Disclaimer: As the same with all the other chapters, we don't own anything we didn't come
up with. That belongs to Square. We do this for no profit. Blah, blah, blah.
Epilogue: Shooting Star
A warm breeze floated over the grass fields outside of Balamb Garden. Dorin sat in the
field, looking up at the deep blue sky, dotted with white, fluffy clouds. His face was not
happy, though. Dorin's icy blue eyes were filled with sadness, tired and weary. Rinoa silently
walked up behind him, and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Dorin," she said softly, "it's time."
He said nothing, he only stood up and nodded, following Rinoa into Garden.
There was a somber din inside Garden, everyone dressed in their uniforms, either student
or SeeD. Everyone wore faces of sadness, or of quiet contemplation. It had been a month since
the incident with the Silver Siren. A handful of SeeDs had died in the battle, and had all been
buried during that week. They were finally at the last funeral, this one for Vira, whose leather
jacket was the only thing they had found. No one had wished to salvage the Siren up and check,
and everyone just accepted that she had died killing Xana. Everyone had been hit hard with her
death, Dorin taking it worse than anyone else. He had agreed to give a speech at her funeral, as
had Squall. They were all waiting for it to start, younger students talking a little louder than
older students. Headmaster Cid walked up to a podium that had been placed inside the Quad, where
everyone had gathered. He cleared his throat, getting the attention of everyone.
Headmaster Cid leaned forward towards the microphone and spoke. "Good morning, everyone.
We have finally reached the last funeral for those who died protecting our world in the battle
at the Silver Siren. This one has a particular relevance, as this SeeD was the one who defeated
Sorceress Xana. Her name was Vira Eronwil, and I'm sure not all of you knew her. She was a quiet
girl, an exceptional fighter, and someone who stood up and gave her life for the betterment of
us all. She was a SeeD who took her orders, and did not falter from them, but also had a mind of
her own. I didn't know her very long, but I do know what kind of person she seemed to me; a good
one. With what she had to face, Vira could have turned and ran away, but she didn't. That shows
you what kind of person she really was, underneath any exterior she had. We have a few people
here to speak about her today. Our first speaker is SeeD leader Squall Leonhart, one of Vira's
friends. Squall…" He moved back, letting Squall stand up to the podium.
"I didn't know Vira very long. A few weeks, maybe. But I like to think that I was her
friend, and I knew her as well as anyone else did. Maybe a little better. She was someone I
could relate to. Quiet, got her job done, and wasn't very social. She was an excellent fighter,
and even injured, she would continue. Things…they got pretty tough for her. Finding out who her
mother was, finding out she was the only one who could stop her, they all really got to Vira.
But she tried to never show it. She always tried to keep her composure, and not let things stop
her from her objective. And I know that it didn't always work." Squall paused, and let out a
long breath. "She and I had a lot in common, and I know how hard it was for her. By the end, you
could see it. She had changed too. Like I had. She had learned to let us in. She learned that it
was worth it to open up to some people, and to let them know the real you. At the very end, I
think it gave her some peace. Even though she knew she wasn't going to make it, she was content
knowing she had had some friends in her lifetime. A few people who knew her. Yeah, I knew Vira
Eronwil. She was a SeeD, and a great fighter. But what she was most is a friend. I wish I could
have gotten to know her better. I will miss her." He stopped. "And now, Zell Dincht would like
to say a few words."
Squall stepped back to let Zell through, his face set in a mask of sadness. He cleared
his throat. "I knew Vira about as long as everyone else here. Immediately, I knew there was
something special about her. Something no one else saw because she kept it hidden. And she hid
things well. I'm not saying she was a perfect person. None of us are. She had her problems and
pushed people away at every chance she could. She did it because she didn't know how to be a
friend, or how to be nice to people. She wasn't used to it. I bet you're all thinking how can I
say these mean things about this girl who just gave her life to save us all? Because it's the
truth. And…there's more. I saw Vira change. I saw her become a better person. By the end, she
was someone I was proud to call my friend. It took a lot to do what she did, and to be prepared
to do it. She squared away everything beforehand, and did what a lot of people never have the
guts to: apologize. Yep. Vira apologized for everything. All her faults, all the times she hurt
people. She went up to them and apologized. I can't tell you how much respect I have for her.
