The night was dark and the moon a reaper's sickle constantly hidden behind thick, unnatural clouds. The drone of the Falcon's engines filled the night air as it hung over the southern ocean. Terra stood at the bow of the airship, swatting absently at the flies that swarmed around the airship in the weak, humid breeze. Fifty leagues to the north - one more day of cautious, high-altitude flight by Setzer's reckoning - a tower rose above the blasted landscape, massive even from this distance.
She stared at the tower intently, her mind churning. What would happen to her if they were successful? The rumours were that Kefka had merged himself with the goddesses, not to mention dozens of enslaved Espers. If that were true, what would his death mean to her? The goddesses were, after all, the fonts from which all magic flowed. What would happen to magic if he - if they - died? Would it simply fade away or would it flare up and burn out? Would Kefka even be able to die, now that he had their power? If he could die, would she die with him?
Startled, Terra turned at the sound of the top deck's door sliding open. Edgar climbed into the night and inhaled deeply as he walked toward her, doing is best to appear unconcerned with the tower looming in the distance. "Good evening, m'Lady," he said as he joined her at the bow. "My watch starts soon and I thought you could use some company."
She gave him a small smile and nodded her head. "Thank you, Edgar," she said, "I could. I'm...I'm worried."
Edgar nodded but stayed silent as Terra continued. "I'm not sure what's going to happen when we get there. Kefka's merged with the goddesses and...if we kill him - if we kill them - what will happen to magic and...to me?"
"Well," Edgar said after a moment, "Strago and I have been talking about it," She looked at him, an eyebrow raised questioningly. "Well, he's been talking and I've been listening, to be fair," Edgar continued, "But he thinks that you'll be OK, since you're...unique and all."
She nodded silently and looked over her shoulder to the tower in the distance. "I just..." she said after a moment, "I'm afraid, Edgar."
Edgar took Terra's left hand in his right and pointed toward the tower in the distance. "That," he said, "Is not going to kill you. Or me. Or any of us, m'Lady. I give you my word on it."
She turned to face Edgar and stared at him silently. "Edgar," she said after a moment, "You can't guarantee that. If...If I-"
"You won't, Terra," Edgar said as he turned to face her. "I'll protect you. I promise. And," he added with a grin, "I've never broken a promise to you yet, have I?"
Terra looked away and shook her head. "No, you haven't...I don't know why, but you haven't."
Edgar shrugged and smiled. "Well, there you have it, then. Nothing to worry about. Now we can simply enjoy a lovely night and listen to the insects serenade us."
Terra smiled as she swatted at a cloud of gnats. "I don't think that they're serenading us, Edgar."
"Of course they are," he replied, smiling broadly. "Just listen. The buzzing of the flies, the hum of the engines, Umaro's snores...Why, it's like the Jidoor Symphony!"
Terra laughed and shook her head. "I've never heard the Jidoor Symphony."
"You're lucky," he said, grinning. "They're horrible. All bass and drums and bassoon."
She smiled and sighed. "Why is it that you're so kind to me, Edgar? I mean...I know you said you care about me, but..."
"But nothing," he said, squeezing her hand gently, "It's like I told you before; you captivated from the moment I saw you, and I do care about you. You're-"
Edgar's voice trailed off as Terra pulled herself closer and closed her eyes as she kissed him, tentatively, on the lips. His eyes widened as their lips met, and a small shock - touching a small electric pile or standing too near a lightning spell - ran through him. They lingered for a moment, his hands slipping around her waist and pulling her closer.
She broke the kiss and smiled, her cheeks flushed. "I can't believe I did that," she said, laughing.
Edgar grinned and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Neither can I," he said as the back of his fingers trailed down her neck to her shoulder. "But I'm glad you did."
"So am I," she whispered as she kissed him again, her hands slipping around his waist and holding him against her.
In the distance, green light pulsed from the tower and sent a beam of energy searing out to the east, leaving a scorched trail in it's wake. A moment later, the sound of the beam rolled over them like the cracking of a hundred thunderheads at once. Terra and Edgar watched it's progress in silence and, after a moment, she closed her eyes as tears began to roll down her cheeks. Edgar kissed her forehead and wiped a tear from her cheek. "Don't worry, Terra," he whispered, "I promised, remember?"
She nodded and looked toward the tower. "I know," she said after a moment. "I know, Edgar."
"Good," he replied, "Now why don't you get some rest; I'll finish your watch off."
"Thank you," she said as she nodded and began walking toward the aft of the ship.
"For you, m'Lady," Edgar said as she walked away, "Anything."
Once Terra was below deck, Edgar turned to watch the smoke rose from the scorched ground and sighed. "That damned clown had better not make a liar of me."