Well, here we are at the end of things! Be wary of scattered scenes and incoherent ramblings. Eh-heh. But it's all in good fun - I hope you all enjoy the conclusion!
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Ephemeral Blossoms
Akai Kitsune
Part 22: Feels Like Home
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Within the hour Kairi came downstairs, bearing breakfast and a melancholy smile that echoed our own moods. The silence had brought Cid's confidence into more of a darkened uncertainty which clouded the air and brought to life the doubts that had been somewhat repressed.
We were so tired of waiting, but we dreaded what was to come. Death, darkness, or some faint, weakened hope that barely kept us going... hope, or pride; the only thing that kept us from walking straight out the door and into the devouring shadows beyond.
Kairi told me I looked too morbid lately. I wanted to say I was being realistic.
Despite that, I knew whatever happened, we'd be fighting until the last. Kairi was steadfast in her belief in Sora, Cid wouldn't give up for anything, and as for me... I had someone to protect, didn't I? A promise to keep.
People had died for me, trying to help me. Whatever their reasons, I had no right to let them down.
Maybe even I had a little hope left - I spent a great deal of time listening for the roar of a gummi ship. Wondering if I'd ever hear her call my name again. Worrying over what I might say, what she might say. Thinking of what I'd do if she no longer waited for me.
Cid would've hit me if he knew my thoughts. He did a lot of things that Zack used to do, if he felt it was necessary.
Not that you don't deserve it.
I shook my head absently, trying to clear it of the thoughts constantly bombarding me, and all at once was startled by the sudden wave of darkness pouring over me. Everything inside my heart was screaming, voices crying out in my mind, urging me to my feet. My companions called my name, startled and concerned, but I ignored them.
Now! the voices snarled and shouted wildly, so clear it was almost audible. Now, no more time, no more waiting, it's over!
The Keybearer is coming! -Now-!
And I knew, beyond a doubt, that it was time, that Sora was where he had to be. That the end was before us, resting on the razor's edge, ready to fall on either side. That the Heartless could sense it and were desperate for power before that end came.
"Cloud?" Kairi repeated, pulling insistently on my arm. I glanced down at her, eyes narrowed.
"Block the door," I growled faintly, then tugged free and leapt past her, slamming my body against the shop's entrance just as another weight hit it from the other side.
They were right; no more waiting. It was all or nothing.
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We were lucky we'd chosen the accessory shop - after all this time, I finally had to admit that. Since their previous attacks, the moogles had been working steadily on new ways to keep the Heartless out. When I had shouted for aid they jumped at the chance or show it off: some sort of warding equipment that held moderately while we attempted to get ourselves organized. We had no idea how long we could keep the Heartless at bay. Cid and I were both lacking sleep, Kairi's abilities were limited, and the moogles were useless in combat - though admittedly, I didn't say that last aloud. Between the three of us, in our current conditions, a few hours was probably our limit. Not that it mattered much; we would fight until it was over, for them or for us. There was nothing else for us to do.
There was a lot of noise going on; I could almost see the moogles' wards failing. A quick look in their direction confirmed it, as the door began to crack and bend at the pressure, darkness flickering into view beneath it. The three creatures chimed a "good luck!" and hurried back up the central ladder to their own floor. I hoped they could figure out how to make something better in the short time we had. Unlikely, but a single thought never really killed anyone.
"We'll know when it's over," I muttered absently, glancing over at Kairi as she nodded in agreement, fist over her heart. If we live that long.
Don't give up. It's not over yet...
It wasn't, and it wouldn't be for a long time. Not for me, when it was only just beginning.
However this ends... I'll see her again. I will.
With that thought as my only comfort, I tightened my grip on my sword, and moved forward, Cid beside me, to charge at the Heartless as they tore through the door.
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Zack told me once that the way he was taught to deal with multiple enemies was to either attack them all at once, or find a way to get them to attack one at a time.
