The Rise of Terra
Fire Angel
AUTHOR'S NOTE: *Yawn* Well, minna, we have here a very tired Fire Angel. Since I started writing
again, I just can't seem to stop! I finished part 6 of 'Terra' and just felt I had to write the
last part! :o) …Even though the day I am currently living started at 6am YESTERDAY… I got up at
6am, went to school, went home and did homework, went to work until 12am the next morning, went
home, couldn't sleep, ended up catnapping for 4 hours, got up, went to school, went straight to
work after school, and have just arrived home (after snacking on a cheeseburger and a couple of
fries). I will sleep, soon. Oh, and yes, when I said that this is the last part, I did mean it.
'Terra' is coming to a close… in other words, it will be no more… as soon as I finish this
episode (which I think will happen very soon, at this rate). I guess I must thank you all for
your kind reviews and e-mails, and apologise to any of you who didn't like the story much, or
those who found my author's notes far too long! :o) That's why this one's short and sweet (so is
this part of the story, but that's beside the point). The lyrics in this part come from the
Japanese release of 'Melodies of Life'. Please e-mail me with any last comments -
rinoa_heartilly86@hotmail.com and look out for a new project with my name emblazoned all over it!
Luv yaz, and catch yaz all real soon, promise!
Fire Angel :ob
xxx ooo
PS: You may notice that this chapter has two titles. I couldn't decide between the two, so it's
like one of those songs that have two titles, like 'Ana's Song (Open Fire)' by Silverchair.
Brackets didn't look as cool as the little ~ things, so that's why I used them (L'arc~en~ciel did
it with 'Spirit Dreams Inside ~Another Dream~' so why can't I?).
The Rise of Terra
Part 7: Terra's Fall ~the end of the war~
CHAPTER 18
Dark.
They could see nothing, smell nothing, hear nothing, feel nothing, taste nothing. The darkness
seemed to stretch for years and years. They began to wonder if they were really alive, or if the
collision of the planets had knocked them out of existence.
Just as they began to feel that they could hope no more, a tremendous explosion filled the skies
of Gaia, lighting everything up once more. Everyone dove for cover as meteorites, small, burning
chunks of Terra, crashed to the ground around them. The explosions lasted for longer than the
darkness. And when they finally lapsed, the rays of the dawn sun settled on the people of Gaia.
They stood, silently looking around themselves in amazement. They looked at themselves, at their
friends, at buildings, checking for damage. But surprisingly no damage was found. Then they began
to cry. Some cried with the sadness of loss, some cried with the gladness of the war finally
being over. But everyone's faces had the same relieved expression.
They had won.
* * * *
Beatrix slowly opened her eyes, letting her part of the wall around Gaia disperse. She took a
step away from the others, disengaging her hands, and supported herself against one of the
waist-high walls that made up the top of the tower that they stood on. She watched her friends:
Eiko, the little mage, her eyes still closed, her eyebrows knit in concentration. She was pale.
She would sleep for days and days now that the ordeal was finally over. Mikoto and Steiner,
opening their eyes, their strength almost fully drained, looking at the sky around them in
delight. They had survived.
Mikoto stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Beatrix. "We did it," whispered the Genome. "I
honestly did not think we could… but Beatrix…" she pulled away, holding the knight at arm's
length, "…we did it!"
"I know, Mikoto," Beatrix said with a grin. "I know." She looked up at Steiner. He was shifting
from one foot to the other, not sure what to say. When his eyes met hers, he turned red and
looked away.
"Uggh…" Mikoto wrenched away from Beatrix and spun around as Eiko opened her eyes, swaying
slightly. When she saw the Genome looking at her, Eiko whispered, "I'm so tired, Mikoto."
Mikoto lunged and caught Eiko as she pitched forward in a faint. Gathering the little girl in her
arms, she turned to face Beatrix. "She needs to rest. Should I put her in the guest quarters?"
"No," Beatrix said automatically. Mikoto looked at her quizzically. "Put her in Garnet's room,"
the knight explained. "She'll… she'll sleep better if she's there."
Without a word, Mikoto turned and left the tower.
Beatrix looked out over the city. She smiled. In the dawn light, Alexandria looked more beautiful
than it ever had before. She thanked the Eidolons for protecting them, and prayed for Garnet's
safe journey to the afterworld.
She had forgotten Steiner was there. When his cough brought her out of her thoughts and back to
reality, she said, "Gaia was lucky to survive the collision, Adelbert."
He didn't answer her. When he finally spoke, he said, "I'm sorry, Beatrix. I acted terribly, and
said some disgusting things. I… I'm not asking you to forgive me, because I'll never even forgive
myself… but I just want you to know that I'm sorry."
"It's okay," she said. A small, sad smile appeared on her face as she turned to face him. "I
probably would have done and said the same things if I were you. You… you just need to learn iron
control."
They laughed at her half-hearted joke, but suddenly she was crying, running into his arms,
letting him hold her and murmur her name as she sobbed, the tears running down her cheeks and
dripping onto his armour. "Steiner," she whispered. "Why did she have to die?"
He didn't answer.
Time passed. She didn't know how long, but when she finally pulled away from him, the sky no
longer showed the colours of dawn, but the cornflower blue of morning.
"We should… we should probably go see if the other mages need help," Beatrix said, thinking of
Eiko.
"You need to think of yourself for once," Steiner scolded her. "You're as tired as everyone else,
Beatrix. You wore yourself thin. You need rest, too."
