Serah paced outside Tycoon Castle. The sun was setting, casting a bright light over the grounds and illuminating Mog in a soft, orange glow. Dajh forced the Void back and the team on Blue Terra beat Bhunivelze's advances. But the Void wasn't gone from III.

"We're all together, now," she told Mog. "So, we'll win. We win when we're together. Right?"

"Kupo! That's the spirit!"

Another god arrived on the planet. She said, "I didn't hear about anyone else coming."

In the fading light, she caught blond hair and a large physique—

"Snow!" Serah ran down the hill and threw herself into his arms. But he didn't lift her up or spin her around. When she pulled back, she found his lips tight and his eyes low. "What happened?"

"You got some time?"

She glanced towards Mog, still floating by the castle.

Serah took Snow away from the castle. They stepped over rocks and loose twigs. She kept Snow's hand in hers and breathed deep the dusk air. Gaia V's pitched insects chirped in the low, violet light, and frogs croaked by the river. Eventually they found a quiet stream where they settled to watch the sun sink beyond the horizon.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Serah asked. "You're upset."

"This has to bother you as much as it does me."

"I'm holding off on my worry for now."

"Serah."

She paused with him. Scurrying rodents paused with them and chirped with curiosity. "Snow?"

"We can't move past pain without confronting it. You told me that, once."

Oh, no, he wasn't turning this around on her, not when he was the one who came looking for help! "Well, what are you hiding from?"

"… I did something stupid. I got close to Spira. Close enough for a good look."

She fought down the anxiety that rushed her heart and heated her face. "What did you see?"

"People aren't just dying. There's something happening with the lines between death and life. I tried entering, to see if I could do something… what if I got possessed?"

"What? How?"

He wouldn't look at her. "I don't know. I stepped in and that did something. It was like the dead people got stronger around me. They went after more people. And I found Maqui, but he got messed up. I've… lost control of things, you know? That's gotta be Bhunivelze's magic or something right? People that get possessed don't always realize it, right?"

"Oh, Snow. Bhunivelze wouldn't have you talking to me like this. The fact that you're asking makes it impossible. What about the Council? Do they have anything on Spira?"

"Nothing."

"We'll figure it out." Serah pulled him closer and leaned in. "And Maqui's strong. I wouldn't worry about him."

Snow took the cue to wrap an arm over her shoulder. "Wasted some time fishing with some guy over with the Council, you know."

"Fishing? In the afterlife?"

Snow huffed out a shaky breath. "Yeah. I miss doing stupid stuff like that. Like this. Just doing stuff together because we want to. I miss watching fireworks and chasing each other on the beach."

She couldn't think of anything to say. Even if they made it through this, the future was Valhallan stone. Darkened, checkered—

"Who were you fishing with?" she asked, directing her attention away from that pressing need to return.

"Didn't get his name. Actually, we didn't talk much at all."

"Then maybe we should try that. Forget solving problems for now. Let's just… be together." Serah pressed against him and the last of the light vanished beyond the horizon.

Anxieties melted away in the dark. She closed her eyes. She listened to the burbling of the water and the sound of the wildlife. Smelled the musty dampness of untouched wilderness and felt the cool warmth of Snow by her side.

Snow finally said, "We should go to Valhalla."

"And what brought that on?"

"We keep cooler heads there."

"Wow. What happened to the Snow I used to know?"

"He lost you one too many times. He'll keep it from happening again."

"Even if you do, you know I'll come back. It'll take a lot more than this to get rid of me."

He chuckled and she tingled with the low sound of it. "I doubt any of us could stop you, even if we wanted to."

"You know what would stop me?"

"Hm?"

"You." Serah reached to kiss him and Snow met her halfway. He was sloppy, but she didn't care. He was Snow and she felt his care in the gentle hand on her waist and in the palm against the back of her neck. Bugs lit up about them before she closed her eyes.

She didn't enjoy his kiss for long before his breath hitched, and he choked out an apology. Her heart hurt at his broken voice and she reminded him there was nothing to apologize for.

Snow's bravado failed and she held him while he cried.


