Chapter 55: Truest Believer
"My truest believer." Artz whispered her head beginning to ache.
She reached up and grabbed her head as pain sliced through her brain. It took everything she had to keep herself from screaming. She staggered about, her vision blurring from the pain and the tears.
'Sing...for me...and my heart will go on.'
Totally not subtle, Yuna...but at this point, she just wanted the pain to go away. A melody began to play softly, the stardust falling in time with the music. She lowered her hands and took several breaths to calm her racing heartbeat.
"Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go on
Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go till we're gone
Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
You're here, there's nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart and
My heart will go on and on." She sang.
Throughout the entire song the light coming from her grew brighter and brighter. The sparkles of light swirled around her as if caught in a mini tornado. She started with only her own voice but then she heard Lily's voice doing the secondary vocals and then Rem's voice joined as well.
As the song hit its pinnacle, there was a chorus of voices...the people from the encampment...the people she had abandoned but the truth was...they were alive...inside her heart. Dozens of strings visibly appeared, her magic coursing through each individual strand. The stardust swirling around left her and spun itself around each and every strand.
She remembered their voices, their faces, their names and stories, but most of all, she remembered how much they had cared for her...their kindness, their patience, their laughter and joy...she remembered their hearts. In this single instance of time, she believed that she could do it, to truly make a difference, that she was the Crimson Savior...she believed that she could do the impossible and save everyone.
The light, stardust, and threads faded away and she was overcome with exhaustion, her legs giving out from under her...only to find herself within the strong arms of her captain. His left eye was the warm, mirrored obsidian and the right eye was the cool, oceanic blue. Both were looking at her with worry and with sheer awe.
"Go back...to the encampment." She ordered fighting to keep her eyes open.
"I'm not leaving you." He refused his arms tightening around.
"You need to. They...they won't understand...so scared...they need you." She replied her vision darkening around the edges, "I'll be okay. Just need a short nap."
"Artz, I am not leaving you again." He reiterated firmly, a slight tremor in his voice.
"I'm safe here. My Guard...here." She responded before losing the battle to remain conscious but not before she heard a voice that she recognized...Preacher.