"Don't be stupid," she told him, and headed down the stairs leading to the tower. He followed
her, and caught her when her tired legs collapsed from underneath her body. She smiled up at him.
"Looks like I need more rest than I thought," she laughed.
"Come on, lady knight," Steiner said gently, taking her in his arms. "I'll take you back to your
room, so you can rest."
* * * *
Vivi stood, looking in amazement. He had been unable to move from his position since the planets
had collided, instead staring at Alexandria and the damage that had been inflicted on the city.
He really didn't have much to look at. Alexandria had survived the collision with very little
damage.
"We did it," he whispered again and again. "We did it."
"Vivi!" a voice called, and the black mage turned slowly around. Firestar ran up to him and threw
her arms around him. Behind her were Thundershadow, Icequake, and Quina. "We did it!" the prophet
cried. She pulled away from Vivi, tears visible in her yellow eyes.
"We did," Vivi laughed. "We all worked hard. We did it together."
Quina nodded. "I cook celebratory feast," he/she said. "We must have lots and lots of froggies at
feast!" Without waiting for a response from Vivi, Quina waddled off, muttering to him/herself
about the feast.
"Quina has been talking about the feast since we bumped into him-slash-her," Thundershadow
laughed, his eyes glinting in amusement. "But he-slash-she seemed to want your approval on the
idea."
Icequake giggled. "So we set off to find you… we wanted to speak to you as well, you see, Master
Vivi… and Quina tells you his-slash-her idea and walks off!"
The mages laughed, and Vivi said, "What was it you wanted to talk to me about, Icequake?"
Icequake looked at Thundershadow, who in turn looked at Firestar. "How come I always get stuck
saying the important things?" she sighed. When neither of the mages answered, Firestar said,
"Vivi, we want to go back to Black Mage Village. The Terrans would have died when their planet
died… and they're still encased in that Thundaga Protect spell you cast with Kuja. We can close
it… but we wanted to know if you'd come with us… you're kind of… a leader for the mages… and…"
"A leader?" Vivi squeaked. "I'm not a leader!"
"We know you don't think of yourself that way," Icequake said shyly, "but everyone else does,
Master Vivi. You overcame your fears and saved the world… not once, but twice, now!"
"I couldn't have done it without my friends," Vivi protested.
"But you're the only black mage who's ever done it," Thundershadow said.
Vivi knew there was no point in telling them that they had just done exactly the same thing as
he: worked with friends and saved the world. Instead he sighed and said, "All right. I'll come
with you. Let's go see Zidane and ask him to loan us the Invincible."
This time it was Icequake who launched herself at him. "Thank you, Master Vivi!" she cried, her
shyness supposedly gone. "Thank you ever so much!"
As the four mages left the tower, they took each other's hands. Vivi felt an incredible sense of
oneness. For once, he felt like he really… belonged.
* * * *
He didn't know how long he had been standing there for, watching the explosions and then the sky
after, listening to the explosions, the blessed silence, and then the happy cries of the people
who had won their war, smelling and tasting the acrid odour of burning meteorites as they crashed
to the ground and then smouldered, and feeling the intense heat of spells fly past him in waves
and eventually cool as the morning breeze blew past him. He did know that he had been there for
quite a while. Yet he stood motionless.
Eventually he turned to look at the woman that crouched behind him. She had curled herself into a
ball, not willing to see the collision or the explosions, trying not to hear or feel or smell or
taste the same sounds, heat and odours that he had, but hearing them anyway and knowing they
would be with her for the rest of her life.
"Freya," Amarant said softly. She didn't look up, but stayed with her long nose tucked into her
lap, crouched, unmoving, except for the slight shiver that passed through her every now and then.
He tried again. "Freya. Everything is okay now. It's all over."
Moments passed, feeling more like years to Amarant as he reached out and placed his hand on
Freya's shoulder. She looked up at him. Tears spilled from her eyes. "Amarant…" she whispered.
He held his long arms out to her. Slowly, as if waking from a dream, the rat woman stood and
stepped forward, letting his arms close around her. She rested her head against his shoulder,
unashamedly letting the tears flow.
"Amarant, I was so afraid," she said, after a little while.
"We all were," the bounty hunter answered. "In times of war, it's okay to be afraid. But… Freya,
you won't have to be afraid anymore. Because now, we have nothing to fear."
CHAPTER 19
-Zidane?-
Kuja's voice in his thoughts brought Zidane back to reality. Kuja the Genome said weakly. It's
over, bro
-I know, Zidane. It's over. We won. But… my job here is done now-
Kuja… you can't leave
-I have to, little brother. I'm sorry-
But…
-Take care of everyone for me…- Kuja's voice was growing more distant.
Kuja, don't leave! Zidane screamed. It was hard to think that the spirit he was begging to stay
had once been his enemy. He didn't care. He just wanted his big brother back.
-Goodbye, brother-
KUJA!
* * * *
There was a light. A light that once shone brilliantly, but had been overused and was slowly
fading away.
There was a shadow. A shadow of a man who had lost all that he had loved, and wanted his life
back the way it was before the light had come along.
And there was a voice. A voice that came from nowhere, but was fading as quickly as it had come.
-I said I would help you, my brother, and I did-
The voice separated from the shadow, and the shadow screamed and reached for the voice.
"KUJA!"
The light exploded and was no more, leaving the shadow in eternal darkness.