How much respect I'll always have for her. And I'll always be proud to say I knew Vira Eronwil,
and that she called me a friend." Zell stopped, looking over the quiet audience. "Uhm, the next
speaker is someone who probably knew Vira better than anyone else. Our last speaker; Lord Heir
Dorin Vachon of Dracionia."
Dorin stood up and took his place behind the podium. He hated speeches, and this
occasion only made it worse. Still, he made sure his face didn't outwardly betray any emotions.
Only Squall and the others noticed the fatigue and loss in his face.
"Vira Eronwil," he began, "was a great warrior....and a great friend. She was very
difficult to get to know, but behind that facade was a gentle, caring person who would give her
life for her friends. She would worry about what her actions would have on other people, whether
they would be hurt or not. She came to the aid of my homeland, even in the face of
discrimination, and she earned our respect and trust when she fought alongside our forces. She
helped to drive off the invasion and in so doing earned the undying gratitude of Draconia.
"Through the course of the war, she went through experiences that would have broken even
the most hardened warrior, but she persevered and came through her trials and tribulations a
stronger person. And it was this same person that saved everyone of us here today, and even this
world itself. For this and everything else, she is owed a debt that can never be repaid. May she
never be forgotten."
Dorin turned and stepped down from the podium. Squall gave him a nod as he sat down.
"Very good," he commented.
Dorin nodded."Thanks."
The rest of the funeral was a blur of sadness. Condolences from people, quiet reverence,
and then the small memorial dedicated to everyone who had lost their lives in the third
Sorceress War, with Vira's name at the top of the list. Everyone filed out of Quad quietly,
ready to put the ordeal behind them.
Night came, and everyone had left. Except Dorin. He stood, looking over the balcony on
the outside section, staring into the warm night, the stars above twinkling in silence. Squall
walked up and looked at the sky.
"Hard day."
"Yes," Dorin replied.
"I never believed it would happen. I mean, I've lost a lot in my life, and I always felt
bad about it…but, I don't think I ever lost anyone that I knew like her. It was always someone I
didn't remember. Nothing like this. Do you want to talk about it?" Squall asked.
Dorin paused. "Not especially."
A moment of silence. "I once heard that the dead become stars, so that they can always
watch over us. Did you ever hear that?"
"No."
"Maybe it's true," Squall said. "At least, then we know that they'll always be here…
somewhere. It's not much of a consolation."
"And it doesn't seem like you to do any consoling, if I may say so, Squall," Dorin said.
Squall nodded. "No, I don't talk much. But, sometimes, it does help. I did learn that I
can't always handle things on my own. I think you know that too."
"I…think I told Vira that once."
"And she told me something right before this all ended: 'At least I got the message
before I died. Having something to live for means you have something to die for. That's a lot
more than I ever thought I'd have.'" Squall sighed. "We just wanted to make sure you'd be
alright. Not now, of course. None of us are. But…try not to stay out here all night."
"I won't."
Squall nodded, turning to leave. Dorin looked back at him.
"Squall."
He turned back, looking at Dorin over his shoulder. "Yeah?"
"Do you think she's happy where she is?" asked Dorin.
For a moment, Squall didn't answer. He just stood in silence, looking back at Dorin.
"I'd…hope so. I can't say for sure. But, for everything that Vira did, I would certainly think
that she'd get to be somewhere nice after it all. So…yeah. I think she's happy."
Squall turned and left, his footsteps becoming small, consumed by the silence of the
night. For another minute, Dorin stayed still, gazing up at the stars. One shined as it fell,
a shooting star streaking across the black velvet sky. Dorin sighed, and walked back inside.
