"Goodnight," Cloud said quietly and turned away, pulling the heavy weight of the Buster to his side. He couldn't look anymore. Being sad was not going to bring him back and it wouldn't punish the people who had done this to them.
"…Zack."
…
Overhead the sun had broken through the murky clouds and the land was bathed in a soft glow. Zack's dark hair swayed gently in the light breeze, his face a picture of satisfaction and peace. Even lost in the emptiness surrounding him, the warmth of the sun felt wonderful against his cold and wet skin. If the sun was going to shine for his last moments of consciousness he wanted to enjoy it for as long as he possibly could.
Though it would be nice if his eyes were open to see it, then again maybe his eyes were open. The darkness was so thick it couldn't have anything to do with whether his eyes were open or not. If he were still breathing he would have sighed, though whether in frustration or contentment he hadn't decided yet, and probably wouldn't. He wasn't going to waste his precious last few second getting into an internal debate with himself. Maybe it was just a general feeling of a job well done, of no regrets. . . . of the finality of his situation.
The wind - the only sound in his blank world - slowly began to fade away, and soon he was left with nothing but the looming dark. He hadn't realised it before but now in silence the black mass became oppresive, Zack's sence of peace began to fade being replaced by the fist tendrils of panic. He didn't like the absence of noise, he'd spent the majority of five years of his life within the confines of his own mind. It had been hell. He wasn't a quiet person, he constantly stroved, to bask in the thrill and energy of life. He was outgoing, boisterous and fearless, and this absolute nothing was terrifying.
When is it going to end . . . .
The fear relentlessly built in his chest, if he'd still had a heartbeat it would have been pounding so loud he would have been able to hear the beat droning in his ears.
I - I cant stand this any longer . . . .
He began to fight against the dead weight of his limbs.
If it's my time then fine! Just get on with it for the god's sake! Laying here in this godforsaken limbo's just lame! I'm Zack Fair dammit! I don't take anything laying down!
But no matter what actions he willed in his body, his arms and legs remained unresponsive and limp. With no escape or outlet for his frustration, Zack's anxiety began to accumulate. He screamed in his head as could not out loud, venting his outrage the only way he could. The ominous walls in his mind slowly closing in on him, coming closer and closer to locking him away inside his own consciousness again.
However, abruptly, he felt something change, a small flutter in the makeup of the void he was trapped in. Zack's attention fixed on the disturbance and grasped at it - like a drowning man grasping at straws - using it to halt his descent into an even more barren place. The anomaly continued and grew and Zack could almost feel minute vibrations against his skin. As if the dark were like water and a falling raindrop had caused a ripple.
Maybe someone, is coming to save me,
Ha! I'm such a dreamer.
The thud was getting stronger by the moment, each time sending a bigger wave of reaction through the empty space. Shocked, Zack realised that he could actually hear banging from where the rhythm seemed to originate from. It was dull and muffled and so very very quiet, but it was something that he rejoiced over. Sound and physical sensation, the two combined serving to pull him from the confines of his own mind and rescue him from madness and isolation.
He relaxed once again even though he was unsure about what was happening. He had never been scared of the unknown and he never would. In fact he welcomed it, feeling a familiar rush that betrayed his excitement. SOLDIERS lived for this, for the rush and the danger.
A great cracking noise rung out above him and a slither of light appeared cutting through the blankness in his vision. It was odd that he couldn't hear the crash of matter hitting the ground. He didn't even know if this place was made of physical matter. There isn't any ground here, or any walls or ceiling but the crack of something breaking had been unmistakable. The small glimmer of light that had appeared along with the noise seemed to give the place depth and make it less a void and more simply a hole.
One that as of yet he was still stuck in!
The steady thumping continued, its steady repetitive droning becoming in a way comforting, and his spirit began to feel light again. He noticed that he could feel the wind against his skin and hear its whispery movements, and the thin stream of light widened once more. It glittered and the areas that it touched were warmed upon its touch, Zack felt it against his face and realised it was the sun.