* * * *
Zidane sat and stared at the ground in front of him. How could Kuja have left him? How could
Garnet have left him? Why did everyone have to die? He didn't understand. He wanted his life back
the way it had been before Necron had come. He wanted his brother back. He wanted his Dagger
back. He wanted his life back.
"I don't have anything to live for anymore," Zidane whispered, tears in his eyes as he pulled his
daggers from his belt. "Why do I have to live when I'll have to live through so much pain every
day of my life? I don't want to live anymore!"
Whether fate thought that Zidane wasn't meant to die, or whether the Genome's strength was
totally wasted, he found that he could not lift the dagger high enough to penetrate his own
heart. He sunk to the cobblestone, crying, and eventually fell asleep, his daggers splayed out in
front of him like an offering.
It was on the cobblestones that Vivi and the other mages found him. Picking Zidane up and
cradling him in her arms, Firestar led them back to the guest quarters, where the Genome could
sleep in comfort.
* * * *
She woke to find herself staring at the orange-pink sky of dawn. Somehow finding the strength to
flip herself onto her belly so she could get a better look at things, she surveyed her situation.
She was back in Oeilvert, in the exact spot that Necron had pounded her into the ground.
"Was it all a dream?" she choked out. "Did I never leave Gaia?"
-It wasn't a dream, princess-
"Kuja?" she asked, looking for the source of the voice. "It wasn't a dream? Then… how come… how
come I'm still alive?"
-Ask as many times as you like, Garnet, but I can't tell you why you're still alive. I don't know
myself. All that matters is… well, you survived-
"Not for much longer, perhaps," she muttered, disgusted with her weakness as she found that she
could not muster enough strength to stand. "I don't have any strength left. The others think I'm
dead. They'll never find me here. I'll die of starvation and rot and…"
-Pessimist- Kuja said. She thought she could hear amusement in his soft, fading voice. -You'll
find a way out of it. I believe in you, Garnet-
"You're not leaving me here?"
-But of course- Once again, the amusement surfaced. Then he said, in a somewhat more subdued
manner, -I always loved you, princess. Take care of both yourself and Zidane. Farewell-
"Kuja, come back! You can't just leave me here!" she screamed.
If you sing the song, he will come.
A new voice entered Garnet's head, and the queen knew that once again, Sarah was giving her
advice. "The song?" she asked her former self, but then she laughed. Why ask herself when she
already knew what the song was? "I don't think it will work… but, it's worth a try, I suppose."
Searching inside herself for whatever white magic she had left, Garnet began to sing.
"Afureru sono namida o "Turn those overflowing tears
Kagayaku yuuki ni kaete Into glittering courage
Inochi wa tsuzuku Life continues on
Yoru o koe Across the night
Utagau koto no nai And continues to
ashita e to tsuzuku." a certain tomorrow."
It was her mother's song, Sarah's song, Garnet's song, Zidane's song. Their song. She had known
it since she was a child. But at the moment when she needed it the most, the white magic and
mysterious language of the song came back to her, guiding her as she called for Zidane.
"Watashi ga shinou to mo "Though I may die
Kimi ga ikite iru kagiri As long as you live
Inochi wa tsuzuku Life continues on
Eien ni Eternally
Sono chikara no kagiri ni And continues to anywhere
doko made mo tsuzuku." as long as you are strong."
Finally, Garnet's last burst of strength faded, and her head slumped to the ground as she closed
her eyes. Her last, exhausted thought before she passed out was, Sarah. You're an idiot.
* * * *
"Watashi ga shinou to mo "Though I may die
Kimi ga ikite iru kagiri As long as you live
Inochi wa tsuzuku…" Life continues on…"
Clouds floated around her, acting as visual personifications of the song that floated through her
mind. She knew it from somewhere. But where did she know it from? And why could she feel white
magic in it? After pondering the last question for a second, she sent her own white magic flowing
into the song, listening, analysing. She could feel something familiar about the glow that was
surrounded by the song, the glow that was shielding the singer from her sight.
Knowing it was probably wrong, Eiko thrust herself into the glow of white magic, looking for the
voice that was singing the song. When she found the shadow in the middle of the white light, she
shrieked in amazement and excitement.
She had to wake up. Now.
* * * *
"ZIDAAAAAAAANE!"
Zidane flew out of his bed in the guest quarters, instinctively grabbing for his daggers. When he
saw Eiko, he immediately relaxed. So did everyone else who was sleeping in the same room. She
opened her mouth to gabble excitedly, but at the same moment, their friends burst in, wanting to
know what the commotion was.
"What in the seven hells is happening in here?" Amarant said before Eiko could tell Zidane
exactly what was happening.
"I was going to explain, if you'd given me the chance," the mage said sulkily. "But no, you come
in here and…"
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Beatrix replied brusquely, cutting her off. "Tell us then!"
Looking at the older mage, Eiko knew that she had felt it, too. She excused Beatrix's rudeness as
concern for Zidane and exclaimed, "Dagger's alive!"
Zidane stared. He was motionless for several whole seconds, before shaking his head, as if to get
his brain working again. Then he said, "What?"
"She's alive, Zidane! Dagger! She's alive! She's in Oeilvert! She's safe! SHE'S ALIVE!"
Zidane still looked confused. But he said, slowly and very clearly, "What are we waiting for?
Let's go and find her."
"Yeah! Come on, everyone!" Mikoto said. The others looked at her in surprise. The Genome didn't
ever show enthusiasm for anything. "Let us go and find Dagger!"