Dark blue. Everywhere. All around. Cold, and wet. Then…air. Sweet, sharp, crisp air.
Vira swam to the surface, breaking through the cold water, taking in gasps of the cold air, one
after another. Treading water, she looked around to see where she was. A cave. Or a grotto. It
would explain the stalagmites and stalactites around her, all dripping with the freezing water.
Vira sneezed. Oh, that's perfect. On top of everything else, she would have a cold. Vira gazed
around the perimeter and saw the pond she was in ended not too far away. She quickly swam over
to the rocky shore, shivering and shaking. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling some
warm sticky substance on her stomach. Blood. Her scar was still bleeding a little, but getting
better. She still felt like shit and hoped to find someone soon. Tired and cold, Vira began
walking through the dark tunnels of the grotto, wondering where the hell she could have ended
up.
After what felt like an eternity, Vira collapsed against one of the stone walls of the
grotto, sneezing and coughing. A rest. That was all she needed. If only for a moment. Within
seconds, Vira closed her eyes and fell into an uneasy sleep. Her dream was filled with memories
of her Xana, Dorin, and Squall, with everyone else, and Garden. Xana's death, and Dorin's.
Vira felt something poking at her, waking her up from her uneasy sleep. Slowly, she
opened her eyes to see the silhouettes of three men, staring down at her. She reached for her
kamagunblades, only to find that they weren't attached to her belt. One of the men chuckled.
Another one spoke. "You are under arrest for crimes against Yevon."
"Pardon?" Vira stood up, dusting herself off and stared at the three men, shrouded in
shadows.
The third man lit a torch, illuminating the cave with bright golden light. The three of
them were dressed in metal armor that struck Vira as something that would've come from Draconia.
Didn't they have some suits of armor from the old days there? Yevon didn't strike a cord,
though. The man in the middle, one with a surly face, was holding her kamagunblades.
"Those are mine. I'll just take them back if you don't mind-" Vira started, but was
stopped by the first man, holding his spear up to her throat.
"You are under arrest for crimes against Yevon; using machina weapons," he restated.
"You will be detained until your punishment has been decided."
Vira gave them a confused look. "…What?"
-My father had said there was more I needed to know. So much more. And that until I
learned it all, my journey would not be over. I had defeated Xana, killed my own mother, and
miraculously survived the spell that was meant to kill us both. My journey was meant to be over.
I was meant to sit in Balamb Garden, getting to know my friends better, getting to know Dorin
better, and even a little celebration on top. Nothing big, just a little thank you for saving
the world or something. A card would've been cool. Or death. I should've been dead. And off into
whatever that little afterlife is supposed to be like. But, no. I was…I didn't know where I was.
Or who they were, or what they were telling me. All I knew was that my father was right. My
journey was not over. In fact, it was just the end of one chapter of my life. And I had more to
go.-
End
Author's Comments: Aaaaaaaaaaaaand that's all folks! No, seriously. Iron Will is finally
finished and done with. Not even the crying is left to do. Confused? Probably. I tried to make
the ending understandable. But, for those who do not have a PS2 (or FFX...whyyyy?!), I'll lay it
out for you: Vira has been transported to Spira. Where exactly? Who knows. But we do know she's
in trouble right off the bat. How can I call this an ending? I don't! I call it a cliffhanger
ending leading into a sequel! Yep! It had to happen. The sequel will be a FFVIII/X crossover
since they're my absolute favorite FFs. Keep an eye out for it. It'll come out eventually. Well,
I'm glad you enjoyed reading Final Fantasy VIII: Iron Will. I enjoyed writing it. I had fun. It
was cool and most of it came so fast and easy for me. I know it took me too long to come up with
the last chapters. My apologies. Life got in the way. Still, this is the longest story I've ever
done, and in half the time it took me to do my last really long story. So, it is time for me to
say goodbye for now. R&R to let me know how you liked the ending. Until we meet again, as
Selphie said many times, "Booyaka!"
up with. That belongs to Square. We do this for no profit. Blah, blah, blah.
