A fall of earth, and the tree was in place. A tree that would grow straight and strong, reaching for the heavens and drawing in the warmth of a sun that Gabriel Andovar would never see again.
Maybe in another life
I could find you there
Quistis Trepe stood alone in a crowd of people, garbed in a perfectly pressed SeeD uniform. Hair the color of spun gold was pulled straight back into a tight bun at the nape of her neck, with not a single strand daring to mar the perfection. Her face was a mask of unemotional calm, her hands folded primly as she stared straight ahead, not hearing a single word the priest was saying. In fact, the only sign that she was human, rather than a perfectly sculpted statue, was her eyes.
Pulled away before your time
I can't deal
It's so unfair
Pain, sorrow, regret all waged war within those azure depths, indicative of the turmoil going on within the blonde SeeD's soul. As the priest's voice droned on, memories played for unseeing eyes
"I think we should get back to town," he finally said, his voice low, full of emotion. When he turned back towards her, a strange look painted his face. Confusion? Sorrow?
Fear?
"Who are you?" she whispered.
And it feels
Yeah it feels like
Heaven is so far away
And it feels
Yeah it feels like
The world has grown cold
Now that you've gone away
Slowly the crowd melted away as people returned to their homes, to their lives, to their loved ones. Quistis became aware of someone standing at her shoulder.
"Ms. Trepe," Gefrey Vanderstyll said gently, touching her elbow. The only acknowledgement he received of his presence was a barely perceivable nod. "I'm not entirely sure what Gabriel was to you…But perhaps you'd like to have this."
Now Quistis turned to look at him. Gefrey held out a small, black and white photograph. She took it slowly, studying it. It was of a small boy, probably about five or six years old, standing in a garden.
Beside a rose bush.
She looked back up at Gefrey. He read the question in her eyes, and answered without her needing to speak a word.
"It's Gabriel. I don't have many pictures of him, but I thought you might want to have one. Thank you ever so much for your service, not just to me but to Starvale as well. I hope I will have the pleasure of working with you again sometime in the future."
"Thank you," Quistis said softly, tucking the precious photograph in a pocket.
He reached out and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her towards him. Her mercenary instincts cried out, demanding she snatch up Save the Queen. But other instincts also spoke, the woman battling with the warrior
The woman won.
She let him pull her in, breathing in the intoxicating smell of him. Maybe it was the sunset, maybe it was the roses. Whatever it was, she couldn't resist.
Leaving flowers on your grave
Shows that I still care
But black roses and hail marys
Can't bring back
What was taken from me
After she was alone, Quistis walked slowly towards the tree they had planted. Since there was no body, there would be no grave, only this tree as testament to the life of one young mercenary who had willingly given his life to save his people. Piled at the base of the tree were the townspeople's offerings. Flowers of every shape, size, and color created a brilliant myriad of color all around the hopeful little tree.
And the roses.
The roses, too, were of every color Quistis had ever seen, but the red ones stood out in her eyes. No longer able to contain her sorrow, her eyes filled with tears, glistening like tiny jewels in the early morning sunlight.
I reach to the sky
And call out your name
And if I could trade
I would
"Oh, Gabriel," she whispered as the tears slipped the silent way down her pale cheeks. "Where have you gone? Why did you sacrifice yourself again? Is this how it's meant to be? Always missing each other, always losing each other to the cause of the greater good? Why, dammit! When is it our turn!"
"I'm sorry, rose." He spoke quietly, and despite the roar of chaos raging around them, she heard him plainly. "My place is here. They need me. I alone can fight them back. No, please don't cry…"
She turned away, unable to bear the sight of him any longer. She took off, running through the streets, as fast as her feet would carry her.
Behind her, she left her heart.
Her fist clenched around the stem of the single rose she'd brought, the thorns pricking her delicate skin and sending tiny rivulets of blood down her hand.
You are not alone.
Quistis blinked, shivering as a sense of a presence swept over her. She watched with awestruck eyes as all the roses beneath the tree darkened to scarlet.
And it feels
Yeah it feels like
Heaven is so far away
And it stings
Yeah it stings
The world is so cold
Now that you've gone away
Gone away
Gone away
Gabriel walked towards her slowly, studying her. A gibbous moon hung in the sky, filling the garden with a soft, silver light, reflected in the ebony strands of his hair. He was dressed in plain grey clothing, with a black cloak slung about his shoulders. His sword hung at his side, and a silver chain glinted just above the neckline of his shirt. He made no sound as he moved, not even his scabbard daring to clink with his stride.
He looks like something out of a dream, she thought, holding her breath as he drew near. He stopped beside her, looking past her at the roses.
"What are you doing here this time of night?" he asked softly.
The wind kicked up around her, and she whirled about, completely unprepared for what she saw. Leathery wings reached skyward, blocking out the morning sun as the great beast set itself down, silvery scales glistening.
Bahamut.
Quistis held a hand up to shield her eyes from the wind, squinting at the platinum dragon. "What are you doing here?" she called out. "I didn't summon you!"
Bahamut brought his head low to the ground, at the same level with hers. His unearthly blue eyes pierced her as his deep voice rumbled out. "You called me, dear Quistis. You called me with your tormented heart. I am your comfort, your safe haven. So I have arrived."
I reach to the sky
And call out your name
And if I could trade
I would
A few moments passed as Quistis stared at the dragon. Then, slowly, a smile spread across her face. "Thank you, my friend," she whispered. She turned back to the tree and held out the rose, allowing the petals to fall in a flurry of crimson rain. Then she walked to Bahamut and stood beside him.
"Wait!" Quistis cried.
Gabriel stopped and looked back at her. His face was calm, serene, his eyes brimming with emotion.
"You said you know who I am. Who am I, then?"
He smiled, the last she would ever see of him. "You are my soul."
He stepped through, and the portal closed
"Goodbye, Gabriel," she murmured softly, resting a hand on Bahamut's forearm. "Take me back to the Ragnarok, Bahamut. I'm ready to go home."
And it feels
Yeah it feels like
Heaven is so far away
And it stings
Yeah it stings
The world has grown cold
Now that you've gone away
Gone away
Gone away…
Disclaimer: Gone Away is by Offspring, FF8 and its characters and likenesses belong to Squaresoft.
Author's note: This is a little bridge that comes just after Rain of Roses and is meant to bridge to the next story. Also, I wanted to write this because the song just fit the situation so perfectly, and is a beautiful song. Keep an eye out for the sequel!! J