A/N: Another chapter up! This one was pretty intense for me to write, so I really like it. I hope you do too! The climax seems to be building nicely, I think. And I've been replaying the end result in my head over and over, so I want to make this as elaborate and suspenseful as possible. Changing my writing a little to accommodate the suspense and actually using a reference book I got to help with climax and suspense. There's good stuff in there, so I hope my writing improves.
I apologize for the confusion in jumping from character to character. If it helps, I'll mark those involved in the scene, so just let me know if you want me to do so.
Also, I've considered going back through Destined to Die and dividing up the chapters more. I don't like the number 17, so I wanted to see if I can make it 25 or something… Sorry, it's just bugging me and I'm cursing myself for splitting the story into two chapters, but it seemed far less confusing at the time.
Please Review if desired. Seriously, it keeps me writing and makes me feel guilty when I don't update, lmao
Love. What is love? The constant devotion shared between two people? The sacrificial will of another to protect their beloved? Or is it the shared dream to find inner peace and content with the one you feel closest? I've read about many answers in the novels I've read over the years. And even more outside those books. But none of them seemed quite right for me. Perhaps no one is meant to define what it means. Even now, I don't have a definition. I can't see it. Nor can I touch it. But I knew the fluttering feeling of my excited and longing heart when I thought about him. The feeling where it's hard to breathe when you know you're close to seeing the one you love again.
Normality was all I ever longed for. Although, it does not bother me to stand out. But to live easily without worry of being thrown into a world of catastrophe; that is all I wanted. However, when I think about it, I wondered if I could live out each day in Alexandria. Working, living and existing. But now that I know what lies past the mundane… Knowing this rush and the adventurous taste of what it feels to really live, how could I go back to just being normal?
Would I ever live without the worry of being murdered or sacrificed? What an ill-fated plot this seemed. And here I was, wandering through purgatory like Dante. Where was my Virgil? Who would guide and direct me in my journey? Was there no Beatrice praying for me in the celestial sphere? Was I not pardoned from my burdens? My greatest trial, however, was not my fear. Unlike Dante, I was not afraid. By now, I had no fear standing up to monstrous beasts or walking among the dead. Maybe I needed no Virgil.
"Who are you?" the man asked as I continued walking.
"My name is Terra. I am just the unlucky person who got caught up in a mess determined by the skies."
Silence again. This man hardly spoke. Just small questions now and then. It didn't bother me. I too had my moments of silence. One thing that was bothering me was the fact that he seemed to know Queen Adventhia Ultimecia. Questions brewed in my mind. He mentioned that she'd been defeated. No more than a day had passed since she left the castle. Time Compression. What was it, really? Hell. None of this had anything to do with me. Why was I even concerned? A silly question, that was. I had a destiny to fulfill.
"You said earlier that Queen Ultimecia was defeated. She departed a mere day ago. Please. Explain to me what's going on," I stated, turning to face him.
He closed his eyes, turning his head away. With a sigh, he said, "It's hard to explain all of it. Much of it is just impossible for me to understand. Matron said that Ultimecia was a sorceress from the future. I remember her mentioning something about the Time Compression. But it's not something I really care about. I just need to find Rinoa." He looked up with urgency.
"So you're just as much of a victim as I." My hand fell to my neck. The mark continued to palpate valiantly. "I too seek someone of importance. He's near, but far. Like the layers of time that swirl in a funnel of unseen tides. I believe that he's okay, though. Even if he doesn't find me, or I'm never to meet with him again, the knowledge that he lives is enough. With just that, I can bear it… just a little longer. Someday, not necessarily in this life, we will meet again."
"You've the fantasy of a child," he sneered. "Ironically, that may save you from a fate of eternal pain."
Confused, I tilted my head to the side. What did he mean? I was skeptical of mention of the words 'fate' or 'destiny'. If I ever got out of here, I would ask Queen Garnet to forbid those two words from the tongues of the world.