Thump . . . .Thump . . . .Thump
The attacks grew in intensity and the darkness itself seemed to pulse. A huge chunk of the bubble fell and was quickly consumed by the light. More cracks spread out like a network of veins and the abyss around him began groaning and crumbling. His slowly returning vision was riveted on what was occurring above him, the trails of dust glinted as they streamed down on the way into the nothingness below him, a few stray particles tickling his face.
Thump . . . .Thump . . . .Thump
The enclosed place seemed to take on a life of its own as it began collapsing, as if its membrane had been breached and it now didn't know what form to take. It twisted and swirled wildly around him, lashing out against the light, and at the same time cowering in the smallest corners. Zack couldn't help but spare a thought to wonder what -exactly- this place was. Some type of perjury? A waiting room?
Godammit it could be a bloody penthouse in hell for all I care. Just as long as whatever's out there keeps attacking it!
Thump . . . .Thump . . . .THUMP
The darkness began to burst apart and in small patches gradually dissipated, no longer needing the force from the barrage of attacks to continue its destruction. Zack triumphantly observed as the light spread out to brightly enfold everything around him, flowing and cascading to envelop every crevice as the pieces of nothing dissolved away like evil in the embrace of a divine entity.
Revelling in the imminent end of his prison Zack gazed towards the source of its destruction. The falling debris barely made any sound as it never reached the ground, and beneath it he could hear the airy sound of wings flapping. Like a great bird was circling above him waiting for the opportune moment to plunge down.
Zack tried to peer through the blinding light and catch a glimpse of the creature that was his rescuer. He needed to know what it was, if it was friendly, or if he had simply exchanged one bad situation for another. Just because it had helped him did not by any means make it an ally. It might not even realise it had aided Zack with its timely attack. He poured all his focus into this one task, for a while only managing to catch the flick of its shadow or the reflection of the sun off pure white feathers as it passed behind one of the numerous small breaches dotted around him.
Zack still wasn't scared though. Whatever this being was, it had saved him from nothingness -Zack's biggest fear- and for that it had his gratitude. However if it's purpose was to take him on to another fate just as unwanted, he would fight tooth and nail to stop it. Debt or no debt.
The largest part yet of his prison broke away and the light magnified a hundredfold, too bright now to be considered normal sunlight. He squinted in the face of such an intense aura but it did little to help his situation. The beat of the wings above abruptly changed its direction to a straighter path aimed for the enlarged rupture, and Zack's anticipation rose as he waited for a glimpse of what had saved him.
It came to a halt just outside the entrance and Zack cursed realising that the light pouring inwards from behind the figure prevented him from seeing anything more than a blurry grey outline. However, from that he could at least tell that it wasn't a beast. If not for the shadow of the great wings that sprouted from its back he thought it could likely pass for human. Then again maybe it had huge fangs, red eyes and scales. He laughed internally at the thought, fangs or not he still owed it one.
The wing beat steadily behind him and in its shadow Zack saw gloved hands begin to pound away at the edges of the rupture widening it and bringing more of the creature into view. From its stature Zack knew it must actually be a he, and he waited patiently for it to finish penetrating the barrier. He knew he shouldn't get his hopes up, but he just couldn't shake the belief that the winged creature really was here to save him.
Zack had fought many monsters in his life - including the human variety - and each one projected a menacing aura. He and his comrades had always picked up on this and had known their opponent was there with malicious intentions, but this one didn't carry with it any such designs. Zack detected no evil inclination, hidden or otherwise at all. He observed with excitement as the creature continued to tear at the hole, another few inches and it would safely be able to fit the span of his wings through.
Zack found his impatience getting the better of him and he struggled against his nerveless limbs, sending commands out to his fingers to move -flick, curl, stretch- anything! To his delight he felt the middle finger of his right hand twitch reflexively. Immediately he concentrated everything on that side attempting to get a response out of his other fingers or his hand while above him the winged man ripped away the last remaining piece that had been preventing him from moving forward.