Epilogue: Shooting Star
A warm breeze floated over the grass fields outside of Balamb Garden. Dorin sat in the
field, looking up at the deep blue sky, dotted with white, fluffy clouds. His face was not
happy, though. Dorin's icy blue eyes were filled with sadness, tired and weary. Rinoa silently
walked up behind him, and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Dorin," she said softly, "it's time."
He said nothing, he only stood up and nodded, following Rinoa into Garden.
There was a somber din inside Garden, everyone dressed in their uniforms, either student
or SeeD. Everyone wore faces of sadness, or of quiet contemplation. It had been a month since
the incident with the Silver Siren. A handful of SeeDs had died in the battle, and had all been
buried during that week. They were finally at the last funeral, this one for Vira, whose leather
jacket was the only thing they had found. No one had wished to salvage the Siren up and check,
and everyone just accepted that she had died killing Xana. Everyone had been hit hard with her
death, Dorin taking it worse than anyone else. He had agreed to give a speech at her funeral, as
had Squall. They were all waiting for it to start, younger students talking a little louder than
older students. Headmaster Cid walked up to a podium that had been placed inside the Quad, where
everyone had gathered. He cleared his throat, getting the attention of everyone.
Headmaster Cid leaned forward towards the microphone and spoke. "Good morning, everyone.
We have finally reached the last funeral for those who died protecting our world in the battle
at the Silver Siren. This one has a particular relevance, as this SeeD was the one who defeated
Sorceress Xana. Her name was Vira Eronwil, and I'm sure not all of you knew her. She was a quiet
girl, an exceptional fighter, and someone who stood up and gave her life for the betterment of
us all. She was a SeeD who took her orders, and did not falter from them, but also had a mind of
her own. I didn't know her very long, but I do know what kind of person she seemed to me; a good
one. With what she had to face, Vira could have turned and ran away, but she didn't. That shows
you what kind of person she really was, underneath any exterior she had. We have a few people
here to speak about her today. Our first speaker is SeeD leader Squall Leonhart, one of Vira's
friends. Squall…" He moved back, letting Squall stand up to the podium.
"I didn't know Vira very long. A few weeks, maybe. But I like to think that I was her
friend, and I knew her as well as anyone else did. Maybe a little better. She was someone I
could relate to. Quiet, got her job done, and wasn't very social. She was an excellent fighter,
and even injured, she would continue. Things…they got pretty tough for her. Finding out who her
mother was, finding out she was the only one who could stop her, they all really got to Vira.
But she tried to never show it. She always tried to keep her composure, and not let things stop
her from her objective. And I know that it didn't always work." Squall paused, and let out a
long breath. "She and I had a lot in common, and I know how hard it was for her. By the end, you
could see it. She had changed too. Like I had. She had learned to let us in. She learned that it
was worth it to open up to some people, and to let them know the real you. At the very end, I
think it gave her some peace. Even though she knew she wasn't going to make it, she was content
knowing she had had some friends in her lifetime. A few people who knew her. Yeah, I knew Vira
Eronwil. She was a SeeD, and a great fighter. But what she was most is a friend. I wish I could
have gotten to know her better. I will miss her." He stopped. "And now, Zell Dincht would like
to say a few words."
Squall stepped back to let Zell through, his face set in a mask of sadness. He cleared
his throat. "I knew Vira about as long as everyone else here. Immediately, I knew there was
something special about her. Something no one else saw because she kept it hidden. And she hid
things well. I'm not saying she was a perfect person. None of us are. She had her problems and
pushed people away at every chance she could. She did it because she didn't know how to be a
friend, or how to be nice to people. She wasn't used to it. I bet you're all thinking how can I
say these mean things about this girl who just gave her life to save us all? Because it's the
truth. And…there's more. I saw Vira change. I saw her become a better person. By the end, she
was someone I was proud to call my friend. It took a lot to do what she did, and to be prepared
to do it. She squared away everything beforehand, and did what a lot of people never have the
guts to: apologize. Yep. Vira apologized for everything. All her faults, all the times she hurt
people. She went up to them and apologized. I can't tell you how much respect I have for her.
