Flaming Heart

The thumps of his footsteps echoed in Kain's ears as he descended the staircase. The tall dragoon looked up and watched the moon's crystal core pulse. The golden, creamy light pulsed, matching the rhythm of his heart. Slow, yet urgent. So close…to the end.

Cecil had stopped, the holy paladin's head slightly bent, as though he were contemplating something. Whatever happens, Cecil, know that all our thoughts will always be with you. Rosa stepped forward and touched his shoulder. Kain wanted to look away, but kept his gaze steady. Was it worth it then? he thought belatedly. Was my love for Rosa, for her, worth all the pain I've caused? I've no right to their forgiveness.

His eyes wandered over to where Rydia and Edge were standing. Rydia was looking forward into the distance, aqua-blue eyes grave and foreboding. It was just like her, to always look forward, to endure and survive even when all seemed lost. Always strong enough to keep moving on… Edge was gazing at Rydia, his eyes clouded with an emotion Kain couldn't read…and didn't want to decipher anyway. If his behavior towards the emerald-haired summoner accounted for anything, then it would be obvious to a six-year old what emotions the ninja felt for her. Is it my fate then? To love them? To betray my friends? To have everything I've ever wanted wrenched away from me? It seems so inevitable, even now. I can't even bear my own fate, or my life for that matter. All I can do is to endure…and survive.

Cecil seemed to have regained his composure, and had stepped forward. The party lurched forward, following their unspoken leader. Kain let the others pass him, then he followed, watchful eyes on the backs of those he loved and never would have known were it not for the evil doings of a Lunarian. Fate caused all this, and so it will be fate that will see the end of this.

People's hearts are not toys for you to trifle with, Zemus!

o.O.o.O.o

Cecil could hear them following him. It was so hard to believe that all he had cared about a few months ago was proving himself a worthy dark knight to his king and spending time with Rosa and Kain. His whole world had been turned upside down since then…

It was fate, he decided. It was fate that made all this happen. If it wasn't fate, then I don't know what sent me on this journey, or caused all this pain and suffering to happen. If it was fate that began this, then surely it will be fate that will guide our futures.

After all this time, Cecil thought as they walked through the last crystallized floor before meeting Zemus, I still wonder why things went the way they did. His eyes wandered over to the emerald-haired woman-child. For example, why did Rydia's mother send her dragon against me and Kain when she knew that it would probably cost her life? If that didn't happen, then she wouldn't have died, and Rydia wouldn't have been spirited away to the Feymarch, where she aged so much faster than she would have on the Overworld.

o.O.o.O.o

Behind him, Rydia was on the same wavelength. Mother must have been trying to protect me, she mused. She was aware of Edge's keen gaze directed at her, but she really didn't want to know why. She could guess. He shouldn't though, a part of her mind whispered. Technically, you're only seven years old, just in the body of an adult and with powerful magical abilities. Shut up!she thought furiously. He doesn't even know that my growth was accelerated, he actually thinks that I am seventeen… Rydia bit her lip. All this mental talk about Edge was driving her nuts. As he's always been liable to do on the journey…

She averted her eyes and instead looked at Cecil. Cecil, who had promised to protect her after inadvertently killing her mother. She briefly wondered if her thoughts could reach him telepathically. Oh Cecil! she thought towards him with all her heart. If you can forgive Kain, won't you forgive your brother? Golbez, your blood, your only living family!

o.O.o.O.o

Edge gazed at Rydia. She was so different from the girls he knew. She didn't react to his flirty opening lines. Not that he'd ever cared for the girls he flirted with. But what had really piqued his interest were her hissy comebacks. They'd taken to teasing one another, trying to out-insult the other. It was hilarious, when you thought about it. He didn't know when his innocent little crush had first started to morph into the real thing, burning hot desire to protect her, to see her happy. But he didn't mind. She had spunk, and he loved her for that. He looked ahead, to where the waves of hate were emanating the strongest. Where Zemus is, he thought. Immediately his stomach started to flip and he started to tremble. I'm…I'm just shaking because this is all so exciting! he desperately tried to convince himself. Nope, the trembling feelings were still there. Why oh why can't I just run away and leave them here? Looking at his friends, he grinned. I guess I just like these crazy people too much. His eyes returned to the summoner. Especially that one…

o.O.o.O.o

Rosa kept her eyes on Cecil. She could not, would not, let him die. Or any of her friends, for that matter. So much had happened that under normal circumstances would only be brought on by chance. She could feel the beams of hate raking across her skin. Her heart rate accelerated, as if hoping to squeeze in a lifetime of beats before the end. No, she thought. I will not let them die. I won't let our lives end when we're so close. I'm strong enough to keep us all alive. This won't be the end, I won't let it. We must see this through, Cecil!

Of their own accord, her eyes moved to Kain. Kain, you suffered in silence for my sake. Forgive me, Kain…and thank you.

o.O.o.O.o

Cecil shivered as the hate-was it substantial?- pulled at his skin. They writhed around him, trying to find a way in, to sink and twist their way deep into his soul.

Why was Zemus able to control Golbez? Is Golbez truly evil after all? His eyes wandered over to Kain, the tall, strong dragoon that had been his closest friend for so long. He remembered when Kain's mind was not his own, when he had betrayed them against his own will. Kain was used as well. And even I've done unforgivable things. First Mysidia, then Mist…

Cecil closed his eyes and drew in a crisp, icy breath through his teeth. He thought of Kluya, his Lunarian father. He thought of his sacrifice on Mount Ordeals, where he gave some of his light to Cecil, in an attempt to take away his darkness. Sacrifices… He thought of all the sorrows, pains, and sacrifices his friends had willingly undergone to get them where they were now. Anna, Palom, Porom, Tellah, Yang, Cid, Odin… So much depends on chance…on fate.

He reopened his eyes to find himself at the base of the stairs leading to where Zemus was imprisoned. Hate that had lapped and pulled gently at him before now crashed upon him furiously, drowning him in waves of sorrow and anguish. But his holy skin repelled it all, and the hate found no purchase on him. Everyone has their fair share of regrets.

But, Father…I will follow the path you set me on!