Edonil: I live! Really, I swear I do! Anywho, I know I haven't updated much lately. Dunno why. But so few chapters left… Always feel free to send me nasty emails if I don't update within a week!

To Change

Chapter Forty-Eight

"Don't worry, Crims; you'll be alright…" Crims didn't answer. She must be very injured. Why wouldn't the wretched chocobo move faster? Kuja dug his heels into its side. It gave a loud kweh and sped up.

It was close; he could see it clearly. The broken remains of the Ancient Tree of Life. He was surprised to see how the greenery around it had flourished; there were saplings and a thick carpet of moss living off the decaying trunk. It was so peaceful, so quiet…

Projecting forth images and thoughts as he had so many years ago, Kuja summoned Memoria forth. Smiling, he slowly rose from the chocobo's back, supported by the power of his trance. The bird gave a loud squawk.

Annoying creature. Kuja sent a blast of magic towards its head; he had to put it out of its misery.

"Just a while longer, Crims…"

((Change POV))

Garland chortled maniacally. All was going according to plan. Kuja was now going off towards the Crystal. Once he realized Crims was dead, he would be very angry. He would attempt to destroy life. Since Avylonn was lying on the Treno ground in millions of pieces, she was out of the picture, and since Zidane was unaware of recent events, so was he.

And since Garland was only partially on the Mortal Plane, he would be perfectly fine.

Better still, that stupid minion, Salmoneus Xylander, would also die, effectively ridding the world of his stupidity.

Excellent.

((Change POV))

The Crystal gave off a soft glow, illuminating the place. How beautiful… Zidane was a fool. He should have placed protections on the Crystal, and arranged for transport to and from it. Didn't he know of the Crystal's remarkable healing powers?

Never mind that now; he had to save Crims. Placing her in front of the Crystal, Kuja dropped into a meditative state, and began.

"Mighty Crystal, I have need of your help." The words were not Gaian, nor were they Terran; they were the thought-language of Magic and Life.

"I recognize you, Fey One. What is it that you ask?"

"My Love, Crims, is dying. Please, heal her."

"She is not dying, Fey One. The Fiery One has already passed on."

"No she hasn't! She's alive! Heal her!" Kuja didn't realize how stupid it was to argue with a semi-sentiment chunk of rock.

"She has passed on. If you will not believe me, then look into my core; the answer is there for you to see." Curious, Kuja obeyed.

"Kuja…?" It was Crims, looking sad.

"Crims! I knew you were alive-"

"Kuja, I am dead."

"What is this?" Crims gazed at him sadly.

"I am dead, Kuja. Please, try to understand. I am alright. Trust me. Move on; you must care for Avylonn, and spend time with your brother and his family. Kuja, trust me, I am alright."

"NO!"

The world erupted.

Fire.

Water.

Wind.

Earth.

Darkness.

Edonil: Just in case anyone was confused, Avylonn is not dead, despite what Garland believes. He is mistaken. That said, please review! Sorry it was so short!