Zack's Final Mission

Chapter 19: Aerith: Heartbeat

My heart… it beats for you. And if it has to stop beating, it will be only for you.

I can't say I know what will happen when I summon Holy, I've never done something like that before. But, this power that my ancestors granted me with is strong and it's telling me what has to be done. I hope the little I can control of it will be good enough to hold meteor. And I hope you can forgive me for leaving you. You said we belonged together and nothing could keep us apart. I will believe your words because if my time comes today, I told you I'd be waiting for you, wherever I end up in and I will wait.

We got separated once and you came back to me like you had promised you would. But I'm sorry for not being able to promise you the same. You found me but I wonder today if we were ever really meant to be together. I wonder what would have happened if you hadn't returned, would I be standing here as I am now?

My heart… is beating slowly… There's something about this place that keeps me calm. I can feel the presence of the people that once lived here. My people… And they're cheering for me because they know how important Holy is. I wish I was as sure about it as they are.

It's so quiet around here; I can hear water drops falling softly on top of a mineral stone as I stop my pace to admire this place that once was the city where my family lived a long time ago. The bright crystals are leading me the way through with their lights. I recognize this place from my dreams… It looks so familiar… But at the same time so distant… like a distant memory.

It's funny… Though I can feel their presence and the peacefulness emanating from the houses, the lakes, the water flowing from the stones of this lost city, I feel as lonely as I ever felt. Each step I take further into it, it's as if I'm leaving behind my home. With him, is where my heart is. If I don't see him again after today, my heart will always be with him. What I feel inside my chest right now, is tightening and keeping me from breathing freely. But I don't want to be separated from you, that is not my intention. So why do I keep walking with this strange feeling of anxiety? Like something will happen while I'm here?

I do not feel afraid but I am definitely not at ease as I thought I would be once I reached the Forgotten City.

Zack… I walk across this path with you in mind. I'm doing this so the world you live in won't be destroyed killing every single creature alive, every little plant struggling to grow, every born bird following the steps of their mothers to try to fly, the trees, the vivid blue sky you showed me, the flowers I so much love will not disappear. But most important of all, you and our friends will not disappear. If it will take sacrifice I won't be weak. Caith Sith wasn't weak when he volunteered to save us. He was brave and so will I be this time.

But what am I thinking, I'm not sure of anything that will happen, all I feel is this sense of nervousness that I'm not alone here, but who could be around here? I can't hear a thing, only the sound of water rippling.

The crystal lights follow my steps as I go down a circling set of stairs made of light. This light… is so warm as I rest my hand on the white banister and hold it under my fingers. I'm suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of security and comfortableness. Everything is going to be alright, I should believe it.

At the end of the passageway I'm now on, stands an altar made of dark blue coral just like the one I saw once in a dream I had. So this is where I'm supposed to be. That place is where I have to call for Holy. Pray upon it so the planet can be saved. Such great responsibility I can't fail. I take one step forward more and more confident that I can do it. I hear whispers around me of the souls of the ones lost in this place. This huge lake of lifestream under this bridge-like path must be allowing them to speak to me so clearly.

We are with you.

It will be alright.

They seem to say. Though my eyes are on the altar ahead, my mind is drifting off to somewhere else, somewhere where I can be with Zack. Tears threaten to come out and my throat closes in a knot as I keep walking. I don't want to hear these voices because they might be false. What if it won't be alright? My heart races.

I lift my hand to the top of my ponytail and pick out the green materia I have pinned between my locks. My fingers brush slightly on the pink ribbon Zack gave me a long time ago. Suddenly I feel reassured of his presence with me. I remember looking at this ribbon when he was gone and I would no longer be alone. These two objects I can't live the house without give me strength.

I smile thinking about how my life turned in the past few months. Someone who had never left the dark slums of Midgar has lived in the past couple of months more than what she has lived her entire life there. But I wouldn't change one thing of what I've done. Thanks to Zack, I feel happy. I lived.

I took the steps and reached the altar. Standing on its middle I turn around slowly on my feet taking a good look at the platform and around me where a huge spring of lifestream sparkles behind the altar. Peacefulness, everything is so silent it's almost suspicious. The voices tell me what to do. I kneel on the floor and bring my hands up in front of my chest holding the green materia between them and close my eyes. I have to focus on summoning this energy.

His face is the last thing I see before I start praying. His glazing ocean-blue eyes, his wide cheerful smile illuminating his face… My heart started beating fast. I want to see you again, I have to.

Zack… I'm doing this for you… my mother and for all our friends. I want to give you all a future.

I can feel it starting; it's like a tingling inside me growing into a strong warm power. It feels so relaxing, like I'm floating. I can see fields of green grass carpeting the planet's soil. Yellow flowers grow everywhere. Tall trees stand healthy shaking their leaves with the breeze. The blue sky I once feared glitters as I watch the world from above, flying as I do. Small houses were built around the fields and children run happily along the sides of a small stream running between silver stones, splashing on the shimmering clear water with their little feet.

This is the planet I want to save, this is the planet that will continue to exist and become this heavenly place where children can laugh and breathe in the fresh air. The planet is showing me it will be worth it and it's thanking me for what I'm doing. Such beautiful place is the greatest of the rewards. Yes, I was born to protect it how could I ever have doubted it? I know this is something I have to do. Holy is our hope.

The beating of the planet's heart echoes in my ears, synchronized with mine.

When I open my eyes again, and I don't know for how long I have been here praying, Cloud is in front of me and I smile at him though his sword is lifted up high and ready to strike me.

My heart… It beats for you Zack… until the end.

Note: And we're down to one. Next chapter will be the big finale! I know I left it hanging there on this one but we'll see what happens soon I hope! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing everyone! This story has been fun to write and I'm glad people liked it! I can't believe it's almost ending! Thank you. See you soon for the ending!