She never thought life was easy. She hated it when poets compared life to an old river, finding its course towards the sea. Oh no, life was not that peaceful. It was more like a young stream that meandered through sharp curves, fell in torrents over steep cliffs and eroded away the soil that it made contact with.

For all her time growing up, Lightning Farron wanted to believe that life would get easier. As a child, she thought life would settle down once she attends school, but it only grew tough. She anticipated that life would flourish after she finishes college, but the burden grew heavier. She waited patiently for her job in a military career. Still, peace slipped through her fingers like sand. Life was perpetually as tough as steel armour. She dragged herself in this battle between her fate and what she wanted to happen.

She hated her life. That was the mere truth. That was all to be said but the only reason she endured it was for her younger sister. Each year, her days grew harsher than the one before. She struggled to maintain her place in a world that was controlled by men.

"Captain Farron, you are early" A smooth voice greeted her as she entered the fray. It belonged to a tall man, with long silver hair, dressed in his neat military uniform.

She stood straighter, and saluted him. "General Sephiroth, you called me Sir?"

He chuckled and motioned her to join at a table with him. She followed, sharp eyes scrutinising his every move. Sephiroth offered her coffee, to which she refused. He swerved to the counter, preparing a large mug of capaccino for himself. Lightning sighed with frustration. She had work to attend to, but the General was languid.

"Your punctual records is one to be admired, one of the reasons why I wish to promote you," He began.

"Promotion?" She blurted, icy eyes widening at the prospect. She did her best not to leap out of her chair in shock.

Sephiroth took a gulp of his coffee slowly, his adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed it down. "Exactly as you heard it." He surveyed the way her mandibles were hanging open. "Why? Do you not wish to become General?"

Lightning blinked and shook her head. "No, no of course not – I mean, I do!" She paused, considering whether Sephiroth was toying with her mind or not. "It's just…I've only been here for eight years now."

"Which is a long time, I assure you," Sephiroth said nonchalantly, "You, were what? Seventeen years of age when you began?"

"Yes."

"Quite a young age to join the army, but your skills well surpass many of your peers. It is about time that someone takes my place as General in our base."

Lightning's eyes were now mere slits as she regarded him cautiously. "Take your place? Really?"

"Why, haven't you heard?" Sephiroth cocked his head to the side, his brows raised, "I will be promoted to Commander, now that Auron is retiring."

"Oh." She expected this of him. The man considered his skills above everyone else's. There was only one soldier who displayed the same set of skills as Sephiroth, but he had retired quite early.

"Do not think of this as a blessing, Farron," The silver haired soldier continued, his cat like eyes glimmering with mischief, "There is something you must do to show that you are the best man for this job." He then smirked slyly. "Sorry, should I say best woman?"

Lightning's right eye cringed but for once, she didn't express her anger. She was known for her harsh, and sometimes, brutal words. To be promoted as a General at such a young age meant that she could provide a better life for her sister, who was hoping to go to University in the coming year.

"What must I do?"

"Hmm…" Sephiroth slid away from the table and stood up from his chair. He walked around her, stepping in front of the window with his hands clasped behind his back. He stared at the misty world outside. "How should I explain this to you? I am not sure how you'd react."

He peered at her over his shoulder, sending shivers down her spine. Only Sephiroth had the power to make her cower in fear. The man possessed a frightening aura that earned him more slaves than friends.

Spit it out already, she wanted to say but held her tongue. She knew better than to argue with her superiors.

"There is one other soldier who will be competing with you. Auron and I are can't decide which one of you will be capable of this position," Sephiroth told her.

"Who is it?" Lightning said, daring to deepen the tone of her voice. He seemed to have been aware of her frustration.

"Is that all you want to know?" He chuckled, turning back to face her, "No questions on what we'll do to bring a conclusion to this dilemma or even suggestions that you are a better soldier?"

"If I should compete, then let me know who I'm up against," Lightning protested, standing from her chair.

"Zest Light of course, the one they title the Warrior of Light."

"Zest!?" The blonde haired female yelled in astonishment.

What did that man have that he was considered her equal in combat? He was old fashioned, and drawled heroic speeches that forced her to fall asleep. The others in the base seemed to admire his bland demeanour and his one dimensional personality, but Lightning didn't deem him the type of man to become a soldier.

"Yes, Zest," Sephiroth repeated, "Who respects you as you should him."