Zack became bewildered for a moment as when it finally had the hole wide enough it launched itself upwards and away from its handmade entrance. However, that reasoning became clear when a small dot in the centre of the light appeared and gained rapidly in size. The creature needed some momentum and the right angle to carry him through, however that was not what captured Zack's undivided attention. The being -the man- only had one wing. One wing, elongated gracefully out on his right side.
Oh god, it cant be!
The whooshing noise of the powerful wings was gaining volume and the silhouette grew quickly larger. Against his will Zack felt his hopes climbing. There was only one man, bearing one wing, he was aware of that had had already passed on, and he would give anything for his rescuer to be that man. The hopeful yet painful emotions began to choke him up and he wished he could swallow so he could have some semblance of control over the tightness in his throat.
Up until now he hadn't really thought of how unsettling it was to be aware but not breathe or feel or move. He had simply taken it in his stride as he did with all the odd situations he'd found himself in over the years. Now reminded of the desolate emptiness felt upon of the loss of a loved one, he cursed his inept body and renewed his fight to regain control over it with vigor. If it was him, it would be embarrassing if Zack could do nothing but lye here after all.
And anyway, the bastard deserved a hit worthy of a chocobo's kick to the face, and Zack would be happy to have the honour of delivering it!
The silhouette was now upon his self made entrance and just before he hit he folded in the iridescent wing, pulling it in tightly to his body to keep it clear of the side. He shot through the hole like a bullet releasing the limb again once inside with a rustle of feathers. Zack was certain this was him, as he got closer he noticed for the first time his heartbeat. It was drumming so rapidly in his chest it felt like it was buzzing.
He cast a quick glance around him noting that the multitude of fractures were widening, this place wouldn't be stable for much longer. He didn't know what it was, or what would occur when it collapsed but he did know -without a doubt- that he wanted to be long gone when it happened.
Just a little closer, hurry!
The figure was descending towards him. The columns of dust caught the sunlight surrounding him and glinted in swirling masses. A particularly thick cloud of the swirling debris reflected the glaring light sharply onto Zack's face and he winced, squinting his eyes closed in reaction this time realising the action he had just performed. Without allowing any more distractions he poured all his will power into getting himself moving again.
A hand,
A foot,
A knee.
They all stiffened and jerked a few inches but he couldn't push them any further. His only success seemed to be his right arm that was clenched painfully tight into a fist.
It would have to do.
Zack opened his eyes to a bright and warm view. A single wing flapped majestically against the wind and a figure -the glaring light was still hiding from him- hovered scant feet above. However it didn't matter that he cant be seen properly, Zack knows. He'll always know this person, no matter what he looks like or what he might become. And Zack still feels the envy he once harboured towards him, while he was stuck in that godforsaken tube, but he smiles anyway.
Those wings, I want them too.
A gloved hand reaches out towards him and without hesitance Zack lifts his own arm to clasp firmly with the one offered to him. They answering squeeze is powerful and yet careful, and gently he is pulled up into a familiar and nostalgic embrace. The muscular arms wrap around him nestling him securely against his body and Zack relaxed secure in the certainty of his safety with this person. With only the use of one arm he wraps it tightly around the others neck and his cheek came to rest against a broad shoulder.
Zack felt the body against him tensing and braced himself as they shot upwards. The pressure was incredible as if something was attempting to stop them from climbing any higher, but the sturdy wing beat forcefully and within a few moments they bust from the top of the disappearing structure.
Zack felt a great weight lift from his chest and as they began placing some distance between themselves and his would be prison. The adrenaline in his system draining away and leaving him boneless and weary in the other mans grip. For a moment he thought he saw a glimpse of Cloud slowly trudging across the wasteland dragging the Buster behind him, but his concentration was waning and he couldn't hold onto the image.
His last thought before he passed out with a smile on his face.
Thank you,
Angeal.
….
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Is resorting to begging for reviews, please throw the author a bone everybody
