Yay, here's the rest of this classic literature…enjoy!
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Eventually, in the chaos and madness that had engulfed Alexandria, Beatrix and I had gotten separated. The last time I saw her, she had stopped to aid a man who was cornered by yet another one of Kuja's Mist-created minions. I had started over to help her, but got attacked myself by what seemed to be the millionth monster I had seen that night.
After I had laid my adversary to waste, I immediately began to track down Beatrix, but I couldn't find her anywhere. What if, in the minute I took my eyes off her, she had been hurt? Frantically, ignoring my fatigue and the throbbing in my arm, I searched high and low for her, calling her name until my voice was hoarse.
I cursed, blaming myself for whatever fate may have befallen her. Even though I knew she could take care of herself, I couldn't help but worry. 'You promised her that you would protect her!' I had kept telling myself, 'and you end up losing her!'
The condition of the city worsened as the minutes passed by. Fires rages out of control, buildings had started to crumble and fall. Slain monsters littered the streets, along with the bodies of those who were unable to escape. It was a truly hellish scene. I wanted to give up-on myself, on salvaging Alexandria, and on finding Beatrix. For the first time I had felt completely overwhelmed, and…
"Hey Rusty!" I had heard from behind me. "Hurry the hell up, or you're gonna be left behind!" It was Zidane, among others, and they were charging toward Alexandria Harbour. I ran to catch up to them, leaving everything behind, and with Zidane, the princess, Master Vivi, and the others we made it to where we are now: Lindblum Castle, assessing the current situation and planning our next move.
For the moment, we were safe.
Safe, and most importantly, we were alive.
But Alexandria lay in ruins, and Beatrix may not have been so lucky.
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"…must have been quite something. Her Highness is probably beyond despair," I hear Minister Artania say; he must still be talking about the previous night's events. He pauses, looking at everyone in the room in turn. Finally, his gaze lands on me, and, feeling obliged to say something, I recount what I had witnessed myself:
"I have never witnessed such tragedy," I say. "There was nothing we could do. We fought with everything we had, but to no avail."
I pause for a second. "Beatrix and I were prepared to give our lives," I add. Remembering Beatrix, I am overwhelmed with… I'm not sure… I can't quite think right now. Everyone is watching me.
"…I-I don't know what happened to her."
I have to keep telling myself that I did the right thing in leaving Alexandria. My sworn duty is to protect the princess, and I could not have fulfilled that if I had stayed behind, no matter the reason. Being realistic, I see that there was nothing more I could've done to protect the city, save the few citizens I managed to rescue.
There is no question: I feel I am to blame for whatever may have, or will yet, happen to Beatrix. I told her that I would protect her, and in my eyes I had failed. I'm overcome with grief, grief and guilt, knowing that I am safe in Lindblum and she's in Alexandria, hurt, or even worse… I can't think that. I will not allow myself to think that.
I must remain optimistic.
I say this not to ease my conscience, but because I know for it to be true: Beatrix is a survivor. She is strong of will, and though I could never admit it to her, much stronger than I could ever be.
That's why I know she is alright now.
But maybe I'm just being selfish.
Maybe I tell myself these things to keep myself going.
Because she is enough reason for me to keep fighting, to stay alive.
So I shall fight, hoping, that after this mess is behind us, and the conti-no, the world is at peace, that I will see her again.
And, praying that when we return to Alexandria, she will be there so I can finally tell her…
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And there you have it! Thank you sooooo much for reading this to the end; it means a lot!! And I have another project on the go at the moment so hopefully that will be done soon. Please remember to review!
Elena Scherwiz