"But how could you even put us in the same league?" Lightning countered, not caring that she was ranting about one of her peers to her superior, "He's only become Captain a year ago."

"Is that a problem?" The General questioned, his stare forcing her glare towards the floor.

"No, but…I've been Captain for over three years now," She explained.

"That doesn't explain anything, Farron," The General interrupted her "We both have work to attend to, so you either agree to compete with Captain Light, or you remain as you are."

She didn't want to end the argument before it even began, but she had no choice. Sephiroth had thrown her in to the deep end. He expected her to swim her way to shore by herself. Glaring at his face with pure vexation, she nodded her approval. He gifted her with that sly grin again.

"Good. Now, you and Light must train two young men, who are a bit late in joining the army. Whoever trains the best man, shall become General of this base."

She snorted at his explanation, a bit too impulsively. His physiognomy shifted with ire. His green eyes burned a hole through her head. Lightning apologised and reluctantly yielded to his offer. She didn't think she deserved this, having to train a man just to prove that she deserved the promotion more than the Warrior of Light. How dare they thrust her into the battlefield with a man whose skills were not as sharp as hers?

Oh, she knew why. They didn't trust that a woman could handle the position of General. That was why they wanted to see her worth. They probably decided that in order to rate her capability, they would compare her to a rookie, just for their own sake. She will prove them wrong.

Sephiroth gave her today's work and told her that her assistant was waiting to meet her outside the building. She stomped her way out of the barracks, ignoring the praises from anyone she passed by. Instead, she greeted them with a frosty glare that sent them trembling back to their superiors.

Outside the barracks, tall black railings surrounded the fortress like a shield. Two gates in the front controlled who could enter and who could leave. She saluted a few superiors that were huddled in a group together upon seeing them.

"Captain Farron, 'tis a fine morning," One of her superiors said to her.

"I think it's too cold, General Cyan," She admitted, and he threw his head back, howling in laughter.

She ignored their snorts and chuckles, strolling away from them and towards the shivering figure beside the gates. He was dressed in military uniform, with a jumper that appeared too large for him. His unusual hair was silver, so minus one point for him, since Lightning had started to hate that colour. The front locks were tied with a colourful beaded bandanna, while a long thin tail of silver extended past his back. When his amber eyes met hers, he instantly gasped, looking elsewhere and twiddling his thumbs over each other.

She stopped in front him, her arms crossed over her chest, and her head slightly tilted to the side in a cruel attempt to intimidate him. Her attempts were awarded with a violent shudder that encompassed his body. She hadn't expected a man this old to be her assistant. He only appeared a few years younger than her.

"Don't tell me that you're supposed to be my assistant?" She started in a low, husky voice.

"I-I'm sorry if it upsets you," He said, and she snorted at him.

"I see," Lightning gazed at him up and down, "You seem fit enough for the training, your height is good, but you need to make eye contact more often. How else are you gonna communicate then?"

"Huh?" His eyes met hers again, and he watched her as if she was some sort of alien. He quickly glanced back at his combat boots. "Forgive me, I am a bit overwhelmed. I didn't expect that y-you would be my…" He gulped audibly, "My instructor."

"So they sent me a shrivelled wild rose," She whispered to herself, shaking her head in dismay. Sweet talk wouldn't strengthen this loser's resolve.

"What's your name?" Lightning snapped at him, and he almost jumped in his spot. "I asked you a question soldier! I expect a response."

"I-I'm…I'm…" He was nervous, to the point where she imagined he'll bite his fingernails off.

She felt a fuse blow somewhere in the back of her mind. "Enough stammering, you useless excuse for a soldier. What's your name!?"

"Firion!" He screamed, and then regained composure, "It's Firion."

"Now that wasn't so hard, was it?" She queried, motioning him to follow her back to the barracks.

He staggered after her, staring at her in disbelief. He almost tripped over his own feet, in an attempt to pace up with her quick gait. "I apologise again."

"Enough with the apologies already," Lightning whisked around to face him, her brows furrowed together, "There are a few rules that you must abide to, if you want to survive."

"S-survive?" Firion's eyes grew larger on his face.

"Yes, first thing's first, you must always be on time, and I can't stress that enough. If you're late, you will face consequences, got that?"

"Affirmative, Captain Farron." He stood straight, and brought his hand to his forehead in a poor attempt at a salute.