He took the lead without waiting for my response. I followed, but stopped short as he stood, looking up at an obstructive wall. Foreign symbols lined the blockade. Observing it closer, it became apparent that it was a sealed doorway.
"Any idea what it says?" I asked, trying to decipher the symbols myself. As expected, he said nothing. I watched him, knowing he was devising a plan of action. A dangling rope caught my eye, the end of which tied into a black tassel.
Reaching up, I ran my hand along the untied threads. At once, they came alive like small, venomous snakes, constricting around my wrist and knotting my hand into a tangled web. The attack only drew a startled gasp from me. I tried ripping them off with my free hand only to have it get stuck in the threads.
Strands crawled up my arms. Lacerating my skin. Tighter. They gripped me like tourniquets. My heart raced as I pulled against them only to be jerked upward, issuing a cry of surprise from my lips. I had no ground to stand on. Jerking and tightening. Like I was an insect caught in the spider's fangs. Strands reached my shoulders, getting a firmer hold. My fingers were tingling and easily fell limp. The threads had cut off my circulation by now.
With one final, sharp tug I was pulled upward.
"Terra!" I heard my companion yell. I spotted a flash of silver before being pulled up into the darkness.
The rope jerked hard to my right and relinquished its hold on me. I rolled twice and managed to stop myself. Opening my eyes, I was surrounded by a blue glow. The surface below me and the ceiling above. Stars lined the ceiling like an observatory. Dull orange lined the horizon. A figure cast in the shadows of a drawn cloak blocked out the sight.
I could see his demonic smirk in the dimness before needing to hear his voice. "How did you escape your prison, princess?"
"That doesn't matter. I'm not inclined to answer your questions, Kraizule," I answered, trying very hard to keep my voice as steady and emotion-free as possible.
Pushing up, I winced. My arms were covered in welts. A light chuckle erupted into a fury of maniacal laughter. "Hurts, right? My queen has much more pain in preparation for your defiance."
"My defiance?" I narrowed my eyes. "I've done nothing to evoke her wrath."
"That intruder. She ordered him into confinement. Because you set him free, you've gone against the queen's order," he stated.
My stomach lurched. I remembered the threat. The one closest to me would betray me. The weight of that realization drilled into my mind. Kuja. No… "No…" I said aloud.
He snickered. "Having regrets?" Black boots paced around me in a taunting rhythm.
Regrets? Of course I had regrets! My heart overflowed with the knowledge that I could have prevented things. My stupidity got me involved with the Angel of Death who somehow became my beloved and was now a possible target of Queen Ultimecia. But it hadn't started there. My birth was forbidden. An abomination like me should never have been conceived. It crossed my mind that I would possibly share the same fate as my parents simply because of my legacy. Murdered beside my beloved because of forbidden vows and beliefs compromised by society. "You selfish child…" I growled. "What business is it of yours to understand how I feel?"
"What?" he asked confused and angered at my defiance.
I stood, ignoring my stinging arms. I drew in a breath with my eyes shut. And then I pulled back my arm, balling my hand into a fist. Sadly, my fist failed to connect with his jaw, but I could see that I had gotten my point across. His alarm was oddly satisfying. "Did you think that I would break down in tears with helplessness?" I accused. "Being raised in a family such as mine created a barrier to block such a pathetic reaction. I am not weak, Kraizule." I then smiled pleasantly. "But I am a little angry."
He had taken a stance, ready to reciprocate an attack. As we eyed each other for the slightest sign of movement, someone started clapping.
I glanced over as Kraizule turned to stand at attention. He then knelt on one knee. Hand clasped over his chest. He appeared revered.
"Enough play, my children," Ultimecia chimed. "The one with hopeless dreams approaches. Kraizule, if you would."
The general nodded. At once, he stood before me. Fast. He was far quicker than before. It was hard to follow his movements. The only thing I registered was that the wind was knocked from my lungs. I fell forward into my rival's arms. Defeated.
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
"Cecil, what are you doing here?" Zidane asked, bewildered.