Zidane bounced up the steps and stopped before Garnet's door. He'd thought it through and all, but he still wasn't sure how he was going to break the news to her.

He took a deep breath and knocked.

Beatrix opened the door and lifted an eyebrow. "Her Majesty expects you."

Zidane moved to join her and stopped when he saw Garnet. She sat on the other side of the desk, long hair glittering in the evening light streaming from the window. It caught in her eyes and he wondered at how they looked like pools of honey.

"Zidane." Garnet stood and made her way from behind the desk and out of that magical moment.

"I'm so glad for your company." She stopped in front of him with an expectant smile. "But what is your purpose?"

"Have I ever told you I love you?" The words slipped out. And here he thought he might play it cool.

Garnet giggled and took his hands. "Many times."

"I'll leave you to it," Beatrix said before slipping out the door.

Garnet guided him to the chairs facing the desk. "Has something changed?"

"No." He took a deep breath, enjoying the sight of her, and toyed with the thought of sharing a seat. "But it's about to."

She leaned back, smile morphing to a somber expression. "Go on."

"Garnet… Dagger. I've been thinking about what Porom and Bartz said. What the others said before they left. We should escort Porom and Bartz back to their guild that they keep talking about."

"Agreed." She looked up at him with a grin. "You and I should go and do our part."

"Oh. I thought you would argue about your kingdom to run. The Treno nobles are quieter now, sure, but they might get bolder if you disappear. And all that."

"I thought I'd ask Lady Hilda to serve as regent in my absence."

"Hilda. Lady Hilda, wife to Regent Cid of Lindblum. Isn't there a reason you don't ask your political rivals to handle your kingdom in your absence?"

"Obviously, that's why I'm not asking Cid. Hilda and Cid love each other, but Hilda would treat the position as a game, in some ways."

"That doesn't sound better."

"I think they would both use the opportunity to prove they're better at management. Cid has an advantage, of course, since he'd remain in Lindblum. Which means that Hilda will have more of a challenge to rise to. What do you think?"

A couple years ago, he'd love the idea. It'd be hysterical to watch from a distance. But now, he had responsibilities. "Beatrix would know better."

"She'll never let me go."

Zidane moved for the door. "Hey Bea—"

He opened it to find Steiner had joined Beatrix in guarding the door. "Yes, Zidane?" Steiner asked. "Go on, spit it out."

"Uh, Beatrix." He pointedly directed his attention. "Dagger—I mean, uh, Garnet—has a plan she would like opinions on. Yours, your opinion. She wants your opinion on it. Could you come and give her some? Alone?"

Beatrix shared a look with Steiner. "We can act as Her Majesty's advisors any time she sees fit."

Zidane's heart dropped. He didn't find a way to explain that Rusty and his lack of imagination wasn't necessary here before they both entered.

Garnet stood and regained regality. "The two of you are aware of this new threat from beyond our borders. I have no intention of letting this matter lie unattended to."

"A wise choice, Your Majesty," Steiner said.

"And I thought that Zidane and I would join Porom and Bartz when they leave."

Steiner choked.

"Your Majesty, does Alexandria not need you here?" Beatrix asked.

"Lady Hilda of Lindblum is a close and trusted friend of mine. I believe she will take my duties for the time of my absence."

"There was chaos in the streets!" Steiner visibly struggled to retain his poise. "We've worked to control it—wait. My sincerest apologies, Your Majesty, but did you say Lady Hilda? Of Lindblum? The wife of Regent Cid?"

"I did."

Beatrix kept her calm. "And you have considered that Lindblum, while it may be an ally, is still a nation not our own? That Lady Hilda would have cause to run Alexandria in questionable ways? Perhaps designate more of our resources to the rebuilding of their nation than ours?"

"I have. But I don't believe that Hilda would treat this as a gain to power. She is a good woman and a dear friend."

"And neither an Alexandrian servant nor citizen," Beatrix said.

"If I may, Your Majesty," Steiner said, "Your people may not take well to the absence of their queen, especially if replaced with one from a city with which we've warred recently."