Zidane led them out of the room. Beatrix saw Eiko hanging back, looking somewhat confused, and
left the group to join her. They followed the others to the airship at a slower pace, talking
quietly.
"What is wrong?" Beatrix asked.
"Why isn't he happy?" Eiko said sadly. "I thought he'd be happy that Dagger is alive."
"I think he's confused, little one," the older mage replied. "He's not sure whether or not to
believe. His brain wants to, because it knows that you are probably right, but his heart is
telling him not to believe, because it doesn't want to hurt more than it already does. He's
saving his emotions for later, to save himself from more pain… just in case."
"But he doesn't need a just in case," Eiko protested.
"You know that," Beatrix said. "I know that. But he doesn't."
"Soon he will," Eiko said confidently. "He'll know."
EPILOGUE
Mind racing, heart racing, pulse racing. As they had drawn closer to Oeilvert, he had felt her,
he knew he had. Running for the teleporter as they landed, he stopped for a second and mentally
slapped himself. Don't get your hopes up, fool. What if she's not there? his brain warned his
heart. Funny, only moments before it had been his heart warning his brain to be careful. Funny
how his own organs were betraying each other and confusing him so flawlessly.
But when he landed on the desert sands just outside of Oeilvert, he could contain his joy and
expectancy no longer. Not even taking out his weapons in the cautious way he always did, he
sprinted into Oeilvert, scanning the place with his eyes, searching for her, telling his brain
and heart to shut up as they screamed at him that his hopes were too high.
What was that? A glow in the corner of his eye. A white glow. Magic. Zidane spun, looking for the
source of the glow. He quickly found it. Crumpled on the ground was a girl with raven-black hair
and a yellow jumpsuit. "Dagger," he whispered, "oh, my darling Dagger. I thought you were dead…"
He ran to her unconscious form and gathered her in his arms. Her liquid brown eyes fluttered
open, recognising the sensation of touch, and she looked into his eyes, confused. After a few
seconds, the confusion cleared and she whispered listlessly, "…Zidane."
"It's me, Dagger," Zidane said, on the verge of tears. "I'm here. I've come to take you home."
"Sarah said you would come," Garnet whispered. "She said if I sang our song, you would find me. I
didn't believe her, but… here you are." She chuckled. "Here you are."
"Dagger… who is Sarah?"
Garnet smiled. "Sarah?" she asked. "Sarah is me."
She closed her eyes, fainting into his arms. Zidane smiled and brushed a lock of hair from her
face. Then he stood and carried her back to the airship, the smile never leaving his face.
His Dagger was back. Life was worth living.
* * * *
She opened her eyes. Magnificent colour blinded her, making her shut her eyes again. When she was
finally brave enough to open them for long enough that they could focus on their surroundings,
she found herself inside the Invincible. She was lying on her back, but she wasn't entirely sure
where. All she could see were the faces and bodies of her friends, who crowded around her,
looking anxious but happy and excited at the same time.
"Why so worried?" she croaked. She laughed, and after a second everyone joined in with her. Then
their faces became more solemn.
"We thought you were dead," Steiner said.
"I felt your life force leave Gaia," Eiko jumped in, explaining Steiner's comment.
"We didn't know you'd actually gone to Terra," Mikoto added, "but Zidane told us on the way here
what had happened."
"You missed so much," Beatrix said, smiling.
Amarant nodded. "We have so much to tell you."
Almost nervously, Vivi said, "We were scared without you, Dagger."
Another black mage, with the name Firestar magicked onto her hat, said softly, "But the little
mages were very brave, Your Majesty." Garnet noticed that two other mages, with the names
Thundershadow and Icequake magicked onto their hats, were nodding their agreement to Firestar's
statement. She smiled at Vivi, thanking him silently for his bravery, and the mage's eyes lit up
with relief and joy.
"I think I speak for us all when I say that it's good to have our queen back, Dagger," Freya
said.
"Did you bring me any froggies?" Quina asked. At this comment, everyone cracked up laughing.
For a while they all talked to her excitedly, but it all passed Garnet in a blur. They finally
moved aside, revealing Zidane. The Genome had tears in his eyes as he picked Garnet up, twirling
her in the air. "Don't you ever do that again," he said passionately, placing her back on the
ground. Holding her by the shoulders, he shook her lightly. "Never ever go away on a mission
without support. Never!" Shake. "Ever!" Shake.
"Stop shaking me," the queen said, amused.
He followed his orders and pulled her against him. "I love you too much to let you die," he
whispered. "Promise me you won't do it again."
"You're so pitiful when you beg," she smiled. Then she sighed. "I promise I won't run off again
without support."
"Never?"
"Never."
Zidane smiled at her, and then whispered nervously, "Marry me?"
Garnet gasped and coloured. "I beg your pardon?" she squeaked.
"Umm… well…" the Genome turned a beautiful shade of scarlet, even deeper than Garnet's blush. "I
asked if you would… well… marry me."
Garnet smiled. "I will," she promised. "…Only, we might have to wait a few years."
"I'd wait forever and a day," Zidane replied.
He kissed her, and their friends burst into applause. Garnet looked at them in amusement. "Might
we have some privacy?" she asked.
"But of course," Steiner said. Garnet's eyes widened at his sudden change of character. "Everyone
- out," he ordered, ushering the others out of the small room, closing the door behind them.
Zidane smiled. "I love you, Dagger."
"And I you, Zidane."
As the Invincible floated through the skies towards Alexandria, Zidane kissed his beloved queen
again.
A new beginning for them all.