"It isn't all my own choice, Sir Zidane. Sorceress Ultimecia's time compression has thrown the universe into disarray. I believe it answers how all of the warriors of light were able to assemble at the same time. This is but a fragment of affected time. Fortunately, there's a good reason for my appearance."
"I guess that makes sense," he scratched his head. The four of them were walking through a winding corridor.
"Unfortunately, however, my time is limited. So I shall speak quickly. Terra was selected by Cosmos to be the restorer of Gaia. As its sword and arbitrator, her purpose is to become one with the planet and heal that which has been damaged. I theorize that she will also reverse the Time Compression."
"Gaia is damaged?" Zidane questioned.
"Probably from the effects of the Iifa Tree," Garnet informed. Zidane nodded in agreement.
"Terra is a channel of limitless energy. To be used by Ultimecia to ascend more power isn't impossible at all."
"So, Ultimecia is going to ascend to heaven?" Zidane puzzled.
"She's going to try to attain the power of a god," Cecil corrected. "In a sense, become a god." The warrior paused at a split in the path, glancing at both ways. Nadya stepped forward and guided them through. "So this is your princess?" Cecil asked, pleasantly,. "She's quite the lady."
Garnet smiled and offered a formal thank you. "To be honest, I didn't think she'd go for me. I'm the luckiest of thieves! Especially to steal this canary's heart," Zidane said with a big, goofy grin.
As they moved on, Cecil updated them on his situation with Rosa. But he was quickly pulled back to the subject by Zidane. "How come only you are here?"
"I was chosen because I understand Terra's power. To have an ability resting in both darkness and light with no one to really understand or guide you… I did not want her to struggle so hard. Just call it luck or fate, I guess. Cosmos did select carefully."
The procession went on in silence, guided by Nadya and protected by Cecil. As they neared the lower pathways, Cecil's form flickered and then faded.
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
Ember was acrimonious. Where had that perverted bastard gone? One moment he was prancing behind them like a schoolboy and the next he was gone.
He'd no idea why he felt so angered. Let the man get killed. What did he care if there was no body to recover in this maze? He would rot in this castle somewhere. But what if the little deviant found his sister before he did? Unforgivable. "Unforgivable!" he barked aloud, bitterness and contempt lining each syllable.
The outburst caused Deryo to jump. Livia merely tensed. Ember's anger was stifling. "Look on the bright side, you don't have to play watchman anymore," Deryo put in shakily. He received an angry glare from Ember.
"That's hardly the case," he grumbled darkly.
Livia sighed. "There's no time for your brooding, Master Ember. If we want to save Terra, we must move on."
Ember drew in a strained breath and held it momentarily. "Alright," he let the air out in a prolonged sigh.
Without a word, Livia turned, leading the way down another hall.
"Well, hopefully he shows up soon. I must fulfill my destiny and fight by his die," Deryo laughed.
"Hmm… what if this whole legend isn't real?" Ember asked.
"What do you mean?"
"We're all clinging to this legend like it's a compass or something. What if it's not true?"
He laughed. "Don't get all neurotic over it. If it isn't, then it isn't. Doesn't mean that we lose or anything." He added, "But I have never doubted Sage Oracle Miranda before. Why don't you at least give the legend a shot?"
Ember grumbled, but said nothing in protest. He gripped his rapier uneasily. Following a fairytale seemed foolish. There was already too much at risk. Once he found Terra, he would give her a very long, chastising lecture.
Livia stopped abruptly. They stood at the threshold of a large room the hallway opened up to. She gripped her lance firmly, narrowing her eyes through the dark. As a figure dropped from above, the dragon knight lunged forth to meet the new adversary.
"Ohohoho! A worthy opponent!" Viola squealed, striking at several openings where Livia had no defense.
Each blow was deflected between the two until it came down to brute strength. "Ember! Deryo! Go! I can handle this," she grunted, sending Viola back from the force of her lance. Whipping up the blade of the halberd, she lunged forward once more, only to be blocked with the steel talons wielded by the Estharian general.