Beatrix followed up. "This city is already in a tumultuous state. We may face far worse if you leave now."

Zidane stood and went to Garnet's side. She gave him a defeated look. "I understand. I cannot leave."

"Alexandria needs you," Zidane said. "Lindblum too, to keep it in line."

Garnet paused. "But not you."

"I still believe someone should go. At least represent our world in this fight. And I've never believed in sitting on the sidelines. I'll go with Porom and Bartz and be back whenever this whole thing is dealt with. Besides, these two have been wanting me gone for forever anyway."

"You'll leave me."

"Only for a bit."

Garnet huffed. "I believe in you. But you'd better bring back either a lovely gift or some riveting tales. I'll not take kindly to you running off without me."

"Then I'll find the best gift I can."

Garnet stepped back. "May Alexander watch over you, Zidane."

"I can also leave you with something tonight, if—"

"That does it." Steiner grabbed him by the collar and dragged Zidane from the room. Garnet yelled farewell again.

Zidane scrambled to his feet. "I can walk!"

"Not around the Queen, it seems."

"Hey!" He wrenched himself free and brushed his vest back into arrangement. "Geez, I wasn't actually gonna do anything. I guess I'll just have to keep my romancing to hidden corners."

"You'll do no such thing."

"Whatever. Hey, Vivi, not for nothing, but how long are you planning on sticking around?"

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be here long, but there's not a lot else I can do. The situation keeps changing. If you want me to go, I can go now."

"So, you're bored?"

"… No, I'm scouting."

"On me?"

"Yes."

What were the odds he'd get another chance to talk to his friend before dying himself? "Nah, don't worry about it. Just curious."

"I'll do my best to guide you, if you don't mind."

"At least until I get home, I guess."

"I will be in and out, though. I'm trying to stay caught up on the rest of it."

He reached the guest room and Steiner finally left him alone. Porom looked up from Bartz' bedside. "Zidane. Do you have news?"

He grabbed a chair, flipped it, and sat, arms over the backrest. "I'm going with you guys. When are you leaving?"

"As soon as Cater gets here."

Bartz' breathing was shallow, and his face discolored and pale. Zidane gave him a pointed look and said, "Looks like sooner's better than later."

"There's only so much I can do," Porom said. "Please, don't get me wrong, I'm a skilled mage, but his body isn't used to being disconnected from his crystals. And, of course, he's been running on borrowed power for a long time now."

Bartz mumbled something in his sleep and Porom watched him with tired eyes.

"Could bring him to the hospital while waiting," Zidane said.

Porom shook her head. "Garnet mentioned such, but I've seen them. They don't have room for extra bodies."

Zidane raised an eyebrow and said, "You look like you haven't had a good night's sleep in a year. Your hands are shaking, each breath you take wracks your body like a deep cough, and last I checked? You can't even stand. Why not at least take a rest, yourself?"

"I have to make it to Gaia III. No offense to your planet, but I cannot rest until I get there."

"None taken? But you and I are travelling together, and I don't plan on hauling around two corpses."

"I will do what I can until the time comes."

"Hey, guys!" Cater burst in and joined them. "I hear someone needs a ride service, and I'm here to provide! Line up, let's make this quick! We've all got places to be!"

"Me too!" Eiko ran in. "You're not getting rid of me that easily!"

Zidane jumped. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to leave with you guys!"

"This isn't a trip for kids!"

"I don't care!"

Cater said, "Hope you know what you're getting into."

"Not even I do!" Zidane said. "Why are we letting the infant with us?"

"Put your hands in a circle for me." Cater gestured to demonstrate.

Porom lifted Bartz' hand up, and Zidane put his beside them. Cater mumbled under her breath before placing her hand on top. Eiko slapped hers on.

"What now?" Zidane asked.

Cater smirked at him. And Alexandria Castle vanished.


Leonora knew Palom to get angry. She knew him to yell and throw things in the darkest moments she saw him. But more often he resorted to dry quips and backhanded compliments so he could slip in the retort and leave before the other person caught on to the insult. He was all bottled resentment and confusion where Porom hid her insecurities behind her responsibilities and sense of seniority.