"Small spaces limit you both," he'd warned, nodding his head at his own massive broadsword, "But the more level you can make the field, the better chance you'll have. If you can't get the high ground, you can at least try to stop your enemy from getting it instead."
There were certain advantages to having a good teacher; one of them was that lessons beaten into you tended to come back when they were most needed. I recalled them then, hacking and slashing my way through the Heartless trying to tear through the wall. Neither of us had the disadvantage because of our location; Cid's spear and my sword were hindered by the size of the room, but so too were the creatures swarming at the entrance, half the opening blocked by the massive Defender that had broken down the door, the rest so full of Heartless squirming to be the first to taste our hearts they could barely get through. Their lack of intelligence was the high ground I'd been seeking since I first felt their presence approaching us, and I was not going to waste it.
It wouldn't last, of course; they weren't that stupid. Eventually they would learn the err of their tactics and withdraw to attempt a better one... but for now, they were desperate. And desperation bred foolishness, or so I'd been told.
The largest - literally - obstacle was keeping the Defender at the forefront from moving inside, yet at the same time leaving it alive to block out the others. It was snarling and lashing out with its shield, constantly moving back and forth - crushing some of its comrades in the process - to try and get past me and my sword. The energy attacks from its shield had already blasted several holes in the back of the shop, and I wondered how many more the building could handle before the roof collapsed on us.
Weapon and shield clashed together once more, and I clenched my teeth, fighting back against the creature's hulking strength. If we were going to die this way, then damn it all, we would go down fighting. I wouldn't give up my life to them, especially not when the end was so near. To die now would be to admit that everything we'd gone through up to this point was all a waste of time.
I wouldn't. I couldn't. Not when I'd promised her, promised everyone...
The Heartless roared in fury, if such a creature could feel any, and pressed forward, but I refused to yield. Beside me, I could hear Cid's spear cutting through the smaller opponents, lashing out at all that dared to come near, shouting challenges to those that remained at the back. They were waiting for us to exhaust ourselves, I reminded myself dimly, nearly biting into my cheek. Who could blame them? There were so many, and we were only human. Sooner or later we'd run out of energy, and then...
There's a way around that. You know there is.
...No.
Just like last time...
-No-!
The darkness stirred around me, a few of the Heartless shifting their eyes to gaze at where I stood. I couldn't help but remember the power they contained, I contained, within the wing that slept fitfully in my heart. How could I, or anyone, forget the endless dark that could swallow and overwhelm everything it touched?
Darkness can only be defeated by darkness. The light can only go so far before it is no longer able to reach...
There will always be darkness.
Shadows brought me memories of power... but with those memories came the sound of Tifa's screams in my mind. I would never forget that it was that same power - my power - that condemned her to die, alone in the dark.
If I was on my own... maybe I could...
... but I'm not. The others are here, and they're relying on me, and I will -not- let them down again...
Don't get distracted. Zack told me that, too, even though I'd always known. I never really learned.
He died because of it.
I'd forgotten...
"Cloud!"
Cid's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and my eyes were torn away from the head looming just past the shield to the weapon itself. It was beginning to glow, energy blazing to life-
Cursing my mistake, I shoved hard against my sword and twisted away, trying to escape the attack before it came. At the same time Cid lunged forward, stabbing his spear right into the creature's head, ignoring its fatal shriek. A scant moment later it dissolved, leaving nothing but an opening in the doorway that wouldn't last long.
And the shield, still glowing, though I didn't notice before it went off, white light blazing across the room to where I stood.
I cried out as it hit, my entire side ablaze with pain, and I didn't resist as the force of the attack sent me flying back into the wall. Darkness fell around me - it was always darkness, wasn't it? - as stars danced across my vision, leaving me stunned and blind. I could feel the steady stream of blood flowing free of my body, hear the shouts of my companions. Briefly, I wondered how the hell I had allowed myself to get hit, when just seconds before I was so full of confidence, so determined...
But then all thoughts faded with everything else, as darkness descended upon me, swallowing the stars and leaving me to drift.
