Queen of Souls
By Soul Hunter
Chapter Twelve
You came and changed my life
I knew you would bring joy to me
'Coz you gave me your smile
They moved with motions that felt predestined. Hands running along each other, feeling, searching, exploring. Time became inconsequential in the midst of slow and deliberate movements that meant to savor the moment in all its fullness. For the intruder and the instructor, the world was now theirs, and the world became them. The desert ceased to exist, the dragon ship became a memory. No more Centra, nor Esthar, nor Balamb. Everything they knew became reduced to a mythical haze. The stars no longer twinkled, the moon became extinct. No light shone save the sparkles in their eyes that breathlessly adored each other.
And now I know that love is real
You taught me how to feel
What I never knew was true
You keep me believing
Raiment became abhorred and consequently removed, one after the other. Their pounding hearts thundered deafeningly with each piece that was laid aside. Feathery fingers brushed against sensitized skin as the last soft aegis slid off from their now unprotected forms. A subtle click emanated as the ornate fastening slipped off to liberate the sweet-scented softness of pale yellow hair that fell magnificently along the smooth contours of her shoulders and back. Her hand ruffled his black hair, then slowly moved down his neck and shoulder. They felt hard, almost like steel. And yet her heart found tenderness in that mass of fleshy armor. Her fingers continued to traverse his arms, pristine nails tenderly running across his taut skin, eventually finding their way into his waiting palm. Their hands held each other softly, fingers intertwining, as if representing the coming fusion of their souls. She brought his hand to her, making him feel her softness. He gazed in awe while feeling the quivering eagerness in her skin.
Their faces drew together, then pulled back. They were torn between the gripping desire to feel each other's lips and the yearning to behold the visages that brought such sweetness in their eyes. Quistis closed hers as Hunter tenderly caressed her face with his hand, softly traversing her blushing cheeks and luscious, pale red lips. She took hold of his hand and pressed her lips against it. Their hearts leapt with the profound sensation. All doubt subsequently disappeared; all fear was cast away in the void.
I really love you so
And my love it'll always grow
And I wanna let you know
That I'll never go, never let you go
Her eyes glistened with the cognizance of what was about to happen. Or rather, of what has already happened. There can be no question about it now, as Quistis once more accepted in her heart that she had fallen in love with Hunter. A love not bound to futility, given the radiance of deep affection shining forth from his dark brown eyes. Hunter couldn't contain his emotions any longer. The utterance of sincere adoration needed to be released. It must find its expression. And he could think of only one way.
" I love you, Quisty. I love you so much"
The sweetest smile in all the world could never have competed against the one that formed on Quistis' lips. She wanted to answer, to reciprocate the happiness his utterance gave her. But she felt her throat stopped by the joy, and her lips struggled to speak out her glee. Still, the brilliance in her sapphire beads more than adequately expressed the emotions screaming from every fiber in her being. He read her gaze, and was himself overwhelmed by gladness.
There was nothing else left to do at this point. Their longing lips finally met, at first gently, relishing the softness and cherishing the sweet taste of their blissful kiss. It then grew hungrier and more intense, as they both groped desperately to take in as much of each other as they possibly can. Their arms slithered passionately, surrounding one another as their hands once again commenced the exploration of their entireties. No more reservation remained as their exposed bodies melded together as one, exchanging mellow warmth and heated passion. They held each other tight, as if their souls will be torn asunder the moment they opt to let go. They refused to let each other go.
And I never never knew
That I'll find a love so true
She never thought it possible. But there can be no denying the heavenly bliss filling her heart as she shared this soaring tryst with him. Quistis had thought then that she was destined to live her life without love, without the peace brought by the comforting arms of a man who would love her without reservation. She thought she would never find one of her own, and was nearly resigned to the fate of languishing in an affection doomed to be forever unrequited.
How more mistaken could she possibly be? How more erroneous was her soul's pitiful surrender to a life of loneliness? But this was one mistake that she was only too glad to admit. She thought she would never find love. She thought she would always be alone.
Hunter's arms imprisoning her in its loving folds proved her utterly wrong. She was destined for love after all, for the path to heaven that everyone else around her enjoyed. But Quistis knew she was more fortunate. The light always shone brightest at the end of a tunnel. She realized this. And the bitter pangs of past heartaches now serve nothing more than to magnify her newfound joy. She was wrong in her past melancholy, and she couldn't be happier for being wrong. Rectification could never feel as intoxicatingly sweet than this. Her mouth opened wider, fusing more ferociously with his as their passions burned red-hot.
