The Song of Eternity
Canto 2 : Gaia
Verse 13
Endgame
Unable to defeat the foe,
Hope is lost.
He takes all their sadness on himself,
And lives in darkness forever.
"We're gonna die here," Eiko whispered as she helped Deklin to his feet. "He's gonna kill all of us," she said as Garland laughed at all of them. "Deklin, you need to do something," she said as Deklin leaned on her.
"I'd love to, but there's a small problem here," he said as he fell to his knees. "I landed on something sharp," he explained as Eiko stared at the blood spreading across his back. "He's nullified all our magic too, can't you tell," he explained as he got to his feet and leaned heavily on Eiko.
"You're right…," Eiko admitted as she found she could not use her magic. She glanced around to the others, Nathan was on his feet, as were Amarant and Zidane, but the others got hit too hard by the spell or landed poorly and were barely moving. "Looks like everyone is in pretty bad shape," she whispered.
"Yup, looks like this is the end. At least we're among friends," Deklin sighed as he groaned in pain and fell to the ground.
Can you hear me? Travis, can you hear me? The voice drifted through nothingness, searching for someone to listen. There you are. Open your eyes. The voice commanded the still form in the blackness, who in turn moved and opened it's eyes.
Where am I? Travis 'said' out loud, noticing that he never really spoke, he just thought. He looked down at himself, noticing that he had changed. His body had turned into the rough outline of a human form, he was made of glowing, transparent energy. What is going on?
You are dead. The voice spoke in a feminine tone. Travis looked at the being he was speaking to. It was a little bit smaller than him, distinctively feminine, it looked like it was holding something as well. It was made up of energy, just like Travis now was. Follow me. The voice ordered as it drifted away.
Travis followed it, until he found himself on the edge of the battlefield where the others were getting beat by Garland. How'd I get here? Who are you? He questioned the being, hoping for an answer. In response, the being waved it's hand, forcing Travis's features to become sharp again, but still made of transparent energy. The being then waved it's other hand, causing it's own features to sharpen. Fiona and Alek…
Travis thought the words as he recognized the two in front of him. The woman was Fiona, his deceased wife. She looked like she did the last time he saw her. She stood up to his shoulders, with short cut spiky blue hair. She had tribal tattoo designs up and down her arms and was wearing her favorite orange skirt and top, the one he gave her before they got married. She was holding their son Alek in her arms. Travis reached around his neck to find nothing there. His eyes shifted to the baby with the plain metal necklace around his neck and Fiona with her wedding ring on. Fiona, I missed you.
I know Travis, I know. But you need to watch this. She gestured at the battle in front of them. Garland was stalking toward Nathan who was bravely standing in front of Mikoto. Deklin lay bleeding in Eiko's arms, and Amarant was busy trying to rouse the others. They are going to die. Fiona stated as Nathan was knocked backward into Mikoto.
I tried to stop him. I was too weak. Travis said as he turned away from the battle. Just like I was too weak to save you
Travis, don't blame yourself. You had to go help the others.
You died because of me leaving that day. Not to mention the millions that died after that. Let's go, I don't' want to watch this. Travis said as he tried to leave, but could not.
You must watch. Watch your enemy kill your friends.
Why are you doing this? Travis asked as he saw Nathan stirring again.
Because it is right. You could have stopped him if you tried. Why didn't you?
It would have killed Kuja if I had used my full power. I could feel him dying. I chose to let him live, hoping he could do it with their help. Why are we watching this? Travis questioned his wife as Nathan unsteadily got to his feet.
You have a choice Travis. You can come with me to the afterlife and let Nathan and the others die. Garland and Terra will destroy countless worlds if you come to the afterlife with me. Or you can go back. If you go back, it will cost Alek and I our eternal souls. You will have to chase Garland's forces across dimensions for all eternity. And you will never see us again.
I want to be with you. Travis said with conviction. It's all I've wanted for so long.
Are you sure Travis? Take some time, I'm sure you'll make the right decision. You've always done the right thing. She smiled at him as he stared out at the battle.
I want to stay dead. I want to stay here with you. I don't want to fight anymore. Travis admitted as he saw Nathan muster up enough strength to strike at Garland.
What about what you learned on Earth? If you don't fight, who will? Who will save the innocent?
Travis crouched as he looked out over the battle. I guess this is goodbye then Fiona. Travis said as he stood up and faced his wife. I really have no choice here. Before I agree, are you sure you want this?
I don't want anyone else to experience the sadness we did.
Fine. I'll always love you Fiona. Travis spoke as he pulled her close. He kissed his son on the forehead, then looked into his wife's eyes. What do I do… He stopped as she pulled him close and kissed him. He closed his eyes as he felt her slip away. When he opened them, he was still transparent, but on the battlefield near Kuja. He looked down to see he was only wearing his pants. He could clearly see his metal arm and something new. Fiona's ring was around his neck on his son's necklace. He glanced at something above his heart as well, a perfect tattoo of Fiona smiling and holding Alek. He drifted over to where Kuja's body lay in a heap. Kuja, wake up.
"What…," Kuja blinked as he heard a voice pull him back to consciousness. He opened his eyes and saw a familiar form above him. "Why are you see through?"
Long story, no time to tell. I need to take your Starlight so I can defeat Garland. You will never be able to use it again though.
"Go nuts, just make sure he dies," Kuja said to Travis.
I will. Travis reached his insubstantial hand into Kuja's chest, removing a small sphere of darkness from Kuja's chest. The sphere melted into his own hand after it was totally removed from Kuja. A second later Travis glowed as bright as the sun, blinding everyone on the battlefield. As the light cleared, he stood in front of Garland, whole and alive again. "Boo," he said calmly as he struck Garland in the face.