She sneered, grabbing his hand, adjusting his fingers in the proper position for the salute. His face exploded with crimson embarrassment when she stepped away.

"Secondly," Lightning continued, ignoring his blushing cheeks, "Get rid of that rag on your head. It's an eye sore. I'll get epilepsy if I stare at it too long."

"Huh?" Firion blinked innocently before pointing at his bandanna, "But…My mother…"

"A mama's boy, have we?" She spat, and he flinched, grabbing his bandanna and tearing it off. She smirked mirthlessly at him. "Good, and thirdly, I hate slackers when it comes to training. You know the deal if you get sloppy."

"I do?" He asked, his features radiating with genuine confusion.

"You can imagine you do," She said darkly, and she could have heard him mewl in terror, "Now, any questions?"

He opened his mouth but it shut again. He then cleared his throat and plucked up the courage to ask. "Are we starting today?" Firion almost jumped again when she bared her teeth like a wolf, "I meant, Captain Light isn't starting today…And I promised a friend that I'll meet her later on."

Lightning grabbed his collars and pulled him closer so she could glare into his eyes. He almost lost consciousness there.

"I am not like Captain Light, you hear that?" She pushed him away, "And don't expect this to be like high school either. You can't leave this place. Ever."

He looked like a frightened rabbit, escaping from his predator but Lightning didn't sympathise with him.

"But, Captain Farron. Please, just this once? Yuna will be waiting for me, and I can't let her wait by her own. Her father-He's a priest. I know this is silly of me to say, but he expects me to look out for her."

Only one word caught Lightning's attention, or rather, a name. Could this be the same person? The long lost friend? In the far distance, she heard the waves lapping on the shores of her beloved childhood home, and the palm trees danced in the summer's breeze.

"Yuna?"

:::::::::::::::

Yuna took a seat inside the Seventh Heaven restaurant. The tables were empty since the place just opened now for orders. She had grown attached to Tifa, the bartender. The latter controlled all the commotion in the basement, where the bar was. She was kind and quite easy to talk to but her busy hours rendered her unable to meet Yuna outside Seventh Heaven. Otherwise, Yuna longed for a friend she could confide with, a trusted soul she could pour out her secrets to.

That was one reason why she asked Tidus' best friend to meet her. Firion was a decent man of twenty one years. He was kind and polite, traits that instantly attracted the attention of women. However, Firion was unfortunate to suffer from one weakness in his life: women. He was timid and couldn't form sentences when he first met Yuna, but six months since the wedding, he had grown accustomed to having her around. He was the older brother that she never had. Despite being a close child hood friend of Tidus, Yuna found that she could trust him with any secret. Even if it meant degrading Tidus' image.

She grasped the laminated page of a menu and scanned through it. Half an hour had passed but there was no sign of Firion. She forgot about his first day at the army barracks, silently berating herself for disturbing him at such an important time. Her heart had bled when Tidus left early morning, without even a farewell. She was woken by the blinding light of the afternoon, still on the couch. Distraught as she was, she spoke with Firion over the phone, forcing her voice to remain calm. Then, she threw on a sleeveless sky blue dress that trailed past her knees, and fluttered like a curtain in the breeze.

Her friend soon appeared around the corner, his infamous bandanna missing from his crown. He was still dressed in his military uniform, the jacket being too large for him. It gave the false impression that he carried a pot belly from front view. Yuna stifled a giggle at the thought. When he approached closer, she noticed the sheen of sweat on his tanned skin.

Firion pulled a chair away and slouched down onto it.

"Yuna," He began breathlessly, "Forgive me for taking such a long time."

"No, please," She interjected hastily, shaking her head, "I am sorry for disturbing you. I had forgotten…About your training. How was your first day?"

His pupils dilated and his features contorted with agony and terror. She needn't ask him any further so they avoided speaking about that topic again. Instead, they ordered their favourite dish in the restaurant, One Winged Angel. The infamous dish that hailed from Midgar consisted of spicy noodles served with fish broth and egg fried tiger prawns. It was further decorated with boiled seaweed and tofu. The aroma sent anyone's stomach grumbling with desire.

Firion devoured down on the noodles as soon as the waiter brought in the plates, while Yuna preferred one noodle piece at a time. She picked away at the crispy coatings of the prawns, contemplating whether to bring up last night's incident during their conversation.