~Fin~
Fire Angel
AUTHOR'S NOTE: *Yawn* Well, minna, we have here a very tired Fire Angel. Since I started writing
again, I just can't seem to stop! I finished part 6 of 'Terra' and just felt I had to write the
last part! :o) …Even though the day I am currently living started at 6am YESTERDAY… I got up at
6am, went to school, went home and did homework, went to work until 12am the next morning, went
home, couldn't sleep, ended up catnapping for 4 hours, got up, went to school, went straight to
work after school, and have just arrived home (after snacking on a cheeseburger and a couple of
fries). I will sleep, soon. Oh, and yes, when I said that this is the last part, I did mean it.
'Terra' is coming to a close… in other words, it will be no more… as soon as I finish this
episode (which I think will happen very soon, at this rate). I guess I must thank you all for
your kind reviews and e-mails, and apologise to any of you who didn't like the story much, or
those who found my author's notes far too long! :o) That's why this one's short and sweet (so is
this part of the story, but that's beside the point). The lyrics in this part come from the
Japanese release of 'Melodies of Life'. Please e-mail me with any last comments -
rinoa_heartilly86@hotmail.com and look out for a new project with my name emblazoned all over it!
Luv yaz, and catch yaz all real soon, promise!
Fire Angel :ob
xxx ooo
PS: You may notice that this chapter has two titles. I couldn't decide between the two, so it's
like one of those songs that have two titles, like 'Ana's Song (Open Fire)' by Silverchair.
Brackets didn't look as cool as the little ~ things, so that's why I used them (L'arc~en~ciel did
it with 'Spirit Dreams Inside ~Another Dream~' so why can't I?).
The Rise of Terra
Part 7: Terra's Fall ~the end of the war~
CHAPTER 18
Dark.
They could see nothing, smell nothing, hear nothing, feel nothing, taste nothing. The darkness
seemed to stretch for years and years. They began to wonder if they were really alive, or if the
collision of the planets had knocked them out of existence.
Just as they began to feel that they could hope no more, a tremendous explosion filled the skies
of Gaia, lighting everything up once more. Everyone dove for cover as meteorites, small, burning
chunks of Terra, crashed to the ground around them. The explosions lasted for longer than the
darkness. And when they finally lapsed, the rays of the dawn sun settled on the people of Gaia.
They stood, silently looking around themselves in amazement. They looked at themselves, at their
friends, at buildings, checking for damage. But surprisingly no damage was found. Then they began
to cry. Some cried with the sadness of loss, some cried with the gladness of the war finally
being over. But everyone's faces had the same relieved expression.
They had won.
* * * *
Beatrix slowly opened her eyes, letting her part of the wall around Gaia disperse. She took a
step away from the others, disengaging her hands, and supported herself against one of the
waist-high walls that made up the top of the tower that they stood on. She watched her friends:
Eiko, the little mage, her eyes still closed, her eyebrows knit in concentration. She was pale.
She would sleep for days and days now that the ordeal was finally over. Mikoto and Steiner,
opening their eyes, their strength almost fully drained, looking at the sky around them in
delight. They had survived.
Mikoto stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Beatrix. "We did it," whispered the Genome. "I
honestly did not think we could… but Beatrix…" she pulled away, holding the knight at arm's
length, "…we did it!"
"I know, Mikoto," Beatrix said with a grin. "I know." She looked up at Steiner. He was shifting
from one foot to the other, not sure what to say. When his eyes met hers, he turned red and
looked away.
"Uggh…" Mikoto wrenched away from Beatrix and spun around as Eiko opened her eyes, swaying
slightly. When she saw the Genome looking at her, Eiko whispered, "I'm so tired, Mikoto."
Mikoto lunged and caught Eiko as she pitched forward in a faint. Gathering the little girl in her
arms, she turned to face Beatrix. "She needs to rest. Should I put her in the guest quarters?"
"No," Beatrix said automatically. Mikoto looked at her quizzically. "Put her in Garnet's room,"
the knight explained. "She'll… she'll sleep better if she's there."
Without a word, Mikoto turned and left the tower.
Beatrix looked out over the city. She smiled. In the dawn light, Alexandria looked more beautiful
than it ever had before. She thanked the Eidolons for protecting them, and prayed for Garnet's
safe journey to the afterworld.
She had forgotten Steiner was there. When his cough brought her out of her thoughts and back to
reality, she said, "Gaia was lucky to survive the collision, Adelbert."
He didn't answer her. When he finally spoke, he said, "I'm sorry, Beatrix. I acted terribly, and
said some disgusting things. I… I'm not asking you to forgive me, because I'll never even forgive
myself… but I just want you to know that I'm sorry."
"It's okay," she said. A small, sad smile appeared on her face as she turned to face him. "I
probably would have done and said the same things if I were you. You… you just need to learn iron
control."
They laughed at her half-hearted joke, but suddenly she was crying, running into his arms,
letting him hold her and murmur her name as she sobbed, the tears running down her cheeks and
dripping onto his armour. "Steiner," she whispered. "Why did she have to die?"
He didn't answer.
Time passed. She didn't know how long, but when she finally pulled away from him, the sky no
longer showed the colours of dawn, but the cornflower blue of morning.
"We should… we should probably go see if the other mages need help," Beatrix said, thinking of
Eiko.
"You need to think of yourself for once," Steiner scolded her. "You're as tired as everyone else,
Beatrix. You wore yourself thin. You need rest, too."