How much respect I'll always have for her. And I'll always be proud to say I knew Vira Eronwil,
and that she called me a friend." Zell stopped, looking over the quiet audience. "Uhm, the next
speaker is someone who probably knew Vira better than anyone else. Our last speaker; Lord Heir
Dorin Vachon of Dracionia."
Dorin stood up and took his place behind the podium. He hated speeches, and this
occasion only made it worse. Still, he made sure his face didn't outwardly betray any emotions.
Only Squall and the others noticed the fatigue and loss in his face.
"Vira Eronwil," he began, "was a great warrior....and a great friend. She was very
difficult to get to know, but behind that facade was a gentle, caring person who would give her
life for her friends. She would worry about what her actions would have on other people, whether
they would be hurt or not. She came to the aid of my homeland, even in the face of
discrimination, and she earned our respect and trust when she fought alongside our forces. She
helped to drive off the invasion and in so doing earned the undying gratitude of Draconia.
"Through the course of the war, she went through experiences that would have broken even
the most hardened warrior, but she persevered and came through her trials and tribulations a
stronger person. And it was this same person that saved everyone of us here today, and even this
world itself. For this and everything else, she is owed a debt that can never be repaid. May she
never be forgotten."
Dorin turned and stepped down from the podium. Squall gave him a nod as he sat down.
"Very good," he commented.
Dorin nodded."Thanks."
The rest of the funeral was a blur of sadness. Condolences from people, quiet reverence,
and then the small memorial dedicated to everyone who had lost their lives in the third
Sorceress War, with Vira's name at the top of the list. Everyone filed out of Quad quietly,
ready to put the ordeal behind them.
Night came, and everyone had left. Except Dorin. He stood, looking over the balcony on
the outside section, staring into the warm night, the stars above twinkling in silence. Squall
walked up and looked at the sky.
"Hard day."
"Yes," Dorin replied.
"I never believed it would happen. I mean, I've lost a lot in my life, and I always felt
bad about it…but, I don't think I ever lost anyone that I knew like her. It was always someone I
didn't remember. Nothing like this. Do you want to talk about it?" Squall asked.
Dorin paused. "Not especially."
A moment of silence. "I once heard that the dead become stars, so that they can always
watch over us. Did you ever hear that?"
"No."
"Maybe it's true," Squall said. "At least, then we know that they'll always be here…
somewhere. It's not much of a consolation."
"And it doesn't seem like you to do any consoling, if I may say so, Squall," Dorin said.
Squall nodded. "No, I don't talk much. But, sometimes, it does help. I did learn that I
can't always handle things on my own. I think you know that too."
"I…think I told Vira that once."
"And she told me something right before this all ended: 'At least I got the message
before I died. Having something to live for means you have something to die for. That's a lot
more than I ever thought I'd have.'" Squall sighed. "We just wanted to make sure you'd be
alright. Not now, of course. None of us are. But…try not to stay out here all night."
"I won't."
Squall nodded, turning to leave. Dorin looked back at him.
"Squall."
He turned back, looking at Dorin over his shoulder. "Yeah?"
"Do you think she's happy where she is?" asked Dorin.
For a moment, Squall didn't answer. He just stood in silence, looking back at Dorin.
"I'd…hope so. I can't say for sure. But, for everything that Vira did, I would certainly think
that she'd get to be somewhere nice after it all. So…yeah. I think she's happy."
Squall turned and left, his footsteps becoming small, consumed by the silence of the
night. For another minute, Dorin stayed still, gazing up at the stars. One shined as it fell,
a shooting star streaking across the black velvet sky. Dorin sighed, and walked back inside.