"This," Firion spoke with his mouth full, swallowing down half eaten food, "Is eternal bliss."

"Yes," Yuna agreed with a bemused smile, but it vanished as she remembered how much Tidus had loved this dish as well.

A sudden pain pierced her heart when she remembered how hurt he seemed last night. She wished to take back her words. If only she could have snatched them before they left her mouth and threw them out from the window, but no. Her words had shot through him, before floating to the stars and falling onto the tracks of the Phantom Train.

The Phantom Train, of course, she thought. She couldn't attend the painting classes without a friend by her side. Truth be told, she was afraid to roam the magnificent city late at night. Her father certainly will not approve of her plan either. He hated the Phantom Train with a passion.

"Yuna?" Firion's voice pulled her back out of her thoughts. He was eyeing her with concern.

"Yes?" She blinked at him.

"You're crying," He stated, his finger pointing at his cheek bone.

"Huh?" Yuna wiped her cheek. It was wet. She had indeed been crying without knowing it. "I'm sorry…"

"Yuna, what's wrong?" Firion put down his metal chopsticks, and leaned forward, "Why didn't you leave with Tidus? He told me both of you were going to the Crystal Cup Tournament."

At the mention of Tidus' name and Firion's sympathy, tears slid down her cheeks. Her mouth trembled in an attempt not to sob. There was a knot in her throat that pained when she opened her mouth to speak.

"I-I…He…We just…" She began, but her words were broken hiccups.

Firion's large hand enveloped hers from across the table.

"Sshh, it's okay," He soothed, "Just take a deep breath, and then tell me."

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I saw him kissing someone else yesterday and then…I am so sorry! I got mad, and then…And then I told him I didn't want to go."

Firion's eyes darted everywhere but at her. He jittered nervously in his chair, his hand leaving hers. His lips puckered in, his head hung low. He mumbled to himself. Yuna felt her heart sink into her stomach. She had never wanted to drag Firion into the middle of this. She condemned herself for getting Firion involved.

"Tidus! That idiot! I won't let him off when he gets back," He glanced back at Yuna, "Yuna, please forgive me. I should have told you earlier."

Yuna gasped, her hands clasping together. "You mean…This has been going on for a while?"

Her friend almost cowered into his chair and a pink hue danced across his cheeks. "Yuna, I thought he stopped seeing her. I mean, he even promised me, but listen-"

His words melted into the atmosphere. Her head was spinning with the information again. The room reeled around her. Tidus had been cheating on her. She hadn't known. For days they had shared the same bed. She had fulfilled his every need. She was a virtuous wife for him. She loved him. She had given him access to her soul.

She suddenly felt dirty and wanted nothing more than to tear her skin from her skeleton. Firion's blurry face re-entered her vision.

"Firion…" She whispered, her voice shaking with anger and pain, "It's not your fault."

"I'm just…So sorry," Firon gazed at the floor again, twiddling his thumbs over and over, while his elbows rested on the table. "But look, this is only a phase. He'll realise his mistake once I beat some sense into him."

"Will he?" Yuna questioned, and he opened his mouth wordlessly, "I was sleeping with a man, who was cheating on me. Do you even know who my father is, Firion?"

"Umh…High Priest Braska?"

"Exactly…He's a priest. He gave me to Tidus because he trusted him," Her voice broke and she continued through sobs, "If he finds out, he will…"

She didn't want to finish her spoken thoughts. Her father was scarier than a thunderstorm when he was angry. He was a calm man, but when irked, he was destructive. He was storm, but there was no eye in that storm. She was afraid if his anger would degenerate his health. Tidus had promised him that he would never commit adultery. He broke that promise.

"Please trust me, I'll do something," Firion suggested, "I promise."

"Oh…" She didn't know what to say. She was afraid of the future. Were all young men this immature? Did they all break their promises? No, she couldn't allow Tidus' incident to take over her life. She was subservient, but to the point where others could use her. Her heart argued that Tidus loved her, but her mind refused to accept him for his sin.

"In the meantime, is there anything else that I could do?" Her friend said.

"Yes," She said, her voice more determined than ever before, "I am joining painting classes on the Phantom Train on midnight…Could you please accompany me?"

Firion was almost thrown out of his chair. His eyes were wide with disbelief as he grabbed the edges of his seat to prevent it from toppling over. He choked on his soup, some spilled through his nostrils, and Yuna panicked. She handed him a glass of water with shaking hands.