Ironic, I noted, somewhat foolishly. And fell.
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The garden was immaculate, as always. Aerith tended to it well, her hands skilled and knowing, the plants thriving in her care. It was amazing in so many ways; she wasn't capable of destruction, I couldn't help but think.
Everything she touched was so vibrant, so alive... I would have felt jealous if I hadn't been touched by it as well.
Maybe... even so, I was still a little envious...
"Come for a visit?" she questioned with a smile, turning as I approached where she knelt. I shrugged, eyes averted, and she giggled quietly. "Of course not. But I'm glad, either way. Sit with me?"
I hesitated, then obliged, ignoring the dirt and the weeds, settling back to watch her work. Despite how nervous and uncertain she made me feel - not that I would ever admit it - her presence was relaxing, almost soothing. Her easy smile and gentle demeanor made my own a little lighter, a little less gloomy, as she might have called it.
"The roses are getting a little out of hand," she said quietly, working away with a small set of clippers. "But I knew they would."
I nodded slightly. "You said as much."
"Yes... but at least they're easy to control." She smiled again, snipping off a small stalk, then handing it to me.
"... What's this for?" I stared at it, baffled. My hand tightened unconsciously, and I winced as the thorns stung me.
"What do you think?" she laughed at my expression, shaking her head. "Someone has to hold them while I work. When I'm finished we can make a nice display and put it somewhere in the castle. Maybe the table in the library..."
I didn't respond, my eyes still fixed on the rose, fingering the thorns to pry them off before they could prick me again. She was always resourceful with her flowers; never wanted a single one to go to waste, no matter how small or damaged they were. And somehow she always made them look so beautiful in the end. It made me wonder what she needed me for. Or why I'd even come here in the first place.
But she often made me do strange things. Like pick thorns off roses, or visit a garden when I'm on duty, or smile for no reason at all...
"Cloud?" she called gently, glancing over, her expression concerned. "Cloud...?"
And I smiled, and looked back at her, and-
... and...
I want to see her...
"I miss you."
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"Cloud! Cloud, wake up, are you okay?"
Slowly I opened my eyes, blinking away the traces of shameful tears brought by the sharp pain I felt in my chest. Kairi's face loomed over me, nervous and afraid. She seemed relieved when I looked back at her, turning away for a moment. "Cid! I think he's okay!"
"For now, maybe!" came the pilot's grunting reply. "But if these Heartless don't let up soon, we're all going to be in trouble!"
Kairi turned back to me, giving me a weak smile. "Just rest for a minute while I'll try to take care of your injuries. Can you sit up?"
I tried a few times, finally bringing myself into a sitting position so the girl could look over the gashes scattered across my body. She had relinquished her position behind the fireplace to help me, and the sooner we moved, the better. I knew the rest wouldn't last, especially with the sounds coming from the doorway. Cid was definitely going to need help soon; the Heartless were simply too numerous for one man to stand alone against them. I was a living testament to that.
"I've gotta get back there," I grimaced, shifting so I could stand. "He needs-"
"He needs you to be strong," Kairi interrupted, gently pushing me down again, "And that means you need my help. Now relax for a minute. Sora taught me how to do a Cure spell, in case I was ever in trouble. It's not the best, and I don't have much power, but it'll give you a little strength for a while."
I relaxed for a moment as she raised her hands, green magic appearing between her fingers. Slowly, the pain began to fade into a dull ache, and I felt a little strength return to me. Gripping my broadsword tightly, I stood to go back to the door where Cid still fought our attackers, ignoring the girl's half-hearted objections.
"Stay back," I told her, more sharply than I intended. I hoped she listened to me for once; it was too dangerous for her to wander out in the open again, even to help us. If we had to, we would fight our way out. Even if everyone was already gone, the Heartless wouldn't have bothered with the supplies in the item shop. Potions would definitely be useful, and while I didn't know about Cid, I myself was running low on energy, wounded and weary as I was. Not to mention the holes in the back wall, and the unhealthy look of the front where Heartless were trying to tear it all apart.