But now she found Palom in his favorite hiding place in the woods. The place where he brought books and things to study in peace and quiet. And now he curled against the smallest crevice in the place and stared into the twilight sky with unfocused eyes.

"I've been looking for you," she said. Palom didn't look her way. He looked… brighter than she remembered him.

Leonora sat down beside him and tucked her hands between her knees. "I didn't want to leave you alone. I've been alone for so long. Not alone, alone but… you know. I met a lot of people while I was out and some of them were nice, but not one made me feel like you do."

Palom's newly mended clothes were torn from the fight and his face was scuffed. He never washed after the mess.

Leonora felt the pulsing of distant souls inside her. Her skin still stung from it and she wondered if she'd ever again know life without such faint pain. Despite the fear and the tremors, she continued. "I love being around you. I love working with you. You make me feel wanted and needed and smart. I lost you once and it made me realize that I don't want that to happen again. I realized that I couldn't put words off anymore.

"I don't ever want to be anywhere that's not at your side. Because not once have I found something that compares to working with you. I can't lose you again. I… love you, Palom." Leonora swallowed the building fear and pressed her hands tighter to still the tremors. "If you don't like having me around anymore, I wish you'd just say so. I can do with unreciprocated feelings, but I've given up with leaving things unsaid."

Palom studied the distance like it was some problem he could solve. His mouth worked silently, and she waited for him to form words. She gave it seconds. She gave it minutes.

"This is a sick joke," he finally whispered, voice rough from unuse. "Someone put you up to it, I assume?"

"No. Why would you think that?"

He shriveled up and looked for all the world like a confused child with that furrow in his brow and frown on his lips.

"I can wait," she said.

"You're manipulating me."

"Am not. Why would you think I am?"

"Because that's what people do."

"Not everyone. You're witty and funny and kind to me. And I mean it. I chased you across the planets, Palom! I didn't do that because of some convoluted plot to humiliate you. I left Troia because I got sick of manipulations! No one spoke their mind, but then I met you and you were honest! And you were kind!"

"They looked down on me."

"And I look up to you! I'd fight to keep you!"

"Why?"

"I don't know! Just—would you do the same for me? Do you love me back?"

His face scrunched up in confusion and he stuttered out not-quite words before asking, "In what way?"

"This way!" Leonora took him by the neck and pulled him close. She found his lips and they were too rough, no doubt weathered by his time with Bhunivelze. She wondered what else the possession did to his body.

He froze and Leonora pulled away, face hot. He stared at her, eyes wide and mouth still parted. She wanted both to hold him tight and run away without ever seeing him again.

"Fine!" She stood and turned to leave. "Just make up your—!"

He jumped to his feet and spun her to face him again. Then kissed her back.

Leonora lost her sense of balance and held onto him to stay standing. He clearly never knew another woman given the awkward motions he made with his lips, but she followed his lead anyway. She forgot her fear and gripped him close in a silent promise to trust him no matter what.

Too soon, he pulled away and stared at her with wide eyes that darted between her, the trees, different places on her face, and his own hands that still gripped her. Leonora fought to catch her breath as she took in the smell of new earth and spring rain that she came to know around him. Their noses almost touched, and she resisted the urge to pull him back in.

They stood like that for ages. Leonora fought for something to say, but nothing came. There was nothing beyond the lovely shade of his eyes. That soft mahogany with the slightest glow that hinted at the depths of his practice in magic. The natural infusion that came with intense years of practice and obsession. The inherent skill that left dark sparkles in his lashes and discolored spots in his hair. Hair that she wanted to braid between her fingers and twist around more jewels. She reached for the attachment on his forehead and he wrapped gentle fingers around her raised wrist.

Then he closed his eyes, relaxed, and dropped his head into her neck, though he had to lean something deep to reach it. His hair tickled her chin, blue strands appearing more plentiful up close. His braid reached to her knees and he clung to her with the grip of a desperate man.

She dug her fingers into the folds of his robe and shut her eyes to savor the closeness of him.

They stayed together until long after the sky turned dark and the wildlife went quiet.