When he regained composure, Firion finally spoke, "T-the Phantom Train? Yuna, that's dangerous!"

"But how?" She challenged, "I have heard that it's…A home for lost souls."

He snorted at her but cleared his throat. "Where did you hear that?"

"From…Someone. I don't know! I just know that I want to go to those painting classes."

"Yuna, there are other painting classes you can find, you know, during the day?"

"No! I want…I want to ride the Phantom Train! Please come with me!"

Firion sighed, and rubbed his temples. His amber eyes were hidden behind his lids. "To be honest…I do not wish to ride it. It's supposed to ruin the lives of those that get on."

"But…Then who would go with me?" Yuna pleaded, grabbing the hem of the table cloth and grasping it until her knuckles were white.

"You really want to go, don't you?" He asked her, with a look of admiration. Her resolve had always won the admiration of others.

"Yes."

"You might need to ask someone who is less superstitious."

"Like who? Would you…Help me out?"

"Aggh," Firion sighed with evident frustration, "Yuna, I'd be in big trouble if I help you! What would your father say if he finds out?"

"But Firion, he won't find out," She reassured him.

He watched her curiously for a while. "Okay…I could ask my instructor. She's…Very cynical of everything."

Yuna beamed at him, and encouraged him to continue.

"Actually, this reminds me. I think she knows you," He told her.

"Really? I don't think…I've ever talked with anyone from the barracks," She admitted, thinking deeply on his words. No woman in the army was a friend of hers, though she admired women that gave their life for protecting others.

"Her name is Lightning, if that helps."

"Lightning…Nope, I do not know her but she sounds nice."

"Oh, she's not nice. Trust me."

"Firon! How could you say that about your own instructor? She will do!"

"Man, I'll never forgive myself for this," Firion mumbled to himself, before pulling out his phone, and dialling a number.

A rough, deep voice answered at the other end of the line. "What is it now, rag head?"

::::::::::::::::

To Yuna, Lightning was quite tall for a woman, and her blonde hair was so fluffy, undulating in glossy curls over one shoulder while some spikey locks fell into her eyes. She was tight-lipped, toned arms crossed over her chest, and long athletic legs helped keep her posture straight. It was not her gym figure that was intimidating though.

It was the piercing blue gaze of her eyes. They were a frosty blue, and held an unsteady blizzard within them.

She had waited for Yuna outside the apartment, in her brilliant blue Mercedes car. Firion had warned Yuna beforehand that Captain Farron was a scary, emotionless woman. However, he was half right.

Lightning was curt when she talked, but Yuna imagined that this was customary for her. In fact, she gave a rare smile during their conversations, and she listened to Yuna's story with hidden sentimentality. Her eyes burned with a sense of nostalgia, and sometimes, she would stare at Yuna peculiarly, as if she possessed a secret that was warmer than her cold personality.

The captain listened more and talked less. She broke Yuna's train of speech with curious questions about her past. Yuna didn't mention much, apart from the fact that she moved with Tidus to the glorious city of Zanarkand.

The car came to a halt outside the main station. Lightning parked close to the entrance.

Stepping out into the chilly air, the weight of Yuna's decision penetrated deep into her skin. A misty fog surrounded the train tracks beyond the station. In the hazy horizon, the soft silhouettes of giant trees faded with the darkness. The stars were blurred behind the thick veil of sandy mist.

She hesitated, her hand still over the door handle of Lightning's car. Her heart skipped a beat. This was the moment she had been dreaming of since last night, but the passion and determination had long vanished. Instead, an unwonted foreboding clung to the air.

"What's wrong?" Lightning's low voice cut through her thoughts.

Yuna glanced at her with a reassuring smile. "It's…Nothing."

"Don't waste time. Head on inside, or else we'll miss the train."

Miss the Phantom Train, Yuna wanted to correct her. This was the vehicle that many feared to ride. People avoided boarding it, yet here she was, standing in the midst of an insidious fog, and awaiting the arrival of the mysterious train.

She followed Lightning into the station, the heels of her boots clicking against the concrete. To her surprise, the station was empty. A few couples were taking comfort in a coffee shop, and few stragglers were helping themselves in a book shop to her left.

"Here," Lightning motioned her to a large screen that hung over them. It listed the times and destinations of imminent trains in neon red. Yuna scanned the list of names, but her eyes glued to one name only.