So now I give my heart and soul
To you
No more disillusioned thoughts, breaking hearts, and shattered dreams. No more sadness and hopeless romanticism. No more futile wishful thinking.
No more Squall Leonhart.
There was only Hunter. Only the two of them. Nothing else existed but the love they ached to share.
He pleaded to be let in. She begged to be taken.
Now, now I realize
Just how good my life could be
With one look in your eyes
Dizzying ecstasy engulfed them as they moved together. Their lips once again begged to meet, but they both were too entranced, locked in a gaze of enchantment that refused to be broken. The totality of magical passion sparkled from deep inside their eyes, basking each other with unspoken words of pure devotion. It was an absolute fusion, a complete communion of heart, mind, body and soul.
And I, I finally feel so free
I finally found somebody
Who'll love me indefinitely
Someone I'll always believe in
Suddenly, the chains of loneliness and bondage of fear disintegrated in the face of searing passion. They have never felt so liberated, have never known such freedom. Eruptions of soul-rending fervor drove Hunter to wander his lips around her face, with occasional dabs of eagerness landing on her pink lips that Quistis met with unparalleled ardor. Whenever he pulled back, she chased after him. She hated even the smallest inch of distance. Her moans echoed to beseech his nearness. Her arms toiled to keep him close.
There was no stopping them now. Theirs was the freedom of heart and soul to pamper each other with amour. Hunter and Quistis moved without restraint across their own universe, soaring with outstretched wings as the void of solitude parted to set them free, to let them explore the world lying within each other's arms.
I used to live without
Any sign of love for me
Living each day in doubt
Hunter's heartache was now a thing of the past. Quistis' emptiness became less than a memory. She pushed him back and held him close, whispering staccato words of thrill as her spirit soared every time he explored her deeply. Her thirsting mouth groped to make contact with his own. And when she couldn't reach it, the instructor's lips sought recompense from his exposed chest. Feeling her welcome intrusion, the intruder bent down and smelled the fragrance exuded by her rich, blonde hair. His passion intensified as his face strove further, amorously kissing her sweat-soaked neck. Hunter's action slid himself down unto her, warm bodies grinding profusely against each other. Finally within her reach, Quistis arched to meet his face with hers. And for the umpteenth time, their mouths locked, lips pressed together, and tongues intertwined.
Now you gave me
Just what I've been looking for
What I never had before
You give me your all
And that's what you're all about
Countless hours passed without notice. Hours that seemed like seconds, painfully short and limited in the midst of this rhapsody they wished would last forever. They didn't stop. They refused to stop, as if squeezing into the selfish hours a whole lifetime of wasted moments they should have spent with each other. Harrowing words echoed into their minds, asking where they've been all their lives. Untapped energies were exploited to prolong the heaven of eternal communion that saw their bodies ignore the limits of human endurance as they continued to kiss, embrace, whisper, undulate, and dance to the euphonious music of love. They gave everything they had, and even that seemed not enough.
You are the one who made me see
You are the one who set me free
His fingers dug into the sheets, hers burrowed deep in his back.
You are the one, gave me all your time
You are the one, always on my mind
Their minds became filled with the colors of an alien rainbow whose hues and shades emitted unfamiliar radiance and exhilarating resplendence. Their hearts were carried in a flight of infinite ecstasy as their mouths repeatedly professed their love for each other. Sweat drops mixed in a raging river of pure sensual wildfire while their bare bodies continued to move in unison.
You are the one I will have and hold
You are the one with my heart and soul
No longer capable of holding her emotions back, Quistis began to cry. Her tears of joy mingled with the beads rolling down from her forehead. She opened her drenched eyes and stared at Hunter passionately, her lips uttering desperate requests for him to never, ever leave her. He replied with intense fervor, reiterating his immense love incessantly. The intimate words all the more fanned the raging fires engulfing their beings as their passions fiercely blazed white-hot.
