widening until I began to giggle to myself. "Our journey, it was filled with laughter, just like you said it would be… Just like you promised…" Tears were falling now, but my smile did not falter. It was not unusual for me to cry here. "I promised that if I heard you whistle, I would come running, but I never hear you…"

I rose a hand to my mouth, recalling the instructions you had given me that time in Luca, then blew. My whistles pierced through the silence and seemed to go on forever. At least, that was what I hoped, so maybe, one day, you would hear.

I hated coming here. The memories of you were too strong.

But I would not stop coming, and I would not stop whistling.