The Phantom Train, it read.

Time: 00.00 Platform: 1

Destination: Unknown.

"Platform one is up ahead," Lightning pointed out, nodding towards the fray at the other open end of the station.

"Oh," Yuna said, mesmerized.

It wasn't too late to turn back. Her heart hammered inside her chest. She could stop here. She didn't have to move on forward.

Then, she heard a familiar voice call her name. The source belonged to that of a tall and burlesque man. It was Golbez. He walked so elegantly towards her that his feet could have easily been floating above the ground. He was dressed again in a dark blouse with matching trousers. His coat hung over his shoulders like a cape once again.

There was another person with him. It didn't take Yuna too long to recognise the unruly bright blond hair, sour expression and strong arms. She stopped herself from gasping his name. His callous blue eyes glared at her. It was Cloud Strife, the ex-soldier. His hands were hidden inside the pockets of his grey sweatpants. He shivered in the misty coldness, despite donning a thick pine green hoody

"I see you have made it," Golbez said with a soft chuckle, "It is good to see you again. This is Cloud. Cloud, this lovely lady is Yuna."

"Hmph," Cloud grunted in response. He clearly didn't want to rectify the fact that they were not strangers.

Yuna pretended that this was their first meeting too. Cloud was an enigma to her. The man never talked. He never had any friends. He merely delivered food to her doorstep. Tidus often offered him to join them for dinner, but the quiescent man would turn them down with a surly grimace.

"Nice to meet you," Yuna started awkwardly.

"Cloud?" Lightning said with a derisive snort, "Didn't think I'd see you again."

"Lightning," Cloud acknowledged with a nod. He avoided staring at her again.

For a moment, the barrier that shielded his emotions gave way, and Yuna could make out pain, and anger. His frown deepened down his chin. She had the sudden urge to embrace him. Then again, she wanted to embrace anyone who carried such heavy burdens on their shoulders. As soon as it appeared, his emotions were swiftly washed away with cool stillness.

"Lightning," Golbez hummed, rubbing his chin with his palm, "A befitting name for a woman such as you."

"Please spare me the poetry," Lightning muttered, rolling her eyes.

Golbez was unfazed by her rude display. He clapped his hands, pointing at platform one. The four group of people walked their way over. For Yuna, she could have bungled at every step towards the platform.

A solitary street light shone over a bench. They seated themselves on the bench. Golbez stood beside them, since his broad stature was too large to join them. It was more difficult since Cloud squatted himself at one corner, away from the girls as if they carried disease.

Yuna crinkled her nose at him, contemplating why Tidus ever asked him to eat with them. Tidus had told her that if he should die, Cloud would be the best man for her. Yuna would slap him upside the head. He would cackle at her flushed face.

The pang of nostalgia cut deep inside her. She missed Tidus, despite what he did. She longed to feel his arms around her once again. Subconsciously, she hugged herself, staring at the tips of her shoes in deep concentration. The hair on the back of her neck pricked at her skin, and she glanced at Cloud, who was watching her with a gaze too horrific for her meek soul. To her relief, he quickly looked away and Yuna wiped away the beads of perspiration on her forehead.

"What's wrong?" Lightning asked her.

Yuna faced her, surprised that the military officer cared to ask her. "Nothing."

"Oh?" Lightning raised a perfectly trimmed brow. "Has anyone ever told you, that you're a bad liar?"

"W-what?" Yuna's cheeks flushed with heat. "N-no!"

It was true. As much as she tried to lie, it was to no avail. Everyone agreed that her lying skills were worse than her cooking skills. She only met Lightning for a couple of hours, and the woman was sharp enough to pick up her poor lying abilities.

"Right, I believe you," Lightning quipped sarcastically.

"Ladies, forgive me for interrupting," Golbez joined the conversation, "But is this your first time on the Phantom Train?"

"Yes," Yuna nodded her head.

"It'll be my first, and hopefully last," Lightning said solemnly, but earned a laugh off Golbez.

"Well the young man who runs the painting classes is too enticing," The moon-like man explained, "He has the personality of a true wanderer."

"I have no idea why I opted to do this," Lightning sighed, rubbing her temples with the tips of her fingers.

Her response caused Yuna's stomach to churn with discomfort. She didn't want anyone to feel uncomfortable because of her.

