This is it, the last chapter (although I intend to write an Epilogue). Unfortunately, to me this story is way beneath the first one. However, since I didn't intend to make it long from the very beginning, I thought it would be better to actually finish it. So yeah, not as good as it could have been, and for that I'm sorry. Thanks to those that reviewed, and I hope next time I'll write something really worth reading.
Also, yeah… the title is a spoiler in itself, but I thought it was cool.
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Not even in my worst nightmares I'd imagine Feral Chaos would be this powerful. How were we even supposed to be prepared for this fight? Yet, we stood our ground and battled on until the last ounces of strength faded away. I never lost the grasp of my gunblade until I was the only one standing. That battle was one I couldn't win, but turning my back was not an option either.
I felt guilty over the fact I failed to protect Lightning. Our dreams were shattered by the sheer strength of the monster right before me. So if we wouldn't be able to stay together in life, then at the very least we would do so in death. But before that I would make sure Chaos would regret ever showing his fangs to us.
He charged and I dodged over him, then struck back with a Beat Fang combo. I intended to attack again, but Chaos unleashed massive energy around himself, roaring like a mad beast. I couldn't even touch his body before the shockwaves threw me back. Now on my knees, there was no way to avoid his next attack.
However, a spinning blade hit Chaos's body, knocking him down. I knew exactly whose attack that was and saw Lightning standing despite her many injuries.
"Come on, Squall, this battle isn't over yet."
Chaos got up seemingly unharmed, as if he had merely tripped over himself. It was annoying how he made our best efforts look like nothing. However, with Lightning's help perhaps we could do something about it. And since our previous strategy failed, there was only one thing left to do. It was time to go all out.
"Of course not."
Chaos attack patterns were predictable and I realized just in time he was attempting to unleash a blast of flame with a tail swipe. He always sent a second blast that was very difficult to dodge, but I had a plan. I wouldn't try to get around them this time, instead, I would go right through. With the help of my Revolver Drive I dashed against him unscathed and stabbed his chest all the way to his throne.
Once there, Lightning fried him with a shower of electricity, shoving the monster against the ground with the last bolt. I took my chance and started beating him with my Solid Barrel combo, then sent him flying into Lightning's Crushing Blow. Next I brought him back to the ground with Blasting Zone, giving the flash a chance to shower the enemy with her Ruin spell.
"Now's your chance, Squall!"
"I got it."
I finished it with Aerial Circle. Chaos fell into a pool of blood, and I could see clearly that one of his eyes was blasted away with my last attack. It finally seemed as if we were actually injuring him. Perhaps we could win this battle after all.
But then he got up and charged again. After the strain of using so many attacks, my body was barely responding and I could only block, but he got right through my defenses. The pain numbed my senses as he threw me into the air and unleashed many blows before shoving me back down. Coughing blood, I could hear, although with some difficulty, Lightning being assaulted as well.
Then came the silence. I wanted to continue the battle, but even I had my limits. The cold despair was ready to seize my mind, but suddenly I felt warm. I opened my eyes and saw small sparkles raining over my body, warming it and taking the pain away. That feeling of kindness reminded me of someone.
Yes, they reminded of Cosmos and the crystals. During the thirteenth cycle her very presence was calming and invigorating. Perhaps because she was no more Cid's pawn, but rather a true goddess of harmony.
I could stand again, and not just me. They were all standing, Lightning, Sephiroth, Kuja and Jecht. In fact, I believe I saw a shadow of confusion in Chaos deformed face. Too bad for him, this time we would finish the battle for good.
-
The fight didn't last much longer after that. In the end, Lightning and I crossed the air from different directions with her Crushing Blow and my Rough Divide. The last blow slashed the monster in half. Strong as he was, there was no way he could continue to fight like that. It was finally over.
"I gotta admit, this guy was really though. That was the best battle I ever had, shame Tidus wasn't here to see it." Said, Jecht full of pride.
"Hmpf, a mindless beast would never be able to best my excellence. I cannot say the same about the rest of you, though." And Kuja was just as annoying as ever.
"Somehow we won. And now we get to go back home, right?"
Lightning's question was meant for Cid, who was now floating over Feral Chaos's dead body. He remained silent, perhaps mourning the fate brought upon the monster by his own creator.
"Indeed, I'm certain Cloud must be missing me by now. I don't want to be late for our next reunion."
Sephiroth chuckled. His obsession with Cloud was so great that I wouldn't be surprised if one day he proposed to him.
"It is done. Chaos is dead and I shall now send you back to whence you came. It'll be as if you never left, and you will return to the exact same place you were in. I can only send one at a time, thought."
Kuja stepped forward.
"Then send me first, I can't stand this place anymore."
He vanished in a flash of light. The next one to speak was Sephiroth.
"Well, go ahead with it. I can't afford letting Cloud forget the meaning of despair, now can I?"
I was glad to see that one go. As for Jecht, he patted on my back before walking to Cid.
"Take care of yourselves. And ya better never think about cheating on Lightning, or you'll regret it until the moment ya die. Which could be right afterwards."
Now there were only me and Lightning there. After a long time silent I finally spoke.
"Cid, I have a request."
"That's unexpected. What would you want before going back home?"
"That's the point, I don't want to go home. I want you to send me to the same world as Lightning."
He didn't answer right away. Instead, it looked like he was pondering about it.
"I could do that, but since you were never there, I have no idea where exactly you'll end up. It will be within that world, yes, but it could be anywhere."
"Doesn't matter. If it's risky, then I'll take the risk."
"Very well then, just don't regret it later."
I held Lightning's hand firmly. Probably it wouldn't make any difference when Cid transported us to her world, but I wanted to feel her close to me one last time. After all, I had a feeling we'd be apart for a long time again.
"Let's go, Squall. This time together."
"Don't you worry, I'll find you. That's a promise."
Everything turned white for some time. When I could finally see again I realized I wasn't in Onrac anymore, neither was holding Lightning's hand. There was no one in the wilderness around me, but I didn't feel alone. She was with me in spirit and would guide me in this world until we could finally meet again. And this time, we would stay together.
