INDOMITABLE

Ends of the Earth

Clouds slowly rolled in from the west that fateful afternoon. Terra breathed in the warm breeze, his chest swelling with contentment. How many years had he longed for this view? The Land of Departure stretched in front of him, the verdant staccato mountains rising up to meet the endless expanse of the sky.

A tug in his heart led him through the winding mountain paths, an inescapable desire to explore his home.

He was home.

He felt a raindrop on his head. Before he knew it, the drizzle had turned into a torrential downpour. A soft smile graced his lips as he stretched his arms, taking in the summer rain. Laughter erupted deep within him. Soon enough, he was soaked from head to toe.

How long has it been since he felt the rain? How long has it been since he was free? Caged inside his own body, perpetually fighting the man who had driven everything he held dear to the brink of ruin.

"You look like you're having fun."

Aqua.

His smile grew wider as his eyes fell onto hers. Brilliant and graceful, she stood a few yalms back, his antecedent reason for everything, raindrops bouncing off of her skin from whatever spell she had casted.

"I am."

"You're all wet."

He turned his head back to the clouds and took a deep breath, the pleasant petrichor filling his lungs. He heard her approach, her soft footsteps lightly rustling the grass.

Her fingers gently wrapping around his, a warmth he longed for emanating from the simple gesture. How long had he waited for this? How much did he had to suffer? How much did she had to suffer? Countless words were silently spoken as his grip on hers tightened, praying the moment last forever.

He opened his eyes, the world feeling new once more.

She shuffled forward, turning to face him. How long did he wait to gaze upon her face? His eyes traced her features, locking into her ocean eyes, iridescent and swirling with something he couldn't exactly tell.

"Earth to Terra," she chimed, breaking him free from his thoughts. "What's wrong?"

He laughed quietly to himself. "I guess… I was lost, but now, I'm found?" He took a step forward, closing the distance between the two. He stiffened when she rested her head on his chest. Was she always this forward?

"You are," she whispered softly into his chest, muffled by the pitter patter of the rain.

"You'll get wet," he joked.

She pushed away with a fake frown on her face. "Don't even joke. Let me have this."

They shared a laugh underneath the rain. She lingered for another moment, his heartbeat slowly syncing with hers.

"What was it like? The Realm of Darkness?"

She pulled away, her hand still linked with his, leading him up the mountain path. "It was lonely," she started, longing in her trembling voice. "I was alone for a long time. I didn't have anything to count time. I didn't have anything to tell me everything was going to be okay."

He tugged her back, swinging her around to face him. Gone was the spell that protected her from the rain. Her hair stuck to her cheeks, her tears mixing with the rain. Suddenly, she crashed into him.

"I was scared," she cried into his chest. "I couldn't do anything but hope that one day… we'd find you." A sob escaped her lips, falling apart onto his arms.

"I fell into darkness. It was cold, and cruel, and I was scared, and I just wanted everything to end." She shivered with every word, her fists slamming against his chest.

"I just… wanted everything to disappear."

With those words, Terra's heart cracked.

Dismantled was the calm collected woman that he knew, emancipated from the shackles of war they did not deserve. They weren't soldiers anymore, merely children who grew up too fast to survive. Merely children trying to pick up what was left of their past lives. Of their innocence.

He tucked the stray wet locks of hair behind her ears and cupped her face in his hands, a quiet resolve overflowing through every fibre of his body.

With a flash of light, his keyblade materialized in his free hand, the familiar weight bringing him comfort. His lungs filled with the cool mountain air, humid from the passing summer rain. Never again would he let her suffer. Never again would he let her stand alone.

"Have I ever told you the name of my keyblade?"

She shook her head. He grinned, puffing out his chest.

"Ends of the Earth. Do you know why?"

His eyes travelled down the keyblade, taking in every scratch, dent, and chip. It was worn down yet the same as it was before, the same keyblade that he had used for all these years. It was the proof of his unbending will, his indomitable resolve.

"I didn't know why at first too," he admitted to her. "But after everything that happened, it was plain to see."

The rain had slowed down to a drizzle.

"Its my purpose. My reason of existence. If fate brings us another war, I will not make the same mistake again. I will protect you and Ven, Even if I have to go through the ends of the Earth to do it. Even if I have to go beyond that. No matter the cost. This, I promise."

Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke. The clouds parted, streaks of sunlight pouring through and bathing everything in its warm light. Through teary eyes, his gaze met hers. She was silent.

"Was that too cheesy…?"

A smile broke across her face, reaching all the way to her eyes and then some. Her arms shot up and wrapped around his neck. She shot up, her lips meeting his in a brief moment. "No, it was perfect."

As if a thousand butterflies had suddenly erupted in his stomach, the sun illuminated her graceful outline.

He leaned in, placing his lips onto hers once more.

Rain fell that fateful afternoon. Underneath clearing clouds and above verdant mountains, a promise was made. Two hearts intertwined, overlooking the Land of Departure.

Terra breathed in the warm summer breeze, pleasant petrichor filling his lungs. How long had he waited for this? It did not matter anymore. His fingers wrapped around hers, he slowly exhaled. He would protect her.

He would protect everything dear to him, to the ends of the Earth and beyond.

I'm not a writer, not at all, but was inspired by the indomitable resolve of these characters that I wanted to write about it. I hope you enjoy...?