Not waiting for a response, I leapt forward again to stand beside Cid, sword slashing wildly in tandem with his spear. Together we tore through the crowd of shadows before the doorway, trying to make a path, to clear the way so we could escape. We couldn't afford to let them keep us trapped like this. They seemed surprised with our sudden vehemence; some backed away, only to be replaced by others, which we tore through without mercy.
We can do this, can't we? We can survive. Just a little more... a little longer...
A sudden cry from behind caught my attention, and I whirled back, eyes widening. Several of the Heartless had broken free of the group, crawling their way past us to get inside and move straight for Kairi. The girl had stood up, taking up a stick from the fire's kindling and swinging it back and forth in her defense, determination clear on her expression. For a moment she reminded me of another girl, years ago, armed with only a staff and a will to be reckoned with...
My light. This girl... was the same, wasn't she? For the Keybearer, for Sora.
He helped me find this place, my freedom... I wanted to protect his light, if I could.
Eyes narrowing again, I lashed out with my sword, breaking free of the Heartless around me and started back towards her, just as one of her attackers pounced, breaking the fragile stick in half. Kairi screamed, desperately holding out the remaining half to fight back as best as she could, as claws lifted to slash at her bare skin, drawing blood...
Hurry, -hurry-! You have to-
Suddenly, a brilliant light flashed near the doorway. I heard the high-pitched shriek of the Heartless, their voices chorusing in outrage, and I squinted, trying to see through the brightness. And what I saw was astonishing, to say the least. The Heartless... they were withdrawing!
The light faded a little, and through it I could finally see the outline of a large structure in the sky. It looked like an airship, but with wings protruding from each side. It was significantly smaller than any ship I'd seen, but the weapons it carried were enough to make up for the lack of size. There were letters emblazoned across the side, though I couldn't read them.
And through the cries of the enemies still flanking us, surely kept away only by the threat of the ship's weapons, I heard a clear, masculine voice call out, "Curaga."
... no way... Despite the situation, I couldn't withhold the faint smirk from appearing on my face, taking a few steps forward out the door to get a better look. So, after all this time, it was Leon who came to our rescue...
"It's about time!" Cid shouted, waving his fist at the dark-haired man standing in the open cockpit of the ship. "We've been stuck here for days! Where've you been?"
"The Heartless are multiplying everywhere," Leon answered calmly. "The trip from Hollow Bastion was too dangerous to rush through without thinking."
"If you damaged my ship, Leonhart, I swear to god I'll-"
"She's fine," Leon interrupted, even as I wondered at the new name, "But we've got to get out of here while the Heartless are distracted. I don't know what's going on but there's no need to waste this sort of time."
I blinked in surprise, shielding my eyes from the lights. "You didn't cause the Heartless to retreat?"
Leon shook his head. "I wish I had that sort of ability. Come on now, get aboard! Bring Kairi and-"
Kairi! Suddenly remembering, I spun around and noticed the girl was nowhere in sight. Ignoring the brief flash of panic at the thought of another failure, I searched more carefully and finally noticed the change in our surroundings.
The streets of Traverse Town were fading away. Shadows surrounded us, just past the boundaries of where we stood. I couldn't help but stop and stare; Leon and Cid also fell into silence, as if they too were just catching sight of the sudden alteration.
I looked down, eyes wide in astonishment. Below my feet, instead of the paved stone I had walked for the past several days, or the hardwood floor of the shop, were dull, flat rocks. I could distantly hear the sound of flowing water, like the ocean or a vast waterfall.
Waterfall...
It seemed familiar.
"Kairi!" Leon called, startling me out of my memories. I glanced up again and saw her in the far distance, standing on a small patch of sand. Between us were nothing but shadows, and the distance grew with every moment.