Dark blue. Everywhere. All around. Cold, and wet. Then…air. Sweet, sharp, crisp air.
Vira swam to the surface, breaking through the cold water, taking in gasps of the cold air, one
after another. Treading water, she looked around to see where she was. A cave. Or a grotto. It
would explain the stalagmites and stalactites around her, all dripping with the freezing water.
Vira sneezed. Oh, that's perfect. On top of everything else, she would have a cold. Vira gazed
around the perimeter and saw the pond she was in ended not too far away. She quickly swam over
to the rocky shore, shivering and shaking. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling some
warm sticky substance on her stomach. Blood. Her scar was still bleeding a little, but getting
better. She still felt like shit and hoped to find someone soon. Tired and cold, Vira began
walking through the dark tunnels of the grotto, wondering where the hell she could have ended
up.
After what felt like an eternity, Vira collapsed against one of the stone walls of the
grotto, sneezing and coughing. A rest. That was all she needed. If only for a moment. Within
seconds, Vira closed her eyes and fell into an uneasy sleep. Her dream was filled with memories
of her Xana, Dorin, and Squall, with everyone else, and Garden. Xana's death, and Dorin's.
Vira felt something poking at her, waking her up from her uneasy sleep. Slowly, she
opened her eyes to see the silhouettes of three men, staring down at her. She reached for her
kamagunblades, only to find that they weren't attached to her belt. One of the men chuckled.
Another one spoke. "You are under arrest for crimes against Yevon."
"Pardon?" Vira stood up, dusting herself off and stared at the three men, shrouded in
shadows.
The third man lit a torch, illuminating the cave with bright golden light. The three of
them were dressed in metal armor that struck Vira as something that would've come from Draconia.
Didn't they have some suits of armor from the old days there? Yevon didn't strike a cord,
though. The man in the middle, one with a surly face, was holding her kamagunblades.
"Those are mine. I'll just take them back if you don't mind-" Vira started, but was
stopped by the first man, holding his spear up to her throat.
"You are under arrest for crimes against Yevon; using machina weapons," he restated.
"You will be detained until your punishment has been decided."
Vira gave them a confused look. "…What?"
-My father had said there was more I needed to know. So much more. And that until I
learned it all, my journey would not be over. I had defeated Xana, killed my own mother, and
miraculously survived the spell that was meant to kill us both. My journey was meant to be over.
I was meant to sit in Balamb Garden, getting to know my friends better, getting to know Dorin
better, and even a little celebration on top. Nothing big, just a little thank you for saving
the world or something. A card would've been cool. Or death. I should've been dead. And off into
whatever that little afterlife is supposed to be like. But, no. I was…I didn't know where I was.
Or who they were, or what they were telling me. All I knew was that my father was right. My
journey was not over. In fact, it was just the end of one chapter of my life. And I had more to
go.-
End
Author's Comments: Aaaaaaaaaaaaand that's all folks! No, seriously. Iron Will is finally
finished and done with. Not even the crying is left to do. Confused? Probably. I tried to make
the ending understandable. But, for those who do not have a PS2 (or FFX...whyyyy?!), I'll lay it
out for you: Vira has been transported to Spira. Where exactly? Who knows. But we do know she's
in trouble right off the bat. How can I call this an ending? I don't! I call it a cliffhanger
ending leading into a sequel! Yep! It had to happen. The sequel will be a FFVIII/X crossover
since they're my absolute favorite FFs. Keep an eye out for it. It'll come out eventually. Well,
I'm glad you enjoyed reading Final Fantasy VIII: Iron Will. I enjoyed writing it. I had fun. It
was cool and most of it came so fast and easy for me. I know it took me too long to come up with
the last chapters. My apologies. Life got in the way. Still, this is the longest story I've ever
done, and in half the time it took me to do my last really long story. So, it is time for me to
say goodbye for now. R&R to let me know how you liked the ending. Until we meet again, as
Selphie said many times, "Booyaka!"
