Living the Dream II

My promise to you

Upon the suns and moons

An oath as eternal and true

As the ageless universe of time

I remember watching you from afar.

In the darkest of the city slums, you were like an angel.

Everywhere you tread, all would relish in your beauty and grace.

Your worshippers were aplenty and it hurt that I was just one of them.

Always watching you from afar.

There came a chance for me to protect you, I thought, when I heard that your mother had passed away. I trailed you and your three friends to the summits of Mount Nibelhiem, when I overheard your wistful desire to see your mother again.

"Mama, she might be passing by the mountains." I hear your hope-filled voice.

It broke my heart to see you sad.

Over the perils of the mountain paths you scaled, alongside with your friends, only to have them run away later, for they were scared of dangers untold. Amidst the gloomy fog of the rustic night, as I saw you kneeling and weeping for what was lost, I suddenly realized the angel I had always wanted, was finally within my mortal grasp.

To see her in real.

To look into those wine- rose eyes.

To revel in the cosmos of her unearthly beauty.

I was different that night. There was no fear in my heart, as I trod up the rusty mountain paths to where you were.

You looked up at me then, such a beautiful sight. Your eyes were a frightened hazel, the light of the moons accentuating your glistening tears.

My angel was crying.

I will give anything to ease her suffering.

I will give the world just to see her smile again.

"Cloud?" You had remembered my name.

"Tifa. Let's go back." I had offered you my arm.

It was not to be.

A horrible accident we went through, as we both tumbled over the edge of the mountain. I could never forgive myself, as I saw you enter a coma.

One that lasted the eternity of a week.

Every day that passed was torturous for me.

Every waking moment I prayed for your safety. Every waking day I wanted your happiness. Every week that passed the moment I first set my eyes on you I had longed to be…your hero.

Your father detested me. The townsfolk detested me. The world detested me.

I detested myself.

Such a weakling I was.

I must become strong.

I heard of a great General one day. As the story-teller in the inn told, of brave stories of, the most powerful warrior in the world.

I made up my mind then.

I shall be your most loyal knight.

We had gone back to the well that night. Your sadness weighs, like the heavy pounding of fiery metal, between the unrelenting hammer and the cold anvil. Every word, every sight, every sound reminded you, of the dear mother you loved.

Even though you were there with me physically, I knew you were far away in the interstellar space, of your cherished memories with your parent.

I looked at you then. At your magnificent comb of ebony hair, your radiant cerise eyes, your exquisite chiseled nose and your angelic bow lips.

You were so adorable did you know?

I did not know what to say. All I had rehearsed in the back of my mind had vanished but all, into the smoke of air.

I was just too captivated, by the sight of you.

"Did you want to tell me something?" You softly ask, not looking at me, but the stars up high.

"I want to join Soldier. I will become like General Sephiroth." I had said, when finally my courage was summoned.

"But why?" your question had stunned me then. For never would I have imagined that my departure would sway you.

Because I want to be your hero.

The silent wish I always had.

You continue when I kept my silence, a voice filled with hope as clear as day.

"If you get really famous and I'm ever in a bind…You come save me, all right?" you were nervous then but also hopeful.

"What?" I had said, wondering if I had uttered my wish aloud.

"Whenever I'm in trouble, my hero will come and rescue me. I want to experience that at least once."

"What?" I could not believe my ears. Did I really win your favor, to serve you with my life?

"Come on! Promise me!" You were almost crying again.

Once again, I see my angel cry.

I will give anything to ease your suffering.

I will give the world to see you smile again.

"All right…I promise."

As the timeless stars of that night witnessed.

My eternal betrothal to you.