You are the one, never let you go
You are the one, really love you so
All through the night, they carried on. Holding, caressing, exploring and loving each other as if there was no tomorrow. Endless whispers emanated with muffled giggles, tender moans, solemn pledges and the promise of a love that knows no death. For Quistis and Hunter, this was the night to end all those nights of sullen wondering. This was the moment that marked the last time they will ever echo their questions to the stars and receive nothing in reply. They have found their answers. They have reached their destinies. Hers was the one whose chest she rested her head on. His was the maiden whose hair covered his shoulder.
It was a truth where there can be no denying They were made for each other. They were meant to be together.
I really love you so (I really love you so)
And my love it'll always grow (My love, It will always grow)
And I wanna let you know (Do want to let you know)
That I'll never go, never let you go
And I never never knew (I never knew)
That I'll find a love so true ('Til I met you)
So now I give my heart and soul
To you
He smiled while gazing adoringly at her angelic face. As the soft music continued to float, he silently made a vow.
Nothing in this world will ever tear them apart.
Nothing.
I give my heart and soul to you
----------
"Hmm this isn't so bad"
It was barely six in the morning when Quistis woke up. She smiled in deep joy as she looked lovingly at Hunter. He was still sleeping soundly, obviously exhausted from the deep and blessed night they spent. Lingering beside him for a few moments, she thought she should be as drained as he was. But on the contrary, she felt rejuvenated, energetic even. Maybe she was just too happy to feel tired, she thought.
Throwing a thick blanket over her body, the instructor proceeded out of the infirmary and continued to walk down the stairs jutting from the cargo bay. She ignored the pitiful sight of the Ragnarok's current state while continuing to strut leisurely toward a nearby cliff overlooking the ocean. The sun was just starting to rise to herald a new day. And despite the coming morning, the desert air still felt cold. But she didn't seem to care. After what happened the previous night, the only thing Quistis could see and feel was the beauty of the environment. Truly, she was still so awash with the joy that consequently rendered her inert from any feeling of negativity.
"Hmm this isn't so bad" She muttered while dispelling the notion that the desert represented the most unsightly ecology in the entire planet. Her gaze was still wandering along the eastern horizon when faint cuffing sounds emanated from behind her. She looked back and smiled to see Hunter.
"Hey" He greeted, which was met by the instructor's resounding giggle. "Can I like, share that blanket with you?"
"I think you should." She chuckled. "Come here, you'll freeze to death in that uhh"
"Don't mind if I do." Hunter echoed back. Quistis felt the cold air momentarily bite into her exposed skin when she opened the heavy sheet to accommodate him inside its protection. The blanket felt warm and cozy, but not nearly as comfortable as the soothing feeling of their bodies pressing against each other.
"Never thought the sunrise could be so pretty here." Quistis whispered.
"Really?" Hunter answered. "I wouldn't know. I wasn't looking at the sun."
She giggled fondly.
"You're still trying to flatter me after last night?"
"Well, as the wise man counseled," He returned, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "Courtship never really ends if you truly love someone."
The profound warmth brought by his affectionate words overcame the SeeD, penetrating deeply into her heart. She closed her eyes while pressing her cheeks against his. Quistis couldn't help looking back at her life and the perennial heartaches it gave her. The journey seemed long and arduous, and made especially difficult by the indifference of one she called friend and hoped to be her lover. But no more, she said to herself. There was indeed a reason behind that lifetime of embittering wait. It wasn't certain whether the same wise man spoke, but it didn't matter. She once thought that the light at the end of the tunnel was merely a myth for those who strove to keep their heads above water. And it was only now that she realized it in truth. That light did exist, shining forth from Hunter's smiling eyes.
"Quisty I need to ask you something."
"What is it?" She lovingly cooed. Hunter then ran his hands over her shoulders before gripping them gently, turning her around to face him. The look of sheer anticipation in his face mildly surprised her, making her wonder about his next words.
Nothing could possibly have prepared her for this.
"Will Will you marry me?"
"Hunter" Quistis stuttered. She still hasn't recovered from the immense gladness brought about by his profession of unreserved devotion. Now she was hearing him offering his whole life to her in marriage. It sounded too good to be true. It is too good to be true.
"Quisty There's nothing I wouldn't do for you." He uttered once more. And her already erupting heart threatened to explode when she saw his eyes glistening. "Marry me"
There can be no other answer to this question, she thought. Only one response could possibly make sense. She'd be the biggest fool in the world to say anything other than
" Yes! I will marry you"
End of Chapter Twelve