Hello, readers. This is my first writing concerning Final Fantasy IX. Please review this story if you have the time. Any and all constructive comments will be taken to heart. Happy reading!
The Place I'll Return to Someday: My Afterthought on Final Fantasy IX
Prologue
Kuja died in my arms. His wounds were too great, and he died in my arms while the Iifa Tree died around us. There was no possible way that I could have saved him, but I couldn't just let him die friendless and alone. I was willing to lay down my life to let Kuja know that I cared for him. As it turns out, I did.
Before Kuja's death, he asked me why I came back. I honestly didn't have an exact answer for him. I told him that you don't need a reason to help people just like I tell everyone else. Of course, I had mixed feelings. My head had told me to let Kuja have his just desserts, but my heart forced me to leave my friends and the girl that I quietly love to help him in some way.
The Iifa Tree shuddered and moaned as some massive energy tore its way through its blackened branches. I looked into Kuja's eyes, and I could see his consciousness waning. He apologized to me for his lust for power and all the death he had caused with his last few breaths. Kuja silently cried as the Iifa Tree collapsed around us. And, thankfully, he died before he had to suffer through the immense pain that afflicted me.
As the tree imploded, blunt branches carved their way inside of me; and, like a dying snake, I writhed in terrible pain. Even though the physical hurt was indescribable, I thought of nothing but my friends, Kuja, my Tantalus brothers, Mikoto and the rest of the genomes, and the one whom I love above anyone else. As I laid there bleeding to death, my mind raced through my journey with good ol' Rusty, little Vivi, Freya, Quina, Eiko, the stolid Amarant, and—Dagger. My thoughts lingered on Dagger for the most part. I'd never had the chance to tell her how much I love her, and I hated myself for that. I hated myself for my selflessness. I hated myself for causing her grief. Branches of the Iifa Tree fell upon my tattered frame squeezing away what little life I had left even faster. A final surge of pure agony coursed through my body, and I plunged into absolute blackness.