Ember walked on, not sparing the Burmecian a single glance. Deryo stayed, watching her. "Deryo!" Ember called, the tips of his name sounded like the singing of a flame.
"Get out of here!" Livia prompted, leaping in the air to bring down her heavy weapon atop Viola who gave her trademark chortle.
With a sorrowful bow of his head, Deryo bid her goodbye, praying that Gaia would keep watch over her.
He dragged behind Ember. Ember knew that it wasn't just Livia who troubled his thoughts. On cue, Deryo stopped. Sighing, Ember turned to him. "No need holding back. Just tell me what you're thinking," he grumbled.
He swallowed, unsure of how to state his concern. "Ferris… is he ill because I did something wrong?"
Ember closed his eyes, leaning against a wall. "So that's what's bothering you. I won't say you didn't affect him. You know very well he was against you going."
"He said I was breaking the family apart," Deryo admitted.
"Yes. He did say that." He had been so angry that day. Ferris was always bent on the family staying together. The day after Terra left, he became even more of a delinquent. Petty theft, mugging, and he even attacked one of the Alexandrian soldiers. Not only had he been scolded by Ember, he spent time in the lockup.
When Deryo left, Ferris became obsessed with work. He needed the distraction. Little sleep and endless hours forging steel for the shop. And then he became careless. The day he fell ill, Ember had heard a clatter from inside the workshop. Setting aside his current work, he ran inside to see Ferris clutching his head on the ground. Hours later, he had developed a chronic cough and severe chest pain.
"Why won't you answer me?" Deryo pressed. "I swear all you do is say one thing and look away like an old man with PTSD!"
"Because you're blaming yourself without good reason. If you want the truth… Ferris has a problem. His constant desire for nothing to change and everyone to stay together taunts his psychological functions. He doesn't have the capacity to accept change. Therefore, he does reckless and stupid things to ignore any change. Things got so bad after Terra left. You remember. He started bullying Hana, Autumn, and Elario. We're lucky that the Chauffon's were able to take them in during the day.
"The point is, Deryo, you did in fact cause his illness. I won't lie to you. But that's why you shouldn't let someone's feelings about a certain situation direct your life. No matter the circumstance, the outcome is the only true importance. The things that people do as a result for your actions be on their own head." He turned swiftly. Walking with purpose.
For that moment, Deryo perceived him differently. He was a soldier. Not swayed by the constant torrents of the will of others. A guardian, but also a brother.
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
The silver-haired mage backed away slowly from the terrifying beast. Knowing not what lay in the surrounding darkness. Bahamut had destroyed Alexander. When he was at the peak of his power, the beast only managed to give him a small cut under the control of Queen Brahne. The memory of the dragon's attack gave him shudders. Though he was unharmed back then, Kuja remembered the waves of energy that brushed past him. In his current, mortal state, he wondered if he'd the stamina to withstand such a crippling attack.
Closing his eyes, he drew in a breath, allowing himself to take an aerial stance. However several feet from the ground, he was at the dragon's eye level. Now, at his moment of closeness, he would not falter. He was still just as powerful, if not more motivated to get through the battle that lie ahead with Taurus.
Meeting his challenge, Bahamut growled, barring his teeth at the mage. "You treated me as a slave to do your bidding. Shrouding my judgments in your darkness for your ends. Many lives were lost because of your selfish will. Summoners, royals, Burmecians, Alexandrians, and even MY children!" roared Bahamut. "Have you nothing to say in meaningless defense?" he asked civilly, clicking his great talons against one another.
Kuja said nothing. He'd no response to the correct accusations. Neither did he desire to fabricate one. These sins had already been thought over. He would never fully forgive himself for what he did, but it was not the dragon's role to judge him. "The Eidolons have never taken a side. Their destiny is to serve those whom they are called. You are not guardians of fate, but you are mere tools of your own choice! You chose to be enslaved by the hands of summoners. I too gained that right by obtaining means of your power. I know my wrongs. But something troubles me. Eidolons are not governed by their own judgments. They've always regarded themselves as neutral servants. To what power do you now allege yourself to have selfish demands?"