"Don't be stupid," she told him, and headed down the stairs leading to the tower. He followed
her, and caught her when her tired legs collapsed from underneath her body. She smiled up at him.
"Looks like I need more rest than I thought," she laughed.
"Come on, lady knight," Steiner said gently, taking her in his arms. "I'll take you back to your
room, so you can rest."
* * * *
Vivi stood, looking in amazement. He had been unable to move from his position since the planets
had collided, instead staring at Alexandria and the damage that had been inflicted on the city.
He really didn't have much to look at. Alexandria had survived the collision with very little
damage.
"We did it," he whispered again and again. "We did it."
"Vivi!" a voice called, and the black mage turned slowly around. Firestar ran up to him and threw
her arms around him. Behind her were Thundershadow, Icequake, and Quina. "We did it!" the prophet
cried. She pulled away from Vivi, tears visible in her yellow eyes.
"We did," Vivi laughed. "We all worked hard. We did it together."
Quina nodded. "I cook celebratory feast," he/she said. "We must have lots and lots of froggies at
feast!" Without waiting for a response from Vivi, Quina waddled off, muttering to him/herself
about the feast.
"Quina has been talking about the feast since we bumped into him-slash-her," Thundershadow
laughed, his eyes glinting in amusement. "But he-slash-she seemed to want your approval on the
idea."
Icequake giggled. "So we set off to find you… we wanted to speak to you as well, you see, Master
Vivi… and Quina tells you his-slash-her idea and walks off!"
The mages laughed, and Vivi said, "What was it you wanted to talk to me about, Icequake?"
Icequake looked at Thundershadow, who in turn looked at Firestar. "How come I always get stuck
saying the important things?" she sighed. When neither of the mages answered, Firestar said,
"Vivi, we want to go back to Black Mage Village. The Terrans would have died when their planet
died… and they're still encased in that Thundaga Protect spell you cast with Kuja. We can close
it… but we wanted to know if you'd come with us… you're kind of… a leader for the mages… and…"
"A leader?" Vivi squeaked. "I'm not a leader!"
"We know you don't think of yourself that way," Icequake said shyly, "but everyone else does,
Master Vivi. You overcame your fears and saved the world… not once, but twice, now!"
"I couldn't have done it without my friends," Vivi protested.
"But you're the only black mage who's ever done it," Thundershadow said.
Vivi knew there was no point in telling them that they had just done exactly the same thing as
he: worked with friends and saved the world. Instead he sighed and said, "All right. I'll come
with you. Let's go see Zidane and ask him to loan us the Invincible."
This time it was Icequake who launched herself at him. "Thank you, Master Vivi!" she cried, her
shyness supposedly gone. "Thank you ever so much!"
As the four mages left the tower, they took each other's hands. Vivi felt an incredible sense of
oneness. For once, he felt like he really… belonged.
* * * *
He didn't know how long he had been standing there for, watching the explosions and then the sky
after, listening to the explosions, the blessed silence, and then the happy cries of the people
who had won their war, smelling and tasting the acrid odour of burning meteorites as they crashed
to the ground and then smouldered, and feeling the intense heat of spells fly past him in waves
and eventually cool as the morning breeze blew past him. He did know that he had been there for
quite a while. Yet he stood motionless.
Eventually he turned to look at the woman that crouched behind him. She had curled herself into a
ball, not willing to see the collision or the explosions, trying not to hear or feel or smell or
taste the same sounds, heat and odours that he had, but hearing them anyway and knowing they
would be with her for the rest of her life.
"Freya," Amarant said softly. She didn't look up, but stayed with her long nose tucked into her
lap, crouched, unmoving, except for the slight shiver that passed through her every now and then.
He tried again. "Freya. Everything is okay now. It's all over."
Moments passed, feeling more like years to Amarant as he reached out and placed his hand on
Freya's shoulder. She looked up at him. Tears spilled from her eyes. "Amarant…" she whispered.
He held his long arms out to her. Slowly, as if waking from a dream, the rat woman stood and
stepped forward, letting his arms close around her. She rested her head against his shoulder,
unashamedly letting the tears flow.
"Amarant, I was so afraid," she said, after a little while.
"We all were," the bounty hunter answered. "In times of war, it's okay to be afraid. But… Freya,
you won't have to be afraid anymore. Because now, we have nothing to fear."
CHAPTER 19
-Zidane?-
Kuja's voice in his thoughts brought Zidane back to reality. Kuja the Genome said weakly. It's
over, bro
-I know, Zidane. It's over. We won. But… my job here is done now-
Kuja… you can't leave
-I have to, little brother. I'm sorry-
But…
-Take care of everyone for me…- Kuja's voice was growing more distant.
Kuja, don't leave! Zidane screamed. It was hard to think that the spirit he was begging to stay
had once been his enemy. He didn't care. He just wanted his big brother back.
-Goodbye, brother-
KUJA!
* * * *
There was a light. A light that once shone brilliantly, but had been overused and was slowly
fading away.
There was a shadow. A shadow of a man who had lost all that he had loved, and wanted his life
back the way it was before the light had come along.
And there was a voice. A voice that came from nowhere, but was fading as quickly as it had come.
-I said I would help you, my brother, and I did-
The voice separated from the shadow, and the shadow screamed and reached for the voice.
"KUJA!"
The light exploded and was no more, leaving the shadow in eternal darkness.