"You died…" Garland said as he gathered himself, facing the new threat.
"I got better," Travis joked as his sword materialized in his human hand. "I can't let you destroy this world," he stated calmly.
"It does not matter if you beat me, Terra will live on," Garland taunted.
"He sent probes, full of the technovirus that made him what he is now to other worlds. Each one has the ability and knowledge of him," Eiko motioned at Garland. "They can recreate the entire Terran race if given the chance. He sent out a dozen," Eiko said before helping Deklin.
"I know, Fiona told me," Travis admitted. "I will go after them after he is dealt with," Travis said as he walked towards Garland.
"You really want to die again boy," Garland roared as they both flew at each other and battled in midair at an incredible speed. They struck at each other with so much force that cracks formed on the ground below them. Finally Garland crashed to the ground as Travis floated in the air above him. "Impossible, you are stronger," Garland said in disbelief as he examined the large cracks in his exterior.
"I have no reason to hold back," Travis said as Garland leapt at him.
Travis stepped out of the way and sliced cleanly through the arm Garland struck with. "I accept my power now," he said calmly as he drifted to the ground beside Garland. "I will take others' sadness as my own and never let another experience what I have. You will not harm another," Travis finished as he stood next to Garland.
"Go to hell Starmore. You are not strong enough to kill me. I will regenerate," Garland growled.
"Not if there is nothing left to regenerate from," Travis said as he grabbed Garland and hurled him to the air above him. "The Starlight is my power, my curse," he said as he unleashed a Starlight blast at Garland. "You will not hurt anyone else!" Travis shouted as the Starlight blast tripled in power. He stood still, bleeding as the smoke cleared, looking at the sky.
"You got him," Nathan said as Mikoto helped him shuffle over to Travis. "You got him Trav."
"I am going away Nathan," Travis spoke to his brother.
"Let us help you."
"No. Stay here. Live a good life, stay with your family. I need to do this for Fiona. She told me she wanted me to stop Garland's forces. Where I'm going, I wouldn't want anyone to follow," Travis explained as his eyes turned black.
"But what about Earth. We should go home and say goodbye to mom and dad at least," Nathan pleaded with Travis.
"There is nothing left on Earth. Alpha and I battled there for two years. All our family and most of our friends are dead, along with over half the planet. This is your life here Nathan," Travis said as he patted Nathan on the shoulder. "I need to go live my life now. You won't see me again Nathan," he finished as he waved his hand and an oval of darkness appeared. "I can hear the song, but the words are foreign," he said as he stepped closer to the void.
"It speaks of two futures," Amarant said from his position on the ground. "One of joy and happiness and love for us on Gaia. And one of pain and suffering for you Travis," Amarant frowned as he coughed up a little blood.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. Later, guys. It was good while it lasted," Travis finished before stepping into the void and vanishing.
------------------------------------------Six Years Later------------------------------------
"Go play, don't hurt yourself," Amarant said as he pushed a child forward onto the playground with some other kids. Amarant walked over to where his friends were standing around. "What?" he said angrily as Zidane chuckled at him.
"Never pictured you as the fatherly type," Zidane laughed as the eleven of them (minus Freya) who battled Garland stood around, killing some time.
"Be nice," Garnet scolded Zidane, hitting him in the arm. "You make a great father Amarant," she smiled.
Amarant stood silently, annoyed at Zidane. "Be sociable," Lani ordered as she hit him in the back of the head. "How old are yours now?" Lani asked Garnet.
"The twins are five now," Garnet said as she looked at a pair of identical twin boys running around on the playground. They both looked just like their father Zidane, minus the tail. "How about your daughter?"
"Fiona is four now," Amarant said as he watched his daughter playing tag with the other kids. She was easily spotted with the full head of long red hair.
"Shhh," Eiko whispered as she rocked the child in her arms.
"What's the deal with you two anyway? How many more are you planning on popping out?" Zidane asked Deklin before Garnet cracked him upside the back of his head.
"We only have four Zidane," he said as Garnet scolded his friend. "No magic!" he shouted at the playground. Two girls and a boy turned around to look at him. "Put it out!" The kids quickly turned back to the floating fireball they were hiding, making it disappear.
"They keep playing with magic around the other kids. Hopefully we can beak them of the habit before they start school," Eiko said as her kids joined the others in playing tag.
"So are you two planning on having any kids?" Eiko asked Steiner and Beatrix.
"Eventually, we aren't in a rush," Steiner answered as Beatrix blushed.
"Actually, we should have one in about seven months," Beatrix admitted. Steiner stood there dumbfounded by the news.
"Mommy, look at me!" A child shouted from the playground as he did a backflip.
"He's pretty good for only being five years old," Zidane admitted as he watched the child do several difficult acrobatic moves without falling.
"Quit showing off Travis!" Nathan shouted. The child stopped and smiled, then went back to play with the others.
"Let him play, it's just a game to him," Mikoto said as she calmed her husband.
"You named him after your brother," Kuja nodded in approval.
"Yeah, where've you been for the last five years anyway?" Nathan asked .
"Wandering. Contemplating life and existence," Kuja said as he stared off into space. "He would be proud you named the child after him," Kuja told Nathan. "He touched me, took something out of me before he defeated Garland. I've been in touch with what he was like since then," Kuja explained.
"Thank you," Nathan nodded.
"He's never coming back, you know. He's still alive though, I can feel it," Kuja said as he looked skyward.
"He saved all of us. I hope I get to see him again after I die," Nathan said as he looked skyward as well. "But that won't be for a long time, I plan on living this life for him," Nathan said as he hugged his wife, happy to be among friends.