The Great Dragon King let out an enraged cry before launching himself at the newfound foe. Kuja was ready. Drawing back, he readied one of his own deadly spells.
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
I flinched at the feeling of something sharp piercing my ankle. Teeth? Starting to move, I let out a groan. My head felt heavy. Like a thousand, tiny grains of sand sloshed around my skull. Around me, the world hazed. I felt groggy, like waking from a dead sleep.
Blinking slowly, I felt completely relaxed. Except for the constant discomfort in my left ankle. By now, I could register bits and pieces of where I was. Outside? The cool, night air grazed over my forehead, dancing with a few strands of raven hair. Blades of thin grass lay beneath my curled fingers. Beneath my head was a large, smooth rock. Rushing water could be heard from below.
Sitting up, I was startled that Queen Ultimecia was standing right beside me. Her gaze stayed upon the horizon. I looked out that way as well. "Where are we?" I inquired.
"Shangri-la," was her simple answer.
The place truly did look heavenly. "Why… are we here?"
She spared me a glance. "My mission failed. SeeD defeated me. However, I will put up one final front. You are my means, Arbitrator. I will ascend the heavens and bring down her warriors upon Gaia."
"How am I to assist you?" I asked. Not that I wanted to. In fact, the idea made me sick.
A broad smile stretched across her face. She looked behind us and chuckled. "The lion arrives."
I twisted back to see the man from before.
"Well, hello, Squall Leonhart," Ultimecia taunted, turning to fully face him.
He was out of breath. Sword drawn and breathing heavily. "Where's Rinoa?" he growled. His gaze flickered to me and then back to Ultimecia.
"You expect me to know?" she laughed.
He gripped the blade and rushed at her. Before he was within striking range, she appeared behind him. "Do you really expect to win?"
Bolts of crimson lightning overtook Squall's body. He fell to his knees in excruciating pain. Suddenly, his blade lifted. Another rush! Ignoring the anguish attacking his body, he lunged. Determination flared in his eyes. Slash! Down came his blade. He missed. She jumped out of the way in time. Now she stood proudly, arms crossed.
"Such predictable moves merit you no victory." She clawed her hand and directed it toward him. Energy hummed around her fingers. Power built until it crackled. Jolting energy burst forth.
He skidded to a halt. Soles screeching over the grass. He remained standing. Arm over his face. And then he fell into a sideways run, waiting for an opening and not allowing her to have a direct shot. Jacket flapping in the wind, he jumped up. He closed in.
What happened next was too fast to really see. The hollow sound of bullets echoed through the field. And then a loud crunch. I winced at the noise and hid my eyes from the sight. A warm spray flecked across the field.
I slowly brought my arm down, seeing the crimson dots lining the rock my head had been resting on.
Wide, yellow eyes trembled. Shock. Monstrous hands shook with tremors. A stifled cry eased from her lips. Blood pooled from between her skin and the metal of Squall's blade.
Mercilessly, Squall pulled the sword from her chest and her eyes rolled back. Staggering, she fell forward. Jewels from her headpiece jingled as she collapsed forward.
My hands flew to my mouth in alarm. Tears fell from my eyes, regardless of how much I fought them. Squall walked over. With the strength of his blade, the shackle around my ankle was cut. Instantly, I was at Ultimecia's side. Numbly, I flipped her supine. She blinked up at me slowly with those striking, yellow eyes.
"Your Majesty…?" I choked, shakily taking her bloodied hand in mine. I could feel her fading quickly. "Your Majesty?" I called again, panicking. No. She couldn't die. Granted, she had been so venomous, but she didn't deserve this right now. Her grip continued to weaken. "Say Something!" I begged, unable to control my voice.
She merely blinked at me. The scenery around us faded into the deep, blue room from before. We were back in the observatory in Esthar.