* * * *
Zidane sat and stared at the ground in front of him. How could Kuja have left him? How could
Garnet have left him? Why did everyone have to die? He didn't understand. He wanted his life back
the way it had been before Necron had come. He wanted his brother back. He wanted his Dagger
back. He wanted his life back.
"I don't have anything to live for anymore," Zidane whispered, tears in his eyes as he pulled his
daggers from his belt. "Why do I have to live when I'll have to live through so much pain every
day of my life? I don't want to live anymore!"
Whether fate thought that Zidane wasn't meant to die, or whether the Genome's strength was
totally wasted, he found that he could not lift the dagger high enough to penetrate his own
heart. He sunk to the cobblestone, crying, and eventually fell asleep, his daggers splayed out in
front of him like an offering.
It was on the cobblestones that Vivi and the other mages found him. Picking Zidane up and
cradling him in her arms, Firestar led them back to the guest quarters, where the Genome could
sleep in comfort.
* * * *
She woke to find herself staring at the orange-pink sky of dawn. Somehow finding the strength to
flip herself onto her belly so she could get a better look at things, she surveyed her situation.
She was back in Oeilvert, in the exact spot that Necron had pounded her into the ground.
"Was it all a dream?" she choked out. "Did I never leave Gaia?"
-It wasn't a dream, princess-
"Kuja?" she asked, looking for the source of the voice. "It wasn't a dream? Then… how come… how
come I'm still alive?"
-Ask as many times as you like, Garnet, but I can't tell you why you're still alive. I don't know
myself. All that matters is… well, you survived-
"Not for much longer, perhaps," she muttered, disgusted with her weakness as she found that she
could not muster enough strength to stand. "I don't have any strength left. The others think I'm
dead. They'll never find me here. I'll die of starvation and rot and…"
-Pessimist- Kuja said. She thought she could hear amusement in his soft, fading voice. -You'll
find a way out of it. I believe in you, Garnet-
"You're not leaving me here?"
-But of course- Once again, the amusement surfaced. Then he said, in a somewhat more subdued
manner, -I always loved you, princess. Take care of both yourself and Zidane. Farewell-
"Kuja, come back! You can't just leave me here!" she screamed.
If you sing the song, he will come.
A new voice entered Garnet's head, and the queen knew that once again, Sarah was giving her
advice. "The song?" she asked her former self, but then she laughed. Why ask herself when she
already knew what the song was? "I don't think it will work… but, it's worth a try, I suppose."
Searching inside herself for whatever white magic she had left, Garnet began to sing.
"Afureru sono namida o "Turn those overflowing tears
Kagayaku yuuki ni kaete Into glittering courage
Inochi wa tsuzuku Life continues on
Yoru o koe Across the night
Utagau koto no nai And continues to
ashita e to tsuzuku." a certain tomorrow."
It was her mother's song, Sarah's song, Garnet's song, Zidane's song. Their song. She had known
it since she was a child. But at the moment when she needed it the most, the white magic and
mysterious language of the song came back to her, guiding her as she called for Zidane.
"Watashi ga shinou to mo "Though I may die
Kimi ga ikite iru kagiri As long as you live
Inochi wa tsuzuku Life continues on
Eien ni Eternally
Sono chikara no kagiri ni And continues to anywhere
doko made mo tsuzuku." as long as you are strong."
Finally, Garnet's last burst of strength faded, and her head slumped to the ground as she closed
her eyes. Her last, exhausted thought before she passed out was, Sarah. You're an idiot.
* * * *
"Watashi ga shinou to mo "Though I may die
Kimi ga ikite iru kagiri As long as you live
Inochi wa tsuzuku…" Life continues on…"
Clouds floated around her, acting as visual personifications of the song that floated through her
mind. She knew it from somewhere. But where did she know it from? And why could she feel white
magic in it? After pondering the last question for a second, she sent her own white magic flowing
into the song, listening, analysing. She could feel something familiar about the glow that was
surrounded by the song, the glow that was shielding the singer from her sight.
Knowing it was probably wrong, Eiko thrust herself into the glow of white magic, looking for the
voice that was singing the song. When she found the shadow in the middle of the white light, she
shrieked in amazement and excitement.
She had to wake up. Now.
* * * *
"ZIDAAAAAAAANE!"
Zidane flew out of his bed in the guest quarters, instinctively grabbing for his daggers. When he
saw Eiko, he immediately relaxed. So did everyone else who was sleeping in the same room. She
opened her mouth to gabble excitedly, but at the same moment, their friends burst in, wanting to
know what the commotion was.
"What in the seven hells is happening in here?" Amarant said before Eiko could tell Zidane
exactly what was happening.
"I was going to explain, if you'd given me the chance," the mage said sulkily. "But no, you come
in here and…"
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Beatrix replied brusquely, cutting her off. "Tell us then!"
Looking at the older mage, Eiko knew that she had felt it, too. She excused Beatrix's rudeness as
concern for Zidane and exclaimed, "Dagger's alive!"
Zidane stared. He was motionless for several whole seconds, before shaking his head, as if to get
his brain working again. Then he said, "What?"
"She's alive, Zidane! Dagger! She's alive! She's in Oeilvert! She's safe! SHE'S ALIVE!"
Zidane still looked confused. But he said, slowly and very clearly, "What are we waiting for?
Let's go and find her."
"Yeah! Come on, everyone!" Mikoto said. The others looked at her in surprise. The Genome didn't
ever show enthusiasm for anything. "Let us go and find Dagger!"
