9: Until the End of Time

"Quisty!!!!!" Squall dove down and cradled her body in his arms. With shaking hands, he carefully extracted the black gunblade out of her. Quistis screamed in agony and blood spurted out of her mouth.

Zell turned to her assailant. Reyes Leads.

"You freaking bastard!" he roared furiously and landed a blow squarely on Leads' jaw. Rage must've strengthened his punch. Leads was already sprawled on the ground, unmoving.

"Quisty…please, open your eyes." Squall was pleading. He stroked her cheek tenderly. Red tainted her perfect face. He glanced down at his hands. The leather glove was soaked in blood. Her blood. It just won't stop flowing.

Then he saw her eyelids flutter. Slowly—as if it was excruciatingly painful to do so—she opened her eyes.

"Squall?" she whispered softly.

He held her hand tightly. "Yes, it's me."

"Is she…gone?"

He nodded, afraid to speak. His voice might betray him.

"Where are…everyone else?" she shifted and saw Zell kneeling beside her. Behind him, Selphie and Irvine were stirring. She smiled serenely at them all. "You are all…heroes…I'm so…proud of you…I can now…leave…peacefully."

"No, Quisty! Don't say that! You're going to be okay!" Zell was shamelessly crying. He gripped Quistis' other hand and willed her to hold on. If only…he could give half of his life to her, he would not hesitate to do so. But he couldn't. He could only watch her die.

Die.

She wasn't going to make it.

He pulled back. He knew now with dead certainty that she was going to leave them all forever. And accepting it was like swallowing acid, slowly burning his insides. Quistis' eyes filled suddenly and a tear slid down her cheek. It was as if she too felt his pain.

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…"

"No, Quisty, I—"  

"Quisty!!" instantly, Selphie and Irvine appeared by her side. Selphie sobbed uncontrollably. "No, Quisty! No!"

"Quis…"Irvine croaked.

"You guys…are the best friends…a girl could have…Sefie…don't stop believing…that the world…is a wonderful place…don't…lose…to despair…Irvy…please…watch over her…Zell…always…believe…in yourself…and tell Seifer…that I never…blamed him…promise me…all of you."

"We promise." Selphie said tearfully.

"Yeah, Quisty. Promise." Irvine echoed.

"Promise." Zell managed to choke out.

Quistis smiled. She turned to Squall. He was gazing at her with such anguish in his eyes…

"Squall…?"

"…yes?"

"Remember…when I said…I lived…for myself…and will die…for myself?"

"Yes, how could I forget?" he replied softly.

"I…lied…always…always…I had lived…for you…and now…I'll die…for the world…I—"Squall felt her shudder. Her chest rose and her breathing caught in her throat. He was losing her.

"Quisty, stop. Stop talking."

She reached out a hand and put it on his face. One thumb was gently caressing his cheek. He could feel his own tears there. He had not realized he had shed them.

"Shh, my darling…don't cry." Quistis whispered. "Remember…I will always…love you…my brave…lion."

"I'll love you too…until the end of time."

She smiled, as if reassured. Finally, she closed her eyes. Quistis took one last breath. Her back arched and then…she was gone.

Selphie sobbed even louder. She turned into Irvine's embrace and let her tears soak his tan coat. He held closer, as if afraid that she, too, would leave. Zell had jumped up and was punching the wall until his knuckles bled. But he didn't care. He just kept on punching it.

Squall closed his eyes, letting the last of his tear trickle down. He opened them again and gazed down at Quistis' peaceful face. Gently, he laid her down.

He was about to stand up when he saw her whole body glowing. He stared, mesmerized, as the light got brighter until it blinded him. Shielding his eyes, he watched her body being lifted into the air, seemingly carried by invisible hands.

And then, in a flash of bright light, she was gone. And her voice echoed in the air.

"I will always…love you…"

Yuki: Well, that's it. Actually, there's a sequel for this fic but I'm not sure about posting it just yet. Right now, I'm thinking of doing a Seiftis. I don't know. I read an excellent Seiftis fic and got inspired. ^_^ . Anyway, it's going to be lighter. None of that dark romance stuff in this fic.