Quick footfalls made their way closer until I was knocked out of the way.
"My Queen! Queen Ultimecia!" Kraizule bellowed, sharing the same shock I felt. As her eyes closed and her breathing became shallow, Kraizule directed his gaze toward Squall. "You…" he spoke, voice seething with rage.
Swords clashed and the two pressed against each other's blade with magnifying force. Squall manipulated his weapon against the hilt of Kraizule's blade. Having changed weapons, Kraizule was at a disadvantage. With ease, Squall disarmed him and sent a sharp kick to his chest.
Kraizule staggered, trying to refill his lungs. Squall turned and sent the blunt edge of his blade into Kraizule's side, completing the attack in one, fluid movement.
Coughing, Kraizule lifted himself to glare at Squall.
"Everything happens for a reason. To defy the fact that all must die is pointless. If you didn't expect to lose her, then you shouldn't have supported her." Squall admonished.
"Squall…" I said, voice breaking. He looked over and nodded, closing his eyes. He flipped his blade once, slinging the blood clean off the metal. I didn't need to say my thanks. I didn't think he expected such a formality either.
As Kraizule started to rise, the forms of Squall and the dying queen flickered and then the two were gone. The air echoed with Kraizule's profanities.
Slowly, I stood and approached Kraizule. "General…" I began. He was close to breaking. Expectantly, he turned, ready to strike me. His attack was all too easy to block. Emotional output stole his energy. Tears flowed unceasingly from his eyes. My grip on his wrist remained slack.
Compassion overcame me and I guided him to rest his head upon my shoulder, stroking his hair. I said nothing. He was too overcome to strike. Fear was pointless.
"Damn it…" he gasped. "I hate you… I hate you! I HATE YOU!" he screamed.
I continued to comfort him. "I know," I answered simply. He trembled. The poor guy must be feeling terrible. His love was dead. And the one person he hated was consoling him. These facts only persuaded my perseverance.
After a while, I coaxed him to sit with me. He stared blankly, unsure what to do. He had numbed. Out of exhaustion or need, he laid his cheek on my shoulder. We stared up at the heavens and I continued to treat him as a younger brother.
"I'll kill you…" he stated.
I sighed contently. "Alright," I smiled.
"I will," he insisted.
"I understand," I agreed.
Silence.
And then: "Do you… hate me too?" he asked.
"No."
Silence.
"Why do you not hold contempt?" he pressed.
"Hmm…" I thought aloud. "It's too heavy."
"Huh? Heavy?"
"Emotions like that are such heavy burdens. I've got enough on my plate already."
"How can you be so forgiving?"
I shrugged.
Another moment of silence passed and this time I broke it.
"You really loved her, didn't you?"
"Of course," he answered.
"In an odd way… I loved her too."
He harrumphed. "Liar."
"I'm serious."
He sighed and rested his head upon my lap. Looking down to his broken state, I could partially understand how Ember felt about me. An unstoppable need to comfort and protect someone.
I ran my hands through his blood-red hair again. He was tired. I expected as much. Loss drained people.
Minutes later, the general was fast asleep. I stared up at the heavenly skies above. Then a thought occurred. Perhaps Ultimecia had ascended the heavens because of me. She was no longer alive by now…
~FFIX~ Flames of Rebirth~
The dragon had him pinned. Teeth inches from his neck. Talons digging into the pale flesh of his forearms.
Bahamut chuckled. "You cannot hope to master a power like mine!" The creature roared and set in to tear out the man's throat.
Clenching his teeth, he compressed the spell in his palm. Jerking sideways, he flung the beast off of him. It skidded. Sharp claws screeched to a halt.
Once again, danger was imminent. Bahamut lunged. Snarling filled the room. Deafening. Glistening teeth barred. Bloodlust eyes burning. But this time, Kuja was ready.
