XIII - Perpetual Magic

:::

Wishes can come true.

But not if you just wait for miracles

Miracles are things we make ourselves.

Here, And now.

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It wasn't fair. Twice had Fang had fallen into despair; lost herself to the point of turning on her friends. Both times Lightning ignored her nature and reached out to the Oerban warrior. Both times she'd felt her heart crack at the sight of the proud Gran Pulsian being torn apart—not physically—but mentally, emotionally. To watch as Fang was brought to her knees, a higher power threatening to take over and control her fate. The first was Bahamut, the second Ragnarok. Now, in order to save Cocoon, Lightning felt the Oerban woman was about to relive the same suffering as before.

Only this time was different. It was different because Lightning knew it was necessary—that it was the 'right thing to do'. Fang didn't want to be saved; she didn't need to be saved. And it was this, that Lightning found the hardest to accept—refused to accept. She's almost lost Fang twice, she no longer felt strong enough to risk a third time. Irrationality had begun to cloud her vision along with the dust and debris from the shattering world below.

The ex-sergeant wanted to scream as she felt herself drift farther and farther from the two Oerbans below. Farther away from Fang. She wanted to stop ascending, to fall toward the dying planet below if it meant closing the distance between her and the Gran Pulsian warrior. But what small shred of sense she retained kept her still, kept her waiting and watching. She couldn't find her voice, and the gap only continued to grow. She barely noticed the formation of the glacial crystal beginning to coat her body.

Nearer the withering Cocoon, Fang watched the soft face that haunted her days and pervaded her dreams, grow smaller and smaller. The look of distress on the pinkette's face continued to make the task ahead of her even harder to go through with. She found it physically hurt for her to resist the urge to call out to Lightning, to rip her gaze away from the ex-sergeant. But this was the only way to save Cocoon. To save her. And even if it meant bearing the pain of leaving her side, Fang would follow through without fear of regret.

"Vanille?"

"Ready."

As the planet below all of them grew dark, the pair of Oerbans began to glow brightly. And soon all anyone saw was a blinding light.

:::

"Fang?" Lightning broke the silence first. She and Fang sat next to each other on a floating couch. Were they any less focused on each other, they'd have vaguely registered their surroundings as the room just before where they'd defeated Orphan. Sunlight filtered through the window behind the seat, warming their skin. A gentle breeze tickled both their hair.

"Yes, Light?" The sounds of their voices were echoing, fading in and out, shimmering almost.

"Is this the end?" The pinkette asked looking down at the floor by her feet, slowly realizing it was crystallizing.

"The end of what, love?" Came a question in reply. Lightning turned to Fang slowly. The Oerban was also watching as the crystal began to seep across the floor, moving slowly up towards the seat, claiming it as well.

"Of us." Lightning stated, finding Fang's eyes. Cerulean blue and forest green grew lost in the other again.

"It'll never end, Light." Fang reached for Lightning who mirrored her movement, "Not for us."

"Promise me."

"I promise."

As their fingers touched, an explosion of crystal shattered the already-fragmented memory of a dream.

:::

As the destructive force of Ragnarok left her soul; as the crystal began to harden around her body; her consciousness returning to her only to slowly begin to fade away again; Fang's remaining thoughts were of only one thing. One person. One woman. Lightning had etched herself into fang's soul and no amount of change—mental or physical could erase her.

She could no longer see now; the crystallization was almost complete, her consciousness all but gone. But before she fell into slumber, she heard it. Lightning's voice from a far-off place, yet it filled her head, her heart and soul. She could no longer process the words but it was music to Fang's ears. They were filled with joy and relief, hope and love. They were said through a smile. A true smile. And while she couldn't see it, Fang felt it. And it was enough. Fully fulfilled and completely content, Fang succumbed to her crystal sleep, silently awaiting the day she would see that smile as clear as she had felt it.

Far below the crystal cradle, wordlessly wishing the Oerban warrior sweet dreams, Lightning stood, her hand over her chest. The dull ache of their separation remained but was now easily offset by the warmth of the promise they'd made between sleep and awake—somewhere between dreams and reality. It was a promise made of hope, made with love. It was a promise that enabled Lightning to turn to her friends—her family—and smile for them too. It was a promise of nothing short of magic and miracles.

:::

When prayers turn to promises, not even fate can stand in their way.

A/N:

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand it's complete.
I realize it's probably the shortest chapter but I wanted it to be short and sweet... bittersweet, whatever.

*sigh*
Well then, that was fun.
Was a hell of a ride. Hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did writing ^^

::EDIT::

There should be a super secret poll on my profile page regarding the possibility of more color-coded FLight lovin' =3