She gazed over at us, surprise and delight shining in her eyes. I didn't understand; why was she so happy? The shadows were taking her away from us, and we couldn't protect her from so far away!
"Don't be scared," she said quietly, her voice somehow reaching us, echoing through the darkness. "Can't you see what's happening? He did it. Sora did it! He beat the Heartless, and he's freed all the worlds. I just know it!"
The three of us could only stare at each other in amazement. It was just as Kairi said; the soft glittering of the stone beneath me, the sound of the falls in the background - all of it was familiar to me. looking at my sword, I noticed the Materia I carried flare to life as my world's life force powered them once again. The Mako infused in my body regained its power; I felt a mild burning sensation and knew that my eyes had regained the glow they once carried.
"Thanks for all your help," Kairi called out again, waving cheerfully. "I'll miss you, and I hope that someday we'll meet again! Goodbye!"
We barely had time to respond before our world grew, the skies rising upwards and covering Kairi's island with a vast cloud of light. Faint bursts of colour broke out from the edges, soaring upwards into the sky like a comet, each finding its own place and halting its journey, glittering like stars.
... Stars. The stars - the worlds - were returning. Every last one of them... and it seemed that we too were being sent home.
We're... going back. Back to Hollow Bastion...
Leon turned to me, a tiny, almost invisible smile on his face. "Well," he murmured, resting the gunblade on his shoulder, "Looks like you were from our world after all."
I could only nod silently, gazing up at the land surrounding us. It was not a place I really recognized, but the air, the very feel of the world was known to me immediately - a welcome feeling after ten long years of wandering.
This was home.
.
It wasn't what it used to be. That was obvious enough; the city was gone, lost in a sea of ice and ruin. It had already fallen when we left years ago, but I'd never imagined it would have degraded this much. It was almost depressing, to see what was once such a bright place look so faded and dead.
But not for long, I told myself quietly. It's over... now people can come home again. We can start again, rebuild, -live- again...
Strange... it didn't seem so difficult to look on the bright side of things. It didn't seem so impossible.
Nothing is impossible anymore...
Cid leaned over, elbowing me sharply and earning a glare. "So," he grinned slyly, "Ready to see your girl?"
My glare vanished in the midst of my sudden flush. "I didn't - I mean, she's not-"
"Aerith?"
I blinked, looking over at the third member of our party. Leon had always been quiet, so grim, despite his willingness to participate in what was nothing more than a game for him. Or maybe, I reminded myself, a test for the Keybearer, since he had seemed so focused on Sora's success or failure. I wondered if he felt any pride. His expression was unreadable as he returned my glance.
"You mean Aerith, don't you," he continued, not waiting for my confirmation. "She told me about you. When I mentioned that we had fought together in the tournament... she was glad to hear that you were alive. I knew she was worried about someone - everyone was. It seems it was you."
She... was worried about me? Even now...?
"So... she's here?" My throat was dry, and my heart pounding loudly in my chest. So near, so near...
Leon looked back at the castle beyond the falls, his lips pursed. "If they survived the Heartless attacks."
Cid smirked, giving us both a hard pat on the back. "Come on!" he crowed. "We just won the war against the Heartless! That kid finally did it! Let's stop griping and go see everyone!"
I chuckled a little, almost against my will. Cid was always like that; his rough cheerfulness and sarcasm never failed to brighten the situation. Even Leon couldn't conceal a smile, pathetic as it was.
"You're right," I finally agreed, sheathing my sword. "There's no need to worry. Show me where to go."
Together, we strode forward along the path to the castle in the distance.
.
As we walked, Leon decided that we ought to split up and search the castle for any renegade Heartless, just in case. I agreed with him up until the point where he said that Cid and I should take the upper levels while he searched the inside of the castle for the others, especially since we all knew what the most likely place they'd be was - the library, of course.
I didn't want to wait. I didn't want to waste my time looking for Heartless. I wanted to fulfill my promise, finish my long journey, find my light. Find her.
