Author's Note: Hey Everyone! This is the official last chapter of Reincarnation! Check out my upcoming fic the Dream-Weaver Colony! Also, a sequel is coming! Yay!
Reincarnation
Chapter 18-The End
Kuja:
I helped Kirika onto Silver's back and got on after her. The walls and roof decayed violently, spreading the scent of vile poison and decaying wood into the air.
"Go Silver!" I shouted, scrambling to cover Kirika's mouth. The air was lethal to the both of us now and I couldn't afford to lose my daughter to it. Silver jumped off of the platform and headed upward, wings pumping frantically.
Mikoto:
The scene at the Iifa was unnerving from the cliffs about five miles away. I haven't heard anything from Kuja since I teleported us away. All of a sudden, I caught a glimpse of a white dragon rocketing upward, followed by a large set of roots.
"It's not going to let them go," Kirei shouted.
We glanced at each other, wondering what we could do to stop it.
"Garnet, can you still summon?" I asked.
"I think I can. Why?"
"They need help."
The roots grew closer, swiping at Silver's tail and hind legs. A figure slid, probably Kirika, down to the end of the tail. No! If Kirika dies, my plan will fail!
"Hurry Garnet!" I shouted.
Garnet took out a pouch and fished around in it frantically. At last, she pulled out several gems.
"Gods, none of these will help!"
What can we do now? No one had anything left to throw.
Kirika:
I was really in an uncomfortable position, hanging by the tail of my favorite dragon. Kuja was clinging to her neck, trying to think of ways to get down to help me. I felt the roots whipping the air all around me as if they were waiting to strike. Kuja growled and waved his hand briskly. The roots around me froze and shattered. I blinked and started climbing up Silver's tail. The dragon swooped down wearing in and out of the roots, trying to get out of the way.
"Pick up the pace, Silver!" Kuja shouted.
But the flight had taken its toll on the dragon. She was getting tired and the rhythms of her wings were slowing down to a crawl.
"She can't help it, Kuja. She's old, you know," I said loudly.
There was a demonic roar from the cracked base of the tree and more roots shot out of the ground violently. Silver couldn't take another hit by the roots. She was way too weak for that. Especially if the tree decided to take her out.
"Father, stay safe, ok?" I said, kissing him on the cheek.
"Don't do it, Kirika. It's too risky. I can't lose you!" (A/N: Lyrics to 'Can't Forget Your Love' by Kuraki Mai. I'll put the Japanese translation first and then the English next.)
I smiled at my father warmly.
Rekishi ni kizamareta setsunai ai ga (All the painful loves recorded in history)
The roots came closer, hissing with each yard they gained. Silver flapped onward with a burst of new energy, but it wasn't enough. If I didn't take my chance to go now, Kuja and Silver would die.
Toki wo koete, mata meguriau yo…kimi eno omoi (Pass through time, and come around again…my love for you)
"Wish me luck."
And with that, I let myself fly back into the destructive path of the roots. Kuja closed his eyes and cast the magic that would take him and Silver out of here.
(The world goes around and around)
I turned around with a subtle twist of my body and faced the damaged husk of the tree.
Dore hodo no kokoro wo kasanetara tadoritsuku? (How many souls must overlap before I reach you?)
The roots seized me roughly, digging its thorns into my arms and legs. I kicked at them, struggling to get out of their grasp. I had to stop the tree somehow. But how…?
Mainichi ga tada kimi no koto de owatte iku yo (Every day simply ends with you)
I let myself relax and called on the power of the life crystal.
(Oh, lonely…lonely day)
"Please, life crystal. If I haven't been deserving of your power, I deserve it now. I want to save everyone. I want to save my father," I whispered.
A warm feeling snaked up my wrist and I smiled. Gaia's power had accepted me. That's when the power of trance hit me. It was like a slam to my chest, knocking the air out of my lungs. My eyes shot open and I stretched my arms. Power flowed out from them, vaporizing the roots around me. I had to force that tree down for good. My body collapsed into warmness and I could feel the power all around me, exploding violently.
"Ultima!"
Everything went completely white and loud explosions could be heard all around. I felt myself falling backwards and images of Kuja flashed in my mind.
Sono shigusa mo, waraigoe sae mune atsuku suru (Your gestures and laughter warm my heart)
I smiled at the image of Kuja holding me in his lap as a child. He was reading to me softly, gently stroking my red hair.
Itoshikute, jiyuu de sae mo (They're so charming that even done freely)
Another image of Kuja swing me around and around in the air. I was grinning and giggling happily, my eyes twinkling in delight.
Nan no imi no motanai mama (They remain holding no meaning)
Was I going to die? I mean, I was seeing all of these images. My back hit something solid, knocking the wind out of me. My eyes shot open and I saw the smiling faces of everyone in front of me, including Kuja's.
Nemuri ni tsuku toki kimi no subete kanji (I feel your everything when I drift to sleep)
"How…how did you know to get me?" I asked.
Kuja hugged me tightly and smiled.
"I just knew."
Yume no naka matsu yo (I'll wait for you in my dreams)
(I just can't forget your love…)