Zidane led them out of the room. Beatrix saw Eiko hanging back, looking somewhat confused, and
left the group to join her. They followed the others to the airship at a slower pace, talking
quietly.
"What is wrong?" Beatrix asked.
"Why isn't he happy?" Eiko said sadly. "I thought he'd be happy that Dagger is alive."
"I think he's confused, little one," the older mage replied. "He's not sure whether or not to
believe. His brain wants to, because it knows that you are probably right, but his heart is
telling him not to believe, because it doesn't want to hurt more than it already does. He's
saving his emotions for later, to save himself from more pain… just in case."
"But he doesn't need a just in case," Eiko protested.
"You know that," Beatrix said. "I know that. But he doesn't."
"Soon he will," Eiko said confidently. "He'll know."
EPILOGUE
Mind racing, heart racing, pulse racing. As they had drawn closer to Oeilvert, he had felt her,
he knew he had. Running for the teleporter as they landed, he stopped for a second and mentally
slapped himself. Don't get your hopes up, fool. What if she's not there? his brain warned his
heart. Funny, only moments before it had been his heart warning his brain to be careful. Funny
how his own organs were betraying each other and confusing him so flawlessly.
But when he landed on the desert sands just outside of Oeilvert, he could contain his joy and
expectancy no longer. Not even taking out his weapons in the cautious way he always did, he
sprinted into Oeilvert, scanning the place with his eyes, searching for her, telling his brain
and heart to shut up as they screamed at him that his hopes were too high.
What was that? A glow in the corner of his eye. A white glow. Magic. Zidane spun, looking for the
source of the glow. He quickly found it. Crumpled on the ground was a girl with raven-black hair
and a yellow jumpsuit. "Dagger," he whispered, "oh, my darling Dagger. I thought you were dead…"
He ran to her unconscious form and gathered her in his arms. Her liquid brown eyes fluttered
open, recognising the sensation of touch, and she looked into his eyes, confused. After a few
seconds, the confusion cleared and she whispered listlessly, "…Zidane."
"It's me, Dagger," Zidane said, on the verge of tears. "I'm here. I've come to take you home."
"Sarah said you would come," Garnet whispered. "She said if I sang our song, you would find me. I
didn't believe her, but… here you are." She chuckled. "Here you are."
"Dagger… who is Sarah?"
Garnet smiled. "Sarah?" she asked. "Sarah is me."
She closed her eyes, fainting into his arms. Zidane smiled and brushed a lock of hair from her
face. Then he stood and carried her back to the airship, the smile never leaving his face.
His Dagger was back. Life was worth living.
* * * *
She opened her eyes. Magnificent colour blinded her, making her shut her eyes again. When she was
finally brave enough to open them for long enough that they could focus on their surroundings,
she found herself inside the Invincible. She was lying on her back, but she wasn't entirely sure
where. All she could see were the faces and bodies of her friends, who crowded around her,
looking anxious but happy and excited at the same time.
"Why so worried?" she croaked. She laughed, and after a second everyone joined in with her. Then
their faces became more solemn.
"We thought you were dead," Steiner said.
"I felt your life force leave Gaia," Eiko jumped in, explaining Steiner's comment.
"We didn't know you'd actually gone to Terra," Mikoto added, "but Zidane told us on the way here
what had happened."
"You missed so much," Beatrix said, smiling.
Amarant nodded. "We have so much to tell you."
Almost nervously, Vivi said, "We were scared without you, Dagger."
Another black mage, with the name Firestar magicked onto her hat, said softly, "But the little
mages were very brave, Your Majesty." Garnet noticed that two other mages, with the names
Thundershadow and Icequake magicked onto their hats, were nodding their agreement to Firestar's
statement. She smiled at Vivi, thanking him silently for his bravery, and the mage's eyes lit up
with relief and joy.
"I think I speak for us all when I say that it's good to have our queen back, Dagger," Freya
said.
"Did you bring me any froggies?" Quina asked. At this comment, everyone cracked up laughing.
For a while they all talked to her excitedly, but it all passed Garnet in a blur. They finally
moved aside, revealing Zidane. The Genome had tears in his eyes as he picked Garnet up, twirling
her in the air. "Don't you ever do that again," he said passionately, placing her back on the
ground. Holding her by the shoulders, he shook her lightly. "Never ever go away on a mission
without support. Never!" Shake. "Ever!" Shake.
"Stop shaking me," the queen said, amused.
He followed his orders and pulled her against him. "I love you too much to let you die," he
whispered. "Promise me you won't do it again."
"You're so pitiful when you beg," she smiled. Then she sighed. "I promise I won't run off again
without support."
"Never?"
"Never."
Zidane smiled at her, and then whispered nervously, "Marry me?"
Garnet gasped and coloured. "I beg your pardon?" she squeaked.
"Umm… well…" the Genome turned a beautiful shade of scarlet, even deeper than Garnet's blush. "I
asked if you would… well… marry me."
Garnet smiled. "I will," she promised. "…Only, we might have to wait a few years."
"I'd wait forever and a day," Zidane replied.
He kissed her, and their friends burst into applause. Garnet looked at them in amusement. "Might
we have some privacy?" she asked.
"But of course," Steiner said. Garnet's eyes widened at his sudden change of character. "Everyone
- out," he ordered, ushering the others out of the small room, closing the door behind them.
Zidane smiled. "I love you, Dagger."
"And I you, Zidane."
As the Invincible floated through the skies towards Alexandria, Zidane kissed his beloved queen
again.
A new beginning for them all.
~Fin~