Lightning suddenly looked at her, with almost a guilty look. Her expression intrigued the younger woman. Lightning, according to Firion, was mean, nasty and hated everything and everyone, yet why did she appear to control her anger towards Yuna?

"Sorry, don't take it personally," The blonde told Yuna. There was firm truth in her words. "I'm not much of a painter, that's all."

A wave of relief washed over Yuna from that moment on, but also stimulated her giggles. She stifled her laughter, to no success. Lightning sighed again, leaning back into the chair and crossing her arms, one leg propped over the other.

"A person who cannot paint," Golbez started, staring into the foggy sky, "Yet is joining painting classes. This is quite intriguing."

"It's not," Lightning corrected him, "Stop beating around the bush. What you mean to say, is, that it's stupid."

"Really? But…You might be better than you think," Yuna offered shyly.

She heard Cloud grunt in the back. It was possibly his way of laughing, but she couldn't imagine him do that. He rarely laughed, he couldn't even smile. His smiles were like someone grimacing at a dentist when they were about to receive an injection to their gum. His smiles were upside down, giving him a perpetual surly look.

"Sure, wait till you see," Lightning murmured, but she stopped, glancing in the distance where a bright light gleamed like the sun.

The light was travelling closer, growing bigger and brighter. The tracks were singing in tune with wheels. A hazy, euphonious whistle ripped through the air.

There was more smoke in the back. Yuna's heart was beating faster than before. She held a clenched fist against her chest in order to ease the rapid rhythm. It was unsuccessful. She knew the Phantom Train was approaching. There was silence all around her. The only sounds that struck belonged to the wheels of the Phantom Train.

A scratchy metal silhouette of the train stopped before them, blurry amongst the thick fog. It was a train that she'd seen in photographs of the olden times, with a sprout at the front which spewed out smoke. Its doors opened, awaiting all to enter.

Cloud hopped to his feet, being the first one to enter the train. He didn't even give them a second glance. Lightning was scrutinizing the train with a cynical expression. She didn't look reluctant, rather weary of what might be lurking inside its carriages.

"So this is the infamous Phantom Train," She said, appearing unimpressed.

"Shall we?" Golbez called to her, and they entered the train together.

Yuna remained out, still deciding whether to enter or not. The train's eerie silhouette left her legs trembling. She could have easily fallen to the floor. If her foot slid over the threshold, she could never look back. That was the amusing thing about time, it gives and then takes back what it gave.

She edged closer cautiously, peering at the unexpected brightness from within. It was too bright to distinguish what lay inside. She was afraid, she concluded. She backed away. She couldn't step out of line.

When she got ready to leave, a voice caused her to turn back.

"Are you joining us?" It belonged that of a young man, with sun-kissed brown hair and hazel-blue eyes.

His face held a soft sunny smile, one that reminded her of sunflowers dancing in the breeze. He was slim, athletic, and kind, but it was his face that drew in her attention. She ogled at the softness of his skin, the sharp curve of his cheekbones and the strong angles of his jaw. It was a face that could have easily been carved by Botticelli.

When she opened her mouth to speak, no words escaped. It was as if the words lost their way into the fog. His smile grew wider and he hopped off, holding his hand out.

"Will I take that for a yes?" He chuckled, but she was still speechless, staring into his palm now.

This was a sin, she told herself. She was Tidus' wife! She couldn't stare at another man, and fantasise over him. She must refrain herself, recompose her emotions, and leave. However, the young man's bright smile was too difficult to look away from. It was blinding.

She was staring up at him, her head could have easily fitted perfectly against his shoulder. He was slightly taller than Tidus, she noticed, yet not as muscular. Then, she mentally slapped herself. She regarded herself as the type of person who would never compare the physical attributes of people, men for that matter.

"Okay…" He continued, walking his way back to the train, and climbing over board, "It was nice to-"

"I'm Yuna!" She blurted, and he peered at her over his shoulder.

She ran up towards him, grasping his hand to shake it. He was mesmerized at first but returned her hand shake enthusiastically.

"And I'm Bartz!"

She was so close, she could have drowned inside the cerulean pools of his eyes. His scent filled her nostrils. He smelt like the wind against palm trees and sea spray, like her homeland, like her heart.

In the hazy stillness, she heard the Phantom Train release a deep, low noise, as if it was laughing at her fate.