Sweat beaded down his forehead. One millisecond could break the mage. He counted the inches. Eleven. Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven inches. Six. And then five. Outstretching his arm, he reached the chest of the Great Dragon. Light shredded through its chest, spiraling from Kuja's palm.
He let out a defeated cry. Body disintegrating into the place from whence he was called.
Kuja released a sigh. He'd won. By luck, no less. He stood up straight and continued on his way, trying to find an exit in the dark.
Walking one way, he ended up reaching a wall. Feeling about, he followed it down to another dead end. As he looked back the way he had come, there was no sign of light. It was as if he was a prisoner in the dark void. No where to go.
Something shifted within the dark. He turned. Nothing. Heart pounding, hand trembling and ready for combat, he listened. Adrenaline pulsed rapidly. The seconds drudged forward. Time moved too slow.
Another shallow breath before he silenced. Listening.
A grating chuckle. He turned. And was face to face with the dark, malicious grin of his master.
His aging face unmistakable. Grinning widely, he was amused even to the deceptive spark in his cold, dark eyes. "Well, hello, failure," he rasped.
Slowly, Kuja had begun stepping back. This couldn't be real. The man before him had been killed. Two years ago, he'd taken him down personally with the rest of Terra.
"Garland…" he breathed with the scarce air left in his lungs.
Hands behind his back, the intimidating man approached. Slow and tantalizing. His movements seemed psychotic, irregular, and most of all, dangerous. "You never cease to amuse me. The alarm across you face is absolutely satisfying." He paused. "Oh? And your speechlessness as a result of a million puzzles developing in your brain brings a smile to my face," he dictated. "Now you're wondering why a man of my stature would visit a defect like you."
Kuja dropped his fear at the hint of his insulting manner. And then smiled. "You can't do anything to me. You're dead."
"On the contrary, my boy. No one truly dies," he laughed. "Except those who never should have existed. Namely you, I mean."
"I thought gods didn't make mistakes, Garland," he interjected sharply. The smile had vanished from his face. "Weren't you my creator?"
"Perhaps I flawed you so that you would suffer more," he suggested acidly.
"Well, then. Your calculations couldn't have been more off," he retorted.
"My, my. Such a temper. I raised you better than that, Kuja," he said with a tut.
"So now you address me by my real name? I'm not a puppet for you to manipulate anymore!"
"But that's the beauty of it!" he explained grandly. "You hardly needed to be manipulated. Played right into my hands like a wind-up doll, you did!"
He let out a sharp sigh of irritation. "Opening old wounds, are we, Garland? I expected more from you," he said from between clenched teeth.
"Might I suggest that the stitches over those wounds were loosely tied?" he grinned evilly.
Kuja closed his eyes, trying to remain calm. "We've already had this discussion before."
"Ah, yes. How I love to reminisce…" Garland said sarcastically. "However," he began, "there is a new subject of my interest. Things dealing with the word… Terra," he said the name with a honey-sweet tone, watching with satisfaction as Kuja reacted. Even in the dark, it was apparent that his face paled. Garland couldn't suppress another evil grin. "So you thought I didn't know? The tragic love story of a certain Angel of Death falling for the Angel of Life?"
Was listening to Yuki Kajiura's "Hear Our Prayer" while writing about Ultimecia dying and Terra comforting Kraizule. Went well with it. And it was by default. My mp3 just put it on, xD Maybe I'll create a playlist for Destined to Die. I was going to make a youtube read-thru, but I got really busy with school. But I did select an opening and closing song for this story. The lyrics go well with the story when translated.
Opening: Blue - Utada Hikaru (Terra)
Closing: Eien no Setsuna - ON/OFF (Kuja)
Zodiacs revealed:
Orion: ?
Procyon: ?
Sirius: Vincent
Gemini: Deryo & Ferris
Capella: Cid
Taurus: Chandersin
Leo: Squall Leonhart
Virgo: Terra
Pisces: Nadya
Aries: Kraizule
Scorpius: ?
Perseus: Zidane
Andromeda: Garnet
Hydra: Ultimecia