But Cid reminded me that we would have to search for them anyway, and destroying the last of the Heartless would kill two birds with one stone. Reluctantly I had to agree with that, and so, with a sullen glare in Leon's direction, I followed the pilot to the lift that would take us to the upper levels.
We scoured the entire castle for two hours, finding a few of the lost creatures here and there, though they were hardly a challenge anymore. They seemed to have forgotten their purpose entirely; with the final door closed and sealed, and Ansem defeated - we assumed - there was nothing left to lead them.
All that's left is to set them free.
Something itched at the back of my mind, a quiet voice that pleaded to be heard, but I ignored it. Time enough for that later; when our search was concluded, nothing could have held me back from rushing to the library as quickly as I could.
Until I reached the door, and hesitated, staring at the handle and my own reflection glimmering in the faded brass.
She had to be there.
She had to.
... What if she isn't...?
No. She...
I made a promise. This... is where my journey ends. Right here, with her...
"What the hell are you waiting for?" Cid grumbled, reaching out and pushing open the door before I could even move. He stepped back, and without warning gave me a good shove inside with his boot. It was, I decided, the most undignified method imaginable of reuniting with someone. He was lucky I didn't fall flat on my face, or I would have had a few choice words for him.
And then I looked up, and I saw three figures near the far wall, surrounded by books, speaking quietly in a circle. Three figures... but only one really mattered.
"Aerith!" Cid called, interrupting the girls' conversation. I had barely managed to straighten up from my near-fall just as the petite girl in pink turned around.
I was left speechless at the sight of her. Nine years...
Nine years...
Aerith...
She smiled gently, as though she already knew I was coming. She was like that, I remembered; it was as if she could read the minds of the people around her, her strong feelings for the world and those she knew enough to absorb the emotions and thoughts of the ones she cared about.
God, I missed that.
We approached each other, heedless of the others who watched us in silence, and met in the center of the room. I stared at her as she looked deeply into my eyes, taking in each change, each new scar, and, it seemed, each moment of fear I lived in when I didn't know if she was alive or not. Meeting her beautiful green gaze almost reluctantly - ashamed of such weakness - I saw that she had carried the same burden, all that time.
After a moment, she leaned down, smiling up at me, and I realized that my chin had unconscious tilted downward to shield my eyes with my dirty blond bangs. I caught her smile, and my lip twitched, wanting so much to show her the silly grin I could only manage when she was near.
"Why'd you leave?" she murmured. "We were all going together, weren't we?"
I winced. Back then all I had on my mind was winning, defeating our enemies - fixing what'd they'd done, bringing back the lives that had been ruined. All I had wanted was to destroy them, thinking that maybe if I did, I'd feel better...
But it never did a thing, did it? Chasing Sephiroth never helped me, fighting the Heartless didn't do a thing...
"Sorry," I mumbled, eyes averted. She sighed, and took a step back, lightly tapping my cheek.
"You haven't changed a bit," she said chidingly, shaking her head. I blinked, turning back to her, just as the smile returned to her lips. I waited.
"Cloud," Aerith finally whispered, "Welcome home."
For the first time in nine years, I truly smiled. "Thanks," I answered simply, unable to say anything more. Then, taking one more step towards her, I pulled her into my arms and let my heart cry out its joy - and love, love I never wanted to surrender until now - for this woman, and this woman alone.
.
I hope it met expectations. I had reservations about certain parts, but... yeah. It's always hard to end a fic.
Epilogue will be posted sometime next week, I hope!
Reviewer responses:
Koorino Megumi: Well considering they get reunited in the credits, I'd be hard-pressed to explain why I'm avoiding canon...
Rem-chan: YOU WANT FLUFF? YOU SEE FLUFF. MWAHAHA.
link no miko: sorry, sorry, ;.; I didn't want to, but honestly, there was no way around it. It's like Zack. They just had to go!
Everyone else: Thank you for reading! It's been an awesome journey thus far, and thank you for enjoying it with me!